bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of renewable chemicals and biofuels in building a bioeconomy
Authors: Chandel Anuj K. , Garlapati Vijay Kumar , Jeevan Kumar S. P. , Hans Meenu , Singh Akhilesh K. , Kumar Sachin
Published: May 2020

The emergence of lignocellulosic biorefineries (LBRs) over the past few decades has shown tremendous potential for the development of sustainable renewable resources. Lignocellulosic biorefineries not only meet energy needs but also mitigate environmental problems by replacing conventional petroleum sources. Round the year availability of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) with affordable price is a major factor in the development of biorefineries. It consists primarily of sugar polymers (cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin, which can be used to produce second‐generation (2G) biofuels such as bioethanol, biohydrogen, biobutanol, and renewable chemicals like lactic acid, succinic acid, and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of which is predicted to be 16.43% by 2025. Several multinational companies, such as Raizen, Du Pont, BASF AG, Cargill, Braskem, and others have embarked on bio‐based chemicals / biofuels production. However, biochemicals and even biofuels have not achieved the desired commercial goals due to a lack of feasibility and a lack of innovative techniques for bioprocessing or genetic engineering. Inappropriate feedstock logistics and lack of accurate life‐cycle analyses of processes / products were also major drawbacks in developing commercially viable technologies from LCB. In this paper, therefore, recent technological advancements in LBRs, the current bio‐renewable commercialization situation, and the intrinsic role of biorefinery in the circular bioeconomy have been elucidated. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Voluntary Adopters of Integrated Reporting – Evidence on Forecast Accuracy and Firm Value
Authors: Wahl Annika , Charifzadeh Michel , Diefenbach Fabian
Published: May 2020

This study investigates how integrated reporting (IR) creates value for investors. It examines how providers of financial capital benefit from an improved firm information environment provided by IR. Specifically, this study investigates the effect of voluntary IR disclosure on analyst earnings forecast accuracy as well as on firm value. To do so, we use an international sample of 167 listed companies that voluntarily publish an integrated report. Our analysis shows no significant effect of a voluntary IR publication on analyst earnings forecast accuracy and no significant effect on firm value. We thus do not find evidence for the fulfillment of IR's promises regarding improved information environment and value creation of voluntary adopters. We conclude that such companies might already have a relatively high level of transparency leading to an absent additional effect of IR disclosure. Positive effects of IR appear to be more relevant in environments where IR is mandatory.
ABCD study funding extended
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2020

The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study supported by the National Institutes of Health has received almost $290 million in new funding for 7 years, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) announced last week. The study, launched in 2015, is following almost 12,000 children for at least 10 years, beginning at the age of 9 or 10. The new funding will go to the University of California, San Diego, for a coordinating center and data informatics center, as well as to the project sites where children are assessed.
In‐hospital outcomes of percutaneous mitral valve repair in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: insights from the national inpatient sample database
Authors: Osman Mohammed , Khan Muhammad Zia , Farjo Peter D. , Khan Muhammad U. , Khan Safi U. , Benjamin Mina M. , Munir Muhammad Bilal , Balla Sudarshan
Published: May 2020

Objectives

We aimed to assess the in‐hospital outcomes in patients with mitral regurgitation treated with percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background

There is lack of data on the outcomes of PMVR for mitral regurgitation in patients with COPD.

Methods

We analyzed the national inpatient sample (NIS) database from January 2012 to December 2016.

Results

A total of 9125 patients underwent PMVR in the period between January 2012 and December 2016, of whom 2,495 (27.3%) patients had concomitant COPD. Comparing COPD patients to non‐COPD patients, COPD patients had higher proportion of females (48.3% vs. 46.6%, p = .16), were younger (75.8 ± 10.0 years vs. 76.4 ± 12.2 years; p = .04), had higher prevalence of peripheral vascular disease (17.4% vs. 13.5%; p < .01) and renal failure (39.3% vs. 37%; p < .01). After propensity matching, there was no significant difference in mortality among the COPD group versus non‐COPD patients (2.6% vs. 2.9%; p = .6). Patients with COPD had higher proportion of in‐hospital morbidities including St‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (1.8% vs. 1.0%; p = .02), cardiogenic shock (1.4% vs. 0.4%; p < .01), vascular complications (2% vs. 0.8; p < .01), pneumothorax (1% vs. 0.4%; p < .01), and septic shock (1.2% vs. 0.4%; p < .01). Moreover, surrogates of severe disability (mechanical intubation and non‐home discharges), cost of hospitalization, and length of stay were higher in the COPD group.

