bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes of anatomical nomenclature must be deliberate: The female external genitalia
Authors: Kachlik David
Published: August 2020

Anatomical terminology is a cornerstone of medical terminology and since 1895 there has been a norm (nomenclature), regularly revised, extended, and updated. The latest official version issued by the Federative International Program on Anatomical Terminology was approved by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists in 1998 as Terminologia Anatomica (TA). Second edition of the TA (TA2) has now been prepared for approval. Each change must be meticulously discussed and considered as it affects and influences not only anatomists but also all clinicians, physicians, scientists, teachers, and students in medical fields. There are several reasons for direct and deliberate changes, but also reasons for rejection of changes that could lead to disintegration and rejection of the nomenclature revision by the expert population. The latter reasons comprise changes of terms with originally different (inappropriate/incorrect/erroneous) meanings or with originally potentially vulgar meanings that are nowadays perceived as neutral. Some examples and explanations concerning the names of the principal structures of the female external genitalia (vulva, cunnus, pudendum, labia pudenda, rima pudendi, clitoris, and perineum) and some internal ones (vagina, uterus) in Latin and Greek are given. An overview is presented of the development and frequency of their usage, mainly in ancient times but also in medieval and later texts. It is suggested that the above‐stated reasons provide no fundamental argument for changing the terminology, as all the Latin terms used in TA are nowadays considered neutral.
Individualized prediction of survival benefits from perioperative chemoradiotherapy for patients with resectable gastric cancer
Authors: Che Keying , Liu Fangcen , Wu Nandie , Liu Qin , Yuan Ling , Wei Jia
Published: August 2020

Background

The survival benefits of perioperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT) and perioperative chemotherapy (PCT) for resectable gastric cancer (GC) patients remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of PCRT and PCT in patients with resectable GC and develop a nomogram to evaluate the prognosis and disease risk of patients.

Methods

A total of 6890 patients with stage IB‐IIIC GC from 2010 to 2015 were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic value of involved variables. A new nomogram was constructed based on development cohort and validated by an external validation cohort. The clinical practicability and accuracy were assessed by concordance index (C‐index), calibration plot, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

A better prognosis was obtained for patients with stage III GC treated with PCRT compared with those treated with PCT. Additionally, patients with grade III/IV, diffuse type GC, distal gastric cancer (DGC), tumor size >34 millimeters, or positive lymph nodes were more likely to benefit from PCRT. Multivariate analyses indicated that age, grade, tumor size, T stage, N stage, and comprehensive treatment were independent covariates. Excellent agreement of calibration plots and good discrimination power were obtained using the nomogram. The nomogram achieved a better net benefit than the 8th edition AJCC TNM staging. An online version was built based on the nomogram for convenient clinical use.

Conclusion

The application of perioperative chemoradiotherapy should be determined according to the clinicopathological features of patients. Our nomogram provided a reliable tool for screening patients who were right for PCRT and evaluating individual survival benefits.
Variability in accuracy of prostate cancer segmentation among radiologists, urologists, and scientists
Authors: Chen Michael Y. , Woodruff Maria A. , Dasgupta Prokar , Rukin Nicholas J.
Published: August 2020

Background

There is increasing research in using segmentation of prostate cancer to create a digital 3D model from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for purposes of education or surgical planning. However, the variation in segmentation of prostate cancer among users and potential inaccuracy has not been studied.

Methods

Four consultant radiologists, four consultant urologists, four urology trainees, and four nonclinician segmentation scientists were asked to segment a single slice of a lateral T3 prostate tumor on MRI (“Prostate 1”), an anterior zone prostate tumor MRI (“Prostate 2”), and a kidney tumor computed tomography (CT) scan (“Kidney”). Time taken and self‐rated subjective accuracy out of a maximum score of 10 were recorded. Root mean square error, Dice coefficient, Matthews correlation coefficient, Jaccard index, specificity, and sensitivity were calculated using the radiologists as the ground truth.

Results

There was high variance among the radiologists in segmentation of Prostate 1 and 2 tumors with mean Dice coefficients of 0.81 and 0.58, respectively, compared to 0.96 for the kidney tumor. Urologists and urology trainees had similar accuracy, while nonclinicians had the lowest accuracy scores for Prostate 1 and 2 tumors (0.60 and 0.47) but similar for kidney tumor (0.95). Mean sensitivity in Prostate 1 (0.63) and Prostate 2 (0.61) was lower than specificity (0.92 and 0.93) suggesting under‐segmentation of tumors in the non‐radiologist groups. Participants spent less time on the kidney tumor segmentation and self‐rated accuracy was higher than both prostate tumors.

