bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondria‐Targeted Water‐Soluble Organic Nanoparticles of Chlorin Derivatives for Biocompatible Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Liu Yang , Lee Tae Heon , Lee Sang Hyeob , Li Jiazhu , Lee Woo Kyoung , Yoon Il
Published: December 2019

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non‐invasive cancer therapy without any side‐effects. The photosensitizers (PSs) used in PDT are usually hydrophobic and not soluble in water. Water‐soluble PSs have been rarely studied in PDT research. Therefore, preparing water‐soluble PSs for clinical trials in PDT remains challenging. Here, we prepared water‐soluble organic nanoparticles (WSONs) using the following three chlorin derivatives: methyl pyropheophorbide a (MPPa), zinc metal‐introduced MPPa, and purpurin‐18 methyl ester. We used a very simple co‐precipitation method to develop WSONs through nanoprecipitation (solvent‐exchange) from THF to water. In this method, WSONs were developed in 87–112 nm sizes, based on TEM, with good water solubility and high water stability for more than a month. We evaluated intracellular accumulation and cell viability of these WSONs, exhibiting PDT results comparable to that of free PSs using HeLa cells. All WSONs were accumulated in mitochondria to induce mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis via effective PDT activity. This result is important not only for preparing WSONs with hydrophobic PSs to form highly water‐soluble PSs having good water stability in nanometre size, but also for retaining PDT activity with reduced dark toxicity, enabling potential applications for biocompatible PDT.
New Lustre features to improve Lustre metadata and small‐file performance
Authors: Fragalla John , Loewe Bill , Kling Petersen Torben
Published: December 2019

As HPC I/O evolves beyond the challenges of large I/O performance, several new Lustre features ‐ Distributed Namespace (DNE) 2, Progressive File Layout (PFL), and Data on Metadata (DoM), when combined with flash‐based Lustre targets, can provide metadata and small‐file performance improvements to applications transparently. To improve the execution of single‐directory operations and increase the scalability of overall metadata operations, Striped or Remote Directories with DNE2 can be configured with multiple MDTs. For small‐file I/O, Progressive File Layout with flash and disks can be used to optimize small‐ and large‐I/O by seamlessly storing files on flash‐based MDTs or specific flash OSTs. This paper will share performance results that demonstrate the scalability benefits of metadata performance using striped or remote directories as well as small‐file performance with DoM and Flash OSTs with PFL, both with and without Cray's block I/O accelerator (NXD) configured.
Predictive modeling of aspirin‐triggered resolvin D1 pharmacokinetics for the study of Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Yellepeddi Venkata Kashyap , Baker Olga J.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the salivary glands leading to secretory dysfunction. Previous studies demonstrated that aspirin‐triggered resolvin D1 (AT‐RvD1) reduces inflammation and restores tissue integrity in salivary glands. Specifically, progression of SS‐like features in NOD/ShiLtJ mice can be systemically halted using AT‐RvD1 prior or after disease onset to downregulate proinflammatory cytokines, upregulate anti‐inflammatory molecules, and restore saliva production. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to create a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to offer a reasonable starting point for required total AT‐RvD1 dosage to be administered in future mice and humans thereby eliminating the need for excessive use of animals and humans in preclinical and clinical trials, respectively. Likewise, PBPK modeling was employed to increase the range of testable scenarios for elucidating the mechanisms under consideration.

Materials and methods

Pharmacokinetics following intravenous administration of a 0.1 mg/kg dose of AT‐RvD1 in NOD/ShiLtJ were predicted in both plasma and saliva using PBPK modeling with PK‐Sim® and MoBi® Version 7.4 software.

Results

The model provides high‐value pathways for future validation via in vivo studies in NOD/ShiLtJ to corroborate the findings themselves while also establishing this method as a means to better target drug development and clinical study design.

Conclusions

Clinical and basic research would benefit from knowledge of the potential offered by computer modeling. Specifically, short‐term utility of these pharmacokinetic modeling findings involves improved targeting of in vivo studies as well as longer term prospects for drug development and/or better designs for clinical trials.
A memristive dual‐slope A/D converter
Authors: Yang Le , Zeng Zhigang , Ma Zhansong , Shan Wenqi
Published: December 2019

As an emerging device, memristor has several excellent properties like changeable memristance, nonvolatility, and nanoscale. Based on complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) dual‐slope analog‐to‐digital (A/D) converter, this paper proposes a memristive dual‐slope A/D converter. Owing to the usage of memristor, the proposed memristive A/D converter not only has more compact circuit structure and simpler control timing than the CMOS one but also has advantages over the existing memristive conversion circuits in circuit design and application. For the memristive A/D converter, a conversion process consists of two count procedures. By means of controlling the memristance change in the two count procedures, the A/D converter converts an analog signal to the corresponding digital count value. Meanwhile, the conversion result is inferred according to the circuit structure of the A/D converter. Then, combining the conversion process and PSPICE simulation, this paper analyzes the anti‐interference performance of the A/D converter. Further, the robustness of the A/D converter is presented, applying the similar analysis methods. The analysis results demonstrate that the proposed A/D converter has good anti‐interference and robustness performances.
Rakeness with block sparse Bayesian learning for efficient ZigBee‐based EEG telemonitoring
Authors: Hanafy Mohamed A. , Ali Hanaa S. , Shaalan A. A.
Published: December 2019