Conclusions

There was no difference in mortality between the COPD and non‐COPD patients after PMVR. Moreover, we observed higher rates of in‐hospital morbidities, surrogates of severe disability, and higher resources utilization by the COPD group.
Septic perimyocarditis due to a right‐sided infective endocarditis of atypical morphology in a 33‐year‐old woman
Authors: Wenzel Jan‐Per , Schrage Benedikt , Sinning Christoph , Blankenberg Stefan , Zengin‐Sahm Elvin , Lubos Edith
Published: May 2020

Perimyocarditis should be considered in patients with endocarditis not improving with conventional therapy and without typical valvular abnormalities. Vegetations can be sited anywhere in the atrium or ventricle and exhibit multiple shapes.
Serotonin distribution in the brain of the plainfin midshipman: Substrates for vocal‐acoustic modulation and a reevaluation of the serotonergic system in teleost fishes
Authors: Timothy Miky , Forlano Paul M.
Published: May 2020

Serotonin (5‐HT) is a modulator of neural circuitry underlying motor patterning, homeostatic control, and social behavior. While previous studies have described 5‐HT distribution in various teleosts, serotonergic raphe subgroups in fish are not well defined and therefore remain problematic for cross‐species comparisons. Here we used the plainfin midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus, a well‐studied model for investigating the neural and hormonal mechanisms of vertebrate vocal‐acoustic communication, to redefine raphe subgroups based on both stringent neuroanatomical landmarks as well as quantitative cell measurements. In addition, we comprehensively characterized 5‐HT‐immunoreactive (‐ir) innervation throughout the brain, including well‐delineated vocal and auditory nuclei. We report neuroanatomical heterogeneity in populations of the serotonergic raphe nuclei of the brainstem reticular formation, with three discrete subregions in the superior raphe, an intermediate 5‐HT‐ir cell cluster, and an extensive inferior raphe population. 5‐HT‐ir neurons were also observed within the vocal motor nucleus (VMN), forming putative contacts on those cells. In addition, three major 5‐HT‐ir cell groups were identified in the hypothalamus and one group in the pretectum. Significant 5‐HT‐ir innervation was found in components of the vocal pattern generator and cranial motor nuclei. All vocal midbrain nuclei showed considerable 5‐HT‐ir innervation, as did thalamic and hindbrain auditory and lateral line areas and vocal‐acoustic integration sites in the preoptic area and ventral telencephalon. This comprehensive atlas offers new insights into the organization of 5‐HT nuclei in teleosts and provides neuroanatomical evidence for serotonin as a modulator of vocal‐acoustic circuitry and behavior in midshipman fish, consistent with findings in vocal tetrapods.
A pilot in silico modeling‐based study of the pathological effects on the biomechanical function of tricuspid valves
Authors: Laurence Devin W. , Johnson Emily L. , Hsu Ming‐Chen , Baumwart Ryan , Mir Arshid , Burkhart Harold M. , Holzapfel Gerhard A. , Wu Yi , Lee Chung‐Hao
Published: May 2020

Current clinical assessment of functional tricuspid valve regurgitation relies on metrics quantified from medical imaging modalities. Although these clinical methodologies are generally successful, the lack of detailed information about the mechanical environment of the valve presents inherent challenges for assessing tricuspid valve regurgitation. In the present study, we have developed a finite element‐based in silico model of one porcine tricuspid valve (TV) geometry to investigate how various pathological conditions affect the overall biomechanical function of the TV. There were three primary observations from our results. Firstly, the results of the papillary muscle (PM) displacement study scenario indicated more pronounced changes in the TV biomechanical function. Secondly, compared to uniform annulus dilation, nonuniform dilation scenario induced more evident changes in the von Mises stresses (83.8‐125.3 kPa vs 65.1‐84.0 kPa) and the Green‐Lagrange strains (0.52‐0.58 vs 0.47‐0.53) for the three TV leaflets. Finally, results from the pulmonary hypertension study scenario showed opposite trends compared to the PM displacement and annulus dilation scenarios. Furthermore, various chordae rupture scenarios were simulated, and the results showed that the chordae tendineae attached to the TV anterior and septal leaflets may be more critical to proper TV function. This in silico modeling‐based study has provided a deeper insight into the tricuspid valve pathologies that may be useful, with moderate extensions, for guiding clinical decisions.

Novelty Statement

The novelties of the research are summarized below:

A comprehensive in silico pilot study of how isolated functional tricuspid regurgitation pathologies and ruptured chordae tendineae would alter the tricuspid valve function;

An extensive analysis of the tricuspid valve function, including mechanical quantities (eg, the von Mises stress and the Green‐Lagrange strain) and clinically‐relevant geometry metrics (eg, the tenting area and the coaptation height); and

A developed computational modeling pipeline that can be extended to evaluate patient‐specific tricuspid valve geometries and enhance the current clinical diagnosis and treatment of tricuspid regurgitation.
Transitional turbulent flow in a stenosed coronary artery with a physiological pulsatile flow
Authors: Freidoonimehr Navid , Arjomandi Maziar , Sedaghatizadeh Nima , Chin Rey , Zander Anthony
Published: May 2020

The turbulence in the blood flow, caused by plaque deposition on the arterial wall, increases by the combined effect of the complex plaque geometries and the pulsatile blood flow. The correlation between the plaque geometry, the pulsatile inlet flow and the induced turbulence in a constricted artery is investigated in this study. Pressure drop, flow velocity and wall shear stress are determined for stenosed coronary artery models with three different degrees of asymmetric stenosis and for different heart working conditions. A Computational Fluid Dynamics model, validated against experimental data published in the literature, was developed to simulate the blood pulsatile flow inside a stenosed coronary artery model. The transitional flow behaviour was quantified by investigation of the changes in the turbulence kinetic energy. It was shown that the separation starts from the side of the asymmetric stenosis and spreads to its opposite side further downstream. The results suggest that there is a high risk of the formation of a secondary stenosis at a downstream distance equal to 10 times of the artery diameter at the side and bottom regions of the first stenosis due to the existence of the recirculation zones and low shear stresses. Finally, a stenosed patient‐specific coronary artery model was employed to illustrate the applicability of the obtained results for real geometry models. The results of this study provide a good prediction of pressure drop and blood flow rate, which can be applied in the investigation of the heart muscle workout and the required heart power.
Retrospective application of the Milan System for reporting salivary gland cytopathology: A Cancer Center experience
Authors: Leite Amanda Almeida , Vargas Pablo Agustin , dos Santos Silva Alan Roger , Galvis Marisol Miranda , de Sá Raisa Sales , Lopes Pinto Clóvis Antonio , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Saieg Mauro
Published: May 2020

Background

The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) was recently proposed. Herein, we retrospectively applied this nomenclature system to salivary gland lesions sampled by ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA).

