bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation Analysis and Evaluation for Snowfall Data of ECMWF and Honam Region in Korea
Authors: Bae Young Hye , Jung Jaewon , Necesito Imee V. , Kim Jongsung , Lee Myungjin , Kim Hung Soo
Published: October 2020

As the temperature of the Arctic rises due to global warming, the polar vortex, which is the cold air of the Arctic, has moved southward, which causes the occurrence of unusual cold waves and heavy snowfall in the mid-latitude regions (North America, Europe, and Asia). Since this phenomenon is known to induce damage to people and properties, it is very important to analyze the process and cause of snowfall as well as its predictability in order to lessen if not prevent further damage. While there are many studies that utilize climate models in relation to rainfall, snowfall studies are lacking. This study evaluated the domestic applicability of snowfall data of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) seasonal forecast data before performing the snowfall generation process and forecasting research. We analyzed the correlation between monthly fresh snowfall of the 13 stations in the Honam region, which is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Korea and of monthly snowfall of the ECMWF. After clustering 13 stations using hierarchical cluster analysis, correlation analysis was performed and its accuracy was determined using a confusion matrix. As a result, it was concluded that the applicability of the ECMWF seasonal forecast data is sufficient based on the high correlation and accuracy results between the monthly fresh snowfall data and the monthly snowfall data of the ECMWF. The results of this study are expected to be utilized as basic data for predicting future heavy snowfall to verify its impact and assess the vulnerability to heavy snowfall damage.
Study on Structural Performance of Precast Track of Discrete Panel Supporting Type for Rapid Ballast Improvement
Authors: Kang Yun Suk , Lee Chan Young , Jang Dong Du , Kwon Se Gon , Han Woo Jin , Vu Linh
Published: October 2020

The conventional ballast track needs to be improved and replaced due to the rapid degradation of the track. While operating the conventional line, the track structure needs to be rapidly improved and constructed in a narrow restricted tunnel space during railway blockade time. Therefore, the precast slab track of discrete panel supporting rapid construction was developed, and analysis and performance tests were conducted. In this study, vehicle track interaction analysis was performed to evaluate the behavior that may occur in the transition of the ballast track and the slab track in the field and to evaluate the safety of the structure during the train operation. In addition, to verify the performance of the prefabricated slab under the load of the train and its applicability to the actual operating line, a load test was performed on the assembly test body consisting of precast panels, rails, and panel-discretely supporting elastic rubber. The results of the test indicated that the rails and panels of the assembled test body satisfied the required performance test and secured structural safety.
A Study on the Improvement of Reliability Estimation Method for Sewer Network considering Resilience
Authors: Kim Dong Jun , Song Yang Ho , Lee Jung Ho
Published: October 2020

In city centers, the damage caused by inundation is aggravated by rising populations and urbanization, which extend impermeable areas. Research is needed to identify the inundation risks caused by climate change and quantitatively assess the consequences. In this study, we proposed an improved reliability study which considers resilience in the original evaluation method for the reliability of a storm sewer network. Rainfall-runoff analysises were performed on a part of Bangbae 2 drainage basin in Seoul by applying Storm Water Management Model 5 Ver. Based on the results of the application of excessive rainfall events, the original reliability evaluation method was compared with the improved reliability evaluation method. Consequently, the effect of the improvement of the cluster about 30% was confirmed when selection the central value rather than the existing representative value. The improved reliability evaluation method proposed in this study can be used as a design objective function and as an index for evaluating the inundation risk in adjacent drainage basins.
Development of Preliminary Seismic Performance Evaluation Method for Water Supply Pipes considering Hydraulic Characteristics
Authors: Choi Jeongwook , Kang Doosun , Jung Donghwi , Lee Chanwook , Yoo Do Guen , Jo Seong-Bae
Published: October 2020

The seismic performance evaluation of water supply systems is generally conducted in two stages: a preliminary and a detailed evaluation process. In the case of water pipelines, the priority pipes are selected through preliminary evaluation for a detailed evaluation. However, as the preliminary seismic performance evaluation method for existing water pipes solely focuses on their installation year and structural evaluation, it does not reflect the hydraulic characteristics of the water supply, which is the main purpose of water pipes. Therefore, this study proposed an evaluation method for the existing preliminary evaluation judgment index, by considering the calculation method for the probability of spatial failure, as well as the index obtained through hydraulic analysis results. The proposed methodology was applied to a domestic regional water supply system to be verified, and the results were analyzed. The proposed method is expected to serve as a result of basic research to enhance the seismic performance evaluation method in the future.
A Study on the Improvement of the Management Method Indicators Lamp for Fire Alarm System
Authors: Hwang Woongi , Yang Junseo , Lee Jeongkyoon
Published: October 2020

