bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of teaching clinicians about implementing exposure therapy with patients with eating disorders: A nonrandomized controlled study
Authors: Wright Charlotte , Waller Glenn
Published: October 2019

Objective

Exposure therapy is a central part of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for eating disorders, but is underused in routine clinical practice, at least partly because clinicians often hold very negative views about this technique. Although uncontrolled cohort studies suggest that teaching clinicians to use exposure improves their attitudes, there is a need for more robust empirical designs. This study uses a nonrandomized controlled design to test whether teaching on exposure improves clinicians' attitudes to its use, and whether clinician characteristics influence such change.

Method

Forty‐seven clinicians undertook 90 min of teaching on exposure therapy within CBT, while 42 other clinicians undertook 90 min of teaching on CBT for eating disorders. Each completed the Therapist Beliefs about Exposure Scale at the outset and end of the intervention, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale at the outset.

Results

Both groups showed improved attitudes to exposure therapy following the teaching, but the change was substantially larger in the Exposure teaching group (d = 0.85) than in the Comparison group (d = .30). Preteaching characteristics did not have any substantial influence on this change in attitudes to exposure.

Discussion

These findings strengthen the conclusion that a simple teaching intervention can improve clinician attitudes to the exposure therapy element of CBT (and other therapies). However, the nonrandomized design and self‐selected sample limit the interpretability of the findings. Further research is suggested to develop these findings and determine their link to clinician behavior in therapy.
Wave stress and biotic facilitation drive community composition in a marginal hard‐bottom ecosystem
Authors: Westerbom Mats , Kraufvelin Patrik , Erlandsson Johan , Korpinen Samuli , Mustonen Olli , Díaz Eliecer
Published: October 2019

Ecological patterns are inherently scale‐dependent and driven by the interplay of abiotic gradients and biotic processes. Despite the fundamental importance of such gradients, there are many gaps in our understanding of how abiotic stress gradients interplay with biotic processes and how these collectively affect species distributions. Using a hierarchical design, we sampled two communities separated by depth along wave exposure and salinity gradients to elucidate how these two gradients affect species composition in habitats formed by the foundation species Mytilus trossulus and Fucus vesiculosus. Specifically, we looked at the impacts of regional salinity and temperature, local wave exposure, and site‐dependent facilitation effects on the associated community composition. Wave exposure was the best predictor for species assembly structure, which was also affected by Mytilus biomass and by salinity and water temperature. While the tested variables provided robust explanations for community structure and density, they did not provide conclusive explanations for variation in species richness or evenness. Mytilus biomass had a stronger effect on the associated community with increasing wave exposure at the deeper depth, but the patterns were less obvious at the shallower depth. The latter was also the case for Fucus. These findings comply partly with theoretical predictions suggesting stronger facilitation effects in physically harsh environments. Our results indicate that environmental drivers are the main structuring forces that affect species assembly structure, but also foundation species are important. Thus, predicting changes in species distributions and biodiversity requires the simultaneous consideration of environmental gradients, as well as the structure and composition of foundation species and the interplay between these factors. This work advances our understanding of the processes that modulate species distributions in a marginal marine area and broadens the knowledge of how biological and environmental factors interplay and have an influence on hard‐bottom community structure in brackish water seas.
Evaluating glycaemic control in patients poorly controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs in real‐world setting: Results from assessing the Appropriate Timing of Type 2 diAbetes INtensification (ATTAIN)
Authors: Jude Edward B. , O'Leary Caroline , Myland Melissa , Nixon Mark , Gooch Nick , Shaunik Alka , Lew Elisheva
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) fail to achieve glycaemic control despite recommended treatment strategies to reduce glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). This real‐world retrospective cohort study compared HbA1c change and treatment patterns between those intensifying and not intensifying therapy with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).

Materials and methods

Patients suboptimally controlled on OADs (>58 mmol/mol [>7.5%] or >64 mmol/mol [>8.0%] for high risk, index 1) were included from IQVIA Medical Research Data. Intensifiers within 12 months of index 1 were matched (1:1) to nonintensifiers. Primary outcomes were HbA1c change and proportion of participants achieving HbA1c targets 6 and 12 months post‐index 2 (date of intensification [intensifiers] or pseudodate [nonintensifiers]). Therapy adherence was also assessed.

Results

A total of 10 832 participants (5539 intensifiers and 5293 nonintensifiers) were included. Mean HbA1c decrease from baseline to 6 months was −1.13% (intensifiers) vs −0.75% (nonintensifiers), with no substantial further change at 12 months. Cox proportional hazards (PH) analysis suggested a nearly 20% greater chance of target achievement at 6 months for intensifiers vs nonintensifiers (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.79 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73‐0.86]), which was similar at 12 months (HR: 0.80 [95% CI: 0.74‐0.86]). Intensifiers tended towards greater adherence to baseline therapy (90% [standard deviation (SD): 14.9] vs nonintensifiers 87% [SD: 16.0]), which decreased following intensification.

