bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annual decline in β‐cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes in China
Authors: Gao Zhenxiu , Yan Wei , Fang Zhaohui , Zhang Zongjun , Yuan Li , Wang Xiaoyun , Jia Zhumin , Zhu Yuanyuan , Miller Joshua D. , Yuan Xiaodan , Li Fan , Lou Qingqing
Published: June 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the annual decline of β‐cell function correlated with disease duration in patients with type 2 diabetes in China.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 4792 adults with type 2 diabetes who were recruited from four university hospital diabetes clinics between April 2018 and November 2018. Baseline data were collected from electric medical records. Participants were divided into 21 groups with 1‐year diabetes duration interval to assess the decline rate of β‐cell function. Homeostatic model assessment model (HOMA 2) model was applied to assess β‐cell function. Multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between biochemical and clinical variables and β‐cell function.

Results

In Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, β‐cell function declined by 2% annually. Using angiotensin receptor blockade (ARB) (β = .048; P = .011), metformin (β = .138; P = .021), or insulin (β = .142; P = .018) was associated with increased β‐cell function. However, increased BMI (β = −.215; P = .022), alcohol consumption (β = −.331; P < .001), haemoglobin A1c (β = −.104; P = .027), or increased diabetes duration (β = −.183; P = .003) was significantly and negatively associated with β‐cell function.

Conclusions

We determined that the annual rate of the β‐cell function decline was 2% in patients with type 2 diabetes in China. Moreover, we confirmed a positive relationship between ARB treatment and β‐cell function, while BMI and alcohol consumption were significantly and negatively associated with the β‐cell function.
A regionally scalable habitat typology for assessing benthic habitats and fish communities: Application to New Caledonia reefs and lagoons
Authors: Pelletier Dominique , Selmaoui‐Folcher Nazha , Bockel Thomas , Schohn Thomas
Published: June 2020

Scalable assessments of biodiversity are required to successfully and adaptively manage coastal ecosystems. Assessments must account for habitat variations at multiple spatial scales, including the small scales (<100 m) at which biotic and abiotic habitat components structure the distribution of fauna, including fishes. Associated challenges include achieving consistent habitat descriptions and upscaling from in situ‐monitored stations to larger scales.

We developed a methodology for (a) determining habitat types consistent across scales within large management units, (b) characterizing heterogeneities within each habitat, and (c) predicting habitat from new survey data. It relies on clustering techniques and supervised classification rules and was applied to a set of 3,145 underwater video observations of fish and benthic habitats collected in all reef and lagoon habitats around New Caledonia.

A baseline habitat typology was established with five habitat types clearly characterized by abiotic and biotic attributes. In a complex mosaic of habitats, habitat type is an indispensable covariate for explaining spatial variations in fish communities. Habitat types were further described by 26 rules capturing the range of habitat features encountered. Rules provided intuitive habitat descriptions and predicted habitat type for new monitoring observations, both straightforwardly and with known confidence. Images are convenient for interacting with managers and stakeholders.

Our scheme is (a) consistent at the scale of New Caledonia reefs and lagoons (1.4 million km2) and (b) ubiquitous by providing data in all habitats, for example, showcasing a substantial fish abundance in rarely monitored soft‐bottom habitats. Both features must be part of an ecosystem‐based monitoring strategy relevant for management.

This is the first study applying data mining techniques to in situ measurements to characterize coastal habitats over regional‐scale management areas. This approach can be applied to other types of observations and other ecosystems to characterize and predict local ecological assets for assessments at larger scales.
Biocatalytic membrane: Go far beyond enzyme immobilization
Authors: Luo Jianquan , Song Siqing , Zhang Hao , Zhang Huiru , Zhang Jinxuan , Wan Yinhua
Published: June 2020

Biocatalytic membrane takes advantages of reaction–separation integration as well as enzyme immobilization, which has attracted increasing attentions in online detection and biomanufacturing. However, the high preparation cost, inferior comprehensive performance, and low stability limit its applications. Thus, besides enzyme immobilization, more efforts should be made in biocatalytic membrane configuration design for a specific application to enhance the synergistic effect of reaction and separation and improve its operating stability. This review summarized the recent progress on biocatalytic membrane preparation, discussed different membrane configurations for various applications, finally proposed several challenges and possible solutions, which provided directions and guides for the development and industrialization of biocatalytic membrane.
Extrusion model for the Early Mesozoic intracontinental deformation of South China related to the North and South China collision
Authors: Tang Xian‐Chun , Ji Chen , Li Qiu‐Huan , Wu Ying , Zhang Kai‐Jun
Published: June 2020

