bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of complete blood count for predicting preterm birth in asymptomatic pregnant women: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Ma Mei , Zhu Mei , Zhuo Bimin , Li Li , Chen Honglei , Xu Libo , Wu Zhihui , Cheng Feng , Xu Liangpu , Yan Jianying
Published: March 2020

Background

Accurate prediction of preterm birth (PTB) is still difficult, mostly because of the multifactorial etiology of PTB. Previous studies have been mostly focused on the prediction of PTB in symptomatic women or those presenting with threatened preterm labor. We aimed to study whether complete blood count (CBC) parameters at 20‐30 weeks of pregnancy can predict asymptomatic PTB.

Methods

In this retrospective case‐control study, the preterm and term delivery groups were matched by propensity score‐matched (PSM) analysis. Baseline data and the CBC parameters examined at 20‐30 weeks of gestation were recorded.

Results

The combined marker of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), hemoglobin (HGB), and platelet distribution width (PDW) accurately predicts PTB at a cutoff value of 0.25, with sensitivity and specificity of 88.6% and 40.5% and negative and positive predictive value of 97.9% and 10.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

The combined marker of CBC parameters can supplement other markers to predict PTB about 10 weeks in advance. This combined marker had a very high negative predictive value for PTB. Therefore, in subjects with normal combined marker value, further screening tests for PTB may be eliminated unless clinical suspicion is high.
Risk and protective family factors during childhood on youth violence among African American males: The role of mothers and nonresident fathers
Authors: Tsuchiya Kazumi , Lee Daniel B. , Qian Yiqing , Caldwell Cleopatra H. , Mincy Ronald B.
Published: March 2020

African American male youth experience disproportionately higher levels of violence. We examined parental depression among African American mothers and nonresident fathers on parenting stress and school involvement in their adolescent sons' school connectedness and violent behaviors. Using a longitudinal study design, parent factors were assessed when sons were 9 years old on youth outcomes at age 15. We found that maternal depression was associated with maternal stress, and maternal stress was indirectly associated with sons' violent behaviors through school connectedness. School involvement among nonresident fathers was positively associated with sons' school connectedness, which was linked to less youth violent behaviors. Maternal stress and nonresident fathers' school involvement are influential for understanding youth violence. Future interventions should incorporate a more nuanced approach when including family factors.
Oxygen transfer rate determines molecular weight and production of poly(γ‐glutamic acid) as well as carbon utilization by Bacillus velezensis 83
Authors: Flores Celia , Medina‐Valdez Abraham , Peña Carlos , Serrano‐Carreón Leobardo , Galindo Enrique
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) on poly(γ‐glutamic acid) (γ‐PGA) production and molecular weight and the carbon source utilization in cultures of Bacillus velezensis 83 developed in shake flasks.

RESULTS

The cellular metabolism of B. velezensis 83 was affected by the OTR conditions. At maximum oxygen transfer rates (OTRmax) of 12, 17 and 19 mmol L−1 h−1, glucose was mainly used for cell growth and γ‐PGA production. In contrast, under oxygen‐limiting conditions (2.5 and 5.7 mmol L−1 h−1), the carbon source was also directed to acetoin, 2,3‐butanediol and CO2 production. Changes in OTRmax significantly impacted γ‐PGA production, its maximum mean molecular weight (MMWmax) and its depolymerization kinetics. In cultures developed at an OTRmax of 2.5 mmol L−1 h−1, the bacteria synthesized a polymer with a MMWmax of 2400 kDa, whereas at OTR greater than 5.7 mmol L−1 h−1 a polymer with a MMWmax of 2850 kDa was obtained and the γ‐PGA concentration increased up to 2.8‐fold. In addition, γ‐PGA depolymerization, occurring even in the presence of glucose, increased at non‐limiting OTR conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The production, yield and molecular weight of γ‐PGA are determined by OTR conditions. Our results showed, for the first time, that there is a direct relationship between OTRmax and the γ‐PGA depolymerization rate in B. velezensis 83 cultures. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Efficient use of brewer's spent grain hydrolysates in ABE fermentation by Clostridium beijerinkii. Effect of high solid loads in the enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Plaza Pedro E , Coca Mónica , Lucas Susana , Fernández‐Delgado Marina , López‐Linares Juan C , García‐Cubero María Teresa
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) has been employed to investigate the use of hemicellulosic and cellulosic sugars in Acetone‐Butanol‐Ethanol (ABE) fermentation. A dilute‐acid pretreatment was conducted, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis at different solid loads (10–15–20% DM) and ABE fermentation by Clostridium beijerinckii DSM 6422. Operation at solid loadings higher than 15% DM (60.1 g L−1 of total sugars, 1.03 g phenolic/L) makes the development of a detoxification step necessary.

RESULTS

The higher butanol and ABE concentrations for the pretreatment liquor were obtained when activated carbon was used as the detoxification agent (11.5 ± 0.1 g L−1 butanol, 16.2 ± 0.2 g L−1 ABE, 95.1% sugar uptake), whereas the sequential activated carbon and overliming detoxification strategy was the most effective for 15% DM enzymatic hydrolysates (11.6 ± 0.2 g L−1 butanol, 18.3 ± 0.3 g L−1 ABE, 89.6% sugar uptake).

