bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary Ethnobiology
Authors: Ferreira Júnior Washington Soares , de Medeiros Patricia Muniz , Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino
Published: January 2019

Ethnobiology is a discipline that deals with understanding the relationship between human beings and biota. The strong interdisciplinary component of ethnobiology allows it to interact with different fields of knowledge. The evolutionary approach in ethnobiology is not completely absent; however, it lacks systematisation, which has been recently proposed. From this proposal, the evolutionary ethnobiology emerged. This approach studies the relations between human groups and biota from theoretical scenarios of ecology and evolution. This article presents the evolutionary ethnobiology, its key concepts, the theoretical scenarios with which it dialogues and the main findings of the recent investigations in this approach.

Key Concepts

Evolutionary ethnobiology seeks the understanding of people–biota interactions from ecological and evolutionary scenarios.

The field has an interdisciplinary nature in order to dialogue with scenarios from different disciplines, such as cultural evolution, evolutionary psychology and niche construction theory.

Evolutionary ethnobiology deals with theoretical scenarios related to biological evolution and cultural evolution, usually seeking the association of both.

This scientific field studies not only the structure and dynamics of social–ecological systems but also the forms and biases of cultural learning related to these systems.

The adaptive strategies present in human populations, whether they are genetically fixed or products of cultural evolution, are usually based on obtaining security in the use of natural resources.
Cryptic Species and Their Evolutionary Significance
Authors: Struck Torsten H , Cerca José
Published: January 2019

Cryptic species are detected at an ever‐increasing rate, mainly due to the application of molecular data. While the impact of this hidden diversity on macro‐ecology and conversation biology is widely recognized, its evolutionary significance is rarely. In recent years, it became apparent that definitions of cryptic species are too ambiguous to allow the differentiation between natural phenomena from human‐made artefacts. Hence, recently, a unifying conceptual framework has been proposed highlighting the necessity to test the degree of reduced phenotypic disparity in cryptic species. Within this reduced disparity also lies the evolutionary significance, as cryptic species can be regarded as the opposite of adaptive radiations. Specifically, studies on evolutionary stasis can substantially benefit from including these by addressing both patterns of reduced disparity and processes resulting in the lack of phenotypic evolution. In addition, this will allow connecting macro‐evolutionary and paleontological studies with micro‐evolutionary investigations of genotype‐phenotype linkage.

Key Concepts

Cryptic species are phenotypically highly similar species.

Species complexes resulting from taxonomic artefacts should not be considered as cryptic species.

To identify cryptic species, first one should establish species boundaries and only then study processes resulting in phenotypic similarity.

Cryptic species could result from recent speciation, parallelism, convergence or stasis.

Evolution of cryptic species through stasis holds the potential to enlighten us about deceleration of phenotypic evolution.

Cryptic species (shallow morphological differences, pronounced genetic divergence) could be considered as the opposite of adaptive radiation (pronounced morphological differences, shallow genetic divergence).
Photostimulation for In Vitro Optogenetics with High‐Power Blue Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Morton Andrew , Murawski Caroline , Deng Yali , Keum Changmin , Miles Gareth B. , Tello Javier A. , Gather Malte C.
Published: January 2019

Optogenetics, photostimulation of neural tissues rendered sensitive to light, is widely used in neuroscience to modulate the electrical excitability of neurons. For effective optical excitation of neurons, light wavelength and power density must fit with the expression levels and biophysical properties of the genetically encoded light‐sensitive ion channels used to confer light sensitivity on cells—most commonly, channelrhodopsins (ChRs). As light sources, organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) offer attractive properties for miniaturized implantable devices for in vivo optical stimulation, but they do not yet operate routinely at the optical powers required for optogenetics. Here, OLEDs with doped charge transport layers are demonstrated that deliver blue light with good stability over millions of pulses, at powers sufficient to activate the ChR, CheRiff when expressed in cultured primary neurons, allowing live cell imaging of neural activity with the red genetically encoded calcium indicator, jRCaMP1a. Intracellular calcium responses scale with the radiant flux of OLED emission, when varied through changes in the current density, number of pulses, frequency, and pulse width delivered to the devices. The reported optimization and characterization of high‐power OLEDs are foundational for the development of miniaturized OLEDs with thin‐layer encapsulation on bioimplantable devices to allow single‐cell activation in vivo.
Poly(alkylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide)‐Based Polymerized Ionic Liquids: A Potential High‐Performance Lubricating Grease
Authors: Wu Jian , Mu Liwen , Feng Xin , Lu Xiaohua , Larsson Roland , Shi Yijun
Published: January 2019

