bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial
Authors: Matiello Vaz Caroline De Fátima
Published: April 2019

Editorial
Corpus-Based Study on Dictation in TEM4 Preparatory Materials
Authors: Yang ZHANG , Chen YANG
Published: April 2019

Corpora has been widely used in language teaching and learning nowadays. The use of corpora facilitates teachers for effective language teaching, meanwhile it provides valuable materials for the language learners to learn the language. The current study focuses on the self-designed corpus in dictation part in TEM4 and aims to explore if there any difference exists in the three sets of materials (TEM4 dictation, TEM4 mock and listening textbook dictation). The author finds that TEM4 dictation enjoys higher quality compared with the other two types of the material. In addition, the listening textbook dictation covers most topics that exist in TEM4 dictation. The mock test dictation fails to cover as much relevant information as possible. Such findings will be helpful for the test-takers to prepare the TEM4 dictation.
Exploring Website Preferences for African American Women: An Evaluation of an Internet-Based Source of Health Information on Eating Healthy and Being Active
Authors: Tettey Naa-Solo , Wallace Barbara
Published: April 2019

INTRODUCTION: Internet-based health interventions continue to be popular and effective, and one area of focus of such interventions is weight loss. Although African-American women are regular users of Internet-based health interventions, there is a dearth of research regarding Internet usage and website preferences of this group. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between website attributes that influence African American women to use health-related websites, their stage of change for using the Internet to access information on health care, and predictor variables for website ratings.

METHODS: The study used a backwards stepwise regression analysis to determine the best predictor of high ratings of the Eat Healthy - Be Active web portal and the Rating and Evaluating Health Care Websites Survey to measure website attitudes and beliefs and stage of change for using the computer and Internet to access health care information. The participants were 206 African American women who use the Internet.

RESULTS: The regression analysis indicated that the predictor variables were education level, BMI, and weight.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that various factors influence the effectiveness of Internet-based interventions targeted at African-American women. Future research should continue to explore these factors, particularly for groups with higher rates of preventable diseases.
Yoga Therapy for Chronic Tension-Type Headache
Authors: Sharma Neha , John PJ , Sharma Chandra M , Vaidya Ram
Published: April 2019

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of yoga therapy for Chronic Tension-Type Headache.

METHOD: 68 patients diagnosed with chronic tension-type headache were included in 12- week yoga therapy program. All patients completed baseline assessments before starting the intervention and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks completing the yoga therapy. Headache frequency, duration, intensity and analgesics use were recorded through headache diaries.

RESULT: Compared with baseline values, mean headache days reduced 51% after 4-week of intervention which continued to reduce by 78% by end of 12 weeks. Comparing from baseline, at 12-week, duration of each headache attack also significantly (P < 0.0001) shortened as well as headache intensity (p < 0.0001). Days with medication per four weeks at post intervention were lower than those at the baseline.

CONCLUSION: The study provided preliminary evidence that yoga therapy can be clinically useful for chronic tension-type headache. Further randomised controlled trial is needed.
Lexical bundles in learner and expert academic writing
Authors: Navarro Gil Noelia , Martínez Caro Elena
Published: April 2019

Lexical bundles (LBs) have been described as the ‘building blocks of discourse’; in addition to being highly frequent in writing and reducing processing time for readers and writers, they also perform important functions in language. LB choice, however, can vary according to genre, discipline, and different sections of the same text, which poses a challenge for novice L2 writers. This paper explores the use of LBs in a learner corpus of bachelor dissertations written in English by Spanish L1 students in linguistics and medicine, and compares it with published research articles in the same disciplines. By focusing on the introduction and conclusion sections, we identify the most frequent 3-, 4- and 5-word bundles in the corpora, to later study their types, structures, and functions. The results show differences in the use of LBs across disciplines, genres and sections, suggesting pedagogical implications for the inclusion of LBs in the L2 writing curriculum.
Knowledge and practice regarding neonatal pain management in the opinion of nurses and midwives working in Polish neonatal units
Authors: Panek Magdalena , Kwinta Przemko
Published: April 2019

Nurses and midwives working in neonatal units play a key role in the assessment and treatment of pain. Due to their nature of work, which is based on continuous observation of the patient, they constitute a professional group that responds to changes in the child’s general condition. Thanks to this, the physicians get information about pain intensity or the need of pain treatment, which is relevant among patients who cannot report any symptoms of pain by themselves. The aim of the study was to describe nurses’ and midwives’ basic knowledge about pain and the practice regarding procedural pain assessment and management in Polish neonatal care units. The studies were carried out among 617 nurses and midwives working in neonatal units in Poland. We collected data by using a researcher-developed questionnaire. The significance level was set at p<0.5. 30% of nurses never used non-pharmacological methods of pain relief before painful procedures. Moreover, the higher the level of reference, the more often no non-pharmacological methods were used. Knowledge related to the basic problems associated with pain can be described as insufficient (Me = 4). Frequent use of sedation drugs has also been reported (III level NICU: phenobarbital po / pr: 72.8% of respondents, opioids - 34.9%, II level NICU: phenobarbital po / pr 45.2%, opioids: 4.5%). The longer nurses and midwives worked, the lower the frequency of use of pain assessment tools was (p = 0.0048, R = -0.113). The lack of appropriate pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain treatment and lack of use of pain scales are a significant problem in the care of newborns. Our research indicates the need for education in the field of pain assessment and treatment methods in newborns.
Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula in an adult: a case report and radiologic review
Authors: Kim Bo Sung , Kang Eun-Ju , Lee Ki-Nam , Choi Pil Jo
Published: April 2019

Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula (BEF) is rarely reported in adults in the English literature. Herein, we present a rare case of congenital BEF in a 43-year-old man that was incidentally found on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Chest CT and barium esophagography revealed a fistula between his lower esophagus and the right lower lobe segmental bronchus. After the fistula was surgically treated, the fistula was no longer noted on follow-up barium esophagography.
Plasticity of Escherichia coli cell wall metabolism promotes fitness and antibiotic resistance across environmental conditions
Authors: Mueller Elizabeth A , Egan Alexander JF , Breukink Eefjan , Vollmer Waldemar , Levin Petra Anne
Published: April 2019

Although the peptidoglycan cell wall is an essential structural and morphological feature of most bacterial cells, the extracytoplasmic enzymes involved in its synthesis are frequently dispensable under standard culture conditions. By modulating a single growth parameter—extracellular pH—we discovered a subset of these so-called ‘redundant’ enzymes in Escherichia coli are required for maximal fitness across pH environments. Among these pH specialists are the class A penicillin binding proteins PBP1a and PBP1b; defects in these enzymes attenuate growth in alkaline and acidic conditions, respectively. Genetic, biochemical, and cytological studies demonstrate that synthase activity is required for cell wall integrity across a wide pH range and influences pH-dependent changes in resistance to cell wall active antibiotics. Altogether, our findings reveal previously thought to be redundant enzymes are instead specialized for distinct environmental niches. This specialization may ensure robust growth and cell wall integrity in a wide range of conditions.

Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
Hitting pause on the cell cycle
Authors: Eekhout Thomas , De Veylder Lieven
Published: April 2019

Two recently discovered transcription factors stop cells from dividing when plants face extreme heat and DNA damage.
Talemålsendring i Valdres – i retning av kva?
Authors: Kvåle Karen Marie
Published: April 2019

Navnet i den opprinnelige papirutgaven var feil. Det riktige navnet skal være Karen Marie Kvåle.
Evidence for an oncogenic role of HOXC6 in human non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Yingcheng , Tang Xiaoping , Song Xueqin , Tang Li , Cao Yong , Liu Xu , Wang Xiaoyan , Li Yan , Yu Minglan , Wan Haisu , Chen Feng
Published: April 2019

Background

Identification of specific biomarkers is important for the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). HOXC6 is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that is highly expressed in several human cancers; however, its role in NSCLC remains unknown.

Methods

The expression and protein levels of HOXC6 were assessed in NSCLC tissue samples by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. HOXC6 was transfected into the NSCLC cell lines A549 and PC9, and used to investigate its effect on proliferation, migration, and invasion using CFSE, wound healing, and Matrigel invasion assays. Next-generation sequencing was also used to identify downstream targets of HOXC6 and to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying its biological function.

Results

HOXC6 expression was significantly increased in 66.6% (20/30) of NSCLC tumor samples in comparison to normal controls. HOXC6 promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated the upregulation of 310 and 112 genes in A549-HOXC6 and PC9-HOXC6 cells, respectively, and the downregulation of 665 and 385 genes in A549-HOXC6 and PC9-HOXC6 cells, respectively. HOXC6 was also found to regulate the expression of genes such as CEACAM6, SPARC, WNT6, CST1, MMP2, and KRT13, which have documented pro-tumorigenic functions.

Discussion

HOXC6 is highly expressed in NSCLC, and it may enhance lung cancer progression by regulating the expression of pro-tumorigenic genes involved in proliferation, migration, and invasion. Our study highlighted the oncogenic potential of HOXC6, and suggests that it may be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.
From climate zone to microhabitat—environmental factors affecting the coastal distribution of tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in the south-eastern European biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Jaskuła Radomir , Płóciennik Mateusz , Schwerk Axel
Published: April 2019

Background

Tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) are predatory insects usually occurring in various sandy habitats. In south-eastern Europe, especially in lowland areas located close to the sea coast, the diversity of Cicindelidae is one of the highest in the Palaearctic realm. Although previous studies conducted in different areas of the world show that many species are habitat specialists, unfortunately little is known about environmental factors affecting the diversity and distribution of tiger beetles in this region.

Material and Methods

Habitat preferences for 12 tiger beetles taxa were analysed. Over 100 samples collected in eight countries located in coastal areas of the Black and Mediterranean Seas were studied, for which climate data, macrohabitat types, and soil parameters (soil humidity, salinity, pH, and structure) were investigated.

