bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A spatio‐temporal approach to estimate patterns of climate change
Authors: Laurini M. P.
Published: October 2018

We introduce a method for decomposition of trend, cycle, and seasonal components in spatio‐temporal models and apply it to investigate the existence of climate changes in temperature series. The method incorporates critical features in the analysis of climatic problems—the importance of spatial heterogeneity, information from a large number of weather stations, and the presence of missing data. The spatial component is based on continuous projections of spatial covariance functions, allowing the modeling of complex patterns of dependence observed in climatic data. We apply this method to study climate changes in the northeast region of Brazil, characterized by a great wealth of climates and large amplitudes of temperatures. The results show the presence of a tendency for temperature increases, indicating changes in the climatic patterns in this region.
Biological pretreatment of rice straw by ligninolytic Bacillus sp. strains for enhancing biogas production
Authors: Shah Tawaf Ali , Lee Charles C. , Orts William J. , Tabassum Romana
Published: October 2018

Fermenting agricultural biomass, such as rice straw (RS), to methane is a promising solution to an ongoing waste problem. However, the biomass must first be pretreated to break down lignin thereby increasing accessibility of the substrate to fermentative organisms. Biological pretreatment by microorganisms represents a potentially economical strategy to prepare the biomass for fermentation. We isolated seven candidate ligninolytic Bacillus sp. strains based on their robustness for lignin degradation. The production of the ligninolytic enzymes from these strains was characterized and optimized. The bacterial strains were tested for their ability to pretreat RS and increase the yield of biomethane fermentation. It was determined that using mixed combinations of bacterial cultures was more effective than using individual strains. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of using these Bacillus sp. strains as robust biocatalysts for processing lignocellulosic waste biomass.

Significance: Newly isolated Bacillus sp. strains demonstrated an efficient degradation of lignin, Azure B dye, fast hydrolysis of rice straw, and improved biogas yields. This research suggests that, Bacillus sp. strains could be a source of novel enzymes, and an ideal candidate in bioprocessing of complex substrates”. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13036, 2019
Intertidal boulder transport: A proposed methodology adopting Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to quantify storm induced boulder mobility
Authors: Hastewell Linley John , Schaefer Martin , Bray Malcolm , Inkpen Robert
Published: October 2018

Boulder transport is an area of growing interest to coastal scientists as a means of improving our understanding of the complex interactions between extreme wave activity and the evolution of rocky coasts. However, our knowledge of the response of intertidal boulder deposits to contemporary storm events remains limited due to a lack of quantifiable field‐based evidence.

We address this by presenting a methodology incorporating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging and Differential Global Positioning Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS) technology to monitor and accurately quantify the displacement of RFID tagged boulders resulting from storm wave activity. Based on preliminary findings we highlight the suitability of the technology and methodology to better understand the spatial and temporal response of intertidal boulders to contemporary storm events.

We inserted RFID tags in 104 limestone boulders (intermediate axes from 0.27 to 2.85 m) across a range of morphogenic settings at two sites on the intertidal shore platforms at Bembridge, Isle of Wight (UK). Fifteen topographic surveys were conducted between July 2015 and May 2017 to relocate and record tagged boulder locations (tag recovery rate: 91%). The relocated boulder coordinate data from both sites identified 164 individual transport events in 63% of the tagged boulder array amounting to 184.6 m of transport, including the displacement of a boulder weighing more than 10 tonnes.

Incidents of boulder quarrying and overturning during transport were also recorded, demonstrating that despite the relatively sheltered location, intertidal boulders are created and regularly transported under moderate storm conditions. This suggests that contemporary storm events have a greater propensity to mobilise boulders in the intertidal range than has previously been realised.

Consequently, by documenting our methodology we provide guidance to others and promote further use of RFID technology to enable new hypotheses on boulder transport to be tested in a range of field settings and wave regimes. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deep seated fault‐related volcanogenic H2S as the key agent of high sinkhole concentration areas
Authors: Santo A. , Santangelo N. , Balassone G. , Strauss H.
Published: October 2018

Karst collapse sinkholes (KCS) are a peculiar karst morphology resulting from the collapse of the topographic surface caused by subsurface karstification. In the Southern Apennines these phenomena are not randomly distributed but concentrate in several zones, named High Sinkhole Concentration Areas (HSCA), showing peculiar geological, structural and hydrogeological conditions. Gas vents and mineral springs occur widely in these HSCA, and are often stricty related to the KCS. Starting from four representative areas, the aim of this study is to ascertain if there is a genetic link between peculiar mineralogical vs geochemical features of densely fractured/altered rocky masses in KCS, gas vents/springs occurrences and diffuse hypogenic karstification. By means of a multidisciplinary approach (geological/geomorphological, mineralogical and geochemical) we selected and analysed four different kinds of samples related to KCS, gas vent and spring occurrences: (i) altered to deeply altered limestones sampled in the sinkholes; (ii) unaltered limestones sampled in close proximity to sinkhole areas; (iii) gypsum‐rich crusts/patinae, precipitated near to gas vents; (iv) gypsum‐ and calcite‐rich precipitates occurring at springs or inside caves. Among neoformed non‐carbonate minerals, gypsum is virtually ubiquitous, halides (fluorite, halite, sylvite) also occur in small to trace amounts. The mineralogical assemblages of the different samples show similarities and may also be compatible with hypogenic speleogenesis and with a process of alteration of the carbonate bedrock by means of uprising mineralizing fluids along structural discontinuities. Stable isotopic compositions (S, O) display strong variability in δ34S and δ18O for sulfate in the different areas, but a deep‐seated sulfur source can be hypothesized for many of the studied KCS‐related samples. This study has important implications for the relationships between areas of high concentration of sinkholes, regional fault systems, mechanical characteristics of rocks and the high seismicity typical of these areas of the Southern Apennines. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flow structure in large bedrock‐channels: The example of macroturbulent rapids, lower Mekong River, Southeast Asia
Authors: Carling Paul A. , Huang He Qing , Su Teng , Hornby Duncan
Published: October 2018