Polymers prepared from ionic liquids are widely called polymerized ionic liquids (PILs). Compared to monocationic and dicationic ILs, PILs have higher molecular weights, charge, and greater intermolecular interactions, which make PILs have a higher possibility to generate better lubricity. PILs of poly‐alkylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (PImC6NTf2) is studied herein. Dicationic ILs of 1,1′‐(pentane‐1,5‐diyl)‐bis(3‐butylimidazolium) bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BIm5‐(NTf2)2) is used as additive to decrease the crystallization temperature of PImC6NTf2. Lubricity of PImC6NTf2 and PImC6NTf2+BIm5‐(NTf2)2, as well as BIm5‐(NTf2)2 for comparison is evaluated under severe conditions, i.e., 3.0 to 3.5 GPa and 200 °C. The rheological study suggests that PImC6NTf2 can be classified into grease. Tribological test results show that PImC6NTf2 has much better antiwear property than BIm5‐(NTf2)2, especially at 3.5 GPa. Adding 4% BIm5‐(NTf2)2 to PImC6NTf2 is able to reduce friction under high pressure. At 200 °C, PImC6NTf2 exhibits excellent lubricity. The mixture of 96%PImC6NTf2+4%BIm5‐(NTf2)2 shows even better antiwear property than neat PImC6NTf2 and exhibits the highest friction reducing property among the ILs at 200 °C. It is speculated that the robust strength of PILs and strong adhesion between PILs and solids are key factors in achieving the excellent antiwear property.
Light‐Permeable Air Filter with Self‐Polarized Nylon‐11 Nanofibers for Enhanced Trapping of Particulate Matters
Authors: Park Daehoon , Kim Minje , Lee Sol , Yoon Ick‐Jae , Lee Kayoung , Lee Min Hyung , Nah Junghyo
Published: January 2019

Recently, there is a growing demand of high‐performance, lightweight, and light‐permeable air filters due to severe air pollution. Nanofiber air filters have been actively investigated to filter out ultrafine particulate matters (PMs) in air. Among various polymer nanofibers, Nylon‐6 nanofibers have been widely adopted to fabricate air filters owing to their mechanical strength and chemical stability. However, the filtering efficiency of the Nylon‐6 air filter is relatively low when it has high light transmittance. Thus, a relatively thick nanofiber layer is required to ensure the filtering efficiency, leading to a high pressure drop and low light transmittance. Herein, the fabrication and performance of an air filter made of ferroelectric Nylon‐11 nanofibers is introduced. The air filters fabricated with ferroelectric Nylon‐11 demonstrate much improved PM filtering efficiency due to their spontaneous polarization. Specifically, for inorganic PMs, a higher filtration efficiency of ≈70% is obtained for trapping PM2.5 using the filter with 80% light transmittance, which is ≈20% higher compared to that of the Nylon‐6 air filter with the same light transmittance. Particularly, the Nylon‐11 air filter exhibits higher quality factors for both organic and inorganic PMs owing to its high filtering efficiency and breathability. The approach introduced herein is a simple route for fabricating high‐performance air filters.
Micro/Nanomachines: from Functionalization to Sensing and Removal
Authors: Zhang Yabin , Yuan Ke , Zhang Li
Published: January 2019

Micro/nanomachines have attracted tremendous interest in chemo/bioanalytical science and environmental remediation due to the synergistic effect of unique motion characteristics and the inherited physicochemical properties from micro/nanomaterials. Past decade has witnessed great progresses on a wide array of micro/nanomachines with diverse functionalities for specific sensing and removal applications. The development of designed materials and structures, the exploration of new propulsion mechanism, and the realization of versatile functionalization are employed for potential applications. In this review, the recent advances in the exploration of functionalized micro/nanomachines are summarized, with special emphasis on the functionalization of micro/nanomachines and their corresponding sensing and removal capability. Possible challenges facing micro/nanomachines in sensing and removal application are discussed, accompanied with the extrapolated perspectives for the future focus.
Arbitrary Polarization Conversion with a Photonic Crystal Slab
Authors: Guo Yu , Xiao Meng , Zhou Yang , Fan Shanhui
Published: January 2019

It is shown that a simple photonic crystal slab structure provides a powerful mechanism for the control of the polarization properties of light. For a lossless system, for a given incident light with any fixed polarization, one can generate arbitrary polarization in the reflected light, as one varies the direction of the incident light. In the lossy system, the capability for arbitrary polarization generation is still preserved for s‐ or p‐polarized incident light. This capability for arbitrary polarization generation closely relates to the nontrivial topological properties of the reflection matrix of the structure and exists over a wide range of frequencies.
Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Arylation of N‐Heteroaryl Aldimines: Elementary Step of a 1,4‐Insertion
Authors: Wu Chunlin , Qin Xurong , Moeljadi Adhitya Mangala Putra , Hirao Hajime , Zhou Jianrong Steve
Published: January 2019

Copper complexes of monodentate phosphoramidites efficiently promote asymmetric arylation of N‐azaaryl aldimines with arylboroxines. DFT calculations and experiments support an elementary step of 1,4‐insertion in the reaction pathway, a step in which an aryl‐copper species adds directly across four atoms of C=N−C=N in the N‐azaaryl aldimines.
Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis Enables the Biomimetic Synthesis of Nyingchinoids A, B, and D, and Rasumatranin D
Authors: Hart Jacob D. , Burchill Laura , Day Aaron J. , Newton Christopher G. , Sumby Christopher J. , Huang David M. , George Jonathan H.
Published: January 2019

The total synthesis of nyingchinoids A and B has been achieved through successive rearrangements of a 1,2‐dioxane intermediate that was assembled using a visible‐light photoredox‐catalysed aerobic [2+2+2] cycloaddition. Nyingchinoid D was synthesised with a competing [2+2] cycloaddition. Based on NMR data and biosynthetic speculation, we proposed a structure revision of the related natural product rasumatranin D, which was confirmed through total synthesis. Under photoredox conditions, we observed the conversion of a cyclobutane into a 1,2‐dioxane through retro‐[2+2] cycloaddition followed by aerobic [2+2+2] cycloaddition.
Photoelectrochemical C−H Alkylation of Heteroarenes with Organotrifluoroborates
Authors: Yan Hong , Hou Zhong‐Wei , Xu Hai‐Chao
Published: January 2019