Results

Most studied Cicindelidae were characterised by narrow or very narrow habitat specialisation and did not co-occur with other ones, including 11 taxa found as habitat specialists occurring only in one or two types of macrohabitat. The most eurythopic species wasCalomera littoralis nemoraliswhich occupied four macrohabitat types. The climatic zone, altitude, and humidity were found as the most important factors in the distribution of the studied tiger beetle species. Salt marshes and sandy sea beaches were noted as the most diverse macrohabitat types.

Discussion

Tiger beetle fauna of south-eastern Europe consists mainly of habitat specialists sensitive to environmental changes, which makes these beetles perfect bioindicators. Moreover, as a great number of studied Cicindelidae taxa occur in habitats which are under a significant human impact, we suggest that in the studied area the group can be successfully used as a flagship taxon for insect and nature conservation.
Assessment of Consumption and Income Generation between Palm Wine and Other Industrial Beverages in Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Ancha P. U. , Tee T. N. , Ugbe J. A.
Published: April 2019

The study was conducted to provide information on the level of consumption and income from palm wine and other industrial beverages in Cross River State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 82 sampled palm wine retailers in three geopolitical zones in the State. Semi-structured questionnaire, personal observations and focus group discussions were used to obtain data from retailers. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study showed that consumption level of palm wine per day in the zones were in the order, Northern (33.3 L) > Central (24.8 L) > Southern (19.4 L). However, the consumption levels of palm wine from the Central and Southern Zones were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other. The Consumption level of other alcoholic beverages; Harp, Goldberg, Origin, Dry gin, Heineken, Stout, Gulder, and Star per day in the zones were in the order Northern (23.9 L)> Central (20.4 L) >Southern (17.6 L). The income level from palm wine was N1845.54, N1538.40 and N837.60 from the Northern, Central and Southern Zones, respectively. Total Performance Index based on taste, availability, and cost shows that mean daily consumption level of palm wine was higher than all the other alcoholic beverages in the study area. The study recommends that Government and other development stakeholders on economic and environment should play greater role in promoting potential entrepreneurship in palm wine as a viable alternative source of livelihood through creation of awareness and better incentives for sustainable management of this natural forest resource.
Improving metacognition: A comparison of interventions
Authors: Saenz Gabriel D. , Geraci Lisa , Tirso Robert
Published: April 2019

Accurate knowledge monitoring is critical to the learning process, as it allows one to regulate studying and test preparation. Thus, a number of investigations have attempted to improve metacognition in the classroom, with the ultimate goal of improving student exam performance. However, such interventions have had inconsistent success using varying paradigms. We compared the effectiveness of five interventions aimed at improving prediction accuracy in a laboratory environment: review, salient feedback, motivation warning lecture, incentives, and reflection. Only the salient feedback and the motivation warning lecture interventions significantly improved participants' prediction accuracy from test 1 to test 2. Review, incentives, and reflection did not improve predictive or postdictive calibration. Well‐timed salient feedback and a lecture warning students not to be biased by desired grades were effective methods of improving calibration accuracy. Results offer effective interventions to improve metacognition that could be used in a classroom setting.
Tunable Mechanical Metamaterial with Constrained Negative Stiffness for Improved Quasi‐Static and Dynamic Energy Dissipation
Authors: Morris Clinton , Bekker Logan , Spadaccini Christopher , Haberman Michael , Seepersad Carolyn
Published: April 2019

This paper presents the computational design, fabrication, and experimental validation of a mechanical metamaterial in which the damping of the material is significantly increased without decreasing the stiffness by embedding a small volume fraction of negative stiffness (NS) inclusions within it. Unlike other systems that dissipate energy primarily through large‐amplitude deformation of nonlinear structures, this metamaterial dissipates energy by amplifying linear strains in the viscoelastic host material. By macroscopically tuning the pre‐strain of the metamaterial via mechanical loading, the embedded NS inclusions operate about a constrained buckling instability. When further macroscopic vibrational excitation is applied, the inclusions amplify the strains of the surrounding viscoelastic medium. This results in enhanced dissipation of mechanical energy when compared to voided or neat comparison media. Microstereolithography, an emerging high‐resolution additive manufacturing (AM) technology, is employed to fabricate the deeply subwavelength inclusions which ensures broadband damping behavior. The mechanically induced broadband energy dissipation and manufacturing approach further differentiate the metamaterial from other approaches that exploit resonances, large deformations, or non‐mechanical instabilities. The computational design, fabrication, and experimental evaluation reported is the first dynamic demonstration of such a mechanically tunable NS metamaterial, potentially enabling components with integrated structural and damping capabilities.
Parent‐reported prevalence of food allergies in children with autism spectrum disorder: National health interview survey, 2011–2015
Authors: Tan Yuling , Thomas Shiny , Lee Brian K.
Published: April 2019