CONCLUSION

The overall yield, taking into account the pretreatment liquor and enzymatic hydrolysate, was 99.8 g butanol/kg BSG and 146.5 g ABE/kg BSG, improving the results without detoxification by more than 40%. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Fabrication of methane thermoelectric gas sensor based on 3D porous Pd/Co3O4 catalyst
Authors: Sun Li , Li Chuanliang , Zhang Hua , Dou Binlin , Su Wenxian , Zhang Lixin
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

At present, much attention has been focused on the development of methane (CH4) sensors due to a series of explosions and fires caused by CH4 gas leakage.

RESULTS

Here, a CH4 thermoelectric gas sensor (TGS) was fabricated by fixing 3D porous palladium/cobalt oxide (Pd/Co3O4) catalyst on a commercial thermoelectric module. 3D porous Pd/Co3O4 catalysts were prepared by a co‐precipitation and gel‐casting method. The pore structure in catalysts could be tailored only by adjusting the gel viscosity during the formation process. The protocol to tune the pore structure is facile and effective for the improvement of the activity of catalysts. By means of various techniques, the catalysts were characterized and then the possible catalytic mechanism was revealed. The CH4 TGS based on the optimal Pd/Co3O4 catalyst began to respond at 200 °C, following an obvious output voltage (ΔV) of 5 mV. Enhancing the operating temperature to 240 °C, the value of ΔV reached to 31 mV and exhibited a linear relationship with CH4 gas concentration. Meanwhile, the CH4 TGS showed high sensitivity, repeatability and stability.

CONCLUSION

The easy and effective preparation method presented to prepare 3D porous Pd/Co3O4 catalyst can provide an unique perspective on the development of 3D porous materials with excellent properties. It can be anticipated that the CH4 TGS based on the 3D porous Pd/Co3O4 catalyst will be a potential candidate for the detection of CH4 gas in industrial settings. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimal use of biologics with endoscopic balloon dilatation for repeated intestinal strictures in Crohn's disease
Authors: Uda Akihito , Kuwabara Hiroyo , Shimizu Sayuri , Iwakiri Ryuichi , Fushimi Kiyohide
Published: March 2020

Background and Aim

Intestinal strictures in Crohn's disease (CD) have a high rate of repeated surgery. As alternatives to surgery, endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD), immunomodulators (IMs), and antitumor necrosis factor alpha (anti‐TNFα) have been proposed. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the combined therapy with anti‐TNFα and EBD in preventing intestinal stricture recurrence and surgery in patients with CD.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients from the nationwide administrative database in Japan who were hospitalized and underwent at least one EBD between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2017. The effectiveness of anti‐TNFα was evaluated by performing survival analysis for the primary outcome. We selected the inverse probability of treatment weighting method for adjustment of covariates. As an exploratory analysis, we evaluated the association of anti‐TNFα initiation timing with intestinal stricture recurrence.

Results

The anti‐TNFα exposed group had a significantly lower risk of intestinal stricture recurrence than that of the anti‐TNFα nonexposed group (hazard ratio = 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.31–0.48, P < 0.001). Surgery‐free rate was shown to have the same tendency. Anti‐TNFα therapy initiation before or after EBD resulted in a lower risk of intestinal stricture recurrence than that of simultaneous treatment.

Conclusion

The combined therapy with anti‐TNFα and EBD could have preventive effects for intestinal stricture recurrence and surgery in hospitalized patients with CD. In particular, anti‐TNFα initiation may be recommended before or after EBD, not immediately after EBD. With respect to EBD, it is important to clarify the effectiveness of combination therapy with several new medication treatments, such as biologics.
Association of MYC gene polymorphisms with neuroblastoma risk in Chinese children: A four‐center case–control study
Authors: Pan Jing , Zhu Jinhong , Wang Mi , Yang Tianyou , Hu Chao , Yang Jiliang , Zhang Jiao , Cheng Jiwen , Zhou Haixia , Xia Huimin , He Jing , Zou Yan
Published: March 2020

Background

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in childhood. Polymorphisms in proto‐oncogene MYC are implicated in many cancers, although their role in neuroblastoma remains unclear. In the present study, we attempted to investigate the association between MYC gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility in Chinese children.

Methods

We included two MYC polymorphisms (rs4645943 and rs2070583) and assessed their effects on neuroblastoma risk in 505 cases and 1070 controls via the Taqman method.

Results

In single and combined locus analysis, no significant association was found between the two selected polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility. In stratification analysis, the rs4645943 CT/TT genotypes were significantly associated with a decreased neuroblastoma risk in subjects with tumors originating from other sites [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.21–0.84, p = 0.013]. Meanwhile, the presence of one or two protective genotypes was significantly associated with a decreased neuroblastoma risk in subjects with tumors arising from other sites (adjusted OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.26–0.96, p = 0.036).