A photoelectrochemical method for the C−H alkylation of heteroarenes with organotrifluoroborates has been developed. The merger of electrocatalysis and photoredox catalysis provides a chemical oxidant‐free approach for the generation and functionalization of alkyl radicals from organotrifluoroborates. A variety of heteroarenes were functionalized using primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyltrifluoroborates with excellent regio‐ and chemoselectivity.
Supramolecular Control of Photocycloadditions in Solution: In Situ Stereoselective Synthesis and Release of Cyclobutanes
Authors: Ma Li‐Li , An Yuan‐Yuan , Sun Li‐Ying , Wang Yao‐Yu , Hahn F. Ekkehardt , Han Ying‐Feng
Published: January 2019

A new class of supramolecular metallacycles capable of undergoing photochemical reactions and in situ release of cyclobutanes in solution is described. The molecular metallacycles were generated through coordination‐driven self‐assembly of dinuclear metal‐carbene complexes as organometallic clips with olefin‐functionalized bridging ligands. Photolysis of these molecular metallacycles in situ led to structural interconversion and release of the formed cyclobutane products with quantitative conversion. Further modifications of the obtained cyclobutanes provided a series of new species containing the cyclobutane skeleton.
RhIII‐Catalyzed Straightforward Synthesis of Benzophenanthroline and Benzophenanthrolinone Derivatives using Anthranils
Authors: Biswas Aniruddha , Sarkar Souradip , Samanta Rajarshi
Published: January 2019

An efficient pot‐economic and step‐economic RhIII‐catalyzed site‐selective direct amination/annulation strategy was developed for the synthesis of benzophenanthroline derivatives using quinoline N‐oxides and anthranils. The method was further extended to the synthesis of nitrogen‐containing extended π‐conjugated benzophenanthrolinone derivatives. Late‐stage functionalizations of cinchonidine and cinchophen derivatives and synthesis of a bioactive quinolino‐indole were achieved.
A Phase 1 Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial With a Topical Inhibitor of Stearoyl‐Coenzyme A Desaturase 1 Under Occluded and Nonoccluded Conditions
Authors: Brigandi Richard A. , Zhu John , Murnane Amy A. , Reedy Beth Ann , Shakib Sepehr
Published: January 2019

Stearoyl‐coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD‐1) in sebaceous glands is a key enzyme in the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids essential for acne development. GSK1940029 gel, a novel SCD‐1 inhibitor, is being developed as a potential treatment for acne. To assess the irritation potential, pharmacokinetics (PK), and safety of topical GSK1940029 to the skin of healthy adults, two interdependent studies were conducted in parallel. Study 1 (n = 54) investigated the irritation potential of GSK1940029 (0.3% and 1%, occluded application) to allow for its application to larger surface areas in study 2 (n = 39), which investigated the safety, tolerability, and PK of GSK1940029 after single and repeat doses as occluded and nonoccluded applications. GSK1940029 was not a primary or cumulative irritant after 2 and 21 days of dosing in study 1. In study 2, single and repeat applications of GSK1940029 (0.1% to 1%) doses were well tolerated with little or no influence on AUC and Cmax under occluded or unoccluded conditions. Systemic exposure increased proportionally with surface area and was higher in occluded conditions. Design of these interdependent studies allowed for the assessment of the irritation potential for topical GSK1940029 in parallel with the investigation of PK and safety profiles.
Chronic pain induces nociceptive neurogenesis in dorsal root ganglia from Sox2‐positive satellite cells
Authors: Zhang Li , Xie Rougang , Yang Jiping , Zhao Youyi , Qi Chuchu , Bian Ganlan , Wang Mengmeng , Shan Junjia , Wang Chen , Wang Dong , Luo Ceng , Wang Yazhou , Wu Shengxi
Published: January 2019

Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world. The plastic changes of sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) have been extensively studied as the underlying periphery mechanism. Recent studies revealed that satellite cells, the major glial cells in DRG, also played important roles in the development/modulation of chronic pain. Whether DRG satellite glial cells generate new neurons as their counterparts in enteric nerve ganglia and carotid body do under pathological conditions remains poorly investigated. Here, we report that chronic pain induces proliferation and upregulation of progenitor markers in the sex‐determining region Y‐box 2 (Sox2)‐ and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα)‐positive satellite glial cells. BrdU incorporation assay revealed the generation of IB4‐ and CGRP‐positive neurons, but not NF200‐positive neurons in DRG ipsilateral to injury. Genetic fate tracings showed that PDGFRα‐positive cells did not generate neurons, whereas Sox2‐positive cells produced both IB4‐ and CGRP‐positive neurons. Interestingly, glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive cells, a subpopulation of Sox2‐positive satellites, only gave birth to IB4‐positive neurons. Local persistent delivery of tetrodotoxin to the sciatic nerve trunk significantly reduced the pain‐induced neurogenesis. Furthermore, patch‐clamp studies demonstrated that these glia‐derived new neurons could fire action potentials and respond to capsaicin. Taken together, our data demonstrated a chronic pain‐induced nociceptive neurogenesis in DRG from Sox2‐positive satellite cells, indicating a possible contribution of DRG neurogenesis to the pathology of chronic pain.
Dynamic changes of functional segregation and integration in vulnerability and resilience to schizophrenia
Authors: Duan Jia , Xia Mingrui , Womer Fay Y. , Chang Miao , Yin Zhiyang , Zhou Qian , Zhu Yue , Liu Zhuang , Jiang Xiaowei , Wei Shengnan , Anthony O'Neill Francis , He Yong , Tang Yanqing , Wang Fei
Published: January 2019

