bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vesicular nucleotide transporter‐immunoreactive type I cells associated with P2X3‐immunoreactive nerve endings in the rat carotid body
Authors: Yokoyama Takuya , Yamamoto Yoshio , Hirakawa Masato , Kato Kouki , Saino Tomoyuki
Published: December 2019

ATP is the major excitatory transmitter from chemoreceptor type I cells to sensory nerve endings in the carotid body, and has been suggested to be released by exocytosis from these cells. We investigated the mRNA expression and immunohistochemical localization of vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT) in the rat carotid body. RT‐PCR detected mRNA expression of VNUT in extracts of the tissue. Immunoreactivity for VNUT was localized in a part of type I cells immunoreactive for synaptophysin (SYN), but not in glial‐like type II cells immunoreactive for S100 and S100B. Among SYN‐immunoreactive type I cells, VNUT immunoreactivity was selectively localized in the sub‐population of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐immunorective type I cells associated with nerve endings immunoreactive for the P2X3 purinoceptor; however, it was not detected in the sub‐population of type I cells immunoreactive for dopamine beta‐hydroxylase. Multi‐immunolabeling for VNUT, P2X3, and Bassoon revealed that Bassoon‐immunoreactive products were localized in type I cells with VNUT immunoreactivity, and accumulated on the contact side of P2X3‐immunoreactive nerve endings. These results revealed the selective localization of VNUT in the subpopulation of TH‐immunoreactive type I cells attached to sensory nerve endings and suggested that these cells release ATP by exocytosis for chemosensory transmission in the carotid body.
Transfer of Chiral Information from Silica Hosts to Achiral Luminescent Guests: a Simple Approach to Accessing Circularly Polarized Luminescent Systems
Authors: Tsunega Seiji , Jin Ren‐Hua , Nakashima Takuya , Kawai Tsuyoshi
Published: December 2019

Systems that show circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) are usually constructed in one of two possible ways: either covalently binding the chiral moieties (usually organic compounds) to luminophores (inorganic or organic compounds) or associating the luminophores as guests with chiral hosts (usually organic compounds). Herein, we propose inorganic‐based CPL‐active systems constructed by the “chiral host‐luminescent guest” strategy, in which silica acts as a chiral host to endow various luminescent guests with CPL. The chiral silica was modified by silane coupling with amino or phenyl groups to allow interaction with luminescent guests, and then used in combination with acidic achiral dyes, lead‐halide type perovskites, and aggregation‐induced emission luminogens (AIEgens). Interestingly, when these achiral guests were noncovalently confined in surface‐modified chiral silica, the guests showed chiroptical behavior in the circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and thus became CPL active, even though they are not inherently chiral. The surface functional groups on the silica play very important roles in transferring the chiral information from the silica to the guests. This work provides a new concept for constructing CPL‐active systems using inorganic materials as a chiral source.
Optimization in Detection of Antigen‐Specific T Cells Through Differentially Labeled MHC Multimers
Authors: Pedersen Natasja Wulff , Laske Karoline , Maurer Dominik , Welters Marij , Walter Steffen , Gouttefangeas Cécile , Hadrup Sine Reker
Published: December 2019

A large variety of fluorescent molecules are used on a regular basis to tag major histocompatibility complex (MHC) multimers for detection of antigen‐specific T cells. We have evaluated the way in which the choice of fluorescent label can impact the detection of MHC multimer binding T cells in an exploratory proficiency panel where detection of MHC multimer binding T cells was assessed across 16 different laboratories. We found that the staining index (SI) of the multimer reagent provided the best direct correlation with the value of a given fluorochrome for T cell detection studies. The SI is dependent on flow cytometer settings and chosen antibody panel; hence, the optimal fluorochrome selection may differ from lab to lab. Consequently, we describe a strategy to evaluate performance of the detection channels and optimize the SI for selected fluorescent molecules. This approach can easily be used to test and optimize fluorescence detection in relation to MHC multimer staining and in general, for antibody‐based identification of rare cell populations. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
The effects of management on vegetation trajectories during the early‐stage restoration of previously arable land after hay transfer
Authors: Garrouj Myriam , Alard Didier , Corcket Emmanuel , Marchand Lilian , Benot Marie‐Lise
Published: December 2019

