bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Analysis of Cerium Ion Transport Properties in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
Authors: Ishikawa Kyohei , Tokumasu Takashi , Mabuchi Takuya
Published: September 2020

We analyzed the transport properties of cerium ions, which are added to improve the chemical durability of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), using molecular dynamics simulations. A system of the PEM was constructed to investigate convective ion transport properties. At low water contents, cerium ions are hardly affected by water flow. As the water contents increase, free cerium ions without being trapped by sulfonate groups increase and water clusters are connected and the cluster size increases. Hence, cerium ions are easily affected by water convection at high water contents.
Nanostructure of a Catalyst Ink Investigated by Contrast-Variation Small-Angle Neutron Scattering
Authors: Yoshimune Wataru , Harada Masashi
Published: September 2020

One of the major aims when investigating catalyst inks for polymer electrolyte fuel cell applications is to understand the relationship between their macroscale physical properties and nanostructure. Catalyst inks are complex colloidal dispersions consisting of catalyst particles, ionomers, and water–alcohol mixtures. Due to the electrostatic repulsion observed between the particles covered with the ionomer, the ink possesses high dispersion stability. Meanwhile, the role of the remaining ionomer in the dispersion is unclear to date. We have established a method to elucidate the amount of non-adsorbed ionomer in the catalyst ink using contrast-variation small-angle neutron scattering (CV-SANS). CV-SANS measurements revealed that the volume fraction of the non-adsorbed ionomer in the catalyst ink monotonically increases upon increasing the weight ratio of ionomer/carbon. It was found that the non-adsorbed ionomer in the catalyst ink acts as a typical ionomer dispersion, which can be described by the Huggins equation at high shear viscosity.
Effect of Semiconducting Properties of Oxide-Based Compounds on Oxygen Reduction Activity in Acidic Media
Authors: Ishihara Akimitsu , Hirata Junji , Nagai Takaaki , Kuroda Yoshiyuki , Matsuzawa Koichi , Imanishi Akihito , Mitsushima Shigenori , Takasu Yoshio , Ota Ken-ichiro
Published: September 2020

Effect of semiconducting properties of group 4 and 5 oxide-based films on catalytic activity of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been investigated. In case of n-type semiconductor oxide catalysts, there are two reasons that the ORR activities are apparently observed to be low; there are two reasons; one is there are few active site with high quality and quantity on the surface, another is that although the relative active sites are exists on the surface the Schottky barrier suppresses the electron transfer from bulk to the surface. The positive correlation between flat-band potential and onset potential for the ORR of thick oxide films composed of titanium-niobium, -tantalum, and -zirconium oxides was observed, indicating that the ORR activities were governed by the semiconducting properties of the films.
Development of in situ A-SAXS and XAS Measurements of Pt Catalyst under Controlled Electrochemical Condition Using Channel Flow Electrode Cell
Authors: Watanabe Takeshi , Kawamoto Teppei , Suda Kohei , Pondchanok Chinapong , Hiraoka Yuji , Hirosawa Ichiro , Inukai Junji
Published: September 2020

To improve the activity and durability, in situ characterizations of Pt catalysts used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells are necessary. The morphological and chemical states of the catalysts have been extensively studied by in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), for example, combined with electrochemical measurements. In the same analytical field, we conducted in situ anomalous SAXS (A-SAXS) and XAS measurements of a catalyst layer located in a channel flow electrode cell using a measurement system we developed. The obtained A-SAXS and XAS results were analysed to understand the morphological and chemical states of Pt nano particles. This system is expected to be used for electrochemical processes involving Pt nano particles.
Regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and energetics in the diabetic renal proximal tubule by the β2-adrenergic receptor agonist formoterol
Authors: Cleveland Kristan H. , Brosius Frank C. , Schnellmann Rick G.
Published: September 2020

Diabetes is a prevalent metabolic disease that contributes to ∼50% of all end-stage renal disease and has limited treatment options. We previously demonstrated that the β2-adrenergic receptor agonist formoterol induced mitochondrial biogenesis and promoted recovery from acute kidney injury. Here, we assessed the effects of formoterol on mitochondrial dysfunction and dynamics in renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs) treated with high glucose and in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. RPTCs exposed to 17 mM glucose exhibited increased electron transport chain (ETC) complex I, II, III, and V protein levels and reduced ATP levels and uncoupled oxygen consumption rate compared with RPTCs cultured in the absence of glucose or osmotic controls after 96 h. ETC proteins, ATP, and oxygen consumption rate were restored in RPTCs treated with formoterol. RPTCs exposed to high glucose had increased phospho-dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a mitochondrial fission protein, and decreased mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), a mitochondrial fusion protein. Formoterol treatment restored phospho-Drp1 and Mfn1 to control levels. Db/ db and nondiabetic ( db/m) mice (10 wk old) were treated with formoterol or vehicle for 3 wk and euthanized. Db/ db mice showed increased renal cortical ETC protein levels in complexes I, III, and V and decreased ATP; these changes were prevented by formoterol. Phospho-Drp1 was increased and Mfn1 was decreased in db/ db mice, and formoterol restored both to control levels. Together, these findings demonstrate that hyperglycemic conditions in vivo and exposure of RPTCs to high glucose similarly alter mitochondrial bioenergetic and dynamics profiles and that treatment with formoterol can reverse these effects. Formoterol may be a promising strategy for treating early stages of diabetic kidney disease.
MicroRNA profiles in calcified and healthy aorta differ: therapeutic impact of miR-145 and miR-378
Authors: Tang Ying , Shah Tapan A. , Yurkow Edward J. , Rogers Melissa B.
Published: September 2020

