bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dental age assessment of 3–15‐year‐old Saudi children and adolescents using Demirjian's method—A radiographic study
Authors: Alassiry Ahmed , Alshomrani Khalid , Al Hasi Saeed , Albasri Ahmed , Alkhathami Saleh Said , Althobaiti Malak Abdulmajeed
Published: May 2019

Dental age assessment plays a pivotal role in clinical practice, demographic studies, forensics, and courts of law but is affected by ethnic and geographic variations. The aim was to determine the population‐specific weighted scores needed when dental age is estimated using Demirjian's method for Saudi children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 15 years. Design: A total of 298 panoramic radiographs were collected from Saudi Arabia. Dental age was assessed using Demirjian's method (1973). Chronological age was determined from the date of birth and the date on which the panoramic radiograph was taken for each individual. Between 3‐ and 15‐years age group, the Saudi boys had an estimated age of 9.07 ± 1.96 years and chronological age of 8.49 ± 2.30 years. The Saudi girls had an estimated age of 9.22 ± 1.93 years and chronological age of 8.78 ± 2.32 years. With Demirjian's method, the Saudi boys were 0.57 ± 1.48 years, and girls were 0.44 ± 1.66 years ahead of their chronological ages (p < .05). New population‐specific weighted scores were developed to convert dental age according to Demirjian's method into estimated ages in the contemporary Saudi Arabian population. This study can be used for further research and comparisons with other population groups, regions or communities.
Key strategies, resources, and capabilities for implementing circular economy in industrial small and medium enterprises
Authors: Prieto‐Sandoval Vanessa , Jaca Carmen , Santos Javier , Baumgartner Rupert J. , Ormazabal Marta
Published: May 2019

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key actors in the implementation of the circular economy (CE) concept as a basis for creating sustainable societies. Thus, the main objective of this study is to identify key strategies and resources that may favor CE implementation in SMEs. These key strategies should encourage SMEs to develop eco‐innovations to gain competitive advantage and create and capture value that is coherent with nature. A mixed‐method approach that consisted of a literature review and a focus group for gathering qualitative data was used. This focus group was made up of experts such as researchers and practitioners from universities, sustainable SMEs, and consultancy firms in Spain. A set of strategies and internal and external factors were identified to help SMEs to implement the CE. Finally, some useful dynamic capabilities for implementing the CE in business performance were identified.
Direct Synthesis of Methyl Formate from CO2 With Phosphine‐Based Polymer‐Bound Ru Catalysts
Authors: Sun Ruiyan , Kann Anna , Hartmann Heinrich , Besmehn Astrid , Hausoul Peter J. C. , Palkovits Regina
Published: May 2019

Methyl formate was produced in one pot through the hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid/formate followed by an esterification step. The route offers the possibility to integrate renewable energy into the fossil‐based chemical value chain. In this work, a phosphine‐polymer‐anchored Ru complex was shown to be an efficient solid catalyst for the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to methyl formate. The 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane‐like polymer presented the highest activity with a turnover number (TON) of up to 3401 at 160 °C. The reaction parameters were systemically investigated to optimize the reaction towards the formation of methyl formate. This catalyst could be reused seven times without a significant decrease in activity. Evolution of the catalytic Ru center during the reaction was revealed, and a possible reaction mechanism was proposed.
Design of the CMOS inverter‐based amplifier: A quantitative approach
Authors: Sharroush Sherif M.
Published: May 2019

The CMOS inverter can be used as an amplifier if properly biased in the transition region of its voltage‐transfer characteristics (VTC). In this paper, the design of this amplifier is investigated with its merits and demerits illustrated and with the various trade‐offs involved in its design discussed. Specifically, the following performance metrics are discussed quantitatively: gain, area, linearity, maximum allowable swing, bandwidth, stability, noise factor, impedance matching, and slew rate. Also, the effect of process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations are investigated. The optimum number of stages corresponding to the minimum area required for achieving a certain voltage gain is determined. The results obtained from the quantitative analysis and the simulation are discussed.
Central diabetes insipidus associated with refeeding in anorexia nervosa: A case report
Authors: Rosen Elaine L. , Thambundit Apisadaporn , Mehler Philip S. , Mittelman Steven D.
Published: May 2019

Anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with a multitude of hypothalamic pituitary abnormalities, although it is unknown which aberrations reflect disease causation and which are the consequences of severe malnutrition. Among these endocrinopathies, hypothalamic–posterior pituitary aberrations have been described, including disorders of osmoregulation. We report the case of an adolescent female with a history of severe AN, restricting subtype, treated aggressively with multiple hospitalizations. During hospitalization for severe weakness and lethargy, her course of medical stabilization was complicated by significant polyuria, ultimately diagnosed as central diabetes insipidus (DI). This is the first reported case, to our knowledge, of a severely malnourished adolescent with AN—restricting subtype developing central DI during the refeeding process for medical stabilization, thus adding to the small body of existing literature on disordered osmoregulation in this patient population. This case report raises the question as to whether the frequency of central DI during refeeding is greater than that previously recognized. Additional research should focus on how neuroendocrine dysregulation of water balance might impact the clinical course of AN and its treatment.
Mycorrhiza‐mediated interference between cover crop and weed in organic winter cereal agroecosystems: The mycorrhizal colonization intensity indicator
Authors: Trinchera Alessandra , Ciaccia Corrado , Testani Elena , Baratella Valentina , Campanelli Gabriele , Leteo Fabrizio , Canali Stefano
Published: May 2019

The mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic organisms able to provide many benefits to crop production by supplying a set of ecosystem functions. A recent ecological approach based on the ability of the fungi community to influence plant–plant interactions by extraradical mycelium development may be applied to diversified, herbaceous agroecosystems. Our hypothesis is that the introduction of a winter cereal cover crop (CC) as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)–host plant in an organic rotation can boosts the AMF colonization of the other plants, influencing crop–weed interference. In a 4‐years organic rotation, the effect of two winter cereal CC, rye and spelt, on weed density and AMF colonization was evaluated. The AMF extraradical mycelium on CC and weeds roots was observed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. By joining data of plant density and mycorrhization, we built the mycorrhizal colonization intensity of the Agroecosystem indicator (MA%). Both the CC were colonized by soil AMF, being the mycorrhizal colonization intensity (M%) affected by environmental conditions. Under CC, the weed density was reduced, due to the increase of the reciprocal competition in favor of CC, which benefited from mycorrhizal colonization and promoted the development of AMF extraradical mycelium. Even though non‐host plants, some weed species showed an increased mycorrhizal colonization in presence of CC respect to the control. Under intense rainfall, the MA% was less sensitive to the CC introduction. On the opposite, under highly competitive conditions, both the CC boosted significantly the mycorrhization of coexistent plants in the agroecosystem. The proposed indicator measured the agroecological service provided by the considered CCs in promoting or inhibiting the overall AMF colonization of the studied agroecosystems, as affected by weed selection and growth: It informs about agroecosystem resilience and may be profitably applied to indicate the extent of the linkage of specific crop traits to agroecosystem services, contributing to further develop the functional biodiversity theory.
Aerial surveys for Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) reveal sea ice dependent distribution patterns
Authors: Herr Helena , Kelly Natalie , Dorschel Boris , Huntemann Marcus , Kock Karl‐Hermann , Lehnert Linn Sophia , Siebert Ursula , Viquerat Sacha , Williams Rob , Scheidat Meike
Published: May 2019

This study investigates the distribution of Antarctic minke whales (AMW) in relation to sea ice concentration and variations therein. Information on AMW densities in the sea ice‐covered parts of the Southern Ocean is required to contextualize abundance estimates obtained from circumpolar shipboard surveys in open waters, suggesting a 30% decline in AMW abundance. Conventional line‐transect shipboard surveys for density estimation are impossible in ice‐covered regions, therefore we used icebreaker‐supported helicopter surveys to obtain information on AMW densities along gradients of 0%–100% of ice concentration. We conducted five helicopter surveys in the Southern Ocean, between 2006 and 2013. Distance sampling data, satellite‐derived sea‐ice data, and bathymetric parameters were used in generalized additive models (GAMs) to produce predictions on how the density of AMWs varied over space and time, and with environmental covariates. Ice concentration, distance to the ice edge and distance from the shelf break were found to describe the distribution of AMWs. Highest densities were predicted at the ice edge and through to medium ice concentrations. Medium densities were found up to 500 km into the ice edge in all concentrations of ice. Very low numbers of AMWs were found in the ice‐free waters of the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). A consistent relationship between AMW distribution and sea ice concentration weakens the support for the hypothesis that varying numbers of AMWs in ice‐covered waters were responsible for observed changes in estimated abundance. The potential decline in AMW abundance stresses the need for conservation measures and further studies into the AMW population status. Very low numbers of AMWs recorded in the ice‐free waters along the WAP support the hypothesis that this species is strongly dependent on sea ice and that forecasted sea ice changes have the potential of heavily impacting AMWs.
Refuges from fire maintain pollinator–plant interaction networks
Authors: Adedoja Opeyemi , Dormann Carsten F. , Kehinde Temitope , Samways Michael J.
Published: May 2019

