bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic annotation of liver computed tomography images based on a vessel‐skeletonization method
Authors: Pan Jiahui , Zhang Jianhao , Luo Siqi , Zhang Jiantao , Liang Yan
Published: February 2020

Anatomical analysis of liver region is an essential and key step for liver‐related disease diagnosis and treatment. One of the challenging issues is to annotate the functional regions of liver automatically or semi‐ automatically by analyzing Computed Tomography (CT) images. The present study developed a complete liver annotation system with an improved vessel‐skeletonization method is proposed for CT images. In the first step, an automatic level set method and a customized region‐growing method are applied to extract the liver region including vessels and tumors. Next, a modified iterative thinning method is developed to obtain the geometric structure of liver vessels and mark a vessel skeleton. The three‐dimensional information is transformed into a tree data structure for storage. Based on the branch distribution of portal vein skeleton, a model‐based method with a modified nearest neighbor segment approximation (NNSA) algorithm is adopted for the functional liver anatomy. Three experiments involving five 64‐row liver CT datasets are performed. The accuracies of segmentation and annotation results were validated by an experienced doctor. Compared with different methods, our proposed vessel skeletonization method can simultaneously preserve the connectivity of the vasculature topology and generate the skeleton in a shorter time. Furthermore, our proposed annotation system can provide both visual and measurable information of livers. These experimental results demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of our proposed method. Our liver annotation system is helpful to evaluate the function of liver system and support diagnosis of liver disease.
Cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and apoptotic responses in human coronary artery endothelial cells exposed to ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Palacios‐Hernandez Teresa , Diaz‐Diestra Daysi M. , Nguyen Alexander K. , Skoog Shelby A. , Vijaya Chikkaveeraiah Bhaskara , Tang Xing , Wu Yong , Petrochenko Peter E. , Sussman Eric M. , Goering Peter L.
Published: February 2020

Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPION) possess reactive surfaces, are metabolized and exhibit unique magnetic properties. These properties are desirable for designing novel theranostic biomedical products; however, toxicity mechanisms of USPION are not completely elucidated. The goal of this study was to investigate cell interactions (uptake and cytotoxicity) of USPION using human coronary artery endothelial cells as a vascular cell model. Polyvinylpirrolidone‐coated USPION were characterized: average diameter 17 nm (transmission electron microscopy [TEM]), average hydrodynamic diameter 44 nm (dynamic light scattering) and zeta potential −38.75 mV. Cells were exposed to 0 (control), 25, 50, 100 or 200 μg/mL USPION. Concentration‐ and time‐dependent cytotoxicity were observed after 3‐6 hours through 24 hours of exposure using Alamar Blue and Real‐Time Cell Electronic Sensing assays. Cell uptake was evaluated by imaging using live‐dead confocal microscopy, actin and nuclear fluorescent staining, and TEM. Phase‐contrast, confocal microscopy, and TEM imaging showed significant USPION internalization as early as 3 hours after exposure to 25 μg/mL. TEM imaging demonstrated particle internalization in secondary lysosomes with perinuclear localization. Three orthogonal assays were conducted to assess apoptosis. TUNEL staining demonstrated a marked increase in fragmented DNA, a response pathognomonic of apoptosis, after a 4‐hour exposure. Cells subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis exhibited degraded DNA 3 hours after exposure. Caspase‐3/7 activity increased after a 3‐hour exposure. USPION uptake resulted in cytotoxicity involving apoptosis and these results contribute to further mechanistic understanding of the USPION toxicity in vitro in cardiovascular endothelial cells.
Treprostinil Hydrogel Iontophoresis in Systemic Sclerosis‐Related Digital Skin Ulcers: A Safety Study
Authors: Guigui Alicia , Mazet Roseline , Blaise Sophie , Cracowski Claire , Beau‐Guillaumot Myrtille , Kotzki Sylvain , Roustit Matthieu , Cracowski Jean‐Luc
Published: February 2020

