bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR‐4510 acts as a tumor suppressor in gastrointestinal stromal tumor by targeting APOC2
Authors: Chen Yuan , Qin Chengkun , Cui Xianping , Geng Wenmao , Xian Guozhe , Wang Zhiyi
Published: January 2020

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression has been demonstrated in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). In this study, we aimed to determine the differential miRNAs expression in GISTs and explore the functional mechanism of differential miRNAs in GIST cells. We measured differential miRNAs in six pairs of GIST tissues and matched adjacent tissues through a high‐throughput sequencing, which was confirmed in 64 pairs of GIST tissues and adjacent tissues by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. We found that miR‐4510 expression was significantly downregulated in GIST tissues compared to matched control tissues. Luciferase reporter assay identified apolipoprotein C‐II (APOC2) as a direct target of miR‐4510. Overexpression of miR‐4510 inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of APOC2. In addition, overexpression of miR‐4510 suppressed GIST cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of miR‐4510 also inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2, reduced the expression of matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) and MMP9. APOC2 knockdown mimicked the effect of miR‐4510 overexpression. Further investigation confirmed that APOC2 was notably upregulated in GIST tissues compared to adjacent control tissues. These results suggested that miR‐4510 downregulation could promote GIST progression, including growth, invasion, and metastasis, through increasing APOC2 expression.
LncRNA H19 is involved in myocardial ischemic preconditioning via increasing the stability of nucleolin protein
Authors: Chen Cheng , Liu Meidong , Tang Yuting , Sun Hui , Lin Xiaofang , Liang Pengfei , Jiang Bimei
Published: January 2020

Myocardial ischemic preconditioning (IP) is defined as a brief period of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) that significantly reduces injury during the subsequent exposure to long‐term I/R. However, the underlying mechanisms of myocardial IP are yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the expression and roles of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 in myocardial IP in vitro and in vivo. LncRNA H19 expression levels were analyzed by quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction, cell viability was determined by the Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, apoptosis was evaluated based on the caspase 3 activity, and RNA immunoprecipitation was performed to examine the interaction between lncRNA H19 and nucleolin. The results of this study showed that lncRNA H19 expression was significantly upregulated in mouse hearts subjected to myocardial IP, in rat H9C2 cells exposed to H2O2 preconditioning (H2O2‐PC), and in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia preconditioning. H19 knockdown abrogated the H2O2‐PC‐mediated protection in cardiomyocytes evidenced by the decreased cell viability and increased caspase‐3 activity. Conversely, H19 overexpression enhanced the protective role of H2O2‐PC in cardiomyocytes. In addition, H19 overexpression increased the expression of nucleolin, whereas H19 ablation abrogated H2O2‐PC‐induced upregulation of nucleolin in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, H19 overexpression increased the stabilization of nucleolin; an interaction between H19 and nucleolin was identified using the RNA–protein interaction studies. Furthermore, nucleolin small interfering RNA relieved the protective role of lncRNA H19. These findings demonstrated that the lncRNA H19 is involved in myocardial IP via increasing the stability of nucleolin protein and lncRNA H19 may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of the myocardial injury.
Quiescent hepatic stellate cells induce toxicity and sensitivity to doxorubicin in cancer cells through a caspase‐independent cell death pathway: Central role of apoptosis‐inducing factor
Authors: Das Dola , Fayazzadeh Ehsan , Li Xin , Koirala Nischal , Wadera Akshay , Lang Min , Zernic Maximilian , Panick Catherine , Nesbitt Pete , McLennan Gordon
Published: January 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem worldwide and in the United States as its incidence has increased substantially within the past two decades. HCC therapy remains a challenge, primarily due to underlying liver disorders such as cirrhosis that determines treatment approach and efficacy. Activated hepatic stellate cells (A‐HSCs) are the key cell types involved in hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. A‐HSCs are important constituents of HCC tumor microenvironment (TME) and support tumor growth, chemotherapy resistance, cancer cell migration, and escaping immune surveillance. This makes A‐HSCs an important therapeutic target in hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis as well as in HCC. Although many studies have reported the role of A‐HSCs in cancer generation and investigated the therapeutic potential of A‐HSCs reversion in cancer arrest, not much is known about inactivated or quiescent HSCs (Q‐HSCs) in cancer growth or arrest. Here we report that Q‐HSCs resist cancer cell growth by inducing cytotoxicity and enhancing chemotherapy sensitivity. We observed that the conditioned media from Q‐HSCs (Q‐HSCCM) induces cancer cell death through a caspase‐independent mechanism that involves an increase in apoptosis‐inducing factor expression, nuclear localization, DNA fragmentation, and cell death. We further observed that Q‐HSCCM enhanced the efficiency of doxorubicin, as measured by cell viability assay. Exosomes present in the conditioned media were not involved in the mechanism, which suggests the role of other factors (proteins, metabolites, or microRNA) secreted by the cells. Identification and characterization of these factors are important in the development of effective HCC therapy.
miR‐210 is induced by hypoxia and regulates neural cell adhesion molecule in prostate cells
Authors: Angel Charlotte Zoe , Lynch Seodhna M. , Nesbitt Heather , McKenna Michael M. , Walsh Colum P. , McKenna Declan J.
Published: January 2020