Conclusions

Significant reductions in HbA1c were evident at 6 months and were greater in intensifiers vs nonintensifiers. Little additional clinical benefit was seen 12 months postintensification. Despite good treatment adherence, many participants failed to achieve target HbA1c; actions beyond improved adherence are needed to improve suboptimal HbA1c.
A Flexible Nafion Coated Enzyme‐free Glucose Sensor Based on Au‐dimpled Ti Structures
Authors: Olejnik Adrian , Siuzdak Katarzyna , Karczewski Jakub , Grochowska Katarzyna
Published: October 2019

The detection of glucose at low concentrations using electrochemical sensors is of great importance due to the possibility of using different human body fluids than blood, such as e. g. urine, saliva, sweat or tears. The interest behind those biofluids is related to their utility in non‐invasive sugar determination. In this work, we present flexible, fully biocompatible electrode material based on Au nanoparticles immobilized onto titanium dimples. Au−Ti heterostructures were obtained via electrochemical anodization of titanium foil in presence of fluoride anions followed by chemical etching, magnetron sputtering of gold and subsequent thermal dewetting in continuous regime. In the last step of fabrication, electrodes were modified by permselective Nafion membrane. The selection of the best electrode material among different configurations was carried out basing on the electrochemical activity in the contact with 5 mM glucose dissolved in neutral air‐saturated 0.1 M PBS. For the 10 nm Au dewetted gold film, limit of detection of 30 μM and high sensitivity of 93 mA cm−2 mM−1 were achieved. Application of Nafion membrane caused complete inhibition of the impact of various interference species onto the glucose detection. Good selectivity and repeatability combined with the resistance to prolonged mechanical stress suggest that prepared material can be used in non‐invasive glucose sensing.
Theoretical Aspects of a Surface Electrode Reaction Coupled with Preceding and Regenerative Chemical Steps: Square‐wave Voltammetry of a Surface CEC’ Mechanism
Authors: Kokoskarova Pavlinka , Gulaboski Rubin
Published: October 2019

Large number of lipophilic substances, whose electrochemical transformation takes place from adsorbed state, belong to the class of so‐called “surface‐redox reactions”. Of these, especially important are the enzymatic redox reactions. With the technique named “protein‐film voltammetry” we can get insight into the chemical features of many lipophilic redox enzymes. Electrochemical processes of many redox adsorbates, occurring at a surface of working electrode, are very often coupled with chemical reactions. In this work, we focus on the application of square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) to study the theoretical features of a surface electrode reaction coupled with two chemical steps. The starting electroactive form Ox(ads) in this mechanism gets initially generated via preceding chemical reaction. After undergoing redox transformation at the working electrode, Ox(ads) species got additionally regenerated via chemical reaction of electrochemically generated product Red(ads) with a given substrate Y. The theory of this so‐called surface CEC’ mechanism is presented for the first time under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. While we present plenty of calculated voltammograms of this complex electrode mechanism, we focus on the effect of rate of regenerative (catalytic) step to simulated voltammograms. We consider both, electrochemical reactions featuring moderate and fast electron transfer. The obtained voltammetric patterns are very specific, having sometime hybrid‐like features of voltammograms as typical for CE, EC and EC’ mechanisms. We give diagnostic criteria to recognize this complex mechanism in SWV, but we also present hints to access the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters relevant to both chemical steps, and the electrochemical reaction, too. Indeed, the results presented in this work can help experimentalists to design proper experiments to study chemical features of important lipophilic systems.
Set interim goals for software implementation
Authors: Pavlik Ameliea
Published: October 2019

“Stalling out.” It's a concept you don't want to happen while you're in your car — or to use when referring to progress launching an institutionwide software system.
Cross‐Linked Double Network Graphene Oxide/Polymer Composites for Efficient Coagulation‐Flocculation
Authors: Lin Shuyuan , Li Qilong , Zhong Yujia , Li Jing , Zhao Xuanliang , Wang Min , Zhao Guoke , Pan Jialiang , Zhu Hongwei
Published: October 2019

Hybrid coagulant/flocculant consisting of nanomaterials have tremendous potential in solid‐liquid separation and can be applied to the coagulation‐flocculation‐sedimentation process of water treatment. In this work, inspired by the mineralization in nature, a graphene oxide/polymer‐based hybrid coagulant/flocculant that precipitates large‐scale, multicomponent (e.g., dyes, heavy metal ions, and nanoparticles) and complex pollutants simultaneously at room temperature by forming double‐network hydrogel through bioinspired Ca2+ crosslinking, is developed for the purification of wastewater. The coagulation‐flocculation‐sedimentation method developed here also provides a novel strategy for the preparation of macroscopic assemblies of multicomponents that can be applied to various application fields.
Multimodal fusion of structural and functional brain imaging in depression using linked independent component analysis
Authors: Maglanoc Luigi A. , Kaufmann Tobias , Jonassen Rune , Hilland Eva , Beck Dani , Landrø Nils Inge , Westlye Lars T.
Published: October 2019