Conclusion

Segmentation of prostate cancers is more difficult than other anatomy such as kidney tumors. Less experienced participants appear to under‐segment models and underestimate the size of prostate tumors. Segmentation of prostate cancer is highly variable even among radiologists, and 3D modeling for clinical use must be performed with caution. Further work to develop a methodology to maximize segmentation accuracy is needed.
Online low‐key conspicuous behavior of fashion luxury goods: The antecedents and its impact on consumer happiness
Authors: Chen Mingliang , Zhang Jing , Xie Zhaohan , Niu Jiahui
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, people tend to show off in a more conservative rather than ostentatious way, that is, “low‐key style.” This paper focuses on consumers' low‐key conspicuous behavior on social media after they purchase fashion luxury goods, so as to explore the antecedents of this behavior, as well as its impact, on consumer happiness. Our results show that motivations for self‐representation and avoidance of negative comments from others trigger the low‐key conspicuous behavior. Afterward, this behavior will positively affect consumers' short‐term happiness through both perceived self‐image and perceived interpersonal relationship, while enhancing long‐term happiness only through perceived interpersonal relationship. The reason may be that the temporary pleasure brought by the improvement of perceived self‐image is not enough to raise the quality of life, but an improvement in one's interpersonal relationship is a lifelong benefit.
Obstructive lingual thyroid
Authors: Gonzalez Mario E.
Published: August 2020

Lingual thyroid should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any base of tongue mass. Examination may reveal worrisome obstructive findings. However, a majority of patients are hypothyroid and respond favorably to hormone replacement therapy upfront. Surgery is reserved for patients unresponsive to medical management or those with severe obstruction.
Percutaneous thrombectomy of Impella‐associated iliac artery thrombosis using the FlowTriever system
Authors: Said Ahmad , Sayed Luay
Published: August 2020

Percutaneous thrombectomy using the FlowTriever system is a potentially safe and effective alternative to surgery in cases of Impella‐associated peripheral arterial thrombosis.
Optimal large‐scale CD34+ enrichment from a leukapheresis collection using the clinimacs prodigy platform
Authors: Pello Oscar M. , Lanzarot Diego , Colorado Mercedes , Amunarriz Cristina , Insunza Andrés , Álvarez‐Rodríguez Lorena , Díez de Velasco María , Sainz‐Sainz Natividad , Arroyo José Luis
Published: August 2020

Optimization of Hematology Patient's treatment: It is possible to obtain a 100% CD34+ recovery after CD34+ selection using the CliniMACS Prodigy.
CH4‐Selective Mixed‐Matrix Membranes Containing Functionalized Silica for Natural Gas Purification
Authors: Mohammdhadi Mousavi Seyed , Raisi Ahmadreza , Hashemi Moghaddam Hamid , Salehi Maleh Mohammad
Published: August 2020

Mixed‐matrix membranes were prepared by incorporating functionalized silica nanoparticles (SNPs) into the poly(ether‐block‐amide). The gas permeation properties of membranes were investigated for the separation of N2 and CO2 from CH4. Results revealed that chemical modification of SNPs and incorporation of the carboxylic groups on its surface had a strong interaction with the polymer matrix and improved the distribution of the nanofiller in the membrane matrix. According to the gas permeation experiments at various SNPs loadings and feed pressures, different trends were observed for the permeability and selectivity. Incorporation of the modified‐SNPs nanofiller into the membrane enhanced the CH4 permeability, as well as the CH4/N2 and CO2/N2 selectivities.
Nanostructured Sulfur and Sulfides for Advanced Lithium/Sulfur Cells
Authors: Hwa Yoon , Cairns Elton J.
Published: August 2020

Lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cells that offer high theoretical specific energy (2600 Wh/kg) have been considered for emerging high‐energy applications. Significant progress in improving the electrochemical performance of Li/S cells has been made based on the development strategies of the nanostructured sulfur‐based electrodes: i) improving the electrical conduction pathway by confining sulfur particles with conductive media, ii) employing sulfur‐philic functional nanomaterials to retain sulfur species in the sulfur electrode, iii) constructing rationally designed porous sulfur electrodes to accommodate large amounts of sulfur while maintaining good electronic and ionic conduction pathways. In this Review, recent innovations on nanostructured sulfur‐based materials with an emphasis on their nanostructure and reactivity and microstructural design strategies of the sulfur electrode will be highlighted, and future directions to advance the sulfur electrode for commercially viable Li/S cells will be discussed.
Stabilizing Ni‐Rich LiNi0.92Co0.06Al0.02O2 Cathodes by Boracic Polyanion and Tungsten Cation Co‐Doping for High‐Energy Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Qiu Zhenping , Zhang Yelong , Liu Zheng , Gao Yan , Liu Jiaming , Zeng Qingguang
Published: August 2020

Layered nickel‐rich transition metal oxide has been receiving much attention as high‐energy‐density cathode materials for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries. However, the severe capacity fading caused by bulk structural degradation of Ni‐rich cathodes during lithiation/delithiation obstructs their commercialization. Herein, we modify the LiNi0.92Co0.06Al0.02O2 (NCA92) cathode materials by W6+ cation and BO33− polyanion co‐doping to improve the structural stability and upgrade the electrochemical reversibility. The co‐doped NCA92 materials show remarkably improved cycling stability at 1 C with a capacity retention of 93.4 % after 100 cycles, whereas the pristine cathodes exhibit poor capacity retention of 53.0 % and suffer severe structural deterioration. Further studies reveal that the particle fragmentation resulted from the inherent internal strain and the structural degradation upon cycling can be effectively mitigated by W6+ cation and BO33− polyanion co‐doping. Besides, W6+ and BO33− co‐doping could enlarge the interlayer spacing of NCA92, thus increasing lithium‐ion diffusion coefficient, which is conducive to enhancing the rate capability. The present work demonstrates that cationic‐anionic co‐doping is an effective strategy to maintain the structural stability of Ni‐rich cathode materials, and it promotes the development of stable cathode materials for high energy density lithium‐ion batteries.
Effects of Film Formation on the Electrodeposition of Lithium
Authors: Yoshii Kazuki , Kiuchi Hisao , Taguchi Noboru , Shikano Masahiro , Matsubara Eiichiro , Sakaebe Hikari
Published: August 2020