Digital skin ulcers are a severe complication of systemic sclerosis. The first‐line treatment is intravenous iloprost, but it induces dose‐limiting adverse effects. Local administration of treprostinil through skin iontophoresis may be a safe alternative. We conducted a 2‐stage, randomized, placebo‐controlled single‐ascending‐dose study in healthy volunteers and patients with systemic sclerosis‐related digital ulcer. We further explored the effect of the procedure on skin blood flux. In a first group of healthy subjects, treprostinil and placebo iontophoresis were performed at 3 locations (ie, 6 skin sites): the sole of the foot, the leg, and the fingers. We used a 1‐mg/mL hydrogel of treprostinil. We then randomly treated systemic sclerosis‐related digital ulcers in a 3:1 ratio of treprostinil or placebo. We used concentrations from 0.1 to 1 mg/mL. All adverse events were recorded and rated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), whereas skin microvascular blood flux was recorded with laser speckle contrast imaging. Among the 12 healthy volunteers, we observed 60 local adverse effects: burns, skin pain, erythema, and pruritus, graded 1 or 2 on the 5‐point CTCAE scale. Treprostinil iontophoresis significantly increased skin blood flux on the leg (AUC0‐4 h at 88 460% ± 6436% versus 12 730% ± 3397% baseline flux.min respectively; P < .001) and on the sole of the foot (AUC0‐3 h at 20 124% ± 6119% versus 3142% ± 3036% baseline flux.min, respectively; P = .018) with a trend on the finger. Among 5 patients with systemic sclerosis‐related digital ulcer, 2 resolutive local adverse effects were reported. Iontophoresis of treprostinil hydrogel was safe in systemic sclerosis patients with digital ulcer.
Microbial adaptation to high ammonia concentrations during anaerobic digestion of manure‐based feedstock: biomethanation and 16S rRNA gene sequencing
Authors: Kalamaras Sotirios D , Vasileiadis Sotirios , Karas Panagiotis , Angelidaki Irini , Kotsopoulos Thomas A
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Microbial consortia resistant to high ammonia concentrations may facilitate biogas production from high ammonia‐containing wastes and manures during anaerobic digestion. Microbial communities were gradually enriched via sequential batch cultivations (stepwise exposure) at increasing ammonia concentrations up to the extremely high concentration of 9 g total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) L−1. This study examined the adaptation of anaerobic microbial consortia to high ammonia concentrations by the use of a complex substrate based on manure in order to generate tailor‐made inocula for bioaugmentation purposes. RNA analysis was performed to determine the microbial community composition and activity of anaerobic bacteria and methanogens.

RESULTS

The enrichment series was successful in terms of methane production at ammonia concentrations as high as 5 g TAN L−1 in comparison with the control concentration of 2 g TAN L−1. Methanosarcina was the core active dominant methanogen genus in all enrichment cultures and its relative activity was sharply increased at 3 g and 9 g TAN L−1. Cellulolytic bacteria activity mostly decreased with ammonia increase. Moreover, syntrophic butyrate and long‐chain fatty acid degraders along with hydrogenotrophic methanogens were activated at increased ammonia concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study demonstrated an efficient method to enrich ammonia‐tolerant microbial consortia for bioaugmentation purposes in biogas reactors with concentrations ≤5 g TAN L−1. RNA analysis revealed high relative abundances of Methanosarcina and hydrogenotrophic methanogens at high concentrations of ammonia. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
α,α‐Dibromoketone precursors in the synthesis of some new thiazole derivatives: Thiazol‐2‐yl hydrazonobutanoates, thiazol‐2‐yl pyrazole‐4‐carboxylates and acids
Authors: Kiran Vijay , Joshi Radhika , Pundeer Rashmi
Published: February 2020

In the present study, α,α‐dibromoacetophenones are used as efficient precursors for the facile synthesis of several new hydrazonothiazoles, ethyl 3‐((4‐arylthiazol‐2‐yl)hydrazono)butanoates, which undergo Vilsmeier‐Haack cyclization to obtain thiazolylpyrazole esters, ethyl 3‐methyl‐1‐(4‐arylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbxylates, basic hydrolysis of which gives the corresponding acids, 3‐methyl‐1‐(4‐arylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carbxylic acids. All these compounds are tested for antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis; Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans.
Frontline Science: Cxxc5 expression alters cell cycle and myeloid differentiation of mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Joshi Hemant R , Hill Harry R , Zhou Zemin , He Xiao , Voelkerding Karl V , Kumánovics Attila
Published: February 2020

CXXC5 is a member of the CXXC-type zinc finger epigenetic regulators. Various hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic roles have been assigned to CXXC5. In the present study, the role of Cxxc5 in myelopoiesis was studied using overexpression and short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown in mouse early stem and progenitor cells defined as Lineage− Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) cells. Knockdown of Cxxc5 in mouse progenitor cells reduced monocyte and increased granulocyte development in ex vivo culture systems. In addition, ex vivo differentiation and proliferation experiments demonstrated that the expression of Cxxc5 affects the cell cycle in stem/progenitor cells and myeloid cells. Flow cytometry-based analyses revealed that down-regulation of Cxxc5 leads to an increase in the percentage of cells in the S phase, whereas overexpression results in a decrease in the percentage of cells in the S phase. Progenitor cells proliferate more after Cxxc5 knockdown, and RNA sequencing of LSK cells, and single-cell RNA sequencing of differentiating myeloid cells showed up-regulation of genes involved in the regulation of cell cycle after Cxxc5 knockdown. These results provide novel insights into the physiologic function of Cxxc5 during hematopoiesis, and demonstrate for the first time that it plays a role in monocyte development.
COVID‐2019: The role of the nsp2 and nsp3 in its pathogenesis
Authors: Angeletti Silvia , Benvenuto Domenico , Bianchi Martina , Giovanetti Marta , Pascarella Stefano , Ciccozzi Massimo
Published: February 2020

