bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contralateral neck failure in oral tongue cancer: Outcomes from two centers using predefined treatment criteria
Authors: Udovicich Cristian , Daniell James , Wiesenfeld David , Bressel Mathias , Rowe David , Vital Domenic , Cavanagh Karda , Lekgabe Ernest , Wong Tim , Magarey Matthew J. R. , Iseli Tim A. , Fua Tsien , Rischin Danny , McDowell Lachlan
Published: March 2021

Background

The objective was to determine the incidence of, and factors associated with contralateral neck failure (CNF) in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC).

Methods

Consecutive patients with OTSCC between 2007 and 2016 were included. The predefined policy of the contralateral neck included neck dissection (ND) where the primary tumor extended/crossed midline or the contralateral neck was involved; and elective nodal irradiation (ENI) where the primary tumor was ≤1 cm from midline/2 cm from tip.

Results

This study included 258 patients. ND was ipsilateral 169 (66%) and bilateral 33 (13%). Fifty‐five patients (21%) received ENI to the undissected contralateral neck. CNF occurred in 19 patients (7%) and was similar by treatment received. Utilizing this approach, we observed higher rates of CNF with increasing N classification, perineural invasion, extracapsular extension, and depth of invasion ≥6 mm.

Conclusions

Using our institutional policy of treatment to the contralateral neck, a low rate of CNF (≤10%) was observed.
In Utero Exposure to Mercury Is Associated With Increased Susceptibility to Liver Injury and Inflammation in Childhood
Authors: Stratakis Nikos , Golden‐Mason Lucy , Margetaki Katerina , Zhao Yinqi , Valvi Damaskini , Garcia Erika , Maitre Léa , Andrusaityte Sandra , Basagana Xavier , Borràs Eva , Bustamante Mariona , Casas Maribel , Fossati Serena , Grazuleviciene Regina , Haug Line Småstuen , Heude Barbara , McEachan Rosemary R.C. , Meltzer Helle Margrete , Papadopoulou Eleni , Roumeliotaki Theano , Robinson Oliver , Sabidó Eduard , Urquiza Jose , Vafeiadi Marina , Varo Nerea , Wright John , Vos Miriam B. , Hu Howard , Vrijheid Martine , Berhane Kiros T. , Conti David V. , McConnell Rob , Rosen Hugo R. , Chatzi Lida
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent cause of liver disease in children. Mercury (Hg), a ubiquitous toxic metal, has been proposed as an environmental factor contributing to toxicant‐associated fatty liver disease.

Approach and Results

We investigated the effect of prenatal exposure to Hg on childhood liver injury by combining epidemiological results from a multicenter mother–child cohort with complementary in vitro experiments on monocyte cells that are known to play a key role in liver immune homeostasis and NAFLD. We used data from 872 mothers and their children (median age, 8.1 years; interquartile range [IQR], 6.5‐8.7) from the European Human Early‐Life Exposome cohort. We measured Hg concentration in maternal blood during pregnancy (median, 2.0 μg/L; IQR, 1.1‐3.6). We also assessed serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a common screening tool for pediatric NAFLD, and plasma concentrations of inflammation‐related cytokines in children. We found that prenatal Hg exposure was associated with a phenotype in children that was characterized by elevated ALT (≥22.1 U/L for females and ≥25.8 U/L for males) and increased concentrations of circulating IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, and TNF‐α. Consistently, inflammatory monocytes exposed in vitro to a physiologically relevant dose of Hg demonstrated significant up‐regulation of genes encoding these four cytokines and increased concentrations of IL‐8 and TNF‐α in the supernatants.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that developmental exposure to Hg can contribute to inflammation and increased NAFLD risk in early life.
State‐Level HCC Incidence and Association With Obesity and Physical Activity in the United States
Authors: Lee Yi‐Te , Wang Jasmine J. , Luu Michael , Tseng Hsian‐Rong , Rich Nicole E. , Lu Shelly C. , Nissen Nicholas N. , Noureddin Mazen , Singal Amit G. , Yang Ju Dong
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer‐related mortality, with a disproportionate impact on racial/ethnic minority groups. However, state‐level variation in racial/ethnic disparities and temporal trends of HCC incidence remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to characterize (1) state‐level racial/ethnic disparity in HCC incidence, (2) state‐level temporal changes in HCC incidence, and (3) the ecological correlation between HCC incidence and obesity/physical activity levels in the USA.