Our goal was to elucidate microRNAs (miRNAs) that may repress the excess bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling observed during pathological calcification in the Klotho mouse model of kidney disease. We hypothesized that restoring healthy levels of miRNAs that posttranscriptionally repress osteogenic calcific factors may decrease aortic calcification. Our relative abundance profiles of miRNAs in healthy aorta differ greatly from those in calcified mouse aorta. Many of these miRNAs are predicted to regulate proteins involved in BMP signaling and may control osteogenesis. Two differentially regulated miRNAs, miR-145 and miR-378, were selected based on three criteria: reduced levels in calcified aorta, the ability to target more than one protein in the BMP signaling pathway, and conservation of targeted sequences between humans and mice. Forced expression using a lentiviral vector demonstrated that restoring normal levels repressed the synthesis of BMP2 and other pro-osteogenic proteins and inhibited pathological aortic calcification in Klotho mice with renal insufficiency. This study identified miRNAs that may impact BMP signaling in both sexes and demonstrated the efficacy of selected miRNAs in reducing aortic calcification in vivo. Calcification of the aorta and the aortic valve resulting from abnormal osteogenesis is common in those with kidney disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Such vascular osteogenesis is a clinically significant feature. The calcification modulating miRNAs described here are candidates for biomarkers and “miRNA replacement therapies” in the context of chronic kidney disease and other procalcific conditions.
CP El Niño and PDO Variability Affect Summer Precipitation over East China
Authors: Song Wan-Jiao , Wang Qi-Guang
Published: September 2020

The summer precipitation produced by the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) is significantly affecting agriculture and socioeconomics. Based on the Precipitation Reconstruction dataset in East China from 1950 to 2017, we investigate the spatiotemporal variations of summer precipitation, influencing environmental factors and their relation with the EASM and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) in both central Pacific (CP) El Niño developing and decaying years. Results indicate the following: (1) The evolutions of CP El Niño events modulate the summer precipitation anomalies in East China. In the cool PDO phase, CP El Niño causes enhanced precipitation anomalies in the decaying years but less precipitation anomalies in the developing years, and vice versa for the warm PDO phase. (2) Atmospheric circulation anomalies drive the moisture transportation and combine the motion of western Pacific subtropical high resulting in the variation of precipitation patterns. Anomalous cyclone over the western North Pacific and the sustained Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) are favorable for the increment of summer precipitation. (3) The different CP El Niño-EASM relationship is caused by the influences of PDO on the evolution of CP El Niño. CP El Niño develops slowly (decays rapidly) and is associated with rapidly developing (slowly decaying) anomalous warming in the north Indian Ocean during the developing (decaying) years.
Evaluation of the Psychological Status, Infertility‐Associated Factors, and Erectile Function in Patients with Timely Ovulatory Intercourse Failure in China: Evidence from a Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Xiong Jian , Cai Zhonglin , Ma Chengquan , Yang Bin , Zhang Jianzhong , Li Hongjun
Published: September 2020