Hypoxia in prostate tumours has been associated with disease progression and metastasis. MicroRNAs are short noncoding RNA molecules that are important in several cell processes, but their role in hypoxic signalling is still poorly understood. miR‐210 has been linked with hypoxic mechanisms, but this relationship has been poorly characterised in prostate cancer. In this report, the link between hypoxia and miR‐210 in prostate cancer cells is investigated. Polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrates that miR‐210 is induced by hypoxia in prostate cancer cells using in vitro cell models and an in vivo prostate tumour xenograft model. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas prostate biopsy datasets shows that miR‐210 is significantly correlated with Gleason grade and other clinical markers of prostate cancer progression. Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is identified as a target of miR‐210, providing a biological mechanism whereby hypoxia‐induced miR‐210 expression can contribute to prostate cancer. This study provides evidence that miR‐210 is an important regulator of cell response to hypoxic stress and proposes that its regulation of NCAM may play an important role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.
Design, synthesis, and anticancer evaluation of acetamide and hydrazine analogues of pyrimidine
Authors: Khazir Jabeena , Mir Bilal Ahmad , Chashoo Gousia , Maqbool Tariq , Riley Darren , Pilcher Lynne
Published: January 2020

A library of acetamide and hydrazine analogues were generated on the pyrimidine ring through a multistep reaction starting from 5‐nitro‐pyrimidine‐4,6‐diol and pyrimidine‐4,6‐diol, respectively. The synthesized analogues were screened for in vitro cytotoxic activity against various human cancer cell lines like HCT‐1 and HT‐15 (colon), MCF‐7(breast), PC‐3 (prostrate), SF268 (CNS) using MTT method. From the bioassay results, it was observed that even though many of the synthesized derivatives exhibited a good potency against various screened cancer cell lines, compound 14a from the acetamide series was found to show potent anticancer activity on all the tested cancer cell lines with IC50 value of 0.36μM on CNS cell line and 1.6μM on HT‐21 cell line, and compound 19xxi from hydrazine series of pyrimidine showed potent activity against three tested cancer cell lines with IC50 value of 0.76μM on HT‐29 cell line, 2.6μM on HCT‐15, and 3.2μM on MCF‐7 cell line.
Age at Marriage and Women's Labour Market Outcomes in India
Authors: Dhamija Gaurav , Roychowdhury Punarjit
Published: January 2020

We examine the relationship between women's age at marriage and their labour market outcomes using nationally representative household data from India. Employing an instrumental variable‐based empirical strategy, we find that a delay in women's age at marriage has no significant causal effect on their labour market outcomes. This is despite marriage delay being associated with higher education, lower fertility and (possibly) higher dowry for Indian women. We argue that this might be because older brides, as compared with younger brides, face more backlash from their partners. This backlash effect could be offsetting the positive labour market effects of marriage delay. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microwave systems design centering exploiting space mapping technology and modified trust region algorithm
Authors: Hassan Abdel‐Karim S.O. , Elqenawy Ahmed E. , Abuelfadl Tamer M. , Mohamed Ahmed S.A.
Published: January 2020

System design centering process looks for nominal values of system designable parameters that maximize the probability of satisfying the design specifications (yield function). Statistical design centering implements a statistical analysis method such as Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) for yield function estimation and explicitly optimizes it. In this paper, we introduce a new statistical design centering technique for microwave system design. The technique combines a modified surrogate‐based derivative‐free trust region (TR) optimization algorithm and the generalized space mapping (GSM) technique. The modified TR algorithm is a derivative‐free optimization algorithm that employs quadratic surrogate models to replace the computationally expensive yield function over hyperelliptic trust regions in the optimization process. TR algorithms exhibit global convergence features irrespective the starting point setting. The new design centering approach utilizes the GSM technique to approximate the feasible region in the design parameter space with a sequence of iteratively updated space mapping (SM) surrogates. At each SM iteration, the modified TR algorithm optimizes the yield function for the current SM region approximation to get a better center. Two microwave circuit examples are used to show the effectiveness of the new design centering technique to obtain an optimal design in few SM iterations. In the design process, we employ Sonnet em for the bandstop microstrip filter design and CST Studio Suit for the ultra‐wideband (UWB) multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna.
1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging generates accurate 3D proximal femoral models: Surgical planning implications for femoroacetabular impingement
Authors: Malloy Philip , Gasienica Jacob , Dawe Robert , Espinoza Orías Alejandro A. , Nwachukwu Benedict U. , Inoue Nozomu , Yanke Adam B. , Nho Shane J.
Published: January 2020

