bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR‐3607, a biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma invasion and aggressiveness: Its relationship with epithelial‐mesenchymal transition process
Authors: Hu Wen‐Yu , Wei Hai‐Yan , Liu Lu‐Yun , Li Ke‐Ming , Wang Ren‐Ben , Xu Xiao‐Qing , Feng Rui
Published: April 2020

microRNA‐3607 (miR‐3607) has been identified as an important biomarker, and its aberrant expression exerts a significant role in tumorigenesis. However, the biological function of miR‐3607 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) needs to be deciphered comprehensively. Clinical samples of HCC patients, as well as normal cases, were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blotting analyses were utilized to detect the expression levels of indicated genes. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8), colony formation, and transwell assays were performed to assess the effect of miR‐3607 in HCC cell viability, migration, and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to screen the target genes of miR‐3607 and verified the association between miR‐3607 and its potential target gene. Our study showed that miR‐3607 expression was decreased in HCC tissues and cell lines, and its downregulation was linked with poor outcomes of HCC patients. miR‐3607 was noted to inhibit HCC cell growth, colony formation, migration, and invasion. Besides, minichromosome maintenance (MCM5) was a possible target gene of miR‐3607 in HCC. Overexpression of MCM5 was observed in HCC and induced unfavorable prognosis. MCM5 expression had a negative correlation with miR‐3607. MCM5 can abolish the suppressive impacts of miR‐3607 on HCC cell malignant behaviors and the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. To sum up, our results unveiled that miR‐3607 could inhibit HCC cell growth, migration, and invasion by regulating MCM5 and mediating EMT process, suggesting a new probable biomarker for further treatment of HCC.
Serum levels of C1q/TNF‐related protein‐3 in inflammatory bowel disease patients and its inverse association with inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance
Authors: Mohamadinarab Maryam , Ahmadi Reza , Gholamrezayi Afsane , Rahvar Farzaneh , Naghdalipour Mehri , Setayesh Leila , Moradi Nariman , Fadaei Reza , Chamani Elham , Tavakoli Tahmine , Esteghamati Abdoulreza
Published: April 2020

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is an inflammatory disease. Studies have shown that adipose tissue and inflammation play important roles in the pathogenesis of IBD. C1q/TNF‐related protein‐3 (CTRP3) is a newly discovered adipokine playing a substantial role during inflammatory process, and for the first time in the present study, serum levels of this adipokine were measured in the UC and CD patients. This case–control study included 70 control, 50 UC, and 50 CD patients who were diagnosed by standard criteria. Serum levels of adiponectin, IL‐6, TNF‐α, TGF‐β, and CTRP3 were evaluated using ELISA kits. Serum levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and TGF‐β elevated in the UC and CD patients compared with the controls while adiponectin and CTRP3 diminished in the patient's groups compared with the control. Furthermore, decrease in CTRP3 serum levels was associated with the risk of UC and CD diseases. Moreover, CTRP3 indicated negative correlation with BMI, FBS, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and TGF‐β and also a positive correlation with adiponectin in both the UC and CD patients. For the first time, the present study demonstrated lower levels of CTRP3 in the UC and CD patients. Decreased serum levels of CTRP3 and its inverse relationship with inflammatory cytokines and TGF‐β levels suggested a possible role for CTRP3 in the pathogenesis of UC and CD diseases.
A review on synthesis of kaolin‐based zeolite and the effect of impurities
Authors: Hartati  , Prasetyoko Didik , Santoso Mardi , Qoniah Imroatul , Leaw Wai L. , Firda Putri B. D. , Nur Hadi
Published: April 2020

Zeolite is extensively synthesized for the application in a large variety of catalysis processes such as ion exchange, hydrocarbon cracking, and organic synthesis. In order to satisfy the serious terms of sustainability that denotes to the reduction of costs and chemical waste, kaolinite‐based zeolites were produced from cheap natural resources as against to the conventional process that employs pure sodium silicate and sodium aluminate. This review paper is to highlight the current trends in the synthesis of zeolite. Prior to previous reviews, great concern is focused on the impurities effect on the catalytic performance of kaolinite‐based zeolites. This study reveals that the impact of impurities in a catalytic reaction was in fact, underestimated or neglected. For instance, it was found that Fe ion concentration as small as 60 ppm gives significant catalytic output. Hence, a new practice to report the concentration of impurities in the research publication is suggested. This undoubtedly will generate a better interpretation of the catalytic activity from the zeolite framework.
Factor structure of the critical consciousness scale in juvenile legal system‐involved boys and girls
Authors: Singh Sukhmani , Javdani Shabnam , Berezin McKenzie N. , Sichel Corianna E.
Published: April 2020