Background and Objective. Knowledge on the clinical features of timely ovulatory intercourse failure (TOIF) is limited. The current study is aimed at investigating the psychological status, infertility‐associated factors, and erectile function in males with TOIF. Material and Methods. Between June 2018 and December 2018, all qualified patients of infertile couples were continuously enrolled from the andrologic clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Semen analyses and demographic data were collected, and the International Index of Erectile Function 15 (IIEF‐15) questionnaire was used to evaluate the erectile function in the participants with or without TOIF. In addition, the Mental Health Inventory‐5 and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory‐Short Form questionnaires were used to evaluate the psychological status. Results. A total of 1128 patients were enrolled, and 264 of them (23.40%) suffered from TOIF. TOIF was positively associated with smoking, drinking, hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, unknown cause of infertility, lower semen concentration, lower frequency of intercourse, and decreased erectile function. The total IIEF‐15 scores, erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction were significantly decreased in patients with TOIF. Conclusion. TOIF is associated with lower semen concentration, anxiety, and other comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. Clinicians are required to focus on these associated factors in addition to improve the erectile function.
Reproducibility of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Pregnancy and the Association of Body Composition with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes: A Substudy of MUMS Cohort
Authors: Bai Michelle , Susic Daniella , O’Sullivan Anthony J. , Henry Amanda
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a rapid and noninvasive method of body composition analysis; however, reproducibility between BIA instruments in pregnancy is uncertain. Adverse maternal body composition has been linked to pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of three BIA instruments in pregnancy and analyse the relationship between the body composition and the GDM risk. Methods. A prospective cohort (n = 117) of women with singleton pregnancies participating in the Microbiome Understanding in Maternity Study (MUMS) at St. George Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Anthropometric measurements and BIA body composition were measured at ≤13 weeks (T1), 20–24 weeks (T2), and 32–36 weeks (T3) of gestation. Body fat percentage (BFP), total body water (TBW), and impedance were estimated by three BIA instruments: Bodystat 1500, RJL Quantum III, and Tanita BC-587. GDM status was recorded after 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 28 weeks or earlier. Agreement between BIA instruments was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis. Logistic regression modelling explored associations of BFP with GDM. Results. Method comparison reproducibility between Bodystat and RJL was stronger than between Bodystat and Tanita for both BFP and TBW% at all three time points. RJL overestimated BFP on average by 3.3% (p<0.001), with limits of agreement within ±5% for all trimesters. Average BFP was not significantly different between Tanita and Bodystat although limits of agreement exceeded ±5%. GDM diagnosis was independently associated with increased BFP in T1 (adjusted OR 1.117 per 1% increase; 95% CI 1.020–1.224; p=0.017) and in T2 (adjusted OR 1.113 per 1% increase; 95% CI 1.010–1.226; p=0.031) and with Asian ethnicity in all models (OR 7.4–8.1). Conclusion. Reproducibility amongst instruments was moderate; therefore, interchangeability between instruments, particularly for research purposes, cannot be assumed. In this cohort, GDM risk was modestly associated with increasing BFP and strongly associated with Asian ethnicity.
Research on Claw Motion Characteristics and Cavitation Bubbles of Snapping Shrimp
Authors: Yang Yuliang , Qin Shimu , Di Changchun , Qin Junqi , Wu Dalin , Zhao Jianxin
Published: September 2020

Snapping shrimp produces a high-speed jet through the rapid closure of the snapper claw, which stimulates the formation of cavitation bubbles of various shapes. In order to explore the fast motion characteristics of snapper claw, the formation and change process of cavitation, and the physical principles underlying the biological phenomena, the equivalent model of snapper claw was constructed through CT scanning technology. A high-speed camera was used to capture the claw’s motion characteristics, thereby simulating the production of cavitation bubbles by snapping shrimp. The results show that the rotation speeds of different species of snapping shrimps are different, as well as their motion characteristics. Cavitation is formed by the interaction of the pressure drop caused by the vortex at the nozzle with the inertia of the liquid inside the socket. Under the influence of the jet, the shapes of bubbles change from ring to cone, and eventually collapse into bubble clouds.
Metabolomics Reveals Distinct Metabolites between Lonicera japonica and Lonicera macranthoides Based on GC-MS
Authors: Liu Rui-ying , Deng Jing , Lin Xiu-Lian , Li Ya-mei , Lin Yan , Xia Bo-hou , Lin Li-mei
Published: September 2020

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (LJ) and Lonicera macranthoides Hand. -Mazz. (LM) have been widely used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Although the morphological characteristics of LJ and LM are quite similar, there are significant distinctions of medicinal ingredients (mainly the secondary metabolites) and clinical indications between them. However, the in-depth differences of primary metabolites have not thoroughly been studied yet. Therefore, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry- (GC-MS-) based metabolomics method combined with chemometric methods were performed to analyze the distinction in this study. The results showed that LJ and LM were obviously classified into two groups. 10 metabolites were obtained as biomarkers on account of their p values, pcorr values, and differing variable importance in projection (VIP) values. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that the galactose metabolism and starch and sucrose metabolism gathered as potential pathways caused these extraordinary differences of primary metabolites between LJ and LM. Further, we found that the differences of main medicinal ingredients between LJ and LM could be interpreted from these metabolites according to the analysis of mainly related pathways. The metabolites involved in the starch and sucrose metabolism presented upregulated in LJ, while almost all metabolites in the galactose metabolism, the TCA cycle, and the phenolic acid part of phenylpropanoid metabolism were downregulated in LJ. Therefore, the energy stored in the starch and sucrose metabolism may be saved to produce flavonoid, which could be the reason that the level of flavonoid of phenylpropanoid metabolism is higher in LJ compared to LM. Consequently, this study presented an effective tool for quality evaluation of LJ and LM and laid a foundation for further studies of the metabolic mechanisms and high-quality manufacturing of them.
A Lossless Compression Approach Based on Delta Encoding and T-RLE in WSNs
Authors: Saidani Abdeldjalil , Jianwen Xiang , Mansouri Deloula
Published: September 2020

The sending/receiving of data (data communication) is the most power consuming in wireless sensor networks (WSN) since the sensor nodes are depending on batteries not generally rechargeable characterized by limited capacity. Data compression is among the techniques that can help to reduce the amount of the exchanged data between wireless sensor nodes resulting in power saving. Nevertheless, there is a lack of effective methods to improve the efficiency of data compression algorithms and to increase nodes’ energy efficiency. In this paper, we proposed a novel lossless compression approach based on delta encoding and two occurrences character solving (T-RLE) algorithms. T-RLE is an optimization of the RLE algorithm, which aims to improve the compression ratio. This method will lead to less storage cost and less bandwidth to transmit the data, which positively affects the sensor nodes’ lifetime and the network lifetime in general. We used real deployment data (temperature and humidity) from the sensor scope project to evaluate the performance of our approach. The results showed a significant improvement compared with some traditional algorithms.
Failure Behavior of Hot-Dry-Rock (HDR) in Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Macro to Micro Scale Effects
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Wan Zhijun , Elsworth Derek
Published: September 2020