The number of casualties in fire-related accidents has increased recently as fires have increased. Among facilities that reduce casualties in case of fire, the alarm is a fire-fighting facility that allows occupants to quickly evacuate to a safe space through alerts in case of danger. Location indicator lamps indicating the location of the transmitter in alarm systems play a very important role in the event of a fire. In the event of a fire, an alarm is issued through the transmitter, and fire transmitters ensure prompt action. However, performance control of the location indicator is not performed during inspection of the legal firefighting facility; only the lighting condition is checked. It is essential to maintain the performance of the location indicator of the transmitter, which can induce rapid evacuation and reduce casualties. This study investigated the performance state and management method of a position indicator lamp that can easily recognize the location of the transmitter. In the case of aging position indicators, it was found that the luminance was low and that identification could not be secured.
Flow-Velocity and Pressure Fitness of Sprinkler Pipes Applied with Orifice
Authors: Kim Jaedong , Noh Youngjae , Kim Nakseok
Published: October 2020

The sprinkler design of buildings is based on the top-floor end sprinkler head, and the water flow rate and pressure are designed. When the floor is close to the bottom floor pump, unnecessary flow rate, pressure, and flow velocity become inevitable. Moreover, when the sprinkler head is opened to less than the actual fire time reference number, the excessive flow rate, flow velocity, and pressure are generated. Therefore, the damage to the water or droplet particle becomes less significant, which can be disadvantageous for efficient fire suppression. Therefore, in this study, we applied an orifice to the branch pipe of each sprinkler head to decrease the excessive flow rate, flow velocity, and pressure. It was confirmed that the design value was maintained for each floor of the high building. When the orifice was applied, the flow rate and positive well were reduced, which could prevent overpressure.
Expression of the Autoantigen Topoisomerase‐1 is Enriched in the Lung Tissues of Patients With Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease: A Case Control Study
Authors: Cottrell Tricia R. , Askin Frederic , Halushka Marc K. , Casciola‐Rosen Livia , McMahan Zsuzsanna H.
Published: October 2020

Background

Among the autoimmune rheumatic diseases, it is striking that autoantibodies targeting ubiquitously expressed proteins (eg, topoisomerase‐1) associate with specific clinical complications (eg, interstitial lung disease [ILD]). It has been proposed that enriched antigen expression in inflamed target tissue may play a role in focusing the autoimmune response. We sought to determine whether topoisomerase‐1 expression is enriched in lungs from patients with autoimmune/inflammatory diseases relative to normal lung.

Methods

We used a 99‐core lung tissue microarray (TMA) containing lung tissue from 40 patients with autoimmune inflammatory ILD (cases) and 46 control subjects with normal lungs. We stained the TMA with antibodies to compare topoisomerase‐1 and CD8 expression between patients and control subjects and evaluated whether expression is enriched in specific cell types. Staining was analyzed, and statistical comparisons were performed.

Results

Cases were more likely to have global topoisomerase‐1 expression (53% vs 21%; P = 0.003), specifically in pneumocytes (47% vs 16%; P = 0.003) and stromal/immune cells (32% vs 5%; P = 0.002) compared with control subjects. CD8 cell density (223 cells/mm2 vs 102 cells/mm2; P = 0.018) was significantly higher in topoisomerase‐1–positive lung tissues compared with topoisomerase‐1–negative lung tissues. Interestingly, topoisomerase‐1 expression was significantly more common in scleroderma compared with normal lung (67% vs 21%; P = 0.036) and was present more frequently in pneumocytes in these patients (67% vs 16%; P = 0.018).

Conclusions

Pulmonary expression of topoisomerase‐1 is increased in the setting of autoimmune ILD relative to normal lung, specifically in pneumocytes. This may contribute to the amplification of pulmonary disease in patients with scleroderma with a loss of tolerance to topoisomerase‐1.
Ultra‐Precision Processing of Conductive Materials via Electrorheological Fluid‐Assisted Polishing
Authors: Zhao Yunwei , Liu Xiaomin , Fang Yuhui , Cao Changyong
Published: October 2020

Ultra‐precision polishing of conductive components of novel electronic and optical devices at small scales is of paramount importance for achieving desired product performance and quality. Herein, the feasibility and performance of the electrorheological fluid‐assisted polishing (ERFP) approach in processing conductive materials are theoretically and experimentally investigated. The combination models for ERFP fluid with various size ratios of the polarized particles are established and discussed. A theoretical model for calculating the material removal volume in the ERFP process is derived to predict the polishing performance and the surface profile of the specimens. The measured material removal profiles agree well with the theoretical predictions, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed model. Experimental results demonstrate that the removal volume decreases rapidly with the increasing gap size and the rotation speed. With a microneedle‐like tool electrode, the ERFP is able to removal the material in a well‐controlled way, demonstrating its ability to polish conductive materials with high resolution and accuracy.
Asymmetric Oxidative Mannich Reactions
Authors: Rostoll‐Berenguer Jaume , Blay Gonzalo , Pedro José R. , Vila Carlos
Published: October 2020

The asymmetric Mannich reaction is one of the most straightforward methodologies for the enantioselective synthesis of chiral amines. In general, asymmetric Mannich reactions involve the use of imines as electrophiles. However, in recent years, several asymmetric oxidative Mannich reactions have been reported using amines as electrophiles. This review provides an overview of these recent publications, including the different oxidants used and the scope and limitations of the different catalytic systems.