Previous structural and functional neuroimaging studies have implicated distributed brain regions and networks in depression. However, there are no robust imaging biomarkers that are specific to depression, which may be due to clinical heterogeneity and neurobiological complexity. A dimensional approach and fusion of imaging modalities may yield a more coherent view of the neuronal correlates of depression. We used linked independent component analysis to fuse cortical macrostructure (thickness, area, gray matter density), white matter diffusion properties and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging default mode network amplitude in patients with a history of depression (n = 170) and controls (n = 71). We used univariate and machine learning approaches to assess the relationship between age, sex, case–control status, and symptom loads for depression and anxiety with the resulting brain components. Univariate analyses revealed strong associations between age and sex with mainly global but also regional specific brain components, with varying degrees of multimodal involvement. In contrast, there were no significant associations with case–control status, nor symptom loads for depression and anxiety with the brain components, nor any interaction effects with age and sex. Machine learning revealed low model performance for classifying patients from controls and predicting symptom loads for depression and anxiety, but high age prediction accuracy. Multimodal fusion of brain imaging data alone may not be sufficient for dissecting the clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity of depression. Precise clinical stratification and methods for brain phenotyping at the individual level based on large training samples may be needed to parse the neuroanatomy of depression.
Disability and functioning of women with low‐risk pregnancy: Assessment using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0)
Authors: Dantas Thaissa H.M. , Dantas Diego S. , Correia Grasiéla N. , Viana Elizabel S.R. , Pereira Alianny R.R. , Magalhães Adriana G.
Published: October 2019

Objective

To evaluate the disability and functioning of women with low‐risk pregnancy in the second and third gestational trimesters.

Methods

A longitudinal observational study was conducted from June 5, 2015, to April 30, 2016, in Family Health Units in the city of Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, involving women who were in the second trimester of pregnancy where the pregnancy had been classified as low‐risk. A form was designed specifically for the study to collect sociodemographic, urogynecological, and obstetric data. Functioning and disability were assessed using WHODAS 2.0, and descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Higher levels of disability were observed in cognition in the second trimester (P=0.021), while mobility and life activities domains had higher scores (higher score meaning the woman was more adversely affected) in the third trimester (P=0.007 and P=0.029). Urinary incontinence in the second trimester affected functioning in participation (P=0.023). Pain affected life activities (P=0.023) in the second trimester and participation in the third trimester (P=0.044); and general functioning (P=0.050 and P=0.025), mobility (P=0.002 and P=0.001), and self‐care (P=0.0446 and P=0.023) in the second and third trimesters, respectively.

Conclusion

The findings showed that, even in a low‐risk pregnancy, functioning can be affected in different domains. The identification of impairments to functioning could enable improvement in care. Longitudinal studies involving the first trimester and postpartum are necessary to gain insight into women's disability and functioning during the pregnancy–puerperal period.
Longitudinal study of individually adjusted fetal growth
Authors: Fujita Mariza Marie , Francisco Rossana Pulcineli Vieira , Rodrigues Agatha Sacramento , Zugaib Marcelo
Published: October 2019

Objective

To construct individualized fetal growth curves estimated by ultrasound parameters adjusted for maternal and fetal characteristics.

Methods

Data were retrospectively assessed from serial ultrasonographic examinations of singleton pregnancies at 12–42 gestational weeks among women without maternal or fetal conditions and full‐term delivery at the University Hospital of University of São Paulo between July 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017. Measurements included biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length. Mixed linear regression was used to model the ultrasound biometric parameters as a function of gestational age, parity, maternal height, pre‐pregnancy weight, and fetal sex.

Results

In total, data were assessed from 1445 examinations of 434 pregnancies meeting the inclusion criteria. The estimated fetal weight model included gestational age, fetal sex, maternal height, and pre‐pregnancy body mass index as covariates. The model enabled the construction of individual estimated fetal weight curves with respective percentiles covering 12–42 gestational weeks using maternal and fetal characteristics.