Food allergies are frequently reported to co‐occur with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the prevalence of this co‐occurrence remains uncertain. In the present study, we examined parent‐reported prevalence of co‐occurring food allergy and ASD in a nationally representative sample of US children ages 2–17 in the National Health Interview Survey, study years 2011–2015. All analyses used survey weights to account for the complex sampling design. In the analytic sample of 53,365 children ages 2–17, there were 905 children with parent‐reported ASD (prevalence of 1.7%) and 2,977 children with parent‐reported food allergy (prevalence of 5.6%). Parent‐reported food allergies were nearly 2.5 times more common in children with ASD (prevalence of 13.1%) than in children without ASD (5.4%). These results indicate that food allergies commonly co‐occur with ASD, which may have etiological implications. Autism Research 2019, 12: 802–805. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Food allergies are frequently reported to occur with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the prevalence of this co‐occurrence remains uncertain. In the present study, we examined parent‐reported prevalence of co‐occurring food allergy and ASD in a nationally representative sample of United States children. In the sample of 53,365 children ages 2–17, 1.7% of children were reported to have ASD, and 5.6% were reported to have food allergies. Parent‐reported food allergies were nearly 2.5 times more common in children with ASD (13.1%) than in children without ASD (5.4%).
Dynamic Profile Monitoring for Flooding Prognosis in Packed Columns
Authors: Liu Yi , Hseuh Bo-Fan , Gao Zengliang , Wong David Shan Hill , Yao Yuan
Published: April 2019

In the chemical industry, real‐time flooding prognosis is a necessity for packed‐column operation because the flooding phenomenon interferes with the performance of production systems. In this work, the profile monitoring technique is utilized to capture the dynamic behavior of pressure drop, which is an important indicator for the flooding phenomenon. In each moving window, the pressure drop signals are described by using an exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic model. The onset of the flooding phenomenon is then indicated by changes in model parameters. Moreover, to efficiently capture the process change, a nonparametric approach is utilized to establish a statistical control chart. Experimental and comparison results show the advantages of the proposed method.
Probing the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Charge Transfer on Platinum Electrodes on Femtosecond Timescales
Authors: Zwaschka G. , Tong Y. , Wolf M. , Kramer Campen R.
Published: April 2019

Despite much study, the mechanism of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on Pt is still controversial. Part of the challenge is that any comprehensive mechanism may have to describe processes on timescales from femtoseconds (interfacial electron transfer) to milliseconds (ion diffusion). Here we separate these timescales using a femtosecond perturbation approach: we collect cyclic voltammograms from several Pt electrodes with and without femtosecond laser irradiation. We find that laser irradiation at biases near hydrogen evolution lowers the barrier for H2 generation, while in the H under potential deposition range it induces partial charge transfer along the Pt−H bond and interfacial dipole (re)arrangement. The trend in ultrafast partial charge transfer we measure,
microelectrode, is the same as for H2 generation suggesting insight into both ultrafast electron transfer and slow double layer structural change is required to describe the HER mechanism.
A Series of Dibenzofuran‐Based n‐Type Exciplex Host Partners Realizing High‐Efficiency and Stable Deep‐Red Phosphorescent OLEDs
Authors: Ito Takashi , Sasabe Hisahiro , Nagai Yuji , Watanabe Yuichiro , Onuma Natsuki , Kido Junji
Published: April 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue is Hisahiro Sasabe, Junji Kido, and co‐workers at Yamagata University in Japan. The image depicts that highly efficient and stable deep red illumination significantly facilitates plant growth. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201805907.
Hydrodynamic Instabilities of Adhering Droplets Due to a Shear Flow in a Rectangular Channel
Authors: Barwari Beawer , Burgmann Sebastian , Janoske Uwe
Published: April 2019

This paper reports on the hydrodynamic droplet instabilities of different sizes and viscosities due to shear forces in a rectangular channel. Water‐glycerine droplets of different volumes are investigated. A new and nonambiguous definition for the critical velocity of droplet detachment and a new mathematical correlation between the critical velocity vcrit and the fluid properties are presented. The measurements show that vcrit decreases with the droplet volume but at the same time the contour deformation increases. With increasing viscosity of the liquid droplet, i.e., higher glycerine mass fraction, the contour deformation becomes more prominent and an increase in vcrit can be observed. With respect to the fluid properties and droplet volumes, three different motion patterns are detected.
Promotive Effect of Bicarbonate Ion on Two‐Electron Water Oxidation to Form H2O2 Catalyzed by Aluminum Porphyrins
Authors: Kuttassery Fazalurahman , Sebastian Abin , Mathew Siby , Tachibana Hiroshi , Inoue Haruo
Published: April 2019

Two‐electron water oxidation initiated by one‐electron oxidation of aluminum porphyrins (AlTMPyP) is an alternative water oxidation to the conventional four‐electron pathway and could help to avoid the bottleneck subject of photon‐flux density in artificial photosynthesis. Here, a dramatic enhancement of the reactivity by bicarbonate ion in the two‐electron water oxidation to form H2O2 is reported. An addition of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) controlled both catalytic current and product selectivity of the two‐electron water oxidation to enhance the activity of AlTMPyP at pH≈10–11. Controlled potential electrolysis experiments at different concentrations of Na2CO3 (10–100 mm) showed that peroxide selectivity was improved up to approximately 73 % by the increase of [Na2CO3] added to the system. The promotion of the reaction cycle was induced by an enhanced dynamic capturing of H2O2 from the hydroperoxy complex of AlTMPyP through an attack of a bicarbonate ion. The detailed electrochemical studies and product selectivity indicated that the bicarbonate ion served as a good cofactor for producing H2O2 from water. At stronger alkaline conditions (pH 12.5), however, a retardative effect of the addition of Na2CO3 on the catalytic reactivity was observed.
Book Review
Authors: Bugeja Michael
Published: April 2019