Methods

All cases of salivary gland FNA with available surgical follow‐up, in the period from 2014 to 2017 at our institution were reviewed and reclassified according to one of the six categories of the MSRSGC, blind to the surgical outcome. Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated, as well as risks of neoplasm (RON) and risk of malignancy (ROM) for each of the proposed categories.

Results

There were 104 salivary gland lesions, with a female predominance (57.7%), most cases from the parotid gland (89.4%). Mean age was 53.2 years. Distribution of the specimens according to the Milan System was as follows: 19.2% nondiagnostic (ND), 8.7% non‐neoplastic (NN), 9.6% atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), 40.4% benign neoplasm (BN), 14.4% salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP), 1.9% suspicious for malignancy (SFM), and 5.8% malignant. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV using MSRSGC were calculated as 75%, 98.4%, 88.9%, and 95.3%, respectively. RON/ROM for each category were 60%/15% for ND, 44.4%/0% for NN, 90%/40% for AUS, 100%/9.5% for BN, 100%/13.3% for SUMP, 50%/50% for SFM and 100%/100% for malignant.

Conclusion

The use of the Milan System proved to be a useful method to predict the risk of neoplasm and malignancy in the sample studied, with high sensitivity and specificity.
Molecular Docking Reveals the Binding Modes of Anticancer Alkylphospholipids and Lysophosphatidylcholine within the Catalytic Domain of Cytidine Triphosphate: Phosphocholine Cytidyltransferase
Authors: Neto Xisto Antonio de Oliveira , Alves Anna Carolina Schneider , Junior Reinaldo Antonio Dias , Rodrigues Ricardo Pereira , Lancellotti Marcelo , Almeida Wanda Pereira , Kawano Daniel Fábio
Published: May 2020

Alkylphospholipids are synthetic analogues of endogenous phosphatidylcholines with a remarkable ability: induce the selective apoptosis of exponentially growing tumor cells. One hypothesis concerning their mechanism of action is the inhibition of cytidine triphosphate:phosphocholine cytidyltransferase (CCT), which would significantly suppress the phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis to trigger apoptosis. Herein, homology modeling, docking simulations, and the analyses of molecular interaction fields are used to suggest the most probable binding modes of four alkylphospholipids (edelfosine, erucylphosphocholine, perifosine, and miltefosine) and lysophosphatidylcholine at the catalytic domain of human CCT. All compounds display bind modes in agreement with the corresponding groups found in the CCT substrate, phosphocholine, while their binding strengths are increased because of the interaction of the alkyl chains with hydrophobic residues from the M domain of the protein. Analyses of the geometry of the CCT binding‐site also suggest that small groups, such as benzyl/2‐phenylethyl ethers or equivalent heterocycles, could replace the O‐methyl group in edelfosine to yield even better inhibitors. It is believed this study can guide the development of new alkylphospholipids with an improved profile for the inhibition of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, a critical component for cell cycle progression that can be explored in cancer chemotherapy.

Practical Applications: Studies focusing on the interactions between small ligands and their protein targets are decisive for the comprehension of how conformational changes in the macromolecular structure dictates the biological activity and, consequently, how they can be explored in drug discovery. Most of the current studies on alkylphospholipids focuses on their physicochemical interactions with cholesterol and sphingolipids in lipid rafts that, because of the variability and complexity of the membrane phases, hardly can provide structural data in the X‐ray crystallography assays necessary for molecular modeling studies. Therefore, by exploring the inhibition of human cytidine triphosphate:phosphocholine cytidyltransferase as an alternative and, probably, complementary hypothesis to the membrane rafts, a helpful strategy can be provided to overcome the clinical limitations of alkylphospholipids.
Multi‐user broadcast authentication scheme for wireless sensor network based on elliptic curve cryptography
Authors: Kasyoka Philemon , Kimwele Michael , Angolo Shem Mbandu
Published: May 2020

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have found use in many areas ranging from military to healthcare among other areas of interest. Multiuser broadcast authentication is an important security feature in WSNs that can enable users to securely broadcast their data in a WSN. By its very nature, a WSN is resource constrained in nature making security implementation on such a network a major challenge of concern. In this paper, we present an efficient pairing‐free broadcast authentication (BA) scheme with message recovery based on a lightweight digital signature protocol for use on WSNs. Our proposed BA scheme is able to accelerate message authentication broadcasted over a WSN while providing user anonymity. Comparing our proposed BA scheme with previous existing and related BA schemes, we have demonstrated that a reduction in computation, communication, and energy cost is possible making our scheme efficient for use on
WSNs.
Effect of sulfonamides on the electricity generation by Shewanella putrefaciens in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Yang Yurong , Jiang Jin , Liu Xiaohong , Si Youbin
Published: May 2020