The restoration of floodplain grasslands has benefited from many studies of the underlying mechanisms. Among the operational tools that resulted, hay transfer is now used increasingly to alleviate the effects of limited seed dispersal and recruitment. To improve this method, we still need to understand how it can affect restoration trajectories, and particularly their direction and magnitude during the early stages of restoration. Based on concepts from the field of community ecology theory, we investigated the effects of early‐stage management through grazing or mowing on restoration trajectories after soil harrowing and hay transfer. We established a randomized block design experiment and quantified several community‐related metrics to formalize restoration trajectories for 3 years after hay transfer on a previously arable alluvial island in southwestern France. Whatever the management treatment, the species richness and evenness were significantly higher in hay‐inoculated than in control plots. This effect was linked to the recruitment of species originating not only from the reference grassland through hay transfer, but also from the seed bank, a well‐known effect of soil harrowing. Although generally oriented toward the reference grassland, the origin, direction, and magnitude of the trajectory of hay‐inoculated plots all depended on the management applied. Sheep grazing applied at the same time as hay transfer enhanced the recruitment of reference species as from the first experimental year, because it controlled aboveground competition and maintained the window of opportunity open for a sufficiently longer period of time. Our findings show that the type of management applied simultaneously to hay transfer influences the origin of a grassland trajectory, while its direction and magnitude are dependent on the management applied in subsequent years. Grazing immediately after hay transfer may be appropriate to accelerate the recruitment of species from the reference grassland.
Mitochondrial genomes and genetic structure of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
Authors: Frandsen Hilary R. , Figueroa Diego F. , George Jeff A.
Published: December 2019

The Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) is the world's most endangered sea turtle species and is primarily distributed in the Gulf of Mexico. In the United States, South Padre Island, Texas serves as a key nesting ground for the species. Genetic studies of the Kemp's ridley have been used to aid in conservation and management practices, with the mitochondrial control region as the most commonly used marker due to its perceived hypervariability and ease of sequencing. However, with the advent of next generation sequencing technology, targeting complete mitochondrial genomes is now feasible. Here, we describe a more complete mitochondrial genome for the Kemp's ridley than has been previously published in literature and demonstrate a cost‐effective and efficient method for obtaining complete mitochondrial genomes from sea turtles. We compare the genetic diversity and taxonomic resolution obtained from whole mitochondrial genomes to that obtained from the mitochondrial control region alone. We compare current genetic diversity with previous records. Furthermore, we evaluate the genetic structure between the breeding stock in South Padre Island and that of deceased Kemp's ridleys recovered on the Northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico after the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and of Kemp's ridleys stranded on the East Coast of the United States. Our results show that complete mitochondrial genomes provide greater resolution than the control region alone. They also show that the genetic diversity of the Kemp's ridley has remained stable, despite large population declines, and that the genetic makeup of deceased turtles stranded after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is indistinguishable from the breeding stock in South Padre Island, Texas.

Open Data Badge

This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/.
BACH2 regulates the function of human CD4+CD45RA−Foxp3l° cytokine‐secreting T cells and promotes B‐cell response in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zheng Yingxia , Lu Yiwen , Huang Xinfang , Han Li , Chen Zheyi , Zhou Bingqian , Ma Yanhui , Xie Guohua , Yang Junyao , Bian Bingxian , Li Li , Nie Hong , Pan Xiujun , Shen Lisong
Published: December 2019

Although CD4+CD45RA−Foxp3l° cytokine‐secreting T cells (Fr.III cells) have been reported to be increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), their function and effects on response of B cells are still unclear. Here, we dissect how BACH2 regulates Fr.III cells function and promotes B‐cell response in active SLE patients. We measured cytokines and BACH2 expression, and found that Fr.III cells from SLE patients produce much more inflammatory cytokines and were more able to promote B‐ cell proliferation, IgG, IgA, and TNF‐α production than controls in a co‐culture system. Fr.III cells expressed high levels of ICOS and CD154, but a low level of Tfr and BACH2, BACH2 expression was negatively correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index. Overexpressed of BACH2 in Fr.III cells, decreased cytokines expression and reduced B‐cell response. Furthermore, we identified a reduction of H3K27ac level binding at the BACH2 locus in the SLE Fr.III cells and SLE serum stimulation decreased H3K27ac binding at the BACH2 locus, which could be restored using trichostatin A (TSA). In conclusion, BACH2 was associated with SLE disease activity, regulated the function of Fr.III cells, and promoted B‐cells response. Targeting BACH2 may be a new immune intervention therapy of SLE.
A Review on Domino Condensation/Cyclization Reactions for the Synthesis of 2‐Substituted 1,3‐Benzothiazole Derivatives
Authors: Liu Xing , Dong Zhi‐Bing
Published: December 2019

Domino reactions serve as one of the most step‐economical methods for the synthesis of benzoxazole molecules such as 2‐substituted 1,3‐benzothiazoles. Recently, a variety of compounds were found to facilitate these domino reactions. Here, we have summarized the most important domino condensation and cyclization reactions in view of the formation of 2‐substituted 1,3‐benzothiazoles using specific cyclization agents.
Experimental investigation on dynamic strength and energy dissipation characteristics of gas outburst‐prone coal
Authors: Fan Chaojun , Li Sheng , Elsworth Derek , Han Jun , Yang Zhenhua
Published: December 2019