The Early Mesozoic tectonic regime of the South China Block was characterized by strike‐slip movement. The northeastern South China Block dominated by recumbent folding, thrusting, and foreland imbrication. Between the North and South China blocks in southern Qinling, there was dextral transpression, but in the western South China Block, sinistral transpression took place. In central South China, sinistral transtension prevails. In contrast, both the eastern and western South China margins, composed of Precambrian basement, appears to be little deformed. These differences are due to lateral extrusion of the South China Block. Extrusion resulted from (a) an overall southerly compression (the North China Block against the South China Block) and indentation of the rigid North China Block into the weaker South China Block, (b) unconstrained South China southern margin, containing a subduction zone between the Indochina Block and the South China Block, allowing the escaped materials to be consumed, (c) an association of strongly constrained margins of the central Sichuan Craton in the western South China margin and the Southeast China Massif in the eastern South China margin, (d) structural obstacle of the Jiangnan Uplift mainly composed of the Proterozoic metamorphic basement, and (e) a previously thickened, gravitationally unstable, thermally weakened crust of the eastern Yangtze valley. The extrusion deformation began about at the beginning of the Jurassic/the end of the Triassic, and terminated at the end of the Cretaceous.
Concierge care and patient reviews
Authors: Nemzer Louis R. , Neymotin Florence
Published: June 2020

We examine how patient numerical ratings and specific words in written reviews of family physicians and internists in the states of California and Florida differ based upon concierge doctor status. Data are drawn from Healthgrades.com, one of the largest providers of online reviews, and a machine‐learning sentiment analysis is used to determine the predictors of concierge status and numerical patient ratings. We find that reviews of concierge doctors are more likely to contain technical words associated with health care, such as “staff” and “office,” compared with traditional physicians. In contrast, interpersonal bedside‐manner words, like “listen” or “concerns,” are most likely in reviews for nonconcierge doctors. We further determine that, whereas interpersonal words exhibit both positive and negative effects on numerical ratings, technical terms seem to primarily correlate negatively with patient scores for all doctors. The present work represents a first step towards understanding the measures of quality of care that relate with the patient experience, and in particular with respect to the growing field of concierge medicine. It is also the first attempt we are aware of that employs sentiment analysis in this context.
Heparin‐functionalized hydrogels as growth factor‐signaling substrates
Authors: Nilasaroya Anastasia , Kop Alan Matthew , Morrison David Anthony
Published: June 2020

Tuneable, bioactive hydrogels present an attractive option as cell‐instructive substrates for tissue regeneration. Properties mimicking the extracellular matrix at the site of injury are sought after, in particular the ability to regulate growth factors that are key to the regeneration process. This study demonstrates the successful formation of hydrogels with heparin functionalities and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2). Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐heparin hydrogels were capable of retaining FGF‐2 by specific binding to heparin and subsequently showed sustained presentation of the growth factor to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Heparin acted as stable anchoring molecules for FGF‐2 on the substrate and the synergistic effect of the ensuing heparin‐FGF‐2 complex was evident in supporting long term cell growth. The presence of heparin during 3D scaffold formation was also found to introduce surface roughness and microporosity to the resulting hydrogels. While FGF‐2 has been known to encourage MSC growth and maintain their multilineage potential, other heparin‐binding ligands such as bone morphogenetic proteins are potent differentiation stimuli for MSC. Therefore preserving MSC multipotency or a push toward a differentiation pathway may be pursued by the choice of ligand applied to and bound by the heparin functionalities on the current substrate.
Aligned graphene/silk fibroin conductive fibrous scaffolds for guiding neurite outgrowth in rat spinal cord neurons
Authors: Liu Haifeng , Wang Yuqing , Yang Yi , Wang Anqing , Huang Chongquan , Zhao Zhijun , Li Ping , Liu Meili , Fan Yubo
Published: June 2020

Graphene, as a highly conducting material, incorporated into silk fibroin (SF) substrates is promising to fabricate an electroactive flexible scaffold toward neural tissue engineering. It is well known that aligned morphology could promote cell adhesion and directional growth. The purpose of this study was to develop aligned conductive scaffolds made of graphene and SF (G/SF) by electrospinning technique for neural tissue engineering applications. The physicochemical characterization of scaffolds revealed that the mechanical and electrochemical property of aligned G/SF scaffolds continually raised with the increasing contents of graphene (A0% G/SF, A1% G/SF, A2% G/SF, and A3% G/SF), but the mechanical property descended when the graphene concentration reached to 4% (the A4% G/SF group). The results of the cell experiment in vitro indicated that all the aligned G/SF scaffolds were no neurotoxic to primary cultured spinal cord neurons. In addition, the neurite elongation in all aligned groups was significantly enhanced by the upregulation of Netrin‐1 expression compared to them in the control group. Thus, A3% G/SF scaffolds not only possessed the optimal property based on the mechanical and electrochemical performances but also displayed the beneficial capability to neurite outgrowth, which might perform a suitable candidate to successfully scaffold electrically active tissues during neural regeneration or engineering.
Osteogenic and angiogenic lineage differentiated adipose‐derived stem cells for bone regeneration of calvarial defects in rabbits
Authors: Wang Zhifa , Han Leng , Sun Tianyu , Wang Weijian , Li Xiao , Wu Buling
Published: June 2020