Overuse of antibiotics impacts environmental health worldwide. In this paper, the effect on the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) under treatments with sulfonamides (SAs) was investigated. The results showed that when MCFs were treated with sulfamonomethoxine (SMM), the maximum power density was higher (20.95 mW/m2) than when treated with sulfadiazine (SDZ) (19.79 mW/m2). The power density of MFCs gradually decreased with increased concentration of SAs. Microbial activity analysis showed that SAs had negative effects on bacterial growth, riboflavin secretion and cell attachment on the MFCs anode. The power density of MFCs at different pH values was in order as follows: pH 6 > pH 7 > pH 8 > pH 5 > pH 9, where the highest was 22.90 mW/m2 at pH 6. Electrochemical analysis showed that conditions favorable to the protonation of SMM also had a positive effect on the electrical performance of MFCs. These findings could provide the basis for uncovering the mechanism by which SAs affect electricity generation in MFCs, and demonstrates the feasibility for the efficient degradation of SAs and power generation.
Numerical study of detecting crack initiation in a planar solid oxide fuel cell
Authors: Fahs Imad‐Eddine , Ghassemi Majid , Fahs Assil
Published: May 2020

Converting chemical energy into electricity is done by an electrochemical device known as a fuel cell. Thermal stress is caused by high operating temperature, between 700 and 1,000°C, of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Thermal stress is the main cause of crack initiation and crack propagation. This phenomenon may cause gas leakage, structure instability and cease operation of the SOFC before its lifetime. The aim of this study is to present a method that predicts the initiation of cracks in an anisotropic porous planar SOFC. The coupled governing nonlinear differential equations are solved numerically as for heat transfer, fluid flow, mass transfer, mass continuity, and momentum. An in‐house computer code which is based on computational fluid dynamics, computational structural mechanics and extended finite element method is utilized and developed. This code, according to Darcy and Navier–Stokes thermofluid model, determines the temperature and stress distribution. The results show that the highest thermal stress occurs at the upper corners of cathode and at the lower corners of the anode. The maximum temperature occurs at the middle of the electrolyte cathode and electrolyte anode, while the maximum pressure occurs at the middle of the upper and lower section of the anode and cathode. In addition, the thickness of the cathode electrode at the left side is increased by 1.5%. Finally, the crack initiation occurs at the left side between the upper and lower corners of the cathode.
Factors Affecting Sampling Strategies for Design of an Effects-Directed Analysis for Endocrine-Active Chemicals
Authors: Brennan Jennifer C. , Gale Robert W. , Alvarez David A. , Berninger Jason P. , Leet Jessica K. , Li Yan , Wagner Tyler , Tillitt Donald E.
Published: May 2020

Effects-directed analysis (EDA) is an important tool for identifying unknown bioactive components in a complex mixture. Such an analysis of endocrine-active chemicals (EACs) from water sources has promising regulatory implications but also unique logistical challenges. We propose a conceptual EDA (framework) based on a critical review of EDA literature and concentrations of common EACs in waste and surface waters. Required water volumes for identification of EACs under this EDA framework were estimated based on bioassay performance (in vitro and in vivo bioassays), limits of quantification by mass spectrometry (MS), and EAC water concentrations. Sample volumes for EDA across the EACs showed high variation in the bioassay detectors, with genistein, bisphenol A, and androstenedione requiring very high sample volumes and ethinylestradiol and 17β-trenbolone requiring low sample volumes. Sample volume based on the MS detector was far less variable across the EACs. The EDA framework equation was rearranged to calculate detector “thresholds,” and these thresholds were compared with the literature EAC water concentrations to evaluate the feasibility of the EDA framework. In the majority of instances, feasibility of the EDA was limited by the bioassay, not MS detection. Mixed model analysis showed that the volumes required for a successful EDA were affected by the potentially responsible EAC, detection methods, and the water source type, with detection method having the greatest effect on the EDA of estrogens and androgens. The EDA framework, equation, and model we present provide a valuable tool for designing a successful EDA. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1309–1324. © 2020 SETAC
Physicochemical and rheological characterization of pectin‐rich polysaccharides from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis flower
Authors: Chen Qi , Xue Gang , Ni Qinxue , Wang Yan , Gao Qianxin , Zhang Youzuo , Xu Guangzhi
Published: May 2020