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a highly heritable disease with neurodevelopmental origins and significant functional brain network dysfunction. Functional network is heavily influenced by neurodevelopment processes and can be characterized by the degree of segregation and integration. This study examines functional segregation and integration in SZ and their first‐degree relatives (high risk [HR]) to better understand the dynamic changes in vulnerability and resiliency, and disease markers. Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired from 137 SZ, 89 HR, and 210 healthy controls (HCs). Small‐worldness σ was computed at voxel level to quantify balance between segregation and integration. Interregional functional associations were examined based on Euclidean distance between regions and reflect degree of segregation and integration. Distance strength maps were used to localize regions of altered distance‐based functional connectivity. σ was significantly decreased in SZ compared to HC, with no differences in high risk (HR). In three‐group comparison, significant differences were noted in short‐range connectivity (primarily in the primary sensory, motor and their association cortices, and the thalamus) and medium/long‐range connectivity (in the prefrontal cortices [PFCs]). Decreased short‐ and increased medium/long‐range connectivity was found in SZ. Decreased short‐range connectivity was seen in SZ and HR, while HR had decreased medium/long‐range connectivity. We observed disrupted balance between segregation and integration in SZ, whereas relatively preserved in HR. Similarities and differences between SZ and HR, specific changes of SZ were found. These might reflect dynamic changes of segregation in primary cortices and integration in PFCs in vulnerability and resilience, and disease markers in SZ.
An analysis of treatment integrity of response interruption and redirection
Authors: Colón Candice L. , Ahearn William H.
Published: January 2019

Response interruption and redirection has been shown to effectively decrease stereotypy, but its application outside an experimental setting has not been well studied. In Experiment 1, decreases in automatically maintained vocal stereotypy were obtained following treatment in a controlled setting for 3 participants diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Descriptive data on the consistency and accuracy of response interruption and redirection were then collected in the classroom setting. Results showed that the consistency of treatment implementation varied across participants and staff members. Failure to implement the treatment was the most common error. However, when response interruption and redirection was implemented, the components were generally carried out as prescribed. In Experiment 2, we conducted a parametric analysis in a controlled setting to test the impact of consistency errors on response interruption and redirection. The results indicated that response interruption and redirection was generally effective at 50% treatment implementation or higher. Furthermore, we observed treatment effects when 25% implementation sessions were interspersed with 100% treatment implementation sessions. Application of response interruption and redirection in light of previous studies and clinical implications are discussed.
Engineered pH‐responsive hydrazone‐carboxylate complexes‐encapsulated 2D matrices for cathepsin‐mediated apoptosis in cancer
Authors: Liu Chen‐Guang , Kankala Ranjith Kumar , Liao Hong‐Yue , Chen Ai‐Zheng , Wang Shi‐Bin
Published: January 2019

Spurred by the current advancements in engineering various intelligent nanoparticle‐based drug delivery systems, conjugation of drugs with the stimuli‐responsive molecular switches has become one of the most efficient approaches to deliver a drug cargo in spatiotemporal controlled fashions. In this study, we fabricated an innovative pH‐triggered hydrazone‐carboxylate complex of doxorubicin (Dox), which was subsequently encapsulated in the layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles for effective cancer therapeutics. These two‐dimensional (2D) biodegradable matrices efficiently delivered Dox by pH‐triggered release in the acidic lysosomal environment and their subsequent escape to cytosol. Moreover, the delivered Dox molecules and high positively‐charged surfaces of LDHs facilitated the cancer cell ablation via enhancing the cathepsins‐mediated cell apoptosis assisted by free radical species generation. The critical advancements in the nanoparticle‐based designs and substantial ablation of tumor cells through a free radical attack indicate that the designed pH‐triggered drug composites can be used for efficient cancer therapeutics. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1184–1194, 2019.
Crossing muscle fibers of the human tongue resolved in vivo using constrained spherical deconvolution
Authors: Voskuilen Luuk , Mazzoli Valentina , Oudeman Jos , Balm Alfons J.M. , van der Heijden Ferdinand , Froeling Martijn , de Win Maartje M.L. , Strijkers Gustav J. , Smeele Ludi E. , Nederveen Aart J.
Published: January 2019

Background

Surgical resection of tongue cancer may impair swallowing and speech. Knowledge of tongue muscle architecture affected by the resection could aid in patient counseling. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) enables reconstructions of muscle architecture in vivo. Reconstructing crossing fibers in the tongue requires a higher‐order diffusion model.

Purpose

To develop a clinically feasible diffusion imaging protocol, which facilitates both DTI and constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD) reconstructions of tongue muscle architecture in vivo.