Leading Academic Change: Vision, Strategy, Transformation
Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking evaluation, antidepressant, and anti‐Alzheimer effects of dibenzylidene ketone derivatives
Authors: Bashir Muhammad Adnan , Khan Arif‐ullah , Badshah Haroon , Rodrigues‐Filho Edson , Din Zia Ud , Khan Aslam
Published: April 2019

Novel bioactive compounds as synthetic analogs of the potent herbal medicines can be optimized as potential drug candidates for various neurologic disorders. This study was performed to investigate the newly synthesized dibenzylidene ketone derivatives: (2E,6E)‐2,6‐dibenzylidene cyclohexanone (A1K1) and (1E,4E)‐5‐(2,3‐dichlorophenyl)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐methylpenta‐1,4‐diene‐3‐one (A2K2) and evaluate its potential anti‐Alzheimer's and anti‐depressant properties. Both the derivatives are chemically characterized by using HNMR and CNMR techniques. Auto Dock Vina program was used to investigate ligand‐protein affinity. Forced swim test, tail suspension test, open field test, Y‐maze test, and Morris water maze test (MWM) models were employed to evaluate anti‐depressant and anti‐Alzheimer's activity of dibenzylidene ketone derivatives in mice. Both A1K1 and A2K2 showed high binding affinities against various proteins involved in depression and Alzheimer's mechanisms like monoamine oxidase B, acetylcholinesterase, norepinephrine transporter 2, serotonin transporter, dopamine receptor, serotonin receptor modulator, and beta‐amyloid targets. A1K1 and A2K2 dose‐dependently (0.1–1 mg/kg) decreased immobility time, while increased swimming and climbing time of mice in forced swim test (FST). A1K1 and A2K2 decreased animal immobility time in TST. In the open field test, both A1K1 and A2K2 increased the number of ambulations and rearings. A1K1 and A2K2 dose‐dependently (0.5–1.0 mg/kg) increased spontaneous alternation behavior (%) and the number of entries of mice in Y‐maze test. In the MWM test, A1K1 and A2K2 decreased escape latency time. Overall, both in‐silico and in‐vivo investigations of A1K1 and A2K2, report their therapeutic potential for antidepressant and anti‐Alzheimer properties. Hence, these compounds possess potent neuroprotective properties and may be further evaluated for their therapeutic potential in various neurological disorders.
Mixed‐severity wildfire and habitat of an old‐forest obligate
Authors: Lesmeister Damon B. , Sovern Stan G. , Davis Raymond J. , Bell David M. , Gregory Matthew J. , Vogeler Jody C.
Published: April 2019

The frequency, extent, and severity of wildfire strongly influence the structure and function of ecosystems. Mixed‐severity fire regimes are the most complex and least understood fire regimes, and variability of fire severity can occur at fine spatial and temporal scales, depending on previous disturbance history, topography, fuel continuity, vegetation type, and weather. During high fire weather in 2013, a complex of mixed‐severity wildfires burned across multiple ownerships within the Klamath‐Siskiyou ecoregion of southwestern Oregon where northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) demographics were studied since 1990. A year prior to these wildfires, high‐resolution, remotely sensed forest structural information derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) data was acquired for an area that fully covered the extent of these fires. To quantify wildfire impact on northern spotted owl nesting/roosting habitat, we fit a relative habitat suitability model based on pre‐fire locations used for nesting and roosting, and forest structure variables developed from 2012 lidar data. Our pre‐fire habitat suitability model predicted nesting/roosting locations well, and variable response functions followed known resource selection patterns. These forests had typical characteristics of old‐growth forest, with high density of large live trees, high canopy cover, and complex structure in canopy height. We projected the pre‐fire model onto lidar data collected two months post‐fire to produce a post‐fire suitability map, which indicated that >93% of pre‐fire habitat that burned at high severity was no longer suitable forest for nesting and roosting. We also quantified the probability that pre‐fire nesting/roosting habitat would burn at each severity class (unburned/low, low, moderate, high). Pre‐fire nesting/roosting habitat had lower probability of burning at moderate or high severity compared to other forest types under high burning conditions. Our results indicate that northern spotted owl habitat can buffer the negative effects of climate change by enhancing biodiversity and resistance to high‐severity fires, which are predicted to increase in frequency and extent with climate change. Within this region, protecting large blocks of old forests could be an integral component of management plans that successfully maintain variability of forests in this mixed‐ownership and mixed‐severity fire regime landscape and enhance conservation of many species.
Improving Electrochemical Performance of Carbon Felt Anode by Modifying With Akaganeite in Marine Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhao Y.‐G. , Ying M. , Fu Y.‐B. , Chen W.
Published: April 2019