Fire is a major disturbance factor in many terrestrial ecosystems, leading to landscape transformation in fire‐prone areas. Species in mutualistic interactions are often highly sensitive to disturbances like fire events, but the degree and complexity of their responses are unclear. We use bipartite insect–flower interaction networks across a recently burned landscape to explore how plant–pollinator interaction networks respond to a recent major fire event at the landscape level, and where fire refuges were present. We also investigate the effectiveness of these refuges at different elevations (valley to hilltop) for the conservation of displaced flower‐visiting insects during fire events. Then, we explore how the degree of specialization of flower‐visiting insects changes across habitats with different levels of fire impact. We did this in natural areas in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) biodiversity hotspot, which is species rich in plants and pollinators. Bees and beetles were the most frequent pollinators in interactions, followed by wasps and flies. Highest interaction activity was in the fire refuges and least in burned areas. Interactions also tracked flower abundance, which was highest in fire refuges in the valley and lowest in burned areas. Interactions consisted mostly of specialized flower visitors, especially in refuge areas. The interaction network and species specialization were lowest in burned areas. However, species common to at least two fire classes showed no significant difference in species specialization. We conclude that flower‐rich fire refuges sustain plant–pollinator interactions, especially those involving specialized species, in fire‐disturbed landscape. This may be an important shelter for specialized pollinator species at the time that the burned landscape goes through regrowth and succession as part of ecosystem recovery process after a major fire event.
Trichloroisocyanuric Acid: a Versatile and Efficient Chlorinating and Oxidizing Reagent
Authors: Gaspa Silvia , Carraro Massimo , Pisano Luisa , Porcheddu Andrea , De Luca Lidia
Published: May 2019

Trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) is a versatile and efficient reagent for chlorination and oxidation reactions. Depending on the reaction conditions employed, it can release either an electrophile chlorine atom (Cl+) or a radical chlorine atom (Cl.) promoting selectively different pathways of reaction. It was effectively used to synthesize many classes of compounds such as: chlorinated arenes,N‐chloramines and amides, α‐halo‐carbonyl compounds, benzyl chlorides, esters, carboxylic anhydrides, and amides. The procedures, which make use of TCCA, have mild reaction conditions and optimal stoichiometric molar ratio of reactants and avoid the use of any metal‐based catalysts. In all cases very high yield and selectivity were observed. The easy and safe handling, the stability, and the low cost of this reagent make it particularly attractive for large‐scale use and industrial applications.
Conjugated NH2‐Enhanced Cross‐Linked Polymer Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries with High Reversible Capacity and Superior Cycling Stability
Authors: Zhong Weihao , Li Liuqing , Cheng Ao , Li Zhaopeng , Li Zhenghui
Published: May 2019

With a mass of heteroatom‐containing functional groups, organic electrodes have satisfactory capacities and some specific advantages compared with inorganic materials in lithium‐ion batteries, such as environmental friendliness, sustainability, and low cost. However, it is still challenging to explore novel organic materials incorporating simple production processwa, good electrolyte insolubility, high specific capacity, and long‐term cycling stability. Herein, a novel conjugated NH2‐enhanced polymer anode with rigid molecular framework by one‐step Friedel–Crafts cross‐linking of p‐phenylenediamine is synthesized. It is surprising to find that the conjugated NH2 greatly enhances the Li+ insertion reaction of benzene rings and endows cross‐linked p‐phenylenediamine (C‐PDA) with high reversible Li storage capacity. Furthermore, C‐PDA exhibits a rigid network‐like molecular structure, which effectively suppresses the dissolution in electrolyte and improves the cyclability. When used as an electrode in a lithium‐ion battery, the initial discharge and charge capacities of C‐PDA are as high as 1190 and 720 mAh g−1, respectively, and it delivers a stable capacity of 1200 mAh g−1 after cycling 100 times at 0.1 A g−1. Even cycling for 800 times at 1 A g−1, C‐PDA still retains a capacity of 454 mAh g−1, with a capacity retention of 89% (C800th/Cmax).
Sustainability Analysis of Electricity Generation Technologies Based on Life‐Cycle Assessment and Life‐Cycle Cost—A Case Study in Liaoning Province
Authors: Yue Qiang , Li Shupeng , Hu Xiangzheng , Zhang Yujie , Xue Meng , Wang Heming
Published: May 2019

Electricity generation in China is currently dominated by thermal power generation (TPG). To achieve sustainable development during electricity generation, this study compares the sustainability of the six main approaches for electricity generation in Liaoning Province: thermal power, nuclear power, wind power, hydropower, photovoltaic power, and biomass power generation. First, the environmental impact and unit electricity generation cost (UEGC) of each electricity generation approach is calculated and analyzed from the perspectives of both life‐cycle assessment (LCA) and life‐cycle cost (LCC). Then, the energy potential of electricity generation approaches in Liaoning Province is calculated. Finally, the entropy‐weighted method is used to combine the environmental impacts, UEGC, and energy potentials of each energy source, producing a mathematical evaluation model for determining the sustainability of electricity generation. As a result, the six approaches are ranked in terms of electricity sustainability in Liaoning Province as follows: wind power, nuclear power, biomass power, hydropower, solar power, and thermal power. In future development of the electricity industry, Liaoning Province should increase the proportion of wind power, nuclear power, and biomass power generation in total installed capacity and reduce the proportion of thermal power in total installed capacity.
Model‐based inference of conditional extreme value distributions with hydrological applications
Authors: Towe R. P. , Tawn J. A. , Lamb R. , Sherlock C. G.
Published: May 2019