We report laboratory experiments to investigate the dynamic failure characteristics of outburst‐prone coal using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). For comparison, two groups of experiments are completed on contrasting coals—the first outburst‐prone and the second outburst‐resistant. The dynamic mechanical properties, failure processes, and energy dissipation of both outburst‐prone and outburst‐resistant coals are comparatively analyzed according to the obtained dynamic compressive and tensile stress‐strain curves. Results show that the dynamic stress‐strain response of both outburst‐prone and outburst‐resistant coal specimens comprises stages of compression, linear elastic deformation, then microfracture evolution, followed by unstable fracture propagation culminating in rapid unloading. The mechanical properties of both outburst‐prone and outburst‐resistant coal specimens exhibit similar features: The uniaxial compressive strength and indirect tensile strength increase linearly with the applied strain rate, and the peak strain increases nonlinearly with the strain rate, whereas the elastic modulus does not exhibit any clear strain rate dependency. Differences in the dynamic failure characteristics between outburst‐prone and outburst‐resistant coals also exist. The hardening effect of strain rate on outburst‐prone coal is more apparent than on outburst‐resistant coal, which is reflected in the dynamic increase factor at the same strain rate. However, the dynamic strength of outburst‐prone coals is still lower than that of outburst‐resistant coals due to its low quasi‐static strength. The dissipated energy of outburst‐prone coal is smaller than that of outburst‐resistant coal. Therefore, the outburst‐prone coal, characterized by low strength, high deformability, and small energy dissipation when dynamically loaded to failure, is more favorably disposed to the triggering and propagation of gas outbursts.
Apparatus for investigating the burning and dripping of vertically oriented polyurethane foams
Authors: Pau Dennis S. W. , Fleischmann Charles M. , Delichatsios Michael A.
Published: December 2019

The burning and dripping behaviour of polyurethane (PU) foam is crucial for upholstered furniture fires due to the melting and dripping behaviour of the foam that results in a pool fire under the furniture, which enhances the combustion. The sample feeding vertical cone is developed to investigate the two‐dimensional small‐scale burning and dripping behaviour of vertically oriented PU foams where a constant irradiance is maintained at the exposed surface by means of automatic sample compensation. Seven different PU foams were investigated and classified as conventional foam or char‐forming foam according to the observed surface phenomena during exposure to heat fluxes. The burning and dripping behaviour is found to depend on the foam density as well as the solid‐phase char formation by the presence of fire retardant additives. The total mass loss rate and the dripping rate increase with higher foam density and with the presence of char formation. In contrary, the vaporisation rate is favoured at lower foam density and with the absence of char formation. Flexible foams of low density without the ability to form char tend to achieve low dripping rate where majority of the mass loss is via vaporisation, contributing directly to the gas‐phase combustion.
Effects of electron‐beam irradiation on inoculated Listeria innocua, microbiological and physicochemical quality of fresh noodles during refrigerated storage
Authors: Shi Feifei , Zhao Hongwei , Song Hongbo , Guo Weiling , Wang Li , Cui Xiaorui , Zhang Weidong , Li Shurong
Published: December 2019

As a nonthermal sterilization technology, electron‐beam irradiation (EBI) has attracted great interests for microbial inactivation in food preservation. In this study, the inactivation of inoculated Listeria innocua, natural microbiota, and quality of fresh noodles treated by EBI during refrigerated storage were evaluated. Results showed that the initial L. innocua population (6.38 log CFU/g) was significantly reduced to an undetectable level by treatment with 3.0 kGy EBI. Moreover, treatment with 3 kGy EBI significantly reduced the initial total bacteria counts and fungal counts (mold and yeast) from 5.66 and 3.15 log CFU/g to 2.90 and 2.11 log CFU/g, respectively. However, along with the storage process, the inoculated L. innocua and natural microbiota were recovered resulting in the increased populations of the spoilage microorganisms. Increasing the dose of EBI to 4.0 kGy or 5.0 kGy, the L. innocua population was inhibited to the undetectable level and the microbiological quality of the fresh noodles was kept in the acceptable level during the 28 day storage. In addition, changes of the physicochemical indicators including pH value, color, cooking characteristics, texture, and sensory of fresh noodles treated with EBI were delayed during storage. These results reveal that EBI treatment can improve the microbiological safety and shelf life of fresh noodles without impairing quality.
Functional approach and agro‐climatic information to improve the estimation of olive oil fatty acid content from near‐infrared data
Authors: Sánchez‐Rodríguez María Isabel , Sánchez‐López Elena M. , Marinas Alberto , Urbano Francisco José , Caridad José M.
Published: December 2019

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is very appreciated by its taste, flavor, and benefits for health, and so, it has a high price of commercialization. This fact makes it necessary to provide reliable and cost‐effective analytical procedures, such as near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, to analyze its traceability and purity, in combination with chemometrics. Fatty acids profile of EVOO, considered as a quality parameter, is estimated, firstly, from NIR data and, secondly, by adding agro‐climatic information. NIR and agro‐climatic data sets are summarized by using principal component analysis (PCA) and treated by both scalar and functional approaches. The corresponding PCA and FPCA are progressively introduced in regression models, whose goodness of fit is evaluated by the dimensionless root‐mean‐square error. In general, SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs (and disaggregated fatty acids) estimations are improved by adding agro‐climatic besides NIR information (mainly, temperature or evapotranspiration) and considering a functional point of view for both NIR and agro‐climatic data.
Maturation of Lipophagic Organelles in Hepatocytes Is Dependent Upon a Rab10/Dynamin‐2 Complex
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Weller Shaun G. , Drizyte‐Miller Kristina , Chen Jing , Krueger Eugene W. , Mehall Bridget , Stöckli Jacqueline , Casey Carol A. , Cao Hong , McNiven Mark A.
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