Future healthcare systems are shifted toward long‐term patient monitoring using embedded ultra‐low power devices. In this paper, the strengths of both rakeness‐based compressive sensing (CS) and block sparse Bayesian learning (BSBL) are exploited for efficient electroencephalogram (EEG) transmission/reception over wireless body area networks. A binary sensing matrix based on the rakeness concept is used to find the most energetic signal directions. A balance is achieved between collecting energy and enforcing restricted isometry property to capture the underlying signal structure. Correct presentation of the EEG oscillatory activity, EEG wave shape, and main signal characteristics is provided using the discrete cosine transform based BSBL, which models the intra‐block correlation. The IEEE 802.15.4 wireless communication technology (ZigBee) is employed, since it targets low data rate communications in an energy efficient manner. To alleviate noise and channel multipath effects, a recursive least square based equalizer is used, with an adaptation algorithm that continually updates the filter weights using successive input samples. For the same compression ratio (CR), results indicate that the proposed system permits a higher reconstruction quality compared with the standard CS algorithm. For higher CRs, lower dimensional projections are allowed, meanwhile guaranteeing a correct reconstruction. Thus, low computational high quality data compression/reconstruction are achieved with minimal energy expenditure at the sensors nodes.
Reducing saturation and congestion in VANET networks: Alliance‐based approach and comparisons
Authors: Ouazine Kahina , Slimani Hachem , Nacer Hassina , Bermad Nabila , Zemmoudj Salah
Published: December 2019

A vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) is composed mainly of fixed roadside entities (RSUs) and mobile entities (vehicles). In order to exchange information and data relating to the safety and comfort of road users, these different entities must establish communications between them. In these communications, one of the main problems is related to congestion and saturation of RSUs. In this paper, we first study the main protocols that involve RSUs in their strategy of routing by classifying them according to four levels. Furthermore, to deal with the problem of saturation of RSUs, we present a new approach of cooperation between the RSUs of a VANET in order to reduce its congestion and avoid as much as possible the saturation of these entities. This approach, called “D2A2RS” (defensive alliance–based approach for reducing RSUs saturation), is based on the concept of defensive alliances in graphs that ensures effective collaboration between RSUs. To evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, we conduct a comparative analysis by using both analytical models and simulations. The obtained comparison results have shown the efficiency and the performance of our approach compared with other concurrent approaches in the literature in terms of packet loss/success rate, end‐to‐end transmission delay, and network scalability.
N‐P utilization ofAcer monoleaves at different life history stages across altitudinal gradients
Authors: Song Zhaopeng , Liu Yanhong , Su Hongxin , Hou Jihua
Published: December 2019

The relationship between plants and the environment is a core area of research in ecology. Owing to differences in plant sensitivity to the environment at different life history stages, the adaptive strategies of plants are a cumulative result of both their life history and environment. Previous research on plant adaptation strategies has focused on adult plants, neglecting saplings or seedlings, which are more sensitive to the environment and largely affect the growth strategy of subsequent life stages. We compared leaf N and P stoichiometric traits of the seedlings, saplings, and adult trees ofAcer monoMaxim and different altitudes and found significant linear trends for both life history stages and altitude. Leaf N and P content by unit mass were greatly affected by environmental change, and the leaf N and P content by unit area varied greatly by life history stage.Acer monoleaf N‐P utilization showed a significant allometric growth trend in all life history stages and at low altitudes. The adult stage had higher N‐use efficiency than the seedling stage and exhibited an isometric growth trend at high altitudes. The N‐P utilization strategies ofA. monoleaves are affected by changing environmental conditions, but their response is further dependent upon the life history stage of the plant. Thus, this study provides novel insights into the nutrient use strategies ofA. monoand how they respond to the environmental temperature, soil moisture content along altitude and how these changes differ among different life history stages, which further provide the scientific basis for the study of plant nutrient utilization strategy on regional scale.
Examining how collaborative governance facilitates the implementation of natural resource planning policies: A water planning policy case from the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Olvera‐Garcia Jaime , Neil Sipe
Published: December 2019