Multivariate extreme value models are used to estimate joint risk in a number of applications, with a particular focus on environmental fields ranging from climatology and hydrology to oceanography and seismic hazards. The semi‐parametric conditional extreme value model of Heffernan and Tawn involving a multivariate regression provides the most suitable of current statistical models in terms of its flexibility to handle a range of extremal dependence classes. However, the standard inference for the joint distribution of the residuals of this model suffers from the curse of dimensionality because, in a d‐dimensional application, it involves a d−1‐dimensional nonparametric density estimator, which requires, for accuracy, a number points and commensurate effort that is exponential in d. Furthermore, it does not allow for any partially missing observations to be included, and a previous proposal to address this is extremely computationally intensive, making its use prohibitive if the proportion of missing data is nontrivial. We propose to replace the d−1‐dimensional nonparametric density estimator with a model‐based copula with univariate marginal densities estimated using kernel methods. This approach provides statistically and computationally efficient estimates whatever the dimension, d, or the degree of missing data. Evidence is presented to show that the benefits of this approach substantially outweigh potential misspecification errors. The methods are illustrated through the analysis of UK river flow data at a network of 46 sites and assessing the rarity of the 2015 floods in North West England.
Performance investigation of metal hydride based heat transformer
Authors: Choudhari Manoj , Ahuja Kunal , Thakkur Siddhant , Bardhan Subhro , Sharma Vinod Kumar
Published: May 2019

Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of any country. However, for developing countries energy is essential for economic growth, which calls for the development of clean and sustainable energy source/carrier. Among all the possible options, hydrogen has been considered as a promising clean energy carrier, which is associated with major challenges of its storage and application. Hydrogen can be stored safely in the form of metal hydrides whose formation and decomposition involve high heat interaction, which can be used for the development of thermodynamic systems like sorption heat pumps, which can transform waste heat to useful high‐grade heat. In the present work, the performance of metal hydride based heat transformer (MHHT) is investigated in terms of variation in MH bed temperature and hydrogen interaction between coupled reactors during hydrogen transfer processes, in addition to thermodynamic performance (ie, Coefficient of Performance (COP), heating capacity, and so on) for the operating temperature of TL = 303 K, TM = 383 K, and TH = 423 K. A pair of La0.9Ce0.1Ni5 and LaNi4.6Al0.4 is chosen for present study based on author's previous work. In the present study, user‐defined functions are employed in ANSYS Fluent, which consist of pressure, mass, and energy variation equations. The results are derived in the form of contours and graphical representations of variations in bed temperature and hydrogen concentration. It is observed that the system produces 40 kJ of upgraded heat with heating capacity of 0.1 kW and COP of 0.46 at 880 seconds of hydrogen transfer time for 250 g of each alloys.
The genomic determinants of adaptive evolution in a fungal pathogen
Authors: Grandaubert Jonathan , Dutheil Julien Y. , Stukenbrock Eva H.
Published: May 2019

Unravelling the strength, frequency, and distribution of selective variants along the genome as well as the underlying factors shaping this distribution are fundamental goals of evolutionary biology. Antagonistic host-pathogen coevolution is thought to be a major driver of genome evolution between interacting species. While rapid evolution of pathogens has been documented in several model organisms, the genetic mechanisms of their adaptation are still poorly understood and debated, particularly the role of sexual reproduction. Here, we apply a population genomic approach to infer genome-wide patterns of selection among 13 isolates of Zymoseptoria tritici, a fungal pathogen characterized by extremely high genetic diversity, gene density, and recombination rates. We report that the genome of Z. tritici undergoes a high rate of adaptive substitutions, with 44% of nonsynonymous substitutions being adaptive on average. This fraction reaches 68% in so-called effector genes encoding determinants of pathogenicity, and the distribution of fitness effects differs in this class of genes as they undergo adaptive mutations with stronger positive fitness effects, but also more slightly deleterious mutations. Besides the globally high rate of adaptive substitutions, we report a negative relationship between pN/pS and the fine-scale recombination rate and a strong positive correlation between the rate of adaptive nonsynonymous substitutions (ωa) and recombination rate. This result suggests a pervasive role of both background selection and Hill-Robertson interference even in a species with an exceptionally high recombination rate (60 cM/Mb on average). While transposable elements (TEs) have been suggested to contribute to adaptation by creating compartments of fast-evolving genomic regions, we do not find a significant effect of TEs on the rate of adaptive mutations. Overall our study suggests that sexual recombination is a significant driver of genome evolution, even in rapidly evolving organisms subject to recurrent mutations with large positive effects.
Comparative study of chemical treatments in combination with extrusion for the partial conversion of wheat and sorghum insoluble fiber into soluble
Authors: Bader Ul Ain Huma , Saeed Farhan , Khan Muhammad Asif , Niaz Bushra , Khan Samreen Gul , Anjum Faqir Muhammad , Tufail Tabussam , Hussain Shahzad
Published: May 2019