The rate of bedrock channel incision is key to the understanding of landscape evolution. Theoretical models relate channel incision to sediment transport; the latter conditioned by the bed shear stress. However, theory is deficient in an appreciation of the transverse and vertical flow structure that mediates shear stress for deep, narrow inner‐channels, which often characterize large bedrock rivers. Here we present the detail of the structure of high Reynolds number flows for bedrock‐controlled rapids of the Mekong River, SE Asia. Distinct filaments of high‐velocity flow, separated by regions of slower flow, occur across channels; the numbers of filaments scale linearly with channel width to maximum‐depth (B/hmax) ratios. Inner‐channels with low ratios (B/hmax < 20) exhibit wall‐effected flow structure. Effects include suppressed maximum velocity filaments due to: (i) significant channel‐transverse flow; (ii) strongly‐sheared vertical flow structure; and (iii) significant underflows. Such complex water column flow patterns largely defy theoretical description. Nonetheless near the bed, the vertical velocity distributions often conform to: (i) ‘law‐of‐the‐wall’ logarithmic theory; or (ii) profiles in the near‐bed region and within the transition to outer flow can be described using a log‐wake function. Consequently, for selected velocity profiles it is possible to derive hydraulic parameters suitable for input to incision models. Chezy‐C values are high, indicating low flow resistance, while bed shear stresses remain competent, even during low‐discharges, to transport cobble bedload across low roughness bedrock surfaces. Thus, as competence is high, no blanketing sediment deposits can develop within inner channels to prevent bedrock erosion. Consequently, within similar high competence systems, incision is probably progressive as long as sediment supply is sustained to abrade the bedrock. The landscape modelling implication is that abrasion in this system is supply‐limited and not limited by flow competence. In contrast, a transport‐limited system is likely to evolve to exhibit an alluvial bed. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of cooking on glycemic index, antioxidant activities, α‐amylase, and α‐glucosidase inhibitory properties of two rice varieties
Authors: Adedayo Bukola C. , Adebayo Adeniyi A. , Nwanna Esther E. , Oboh Ganiyu
Published: October 2018

This study was designed to investigate the influence of cooking on the glycemic index (GI), amylose, and amylopectin contents of two rice varieties. Two rice varieties (foreign long rice and ofada) were sourced for, divided into two, one portion cooked and the other used raw. The sugar, starch, amylose, and amylopectin contents as well as glycemic indices, antioxidant properties, and the ability of the rice to inhibit carbohydrate‐hydrolyzing enzymes (α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase) were determined. In addition, polyphenol content was determined. The results revealed that cooking caused a significant increase in starch content of the rice varieties. In the same vein, cooking increases the amylopectin content but has no effect on the amylose content. In addition, cooking shows no effect on polyphenol content but significantly increases radical scavenging ability of rice varieties used in this study. Furthermore, cooking lower the α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibitory properties of two rice varieties except for foreign rice. However, the inhibitory effect of both cooked and raw foreign and ofada rice on α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase coupled with their low GI may explain their important role in controlling blood glucose level.
Inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 2‐independent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum in astrocytes
Authors: Okubo Yohei , Kanemaru Kazunori , Suzuki Junji , Kobayashi Kenta , Hirose Kenzo , Iino Masamitsu
Published: October 2018

Accumulating evidence indicates that astrocytes are actively involved in the physiological and pathophysiological functions of the brain. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling, especially Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is considered to be crucial for the regulation of astrocytic functions. Mice with genetic deletion of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) are reportedly devoid of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling, and thus widely used to explore the roles of Ca2+ signaling in astrocytic functions. While functional deficits in IP3R2‐knockout (KO) mice have been found in some reports, no functional deficit was observed in others. Thus, there remains a controversy regarding the functional significance of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling. To address this controversy, we re‐evaluated the assumption that Ca2+ release from the ER is abolished in IP3R2‐KO astrocytes using a highly sensitive imaging technique. We expressed the ER luminal Ca2+ indicator G‐CEPIA1er in cortical and hippocampal astrocytes to directly visualize spontaneous and stimulus‐induced Ca2+ release from the ER. We found attenuated but significant Ca2+ release in response to application of norepinephrine to IP3R2‐KO astrocytes. This IP3R2‐independent Ca2+ release induced only minimal cytosolic Ca2+ transients but induced robust Ca2+ increases in mitochondria that are frequently in close contact with the ER. These results indicate that ER Ca2+ release is retained and is sufficient to increase the Ca2+ concentration in close proximity to the ER in IP3R2‐KO astrocytes.
Risk analysis for tracheostomy dependency in curatively treated laryngeal cancer with organ preservation
Authors: Anschuetz Lukas , Visini Miranda , Shelan Mohamed , Elicin Olgun , Giger Roland
Published: October 2018

Background

A tracheostomy has an enormous negative impact on the patient's quality of life. The purpose of this study is to describe risk factors for permanent tracheostomies in patients undergoing curative organ‐preserving treatment of laryngeal cancer.