The objective of this study was to validate three‐dimensional (3D) proximal femoral surface models generated from a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by comparing these 3D models to those derived from the clinical “gold standard” of computed tomography (CT) scan and to ground‐truth surface models obtained by laser scans (LSs) of the excised femurs. Four intact bilateral cadaveric pelvis specimens underwent CT and MRI scans and 3D surface models were generated. Six femurs were extracted from these specimens, and the overlying soft tissues were removed. The extracted femurs were then laser scanned to produce a ground‐truth surface model. A 3D‐3D registration method was used to compare the signed and absolute surface‐to‐surface distances between the 3D models. Absolute agreement was evaluated using a 95% confidence interval (CI) derived from the precision of the LS ground‐truth. Paired samples t tests and Kolmogrov–Smirnov tests were performed to compare the differences between the signed and absolute surface‐to‐surface distances between the models. The average signed surface‐to‐surface distances for the MRI vs LS and MRI vs CT models were 0.07 and 0.16 mm, respectively. These differences fell within the 95% CI of ±0.20 mm indicating absolute agreement between the surface models generated from these modalities. The signed surface‐to‐surface distance was significantly smaller for MRI vs LS ground truth model as compared with the CT vs LS model. Femoral models derived from a 1.5 T MRI scan demonstrated absolute agreement with the clinical gold standard of CT‐derived models and were most like LS ground truth models of the excised femurs.
Initiating factors for the onset of OA: A systematic review of animal bone and cartilage pathology in OA
Authors: Casper‐Taylor Michelle E. , Barr Andrew J. , Williams Sophie , Wilcox Ruth K. , Conaghan Philip G.
Published: January 2020

There is controversy over whether bone or cartilage is primarily involved in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis; this is important for targeting early interventions. We explored evidence from animal models of knee OA by preforming a systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for original articles reporting subchondral bone and cartilage pathology in animal models with epiphyseal closure. Extracted data included: method of induction; animal model; cartilage and bone assessment and method; meniscal assessment; skeletal maturity; controls; and time points assessed. Quality scoring was performed. The best evidence was synthesized from high‐quality skeletally mature models, without direct trauma to tissues of interest and with multiple time points. Altogether, 2849 abstracts were reviewed. Forty‐seven papers were included reporting eight different methods of inducing OA, six different species, six different methods of assessing cartilage, five different bone structural parameters, and four assessed meniscus as a potential initiator. Overall, the simultaneous onset of OA in cartilage and bone was reported in 82% of datasets, 16% reported bone onset, and 2% reported cartilage onset. No dataset containing meniscal data reported meniscal onset. However, using the best evidence synthesis (n = 8), five reported simultaneous onset when OA was induced, while three reported bone onset when OA occurred spontaneously; none reported cartilage onset. In summary, there is a paucity of well‐designed studies in this area which makes the conclusions drawn conjectures rather than proven certainties. However, within the limitation of data quality, this review suggests that in animal models, the structural onset of knee OA occurs either in bone prior to cartilage pathology or simultaneously.
Clinical magnetic resonance imaging of arthroplasty at 1.5 T
Authors: Koff Matthew F. , Burge Alissa J. , Potter Hollis G.
Published: January 2020

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has historically been avoided for the routine clinical evaluation of metal implants at many clinical centers due to the presence of artifact that creates in‐plane and through‐plane distortions and signal intensity voids in generated images. However, when the image acquisition parameters are appropriately modified and advanced multi‐spectral pulse sequences are used, high‐quality diagnostic images can be generated and may be used for diagnosing patients with suspected periprosthetic pathology. MRI provides superior soft‐tissue contrast and excellent sensitivity for mobile water and is, therefore, a valuable tool in the evaluation of these patients, given the increasing prevalence of arthroplasty within the general population. Knowledge of expected normal postoperative appearance in patients with total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty facilitates the detection of abnormal findings in this population, as does familiarity with common pathologic conditions encountered in the periprosthetic region. This review article will provide background information regarding the presence of image artifacts, methods to reduce the artifacts, and application of MRI at 1.5 T for evaluating common complications in subjects with total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty.
Interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor are essential in controlling an experimental orthopedic implant‐associated infection
Authors: Wang Yu , Ashbaugh Alyssa G. , Dikeman Dustin A. , Zhang Jeffrey , Ackerman Nicole E. , Kim Sophie E. , Falgons Christian , Ortines Roger V. , Liu Haiyun , Joyce Daniel P. , Alphonse Martin Prince , Dillen Carly A. , Thompson John M. , Archer Nathan K. , Miller Lloyd S.
Published: January 2020

Orthopedic implant‐associated infection (OIAI) is a major complication that leads to implant failure. In preclinical models of Staphylococcus aureus OIAI, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis, interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), IL‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are induced, but whether they have interactive or distinctive roles in host defense are unclear. Herein, a S. aureus OIAI model was performed in mice deficient in IL‐1α, IL‐1β, or TNF. Mice deficient in IL‐1β or TNF (to a lesser extent) but not IL‐1α had increased bacterial burden at the site of the OIAI throughout the 28‐day experiment. IL‐1β and TNF had a combined and critical role in host defense as mice deficient in both IL‐1R and TNF (IL‐1R/TNF‐deficient mice) had a 40% mortality rate, which was associated with markedly increased bacterial burden at the site of the OIAI infection. Finally, IL‐1α‐ and IL‐1β‐deficient mice had impaired neutrophil recruitment whereas IL‐1β‐, TNF‐, and IL‐1R/TNF‐deficient mice all had impaired recruitment of both neutrophils and monocytes. Therefore, IL‐1β and TNF contributed to host defense against S. aureus OIAI and neutrophil recruitment was primarily mediated by IL‐1β and monocyte recruitment was mediated by both IL‐1β and TNF.
Bioavailability and prebiotic potential of Carapax Trionycis, a waste from soft‐shelled turtle processing
Authors: Wang Shasha , Chen Guangjing , Chen Kewei , Kan Jianquan
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Carapax Trionycis is the shell of the soft‐shelled turtle. It is rich in minerals, amino acid, peptides, and other nutrients. Current processing and consumption of soft‐shelled turtle leads to the waste of huge quantities of Carapax Trionycis in the form of spent materials. In this study, the bioavailability, prebiotic activity, and physicochemical properties of Carapax Trionycis using different processing methods were investigated. The vinegar‐quenched Carapax Trionycis (V‐CT), fine powders (D0.18, D0.10), and superfine powders (D0.05, D0.025) of Carapax Trionycis were prepared by the vinegar‐quenching method, common grinding, and the superfine grinding method.