Evaluations of the mechanical properties and failure modes of granite at high temperatures are important issues for underground projects such as enhanced geothermal systems and nuclear waste disposal. This paper presents the results of laboratory experiments that investigated the physico-mechanical failure behavior of granites at high temperatures. The results allowed several important conclusions to be drawn. Both the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and tangent modulus decrease with increasing temperature. Specifically, the UCS-temperature curve can be divided into three sections: a section (20-200°C) where UCS shows a slight decrease, a section (200-300°C) where the UCS decreases significantly, and a third section (300-500°C) where the rate of UCS decrease stabilizes. However, in the entire temperature range from 20 to 500°C, the tangent modulus decreases exponentially. The number of acoustic emission (AE) counts decrease and the counts occur less frequently at higher temperatures. Individual grains are surrounded by a large number of microcracks at 200°C and the crack length increased significantly when heating to 300°C. Specifically, the length of micro-cracks in the granite at 300 °C could be 10 times longer okthan that at 200°C. Quenching or injecting cold water into HDRs would further weaken the rock and induce thermal damage to the rock structure. The strength of rock would be further quench-weakened by 10%, 20% and 30% at 200°C, 300°C and 500°C, respectively. Therefore, in Enhanced/Engineered Geothermal Systems (EGS), quenching is much more destructive than normal thermal stress.
Segmentation of Cerebrovascular Anatomy from TOF‐MRA Using Length‐Strained Enhancement and Random Walker
Authors: Xiao Ruoxiu , Chen Cheng , Zou Hanying , Luo Ying , Wang Jiayu , Zha Muxi , Yu Ming-An
Published: September 2020

Cerebrovascular rupture can cause a severe stroke. Three‐dimensional time‐of‐flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a common method of obtaining vascular information. This work proposes a fully automated segmentation method for extracting the vascular anatomy from TOF‐MRA. The steps of the method are as follows. First, the brain is extracted on the basis of regional growth and path planning. Next, the brain’s highlighted connected area is explored to obtain seed point information, and the Hessian matrix is used to enhance the contrast of image. Finally, a random walker combined with seed points and enhanced images is used to complete vascular anatomy segmentation. The method is tested using 12 sets of data and compared with two traditional vascular segmentation methods. Results show that the described method obtains an average Dice coefficient of 90.68%, and better results were obtained in comparison with the traditional methods.
Combination Therapy with Etilefrine and Pleurodesis for Refractory Congenital Chylothorax
Authors: Tomobe Yutaro , Mizuguchi Uiko , Shimotakahara Akihiro , Shimojima Naoki , Okazaki Kaoru
Published: September 2020

Etilefrine, a sympathomimetic agent, is reportedly effective against postoperative chylothorax. However, its effectiveness in treating congenital chylothorax was unknown. We report herein a case of refractory congenital chylothorax treated with etilefrine in a late preterm neonate with massive fetal chylous pleural effusion. The chylothorax was unresponsive to previous treatments, including dietary and pharmacological treatment and thoracic duct ligation. The pleural effusion decreased after intravenous etilefrine was begun on day of life (DOL) 84 and resolved after the addition of chemical pleurodesis with OK-432 on DOL 90. This combination therapy may be a viable treatment option for cases of congenital chylothorax that are unresponsive to other treatments.
Axonal Degeneration Independent of Inflammatory Activity: Is It More Intense in the Early Stages of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Disease?
Authors: Cilingir Vedat , Batur Muhammed
Published: September 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in the axonal degeneration rate between patients in the early years of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) disease and RRMS patients in their later years. Methods: The early-stage RRMS patients (EMS) group had 65 patients whose duration of disease was within 3 years from the date of the first attack. The late-stage RRMS patients (LMS) group had 69 patients whose duration of disease was within the range of 3–10 years from the date of the first attack. In addition, a control group was composed of 32 healthy subjects. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was monitored with spectral-domain OCT in all included patients for approximately 3 years. Results: The annual RNFL atrophy rate (aRNFLr) in the EMS group was −1.246 ± 0.778 μm/year, the aRNFLr in the LMS group was −0.898 ± 0.536 μm/year, and the aRNFLr was −0.234 ± 0.154 μm/year in the control group (p < 0.001). The aRNFLr in the EMS group was significantly higher than the aRNFLr in the LMS group (p = 0.01). The aRNFLr was not associated with MRI activity or the condition of having an attack. There was a correlation between Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression and aRNFLr in both the EMS and LMS patient groups (r = −0.471, p < 0.001, and r = −0.567, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The axonal degeneration rate is faster in RRMS patients in the first years of the disease than in later years. In addition, axonal degeneration occurs independently of inflammatory activity. Axonal degeneration is correlated with disability progression, but not with inflammatory findings, such as clinical episodes and MRI activity.
Proposal for Standardization of Primary and Secondary Outcomes in Patients with Active, Moderate-to-Severe Graves’ Orbitopathy
Authors: Bartalena Luigi , Wiersinga Wilmar M.
Published: September 2020