Hepatocytes play a central role in storage and utilization of fat by the liver. Selective breakdown of lipid droplets (LDs) by autophagy (also called lipophagy) is a key process utilized to catabolize these lipids as an energy source. How the autophagic machinery is selectively targeted to LDs, where it mediates membrane engulfment and subsequent degradation, is unclear. Recently, we have reported that two distinct GTPases, the mechanoenzyme, dynamin2 (Dyn2), and the small regulatory Rab GTPase, Rab10, work independently at distinct steps of lipophagy in hepatocytes.

Approach and Results

In an attempt to understand how these proteins are regulated and recruited to autophagic organelles, we performed a nonbiased biochemical screen for Dyn2‐binding partners and found that Dyn2 actually binds Rab10 directly through a defined effector domain of Rab10 and the middle domain of Dyn2. These two GTPases can be observed to interact transiently on membrane tubules in hepatoma cells and along LD‐centric autophagic membranes. Most important, we found that a targeted disruption of this interaction leads to an inability of cells to trim tubulated cytoplasmic membranes, some of which extend from lipophagic organelles, resulting in LD accumulation.

Conclusions

This study identifies a functional, and direct, interaction between Dyn2 and a regulatory Rab GTPase that may play an important role in hepatocellular metabolism.
The influence of HR practices upon knowledge brokering in professional organizations for service improvement: Addressing professional legitimacy and identity in health care
Authors: Currie Graeme , Spyridonidis Dimitrios , Oborn Eivor
Published: December 2019

Drawing upon sociology of professions, our study extends insight into the specific HR practices that shape the microdynamics of knowledge‐sharing behaviors among professionals. Empirically, we examine the influence of Human Resource (HR) practices on enactment of a knowledge‐brokering role by doctors to drive service improvement in health care. Our study shows, first, HR practices influence professional identity, which is predicated on jurisdictional autonomy and client interest. Second, HR practices influence the legitimacy of any role and associated activities, with professionals valuing collegial leadership and evidence‐based practice. Our study highlights it is employee perceptions of the effect of HR practices upon their legitimacy and identity that shape their attitudes and behavior toward knowledge sharing. Thus, different HR practices have different effects on knowledge sharing. Further, the same HR practice may be perceived differently even within the same cadre of professionals, depending upon their relative status and career interests.
The effects of the modified mosaic approach method on regional simulations of surface meteorological variables in western China
Authors: Chen Guangyu , Wei Zhigang , Jin Xiaoai , Dong Wenjie , Zhu Xian , Liu Yajing , Zheng Zhiyuan , Liu Yujia
Published: December 2019

In this article, a modified mosaic approach method (MMAM), which considers the subgrid‐scale effect of topographical height on atmospheric forcing, is introduced. Two experiments are designed to study the effects of MMAM on surface meteorological variables in Western China within the weather research and forecasting (WRF) modelling framework during June to August 2010. Results show that MMAM has obvious effects on surface 2 m temperature improvement. Simulations of the surface 2 m temperature with MMAM are closer to the observed values over a wide range of areas, particularly around the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau and the Tianshan Mountains. However, MMAM does not show obvious improvements on 2 m relative humidity and on 10 m wind velocity. By investigations of two selected grid cells, we find that MMAM always shows a consistent deviation (positive or negative) on 2 m temperatures compared with the control experiment throughout the study period, which is related to the fact that the difference in topographical height within the model grid does not vary with time; the differences of surface energy illustrate that MMAM directly affects the upward longwave radiation due to a revision of the forcing temperature, resulting in a redistribution of surface energy.
Hydrological processes interconnecting the two largest watersheds of South America from multi‐decadal to inter‐annual time scales: A critical review
Authors: Zanin Paulo Rodrigo , Satyamurty Prakki
Published: December 2019

The hydrological aspects of the Amazon and the La Plata basins are interconnected through southward moisture transport performed by the Low‐Level Jet east of the Andes and the South Atlantic Convergence Zone. Remote effects of sea surface temperature variability in the Pacific and the Atlantic are of varied periodicities, from multi‐decadal to inter‐annual time scales. Major oscillations thus far detected are Atlantic Multi‐decadal Oscillation, Pacific Multi‐decadal Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, Atlantic Dipole, Antarctic Oscillation, and the El Niño Southern Oscillation. In the multi‐decadal, inter‐decadal and decadal time scales, the effects of climate variability over the hydrological processes that interconnect the Amazon and La Plata watersheds are felt predominantly in the South American Monsoon season, while on the inter‐annual scale the effects vary along the year. The hydrological memory in Amazonian soils is also responsible for the inter‐annual variability of hydrology of the Amazon Basin. Due to the effects of soil water on evapotranspiration, the hydrological memory can affect the supply of moisture to the La Plata Basin, influencing the inter‐annual variability of this basin. The implications of the observed oscillations to the hydrological and climatological variability in the two basins are discussed and synthesized in this article. Hypotheses for future research are formulated.
Raman spectroscopy study of graphene formed by “in situ” chemical interaction of an organic precursor with a molten aluminium matrix
Authors: Yolshina L.A. , Vovkotrub E.G. , Shatunova A.A. , Pryakhina V.I.
Published: December 2019