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis) is regarded as an edible medicine plant in China. Here, gardenia flower polysaccharide fraction (GFPF) was extracted by water at 90°C and its chemical composition, rheological properties, and antioxidant activities of GFPF were investigated. The GFPF extraction yield was 18.04 ± 1.81% (W/W) and mainly comprised neutral sugars (46.83 ± 3.14%), uronic acid (35.21 ± 0.17%), protein (1.63 ± 0.34%), and total phenol (9.49 ± 0.08 mgGAE/g). Galacturonic acid (41.05 ± 0.59%) was the main monosaccharide, and galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, mannose, and glucuronic acid were also detected in GFPF. Its degree of esterification was 32.76 ± 1.52%. FT‐IR spectra analysis showed a similar absorption pattern between GFPF and pectin from apple. The results suggested that GFPF was low methoxy pectin. Thermogravimetric analysis and zeta potential analysis indicated that the pectin was stable under high temperature and alkaline condition. Steady rheology showed that the GFPF dispersion was a shear thinned pseudoplastic fluid with high apparent viscosities at concentration above 2%. The degree of pseudoplasticity of the solutions increased with the concentrations increased and the temperatures decreased. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assay indicated that GFPF had relatively high antioxidant activity. The results showed that gardenia flower was rich in pectin polysaccharides with low methoxy pectin. It had high apparent viscosities at concentration above 2% and had good antioxidant activity. The data suggested that GFPF can be a new resource of low methoxy pectin with potential application as thicker or gelling agents in food industry.
The clinical heterogeneity of round cell sarcomas with EWSR1/FUS gene fusions: Impact of gene fusion type on clinical features and outcome
Authors: Tsuda Yusuke , Zhang Lei , Meyers Paul , Tap William D. , Healey John H. , Antonescu Cristina R.
Published: May 2020

The genetic hallmark of classic Ewing sarcoma is a recurrent fusion between EWSR1 and FUS gene with a member of the ETS transcription factor family. In contrast, tumors with non‐ETS gene partners have been designated until recently “Ewing‐like sarcoma,” as a provisional molecular entity, as their clinical and pathologic features were still evolving. However, this group was reclassified as “round cell sarcoma with EWSR1‐non‐ETS fusions” in the latest 2020 WHO classification. Moreover, round cell sarcomas with either CIC or BCOR gene abnormalities, initially classified under Ewing family of tumors, are now regarded as stand‐alone pathologic entities based on their distinct features. In this study we investigated the clinical characteristics of 226 confirmed Ewing sarcoma patients (EWSR1‐FLI1 [n = 176], EWSR1/FUS‐ERG [n = 35], EWSR1/FUS‐FEV [n = 12], and EWSR1‐ETV1/4 [n = 3]) and 14 round cell sarcoma patients with EWSR1‐non‐ETS fusion (EWSR1/FUS‐NFATC2 [n = 10], EWSR1‐PATZ1 [n = 3], and EWSR1‐VEZF1 [n = 1]). The impact on overall survival (OS) was assessed in 90 patients with available follow‐up, treated between 2011 and 2018. Patients with fusions involving FEV and NFATC2 genes showed an older median age at diagnosis, compared to those with EWSR1‐FLI1 (P = .005), while extraskeletal location was more common in tumors with noncanonical EWSR1‐FLI1 fusions (P = .001). Axial and pelvic primary sites were more common in patients with EWSR1‐FLI1 (72%), while tumors with NFATC2 fusions were more frequent in the limb (78%, P = .006). The 3‐year OS in patients with EWSR1‐FLI1 was 91%, compared to only 60% in patients with alternative fusions (P = .037); the latter group showing a higher rate of metastases at presentation. However, this OS difference was not significant in patients with localized tumor (P = .585). Our study demonstrates significant correlations between fusion subtype and age at presentation, primary tumor sites, and OS, in both conventional Ewing sarcoma and round cell sarcoma with EWSR1‐non ETS fusions patients. Larger studies are needed to determine survival differences in localized tumors.
Effect of spatial resolution of satellite images on estimating the greenness and evapotranspiration of urban green spaces
Authors: Nouri Hamideh , Nagler Pamela , Chavoshi Borujeni Sattar , Barreto Munez Armando , Alaghmand Sina , Noori Behnaz , Galindo Alejandro , Didan Kamel
Published: May 2020

Urban green spaces (UGS), like most managed land covers, are getting progressively affected by water scarcity and drought. Preserving, restoring and expanding UGS require sustainable management of green and blue water resources to fulfil evapotranspiration (ET) demand for green plant cover. The heterogeneity of UGS with high variation in their microclimates and irrigation practices builds up the complexity of ET estimation. In oversized UGS, areas too large to be measured with in situ ET methods, remote sensing (RS) approaches of ET measurement have the potential to estimate the actual ET. Often in situ approaches are not feasible or too expensive. We studied the effects of spatial resolution using different satellite images, with high‐, medium‐ and coarse‐spatial resolutions, on the greenness and ET of UGS using Vegetation Indices (VIs) and VI‐based ET, over a 780‐ha urban park in Adelaide, Australia. We validated ET with the ground‐based ET method of Soil Water Balance. Three sets of imagery from WorldView2, Landsat and MODIS, and three VIs including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index 2 (EVI2), were used to assess long‐term changes of VIs and ET calculated from the different imagery acquired for this study (2011–2018). We found high correspondence between ET‐MODIS and ET‐Landsat (R2 > 0.99 for all VIs). Landsat‐VIs captured the seasonal changes of greenness better than MODIS‐VIs. We used artificial neural network (ANN) to relate the RS‐ET and ground data, and ET‐MODIS (EVI2) showed the highest correlation (R2 = 0.95 and MSE =0.01 for validation). We found a strong relationship between RS‐ET and in situ measurements, even though it was not explicable by simple regressions; black box models helped us to explore their correlation. The methodology used in this research makes a strong case for the value of remote sensing in estimating and managing ET of green spaces in water‐limited cities.
Evaluation of WaPOR V2 evapotranspiration products across Africa
Authors: Blatchford Megan L. , Mannaerts Chris M. , Njuki Sammy M. , Nouri Hamideh , Zeng Yijian , Pelgrum Henk , Wonink Steven , Karimi Poolad
Published: May 2020