Dietary fiber has gained greater attention owing to their positive and potential health perspectives. Cereals are the most important and enriched source of dietary fiber with more insoluble dietary fiber than soluble. For dietary fiber modification, chemical treatment with various techniques is considered as significant approach owing to its safety point of view and involves less damage to the molecular structure of the dietary fiber through chemical reagents and content of soluble dietary fiber is increased more efficiently. The current study was aimed to nutritionally characterize the cereal grains and to partially convert insoluble dietary fiber into soluble dietary fiber through chemical treatments in combination with extrusion. For the purpose, two varieties of each cereal were characterized for their chemical composition, mineral profile, and dietary fiber content according to the respective methods. Then, dietary fiber ratio in cereals was modified through chemical treatments, that is, acid, alkaline, and consecutive acid–alkaline followed by extrusion. Results regarding dietary fiber content of cereal grains exhibited that wheat (12.03–12.20 g/100 g) contained higher total dietary fiber followed by sorghum (6.70–6.90 g/100 g). Additionally, modification of SDF (1.97%) and IDF (11.48%) ratio in wheat and SDF (1.19%) and IDF (24.25%) ratio in sorghum through extrusion processing was nonsignificant while acid–alkaline treatment showed highly significant results, that is, 768.2% increase in SDF and 56.5% decrease in IDF in wheat and 952.38% increase in SDF and 71.17% decrease in IDF in sorghum. Among chemical treatments, higher result was given by acid–alkaline method and the lower outputs were observed in case of extrusion in both cereals. Conclusively, soluble dietary fiber was significantly increased through chemical treatments alone or in combination with twin‐screw extrusion.
Anatectic origin and geological significance of the Neoarchean ~2.5 Ga charnockite in the Jining area, northern North China Craton
Authors: Shi Qiang , Fan Zhi‐wei , Dong Xiao‐jie , Xu Zhong‐yuan , Li Peng‐chuan , Wang Shi‐jie , Li Chang‐hai
Published: May 2019

The Neoarchean charnockite of Yinshan Block has been a hot topic into understanding the Precambrian geology of the North China Craton. Although there is a broad consensus that the charnockite is usually related to granulite‐facies metamorphism, its petrogenesis and tectonics still remain controversial. We present a comparative study of the petrography, geochemistry, and geochronology of charnockite and intermediate–basic granulite in the Jining area along the northern margin of the North China Craton. Inclusions within hypersthene in charnockite are used to identify the peak granulite facies mineral assemblage, with the formation of charnockite being attributed to anatexis of the protolith associated with this granulite‐facies metamorphism. Anatexis occurred mainly during postpeak isothermal decompression, as inferred from the metamorphic evolution and pressure–temperature conditions (granulite and charnockite record peak pressure–temperature conditions of 750°C–1,000°C and 0.8–1.2 GPa and 850°C–975°C and 0.9–1.0 GPa, respectively) derived from analyses of metamorphic minerals using electron probe microanalysis, combined with previous zircon geochronology. Hypersthene in charnockite is interpreted to be a residual or peritectic mineral phase that was present during anatexis, and the charnockite is inferred to have been crystallized from a melt containing abundant residual minerals. Charnockite has similar geochemical characteristics to those of intermediate–basic granulite but differs in several key ways: (a) The charnockite is strongly depleted in the large‐ion lithophile element Cs, the heat‐producing elements U and Th, and the high‐field‐strength elements Nb, Ta, P, and Ti; (b) it is enriched in Sr; and (c) it exhibits both positive and negative Eu anomalies, which are characteristics of granites formed largely by in situ anatexis. Geochemical constraints indicate that the intermediate charnockite and retrograde metamorphic biotite–hornblende gneiss may both be the product of mantle‐derived magma in a magmatic subduction‐related back‐arc extensional environment. This setting provided a hot spot for metamorphic anatexis, with additional heat being provided by the upwelling of asthenospheric mantle. After the cessation of subduction by ~2,470 Ma, a magmatic arc extensional setting developed in the Jining area. The charnockite was involved in Paleoproterozoic orogenesis in the North China Craton and was strongly modified by a ~1,950‐Ma metamorphism event.
Stage‐dependent regulation of oligodendrocyte development and enhancement of myelin repair by dominant negative Master‐mind 1 protein
Authors: Ge Xinqi , Xiao Guanxiu , Huang Hao , Du Junqing , Tao Yanmei , Yang Aifen , Wu Huihui , Zhang Zunyi , Qiu Mengsheng
Published: May 2019

Notch signaling has been implicated in the inhibition of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelin gene expression during early development. However, inactivation of a particular Notch or Hes gene only produces a mild phenotype in oligodendrocyte development possibly due to the functional redundancies among closely related family members. To uncover the full role of Notch signaling in myelin development and regeneration, we generated the Sox10rtTA/+; TetO‐dnMAML1 double transgenic mice in which expression of dominant negative Master‐mind 1 (dnMAML1) gene can be selectively induced in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) for complete blockade of Notch signaling. It is found that dnMAML1 expression leads to robust precocious OL differentiation and premature axonal myelination in the spinal cord, possibly by upregulating Nkx2.2 and downregulating Pdgfra expression. Unexpectedly, at late embryonic stages, dnMAML1 expression dramatically increased the number of OPCs, indicating a stage‐dependent effect of Notch signaling on OPC proliferation. In addition, dnMAML1 also significantly enhances axonal remyelination following chemical‐induced demyelination, providing a promising therapeutic target for lesion repair in demyelinating disease.
Transcriptional control of myelination and remyelination
Authors: Sock Elisabeth , Wegner Michael
Published: May 2019