Last December 2019, a new virus, named novel Coronavirus (COVID‐2019) causing many cases of severe pneumonia was reported in Wuhan, China. The virus knowledge is limited and especially about COVID‐2019 pathogenesis. The Open Reading Frame 1ab (ORF1ab) of COVID‐2019 has been analyzed to evidence the presence of mutation caused by selective pressure on the virus. For selective pressure analysis fast‐unconstrained Bayesian approximation (FUBAR) was used. Homology modelling has been performed by SwissModel and HHPred servers. The presence of transmembrane helical segments in Coronavirus ORF1ab non structural protein 2 (nsp2) and nsp3 was tested by TMHMM, MEMSAT, and MEMPACK tools. Three‐dimensional structures have been analyzed and displayed using PyMOL. FUBAR analysis revealed the presence of potential sites under positive selective pressure (P < .05). Position 723 in the COVID‐2019 has a serine instead a glycine residue, while at aminoacidic position 1010 a proline instead an isoleucine. Significant (P < .05) pervasive negative selection in 2416 sites (55%) was found. The positive selective pressure could account for some clinical features of this virus compared with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Bat SARS‐like CoV. The stabilizing mutation falling in the endosome‐associated‐protein‐like domain of the nsp2 protein could account for COVID‐2019 high ability of contagious, while the destabilizing mutation in nsp3 proteins could suggest a potential mechanism differentiating COVID‐2019 from SARS. These data could be helpful for further investigation aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets or vaccine strategy, especially in the actual moment when the epidemic is ongoing and the scientific community is trying to enrich knowledge about this new viral pathogen.
Recent wetting trend in China from 1982 to 2016 and the impacts of extreme El Niño events
Authors: Yan Hao , Wang Shao‐Qiang , Wang Jun‐Bang , Guo An‐Hong , Zhu Zai‐Chun , Myneni Ranga B. , Shugart Herman H.
Published: February 2020

Climate warming generally is expected to increase drought, but arguments about China's past drought trends persist. PDSIARTS, a revised self‐calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index, was computed for China over 1982–2016 using satellite leaf‐area indices combined with monthly climate data interpolated from 2000 high‐density stations. Drought climatology was analysed against climate factors. The results show that temperature has increased at a rate of 0.38°C per decade (p < .001) in China in the past 35 years (1982–2016). However, over the same interval, China and the northern China region became wetter. PDSIARTS increased at a rate of 0.03 yr−1 (p < .001) across China during 1982–2016. The analogous increase of PDSIARTS in northern China was 0.05 yr−1 (p < .001). In China, the 5‐year interval from 2012 to 2016 was the wettest 5 years in the 35‐year interval. This arises from the coupled effects of decreased potential evaporation (Ep) and increased precipitation (Pr). The implication is that temperature increase does not necessarily indicate increased drought. A potential complication is that the 2015/16 El Niño event induced the highest Pr in southern China for 1982–2016, and northern China still had plentiful Pr in 2015/16, which further contributed to the wettest 2‐years (2015/16) during the past 35 years in the whole of China. This study highlights the joint impacts of Pr and Ep on the dry/wet changes and the possibility of extremely wet events in the warming future.
Exploring Nurses’ Involvement in Artificial Nutrition and Hydration at the End of Life: A Scoping Review
Authors: Albanesi Beatrice , Marchetti Anna , D'Angelo Daniela , Capuzzo Maria Teresa , Mastroianni Chiara , Artico Marco , Lusignani Maura , Piredda Michela , De Marinis Maria Grazia
Published: February 2020

This review aimed to summarize existing nursing literature to provide an overview of the extent, range, and nature of nurses’ involvement in artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) at the end of life and to map the key concepts underpinning nurses’ involvement in ANH. A scoping review was designed following the methodological framework guidelines of Arksey and O'Malley and the recommendations for advancing the methodology by Levac et al. An inductive qualitative content analysis was conducted according to the guidelines by Elo and Kyngäs. Thirty‐nine articles were identified. Content analysis revealed 1 main category: “nurses’ role in the decision‐making process,” with the 2 subcategories of “mediator” and “activator.” The category and subcategories are influenced by the following generic categories: “being,” “feeling,” and “knowing,” each of them constituted by 2 subcategories in their turn. Nurses perform the roles of activator and mediator. Their ability to establish good relationships and their attitudes enable the creation of teamwork and closeness to patients and family: relationships and attitudes are the subcategories of the “being” category. The category “feeling” represents the ways nurses experience the decision‐making process, which can raise ethical and moral dilemmas and cause emotional responses. For these reasons, nurses have to create the right balance between personal‐self and professional‐self. The category “knowing” includes nurses’ clinical and ethical knowledge about ANH. It emerges that deep clinical and ethical knowledge of ANH is necessary to provide consistent, adequate care at end of life.
A paper‐based gas sensor for simultaneous noninstrumental colorimetric detection of nitrite and sulfide in waters
Authors: Pena‐Pereira Francisco , Matesanz Óscar , Lavilla Isela , Bendicho Carlos
Published: February 2020