Methods

The charts of all patients with laryngeal cancer diagnosed at our tertiary referral center were reviewed. Cases receiving a tracheostomy before, during, or after primary organ‐preserving treatment were eligible.

Results

A total of 87 patients who underwent tracheostomies were enrolled in the present study. During follow‐up, 48 patients (55%) required a permanent tracheostomy, whereas 39 patients (45%) were decannulated. Multivariate analysis revealed primary radiotherapy (RT; odds ratio [OR] 12.857; P < .001) and recurrence (OR 25.84; P < .001) as independent factors of permanent tracheostomy.

Conclusion

This study identifies primary curative RT and tumor relapse as independent risk factors of permanent tracheostomy dependency in patients with laryngeal cancer undergoing a tracheostomy during or after primary curative organ‐preserving treatment.
ATP promotes immunosuppressive capacities of mesenchymal stromal cells by enhancing the expression of indoleamine dioxygenase
Authors: Lotfi Ramin , Steppe Lena , Hang Regina , Rojewski Markus , Massold Marina , Jahrsdörfer Bernd , Schrezenmeier Hubert
Published: October 2018

Introduction

MSCs are often found within tumors, promote cancer progression and enhance metastasis. MSCs can act as immuosuppressive cells, partially due to the expression of the enzyme indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO) which converts tryptophan to kynurenine. Decreased concentration of tryptophan and increased kynurenine, both interfere with effective immune response. Damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) including ATP are found within the tumor microenvironment, attract MSCs, and influence their biology.

Methods

Bone marrow derived MSCs were exposed to ATP for 4 days, in the presence of 100 ng IFNγ/mL. Intracellular expression of IDO in MSCs was assessed by FACS. Conditioned media from thus stimulated MSCs was analyzed for kynurenine content and its suppressive effect on lymphocyte proliferation. Apyrase or P2 × 7‐receptor antagonist (AZ 11645373) were applied in order to inhibit ATP induced effect on MSCs.

Results

We demonstrate, that ATP at concentrations between 0.062 and 0.5 mM increases dose dependently the expression of IDO in MSCs with subsequent increased kynurenine concentrations within the supernatant at about 60%. This effect could be abolished completely in the presence of ATP degrading enzyme (apyrase) or when MSCs were pretreated with a P2 × 7‐receptor antagonist (AZ 11645373). Consistently, supernatants from MSCs stimulated with ATP, inhibited lymphocyte proliferation from 65% to 16%.

Conclusions

We characterized ATP as a DAMP family member responsible for necrosis‐induced immunomodulation. Given the increased concentration of DAMPs within tumor tissue and the fact that DAMPs can act as chemotattractants to MSCs, our results have implications for therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment.
Exports, capital inflows, relative prices, and income growth in South Korea: An application of the balance of payments constraint growth model
Authors: Darku Alexander Bilson
Published: October 2018

The main objective of this paper is to use the balance of payment constraint growth model to examine the major determinants of income growth in South Korea, emphasizing the importance of exports, capital inflows, and relative prices. The autoregressive distributed lag approach to cointegration is employed to specify the short‐ and long‐run determinants of income growth. The main empirical results suggest that beside the growth in exports, which is the emphasis of the export‐led growth models, growth in capital inflows and relative prices have also played important roles in the growth process in South Korea. A formal test of the model confirmed the validity of the results. We also found that growth in capital inflows has the greatest effect on income growth in South Korea.
Surgical pelvic anatomy in gynecologic oncology
Authors: Puntambekar Shailesh , Manchanda Ranjit
Published: October 2018

Laparoscopy, with its many advantages, has revolutionized the field of pelvic surgery and enabled surgeons to gain a far greater understanding of pelvic anatomy. As technology evolves, our understanding is continuously improving. This article is a tribute to the anatomy of the pelvis, which itself has resisted evolutionary changes and remained the same, whereas our understanding of how to view and approach various organ structures has evolved.
MicroRNA‐107 regulates anesthesia‐induced neural injury in embryonic stem cell derived neurons
Authors: Jiang Jun Dan , Zheng Xiao Chun , Huang Feng Yi , Gao Fei , You Mei Zhen , Zheng Ting
Published: October 2018