Myelination is an evolutionary recent differentiation program that has been independently acquired in vertebrates by Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. Therefore, it is not surprising that regulating transcription factors differ substantially between both cell types. However, overall principles are similar as transcriptional control in Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes combines lineage determining and stage‐specific factors in complex regulatory networks. Myelination does not only occur during development, but also as remyelination in the adult. In line with the different conditions during developmental myelination and remyelination and the distinctive properties of Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes, transcriptional regulation of remyelination exhibits unique features and differs between the two cell types. This review gives an overview of the current state in the field.
The relationship between perceived functional difficulties and the ability to live well with mild‐to‐moderate dementia: Findings from the IDEAL programme
Authors: Martyr Anthony , Nelis Sharon M. , Quinn Catherine , Rusted Jennifer M. , Morris Robin G. , Clare Linda ,   on behalf of the IDEAL programme team
Published: May 2019

Objectives

The objectives of the study are to investigate how different levels of functional ability relate to quality of life, well‐being, and satisfaction with life, conceptualised as reflecting capability to “live well” in people with dementia.

Methods/design

Participants were 1496 people with mild‐to‐moderate dementia and 1188 informants who completed baseline assessments in the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study. Total self‐rated and informant‐rated scores on the Functional Activities Questionnaire were split into six ability levels to monitor how poorer functioning impacts the ability to live well. We also investigated the potential influence of sociodemographic and diagnostic variables, depression, cognition, and carer stress.

Results

Multivariate multiple regression models found that people with dementia who had the greatest functional impairment according to self‐ratings and informant ratings had poorer living well scores than those with the least functional impairment. Sociodemographic and diagnostic factors and cognition had little impact on effect sizes. For self‐ratings, depression attenuated the relationship between functional ability and living well, whereas carer stress attenuated informant ratings.

Conclusions

People with dementia with the least functional impairments had greater capability to live well than those with the most functional impairment. Even subtle perceived difficulties in functional ability had a detrimental effect on the ability of people with dementia to live well. Depression in people with dementia and carer stress in informants influenced these associations, and therefore, these factors should be routinely included in future research studies and clinical assessments.
No association between head injury with loss of consciousness and Alzheimer disease pathology—Findings from the University of Manchester Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Normal Healthy Old Age
Authors: Robinson Andrew C. , Davidson Yvonne S. , Horan Michael A. , Cairns Maggie , Pendleton Neil , Mann David M.A.
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Head injury with loss of consciousness (HI‐LOC) is a common occurrence. Some studies have linked such injuries with an increased risk of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, recent large clinicopathologic studies have failed to find a clear relationship between HI‐LOC and the pathological changes associated with AD. The present study aims to further investigate the relationship between HI‐LOC and AD pathology in the elderly.

Methods/Design

History of HI‐LOC in participants in the University of Manchester Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Normal Healthy Old Age was ascertained. The donated brains of 110 of these individuals were assessed for AD pathology using consensus guidelines. Analyses aimed to elucidate relationships between HI‐LOC and AD pathology.

Results

No associations were found between incidence of HI‐LOC and regional AD pathology or any of the three established measures of the neuropathology associated with AD: CERAD score, Thal phase, or Braak stage.

Conclusions

Single incidences of HI‐LOC may not be sufficient to cause the pathology associated with late‐stage AD. Other routes of damage, such as diffuse axonal injury or Lewy body pathology, may play a greater role in causing cognitive impairment associated with head injury.
Development of memory clinics in the Netherlands over the last 20 years
Authors: Gruters Angélique A.A. , Ramakers Inez H.G.B. , Kessels Roy P.C. , Bouwman Femke H. , Olde Rikkert Marcel G.M. , Blom Marco M. , de Vugt Marjolein E. , Verhey Frans R.J.
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Memory clinics (MCs) have been established to improve diagnosis and treatment of cognitive disorders, including dementia. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and working methods of MCs in the Netherlands in 2016. More insight into different working methods can be used to improve the quality of care in Dutch MCs. Additionally, the findings will be compared with earlier results to investigate the development of MCs since 1998.

Methods

A survey was sent in 1998, 2004, 2009, and 2017 to all operational Dutch MCs with questions about organization, collaboration, patients, and diagnostic procedures.