The use of paper‐based devices in combination with noninstrumental detection systems is becoming increasingly important in the analytical field due to its simplicity, rapidity, and low cost. However, their use for determination of volatile analyte derivatives is still relatively scarce. The present work reports on the assessment of a paper‐based gas‐sensing approach for the simultaneous noninstrumental colorimetric detection of nitrite and sulfide. Colorimetric systems based on the Griess and methylene blue assays, formation of colored metallic sulfides, and interaction/reaction with in situ generated metallic nanoparticles were preliminary evaluated. Then, the effect of experimental variables affecting the analytical performance of the paper‐based gas sensor was studied with two digitization systems, namely a scanner and a smartphone. Under optimal conditions, the developed system yielded limits of detection of 0.055 and 0.005 mg/L for nitrite and sulfide, respectively. The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was found to be 5.9 and 6.7% for nitrite and sulfide, respectively. The proposed method was finally applied to the analysis of water samples, showing recoveries in the range of 95–105%.
The usage of WeChat to promote academic publishing in China: A case study on Chinese Laser Press
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Deng Ying , Lü Xuan , Zhang Xinlei , Yang Lei
Published: February 2020

WeChat is one of the most popular social media applications in China and is widely used by publishers to promote their journals and activities.

The Chinese Laser Press (CLP) has four WeChat accounts; approximately 1 million reads were recorded in 2018.

The most influential WeChat account of the CLP had almost 43,000 subscribers at the end of 2019.

WeChat is a successful tool for connecting journals with readers and can increase the visibility of the journals both within China and elsewhere.

Connecting with researchers via WeChat is helping CLP maintain relations with researchers throughout their career.
The impact of initial public offerings on innovations: Short‐termism or initial governance force exit?
Authors: Hao Xiangchao , Meng Qingbin , Gao Kaijuan , Chan Kam C.
Published: February 2020

We study the impact of initial public offerings (IPOs) on corporate innovations in China. The findings suggest that going public significantly impedes corporate innovations by lowering overall innovation quality. For firms with shareholders selling or pledging less shares after IPO, the number of patents increases, but the nonself‐citations per patent decrease relative to matched non‐IPO firms. In contrast, for firms with shareholders selling or pledging more shares after IPOs, both the number of patents and nonself‐citations per patent decrease. The magnitudes of impact in the latter are stronger than those of former, supporting the initial governance force exit hypothesis.
Infrared transparent millimeter wave antenna based on sapphire substrate
Authors: Sun Weiguo , Zhu Xubo , Zhang Yanjun , Li Mo , Zhao Liang , Fan Zhongguo , Chen Hongxu
Published: February 2020

We describe a novel millimeter wave antenna based on sapphire substrate. An infrared transparent millimeter wave antenna and the characterization of its radiation pattern, gain, main frequency, and dielectric infrared transmission were reported. The proposed antenna was constructed from several infrared transparent dielectric materials with thin gold film array elements using a photolithographic process. Several single‐layer infrared‐transparent substrates were stacked. As a infrared transparent window, the antennas have applications in multimode communications, navigation, and detection, particularly for millimeter wave and infrared wavelength in a common aperture system.
Improved guidance algorithm considering terminal attitude constraints for spacecrafts via optimal control theory
Authors: Li Yuan , Wei Changzhu , Lu Baogang
Published: February 2020

Motivated by new aerospace applications, the condition of minimum‐energy achieving high accuracy of both terminal orbital injection and attitude angle is required for better navigation and observation. The stability of guidance command also needs to be improved considering the control system. In this article, an optimal guidance algorithm with an advanced numerical method of spacecrafts is proposed. In order to ensure the continuity of the attitude angle and its terminal constraints, the thrust vector is treated as the state variable in the optimal control problems, and the rate of attitude angle change is regarded as the control variable. Then the optimal ascent problem of spacecrafts based on a nondimensional dynamical model is derived in detail, including performance index considering energy consumption, optimal conditions, and terminal conditions. To improve the computational efficiency of optimal ascent problems, a numerical method and a solution strategy are proposed. Simulation results show that the terminal attitude angle error of proposed method is much less than that of the traditional guidance method, and the continuity and stability of the guidance command is also better, which demonstrates the high accuracy and strong adaptability of the guidance algorithm developed in this article.
Chondro‐inductive nanofibrous scaffold based gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol/chondroitin sulfate for cartilage tissue engineering
Authors: Irani Shiva , Honarpardaz Ali , Choubini Niloufar , Pezeshki‐Modaress Mohamad , Zandi Mojgan
Published: February 2020

Tissue engineering is a technique that can be used for repairing damaged cartilage. The aim of this study was chondro‐differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/chondroitin sulfate (PVA/GT/CS) blend nanofibers. Nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning method with different concentrations of CS (10%, 15%, and 20%). MSCs were seeded on nanofibers for biocompatibility and cell viability test by MTT assay. Alcian blue staining assay was done to show that MSCs were differentiated to chondrocyte by staining the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that was produced by cells. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) assay were done to confirm type II collagen expression. Scaffolds with different concentrations of CS were tested for biocompatibility, and the nanofiber with 15% of GAG showed better results (P = 0.02) compared with other nanofibers; therefore, it was chosen as the main sample for chondrogenesis tests. On the basis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hMSCs had a proper attachment to the nanofiber with 15% CS. Alcian blue staining showed the different rates of blue coloration, which means cells produced different types of GAGs from the GAG we used in the nanofiber. RT‐PCR and ICC showed that COL2A1 was expressed in mRNA and protein levels. This study indicates that the PVA/GT/CS nanofiber containing 15% CS can be a good candidate for cartilage tissue engineering.
Antibacterial 3D graphene composite gel with polyaspartamide and tannic acid containing in situ generated Ag nanoparticle
Authors: Wang Bo , Moon Jong R. , Ryu Seungbae , Park Ki D. , Kim Ji‐Heung
Published: February 2020

