bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalytic Azido‐Hydrazination of Alkenes Enabled by Visible Light: Mechanistic Studies and Synthetic Applications
Authors: Wang Peng , Luo Yunxuan , Zhu Songsong , Lu Dengfu , Gong Yuefa
Published: October 2019

A visible‐light‐enabled catalytic intermolecular azido‐hydrazination method for unactivated alkenes is developed via an orderly radical addition sequence. This transformation features metal‐free and redox‐neutral conditions and is applicable to a wide range of alkenes with commercially available reagents. Mechanistic and kinetic studies reveal that the efficient generation of azide radical enabled by fluorenone under visible‐light is critical to this methodology. The β‐azido alkyl hydrazines prepared with this reaction can be conveniently derived to valuable synthetic building blocks, and one of the products has been successfully applied in the total synthesis of (±)‐ibrutinib, which is used to treat B cell cancers.

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Copper‐Leaf‐Based Process for Imperceptible Computational Electronics
Authors: de Mulatier Séverine , Coulon David , Delattre Roger , Blayac Sylvain , Ramuz Marc
Published: October 2019

Imperceptible electronics have a key role in tomorrow's wearable technologies. Individual elements such as ultra‐thin sensors, batteries, solar cells, and actuators are well described in literature, but there is a lack of methods to build the computing circuit itself. A new process is presented for the fabrication of flexible and imperceptible circuits that reach standards of microelectronics associated with significant integration density of components and interconnections, as well as multilayering. The stack uses a commercialized decorative copper leaf with a thickness of 450 nm as the conductive layer and a parylene substrate of a few micrometers. The copper leaf shows both high compliance and conductivity of bulk copper (5.96 × 107 S m−1), with electrical resistance stable over 5000 cycles of complete folding. The process requires stencil‐free laser patterning that reaches fine‐pitch integration, conventional soldering methods, and a three‐step via fabrication and assembly process for multilayered circuits. The functionality of an ultra‐thin, multilayered, lightweight, electrocardiogram‐monitoring device is demonstrated. This allows for direct transfer of microelectronic designs for rapid prototyping from rigid board to imperceptible electronics.
Phenacyl Xanthates: A Photoremovable Protecting Group for Alcohols under Visible Light
Authors: Yang Yong‐Qing , Lu Zheng , Xu Ximing
Published: October 2019

The utility of phenacyl xanthates for the protection of hydroxyl groups is reported herein. Phenacyl xanthates are readily prepared via a one‐pot procedure, which employs the commercially available, inexpensive 2‐bromoacetophenone and carbon disulphide. The introduction of phenylcarboxymethyl dithiocarbonates could be achieved in good to excellent yield in the presence of ester group or ketal group. The hydroxyl group can be released in the presence of ethidine under irradiation of visible light without photocatalyst. The phenacyl xanthates could be selectively removed without affecting a series of common protecting groups, such as benzoate, tetrahydropyran and ketal groups. Finally, a plausible mechanism of photocleavage of phenacyl xanthates has been discussed.
Dynamic changes in thalamic connectivity following stress and its association with future depression severity
Authors: Zhang Xue , Li Xuesong , Steffens David C. , Guo Hua , Wang Lihong
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Tracking stress‐induced brain activity and connectivity dynamically and examining activity/connectivity‐associated recovery ability after stress might be an effective way of detecting stress vulnerability.

Methods

Using two widely used stress paradigms, a speech task (social stress) and a mathematical calculation task (mental loading stress), we examined common changes in regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC) before, during, and after the two stressful tasks in thirty‐nine college students. A counting breath relaxation task was employed as a contrast task. ReHo and FC were compared between subjects with higher versus lower depression symptoms (assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory, BDI). We developed a recovery index (RI) based on dynamic changes of ReHo/FC to evaluate individuals' ability to recover from a stressful state. To assess RI's usefulness in predicting future depression severity, BDI was also measured at one‐year follow‐up.

Results

Our results revealed a ReHo decrease after both stressful tasks and a ReHo increase after the relaxation task in bilateral thalamus. The ReHo decrease after both stressful tasks was more significant in the higher BDI than the lower BDI group. Higher ReHo RI of the right thalamus in the higher BDI groups was significantly correlated with lower BDI severity at one‐year follow‐up. Bilateral thalamus also showed increased FC with the default mode network and decreased FC with the executive control network after the stressful tasks.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of tracking resting activity and connectivity of thalamus dynamically for detecting stress vulnerability.
Long‐term survival of an advanced colorectal cancer patient treated with Regorafenib: Case report and literature review
Authors: Brunetti Oronzo , Calabrese Angela , Palermo Loredana , Solimando Antonio Giovanni , Argentiero Antonella
Published: October 2019

Two phase 3 trials reported a prolonged survival in the third‐line setting of colorectal cancer patients treated with regorafenib with the longest duration of treatment of 16 months. Herein, we reported a unique case of a patient refractory to conventional chemotherapy who showed a prolonged stable disease with regorafenib.
Kinetics and Isotherms of Mercury Biosorption by Dry Biomass of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis
Authors: Solisio Carlo , Spennati Elena , Casazza Alessandro Alberto , Arni Saleh , Alves Palma Mauri Sérgio , Converti Attilio
Published: October 2019