Metallic lithium is the most popular anode material used in next‐generation secondary batteries to achieve high energy densities. However, inhomogeneous deposition is a serious issue that must be addressed for large‐scale implementation. Previous studies have highlighted that a surface film formed during the early stages of deposition may have an effect on deposition morphology. Lithium fluoride (LiF) is one of the main components in this surface film, and is thought to play an important role in the subsequent metallic lithium deposition. This study investigated the electrodeposition of lithium using 1.0 mol dm−3 LiPF6/propylene carbonate (PC) with and without trace amounts of water. The correlation between the morphology of the deposited metallic lithium and surface film formation during galvanostatic deposition was investigated. The morphology of the deposited lithium metal was dependent on the elapsed time after adding water to the electrolyte. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance analyses of the surface film confirmed that the amount of LiF in the film had a large effect on the morphology of the deposited metallic lithium. This study provides a basic understanding of lithium metal deposition and can guide improvements in electrolyte design for battery manufacturing.
Role of mineral flotation technology in improving bitumen extraction from mined Athabasca oil sands III. Next generation of water‐based oil sands extraction
Authors: Zhou Joe Z.
Published: August 2020

Current water‐based oil sands extraction operations are unsustainable, due to their consumption of large quantities of water and energy, generation of large volumes of fluid fine tailings, and rapid expansion of tailing ponds. From a brief analysis of the historical evolution of water‐based oil sands extraction, it has been identified that the use of conventional dispersed air flotation to recover liberated bitumen from oil sand slurries is mainly responsible for the high consumption of water required and the fluid fine tailings generated. Based on mineral flotation principles, a new concept is proposed, whereby water‐based oil sands extraction is simplified as a process of transferring hydrophobic bitumen from hydrophilic surfaces (sands) to hydrophobic surfaces (bitumen carriers). Compared to existing bitumen extraction technologies, bitumen liberation from sands is accelerated by attrition/scrubbing, and the liberated bitumen is recovered from the oil sand slurry by hydrophobic coagulation and heavy media separation. This concept is verified from preliminary laboratory tests for processing (above) average grade oil sands. The water required is significantly reduced from 100 to 150 wt% of the ores processed (as seen in current commercial operations) to 30‐40 wt% of the ores. Virtually no fluid fine tailings are generated, with the potential of eliminating tailing ponds. The tailings produced after bitumen extraction are paste‐like, containing >60 wt% solids, which can be directly disposed of in the mining pit, with little or no further treatment. Future research is needed to justify and refine the concept in large‐scale tests and engineer it into commercial operations.
Implications of Nitrogen Doping on Geometrical and Electronic Structure of the Fullerene Dimers
Authors: Su Yin , Chen Zuo‐Chang , Tian Han‐Rui , Xu Yun‐Yan , Zhang Qianyan , Xie Su‐Yuan , Zheng Lan‐Sun
Published: August 2020

Main observation and conclusion

Because of its unsaturated bonds, C60 is susceptible to polymerize into dimers. The implications of nitrogen doping on the geometrical and electronic structure of C60 dimers have been ambiguous for years. A quarter‐century after the discovery of azafullerene dimer (C59N)2, we reported its single crystallographic structure in 2019. Herein, the unambiguous crystal structure information of (C59N)2 is elucidated specifically, revealing that the inter‐cage C—C single bond length of (C59N)2 is comparable with that of an ordinary C(sp3)‐C(sp3) single bond, and that the most stable conformer of (C59N)2 is gauche‐conformer with a dihedral angle of 66°. To amend the structural deviations, geometrical structure of (C59N)2 is optimized by a B3LYP‐D3BJ function, which is proved to be more consistent with its single crystal structure than those by the commonly used B3LYP function. Moreover, the calculation method is also suitable for other representative fullerene dimers, such as (C60)2 and its divalent anion. Additionally, the dissociation of (C59N)2 at 473 K under mass spectrometric conditions suggests the inter‐cage C—C bond is relatively weaker than an ordinary C—C single bond, which can be explained by the interaction energies of inter‐cages.
Atherogenic index of plasma and the risk of advanced subclinical coronary artery disease beyond traditional risk factors: An observational cohort study
Authors: Won Ki‐Bum , Jang Mi‐Hee , Park Eun Ji , Park Hyung‐Bok , Heo Ran , Han Donghee , Chang Hyuk‐Jae
Published: August 2020

Background

Atherogenic lipoprotein profile of plasma is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been suggested as a novel marker for atherosclerosis.

Hypothesis

AIP is a useful marker of advanced subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) in subjects without overt renal dysfunction.

Methods

A total of 6928 subjects with estimated glomerular filtration rate > 60 mL/minutes/1.73 m2 evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for health check‐up were included. The relation of AIP to advanced CAD (heavy coronary calcification, defined as coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >100 or obstructive coronary plaque [OCP], defined as plaque with >50% stenosis) was evaluated.