Study Type

Cross‐sectional study.

Subjects/Specimen

One ex vivo bovine tongue resected en bloc from mandible to hyoid bone. Ten healthy volunteers (mean age 25.5 years; range 21–34 years; four female).

Field Strength/Sequence

Diffusion‐weighted echo planar imaging at 3 T using a high‐angular resolution diffusion imaging scheme acquired twice with opposing phase‐encoding for B0‐field inhomogeneity correction. The scan of the healthy volunteers was divided into four parts, in between which the volunteers were allowed to swallow, resulting in a total acquisition time of 10 minutes.

Assessment

The ability of resolving crossing muscle fibers using CSD was determined on the bovine tongue specimen. A reproducible response function was estimated and the optimal peak threshold was determined for the in vivo tongue. The quality of tractography of the in vivo tongue was graded by three experts.

Statistical Tests

The within‐subject coefficient of variance was calculated for the response function. The qualitative results of the grading of DTI and CSD tractography were analyzed using a multilevel proportional odds model.

Results

Fiber orientation distributions in the bovine tongue specimen showed that CSD was able to resolve crossing muscle fibers. The response function could be determined reproducibly in vivo. CSD tractography displayed significantly improved tractography compared with DTI tractography (P = 0.015).

Data Conclusion

The 10‐minute diffusion imaging protocol facilitates CSD fiber tracking with improved reconstructions of crossing tongue muscle fibers compared with DTI.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:96–105.
Signet ring cell features with peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy are associated with poor overall survival
Authors: Solomon Daniel , DeNicola Natasha , Feingold Daniela , Liu Peter H , Aycart Samantha , Golas Benjamin J , Sarpel Umut , Labow Daniel M , Magge Deepa R.
Published: January 2019

Background

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) is effective in select patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Signet ring cell (SRC) pathology is associated with poor prognosis. The role of CRS/HIPEC in this population is unclear.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with PC due to appendiceal (AC), colorectal (CRC), and gastric cancer (GC) undergoing CRS/HIPEC 2007‐2016 were included.

Results

A total of 268 patients were referred for CRS/HIPEC. Of the 204 patients who underwent complete CRS/HIPEC, 101 (49.5%) had AC, 85 (41.7%) CRC, and 18 (8.8%) GC. Patients with GC had higher rates of SRC pathology than AC and CRC: 12 (66.7%) vs 16 (15.8%) and 10 (11.7%). The 3‐year survival rate after CRS/HIPEC was 5.7% for the SRC group and 66.1% for the non‐SRC group (P < 0.001). This was true for both AC and CRC subgroups (P < 0.001 for both). Overall, patients with SRC were more likely to have a peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score > 15 (P = 0.046). Upon multivariate analysis of the SRC population, PCI > 20 (P = 0.007) and GC (P = 0.008) were found to be independent predictors of poor overall survival.

Conclusions

Performing CRS/HIPEC for PC from gastrointestinal malignancies presenting SRC features is recommended on patients with select diseases of appendiceal and colorectal origins.
Microsurgical head and neck reconstruction in patients with coronary artery disease: A perioperative assessment algorithm
Authors: Scaglioni Marie‐Therese , Giovanoli Pietro , Scaglioni Mario F. , Yang Johnson Chia‐Shen
Published: January 2019

Background

With the rising number of patients in advanced age receiving microsurgical procedures, coronary artery disease (CAD) and its challenging management is of increasing importance. Evidence based data concerning morbidity and mortality are rare. We present our experiences with this highly selected patient population and propose a preoperative assessment algorithm.

Patients and methods

Between January 2006 and May 2016, a total of 57 patients with CAD received 58 free flaps. Median age of our patients was 64 years (interquartile range 57.5‐70.0). Squamous cell carcinoma was the reason for reconstruction in all cases. Defect of the buccal, gum, tongue, lip, trigone, palatal, and hypopharyngeal regions were reconstructed. Patient characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. We especially focused on the preoperative cardiac assessment and treatment of patients who were scheduled for microsurgical free tissue transfer such as medical history, cardiac risk assessment, and further cardiac testing such as Doppler‐echocardiography and myocardial perfusion assessment. Intraoperative course as well as postoperative morbidity and mortality was described.

Results

About 54.4% of the selected cohort received cardiac catheterization due to a clinical preoperative cardiac assessment performed individually by the cardiologist on duty. In total, 52 fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh flaps, four osteocutaneous fibula flaps, and two radial forearm flaps were performed. The flap survival rate was 96.6%. The overall surgical complication rate was 28.1% (16 patients), mostly due to wound infections (seven cases) and partial flap necrosis (four cases). Three patients died, resulting in a mortality rate of 5.2%.