RESULTS

The average particle sizes of D0.18, D0.10, D0.05, and D0.025 were 147.82, 77.35, 36.65, and 2.24 μm, respectively. Superfine grinding changed the surface morphology of Carapax Trionycis and promoted the release of active ingredients. D0.025 had the highest polypeptide (8.15%), polysaccharide (1.21%), total free amino acid (232.36 mg 100 g−1) and water‐soluble extract content (10.74%), and showed the highest calcium release rate (55.64%) after in vitro digestion. The apparent permeability (PAPP) of the resulting Carapax Trionycis samples in the dialysis tubing model and the everted intestinal sac model increased significantly with the decrease in the Carapax Trionycis particle sizes. Furthermore, the five Carapax Trionycis samples significantly stimulated the growth of the tested probiotics and increased lactic acids production after 48 h fermentation compared to the control. The Carapax Trionycis powder prepared by superfine grinding displayed better prebiotic activity than other samples as it significantly induced a greater proliferation of probiotic bacteria and higher production of lactic acid, as well as greater release of free calcium.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that Carapax Trionycis superfine powder D0.025 had the highest active ingredient content, calcium bioavailability, and prebiotic activity. Our approach of developing Carapax Trionycis superfine powder as natural calcium supplement or potential prebiotic would therefore broaden the scope of soft‐shelled turtle processing waste utilization in an eco‐friendly, cost‐effective, and sustainable approach in the future. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Starch granule stabilized Pickering emulsions: an 8‐year stability study
Authors: Marefati Ali , Rayner Marilyn
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Pickering emulsions are known to have advantages over conventional emulsions, in particular, improved and long‐term stability against coalescence. This research is an eight‐year stability investigation of oil‐in‐water Pickering emulsions stabilized by quinoa starch granules modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA).

Two different concentrations of starch (i.e. 200 and 600 mg mL−1 based on oil) were used at oil fraction (ϕ) of 0.1. The emulsions were prepared using a high‐pressure homogenizer. The emulsions were stored in a refrigerator (at 6 °C) and evaluated using particle size analyzer over the storage period and light microscopy at the end of the storage period.

RESULTS

Starch granule stabilized Pickering emulsions produced by a high‐pressure homogenizer displayed remarkable storage stability over the eight years with no indication of coalescence. In addition, the results showed that increasing the concentration of starch granules resulted in a decrease in droplet sizes. The sizes measured by the particle size analyzer showed a decline over the storage period which was due to dissociation of some networks of aggregated droplets that, in addition to representing smaller droplet sizes, resulted in the release of free and unbound starch entrapped in these networks.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that Pickering emulsions produced by OSA modified starch granules from quinoa can be used in practical applications for the development of highly stable formulations when prolonged storage is required. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Clinical Experience of Vibroplasty With Direct Coupling to the Oval Window Without Use of a Coupler
Authors: Kwak Sang Hyun , Moon Young Min , Nam Gi‐Sung , Bae Seong Hoon , Kim Sung Huhn , Jung Jinsei , Choi Jae Young
Published: January 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the efficacy of direct implantation of a Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) implant in the oval window (OW) without the use of an OW coupler in patients with severe mixed hearing loss.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review

Methods

A total of 62 patients underwent VSB implantation between July 2016 and December 2018 at Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Among them, eight patients (nine ears) with moderate‐to‐severe mixed hearing loss were implanted with a VSB directly in the OW. A floating mass transducer (FMT) was attached to the stapes footplate and covered with tragal cartilage. The outcomes were evaluated using pure‐tone audiogram and speech audiogram preoperatively and postoperatively. Word recognition score (WRS; % correct) were measured at the most comfortable loudness (MCL) level to evaluate speech perception.

Results

All cases posed difficulty with round window vibroplasty during surgery, and eventually, an FMT was appropriately placed in the OW without a coupler. Preoperative and postoperative bone conduction thresholds were not different. VSB‐aided threshold improved in terms of functional and effective gains. Interestingly, four cases showed improved air conduction thresholds without the use of a VSB. In addition, MCL level with a VSB was significantly lower than that with a hearing aid, and VSB‐aided WRS improved over time.