Results

All participants were stratified into four groups based on AIP quartiles. The prevalence of CACS >100 (group I [lowest] 4.7% vs group II 7.0% vs group III 8.8% vs group IV 10.0%) and OCP (group I 3.7% vs group II 6.4% vs group III 8.8% vs group IV 10.9%) (all P < .001) increased with elevating AIP quartiles. Higher AIP (per 0.1 unit increase) was associated with an increased risk of CACS >100 (odds ratio [OR] 1.057, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.010 to 1.106, P = .017; relative risk (RR) 1.048, 95% CI 1.009‐1.089, and P = .015) and OCP (OR 1.079, 95% CI 1.033‐1.127, P = .001; RR 1.069, 95% CI 1.031‐1.108, P < .001) after adjusting for age > 60 years, male sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, obesity, and proteinuria.

Conclusion

AIP is independently associated with advanced subclinical CAD beyond traditional risk factors.
Purinergic Signaling: Impact of GPCR Structures on Rational Drug Design
Authors: Salmaso Veronica , Jacobson Kenneth A.
Published: August 2020

The purinergic signaling system includes membrane‐bound receptors for extracellular purines and pyrimidines, and enzymes/transporters that regulate receptor activation by endogenous agonists. Receptors include: adenosine (A1, A2A, A2B, and A3) and P2Y (P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11, P2Y12, P2Y13, and P2Y14) receptors (all GPCRs), as well as P2X receptors (ion channels). Receptor activation, especially accompanying physiological stress or damage, creates a temporal sequence of signaling to counteract this stress and either mobilize (P2Rs) or suppress (ARs) immune responses. Thus, modulation of this large signaling family has broad potential for treating chronic diseases. Experimentally determined structures represent each of the three receptor families. We focus on selective purinergic agonists (A1, A3), antagonists (A3, P2Y14), and allosteric modulators (P2Y1, A3). Examples of applying structure‐based design, including the rational modification of known ligands, are presented for antithrombotic P2Y1R antagonists and anti‐inflammatory P2Y14R antagonists and A3AR agonists. A3AR agonists are a potential, nonaddictive treatment for chronic neuropathic pain.
Deliberately Losing Control of C−H Activation Processes in the Design of Small‐Molecule‐Fragment Arrays Targeting Peroxisomal Metabolism
Authors: Khan Tareque Raysa , Hassell‐Hart Storm , Krojer Tobias , Bradley Anthony , Velupillai Srikannathasan , Talon Romain , Fairhead Michael , Day Iain J. , Bala Kamlesh , Felix Robert , Kemmitt Paul D. , Brennan Paul , von Delft Frank , Díaz Sáez Laura , Huber Kilian , Spencer John
Published: August 2020

Combined photochemical arylation, “nuisance effect” (SNAr) reaction sequences have been employed in the design of small arrays for immediate deployment in medium‐throughput X‐ray protein–ligand structure determination. Reactions were deliberately allowed to run “out of control” in terms of selectivity; for example the ortho‐arylation of 2‐phenylpyridine gave five products resulting from mono‐ and bisarylations combined with SNAr processes. As a result, a number of crystallographic hits against NUDT7, a key peroxisomal CoA ester hydrolase, have been identified.
First‐in‐human phase 1 study of MK‐1248, an anti–glucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor agonist monoclonal antibody, as monotherapy or with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Geva Ravit , Voskoboynik Mark , Dobrenkov Konstantin , Mayawala Kapil , Gwo Jennifer , Wnek Richard , Chartash Elliot , Long Georgina V.
Published: August 2020

Background

Ligation of glucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) decreases regulatory T cell–mediated suppression and enhances T‐cell proliferation, effector function, and survival. MK‐1248 is a humanized immunoglobulin G4 anti‐GITR monoclonal antibody agonist.

Methods

In patients with advanced solid tumors, MK‐1248 (starting dose, 0.12 mg) was tested alone and with pembrolizumab (200 mg) according to a 3 + 3 dose escalation design (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02553499); both treatments were administered intravenously every 3 weeks for ≤4 and ≤35 cycles, respectively. The safety and tolerability, maximum tolerated dose, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics were explored.

Results

Twenty patients received MK‐1248 monotherapy; 17 received combination therapy. The most frequent tumor types were colorectal cancer (n = 8), melanoma (n = 6), and renal cell carcinoma (n = 4). MK‐1248 was generally well tolerated at the maximum tested doses of 170 (monotherapy) and 60 mg (combination). No dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) or treatment‐related deaths occurred. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 36 of the 37 patients (97%); the most common were vomiting (n = 13 [35%]), anemia (n = 10 [27%]), and decreased appetite (n = 10 [27%]). Grade 3 to 5 AEs occurred in 19 of the 37 patients (51%). Treatment‐related AEs occurred in 18 of the 37 patients (49%): 9 of the 20 patients (45%) on monotherapy and 9 of the 17 patients (53%) on combination therapy. Among the 17 patients receiving combination therapy, 1 achieved a complete response and 2 achieved a partial response, for an objective response rate of 18%; no patients achieved an objective response with monotherapy. The disease control rate (stable disease or better) was 15% with monotherapy and 41% with combination therapy.