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) portal to monitor water productivity through open‐access of remotely sensed derived data (WaPOR) offers continuous actual evapotranspiration and interception (ETIa‐WPR) data at a 10‐day basis across Africa and the Middle East from 2009 onwards at three spatial resolutions. The continental level (250 m) covers Africa and the Middle East (L1). The national level (100 m) covers 21 countries and 4 river basins (L2). The third level (30 m) covers eight irrigation areas (L3). To quantify the uncertainty of WaPOR version 2 (V2.0) ETIa‐WPR in Africa, we used a number of validation methods. We checked the physical consistency against water availability and the long‐term water balance and then verify the continental spatial and temporal trends for the major climates in Africa. We directly validated ETIa‐WPR against in situ data of 14 eddy covariance stations (EC). Finally, we checked the level consistency between the different spatial resolutions. Our findings indicate that ETIa‐WPR is performing well, but with some noticeable overestimation. The ETIa‐WPR is showing expected spatial and temporal consistency with respect to climate classes. ETIa‐WPR shows mixed results at point scale as compared to EC flux towers with an overall correlation of 0.71, and a root mean square error of 1.2 mm/day. The level consistency is very high between L1 and L2. However, the consistency between L1 and L3 varies significantly between irrigation areas. In rainfed areas, the ETIa‐WPR is overestimating at low ETIa‐WPR and underestimating when ETIa is high. In irrigated areas, ETIa‐WPR values appear to be consistently overestimating ETa. The relative soil moisture content (SMC), the input of quality layers and local advection effects were some of the identified causes. The quality assessment of ETIa‐WPR product is enhanced by combining multiple evaluation methods. Based on the results, the ETIa‐WPR dataset is of enough quality to contribute to the understanding and monitoring of local and continental water processes and water management.
Soil temperature and soil moisture dynamics in winter and spring under heavy snowfall conditions in North‐Eastern Japan
Authors: Brandt Alexander C. , Zhang Qiqin , Lopez Caceres Maximo Larry , Murayama Hideki
Published: May 2020

Warm winters and high precipitation in north‐eastern Japan generate snow covers of more than three meters depth and densities of up to 0.55 g cm−3. Under these conditions, rain/snow ratio and snowmelt have increased significantly in the last decade under increasing warm winters. This study aims at understanding the effect of rain‐on‐snow and snowmelt on soil moisture under thick snow covers in mid‐winter, taking into account that snowmelt in spring is an important source of water for forests and agriculture. The study combines three components of the Hydrosphere (precipitation, snow cover and soil moisture) in order to trace water mobility in winter, since soil temperatures remained positive in winter at nearly 0.3°C. The results showed that soil moisture increased after snowmelt and especially after rain‐on‐snow events in mid‐winter 2018/2019. Rain‐on‐snow events were firstly buffered by fresh snow, increasing the snow water equivalent (SWE), followed by water soil infiltration once the water storage capacity of the snowpack was reached. The largest increase of soil moisture was 2.35 vol%. Early snowmelt increased soil moisture with rates between 0.02 and 0.035 vol% hr−1 while, rain‐on‐snow events infiltrated snow and soil faster than snowmelt and resulted in rates of up to 1.06 vol% hr−1. These results showed the strong connection of rain, snow and soil in winter and introduce possible hydrological scenarios in the forest ecosystems of the heavy snowfall regions of north‐eastern Japan. Effects of rain‐on‐snow events and snowmelt on soil moisture were estimated for the period 2012–2018. Rain/snow ratio showed that only 30% of the total precipitation in the winter season 2011/2012 was rain events while it was 50% for the winter 2018/2019. Increasing climate warming and weakening of the Siberian winter monsoons will probably increase rain/snow ratio and the number of rain‐on‐snow events in the near future.
System dynamics applied to water management in lakes*
Authors: Bozorg‐Haddad Omid , Dehghan Paniz , Zareie Soheila , Loáiciga Hugo A.
Published: May 2020

Water withdrawal and changes in hydrologic fluxes have lowered the level of Urmia Lake in Iran, adversely impacting its ecosystem. The continued lowering of the Urmia Lake water level would put Iran's most important aquatic ecosystem in danger of extinction. Therefore, there is an urgent need for management of water withdrawals and for reduction of water use in upstream dams and rivers to halt its continuing decline and allow storage recovery. The Urmia Lake basin was herein modelled with system dynamics (SD) to assess the effects of modifying reservoir operation and water use management on the sustainability of Urmia Lake storage. The model performance was evaluated with the root mean square error (RMSE) and the correlation coefficient (R2). The results show that SD with RMSE = 18.0 (106 m3) and R2 = 0.952 is accurate in simulating Urmia Lake storage. Evaluation of the impacts of several scenarios of agricultural water use on lake storage indicates that reductions in the agricultural sector appear inevitable to restore the water balance of Urmia Lake. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective capacity analysis over generalized lognormal shadowed composite fading channels
Authors: Yadav Poonam , Kumar Rajesh , Kumar Sandeep
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a novel closed form expression for the effective capacity (EC) over the α‐η‐μ/Lognormal and α‐κ‐μ/Lognormal composite fading channels has been derived. Using the proposed expression, the influence of various fading and shadowing parameters on the composite fading channels is investigated. Moreover, to get more insight behavior of the channels, an asymptotic expression under high and low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) regimes have also been derived.
Applicability of the proposed GHS subcategorization criterion for LLNA:BrdU‐ELISA (OECD TG442B) to the CBA/J strain mouse
Authors: Kobayashi Toshio , Maeda Yosuke , Kondo Haruka , Takeyoshi Masahiro
Published: May 2020