Collaborative governance has been widely adopted since the early 2000s to manage complex natural resource issues, such as water quality and land degradation. Most research has focused on the main features and potential benefits of collaborative governance. However, few studies have studied how collaboration facilitates (or limits) implementation of natural resource planning policies, such as water planning. Studying how collaborative governance works during implementation sheds light on how the environmental outcomes are achieved. This research uses the Great Barrier Reef as large case study of water quality, which was implemented through six regional collaborative governance efforts. The Reef is one of the most important marine ecosystems of Australia. Water quality remains one of the main threats to the Reef's environmental health and resilience. Since the beginning of the 21st century, collaborative governance approaches have been adopted in the Reef's water quality planning to improve water quality conditions. Drawing on document analysis and semistructured interviews with key stakeholders, the study shows how nested collaborative governance arrangements operated in the achievement of environmental outcomes. Although the nested regional level of collaboration proved to be a useful spatial scale at facilitating reductions of land‐based runoff, the environmental outcomes achieved were moderate due to collaborative issues with state and federal levels, the powerful actors of the collaborative arrangements. This suggests the importance of improving collaborative processes within the nested governance approach (i.e., deliberation between the main actors on the policy instruments or collaborative “tools” for plan implementation).
Intravital visualization of interactions of murine Peyer's patch‐resident dendritic cells with M cells
Authors: Kolesnikov Masha , Curato Caterina , Zupancic Eva , Florindo Helena , Shakhar Guy , Jung Steffen
Published: December 2019

The small intestine hosts specialized lymphoid structures, the Peyer's patches, that face the gut lumen and are overlaid with unique epithelial cells, called microfold (M) cells. M cells are considered to constitute an important route for antigen uptake in the mucosal immune system. Here, we used intravital microscopy to define immune cell populations, which are in close contact with M cells and potentially sample antigen. We present live evidence that DCs enter M cell pockets and highlight the abundance of mononuclear phagocytes in these structures. Taking advantage of the respective reporter animals, we focused on classical DCs that express Zbtb46 and analyzed how these cells interact with M cells in steady state and sample antigen for T cell activation in the Peyer's patches following challenge.
Harnessing the power of topological data analysis to detect change points
Authors: Islambekov Umar , Yuvaraj Monisha , Gel Yulia R.
Published: December 2019

We introduce a novel geometry‐oriented methodology, based on the emerging tools of topological data analysis, into the change‐point detection framework. The key rationale is that change points are likely to be associated with changes in geometry behind the data‐generating process. While the applications of topological data analysis to change‐point detection are potentially very broad, in this paper, we primarily focus on integrating topological concepts with the existing nonparametric methods for change‐point detection. In particular, the proposed new geometry‐oriented approach aims to enhance detection accuracy of distributional regime shift locations. Our simulation studies suggest that integration of topological data analysis with some existing algorithms for change‐point detection leads to consistently more accurate detection results. We illustrate our new methodology in application to the two closely related environmental time series data sets—ice phenology of the Lake Baikal and the North Atlantic Oscillation indices, in a research query for a possible association between their estimated regime shift locations.
Thermal runaway hazard characteristics and influencing factors of Li‐ion battery packs under high‐rate charge condition
Authors: Bian Huan , Wang Zhirong , Jiang Juncheng , Yang Yun , Wang Hao , Chen Shichen
Published: December 2019

In a special environment such as a high‐rate charge or discharge one, the positive and negative electrode materials of a lithium ion battery may undergo a chemical exothermic reaction with an electrolyte and a binder and release a large amount of heat to cause thermal runaway, resulting in harmful consequences. In this paper, high‐rate charging experiments of different types of 18650 Li‐ion battery packs were performed to study the behavior and influencing factors of Li‐ion battery packs when thermal runaway occurred. Automatic test equipment with battery comprehensive parameters was adopted, and a Li‐ion battery thermal runaway test device was designed and used to test a series of Li‐ion battery packs under high‐rate charging conditions. The series of tests were conducted under different conditions of different cell spacing, pick‐up point positions and connection modes. Results showed that under the above three different conditions, the initial time and the initial temperature of the thermal runaway of the Li‐ion battery packs, the maximum temperature of thermal runaway and the position where the first thermal runaway battery occurred showed some regular changes.
Sleep‐inducing effect of Passiflora incarnata L. extract by single and repeated oral administration in rodent animals
Authors: Kim Gwang‐Ho , Kim Yehlim , Yoon Sunmi , Kim Sung‐Jo , Yi Sun Shin
Published: December 2019