Conclusions

The present study indicates that MYC gene polymorphisms may have a weak effect on the neuroblastoma risk, which neeeds to be verified further.
Decentralization and Income Inequality in a Panel and Cross‐Section of Countries
Authors: Canare Tristan , Francisco Jamil Paolo , Caliso Rose Ann Camille
Published: March 2020

Decentralization has been a common public finance reform among developing countries in the past few decades. Some advocates pushed for decentralization reform as an answer to the growing problem of income inequality. The primary argument for decentralization is that subnational governments have better information on the needs and preferences of local citizens, while the primary argument against it is that the central government has better economies of scale in delivering public services and usually has better access to important resources. This study tested for the relationship between decentralization and income inequality using both panel data and an annual averaged cross‐section data of countries with varying income levels. The results suggest that revenue decentralization is weakly associated with lower income inequality. In addition, there is also a weak evidence that fiscal independence is associated with higher income inequality, although this is moderated by government effectiveness. Expenditure decentralization has no significant relationship with inequality. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arabinofuranose‐derived positron‐emission tomography radiotracers for detection of pathogenic microorganisms
Authors: Kalita Mausam , Parker Matthew F.L. , Luu Justin M. , Stewart Megan N. , Blecha Joseph E. , VanBrocklin Henry F. , Evans Michael J. , Flavell Robert R. , Rosenberg Oren S. , Ohliger Michael A. , Wilson David M.
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE: Detection of bacteria‐specific metabolism via positron emission tomography (PET) is an emerging strategy to image human pathogens, with dramatic implications for clinical practice. In silico and in vitro screening tools have recently been applied to this problem, with several monosaccharides including l‐arabinose showing rapid accumulation in Escherichia coli and other organisms. Our goal for this study was to evaluate several synthetically viable arabinofuranose‐derived 18F analogs for their incorporation into pathogenic bacteria. PROCEDURES: We synthesized four radiolabeled arabinofuranose‐derived sugars: 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐arabinofuranoses (d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF) and 5‐deoxy‐5‐[18F]fluoro‐arabinofuranoses (d‐5‐18F‐AF and l‐5‐18F‐AF). The arabinofuranoses were synthesized from 18F‐ via triflated, peracetylated precursors analogous to the most common radiosynthesis of 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoro‐d‐glucose ([18F]FDG). These radiotracers were screened for their uptake into E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequently, the sensitivity of d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF to key human pathogens was investigated in vitro. RESULTS: All 18F radiotracer targets were synthesized in high radiochemical purity. In the screening study, d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF showed greater accumulation in E. coli than in S. aureus. When evaluated in a panel of pathologic microorganisms, both d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF demonstrated sensitivity to most gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Arabinofuranose‐derived 18F PET radiotracers can be synthesized with high radiochemical purity. Our study showed absence of bacterial accumulation for 5‐substitued analogs, a finding that may have mechanistic implications for related tracers. Both d‐2‐18F‐AF and l‐2‐18F‐AF showed sensitivity to most gram‐negative and gram‐positive organisms. Future in vivo studies will evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these radiotracers in animal models of infection.
Clinical analysis of pregnant women with 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia
Authors: Chen Siyu , Liao E. , Cao Dongmei , Gao Ying , Sun Guoqiang , Shao Yong
Published: March 2020

The aim is to evaluate pregnant women infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and provide help for clinical prevention and treatment. All five cases of pregnant women confirmed COVID‐19 were collected among patients who admitted to the Maternal and Child Hospital of Hubei Province between January 20 and February 10, 2020. All patients, aging from 25 to 31 years old, had the gestational week from 38th weeks to 41st weeks. All pregnant women did not have an antepartum fever but developed a low‐grade fever (37.5℃‐38.5℃) within 24 hours after delivery. All patients had normal liver and renal function, two patients had elevated plasma levels of the myocardial enzyme. Unusual chest imaging manifestations, featured with ground‐grass opacity, were frequently observed in bilateral (three cases) or unilateral lobe (two cases) by computed tomography (CT) scan. All labors smoothly processed, the Apgar scores were 10 points 1 and 5 minutes after delivery, no complications were observed in the newborn. Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of patients with COVID‐19 should receive more attention. It is probable that pregnant women diagnosed with COVID‐19 have no fever before delivery. Their primary initial manifestations were merely low‐grade postpartum fever or mild respiratory symptoms. Therefore, the protective measures are necessary on admission; the instant CT scan and real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase‐chain‐reaction assay should be helpful in early diagnosis and avoid cross‐infection on the occasion that patients have fever and other respiratory signs.
A 216‐year tree‐ring reconstruction of April–July relative humidity from Mt. Shiren, central China
Authors: Peng Jianfeng , Li Jinbao , Yang Liu , Li Jingru , Huo Jiaxin
Published: March 2020

Long‐term relative humidity change in central China has been rarely studied due to the shortness of instrumental records. In this study, we developed an annually resolved tree‐ring width chronology dating back to 1727 coefficient of efficiency (CE) with Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) samples from Mt. Shiren, central China. Relative humidity of current April–July (RHAJ) was reconstructed for the region from 1801 to 2016 CE using a linear regression model, which explains 43.9% of the variance in the instrumental records from 1960 to 2016 CE. The reconstructed RHAJ revealed that there were 33 extremely dry years, accounting for 15.28% of the past 216 years. The five driest years and the corresponding anomalies were 1835 (60.05%), 1955 (60.24%), 1929 (60.50%), 1907 (60.71%), and 1801 (60.83%). In agreement with the PDSI reconstruction for Mt. Shennong and the drought/flood series in Zhengzhou, the reconstructed RHAJ captured common droughts in 1813–1814, 1847, 1876–1880, 1900, 1923–1945, 1960–1961, and wet periods in 1863–1872, 1882–1885, 1897–1898, 1954–1956, and 1983–1984. Spatial correlation analyses showed that the reconstructed RHAJ for Mt. Shiren had significant positive correlations with vapour pressure, precipitation, and relative humidity of 850 hPa around the study area, which indicates that the reconstructed RHAJ reflects regional humidity change in central China. To sum up, these results may be provide us with a better understanding of drought variation in central China.
Uncertainties in simulating central Asia: Sensitivity to physical parameterizations using Weather Research and Forecasting model
Authors: Wang Yongli , Feng Jinming , Luo Meng , Wang Jun , Qiu Yuan
Published: March 2020

The Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) comprises a number of parameterization schemes, and therefore the different combined physical parameterization schemes should be discussed before determining optimal configurations. The regional climate of central Asia is simulated from 2003 to 2008 using the WRFv4.0.1 with nine physical combinations (microphysics [MP], cumulus [CU], planetary boundary layer [PBL]) on a 25‐km horizontal grid. The goal is to identify a reasonable configuration assemble of physical parameterization schemes for long‐term simulations through the sensitivity experiments of regional climate respond to microphysics, convection, and boundary layer processes. Compared to the observation data, all the groups mostly simulate the daily and seasonal variations of precipitation but with a shift from wet bias to dry bias based on the daily precipitation categories of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). The large‐scale precipitation caused by the microphysics schemes is 3–4 times the amount of precipitation caused by the subscale precipitation generated by the cumulus schemes. The simulated difference of the vertical temperature shows results similar to those of the surface air temperature. The microphysics schemes play the dominant role among the three physical options, and the Thompson scheme addresses better precipitation and surface temperature simulations in contrast to the WDM6 scheme. By combining with the bias, correlation and root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) between the reproduced temperature and precipitation, it can be concluded that the best optimal physical schemes combination is the Thompson–Tiedtke–YSU, which can be used for long‐term simulations.
Adult ovine chondrocytes in expansion culture adopt progenitor cell properties that are favorable for cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Kisiday John D. , Liebig Bethany E. , Goodrich Laurie R.
Published: March 2020

Human chondrocytes in expansion culture can become progenitor‐like in their ability to proliferate extensively and secrete neocartilage in chondrogenic culture. Sheep are used as a large animal model for cartilage tissue engineering, although for testing progenitor‐like chondrocytes it is important that ovine chondrocytes resemble human in the ability to adopt progenitor properties. Here, we investigate whether ovine chondrocytes can adopt progenitor properties as indicated by rapid proliferation in a colony‐forming fashion, and high levels of neocartilage secretion in chondrogenic culture. In conditions known to promote expansion of mesenchymal stromal cells, ovine chondrocytes proliferated through approximately 12 population doublings in 10 days. Time‐lapse imaging indicated rapid proliferation in a colony‐forming pattern. Expanded ovine chondrocytes that were seeded into agarose and cultured in chondrogenic medium accumulated neocartilage over 2 weeks, to a greater extent than primary chondrocytes. These data confirm that ovine chondrocytes resemble human chondrocytes in their ability to acquire progenitor properties that are important for cartilage tissue engineering. Given the broad interest in using progenitor cells to heal connective tissues, next we compared proliferation and trilineage differentiation of ovine chondrocytes, meniscus cells, and tenocytes. Meniscus cells and tenocytes experienced more than 13 population doublings in 10 days. In chondrogenic culture, cartilage matrix accumulation, and gene expression were largely similar among the cell types. All cell types resisted osteogenesis, while expanded tenocytes and meniscal cells were capable of adipogenesis. While ovine connective tissue cells demonstrated limited lineage plasticity, these data support the potential to promote certain progenitor properties with expansion.
Antireflection displays with ambient contrast enhancement for extended device battery lifetime and reduced energy consumption
Authors: Koch Karl W. , Hathaway Brooke , Kosik Williams Carlo , Amin Jaymin , Mayolet Alexandre , Aurongzeb Deeder , McDonald Joseph , Hart Shandon
Published: March 2020

Antireflection (AR) coatings can improve the viewing experience of a display, including mobile electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops that are typically operated on battery power and protected with chemically strengthened glass. In this work, we discuss the trade‐offs between optimal user viewing experience in brightly lit environments and battery lifetime for an AR versus a non‐AR mobile display. We show that under 400–1,000 lux ambient illumination, an AR‐based display can be operated at >30% lower luminance than a non‐AR display with similar human perception of contrast based on a perceptual contrast length model, resulting in a potential improvement of >15% in device battery lifetime and a similar proportion of energy savings.
Effect of Predeployment Psychiatric Diagnoses on Postdeployment Long‐Term Sickness Absence and Mental Health Problems Among Danish Military Personnel
Authors: Stoltenberg Christian D. G. , Nissen Lars R. , Nielsen Anni B. S. , Vedtofte Mia S. , Marott Jacob L. , Gyntelberg Finn , Guldager Bernadette
Published: March 2020