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a hazard classification and communication system for providing information on the safe handling of chemicals worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of the newly proposed GHS subcategorization criterion for murine local lymph node assay:2‐bromodeoxyuridine enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (LLNA:BrdU‐ELISA), Category 1A:EC1.6 ≤6%, Category 1B:EC1.6 >6%, to data derived from LLNA:BrdU‐ELISA performed in the CBA/J strain mouse. Fifteen chemicals categorized in GHS hazard Category 1 sensitizers listed in the LLNA performance standard were tested by LLNA:BrdU‐ELISA in the CBA/J strain mouse and were classified according to the new criterion. The results revealed that all of the GHS 1A or 1B category chemicals classified according to the EC3 values derived from radioisotopic LLNA (LLNA‐RI) could be correctly assigned into the respective 1A and 1B categories using the newly proposed GHS subclassification criterion. In addition, analysis of the correlation between the reported EC3 values and EC1.6 values derived from the LLNA:BrdU‐ELISA performed in the CBA/J strain mouse confirmed the existence of a strong correlation (r = 0.9076, P < .0001). These findings suggest that the newly proposed GHS subcategorization criterion for LLNA:BrdU‐ELISA is potentially applicable for practical use in GHS subcategorization.
Mechanical stimulation improves osteogenesis and the mechanical properties of osteoblast‐laden RGD‐functionalized polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds
Authors: Salifu Ali A. , Obayemi John D. , Uzonwanne Vanessa O. , Soboyejo Winston O.
Published: May 2020

This article presents the results of the combined effects of RGD (arginine–glycine–aspartate) functionalization and mechanical stimulation on osteogenesis that could lead to the development of implantable robust tissue‐engineered mineralized constructs. Porous polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) scaffolds are functionalized with RGD‐C (arginine–glycine–aspartate–cysteine) peptide. The effects of RGD functionalization are then explored on human fetal osteoblast cell adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity), extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and mineralization over 28 days. The effects of RGD functionalization followed by mechanical stimulation with a cyclic fluid shear stress of 3.93 mPa in a perfusion bioreactor are also elucidated. The tensile properties (Young's moduli and ultimate tensile strengths) of the cell‐laden scaffolds are measured at different stages of cell culture to understand how the mechanical properties of the tissue‐engineered structures evolve. RGD functionalization is shown to promote initial cell adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and ECM production. However, it does not significantly affect mineralization and tensile properties. Mechanical stimulation after RGD functionalization is shown to further improve the ALP activity, ECM production, mineralization, and tensile properties, but not cell proliferation. The results suggest that combined RGD functionalization and mechanical stimulation of cell‐laden PCL/HA scaffolds can be used to accelerate the regeneration of robust bioengineered bone structures.
Conversion to complete resection with mFOLFOX6 with bevacizumab or cetuximab based on K‐RAS status for unresectable colorectal liver metastasis (BECK study): Long‐term results of survival
Authors: Okuno Masayuki , Hatano Etsuro , Toda Rei , Nishino Hiroto , Nakamura Kojiro , Ishii Takamichi , Seo Satoru , Taura Kojiro , Yasuchika Kentaro , Yazawa Takefumi , Zaima Masazumi , Kanazawa Akiyoshi , Terajima Hiroaki , Kaihara Satoshi , Adachi Yukihito , Inoue Naoya , Furumoto Katsuyoshi , Manaka Dai , Tokuka Atsuo , Furuyama Hiroaki , Doi Koji , Hirose Tetsuro , Horimatsu Takahiro , Hasegawa Suguru , Matsumoto Shigemi , Sakai Yoshiharu , Uemoto Shinji
Published: May 2020

Background/Purpose

To investigate the long‐term outcome and entire treatment course of patients with technically unresectable CRLM who underwent conversion hepatectomy and to examine factors associated with conversion to hepatectomy.

Methods

Recurrence and survival data with long‐term follow‐up were analyzed in the cohort of a multi‐institutional phase II trial for technically unresectable colorectal liver metastases (the BECK study).

Results

A total of 22/12 patients with K‐RAS wild‐type/mutant tumors were treated with mFOLFOX6 + cetuximab/bevacizumab. The conversion R0/1 hepatectomy rate was significantly higher in left‐sided primary tumors than in right‐sided tumors (75.0% vs 30.0%, P = .022). The median follow‐up was 72.6 months. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate in the entire cohort was 48.1%. In patients who underwent R0/1 hepatectomy (n = 21), the 5‐year RFS rate and OS rate were 19.1% and 66.3%, respectively. At the final follow‐up, seven patients had no evidence of disease, five were alive with disease, and 20 had died from their original cancer. All 16 patients who achieved 5‐year survival underwent conversion hepatectomy, and 11 of them underwent further resection for other recurrences (median: 2, range: 1‐4).