magnified image
Different Approaches to Develop Nanosensors for Diagnosis of Diseases
Authors: Arndt Nina , Tran Huong D. N. , Zhang Run , Xu Zhi Ping , Ta Hang T.
Published: October 2020

The success of clinical treatments is highly dependent on early detection and much research has been conducted to develop fast, efficient, and precise methods for this reason. Conventional methods relying on nonspecific and targeting probes are being outpaced by so‐called nanosensors. Over the last two decades a variety of activatable sensors have been engineered, with a great diversity concerning the operating principle. Therefore, this review delineates the achievements made in the development of nanosensors designed for diagnosis of diseases.
Red blood cell transfusion does not increase risk of venous or arterial thrombosis during hospitalization
Authors: Baumann Kreuziger Lisa , Edgren Gustaf , Hauser Ronald George , Zaccaro Daniel , Kiss Joseph , Westlake Matt , Brambilla Donald , Mast Alan E. ,   the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: October 2020

Previous observational studies suggest associations between red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and risk for arterial or venous thrombosis. We determined the association between thrombosis and RBC transfusion in hospitalized patients using the Recipient Database from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III. A thrombotic event was a hospitalization with an arterial or venous thrombosis ICD‐9 code and administration of a therapeutic anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent. Patients with history of thrombosis or a thrombosis within 24 hours of admission were excluded. A proportional hazards regression model with time‐dependent covariates was calculated. Estimates were adjusted for age, sex, hospital, smoking, medical comorbidities, and surgical procedures. Of 657 412 inpatient admissions, 67 176 (10.2%) received at least one RBC transfusion. Two percent (12927) of patients experienced a thrombosis. Of these, 2587 developed thrombosis after RBC transfusion. In unadjusted analyses, RBC transfusion was associated with an increased thrombosis risk [HR = 1.3 (95% CI 1.23‐1.36)]. After adjustment for surgical procedures, age, sex, hospital, and comorbidities, no association between RBC transfusion on risk of venous and arterial thrombosis was found [HR 1.0 (95% CI: 0.96‐1.05)]. Thus, RBC transfusion does not appear to be an important risk factor for thrombosis in most hospitalized patients.
Recent Advances in Reductive Desymmetrization of Diketones
Authors: Ding Yi‐Xuan , Zhu Zhou‐Hao , Yu Chang‐Bin , Zhou Yong‐Gui
Published: October 2020

Reductive desymmetrization of achiral or meso diketones has attracted considerable attention due to these motifs which play important roles in organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals and functional materials. This review focuses on recent advances in homogeneous reductive desymmetrization of 1,2‐, 1,3‐ and 1,4‐diketones, which provides an efficient and practical access to structurally diverse chiral α‐, β‐ or γ‐hydroxy ketone derivatives.
Effect of Particle Wettability and Particle Concentration on the Enzymatic Dehydration of n‐Octanaloxime in Pickering Emulsions
Authors: Bago Rodriguez Ana Maria , Schober Lukas , Hinzmann Alessa , Gröger Harald , Binks Bernard P.
Published: October 2020

Pickering emulsion systems have emerged as platforms for the synthesis of organic molecules in biphasic biocatalysis. Herein, the catalytic performance was evaluated for biotransformation using whole cells exemplified for the dehydration of n‐octanaloxime to n‐octanenitrile catalysed by an aldoxime dehydratase (OxdB) overexpressed in E. coli. This study was carried out in Pickering emulsions stabilised solely with silica particles of different hydrophobicity. We correlate, for the first time, the properties of the emulsions with the conversion of the reaction, thus gaining an insight into the impact of the particle wettability and particle concentration. When comparing two emulsions of different type with similar stability and droplet diameter, the oil‐in‐water (o/w) system displayed a higher conversion than the water‐in‐oil (w/o) system, despite the conversion in both cases being higher than that in a “classic” two‐phase system. Furthermore, an increase in particle concentration prior to emulsification resulted in an increase of the interfacial area and hence a higher conversion.
Nickel−Copper bimetallic mesoporous nanoparticles: As an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for N‐alkylation of amines with alcohols
Authors: Nasresfahani Zahra , Kassaee Mohamad Z.
Published: October 2020

A bimetallic catalyst (Ni/Cu‐MCM‐41) is prepared via co‐condensation method. The latter is characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis. Catalytic performance of Ni/Cu‐MCM‐41 is probed in N‐alkylation of amines with alcohols through a hydrogen autotransfer process. Noteworthy, this catalytic system appears very efficient for synthesis of a range of secondary and tertiary amines in good to excellent isolated yields. Moreover, the catalyst is successfully recovered and reused four times without notable decrease in its activity.
Drawing in Veterinary Anatomy Education: What Do Students Use It For?
Authors: Laakkonen Juha
Published: October 2020