Standardization of treatment outcomes in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for active, moderate-to-severe Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is needed to make results of different RCTs comparable and to draw sound conclusions on the efficacy of a given treatment. Both subjective patient-reported outcome (PRO) and objective clinician-reported outcome (CRO) are important in this regard. In this paper, it is proposed that primary PRO should be the evaluation of treatment-related changes in the quality of life by the use of a validated and disease-specific questionnaire (GO-QoL). The proposed primary CRO is a revised composite index, which includes only objective items and provides an overall assessment of the effects of treatment. Secondary outcomes should also be provided in RCTs to show the effects of treatment on individual features of GO, as well on persistence of activity (by the 7-item Clinical Activity Score), safety, relapses of GO, need for subsequent medical and/or surgical treatments, and other indicators (orbital volume, cytokines, TSH receptor antibody levels). Assessment of the overall response to treatment by primary and secondary outcomes should be made 3 months after treatment completion.
COVID-19 and Extracellular Vesicles: An Intriguing Interplay
Authors: Pocsfalvi Gabriella , Mammadova Ramila , Ramos Juarez Ana Paulina , Bokka Ramesh , Trepiccione Francesco , Capasso Giovambattista
Published: September 2020

Background: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome β-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has the potential to become a long-lasting global health crisis. The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus has surpassed 22 million globally, resulting in over 700,000 deaths with more than 15 million people having recovered (https://covid19.who.int). Enormous efforts are underway for rapid vaccine and treatment developments. Amongst the many ways of tackling the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging. Summary: EVs are lipid bilayer-enclosed structures secreted from all types of cells, including those lining the respiratory tract. They have established roles in lung immunity and are involved in the pathogenesis of various lung diseases, including viral infection. In this review, we point out the roles and possible contribution of EVs in viral infections, as well as ongoing EV-based approaches for the treatment of COVID-19, including clinical trials. Key Messages: EVs share structural similarities to viruses and recent findings demonstrate that viruses exploit EVs for cellular exit and EVs exploit viral entry mechanisms for cargo delivery. Moreover, EV-virus interplay could be exploited for future antiviral drug and vaccine development. EV-based therapies, especially the mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs, are being intensively studied for the treatment of COVID-19.
Patient Engagement with Interactive Text Message System Improves Successful Colonoscopy Rates in an Outpatient Endoscopy Center
Authors: Rogers Benjamin D. , Shy Corey , Rampgopal Rajeev , Hengehold Tricia , Almuhaidb Aymen , Weaver Michael , Quader Farhan , Roediger Rebecca , Walker Ted , Gyawali C. Prakash , Sayuk Gregory S.
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Text message-based interventions reduce colonoscopy no-show rates and improve bowel preparation scores. In this non-randomized study, we assessed whether an interactive text messaging system could improve colonoscopy outcomes. Methods: Colonoscopy pre-procedural instructions were programmed into a dedicated software platform created for this study. In the intervention arm, text messages were sent to veterans during a 4-week study period. Validated pre-procedural satisfaction questionnaires were completed by patients during standard protocol and intervention periods. Demographics and colonoscopy outcomes data were compared between the standard protocol and intervention arms, including procedure completion rate on scheduled date, Boston bowel preparation score (BPPS), adenoma detection rate, and satisfaction. Results: Of 241 patients, 128 were in the standard protocol arm and 113 in the intervention arm. Higher proportions of patients receiving text messages underwent colonoscopy on their scheduled date (69.9%) compared to the ones in the standard protocol (50.8%, p = 0.015). Patients with ≥3 interactions with the system had 80.6% likelihood of completing colonoscopy on the scheduled date compared to 56.9% with <3 interactions and 50.8% with standard protocol (p < 0.001). Frequency of interaction with the system was similar between older (>65 years) and younger patients (p = 1.0). Among older patients, colonoscopy was completed successfully in 84.2% when alert-based human interactions occurred compared to 65.6% in those without and 47.9% with standard protocol (p = 0.018). More than 90% indicated they would recommend the system to patients undergoing future colonoscopy. Conclusion: An interactive text messaging system improves successful colonoscopy rates in a VA setting, with greatest impact in older patients.
Genome-Wide Polygenic Score, Clinical Risk Factors, and Long-Term Trajectories of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Hindy George , Aragam Krishna G. , Ng Kenney , Chaffin Mark , Lotta Luca A. , Baras Aris ,   Regeneron Genetics Center, Drake Isabel , Orho-Melander Marju , Melander Olle , Kathiresan Sekar , Khera Amit V.
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To determine the relationship of a genome-wide polygenic score for coronary artery disease (GPS
CAD
) with lifetime trajectories of CAD risk, directly compare its predictive capacity to traditional risk factors, and assess its interplay with the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) clinical risk estimator.