Approach and Results

Trends in HCC incidence between 2001 and 2017 were calculated using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results, and annual percent change in rates were calculated. State‐level percent of obesity and level of physical activity were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the correlation among obesity, physical activity, and state‐specific average annual percent change was tested by Pearson correlation coefficient. There were striking state‐level racial/ethnic disparities in HCC incidence; incidence rate ratios ranged between 6.3 and 0.9 in Blacks, 6.1 and 1.7 in Asians/Pacific Islanders, 3.8 and 0.9 in Hispanics, and 6.0 and 0.9 in American Indians/Alaska Natives (compared with Whites as reference). Despite overall decreasing HCC incidence rates after 2015, HCC incidence continued increasing in 26 states over recent years. HCC incidence trends had a moderate correlation with state‐level obesity (r = 0.45, P < 0.001) and a moderate inverse correlation with state‐level physical activity (r = −0.40, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

There is wide state‐level variation in racial/ethnic disparity of HCC incidence. There are also disparate incidence trends across states, with HCC incidence continuing to increase in over half of the states. Regional obesity and lack of physical activity have moderate correlations with HCC incidence trends, suggesting that interventions targeting these factors may help curb rising HCC incidence.
Novel functional variants in the Notch pathway and survival of Chinese colorectal cancer
Authors: Qu Xiaofei , Zhao Liqin , Wang Mengyun , Zhang Ruoxin , Cheng Lei , Qiu Lixin , Tong Xiaoxia , Cai Sanjun , Wei Qingyi , Li Qingguo
Published: March 2021

Notch signaling pathway plays crucial roles in progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), likely affecting overall survival (OS). In a two‐stage survival analysis of 1116 CRC patients in East China, we found that one locus at MINAR1 out of 133 genes in the Notch signaling pathway was significantly associated with OS (P < 1 × 10−6, false discovery rate < 0.01). This locus containing seven single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in high linkage disequilibrium (R2 = 1) is located on chromosome 15, of which the MINAR1 rs72430409 G allele was associated with a greater death risk (HR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.55‐2.54, P = 6.8 × 10−8). Further analysis of ChIP‐sequencing data from the encyclopedia of DNA Elements showed that rs72430409 and rs72630408 were potential cis‐regulatory elements for the MINAR1 promoter. Additional expression quantitative trait loci analysis revealed that rs72430409 G>A and rs72630408 A>G were correlated with increased MINAR1 expression levels in both blood cells and colon tissues. Dual luciferase assays revealed that the rs72430409 A allele increased MINAR1 promoter activity. The Cancer Genome Atlas data showed that expression levels of MINAR1 in CRC samples were significantly higher than that in normal colorectal tissue and that high expression of MINAR1 was associated with a shortened OS, likely via activating the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway as shown in the gene‐set enrichment analysis. In vitro, RNAi‐mediated silencing of MINAR1 led to decreased migration and proliferation in CRC cancer cells, and MINAR1 silencing could downregulate the expression of key effector genes in EMT and glycolysis. Larger cohort studies and further experiments are needed to validate our findings.
Cytomegalovirus seroconversion in pregnant army personnel of the Israel Defense Forces: Trends and risk factors
Authors: Zemer Tov Bar , Walfisch Asnat , Schwartz Naama , Meir Hila , Kleitman Vered
Published: March 2021

Objective

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroconversion in pregnancy is a major health issue with potentially devastating fetal consequences. We opted to determine rates and trends of CMV seroconversion in pregnant army personnel and to isolate risk factors.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, all pregnancies of army personnel between 2009 and 2019 were evaluated (n = 10 409) and all pregnancies with CMV laboratory records were included. Seroconversion rate was calculated overall and per year. Demographic and obstetrical characteristics were compared between exposed and unexposed women. Independent predictors of seroconversion were further investigated using logistic regression models.

Results

Cytomegalovirus serology status was available in 7665 pregnancies. Seroconversion was evident in 66 women (4.15%) among the seronegative pregnancies. Women in the seroconversion group were significantly more likely to belong to a higher social class. In the regression models, adjusted for age, place of residence, and education, higher parity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2, P < 0.001) and residing in a central district (aOR 2.67, P = 0.002) were significantly associated with seroconversion.

Conclusion

Higher social class appears to be a significant risk factor for CMV seroconversion during pregnancy. Residing in a central district and higher parity appear to be independently associated with an increased risk for seroconversion during pregnancy among army personnel.
Trocar site hernia resulting in intestinal necrosis 48 hours after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Iwatsuki Shoichiro , Hamamoto Shuzo , Shimizu Nobuhiko , Naiki Taku , Okada Atsushi , Kawai Noriyasu , Tozawa Keiichi , Yasui Takahiro
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Trocar site hernia is a potentially serious sequela of laparoscopic procedures that may lead to bowel incarceration and strangulation. We report a case of trocar site hernia secondary to robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.

Case presentation

A 71‐year‐old Japanese man underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy without any intraoperative events; however, a brief dislodgement of a 12‐mm AIRSEAL® trocar occurred. Forty‐eight hours after the procedure, the patient exhibited coffee ground vomitus. Computed tomography revealed an intestinal prolapse at the 12‐mm AIRSEAL® trocar site. He was diagnosed with a strangulated bowel due to trocar site hernia. Following an emergency exploration, 25 cm of gangrenous intestine was resected, and a functional end‐to‐end anastomosis was performed.

Conclusion

In this case, brief dislodgement of the AIRSEAL® trocar may have caused severe subcutaneous emphysema and intestinal sucking. In such situations, certain closure of both, the peritoneum and the fascia, is necessary.
Successful treatment of metastatic bladder pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma with pembrolizumab
Authors: Nezu Kunihisa , Kakoi Narihiko , Tezuka Fumiaki , Ota Shozo
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Bladder pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. There are no reports of immune checkpoint inhibitors for bladder pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma to date.