Ketamine, though widely used in pediatric anesthesia, may induce cortical neurotoxicity in young patients. This study focused on an in vitro model of rat brain embryonic stem cell (ESC)‐derived neurons to investigate the effects of microRNA‐107 (miR‐107) on ketamine‐induced neural injury. Rat brain ESCs were proliferated in vitro and differentiated toward neuronal fate. Ketamine induced neural injury in ESC‐derived neurons was inspected by TUNEL and neurite growth assays. Ketamine‐induce aberrant miR‐107 expression was examined by qRT‐PCR. MiR‐107 was downregulated in ESCs through lentiviral transduction. Its effect on ketamine‐induced neural injury in ESC‐derived neurons was then examined. Potential downstream target of miR‐107, brain derived neurotrophin factor (BDNF), was inspected by dual‐luciferase reporter assay and qRT‐PCR. BDNF was knocked down, through siRNA transfection, in NSCs to investigate its functional involvement in miR‐107 mediated neural protection in ketamine‐injured NSC‐derived neurons. Ketamine induced apoptosis, neurite degeneration, and upregulated miR‐107 in NSC‐derived neurons. Lentivirus‐mediated miR‐107 downregulation attenuated ketamine‐induced neural injury. BDNF was proven to be directly and inversely regulated by miR‐107 in NSC‐derived neurons. SiRNA‐mediated BDNF inhibition reversed the protective effect of miR‐107 downregulation on ketamine injury in NSC‐derived neurons. MiR‐107 / BDNF was demonstrated to be an important epigenetic signaling pathway in regulating ketamine‐induced neural injury in cortical neurons. © 2018 The Authors. IUBMB Life published by Wiley Periodicals,Inc. on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology., 71(1):20–27, 2019
Wireless vitals—Proof of concept for wireless patient monitoring in an emergency department setting
Authors: Glasin Joakim , Henricson Joakim , Lindberg Lars‐Göran , Wilhelms Daniel
Published: October 2018

Vital sign assessment is a common task in emergency medicine, but resources for continuous monitoring are restricted, data is often recorded manually, and entangled wires cause frustration. Therefore, we designed a small, wireless photoplethysmographic device capable of continuously assessing pulse, respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation on the sternum and tested the performance and feasibility in an emergency department setting.

Fifty (56.3 ± 20.2 years), consenting emergency patients (29 male) were recruited. Heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation were recorded simultaneously using the device and standard monitoring equipment. Data was compared using Bland‐Altman plotting (heart rate, respiratory rate) and mean difference (oxygen saturation).

The bias for heart‐ and respiratory rate was 0.4 (limits of agreements −11.3, 12.2 and −6.1, 7.0). Mean difference for oxygen saturation was −0.21 ± 2.35%.

This may be the first wireless device to use photoplethysmography on the sternum for vital sign assessment. We noted good agreement with standard monitors, but lack of standardization in data processing between monitoring systems may limit the generalizability of these findings. Although further improvements are needed, the feasibility of this approach provides proof of concept for a new paradigm of large scale, wireless patient monitoring.
Resurgence when challenging alternative behavior with progressive ratios in children and pigeons
Authors: Ho Thuong , Bai John Y. H. , Keevy Madeleine , Podlesnik Christopher A.
Published: October 2018

Resurgence is defined as the recurrence of a previously reinforced and then extinguished target response when reducing or eliminating a more recently reinforced alternative response. In experiments with children and pigeons, we evaluated patterns of resurgence across and within sessions through decreases in reinforcer availability by challenging alternative responding with extinction and progressive‐ratio schedules. In Phase 1, we reinforced only target responding. In Phase 2, we extinguished target responding while reinforcing an alternative response. Finally, Phase 3 assessed resurgence by (a) extinguishing alternative responding versus (b) introducing a progressive‐ratio schedule of reinforcement for alternative responding. In both children and pigeons, resurgence of target responding occurred in both conditions but generally was greater when assessed during extinction than with progressive ratios. Importantly, within‐session patterns of resurgence did not differ between testing with progressive ratios and extinction. Resurgence with progressive ratios tended to be greater with longer durations between reinforcers but we observed similar findings with only simulated reinforcers during extinction testing. Therefore, the present investigation reveals that the events contributing to instances of resurgence remain to be understood, and presents an approach from which to examine variables influencing within‐session patterns of resurgence.
Linear gadolinium‐based contrast agent (gadodiamide and gadopentetate dimeglumine)‐induced high signal intensity on unenhanced T1‐weighted images in pediatric patients
Authors: Ichikawa Shintaro , Omiya Yoshie , Onishi Hiroshi , Motosugi Utaroh
Published: October 2018

Background

Recent studies of adults have found an association between hyperintensity of the dentate nucleus (DN) and globus pallidus (GP) on T1‐weighted images (T1WI) and a history of linear gadolinium‐based contrast agent (GBCA) administration. Several reports have also focused on this phenomenon in pediatric patients; however, data in the current literature remains limited.

Purpose/Hypothesis

To evaluate the associations between DN and GP T1‐signal increase and previous administration of linear GBCAs in pediatric patients.

Study Type

Single‐center, retrospective, cross‐sectional study.