Approach and Results:

We studied GPS
CAD
in 28 556 middle-aged participants of the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, of whom 4122 (14.4%) developed CAD over a median follow-up of 21.3 years. A pronounced gradient in lifetime risk of CAD was observed—16% for those in the lowest GPS
CAD
decile to 48% in the highest. We evaluated the discriminative capacity of the GPS
CAD
—as assessed by change in the C-statistic from a baseline model including age and sex—among 5685 individuals with PCE risk estimates available. The increment for the GPS
CAD
(+0.045,
P
<0.001) was higher than for any of 11 traditional risk factors (range +0.007 to +0.032). Minimal correlation was observed between GPS
CAD
and 10-year risk defined by the PCE (
r
=0.03), and addition of GPS
CAD
improved the C-statistic of the PCE model by 0.026. A significant gradient in lifetime risk was observed for the GPS
CAD
, even among individuals within a given PCE clinical risk stratum. We replicated key findings—noting strikingly consistent results—in 325 003 participants of the UK Biobank.

Conclusions:

GPS
CAD
—a risk estimator available from birth—stratifies individuals into varying trajectories of clinical risk for CAD. Implementation of GPS
CAD
may enable identification of high-risk individuals early in life, decades in advance of manifest risk factors or disease.
Apo AI Nanoparticles Delivered Post Myocardial Infarction Moderate Inflammation
Authors: Richart Adele L. , Reddy Medini , Khalaji Mina , Natoli Alaina L. , Heywood Sarah E. , Siebel Andrew L. , Lancaster Graeme L. , Murphy Andrew J. , Carey Andrew L. , Drew Brian G. , Didichenko Svetlana A. , Navdaev Alexei V. , Kingwell Bronwyn A.
Published: September 2020

Rationale:

Decades of research have examined immune-modulatory strategies to protect the heart after an acute myocardial infarction and prevent progression to heart failure but have failed to translate to clinical benefit.

Objective:

To determine anti-inflammatory actions of n-apo AI (Apo AI nanoparticles) that contribute to cardiac tissue recovery after myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results:

Using a preclinical mouse model of myocardial infarction, we demonstrate that a single intravenous bolus of n-apo AI (CSL111, 80 mg/kg) delivered immediately after reperfusion reduced the systemic and cardiac inflammatory response. N-apo AI treatment lowered the number of circulating leukocytes by 30±7% and their recruitment into the ischemic heart by 25±10% (all
P
<5.0×10
−2
). This was associated with a reduction in plasma levels of the clinical biomarker of cardiac injury, cardiac troponin-I, by 52±17% (
P
=1.01×10
−2
). N-apo AI reduced the cardiac expression of chemokines that attract neutrophils and monocytes by 60% to 80% and lowered surface expression of integrin CD11b on monocytes by 20±5% (all
P
<5.0×10
−2
). Fluorescently labeled n-apo AI entered the infarct and peri-infarct regions and colocalized with cardiomyocytes undergoing apoptosis and with leukocytes. We further demonstrate that n-apo AI binds to neutrophils and monocytes, with preferential binding to the proinflammatory monocyte subtype and partially via SR-BI (scavenger receptor BI). In patients with type 2 diabetes, we also observed that intravenous infusion of the same n-apo AI (CSL111, 80 mg/kg) similarly reduced the level of circulating leukocytes by 12±5% (all
P
<5.0×10
−2
).

Conclusions:

A single intravenous bolus of n-apo AI delivered immediately post–myocardial infarction reduced the systemic and cardiac inflammatory response through direct actions on both the ischemic myocardium and leukocytes. These data highlight the anti-inflammatory effects of n-apo AI and provide preclinical support for investigation of its use for management of acute coronary syndromes in the setting of primary percutaneous coronary interventions.
Heart-Microcirculation Connection
Authors: Špiranec Spes Katarina , Chen Wen , Krebes Lisa , Völker Katharina , Abeßer Marco , Eder Negrin Petra , Cellini Antonella , Nickel Alexander , Nikolaev Viacheslav O. , Hofmann Franz , Schuh Kai , Schweda Frank , Kuhn Michaela
Published: September 2020

Cardiac ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) moderates arterial blood pressure. The mechanisms mediating its hypotensive effects are complex and involve inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increased natriuresis, endothelial permeability, and vasodilatation. The contribution of the direct vasodilating effects of ANP to blood pressure homeostasis is controversial because variable levels of the ANP receptor, GC-A (guanylyl cyclase-A), are expressed among vascular beds. Here, we show that ANP stimulates GC-A/cyclic GMP signaling in cultured microvascular pericytes and thereby the phosphorylation of the regulatory subunit of myosin phosphatase 1 by cGMP-dependent protein kinase I. Moreover, ANP prevents the calcium and contractile responses of pericytes to endothelin-1 as well as microvascular constrictions. In mice with conditional inactivation (knock-out) of GC-A in microcirculatory pericytes, such vasodilating effects of ANP on precapillary arterioles and capillaries were fully abolished. Concordantly, these mice have increased blood pressure despite preserved renal excretory function. Furthermore, acute intravascular volume expansion, which caused release of cardiac ANP, did not affect blood pressure of control mice but provoked hypertensive reactions in pericyte GC-A knock-out littermates. We conclude that GC-A/cGMP–dependent modulation of pericytes and microcirculatory tone contributes to the acute and chronic moderation of arterial blood pressure by ANP.