Social cost of insomnia in modern society is gradually increasing. Due to various social phenomena and lifestyles that take away the opportunity of good quality of sleep, problems of insomnia cannot be easily figured out. Prescription of sleeping pills for insomnia patients can cause other inconveniences due to their side effects beyond their intended purposes. On the other hand, Passiflora incarnata L. (PI) has been widely used in South America for several centuries, showing effectiveness for sleep, sedation, anxiety, and so on in the civilian population. However, reports on the treatment efficacy of this herbal medicinal plant for insomnia patients through standardization as a sleeping agent have been very rare. Therefore, we obtained leaves and fruits of PI (8:2 by weight) as powder to prepare an extract. It was then applied to C6 rat glioma cells to quantitate mRNA expression levels of GABA receptors. Its sleep‐inducing effect was investigated using experimental animals. PI extract (6 μg/ml) significantly decreased GABA receptors at 6 hr after treatment. Immobility time and palpebral closing time were significantly increased after single (500 mg/kg) or repeated (250 mg/kg) oral administration. In addition, blood melatonin levels were significantly increased in PI extract‐treated animals after both single and repeated administrations. These results were confirmed through several repeated experiments. Taken together, these results confirmed that PI extract had significant sleep‐inducing effects in cells and animals, suggesting that PI extract might have potential for treating human insomnia.
Analysis of saponin composition and comparison of the antioxidant activity of various parts of the quinoa plant (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)
Authors: Lim Jeong Gyu , Park Hyun‐Mee , Yoon Ki Sun
Published: December 2019

Quinoa plant is a valuable food crop because of its high nutritional and functional values. Total saponin content, sapogenins, polyphenol, and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities were analyzed in various parts of quinoa plants, including sprout, seeds, bran, pericarp, leave, stem, and root. Quinoa seeds (QS) had significantly higher sapogenin content than quinoa stem (QT), quinoa leaves (QL), and quinoa roots (QR). Quinoa saponin was mainly composed of phytolaccagenic acid. Quinoa root (QR) had the highest amount of total saponin (13.39 g 100 g−1), followed by quinoa bran. The highest total phenolic content (30.96 mg GAE 100 g−1) and total flavonoid content (61.68 mg RE 100 g−1) were observed in quinoa root extract and 1‐month‐old sprout extract, respectively. Quinoa sprouts showed better antioxidant activity than fully grown parts of the quinoa plant. Overall, root and sprout had a higher antioxidant capacity compared to other parts of the quinoa plant, suggesting the potential use of quinoa root and sprout as a nutraceutical ingredient in the health food industry.
A Real Time Capable Quasi 3D System Level Model of PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Tavčar Gregor , Katrašnik Tomaž
Published: December 2019

System level simulations, which are gaining on importance in the product concept design process and in the “Hardware‐in‐the‐Loop” (HiL) applications, require models that feature high level of accuracy, high level of prediction capability and short computational times. This paper presents an innovative mechanistic quasi 3D model capable of real time computation of steady state and transient fuel cell operation. This model relies on a hybrid 3D analytic‐numerical model (HAN) approach, which models species transport by taking 1D numerical model for pipe gas‐flow and superimposing onto it a 2D analytic solution for concentration and velocity distribution in the plane perpendicular to the gas‐flow. The main innovative contribution of this paper comprises a significant mathematical reduction of the previously published HAN approach to a computationally optimized approach featuring a minimal amount of computational points yielding a real‐time capable model (denoted HAN‐RT), which complies with 1kHz HiL constraints while retaining HAN's quasi 3D nature. Presented results confirm that the computationally optimized HAN‐RT model displays real‐time capabilities at sampling rates above 1 kHz while producing results that agree very well with spatially resolved results generated by the 3D multiphase CFD tool and with the experimental results of steady state and transient fuel cell operation.
Technology use and preferences for mental health self‐management interventions among older veterans
Authors: Gould Christine E. , Loup Julia , Kuhn Eric , Beaudreau Sherry A. , Ma Flora , Goldstein Mary K. , Wetherell Julie Loebach , Zapata Aimee Marie L. , Choe Philip , O'Hara Ruth
Published: December 2019

Objectives

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs offers numerous technology‐delivered interventions to self‐manage mental health problems. It is unknown, however, what barriers older military veterans face to using these technologies and how willing they would be to use technologies for mental health concerns.

Methods

Seventy‐seven veterans (Mage = 69.16 years; SD = 7.10) completed interviews in a concurrent mixed methods study. Interviewers asked about technology ownership and described four modalities of delivering self‐management interventions: printed materials, DVDs, Internet, and mobile apps. Interviewers obtained feedback about each modality's benefits, barriers, and facilitators. Participants ranked their self‐management modalities preferences alone and compared with counseling. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression and qualitative analyses were conducted to investigate the reasons contributing to preferences.

Results

Most reported owning a computer (84.4%), having home Internet (80.5%), and a smartphone (70.1%). Participants preferred printed materials (35.1%) over mobile apps (28.6%), Internet (24.7%), and DVDs (13.0%). Lower computer proficiency was associated with preferring DVDs; higher proficiency was associated with Internet and mobile interventions. Residing in an urban area was associated with mobile apps. When counseling was an option, 66% identified this as their first preference. Qualitative findings showed veterans' desire for information, training, and provider support with technology.