Conclusion

CAD patients receiving head and neck microsurgical reconstructions are still at high risk for adverse consequences due to surgery. The microsurgical community is requested to share the experience of those cases in order to develop reliable and evidence based statements of the perioperative risks and prognosis for these patients. We additionally introduce a standardized perioperative cardiac assessment and treatment algorithm for head and neck surgery patients with CAD.
Development of a standoff terahertz imaging system for concealed weapon detection
Authors: Shi Xiang , Chen Jian
Published: January 2019

In this article, terahertz imaging system based on a single‐channel 360 GHz transceiver front‐end and optical‐machine scanning platform, is studied. The transmitting antenna is irradiated by a wide beam of a small aperture antenna to reduce the “angular glint” effect caused by high frequency electromagnetic radiation. The receiving antenna is of a large aperture to ensure high resolution. Beam scanning is achieved through a fast conical scanning method using a total reflector to achieve fast real‐time imaging.
Interest groups in Croatia: Institutional development, strategies, and influence
Authors: Petak Zdravko , Vidačak Igor , Dvorny Dalibor
Published: January 2019

As it transitions to democracy from a history of authoritarianism, Croatia's interest group system is a work in progress. It is slowly moving from a fluid, informal, and behind the scenes group system to one more institutionalized, with wider participation, and some transparency of group activity. In this article, we explain the evolution of Croatia's interest group system. The main argument is that specific features of institutional design and structures have very much influenced political advocacy behaviour and lobbying strategies of both informal and organized interests.
Changing social stratification inVienna:Why are migrants declining from the middle of society?
Authors: Riederer Bernhard , Verwiebe Roland , Seewann Lena
Published: January 2019

The social stratification systems of major cities are transforming all around the globe. International research has been discussing this trend and focus on changing occupational classes. However, the precise effects on urban households, taking social welfare and different family arrangements into account, as well as the precise effects on people with a migration background, remain unclear. Using the example of Vienna, this article examines immigration as a key dimension for social stratification. Although household income structures in Austria have remained comparatively stable over the past two decades, the middle‐income share in Vienna (as the sole metropolis in Austria) has dramatically decreased. This predominantly affects people from migrant backgrounds. Using a comprehensive dataset (two waves,N = 16,700 participants, includingN = 4,500 migrants), we systematically examine the role of (a) migration‐specific and (b) education‐ and employment‐related factors to explain the decline of middle‐income migrants. The results of multinomial logistic regression and decomposition analyses suggest that transformations in the labour market is the main driving force. Changing migrant characteristics have counteracted this process. If today's migrants displayed similar showed characteristics (e.g., origin and educational levels) to those prevalent in the past decade, the ethnic stratification disparities would have been even stronger.
Preparation and Properties of High‐Quality CexLayPryNd0.05Gd0.05B6 Single Crystal by Optical Float‐Zone Technique
Authors: Ning Shu‐Yu , Iitaka Toshiaki , Xu Dan‐dan , Li Zhi , Wang Yan , Yang Xin‐Yu , Zhang Jiu‐Xing
Published: January 2019

The work functions of LnB6 (Ln = Pr, Nd, and Gd) at (100) plane are systematically studied by first‐principles calculation based on density functional theory. It reveals that the work function of LnB6 at (100) plane obeys the relation of Φ(PrB6) < Φ(NdB6) < Φ(GdB6). The high‐quality CexLayPryNd0.05Gd0.05B6 (x = 0.5, y = 0.2 or x = 0.6, y = 0.15 or x = 0.7, y = 0.1) single crystals are successfully prepared by the optical float‐zone technique. The crystal quality and emission properties of single crystals are characterized by rotating target X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction, X‐ray Laue diffraction, and the thermal electron emission measurements. The results present that the as‐grown single crystals are of high quality and lower work function than single crystal CeB6. The maximum emission current density of 60.69 A cm−2 obtained at 1873 K under the applied voltage of 4000 V belongs to the Ce0.5La0.2Pr0.2Nd0.05Gd0.05B6 single crystal with (100) surface.
Identification of higenamine as a novel α1‐adrenergic receptor antagonist
Authors: Zhang Nana , Qu Kai , Wang Minjie , Yin Qian , Wang Wenjing , Xue Lixiang , Fu Haian , Zhu Haibo , Li Zijian
Published: January 2019

The α1‐adrenoceptor (α1‐AR) antagonists are potential candidates for the treatment of blood pressure. Higenamine (HG) is a novel α1‐AR antagonist. In this study, we investigated the effects of HG in HEK293A cells transfected with α1A‐, α1B‐, and α1D‐AR in vitro, rat mesenteric artery ex vivo, Wistar–Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats in vivo. The radioligand binding assay showed that HG competitively inhibited the binding of [3H]‐prazosin to α1‐AR in a concentration‐dependent manner. The affinities (pKi) of HG for the cloned α1A‐, α1B‐, and α1D‐AR were 6.57, 6.48, and 6.35, respectively, indicating that HG displayed no selectivity for the three α1‐AR subtypes. In in vitro studies, HG was able to blunt inositol monophosphate production. It also displayed an inhibitory effect on the influx and entry of calcium ions and phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 induced by phenylephrine (PE). In ex vivo studies, PE caused a dose‐dependent inotropic response curve, and the pA2 value for HG was 6.86 ± 0.29. In addition, the in vivo results showed that HG could decrease the blood pressure in normotension, spontaneous hypertension, and PE‐induced hypertension models. These results indicate that HG can directly bind to α1‐AR and it appears to be a novel antagonist for α1‐AR, which may contribute to its hypotensive effect.
In Situ Growth of Ag Nanodots Decorated Cu2O Porous Nanobelts Networks on Copper Foam for Efficient HER Electrocatalysis
Authors: Song Caixia , Zhao Zeyu , Sun Xinxin , Zhou Yanhong , Wang Ying , Wang Debao
Published: January 2019