A study of graphene “in situ” formed during the chemical interaction of glucose with molten aluminium under a layer of molten alkaline halides in air at temperatures of 750–850°C is presented. By means of Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy, it is shown that graphene films synthesize in the aluminium. The number and defectiveness of graphene layers inside aluminium matrix depends on synthesis temperature– at 750°C two‐layer graphene and at 850°C three‐layer graphene form. The most defective graphene films synthesized at 750°C with the formation of five‐ and seven‐membered rings in plane of the graphene grid; the number of defects of graphene films is less for composite obtained at higher temperature. The evaluated defectiveness of graphene not exceed 14%; it evidences the formation of perfect graphene in aluminium matrix. The compressive stress value is the smallest for the sample obtained at 750°C and increases with temperature and plastic deformation because of differences in the crystal lattice parameters and their thermal expansion coefficients of aluminium and graphene. This fact explains the relation of defects number in graphene with temperature and plastic deformation. No aluminium carbide and graphene oxide were formed during synthesis inside aluminium matrix because of formation of defect‐free perfect graphene with high chemical stability. The absence of aluminium carbide was proven by means Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron, transmission electron microscopy, and corrosion test with distilled water. It allows to propose aluminium‐graphene composites for numerous practical applications as a constructive material.
Stage and disease‐free interval help select patients for surgical management of locally recurrent and metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Lo Winifred , Ayabe Reed I. , Kariya Christine M. , Good Meghan L. , Steinberg Seth M. , Davis Jeremy L. , Ripley Robert T. , Hernandez Jonathan M.
Published: December 2019

Background and Objectives

Chemotherapeutic options for patients with recurrent/metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) are limited, leading to consideration for surgical management. We sought to determine characteristics associated with an unequivocal survival benefit amongst patients undergoing re‐resection or metastasectomy.

Methods

Patients who underwent surgery for recurrent/metastatic ACC were identified and stratified into two groups: those with postoperative survival comparable with what has been reported with chemotherapy alone (<12 months) and those surviving twice that duration (>24 months). Those who survived between 12 and 24 months were excluded, as the objective was to characterize patients who most distinctly benefited from resection. Clinicopathologic and treatment variables were evaluated for associations with survival.

Results

Forty‐three patients survived more than 24 months and 15 patients died less than 12 months after reoperation. Tumor stage (odds ratio [OR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45‐0.96) and disease‐free interval (DFI; OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.68‐6.22) were associated with prolonged survival. Tumor size, hormonal status, resection margin, and treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, and mitotane were not associated with prolonged survival. Patients who survived more than 24 months underwent more procedures for subsequent recurrences (median 4 vs 2; P < .001).

Conclusion

Stage and DFI can help select optimal candidates for resection of recurrent/metastatic ACC. Patients selected for surgical management should be informed of the likelihood of requiring multiple interventions.
Inhibitory Effects of Glucosylceramide on Tumorigenesis Induced by a Carcinogen in Mice
Authors: Fujiwara Kazunori , Yazama Hiroaki , Donishi Ryouhei , Koyama Satoshi , Fukuhara Takahiro , Takeuchi Hiromi
Published: December 2019

Objective

Glucosylceramide (Glu‐Cer), a glycosylated form of ceramide, has been reported to have cytotoxic effects in the cells of various cancers. We previously reported that dietary Glu‐Cer from rice bran had inhibitory effects on human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in nonobese diabetes (NOD)/severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. In HNSCC, preventing recurrence and second primary cancer is required to improve prognosis. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether dietary Glu‐Cer had anticarcinogenic and antitumorigenic effects in a mouse model of HNSCC.

Methods

A total of 40 CB6F1‐Tg rasH2@Jcl mice were divided into two groups: control and Glu‐Cer. All mice were given 4‐nitroquinoline 1‐oxide for 24 weeks. Control group mice were fed the normal diet without Glu‐Cer. The Glu‐Cer group mice were given a mixture of the normal diet plus 0.25% Glu‐Cer for 24 weeks. Microscopic examination was performed to identify grossly visible preneoplasms and neoplasms in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus. Epithelial regions were classified as normal tissue, carcinoma in situ (CIS), or SCC; and the number of each type of region was counted.

Results

Compared with the Glu‐Cer group mice, control group mice more frequently developed individual and multiple tumors of each type, including CIS and SCC, in the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus.