Conclusions

Direct implantation of a VSB in the OW without the use of a coupler showed favorable hearing outcomes, and the OW vibroplasty was safe. Direct OW vibroplasty without a coupler is a reliable procedure and can be a good option for hearing rehabilitation in patients with severe mixed hearing loss.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2020
A Facile and Highly Efficient Route to Amphiphilic Star‐Like Rod‐Coil Block Copolymer via a Combination of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization with Thiol–Ene Click Chemistry
Authors: Wang Xinglong , Zhao Chunyan , Li Yuanyuan , Lin Zhiqun , Xu Hui
Published: January 2020

With a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), quasi‐living Grignard metathesis method, and thiol–ene click reaction, an amphiphilic star‐like rod‐coil diblock copolymer poly(acrylic acid)‐block‐poly(3‐hexylthiophene) comprising 21‐arm inner coil‐like PAA blocks and outer rod‐like conjugated polymer poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) blocks with well‐defined molecular structures and narrow molecular weight distribution is synthesized. First, the bromide end‐groups of 21‐arm star‐like ATRP coil polymers PtBA‐Br are converted successfully into reactive thioacetate end groups by post‐functionalization using potassium thioacetate. Subsequently, 21‐arm star‐like coil polymers PtBA‐SCOCH3 react with rod‐like vinyl‐functionalized P3HT to yield functional star‐like rod‐coil diblock copolymers PtBA‐b‐P3HT via thiol–ene click reaction, followed by selective hydrolysis of inner PtBA block into PAA block. The present synthetic approach enables the construction of well‐defined star‐like conformation with few structural limitations in a facile and highly efficient manner due to the robust and orthogonal nature of the thiol–ene click reaction. It may be extended to produce block copolymers with other topologies, such as cylindrical, hyperbranched, and dendritic structures.
2D Conjugated Polyelectrolytes Possessing Identical Backbone with Active‐Layer Polymer as Cathode Interlayer for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Xuan , Nie Wei , Tu Dandan , Guo Xin , Li Can
Published: January 2020

A 2D conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE), PBDTTh‐TT‐NBr, having the same backbone as the highly efficient donor polymer PTB7‐Th and the quaternary ammonium pendant, is synthesized as a cathode interlayer (CIL) material for PTB7‐Th‐based fullerene and non‐fullerene solar cells. The quaternary ammonium group is connected to the 2D conjugated backbone by a long, flexible alkyl chain, facilitating the modification of cathode via forming interface dipoles. Moreover, compared with another CPE analogue to PTB7, PBDT‐TT‐NBr, without the 2D conjugated backbone, the PBDTTh‐TT‐NBr presents a higher similarity in polymer structure to the donor polymer PTB7‐Th. This feature makes it more compatible with the PTB7‐Th‐based active‐layer film, improving the electron transport. With the PBDTTh‐TT‐NBr as the CIL, devices afford higher performances than those using the PBDT‐TT‐NBr in both fullerene and non‐fullerene systems. This work offers guidance on choosing the CIL material that ought to possess a highly similar structure to the active‐layer component.
Innovation subsidy under duopoly
Authors: Nie Pu‐Yan , Xiao Xu , Wang Chan , Cui Ting
Published: January 2020

Innovation plays extremely important roles in the society, and underinvestment in innovation popularly exists. This article aims to capture innovative subsidy with game theory model. First, unilateral subsidy stimulates both innovation and outputs of subsidized firms, while it deters those of opponents. Second, under innovation subsidy, relationship between subsidized firm's innovation and product substitutability satisfies a U shape. For opponents, it is also a U‐shaped relationship. Third, under unilateral subsidy, subsidizing high‐efficiency firms yields more innovation than subsidizing low‐efficiency firms. Finally, bilateral subsidy stimulates more innovation than unilateral subsidy. This study supports theory to subsidize innovation efficiently.
Global mental health report sheds light on mounting crisis
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2020

Mental health disorders and stress are increasing in incidence all over the world, and inevitably employers shoulder a lot of that burden, according to a new report on global medical trends.
Psychedelic therapy: Fresh promise for mental health
Authors: Bush Heidi
Published: January 2020

Psychedelic‐assisted psychotherapy is seeing a resurgence as a treatment approach for mental health disorders. It melds pharmacology and psychotherapy, using substances such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, under medical supervision, to treat conditions such as post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and extreme depression.
Lipoatrophy‐Associated Insulin Resistance and Hepatic Steatosis are Attenuated by Intake of Diet Rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Authors: Moreira Rafael J. , Castro Érique , Oliveira Tiago E. , Belchior Thiago , Peixoto Albert S. , Chaves‐Filho Adriano B. , Moreno Mayara F. , Lima Janayna D. , Yoshinaga Marcos , Miyamoto Sayuri , Morais Mychel R. P. T. , Zorn Telma M. T. , Cogliati Bruno , Iwai Leo K. , Palmisano Giuseppe , Cabral Fernanda J. , Festuccia William
Published: January 2020

Scope

Glucose homeostasis and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatomegaly in severe lipoatrophic mice and their modulation by intake of a diet rich in omega 3 (n‐3) fatty acids (HFO) are evaluated.