Case presentation

A 72‐year‐old man presented with gross hematuria due to multiple bladder cancers. Despite transurethral bladder resection and intravesical injection of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin, bladder cancer recurred. Nineteen months later, he underwent total cystectomy. Pathological examination revealed bladder giant cell carcinoma. Twenty‐eight months later, pembrolizumab was administered due to para‐aortic lymph node metastasis. Forty‐four months later, the lymph node metastasis disappeared, and pembrolizumab administration was terminated. Fifty‐eight months later, the patient has remained in remission at the time of writing.

Conclusion

Immune checkpoint inhibitors manifest a therapeutic potential in bladder pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma.
Transcriptomic analysis of mechanism of melanoma cell death induced by photothermal therapy
Authors: Yan Guorong , Shi Lei , Zhang Fuhe , Luo Min , Zhang Guolong , Liu Pei , Liu Kaili , Chen Wei R. , Wang Xiuli
Published: March 2021

Melanoma is a malignancy with poor prognosis. Its incidence rate has been on the rise and it poses high health and economic challenges to different populations. Photothermal therapy (PTT) served as an effective local therapy in treating various tumors, particularly cutaneous carcinoma like melanoma. To fully understand the mechanisms of tumor cell death induced by PTT, we investigated gene expression and immune cells compositions of B16‐F10 tumors after PTT treatment. A total of 256 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with 215 being downregulated and 41 upregulated by PTT. Functional annotation showed that most DEGs involved in immune response and inflammatory response. Immune cells compositions inference revealed changes in many immune cells including regulatory T cells, M2 macrophage and B cells after PTT treatment. Our results help delineate the mechanism of cell death at the transcriptional level triggered by non‐invasive PTT treatment of melanoma without exogenous light absorbing agents.
Expression of estrogen‐, progesterone‐, and androgen‐responsive genes in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells treated with o,pʹ‐DDT, p,pʹ‐DDT, or endosulfan
Authors: Kalinina Tatiana S. , Kononchuk Vladislav V. , Gulyaeva Lyudmila F.
Published: March 2021

Endocrine disruptors are a major concern due to their possible association with hormone‐dependent carcinogenesis. Some examples of compounds with such properties are organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). OCPs are persistent pollutants with high lipophilicity, long half‐life, and bioaccumulation potential. In the past, some of the most commonly used OCPs were dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and endosulfan. Here, we investigated the effects of o,p′‐DDT, p,p′‐DDT, and endosulfan and of hormones estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone on the expression of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors (ER, PR, and AR) and of their target genes (KLF4, VEGFA, CCND1, PRLR, CDKN1A, and BCL6) in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. The results confirmed that under the action of the insecticides, there are dose‐ and time‐dependent changes in the expression of these receptors and target genes. As corroborated by an experiment with ER, PR, and AR negative MDA‐MB‐231 cells, the change in the expression of KLF4, VEGFA, CCND1, and PRLR in MCF‐7 cells treated with o,p′‐DDT and the change in CDKN1A and PRLR expression in MCF‐7 cells treated with p,p′‐DDT are likely mediated by ER, PR, and AR pathways. In conclusion, we have identified some targets of DDT and endosulfan and confirmed that the effects of insecticides on the expression of these target genes differ for breast cancer cell lines with different receptor statuses.
Performance of ivisen IA‐1400, a new point‐of‐care device with an internal centrifuge system, for the measurement of cardiac troponin I levels
Authors: Kim Ha Nui , Yoon Soo‐Young
Published: March 2021

Background

We present the analytical performance of the ivisen IA‐1400, a new point‐of‐care device that features a characteristic built‐in centrifuge system, to measure blood cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels.

Methods

Whole blood and plasma samples obtained from patients who visited Korea University Guro Hospital were used to analyze measurement range, cross‐reactivity, interference, and sensitivity and specificity. We performed a correlation analysis of the ivisen IA‐1400 versus the Access AccuTnI+3 immunoassay using the UniCel™ DxI 800 platform and the PATHFAST™ hs‐cTnI assay.

Results

Within‐run precisions were classified as low, 9.8%; middle, 10.2%; and high, 8.5%. The limit of blank was 3.1 ng/L for plasma samples and 4.3 ng/L for whole blood samples. The limit of detection was 8.4 ng/L for plasma samples and 10.0 ng/L for whole blood samples, respectively. The limit of quantitation at a coefficient of variation of 20% and 10% was 19.5 ng/L and 45.5 ng/L for plasma samples, respectively. The comparative evaluation between the two other assays and ivisen IA‐1400 showed excellent correlation, with Spearman's correlation coefficients (R) of 0.992 and 0.985. The sensitivity and specificity of ivisen IA‐1400 using the optimum cut‐off value of 235 ug/L were 94.6% and 98.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