Graphic Abstract

A
graphic abstract
is available for this article.
Slow Disaster in the Anthropocene: A Historian Witnesses Climate Change on the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Knowles Scott Gabriel
Published: September 2020

Despite their seeming reluctance to engage in the politics of the now, historians have a crucial role to play as witnesses to climate change and its attendant social injustices. Climate change is a product of industrialization, but its effects are known in different geographical and temporal scales through the compilation and analysis of historical narratives. This essay explores modes of thinking about disasters and temporality, the Anthropocene, and the social production of risk – set against a case study of the Korean DMZ as a site for historical witnessing. Historical methods are crucial if we are to investigate deeply the social processes that have produced climate change. A “slow disaster in the Anthropocene” approach might show the way forward.
Ilse Bing: A Frankfurt School Photographer in Paris and New York
Authors: Buchloh Benjamin H. D.
Published: September 2020

Ilse Bing was one of those Weimar photographers whose work was recognized or rediscovered later than that of many of her more famous female peers. Her photographic project sprang largely from her persistent subversion of the stylistic oppositions of New Vision photography and New Objectivity. Just as complex was the work she produced after moving to Paris, defined as it was by her cross-cutting of Weimar socialist and French Surrealist photographic mentalities. Comparable in her precise socio-political analysis to the Frankfurt School's critiques of emerging mass-cultural and political formations, Bing's work in the United States, where, barred from publishing in magazines, she was able to pay witness to photography's functioning as a new ideological- and cultural-industrial medium—acquired the melancholic features of a mordant critique of traditional photographic genres such as the portrait.
Dispute Settlement in the Law of the Sea: Survey for 2019
Authors: Churchill Robin
Published: September 2020

This is the latest in a series of annual surveys in this Journal reviewing dispute settlement in the law of the sea, both under Part XV of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and outside the framework of the Convention. It covers developments during 2019. The most significant developments concerned the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). It delivered its judgment in the M/V Norstar (Panama v. Italy) case (concerning bunkering on the high seas and the scope of non-flag State prescriptive jurisdiction over vessels); made two provisional orders – in the Detention of Three Ukrainian Naval Vessels (Ukraine v. Russia) and San Padre Pio (Switzerland v. Nigeria) cases, both concerned with the alleged unlawful seizure and detention of ships; and was seized of two new cases. In addition, an arbitral tribunal made an award of reparation in the Duzgit Integrity (Malta v. São Tomé and Príncipe) case.
Wood anatomy of endangered Brazilian tree species
Authors: Brandes Arno Fritz das Neves , Novello Bruno Quiroga , de Lemos Davi Neves , do Nascimento Leonardo Bona , Albuquerque Rafael Perpétuo , Tamaio Neusa , Barros Claudia Franca
Published: September 2020

Endangered Brazilian tree species are traded on national and international scales. Efficient control of wood supply chains is fundamental to both species and environmental conservation. Wood anatomy offers an effective method for timber screening and diagnosis, although diagnostic tools and reliable reference materials are required to verify the precise timber species commercialized. We present here anatomical information that can be used for the identification of the wood of endangered Brazilian tree species, including coded wood anatomy descriptions following standardized lists of macroscopic and microscopic features, stereomicroscope and bright field microscope micrographs, and reference data (wood collections with reference samples and anatomical descriptions). Description datasets and interactive identification keys (macroscopic and microscopic) were made available on the Xper3 web platform (http://gbg.sites.uff.br/lamad/) and can aid trained front-line staff or professional wood anatomists in trade control and forensic timber identifications of endangered Brazilian species.
Taxonomical account of the Indian Cyzicid Ozestheria annandalei (Daday, 1913) (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from peninsular India
Authors: PADHYE SAMEER M. , INGALE PRASHANT ARUN , VANJARE AVINASH ISAAC
Published: September 2020

The spinicaudatan family Cyzicidae represents a group of morphologically variable species whose taxonomy is still being updated (Schwentner et al. 2009, 2015, 2020; Rogers et al. 2017). There are 21 species of spinicaudatans currently reported from the Indian subcontinent out of which 4 species represent the Cyzicidae family (sensu Rogers & Padhye, 2015; not considering the species from Eocyzicus genus which are now shifted to Eocyzicidae family sensu Schwentner et al. 2020). Ozestheria indica (Daday, 1913), one of the four species, has been re-described very recently (Padhye, 2020). Ozestheria indica and Ozestheria annandalei (Daday, 1913) are the two valid species currently known from peninsular India (Padhye, 2020; Rogers, 2020 2020). Padhye et al., (2015) re-described the female of a Cyzicus sp. which was later confirmed as C. annandalei (Rogers & Padhye, 2015).
On a new Temnocephala (Platyhelminthes) from Southern Patagonia (Chile, Argentina), with a redescription of T. chilensis and some systematic and biogeographical insights
Authors: DE LEÓN RODRIGO PONCE , RUDOLPH ERICH H. , VOLONTERIO ODILE
Published: September 2020