Military personnel may withhold information on mental health problems (MHPs) for fear of not being permitted to deploy. Past or current MHPs may, however, increase the risk of postdeployment MHPs. Using psychiatric diagnoses rather than self‐report assessments in predeployment screening may be a more effective screening strategy for determining deployment fitness. This retrospective follow‐up study investigated (a) the extent to which predeployment childhood and adult psychiatric diagnoses predicted postdeployment MHPs, measured as psychiatric diagnosis and the purchase of psychiatric drugs, and long‐term sickness absence among formerly deployed Danish military personnel and (b) whether perceived combat exposure moderated or mediated the effect of predeployment psychiatric diagnoses. Complete data were available for 7,514 Danish military personnel who answered questions on perceived combat exposure between 6–8 months after returning from their first deployment to the Balkans, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Data on all psychiatric diagnoses given at Danish hospitals, all medicine purchases, and all sickness absences were retrieved from nationwide research registers. Personnel with predeployment psychiatric diagnoses had a statistically significant higher risk for both postdeployment long‐term sickness absence, hazard ratio (HR) = 2.06, 95% CI [1.52, 2.80]; and postdeployment MHPs, HR = 2.38, 95% CI [1.73, 3.27], than personnel without a predeployment psychiatric diagnosis. Personnel with a predeployment psychiatric diagnosis demonstrated a higher risk of reporting high levels of perceived combat exposure. Perceived combat exposure was not found to moderate or mediate the effect of a predeployment psychiatric diagnosis on the two outcomes. Additional findings, limitations, and implications are discussed.
A broadband dual‐polarized antenna with irregular polygon patches and trapezoidal coupling plates
Authors: Torabi Mamaghani Iraj , Nourinia Javad , Ghobadi Changiz
Published: March 2020

In this article, a small broadband dual‐polarized antenna is presented. The main structure consists of the four irregular polygon patches printed on the bottom layer of the substrate, two trapezoidal coupling plates printed on the top layer of the substrate, and a box‐shaped reflector at the back of the substrate at resonance distance. Design principles are based on the rules of complementary antennas, cross dual‐polarized antennas, and aperture antennas. The proposed antenna has technical specifications such as impedance bandwidth 48% (1.7‐2.7 GHz) with lower than 15 dB return loss, port‐to‐port isolation about 32 dB, high pattern stability, and half‐power beam width about 63 ± 9°. The antenna measurement results confirm these. At the end, a comparison between the proposed antenna and the other antennas of this type is presented. The proposed antenna has smaller dimensions, high gain, high port isolation, and excellent pattern stability over the whole bandwidth. The proposed antenna can be used in the base transceiver stations (BTSs) and multi input–multi output (MIMO) systems.
Synthesis of hyperbranched polyphenylenes using aryl dichloride monomers by Suzuki polycondensation
Authors: Lobo Laurel Simon , Matsumoto Kazuya , Mitsutoshi Jikei
Published: March 2020

Advanced microelectronic fabrication requires stable organic materials that can be used under extreme conditions such as high temperatures. In this study, hyperbranched polyphenylenes (HBPs) were synthesized as stable and soluble polymers via the Suzuki polycondensation of 2‐(3,5‐dichlorophenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolane (Bpin‐Cl) and 3,5‐dichlorophenylboronic acid (BOH‐Cl) in the presence of palladium acetate and 2‐(2′,6′‐dimethoxybiphenyl) dicyclohexylphosphine (SPhos). Soluble polymers having an average molecular weight in the range of 11 000 to 31 000 g/mol were obtained through the polymerization of chloride monomers. The degree of branching was determined to be 50% through inverse‐gated decoupling 13C NMR measurements. The chloride‐terminated HBP showed a temperature of 402°C for 1% weight loss (Td1%) after the sample was purified via precipitation from an N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) solution and then thermally treated at 260°C for 3 hours. This thermal stability is higher than that of the HBPs synthesized from the corresponding bromide monomers. Moreover, after heating at 260°C, the sample was found to be soluble in organic solvents. The chlorinated terminal groups played an important role in achieving good solubility after heating. This unique property is attractive for non‐volatile or temporary coating materials used in microelectronic fabrication.
Deficiency in IκBα in the intestinal epithelium leads to spontaneous inflammation and mediates apoptosis in the gut
Authors: Mikuda Nadine , Schmidt‐Ullrich Ruth , Kärgel Eva , Golusda Laura , Wolf Jana , Höpken Uta E , Scheidereit Claus , Kühl Anja A , Kolesnichenko Marina
Published: March 2020