Cell sheet techniques are widely used in bone engineering. However, vascularization remains a challenge in fabricating vascularized engineered bone. The goal of this study was to induce adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSC) osteogenic and angiogenic lineage differentiation and investigate the use of bidiretionally differentiated ADSCs for bone regeneration. ADSCs were cultured to form an osteogenic cell sheet. Other ADSCs were induced to differentiate into endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which were identified and characterized by morphological observation and CD31 immunofluorescent staining. Then, the ADSC sheet‐EPC complexes were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice, while ADSC sheets alone were implanted as a control. After 8 weeks of transplantation, microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) and histological observation were used to assess bone formation. We then implanted the complexes in calvarial defects in rabbits and assessed bone repair by micro‐CT and histological analysis. The ADSC sheets consisted of multiple layers of cells and extracellular matrix. The obtained EPCs formed capillary‐like structures and expressed the specific antigen marker CD31. The osteogenic ADSC sheet‐EPC complexes formed dense and well‐vascularized new bone tissue at 8 weeks after implantation. Bone density was significantly lower in the control group than in the complex group (p < .05). In addition, the reconstruction of calvarial defects in rabbits in complex group was obviously greater than that in the control group (p < .05). These results suggested that the approach of engineering bone tissue with bidiretionally differentiated ADSCs enabled bone regeneration, thus offering a promising strategy for repairing bone defects.
Embodying the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competency Movement: Voices From the Field
Authors: Nassar Sylvia C. , Singh Anneliese A.
Published: June 2020

This article illustrates counselors’ embodiment, over time, of the multicultural and social justice counseling competency movement leading to the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (Ratts, Singh, Nassar‐McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2015). The authors discuss the multicultural and social justice counseling competency movement in the context of relationships as appropriate to the counseling field. Aligned with contemporary research perspectives, the authors focus on the lived experiences of 2 pioneering social justice and multicultural competency advocates, Drs. Patricia Arredondo and Derald Wing Sue. The authors integrate scholarship with these historical and personal perspectives, as well as their own, to demonstrate the ways in which people and movements drive counseling leadership and advocacy.
A National Survey of Social Justice Engagement Among Professional Counselors
Authors: Na GoEun , Fietzer Alexander W.
Published: June 2020

This exploratory survey examined the relationship between 169 professional counselors’ social justice engagement and demographic, personality, and contextual factors. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that counselors’ sexual orientation, trait extraversion, and postgraduate training predicted their level of engagement in social justice behaviors. The authors recommend that counselor training in social justice be focused on quality, rather than quantity, and that personality and identity characteristics of individuals be incorporated into pedagogical practices.
Body condition and poxvirus infection predict circulating glucose levels in a colorful songbird that inhabits urban and rural environments
Authors: McGraw Kevin J. , Chou Katherine , Bridge Annika , McGraw Hannah C. , McGraw Peyton R. , Simpson Richard K.
Published: June 2020

There is widespread contemporary interest in causes and consequences of blood glucose status in humans (e.g., links to diabetes and cardiovascular disease), but we know comparatively less about what underlies variation in glucose levels of wild animals. Several environmental factors, including diet, disease status, and habitat quality, may regulate glucose circulation, and we are in need of work that assesses many organismal traits simultaneously to understand the plasticity and predictability of glucose levels in ecological and evolutionary contexts. Here, we measured circulating glucose levels in a species of passerine bird (the house finch,Haemorhous mexicanus) that has served as a valuable model for research on sexual selection, disease, and urban behavioral ecology, as these animals display sexually dichromatic ornamental coloration, harbor many infectious diseases (e.g., poxvirus, coccidiosis, mycoplasmal conjunctivitis), and reside in both natural habitats and cities. We tested the effects of sex, habitat type, body condition, coccidiosis and poxvirus infections, and expression of carotenoid plumage coloration on blood glucose concentrations and found that the body condition and poxvirus infection significantly predicted circulating glucose levels. Specifically, birds with higher blood glucose levels had higher body condition scores and were infected with poxvirus. This result is consistent with biomedical, domesticated‐animal, and wildlife‐rehabilitation findings, and the premise that glucose elevation is a physiological response to or indicator of infection and relative body weight. The fact that we failed to find links between glucose and our other measurements suggests that blood glucose levels can reveal some but not all aspects of organismal or environmental quality.
Long‐term benefit of enzyme replacement therapy with alglucosidase alfa in adults with Pompe disease: Prospective analysis from the French Pompe Registry
Authors: Semplicini Claudio , De Antonio Marie , Taouagh Nadjib , Béhin Anthony , Bouhour Françoise , Echaniz‐Laguna Andoni , Magot Armelle , Nadaj‐Pakleza Aleksandra , Orlikowski David , Sacconi Sabrina , Salort‐Campana Emmanuelle , Solé Guilhem , Tard Céline , Zagnoli Fabien , Hogrel Jean‐Yves , Hamroun Dalil , Laforêt Pascal ,   French Pompe Study Group
Published: June 2020