Conclusions

MK‐1248 was generally well tolerated at doses up to 170 (monotherapy) and 60 mg (combination), with no DLTs or treatment‐related deaths. Combination therapy provided limited antitumor responses.
Cytomorphology of primary pulmonary NUT carcinoma in different cytology preparations
Authors: Dutta Rimlee , Nambirajan Aruna , Mittal Saurabh , Roy‐Chowdhuri Sinchita , Jain Deepali
Published: August 2020

Background

NUT carcinoma (NC) is an aggressive neoplasm that often presents with alarge tumor burden and metastases; cytology is frequently one of the primary diagnostic modalities. Primary pulmonary NCs are very rare and cytology descriptions are limited. The current study was performed to analyze the cytomorphological features of primary pulmonary NCs in different cytology samples and preparations.

Methods

A total of 15 cytology specimens from 10 patients with primary pulmonary NCs diagnosed primarily on histology were retrieved and reviewed.

Results

Fifteen cytology samples, including aspirates from primary (5 samples) and metastatic (5 samples) sites, sputum (1 sample), and effusions (4 samples), that were prepared as direct smears, centrifuged smears, and cell blocks were reviewed. Aspirate smears from all cases were cellular and demonstrated fragments and cohesive clusters of primitive tumor cells with scant cytoplasm, ovoid nuclei with coarse granular chromatin, and consistently conspicuous single nucleoli in a frequently neutrophil‐rich necrotic background with dispersed bare tumor nuclei. In fluid cytology, tight, 3‐dimensional tumor clusters and singly lying tumor cells were observed. Squamous differentiation in the form of sheets and singly lying polygonal tumor cells with abundant dense cytoplasm was noted focally in rare cases. The diagnoses during original sign‐outs were poorly differentiated carcinoma, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant small round cell tumor. NUT‐1 (NUT family member 1 protein) immunocytochemistry performed on cell blocks demonstrated characteristic speckled nuclear staining in tumor cells.

Conclusions

Pulmonary NC presents as a poorly differentiated carcinoma with focal to absent squamous differentiation on cytology. Cellular fragments of primitive tumor cells with conspicuous nucleoli should raise suspicion of NUT carcinoma and prompt ancillary testing.
A Self‐Assembling Tripeptide‐Based Fluorescence Bio‐Nanosensor
Authors: Miao Pandeng , Liu Zhongdong , Liang Man , Guo Jun , Wang Tegexibaiyin , Wang Liping , Zhang Feng
Published: August 2020

A de novo tripeptide, YFF, can self‐assemble into fluorescent nanostructures under ultraviolet irradiation, and their fluorescence can be selectively quenched by copper ions. Copper ions can co‐assemble with YFF NPs into hierarchical nanostructures, and the quenched fluorescence can recover again with the addition of pyrophosphate (diphosphate, PPi), which is due to the robust interaction between copper ions and PPi. Based on this principle, a simple and cost‐effective alkaline phosphatase (ALP) biosensor has been built up by making use of the specific dephosphorylation of ALP to PPi, in which the coordinated copper ions can reversibly bind to PPi, thus quench and recover the fluorescence of tripeptide nanostructures. The fluorescence intensity correlated well to the concentration of Cu2+ (2–100 μM), PPi (0–500 μM) and ALP (0–500 U/L) i, respectively, and the corresponding limits of detection (LOD) are 1.29 μM, 0.77 μM and 1.84 U/L, respectively. The designed tripeptide‐based nanosensor also exhibits biocompatible, robust sensing performance in serum, indicating its great potential application for clinical diagnosis.
Evolutionary game analysis between businesses and consumers under the background of Internet rumors
Authors: Li Bowen , Li Hua , Sun Qiubai , Chen Xuebo
Published: August 2020

In order to analyze the behavior of businesses and consumers under the impact of Internet rumors, this study constructs an evolutionary game model between consumers and businesses based on the Evolutionary Game Model proposed by Smith and with the introduction of a new parameter, that is, the degree of psychological identity consumers have on businesses. By analyzing the equilibrium point and the Evolution Stability Strategy, it is concluded that: (i) When the cost of investigating rumors is greater than the additional income obtained after the investigation, businesses will choose negative response, while consumers' purchase will is decided by the relationship between the cost of investigation paid by consumers and the cost of searching for a substitute. (ii) When the cost for investigating rumors is less than the additional income obtained later, both the probability of positive response by businesses and the probability of purchasing by consumers are in direct proportion to the degree of psychological identity consumers have on businesses. Conclusions of this article will provide theories and references of decision‐making for businesses influenced by Internet rumors.
GPUAnimats—Simulating animats, an agent‐based, artificial life model on graphical processing units
Authors: Quach Dara Q. , Playne Daniel P. , Scogings Chris J.
Published: August 2020

A parallel implementation of an agent‐based, artificial life model for graphical processing units (GPUs) is presented. The model represents predator‐prey populations as a collection of agents (animats) who act independently and interact with their environment and each other. Individual animat interactions include avoidance, mating, and hunting which contribute to emergent behavior in the system as a whole such as herd formation and defensive spirals. Computational simulations of the model exploring the behavior of the model are limited in size due to the large populations that may result from certain environments and rule combinations. Parallel methods for computing the model on GPUs and a CUDA implementation are presented and are shown to provide a significant performance improvement over existing sequential implementations without simplifying the model behavior. The reduced simulation run‐time can allow both larger systems to be computed and a wider range of rule combinations that may produce larger populations to be investigated in a feasible amount of time.
Self‐Assembly of Hollow Organic Nanotubes Driven by Arene Regioisomerism
Authors: Alegre‐Requena Juan V. , Herrera Raquel P. , Díaz Díaz David
Published: August 2020