The IκB kinase (IKK)–NF‐κB signaling pathway plays a multifaceted role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): on the one hand, it protects from apoptosis; on the other, it activates transcription of numerous inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Although several murine models of IBD rely on disruption of IKK–NF‐κB signaling, these involve either knockouts of a single family member of NF‐κB or of upstream kinases that are known to have additional, NF‐κB‐independent, functions. This has made the distinct contribution of NF‐κB to homeostasis in intestinal epithelium cells difficult to assess. To examine the role of constitutive NF‐κB activation in intestinal epithelial cells, we generated a mouse model with a tissue‐specific knockout of the direct inhibitor of NF‐κB, Nfkbia/IκBα. We demonstrate that constitutive activation of NF‐κB in intestinal epithelial cells induces several hallmarks of IBD including increased apoptosis, mucosal inflammation in both the small intestine and the colon, crypt hyperplasia, and depletion of Paneth cells, concomitant with aberrant Wnt signaling. To determine which NF‐κB‐driven phenotypes are cell‐intrinsic, and which are extrinsic and thus require the immune compartment, we established a long‐term organoid culture. Constitutive NF‐κB promoted stem‐cell proliferation, mis‐localization of Paneth cells, and sensitization of intestinal epithelial cells to apoptosis in a cell‐intrinsic manner. Increased number of stem cells was accompanied by a net increase in Wnt activity in organoids. Because aberrant Wnt signaling is associated with increased risk of cancer in IBD patients and because NFKBIA has recently emerged as a risk locus for IBD, our findings have critical implications for the clinic. In a context of constitutive NF‐κB, our findings imply that general anti‐inflammatory or immunosuppressive therapies should be supplemented with direct targeting of NF‐κB within the epithelial compartment in order to attenuate apoptosis, inflammation, and hyperproliferation. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Quality and completeness of diagnoses recorded in the new CPRD Aurum Database: evaluation of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Jick Susan S. , Hagberg Katrina Wilcox , Persson Rebecca , Vasilakis‐Scaramozza Catherine , Williams Tim , Crellin Elizabeth , Myles Puja
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) now provides a new medical record database, CPRD Aurum. This is the first of several studies being undertaken to assess the quality and completeness of CPRD Aurum data for research endeavors.

Methods

We identified patients with a pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis from a random sample of 50 000 patients in CPRD Aurum and compared the diagnoses using data from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). We calculated the proportion of PE cases recorded in CPRD Aurum who also had a PE diagnosis recorded in HES. We also evaluated completeness by identifying all PE diagnoses in HES and calculating the proportion also present in CPRD Aurum.

Results

The study included 781 PE patients: 580 had a PE in CPRD Aurum, 632 had a PE in HES, and 431 had a PE in both. The proportion of patients with anticoagulated PE in CPRD Aurum confirmed by HES was 76.8%. The completeness of primary hospitalized PE HES events compared to CPRD Aurum was 79.1%. In most instances, there was a plausible explanation for the presence of a PE in only one of the two data sources.

Conclusions

The results of this study are reassuring and suggest that the correctness (eg, quality, accuracy) and completeness of diagnosis information in CPRD Aurum are promising with respect to serious acute conditions that require medical attention. Evaluation of other data elements will provide additional insight into this new data resource and its utility for medical research.
Psychometric properties of Science Motivation Questionnaire II‐Chinese version in two waves of longitudinal data
Authors: Dong Zehua , Li Min , Minstrell Jim , Cui Yunhuo
Published: March 2020

Science motivation is an important factor that directly influences students’ science learning. Numerous studies have been undertaken to develop and validate questionnaire items for measuring students’ motivation in science learning. This study is the first longitudinal examination of the Chinese version of Science Motivation Questionnaire II (SMQ II‐C) in a Chinese cultural context. Using two waves of surveys, we evaluated its internal structure validity and criterion‐related validity. Results showed that at each time point, scores were internally consistent and the hypothesized five‐factor model was confirmed as the best model fit for the data. Results of multigroup invariance revealed the structure of the SMQ II‐C was equivalent within gender subgroups. Furthermore, the present study added longitudinal invariance evidence of the SMQ II‐C by sampling two‐time points. Overall, this study suggests the SMQ II‐C is a robust instrument for evaluating Chinese high school students’ motivation to learn science. Furthermore, boys yielded higher scores than girls among all five subscales of science motivation and significant gender differences were observed in both waves. Implications and limitations of these results are discussed.
Modeling the combined impacts of host plant resistance and biological control on the population dynamics of a major pest of wheat
Authors: Rand Tatyana A , Richmond Courtney E , Dougherty Edward T
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Single‐tool approaches often fail to provide effective long‐term suppression of pest populations, such that combining several tools into an integrated management strategy is critical. Yet studies that harness the power of population models to explore the relative efficacy of various management tools and their combinations remain rare. We constructed a Leslie matrix population model to evaluate the potential of crop resistance, acting alone or in combination with biological control, to reduce populations of the wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton, a major pest of wheat in North America.

RESULTS

Our model projections indicated that crop resistance reduced, but did not stop, C. cinctus population growth, suggesting that implementing multiple management tools will be necessary for longer term control of this pest. The levels of parasitism needed to curtail population growth were much lower in model projections for resistant solid‐stemmed compared with susceptible hollow‐stemmed cultivars (22% versus 86%). Furthermore, even when accounting for the reduced levels of parasitism observed in resistant cultivars, projected population growth rates for C. cinctus were always lower in resistant compared with susceptible wheat cultivars.