Despite a wide clinical spectrum, the adult form of Pompe disease is the most common one, and represents more than 90% of diagnosed patients in France. Since the marketing of enzyme replacement therapy (alglucosidase alfa, Myozyme), all reports to date in adults demonstrated an improvement of the walking distance, and a trend toward stabilization of respiratory function, but the majority of these studies were less than 5 years of duration. We report here the findings from 158 treated patients included in the French Pompe Registry, who underwent regular clinical assessments based on commonly used standardized tests (6‐minute walking test, MFM scale, sitting vital capacity, MIP and MEP). For longitudinal analyses, the linear mixed effects models were used to assess trends in primary endpoints over time under ERT. A two‐phase model better described the changes in distance traveled in the 6‐minute walk test and MFM. 6MWT showed an initial significant increase (1.4% ± 0.5/year) followed by a progressive decline (−2.3%/year), with a cut‐off point at 2.2 years. A similar pattern was observed in total MFM score (6.6% ± 2.3/year followed by a − 1.1%/year decline after 0.5 years). A single‐phase decline with a slope of −0.9 ± 0.1%/year (P < .001) was observed for FVC, and MEP remained stable over the all duration of follow‐up. This study provides further evidence that ERT improves walking abilities and likely stabilizes respiratory function in adult patients with Pompe disease, with a ceiling effect for the 6MWT in the first 3 years of treatment.
Reaction acceleration at air‐solution interfaces: Anisotropic rate constants for Katritzky transamination
Authors: Li Yangjie , Mehari Tsdale F. , Wei Zhenwei , Liu Yong , Cooks R. Graham
Published: June 2020

To disentangle the factors controlling the rates of accelerated reactions in droplets, we used mass spectrometry to study the Katritzky transamination in levitated Leidenfrost droplets of different yet constant volumes over a range of concentrations while holding concentration constant by adding back the evaporated solvent. The set of concentration and droplet volume data indicates that the reaction rate in the surface region is much higher than that in the interior. These same effects of concentration and volume were also seen in bulk solutions. Three pyrylium reagents with different surface activity showed differences in transamination reactivity. The conclusion is drawn that reactions with surface‐active reactants are subject to greater acceleration, as seen particularly at lower concentrations in systems of higher surface‐to‐volume ratios. These results highlight the key role that air‐solution interfaces play in Katritzky reaction acceleration. They are also consistent with the view that reaction‐increased rate constant is at least in part due to limited solvation of reagents at the interface.
Relations between the quasi‐biweekly oscillation over the East Asian monsoon region and the East Asian tropical monsoon depressions
Authors: Li Jingyi , Wen Min , Wang Zunya , Hu Yi
Published: June 2020

An empirical orthogonal function analysis was applied to 34 years of anomalous daily 10–20 day filtered outgoing longwave radiation data to determine the north‐westward propagating mode of quasi‐biweekly oscillations (QBWOs) over tropical East Asia during boreal summer. The centres of active QBWO convection coincided with positive potential vorticity (PV) anomalies at 500·hPa and cyclonic gyres at 850·hPa, whereas the centres of suppressed convection were superimposed upon negative PV anomalies and anticyclonic gyres. These circulations formed an inclined northwest–southeast wave train. The vertical dynamic and thermodynamic structures of the QBWO mode evince two centres of PV at 500 and 750·hPa, respectively, and an almost upright structure in the troposphere up to 300·hPa. The QBWO's convective cell has a warm‐over‐cold structure in the troposphere. These features have several similarities to East Asian tropical monsoon depressions (EAMDs), implying a close relationship between the north‐westward propagating mode of QBWOs and EAMDs. Further investigation indicates that EAMDs are prone to appear in the region of deep convection and move north‐westward with the QBWO circulation. The westernmost position of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), which is linked to the QBWO phase, strongly influences the route of EAMDs. An EAMD generated in the easterly winds to the south of WPSH moves westward under the influence of the horizontal adiabatic advection of PV. More eastward‐moving and turning EAMDs appear when WPSH weakens and retreats eastward due to enhancement of QBWO convection over the South China Sea (SCS) and western North Pacific. Most EAMDs reach peak intensity when moving over the SCS, and show a strong relation to the vigorous convection. However, there is no significant relation between the QBWO convection and the points of disappearance of the EAMDs.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Justice Involvement Among Military Veterans: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Taylor Emmeline N. , Timko Christine , Nash Amia , Owens Mandy D. , Harris Alex H.S. , Finlay Andrea K.
Published: June 2020