The Critical Consciousness Scale (CCS) is a recently developed and validated measure for use with low‐income, diverse adolescents. However, research on the psychometric properties of this scale with juvenile legal system‐involved youth is lacking. This study examines the psychometric properties of the critical reflection subscales of the CCS in a cross‐sectional sample of 206 youth (48% girls) involved in the juvenile legal system to investigate (a) the factor structure of the critical reflection subscales of the CCS compared to existing adolescent samples, and (b) the extent to which critical reflection demonstrates measurement equivalence between boys and girls. Findings indicate (a) congruence with the previous literature on critical reflection but for system‐involved girls, and (b) a difference in the structural relationships between perceived inequality and egalitarianism by gender. This study contributes to the nascent, psychometric literature on measures of critical consciousness in an underrepresented and unique adolescent population.
Preparation, characterization, and application of nano‐FeOx/Al2O3/cordierite monolithic catalysts for heterogeneous dark Fenton reaction
Authors: Martinez Alejandra A , Fixman Esther M , Cánepa Analía L , Barbero Bibiana P
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Advanced oxidation processes are an interesting alternative for wastewater treatment. The classic Fenton process, involving ferrous ions and hydrogen peroxide, requires strict pH adjustment and further iron removal. To overcome these difficulties, heterogeneous reaction with solid catalysts has been proposed. Until now, the solid catalysts have been employed as powders in agitated batch reactors. In this work, the application of structured catalysts for processes in flow is proposed. Nano‐FeOx/Al2O3/cordierite monolithic catalysts were prepared making firstly an alumina coating, and then impregnation with aqueous solution of iron nitrate at various concentrations. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using various techniques and then they were studied for the dark Fenton reaction.

RESULTS

The coating adherence in the structured catalysts was better than 93%. Also, high homogeneity of the coating was confirmed. From results of physicochemical characterization, it was deduced that the active phase would consist of oligonuclear (FeO)n nanoclusters highly dispersed on the surface of the alumina support. The catalytic activity was evaluated in phenol peroxidation in aqueous phase (without light, pH 3, 30 °C), as a model reaction. The monolithic catalysts were active and chemically stable. The most active catalyst (phenol conversion > 90% at 80 min of reaction) was reused 12 times.

CONCLUSIONS

The monolithic catalysts show a high potential for application in heterogeneous dark Fenton‐type reactions. Then, wastewater treatment by means of advanced oxidation processes could be carried out in continuous mode without further operation to separate the catalyst. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Biventricular Reference Values by Body Surface Area, Age, and Gender in a Large Cohort of Well‐Treated Thalassemia Major Patients Without Heart Damage Using a Multiparametric CMR Approach
Authors: Meloni Antonella , Righi Riccardo , Missere Massimiliano , Renne Stefania , Schicchi Nicolò , Gamberini Maria Rita , Cuccia Liana , Lisi Roberto , Spasiano Anna , Roberti Maria Grazia , Zuccarelli Angelo , Ait‐Ali Lamia , Festa Pierluigi , Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Mangione Maurizio , Barra Valerio , Positano Vincenzo , Pepe Alessia
Published: April 2020

Background

Cardiac MRI plays a critical role in the management of thalassemic patients. No accurate biventricular reference values are available.

Purpose

To establish the ranges for normal left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) and LV mass normalized to body surface area (BSA), age, and gender in a large cohort of well‐treated beta‐thalassemia major (β‐TM) patients without heart damage using a multiparametric MRI.

Study Type

Retrospective/cohort study.

Population

In all, 251 β‐TM patients with no known risk factors or cardiac disease, normal electrocardiogram, no macroscopic myocardial fibrosis, and all cardiac segments with T2* ≥20 msec, and 246 healthy subjects.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T/cine steady‐state free precession (SSFP), gradient‐echo T2*, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images.

Assessment

Biventricular end‐diastolic volume, end‐systolic volume, stroke volume, and LV mass were normalized to BSA (EDVI, ESVI, SVI).

Statistical Tests

Comparisons between the two groups was performed with two‐samples t‐test or Wilcoxon's signed rank test. For more than two groups, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or a Kruskal–Wallis test were applied.

Results

Compared to controls, males with β‐TM showed significantlt higher LVEDVI in all the age groups, while for the other volumes the difference was significant only within one or more age groups. In females the volumes were comparable between β‐TM patients and healthy subjects in all the age groups. In the male β‐TM population we found a significant effect of age on LVEDVI (P = 0.017), LVESVI (P = 0.001), RVESVI (P = 0.029), and RVEF (P = 0.031), while for females none of the biventricular parameters were significantly different among the age groups (LVEDVI: P = 0.614; LVESVI: P = 0.449; LVSVI: P = 0.186; LV mass index: P = 0.071; LVEF: P = 0.059; RVEDVI: P = 0.374; RVESVI: P = 0.180; RVSVI: P = 0.206; RVEF: P = 0.057). In β‐TM patients all biventricular volume indexes as well as the LV mass index were significantly larger in males than in females (P < 0.0001 in all cases). The LV and the RV EF were comparable between the sexes (P = 0.568 and P = 0.268, respectively).