Inorganic mercury was effectively removed from water solutions by means of dry biomass of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis as biosorbent. The results obtained at defined pH and biomass concentration as well as variable Hg concentrations were used to estimate biosorption kinetics and isotherm parameters. Biosorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo‐first‐order model of Lagergren that allowed estimating an average specific rate constant as high as 0.044 min−1, while the Dubinin and Radushkevich model was the best fitting isotherm. Hg biosorption seemed to occur via physisorption. Considering the wide dissemination of A. platensis and its easy cultivation, these results point to its biomass as a low‐cost biosorbent to treat Hg‐contaminated waters.
Development of High‐Capacity and Water‐Lean CO2 Absorbents by a Concise Molecular Design Strategy through Viscosity Control
Authors: Liu An‐Hua , Li Jie‐Jie , Ren Bai‐Hao , Lu Xiao‐Bing
Published: October 2019

The exponentially increasing viscosity of water‐lean CO2 absorbents during carbon capture processes is a critical problem for practical application, owing to its strong correlation with systems’ mass transfer properties, as well as convenience of transportation. In this work, a concise strategy based on structure–viscosity relationships is proposed and applied to construct a series of functionalized ethylenediamines as single‐component absorbents for post‐combustion CO2 capture. These nonaqueous absorbents have outstanding viscosities (50–200 cP, 25 °C) at their maximal CO2 capacities (up to 22 wt % or 4.92 mol kg−1, 1 bar), and are readily regenerated at low temperatures (50–80 °C) under ambient pressure. Additional capture of CO2 through physisorption could also be achieved by operating at high pressures. The CO2 capture and release process is systematically investigated by means of 13C NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in situ FTIR analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which could provide sufficient spectroscopic details to reveal the ease of reversibility and enable rational interpretation of the absorption mechanism.
Strategies to optimize modeling habitat suitability of Bertholletia excelsa in the Pan‐Amazonia
Authors: Tourne Daiana C. M. , Ballester Maria V. R. , James Patrick M. A. , Martorano Lucieta G. , Guedes Marcelino Carneiro , Thomas Evert
Published: October 2019

Aim

Amazon‐nut (Bertholletia excelsa) is a hyperdominant and protected tree species, playing a keystone role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem service provision in Amazonia. Our main goal was to develop a robust habitat suitability model of Amazon‐nut and to identify the most important predictor variables to support conservation and tree planting decisions.

Localization

Amazon region, South America.

Methods

We collected 3,325 unique Amazon‐nut records and assembled >100 spatial predictor variables organized across climatic, edaphic, and geophysical categories. We compared suitability models using variables (a) selected through statistical techniques; (b) recommended by experts; and (c) integrating both approaches (a and b). We applied different spatial filtering scenarios to reduce overfitting. We additionally fine‐tuned MAXENT settings to our data. The best model was selected through quantitative and qualitative assessments.

Results

Principal component analysis based on expert recommendations was the most appropriate method for predictor selection. Elevation, coarse soil fragments, clay, slope, and annual potential evapotranspiration were the most important predictors. Their relative contribution to the best model amounted to 75%. Filtering of the presences within a radius of 10 km displayed lowest overfitting, a satisfactory omission rate and the most symmetric distribution curve. Our findings suggest that under current environmental conditions, suitable habitat for Amazon‐nut is found across 2.3 million km2, that is, 32% of the Amazon Biome.

Main conclusion

The combination of statistical techniques with expert knowledge improved the quality of our suitability model. Topographic and soil variables were the most important predictors. The combination of predictor variable selection, fine‐tuning of model parameters and spatial filtering was critical for the construction of a reliable habitat suitability model.
Creosote growth rate and reproduction increase in postfire environments
Authors: Lee Molinari Rebecca , Bishop Tara B. B. , Bekker Matthew F. , Kitchen Stanley G. , Allphin Loreen , St. Clair Samuel B.
Published: October 2019

Human activities are changing patterns of ecological disturbance globally. In North American deserts, wildfire is increasing in size and frequency due to fuel characteristics of invasive annual grasses. Fire reduces the abundance and cover of native vegetation in desert ecosystems. In this study, we sought to characterize stem growth and reproductive output of a dominant native shrub in the Mojave Desert, creosote bush (Larrea tridentata (DC.) Coville) following wildfires that occurred in 2005. We sampled 55 shrubs along burned and unburned transects 12 years after the fires (2017) and quantified age, stem diameter, stem number, radial and vertical growth rates, and fruit production for each shrub. The shrubs on the burn transects were most likely postfire resprouts based on stem age while stems from unburn transects dated from before the fire. Stem and vertical growth rates for shrubs on burned transects were 2.6 and 1.7 times higher than that observed for shrubs on unburned transects. Fruit production of shrubs along burned transects was 4.7‐fold more than shrubs along paired unburned transects. Growth rates and fruit production of shrubs in burned areas did not differ with increasing distance from the burn perimeter. Positive growth and reproduction responses of creosote following wildfires could be critical for soil stabilization and re‐establishment of native plant communities in this desert system. Additional research is needed to assess if repeat fires that are characteristic of invasive grass‐fire cycles may limit these benefits.
Basic electrical characteristics of epoxy/hollow silica composites influenced by addition of hollow silica
Authors: Murakami Yoshinobu , Matsubara Takayuki , Kawashima Tomohiro , Hozumi Naohiro
Published: October 2019