In contrast to medical education, information on the use of arts as a learning approach is scarce in veterinary anatomy. The aim of this prospective, questionnaire‐based study was to survey students' use of drawing in various aspects of veterinary anatomy learning (self‐study, examinations, preparation for, and reflection on cadaver dissection). The quantitative data showed that first‐year students with artistic preferences used drawing significantly more often in most aspects of anatomy learning than students with no such preferences, apart from the reported use of drawing in examinations and for reflection after cadaver dissection. The lack of significant correlations of the reported use of drawing in examinations with any other study variable provided support for the author's observation that student‐generated drawings are not as commonly used in examinations as previously. In contrast to the study hypothesis, previous university studies did not correlate significantly with any aspect of the use of drawing in anatomy learning. None of the reported uses of drawing addressed the benefits of drawing in learning the comparative anatomy of animal species, a characteristic distinguishing veterinary anatomy from human anatomy. Qualitative student feedback indicated that encouragement and teacher‐produced images would increase the use of drawing as a learning approach even if the implementation of drawing into the curriculum is not feasible. Conclusions from this study were implemented through self‐directed learning in anatomy courses that replaced the canceled cadaveric dissections during the COVID‐19 outbreak and also through the ongoing drawing workshops to further advance the use of drawing in veterinary anatomy learning.
Distinguishing serial homologs from novel traits: Experimental limitations and ideas for improvements
Authors: Monteiro Antónia
Published: October 2020

One of the central but yet unresolved problems in evolutionary biology concerns the origin of novel complex traits. One hypothesis is that complex traits derive from pre‐existing gene regulatory networks (GRNs) reused and modified to specify a novel trait somewhere else in the body. This simple explanation encounters problems when the novel trait that emerges in a body is in a region that is known to harbor a latent or repressed trait that has been silent for millions of years. Is the novel trait merely a re‐emerged de‐repressed trait or a truly novel trait that emerged via a novel deployment of an old GRN? A couple of new studies sided on opposite sides of this question when investigating the origin of horns in dung beetles and helmets in treehoppers that develop in the first thoracic segment (T1) of their bodies, a segment known to harbor a pair of repressed/modified wings in close relatives. Here, I point to some key limitations of the experimental approaches used and highlight additional experiments that could be done in future to resolve the developmental origin of these and other traits.
Mitochondria metabonomics of Huangqi Jianzhong Tang against chronic atrophic gastritis
Authors: Zhang Dong , Chen Liang , Qin XueMei , Liu YueTao
Published: October 2020

Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (HQJZ) is a representative prescription used for clinical treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in Chinese medicine. Our previous study had revealed that energy regulation was one of the important mechanisms of HQJZ action against CAG. In this study, ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole‐Exactive mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive MS) based metabonomics was used to find the potential mitochondrial biomarkers and metabolic pathways of HQJZ in CAG rats, which focused on a specific organelle (mitochondria) isolated from gastric tissue samples. A total of 16 biomarkers from CAG tissues were identified with 11 of these significantly regulated by HQJZ treatment. These biomarkers was mainly involved in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; aminoacyl‐tRNA biosynthesis metabolism; and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Our results show that HQJZ could protect from CAG by altering the mitochondrial function. These findings deepen our understanding of the mitochondrial metabolic changes that occur with CAG and shine a light on the mechanism of HQJZ.
Stability‐indicating method for the novel antifungal compound RI76: Characterization and in vitro antifungal activity of its active degradation product
Authors: Franco Pedro Henrique Cavalcanti , Vieira Júlia Geraldi , Ramos Cristina Alves de Oliveira , Johann Susana , de Oliveira Renata Barbosa , César Isabela Costa
Published: October 2020

RI76 is a novel 2‐thiazolylhydrazone compound with reported antifungal activity. In preclinical drug development, it is fundamental to know the impurity profile and to understand degradation mechanisms of the molecule. In our study, RI76 was subjected to forced degradation conditions, and a stability‐indicating HPLC‐DAD method was developed and validated. Separation was carried out on a C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 μm) maintained at 40°C using a 1 mL/min flow rate of 2 mM ammonium acetate with 0.1% formic acid (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile in gradient mode. The method was linear in the range of 0.7–91 μg/mL for RI76 and 0.7–25 μg/mL for its degradation product PD76. The formation of a major degradation product was quickly observed when RI76 was in aqueous solution. The chemical structure of this product, named PD76, was proposed based on LC‐UV‐MS experiments, synthesized in‐house, and confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and chromatographic analysis. In vitro antifungal activity assays demonstrated that this resultant product shows a promising activity against clinically important Candida and Cryptococcus strains, matching or surpassing the activity of its precursor and of well‐established antifungal drugs.
Enhancement of Biodiesel Production from Chicken Fat Using MgO and MgO@Na2O Nanocatalysts
Authors: Bahador Fariba , Foroutan Rauf , Nourafkan Ehsan , Peighambardoust Seyed Jamaleddin , Esmaeili Hossein
Published: October 2020

Biodiesel was produced from chicken fat in the presence of MgO and MgO@Na2O nanocatalysts via transesterification. The characteristics of MgO and MgO@Na2O were examined using various analyses, including BET specific surface areas, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy/mapping scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The maximum yields of biodiesel production using MgO and MgO@Na2O nano‐catalysts were 95.17 and 95.22 %, respectively, which are significant biodiesel yields. 1H NMR analysis was used to determine the molecular structure of the chicken fat oil and the produced biodiesel. Furthermore, the reusability of the catalysts was examined for up to six steps, showing that both catalysts can be used for up to four steps in biodiesel production.
Millennials' adoption of personal financial management (PFM) technology and financial behavior
Authors: Walsh Brian , Lim HanNa
Published: October 2020

