bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frasnian–Tournaisian (Late Devonian to Earliest Carboniferous) lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of Hainan Island, South China
Authors: Yao Hua‐Zhou , Zhang Ren‐Jie , Niu Zhi‐Jun , Tu Bing , Wang Zhi‐Hong , He Yao‐Yan , Song Fang , Zhao Lai‐Shi , Wang Jian‐Xiong , Wang Yang , Long Wen‐Guo
Published: February 2021

Sedimentary successions of the Frasnian–Tournaisian (Late Devonian to Earliest Carboniferous) and their spatial distributions in the Hainan Island, South China are critically reviewed based on updated information of the previously published data and newly obtained fossils. The Upper Devonian strata are assigned to the Frasnian Lanyang Formation and Famennian Changjiang Formation, which are distributed in north‐western Hainan Island. The Lanyang Formation is represented by limestone, siltstone, slate, and intercalated with tuff, and yields tentaculites: Polycylindrites sp., stromatoporoids, and tabulate corals. The Changjiang Formation yields abundant conodonts Palmatolepis gracilis sigmoidalis and Polynodosus germanus, typical of Famennian assemblages, and the associated faunas include corals, radiolarians, foraminifers, and calcareous algae of Famennian age. Of these, corals are assignable to the upper Famennian Cystophrentis Zone of South China. The strata of the Tournaisian Jishi Formation are categorized into two types, typically exposed in the Shilu and Jinbo areas, respectively, both of which are located north to the Gancheng‐Wanning Fault. The lower Jishi Formation yields brachiopods Unispirifer (Unispirifer) extensus, Unispirifer sp., Schuchertella magna, and gastropods. The middle Jishi Formation yields conodonts: Siphonodella isosticha and S. levis, brachiopods: Unispirifer (Unispirifer) forbesi, Atylephorus tornacensis, coral: Pseudouralinia irregularis, trilobite: Weberiphillipsia linguiformis, ostracods, bryozoans, and foraminifers. The conodonts are assignable to the zonation equivalent to the Siphonodella sulcata Zone, implying the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary is placed at the base of the middle part of the formation. The upper part of the Jishi Formation yields abundant brachiopods characterized by Mesochorispira subgrandis, Atylephorus tornacensis, and Marginatia huaqiaoensis. The presence of corals Cystophrentis, Pseudouralinia, Zaphrentites, and Kueichowpora, and trilobite Hunanoproetus, endemic to South China from the Changjiang and Jishi formations implies that the Hainan Island was palaeobiogeographically close to the South China Block of the Tethyan Realm, rather than of Gondwana affinity during the Late Devonian and Tournaisian. Identification of Xinanosprifer flabellum and Homotoma sp., typical of early Silurian from the ‘Nanhao Formation’ previously assigned to the Tournaisian suggests that no Carboniferous strata are distributed in southern Hainan Island and the area south of the Gancheng‐Wanning Fault.
Reactive astrocytes as treatment targets in Alzheimer's disease—Systematic review of studies using the APPswePS1dE9 mouse model
Authors: Smit Tamar , Deshayes Natasja A. C. , Borchelt David R. , Kamphuis Willem , Middeldorp Jinte , Hol Elly M.
Published: February 2021

Astrocytes regulate synaptic communication and are essential for proper brain functioning. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) astrocytes become reactive, which is characterized by an increased expression of intermediate filament proteins and cellular hypertrophy. Reactive astrocytes are found in close association with amyloid‐beta (Aβ) deposits. Synaptic communication and neuronal network function could be directly modulated by reactive astrocytes, potentially contributing to cognitive decline in AD. In this review, we focus on reactive astrocytes as treatment targets in AD in the APPswePS1dE9 AD mouse model, a widely used model to study amyloidosis and gliosis. We first give an overview of the model; that is, how it was generated, which cells express the transgenes, and the effect of its genetic background on Aβ pathology. Subsequently, to determine whether modifying reactive astrocytes in AD could influence pathogenesis and cognition, we review studies using this mouse model in which interventions were directly targeted at reactive astrocytes or had an indirect effect on reactive astrocytes. Overall, studies specifically targeting astrocytes to reduce astrogliosis showed beneficial effects on cognition, which indicates that targeting astrocytes should be included in developing novel therapies for AD.
Assessment of the Frail Patient With End‐Stage Liver Disease: A Practical Overview of Sarcopenia, Physical Function, and Disability
Authors: Williams Felicity R , Milliken Don , Lai Jennifer C , Armstrong Matthew J
Published: February 2021

Frailty has emerged as a powerful predictor of clinical outcomes (e.g., decompensation, hospitalization, mortality) in patients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD). It is therefore of paramount importance that all patients with ESLD undergo an assessment of frailty, to support life and death decision making (i.e., candidacy for critical care, transplantation) and aid with prioritization of evolving prehabilitation services (i.e., nutrition, physiotherapy, psychotherapy). This article aims to provide a practical overview of the recent advances in the clinical, radiological, and remote assessment tools of the frail patient with ESLD. Historically, clinicians have incorporated an assessment of frailty using the “end‐of‐the‐bed test” or “eyeball test” into their clinical decision making. However, over the last decade, numerous nonspecific and specific tools have emerged. The current evidence supports the use of a combination of simple, user‐friendly, objective measures to first identify frailty in ESLD (notably Clinical Frailty Scale, Liver Frailty Index), followed by a combination of serial tools to assess specifically sarcopenia (i.e., muscle ultrasound), physical function (i.e., chair stands, hand grip strength), functional capacity (i.e., 6‐minute walk test), and physical disability (i.e., activities of daily living).
Perceived corporate social responsibility and affective commitment: The mediating role of psychological capital and the impact of employee participation
Authors: Papacharalampous Nikolaos , Papadimitriou Dimitra
Published: February 2021

This study examines the influence of employees' perception of their employers' corporate social responsibility (CSR) on their affective commitment. Drawing on social identity theory and positive organizational behavior in the context of human resource development, the study tests the mediating effect of employees' psychological capital (PsyCap) by using the bootstrap method to estimate the significance of indirect effects. Also, it accounts for any significant group differences across participants (Ps) and non‐participants in organizational CSR programs. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 260 employees of 23 firms in Greece. The measurement model was tested by applying confirmatory factor analysis and the research hypotheses were empirically tested by using structural equation modeling, independent samples t‐test, and chi‐square difference test. Findings revealed a strong and positive relation between employees' CSR perception and affective commitment, which is partially mediated by PsyCap. All scores of the study's variables were found to differ significantly in favor of Ps. However, the hypothesized interactions between variables were not proven to vary significantly on account of the employees' participation in CSR. The study advances the emerging micro‐level CSR literature by estimating the importance of employees' positive perception and participation in CSR.
Adequate asparaginase is important to prevent central nervous system and testicular relapse of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome‐negative B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Liu Chenxi , Huang Binxiao , Wu Ruichi , Chen Jing , Tang Yanjing , Hu Wenting , Li Jing , Chen Xiaoxiao , Cai Jiaoyang , Zhou Min , Chen Changcheng , Shen Shuhong
Published: February 2021

Asparaginase (Asp) is one of the most important drugs for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, off‐protocol Asp administration (OPAA) or hypersensitivity may disturb its pharmacokinetic profile. In this retrospective study, we sought to determine whether OPAA and hypersensitivity to Escherichia coli asparaginase (E coli Asp) impaired extramedullary relapse prevention in a pediatric ALL cohort treated according to SCMC‐ALL‐2005 protocol from 2005 to 2014 at the Shanghai Children's Medical Center (SCMC). In total, 676 patients were enrolled in this study, including 369 with OPAA and 60 exhibiting hypersensitivity to E coli Asp. At the end of the most recent follow‐up, 58 patients had extramedullary relapse. The 5‐year cumulative extramedullary relapse incidence in patients with OPAA was 11.01%, whereas that in patients without OPAA was 5.28% (P = .0036). Moreover, the 5‐year cumulative extramedullary relapse incidence in patients that exhibited hypersensitivity to E coli Asp was 16.48%, whereas that in patients without hypersensitivity was 7.59% (P = .0195). Concerning the relapse site, OPAA not only increased central nervous system (CNS) relapse but testicular relapse as well. Based on Fine and Gray multivariate analysis, OPAA and hypersensitivity to Asp were independent risk factors for extramedullary relapse. In conclusion, to prevent extramedullary relapse of ALL, adequate duration to administrate Asp was more important than the total dosage, and more attention should be paid to Asp inadequate due to hypersensitivity.
Intrauterine device use and risk of ovarian cancer: Results from the New England Case‐Control study and Nurses' Health Studies
Authors: Yang Jiaxi , Sasamoto Naoko , Babic Ana , Vitonis Allison F. , Townsend Mary K. , Titus Linda , Cramer Daniel W. , Tworoger Shelley S. , Terry Kathryn L.
Published: February 2021

Results of studies assessing intrauterine device (IUD) use and ovarian cancer risk are inconsistent. We examined the association between IUD use, including duration, type and timing of use, and ovarian cancer risk using three population‐based studies. Data from the New England Case‐Control Study (NEC) and two prospective cohort studies, the Nurses' Health Studies (NHS/NHSII), were included in the analysis. Information on IUD use was collected by in‐person interview in NEC and by biennial questionnaire in NHS/NHSII. We used unconditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in NEC and Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI in NHS/NHSII. We used meta‐analysis to combine the NEC and the pooled NHS/NHSII results. Overall, IUD use was not associated with epithelial ovarian cancer risk (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.81‐1.14 in NEC; HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.69‐1.15 in NHS/NHSII; combined RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.81‐1.08). Among IUD users, older age at first use was associated with increased ovarian cancer risk (P‐trend = .03). We did not observe significant associations by IUD type or duration of use. In conclusion, IUD use was not associated with ovarian cancer risk in our study.
Thyroid cancer and its associated factors: A population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Parad Mohammad Taher , Fararouei Mohammad , Mirahmadizadeh Ali Reza , Afrashteh Sima
Published: February 2021

Considering the rising incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer (TC) worldwide, the aim of our study was to determine the risk factors for TC in a province with the highest incidence of TC in the country located at the South of Iran. A population‐based case‐control study was performed on 708 participants (361 new cases and 347 controls). The case participants were selected from the Iranian National Cancer Registry database. Frequency matched for gender and age, and the control participants were selected randomly from the neighborhood of the cases. Based on the results of multiple logistic regression analysis, benign thyroid diseases (eg, hyperthyroidism ORyes/no= 14.06, 95% CI: 5.13‐38.51), family history of TC (ORyes/no= 3.54, 95% CI: 1.51‐8.26), radiation exposure of the head (ORyes/no= 1.92, 95% CI: 1.03‐3.60), family history of thyroid diseases (ORyes/no= 1.76, 95% CI: 1.19‐2.62) and family history of other types of cancer (ORyes/no= 1.67, 95% CI: 1.01‐2.74), significantly increased the risk of developing TC. On the other hand, high blood pressure (ORyes/no= 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19‐0.64), higher education (ORcollege/illiterate= 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30‐0.96), consumption of unsaturated fat (ORunsaturated/saturated= 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39‐0.87) and being married (ORmarried/single= 0.60, 95% CI 0.37‐0.98) were found to be protective factors. Some community‐based interventions, for example, reduction in radiation exposure and screening members of families with underlying thyroid diseases may help in preventing or early diagnosis of TC. More studies on the health effects of local herbs are highly recommended.
Lactobacillus cell‐free supernatant as a novel bioagent and biosurfactant against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the prevention and treatment of orthopedic implant infection
Authors: Jeyanathan Augustina , Ramalhete Rita , Blunn Gordon , Gibbs Hannah , Pumilia Cyrus Anthony , Meckmongkol Teerin , Lovejoy John , Coathup Melanie J.
Published: February 2021

The hypothesis was that probiotic Lactobacillus species (spp.) or their cell‐free supernatant (CFS) are effective in inhibiting (a) planktonic growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), (b) its adhesion to a Ti6Al4V‐alloy surface, and (c) in dispersing biofilm once formed. (a) A planktonic co‐culture containing PA(104 colony‐forming unit [CFU]/ml) was combined with either Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), or Lactobacillus fermentum (LF) at a suspension of 104 (1:1) or 108 CFU/ml (1:2). Lactobacillus and PA CFUs were then quantified. (b) Ti‐6Al‐4V discs were inoculated with PA followed by supplementation with CFS and adherent PA quantified. (c) Biofilm covered discs were supplemented with Lactobacillus CFS and remaining PA activity quantified. Results showed that whole‐cell cultures were ineffective in preventing PA growth; however, the addition of CFS resulted in a 99.99 ± 0.003% reduction in adherent PA in all Lactobacillus groups (p < .05 in all groups) with no viable PA growth measured in the LF and LP groups. Following PA biofilm formation, CFS resulted in a significant reduction in PA activity in all Lactobacillus groups (p ≤ .05 in all groups) with a 29.75 ± 15.98% increase measured in control samples. Supplementation with CFS demonstrated antiadhesive, antibiofilm, and toxic properties to PA.
Skeletal Response to Insulin in the Naturally Occurring Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Mouse Model
Authors: Dixit Manisha , Liu Zhongbo , Poudel Sher Bahadur , Yildirim Gozde , Zhang Yanjiao Zhang , Mehta Shilpa , Murik Omer , Altarescu Geona , Kobayashi Yoshifumi , Shimizu Emi , Schaffler Mitchell B. , Yakar Shoshana
Published: February 2021

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) exhibit reduced BMD and significant increases in fracture risk. Changes in BMD are attributed to blunted osteoblast activity and inhibited bone remodeling, but these cannot fully explain the impaired bone integrity in T1DM. The goal of this study was to determine the cellular mechanisms that contribute to impaired bone morphology and composition in T1DM. Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice were used, along with μCT, histomorphometry, histology, Raman spectroscopy, and RNAseq analyses of several skeletal sites in response to naturally occurring hyperglycemia and insulin treatment. The bone volume in the axial skeleton was found to be severely reduced in diabetic NOD mice and was not completely resolved with insulin treatment. Decreased bone volume in diabetic mice was associated with increased sclerostin expression in osteocytes and attenuation of bone formation indices without changes in bone resorption. In the face of blunted bone remodeling, decreases in the mineral:matrix ratio were found in cortical bones of diabetic mice by Raman microspectroscopy, suggesting that T1DM did not affect the bone mineralization process per se, but rather resulted in microenvironmental alterations that favored mineral loss. Bone transcriptome analysis indicated metabolic shifts in response to T1DM. Dysregulation of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation, transport, and synthesis was found in diabetic NOD mice. Specifically, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme 4 and glucose transporter 1 levels were increased, whereas phosphorylated‐AKT levels were significantly reduced in diabetic NOD mice. In conclusion, in addition to the blunted bone formation, osteoblasts and osteocytes undergo metabolic shifts in response to T1DM that may alter the microenvironment and contribute to mineral loss from the bone matrix. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The effect of amino‐modified mesoporous silica nanospheres on properties of SPEEK/HPW@Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles proton exchange membrane
Authors: Meng Xiaoyu , Li Chunjuan , Wen Jihong , Ye Haimu , Cong Chuanbo , Zhou Qiong , Xu Lixin
Published: February 2021

Incorporating acid proton carriers into a polymer matrix is an effective way to improve proton conductivity, but the immobilization of acids is a problem. In this work, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) incorporating phosphotungstic acid (HPW) into sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) improved the conductivity of the proton exchange membrane. Meanwhile, the surface of the MSNs was aminated, and the ion interaction with SPEEK was established to increase the dispersion of MSNs. Composite membranes doped with surface‐modified silica (K‐MSNs) have excellent proton conductivity and conductivity stability. When the K‐MSNs content was 1 wt%, the proton conductivity of the composite membrane reached 243 mS/cm at 60°C. After 240 hr of immersion at 60°C, proton conductivity was retained at 210 mS/cm. Compared with MSNs, K‐MSNs has a large number of amino groups on its surface, which can effectively reduce the loss of HPW.
Psychometrics and cultural adaptations of the Communities That Care Youth Survey: A systematic review
Authors: Thurow Charlene F. , Nunes Cyntia , Schneider Daniela R.
Published: February 2021

Aims

The Communities That Care Youth Survey (CTCYS) is an assessment for youth risk and protective factors focused on antisocial behaviors, drug abuse, violence, and delinquency. The systematic review aimed to analyze psychometric validations and cross‐cultural adaptation processes of CTCYS to prepare its Brazilian validation.

Methods

PubMed, SpringerLink, Scopus, and Web of Science were the databases included. The study followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) protocol.

Results

Twenty articles were selected based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. In general, the construct validity indexes were considered adequate, and the measures of risk and protective factors were equivalent between ethnic groups, gender, and populations at risk. Reliability values for most scales are good, averaging about 0.78. We found cultural adaptations from six different countries with some satisfactory results, but not so good as the original properties of CTCYS and the adjustments to other ethnic groups or subpopulations in the United States.

Conclusion

This survey may be a potentially reliable and valid instrument to assess risk and protection in different cultures and populations. However, there is still a gap in the instrument's cross‐cultural adaptation processes.
Exploring network derived indicators of acculturation among college enrolled Latinxs: Examining language use and homophily in support networks
Authors: Archuleta Adrian J. , Dajani Mona A.
Published: February 2021

Acculturation measures focus on the perceived composition of a person's social networks as a characteristic of cultural change but have not focused on specific social relationships as sources of evaluation. The current study explores network‐derived indicators of acculturation and determines the viability of network acculturation as a related, but distinct, construct from enculturation. A first‐order ego network electronic survey design was used to gather social network and traditional survey data from a sample of college‐enrolled Latinxs using name generator and name interpreter questions. Findings indicate low but statistically significant correlations between network indicators of acculturation and enculturation as hypothesized. No group differences in network acculturation were observed between generational statuses despite demonstrated differences in psychological enculturation. The low but statistically significant relationships between enculturation and network acculturation suggest conceptually related but distinct indicators of acculturation. Latinx homophily was the strongest predictor of enculturation, revealing the importance of network characteristics.
The multifaceted role of sortilin/neurotensin receptor 3 in human cancer development
Authors: Ghaemimanesh Fatemeh , Mehravar Majid , Milani Saeideh , Poursani Ensieh M. , Saliminejad Kioomars
Published: February 2021

Sortilin (also known as neurotensin receptor 3) is a multitasking protein implicated in numerous pathophysiological processes, including cancer development, cardiovascular impairment, Alzheimer‐type dementia, and depression. Although the definitive role of sortilin in human solid and hematological malignancies has been evidenced, few articles reviewed the task. The aim of the current review is to unravel the mechanisms by which sortilin controls oncogenicity and cancer progression; and also to summarize and discuss the original data obtained from international research laboratories on this topic. Questions on how sortilin is involving in the impairment of cell junctions, in exosomes composition and release, as well as in the regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor trafficking are also responded. In addition, we provide a special focus on the regulatory role of sortilin in signal transduction by either neurotrophins or neurotensin in normal and malignant cells. The relevance of sortilin with normal and cancer stem cells is also discussed. The last section provides a general overview of sortilin applications as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in the context of cancer detection. Finally, we comment on the future research aspects in which the field of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy might be developed.
Pathogenesis and prospects for therapeutic clinical application of noncoding RNAs in glaucoma: Systematic perspectives
Authors: Rong Rong , Wang Mengxiao , You Mengling , Li Haibo , Xia Xiaobo , Ji Dan
Published: February 2021

Noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) are an increasingly studied class of RNA molecules with extensive biological activities, including important roles in human development, health, and disease. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the retina, and one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. However, the specific roles of ncRNAs in the development and progression of glaucoma are unclear, and related reports are fragmented. An in‐depth understanding of ncRNAs participating in the pathogenesis and progression of glaucoma would be helpful for opening up new avenues to facilitate the early diagnosis and clinical treatment. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to discuss the current research progress, the potentialfuture clinical applications and the research limitations of three critical classes of ncRNAs in glaucoma, namely microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs.
Influence of chest conformation on ventricular‐arterial coupling during normal pregnancy
Authors: Sonaglioni Andrea , Rigamonti Elisabetta , Nicolosi Gian Luigi , Bianchi Stefano , Lombardo Michele
Published: February 2021

Purpose

There is still controversy regarding the changes of ventricular‐arterial coupling (VAC) during normal pregnancy. The possible influence of chest shape on VAC during normal pregnancy has never been investigated.

Methods

Between October 2019 and June 2020, 59 healthy pregnant women (33.7 ± 4.4 years/old) were consecutively included. They underwent obstetric visit, modified Haller index (MHI) assessment, and complete echocardiographic evaluation with blood pressure measurement to assess arterial elastance (Ea), end‐systolic elastance (Ees), and Ea/Ees as an index of VAC, at 12‐14 weeks and 36‐38 weeks gestation, then 6‐9 weeks after delivery.

Results

VAC progressively increased from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy, then decreased in the postpartum (P < 0.0001) in the whole study population. Women with concave‐shaped chest wall (MHI >2.5, n = 31) but not women with normal chest shape (MHI ≤2.5, n = 28) showed a progressive increase in VAC during normal pregnancy. Women with MHI >2.5 showed a significantly less pronounced increase in stroke volume index (SVi) from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. There was a strong linear correlation between third trimester MHI and VAC (r = 0.93).

Conclusions

Anatomical and/or extrinsic mechanical factors rather than impaired arterial elastance or reduced left ventricular contractility may contribute to changes in VAC during normal pregnancy in women with concave‐shaped chest wall.
Early‐extinction effects on a force response of humans
Authors: Alessandri Jérôme , Lattal Kennon A.
Published: February 2021

Humans were used to investigate changes in response force occurring soon after reinforcement was eliminated. In Experiment 1, in a 300‐s baseline phase, 10 participants received a point for holding down a pressure sensor set to operate at a force equal to 85% of the maximum force the participants exerted during a pretest. Following this, during a 600‐s extinction phase, criterion responses had no consequence. In Experiment 2, 6 participants worked on the same task, but (a) points were exchangeable for money and (b) after extinction, the reinforcement baseline phase was reinstated. In Experiment 3, 6 participants completed the same task as in Experiment 2, but the required minimum force was 60% of the maximum force exerted during the pretest. In each experiment, increases in response force relative to the mean and peak force exerted during the last 100 s of baseline were observed in most participants when force responses were aggregated into short sample intervals, but less so with longer ones. The increases, however, were not systematic across or within participants, questioning the generality of and the criteria for demonstrating an extinction burst.
Postoperative elevation of C‐reactive protein levels and high drain fluid amylase output are strong predictors of pancreatic fistulas after distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Sakamoto Katsunori , Ogawa Kohei , Tamura Kei , Iwata Miku , Matsui Takashi , Nishi Yusuke , Nagaoka Tomoyuki , Funamizu Naotake , Takai Akihiro , Takada Yasutsugu
Published: February 2021

Background

The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Methods

The records of 97 consecutive patients who underwent DP at Ehime University Hospital between June 2009 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, preoperative blood biochemistry data, operative findings, and postoperative findings until postoperative day (POD) 3 were investigated as potential predictors of clinically relevant POPF (CR‐POPF). The product of the drain fluid amylase (DFA) value (U/L) and the drainage amount (mL/day) was defined as DFA output (U/day).

Results

Of 97 patients who underwent DP, 23 (23.7%) developed CR‐POPF. On multivariate analyses, high C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels on POD 3 (>14.0 mg/dL) and high DFA output on POD 3 (>34 U/day) were found to be independent predictors of CR‐POPF (odds ratios, 7.580 and 4.751, respectively; 95% confidence intervals, 2.052‐27.995 and 1.487‐15.175, respectively). Furthermore, the CRP value was helpful for predicting delayed CR‐POPF in patients without POPF on POD3, and DFA output was useful for predicting the development of CR‐POPF in patients diagnosed with POPF on POD3.

Conclusion

Postoperative CRP values and DFA output may facilitate appropriate postoperative management after DP.
A scalable electrothermal model using a three‐dimensional thermal analysis model forGaN‐on‐diamondhigh‐electron‐mobility transistors
Authors: Li Youda , Mao Shuman , Fu Yu , Xu Ruiming , Yan Bo , Zhang Yong , Xu Yuehang
Published: February 2021

A scalable eletrothermal model is necessary for a high‐power amplifier design for accurate accounting of thermal effects. Toward this end, this study presents a scalable large‐signal model of gallium‐nitride (GaN) high‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) on diamond substrates. First, a three‐dimensional (3D) thermal analysis model was established. Then, a modified eletrothemal expression was proposed to predict thermal effects including scalability. For validation, the proposed model was implemented into quasi‐physics zone division (QPZD) large‐signal model. Results show that the proposed model accurately predicts theI–Vcurves of devices with different gate widths, gate fingers, and ambient temperatures. Moreover, the results of the model are consistent with on‐wafer measurements of 2 × 125, 4 × 125, and 10 × 50 μm of GaN‐on‐diamond HEMTs, indicating that the proposed model accurately predicts the DC–IVcurves, scattering parameters, and large‐signal performance. The findings of this study can be useful for designing microwave diamond–GaN HEMT circuits.
Simultaneous and collocated tornado and flash flood warnings associated with tropical cyclones in the contiguous United States
Authors: Burow Daniel , Ellis Kelsey , Tran Liem
Published: February 2021

Simultaneous and collocated tornado and flash flood (TORFF) warnings are a dangerous hazard because the recommended protective action for the two threats are opposite, leaving residents unsure if they should shelter below or seek higher ground. Tropical cyclones (TCs) cause both tornadoes and flash flooding and are thus favourable environments for TORFF warnings. In this study, we provide a unique examination of TORFF warnings in 32 TCs that made landfall in the contiguous United States between 2008 and 2018. We identify TC TORFF warning characteristics including duration, area, distance from coastline, geographic location, and location relative to TC centre, and we compare these results to established findings on TC tornadoes. We found that TORFF warnings were geographically most common in the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and within 200 km of the coastline. TORFF warnings occurred almost exclusively east of TC centre. When compared to TC tornadoes, TORFF warnings were relatively more frequent nearer to the coastline and in the right‐back quadrant of the TC. Over half (59%) of the 32 TCs we studied produced at least one TORFF warning. Using logistic regression, we determined that TC intensity effectively determines how likely a TC is to produce at least one TORFF warning, while TC translational velocity determines how likely a TC is to produce many TORFF warnings. Thus, intense TCs were likely to produce at least a few TORFF warnings, while intense and slow‐moving TCs were likely to produce many TORFF warnings. These findings establish a knowledge base on the climatological characteristics of this unique and dangerous hazard.
Spatio‐temporal evaluation of gridded precipitation products for the high‐altitude Indus basin
Authors: Dahri Zakir Hussain , Ludwig Fulco , Moors Eddy , Ahmad Shakil , Ahmad Bashir , Shoaib Muhammad , Ali Irfan , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Pomee Muhammad Saleem , Mangrio Abdul Ghafoor , Ahmad Muhammad Munir , Kabat Pavel
Published: February 2021

The high‐altitude Indus basin is one of the most complex and inadequately explored mountain terrains in the World, where reliable observations of precipitation are highly lacking. Therefore, spatially distributed precipitation products developed at global/regional scale are often used in several scientific disciplines. However, large uncertainties in precipitation estimates of such precipitation data sets often lead to suboptimal outcomes. In this study, performance of 27 widely used gridded precipitation products belonging to three different categories of gauge‐based, reanalysis and merged products is evaluated with respect to high‐quality reference climatologies of mean monthly precipitation. Widely used statistical measures and quantitative analysis techniques are used to analyse the spatial patterns and quantitative distribution of mean monthly, seasonal and annual precipitation at sub‐regional scale. Mean annual precipitation estimates of the gridded data sets are cross validated with the corresponding adjusted streamflows using Turc‐Budyko non‐dimensional analysis. Results reveal poor to moderately good performance of the gridded data sets. Marked differences in spatiotemporal and quantitative distribution of precipitation are found among the data sets. All data sets are consistent in their patterns showing negative or dry bias in wet areas and positive or wet bias in dry areas, although considerable differences in the magnitudes of the biases are noticed at sub‐regional scale. None of the data sets is equally good for all sub‐regions due to very high spatiotemporal variability in their performance at sub‐regional scale. Gauge‐based and merged products performed better in dry regions and during monsoon season, while reanalysis products provided better estimates in wet areas and during winter months. GPCC V8, ERA5 and MSWEP2.2 are found better than their counter‐grouped data sets. Overall, ERA5 is found most acceptable for all sub‐regions, particularly at higher‐altitudes, in wet areas and during winter months.
Seascape topography slows predicted range shifts in fish under climate change
Authors: Champion Curtis , Coleman Melinda A.
Published: February 2021

Shifts in marine species distributions are occurring rapidly in response to climate change, yet predicted rates of change are partly dependent on the data used to estimate species distributions. While pelagic fishes are known to respond to dynamic oceanographic variables, static topographic features can also regulate their distributions, yet the effect of topography on rates of range shifts remains poorly understood. For a suite of five pelagic fishes from an ocean warming hotspot, we developed generalized additive mixed models that did and did not incorporate preferences for seascape topographic heterogeneity when estimating species distributions. Monthly spatial predictions over two decades revealed that poleward extensions in species' core environmental habitats were significantly reduced by 5.3–60.4% (7.1–131.4 km per decade) when preferences for seascape topography were incorporated. These findings suggest that ignoring species associations with static environmental features can substantially affect predicted rates of climate‐driven redistributions in fishes.
Essentially fully anisotropic Orlicz functions and uniqueness to measure data problem
Authors: Chlebicka Iwona , Nayar Piotr
Published: February 2021

Studying elliptic measure data problem with strongly nonlinear operator whose growth is described by the means of fully anisotropic N‐function, we prove the uniqueness for a broad class of measures. In order to provide it, the framework of capacities in fully anisotropic Orlicz–Sobolev spaces is developed and the capacitary characterization of a bounded measure is given. Moreover, we give an example of an anisotropic Young function Φ, such that
, with arbitrary p ≥ 1, α > 0, but so irregularly growing that the Orlicz–Sobolev‐type space generated by Φ indispensably requires fully anisotropic tools to be handled.
Sperm chromatin integrity and DNA methylation in Norwegian Red bulls of contrasting fertility
Authors: Narud Birgitte , Khezri Abdolrahman , Zeremichael Teklu Tewoldebrhan , Stenseth Else‐Berit , Heringstad Bjørg , Johannisson Anders , Morrell Jane M. , Collas Philippe , Myromslien Frøydis Deinboll , Kommisrud Elisabeth
Published: February 2021

In this study, the complexity of chromatin integrity was investigated in frozen‐thawed semen samples from 37 sires with contrasting fertility, expressed as 56‐day non‐return rates (NR56). Protamine deficiency, thiols, and disulfide bonds were assessed and compared with previously published data for DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS). In addition, in vitro embryo development and sperm DNA methylation were assessed using semen samples from 16 of these bulls. The percentages of DFI and HDS were negatively associated with NR56 and cleavage rate and positively associated with sperm protamine deficiency (p < 0.05). Significant differences in cleavage and blastocyst rates were observed between bulls of high and low NR56. However, once fertilization occurred, further development into blastocysts was not associated with NR56. The differential methylation analysis showed that spermatozoa from bulls of low NR56 were hypermethylated compared to bulls of high NR56. Pathway analysis showed that genes annotated to differentially methylated cytosines could participate in different biological pathways and have important biological roles related to bull fertility. In conclusion, sperm cells from Norwegian Red bulls of inferior fertility have less compact chromatin structure, higher levels of DNA damage, and are hypermethylated compared with bulls of superior fertility.
Au‐Decorated ZnO Nanorod Powder and Its Application in Photodegradation of Organic Pollutants in the Visible Region
Authors: Yao Chujun , Lin Jiamin , Li Lequn , Jiang Kai , Hu Zhigao , Xu Ning , Sun Jian , Wu Jiada
Published: February 2021

A simple, green, and cost‐effective approach to synthesizing powdered Au‐decorated ZnO (ZnO–Au) nanorods having high photocatalytic activity by growing ZnO nanorods and decorating the grown ZnO nanorods with Au nanoparticles via hydrothermal reactions is reported. The morphology and structure of the synthesized samples are characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected‐area electron diffraction, X‐ray diffraction and Raman backscattering measurements. The optical properties are examined through optical absorbance and photoluminescence measurements. The ZnO nanorods have a hexagonal wurtzite structure, whereas the Au nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the surfaces of the ZnO nanorods and present a face‐centered cubic structure. Compared with bare ZnO nanorods, the synthesized ZnO–Au nanorods exhibit a significant increase in ultraviolet and visible light absorption and noticeable quenching of PL, revealing efficient generation of electron–hole pairs by light excitation in a wide spectral region and effective suppression of recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. In addition to the enhanced photocatalytic activity in the ultraviolet region, the ZnO–Au nanorods are expected to have a high visible photocatalytic activity and good stability as visible photocatalysts, which are demonstrated by the photodegradation of organic Rhodamine B and methylene blue dyes under visible light illumination.
Dynamics and stability of matter‐wave solitons in cigar‐shaped Bose–Einstein condensates dragged by Pöschl–Teller potential
Authors: Pereira Lucas Carvalho , Marangoni Bruno Spolon , do Nascimento Valter Aragão
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we theoretically investigate the dynamics and stability of matter‐wave solitons (MWS) in a cigar‐shaped Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) consisting of atoms with attractive interatomic interactions trapped by Pöschl–Teller (PT) potential. In this scenario, we propose the idea of the BEC being dragged by PT potential at a constant speed. The BEC was modeled by the quasi‐one‐dimensional Gross–Piteaevskii Equation (1D‐GPE). In addition, an analytical (time‐dependent variational method) and numerical (split‐step Crank–Nicolson method) approach has been proposed to investigate the dynamic properties of solitons during the temporal evolution of this system. Both analytical and numerical results demonstrated that MWSs dragged by PT potential can be stable. From a general point of view, the results obtained in this paper can motivate both theoretical and experimental investigations on the dynamics and stability of solitons in dilute and ultracold unitary Bose gases trapped by PT potential, nonlinear optical properties in PT quantum wells, and propagation of solitons in nonlinear media.
Dietary protein content and digestibility influences discrimination of amino acid nitrogen isotope values in a terrestrial omnivorous mammal
Authors: Whiteman John P. , Rodriguez Curras Mauriel , Feeser Kelli L. , Newsome Seth D.
Published: February 2021

Rationale

Ecologists increasingly determine the δ15N values of amino acids (AA) in animal tissue; “source” AA typically exhibit minor variation between diet and consumer, while “trophic” AA have increased δ15N values in consumers. Thus, trophic‐source δ15N offsets (i.e., Δ15NT‐S) reflect trophic position in a food web. However, even minor variations in δ15Nsource AA values may influence the magnitude of offset that represents a trophic step, known as the trophic discrimination factor (i.e., TDFT‐S). Diet digestibility and protein content can influence the δ15N values of bulk animal tissue, but the effects of these factors on AA Δ15NT‐S and TDFT‐S in mammals are unknown.

Methods

We fed captive mice (Mus musculus) either (A) a low‐fat, high‐fiber diet with low, intermediate, or high protein; or (B) a high‐fat, low‐fiber diet with low or intermediate protein. Mouse muscle and dietary protein were analyzed for bulk tissue δ15N using elemental analyzer‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA‐IRMS), and were also hydrolyzed into free AA that were analyzed for δ15N using gas chromatography‐combustion‐IRMS.

Results

As dietary protein increased, Δ15NConsumer‐Diet slightly declined for bulk muscle tissue in both experiments; increased for AA in the low‐fat, high‐fiber diet (A); and remained the same or decreased for AA in the high‐fat, low‐fiber diet (B). The effects of dietary protein on Δ15NT‐S and on TDFT‐S varied by AA but were consistent between variables.

Conclusions

Diets were less digestible and included more protein in Experiment A than in Experiment B. As a result, the mice in Experiment A probably oxidized more AA, resulting in greater Δ15NConsumer‐Diet values. However, the similar responses of Δ15NT‐S and of TDFT‐S to diet variation suggest that if diet samples are available, Δ15NT‐S accurately tracks trophic position. If diet samples are not available, the patterns presented here provide a basis to interpret Δ15NT‐S values. The trophic‐source offset of Pro‐Lys did not vary across diets, and therefore may be more reliable for omnivores than other offsets (e.g., Glu‐Phe).
Addition of 2D Ti3C2Tx to Enhance Photocurrent in Diodes for High‐Efficiency Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Yong , Liu Xiaojie , Jing Xin , Wang Xiangkun , Gao Caiyun , Dai Shuixing , Yu Liangmin , Sun Mingliang
Published: February 2021

Solution‐processed 2D Ti3C2Tx nanosheets are incorporated into the active layer of organic solar cells (OSCs) as a third component to obtain an enhancement of the photovoltaic device performance. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the devices is boosted from 9.34% to 10.72% for the PBDB‐T:ITIC blend and from 14.64% to 16.25% for the PM6:Y6 blend after adding 2D Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. The light scattering of the 2D flakes in Ti3C2Tx nanosheets not only increases the short‐circuit current density (JSC) but also improves the carrier dissociation and transfer efficiency in devices, thus leading to reduced bimolecular recombination. Furthermore, Ti3C2Tx with appropriate content has little effect on the interpenetrating network morphology and instead provides an additional pathway for charge transport in photoactive layers. Herein, a potential direction for the application of 2D Ti3C2Tx materials in the field of OSCs is provided.
Polydopamine‐Based Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy/Chemotherapy and their Synergistic Therapy with Autophagy Inhibitor to Promote Antitumor Treatment
Authors: Lu Jiahui , Cai Lulu , Dai Yue , Liu Yawen , Zuo Fengmei , Ni Chen , Shi Meilin , Li Jingjing
Published: February 2021

Polydopamine (PDA) has attracted much attention recently due to its strong adhesion capability to most substrates. After combining with organic (such as organic metal framework, micelles, hydrogel, polypeptide copolymer) or inorganic nanomaterials (such as gold, silicon, carbon), polydopamine‐based nanoparticles (PDA NPs) exhibit the merging of characteristics. Until now, the preparation methods, polymerization mechanism, and photothermal therapy (PTT) or chemotherapy (CT) applications of PDA NPs have been reported detailly. Since the PTT or CT treatment process is often accompanied by exogenous stimuli, tumor cells usually induce pro‐survival autophagy to protect the cells from further damage, which will weaken the therapeutic effect. Therefore, an in‐depth understanding of PDA NPs modulated PTT, CT, and autophagy is required. However, this association is rarely reviewed. Herein, we briefly described the relationship between PTT/CT, autophagy, and tumor treatment. Then, the outstanding performances of PDA NPs in PTT/CT and their combination with autophagy inhibitors for tumor synergistic therapy have been summarized. This work is expected to shed light on the multi‐strategy antitumor therapy applications of PDA NPs.
SCJADE: Yet Another State‐of‐the‐Art Differential Evolution Algorithm
Authors: Xu Zhe , Gao Shangce , Yang Haichuan , Lei Zhenyu
Published: February 2021

Differential evolution algorithms have become one of the most competitive evolutionary algorithms, among which a chaotic differential evolution (CJADE) is a recently proposed state‐of‐the‐art variant. But CJADE still suffers from the premature convergence problem. This paper further improves CJADE by innovatively incorporating a success‐intensity‐based roulette wheel selection method into it. The resultant algorithm called SCJADE shows its superiority over its peer in terms of solution quality and convergence speed on IEEE CEC2017 optimization test suit. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Phosphino‐Stibine Ligands for the Synthesis of Heterometallic Complexes
Authors: Piesch Martin , Gabbaï Francois P. , Scheer Manfred
Published: February 2021

The phosphino‐stibine ligands (o‐PPh2C6H4)2SbR [R = o‐PPh2C6H4 (L1), Ph (L2), Cl (L3)] were incorporated into tungsten and molybdenum carbonyl complexes leading to the formation of cis‐[W(CO)4{(o‐PPh2C6H4)2SbR}] [R = o‐PPh2C6H4 (1), Ph (2), Cl (3)], fac‐[W(CO)3{(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}] (4), fac‐[W(CO)3{(o‐PPh2C6H4)2SbCl}] (5), fac‐[(W(CO)3{(o‐PPh2C6H4)2Sb})2] (6), fac‐[Mo(CO)3{(o‐PPh2C6H4)2SbR}] [R = o‐PPh2C6H4 (7), Ph (8), Cl (9)]. Compounds 1 and 4 were allowed to react with MX salts with M = Cu, Ag, Au and X = Cl–, [PF6]–, respectively. These reactions yielded cis‐[W(CO)4{(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}{MCl}] [M = Cu (10), Ag (11)], cis‐[W(CO)4{(o‐PPh2C6H4)2Sb}{AuCl(o‐PPh2C6H4)}{AuCl}] (12) cis‐[(W(CO)4{(o‐PPh2C6H4)2Sb})2AuCl] (13), cis‐[W(CO)3(μ‐CO){(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}{Cu}][PF6] (14), cis‐[W(CO)4{(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}{AgMeCN}][PF6] (15), cis‐[W(CO)4{(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}{Au}][PF6] (16) cis‐[W(CO)2(μ‐CO){(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}{Cu2(μ‐Cl)2}] (17), fac‐[W(CO)3{(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}{AuCl}] (18), and fac‐[W(CO)2(μ‐CO){(o‐PPh2C6H4)3Sb}{ML}][PF6] [M = Cu, L = MeCN (19), M = Ag, L = MeCN (20), M = Au (21)]. Complexes 10–21 all show metal‐metal distances below the sum of the corresponding van der Waals radii. The proximity of the two metal centers is especially significant in 19–21, indicating the presence of metal‐metal bonding.