CONCLUSION

Despite some empirical evidence for antagonistic interactions between resistance and biological control, our models suggest that combining these two approaches will always reduce population growth rates to lower levels than implementing either strategy alone. More work focused on integrating biological control into crop resistance breeding programs, and determining how these approaches affect performance of limiting life stages, will be important to optimize sustainable approaches to integrated pest management in this system and more broadly. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effect of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) on metabolic syndrome: A review
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Danial , Razavi Bibi Marjan , Hosseinzadeh Hossein
Published: March 2020

Metabolic syndrome is a disorder characterized by dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, abdominal fat, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and diminished high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), routinely called lady's finger, has belonged to the Malvaceae family. Okra is considered as a valuable crop due to the multiple functions of its leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems, and seeds in traditional and modern medicines. Several bioactive components are presented in different parts of okra including polyphenolic compounds especially oligomeric catechins and flavonol derivatives such as quercetin. The antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulatory, gastroprotective, neuroprotective, lipid lowering, and antidiabetic effects of okra have been established. Although different in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that okra has an ability to overcome metabolic syndrome symptoms, the lack of clinical studies is notable. So, further clinical trials should be accomplished to confirm the role of okra in metabolic syndrome. The aims of this review are to gather different studies regarding the potential efficacy of okra in metabolic syndrome.
Rényi and Tsallis entropies of the Dirichlet and Neumann one‐dimensional quantum wells
Authors: Olendski Oleg
Published: March 2020

A comparative analysis of the Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions (BCs) of the one‐dimensional (1D) quantum well extracts similarities and differences of the Rényi
R(α) as well as Tsallis
T(α) entropies between these two geometries. It is shown, in particular, that for either BC the dependences of the Rényi position components on the parameter α are the same for all orbitals but the lowest Neumann one, for which the corresponding functional R is not influenced by the variation of α. Lower limit α
TH of the semi‐infinite range of the dimensionless Rényi/Tsallis coefficient where momentum entropies exist crucially depends on the position BC and is equal to 1/4 for the Dirichlet requirement and 1/2 for the Neumann one. At α approaching this critical value, the corresponding momentum functionals do diverge. The gap between the thresholds α
TH of the two BCs causes different behavior of the Rényi uncertainty relations as functions of α. For both configurations, the lowest energy level at
α = 1/2 does saturate either type of the entropic inequality, thus confirming an earlier surmise about it. It is also conjectured that the threshold α
TH of ½ is characteristic of any 1D non‐Dirichlet system. Other properties are discussed and analyzed from the mathematical and physical points of view.
Effect of Heat Input on Microstructure and Impact Toughness of Coarse‐Grained Heat‐Affected Zone in Al–Ca and Ti–Ca Killed Steels
Authors: Wang Xin , Chen Ying , Wang Chao , Kang Jian , Yuan Guo , Misra Raja Devesh Kumar , Wang Guodong
Published: March 2020

The microstructural evolution and toughness properties of simulated coarse‐grained heat‐affected zone (CGHAZ) in Ti–Ca killed steel with different heat input are studied and compared with Al–Ca killed steel. It is found that the impact toughness of CGHAZ in Ti–Ca killed steel with heat inputs of 50, 100, and 200 kJ cm−1 is ≈129, ≈105, and ≈44 J, respectively. However, the toughness of Al–Ca killed steel decreases from ≈28 to ≈23 J and then to ≈18 J. In Ti–Ca killed steel, Ti–Ca–Al–Mn–S oxides with appropriate size of ≈0.3–2 μm effectively promote the nucleation of acicular ferrite (AF). In addition, the high‐density number of ≈1329 inclusions mm−2 is one of the most important reasons for the formation of AF. However, dominant Al–Ca–Mn–S oxides in Al–Ca killed steel cannot effectively promote the nucleation of AF and mainly act as a potential propagation site of impact crack. In Ti–Ca killed steel, predominantly interlocked AF with high‐angle grain boundaries and high‐density of dislocations remarkably improves the toughness of CGHAZ.
Synthesis, characterization, and visible‐light‐induced photocatalytic activity of powdered semiconductor oxides of bismuth and zinc toward degradation of Alizarin Red S
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Sharma Seema , Kaur Kirandeep , Bansal Priti
Published: March 2020

Semiconductor oxides of bismuth and zinc have been synthesized using modified sol–gel method and sol‐combustion method, respectively. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV‐vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3 and ZnO was evaluated for the degradation of Alizarin Red S (ARS), as a model pollutant, at 20 mg/L level in water under visible light irradiation. The percentage of photocatalytic degradation was determined using UV‐vis spectrophotometer. The photocatalytic results revealed that Bi2O3 and ZnO could effectively degrade 73% and 53% of ARS, respectively, within 13 hr under visible light illumination, indicating that synthesized Bi2O3 is a better photocatalyst than ZnO. Photodegradation of ARS with Bi2O3 and ZnO is remarkably influenced by change in pH of the dye solution, and pH 8 was found to be the most favorable for maximum removal of ARS in case of both Bi2O3 (75%) and ZnO (58%) photocatalyst.

Practitioner points

Photocatalytic degradation of ARS dye depends on pH of the solution.

Calcination temperature influences the crystallite size of prepared semiconductor oxides of bismuth and zinc.