Conclusion

Tumor development was effectively inhibited by dietary Glu‐Cer derived from rice bran, indicating that this and related compounds show promise as prophylactic agents for human HNSCC.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:E593–E597, 2020
Existence of positive solutions of (p(x),q(x))‐Laplacian parabolic systems with right hand side defined as a multiplication of two separate functions
Authors: Boulaaras Salah , Bouizem Youcef , Guefaifia Rafik
Published: December 2019

The paper deals with the study of the existence of weak positive solutions for a new class of the system of parabolic differential equations with respect to the symmetry conditions by using sub‐super solutions method. Our results are natural extensions from our previous ones in (Bol. Soc. Mat. Mex. 2019; 25:145‐162) and (Appl. Math E‐Notes. 2018; 18:209‐218), where we have already studied the existence of positive solutions for some classes of Laplacian elliptic problems by using one classical method.
Technical Note: A feasibility study on deep learning‐based radiotherapy dose calculation
Authors: Xing Yixun , Nguyen Dan , Lu Weiguo , Yang Ming , Jiang Steve
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Various dose calculation algorithms are available for radiation therapy for cancer patients. However, these algorithms are faced with the tradeoff between efficiency and accuracy. The fast algorithms are generally less accurate, while the accurate dose engines are often time consuming. In this work, we try to resolve this dilemma by exploring deep learning (DL) for dose calculation.

Methods

We developed a new radiotherapy dose calculation engine based on a modified Hierarchically Densely Connected U‐net (HD U‐net) model and tested its feasibility with prostate intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) cases. Mapping from an IMRT fluence map domain to a three‐dimensional (3D) dose domain requires a deep neural network of complicated architecture and a huge training dataset. To solve this problem, we first project the fluence maps to the dose domain using a broad beam ray‐tracing (RT) algorithm, and then we use the HD U‐net to map the RT dose distribution into an accurate dose distribution calculated using a collapsed cone convolution/superposition (CS) algorithm. The model is trained on 70 patients with fivefold cross validation, and tested on a separate 8 patients.

Results

It takes about 1 s to compute a 3D dose distribution for a typical 7‐field prostate IMRT plan, which can be further reduced to achieve real‐time dose calculation by optimizing the network. The average Gamma passing rate between DL and CS dose distributions for the 8 test patients are 98.5% (±1.6%) at 1 mm/1% and 99.9% (±0.1%) at 2 mm/2%. For comparison of various clinical evaluation criteria (dose‐volume points) for IMRT plans between two dose distributions, the average difference for dose criteria is less than 0.25 Gy while for volume criteria is <0.16%, showing that the DL dose distributions are clinically identical to the CS dose distributions.

Conclusions

We have shown the feasibility of using DL for calculating radiotherapy dose distribution with high accuracy and efficiency.
Exploring network structure and central items of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory
Authors: Briganti Giovanni , Linkowski Paul
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The aim of this work is to explore the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) using network analysis in a dataset of 942 university students from the French‐speaking part of Belgium.

Methods

We estimated an Ising Model for the forty items in the questionnaire and explored item interconnectedness with strength centrality. We provide in the supplementary materials the dataset used for the analyses as well as the full code to ensure the reproducibility of our results.

Results

The NPI is presented as an overall positively connected network with items from entitlement, authority and superiority reporting the highest centrality estimates.

Conclusions

Network analysis highlights new properties of items from the NPI. Future studies should endeavor to replicate our findings in other samples, both clinical and non‐clinical.
Psychotic disorders hospitalizations associated with cannabis abuse or dependence: A nationwide big data analysis
Authors: Gonçalves‐Pinho Manuel , Bragança Miguel , Freitas Alberto
Published: December 2019

Objectives

We aimed to describe and correlate the hospital panorama of psychotic disorders (PD) with cannabis use (CU) trends in all Portuguese public hospitals.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study that analysed all hospitalizations that occurred in Portuguese public hospitals from 2000 to 2015. Hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of PD or schizophrenia were selected based on Clinical Classification Software diagnostic single‐level 659. Episodes associated with CU were identified by the International Classification of Diseases Version 9, Clinical Modification code 304.3/305.2 that correspond to cannabis dependence/cannabis abuse.

Results

The number of hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of PD and schizophrenia associated with CU rose 29.4 times during the study period, from 20 to 588 hospitalizations yearly (2000 and 2015, respectively) with a total of 3,233 hospitalizations and an average episode cost of €3,500. Male patients represented 89.8% of all episodes, and the mean/median age at discharge were 30.66/29.00 years, respectively. From all hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of PD or schizophrenia, the ones with a secondary diagnosis of CU rose from 0.87% in 2000 to 10.60% in 2015.