This paper uses the Technology Acceptance Model to analyze the factors associated with personal financial management technology (PFM) adoption among millennials and extends the analysis to understand how PFM adoption is associated with financial behavior. Data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study was used for this analysis. Evidence suggests that millennials engaging in digital side hustles, such as Uber or Lyft, are significantly more likely to adopt PFM technology. Individuals experiencing higher financial pressure or exhibiting higher financial confidence are more likely to adopt PFM technology. After extending the analysis to include financial behavior, heavy adopters of PFM technology are more likely to own an emergency fund, payoff their credit card in full every month, own a retirement account, own an investment account, save for retirement, and own a will. Surprisingly, heavy adopters of PFM are also more likely to spend more than they earn and experience overdrafts.
Dose‐escalation study of vemurafenib with sorafenib or crizotinib in patients with BRAF‐mutated advanced cancers
Authors: Janku Filip , Sakamuri Divya , Kato Shumei , Huang Helen J. , Call S. Greg , Naing Aung , Holley Veronica R. , Patel Sapna P. , Amaria Rodabe N. , Falchook Gerald S. , Piha‐Paul Sarina A. , Zinner Ralph G. , Tsimberidou Apostolia M. , Hong David S. , Meric‐Bernstam Funda
Published: October 2020

Background

BRAF inhibitors are effective in melanoma and other cancers with BRAF mutations; however, patients ultimately develop therapeutic resistance through the activation of alternative signaling pathways such as RAF/RAS or MET. The authors hypothesized that combining the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib with either the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib or the MET inhibitor crizotinib could overcome therapeutic resistance.

METHODS

Patients with advanced cancers and BRAF mutations were enrolled in a dose‐escalation study (3 + 3 design) to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) of vemurafenib with sorafenib (VS) or vemurafenib with crizotinib (VC).

Results

In total, 38 patients (VS, n = 24; VC, n = 14) were enrolled, and melanoma was the most represented tumor type (VS, 38%; VC, 64%). In the VS arm, vemurafenib 720 mg twice daily and sorafenib 400 mg am/200 mg pm were identified as the MTDs, DLTs included grade 3 rash (n = 2) and grade 3 hypertension, and partial responses were reported in 5 patients (21%), including 2 with ovarian cancer who had received previous treatment with BRAF, MEK, or ERK inhibitors. In the VC arm, vemurafenib 720 mg twice daily and crizotinib 250 mg daily were identified as the MTDs, DLTs included grade 3 rash (n = 2), and partial responses were reported in 4 patients (29%; melanoma, n = 3; lung adenocarcinoma, n = 1) who had received previous treatment with BRAF, MEK, and/or ERK inhibitors. Optional longitudinal collection of plasma to assess dynamic changes in circulating tumor DNA demonstrated the elimination of BRAF‐mutant DNA from plasma during therapy (P = .005).

Conclusions

Vemurafenib combined with sorafenib or crizotinib was well tolerated with encouraging activity, including among patients who previously received treatment with BRAF, MEK, or ERK inhibitors.
Comparative effectiveness of posttreatment imaging modalities for Medicare patients with advanced head and neck cancer
Authors: Morgan Rustain L. , Eguchi Megan M. , McDermott Jessica , Mueller Adam C. , Amini Arya , Goddard Julie A. , Trivedi Premal S. , Karam Sana D.
Published: October 2020

Background

Persistent controversy exists with regard to how and when patients with head and neck cancer should undergo imaging after definitive therapy. The current study was conducted to evaluate whether the type of imaging modality used in posttreatment imaging impacts cancer‐specific survival for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

A retrospective study of National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program–Medicare‐linked data in patients with an advanced stage of the 3 most common head and neck malignancies (oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx) was conducted. Hazard ratios and 95% CIs for cancer‐specific survival were estimated for patients diagnosed with any of these cancers between 2006 and 2015.

Results

Significant improvement with regard to cancer‐specific survival was observed among patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III and stage IVA laryngeal cancer who underwent positron emission tomography (PET) and/or computed tomography (CT) imaging during the first 6 months after receipt of definitive treatment (hazard ratio, 0.517; 95% CI, 0.33‐0.811) compared with those who underwent CT. There was a trend toward an improvement in cancer‐specific survival among patients with oral cavity or oropharyngeal malignancies who underwent PET/CT imaging, but it did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Compared with CT imaging, posttreatment imaging with PET was associated with improved survival in patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma.
Chemical Reactivity of Supported ZnO Clusters: Undercoordinated Zinc and Oxygen Atoms as Active Sites
Authors: Yu Xiaojuan , Roth Jannik P. , Wang Junjun , Sauter Eric , Nefedov Alexei , Heißler Stefan , Pacchioni Gianfranco , Wang Yuemin , Wöll Christof
Published: October 2020