Developing earth‐abundant electrocatalysts for high‐efficiency hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has become one of the leading research frontiers in energy conversion. Here, the design and in situ growth of Ag nanodots decorated Cu2O porous nanobelts networks on Cu foam (denoted as Ag@Cu2O/CF) are carried out via a simple one‐pot solution strategy at room temperature. Serving as self‐supporting electrocatalysts, Ag@Cu2O porous nanobelts provide plentiful active sites, and the 3D hybrid foams provide fast transportation for electrolyte and short diffusion path for newly formed H2 bubbles, which result in excellent electrocatalytic HER activity and long‐term stability. Owing to the synergistic effect between Ag nanodots and Cu2O porous nanobelts and CF, the hybrid electrocatalyst exhibits a low Tafel slope of 58 mV dec−1, a small overpotential of 108 mV at 10 mA cm−2, and high durability for more than 20 h at a potential of 200 mV for HER in 1.0 mol L−1 KOH solution.
On optimal operational sequence of components in a warm standby system
Authors: Finkelstein Maxim , Hazra Nil Kamal , Cha Ji Hwan
Published: January 2019

We consider an open problem of obtaining the optimal operational sequence for the 1-out-of-n system with warm standby. Using the virtual age concept and the cumulative exposure model, we show that the components should be activated in accordance with the increasing sequence of their lifetimes. Lifetimes of the components and the system are compared with respect to the stochastic precedence order and its generalization. Only specific cases of this optimal problem were considered in the literature previously.
New nonparametric classes of distributions in terms of mean time to failure in age replacement
Authors: Izadi Muhyiddin , Sharafi Maryam , Khaledi Baha-Eldin
Published: January 2019

The mean time to failure (MTTF) function in age replacement is used to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the age replacement policy. In this paper, based on the MTTF function, we introduce two new nonparametric classes of lifetime distributions with nonmonotonic mean time to failure in age replacement; increasing then decreasing MTTF (IDMTTF) and decreasing then increasing MTTF (DIMTTF). The implications between these classes of distributions and some existing classes of nonmonotonic ageing classes are studied. The characterizations of IDMTTF and DIMTTF in terms of the scaled total time on test transform are also obtained.
Generalized monotonicity in terms of differential inequalities
Authors: Bessenyei Mihály
Published: January 2019

The classical notions of monotonicity and convexity can be characterized via the nonnegativity of the first and the second derivative, respectively. These notions can be extended applying Chebyshev systems. The aim of this note is to characterize generalized monotonicity in terms of differential inequalities, yielding analogous results to the classical derivative tests. Applications in the fields of convexity and differential inequalities are also discussed.
Infinite families of congruences modulo 5 and 7 for the cubic partition function
Authors: Yao Olivia X. M.
Published: January 2019

In 2010, Hei-Chi Chan introduced the cubic partition function a(n) in connection with Ramanujan's cubic continued fraction. Chen and Lin, and Ahmed, Baruah and Dastidar proved that a(25n + 22) ≡ 0 (mod 5) for n ⩾ 0. In this paper, we prove several infinite families of congruences modulo 5 and 7 for a(n). Our results generalize the congruence a(25n + 22) ≡ 0 (mod 5) and four congruences modulo 7 for a(n) due to Chen and Lin. Moreover, we present some non-standard congruences modulo 5 for a(n) by using an identity of Newman. For example, we prove that $a((({15\times 17^{3\alpha }+1})/{8})) \equiv 3^{\alpha +1} \ ({\rm mod}\ 5)$ for α ⩾ 0.
Observational Evidence for Summer Rainfall at Titan's North Pole
Authors: Dhingra Rajani D. , Barnes Jason W. , Brown Robert H. , Burrati Bonnie J. , Sotin Christophe , Nicholson Phillip D. , Baines Kevin H. , Clark Roger N. , Soderblom Jason M. , Jauman Ralf , Rodriguez Sebastien , Mouélic Stéphane Le , Turtle Elizabeth P. , Perry Jason E. , Cottini Valeria , Jennings Don E.
Published: January 2019