Conclusions

Older veterans reported high technology ownership rates but varied preferences for self‐management interventions. Notably, two‐thirds preferred some form of technology, which points to the importance of ensuring that providers offer existing technology‐delivered interventions to older veterans. Veterans' strong preference for counseling emphasizes the need for human support alongside self‐management.
Feasibility of single vocal cord irradiation as a treatment strategy for T1a glottic cancer
Authors: Chung Seung Yeun , Lee Chang Geol
Published: December 2019

Background

Generally, radiotherapy for patients with early glottic cancer includes treatment of the whole larynx. This study was conducted to evaluate the treatment outcomes and toxicity in patients who received single vocal cord irradiation (SVCI) for T1a classification glottic cancer.

Methods

A total of 34 patients diagnosed with clinical T1aN0M0 classification squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis who received radiotherapy to the single vocal cord were included for analysis.

Results

Median follow‐up period was 41.3 months (range, 6.4‐124.5 months). The 3‐year and 5‐year local control (LC) rates were both 96.8%. Grade 3 radiation dermatitis was observed as severe acute toxicity in two (6%) patients. No patients experienced any severe late toxicity events during follow‐up.

Conclusions

SVCI showed good LC, low acute and late toxicities, and reasonable voice recovery. SVCI may be considered a feasible treatment strategy for patients with T1a glottic cancer.
Alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon exports from tropical and subtropical river catchments discharging to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Authors: Rosentreter Judith A. , Eyre Bradley D.
Published: December 2019

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) transport by rivers is an important control on the pH and carbonate chemistry of the coastal ocean. Here, we combine DIC and total alkalinity (TAlk) concentrations from four tropical rivers of the Great Barrier Reef region in Australia with daily river discharge to quantify annual river loads and export rates. DIC in the four rivers ranged from 284 to 2,639 μmol kg−1 and TAlk ranged from 220 to 2,612 μmol kg−1. DIC:TAlk ratios were mostly greater than one suggesting elevated exports of free [CO2*]. This was pronounced in the Johnstone and Herbert rivers of the tropical wet north. The largest annual loads were transported in the two large river catchments of the southern Great Barrier Reef region, the Fitzroy and Burdekin rivers. The carbon stable isotopic composition of DIC suggests that carbonate weathering was the dominant source of DIC in the southern rivers, and silicate weathering was likely a source of DIC in the northern Wet Tropics rivers. Annual loads and export rates were strongly driven by precipitation and discharge patterns, the occurrence of tropical cyclones, and associated flooding events, as well as distinct seasonal dry and wet periods. As such, short‐lived hydrological events and long‐term (seasonal and inter‐annual) variation of DIC and TAlk that are pronounced in rivers of the tropical and subtropical wet and dry climate zone should be accounted for when assessing inorganic carbon loads to the coastal ocean and the potential to buffer against or accelerate ocean acidification.
Seasonal macrophyte growth constrains extent, but improves quality, of cold‐water habitat in a spring‐fed river
Authors: Nichols Andrew L. , Lusardi Robert A. , Willis Ann D.
Published: December 2019

Rooted aquatic macrophytes affect abiotic conditions in low‐gradient rivers by altering channel hydraulics, consuming biologically available nutrients, controlling sediment transport and deposition, and shading the water surface. Due to seasonal macrophyte growth and senescence, the magnitude of these effects may vary temporally. Seasonal changes in aquatic macrophyte biomass, channel roughness and flow velocity, were quantified and trends were related to spatiotemporal patterns in water temperature in a low‐gradient, spring‐fed river downstream from high‐volume, constant‐temperature groundwater springs. Between spring and summer, a nearly threefold increase in macrophyte biomass was positively correlated with channel roughness and inversely related to flow velocity. On average, flow velocity declined by 34% during the study period, and channel roughness increased 63% (from 0.064 to 0.104). During the spring and fall period, the location of a minimum water temperature variability “node” migrated upstream more than 4 km, whereas daily maximum water temperature cooled by 2–3°C. Water temperature modelling shows that the longitudinal extent of cold‐water habitat was shortened due to increased channel roughness independent of seasonal surface water diversions. These results suggest that macrophyte growth mediates spatiotemporal patterns of water temperature, constraining available cold‐water habitat while simultaneously improving its quality. Understanding complex spatial and temporal dynamics between macrophyte growth and water temperature is critical to developing regulatory standards reflective of naturally occurring variability and has important implications for the management and conservation of cold‐water biota.
Attachment and psychological distress: The mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies
Authors: Altan‐Atalay Ayşe , Sohtorik İlkmen Yasemin
Published: December 2019

Objective

The current study aims to examine the relation between different dimensions of attachment with psychological distress, by specifically focusing on the mediator role of Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies (NMRE), which are considered as a form of coping self‐efficacy. There is ample evidence showing the role of emotion regulation strategies predicting the relationship between attachment and psychological disorders. However, little is known about how NMRE might mediate the relationship between attachment dimensions and psychological distress.

Method

Four hundred and two (318 women) individuals between ages 18 and 62 (mean = 29.65; standard deviation [SD] = 8.96) completed measures of NMRE, attachment dimensions, and psychological distress.