The growth of ZnO clusters supported by ZnO‐bilayers on Ag(111) and the interaction of these oxide nanostructures with water have been studied by a multi‐technique approach combining temperature‐dependent infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), grazing‐emission X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. Our results reveal that the ZnO bilayers exhibiting graphite‐like structure are chemically inactive for water dissociation, whereas small ZnO clusters formed on top of these well‐defined, yet chemically passive supports show extremely high reactivity ‐ water is dissociated without an apparent activation barrier. Systematic isotopic substitution experiments using H216O/D216O/D218O allow identification of various types of acidic hydroxyl groups. We demonstrate that a reliable characterization of these OH‐species is possible via co‐adsorption of CO, which leads to a red shift of the OD frequency due to the weak interaction via hydrogen bonding. The theoretical results provide atomic‐level insight into the surface structure and chemical activity of the supported ZnO clusters and allow identification of the presence of under‐coordinated Zn and O atoms at the edges and corners of the ZnO clusters as the active sites for H2O dissociation.
Eliminating the contact bounce of AC contactor based on speed feedback
Authors: Qi Lei , Zong Ming , Wang Xuejie
Published: October 2020

Contactor bounce has a serious impact on its electrical life and closed reliability in the process of closing the main circuit. Controlling the contact movement is one of the effective ways to reduce the bounce effect. In this paper, the contact movement characteristics are concerned directly. A big speed and small acceleration of contact are expected to complete the closure. The mathematical model of the circuit and the magnetic circuit are established, and the dynamic characteristics of the electromagnetic system are analyzed. The closed‐loop control system of contact motion characteristic based on speed feedback is constructed, and the speed tracking effect is improved effectively by fuzzy control. The experiment results showed that the control method proposed is correct, and the actual speed curve of the contact was consistent with the planned motion curve. The contact speed of the contact decreases obviously, which can achieve the goal of restraining the bounce of the contact.
Evidence for spatial clines and mixed geographic modes of speciation for North American cherry‐infesting Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) flies
Authors: Doellman Meredith M. , Saint Jean Gilbert , Egan Scott P. , Powell Thomas H. Q. , Hood Glen R. , Schuler Hannes , Bruzzese Daniel J. , Glover Mary M. , Smith James J. , Yee Wee L. , Goughnour Robert , Rull Juan , Aluja Martin , Feder Jeffrey L.
Published: October 2020

An important criterion for understanding speciation is the geographic context of population divergence. Three major modes of allopatric, parapatric, and sympatric speciation define the extent of spatial overlap and gene flow between diverging populations. However, mixed modes of speciation are also possible, whereby populations experience periods of allopatry, parapatry, and/or sympatry at different times as they diverge. Here, we report clinal patterns of variation for 21 nuclear‐encoded microsatellites and a wing spot phenotype for cherry‐infesting Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) across North America consistent with these flies having initially diverged in parapatry followed by a period of allopatric differentiation in the early Holocene. However, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displays a different pattern; cherry flies at the ends of the clines in the eastern USA and Pacific Northwest share identical haplotypes, while centrally located populations in the southwestern USA and Mexico possess a different haplotype. We hypothesize that the mitochondrial difference could be due to lineage sorting but more likely reflects a selective sweep of a favorable mtDNA variant or the spread of an endosymbiont. The estimated divergence time for mtDNA suggests possible past allopatry, secondary contact, and subsequent isolation between USA and Mexican fly populations initiated before the Wisconsin glaciation. Thus, the current genetics of cherry flies may involve different mixed modes of divergence occurring in different portions of the fly's range. We discuss the need for additional DNA sequencing and quantification of prezygotic and postzygotic reproductive isolation to verify the multiple mixed‐mode hypothesis for cherry flies and draw parallels from other systems to assess the generality that speciation may commonly involve complex biogeographies of varying combinations of allopatric, parapatric, and sympatric divergence.
A contrast of meta and metafor packages for meta‐analyses in R
Authors: Lortie Christopher J. , Filazzola Alex
Published: October 2020

There is extensive choice in R to support meta‐analyses.

Two packages in this ecosystem include meta and metafor and provide an excellent opportunity to apply a structured checklist previously developed for contrasts between R packages relevant to challenges in ecology and evolution.

Meta is a direct, intuitive choice for rapid implementation of general meta‐analytical statistics. Metafor is a comprehensive package best suited for relatively more complex models.

Both packages provide estimates of heterogeneity, excellent visualization tools, and functions to explore publication bias.

The package metafor has a steeper learning curve but greater rewards. Reference to the learning curve and capacities of the statistical software Stata provided a benchmark outside the R ecosystem and confirmed the consistency in statistics.