Methane rain on Saturn's moon Titan makes it the only place, other than Earth, where rain interacts with the surface. When and where that rain wets the surface changes seasonally in ways that remain poorly understood. Here we report the discovery of a bright ephemeral feature covering an area of 120,000 km2 near Titan's north pole in observations from Cassini's near‐infrared instrument, Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer on 7 June 2016. Based on the overall brightness, spectral characteristics, and geologic context, we attribute this new feature to specular reflections from a rain‐wetted solid surface like those off of a sunlit wet sidewalk. The reported observation is the first documented rainfall event at Titan's north pole and heralds the arrival of the northern summer (through climatic evidence), which has been delayed relative to model predictions. This detection helps constrain Titan's seasonal change and shows that the “wet‐sidewalk effect can be used to identify other rain events.”
Spatial Gradients in Geomagnetic Storm Time Currents Observed by Swarm Multispacecraft Mission
Authors: Vichare Geeta , Thomas Neethal , Shiokawa Kazau , Bhaskar Ankush , Sinha Ashwini Kumar
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a comprehensive study of geomagnetic storm time currents using magnetic field recorded by multispacecraft polar‐orbiting mission, Swarm. During geomagnetic storm period, the magnetic field variations obtained after removing the internal geomagnetic field and quiet time contributions can be considered as a proxy for storm time currents and are found to follow the temporal profile of Dst index very closely. These variations at the equatorial crossings recorded by multiple‐spacecraft are used to estimate the Dst values and are found to have a good match with the ground‐based Dst index. The average deviation between these two is around 4–13%. We have estimated the asymmetry by taking the difference between the magnetic field variations at two local time sectors separated by 12 hr. The estimated asymmetry shows a good match with the AsyH‐index, especially when satellite traverses in the dawn‐dusk sector. In general, the magnetic field variations are stronger in the night‐to‐dusk sector than day‐to‐dawn sector, which could be due to the larger pressure‐gradients near night‐to‐dusk caused by ion movements. The important advantage of Swarm mission is that it provides an opportunity to investigate the longitudinal gradients in the storm time magnetic fields. It is observed that in general, the gradients are stronger during the main phase of the storm, centered near the equator with a latitudinal width of ~20–30° in both the hemispheres, and are supportive to the scenario of particle‐injection from the magnetotail. The stronger gradients are observed at higher latitudes (~40°) during the episodes of substorms and might be associated with the ionospheric/field‐aligned currents.
Revisiting Enigmatic Martian Slope Streaks
Authors: Bhardwaj Anshuman , Sam Lydia , Mart�n‐Torres F. , Zorzano Mar�a-Paz
Published: January 2019

Slope streaks of different sizes and shapes are a common feature on the surface of Mars, but scientists disagree about the mechanisms for their formation and development.
Coral Microbiomes Offer Clues for Resilience and Conservation
Authors: Pontecorvo Emily
Published: January 2019

Some coral species might be better equipped to adapt to a warmer, more acidic ocean. Finding out which ones, and why, could be the key to saving reefs around the world.
Highly flexible memristive devices based on MoS2 quantum dots sandwiched between PMSSQ layers
Authors: Perumal Veeramalai Chandrasekar , Li Fushan , Guo Tailiang , Kim Tae Whan
Published: January 2019

A hydrothermal synthesis of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) monolayer QDs and their application to flexible memristive devices have been demonstrated.
Anti-asthmatic activity of alkaloid compounds from Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Citrus reticulata‘Chachi’)
Authors: Fu Manqin , Zou Bo , An Kejing , Yu Yuanshan , Tang Daobang , Wu Jijun , Xu Yujuan , Ti Huihui
Published: January 2019

Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (PCR,Citrus reticulata‘Chachi’, Guangchenpi in Chinese) is one of the most famous Chinese citrus herbal medicines.
The role of ketyl radicals in free radical photopolymerization: new experimental and theoretical insights
Authors: Christmann Julien , Allonas Xavier , Ley Christian , Croutxé-Barghorn Céline
Published: January 2019

In this work, the role of ketyl radicals produced by the abstraction of a hydrogen from an amine by a thioxanthone-based photoinitiator is considered within the scope of the free radical photopolymerization process.
Pushing the limits of robust and eco-friendly ATRP processes: untreated water as the solvent
Authors: Mendonça Patrícia V. , Oliveira Andreia S. R. , Ribeiro Jessica P. M. , Castilho Ana , Serra Arménio C. , Coelho Jorge F. J.
Published: January 2019

ATRP can be performed in untreated water without addition of halide salts, with no deleterious effect on the polymerization control.
Temperature effect on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) for phosphorus release of anaerobic sludge
Authors: Zeng Fanzhe , Jin Wenbiao , Zhao Qingliang
Published: January 2019

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for living organisms and anaerobic sludge is an attractive source for P recovery.
Amidation of methyl ester side chain bearing poly(2-oxazoline)s with tyramine: a quest for a selective and quantitative approach
Authors: Van Guyse Joachim F. R. , Mees Maarten A. , Vergaelen Maarten , Baert Mathijs , Verbraeken Bart , Martens Penny J. , Hoogenboom Richard
Published: January 2019

Three new amidation approaches are evaluated to incorporate tyramine on methyl ester functional poly(2-oxazolines).
Fusion rule and cluster head selection scheme in cooperative spectrum sensing
Authors: Olawole Akinbode A. , Takawira Fambirai , Oyerinde Olutayo O.
Published: January 2019

Cluster based cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) in cognitive radio networks provides for reduced sensing error, reporting delays and improved energy efficiency, in a practical network. However, achieving these advantages depend on suitably selecting a cluster head and adopting an appropriate fusion rule. This work investigates a new hard decision fusion rule, which makes the cluster heads non‐cooperative sensing result a necessary condition for cooperative decision making. The study also presents a comparative numerical study of three existing cluster head selection schemes with respect to their performance in CSS, under varying detection thresholds and cluster's heterogeneity. A robust and generalised cluster head selection scheme that overcomes the limitations of the existing schemes is thereafter proposed. The performance of the existing cluster head selection schemes depends on the distribution of secondary users relative to the primary user's position, and the detection threshold. Simulation results show that the proposed cluster head selection scheme can overcome the limitations of existing schemes. Furthermore, the hard decision fusion rule being proposed indicates improved performance compared with the OR rule in minimising the total error rate over Rayleigh fading channels.