Population

We included pediatric patients with histories of ≥5 linear GBCA (gadodiamide and gadopentetate dimeglumine) administrations (the “≥5 Linear GBCA administrations” group), 1–4 administrations (the “1–4 Linear GBCA administrations” group), and no history of GBCA administration (the “No GBCA administration” group). Each group included 42 patients. Therefore, 126 patients (male:female, 72:54; median age, 16 [range, 4–18] years) were included in this study.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T/ Spin‐echo unenhanced T1‐weighted imaging.

Assessment

Unenhanced T1‐weighted images were quantitatively analyzed by two radiologists. The DN‐to‐pons and GP‐to‐thalamus signal intensity ratios (DN‐to‐pons and GP‐to‐thalamus ratios, respectively) were compared.

Statistical Tests

Wilcoxon test with the Bonferroni correction and intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

The DN‐to‐pons ratio increased as the number of GBCA administrations increased (P < 0.0063). The GP‐to‐thalamus ratio of the “≥5 Linear GBCA administrations” group was significantly higher than those of the other two groups (P < 0.0001). The GP‐to‐thalamus ratio of the “1–4 Linear GBCA administrations” group did not differ significantly from that of the “No GBCA administration” group (P = 1.000). The DN‐to‐pons and GP‐to‐thalamus ratios' interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients were excellent (0.8236) and good (0.6738), respectively.

Data Conclusion

High signal intensities in the DN and GP on T1WI were associated with previous linear GBCA administration in pediatric patients.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1046–1052.
Preparing healthcare delivery organizations for managing computable knowledge
Authors: Adler‐Milstein Julia , Nong Paige , Friedman Charles P.
Published: October 2018

Introduction

The growth of data science has led to an explosion in new knowledge alongside various approaches to representing and sharing biomedical knowledge in computable form. These changes have not been matched by an understanding of what healthcare delivery organizations need to do to adapt and continuously deploy computable knowledge. It is therefore important to begin to conceptualize such changes in order to facilitate routine and systematic application of knowledge that improves the health of individuals and populations.

Methods

An AHRQ‐funded conference convened a group of experts from a range of fields to analyze the current state of knowledge management in healthcare delivery organizations and describe how it needs to evolve to enable computable knowledge management. Presentations and discussions were recorded and analyzed by the author team to identify foundational concepts and new domains of healthcare delivery organization knowledge management capabilities.

Results

Three foundational concepts include 1) the current state of knowledge management in healthcare delivery organizations relies on an outdated biomedical library model, and only a small number of organizations have developed enterprise‐scale knowledge management approaches that “push” knowledge in computable form to frontline decisions, 2) the concept of Learning Health Systems creates an imperative for scalable computable knowledge management approaches, and 3) the ability to represent data science discoveries in computable form that is FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) is fundamental to spread knowledge at scale. For healthcare delivery organizations to engage with computable knowledge management at scale, they will need new organizational capabilities across three domains: policies and processes, technology, and people. Examples of specific capabilities were developed.

Conclusions

Healthcare delivery organizations need to substantially scale up and retool their knowledge management approaches in order to benefit from computable biomedical knowledge.
Effect of tungsten alloying on passivity breakdown of nickel
Authors: Al‐Sahli Abdulmohsin , Ghanbari Elmira , Macdonald Digby D.
Published: October 2018

The addition of small amounts of tungsten (W) on the passivity breakdown of nickel (Ni) in borate buffer solutions as a function of chloride activity, pH, and voltage sweep rate has been evaluated and the data are interpreted in terms of the point defect model (PDM). The critical pitting potential of Ni–W alloys was found to become more positive (correspondingly a higher resistance to pitting) upon increasing the W content up to 3 at.% but decreases with further additions. The initial increase in the breakdown voltage with increasing [W] is attributed to changes in the diffusivity of the cation vacancy, the electric field strength, the annihilation rate of cation vacancies (Jm), changes in the standard Gibbs energy of adsorption of Cl− into surface oxygen vacancies, and in the standard Gibbs energy of generation of Schottky pairs, as predicted by the SVIM. At high [W] (4–5 at.%), it is postulated that all of the mobile cation vacancies are complexed with immobile [W(VI) cation substituted onto the Ni(II) vacancy of the cation sublattice of the barrier layer], so that further additions of W are predicted to have little positive effect in improving the pitting resistance of the alloy. Instead, W additions above 3% are postulated to increase the population density of breakdown sites on the surface via the formation of intermetallic precipitates, which has the effect of displacing the distribution in the breakdown voltage in the negative direction.
Validation of a performance‐based assessment of cognitive functional ability in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Holden Samantha K. , Medina Luis D. , Hoyt Brian , Sillau Stefan H. , Berman Brian D. , Goldman Jennifer G. , Weintraub Daniel , Kluger Benzi M.
Published: October 2018

Background: Outcome measures that capture functional abilities related to cognition offer the potential to demonstrate real‐world effectiveness of cognitive‐enhancing treatments. However, distinguishing functional disability related to cognition from that attributed to motor symptoms can be difficult in PD. A performance‐based functional assessment allows for direct observation of activity of daily living skills and separation of cognitive from motoric disabilities.

Objectives: Validate the University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment in PD.