Arene regioisomerism in low‐molecular‐weight gelators can be exploited as a tool to modulate the micro‐structures of the corresponding xerogel networks by using the three different possible substitution patterns ortho, meta and para. This aromatic regioisomer‐driven strategy has been used with a cholesterol‐based gelator to prepare hollow self‐assembled organic nanotubes (S‐ONTs) with inside and outside diameters of ca. 35 and 140 nm, respectively. Electron microscopy imaging and theoretical calculations were employed to rationalize the formation mechanism of these S‐ONTs. From the three possible regioisomers, only the ortho‐disubstituted cholesteryl‐based gelator showed the optimal angle and distance between substituents to afford the formation of the cyclic assemblies required for nanotube growth by assembling 30–40 units of the gelator. This study opens fascinating opportunities to expand the synthesis of controllable and unique microstructures by modulating geometrical parameters through aromatic regioisomers.
Photochemical Rearrangement of a 19‐Membered Azoxybenzocrown: Products and their Properties
Authors: Wagner‐Wysiecka Ewa , Szulc Paulina , Luboch Elżbieta , Chojnacki Jarosław , Szwarc‐Karabyka Katarzyna , Łukasik Natalia , Murawski Miłosz , Kosno Michał
Published: August 2020

The preparation and characterization of products of the chemical and photochemical rearrangements of a 19‐membered o,o′‐azoxybenzocrown are presented. In photochemical rearrangement, besides the expected product i. e. 19‐membered o‐hydroxy‐o,o′‐azobenzocrown (19‐o‐OH) obtained under defined conditions with 75 % yield, also other macrocyclic products were isolated and identified, namely: 19‐membered p‐hydroxy‐o,o′‐azobenzocrown (19‐p‐OH), 21‐membered o′‐hydroxy‐o,p′‐azobenzocrown (21‐o′‐OH) and 19‐membered macrocycle containing a 5‐membered ring bearing an aldehyde group (19‐al). The structures of two atypical products of the photochemical rearrangement – 21‐o′‐OH and 19‐al – were determined in the solid state by X‐ray analysis and in solution using NMR spectroscopy. Tautomeric equilibrium of the formed hydroxyazobenzocrowns and its change depending on acidity/basicity of the environment and alkali and alkaline earth metal cations complexation were studied using UV‐Vis spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry and 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Genomic selection of forage agronomic traits in winter wheat
Authors: Maulana Frank , Kim Ki‐Seung , Anderson Joshua D. , Sorrells Mark E. , Butler Twain J. , Liu Shuyu , Baenziger P. Stephen , Byrne Patrick F. , Ma Xue‐Feng
Published: August 2020

Genomic selection (GS) can improve genetic gain of complex traits in plant breeding. Phenotyping agronomic traits of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for dual‐purpose use is expensive and time‐consuming. In this study, we compared the prediction accuracies of four GS models (RR‐BLUP, GBLUP, GAUSS, and BL) for forage yield (FY), plant height (PH) and heading date (HD) of the hard winter wheat diversity panel (n = 298) using random and stratified sampling methods. In addition, we determined the appropriate training population (TP) size and marker density for GS of the traits. Moderate to high prediction accuracies ranging from 0.66 to 0.69 for FY, 0.46 to 0.49 for PH, and 0.71 to 0.74 for HD were observed for the GS models. However, the sampling method had little or no impact on prediction accuracy. The RR‐BLUP, GBLUP, and GAUSS models produced slightly greater prediction accuracies than BL for all traits studied. Prediction accuracies increased with increasing TP size and marker density in all the GS models tested. However, increase of prediction accuracy started to plateau at nTP = 180 lines and 1,000; 1,500; or 3,000 SNPs suggesting that the minimum TP size and marker density were about 180 lines and 1,000 or more SNPs, depending on the model and trait. The impact of TP size on prediction accuracy was greater for RR‐BLUP, GAUSS, and GBLUP than for BL model. This study suggests that RR‐BLUP, GBLUP, and GAUSS are viable models for selecting the forage agronomic traits during dual‐purpose wheat breeding.
Impact of nitrogen source, fall fertilizers, and preventive fungicides on spring dead spot caused by Ophiosphaerella korrae and O. herpotricha
Authors: Tredway L. P. , Soika M. D. , Butler E. L. , Kerns J. P.
Published: August 2020

The effects of N source, fall fertilization, and preventive fungicides were evaluated in bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] artificially inoculated with Ophiosphaerella korrae and O. herpotricha, the most common spring dead spot (SDS) pathogens in the United States. The source of N applied to bermudagrass from May to August 2006–2008 had a significant effect on SDS symptoms appearing in the spring of 2007–2009. Ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] provided excellent suppression of O. herpotricha but had no effect on O. korrae, which was suppressed instead by calcium nitrate (CaNO3). More research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms responsible for suppression of SDS with N sources and the potential role of Mn and Ca in development of the disease. Fall applications of K, S, gypsum, or dolomitic lime had no influence on SDS development. Preventive applications of propiconazole, propiconazole + azoxystrobin, tebuconazole, or fenarimol provided effective control of O. herpotricha but failed to provide significant suppression of O. korrae. The differential response of SDS pathogens to fertilization practices and preventive fungicide applications highlight the importance of pathogen identification in development of integrated management programs.
Influence of manganese availability on switchgrass and pearl millet biomass production
Authors: Guo Ying , Fritschi Felix B.
Published: August 2020