Data Conclusion

Appropriate “normal” reference ranges normalized to BSA, sex, and age are recommended to avoid misdiagnosis of cardiomyopathy in β‐TM patients.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Assessment of the quality of systematic reviews on COVID‐19: A comparative study of previous coronavirus outbreaks
Authors: Yu Yang , Shi Qianling , Zheng Peng , Gao Lei , Li Haiyuan , Tao Pengxian , Gu Baohong , Wang Dengfeng , Chen Hao
Published: April 2020

Several systematic reviews (SRs) have been conducted on the COVID‐19 outbreak, which together with the SRs on previous coronavirus outbreaks, form important sources of evidence for clinical decision and policy making. Here, we investigated the methodological quality of SRs on COVID‐19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Online searches were performed to obtain SRs on COVID‐19, SARS, and MERS. The methodological quality of the included SRs was assessed using the AMSTAR‐2 tool. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. In total, of 49 SRs that were finally included in our study, 17, 16, and 16 SRs were specifically on COVID‐19, MERS, and SARS, respectively. The growth rate of SRs on COVID‐19 was the highest (4.54/month) presently. Of the included SRs, 6, 12, and 31 SRs were of moderate, low, and critically low quality, respectively. SRs on SARS showed the optimum quality among the SRs on the three diseases. Subgroup analyses showed that the SR topic (P < .001), the involvement of a methodologist (P < .001), and funding support (P = .046) were significantly associated with the methodological quality of the SR. According to the adherence scores, adherence to AMSTAR‐2 items sequentially decreased in SRs on SARS, MERS, and COVID‐19. The methodological quality of most SRs on coronavirus outbreaks is unsatisfactory, and those on COVID‐19 have higher risks of poor quality, despite the rapid actions taken to conduct SRs. The quality of SRs should be improved in the future. Readers must exercise caution in accepting and using the results of these SRs.
Optimized buffer insertion for efficient interconnects designs
Authors: Khursheed Afreen , Khare Kavita
Published: April 2020

This typescript focuses on unraveling the functional performance deterioration issues related to conventional Cu on‐chip nanointerconnecting wires; mainly occurred due to the shrinking of device dimensions. Buffer insertion methodology proves to be an effective approach for designing high‐speed interconnect network but at the cost of power consumption. Moreover, ramification of too many buffers as repeaters leads to area overhead. Hence an optimized number must be judicially decided. Proposed circuits for buffers are modeled using variable diameter and multi Vt design techniques to balance delay as well as average power consumption. Interconnects designed with conventional Cu interconnect technology are compared with state of art CNT technology at different lengths. Proposed and Existing Buffer circuit architectures are modeled with both CNT and MOS technology to carry out the comparative simulation analysis using varied combination of CNTFET buffer‐CNT interconnect and CMOSFET buffer‐Cu interconnect. Benchmarking with conventional buffer circuits, simulated results illustrates that ProposedBuffer1 saves dynamic power by 89.96%, leakage power by 89%, and offers delay mitigation by 77.5%. ProposedBuffer2 brings about dynamic power saving of 99.94%, leakage power saving of 97.53%, but causes delay penalty. All the HSPICE simulations are carried out using Stanford SPICE model for CNT and BSIM4 PTM for MOS at 32 nm.
Study on the correlation between soil microbial diversity and ambient environmental factors influencing the safflower distribution in Xinjiang
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Xia , Yang Mei Ling , Wang Shao Ming
Published: April 2020

The effects of soil microbial properties and physiographical factors on safflower distributions in the main safflower plantations of Xinjiang province in China were studied. This study may help determine the basis of the environmental factors for evaluating the geoherbalism of this medicinal plant. The soil microbial biodiversity in the bulk soil and rhizosphere of safflower at different growth stages and from different sampling plots were characterized by analyzing the environmental DNAs in the samples. With general primers targeting the 16S ribosomal DNA for bacteria and the internal transcribed spacer 1 gene for fungi, the study was performed using marker gene amplification coupled with Illumina HiSeq high‐throughput sequencing technologies. Correlation analysis and a distance‐based redundancy analysis were performed to determine the dominant factors affecting the distribution of the microorganism in safflower soils. A total of 16517 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained from all the 108 soil samples of nine safflower sampling plots. At the phylum level, 48 phyla have been identified with Actinobacteria (32.9%) and proteobacteria (28.7%) being predominant. For fungi, 8746 OTUs were obtained, which belonged to seven phyla with Ascomycota overwhelmingly superior in relative abundance. A significant positive correlation was found between soil microbe quantity and ASL (above sea level). Safflower was sensitive to changes in elevation, growing more abundantly in the mountainous regions at heights of around 1,200 m above sea level. It is concluded that the dominant factors affecting the distribution of microorganisms in safflower soils were soil moisture, available N, and ASL.
Efflux pump inhibitory activity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles against multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates
Authors: Behdad Reyhaneh , Pargol Minoo , Mirzaie Amir , Karizi Shohreh Zare , Noorbazargan Hassan , Akbarzadeh Iman
Published: April 2020