Methods: One hundred PD participants, ranging from normal cognition to dementia, completed the University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment, a performance‐based measure of cognitively demanding activities of daily living, as well as a neuropsychological battery and motor examination. Cognitive classification was determined by consensus conference, blinded to University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment scores. Psychometric properties of the University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment, including internal consistency, test‐retest and inter‐rater reliability, and discriminant validity for dementia, were examined.

Results: The University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.82) and test‐retest reliability (r = 0.89) and correlated strongly with global cognition (Mattis Dementia Rating Scale: r = 0.80; P < 0.001). University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment regression models indicated greater contribution from cognitive explanatory variables (marginal partial: R2 = 0.33) than motor variables (marginal partial: R2 = 0.05), controlling for age, education, disease duration, and l‐dopa equivalent dose. Additionally, the University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment exhibited strong discriminant validity for dementia (area under the curve = 0.91).

Conclusions: The University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment is a valid measure of functional abilities related to cognition rather than motor symptoms in PD. Furthermore, it reliably distinguishes demented from nondemented participants. The University of California San Diego Performance‐Based Skills Assessment may be considered as an outcome measure that combines cognitive and functional abilities in treatment trials for cognitive impairment in PD. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A compact dc‐break for ECR ion source @ 18 GHZ
Authors: Leonardi O. , Torrisi G. , Sorbello G. , Celona L. , Gammino S.
Published: October 2018

This paper shows simulations and experimental result of a 1.5 kW waveguide DC‐Break designed for the AISHa ion source in commissioning phase at INFN‐LNS.

The DC‐Break was designed to fulfill an insulation of 50 kV, power losses lower than 0.5 dB by considering the compactness as key requirement.
Mounting‐insensitive nonpolarizing guided‐mode resonance filters for optical communications
Authors: Ren Zhibin , Sun Yahui , Zhang Shuqing , Hu Jiasheng , Lin Zihao
Published: October 2018

Mounting‐insensitive nonpolarizing guided‐mode resonance filters (GMRFs) for the optical communication wavelength O‐band and C‐band have been designed and fabricated. The rigorous coupled‐wave analysis (RCWA) is used to calculate the reflection spectra of the designed GMRFs. The grating structures of the GMRFs are patterned by interference lithography with two ultraviolet laser beams. The reflection spectra of the fabricated samples at different incident angles are measured by rotating a motorized stage. Compared with previous reported one‐dimensional nonpolarizing GMRFs, the tolerances of conical angle of the fabricated samples are remarkably improved.
Compact size of the UWB BPF using π‐type meander structure and folding short stubs
Authors: Yoon Ki‐Cheol , Lee Tae‐Hyeon , Kim Chang‐Soon , Shin Kwang‐Seob , Son Kwang‐Chul , Kim Seong‐Cheol
Published: October 2018

In this article, the reduced size of the ultra‐wide band (UWB) band‐pass filter (BPF) with λg/4 short stubs using π‐type meander structure and folding short stubs is presented. The π‐type meander structure and folding short stubs are adopted instead of the λg/4 transmission line (TL) and λg/4 short stubs to reduce the size of the proposed BPF. The overall size of the new BPF is reduced by 72.5% over the conventional BPF and other filters. The measurement results of the insertion and return losses are 1.61 and 15.4 dB with a bandwidth of 125% (1.96‐9.20 GHz) at a center frequency of 5.8 GHz. The total size of the BPF is 5.13 × 5.36 mm2. It is applied to a coordinate intelligent transport system. The proposed BPF can be fabricated for semiconductors because of its planar structure.
Reduced oxygen concentration during in vitro oocyte maturation alters global DNA methylation in the maternal pronucleus of subsequent zygotes in cattle
Authors: Bennemann Johanna , Grothmann Hanna , Wrenzycki Christine
Published: October 2018

Preimplantation epigenetic reprogramming is sensitive to the environment of the gametes and the embryo. In vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes is a critical step of embryo in vitro production procedures and several factors influence its efficiency, including atmospheric oxygen tension. The possibility that the IVM environment can alter this process is tested by determining whether the global DNA methylation pattern (measured via immunofluorescent labeling of 5‐methylcytosine [5meC]) in the parental pronuclei of bovine zygotes produced from cumulus–oocyte complexes matured under low (5%) and atmospheric (~20%) oxygen tension. Normalized 5meC signals differed significantly between maternal and paternal pronuclei of oocytes matured in vitro at 5% oxygen (p ≤ 0.05). There was a significant difference of 5meC between maternal pronuclei of oocytes matured at 5% oxygen and 20% oxygen (
p ≤ 0.05). The relative methylation level (normalized fluorescence intensity of paternal pronucleus divided by the normalized fluorescence intensity of maternal pronucleus) subsequent to maturation in vitro at 5% and 20% oxygen was also significantly altered (
p ≤ 0.05). Our results show that the pattern of global DNA methylation in the maternal pronucleus of bovine zygotes is affected by maturing the oocytes under low oxygen tension which may have an impact on early embryonic development. These data may contribute to the understanding of possible effects of IVM conditions on pronucleus reprogramming.
A design method of spatiotemporal optical pulse using level‐set based time domain topology optimization
Authors: Yasuda Hideki , Yamada Takayuki , Nishiwaki Shinji
Published: October 2018

Recently, two emerging areas of photonics research, ultrafast photonics, and nanophotonics have started to come together. One of the main problems in this field is the precise control of spatial and temporal profiles of the optical pulses. In this paper, we propose a design method for user‐specified spatiotemporal optical pulses using a level set‐based time‐domain topology optimization method. In the proposed method, the optimization problem is formulated based on time domain Maxwell equations so that the spatiotemporal optical pulses can be treated directly. The objective function is defined using the envelope information of the pulses, and an efficient way to calculate this information, based on calculations of the complex electromagnetic field, is introduced. A level set‐based topology optimization method is applied to obtain optimized configurations.