Conclusions

The increase on secondary diagnosis coding and the change on cannabis patterns of consumption in Portuguese population with an increasing frequency of moderate/high dosage cannabis consumers may explain the rise on PD hospitalizations.
Integrating decisions with advance supply information in an assemble‐to‐order system
Authors: Chu Jie , Huang Kai
Published: December 2019

We study a periodic‐review assemble‐to‐order (ATO) system with multiple components and multiple products, in which the inventory replenishment for each component follows an independent base‐stock policy and stochastic product demands are satisfied according to a First‐Come‐First‐Served rule. We assume that the replenishment for various component suffers from lead time uncertainty. However, the decision maker has the so‐called advance supply information (ASI) associated with the lead times and thus can take advantage of the information for system optimization. We propose a multistage stochastic integer program that incorporates ASI to address the joint optimization of inventory replenishment and component allocation. The optimal base‐stock policy for the inventory replenishment is determined using the sample average approximation algorithm. Also, we provide a modified order‐based component allocation (MOBCA) heuristic for the component allocation. We additionally consider a special case of the variable lead times where the resulting two‐stage stochastic programming model can be characterized as a single‐scenario case of the proposed multistage model. We carry out extensive computational studies to quantify the benefits of integrating ASI into joint optimization and to explore the possibility of employing the two‐stage model as a relatively efficient approximation scheme for the multistage model.
Dark side of social media and academic performance of public sector schools students: Role of parental school support
Authors: Raza Muhammad Yousaf , Khan Ali Nawaz , Khan Naseer Abbas , Ali Ahsan , Bano Shehar
Published: December 2019

Students are regularly engaged in several things at the same time during class and school time. They are using smartphones, tablets, laptops, and using social media on these devices while learning and attending class. However, there are some situations likely influenced by this, current study tests the influence of technostress, cyberbullying, and media multitasking in the context of students in technology‐saturated classrooms and how this is affecting their academic performance. This study further explored the buffering effects of parental school support on the relationship between technostress, cyberbullying, and student's performance. By using the person‐environment fit model, this study surveyed 248 public sector school students in two waves and examined the impact of these variables on student's academic performance. Results show that technostress, cyberbullying, and media multitasking have a negative impact on student performance, and school parental support moderates the negative relationship between technostress and student performance. Implications and contributions have also been discussed.
Self‐interest in new wrapping: “Appeal to the public interest” as a topos in lobbying
Authors: Raknes Ketil , Ihlen Øyvind
Published: December 2019

This article explores public affairs and lobbying strategies that make public appeals beyond organizational self‐interest and instead focus on appeals to the public interest. While research has highlighted such appeals as a staple for lobbying campaigns, there is scant research exploring the communicative construction of this notion. Thus, this article uses the rhetorical concept of topos to explore how lobbyists attempt to fuse their private interests with a broader appeal to what is best for society. In particular, we discuss how different types of organizations have different rhetorical opportunities to ground their arguments. Finally, we discuss the democratic implications of appeals to the public interest as a standard lobbying strategy.
The role of prescription drugs in female overactive bladder syndrome—A population‐wide cohort study
Authors: Umek Wolfgang , Gleiss Andreas , Bodner‐Adler Barbara , Reichardt Berthold , Rinner Christoph , Heinze Georg
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome has severe effects on quality of life. Certain drugs are known risk factors for OAB but have not been investigated in a population‐wide cohort. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of prescription drugs in the etiology of the OAB.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using a population‐wide database of 4 185 098 OAB‐naïve women followed Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. We investigated the subscription use of anticholinergic medication and 188 chemical substances, which are suspected triggers for OAB (trigger medications [TMs]). We hypothesized a relationship between the prescription for one or more TM and the prescription for anticholinergic medication against OAB (marker medication [MM]).

Results

The use of MM in Austria increased from 2009 to 2012 on average by 0.025 percentage points per year (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.015‐0.036). In December 2012, 1 in 123 women filled a prescription for any MM, equaling an average utilization of 0.84%. The relative risk of filling a prescription for a MM 6 months after filling a prescription for a TM was 2.70 (95% CI: 2.64‐2.77). All investigated medication classes showed a higher risk for the prescription for MM. Medication from classes “genitourinary system and sex hormones” and “systemic anti‐infectives” caused the highest increase in risk (109% and 89%, respectively). Prescriptions for class “cardiovascular system” caused the lowest increase in the risk (15%).

Conclusion

Certain prescription medications are a significant risk factor for the need to take anticholinergic medication as a consequence.
Synthesis of p‐type N‐doped TiO2 thin films by co‐reactive magnetron sputtering
Authors: Panepinto Adriano , Dervaux Jonathan , Cormier Pierre‐Antoine , Boujtita Mohammed , Odobel Fabrice , Snyders Rony
Published: December 2019

Tandem dye‐sensitized solar cell devices (t‐DSSCs) are a potential alternative to Si‐based solar cells as autonomous power sources. Nevertheless, their further development suffers from the poor quality of the p‐type material, that is, NiO. In this study, N‐doped TiO2 thin films exhibiting a p‐type conductivity (p‐TiO2:N) are successfully grown by co‐reactive magnetron sputtering. Its p‐type conductivity is correlated to the incorporation of N atoms in substitutional positions which is controllable by carefully tuning the ratio between O2 and N2 reactive gases during the growth of the material. Furthermore, it reveals a three to six times higher mobility of the carriers (1.5–3.1 cm2·V−1·s−1) than sputtered NiO. These results are in particular interest for the development of new TiO2‐based t‐DSSCs.
The Weyl‐Wigner‐Moyal Formalism on a Discrete Phase Space. I. A Wigner Function for a Nonrelativistic Particle with Spin
Authors: Przanowski Maciej , Tosiek Jaromir , Turrubiates Francisco J.
Published: December 2019