The ivisen IA‐1400 showed acceptable and promising performance in cTnI measurements using whole blood and plasma samples, with limited information in the clinical performance. The flexibility for sample selection using the internal centrifugation system is the main advantage of this point‐of‐care device.
The impact of seed micromorphology in the subgeneric classification of the genus Reseda L. (Resedaceae) in Turkey
Authors: Çilden Emre , Yıldırımlı Şinasi
Published: March 2021

Seed micromorphology of 18 taxa belonging to the genus Reseda (Resedaceae) in Turkey were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in order to understand and check its diagnostic significance at subgeneric and sectional level. Seeds of Reseda species were photographed to evaluate different characteristics including appearance of the seed, testa ornamentation and the existence of carunculoid tissue at hilum regions. In addition, cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to test whether the micromorphological data of the related taxa is compatible with the current classification of the genus. According to seed micromorphology, Reseda taxa in Turkey are divided into four main groups particularly by testa ornamentation as papillose, rugose, rugulose, and smooth. These results are also in agreement with the sectional classification of the genus in morphological and molecular perspective. The tree topology of Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Average based on seed features supported the traditional classification. Principle component analysis revealed testa surface ornamentation as the most distinctive character for species identification. PCA also confirms our cluster grouping of the subgeneric and sectional classification of the taxa in Turkey. An identification key for the genus Reseda in Turkey is provided in the light of current data. The seed data is helpful for the identification of the genus Reseda in Turkey at sectional level. However, for an accurate identification at specific level, seed micromorphology is not sufficient alone and must be evaluated together with all diagnostic morphological features.
Circular RNA circRNA_101996 promoted cervical cancer development by regulating miR‐1236‐3p/TRIM37 axis
Authors: Song Tie‐Fang , Xu Ai‐Li , Chen Xiu‐Hui , Gao Jia‐Yin , Gao Fei , Kong Xian‐Chao
Published: March 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) appear to be significant modulators in various physiological processes. Recently, it is found that circRNA_101996 exerts important roles in various cancers. Our previous studies showed that circRNA_101996 promoted cervical cancer growth and metastasis by regulating miR‐8075/TPX2. However, the potential regulatory role of circRNA_101996 in cervical cancer still needs further investigation. Our results in this study suggested that circRNA_101996 was over‐expressed in cervical cancer patients. circRNA_101996 up‐regulation remarkably assisted cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and cell migration in cervical cancer, while circRNA_101996 knockdown exerted the inverse effects. The molecular investigations indicated that circRNA_101996 could increase the expression level of miR‐1236‐3p, tripartite motif‐containing 37 (TRIM37), through binding to miR‐1236‐3p and reducing its expression. Moreover, in vivo results demonstrated that circRNA_101996 shRNA can function as a tumor suppressor through down‐regulating TRIM37 in cervical cancer. In conclusion, our data indicated that circRNA_101996/miR‐1236‐3p/TRIM37 axis accelerated cervical cancer development, providing novel insights into cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Investigating gender differences in journal selection decisions: A survey of academic researchers
Authors: Rowley Jennifer , Sbaffi Laura
Published: March 2021

This article examines the impact of gender on researchers' journal selection decisions, and thereby seeks to contribute to previous research on the impact of gender on academics' career progression and publishing performance. Prior research suggests that female academics suffer from lower levels of career progression and publishing than male academics. Research suggests various explicit factors that might influence this scenario, including bias in hiring, choice of discipline, and under‐representation of women in the academic workforce. However, no previous research has explored the factors associated with the publishing process itself that may also come into play. Using an international survey, this article explores gender differences in relation to journal choice factors including: expectations regarding the reviewing process, university policies and norms, familiarity with the journal, confidence, and publishing objectives. While both genders agree on the importance of some factors, it is also evident that women are more alert to issues of authority, expectations placed on them regarding publishing high‐quality articles, and career progression than are men. Men prioritize familiarity, experience, and speed more highly than do women. The findings suggest that women are focussed on what is required to succeed in the academic environment but further research on the relative engagement of women in all aspects of scholarly publication would help to provide a wider picture.
Unexpected role of communities colonizing dead coral substrate in the calcification of coral reefs
Authors: Romanó de Orte Manoela , Koweek David A. , Cyronak Tyler , Takeshita Yuichiro , Griffin Alyssa , Wolfe Kennedy , Szmant Alina , Whitehead Robert , Albright Rebecca , Caldeira Ken
Published: March 2021