Polymeric insulating materials like an epoxy resin due to their excellent electric performance and a maintenance performance are commonly applied to various power equipment. Additives and fillers are traditionally added into the epoxy resin to improve the mechanical and thermal properties. The epoxy/hollow particle composites have been developed to produce the composite material which has new function like the low dielectric constant, the lightweight, and the high heat insulation. To understand the basic electrical properties of epoxy/hollow silica composites, the capacitance measurement, the breakdown test and the partial discharge measurements were performed. The breakdown strength of the epoxy/hollow silica composites and the breakdown strength of the epoxy/no hollow silica (normal silica) composites were almost the same regardless of the applied voltage waveform. The AC breakdown voltage at the 0‐peak of the epoxy/hollow silica composites also agreed with the DC breakdown voltage of that. Furthermore, the PDIV of the epoxy/hollow silica composites was almost the same compared to that of epoxy/normal silica composites. The continuous partial discharge in the hollow region did not cause the breakdown, and the existence of the interface between the silica particle and the epoxy resin might lead to the breakdown.
From the individual to the community,registrar keeps eye on student needs
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: October 2019

Carla Boyd's professional career started in a student advising capacity marked by constant interaction. But in the role she has held since 2012 as Registrar at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, she does not see herself as presiding over a more impersonal space.
Development of an alternative PSO‐based algorithm for simulation of endurance time excitation functions
Authors: Mashayekhi Mohammadreza , Harati Mojtaba , Estekanchi Homayoon E.
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a particle swarm optimizer for production of endurance time excitation functions (ETEFs). These excitations are intensifying acceleration time histories that are used as input motions in endurance time (ET) method. The accuracy of the ET methods heavily depends on the accuracy of ET excitations. Unconstrained nonlinear optimization is employed to simulate these excitations. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) method as an evolutionary algorithm is examined in this paper to achieve a more accurate ETEF, where optimal parameters of the PSO are first determined using a parametric study on the involved variables. The proposed method is verified and compared with the trust‐region‐reflective method as a classical optimization method and imperialist competitive algorithm as a recently developed evolutionary method. Results show that the proposed method leads to more accurate ET excitations.
Permeability model of fractured rock with consideration of elastic‐plastic deformation
Authors: Zhao Yu , Wang Chaolin , Bi Jing
Published: October 2019

The evolution of rock permeability has been studied exhaustively, and a broad array of permeability models has been proposed. These models are normally derived under the assumption of elastic deformation when subjected to external stress. Under this assumption, these models define fracture permeability as a function of either gas pressure or effective stress. However, experimental observations indicate that rock fracture may experience unrecoverable deformation during the loading process. The goal of this study is to resolve this contradiction. In this study, derivation of fracture permeability correlation for elastoplastic contact of rough surfaces is presented. The proposed method for describing permeability evolution not only considers the topography of fracture surfaces but also and, more importantly, integrates the plastic deformation of rock fracture. Subsequently, the deformation and permeability change of shale sample containing a single rough‐walled fracture is experimentally investigated. The results show that the permeabilities obtained during the loading process are larger than the permeabilities obtained during the unloading process under the same stress conditions and that the fracture deformation cannot be fully recovered during the unloading process. At last, the proposed permeability model is applied to the experimental results and it is shown that the proposed model can predict the laboratory permeability data.
Experimental and numerical investigation on a novel support system for controlling roadway deformation in underground coal mines
Authors: Sun Yuantian , Li Guichen , Zhang Junfei , Qian Deyu
Published: October 2019

Roadway stability in extremely soft coal mass is a typical challenge in deep underground mines, as the most widely adopted support structure such as rock bolting, compound support system normally fails. This paper proposed a novel prereinforcement method for coal roadway, that is, jet grouting (JG) technique, to improve the quality of surrounding soft coal mass and form a stable support structure namely jet grouted coalcrete. The field and laboratory tests were conducted for evaluating the applicability of JG and the mechanical parameters of coalcrete. A numerical model was verified by comparing the calculated results with field measurements. According to the confirmed model, three typical JG support schemes were performed to assess the roadway stability after JG. The results showed that the proposed JG schemes can reduce the deformation and failure zone of the roadway and optimize the stress states around the roadway. The mechanism related to these advantages was investigated. This study provides a promising idea for supporting soft coal roadway in deep underground coal mines, which can promote the JG application in the field.
Application of discrete transforms with selective coefficients for blind image watermarking
Authors: Lydia E. Laxmi , Raj Joshua Samuel , Pandi Selvam R. , Elhoseny Mohamed , Shankar K.
Published: October 2019