This study was carried out to investigate the possible efflux pump inhibitory activity of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii isolates. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of synthesized AgNPs were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) methods. Subsequently, MDR A. baumannii isolates were recovered from clinical samples and the phenotypic cartwheel efflux assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to elucidate the possible presence of efflux pump in MDR strains. After treatment of MDR strains with sub‐minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) concentration of AgNPs, the expression level of efflux pump genes was evaluated using a quantitative real‐time PCR technique. The synthesized AgNPs had a spherical nanostructure, with mean size 38.89 nm, according to SEM and TEM data. XRD and FTIR results confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs. The results of PCR revealed that among 50 strains, 12 A. baumannii strains had efflux pump genes and the expression level of AdeA, AdeC, AdeS, AdeR, AdeI, AdeJ, and AdeK efflux pump genes was downregulated significantly after the treatment with AgNPs. In addition, the inhibitory effect of AgNPs on efflux pumps can be detected when the MIC of ethidium bromide (EtBr) with AgNPs is lower than that of EtBr alone. According to the results, the biologically synthesized AgNPs exhibit efflux pumps inhibitory activity, which may be one of the possible mechanisms of their antibacterial activity against MDR A. baumannii strains.
Derivation of nutritional threshold values from cumulative concentration distributions
Authors: Göttlein Axel
Published: April 2020

For many tree species nutritional threshold values are not available. Because the derivation of such values by fertilization experiments would be very time consuming and cost intensive a relatively easy method is proposed. By interpreting cumulative concentration distributions the thresholds for the range of normal nutrition as well as the threshold for deficiency can be deduced. As shown for the species spruce, pine and beech this method delivers values, which are in most cases very close to the known thresholds from literature. Provided that a suitable data set exists or can be set up the proposed procedure can be used to derive nutritional thresholds for species for which up to now no such values are available.
Metaphors For Trauma: A Cross‐Cultural Qualitative Comparison in Brazil, India, Poland, and Switzerland
Authors: Rechsteiner Karin , Maercker Andreas , Heim Eva , Meili Iara
Published: April 2020

The concept of psychological trauma implies that people experiencing traumatic stress are wounded, thus relating to the metaphor of a physical injury. Although this notion is widely accepted by clinicians and researchers in mental health, there is evidence of a broad range of metaphorical idioms for extremely aversive experiences or catastrophic events across different cultures. In this ethnopsychological study, we aimed to investigate and contrast culturally shared metaphors for trauma among four distinct cultural groups: two indigenous communities (Pitaguary from Brazil, Adivasis from India) and two rural communities (mountain villagers of Gondo, Switzerland; the Lemko ethnic minority in Poland). The communities in Brazil and in Poland were marked by historical trauma, and the communities in India and Switzerland each suffered from a natural disaster. Semistructured interviews that focused on metaphors shared within each community were conducted with key informants and laypersons (Brazil: N = 14, India: N = 28, Poland, N = 13, Switzerland: N = 9). We conducted separate metaphor analyses, then cross‐culturally contrasted the findings from the four samples. Across the four cultural groups, we found similar metaphorical concepts of trauma related to bodily processes, such as shock, burden, and wound.
Kinetics of hydroformylation of camphene using rhodium‐phosphite catalyst
Authors: Pagar Nitin S. , Rajurkar Kalpendra B. , Deshpande Raj M.
Published: April 2020

Kinetics of hydroformylation of camphene was investigated in the presence of [Rh(CO)2(acac)]/P(OPh)3 catalyst in a temperature range of 363–383 K. The influence of parameters such as stirring speed, camphene, catalyst, ligand concentrations, and partial pressures of H2 and CO on the activity and selectivity of the catalyst has been studied. The rate showed a first‐order dependence with respect to catalyst and camphene concentrations. The effect of partial pressure of hydrogen showed fractional order dependence. The plots of rate versus excess ligand, that is, (P(OPh)3) concentration and rate versus CO partial pressure passed through maxima and showed typical substrate/ligand inhibited kinetics. An empirical rate equation has been proposed and found to be in good agreement with the observed rate data. The kinetic parameters and activation energy were also evaluated.
Quality of life, social function, emotion, and facial paresis in Dutch vestibular schwannoma patients
Authors: Blom Stephanie S. A. H. , Aarts Henk , Wever Capi C. , Kunst Henricus P. M. , Semin Gün R.
Published: April 2020

Objective(s)

The present study aimed to replicate the finding that vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients with facial paresis experience lower health related quality of life (QoL) than those without facial paresis in a Dutch sample, and to extend these findings by measuring VS patients' overall satisfaction with life, social function, and emotion.

Methods

Forty‐seven VS patients, differing in degree of facial functioning, half of them with and half of them without a facial paresis, answered questionnaires about health related QoL (SF‐36 and PANQOL), overall satisfaction with life, fear of being evaluated negatively by others, social avoidance and distress, and characteristics and symptoms of depression.

Results

We observed that VS patients with facial paresis experience lower health‐related QoL as well negatively impacted social function and emotion compared to VS patients without facial paresis. VS patients with facial paresis experienced lower overall satisfaction with life, more characteristic symptoms of depression, and more fear of being evaluated negatively by others than VS patients without facial paresis.

Conclusion

These findings corroborate previous research showing an association between impaired facial functioning and lower QoL, but also extend them by showing differences on the quality of social function and emotion. Being aware of this difference between VS patients with and without facial paresis informs health practitioners regarding the specific support these patients might need. Moreover, it is also relevant to consider the influence of a facial paresis on patients' life when deciding between treatment options and in case of surgery the type of resection.