Global and local anthropogenic stressors such as climate change, acidification, overfishing, and pollution are expected to shift the benthic community composition of coral reefs from dominance by calcifying organisms to dominance by non‐calcifying algae. These changes could reduce the ability of coral reef ecosystems to maintain positive net calcium carbonate accretion. However, relationships between community composition and calcification rates remain unclear. We performed field experiments to quantify the metabolic rates of the two most dominant coral reef substrate types, live coral and dead coral substrate colonized by a mixed algal assemblage, using a novel underwater respirometer. Our results revealed that calcification rates in the daytime were similar for the live coral and dead coral substrate communities. However, in the dark, while live corals continued to calcify at slower rates, the dead coral substrate communities exhibited carbonate dissolution. Daytime net photosynthesis of the dead coral substrate communities was up to five times as much as for live corals, which we hypothesize may have created favorable conditions for the precipitation of carbonate minerals. We conclude that: (1) calcification from dead coral substrate communities can contribute to coral reef community calcification during the day, and (2) dead coral substrate communities can also contribute to carbonate mineral dissolution at night, decreasing ecosystem calcification over a diel cycle. This provides evidence that reefs could shift from slow, long‐term accretion of calcium carbonate to a state where large daily cycling of calcium carbonate occurs, but with little or no long‐term accumulation of the carbonate minerals needed to sustain the reef against erosional forces.
Quantifying adherence of oxide scales on steels exposed to high temperature and pressure steam
Authors: Pillai Rishi , Pearson Samuel , Gussev Maxim N. , Watkins Thomas R. , Pint Bruce A.
Published: March 2021

Oxide scale exfoliation is a major concern in fossil fuel power generation because it can cause tube blockages and erode valves and steam turbine components downstream. There is still considerable scientific and commercial interest to improve the mechanistic understanding of oxide failures by developing models to predict exfoliation and the extent of tube blockage as a function of operating conditions and component geometries. Tensile testing inside a scanning electron microscope was conducted on ferritic–martensitic and austenitic steel specimens with the steam side (Fe,Cr)‐rich oxides grown after exposures for up to 1000 h in steam with ~100 ppb O2 at 276 bar and 550°C. Multiple oxide layer cracks and delamination events were observed and analyzed in detail during the tests. Results from the testing agreed well with earlier observations that had identified the failure location at the outer–inner oxide layer for all tested materials. Calculated adhesion energies identified the outer–inner oxide interface of alloy 347HFG as the weakest interface.
Production of Green Star/Linear PLA Blends by Extrusion and Injection Molding: Tailoring Rheological and Mechanical Performances of Conventional PLA
Authors: Scoponi Giulia , Francini Nora , Athanassiou Athanassia
Published: March 2021

In this work, bio‐based products composed of blends of a star‐shaped poly(d,l‐lactide) (star‐PDLLA) and a conventional linear poly(l‐lactide) (linear‐PLLA) are produced by typical large‐scale manufacturing techniques for thermoplastic blends. In the first case, the two polymers are blended through melt extrusion, producing pellets that are subsequently compression‐molded into the final bio‐based polymer films. Alternatively, the star/linear poly(lactide) (PLA) materials are developed by direct blending through injection molding, a process that generally applies after a preblending extrusion step to ensure proper mixing. Thermomechanical degradation induced by the different processes is evaluated, and the performances of the final star/linear PLA products are thoroughly compared. The effect of the short‐branched, amorphous, star polymeric component on thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties of the conventional PLLA is comprehensively investigated, revealing that the star‐PDLLA incorporation promotes the formation of a more flexible and tougher material with reduced capability of crystallization. Most importantly, star‐PDLLA decreases the melt viscosity of the final material, while increasing the shear‐thinning behavior, hence facilitating melt flow during manufacturing. Such properties lead to enhanced material ductility and processability, with respect to typically brittle and viscous conventional PLLA‐based materials. Moreover, the tuning of final material performances can be achieved by simply varying the star‐PDLLA content.
On some equation defined on the whole euclidean space ℝN and involving the p(u)‐Laplacian
Authors: Aouaoui Sami , Bahrouni Ala Eddine
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we deal with some new kinds of problems defined on the whole euclidean space
involving an operator with variable exponent which depends on the unknown solution u. In the first part of this work, we treat a local second‐order partial differential equation, that is, when the exponent depends on the variable
through the unknown solution u. In the second part, we study the nonlocal version of the first problem; more precisely, we are interested in the situation where the exponent depends on a scalar function of u. A suitable approximation scheme is performed, and the process of passage to the limit is completed using some sophisticated arguments. These results are immediately extended to some fourth‐order problem with variable exponents depending on the unknown function u as well as one or many of its partial derivatives ∂u/∂xj, 1 ≤ j ≤ N.
On Lie symmetry analysis of nonhomogeneous generalized inviscid and fractional Burgers' equation
Authors: Saqib Muhammad , Hussain Qamar , Hamid Kara Abdul , Zaman Fiazuddin
Published: March 2021

Nonhomogeneous inviscid Burgers' equation arises in one‐dimensional inviscid flow in the presence of external force. Inter alia, its applications are in optics: nonlinear fibre and geometrical, for example. We study a generalized form of this equation from Lie symmetry stand point. Reductions and invariant solutions are presented using the similarity variables thus obtained. To account for modeling of diffusion process by fractional time derivative, Lie symmetries and reduction of time‐fractional inviscid Burgers' equation are also presented.
Second‐order oscillation of non‐canonical functional dynamical equations on time scales
Authors: Grace Said R. , Chhatria G. N. , Abbas Syed
Published: March 2021