The usefulness of meta‐analyses is not just in the synthesis of the research but in the process of doing the scientific synthesis. Reporting of contrasts and checks for robust statistics is an important contribution to more transparent and reproducible scientific syntheses.
Heat capacity and viscosity of ternary carbonate nanofluids
Authors: Rizvi Syed Muhammad Mujtaba , El Far Baha , Shin Donghyun
Published: October 2020

Recent studies have shown that eutectic salt mixtures show remarkable enhancement in heat capacity after nanoparticles are dispersed at small concentrations. The exact mechanism behind these heat capacity enhancements is still inconclusive. However, recent studies proposed that the enhancement could be associated with nucleation and grain growth of salt dendritic structures. To investigate the hypothesis, we synthesized several samples of ternary carbonate salt mixture doped with 1% alumina nanoparticles and thermally cycled them at various heating rates and cooled them back to the solid‐state during the synthesis procedure. It can affect the nucleation/grain growth of salt dendritic nanostructures and, as a result, there can be different heat capacity enhancements. A differential scanning calorimetry was employed to characterize the heat capacity values of the systems. It was observed that the heat capacity enhancements decreased with increases in the heating rates. The highest heat capacity enhancement was observed at the lowest heating rate (ie, 2°C/min). A transmission electron microscope was employed to confirm the effect of heating cycling rates on the formation of dendritic structures. Moreover, pH variation method was used to study the effect of the dendritic structures on the heat capacity of the mixture. Furthermore, a rheometer was employed to characterize the rheological behavior. It was observed that nanofluid samples showed shear‐thinning behavior, whereas shear thinning was not observed in pure and nanofluid prepared with the pH variation method.
Prognostic value of the 8th edition American Joint Commission Cancer nodal staging system for patients with head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A multi‐institutional study
Authors: Luk Peter P. , Ebrahimi Ardalan , Veness Michael J. , McDowell Lachlan , Magarey Matthew , Gao Kan , Palme Carsten E. , Clark Jonathan R. , Gupta Ruta
Published: October 2020

Background

The 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual (AJCC8) introduced a separate staging system for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) which parallels mucosal SCC and incorporates extranodal extension (ENE). This study aims to evaluate its prognostic utility.

Methods

Univariate analysis of 1146 patients with metastatic HNcSCC from four Australian cancer centers was performed according to both AJCC 7th (AJCC7) and the 8th editions.

Results

AJCC8 increased classification of 924 (80.6%) patients to either pN2a or pN3b and 341 patients (29.8%) from stage III to IV compared to AJCC7. The disease‐specific survival (DSS) was not significantly different between pN1, pN2 or pN3a categories per AJCC8. Estimates of model performance for the AJCC8 pN staging revealed modest predictive capacity (Harrell's C of 0.62 for DSS).

Conclusions

The risk stratification according to pN classification of AJCC8 staging system performed poorly as a prognostic indicator.
Early prognostic capacity of serum lactate for severe postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Basil‐Kway Venance , Castillo‐Reyther Roberto , Domínguez‐Salgado L. Andrés , Espinosa‐Tanguma Ricardo , Medina Úrsula , Gordillo‐Moscoso Antonio
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate whether the concentration of serum lactate during the diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding ≥500 mL during labor or ≥1000 mL during cesarean delivery) predicts severe hemorrhage (SPPH; blood loss ≥1500 mL at end of labor or in the following 24 h).

Methods

A prospective cohort pilot study was conducted of women with a vaginal or cesarean delivery from February 2018 to March 2019 who presented with bleeding ≥500 mL measured by the gravimetric method in a reference hospital in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Venous blood samples were taken for analysis of serum lactate. A receiver operating characteristic curve determined the serum lactate threshold value for SPPH and χ2 test assessed the difference in serum lactate elevation between SPPH and non‐SPPH groups. Lastly, the prognostic capacity between the thresholds was compared.

Results

SPPH developed in 43.33% of the 30 women in the study group. The best prognostic threshold was 2.68 mmol/L of serum lactate (odds ratio [OR] 17.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7–16.8, P < 0.001); sensitivity was 0.85 (95% CI 0.55–0.98); specificity was 0.76 (95% CI 0.50–0.93).

Conclusion

Serum lactate may be a useful prognostic marker for SPPH, more studies are needed to validate these findings.
A qualitative exploration of barriers to health‐facility‐based delivery in Bomachoge‐Borabu and Kaloleni, Kenya
Authors: Naanyu Violet , Wade Terrance J. , Ngetich Angela , Mulama Kennedy , Nyaga Lucy , Pell Rachel , Mossman Lindsay , Obure Jerim , Temmerman Marleen
Published: October 2020

Objective

To explore barriers to utilization of health‐facility‐based delivery in Kenya, use of which is associated with reduced maternal mortality.

Methods

In April 2017, a qualitative study utilizing key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was carried out in Bomachoge‐Borabu and Kaloleni, Kenya. Twenty‐four KIIs were performed including health service providers, community health workers, religious leaders, local government representatives, Ministry of Health representatives, and representatives of women's organizations. Sixteen FGDs were held separately with adolescent females, adult females, adult males, and Community Health Committee members. Data were transcribed, coded, and categorized thematically to illustrate supply‐side and demand‐side barriers to use of health‐facility‐based delivery services.

Results

Supply‐side barriers included staff shortages, inadequate supplies and space, poor interpersonal relations, few trained staff, long distance to services, poor transport infrastructure, and limited service hours. Demand‐side barriers included financial constraints, limited spousal support, observance of birthing traditions, limited knowledge on importance of health‐facility‐based delivery, and fear of health‐facility procedures.