Methods and results

Severe lipoatrophic mice induced by PPAR‐γ deletion exclusively in adipocytes (A‐PPARγ KO) and littermate controls (A‐PPARγ WT) are evaluated for glucose homeostasis and liver mass, proteomics, lipidomics, inflammation, and fibrosis. Lipoatrophic mice are heavier than controls, severely glucose intolerant, and hyperinsulinemic, and develop NAFLD characterized by increased liver glycogen, triacylglycerol, and diacylglycerol contents, mitotic index, apoptosis, inflammation, steatosis score, fibrosis, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) content and activity. Lipoatrophic mice also display liver enrichment with monounsaturated in detriment of polyunsaturated fatty acids including n‐3 fatty acids, and increased content of cardiolipin, a tetracyl phospholipid exclusively found at the mitochondria inner membrane. Administration of a high‐fat diet rich in n‐3 fatty acids (HFO) to lipoatrophic mice enriches liver with n‐3 fatty acids, reduces hepatic steatosis, FAS content and activity, apoptosis, inflammation, and improves glucose homeostasis.

Conclusion

Diet enrichment with n‐3 fatty acids improves glucose homeostasis and reduces liver steatosis and inflammation without affecting hepatomegaly in severe lipoatrophic mice.
A low‐profile dual‐band omnidirectional Alford antenna for wearable WBAN applications
Authors: Wang Wei , Xuan Xiu‐Wei , Pan Peng , Hua Yu‐Jie , Zhao Hai‐Bo , Li Kun
Published: January 2020

A low‐profile omnidirectional antenna based on folded Alford loop is proposed for wireless body area network (WBAN) applications in industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM, 2.4‐2.4835 GHz and 5.725‐5.875 GHz) bands. By fabricating two complementary symmetrically folded Alford loops on both sides of a round Roger substrate, the proposed antenna has small volume and omnidirectional radiation capability in both bands. Since the omnidirectional radiation plane is parallel to the human body surface, low specific absorption rate (SAR) can be obtained. The proposed antenna has a profile of 0.639 mm and occupies an area of π × 302 mm2, along with a measured peak gain of 6.1 dBi and 14.1% impedance bandwidth (BW) at 2.45 GHz and peak gain of 2.2 dBi and 6.7% impedance BW at 5.8 GHz. Simulated and measured results reveal that the antenna has good omnidirectional radiation in both bands. Moreover, the bending sensitivity study and SAR analysis prove that it is a good candidate for wearable WBAN devices.
Modeling the diffusion‐weighted imaging signal for breast lesions in the b = 200 to 3000 s/mm2 range: quality of fit and classification accuracy for different representations
Authors: Vidić Igor , Egnell Liv , Jerome Neil P. , White Nathan S. , Karunamuni Roshan , Rakow‐Penner Rebecca , Dale Anders M. , Bathen Tone F. , Goa Pål Erik
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To evaluate different non‐Gaussian representations for the diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) signal in the b‐value range 200 to 3000 s/mm2 in benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods

Forty‐three patients diagnosed with benign (n = 18) or malignant (n = 25) tumors of the breast underwent DWI (b‐values 200, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, and 3000 s/mm2). Six different representations were fit to the average signal from regions of interest (ROIs) at different b‐value ranges. Quality of fit was assessed by the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc), and the Friedman test was used for assessing representation ranks. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the power of derived parameters to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions. The lesion ROI was divided in central and peripheral parts to assess potential effect of heterogeneity. Sensitivity to noise‐floor correction was also evaluated.

Results

The Padé exponent was ranked as the best based on AICc, whereas 3 models (kurtosis, fractional, and biexponential) achieved the highest AUC = 0.99 for lesion differentiation. The monoexponential model at bmax = 600 s/mm2 already provides AUC = 0.96, with considerably shorter acquisition time and simpler analysis. Significant differences between central and peripheral parts of lesions were found in malignant lesions. The mono‐ and biexponential models were most stable against varying degrees of noise‐floor correction.

Conclusion

Non‐Gaussian representations are required for fitting of the DWI curve at high b‐values in breast lesions. However, the added clinical value from the high b‐value data for differentiation of benign and malignant lesions is not clear.
Thermomechanical topology optimization of shape‐memory alloy structures using a transient bilevel adjoint method
Authors: Kang Ziliang , James Kai A.
Published: January 2020

We present a novel method for computational design of adaptive shape‐memory alloy (SMA) structures via topology optimization. By optimally distributing a SMA within the prescribed design domain, the proposed algorithm seeks to tailor the two‐way shape‐memory effect (TWSME) and pseudoelasticity response of the SMA materials. Using a phenomenological material model, the thermomechanical response of the SMA structure is solved through inelastic finite element analysis, while assuming a transient but spatially uniform temperature distribution. The material distribution is parameterized via a SIMP formulation, with gradient‐based optimization used to perform the optimization search. We derive a transient, bilevel adjoint formulation for analytically computing the design sensitivities. We demonstrate the proposed design framework using a series of two‐dimensional thermomechanical benchmark problems. These examples include design for optimal displacement due to the TWSME, and design for maximum mechanical advantage while accounting for pseudoelasticity.
Fabrication of ZIF‐8@Polyphosphazene core‐shell structure and its efficient synergism with ammonium polyphosphate in flame‐retarding epoxy resin
Authors: Lv Xinyao , Zeng Wei , Yang Zhiwang , Yang Yaoxia , Wang Yun , Lei Ziqiang , Liu Jinling , Chen Denglong
Published: January 2020