Watermarking scheme is not helpful in conveying the original image continually so as identifying the owner's mark from the watermarked image. In the current situation, our chosen topic is significant in real‐time applications like fraud recognition, emergency clinic, and government divisions. In this study, an optimal multiblind watermarking model is proposed for the watermark detection process. Our proposed model is a combination of intelligent domain transforms like Discrete Shearlet Transform and Discrete Curvelet Transform (DCurT). The imperceptibility necessity of the plan is accomplished utilizing optimal coefficients that are performed by applying in DCurT with metaheuristic optimization model that is Grasshopper Algorithm. It is played by a chasing behavior of gathering of grasshoppers and cooperation process, here, Random Grasshopper Optimization is utilized for watermarking. The secret image is embedded with a lower band of optimal coefficients with DCurT, and here, the band is DCur (1, 5). The secret data is embedded in the host images to make it secure, and then, the extraction of the embedding process takes place inversely. For experimentation analysis, 20 digital images are considered, and different attacks are applied in the proposed watermarking model. Thus, the watermarked image looks lossless compared with the host image. Moreover, recent literary works and domain transform are also utilized for strength investigation of the proposed watermarking model.
Experimental study on flame spread along fuel cylinders in high pressures
Authors: Zhao Yanli , Chen Jian , Sheng Youjie , Chen Xiao , Lu Shouxiang
Published: October 2019

Flame spread over solid fuels in high‐pressure situations, such as nuclear containment shells during a pressurized period, has potential to result in catastrophic disaster, thus requiring further knowledge. This paper experimentally reveals the flame spread behaviors over fuel cylinders in high pressures. Polyethylene and polymethyl‐methacrylate cylinders with the diameter of 4.0 mm are used in this study. Ambient gas is air, and total pressures are varied from naturally normal pressure (100 kPa) to elevated pressure (500 kPa). Flame characteristics including flame appearance and flame size and burning rate and flame spread rate are investigated. Results show that in high pressure, the flame appearance is significantly affected. As the pressure increases, the blue flame disappeared, and the color of flame tip changes from luminous yellow to orange as well the orange part extends down towards the base of flame. The dimensionless flame height increases with pressure for pressure below 150 kPa and then decreases with pressure above that level. The burning rates show increasing trend with pressure and are proportional to P0.6 and P0.79 for polymethyl‐methacrylate and polyethylene, respectively. Besides, flame spread rates for polymethyl‐methacrylate and polyethylene both were found to be proportional to P0.5.
Inhibition of inflammatory cells delays retinal degeneration in experimental retinal vein occlusion in mice
Authors: Jovanovic Joël , Liu Xuan , Kokona Despina , Zinkernagel Martin S. , Ebneter Andreas
Published: October 2019

The role of microglia in retinal inflammation is still ambiguous. Branch retinal vein occlusion initiates an inflammatory response whereby resident microglia cells are activated. They trigger infiltration of neutrophils that exacerbate blood–retina barrier damage, regulate postischemic inflammation and irreversible loss of neuroretina. Suppression of microglia‐mediated inflammation might bear potential for mitigating functional impairment after retinal vein occlusion (RVO). To test this hypothesis, we depleted microglia by PLX5622 (a selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets the colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor) in fractalkine receptor reporter mice (Cx3cr1gfp/+) subjected to various regimens of PLX5622 treatment and experimental RVO. Effectiveness of microglia suppression and retinal outcomes including retinal thickness as well as ganglion cell survival were compared to a control group of mice with experimental vein occlusion only. PLX5622 caused dramatic suppression of microglia. Despite vein occlusion, reappearance of green fluorescent protein positive cells was strongly impeded with continuous PLX5622 treatment and significantly delayed after its cessation. In depleted mice, retinal proinflammatory cytokine signaling was diminished and retinal ganglion cell survival improved by almost 50% compared to nondepleted animals 3 weeks after vein occlusion. Optical coherence tomography suggested delayed retinal degeneration in depleted mice. In summary, findings indicate that suppression of cells bearing the colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor, mainly microglia and monocytes, mitigates ischemic damage and salvages retinal ganglion cells. Blood–retina barrier breakdown seems central in the disease mechanism, and complex interactions between different cell types composing the blood–retina barrier as well as sustained hypoxia might explain why the protective effect was only partial.
Application of neural network on heat transfer enhancement of magnetohydrodynamic nanofluid
Authors: Barzegar Gerdroodbary M.
Published: October 2019