Using the proposed method, the spatiotemporal user‐specified pulse profiles can be designed by modifying the structural details of the nanostructures through which the pulses propagate. As a simple example, we demonstrate that the optimized structures focus optical pulses into a single or multiple focal points with a user‐specified pulse‐width. The results show that the proposed method is able to design highly controlled spatiotemporal optical pulses by engineering the nanophotonic structure.
Keratin 17 in disease pathogenesis: from cancer to dermatoses
Authors: Yang Luting , Zhang Shaolong , Wang Gang
Published: October 2018

Keratin 17 (K17) is a type I intermediate filament mainly expressed in the basal cells of epithelia. As a multifaceted cytoskeletal protein, K17 regulates a myriad of biological processes, including cell proliferation and growth, skin inflammation and hair follicle cycling. Aberrant overexpression of K17 is found in various diseases ranging from psoriasis to malignancies such as breast, cervical, oral squamous and gastric carcinomas. Moreover, genetic mutation in KRT17 is related to tissue‐specific diseases, represented by steatocystoma multiplex and pachyonychia congenita. In this review, we summarize our findings concerning the regulatory mechanisms of K17 overexpression in psoriasis and compare them to the literature relating to other diseases. We discuss data that proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐17 (IL‐17), IL‐22, interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) and transcription factors glioma‐associated oncogene homolog 1/2 (Gli1/2), Nrf2 and p53 can regulate K17 by transcriptional and translational control. Moreover, post‐translational modification, including phosphorylation and ubiquitination, is involved in the regulation of K17 stability and biological functions. We therefore review the current understanding of the K17 regulatory mechanism and its pathogenic role in diseases from dermatoses to cancer. Prospects for anti‐K17 therapy in diagnosis, prognosis and disease treatment are also discussed. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular polarity modulates drug resistance in primary colorectal cancers via orientation of the multidrug resistance protein ABCB1
Authors: Ashley Neil , Ouaret Djamila , Bodmer Walter F
Published: October 2018

Colonic epithelial cells are highly polarised with a lumen‐facing apical membrane, termed the brush border, and a basal membrane in contact with the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM). This polarity is often maintained in cancer tissue in the form of neoplastic glands and has prognostic value. We compared the cellular polarity of several ex vivo spheroid colonic cancer cultures with their parental tumours and found that those grown as non‐attached colonies exhibited apical brush border proteins on their outer cellular membranes. Transfer of these cultures to an ECM, such as collagen, re‐established the centralised apical polarity observed in vivo. The multidrug resistance protein ABCB1 also became aberrantly polarised to outer colony membranes in suspension cultures, unlike cultures grown in collagen, where it was polarised to central lumens. This polarity switch was dependent on the presence of serum or selected serum components, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1). The apical/basal orientation of primary cancer colon cultures cultured in collagen/serum was modulated by α2β1 integrin signalling. The polarisation of ABCB1 in colonies significantly altered drug uptake and sensitivity, as the outward polarisation of ABCB1 in suspension colonies effluxed substrates more effectively than ECM‐grown colonies with ABCB1 polarised to central lumens. Thus, serum‐free suspension colonies were more resistant to a variety of anti‐cancer drugs than ECM‐grown colonies. In conclusion, the local stroma, or absence thereof, can have profound effects on the sensitivity of colorectal cultures to drugs that are ABCB1 substrates. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Signal and noise in regime systems: A hypothesis on the predictability of the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Strommen Kristian , Palmer Tim N.
Published: October 2018

Studies conducted by the UK Met Office reported significant skill in predicting the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index with their seasonal prediction system. At the same time, a very low signal‐to‐noise ratio was observed, as measured using the “ratio of predictable components” (RPC) metric. We analyse both the skill and signal‐to‐noise ratio using a new statistical toy model, which assumes NAO predictability is driven by regime dynamics. It is shown that if the system is approximately bimodal in nature, with the model consistently underestimating the level of regime persistence each season, then both the high skill and high RPC value of the Met Office hindcasts can easily be reproduced. Underestimation of regime persistence could be attributable to any number of sources of model error, including imperfect regime structure or errors in the propagation of teleconnections. In particular, a high RPC value for a seasonal mean prediction may be expected even if the model's internal level of noise is realistic.
Temperature‐dependent approach to chemical reactivity concepts in density functional theory
Authors: Gázquez José L. , Franco‐Pérez Marco , Ayers Paul W. , Vela Alberto
Published: October 2018