There is evidence of an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and criminal justice involvement among military veterans. For this study, we systematically reviewed the literature to examine the association between PTSD and criminal justice involvement among military veterans, assess the magnitude of this association, and identify strengths and limitations of the underlying evidence. Five databases were searched for a larger scoping review, and observational studies that assessed PTSD and criminal justice involvement were selected from the scoping review database (N = 191). Meta‐analyses were conducted, pooling odds ratios (ORs) via restricted maximum likelihood random‐effects models. The main outcomes were criminal justice involvement (i.e., documentation of arrest) and PTSD (i.e., PTSD assessment score indicating probable PTSD). Of 143 unique articles identified, 10 studies were eligible for the meta‐analysis. Veterans with PTSD had higher odds of criminal justice involvement (OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.16, 2.23], p = .002) and arrest for violent offenses (OR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.15, 2.19], p = .002) compared to veterans without PTSD. The odds ratio of criminal justice involvement among military veterans with PTSD assessed using the PTSD Checklist was 1.98, 95% CI [1.08, 3.63], p = .014. Considerable heterogeneity was identified, but no evidence of publication bias was found. Criminal justice involvement and PTSD are linked among military veterans, highlighting an important need for clinicians and healthcare systems working with this population to prioritize PTSD treatment to reduce veterans’ new and recurring risk of criminal justice involvement.
Lifetime Interpersonal Victimization Profiles and Mental Health Problems in a Nationally Representative Panel of Trauma‐Exposed Adults From the United Kingdom
Authors: Charak Ruby , Vang Maria Louison , Shevlin Mark , Ben‐Ezra Menachem , Karatzias Thanos , Hyland Philip
Published: June 2020

Traumatic event exposure has been associated with negative psychological outcomes. There is, however, a dearth of research on revictimization. The current study examined patterns of lifetime interpersonal victimization based on six types of childhood maltreatment, physical and sexual assault, and assault with a weapon during adulthood via latent class analysis (LCA), with gender as covariate. Using a three‐step approach, we assessed differences across the latent classes in symptoms and diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and DSM‐5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A trauma‐exposed adult sample representative of the United Kingdom population (N = 1,051) was recruited online through a research panel. The mean participant age 47.18 years (SD = 15.00, range: 18–90 years; 68.4% female). The LCA identified five classes: lifetime polyvictimization (8.3%; 69.5% female), sexual revictimization (13.7%; 96.5% female), physical revictimization (12.5%; 1.5% male), childhood trauma (25.9%; 85.6% female), and limited victimization (39.7%; 40.3% female). Compared to the other classes, the polyvictimization class, followed by the childhood trauma class, demonstrated the highest scores on anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. The polyvictimization class had nearly a nine‐ to 33‐fold increase in risk of depression, OR = 9.48, 95% CI [3.34, 26.87]; anxiety, OR = 12.10, 95% CI [5.36, 27.36]; and PTSD diagnoses, OR = 33.63, 95% CI [16.35, 69.43], compared to the limited victimization class. The findings facilitate the identification of individuals at risk for revictimization and indicate that evidence‐based clinical interventions should be targeted toward those with exposure to revictimization and childhood trauma exposure to alleviate mental health challenges.
Optimization of a subcellular metal fractionation method for fish liver: Homogenization, subcellular separation, and trial isolation of nuclear materials
Authors: Urien Nastassia , Caron Antoine , Lerquet Marc , Couture Patrice , Campbell Peter G.C.
Published: June 2020

The subcellular compartmentalization of metals within aquatic organisms reflects their internal behavior after metal uptake and can provide important information about their potential toxicity. Commonly, the fractionation protocol used to determine subcellular metal partitioning in aquatic organisms consists of mechanically homogenizing the tissue, separating subcellular components into fractions by differential centrifugation and heat‐denaturation steps, and determining the amount of metals associated with each fraction. However, the accurate separation of subcellular cell components is challenging and the nature and purity of the operationally defined subcellular fractions are rarely assessed. In the absence of this type of validation, however, the interpretation of subcellular metal fractionation results could be compromised. The aim of the present study was to adjust a subcellular fractionation protocol for the liver of field‐collected fish and to test the adjusted protocol using fraction‐specific enzyme markers. Overall, our results illustrate the need to optimize fractionation procedures when studying a new species or organ. In the course of this study, the categorization of some fractions was revised in accordance with the enzymatic results obtained, in order to yield a more credible subcellular fraction distribution scheme. In addition, trial assays aimed at isolating nuclear materials from the cellular debris were conducted, using DNA as a marker for nuclear material. Tested protocols failed to isolate the nuclei and results suggested that nuclei were probably trapped by disrupted cellular membranes. Recommendations on how to improve future subcellular fractionation studies on freshwater fish are discussed.
Critical Assessment of RAFT Equilibrium Constants: Theory Meets Experiment
Authors: Werner Martin , Oliveira João C. A. , Meiser Wibke , Buback Michael , Mata Ricardo A.
Published: June 2020