The applications of neural networks (NNs) on engineering problems have been increased for obtaining high precision results. In this study, a new type of NN known as the group method of data handling (GMDH) is applied to obtain a formulation of a heat transfer rate. The numerical method of control volume‐based finite element method (CVFEM) is applied as a robust and reliable numerical approach for simulation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of a nanofluid inside an inclined enclosure with a sinusoidal wall. A water‐based nanofluid with Cu nanoparticles is used as main fluid in our model. Maxwell–Garnetts (MG) and Brinkman models are applied to calculate effective thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluid, respectively. This study tries to find that GMDH‐type NN is a reliable technique for calculation of MHD nanofluid convective based on specified variables. Our findings clearly demonstrate that GMDH‐type NN is more reliable than the CVFEM approach and this technique could efficiently identify the patterns in data and precisely estimate a performance. Comprehensive parametric studies are done to disclose the impact of significant factors such as electromagnetic force, buoyancy, nanoparticle volume fraction, and direction of enclosure on heat transfer rates. According to obtained results, heat transfer rate rises with the growth of buoyancy effects, the concentration of nanoparticles, and slope of domain while it reduces when Hartmann number is increased.
Enhancing advanced Theory of Mind skills in primary school: A training study with 7‐ to 8‐year‐olds
Authors: Bianco Federica , Lombardi Elisabetta , Massaro Davide , Castelli Ilaria , Valle Annalisa , Marchetti Antonella , Lecce Serena
Published: October 2019

Recent evidence showed that it is possible to help children's Theory of Mind (ToM) development during preschool and middle childhood. This study aimed to promote advanced mentalizing skills in children attending Year 2 of primary school through a ToM training programme based on narratives followed by multiple‐choice questions and conversations about mental states. Participants were 49 children, aged between 7 and 8 years (Mage = 7.6 years; SD = 3.98 months), assigned to the experimental (27 children, 11 boys) or to the control condition (22 children, 7 boys). The two groups were matched at pretest for age, ToM, socio‐economic background, reading comprehension, and executive functioning. The classroom‐training programme was delivered by an experimenter in four sessions (each 50 min long). The ToM group improved ToM skills significantly more than the control group both in the practiced and in the transfer ToM task. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.

Highlights

We developed and tested the efficacy of a training programme for improving theory of mind skills in children aged 7–8 years.

The ToM training programme was effective in promoting advanced ToM skills at school in children aged 7–8 years.

The study fits with the experiential‐learning account according to which social and pedagogical experiences shape socio‐cognitive development.
Supply‐side factors, CEO overconfidence, and zero‐leverage policy
Authors: Ebrahimi Tahera , Gupta Jairaj , Ozkan Aydin
Published: October 2019

This paper investigates the effects of credit rating downgrades, equity mispricing, and CEO overconfidence on zero‐leverage policy, using data for listed U.S. firms during the period 1980–2012. The results show that (a) the likelihood of zero leverage increases significantly following a downgrade in credit rating; (b) zero leverage is the outcome of the past attempts by firms to issue more overvalued equity capital; and (c) firms with overconfident CEOs are more likely to choose zero leverage. The results clearly suggest that the conditions prevailing in both credit and equity markets exert significant influence on zero‐leverage policy. The analysis also advocates the inclusion of managerial biases in conjunction with the market‐wide conditions in the analysis of zero‐leverage policy. Overall, the findings reveal that zero‐leverage firms find that the benefits of issuing overvalued equity outweigh the benefits associated with debt financing. These results are robust to a battery of checks.
Successful plasma exchange in a 34‐year‐old woman with diabetic ketoacidosis and a thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Hermelin Daniela , Blackall Douglas
Published: October 2019

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a rare complication reported in the pediatric setting. We report a case of an adult patient with new‐onset DM, DKA, and TMA who was treated successfully with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The patient underwent five procedures and experienced quick recovery in her platelet count and a near‐normalization of her LDH. Within 3 days, ADAMTS13 activity was reported at 40.7% (>66.8%). After a protracted hospital course, mostly focused on treating the patient's bilateral hemorrhagic chemosis, the patient was discharged on hospital day 30. TMA is associated with a spectrum of diseases such as TTP and sepsis but, to our knowledge, it has not been reported in the setting of DKA in an adult patient. Evidence supports that metabolic alterations associated with DKA and its treatment disrupt basal hemostatic mechanisms and promote a thrombotic state. Although ADAMTS13 activity was only moderately decreased, our patient responded rapidly to TPE, with a striking increase and stabilization of her PLT count that was durable beyond discharge. As reported recently, patients who have TMA with ADAMTS13 activity levels >10% have a range of diagnoses, presentations, and outcomes. Although the underlying microangiopathic process is incompletely understood, these patients may respond well to TPE, as was seen in this case.
Acceptability of a long‐acting injectable HIV prevention product among US and African women: findings from a phase 2 clinical Trial (HPTN 076)
Authors: Tolley Elizabeth E , Li Sue , Zangeneh Sahar Z , Atujuna Millicent , Musara Petina , Justman Jessica , Pathak Subash , Bekker Linda‐Gail , Swaminathan Shobha , Stanton Jill , Farrior Jennifer , Sista Nirupama
Published: October 2019

Introduction

High HIV incidence and low adherence to daily oral PrEP among women underscore the need for more acceptable and easier to use HIV prevention products. Global demand for injectable contraception suggests that new, long‐acting, injectable formulations could meet this need. We examine acceptability of a long‐acting injectable PrEP among HIV‐uninfected women in Zimbabwe, South Africa and two United States phase 2 trial sites.