The Weyl‐Wigner‐Moyal formalism for quantum particle with discrete internal degrees of freedom is developed. A one to one correspondence between operators in the Hilbert space and functions on the phase space is found. The expressions for the Stratonovich‐Weyl quantiser, star product and Wigner functions of such systems for arbitrary values of spin are obtained in detail. As examples the Landau levels and the corresponding Wigner functions for a spin nonrelativistic particle as well as the magnetic resonance for a spin nonrelativistic uncharged particle are analysed.
Individualized medicine: Sex, hormones, genetics, and adverse drug reactions
Authors: Moyer Ann M. , Matey Eric T. , Miller Virginia M.
Published: December 2019

Clinically relevant adverse drug reactions differ between men and women. The underlying physiological and pharmacological processes contributing to these differences are infrequently studied or reported. As gene expression, cellular regulatory pathways, and integrated physiological functions differ between females and males, aggregating data from combined groups of men and women obscures the ability to detect these differences. This paper summarizes how genetic sex, that is, the presence of sex chromosomes XY for male or XX for female, and the influence of sex hormones affect transporters, receptors, and enzymes involved in drug metabolism. Changing levels of sex steroids throughout life, including increases at puberty, changes with pregnancy, and decreases with age, may directly and indirectly affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. The direct and indirect effects of sex steroids in the form of exogenous hormones such as those used in hormonal contraceptives, menopausal hormone treatments, transgender therapy, and over‐the‐counter performance enhancing drugs may interfere with metabolism of other pharmaceuticals, and these interactions may vary by dose, formulation, and mode of delivery (oral, injection, or transdermal) of the steroid hormones. Few drugs have sex‐specific labeling or dosing recommendations. Furthermore, there is limited literature evaluating how the circulating levels of sex steroids impact drug efficacy or adverse reactions. Such research is needed in order to improve the understanding of the impact of sex hormones on pharmacological therapies, particularly as medicine moves toward individualizing treatments.
An Interfacial Electron Transfer on Tetrahedral NiS2/NiSe2 Heterocages with Dual‐Phase Synergy for Efficiently Triggering the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yang Yang , Kang Yikun , Zhao Huihui , Dai Xiaoping , Cui Meilin , Luan Xuebin , Zhang Xin , Nie Fei , Ren Ziteng , Song Weiyu
Published: December 2019

Tetrahedral NiS2/NiSe2 heterocages with rich‐phase boundaries are synthesized through a simultaneous sulfuration/selenylation process using Ni‐based acetate hydroxide prisms as precursor. Such a nanocage‐like NiS2/NiSe2 heterostructure can expose more active sites, accelerate the mass transport of the ions/gas, and optimize the interfacial electronic structure, which shows a significantly lower overpotential of 290 mV at 20 mA cm−2 than those of NiS/NiS2 and NiSe2 as counterparts. The experimental characterizations and theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil that the interfacial electron transfer from NiSe2 to NiS2 at the heterointerface can modulate the electronic structure of NiS2/NiSe2, which further cooperates synergistically to change the Gibbs free energy of oxygen‐containing intermediates as the rate‐determining step (RDS) from 2.16 eV (NiSe2) and 2.10 eV (NiS2) to 1.86 eV (NiS2/NiSe2 heterostructures) during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) process. And as a result, tetrahedral NiS2/NiSe2 heterocages with dual‐phase synergy efficiently trigger the OER process, and accelerate the OER kinetics. This work provides insights into the roles of the interfacial electron transfer in electrocatalysis, and can be an admirable strategy to modulate the electronic structure for developing highly active electrocatalysts.
Imparting Superhydrophobicity with a Hierarchical Block Copolymer Coating
Authors: Cheng Li‐Chen , Simonaitis John W. , Gadelrab Karim R. , Tahir Mukarram , Ding Yi , Alexander‐Katz Alfredo , Ross Caroline A.
Published: December 2019

A robust and transparent silica‐like coating that imparts superhydrophobicity to a surface through its hierarchical multilevel self‐assembled structure is demonstrated. This approach involves iterative steps of spin‐coating, annealing, and etching of polystyrene‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer thin films to form a tailored multilayer nanoscale topographic pattern with a water contact angle up to 155°. A model based on the hierarchical topography is developed to calculate the wetting angle and optimize the superhydrophobicity, in agreement with the experimental trends, and explaining superhydrophobicity arising through the combination of roughness at different lengthscales. Additionally, the mechanical robustness and optically passive properties of the resulting hydrophobic surfaces are demonstrated.