Equilibrium constants, Keq, for the reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of butyl acrylate mediated by trithiocarbonate and dithiobenzoate RAFT agents have been estimated by quantum chemical calculations, namely by a combination of density functional structure optimizations, corrections for solvent effects plus the double harmonic approximation as well as high‐level ab‐initio local correlation methods. Individual contributions to Keq are analyzed. The results are compared to experimental Keq measured by microsecond time‐resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Dithiobenzoate (DTB) RAFT agents are of particular interest, as earlier quantum chemical calculations resulted in Keq values differing by several orders of magnitude from the numbers deduced via EPR measurements. This mismatch between theory and experiment is overcome by new quantum chemical estimates. The major factors behind the improved agreement are the application of dispersion‐corrected density functional theory (DFT) functionals for the equilibrium structures and full‐system coupled cluster calculations. The so‐obtained ab initio Keq data provide clear evidence for rate retardation with DTB‐mediated acrylate polymerizations being due to cross‐termination rather than to slow fragmentation of the RAFT intermediate radical.
Seasonal and diurnal variation of marine wind characteristics based on lidar measurements
Authors: Shu Z. R. , Li Q. S. , Chan P. W. , He Y. C.
Published: June 2020

The accurate assessment of marine wind characteristics is receiving increasing attention because of its practical importance in diverse areas. However, the reliable measurement of marine winds is often insufficient mainly because of the limitation of the instrumentation used. In the present study, four year lidar measurement data, recorded continuously from March 2012 to November 2015, are collected at an offshore platform near Lamma Island in Hong Kong, China, to obtain useful marine meteorological information, with a particular interest in the seasonal and diurnal variations of wind speed, wind shear co‐efficient (WSC) and veering wind angle. It is shown that the wind speed and Weibull parameters generally exhibit evident monthly variation. The maximum monthly wind speed occurs in February, with values between 7.41 and 8.13 m·s−1 depending on the height, and the monthly minimum occurs in August, with values between 4.66 and 5.27 m·s−1. The Weibull scale parameter shows a similar monthly pattern with wind speed, while the Weibull shape parameter peaks in June. Furthermore, the diurnal pattern of both wind speed and Weibull parameters is closely tied to seasonality. The WSC covering the bottom and top layers of the wind turbine is likewise examined. Larger WSCs are obtained during hotter months, while smaller WSCs are associated with cooler months. The diurnal pattern of the WSC shows reasonable agreement among different seasons, although the magnitude is somewhat different. The veering angle generally increases with height. Its monthly pattern reveals a maximum in May, reaching up to 17.8° within the height of concern. Pronounced monthly and diurnal patterns of veering angles are observed at higher altitudes.
Numerical solutions for the reaction–diffusion, diffusion‐wave, and Cattaneo equations using a new operational matrix for the Caputo–Fabrizio derivative
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Gómez Aguilar José Francisco , Pandey Prashant
Published: June 2020

In this research work, we study the model of nonlinear reaction–diffusion equation, diffusion‐wave equation, and Cattaneo equation with the help of a numerical method in which time‐fractional derivative is of Caputo–Fabrizio type (C‐F). First, we derive a formula of the fractional‐order C‐F derivative of xk. Using this formula and some properties of shifted Chebyshev polynomials, we find out the operational matrix of the C‐F derivative. We solve a new class of fractional partial differential equations (FPDEs) using the collocation method and C‐F operational matrix. We depict the feasibility and validity of this numerical method by giving the solution of some numerical examples. We take the diffusion equation, nonlinear reaction–diffusion equation, diffusion‐wave equation, and Cattaneo equation as a particular case of our model. By comparing the obtained numerical results with the given exact solution, we draw an error table depicting that our results are so accurate and desirable accuracy. In the authors' knowledge, the C‐F shifted Chebyshev operational matrix is derived for the first time in this work.
Research Verification of Single- and Multiple-Batch Production Practices at Two Channel Catfish Farms in Western Alabama
Authors: Hanson Terrill R , Bott Lisa B , Chappell Jesse A , Whitis Gregory N , Kelly Anita M , Roy Luke A
Published: June 2020