Results

NMRE mediated the relationship between anxious attachment dimension and all dimensions of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress). However, NMRE mediated the relationship of avoidant attachment only with stress.

Conclusion

Distinct mechanisms explain the relationship between two dimensions of attachment with NMRE and different forms of psychological distress.
Examining stimuli paired with alternative reinforcement to mitigate resurgence in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and pigeons
Authors: Shvarts Samuel , Jimenez‐Gomez Corina , Bai John Y. H. , Thomas Rachel R. , Oskam James J , Podlesnik Christopher A.
Published: December 2019

In two laboratory experiments, we examined whether stimuli paired with alternative reinforcers could mitigate resurgence of a previously reinforced target response with pigeons (Experiment 1) and children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Experiment 2). In Phase 1, we arranged food reinforcement according to a variable‐ratio schedule for engaging in a target response. In Phase 2, we arranged extinction for target responding and differentially reinforced alternative responding according to a fixed‐ratio schedule, with every alternative‐reinforcer delivery paired with a change in keylight color (Experiment 1) or automated verbal (praise) statement (Experiment 2). In Phase 3, we assessed resurgence during extinction of target and alternative responding in the presence versus absence of continued presentation of the paired stimulus. Despite variation across sessions, resurgence on average was lower when continuing to present the paired stimuli in all pigeons and children while maintenance of alternative responding did not differ between assessments. These findings indicate that stimuli paired with alternative reinforcement can modestly decrease resurgence, but further examination of their efficacy and a better understanding of the underlying processes are necessary before they can be recommended for clinical use in reducing resurgence of clinically relevant problem behavior.
Genetic health professionals' experiences returning results from diagnostic genomic sequencing to patients
Authors: Vears Danya F. , Sénécal Karine , Borry Pascal
Published: December 2019

Despite widespread use of genomic sequencing (GS) in clinical care, there has been little exploration of actual experiences of genetic health professionals (GHPs) using GS in clinical practice worldwide. To address this, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 31 clinical geneticists and genetic counselors across Europe, Australia, and Canada to explore their experiences with returning results from GS to patients. GHPs remarked that patients' reactions to receiving causative results vary; some patients are relieved or appreciative at identification of a genetic cause, while others express frustration that finding an answer does not lead to a treatment. GHPs discussed the importance of managing expectations in pre‐test counseling to minimize disappointment. Although some patients experience mild distress, they generally cope well receiving unsolicited findings and appreciate being informed of their increased risk. While many GHPs felt patients understand what a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) means, a proportion found VUS quite difficult to convey and had concerns for patients' level of understanding. A proportion mentioned concerns regarding potential negative repercussions of non‐genetic clinicians misinterpreting the significance of VUS. These results provide important insights into the challenges GHPs can experience returning GS results to patients, highlighting a need for additional training for GHPs and non‐genetic clinicians.
Temporal changes in ART initiation in adults with high CD4 counts in Latin America: a cohort study
Authors: Crabtree‐Ramírez Brenda E , Caro‐Vega Yanink , Belaunzarán‐Zamudio Pablo F , Shepherd Bryan E , Rebeiro Peter F , Veloso Valdilea , Cortes Claudia P , Padgett Denis , Gotuzzo Eduardo , Sierra‐Madero Juan , McGowan Catherine C , Person Anna K ,   on behalf of the Caribbean, Central, South America Network for HIV Epidemiology (CCASAnet)
Published: December 2019

Introduction

In 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended initiating combination ART (cART) in all adults with HIV and CD4+ lymphocyte counts (CD4) <500 cells/mm3. In 2015, this was updated to recommend cART initiation in all patients with HIV, regardless of CD4 count. Implementation of these guidelines in real‐world settings has not been evaluated in Latin America. To assess changes in time to cART initiation during routine care, we estimated trends in time from enrolment in care to cART initiation in HIV‐positive adults with high CD4 counts in the Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV Epidemiology (CCASAnet) during 2003 to 2017.

Methods

All cART‐naive individuals ≥18 years of age from 2003 to 2017 with CD4 ≥350 cells/mm3 and without AIDS at enrolment at five CCASAnet sites (Brazil, Chile, Honduras, Mexico and Peru) were included. Patients without information regarding AIDS‐defining events were excluded. We estimated unadjusted median time from enrolment to cART initiation by calendar year using Kaplan‐Meier methods and calculated adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for trends in cART initiation using Cox models and restricted cubic splines for continuous variables, accounting for age, sex, CD4 at enrolment, route of HIV transmission and clinic site.

Results

Of the 3171 patients included, 1,650 (52%) had CD4 ≥500 cells/mm3 at enrolment. Median time to cART initiation after 2013 was 6.21 weeks (interquartile range (IQR): 1.89, 23.21), and 4.71 weeks (IQR: 1.43, 9.57) after 2015. Among 763 (24%) patients who never initiated cART, 33 (4.3%) were reported as deceased, 481 (63%) were lost to follow‐up, and 249 (33%) were administratively censored before initiation. Adjusted probability of cART initiation greatly increased in recent years, in particular after 2013 and 2015 (2013 vs. 2003: HR = 7.14; 95% CI: 5.84 to 8.73, and 2015 vs. 2003: HR = 12.60; 95% CI: 10.37 to 15.32).