Manganese is an essential nutrient and plays key roles in photosynthetic processes, including in NAD‐malic enzyme (NAD‐ME)‐type C4 plants as an activator of NAD‐ME. However, little is known about the Mn requirements of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). To study Mn requirements for optimum growth and biomass production, a lowland (‘Alamo’) and an upland (‘Cave‐in‐Rock’) switchgrass ecotype were grown with either washed sand, vermiculite, or perlite and fertilized with nutrient solutions ranging in [Mn] from 0 to 200 μM. In the perlite experiment, pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. ‘KGraze’] was also grown. Shoot [Mn] was highly responsive to increasing Mn in the nutrient solution. When grown in washed sand and vermiculite, tissue [Mn] remained above those normally considered deficient, even in the 0 μM Mn treatment, and no Mn treatment effects on biomass production were found. In perlite, end‐of‐season shoot [Mn] were <5 mg kg−1 in all entries when no Mn was supplied, and a decrease in biomass production compared with 10–25 μM Mn treatments was observed for Alamo and KGraze, but not for Cave‐in‐Rock. Relative chlorophyll contents of switchgrass were lower in the 0 μM Mn treatment than in other treatments late in the season, but in KGraze, they were low early in the season and increased throughout the season, resulting in less pronounced (but still significant) differences at late stages. Overall, results indicated that switchgrass and pearl millet respond differently to low Mn availability and that even low levels of shoot tissue [Mn] allow switchgrass to maintain biomass production.
Naphthalene Structures Derived from Lignins During Phenolation
Authors: Li Suxiang , Shi Lanlan , Wang Chen , Yue Fengxia , Lu Fachuang
Published: August 2020

Phenolation is a commonly used method to improve the reactivity of lignin for various applications. In this study, resinol lignin models (syringaresinol and pinoresinol) and eucalyptus alkali lignin were treated under acid‐catalyzed phenolation conditions to investigate the products derived from resinol (β–β) structures of lignins. The phenolation products were characterized by means of GC‐MS and NMR spectroscopy following separation using flash chromatography and thin‐layer chromatography. A series of new naphthalene products were identified from phenolation of syringaresinol, and the corresponding guaiacyl analogs were also identified by GC‐MS. The C1−Cα bond of these resinol compounds was cleaved to release syringol or guaiacol during phenolation. In addition, diphenylmethane products formed from phenol or phenol and syringol/guaiacol were found in the phenolation products. Comparatively, more naphthalene products were obtained by phenolation from syringaresinol than those obtained from pinoresinol. HSQC NMR characterization of the phenolated alkali lignin revealed that naphthalene structures formed in the phenolated lignin.
Trans‐omic profiling between clinical phenoms and lipidomes among patients with different subtypes of lung cancer
Authors: Zhu Zhenhua , Zhang Linlin , Lv Jiapei , Liu Xiaoxia , Wang Xiangdong
Published: August 2020

Lung cancer has high mortality, often accompanied with systemic metabolic disorders. The present study aimed at defining values of trans‐nodules cross‐clinical phenomic and lipidomic network layers in patients with adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinomas, or small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We measured plasma lipidomic profiles of lung cancer patients and found that altered lipid panels and concentrations varied among lung cancer subtypes, genders, ages, stages, metastatic status, nutritional status, and clinical phenome severity. It was shown that phosphatidylethanolamine elements (36:2, 18:0/18:2, and 18:1/18:1) were SCLC specific, whereas lysophosphatidylcholine (20:1 and 22:0 sn‐position‐1) and phosphatidylcholine (19:0/19:0 and 19:0/21:2) were ADC specific. There were statistically more lipids declined in male, <60 ages, late stage, metastasis, or body mass index < 22 . Clinical trans‐omics analyses demonstrated that one phenome in lung cancer subtypes might be generated from multiple metabolic pathways and metabolites, whereas a metabolic pathway and metabolite could contribute to different phenomes among subtypes, although those needed to be furthermore confirmed by bigger studies including larger population of patients in multicenters. Thus, our data suggested that trans‐omic profiles between clinical phenomes and lipidomes might have the value to uncover the heterogeneity of lipid metabolism among lung cancer subtypes and to screen out phenome‐based lipid panels as subtype‐specific biomarkers.
Proliferative activity is disturbed in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and MDS/MPN diseases. Differences between MDS and MDS/MPN
Authors: Mestrum Stefan G. C. , de Wit Norbert C. J. , Drent Roosmarie J. M. , Hopman Anton H. N. , Ramaekers Frans C. S. , Leers Math P. G.
Published: August 2020