Aquaculture verification programs are designed to demonstrate and test research-based recommendations on commercial-scale operations. From 2010 to 2013, three management protocols were followed on two Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus farms in western Alabama. They were an owner-defined multiple-batch (MB) system, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System (hereafter, “Extension”)-defined single-batch (SB) system, and an Extension-defined MB system. Three ponds on each farm accommodated the three treatment systems. Data were collected for two completed SB cycles per farm and the two continuous MB systems over the 37-month period on each farm. The data were combined from the two farms by management system, and averages were calculated for the following production parameters: production period, stocking, water quality, harvest, size distribution, survival, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Enterprise budgets were developed for each management approach and compared. The feed conversion ratio was found to be the most efficient for the Extension-defined SB (1.91), followed by the Extension-defined MB system (2.46) and the owner-defined MB system (2.63). While the owner-defined MB system had the greater harvest weight, it also had the longest production period, greatest weigh-back pounds, and least efficient FCR, resulting in a net return above all costs ($334/acre yearly) below that of the Extension-defined SB ($553/acre yearly) and MB ($393/acre yearly) systems. This converse finding is due to the owner-defined MB having higher costs for feed, harvest and transport, diesel, and interest on operating costs. The Extension-defined SB and MB systems recommended feeding 90% of a weekly determined satiation-feeding amount, resulting in reduced overall feeding, without diminishing fish growth, and a more efficient FCR. The results from this study showed that all three systems were profitable, with the net return from the Extension-defined SB system being higher than that from the Extension- and owner-defined MB systems ($160 and $219/acre yearly, respectively). Yield verification programs provide detailed production and economic knowledge of farm management system effects.
An L2 finite element approximation for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Lee Eunjung , Choi Wonjoon , Ha Heonkyu
Published: June 2020

This paper utilizes the Picard method and Newton's method to linearize the stationary incompressible Navier–Stokes equations and then uses an LL* approach, which is a least‐squares finite element method applied to the dual problem of the corresponding linear system. The LL* approach provides an L2‐approximation to a given problem, which is not typically available with conventional finite element methods for nonlinear second‐order partial differential equations. We first show that the proposed combination of linearization scheme and LL* approach provides an L2‐approximation to the stationary incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The validity of L2‐approximation is proven through the analysis of the weak problem corresponding to the linearized Navier–Stokes equations. Then, the convergence is analyzed, and numerical results are presented.
Regenerated Hoof Keratin from 1‐Ethyl‐3‐Methylimidazolium Acetate and Insights into Disulfide‐Ionic Liquid Interactions from MD Simulation
Authors: Apostolidou Christina
Published: June 2020

Regeneration of the hoof keratin from ionic liquids was never successful in the past because the ionic liquids were not strong enough. However, this biomaterial starts to play a central role for the preparation of biofilms in the future. In the present study, hoof keratin was regenerated for the first time from an ionic liquid by experiment and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). As 1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate is strong enough to dissolve hooves, which have a lot of disulfide bonds, a Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation was performed with this ionic liquid and diphenyl disulfide. The MD simulation reveals that not only the cation as postulated after experiments were carried out, but also the anion is very important for the dissolution process. This complete picture was and is not accessible via experiments and is therefore valuable for future investigations. The anion always interacts with the disulfide bond, whereas the cation prefers in some situations a strong H−O interaction with the anion. If the cations and the anions are separated from each other so that the cation can not interact with the anion, both interact with the disulfide bond. The high solvation power of this solvent is shown by the fact that the cation interacts from the left and right side and the anion from above and below the disulfide bond.
‘Diabetes at the front door’: meeting the needs of diabetes patients in emergency
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: June 2020

The Joint British Diabetes Societies Inpatient Care Group has produced a comprehensive and practical aid for the non‐specialist that covers the medical emergencies most likely for people with diabetes. Steve Chaplin reports.
Organic tandem solar cells under indoor light illumination
Authors: Biswas Swarup , You Young‐Jun , Vincent Premkumar , Bae Jin‐Hyuk , Shim Jae Won , Kim Hyeok
Published: June 2020

The lifetime of a device depends highly on that of its battery. In order to enhance the longevity of microsystems or sensor networks, it is necessary for these devices to be self‐powered. Indoor photovoltaics allow the possibility of harvesting artificial light sources for powering microsystems. Whereas indoor photovoltaics based on single active layers have showed high efficiencies under LED lighting, tandem structures have yet to be tested extensively. In our study, we use finite‐difference time‐domain simulations to study the highest possible short‐circuit current density that can be extracted from tandem organic devices. We compare the simulation results to the results for photovoltaic devices based on single bulk active layer heterojunctions. Our simulations found that although detailed balanced band gap calculations show tandem photovoltaics to be viable, the low‐intensity emission spectra of white LED light sources can be better harvested by single active layer‐based photovoltaics. The current‐matching limitation of a tandem photovoltaic structure connected in series limits the highest output current and open‐circuit voltage of the device and, thus, its performance for the illumination of lower intensity light.
Crystal structure and homopolar dihydrogen interactions in propano‐bridged indigo
Authors: Das Bidyut , Guha Ankur Kanti , Wahab Abdul
Published: June 2020

Single crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis of 7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐[1,4]diazepino[1,2‐a:4,3‐a′]diindole‐14,15‐dione (propano‐bridged indigo [PBI]) reveals the presence of two homopolar intermolecular dihydrogen C–H···H–C interactions of distances 2.38 and 2.89 Å. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates a significant contribution of C–H···H–C interactions (49%) to the total molecular contact surface. Theoretical analysis of the topology of electron density reveals the existence of two closed shell dihydrogen interactions per dimer. The values of the AIM charges on the H⋯H interacting atoms are similar (0.172). The calculated dihydrogen interaction energy is found to be significant (3.76 kcal mol−1). London dispersion forces are the dominant contributor to the homopolar C–H···H–C interactions.
Posttraumatic stress in breast cancer survivors diagnosed at a young age
Authors: Vazquez Danny , Rosenberg Shoshana , Gelber Shari , Ruddy Kathryn J. , Morgan Evan , Recklitis Christopher , Come Steven , Schapira Lidia , Partridge Ann H.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Young breast cancer patients experience greater psychosocial distress compared with older patients, which raises concern for their risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We sought to characterize the prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of PTSD and associated factors among breast cancer survivors diagnosed at a young age.