The increased use of medical devices combined with the emergence of new multi‐drug‐resistant bacteria has enhanced research on biomaterial‐related infections. Small size of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) has already been suggested to show high antibacterial activities. However, small AgNPs tend to aggregate during preparation, resulting in a significant decrease in their antibacterial properties. Three‐dimensional (3D) graphene can be used as a support matrix, for the fixation of precious metal NPs and the maximization of the load. Here, we present a synthetic poly(amino acid), specifically, polyaspartamide modified by ethylenediamine and ethanolamine [PolyAspAm(EDA/EA)], which was mixed with tannic acid and graphene oxide to fabricate an ultralight 3D graphene hybrid aerogel. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed AgNP loading on the aerogel with the size of less than 50 nm uniformly dispersed, and AgNP loading on the aerogels led to the inhibition of antibacterial cell growth. The measured antibacterial activity, as determined by the inhibition zone and optical density in test, demonstrated that PolyAspAm(EA/EDA)/TA‐GO‐AgNP has a bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, thereby suggesting that this 3D polymer graphene composite gel has potential as a novel antibacterial material for a wide range of clinical applications.
Identifying drug combinations associated with acute kidney injury using association rules method
Authors: Nishtala Prasad S. , Chyou Te‐yuan
Published: February 2020

Background

Older adults are at an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) because of aging, multiple comorbidities, and polypharmacy.

Objectives

The aim of this case‐crossover study was to apply association rule (AR) analysis to ascertain drug combinations contributing to the risk of AKI in adults aged 65 years and older.

Methods

We sourced a nationwide representative sample of New Zealanders aged ≥65 years from the pharmaceutical collections and hospital discharge information. Prescription records (2005‐2015) of drugs of interest were sourced from New Zealand pharmaceutical collections (Pharms). We classified medication exposure, as a binary variable, at individual drug level belonging to medication classes including antimicrobials, antihistamines, diuretics, opioids, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory medications. Several studies have associated the drugs of interest from these medication classes with AKI in older adults. We extracted the first‐time coded diagnosis of AKI from the National Minimal Data Set. A unique patient identifier linked the prescription data set to the event data set, to set up a case‐crossover cohort, indexed at the first AKI event. ARs were then applied to identify frequent drug combinations in the case and the control periods (l‐day observation with a 35‐day washout period), and the association of AKI with each frequent drug combination was tested by computing a matched odds ratio (MOR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

We identified 55 747 individuals (mean age 82.14) from 2005 to 2014 with incident AKI and exposed to at least one of the drugs of interest. ARs identified several medication classes including antimicrobials, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and opioids are associated with AKI. The frequently used medicines associated with AKI are trimethoprim (MOR = 1.68; 95% CI = [1.54‐1.80]), ondansetron (MOR = 1.43; 95% CI = [1.25‐1.64]), codeine phosphate plus metoclopramide (MOR = 1.37; 95% CI = [1.11‐1.63]), and norfloxacin (MOR = 1.24; 95% CI [1.05‐1.42]).

Conclusions

We applied ARs, a novel methodology, to big data to ascertain drug combinations associated with AKI. ARs uncovered previously implicated medication classes that increase the risk of AKI in older adults. The finding that ondansetron increases the risk of AKI requires further investigation.
The Effects of Digital Media Images on Political Participation Online: Results of an Eye‐Tracking Experiment Integrating Individual Perceptions of “Photo News Factors”
Authors: Geise Stephanie , Heck Axel , Panke Diana
Published: February 2020

Research in communication and political science has underlined the relevance of participation offline and online for the performance and stability of democratic societies, and shown that media has a substantial impact on people's willingness to participate in political discourses. However, the impact of visual message features, prevalent in contemporary online environments, on political participation online remains unclear and needs further research. This article examines two research questions: How and under what conditions do digital news media images trigger political online participation? Which roles do specific image features (“photo news factors” such as negativity, emotionality, visual attraction, or saliency) play in this respect? Based on an experimental study integrating eyetracking measurement, our empirical analysis reveals that individuals are more willing to politically participate online, if they perceive news media images with specific “photo news factors”: press photography individuals acknowledge as surprising, emotional, attractive, newsworthy, that is geographically proximal, controversial, relevant, or salient. We also find that the sensory perception of news media images can cause a positive and significant impact. If the media image is regarded as being newsworthy or as negative by individual recipients, they are more likely to then engage in online participation.
Changes in ice‐wedge activity over 25 years of climate change near Salluit, Nunavik (northern Québec, Canada)
Authors: Gagnon Samuel , Allard Michel
Published: February 2020