Methods

Quantitative surveys were administered at the first, fourth and sixth injection visits. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted after the sixth injection visit. We compared the acceptability of injectable product attributes, prevention preferences and future interest in injectable PrEP by site and arm and ran longitudinal ordinal logistic regression models to identify determinants of future interest in injectable PrEP.

Results

Between April 2015 and February 2017, the trial enrolled 136 (100 African, 36 US) women with a median age of 31 years. Most participants (>75%) rated injectable attributes as very acceptable. While few reported rash or other side effects, 56% to 67% reported injection pain, with nonsignificant differences over time and between arms. During FGDs, participants described initial fear of the injectable and variable experiences with pain. Most US and African participants preferred injectable PrEP to daily oral pills (56% to 96% vs. 4% to 25%). Future interest in using injectable PrEP was associated with acceptability of product attributes and was higher in African than US sites. In FGDs, participants described multiple reasons for trial participation, including a combination of monetary, health‐related and altruistic motivations. While associated with future interest in use in univariate models, neither altruistic nor personal motivations remained significant in the multivariate model.

Conclusions

This study found that long‐acting injectable PrEP is acceptable among African and US women experiencing product use. Acceptability of product attributes better predicted future interest in injectable use than experience of pain. This is reassuring as a single‐dose regimen of a different product has advanced to phase 3 trials. Finally, the study suggests that future demand for an injectable PrEP by women may be greater in African than US settings, where the risk of HIV is highest.
Involvement of LaeA in the regulation of conidia production and stress responses in Penicillium digitatum
Authors: Zhu Congyi , Wang Yuying , Hu Xu , Lei Mengying , Wang Mingshuang , Zeng Jiwu , Li Hongye , Liu Zheyu , Zhou Ting , Yu Dongliang
Published: October 2019

Involvement of LaeA in various biological processes of filamentous fungi has been demonstrated. However, its role in Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of citrus postharvest green mold, remains unclear. In this study, a ΔPdLaeA mutant was constructed using homologous recombination. The production of conidia by the ΔPdLaeA mutant was reduced by half compared with that of the wild‐type strain. The sensitivity of the ΔPdLaeA mutant increased under alkaline conditions. The virulence assay revealed that PdLaeA was dispensable for the virulence of P. digitatum. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that the function loss of PdLaeA resulted in the reduced expression of several secondary metabolite gene clusters. In addition, expression of several key regulators of conidiation (BrlA, FlbA, FlbC, FlbD, and FluG) was also downregulated in the ΔPdLaeA mutant. In summary, the present work demonstrated that PdLaeA was involved in the regulation of SM biosynthesis, as well as the development and environmental adaptation of P. digitatum.
Projection of hydroclimate extreme indices over the Indochina region under climate change using a large single‐model ensemble
Authors: Hanittinan Patinya , Tachikawa Yasuto , Ram‐Indra Teerawat
Published: October 2019

Results from the multiple‐realization, single‐model ensemble called “d4PDF” were used to generate hydroclimate indices for present and future climates over the Indochina region. The model performed reasonably well in capturing the reference precipitation characteristics of the present climate (1951–2010), in particular the seasonal pattern (e.g., JJA and SON) and intensity‐based indices such as SDII, R95p, Rx1D, and Rx3D. Under the +4 K future simulation conditions for 2051–2110, comprising six prescribed sea‐surface temperature scenarios, substantial and statistically significant increases in precipitation frequency (R10 and R20) and intensity (SDII, Rx1D, and Rx3D) were projected over the Indochinese Peninsula with a high degree of consistency. However, there were greater uncertainties in the changes significance of mean precipitation either during early dry‐season (DJF) or late monsoon (SON) indices demonstrated by results of the parametric U test in some river catchments, such as the Chao Phraya, Red River, central Mekong, lower Irrawaddy, and Salween Basins, where the projection consistencies in a positive change direction were less than 50%. Comparison of basin‐wide empirical probability distributions of precipitation indices pointed to a robust increase in the frequency of the occurrence of heavy precipitation in intensity indices (e.g., Rx1D, Rx3D, and SDII). The relationship between d4PDF precipitation and total runoff generation outputs from the land surface component was investigated. The results show a high degree of temporal correspondence across the region under the present climate in several seasonal and intensity indices, except during the dry period (DJF and MAM). Finally, we found that
ε
P(P, R) of the annual and seasonal climatological indices of the future climate were always positive and larger than unity, with a median
ε
P(P, R) of 1.28–2.04. The results strongly reaffirm the role of rainfall as the main driver of runoff changes due to its faster response relative to change in precipitation at the Indochina Region.
Total replacement of dietary fish meal with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae does not impair physical, chemical or volatile composition of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)
Authors: Bruni Leonardo , Belghit Ikram , Lock Erik‐Jan , Secci Giulia , Taiti Cosimo , Parisi Giuliana
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