Methods

The Young Women's Breast Cancer Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study, enrolled 1302 women diagnosed with breast cancer at age ≤ 40 between 2006 and 2016. Participants complete serial surveys, and we obtained additional information from medical record review. Socio‐demographics, anxiety and depression, social support, and psychiatric co‐morbidities and medications were assessed at study baseline (median, 5 months post‐diagnosis). We defined a participant as having clinically significant posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) by scoring ≥50 on the PTSD Checklist‐Specific Version, administered on the 30‐month survey.

Results

Among 700 women with stage 1‐3 disease, the prevalence of PTSS was 6.3% (95%CI = 4.5‐8.1). In multivariable analyses, PTSS was significantly associated with anxiety (OR 12.43, 95%CI = 5.81‐26.59, P < .0001) and stage 2 vs 1 disease (OR 2.26, 95%CI = 1.04‐4.93, P = .04). PTSS was inversely associated with having a college degree (OR 0.29, 95%CI = 0.13‐0.62, P = .002) and greater social support (OR 0.44, 95%CI = 0.21‐0.94, P = .03).

Conclusions

We found similar rates of cancer‐related PTSS in breast cancer survivors diagnosed at a young age compared with the general breast cancer population despite their well‐documented increased risk of overall distress. Nevertheless, factors associated with posttraumatic stress should be considered at diagnosis and in survivorship to identify young patients who may benefit from psychosocial resources.
Food safety assessment of crops engineered with RNA interference and other methods to modulate expression of endogenous and plant pest genes
Authors: Kleter Gijs A
Published: June 2020

Genetically modified crops have been grown commercially for more than two decades. Some of these crops have been modified with genetic constructs that induce gene silencing through RNA interference (RNAi). The targets for this silencing action are genes, either specific endogenous ones of the host plant or those of particular pests or pathogens infesting these plants. Recently emerging new genetic tools enable precise DNA edits with the same silencing effect and have also increased our knowledge and insights into the mechanisms of RNAi. For the assessment of the safety of foodstuffs from crops modified with RNAi, internationally harmonized principles for risk assessment of foods derived from genetically modified crops can be followed. Special considerations may apply to the newly expressed silencing RNA molecules, such as their possible uptake by consumers and interference with expression of host genes, which, however, would need to overcome many barriers. Bioinformatics tools aid the prediction of possible interference by a given RNA molecule with the expression of genes with homologous sequences in the host crop and in other organisms, or possible off‐target edits in gene‐edited crops. © 2020 The Author. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Semiconductor Rydberg Physics
Authors: Aßmann Marc , Bayer Manfred
Published: June 2020

This topical review addresses how semiconductor systems may reveal scalable properties similar to those known from Rydberg atoms and in which ways they may be utilized for precision sensing and to realize huge long‐range interactions in semiconductor systems. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the field, it has a twofold purpose: First, it may serve as an introduction to Rydberg physics for semiconductor physicists unfamiliar with the topic. Second, it may also serve as an overview of the specific opportunities and challenges arising in semiconductor physics for researchers who are familiar with Rydberg physics of cold atom gases, but new to the field of semiconductor physics. The review starts with an introduction on the general properties of excitons in semiconductors. Then, the material system Cu2O, which is the best developed platform for semiconductor Rydberg physics at the moment, is discussed in detail.
Endobronchial tuberculosis polyps
Authors: Yu Christiaan , Foo Chuan Tai , Aung Ar Kar , Joosten Simon A.
Published: June 2020

Endobronchial tuberculosis (TB) is an uncommon manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We report a case of endobronchial TB polyps in a patient from India presenting with cough, loss of weight and night sweats. Computed tomography chest revealed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, endobronchial invasion, and nodular infiltrates in the right lower lobe. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed two endobronchial polyps at the carina and left main bronchus which were biopsied. Histopathology showed non‐caseating granulomas. Both the biopsy and bronchial washings did not identify acid‐fast bacilli on Ziehl‐Neelsen stain and had negative TB complex DNA polymerase chain reaction. One month after bronchoscopy, M. tuberculosis was cultured from the bronchial washings. Following six months of TB treatment, there was full resolution of symptoms and significant radiological improvement. We highlight the diagnostic challenges in endobronchial TB which may impact on the timely institution of treatment.