The goal of this paper is to study the oscillation of the following second‐order nonlinear functional dynamic equationThe main aim is to establish the necessary and sufficient conditions for the oscillation of the equation. The results are obtained whenα > βandα < β. At the end, examples are provided to illustrate the analytical findings. We point out that the results are new even for the case and .
Technical Note: Single‐pulse beam characterization for FLASH‐RT using optical imaging in a water tank
Authors: Ashraf M. Ramish , Rahman Mahbubur , Zhang Rongxiao , Cao Xu , Williams Benjamin B. , Hoopes P. Jack , Gladstone David J. , Pogue Brian W. , Bruza Petr
Published: March 2021

Purpose

High dose rate conditions, coupled with problems related to small field dosimetry, make dose characterization for FLASH‐RT challenging. Most conventional dosimeters show significant dependence on dose rate at ultra‐high dose rate conditions or fail to provide sufficiently fast temporal data for pulse to pulse dosimetry. Here fast 2D imaging of radioluminescence from a water and quinine phantom was tested for dosimetry of individual 4 μs linac pulses.

Methods

A modified clinical linac delivered an electron FLASH beam of >50 Gy/s to clinical isocenter. This modification removed the x‐ray target and flattening filter, leading to a beam that was symmetric and gaussian, as verified with GafChromic EBT‐XD film. Lateral projected 2D dose distributions for each linac pulse were imaged in a quinine‐doped water tank using a gated intensified camera, and an inverse Abel transform reconstruction provided 3D images for on‐axis depth dose values. A total of 20 pulses were delivered with a 10 MeV, 1.5 cm circular beam, and beam with jaws wide open (40 × 40 cm2), and a 3D dose distribution was recovered for each pulse. Beam output was analyzed on a pulse by pulse basis.

Results

The Rp, Dmax, and the R50 measured with film and optical methods agreed to within 1 mm for the 1.5 cm circular beam and the beam with jaws wide open. Cross beam profiles for both beams agreed with film data with >95% passing rate (2%/2 mm gamma criteria). The optical central axis depth dose agreed with film data, except for near the surface. A temporal pulse analysis revealed a ramp‐up period where the dose per pulse increased for the first few pulses and then stabilized.

Conclusions

Optical imaging of radioluminescence was presented as a valuable tool for establishing a baseline for the recently initiated electron FLASH beam at our institution.
Solution state structure and equilibria of lanthanide (fod)3 complexes revisited: A 1H, 13C and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance study of Eu(fod)3
Authors: Szalontai Gábor
Published: March 2021

In a qualitative approach, variable temperature 1H, 19F and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to characterize the solution state structure and equilibria of the widely used lanthanide solvent reagent Eu(fod)3. Despite the fact that the side chain fluorines are far from the coordination site, the 19F–1H NMR spectra turned out to be sensitive reporters of self‐coordination and/or adduct formation with other ligands. For example, they predict/explain immediately the otherwise hardly predictable magnitude of the expectable paramagnetic effects. The temperature‐dependent Fermi‐contact effects observed in the 13C{1H} spectra were extremely important aides in their assignments. The equilibria could be manipulated by changing the solvent used and/or the reagent/ligand molar ratio. Depending on their coordination ability, the solvents possess a certain control over the adduct life times. Sharpening of the 19F signals in the presence of associative solvent molecules such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or CH3CN is an indication of changing complex structure (shifting the equilibrium towards the monomeric form). In apolar solvents, relaxation and diffusion data confirmed the oligomerization of the Eu(fod)3–d27 chelate complexes already at relatively low (≥3.0 mg/0.4 ml) concentration.
Goods reinforcement from waste leather, fabric, and low‐density polyethylene by using plant binder
Authors: Alemu Ketema , Assefa Tariku , Debebe Ayalew , Solomon Biniyam , Hailu Yordanos
Published: March 2021

The apparel industry is considered to be one of the most polluting manufacturing industries and it generates a large number of wastes that can harm the environment. Ignorance of the waste of finished and used leather and fabric leads to environmental pollution. Converting this solid waste into efficient products is proving to be a challenge. The article examines the possible use of waste leather, fabric, and low‐density polyethylene to develop composites using plant binder. This composite material has a comparable tensile strength (23.6 ± 0.16 μm), the flexibility of 89%, and very reasonable elongation at break (31.40%) when compared to the standard reinforcement material of leather goods since the commercial reinforcement have tensile strength of 15–25 μm; flexibility 50%–90% and 25–40 (Teklay, 2018). The mechanical properties of the flexible composite were promising and made it possible to use it in the leather and textile industries in goods manufacturing as reinforcement of bag. Therefore, the study uncovered a new concept for making composite materials that are environmentally friendly and cost effective as reinforcement of bag manufacturing.
Lesion location may attenuate response to strategy training in acute stroke
Authors: Skidmore Elizabeth R. , Shih Minmei , Terhorst Lauren , O'Connor Erin E
Published: March 2021

Background

Strategy training, a rehabilitation intervention, reduces disability and improves functional skills associated with goal‐directed behavior. Stroke lesions impacting selected ventromedial regions of interest associated with initiation of goal‐directed behavior may attenuate intervention response. If so, strategy training may not be optimal for people with stroke lesions in these regions.

Objective

To examine whether ventromedial regions of interest attenuate changes in disability status attributed to strategy training.