To assess the direct impact of climate change on ice‐wedge (IW) degradation, 16 sites in the Narsajuaq river valley (Nunavik, Canada) that were extensively studied between 1989 and 1991 were revisited in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In total, 109 pits were dug to record soil characteristics and IW shapes and depths. Changes in surface conditions were also noted using side‐by‐side comparisons of recent (2017) and older (1989–1991) land and aerial photographs. During the past 25 years, the active layer reached depths that were 1.2–3.4 times deeper than in 1991, which led to the widespread degradation of IWs in the valley. Whereas 94% of the IWs unearthed in 1991 showed multiple recent growth structures, only 13% of the 55 IWs unearthed in 2017 still had some upgrowth stages left. IW tops are now consistently deeper than the main stages of the IWs measured in 1991. In August 2017, however, about half of the IWs had ice veins connecting them to the base of the active layer, an indication that the recent cooling spell (2010 to present) in the region was enough to reactivate frost cracking and IW growth. This paper highlights how sensitive the Arctic soil system can be to short‐term climate variations.
Unmanned aerial vehicle‐based mapping of turf‐banked solifluction lobe movement and its relation to material, geomorphometric, thermal and vegetation properties
Authors: Eichel Jana , Draebing Daniel , Kattenborn Teja , Senn Johannes Antenor , Klingbeil Lasse , Wieland Markus , Heinz Erik
Published: February 2020

Solifluction is one of the most widespread periglacial processes with low annual movement rates in the range of —millimeters to centimeters. Traditional methods to assess solifluction movement usually have low spatial resolution, which hampers our understanding of spatial movement patterns and the factors controlling them. In this study, we (a) test the applicability of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry in comparison to a traditional total station survey to map surface movement of a turf‐banked solifluction lobe (TBL) in the Turtmann Valley (Switzerland). We then (b) relate the detected movement patterns to potential geomorphometric, material, thermal and vegetation controls, which we assessed using geomorphic and vegetation mapping, electrical resistivity surveys and temperature loggers. Our results show that (a) UAV‐based mapping can detect solifluction movement with high spatial resolution (one point per m2, total > 900 points) and rates and patterns consistent with a total station survey, but requires careful measurement set‐up and analysis; and (b) movement rates differ between lobe tread, riser and a ridge feature. Differences can be explained by heterogeneous material, geomorphometric, thermal and vegetation properties of the TBL, which promote different solifluction processes. Our study demonstrates the applicability of UAV‐based mapping in solifluction research and improves our understanding of solifluction processes and landform development.
Identifying historical and future potential lake drainage events on the western Arctic coastal plain of Alaska
Authors: Jones Benjamin M. , Arp Christopher D. , Grosse Guido , Nitze Ingmar , Lara Mark J. , Whitman Matthew S. , Farquharson Louise M. , Kanevskiy Mikhail , Parsekian Andrew D. , Breen Amy L. , Ohara Nori , Rangel Rodrigo Correa , Hinkel Kenneth M.
Published: February 2020

Arctic lakes located in permafrost regions are susceptible to catastrophic drainage. In this study, we reconstructed historical lake drainage events on the western Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska between 1955 and 2017 using USGS topographic maps, historical aerial photography (1955), and Landsat Imagery (ca. 1975, ca. 2000, and annually since 2000). We identified 98 lakes larger than 10 ha that partially (>25% of area) or completely drained during the 62‐year period. Decadal‐scale lake drainage rates progressively declined from 2.0 lakes/yr (1955–1975), to 1.6 lakes/yr (1975–2000), and to 1.2 lakes/yr (2000–2017) in the ~30,000‐km2 study area. Detailed Landsat trend analysis between 2000 and 2017 identified two years, 2004 and 2006, with a cluster (five or more) of lake drainages probably associated with bank overtopping or headward erosion. To identify future potential lake drainages, we combined the historical lake drainage observations with a geospatial dataset describing lake elevation, hydrologic connectivity, and adjacent lake margin topographic gradients developed with a 5‐m‐resolution digital surface model. We identified ~1900 lakes likely to be prone to drainage in the future. Of the 20 lakes that drained in the most recent study period, 85% were identified in this future lake drainage potential dataset. Our assessment of historical lake drainage magnitude, mechanisms and pathways, and identification of potential future lake drainages provides insights into how arctic lowland landscapes may change and evolve in the coming decades to centuries.
Safening activity and metabolism of the safener cyprosulfamide in maize and wheat
Authors: Giannakopoulos George , Dittgen Jan , Schulte Wolfgang , Zoellner Peter , Helmke Hendrik , Lagojda Andreas , Edwards Robert
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Safeners extend the application of existing herbicides by selectively enhancing tolerance in large‐grained cereal crops. While their activity is linked to enhanced herbicide metabolism, their exact mode of action and reasons for their crop specificity have yet to be determined. In this study, we investigated the selectivity of the recently developed sulfonamide safener cyprosulfamide (CSA) in maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum), focusing on its uptake, distribution and metabolism in the two species.