A novel zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) nanoparticles@polyphosphazene (PZN) core‐shell architecture was synthesized, and then, ZIF‐8@PZN and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were applied for increasing the flame retardancy and mechanical property of epoxy resin (EP) through a cooperative effect. Herein, ZIF‐8 was used as the core; the shell of PZN was coated to ZIF‐8 nanoparticles via a polycondensation method. The well‐designed ZIF‐8@PZN displayed superior fire retardancy and smoke suppression effect. The synthesized ZIF‐8@PZN observably raised the flame retardancy of EP composites, which could be demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and a cone calorimeter test (CCT). The chemical structure of ZIF‐8@PZN was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Compared with pure epoxy, with the incorporation of 3 wt% ZIF‐8@PZN and 18 wt% APP into the EP, along with 80.8%, 72.6%, and 64.7% decreased in the peak heat release rate (pHRR), the peak smoke production rate (pSPR), and the peak CO production rate (pCOPR), respectively. These suggested that ZIF‐8@PZN and APP generated an intumescent char layer, and ZIF‐8@PZN can strengthen the char layer, resulting in the enhancement in the flame resistance of EP.
Social Assistance Receipt Among Young Adults Who Grow Up in Different Neighborhoods of Metropolitan Sweden
Authors: Gustafsson Björn , Katz Katarina , Osterberg Torun
Published: January 2020

Using large samples of persons born in 1985, we investigate the relationship between characteristics of the neighborhood where young people lived as adolescents and the probability that they will receive social assistance when aged 19, 20, and 21, for the three Swedish metropolitan regions—Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. We estimated logistic regressions separately for the majority population and “visible immigrants” and included several characteristics of the neighborhood and of the parental home in the specification. The probability of social assistance receipt as a young adult is strongly positively linked to social assistance receipt in the parental home and to several other factors. The major result is that the association with social assistance receipt in the neighborhood where a person lived at age 16 remains strong when parental receipt and a number of other neighborhood characteristics are controlled for. We conclude that measures to increase the education qualifications and various efforts to create jobs for young adults have the potential to decrease social assistance receipt among young adults. In addition, there is also room for spatially focused measures aiming to reduce residential segregation and the demand for social assistance in locations with a comparably high rate of social assistance receipt.
Clinical communication preferences in cystic fibrosis and strategies to optimize care
Authors: Cooley Laura , Hudson Janella , Potter Eileen , Raymond Katherine F. , George Cynthia , Georgiopoulos Anna M.
Published: January 2020

Background

The importance of optimizing communication between clinicians and individuals and families living with cystic fibrosis (CF) about daily care, adherence, and related psychosocial concerns is well documented. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of interpersonal communication experiences and preferences among individuals and families living with CF as they engage with the clinical team. The study also aimed to reveal opportunities for enhancing future interpersonal communication practices.

Methods

Five U.S. CF care centers participated in the following activities: (a) On‐site observation of clinic interactions during outpatient visits; (b) On‐site 1:1 interviews with individuals living with CF, their family members, and CF clinicians; (d) Focus groups conducted in person with CF care team members; (d) Focus groups conducted virtually with adults and family members with CF. Content analysis of transcripts and constant comparative methods were used to identify emergent themes.

Results

Four themes related to participants' needs and preferences for clinic interactions emerged during analysis: (a) eliciting psychosocial concerns, (b) addressing childhood development and transitions, (c) negotiating agendas and sharing decisions, and (d) educating to enhance CF conversations.

Conclusion

CF clinicians and individuals and families living with CF expressed the need for resources and training to engage in better conversations with each other. Participants identified areas of high priority, including working together around social, psychological, and economic challenges, preparation for transition to adulthood, and sustaining daily care. Findings point to the value of developing advanced communication skills that foster trust‐building, negotiating agendas, active listening, and collaborative goal‐setting.
Interference management for spectral coexistence in a heterogeneous satellite network
Authors: Hajipour Pedram , Shahzadi Ali , Ghazi‐Maghrebi Saeed
Published: January 2020

With the advent of the fifth generation of mobile radio communication by 2020, there will be many challenges such as increasing service demand with low delay in providing billions of end users called the satellite mobile users. It is expected that terrestrial communication systems will be faced with a dense network having many small cells anywhere and anytime. Therefore, there are some remote regions in the world where terrestrial systems cannot provide any services to end users. Furthermore, because of lack of spectral resources, it is very important that the spectrum is shared between satellite systems and terrestrial equipment by a suitable solution to interference management. In this paper, a heterogeneous satellite network that includes low earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and terrestrial equipment is proposed to provide low delay services. In this type of structure, interference management based on transmission power control between LEO satellite systems and mobile users is very important for obtaining high throughput. Moreover, in order to mitigate interference, transmission power control is shown based on noncooperative Stackelberg game under many subgames through pricing‐based algorithm and convex optimization method. Finally, the simulation results show that the performance of this study's system model will be improved through the proposed algorithm.
A balanced ABS system: Stakeholder perception on ABS goals
Authors: Sirakaya Aysegul
Published: January 2020

The current perception regarding the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol is that the national implementations bring complexities for both the provider countries and users of genetic resources (GR) which result in less willingness to access GR. Users frequently face non‐compliance penalties or public notoriety due to the lack of clarity of access and benefit‐sharing (ABS) obligations. Less access would inevitably result in fewer benefits shared and this vicious cycle would jeopardise the success of the entirety of the ABS system. Therefore, there is an apparent need for a methodology in regulating ABS models in a way that is supportive for both the provider countries and users. This article serves as the introductory part of a comprehensive study on creating a methodology for mutually supportive ABS systems for users and providers by introducing international ABS goals and the stakeholders' (both users and providers) perceptions thereof.
Electrodeposition of Three‐Dimensional Network Nanostructure PEDOT/PANI for Simultaneous Voltammetric Detection of Ascorbic Acid, Dopamine and Uric Acid
Authors: Wang Qiangwei , Sun Haobo , Liu Qianrui , Li Lianzhi , Kong Jinming
Published: January 2020

In this study, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polyaniline (PANI) were electrodeposited via cyclic voltammetry (CV) on glass carbon electrode (GCE) layer by layer. The prepared electrode (GCE/PEDOT/PANI) was used for the simultaneous sensitive determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) at different oxidation potentials. The peak distances of AA and DA, DA and UA, AA and UA were 216 mV, 104 mV, 320 mV, respectively. For individual detection of AA, DA and UA, the linear ranges were 1×10−4‐1×10−2 M, 3×10−5‐1×10−3 M and 7×10−7‐1×10−4 M with detection limits of 2.42×10−5 M, 4.58×10−6 M and 2.38×10−7 M (S/N=3), respectively. For simultaneous detection of AA, DA, and UA, the linear response ranges were 1×10−4‐1×10−3 M, 3×10−4‐1×10−2 M, and 3×10−6‐1×10−4 M with detection limits of 6.91×10−5 M, 3.66×10−5 M and 4.13×10−7 M (S/N=3), respectively. The GCE/PEDOT/PANI displayed good selectivity, reproducibility and storage stability, and was further applied to the detection of AA, DA, and UA in 5% normal human serum samples.
All‐solution Processed Highly Transparent Silver Nanowires/PEDOT:PSS Conducting Thin Films for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Francis Mathew K , Bhargav Pamula Balaji , Ahmed Nafis , Chandra Balaji , Gnanapraksh Dhakshina Moorthy , Thyagarajan Nivetha , Racchana Ramamurthy
Published: January 2020

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are synthesized using rapid synthesis polyol process by keeping polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP): silver nitrate (AgNO3) ratio constant and their effect on the formation of AgNWs is systematically investigated. Morphological properties of synthesised AgNWs are analysed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy (XPS), UV‐Vis spectroscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. AgNWs with typical average length of 5 μm are grown at higher concentration of AgNO3 (0.08 M). A hybrid transparent conducting electrode (TCE) is fabricated by mixing optimized AgNWs in conducting polymer matrix‐poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and spin coated on to glass substrate. A significant improvement in the transparency in IR region and conductivity is observed in the case of hybrid TCE as compared with PEDOT:PSS TCE. Figure of merit calculations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the fabricated TCEs and the quality of the hybrid film is improved by 5 to 7 times more than that of PEDOT: PSS TCE.
Piecewise exponential models with time‐varying effects: Estimating mortality after listing for solid organ transplant
Authors: Wey Andrew , Salkowski Nicholas , Kremers Walter , Ahn Yoon Son , Snyder Jon
Published: January 2020

Patient mortality after listing for a solid organ transplant is a relevant, patient‐centric metric, but risk factors for patient mortality after listing present severe non‐proportional hazards. We propose piecewise exponential models (PEMs) with time‐varying effects to account for the non‐proportional hazards, and we use the LASSO to minimize the risk of overfitting. We consider two parameterizations of a PEM: The first model has an overall effect in addition to the time‐varying effects (PEM‐TID), whereas the second model has only time‐varying effects (PEM‐TD). Because the LASSO can shrink every time‐varying effect to 0, risk factors in the PEM‐TID model can have proportional effects during follow‐up. In contrast, covariates in the PEM‐TD model must have different or no effects during follow‐up. These characteristics were illustrated for patients listed for liver transplant. The PEM‐TID model had similar or better predictive performance than the PEM‐TD model, and both were better than the Cox proportional hazards model. Thus, PEMs with time‐varying effects can improve predictive performance for patient mortality after listing for a solid organ transplant.
Conjugate Bayesian unit‐level modelling of count data under informative sampling designs
Authors: Parker Paul A. , Holan Scott H. , Janicki Ryan
Published: January 2020

Unit‐level models for survey data offer many advantages over their area‐level counterparts, such as potential for more precise estimates and a natural benchmarking property. However, two main challenges occur in this context: accounting for an informative survey design and handling non‐Gaussian data types. The pseudo‐likelihood approach is one solution to the former, and conjugate multivariate distribution theory offers a solution to the latter. By combining these approaches, we attain a unit‐level model for count data that accounts for informative sampling designs and includes a fully Bayesian model uncertainty propagation. Importantly, conjugate full conditional distributions hold under the pseudo‐likelihood, yielding an extremely computationally efficient approach. Our method is illustrated via an empirical simulation study using count data from the American Community Survey public use microdata sample.