Level of evidence

3
The influence of iron and cobalt on the type II hot corrosion behavior of NiCr model alloys
Authors: König Till , Montero Xabier , Galetz Mathias
Published: April 2020

The type II hot corrosion behavior of the alloys NiCr20, NiCr20Co10, and NiCr20Fe10 is investigated at 700°C in synthetic air + 0.5% SO2 for up to 300 hr. Pure Na2SO4 and a eutectic mixture of MgSO4–Na2SO4 are applied as deposits. The kinetics are investigated via dimensional metrology and correlated to the microstructural progression of the corrosion by examining the cross‐sections. All alloys exhibit two‐stage corrosion kinetics, with initially low and subsequently increased metal losses. Independent of the deposit composition, the metal loss after the longest exposure time is increased by the alloying element cobalt, whereas it is decreased for the iron‐containing alloy. All alloys show increased metal losses when exposed to the MgSO4–Na2SO4 deposit. The time to the propagation stage is similar for all tests. During the stage of low metal loss, all alloys develop a chromia scale and internal chromium sulfides. When the propagation stage is reached, chromium and nickel can be found along with oxygen and sulfur within the pit. Nickel is dissolved into the deposit, where it precipitates.
Blow‐up for Joseph–Egri equation: Theoretical approach and numerical analysis
Authors: Korpusov Maxim O. , Lukyanenko Dmitry V. , Panin Alexander A.
Published: April 2020

This work develops the theory of the blow‐up phenomena for Joseph–Egri equation. The existence of the nonextendable solution of two initial‐boundary value problems (on a segment and a half‐line) is demonstrated. Sufficient conditions of the finite‐time blow‐up of these solutions, as well as the analytical estimates of the blow‐up time, are obtained. A numerical method that allows to precise the blow‐up moment for specified initial data is proposed.
Measurement of surface dose in an MR‐Linac with optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters for IMRT beam geometries
Authors: Lim‐Reinders Stephanie , Keller Brian M. , Sahgal Arjun , Chugh Brige , Kim Anthony
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to measure the surface dose on an anthropomorphic phantom for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans treated in a 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR)‐Linac. Previous studies have used Monte Carlo programs to simulate surface dose and have recognized high surface dose as a potential limiting factor for the MR‐Linac; however, to our knowledge surface dose measurement for clinical plans has not yet been published. Given the novelty of the MR‐Linac, it is important to perform in vivo measurements of a potentially dose‐limiting factor such as surface dose when moving forward for clinical use.

Methods

Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) were used on an anthropomorphic phantom. Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy plans were generated to treat a near‐surface breast tumor in the phantom. The tumor was treated with 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 beam IMRT plans with a 1.5 T MR‐Linac using a 7‐MV photon beam. The plans were generated in a Monte Carlo treatment planning system (TPS) capable of modeling magnetic field effects. The surface dose was sampled in seven locations on the surface surrounding the planning target volume (PTV), and in two different OSLD configurations with the dosimeters measuring water equivalent depths of 0.16 and 0.64 mm. The TPS was used to estimate the doses at the OSLD locations. In addition, MR images were taken of a pork belly with and without an OSLD placed anteriorly placed to determine the effect of an OSLD on image fidelity.

Results

For the 3, 5, 7, and 9‐beam configurations, surface doses were approximately half that of the prescription dose to the simulated tumor, although the magnitude of the skin dose relative to the prescription is certainly also dependent on individual patient anatomy. The general trend for both TPS and measurements was that the greater the number of beams, the lower the skin doses and dose readings; also, with increasing numbers of beams, doses at shallow depths become lower relative to deeper depths. The MR images showed that the presence of the OSLD did not induce clinically relevant geometric distortions or intensity differences.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to experimentally measure the surface dose in an MR‐Linac for IMRT plans. This study has explored the use of OSLDs to measure in vivo surface dose in a clinical setting. OSLDs may be used to measure skin dose clinically when there are concerns of skin radiation burns and near‐surface toxicity. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters are promising devices for in vivo surface dosimetry in an MR‐Linac.
Magnetic resonance multitasking for multidimensional assessment of cardiovascular system: Development and feasibility study on the thoracic aorta
Authors: Hu Zhehao , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Wang Nan , Shaw Jaime L. , Song Shlee S. , Maya Marcel M. , Ishimori Mariko L. , Forbess Lindsy J. , Xiao Jiayu , Bi Xiaoming , Han Fei , Li Debiao , Fan Zhaoyang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To develop an MR multitasking‐based multidimensional assessment of cardiovascular system (MT‐MACS) with electrocardiography‐free and navigator‐free data acquisition for a comprehensive evaluation of thoracic aortic diseases.

Methods

The MT‐MACS technique adopts a low‐rank tensor image model with a cardiac time dimension for phase‐resolved cine imaging and a T2‐prepared inversion‐recovery dimension for multicontrast assessment. Twelve healthy subjects and 2 patients with thoracic aortic diseases were recruited for the study at 3 T, and both qualitative (image quality score) and quantitative (contrast‐to‐noise ratio between lumen and wall, lumen and wall area, and aortic strain index) analyses were performed in all healthy subjects. The overall image quality was scored based on a 4‐point scale: 3, excellent; 2, good; 1, fair; and 0, poor. Statistical analysis was used to test the measurement agreement between MT‐MACS and its corresponding 2D references.