Design

Secondary analysis of data from two randomized controlled clinical trials.

Setting

Inpatient stroke rehabilitation.

Participants

People with acute stroke diagnosis and available diagnostic studies enrolled in inpatient rehabilitation randomized controlled studies between 2009 and 2017.

Intervention

Participants were randomized to strategy training or a control condition in addition to the usual care during inpatient rehabilitation.

Main Outcome Measures

Diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging studies were retrieved from electronic medical records, and stroke lesion location was characterized by a neuroradiologist. Intervention response was defined by Functional Independence Measure change scores of 22 points or greater.

Results

Only 186 of 275 participants had diagnostic studies available; 13 patients showed no apparent lesion on their diagnostic study. Among 173 cases, 156 had complete data at discharge (strategy training n = 71, control n = 85). Twenty‐five cases had a lesion within a region of interest (strategy training n = 14, control n = 11). Intervention response was attenuated in the strategy training group for those with lesions in regions of interest [χ2(1, n = 71) = 4.60, P = .03], but not for those in the control group [Fisher exact test, n = 85, P = .19).

Conclusions

Lesions in the ventromedial regions of interest may attenuate response to strategy training.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia as a determinant of respiratory outcomes in adult life
Authors: Collaco Joseph M. , McGrath‐Morrow Sharon A.
Published: March 2021

Respiratory disease is unfortunately common in preterm infants with the archetype being bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD affects approximately 50,000 preterm infants in the U.S. annually with substantial morbidity and mortality related to its pathology (alveolar, airway, and pulmonary vasculature maldevelopment). Predicting the likelihood and severity of chronic respiratory disease in these children as they age is difficult and compounded by the lack of consistent phenotyping. Barriers to understanding the actual scope of this problem include few longitudinal studies, information limited by small retrospective studies and the ever‐changing landscape of therapies in the NICU that affect long‐term respiratory outcomes. Thus, the true burden of adult respiratory disease caused by premature birth is currently unknown. Nevertheless, limited data suggest that a substantial percentage of children with a history of BPD have long‐term respiratory symptoms and persistent airflow obstruction associated with altered lung function trajectories into adult life. Small airway disease with variable bronchodilator responsiveness, is the most common manifestation of lung dysfunction in adults with a history of BPD. The etiology of this is unclear however, developmental dysanapsis may underlie the airflow obstruction in some adults with a history of BPD. This type of flow limitation resembles that of aging adults with chronic obstructive lung disease with no history of smoking. It is also unclear whether lung function abnormalities in people with a history of BPD are static or if these individuals with BPD have a more accelerated decline in lung function as they age compared to controls. While some of the more significant mediators of lung function, such as tobacco smoke and respiratory infections have been identified, more work is necessary to identify the best means of preserving lung function for individuals born prematurely throughout their lifespan.
The use of pediatric flexible bronchoscopy in the COVID‐19 pandemic era
Authors: La Regina Domenico Paolo , Nenna Raffaella , Schramm Dirk , Freitag Nadine , Goussard Pierre , Eber Ernst , Midulla Fabio
Published: March 2021

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic because of a novel coronavirus, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). In January 2020, the first transmission to healthcare workers (HCWs) was described. SARS‐CoV‐2 is transmitted between people because of contact, droplets, and airborne. Airborne transmission is caused by aerosols that remain infectious when suspended in air over long distances and time. In the clinical setting, airborne transmission may occur during aerosol generating procedures like flexible bronchoscopy. To date, although the role of children in the transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 is not clear the execution of bronchoscopy is associated with a considerably increased risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission to HCWs. The aim of this overview is to summarize available recommendations and to apply them to pediatric bronchoscopy. We performed systematic literature searches using the MEDLINE (accessed via PubMed) and Scopus databases. We reviewed major recommendations and position statements published at the moment by the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology, WHO, European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and expert groups on the management of patients with COVID‐19 to limit transmission among HCWs. To date there is a lack of recommendations for safe bronchoscopy during the pandemic period. The main indications concern adults and little has been said about children. We have summarized available recommendations and we have applied them to pediatric bronchoscopy.
Lung growth and pulmonary function after prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Moschino Laura , Bonadies Luca , Baraldi Eugenio
Published: March 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) still carries a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality in survivors of extreme prematurity. The disease is characterized by simplification of the alveolar structure, involving a smaller number of enlarged alveoli due to decreased septation and a dysmorphic pulmonary microvessel growth. These changes lead to persistent abnormalities mainly affecting the smaller airways, lung parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature, which can be assessed with lung function tests and imaging techniques. Several longitudinal lung function studies have demonstrated that most preterm‐born subjects with BPD embark on a low lung function trajectory, never achieving their full airway growth potential. They are consequently at higher risk of developing a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease‐like phenotype later in life. Studies based on computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, have also shown that in these patients there is a persistence of lung abnormalities like emphysematous areas, bronchial wall thickening, interstitial opacities, and mosaic lung attenuation also in adult age. This review aims to outline the current knowledge of pulmonary and vascular growth in survivors of BPD and the evidence of their lung function and imaging up to adulthood.
The potential of pro‐insecticides for resistance management
Authors: David Michael D
Published: March 2021