Enhancing the electrochemical performance of anode is a critical step for improving the power output of marine benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs). An active anode involving the akaganeite (β‐FeOOH)‐coated carbon felt was proposed in present study. Results showed that electrochemical performance of modified anode was significantly improved. The peak current density of oxidation reaction increased from 0.664 to 6.107 A m−2. The exchange current density was improved from 11.75 × 10−3 to 151.36 × 10−3 mA cm−2. Electron transfer resistance decreased from 13.4 to 1.407 Ω, while the surface capacitance dramatically increased. The maximum power density of the BMFCs equipped with modified anode approached to 504.2 mW m−2, 2.3 times higher than that with unmodified anode. Moreover, relative abundance of dissimilatory iron reducing bacteria (DIRB) on the modified anode increased. Finally, a molecule synergetic mechanism containing electrostatic interaction and bacteria recognition between DIRB and β‐FeOOH was proposed to interpret the improvement of modified anode.
A Novel Single Sensor Variable Step Size Maximum Power Point Tracking for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power System
Authors: Harrag A. , Bahri H.
Published: April 2019

This paper proposes a novel single sensor variable step size maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. This paper is a first, if modest, attempt to develop a single sensor MPPT for fuel cell systems. The proposed MPPT algorithm uses only one sensor to track the maximum power of PEM fuel system composed of 7 kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) powering 50 Ω resistive load via a DC–DC boost converter driven using the proposed MPPT. The performances of the proposed controller have been evaluated using the implemented PEM fuel cell power system Matlab/Simulink model using two test scenarios considering temperature and hydrogen pressure variation. Simulation results show that the proposed controller can effectively track the maximum power point using only one sensor which reduces the cost as well as the complexity of the PEM fuel cell power system. Comparative results with the two sensors MPPT show that the two sensors MPPT outperforms the single sensor MPPT regarding the dynamic performances. However, the proposed single sensor MPPT performs better considering the static performances. In addition, the proposed controller reduces drastically the current ripple increasing by the way the fuel cell efficiency and lifetime by reducing the frequent trip due to over‐current and even harmonics.
Effects of nicergoline treatment on regional cerebral blood flow in early Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Im Jooyeon J. , Jeong Hyeonseok , Oh Jin Kyoung , Chung Yong‐An , Song In‐Uk , Lee Kwang‐Soo
Published: April 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with reduction of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in various brain regions. Although nicergoline has been used to treat cognitive impairment in various types of dementia, the effect of nicergoline on brain perfusion in AD has not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of nicergoline on rCBF in patients with early AD using technetium‐99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). For 1.7 years on average, 22 patients with early AD received nicergoline (30 mg twice daily) and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI), whereas other 22 patients received AChEI only. All patients underwent assessment of dementia severity and SPECT scans at baseline and follow‐up. We compared baseline rCBF and annual percent change of rCBF between the two groups. There were no significant differences in rCBF between the groups at baseline. Although changes in dementia severity was not statistically different, the annual percent changes of rCBF were higher in the left temporal pole (−0.12 ± 3.95 vs −3.38 ± 3.30, P = 0.002) and middle cingulate gyrus (1.91 ± 3.58 vs −1.34 ± 3.17, P = 0.002) among the nicergoline group. Our study demonstrated that nicergoline treatment combined with AChEI either better preserves or further improves cerebral perfusion in the temporal and cingulate cortices in patients with early AD compared to AChEI treatment alone. These results may indicate potential beneficial effects of nicergoline on brain functions in AD.
Investigation of brain functional connectivity in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) study
Authors: Nguyen Thien , Kim Minhee , Gwak Jeonghwan , Lee Jang J. , Choi Kyu Y. , Lee Kun H. , Kim Jae G.
Published: April 2019

This study examines brain functional connectivity in both cognitively normal seniors and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to elucidate prospective markers of MCI. A homemade four‐channel functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system was employed to measure hemodynamic responses in the subjects' prefrontal cortex during a resting state, an oddball task, a 1‐back task, and a verbal fluency task. Brain functional connectivity was calculated as the Pearson correlation coefficients between fNIRS channels. The results show that during the verbal fluency task, while the healthy control (HC) group presents a significantly stronger inter‐hemispheric connectivity compared to intra‐hemispheric connectivity, there is no difference between the inter‐ and intra‐hemispheric connectivity in the MCI group. In addition, a comparison between the MCI and HC connectivity reveals that the MCI group has a statistically higher right and inter‐hemispheric connectivity during the resting state, but a significantly lower left and inter‐hemispheric connectivity during the verbal fluency test. These findings demonstrate the potential of fNIRS to study brain functional connectivity in neurodegenerative diseases.
Bone‐specific kinetic model to quantify periosteal and endosteal blood flow using indocyanine green in fluorescence guided orthopedic surgery
Authors: Elliott Jonathan T. , Jiang Shudong , Pogue Brian W. , Gitajn Ida L.
Published: April 2019