Conclusions

Diverse barriers continue to influence use of health‐facility‐based delivery services in Kenya. Practical, integrated interventions are urgently needed to reduce barriers noted, to further reduce the maternal mortality rate.
Sex-Specific Associations Between Cardiac Workload, Peripheral Vascular Calcification, and Bone Mineral Density: The Gambian Bone and Muscle Aging Study
Authors: Zengin Ayse , Jarjou Landing M , Janha Ramatoulie E , Prentice Ann , Cooper Cyrus , Ebeling Peter R , Ward Kate A
Published: October 2020

Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) are rapidly rising in Africa, with multimorbidity increasing the burden on health and social care. Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share common risk factors; both often remain undiagnosed until a major life-threatening event occurs. We investigated the associations between cardiac workload, peripheral vascular calcification (PVC), and bone parameters in Gambian adults. The Gambian Bone and Muscle Aging Study (GamBAS) recruited 249 women and 239 men aged 40 to 75+ years. Body composition and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scans were performed at the radius and tibia. Supine blood pressure and heart rate were measured and used to calculate rate pressure product and pulse pressure. Presence of PVC was determined from tibia pQCT scans. Sex interactions were tested (denoted as p-int); adjustments were made for residuals of appendicular lean mass (ALM) and fat mass (FM). There were negative associations between rate pressure product and aBMD in women only, all p-int < .05; after adjustment for ALM residuals, for every 10% increase in rate pressure product, aBMD was lower at the whole body (−0.6% [−1.2, −0.1]), femoral neck (−0.9% [−1.8, −0.05]), L1 to L4 (−0.6% [−1.7, 0.5]), and radius (−1.9% [−2.8, −0.9]); there were similar associations when adjusted for FM residuals. Similar negative associations were found between pulse pressure and aBMD in women only. PVC were found in 26.6% men and 22.5% women; women but not men with calcification had poorer cardiac health and negative associations with aBMD (all sites p-int < .001). There were consistent associations with cardiac parameters and pQCT outcomes at the radius and tibia in women only. Multiple markers of cardiac health are associated with poorer bone health in Gambian women. In the context of epidemiological transition and changing NCD burden, there is a need to identify preventative strategies to slow/prevent the rising burden in CVD and osteoporosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Bone From Blood: Characteristics and Clinical Implications of Circulating Osteogenic Progenitor (COP) Cells
Authors: Feehan Jack , Kassem Moustapha , Pignolo Robert J , Duque Gustavo
Published: October 2020

Circulating osteogenic progenitor (COP) cells are a population of cells in the peripheral blood with the capacity for bone formation, as well as broader differentiation into mesoderm-like cells in vitro. Although some of their biological characteristics are documented in vitro, their role in diseases of the musculoskeletal system remains yet to be fully evaluated. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of COP cells in a number of physiological and pathological conditions, as well as identify areas for future research. In addition, we suggest possible areas for clinical utilization in the management of musculoskeletal diseases. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
A unified approach to construct snarks with circular flow number 5
Authors: Goedgebeur Jan , Mattiolo Davide , Mazzuoccolo Giuseppe
Published: October 2020

The well‐known 5‐flow Conjecture of Tutte, stated originally for integer flows, claims that every bridgeless graph has circular flow number at most 5. It is a classical result that the study of the 5‐flow Conjecture can be reduced to cubic graphs, in particular to snarks. However, very few procedures to construct snarks with circular flow number 5 are known. In the first part of this paper, we summarise some of these methods and we propose new ones based on variations of the known constructions. Afterwards, we prove that all such methods are nothing but particular instances of a more general construction that we introduce into detail. In the second part, we consider many instances of this general method and we determine when our method permits to obtain a snark with circular flow number 5. Finally, by a computer search, we determine all snarks having circular flow number 5 up to 36 vertices. It turns out that all such snarks of order at most 34 can be obtained by using our method, and that the same holds for 96 of the 98 snarks of order 36 with circular flow number 5.
The role of B7 family members in the generation of Immunoglobulin
Authors: Xiao Ze Xiu , Hu Xiaojiang , Jarjour Wael , Zheng Song Guo
Published: October 2020

Ig is a Y-shaped protein produced by plasma cells and exerts multiple functions in humoral immunity. There are five groups of Igs including IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, which differ in their heavy chain class. The primary function of Igs includes the neutralization of extrinsic pathogens, agglutination of foreign cells for phagocytosis, precipitation of soluble antigens in serum, and complement fixation. The B cells activated by antigen(s) can differentiate into antibody-producing cells that are called plasma cells and usually matured in the germinal center (GC). Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells crosstalk with antigen-presenting cells and play a crucial role in the development of the GC. Moreover, Tfh cells regulate trafficking through the GC to allow formative interaction with GC B cells that ultimately results in affinity maturation, B-cell memory, and Ig class switching. The B7 family is a series of number of structurally related membrane proteins that bind with a specific receptor to deliver costimulatory or co-inhibitory signals that regulate the activation of T cells in GC. Here, we review and summarize the recent advance of the effects of B7 family members on Ig production and relative diseases.