Pro‐insecticides have been a significant part of the insecticide market for decades. Bioactivation of such compounds is generally an enzyme‐controlled process, in which the target insect metabolizes the pro‐form into an active compound. This approach has several potential advantages, including improved bio‐kinetic properties and safety profiles of the pro‐insecticide relative to the active form. A less common advantage of pro‐insecticides is increased activity on metabolically resistant strains. Specific cases in which a pro‐insecticide demonstrates negative cross‐resistance (NCR) on a metabolically resistant strain due to increased bioactivation of the pro‐insecticide have been noted sporadically over the past 50+ years but have not been reviewed before. The purpose of this mini‐review is to catalog the cases in which a pro‐insecticide demonstrated improved activity on an insect strain resistant to a second insecticide via a metabolic mechanism. Cases are relatively rare, but where it does occur the mechanism of NCR is generally recognized as being due to the increased metabolic activity of the resistant strain. These observations can provide learnings with potential application for resistance management if the correct pro‐insecticide is selected for a resistant strain which is better able to bioactivate it. A better understanding of the bioactivation of pro‐insecticides by resistant insects could also aid in insecticide discovery, potentially leading to improved pro‐insecticide design. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Electronic Structure of Cuprates in a Boson–Fermion Mixture Theory
Authors: Mamedov Tofik A. , de Llano Manuel
Published: March 2021

In a nearly‐filled energy band where scattering of electrons is hampered, a pairing interaction between two electrons and quanta in a solid (e.g., phonons or spin‐resonances or some other excitation of electronic origin) can still occur in the s‐channel where a field quantum mediates the coalescence of two fermions into a new composite particle. By describing the attractively‐interacting electrons as a gas mixture of individual electrons plus bosons made up of two electrons, the dependence on momentum of the energy of single electrons is investigated. When the net interaction BCS dimensionless coupling constant λ and the ratio with the maximum energy of a quantum mediating the pairing to the Fermi energy increases, the coalescence of electrons at temperatures higher than the Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) temperature of bosons leads to the appearance of steep (waterfall‐like) changes in the high‐energy electron spectrum of the binary boson–fermion (BF) gas mixture. These waterfall‐like anomalies seen in high‐ superconductors (HTSCs) are in fact a characteristic property of a BF gas mixture and reflect the splitting of the conduction band into two subbands emerging as the number of two‐electron bosons increases.
Relative impact of observations on a regional Arctic numerical weather prediction system
Authors: Randriamampianina Roger , Bormann Niels , Køltzow Morten A. Ø. , Lawrence Heather , Sandu Irina , Wang Zheng Qi
Published: March 2021

The impact of Arctic conventional and satellite observations on regional short‐range weather forecasts is assessed using observing‐system experiments, in which observations are removed (denied) when creating the initial conditions of the forecasts. The experiments are conducted with the AROME‐Arctic regional mesoscale numerical weather prediction system, using as lateral boundary conditions (LBCs) observing‐system experiments performed at the European Centre for Medium‐Range Forecasts (ECMWF) with the global forecasting system. This allows the assessment of the relative impacts of observations on forecast skill through regional data assimilation (DA), through LBCs, and the total impact due to the denial of observations in both the regional and global forecasting systems. The study is conducted during the first and second Special Observing Periods of the Year Of Polar Prediction. The total impact on the upper‐air forecasts is dominated by the impact of observations through their assimilation in the LBCs, while for the winter period the impact on surface fields is dominated by the regional DA. The latter is significant up to 36 hr, while the former impact can last throughout the verified forecast range (48 hr). The use of observations in the LBCs has both significantly positive and significantly negative impacts. In terms of total impact on forecast skill, conventional observations, followed by infrared radiances, have the largest impact on all upper‐air parameters, except for humidity. For upper‐air humidity forecasts, the microwave radiances have the largest impact. In terms of observation impact through regional DA, conventional observations play the largest role for upper‐air temperature and geopotential, microwave for upper‐air humidity, and atmospheric motion vectors and Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) for wind forecast. Regional DA of conventional observations also contributes the most to improvements of surface fields, except for 10‐m winds, for which the microwave temperature‐sensitive radiances are the most important.
Paradoxical bronchospasm: a rare adverse effect of fenoterol use
Authors: Lai Ching‐Han , Liao Xin‐Min
Published: March 2021

Paradoxical bronchospasm refers to the constriction of the airways after treatment with a sympathomimetic bronchodilator. Theoretically, bronchodilators, such as beta‐agonist inhalers, act to ease asthma symptoms by relaxing the muscles surrounding the walls of the bronchial tubes, which relieve bronchial constriction. However, in rare instances, some patients develop respiratory distress or even respiratory failure after inhaled bronchodilator use, although the exact mechanism for this adverse effect is unknown. We report a male, with a known asthma history diagnosed for more than one decade, receiving fenoterol (Berotec®) for wheezing control and the worsening of his clinical condition immediately after bronchodilator administration.