Conclusions

Time to cART initiation decreased substantially, roughly following changes in WHO guidelines in this real‐world setting in Latin America. However, a very high proportion of patients never started cART, compromising retention in care and survival, as shown by their higher proportion of LTFU and death, which reinforce the notion that earlier treatment implementation strategies are needed.
Pepfar 3.0’s HIV testing policy in Côte d'Ivoire (2014 to 2018): fragmentation, acceleration and disconnection
Authors: Bekelynck Anne , Larmarange Joseph ,   for the ANRS 12323 DOD‐CI Study Group
Published: December 2019

Introduction

HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) remains a key challenge in achieving control of the HIV epidemic by 2030. In the early 2010s, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) adopted targeted HTC strategies for populations and geographical areas most affected by HIV. We examine how Pepfar defined targeted HTC in Côte d'Ivoire, a country with a mixed HIV epidemic, after a decade of expanding HTC services.

Methods

We explored the evolution of HTC strategies through the Country Operational Plans (COP) of Pepfar during its phase 3.0, from COP 14 to COP 17 (October 2014 to September 2018) in Côte d'Ivoire. We conducted an analysis of the grey literature over the period 2014 to 2018 (Budget & Target Report, Strategic Direction Summary, Sustainability Index and Dashboard Summary, https://data.pepfar.gov). We also conducted a qualitative study in Côte d'Ivoire (2015 to 2018) using in‐depth interviews with stakeholders in the AIDS public response: CDC/Pepfar (3), Ministry of Health (3), intermediary NGOs (7); and public meeting observations (14).

Results

Since the COP 14, Pepfar's HIV testing strategies have been characterized by significant variations in terms of numerical, geographical and population targets. While the aim of COP 14 and COP 15 seemed to be the improvement of testing efficacy in general and testing yield in particular, COP 16 and COP 17 prioritized accelerating progress towards the “first 90” (i.e. reducing the proportion of people living with HIV who are unaware of their HIV). A shift was observed in the definition of testing targets, with less focus on the inclusion of programmatic data and feedback from field actors, and greater emphasis on the use of models to estimate and disaggregate the targets by geographical units and sub‐populations (even if the availability of data by this disaggregation was limited or uncertain); increasingly leading to gaps between targets and results.

Conclusions

These trials and tribulations question the real and long‐term effectiveness of annually‐revised, fragmented strategies, which widen an increasing disparity between the realities of the actors on the ground and the objectives set in Washington.
Socio‐behavioural characteristics and HIV: findings from a graphical modelling analysis of 29 sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Baranczuk Zofia , Estill Janne , Blough Sara , Meier Sonja , Merzouki Aziza , Maathuis Marloes H , Keiser Olivia
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Socio‐behavioural factors may contribute to the wide variance in HIV prevalence between and within sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries. We studied the associations between socio‐behavioural variables potentially related to the risk of acquiring HIV.

Methods

We used Bayesian network models to study associations between socio‐behavioural variables that may be related to HIV. A Bayesian network consists of nodes representing variables, and edges representing the conditional dependencies between variables. We analysed data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 29 SSA countries between 2010 and 2016. We predefined and dichotomized 12 variables, including factors related to age, literacy, HIV knowledge, HIV testing, domestic violence, sexual activity and women's empowerment. We analysed data on men and women for each country separately and then summarized the results across the countries. We conducted a second analysis including also the individual HIV status in a subset of 23 countries where this information was available. We presented summary graphs showing associations that were present in at least six countries (five in the analysis with HIV status).

Results

We analysed data from 190,273 men (range across countries 2295 to 17,359) and 420,198 women (6621 to 38,948). The two variables with the highest total number of edges in the summary graphs were literacy and rural/urban location. Literacy was negatively associated with false beliefs about AIDS and, for women, early sexual initiation, in most countries. Literacy was also positively associated with ever being tested for HIV and the belief that women have the right to ask their husband to use condoms if he has a sexually transmitted infection. Rural location was positively associated with false beliefs about HIV and the belief that beating one's wife is justified, and negatively associated with having been tested for HIV. In the analysis including HIV status, being HIV positive was associated with female‐headed household, older age and rural location among women, and with no variables among men.