RESULTS

CSA protected maize, but not wheat, from injury by thiencarbazone‐methyl (TCM). This correlated with the selective enhanced detoxification of the herbicide in maize. CSA underwent more rapid metabolism in maize than in wheat, with the formation of a specific hydroxylated metabolite correlating with safening. Studies with the nsf1 mutant sweetcorn line showed that the hydroxylation of CSA was partly mediated by the cytochrome P450 CYP81A9. However, primary metabolites of CSA were chemically synthesised and tested for their ability to safen TCM in maize but when tested were inactive as safeners.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that the protection against TCM injury by CSA is linked to enhanced herbicide metabolism. This selective activity is due to the specific recognition of parent CSA in maize but not in wheat. Subsequent rapid oxidative metabolism of CSA led to its inactivation, demonstrating that cytochrome P450s regulate the activity of safeners as well as herbicides. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Shannon‐information entropy sum in the confined hydrogenic atom
Authors: Salazar Saúl J. C. , Laguna Humberto G. , Prasad Vinod , Sagar Robin P.
Published: February 2020

The appearance of critical points in the Shannon entropy sum as a function of confinement radius, in ground and excited state confined hydrogenic systems, is discussed. We illustrate that the Coulomb potential in tandem with the hard sphere confinement are responsible for these points. The positions of these points are observed to vary with the intensity of the potential. The effects of the Coulomb potential on the system are further probed, by examining the differences between the densities of the confined atom and those of the particle confined in a spherical box, for the same confinement radius. These differences are quantified by using Kullback‐Leibler and cumulative residual Kullback‐Leibler distance measures from information theory. These measures detect that the effects of the Coulomb potential are squeezed out of the system as the confinement radius decreases. That is, the confined atom densities resemble the particle in a box ones, for smaller confinement radii. Furthermore, the critical points in the entropy sum lie in the same regions where there are changes in the distance measures, as the atom behaves more particle in a spherical box‐like. The analysis is further complemented by examination of the derivative of the entropy sum with respect to confinement radius. This study illustrates the inhomogeneity in the magnitudes of the derivatives of the entropy sum components and their dependence on the Coulomb potential. A link between the derivative and the entropic force is also illustrated and discussed. Similar behaviors are observed when the virial ratio is compared to the entropic power one, as a function of confinement radius.
N‐centered ensemble density‐functional theory for open systems
Authors: Senjean Bruno , Fromager Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

Two (so‐called left and right) variants of N‐centered ensemble density‐functional theory (DFT) are presented. Unlike the original formulation of the theory, these variants allow for the description of systems with a fractional electron number. While conventional DFT for open systems uses only the true electron density as basic variable, left/right N‐centered ensemble DFT relies instead on (a) a fictitious ensemble density that integrates to a central (integral) number N of electrons, and (b) a grand canonical ensemble weight α which is equal to the deviation of the true electron number from N. Within such a formalism, the infamous derivative discontinuity that appears when crossing an integral number of electrons is described exactly through the dependence in α of the left and right N‐centered ensemble Hartree‐exchange‐correlation density functionals. Incorporating N‐centered ensembles into existing density‐functional embedding theories is expected to pave the way toward the in‐principle‐exact description of an open fragment by means of a pure‐state N‐electron many‐body wavefunction. Work is currently in progress in this direction.
Exploration of disaccharide as reference towards chiral recognition by the kinetic method
Authors: Huang Lili , Gao Zhan , Yin Xinchi , He Quan , Pan Yuanjiang
Published: February 2020

Rationale

A potential use of disaccharides was found as reference compounds in the kinetic method for chiral recognition and enantiomeric quantification.

Methods

The experimental procedure consists of three steps: (1) mixing a metal salt, an analyte and a disaccharide at a molar ratio of 1:2:2 with an analyte concentration of 20 μM; (2) introducing the mixture into an electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry source; (3) isolating the ion [MII(ref*)2(A) − H]+ and subjecting it to dissociation. Then through the relative ratio of two product ions combined with the kinetic method, chiral recognition and enantiomeric quantification can be achieved.

Results

The method was verified with good chiral recognition for ten chiral amino acids and three chiral drugs. Among the ten amino acids, Tyr was observed to show best chiral selectivity (Rchiral = 1.62) and good linearity with the correlation coefficient R2 = 0.9991 for the quantitation of the enantiomeric excess (ee) of D‐Tyr. Among the tested chiral drugs, naproxen showed best chiral selectivity with Rchiral = 1.56 and good linearity with the correlation coefficient R2 = 0.9997 for the quantitation of the ee of R‐naproxen.