The aquafeed sector has been replacing conventional dietary ingredients with more economic and eco‐friendly ingredients. Insects embody a promising alternative as a result of being highly nutritious and showing traits leading to a circular bioeconomy. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) at the sea‐water stage were fed diets with a partial or complete substitution of fishmeal with meal of Hermetia illucens larvae reared on a media containing Ascophyllum nodosum mixed with organic wastes (60:40). The present study aimed to assess the quality of fillets by characterizing its physico‐chemical traits with conventional and innovative methods, such as the proton transfer reaction‐time of flight‐mass spectrometer technique, allowing the analysis of samples at room temperature. Finally, steamed fillets underwent a consumer test to investigate the liking of consumers and their intention of re‐consumption.

RESULTS

The main findings showed that a complete dietary substitution of fishmeal with H. illucens larvae meal did not impair the physico‐chemical quality of A. salmon fillets. Notably, neutral n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) slightly but significantly increased in the fillets of A. salmon fed H. illucens, also as a result of the additional fish oil present in the diets containing insect. The volatile organic profile was not altered by the different diets. The consumer‐liking test revealed that Italian consumers appreciated the tested salmon irrespective of the administered feed.

CONCLUSION

Tailoring the insect fatty acid profile by rearing the larvae on a PUFA‐rich substrate, coupled with a dietary modulation of the oily source, can successfully maintain or even increase the cardioprotective characteristics of fillets. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Gopher Tortoise Demographic Responses to a Novel Disturbance Regime
Authors: Howell Hunter J. , Rothermel Betsie B. , White K. Nicole , Searcy Christopher A.
Published: October 2019

The long‐term viability of gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations is jeopardized by increased urbanization and habitat degradation owing to fire suppression. Because the species' remaining natural habitats in the southeastern United States exist within a mosaic of anthropogenic land uses, it is important to understand demographic responses to contrasting land uses and habitat management regimes. We examined differences in demographic parameters among fire‐suppressed sandhill, restored sandhill, and former sandhill (i.e., ruderal) land use‐land cover (LULC) types at Archbold Biological Station in south‐central Florida, USA. Using Program MARK, we estimated population size, and sex‐specific and LULC‐specific survivorship based on 6 years of mark‐recapture data. We also analyzed individual growth trajectories and clutch sizes to determine whether growth rates or reproductive output differed among LULC types. Tortoises in an open, ruderal field occurred at a higher density (7.79/ha) than in adjacent restored (1.43/ha) or fire‐suppressed (0.40/ha) sandhill. Despite this higher density, both adult survivorship and body size were significantly higher in the ruderal field. Furthermore, the larger female body size in the ruderal field likely contributed to increased annual survivorship and slightly larger average clutch sizes. We did not detect offsetting negative demographic effects; in particular, we did not find significant biological or statistical differences in body condition, asymptotic body size, or growth rate among the 3 LULC types. Our results suggest that anthropogenic, grass‐dominated land‐cover types may be important components of the habitat mosaic currently available to this at‐risk species. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
The spectrum of involuntary vocalizations in humans: A video atlas
Authors: Mainka Tina , Balint Bettina , Gövert Felix , Kurvits Lille , van Riesen Christoph , Kühn Andrea A. , Tijssen Marina A.J. , Lees Andrew J. , Müller‐Vahl Kirsten , Bhatia Kailash P. , Ganos Christos
Published: October 2019

In clinical practice, involuntary vocalizing behaviors are typically associated with Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders. However, they may also be encountered throughout the entire tenor of neuropsychiatry, movement disorders, and neurodevelopmental syndromes. Importantly, involuntary vocalizing behaviors may often constitute a predominant clinical sign, and, therefore, their early recognition and appropriate classification are necessary to guide diagnosis and treatment. Clinical literature and video‐documented cases on the topic are surprisingly scarce. Here, we pooled data from 5 expert centers of movement disorders, with instructive video material to cover the entire range of involuntary vocalizations in humans. Medical literature was also reviewed to document the range of possible etiologies associated with the different types of vocalizing behaviors and to explore treatment options. We propose a phenomenological classification of involuntary vocalizations within different categorical domains, including (1) tics and tic‐like vocalizations, (2) vocalizations as part of stereotypies, (3) vocalizations as part of dystonia or chorea, (4) continuous vocalizing behaviors such as groaning or grunting, (5) pathological laughter and crying, (6) vocalizations resembling physiological reflexes, and (7) other vocalizations, for example, those associated with exaggerated startle responses, as part of epilepsy and sleep‐related phenomena. We provide comprehensive lists of their associated etiologies, including neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, neuroimmunological, and structural causes and clinical clues. We then expand on the pathophysiology of the different vocalizing behaviors and comment on available treatment options. Finally, we present an algorithmic approach that covers the wide range of involuntary vocalizations in humans, with the ultimate goal of improving diagnostic accuracy and guiding appropriate treatment. © 2019 The Authors.Movement Disorderspublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Wavelet estimations for mixed densities under multiplicative censoring
Authors: Cao Kaikai , Wang Jinru , Zeng Xiaochen
Published: October 2019