Results

The MT‐MACS images reconstructed from acquisitions as short as 6 minutes demonstrated good or excellent image quality for bright‐blood (2.58 ± 0.46), dark‐blood (2.58 ± 0.50), and gray‐blood (2.17 ± 0.53) contrast weightings, respectively. The contrast‐to‐noise ratios for the three weightings were 49.2 ± 12.8, 20.0 ± 5.8 and 2.8 ± 1.8, respectively. There were good agreements in the lumen and wall area (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.993, P < .001 for lumen; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.969, P < .001 for wall area) and strain (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.947, P < .001) between MT‐MACS and conventional 2D sequences.

Conclusion

The MT‐MACS technique provides high‐quality, multidimensional images for a comprehensive assessment of the thoracic aorta. Technical feasibility was demonstrated in healthy subjects and patients with thoracic aortic diseases. Further clinical validation is warranted.
Effect of Transport Method on Subsequent Survivorship and Gonad Yield/Quality in the Red Sea Urchin Mesocentrotus franciscanus
Authors: Warren Emily M , Pearce Christopher M
Published: April 2020

Sea urchin gonad enhancement entails collecting adults with low gonad yields from the wild, placing them in land-based or sea-based captivity, and feeding them a prepared or natural diet to produce high quality/quantity gonads for marketing. Collection and transportation to the culture facility can be stressful to the urchins and cause subsequent mortalities and suboptimal gonad yield/quality. Minimizing this handling stress is critical to ensuring maximum survivorship and optimal gonad enhancement, yet very little research has examined this, with no information being available for the red sea urchin Mesocentrotus franciscanus. The present study examined survivorship, gonad yield, and gonad quality of red sea urchins 2 weeks after exposure to three 2-h transport methods: (1) milk crates placed in two plastic fish totes filled with ambient seawater (“wet crate”), (2) sealed Styrofoam boxes filled with ambient seawater (“wet box”), and (3) sealed Styrofoam boxes without seawater, but with wet burlap placed on top of the urchins (“dry box”). While no gonadal parameters significantly differed between transportation methods, the percentage of survivorship for both the wet boxes and wet crates was 100%, while that for the dry boxes was 58.3% after 2 weeks, indicating that wet transport should be preferred over dry transport for red sea urchins.
Multilevel double loop Monte Carlo and stochastic collocation methods with importance sampling for Bayesian optimal experimental design
Authors: Beck Joakim , Mansour Dia Ben , Espath Luis , Tempone Raúl
Published: April 2020

An optimal experimental set‐up maximizes the value of data for statistical inferences. The efficiency of strategies for finding optimal experimental set‐ups is particularly important for experiments that are time‐consuming or expensive to perform. In the situation when the experiments are modeled by partial differential equations (PDEs), multilevel methods have been proven to reduce the computational complexity of their single‐level counterparts when estimating expected values. For a setting where PDEs can model experiments, we propose two multilevel methods for estimating a popular criterion known as the expected information gain (EIG) in Bayesian optimal experimental design. We propose a multilevel double loop Monte Carlo, which is a multilevel strategy with double loop Monte Carlo, and a multilevel double loop stochastic collocation, which performs a high‐dimensional integration on sparse grids. For both methods, the Laplace approximation is used for importance sampling that significantly reduces the computational work of estimating inner expectations. The values of the method parameters are determined by minimizing the computational work, subject to satisfying the desired error tolerance. The efficiencies of the methods are demonstrated by estimating EIG for inference of the fiber orientation in composite laminate materials from an electrical impedance tomography experiment.
Using crowdsourced spatial data from Flickr vs. PPGIS for understanding nature's contribution to people in Southern Norway
Authors: Muñoz Lorena , Hausner Vera Helene , Runge Claire , Brown Greg , Daigle Remi
Published: April 2020

Crowdsourced data can provide spatially explicit data on the contribution of nature to people. Spatial information is essential for effectively managing the diverse relationships that people have with nature, but the potential and limits of using crowdsourcing data to generate maps for conservation purposes need further research.

Passive crowdsourcing tools include social media platforms where photos and user‐generated tags are shared among users, whereas active crowdsourcing, such as public participatory geographic information system (PPGIS), provides an online platform for mapping place attributes such as values, experiences and preferences.

In this study, we assess the spatial information gained through using Flickr (a photo sharing platform) and PPGIS (an online mapping platform) platforms for conservation planning to understand differences and similarities on the spatial distribution of values captured by the two platforms, and to identify what environmental and infrastructure variables correlate best with the distribution of values. We test these tools in Southern Norway including protected areas and the surrounding zones.

We analysed non‐spatial (using chi‐square and Spearman rank correlation) and spatial (using clustering, Maxent and distribution overlap) data to identify differences between the two datasets and the values represented therein.