Conclusions

Conversion hepatectomy achieved a similar long‐term survival to the results of previous studies in initially resectable patients, although many of them experienced several post‐hepatectomy recurrences. Left‐sided primary was found to be the predictor for conversion hepatectomy.
Variability in observed snow depth over China from 1960 to 2014
Authors: Zhang Xin , Wang Kaicun , Boehrer Bertram
Published: May 2020

Snow depth is a critical variable that reflects snow variability and has an important impact on the energy and hydrological cycles. However, snow depth changes in response to regional climate warming have not been quantified in detail across China. Here, we investigated the variability in observed snow depth based on a recently released dataset collected at ~1,500 stations from 1960 to 2014. To address the non‐normal distribution of daily snow depth data, the annual cumulative amount of snow depth (CASD) is employed, and the trend is calculated and tested for the change point and field significance. The results showed that CASD experienced a slight increase of 1.75%·decade−1in China. An increasing trend of CASD was observed in Northeastern and Northwestern China, a decreasing trend was observed in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, Loess Plateau, and Yangtze River Basin, and these changes were more remarkable after the 2000s. Since the 2000s, the increased CASD in Northwestern and Northeastern China has been accompanied by a significant decrease in winter temperature and a sharply increasing trend in snowfall events in the northeastern region. The decreased CASD in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau and Loess Plateau after the 2000s was accompanied by a decrease in snowfall events and an increase in winter temperature. Large‐scale atmospheric circulation, such as the Arctic Oscillation (AO), has a remarkable regional effect on the variability in snow depth. Statistically significant negative correlations were found in the northern part of China (i.e., positive AO phase with reduced CASD), while significant positive correlations were shown in the middle part of China (i.e., positive AO phase with enhanced CASD). Furthermore, China experienced an obviously shorter snow season during the whole period (decreased by 3.87%·decade−1), jointly resulting from later starting dates and earlier ending dates.
Analysis of CMIP 5 simulations of key climate indices associated with the South America monsoon system
Authors: Londoño Arteaga Vanesa , Lima Carlos Henrique Ribeiro
Published: May 2020

Assessing the regional and local impacts of climate changes on rainfall and streamflow patterns is often challenging, as most results tend to be very dispersed and inconsistent across models. We offer a complementary alternative for climate change impact studies by focusing primarily on climate indices. In particular, we analyse the historical and future variability of key climate indices associated with the South America Monsoon System (SAMS) as simulated by Coupled Model Intercomparison Project—Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. We use climate indices related to the tropical Atlantic interhemispheric surface temperature gradient, associated with the meridional position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), as well as the land‐ocean temperature contrast in the tropical Atlantic‐South America region, and the intensity and position of the South Atlantic Subtropical High (SASH). We selected 14 CMIP5 models to estimate climate indices for the retrospective period (1980–2005) and future period (2006–2099), the latter under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. For comparison purposes during the retrospective period, the indices were also calculated using data from the Era‐Interim reanalysis. The seasonal behaviour of the Era‐Interim based indices is well reproduced by CMIP5 models, although the magnitude is significantly higher. For the future period, most models under both scenarios showed a consistent and asymmetrical intensification of the dipole index, suggesting, in a future climate, a potential wider displacement of the ITCZ during its seasonal cycle. As for the land‐ocean contrast index, the CMIP5 simulations indicated consistent increase in the magnitude for the positive phase (land warmer than ocean) and a decrease for the negative phase (land colder than ocean). Finally, CMIP5 models consistently predict a strengthening and southward displacement of the SASH centre. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal future changes in climate indices associated with the SAMS that shows relevant coherences across models and scenarios.
The features of main osmolytes, silicon and their coupling effects in improving drought resistance of the typical xerophytes in the desert areas of Northwest China
Authors: Kang Jianjun , Zhao Wenzhi , Zhou Hong , Wang Zhiwei
Published: May 2020

Succulent xerophytes (SX) and less succulent xerophytes (LSX) are able to accumulate inorganic ions and synthesize organic solutes (OS) to adapt to drought stress. Silicon (Si) is one of the five beneficial elements for plants and its importance to SX has been confirmed. In the study, the features of main osmolytes and Si were studied in SX and LSX species, and the coupling effects of inorganic ions were investigated in the SX H. ammodendron and LSX C. korshinskii. Results showed that SX and LSX had the common adaptive characteristic of preferentially accumulating inorganic ions rather than OS for drought resistance, and the total amount of osmotica in SX was 2.36‐times higher than that in the LSX. The greatest contribution to drought resistance was K+ (29.7%), the lowest was Na+ (2.4%) in LSX, while the greatest contribution was Na+ (41.7%), the total OS was the lowest (2.4%) in SX. The coupling effects of inorganic ions played vital important roles in drought resistance of the SX and LSX. The better coupling ratios of NaCl, NH4NO3, CaCl2, MgCl2 and Na2SiO3 in H. ammodendron were 20:5:20:40:10 and 40:10:60:10:7.5 (g kg−1 dry soil), and the better coupling ratios of KNO3, CaCl2, MgCl2 and K2SiO3 in C. korshinskii were 20:10:20:10 and 40:20:60:5 (g kg−1 dry soil). Findings suggested that the rational coupling of inorganic ions can be utilized as mineral compound fertilizers to restore and reconstruct degraded vegetations in semiarid areas.