Conclusions

This established approach proves that a disaccharide can serve as a reference compound for chiral recognition using the kinetic method.
Toward a Multifaceted Heuristic of Digital Reading to Inform Assessment, Research, Practice, and Policy
Authors: Coiro Julie
Published: February 2020

In this commentary, the author explores the tension between almost 30 years of work that has embraced increasingly complex conceptions of digital reading and recent studies that risk oversimplifyingdigital readingas a singular entity analogous with reading text on a screen. The author begins by tracing a line of theoretical and empirical work that both informs and complicates our understanding of digital literacy and, more specifically, digital reading. Then, a heuristic is proposed to systematically organize, label, and define a multifaceted set of increasingly complex terms, concepts, and practices that characterize the spectrum of digital reading experiences. Research that informs this heuristic is used to illustrate how more precision in defining digital reading can promote greater clarity across research methods and advance a more systematic study of promising digital reading practices. Finally, the author discusses implications for assessment, research, practice, and policy.
Non‐Preheating Processed Quasi‐2D Perovskites for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells
Authors: Li Xing , Wu Guangbao , Zhou Jiyu , Zhang Jianqi , Zhang Xuning , Wang Boxin , Xia Haoran , Zhou Huiqiong , Zhang Yuan
Published: February 2020

Although the hot‐casting (HC) technique is prevalent in developing preferred crystal orientation of quasi‐2D perovskite films, the difficulty of accurately controlling the thermal homogeneity of substrate is unfavorable for the reproducibility of device fabrication. Herein, a facile and effective non‐preheating (NP) film‐casting method is proposed to realize highly oriented quasi‐2D perovskite films by replacing the butylammonium (BA+) spacer partially with methylammonium (MA+) cation as (BA)2−x(MA)3+xPb4I13 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6). At the optimal x‐value of 0.4, the resultant quasi‐2D perovskite film possesses highly orientated crystals, associated with a dense morphology and uniform grain‐size distribution. Consequently, the (BA)1.6(MA)3.4Pb4I13‐based solar cells yield champion efficiencies of 15.44% with NP processing and 16.29% with HC processing, respectively. As expected, the HC‐processed device shows a poor performance reproducibility compared with that of the NP film‐casting method. Moreover, the unsealed device (x = 0.4) displays a better moisture stability with respect to the x = 0 stored in a 65% ± 5% relative humility chamber.
Generation of homogeneous midbrain organoids with in vivo-like cellular composition facilitates neurotoxin-based Parkinson's disease modeling
Authors: Kwak Tae Hwan , Kang Ji Hyun , Hali Sai , Kim Jonghun , Kim Kee-Pyo , Park Chanhyeok , Lee Ju-Hyun , Ryu Ha Kyun , Na Ji Eun , Jo Junghyun , Je Hyunsoo Shawn , Ng Huck-Hui , Kwon Jeongwoo , Kim Nam-Hyung , Hong Kwon Ho , Sun Woong , Chung Chi Hye , Rhyu Im Joo , Han Dong Wook
Published: February 2020

Recent studies have demonstrated the generation of midbrain-like organoids (MOs) from human pluripotent stem cells. However, the low efficiency of MO generation and the relatively immature and heterogeneous structures of the MOs hinder the translation of these organoids from the bench to the clinic. Here we describe the robust generation of MOs with homogeneous distribution of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons. Our MOs contain not only mDA neurons but also other neuronal subtypes as well as functional glial cells, including astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, our MOs exhibit mDA neuron-specific cell death upon treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, indicating that MOs could be a proper human model system for studying the in vivo pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Our optimized conditions for producing homogeneous and mature MOs might provide an advanced patient-specific platform for in vitro disease modeling as well as for drug screening for PD.
Coagulation of TiO2, CeO2 nanoparticles, and polystyrene nanoplastics in bottled mineral and surface waters. Effect of water properties, coagulant type, and dosage
Authors: Ramirez Arenas Lina , Ramseier Gentile Stéphan , Zimmermann Stéphane , Stoll Serge
Published: February 2020

Intensive use of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) results in their release into aquatic systems and consequently into drinking water resources. Therefore, it is important to evaluate how NPs can be effectively removed through water treatment processes, such as coagulation, to control environmental and health risks associated with NP exposure. This work investigates the effect of two conventional coagulants, polyaluminum chloride (PACl) and iron chloride (FeCl3), on NPs. Three bottled mineral and Lake Geneva waters, currently used as drinking water resources, were considered to get an insight into coagulation efficiency. TiO2, CeO2 NPs, and polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics were selected, owing to their large number of applications and contrasting surface charge and aggregation behavior at environmental pH. Our findings indicate that PACl is more efficient compared with FeCl3 since lower dosages are required to coagulate all nanoparticles. On the other hand, nanoplastic coagulation is found less efficient compared with TiO2 and CeO2 NPs. This is an important outcome indicating that nanoplastic stability and dispersion state will be more pronounced and therefore more challenging to eliminate. Results highlight the key role of NP and PS nanoplastic surface charge, as well as water properties, coagulant type, and dosage on nanoparticle elimination from aquatic systems.

Practitioner Points

pH, water hardness, and NOM are playing roles in final coagulant dosage concentration.

PACl is more efficient than FeCl3 in most conditions.

Positively charged nanoplastics are more difficult to eliminate by coagulation.

NP surface properties in bottled mineral and surface waters are controlled by pH, divalent cations, and NOM.

NP surface charge and coagulation efficiency depend on water properties.