We found large differences in spatial distribution using these two datasets, with Flickr data concentrated outside the protected areas and near roads, whereas PPGIS provided more fine‐scale data on diverse values in locations inaccessible by roads within the protected areas. Flickr can be used for generating regional scale data of scenic landscapes or routes, but PPGIS performs better for management of nature qualities appreciated by different user groups within protected areas. We discuss the pros and cons of using each data source and when each dataset is more suitable to be used in protected area management.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
FondaKIDS III: A long‐term retrospective cohort study of fondaparinux for treatment of venous thromboembolism in children
Authors: Shen Xiaofan , Wile Rachel , Young Guy
Published: April 2020

Background

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and use of anticoagulation are rising in children, but treatment options remain limited. As a newer anticoagulant, fondaparinux may be a safe and effective alternative with the benefit of once‐daily dosing, but there is relatively little data supporting its use.

Procedure

This retrospective cohort study describes the long‐term dosing, efficacy, and safety of fondaparinux for treatment of VTE in children at a single institution. The study included children <18 years old treated with fondaparinux for VTE between 2008 and 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings.

Results

A total of 277 patients were identified and analyzed in this study. Seventy‐six percent of patients reached therapeutic levels with 0 or 1 dose adjustments over a median treatment duration of 93 days. Of the patients included in the efficacy analysis, 91% of patients had improvement in their clot status, including 69% (160/233) with complete resolution and 22% (53/233) with partial resolution. Twenty‐six patients (11%) had VTE recurrence, but only seven (3%) of the new thrombi developed while on fondaparinux. Major bleeding occurred in seven patients (2.5%), primarily in patients with underlying medical conditions with increased bleeding risk. Minor bleeding occurred in 53 patients (19%).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the stable long‐term pediatric dosing of fondaparinux with similar efficacy and safety when compared to other anticoagulants. Given its advantages, fondaparinux can be considered a reasonable alternative for treatment of VTE in children.
Comprehensive Map of the Artemisia annua Proteome and Quantification of Differential Protein Expression in Chemotypes Producing High versus Low Content of Artemisinin
Authors: Chen Minghui , Yan Tingxiang , Ji Liyun , Dong Yu , Sidoli Simone , Yuan Zuofei , Cai Chunlin , Chen Jiwei , Tang Yueli , Shen Qian , Pan Qifang , Fu Xueqing , Ku Xin , Liao Lujian , Garcia Benjamin A. , Yan Wei , Tang Kexuan
Published: April 2020

Artemisia annua is well known for biosynthesizing the antimalarial drug artemisinin. Here, a global proteomic profiling of A. annua is conducted with identification of a total of 13 403 proteins based on the genome sequence annotation database. Furthermore, a spectral library is generated to perform quantitative proteomic analysis using data independent acquisition mass spectrometry. Specifically, proteins between two chemotypes that produce high (HAP) and low (LAP) artemisinin content, respectively, are comprehensively quantified and compared. 182 proteins are identified with abundance significantly different between these two chemotypes means after the statistic use the p‐value and fold change it is found 182 proteins can reach the demand conditions which represent the expression are significantly different between the high artemisnin content plants (HAPs) and the low artemisnin content plants (LAPs). Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD015547. Overall, this current study globally identifies the proteome of A. annua and quantitatively compares the targeted sub‐proteomes between the two cultivars of HAP and LAP, providing systematic information on metabolic pathways of A. annua.
Origin and turnaround of enantioselectivity in a chiral organocatalysed Diels‐Alder reaction: A mechanistic study
Authors: Maliekal Parimal J. , Gulvi Nitin R. , Karnik Anil V. , Badani Purav M.
Published: April 2020

The present work comprises exploring the efficacies of the chiral organocatalysts employed in the classic Diels‐Alder reaction between anthrone and maleimide in generating an enantioselective product. The complete mechanism of the reaction has been figured out by performing the electronic structure calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level. Our calculations suggest that the reaction commences with the abstraction of acidic proton of anthrone instigated by organocatalysts, (S)‐(‐)‐N‐(methyl‐2′‐pyridyl)‐2‐(α‐hydroxyethyl)benzimidazole[Pyr‐HEB]and (S)‐(‐)‐N‐(methyl‐1′‐benzotriazolyl)‐2‐(α‐hydroxyethyl)benzimidazole[Btz‐HEB]. Subsequently, N‐methyl maleimide interacts with the nucleophilic carbon of anthrone in a stepwise pathway, either from left‐hand side or right‐hand side, resulting in the generation of an enantioselective chiral product. A unique feature in the above reaction was thatPyr‐HEBandBtz‐HEBfavoured the formation of SS‐product and RR‐product, respectively, with high enantioselectivity. The turnaround of enantioselectivity upon changing the catalyst has been attributed to the noncovalent interaction and steric orientation in the molecule during the intermediate reaction steps. An estimated value of degree of enantioselectivity, for both the catalysts, was obtained in accordance with the experimental findings.
Efficacy of health coaching and a web‐based program on physical activity, weight, and distress management among cancer survivors: A multi‐centered randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yun Young Ho , Lim Cheol Il , Lee Eun Sook , Kim Young Tae , Shin Kyung Hwan , Kim Young‐Woo , Park Kyu Joo , Jeong Seung‐Yong , Ryu Keun Won , Han Wonshik , Jung Kyung Hae , Park Sung Chan , Kim Moon Soo , Kim Sung , Shim Young Mog , Oh Jae Hwan , Lee Jong Mog , Ryoo Seung‐Bum , Woo Joohyun , Noh Dong‐Young , Park Ji Won , In Moon Byung , Kim Hak Jae , Nam Seok Jin , Lee Dae Ho , Zo Jae Il , Park Sang Min , Kang EunKyo , Rhee YeEun , Jung Ju Youn , Sim Jin Ah , Lee Joonki , Shin Aesun
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy of health coaching and a web‐based program on survivor physical activity (PA), weight, and distress management among stomach, colon, lung and breast cancer patients.