This letter describes a hybrid plug/compartment (HyPC) kinetic model to fit dynamic indocyanine green fluorescence data acquired in a porcine model of long bone traumatic fracture. Parametric images of periosteal blood flow, endosteal blood flow, total bone blood flow and fraction of endosteal‐to‐periosteal flow were obtained by applying the HyPC model on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis. Intraoperative discrimination between healthy and damaged bone could facilitate debridement reducing post‐operative complications from non‐union and infection. The ability to quantify periosteal and endosteal blood flow could inform nail vs. plate‐and‐screw decisions to avoid further compromising cortical blood supply.
Treatment of lidocaine on subacute thyroiditis via restraining inflammatory factor expression and inhibiting pyroptosis pathway
Authors: Yang Xi , Yang Liu‐Xue , Wu Ji , Guo Man‐Li , Zhang Yong , Ma Shao‐Gang
Published: April 2019

Background: To explore the role of lidocaine on subacute thyroiditis (SAT) and the molecular mechanism.

Methods: SAT models were constructed by infecting adenovirus to thyroid follicular epithelial cells. Cells were randomly divided into five groups: model group, low lidocaine, middle lidocaine, high lidocaine, and a control group. Thyroid secretion related factors TG and TPO, T3 and T4 were separately determined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and radioimmunoassay. Flow cytometry was used to determine thyroid follicular epithelial cell apoptosis situation. RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine the expression of inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis related factors interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐6, THF‐α, ELAVL1, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase‐1, and IL‐1β.

Results: Lidocaine decreased the relative level of TG, TPO, T3, and T4 in adenovirus‐infected thyroid follicular epithelial cells. All levels of concentrations, including low, middle, and high, of lidocaine, significantly decreased the apoptosis rate of adenovirus‐infected cells. Lidocaine dramatically reduced the protein expression of IL‐1α, IL‐6, THF‐α, ELAVL1, NLRP3, caspase‐1, and IL‐1β in adenovirus‐infected thyroid follicular epithelial cells.

Conclusion: Lidocaine can improve SAT through inhibiting expression of inflammatory factors and the pyroptosis pathway.
Human cytomegalovirus IL-10 augments NK cell cytotoxicity
Authors: Holder Kayla A , Grant Michael D
Published: April 2019

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) persistently infects most of the adult population with periods of productive and latent infection differentially orchestrated by multiple HCMV-encoded gene products. One HCMV gene (UL111a) encodes cmvIL-10, a virokine homologous to human IL (hIL)-10. Although the effects of cmvIL-10 on most human lymphocyte subsets have been extensively studied, its impact on NK cell function was unreported prior to this study. We investigated effects of short-term cmvIL-10 exposure on human NK cells and found it substantially enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity through natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp30 and NKp46 as well as through C-type lectin-like receptors NKG2C and NKG2D. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity triggered through CD16 also increased significantly with short-term cmvIL-10 exposure. These effects of cmvIL-10 on NK cell cytotoxicity were rapid, dose dependent, neutralized by polyclonal anti-cmvIL-10 or monoclonal anti-IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) antibodies and independent of increased perforin synthesis or up-regulation of activating receptors. A low percentage (0.5–5.4%; n = 12) of NK cells expressed IL-10R and the impact of cmvIL-10 on NK cells degranulation following CD16 stimulation directly correlated with this percentage (P = 0.0218). Short-term exposure of human NK cells to cmvIL-10 did not introduce phenotypic changes reminiscent of NK adaptation to HCMV infection in vivo. Determining how expression of a viral protein that activates NK cells contributes to their function in vivo will increase understanding of HCMV infection and NK cell biology.
Comparative evaluation of the new GRPR‐antagonist 111In‐SB9 and 111In‐AMBA in prostate cancer models: Implications of in vivo stability
Authors: Lymperis Emmanouil , Kaloudi Aikaterini , Kanellopoulos Panagiotis , Krenning Eric P. , de Jong Marion , Maina Theodosia , Nock Berthold A.
Published: April 2019

Gastrin‐releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed in prostate cancer, representing attractive targets for diagnosis and therapy with bombesin (BBN)‐like radioligands. GRPR‐antagonists have lately attracted much attention owing to inherent biosafety and favorable pharmacokinetics. We herein present the GRPR‐antagonist SB9 structurally resembling the known BBN‐based agonist AMBA (SB9 = [Leu13NHEt‐desMet14]AMBA). The profiles of 111In‐SB9 and 111In‐AMBA were directly compared in PC‐3 cells and tumor‐bearing mice. SB9 and AMBA displayed high GRPR affinities. 111In‐AMBA strongly internalized in PC‐3 cells, while 111In‐SB9 remained bound on the cell surface showing a typical GRPR‐radioantagonist profile. 111In‐SB9 was more stable than 111In‐AMBA, but coinjection of the neprilysin (NEP) inhibitor phosphoramidon (PA) stabilized both in vivo. The radioligands displayed high tumor uptake (20.23 ± 3.41 %ID/g and 18.53 ± 1.54 %ID/g, respectively, at 4 hours pi), but 111In‐SB9 washed faster from background. PA coinjection led to significant increase of tumor uptake, combined with better clearance for 111In‐SB9. In short, this study has revealed superior pharmacokinetics and higher stability for the GRPR‐antagonist 111In‐SB9 vs the corresponding agonist 111In‐AMBA consolidating previous evidence that GRPR antagonists are preferable to agonists for tumor imaging and therapy. It has also demonstrated that further pharmacokinetic improvements were feasible by in situ metabolic radioligand stabilization using PA.
From hydroxyurethane methacrylates to hybrid nonisocyanate polyurethanes
Authors: Decostanzi Mélanie , Bonneaud Céline , Caillol Sylvain
Published: April 2019