Results

From 1998 to 2016, the number of MCs increased substantially from 12 to 91. The capacity increased from 1560 patients to 24,388. In 1998, most patients received a dementia diagnosis (85%), while in 2016, half of the patients were diagnosed with milder cognitive problems. MCs are more often part of regional care chains and are better embedded within regional care organizations. Diagnostic tools, such as blood tests (97%), neuropsychological assessment (NPA) (95%), and neuroimaging (92%), were used in nearly all MCs. The number of patients in whom these tools were used differed greatly between MCs (NPA: 5%‐100%, neuroimaging: 10%‐100%, and CSF: 0.5%‐80%). There was an increase in the use of NPA, while the use of neuroimaging, CSF, and EEG/ECG decreased by 8% to 15% since 2009.

Conclusions

Since 1998, MCs have developed substantially and outgrown the primarily research‐based university settings. They are now accepted as regular care facilities for people with cognitive problems.
Preoperative anemia displays a dose‐dependent effect on complications in head and neck oncologic surgery
Authors: Abt Nicholas B. , Tarabanis Constantine , Miller Ashley L. , Puram Sidharth V. , Varvares Mark A.
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Anemia's effect on head and neck surgical complications is unknown.

Methods

Head and neck cancer operations were acquired from the 2006 to 2013 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases. Anemia was defined as <39% or <36% hematocrit in men and women, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Major head and neck surgery patients had a 44.2% anemia incidence (n = 527 of 1193). Anemic patients had increased complication rates (27.1%) and mortality (2.1%) vs non‐anemic patients at 19.8% (P = .003) and 0.5% (P = .009), respectively. There was a significant difference in morbidity odds with hematocrit >27% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09) vs <27% (OR = 4.22). Complication odds were further increased with hematocrit between 24% and 27% (OR = 8.94). There were increased rates of wound dehiscence (6.6% vs 2.7%, P < .001), pneumonia (8.5% vs 4.7%, P = .006), and myocardial infarction (1.7% vs 0.3%, P = .01) in anemic vs non‐anemic patients.

Conclusion

Anemia was associated with increased morbidity at hematocrit <27%. An inverse dose‐dependent effect of decreasing hematocrit was observed for overall morbidity.
Sarcopenia in Cirrhosis: Looking Beyond the Skeletal Muscle Loss to See the Systemic Disease
Authors: Bhanji Rahima A. , Montano‐Loza Aldo J. , Watt Kymberly D.
Published: May 2019

Sarcopenia is a common complication of cirrhosis and is defined as a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function. Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis and increased mortality. How sarcopenia and muscle wasting relate to such poor outcomes requires looking beyond the overt muscle loss and at this entity as a systemic disease that affects muscles of vital organs including cardiac and respiratory muscles. This review explores the pathophysiological pathways and mechanisms that culminate in poor outcomes associated with sarcopenia. This provides a launching pad to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention and optimization to improve patient outcomes.
The thermal and economic characteristics of solar air collectors with different delta turbulators arrangement
Authors: Obaid Zain alabdeen Hussein , Al‐damook Amer , Khalil Wissam Hashim
Published: May 2019

The benefits of using a solar air collector with different array delta turbulators absorber plate are experimentally investigated to assess this type of collector under western and middle of Iraq climate conditions. The solar collector was investigated with four different absorber plate in which flat plate, in‐line delta turbulators, staggered delta turbulators and inclined staggered delta turbulators with different mass airflow rate. The economic characteristics and overall thermal performance of the collector are compared with other heating systems. The major findings show that the delta turbulators enhance the economic characteristics and the overall thermal performance of collectors due to vortex generation and damping the development of the thermal boundary layer in the direction of airflow. A substantial enhancement is observed in lowering both life‐cycle cost and increasing energy saving with delta turbulators. This study will likewise provide a new direction to the work trend in western and middle of Iraq climate conditions during winter days.
Thresholds for run‐off generation in a drained closed depression
Authors: Williams Mark R. , Livingston Stanley J. , Heathman Gary C. , McAfee Scott J.
Published: May 2019

Hydrological threshold behaviour has been observed across hillslopes and catchments with varying characteristics. Few studies, however, have evaluated rainfall–run‐off response in areas dominated by agricultural land use and artificial subsurface drainage. Hydrograph analysis was used to identify distinct hydrological events over a 9‐year period and examine rainfall characteristics, dynamic water storage, and surface and subsurface run‐off generation in a drained and farmed closed depression in north‐eastern Indiana, USA. Results showed that both surface flow and subsurface tile flow displayed a threshold relationship with the sum of rainfall amount and soil moisture deficit (SMD). Neither surface flow nor subsurface tile flow was observed unless rainfall amount exceeded the SMD. Timing of subsurface tile flow relative to soil moisture response on the shoulder slope of the depression indicated that the formation and drainage of perched water tables on depression hillslopes were likely the main mechanism that produced subsurface connectivity. Surface flow generation was delayed compared with subsurface tile flow during rainfall events due to differences in soil water storage along depression hillslopes and run‐off generation mechanisms. These findings highlight the substantial impact of subsurface tile drainage on the hydrology of closed depressions; the bottom of the depression, the wettest area prior to drainage installation, becomes the driest part of the depression after installation of subsurface drainage. Rapid connectivity of localized subsurface saturation zones during rainfall events is also greatly enhanced because of subsurface drainage. Thus, less fill is required to generate substantial spill. Understanding hydrologic processes in drained and farmed closed depressions is a critical first step in developing improved water and nutrient management strategies in this landscape.
Promising Practices for Alternatives Assessment: Lessons from a Case Study of Copper-Free Antifouling Coatings
Authors: Heine Lauren , Nestler Amelia
Published: May 2019