Methods

This randomised, controlled, 1‐year trial conducted in five hospitals recruited cancer survivors within 2 months of completing primary cancer treatment who had not met ≥1 of these behavioural goals: (i) conducting moderate PA for at least 150 minutes/week or strenuous exercise for over 75 minutes per week or, in the case of lung cancer patients, low or moderate intensity exercise for over 12.5 MET per week, (ii) maintaining normal weight, and (iii) attaining a score >72 in the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the control group, a web‐only group, or a health coaching + web group. The primary endpoint was based on a composite of PA, weight, and PTGI score at 12 months.

Results

Patients in the health coaching + web group (difference = 6.6%, P = .010) and the web‐only group (difference = 5.9%, P = .031) had greater overall improvements across the three‐outcome composite than the control group. The health coaching + web group had greater overall improvement in PTGI (difference = 12.6%; P < .001) than the control group, but not in PA and weight.

Conclusion

The web‐based program, with or without health coaching, may improve health behaviours including PA, weight, and distress management among cancer survivors within 2 months of completing primary cancer treatment. The web‐based program with health coaching was mainly effective for reducing psychological distress.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Curing Reaction Between Azide Binder ATP and Bispropargyl Succinate
Authors: Li Na , Zhao Fengqi , An Ting , Yang Yanjing , Li Hui , Zhang Jiankan , Zhang Ming
Published: April 2020

The thermodynamics and kinetics of the curing reactions between azide binder ATP and bispropargyl succinate (BPS) were studied by using a microcalorimeter. On the basis of experimental and calculated results, three thermodynamic parameters (i. e., the activation enthalpies, the activation entropies, the activation free energies), the rate constant, three kinetic parameters (i. e., the activation energies, the pre‐exponential constant and the reaction order) and the enthalpies of the curing reactions between ATP and BPS in the temperature range of 323.15–338.15 K were obtained, showing that the main reaction leading to a triazole structure easily took place in the studied temperature. The linear relationship between lnk and the molar ratio of triple bonds to azide groups was found. Furthermore, the corresponding kinetic equation describing the curing reaction between ATP and BPS was dα/dt=10−4.12(1‐α)1.01 at 333.15 K.
Crystal Field Rotational Invariants: A New Light on the Crystal Field Effects
Authors: Mulak Maciej , Mulak Jacek
Published: April 2020

Two types of rotational invariants related to the crystal field (CF) Hamiltonian parameters are exploited: three multipolar CF strengths , , and of the second order and nine invariants of the third order. They determine correspondingly the next generation of the CF invariants, i.e., the second and the third CF splitting moments of any electronic state . The analytical formulas are assembled for the third CF splitting moment in the case of higher symmetry, 24 out of 32 central ion point symmetry groups. Due to the multipolar additivity of the second CF splitting moment, its formula is irrespective of the central ion point symmetry. Comparing the calculated CF splitting moments with the experimental ones is a valuable source of independent relationships among the involved CF parameters. The second CF splitting moments allow to preparameterize the CF Hamiltonian based on the , , and invariants. This reveals the actual multipolar structure of . While only two independent second moments are available, a method to obtain the possible variation ranges of the multipolar is given. In addition, the CF invariants provide an insight into the total CF splitting variation ranges under various unimodular .
Effect of Film Thickness on Structural Stability for BAlN and BGaN Alloys: Bond‐Order Interatomic Potential Calculations
Authors: Hasegawa Yuya , Akiyama Toru , Pradipto Abdul-Muizz , Nakamura Kohji , Ito Tomonori
Published: April 2020

The effects of film thickness on the relative stability among fivefold coordinated hexagonal and fourfold coordinated wurtzite and zinc blende structures in BAlN and BGaN alloys are theoretically investigated based on empirical bond‐order potential calculations. It is revealed that the trend of stable structure in BAlN alloys is different from that of BGaN alloys. The film thickness for the stabilization of the hexagonal structure increases with boron composition x for BxGa1–xN alloys, whereas the thickness decreases for BxAl1–xN alloys. The difference in the stabilization of the hexagonal structure between BxAl1–xN and BxGa1–xN alloys is due to the inhibition of in‐plane lattice relaxation in BxAl1–xN alloys. These results suggest that our approach using the bond‐order potential is feasible to investigate the stability of alloy systems with not only tetrahedrally coordinated forms such as the wurtzite and zinc blende structures but also specific forms containing the fivefold coordinated hexagonal structure.