Bi2O3 shows better photocatalytic degradation efficiency than ZnO under visible light illumination.
Weather and Exposure Period Affect Coyote Detection at Camera Traps
Authors: Madsen Anastasia E. , Corral Lucia , Fontaine Joseph J.
Published: March 2020

Camera traps are an increasingly popular means to monitor wildlife populations. However, like other techniques for measuring populations, camera traps are subject to sources of error that may bias population estimates. Past studies accounting for detection error have failed to account for a simple but potentially widely pervasive source of environmental error: weather conditions. Using 5,108,416 photographs from 804 scent‐lured camera traps deployed in western Nebraska, USA, during spring and autumn of 2014 and 2015, we analyzed the relationship between weather conditions (barometric pressure, wind speed, precipitation, and temperature) and coyote (Canis latrans) detection probability. Using binomial generalized linear mixed‐effects models, we showed that detection probability was affected by all weather conditions examined. Weather effects on detection suggests that either weather alters coyote behavior or decreases trap efficacy. Detection probability also decreased over the exposure period, indicating that coyotes either avoided traps after initial exploration or that lure efficacy decreased over time. Our findings suggest that to achieve accurate population indices, camera‐trap studies need to incorporate effects of weather conditions and sampling duration into population models to account for detection bias in estimates. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Off-shell vs on-shell modelling of top quarks in photon associated production
Authors: Bevilacqua G. , Hartanto H.B. , Kraus M. , Weber T. , Worek M.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We present a comparative study of various approaches for modelling of the $$ {e}^{+}{v}_e{\mu}^{-}{\overline{v}}_{\mu }b\overline{b}\gamma $$

e
+

v
e

μ
−

v
¯

μ

b

b
¯

γ
final state in $$ t\overline{t}\gamma $$
t

t
¯

γ
production at the LHC. Working at the NLO in QCD we compare the fully realistic description of the top quark decay chain with the one provided by the narrow-width-approximation. The former approach comprises all double, single and non-resonant diagrams, interferences, and off-shell effects of the top quarks. The latter incorporates only double resonant contributions and restricts the unstable top quarks to on-shell states. We confirm that for the integrated cross sections the finite top quark width effects are small and of the order of $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\Gamma}_t/{m}_t\right) $$
O

Γ
t

/

m
t

. We show, however, that they are strongly enhanced for more exclusive observables. In addition, we investigate fractions of events where the photon is radiated either in the production or in the decay stage. We find that large fraction of isolated photons comes from radiative decays of top quarks. Based on our findings, selection criteria might be developed to reduce such contributions, that constitute a background for the measurement of the anomalous couplings in the $$ t\overline{t}\upgamma $$
t

t
¯

γ
vertex.
Precision microstate counting for the entropy of wrapped M5-branes
Authors: Gang Dongmin , Kim Nakwoo , Pando Zayas Leopoldo A.
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We study the large N expansion of twisted partition functions of 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal field theories arising from N M5-branes wrapped on a hyperbolic 3- manifold, M3. Via the 3d-3d correspondence, the partition functions of these 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal field theories are related to simple topological invariants on the 3-manifold. The partition functions can be expressed using only classical and one-loop perturbative invariants of PSL(N, ℂ) Chern-Simons theory around irreducible flat connections on M3. Using mathematical results on the asymptotics of the invariants, we compute the twisted partition functions in the large N limit including perturbative corrections to all orders in 1/N . Surprisingly, the perturbative expansion terminates at finite order. The leading part of the partition function is of order N3 and agrees with the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of the dual black holes. The subleading part, in particular the log N -terms in the field theory partition function is found to precisely match the one-loop quantum corrections in the dual eleven dimensional supergravity. The field theory results of other terms in 1/N provide a stringent prediction for higher order corrections in the holographic dual, which is M-theory.
Revisiting the classifications of 6d SCFTs and LSTs
Authors: Bhardwaj Lakshya
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Gauge-theoretic anomaly cancellation predicts the existence of many 6d SCFTs and little string theories (LSTs) that have not been given a string theory construction so far. In this paper, we provide an explicit construction of all such “missing” 6d SCFTs and LSTs by using the frozen phase of F-theory. We conjecture that the full set of 6d SCFTs and LSTs is obtained by combining the set of theories constructed in this paper with the set of theories that have been constructed in earlier literature using the unfrozen phase of F-theory. Along the way, we demonstrate that there exist SCFTs that do not descend from LSTs via an RG flow.
Strictly elliptic operators with generalized Wentzell boundary conditions on continuous functions on manifolds with boundary
Authors: Binz Tim
Published: March 2020

We prove that strictly elliptic operators with generalized Wentzell boundary conditions generate analytic semigroups of angle $$\frac{\pi }{2}$$

π
2

on the space of continuous functions on a compact manifold with boundary.
Diabetes through a 3D lens: organoid models
Authors: Tsakmaki Anastasia , Fonseca Pedro Patricia , Bewick Gavin A.
Published: March 2020

Diabetes is one of the most challenging health concerns facing society. Available drugs treat the symptoms but there is no cure. This presents an urgent need to better understand human diabetes in order to develop improved treatments or target remission. New disease models need to be developed that more accurately describe the pathology of diabetes. Organoid technology provides an opportunity to fill this knowledge gap. Organoids are 3D structures, established from pluripotent stem cells or adult stem/progenitor cells, that recapitulate key aspects of the in vivo tissues they mimic. In this review we briefly introduce organoids and their benefits; we focus on organoids generated from tissues important for glucose homeostasis and tissues associated with diabetic complications. We hope this review serves as a touchstone to demonstrate how organoid technology extends the research toolbox and can deliver a step change of discovery in the field of diabetes.