The chemical reactivity concepts of density functional theory are studied through a unified view in the temperature‐dependent approach provided by the grand canonical ensemble. This procedure leads to a more general perspective that enriches our understanding of the behavior of the average energy and its derivatives with respect to the average number of electrons, provides alternative definitions for those quantities that are “ill defined” at zero temperature, and allows one to determine the relationships among reactivity concepts at any temperature. In particular, it has been found that at high temperatures the parabolic model for reactivity indicators may be justified through the electronic entropy term in the Helmholtz free energy, and that at nonzero temperatures there is an electronic heat capacity contribution to the average energy. In summary, the unified view of the temperature‐dependent approach is an important complement to the zero‐temperature formulation that clarifies fundamental issues therein.
The influence of spatial limits on the modeling chemical reactivity: The example of CO2 hydration in MeX zeolites (Me = K, Rb, Cs)
Authors: Rybakov Andrey A. , Bryukhanov Ilya A. , Trubnikov Dmitrii N. , Larin Alexander V.
Published: October 2018

Zeolite cell size variations upon cationic exchange are frequently disregarded while calculating chemical reactions with rather bulky reagents. An example of the reaction between the small reagents (H2O and CO2) illustrates a necessity to check this assumption for faujasite (FAU) zeolites with large porous space. The interplay of the space for the reaction center and the mobility of alkali cations forces lattice parameters to play a crucial role for the accurate computation of activation barrier of CO2 hydration. While the CO2 hydration is modeled in the MeX forms (Me = Rb, or Cs) with a fixed volume of NaX one, barrierless reactions were predicted that is not confirmed by experimental data. When the RbX and CsX cell parameters were optimized with Vienna Ab‐initio Simulation Package (VASP), activation energies were obtained in agreement with the experimental data that CO2 hydration in CsX occurs at room temperature.
3D 3C‐SiC/Graphene Hybrid Nanolaminate Films for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Heuser Steffen , Yang Nianjun , Hof Felix , Schulte Anna , Schönherr Holger , Jiang Xin
Published: October 2018

High‐performance supercapacitors feature big and stable capacitances and high power and energy densities. To fabricate high‐performance supercapacitors, 3D 3C‐SiC/graphene hybrid nanolaminate films are grown via a microwave plasma‐assisted chemical vapor deposition technique. Such films consist of 3D alternating structures of vertically aligned 3C‐SiC and graphene layers, leading to high surface areas and excellent conductivity. They are further applied as the capacitor electrodes to construct electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) and pseudocapacitors (PCs) in both aqueous and organic solutions. The capacitance for an EDLC in aqueous solutions is up to 549.9 µF cm−2, more than 100 times higher than that of an epitaxial 3C‐SiC film. In organic solutions, it is 297.3 µF cm−2. The pseudocapacitance in redox‐active species (0.05 Fe(CN)6
3−/4−) contained aqueous solutions is as high as 62.2 mF cm−2. The capacitance remains at 98% of the initial value after 2500 charging/discharging cycles, indicating excellent cyclic stability. In redox‐active species (0.01 m ferrocene) contained organic solutions, it is 16.6 mF cm−2. Energy and power densities of a PC in aqueous solution are 11.6 W h kg−1 and 5.1 kW kg−1, respectively. These vertically aligned 3C‐SiC/graphene hybrid nanolaminate films are thus promising electrode materials for energy storage applications.
Tumor‐pH‐Responsive Dissociable Albumin–Tamoxifen Nanocomplexes Enabling Efficient Tumor Penetration and Hypoxia Relief for Enhanced Cancer Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Yang Zhijuan , Chen Qian , Chen Jiawen , Dong Ziliang , Zhang Rui , Liu Jingjing , Liu Zhuang
Published: October 2018

Despite the promises of applying nano‐photosensitizers (nano‐PSs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancer, severe tumor hypoxia and limited tumor penetration of nano‐PSs would lead to nonoptimized therapeutic outcomes of PDT. Therefore, herein a biocompatible nano‐PS is prepared by using tamoxifen (TAM), an anti‐estrogen compound, to induce self‐assembly of chlorin e6 (Ce6) modified human serum albumin (HSA). The formed HSA–Ce6/TAM nanocomplexes, which are stable under neutral pH with a diameter of ≈130 nm, would be dissociated into individual HSA–Ce6 and TAM molecules under the acidic tumor microenvironment, owing to the pH responsive transition of TAM from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. Upon systemic administration, such HSA–Ce6/TAM nanoparticles exhibit prolonged blood circulation and high accumulation in the tumor, where it would undergo rapid pH responsive dissociation to enable obviously enhanced intratumoral penetration of HSA–Ce6. Furthermore, utilizing the ability of TAM in reducing the oxygen consumption of cancer cells, it is found that HSA–Ce6/TAM after systemic administration could efficiently attenuate the tumor hypoxia status. Those effects acting together lead to remarkably enhanced PDT treatment. This work presents a rather simple approach to fabricate smart nano‐PSs with multiple functions integrated into a single system via self‐assembly of all‐biocompatible components, promising for the next generation cancer PDT.