Alternatives assessment (AA) is intended to identify safer and more sustainable approaches for managing chemicals used in industrial applications and consumer products and to avoid the adoption of regrettable substitutions. In the United States, the state of Washington prescribes a science-based approach for conducting an AA that meets regulatory requirements. This paper provides an overview of the approach, based on the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) AA Guide, and illustrates its application to the examination of suitable alternatives to Cu-based antifouling coatings commonly used for recreational boats in the Pacific Northwest. Legislation has been passed in Washington State that will ban the use of certain Cu-based products in both freshwater and marine environments. The AA approach was used to identify and evaluate several alternatives to Cu-based antifouling boat paint products. Five promising practices that AA practitioners should consider when using the IC2 AA Guide in similar assessments of alternatives to industrial practices and consumer products include actively engaging stakeholders, enhancing the decision framework using a selection guide approach, scoping alternatives broadly, optimizing ingredient transparency, and identifying data gaps that could interfere with substitution efforts. The role AA plays in driving consumer product and similar technology innovations and its implications for the future are discussed. Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:1-13. © 2019 SETAC
Automated and reliable brain radiology with texture analysis of magnetic resonance imaging and cross datasets validation
Authors: Gilanie Ghulam , Bajwa Usama Ijaz , Waraich Mustansar Mahmood , Habib Zulfiqar
Published: May 2019

Reliable brain tumor radiology is one of the serious mortality issues of medical hospitals and on priority of healthcare departments. In this research, the presence of brain tumor and its type (if exists) is automatically diagnosed from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The first step is most important where suitable parameters from Gabor texture analysis are extracted and then classified with a support vector machine. The drive of this research activity is to verify robustness of the proposed model on cross datasets, so that it could deal with variability and multiformity present in MRI data. Further to this, the developed approach is able to deploy as a real application in the local environment. Therefore, once a model has been trained and tested on an openly available benchmarked dataset, it is retested on a different dataset acquired from a local source. Standard evaluation measures, that is, accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision, and AUC‐values have been used to evaluate the robustness of the proposed method. It has been established that the proposed method has the ability to deal with multiformity, variability, and local medical traits present in brain MRI data.
Present and future of the use and impact of information and communication technology in informal microenterprises: Insights from India
Authors: Ilavarasan P. Vigneswara
Published: May 2019

Using Indian cases, the present paper argues that the usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in informal microenterprises in the developing world is still at a nascent stage. The use is mostly limited to mobile phones and the personal domain. The impact of its usage on the growth of the enterprises is also limited. The characteristics of these enterprises, which are predominantly walk‐in customers, smaller size, and the nonuse of electricity, can explain the low usage and impact of ICTs. The future pathways for linking ICTs and informal enterprises are discussed in the light of emerging automation technologies. It appears that low‐cost ICTs like mobile applications are likely to play a significant role in the growth of such enterprises, which needs to be studied in the future.
microRNA‐138 induces cell survival and reduces WNT/β‐catenin signaling of osteoarthritis chondrocytes through NEK2
Authors: Xu Weiling , Gao Peihong , Zhang Yan , Piao Li , Dong Dong
Published: May 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and function degeneration with high incidence. Recent studies have been inspired based on the association between microRNAs (miRs) and therapeutic research of OA. Hence, the present study evaluates the effects of miR‐138 on chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis through the WNT/β‐catenin signaling pathway in mice with OA by binding to NIMA‐related kinase 2 (NEK2). Appropriate dataset was selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differentially expressed genes and potential miRNAs that could regulate NEK2 were explored. A mouse model of OA was established. The expressions of miR‐138, NEK2, β‐catenin, GSK3β, Bcl‐2, Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax), p53, MMP‐13, Col2, and Aggrecan and the phosphorylation levels of β‐catenin were determined by the reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were employed to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The potential functional role of NEK2 was revealed to be related to the WNT/β‐catenin signaling pathway, and miR‐138 was the putative regulator of NEK2. miR‐138 expression was downregulated while expressions of NEK2 and β‐catenin as well as the phosphorylation levels of β‐catenin were upregulated in mice with OA. The chondrocytes treated with miR‐138 mimic and siRNA‐NEK2 exhibited reduced expressions of NEK2, β‐catenin, MMP‐13, Bax, and p53 and elevated expressions of Col2, Aggrecan, and Bcl‐2 as well as phosphorylation levels of β‐catenin along with enhanced chondrocytes' proliferation and suppressed cell apoptosis. Overexpression of miR‐138 induces cell survival and reduces WNT/β‐catenin signaling of OA chondrocytes through NEK2. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1355–1366, 2019