Conclusions

Literacy and urbanity were strongly associated with several factors that are important for HIV acquisition. Since literacy is one of the few variables that can be improved by interventions, this makes it a promising intervention target.
Impact of environmental biofilms: Industrial components and its remediation
Authors: Vishwakarma Vinita
Published: December 2019

The growth of technology and requirements globally for various commodities has brought about new challenges. Biofilms are aggregations of microbial cells, which contaminate and spoil industrial components and environments. These microbial cells with extracellular polymeric substances colonize living and nonliving surfaces and pose a serious problem for all industries, affecting their processes, leading to a reduction of product quality and economic loss. Industries, such as medical, food, water, dairy, wine, marine, power plants are exposed to biofilm formation. Pipe blockages, waterlogging and reduction of the heat‐transfer efficiency, hamper the operating system of plants. Many industries do not set up remedial measures to control biofilm formation as they are not aware of this threat. Various conventional methods to control these biofilms are adopted by industries in their regular workflow, but these are temporary solutions. This calls for further research into remediation of the biofilm and its control for industrial components. This review article addresses the problems of biofilms and proposes solutions for various industrial components. Nanotechnology promises several options, and bring about a new aspect into the industrial economy, by solving the problems of environmental biofilms.
Sub‐seasonal prediction of rainfall over the South China Sea and its surrounding areas during spring–summer transitional season
Authors: Li Qingquan , Wang Juanhuai , Yang Song , Wang Fang , Wu Jie , Hu Yamin
Published: December 2019

The sub‐seasonal characteristics and prediction of rainfall over the South China Sea and surrounding areas during spring–summer transitional season (April–May–June) are investigated using a full set of hindcasts generated by the Dynamic Extended Range Forecast operational system version 2.0 (DERF2.0) of Beijing Climate Center, China Meteorological Administration. The onset and development of Asian summer monsoon and the seasonal migration of rain belt over East Asia can be well depicted by the model hindcasts at various leads. However, there exist considerable differences between model results and observations, and model biases depend not only on the lead time, but also on the stage of monsoon evolution. In general, forecast skill drops with increasing lead time but rises again after lead time becomes longer than 30 days, possibly associated with the effect of slowly‐varying forcing or atmospheric variability. An abrupt turning point of bias development appears around mid‐May when bias growths of wind and precipitation exhibit significant changes over the northwestern Pacific and South Asia, especially over the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea. This abrupt bias change is reasonably captured by the first two modes of multivariate empirical orthogonal function analysis, which reveals several important features associated with the bias change. This analysis may provide useful information for further improving model performance in sub‐seasonal rainfall prediction.
Expression of key enzymes for nitrogen assimilation in grapevine rootstock in response to N‐form and timing
Authors: Lang Carina Paola , Bárdos Gyöngyi , Merkt Nikolaus , Zörb Christian
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims: Rootstocks play an essential role in grapevine scion growth and development. They influence water and nutrient uptake and affect biomass allocation of the scion and the grape berry composition connected with wine quality. Nitrogen (N) can be taken up by the roots in various forms such as nitrate, ammonium or urea. These N‐forms and their possible differential assimilation directly and indirectly influence grapevine vegetative and generative growth. N assimilation is driven by N acquiring enzymes such as nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR) and glutamine synthetase (GS). This assimilation physiology can be influenced by factors such as light conditions or substrate availability.

Methods: Hydroponically grown grapevine rootstocks were fertilized with various N‐forms, namely calcium nitrate (CaN), ammonium (AM), urea (UR), and glutamine (Gln). The transcript expression of the enzymes NR, NiR and GS and the enzymatic nitrate reductase activity (eNRA) were examined at various time points (0 h, 3 h, and 6 h) after N application.

Results and Conclusion: The data suggest that the grapevine rootstock SO4 has the ability to assimilate the amino acid Gln. Furthermore, AM, UR, and in some organs Gln, can regulate the co‐enzymes NR and NiR, both of which function as activators of the assimilation process. The eNRA is clearly defined by the plant organ.
Synthesis and characterization of phosphocholine chloride‐based three‐component deep eutectic solvent: application in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for determination of organothiophosphate pesticides
Authors: Mokhtari Nasser , Torbati Mohammadali , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

A new type of deep eutectic solvent based on three components using phosphate salts has been synthesized, characterized, and applied in the extraction of eight organothiophosphate pesticides from honey samples. In this study, the deep eutectic solvent was prepared from phosphocholine choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor and dichloroacetic acid and decanoic acid as hydrogen bond donors. The method consisted of two steps in which initially the analytes were extracted from the samples into a water‐miscible organic solvent. In the second step, the extracted phase was mixed with the prepared deep eutectic solvent and the mixture was used in the following dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method.

RESULTS

The method was validated under optimal conditions, and it was found that it has low limits of detection (0.05–0.10 ng g−1) and quantification (0.19–0.36 ng g−1), good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.994), broad linearity (0.36–1000 ng g−1), and satisfactory repeatability (relative standard deviation ≤10% for intra‐ (n = 6) and inter‐day (n = 4) precisions at a concentration of 2 ng g−1 of each analyte).

CONCLUSION

The proposed method was applied in different honey samples, and malathion was found at a concentration of 29 ng g−1 in one sample. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry