bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Utility of an Increase in Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Predicting Fibrosis Progression in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ajmera Veeral H. , Liu Amy , Singh Seema , Yachoa Georg , Ramey Matthew , Bhargava Meera , Zamani Ava , Lopez Scarlett , Mangla Neeraj , Bettencourt Ricki , Rizo Emily , Valasek Mark , Behling Cynthia , Richards Lisa , Sirlin Claude , Loomba Rohit
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims

Cross‐sectional studies have shown that magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is accurate in the noninvasive detection of advanced fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there are limited data on the longitudinal association between an increase in liver stiffness on MRE and fibrosis progression in NAFLD. Therefore, using a well‐characterized prospective cohort of patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD, we aimed to examine the longitudinal association between a 15% increase in liver stiffness on MRE and fibrosis progression in NAFLD.

Approach and Results

This prospective cohort study included 102 patients (62.7% women) with biopsy‐proven NAFLD who underwent contemporaneous MRE and liver biopsy at baseline followed by a repeat paired liver biopsy and MRE assessment. The primary outcome was odds of fibrosis progression by one or more stage as assessed by the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network histologic scoring system. The mean (±SD) of age and body mass index (BMI) were 52 (±14) years and 32.6 (±5.3) kg/m2, respectively. The median time interval between the two paired assessments was 1.4 years (interquartile range 2.15 years). The number of patients with fibrosis stages 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 27, 36, 12, 17, and 10, respectively. In unadjusted analysis, a 15% increase in MRE was associated with increased odds of histologic fibrosis progression (odds ratio [OR], 3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17‐10.76; P = 0.0248). These findings remained clinically and statistically significant even after multivariable adjustment for age, sex, and BMI (adjusted OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.10‐10.31; P = 0.0339). A 15% increase in MRE was the strongest predictor of progression to advanced fibrosis (OR, 4.90; 95% CI, 1.35‐17.84; P = 0.0159).

Conclusions

A 15% increase in liver stiffness on MRE may be associated with histologic fibrosis progression and progression from early fibrosis to advanced fibrosis.
An Israeli Gynecologic Oncology Group study of statin use and endometrial cancer prognosis
Authors: Segev Yakir , Gemer Ofer , Helpman Limor , Hag‐Yahia Nasreen , Eitan Ram , Raban Oded , Vaknin Zvi , Ben‐Arie Alon , Amit Amnon , Levy Tally , Namazov Ahmed , Voldarsky Michael , Shachar Inbar Ben , Atlas Ilan , Bruchim Ilan , Lavie Ofer
Published: September 2019

Objective

To assess whether statin use by endometrial cancer patients was associated with a survival advantage.

Methods

A retrospective chart review study, by the Israeli Gynecologic Oncology Group, of consecutive endometrial cancer patients who underwent surgery in one of 11 medical centers between 2002 and 2014. Clinical and pathological reports, and measures of survival were compared between statin users and nonusers. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the effect of using statins on survival measures.

Results

Over a mean follow‐up period of 6.2 years (range, 1–12 years) for 2017 endometrial cancer patients with complete data, 663 (32.8%) used statins prior to diagnosis and 1354 (67.1%) did not. No statistically significant differences between the groups were observed for most demographic and clinical characteristics. There was no difference between statin users and nonusers in 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (82% vs 83%; P=0.508), disease‐specific survival (86% vs 84%; P=0.549), or overall survival (77% vs 75%; P=0.901).

Conclusions

In this large cohort of patients with endometrial cancer, no significant associations were found between use of statins and endometrial cancer survival.
Decomposable super‐simple RBIBDs with block size 4 and index 6
Authors: Sun Xianwei , Abel R. Julian R. , Yu Huangshen , Wu Dianhua
Published: September 2019

Necessary conditions for the existence of a decomposable super‐simple resolvable ‐BIBD whose two component subdesigns are both resolvable ‐BIBDs are (mod ) and . In this paper, it is proved that these necessary conditions are sufficient, except possibly for .
Association between serum ferritin and the severity of drug eruptions
Authors: Pan Yunlei , Tang Shunli , Zheng Siting , Li Sheng , Zhu Dingxian , Fang Hong , Qiao Jianjun
Published: September 2019

Background

Early recognition and treatment for severe drug eruption are important in improving clinical outcomes. A few studies have reported laboratory parameters to evaluate the severity of drug eruptions. This study aimed to determine the association between serum ferritin and the severity of drug eruptions.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with drug eruptions in our hospital from 2013 to 2018.

Results

We identified 85 patients (mean age 53.4 years), 20 in the severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCADRs) group and 65 in the non‐SCADRs group. Serum ferritin level was higher in the SCADRs group compared with that in the CADRs group (P<.001). Serum ferritin was positively associated with peripheral white blood cell count, aspartate aminotransferase level, alanine aminotransferase level, blood glucose level, blood creatinine level, and body temperature. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed a good diagnostic value of ferritin (area under the curve [AUC]:0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.78‐0.96) with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 87.7% at a cutoff value of 416.15 ng/mL.

Conclusions

Serum ferritin is significantly associated with the severity of CADRs and hence might be potentially used to evaluate the severity of CADRs.
The biogenesis and biological functions of circular RNAs and their molecular diagnostic values in cancers
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Shen Yijing , Li Zhe , Ruan Yao , Li Tianwen , Xiao Bingxiu , Sun Weiliang
Published: September 2019

Background

In addition to non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous RNAs with various functions, which have recently become a research hotspot. CircRNAs are a kind of closed circular RNA molecule widely existing in transcriptomes. Due to lack of free ends, they are not easily cleaved by RNase R, thus avoiding degradation. They are more stable than linear RNAs.

Methods

Data were collected through PubMed. The following search terms were used: “circular RNA,” “circRNA,” “cancer,” “mechanism,” “biogenesis,” “biomarker,” “diagnosis.” Only articles published in English were included.

Results

Most circRNAs express tissue/developmental stage specificity. Moreover, circRNAs are involved in the regulation of a variety of biological activities. In this review, we discuss the formation, classification, and biological functions of circRNAs, especially their molecular diagnostic values in common cancers, including gastric cancer (hsa_circ_002059, circ_LARP4, hsa_circ_0000190, hsa_circ_0000096, circ‐SFMBT2, and circ_PVT1), hepatocellular carcinoma (circ_104075, circRNA_100338, circ_MTO1, and circZKSCAN1), colorectal cancer (hsa_circ_0136666 and hsa_circ_0000523), lung cancer (hsa_circ_0006427, circ_100876, and circ_ABCB10), breast cancer (hsa_circ_0089105, circAGFG1, and circEPSTI1), bladder cancer (circFNDC3B and circTFRC), and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (circ_100876 and circ‐DLG1).

Conclusion

CircRNAs not only play important roles in tumorigenesis, but also may become new diagnostic biomarkers.
Inhibition of tumor propellant glutathione peroxidase 4 induces ferroptosis in cancer cells and enhances anticancer effect of cisplatin
Authors: Zhang Xuefei , Sui Shiyao , Wang Lingling , Li Haixia , Zhang Lei , Xu Shouping , Zheng Xiulan
Published: September 2019

Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) has been confirmed to inhibit ferroptosis in cancer cells, however, whether GPX4 serves as an oncogene is not clear. In this study, the expression of GPX4 and its influence to survival of patients with cancer were analyzed via public databases. Furthermore, the epigenetic regulation of GPX4 and the relation between GPX4 and chemoresistance of different anticancer drugs was also detected. Most importantly, cytological assays were performed to investigate the function of GPX4 in cancer cells. The results showed that GPX4 was higher expressed in cancer tissues than normal and was negatively associated with prognosis of patients. Furthermore, at upstream of GPX4 there was low DNA methylation sites and enhanced level of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac, indicating that high level of GPX4 in cancer may resulted from epigenetic regulation. Moreover, GPX4 was positively related to chemoresistance of anticancer drugs L‐685458, lapatinib, palbociclib, and topotecan. In addition, GPX4 may potentially be involved in translation of protein, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I assembly, electron transport oxidative phosphorylation, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic pathways. Finally, we detected that GPX4 inhibited ferroptosis in cancer cells, the inhibition of GPX4 via RSL3 could enhance the anticancer effect of cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, GPX4 acts as an oncogene and inhibits ferroptosis in cancer cells, the anticancer effect of cisplatin can be enhanced by GPX4 inhibition.
A P53‐related microRNA model for predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Fang Shuang‐Sang , Guo Jin‐Cheng , Zhang Jian‐Hua , Liu Jin‐Na , Hong Shuai , Yu Bo , Gao Yuhan , Hu Su‐Pei , Liu Hai‐Zhong , Sun Liang , Zhao Yi
Published: September 2019

Studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in tumor progression and patients’ prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to construct a miRNA model for forecasting the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The gene expression data of 433 patients with HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus public databases were remined by survival analysis and receptor manipulation characteristic curve (ROC). A prognostic model including six miRNAs (hsa‐mir‐26a‐1‐3p, hsa‐mir‐188‐5p, hsa‐mir‐212‐5p, hsa‐mir‐149‐5p, hsa‐mir‐105‐5p, and hsa‐mir‐132‐5p) were constructed in the training dataset (TCGA, n = 333). HCC patients were stratified into a high‐risk group and a low‐risk group with significantly different survival (median: 2.75 vs. 8.93 years, log‐rank test p < .001). Then we proved its performance of stratification in another independent dataset (GSE116182, median: 2.55 vs 6.96 years, log‐rank test p = .008). Cox regression analysis showed that the prognostic model was an independent prognostic indicator for HCC patients. Then time‐dependent ROC analyses were performed to test the prognostic ability of the model with that of TNM staging, we found the model had a better performance, especially at 5 years (AUC = 0.76). Functional prediction showed that the genes targeted by the six prognostic miRNAs in the prognostic model were highly expressed in the P53‐related pathway. In conclusion, we constructed a prognostic miRNA model that could indicate the survival of HCC patients.
Age‐related neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Duggan Michael , Torkzaban Bahareh , Ahooyi Taha Mohseni , Khalili Kamel , Gordon Jennifer
Published: September 2019

Converging evidence indicates the dysregulation of unique cytosolic compartments called stress granules (SGs) might facilitate the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates that underlie many age‐related neurodegenerative pathologies (ANPs). SG dynamics are particularly susceptible to the cellular conditions that are commonly induced by aging, including the elevation in reactive oxygen species and increased concentration of aggregate‐prone proteins. In turn, the persistent formation of these compartments is hypothesized to serve as a seed for subsequent protein aggregation. Notably, the protein quality control (PQC) machinery responsible for inhibiting persistent SGs (e.g., Hsc70–BAG3) can become compromised with age, suggesting that the modulation of such PQC mechanisms could reliably inhibit pathological processes of ANPs. As exemplified in the context of accelerated aging syndromes (i.e., Hutchinson–Gilford progeria), PQC enhancement is emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy, indicating similar techniques might be applied to ANPs. Collectively, these recent findings advance our understanding of how the processes that might facilitate protein aggregation are particularly susceptible to aging conditions, and present investigators with an opportunity to develop novel targets for ANPs.
Knowledge is power—Rational design of cancer immunotherapy
Authors: De Paris Kristina
Published: September 2019

Discussion on how our increasing knowledge on tumor immunity and host defense mechanisms has drastically changed our ability to improve cancer outcomes through the rational design of immunotherapies.
Culture‐dependent diversity of bacteria from Laohugou glacier, Qilian Mts., China and their resistance against metals
Authors: Ali Barkat , Sajjad Wasim , Ghimire Prakriti Sharma , Shengyun Chen , Minghui Wu , Kang Shichang
Published: September 2019

In the current study, psychrophilic, endolithic, and epilithic bacterial strains were isolated and characterized from the nonpolar Laohugou glacier (LHG) no. 12, the largest valley glacier in the western Qilian Mts. located on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Five different types of samples, rocks, soil, glacial water, ice/snow, and cryoconite, were collected. A total of 48 bacterial strains were isolated by using the R2A bacterial cultural medium. The findings revealed that the Gram‐positive bacteria 41 (85.4%) dominated the Gram‐negative bacteria 7 (14.6%) in this extremely harsh environment. Molecular characterization based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing exhibited that the obtained isolates belong to four phyla, among which the diversity of Firmicutes (58.33%) was higher followed by Actinobacteria (23.0%), Proteobacteria (14.6%), and least diversity was reported in Euryarchaeota (4.2%). The bacterial communities were most dominant in soil samples followed by cryoconite sample and least dominant in the ice and snow samples. Moreover, the obtained bacterial isolates were found resistant to high concentrations of heavy metals (Cr3+, Cd2+, Hg2+, and Ar3+) and sodium chloride, and, therefore, exhibited polyextremophilic characteristics. LHG no. 12 is rich in bacterial and archaeal diversities and provides a potentially curious site for further in‐depth exploration of microbial diversity and their biotechnological applications.
Survival and movements of head‐started Mojave desert tortoises
Authors: Daly Jacob A. , Buhlmann Kurt A. , Todd Brian D. , Moore Clinton T. , Peaden J. Mark , Tuberville Tracey D.
Published: September 2019

Head‐starting is a conservation strategy in which young animals are protected in captivity temporarily before their release into the wild at a larger size, when their survival is presumably increased. The Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is in decline, and head‐starting has been identified as one of several conservation measures to assist in recovery. To evaluate the efficacy of indoor head‐starting, we released and radio‐tracked 68 juvenile tortoises from a 2015 cohort in the Mojave National Preserve, California, USA. We released 20 tortoises at hatching (control) in September 2015, and reared 28 indoors and 20 outdoors in predator‐proof enclosures for 7 months before releasing them in April 2016. We monitored tortoises at least weekly after release until 27 October 2016, and documented survivorship, movement, and surface activity. We estimated survivorship by treatment and evaluated effects of treatment, proximity to a raven (Corvus corax) nest (predator) coincidentally established after release, distance moved between monitoring events, surface activity, and release size on individual fate in a generalized linear model. Although indoor head‐start tortoises reached the size of 5–6‐year‐old wild tortoises by release at 7 months of age, survival did not differ significantly among the 3 treatment groups. Combined annual survival was 0.44 (95% CI = 0.34–0.58). Tortoises that were closer to an active raven nest were significantly more likely to die, as were those seen more often outside their burrows and active aboveground. Predicted estimates for short‐term probability of survival approached 1.0 as distance from a raven nest exceeded approximately 1.6 km. Rearing treatment, movement distance, and body size were not significant predictors of fate over the 1‐year monitoring period. Head‐started tortoises released ≥1.6 km from areas of raven activity will likely have higher short‐term survival. Population recovery through head‐starting alone is unlikely to be successful if systemic ecosystem‐level issues, such as habitat degradation and conditions that promote human‐subsidized predators, are not ameliorated. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
In vitro fertilization placenta overgrowth in mice is associated with downregulation of the paternal imprinting gene H19
Authors: Xiang Meng , Ma Yuan , Lei Hui , Wen Liang , Chen Shuqiang , Wang Xiaohong
Published: September 2019

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a widely used assisted reproductive technology for individuals with infertility that may cause placental maldevelopment, which is harmful to the future health of the offspring. In this study, using a mouse model, we not only revealed changes in the placenta caused by IVF at embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5), but also attempted to identify factors that correlate with IVF‐induced abnormal placental development. Our results demonstrate that IVF‐induced placental maldevelopment is associated with hypermethylation of the imprinting control region of the H19 imprinted maternally expressed transcript (H19). IVF, by inducing overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 3β, downregulated H19 and the derived miR675, resulting in the activation of insulin‐like growth factor signaling and its downstream phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Therefore, we provided the first evidence of the molecular signaling pathways that link imprint genes, protein encoding genes, long noncoding RNAs, and microRNAs. This may provide new insights to inform the development of improved operational techniques for IVF and life‐long health of the offspring.
Venous contribution to sodium MRI in the human brain
Authors: Driver Ian D. , Stobbe Robert W. , Wise Richard G. , Beaulieu Christian
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Sodium MRI shows great promise as a marker for cerebral metabolic dysfunction in stroke, brain tumor, and neurodegenerative pathologies. However, cerebral blood vessels, whose volume and function are perturbed in these pathologies, have elevated sodium concentrations relative to surrounding tissue. This study aims to assess whether this fluid compartment could bias measurements of tissue sodium using MRI.

Methods

Density‐weighted and B1 corrected sodium MRI of the brain was acquired in 9 healthy participants at 4.7T. Veins were identified using co‐registered 1H ‐weighted images and venous partial volume estimates were calculated by down‐sampling the finer spatial resolution venous maps from the ‐weighted images to the coarser spatial resolution of the sodium data. Linear regressions of venous partial volume estimates and sodium signal were performed for regions of interest including just gray matter, just white matter, and all brain tissue.

Results

Linear regression demonstrated a significant venous sodium contribution above the underlying tissue signal. The apparent venous sodium concentrations derived from regression were 65.8 ± 4.5 mM (all brain tissue), 71.0 ± 7.4 mM (gray matter), and 55.0 ± 4.7 mM (white matter).

Conclusion

Although the partial vein linear regression did not yield the expected sodium concentration in blood (~87 mM), likely the result of point spread function smearing, this regression highlights that blood compartments may bias brain tissue sodium signals across neurological conditions where blood volumes may differ.
A geometrically decoupled, twisted solenoid single‐axis gradient coil set for TRASE
Authors: Sun Hongwei , AlZubaidi Abbas , Purchase Aaron , Sharp Jonathan C.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

TRASE uses phase gradients in the RF transmit field to encode MRI data. A highly efficient twisted solenoid coil was proposed recently for TRASE imaging for transverse geometries. This novel coil can be rotated to generate a phase gradient in any transverse direction, therefore, combining two such coils would double k‐space coverage for single‐axis encoding, resulting in higher spatial resolution. However, the strong inductive coupling between a pair of coaxial twisted solenoids must be overcome.

Methods

Here, we demonstrate that two concentric twisted solenoids, designed using previously described Biot‐Savart calculations, can be geometrically decoupled by attaching to each a regular solenoid in series. The regular solenoid geometry resulting in minimization of mutual inductance was determined from simulations using the FastHenry2 tool. The effects on TRASE encoding performance due to the regular solenoids were assessed from simulations and experiments.

Results

The maximum resulting magnitude and phase distortions were 3.7% and , while a good isolation dB between the coil pair was obtained. TRASE experiments confirmed the double k‐space coverage, and achieved a rapid spin echo train with 128 k‐space points collected within 80 ms, allowing short samples to be accurately imaged.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a pair of twisted solenoid phase gradient RF coils can be geometrically decoupled. Advantages over active PIN diode decoupling include faster switching, lower hardware complexity, and scalability.
Validity and Reliability of a Nutrition Screening Tool in Identifying Malnutrition Among Hospitalized Adult Patients
Authors: Tah Pei Chien , Kee Chee Cheong , Majid Hazreen Abdul
Published: September 2019

Background

Malnutrition among hospitalized patients is closely associated with various medical complications. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a 3‐Minute Nutrition Screening (3‐MinNS) tool in identifying the risk of malnutrition among hospitalized patients that can be administered by healthcare professionals.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted between January and December 2012. A total of 350 adult patients in a teaching hospital were screened for risk of malnutrition using 3‐MinNS and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). To assess interrater reliability, each patient was screened for risk of malnutrition using 3‐MinNS by 2 different nurses on 2 different occasions within 24 hours after admission. To assess the validity of 3‐MinNS, the level of risk of malnutrition identified by the nurses using 3‐MinNS was compared with the risk of malnutrition as assessed by a dietitian using SGA within 48 hours after the patients’ enrolment into the study. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated in detecting patients at risk of malnutrition. Interrater reliability was determined using κ statistics.

Results

Using SGA, the estimated prevalence of moderate to severe malnutrition was 36.3% (127/350). There was 94% proportional agreement between 2 nurses using 3‐MinNS, and interrater reliability was substantial (κ = 0.79, P < .001). The analysis showed that 3‐MinNS had moderate sensitivity (61.4%–68.5%) but high specificity (95.1%).

Conclusions

The 3‐MinNS is a reliable and valid screening tool for use by healthcare professionals for identifying newly admitted medical and surgical patients who are at risk of malnutrition.
Multidisciplinary approach to children with sinonasal tumors: A review
Authors: Lazim Norhafiza Mat , Abdullah Baharudin
Published: September 2019

Sinonasal tumors in children are rare and difficult to manage. These tumors can be broadly categorized into congenital or acquired and benign or malignant. The tumors mainly arise from the mucosa, cartilage, or bone of the nasal cavity and may occupy areas of the nasal septum, turbinates, osteomeatal complex, sinuses, and nasopharynx. The management of pediatric sinonasal tumors is challenging, especially in cases of malignancy. Malignant tumors pose a treatment dilemma because most such tumors tend to be aggressive and carry a poor prognosis. Multiple complications associated with the primary disease or treatment may occur, and such complications need to be fully addressed to provide optimal care. In most cases, a multidisciplinary team approach will offer the best possible outcome for children with sinonasal tumors.
Isolated congenital tracheal stenosis: A rare and deadly condition
Authors: Arunathan Rajarajeswari , Ariffin Amar Hazwan Zainal , Khor Kee Guan , Tan Shi Nee
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a serious and rare condition. In most cases, CTS is associated with cardiopulmonary abnormalities; however, isolated CTS is present in 10%–30% of patients. The severity of the disorder is dependent on the symptoms, which correlate with the CTS classification.

Case presentation

We discuss our findings in an infant who presented with severe respiratory compromise where incidental intra‐operative findings revealed CTS with no cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Because of a lack of resources in the emergency department, we created a tracheostoma and inserted an endotracheal tube.

Conclusion

The main aim in treating CTS is to secure the airway and provide sufficient oxygen.
Recent Advances in Air Lasing: A Perspective from Quantum Coherence
Authors: Yuan Luqi , Liu Yi , Yao Jinping , Cheng Ya
Published: September 2019

The research topic of air lasing is of fundamental and practical importance, which has grown rapidly in the past decade. Air lasing, or a laser‐like emission from air species including atomic oxygen, atomic argon, atomic nitrogen, molecular nitrogen, and molecular nitrogen ions, has been investigated vastly in both experiment and theory. In this review, the basic concepts of air lasing are discussed and the crucial role of quantum coherence in the air‐lasing process is highlighted. As an exciting perspective, air lasing not only exhibits important fundamental physics such as superradiance, nonlinear effects, vibrational and rotational dynamics, but also shows potential practical implications toward remote sensing.
3D All Printing of Polypyrrole Nanotubes for High Mass Loading Flexible Supercapacitor
Authors: Gu Yifan , Zhang Yan , Shi Yunhui , Zhang Lifang , Xu Xinhua
Published: September 2019

Wearable electronic devices need ceaseless improvement in performance and flexibility. However, few studies were focused on high mass loading electrodes. Herein, a 3D printing method was demonstrated to fabricate the high‐performance supercapacitor on flexible carbon cloth using polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes as electrode materials. The mass loading could achieve 336.56 mg cm−2 through direct ink printing (DIW) technology. In addition, the 3D printed supercapacitor exhibits excellent mechanical stability, the capacitance of the printed device remains 93% at the bending angle of 120°. Its promising performance and outstanding electrochemical stability will provide an ideal method to fabricate wearable storage devices.
Zinc (II) Chloride as Phase Transfer Catalyst and as Catalyst of Cycloaddition Azide Ion to Heterocumulenes and Terminal Alkynes in Organic Solvents
Authors: Vorona Svetlana V. , Zevatskii Yuri E. , Myznikov Leonid V.
Published: September 2019

The system of NaN3–ZnCl2 in organic solvents is effective for azide ion cycloaddition to heterocumulenes and terminal alkynes. The reaction proceeds readily in the case of heterocumulenes, so these transformations fall into the category of click reactions. The study on the reaction mechanism showed that role of zinc salt consists in transferring azide ion to the organic phase and decreasing the energy barrier of nucleophilic addition of azide ion to the unsaturated substrate.
Highlighting the Reversible Manganese Electroactivity in Na‐Rich Manganese Hexacyanoferrate Material for Li‐ and Na‐Ion Storage
Authors: Mullaliu Angelo , Asenbauer Jakob , Aquilanti Giuliana , Passerini Stefano , Giorgetti Marco
Published: September 2019

The electroactivity of sodium‐rich manganese hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) material constituted of only abundant elements, as insertion host for Li‐ and Na‐ions is herein comprehensively discussed. This material features high specific capacities (>130 mAh g−1) at high potentials when compared to other materials of the same class, i.e., Prussian blue analogs. The reversible electronic and structural modifications occurring during ion release/uptake, which are responsible for such high specific capacity, are revealed herein. The in‐depth electronic and structural analysis carried out combining X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), demonstrates that both Fe and Mn sites are involved in the electrochemical process, being the high delivered capacity the result of a reversible evolution in oxidation states of the metallic centers (Fe3+/Fe2+ and Mn2+/Mn3+). Along with the Mn2+/Mn3+ oxidation, the Mn local environment experiences a substantial yet reversible Jahn–Teller effect, being the equatorial Mn‐N distances shrunk by 10% (2.18 Å → 1.96 Å). Na‐rich MnHCF material offers slightly higher performance upon uptake and release of Na‐ions (469 Wh kg−1) than Li‐ions (457 Wh kg−1), being, however, the electronic and structural transformation independent of the adopted medium, as observed by XAS spectroscopy.
Homeostatic control of Drosophila neuromuscular junction function
Authors: Frank C. Andrew , James Thomas D. , Müller Martin
Published: September 2019

The ability to adapt to changing internal and external conditions is a key feature of biological systems. Homeostasis refers to a regulatory process that stabilizes dynamic systems to counteract perturbations. In the nervous system, homeostatic mechanisms control neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, neurotransmitter receptors, and neural circuit function. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of Drosophila melanogaster has provided a wealth of molecular information about how synapses implement homeostatic forms of synaptic plasticity, with a focus on the transsynaptic, homeostatic modulation of neurotransmitter release. This review examines some of the recent findings from the Drosophila NMJ and highlights questions the field will ponder in coming years.
The scent gland chemistry of neogoveid cyphophthalmids (Opiliones): an unusual methyljuglone from Metasiro savannahensis
Authors: Raspotnig Günther , Anderl Felix , Clouse Ronald M.
Published: September 2019

While the chemistries of scent gland secretions from a few selected species of three families of Cyphophthalmi, namely Sironidae, Pettalidae, and Stylocellidae, have already been reported and found to consist of complex blends of naphthoquinones and methyl ketones, nothing is known about the other families. We here report on the secretions ofMetasiro savannahensisClouse and Wheeler (Zootaxa 3814:177–201, 2014), a first representative of the family Neogoveidae. The secretions from males, females and one juvenile were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Twenty-five compounds were identified, all of which belong to the chemical classes of naphthoquinones and methyl ketones, confirming a hypothesized chemical uniformity of cyphophthalmid exudates. One major naphthoquinone compound, however, was new for cyphophthalmids and for arthropod exocrine secretions in general: a methyljuglone isomer, 6-methyljuglone (= 6-MJ; iupac name: 5-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone), amounted for about 20% of the secretion and was eventually identified by synthesis. Hydroxy-naphthoquinones and their derivatives are known to possess a variety of antibiotic effects, probably enhancing the antimicrobial/antifungal potential of theMetasiro-secretion. Currently, without further data on neogoveids, the compound represents a chemical autapomorphy ofM. savannahensis, and—just as the strange chloro-naphthoquinones of Sironidae and Pettalidae—adds to the repertoire of unusual naphthoquinone compounds across the Cyphophthalmi.
On images of complete topologized subsemilattices in sequential semitopological semilattices
Authors: Banakh Taras , Bardyla Serhii
Published: September 2019

A topologized semilattice X is called complete if each non-empty chain $$C\subset X$$

C
⊂
X

has $$\inf C\in {\bar{C}}$$

inf
C
∈

C

¯

and $$\sup C\in {\bar{C}}$$

sup
C
∈

C

¯

. We prove that for any continuous homomorphism $$h:X\rightarrow Y$$

h
:
X
→
Y

from a complete topologized semilattice X to a sequential Hausdorff semitopological semilattice Y the image h(X) is closed in Y.
Prognostic Value of the Combined Index of Plasma Fibrinogen and the Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Yamamoto Masaaki , Kurokawa Yukinori , Kobayashi Noboru , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Tanaka Koji , Makino Tomoki , Yamasaki Makoto , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: September 2019

Background

It has been reported that both fibrinogen and the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are related to the degree of malignancy in various types of cancer. This study compared the combined index of fibrinogen and NLR (F‐NLR) with NLR alone for predicting the prognosis of patients with resectable gastric cancer.

Methods

We collected data on 666 patients with resectable gastric cancer. Patients were divided into three F‐NLR score groups based on the following criteria: score 2, both hyperfibrinogenemia (≥350 mg/dl) and high NLR (≥2.5); score 1, either hyperfibrinogenemia or high NLR; and score 0, neither abnormality. The association between prognosis and NLR alone or F‐NLR was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox multivariate analysis.

Results

The high‐NLR group had significantly worse overall survival (OS) than the low‐NLR group (hazard ratio 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–2.45; log‐rank P = 0.022), but there was no significant difference between the high‐ and low‐NLR groups after adjusting for the fibrinogen level. F‐NLR groups showed significantly different OS (log‐rank P < 0.001) and recurrence‐free survival (log‐rank P < 0.001). The 5‐year OS rate for the groups with F‐NLR scores of 2, 1, and 0 was 72.6%, 81.4%, and 90.4%, respectively. A Cox multivariate analysis of OS revealed that a high F‐NLR score (1 or 2) was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

F‐NLR was an independent prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer and a more useful prognostic indicator than NLR alone.
The ALBI Grade is a Good Predictive Model for Very Late Recurrence in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Primary Resection
Authors: Lin Chun‐Yu , Lin Chih‐Che , Wang Chih‐Chi , Chen Chao‐Long , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Hung Chao‐Hung , Huang Pao‐Yuan , Tsai Ming‐Chao
Published: September 2019

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients still have risk for very late recurrence after curative resection. This study assesses prognostic factors in HCC patients with recurrence‐free survival (RFS) for 5 years after primary resection.

Methods

We enrolled 383 HCC patients who received primary tumor resection and achieved more than 5 years without recurrence after resection between January 2001 and April 2013. Predictive factors, including albumin‐bilirubin (ALBI) grade, for RFS and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 103 months, 57 patients (14.9%) had recurrent HCC, and 14 (3.7%) died. Independent predictors for HCC recurrence were male sex (p = 0.035), pre‐operative liver cirrhosis (LC) (p = 0.025), serum creatinine  > 1.5 mg/dL (p = 0.045), post‐operative 5th‐year alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) > 15 ng/ml (p < 0.001), LC (p = 0.004), and ALBI grades 2 and 3 (p < 0.001). I ndependent risk factors for poor survival were age >70 years (p = 0.002), post‐operative 5th‐year AFP > 15 ng/ml (p = 0.003), and ALBI grades 2 and 3 (p = 0.002). Patients whose deteriorated ALBI grades 5 years after resection had adverse RFS outcomes compared to those with constant (p = 0.056) and improved ALBI grades (p = 0.008). In subgroup analysis, patients with post‐operative 5th‐year ALBI grades 2 and 3 had significantly poorer RFS and OS (both p < 0.001) than those with grade 1 among patients with low post‐operative 5th‐year AFP (<15 ng/mL).

Conclusion

In HCC patients without recurrence for 5 years after curative resection, post‐operative 5th‐year ALBI grade is useful for predicting outcomes, even with low AFP during follow‐up.
Distributed graph queries over models@run.time for runtime monitoring of cyber-physical systems
Authors: Búr Márton , Szilágyi Gábor , Vörös András , Varró Dániel
Published: September 2019

Smart cyber-physical systems (CPSs) have complex interaction with their environment which is rarely known in advance, and they heavily depend on intelligent data processing carried out over a heterogeneous and distributed computation platform with resource-constrained devices to monitor, manage and control autonomous behavior. First, we propose a distributed runtime model to capture the operational state and the context information of a smart CPS using directed, typed and attributed graphs as high-level knowledge representation. The runtime model is distributed among the participating nodes, and it is consistently kept up to date in a continuously evolving environment by a time-triggered model management protocol. Our runtime models offer a (domain-specific) model query and manipulation interface over the reliable communication middleware of the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard widely used in the CPS domain. Then, we propose to carry out distributed runtime monitoring by capturing critical properties of interest in the form of graph queries, and design a distributed graph query evaluation algorithm for evaluating such graph queries over the distributed runtime model. As the key innovation, our (1) distributed runtime model extends existing publish–subscribe middleware (like DDS) used in real-time CPS applications by enabling the dynamic creation and deletion of graph nodes (without compile time limits). Moreover, (2) our distributed query evaluation extends existing graph query techniques by enabling query evaluation in a real-time, resource-constrained environment while still providing scalable performance. Our approach is illustrated, and an initial scalability evaluation is carried out on the MoDeS3 CPS demonstrator and the open Train Benchmark for graph queries.
The mechanical behavior of polylactic acid (PLA) films: fabrication, experiments and modelling
Authors: Mirkhalaf S. M. , Fagerström M.
Published: September 2019

Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the highly applicable bio-polymers in a wide variety of applications including medical fields and packaging. In order to quantitatively model the mechanical behavior of PLA and PLA based bio-composite materials, and also tailor new bio-composites, it is required to characterize the mechanical behavior of PLA. In this study, thin films of PLA are fabricated via hot-pressing, and tensile experiments are performed under different strain rates. To model the mechanical behavior, an elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model, developed in a finite strain setting, is adopted and calibrated. Using the physically-based constitutive model, all regimes of deformation under uniaxial stress state, including post-yield softening, were adequately captured in the simulations. Also, the rate dependency of the stress–strain behavior was properly modelled.
Field scale row unit vibration affecting planting quality
Authors: Zhai Changyuan , Long John , Taylor Randal , Weckler Paul , Wang Ning
Published: September 2019

With recent developments allowing increased planter speeds, improving spatial uniformity of crop emergence will continue to be an important focus of research. Vertical vibration during planting usually interferes with the seed metering and delivery process, and thereby affects seeding quality. Two different row crop planters were instrumented with accelerometers to monitor vertical vibration of planter row units in five fields with a total area of 220 ha in both no-till and strip-tilled conditions. The test results showed that the row unit vibration linearly increased with planting speeds. The R2 of each fitting equation was more than 0.90. The main frequencies of the vibration were concentrated in a low-frequency band of 3 Hz to 10 Hz. These frequencies did not show an increasing trend with the planter speed. However, the amplitude clearly increased when the planter speed increased. For the John Deere MaxEmerge™ 5 planter, the manually measured average plant spacing was close to the target plant spacing with a maximum error of 21 mm, and a max coefficient of variation (CV) of 24.3%; the standard deviation (SD) increased with travel speed and row unit vibration. For the John Deere ExactEmerge™ planter, the plant spacing was closer to the target plant spacing with a maximum error of only 5 mm and a max CV of 14.3%; the SD remained almost constant, at lower values than that of the MaxEmerge™ 5, at different speeds. For both planters, overall, the row unit vibration increased planting spatial variability. The quality of feed index decreased with increased vertical acceleration on the row unit while the miss index increased. However, the multiples index was generally unaffected by row unit vibration.
Magnetron-Sputtered Ni-Cr and Ti-Si Layers to Protect Ti-46Al-8Nb (at.%) Substrates Against Gas Absorption
Authors: Mitoraj-Królikowska Marzena , Godlewska Elzbieta
Published: September 2019

Ni-Cr and Ti-Si layers were deposited by magnetron sputtering on Ti-46Al-8Nb (at.%) substrates to suppress penetration of gases, which brings about undesirable changes in mechanical properties. Alloy samples with and without surface protection were subjected to interrupted oxidation at elevated temperature (700 and 800 °C) for up to 300 h. Selected mechanical properties as well as adhesion of surface layers were examined in the as-received and oxidized state. Analytical techniques used to characterize surfaces and cross sections of the samples included scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. Both investigated layers were sufficiently adherent and effective in hindering gas absorption at 700 °C; however, only Ni-Cr showed promising properties for higher-temperature applications.
Highly dispersed cobalt Fischer–Tropsch synthesis catalysts supported on γ-Al2O3, CNTs, and graphene nanosheet using chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Kazemnejad Iraj , Feizbakhsh Alireza , Niazi Ali , Tavasoli Ahmad
Published: September 2019

Highly dispersed 15.0 wt% cobalt catalysts were prepared on γ-Al2O3, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene nanosheet (GNS) using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) procedure. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts were studied by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) techniques, and the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) performance of the catalysts was assessed at 220 °C, 18 bar, H2/CO = 2 and feed flow rate of 45 ml/min g cat. Based on BET results, Co/GNS catalyst provided highest surface area in comparison to the other catalysts. XRD and FESEM results revealed that CVD method prepared smaller particles on GNS compared to the other supports and resulted in the most dispersed metal particles on GNS according to H2-chemisorption results. The performance of Co/Al2O3 catalyst prepared by CVD method was compared with conventional 15 wt% Co/Al2O3 catalyst prepared by impregnation method. The Co/Al2O3 catalyst prepared with CVD method showed 5.3% higher %CO conversion and 2.1% lower C5+ selectivity as compared with the Co/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by impregnation method. Among three catalysts prepared by CVD, Co/GNS showed higher %CO conversion of 78.4% and C5+ selectivity of 70.3%. Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst showed higher stability.
Exponential Jacobi spectral method for hyperbolic partial differential equations
Authors: Youssri Y. H. , Hafez R. M.
Published: September 2019

Herein, we have proposed a scheme for numerically solving hyperbolic partial differential equations (HPDEs) with given initial conditions. The operational matrix of differentiation for exponential Jacobi functions was derived, and then a collocation method was used to transform the given HPDE into a linear system of equations. The preferences of using the exponential Jacobi spectral collocation method over other techniques were discussed. The convergence and error analyses were discussed in detail. The validity and accuracy of the proposed method are investigated and checked through numerical experiments.
Leaching improvement of ceramic cores for hollow turbine blades based on additive manufacturing
Authors: Zhu Wei-Jun , Tian Guo-Qiang , Lu Yang , Miao Kai , Li Di-Chen
Published: September 2019

The precision casting method based on alumina-based ceramic cores is one of the main techniques used to manufacture hollow turbine blades. Additive manufacturing (AM) technology provides an alternate solution to fabricating ceramic cores quickly and precisely. As the complexity of the structure increases and the strength of the material improves, the leaching process of the cores becomes more complicated. This study proposes a compound pore-forming method to increase the porosity of ceramic cores by adding a preformed-pore agent and materials that convert to easy-to-corrode phases. The preformed-pore agents (e.g., carbon fibers) can be burned off during sintering to form pores before the leaching, and the easy-to-corrode phases (e.g., CaCO3, SiO2, β-Al2O3) can be leached firstly to form pores during the leaching process. The pores formed in the aforementioned two stages increase the contact area of the cores and leaching solution, thus improving the leaching rate. In the current study, the additive amount of the preformed-pore agent was optimized, and the effect of the easy-to-corrode phases on the comprehensive properties of the cores was then compared. Based on this, the corresponding model was established.
Brief report: Problematic social media use and sleep disturbances are longitudinally associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents
Authors: Raudsepp Lennart
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Problematic social media use and sleep disturbances are independently related with mental health. However, evidence of combined effects of changes in problematic social media use and sleep disturbances on changes in depressive symptoms in adolescents is limited. The aim of this study was to examine complex longitudinal associations between problematic social media use, sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms during middle adolescence.

Methods

A 2‐year longitudinal study was conducted consisting of three waves, each separated by 1 year. The participants were 249 Estonian adolescents (46,6% female) aged 15.3 ± 0.3 years (M ± SD) who completed self‐report measures of problematic social media use, sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms.

Results

The findings revealed that initial level in both problematic social media use and sleep disturbances both significantly predicted change in depressive symptoms. Moreover, the increases in problematic social media use and sleep disturbances were both associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, irrespective of gender.

Conclusions

Our findings add strength to the evidence supporting longitudinal associations between problematic social media use and depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms in middle adolescence.