To date, only one species of Temnocephala is known from Chile, Temnocephala chilensis, and three from southern Argentina (Patagonia), namely T. chilensis, Temnocephala dionii, and Temnocephala mexicana. Here we describe a new species of Temnocephala and provide an updated description of T. chilensis based on material found on an anomuran crab (Aeglidae) from southern Chile. Additional hosts and localities are reported for both species in southern Argentina and Chile, and a diagnostic key for all species of Temnocephala hosted on Aegla and Parastacidae is included as well. In southern Chile, both T. chilensis and the new species were found on the crayfish Samastacus spinifrons and on the anomuran crabs Aegla abtao and Aegla alacalufi; in addition, the new species was found on Aegla manni, and T. chilensis on Aegla rostrata. In southern Argentina, T. chilensis and the new species were found on Aegla riolimayana and S. spinifrons. Based on their shared traits (morphology of the penial stylet, host preferences and geographic distribution), the temnocephalans hosted in Aegla are tentatively gathered into two clusters, the Chilensis and Axenos groups.
A new subgenus and species of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from Azerbaijan, with faunistic notes on adjacent countries
Authors: ROMANTSOV PAVEL V. , MOSEYKO ALEXEY G.
Published: September 2020

A new monotypic subgenus, Azerberyxia new subgenus of Eryxia Baly, 1865, is described for Eryxia (Azerberyxia) serratotibialis new species, from Azerbaijan. Color photographs of the habitus and genitalia are given. New country records of Eumolpinae are provided: Macrocoma delagrangei (Pic, 1898) from Iran, Trichochrysea arnoldii (L. Medvedev, 1957) from Kazakhstan and Aphilenia interrupta Weise in Reitter, 1889 from Turkey.
A new species of the grass-feeding leafhopper genus Amblysellus Sleesman (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from western Mexico, with a checklist and key to species
Authors: PINEDO-ESCATEL J. A. , BECERRA-CHIRON I. M. , TORRES-MORENO R. , PÉREZ-VALENCIA L. I.
Published: September 2020

A new Mexican leafhopper species, Amblysellus raygozai sp. nov., is described and illustrated from western Mexico. Specimens were collected over perennial grasses. A key for all recognized species within the country is provided.
The first record of the family Chloroperlidae (Plecoptera) from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China, with description of a new species of Sweltsa Ricker, 1943
Authors: MO RAORAO , YE JIANPING , WANG GUOQUAN , LI WEIHAI
Published: September 2020

The family Chloroperlidae is reported from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China for the first time with a description of a new species of the genus Sweltsa, S. bilobata sp. nov. The new species is compared to two similar species.
Track Deflection of Typhoon Maria (2018) during a Westbound Passage Offshore of Northern Taiwan: Topographic Influence
Authors: Huang Ching-Yuang , Juan Tzu-Chi , Kuo Hung-Chi , Chen Jen-Her
Published: September 2020

This study applies a global model (FV3GFS) with stretched resolution of approximately 7 km for simulating Typhoon Maria (2018), which exhibited a sudden northward track deflection when approaching about 150 km northeast of Taiwan. As Maria approached land, the outer cyclonic flow at the western flank of the typhoon is split around the northern part of the Central Mountain Range (CMR) in Taiwan to converge east of Taiwan with the recirculating southerly flow around the southern corner of the CMR. Such strong convergence leads to northward deflection of the west-northwestward-moving typhoon with the stronger wind mainly east of the vortex center. The radial inflow at low levels is intensified south of the vortex center and transports larger angular momentum (AM) inward with the enhanced upward motions and vertical mean AM advection to increase the azimuthal mean tangential wind in the lower-tropospheric eyewall. A vorticity budget of wavenumber-1 decomposition indicates that the track deflection is dominated by horizontal vorticity advection in response to the intensifying flow. Numerical experiments with idealized WRF also support such northward track deflection as westward tropical cyclones approach a mountain range within an offshore meridional distance of about 200 km. The northward track deflection is only slightly amplified as the terrain height is considerably increased, consistent with the real-case simulation. However, the northward track deflection is not increased as the approaching vortex is initialized closer to the northern end of the mountain range, due to the enhanced east–west symmetry of wind structure in the inner vortex.
“Don’t Tell Me What to Do”: Resistance to Climate Change Messages Suggesting Behavior Changes
Authors: Palm Risa , Bolsen Toby , Kingsland Justin T.
Published: September 2020

This study evaluates the impact of exposure to messages that emphasize the need for changes in individual behavior or in public policy to address climate change attributed to a “climate scientist” or to an unnamed source. We implemented a large survey experiment (N = 1915) online through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) platform that manipulated the presence of recommendations for voluntary behavioral changes or the adoption of new laws to mitigate climate change. We found that, regardless of the source of the information, recommendations for behavioral changes decreased individuals’ willingness to take personal actions to reduce greenhouse gases, decreased willingness to support proclimate candidates, reduced belief in the accelerated speed of climate change, and decreased trust in climate scientists.