The proliferation marker Ki‐67 is widely used within the field of diagnostic histopathology as a prognostic marker for solid cancers. However, Ki‐67 is hardly used for prognostic and diagnostic purposes in flow cytometric analyses of hematologic neoplasms. In the present study, we investigated to what extent the proliferative activity, as determined by Ki‐67 expression, is disturbed in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and MDS/MPN diseases. Bone marrow aspirates from 74 patients suffering from MPN, MDS, or MDS/MPN, and aspirates from 50 non‐malignant cases were analyzed by flow cytometry for Ki‐67 expression in the erythro‐, myelo‐, and monopoiesis. Ki‐67 expression was used to investigate the proliferative activity during the various maturation steps within these hematopoietic cell lineages. In the MPN patient cohort, the proliferative activity of all cell lineages is significantly higher during almost all maturation stages compared to those of the benign control cohort. In the MDS and MDS/MPN cohort, a significantly lower proliferative activity is observed in the early maturation stages. In the MDS/MPN patient cohort, increased proliferative activity is seen in the later stages of the maturation. MDS and MDS/MPN display a distinct pattern in the proliferating fraction of maturing hematopoietic cells. This could become of added value in order to classify these malignancies based on their biological background and behavior, as well as in gaining a better understanding into the pathobiology of these malignancies.
Is pain temporary and glory forever? Detection of tramadol using dried blood spot in cycling competitions
Authors: Salamin Olivier , Garcia Arnaud , González‐Ruiz Víctor , Rossi Francesca , Bigard Xavier , Déglon Julien , Daali Youssef , Faiss Raphaël , Saugy Martial , Rudaz Serge
Published: August 2020

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid drug used in the treatment of chronic and acute pain. An abnormal prevalence of its misuse in elite sport to overcome pain resulting from prolonged physical effort was recently reported. However, besides its antinociceptive effects, tramadol consumption is associated with negative effects such as numbness, confusion, and reduced alertness. This fact prompted the Union Cycliste Internationale to ban the use of tramadol in cycling competitions. Herein, we present the development of a dried blood spot (DBS) sample collection and preparation method followed by a liquid‐chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) analysis to rapidly determine the presence of tramadol and its two main metabolites in blood samples. The detection window of each analyte was evaluated and the analysis of performance on various MS platforms (HRMS and MS/MS) was assessed. Tramadol and its two main metabolites were detected up to 12 h after the intake of a single dose of 50 mg of tramadol in positive controls. In professional cycling competitions, 711 DBS samples collected from 361 different riders were analysed using the developed methodology, but all returned negative results (absence of parent and both metabolite compounds). In the context of professional cycling, we illustrate a valid method bringing together the easiness of collection and minimal sample preparation required by DBS, yet affording the performance standards of MS determination. The proposed method to detect tramadol and its metabolites was successfully implemented in cycling races with a probable strong deterrent effect.
Perfectionism, self‐stigma, and coping in students with dyslexia: The central role of perfectionistic self‐presentation
Authors: Stoeber Joachim , Rountree Margaret L.
Published: August 2020

Dyslexia is a prevalent condition, and a significant percentage of students in higher education are dyslexic. Despite this, few studies have investigated dyslexia in university students and what personality dispositions may predict how students feel about help‐seeking for dyslexia and how they cope with dyslexia. Against this background, the present study investigated perfectionism, self‐stigma, and coping in 115 university students with dyslexia, examining the relationships between dispositional perfectionism (self‐oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism) and perfectionistic self‐presentation with self‐stigma of seeking help and adaptive versus maladaptive coping with dyslexia. Results from regression and mediation analyses showed that perfectionistic self‐presentation predicted higher levels of self‐stigma and maladaptive coping, and lower levels of adaptive coping. Furthermore, both forms of dispositional perfectionism predicted higher levels of self‐stigma and maladaptive coping, and lower levels of adaptive coping, via perfectionistic self‐presentation (dispositional perfectionism→perfectionistic self‐presentation → self‐stigma and coping). The findings suggest that perfectionistic self‐presentation plays a central role in the relationships of perfectionism, self‐stigma, and coping in students with dyslexia, and that impression management, aimed at presenting a perfect self‐image (and hiding imperfections), represents a significant risk for students seeking help for, and successful coping with, dyslexia.
Exploring the phonological profiles of children with reading difficulties: A multiple case study
Authors: Mundy Ian R. , Hannant Penelope
Published: August 2020

Studies of group differences have established that the phonological profiles of people with reading difficulties contain both strengths and weaknesses. The current study extends this work by exploring individual differences in phonological ability using a multiple case study approach. A heterogeneous sample of 56 children (M age = 9 years) with reading difficulties completed a battery of tasks measuring literacy, phonological processing, expressive vocabulary and general ability. The phonological tasks included measures of phonological awareness (PA), phonological memory (PM), and rapid naming (RAN). A majority—although not all—of the children had phonological processing impairments. However, there was also substantial variability in the nature of children's phonological difficulties. While multiple impairments encompassing two or more phonological domains were most common, impairments that were specific to PA, PM or RAN also occurred frequently. Even within the domain of PA, where children completed three well‐matched tasks, individual children were rarely impaired across all three measures and a number of different profiles were observed. Additional, group‐level analyses indicated that PA was a significant predictor of decoding while RAN was a significant predictor of automatic word recognition and comprehension. Findings are discussed with reference to conceptual models of phonological processing and implications for assessment.