Using compactly supported wavelets, Chaubey et al consider L2‐risk estimation for mixed density under multiplicative censoring (Chaubey YP, Chesneau C, Doosti H. Adaptive wavelet estimation of a density from mixtures under multiplicative censoring. Statistics, 2015, 49: 638‐659). In this paper, we try to discuss Lp‐risk (1 ≤ p<∞) estimation for that statistical model of the linear and nonlinear wavelet estimators respectively. Our results can be seen as an extension of the work of Chaubey et al.
UWB monopole antenna with dual‐band‐notched characteristics
Authors: Puri Shiv C. , Das Sushrut , Tiary Madan G.
Published: October 2019

A UWB planar monopole antenna with dual‐band notch characteristics is presented in this paper. Measured results show that the proposed antenna operates with a 2.76 to 11 GHz 10 dB return loss bandwidth with notch bands covering 3.45 to 4.81 and 5.24 to 6.21 GHz. The notch bands are suitably placed to eliminate interferences from WiMAX band (IEEE802.16), C‐band, INSAT band, and WLAN bands (IEEE802.11a/h/j/n). The lower notch band has been achieved by using 4 circular patch‐loaded stubs on the radiating structure, whereas 2 complementary split ring resonators have been used on ground plane to achieve the upper notch band. Necessary formulae for the design of the antenna have been provided. Measured |S11|, radiation patterns, gain, and group delay of the proposed antenna are presented. The results show that the proposed antenna is suitable for short‐range, high‐speed data communication using short pulses.
Coding for Malnutrition in the Hospital: Does It Change Reimbursement?
Authors: Doley Jennifer , Phillips Wendy
Published: October 2019

Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) is prevalent in the acute care setting, affecting up to 50% of hospitalized patients. PCM is associated with poor outcomes, including increased hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, hospital readmission rates, incidence of pressure injuries and nosocomial infections, and mortality. PCM is a financial burden on the healthcare system through direct costs related to treatment as well as indirect costs related to poorer outcomes and complications. Medical coding for malnutrition after a patient's hospital stay is poorly representative of the actual prevalence of malnutrition, as only a small percentage of these hospital stays are coded for PCM. Improvements in identification and coding of malnutrition can result in significant increases in hospital reimbursement, which can in part help defray increased costs associated with the condition.
Ageing the elderly: A new approach to the estimation of the age‐at‐death distribution from skeletal remains
Authors: McFadden Clare , Cave Christine M. , Oxenham Marc F.
Published: October 2019

This study reports on the use of a proportional measure to estimate the age‐at‐death distribution of an assemblage and, when combined with a seriation method, additionally estimate the age‐at‐death of individuals. Traditional methods of estimating age‐at‐death suffer from a number of issues, including decreasing accuracy with increasing age, age mimicry of the reference population, and difficulty balancing accuracy with precision. A new method is proposed for estimating the age‐at‐death distribution of middle and older adults. As the age‐at‐death distribution is significantly impacted by the fertility rate, it was hypothesised that the D0‐14/D ratio (the number of individuals who died aged 0–14 years divided by the total population; an indicator of fertility) may be able to estimate the proportion of individuals that might be expected to die in each five‐year age group over 35 years. The method permits the estimation of individual age when used in conjunction with seriation methods and the age‐at‐death distribution of a population. The method is tested on two samples of known age, the Spitalfields crypt and St Thomas' Church cemetery collections and found to provide greater accuracy over previously applied methods.
Digital divide and Internet health information seeking among cancer survivors: A trend analysis from 2011 to 2017
Authors: Jiang Shaohai , Liu Piper Liping
Published: October 2019

Objective

The current study aims to explore the trend of Internet health information seeking (IHIS) in cancer survivors and the relationship between four dimensions of digital divide (eg, mental access, material access, skills access, and usage access) and IHIS.

Methods

Data from three iterations (2011, 2013, and 2017) of Health Information National Trends Survey were analyzed. Only cancer survivors (2011: n=563; 2013: n=459; 2017: n=504) were included. ANOVA and multivariate regressions were performed.

Results

The rate of IHIS among cancer survivors has increased from 53.5% in 2011 to 69.2% in 2017. Also, across the three survey years, material access (eg, physical Internet access), usage access (eg, eHealth activities), and mental access (eg, trust in online health information) have remained in a significant and positive relationship with IHIS. Skills access (eg, health information seeking skills) and the other mental access factor, self‐efficacy in health information seeking, were not significantly associated with IHIS over time.

Conclusions

This research revealed a rising trend of IHIS adoption in cancer survivors, and demonstrated significant relationships between digital divide and IHIS. We call for targeted interventions to reduce the digital divide barriers for cancer survivors.