New hybrid polyhydroxyurethane networks were quantitatively synthesized by radical polymerization of new hydroxyurethane methacrylate (HUMA) prepolymers. These HUMAs were synthesized in several steps. First, bis(cyclic carbonate) poly(propylene oxide) was reacted with two different diamines (ethylene diamine and 2,2′‐(ethylenedioxy)diethylamine) in excess. Then, these end‐functionalized hydroxyurethane prepolymers were converted into end‐functionalized hydroxyl prepolymers by ring opening of ethylene carbonate. Finally, a methacrylate function was grafted to the hydroxyl functions. All these steps were performed at room temperature. These prepolymers were thermally either homopolymerized or copolymerized using benzylmethacrylate or poly(ethylene oxide) bisphenol A dimethacrylate as comonomers, leading to new hybrid nonisocyanate polyurethane networks with various properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019
Stability and water wetting behavior of superhydrophobic polyurethane films created by hot embossing and plasma etching and coating
Authors: Barz Jakob , Haupt Michael , Oehr Christian , Hirth Thomas , Grimmer Philipp
Published: April 2019

The surface characteristics, the stability against erosion, and the water wetting behavior of superhydrophobic polyurethane (PU) films are described. Hot embossing is used to imprint conical microstructures in PU films. Afterwards, about 200‐nm thick hydrophobic plasma polymers are deposited by PECVD, using different fluorocarbons (CHF3, C3F6, or C4F8) or hexamethyldisiloxane as precursors. Ar or O2 plasma etching is used to increase the surface nanoroughness. The plasma coatings show stability against sand abrasion and in a long‐term outdoor test but are completely degraded by an industrial UV/water weathering test. Superhydrophobicity is achieved on the coated microstructures with base diameters between 35 µm and 50 µm, top diameters between 14 µm and 20 µm, and distances between 50 µm and 70 µm.
Comparing the functional recognition of aesthetics, hydrology, and quality in urban stream restoration through the framework of environmental perception
Authors: Hong Chang‐Yu , Chang Heejun , Chung Eun‐Sung
Published: April 2019

This study explores the application of a civic perception analysis in the context of stream restoration as a social‐ecological system (SES). Analysing such a SES is useful for understanding correlations between civic interests and environmental conditions in river restoration. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis was used to quantify the demand for restoration objectives. Additionally, an image‐based survey was used to precisely capture residents' perceptions of urban stream restoration by comparing aesthetic images, hydrologic functions, and environmental quality. Based on the AHP results, a hierarchical multiple regression was derived. A total of 181 participants responded to our survey, and the results were summarized by each subwatershed in the An'Yang watershed. The results demonstrated that the perceptions of residents who live in various environmental and regional conditions may manifoldly reflect their personal visual and aesthetic preferences by subwatershed. The upstream subwatershed values (SW1 = 7.86 and SW2 = 7.39) were higher than those in the downstream areas (SW5 = 5.28 and SW6 = 5.15). Consequently, this hierarchical multilevel model showed that individual environmental perception was highly associated with visual preference regarding stream restoration at the subwatershed level (p < 0.001). Urban environmental and spatial planners could use such information when restoring and designing waterfront spaces.
Recent Advances in Growth and Modification of Graphene‐Based Energy Materials: From Chemical Vapor Deposition to Reduction of Graphene Oxide
Authors: Cai Le , Yu Gui
Published: April 2019

Graphene is recognized as the next generation of energy materials due to its spectacular physical properties. Meanwhile, there are diverse synthetic methods toward graphene, and these methods have unique advantages to impel graphene to be suitable for different energy devices. Chemical vapor deposition and reduction of graphene oxide are classical methods for preparing graphene with various lattice structures and layer numbers, resulting in the tunability of graphene properties, whereby the synthetic methods have significant effects on energy device performances. Therefore, this review pays close attention to the discrepancies of graphene‐based materials prepared by these two methods for use in solar cells, rechargeable batteries, and electrocatalysis for hydrogen evolution. Furthermore, the modifications of graphene are introduced to offset the weaknesses of synthetic methods. Then, the review introduces graphene‐based flexible energy devices because graphene prepared by these two methods shows similarity in their mechanical stability. Finally, other synthetic methods are shortly highlighted to explain the importance of these two methods. The analyses for the discrepancies and similarity of graphene‐based materials in classical energy devices from the aspect of synthesis are beneficial to guide the preparation and modifications of graphene for maximizing its application and promote practical usage in the future.