Conclusion

The growth curves, which are based on a sample of the Brazilian population with low risk of maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality, will make it possible to determine whether a fetus is achieving ideal growth potential according to maternal and fetal characteristics.
Psychological maladjustment mediates the link between remembrances of parental rejection in childhood and loneliness in adulthood: A cross‐cultural comparative study
Authors: Rohner Ronald P. , Putnick Diane L. , Molaver Alex D. , Ali Sumbleen , Butt M. Mussaffa , Ibrahim Dara M. , Aurino Cecilia , Blom Marjolijn J. M. , Darwesh Fatima H. , Auricchio Stefania , Radha Araz H. , Miranda Maria C. , Adamsons Kari , Senese Vincenzo Paolo
Published: October 2019

Drawing stimulus from interpersonal acceptance‐rejection theory, this multicultural study examined relations between men's versus women's remembrances of maternal and paternal acceptance‐rejection in childhood and their current level of loneliness, as mediated by adults' self‐reported psychological maladjustment. Adults (N = 899) from five nations (Iraq, Italy, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and the United States) responded to the Adult version of the Parental Acceptance‐Rejection Questionnaire‐short form for mothers and fathers, the Adult version of the Personality Assessment Questionnaire‐short form, and the Interpersonal Acceptance‐Rejection Loneliness Scale. Adults' remembrances of maternal and paternal rejection in childhood significantly and independently predicted feelings of loneliness but remembered paternal rejection was more strongly related to these feelings than were remembrances of maternal rejection. Psychological maladjustment fully mediated the effect of remembered maternal rejection but only partially mediated the effect of remembered paternal rejection on loneliness. There were no significant differences in these results across the five countries or genders. Overall, the results suggest that adults' remembrances of parental rejection in childhood—along with the theoretically expected development of psychological maladjustment—are likely to be associated panculturally with the experience of loneliness in adulthood.
Blockchain: Trends and future opportunities
Authors: Zeadally Sherali , Abdo Jacques Bou
Published: October 2019

Blockchain has been receiving considerable attention from the research community lately. Several research efforts have proposed the use of blockchain in many application domains. Not all of these application areas have received the same level of blockchain attention however and, for some of the applications, blockchain investigation has even stopped. Blockchain has the ability to shape the future, but not in all applications and topics. We explored those application areas that have not received much blockchain attention so that we can focus more on the application domains that have strong potential to reach the customer and have a high impact on the market. Based on our quantitative evaluation of blockchain applications and topics, we recommend those that need further investigation and implementation.
GATA factor transcriptional activity: Insights from genome‐wide binding profiles
Authors: Romano Oriana , Miccio Annarita
Published: October 2019

The members of the GATA family of transcription factors have homologous zinc fingers and bind to similar sequence motifs. Recent advances in genome‐wide technologies and the integration of bioinformatics data have led to a better understanding of how GATA factors regulate gene expression; GATA‐factor‐induced transcriptional and epigenetic changes have now been analyzed at unprecedented levels of detail. Here, we review the results of genome‐wide studies of GATA factor occupancy in human and murine cell lines and primary cells (as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing), and then discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying the mediation of transcriptional and epigenetic regulation by GATA factors.
Rapid diagnosis of infection etiology in febrile pediatric oncology patients using infrared spectroscopy of leukocytes
Authors: Agbaria Adam H. , Rosen Guy Beck , Lapidot Itshak , Rich Daniel H. , Mordechai Shaul , Kapelushnik Joseph , Huleihel Mahmoud , Salman Ahmad
Published: October 2019

Rapid diagnosis of the etiology of infection is highly important for an effective treatment of the infected patients. Bacterial and viral infections are serious diseases that can cause death in many cases. The human immune system deals with many viral and bacterial infections that cause no symptoms and pass quietly without treatment. However, oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy have a very weak immune system caused by leukopenia, and even minor pathogen infection threatens their lives. For this reason, physicians tend to prescribe immediately several types of antibiotics for febrile pediatric oncology patients (FPOPs). Uncontrolled use of antibiotics is one of the major contributors to the development of resistant bacteria. Therefore, for oncology patients, a rapid and objective diagnosis of the etiology of the infection is extremely critical. Current identification methods are time‐consuming (>24 h). In this study, the potential of midinfrared spectroscopy in tandem with machine learning algorithms is evaluated for rapid and objective diagnosis of the etiology of infections in FPOPs using simple peripheral blood samples. Our results show that infrared spectroscopy enables the diagnosis of the etiology of infection as bacterial or viral within 70 minutes after the collection of the blood sample with 93% sensitivity and 88% specificity.
Determining Optimal Coarse‐Grained Representation for Biomolecules Using Internal Cluster Validation Indexes
Authors: Wu Zhenliang , Zhang Yuwei , Zhang John Zenghui , Xia Kelin , Xia Fei
Published: October 2019

The development of ultracoarse‐grained models for large biomolecules needs to derive the optimal number of coarse‐grained (CG) sites to represent the targets. In this work, we propose to use the statistical internal cluster validation indexes to determine the optimal number of CG sites that are optimized based on the essential dynamics coarse‐graining method. The calculated curves of Calinski‐Harabasz and Silhouette Coefficient indexes exhibit the extrema corresponding to the similar CG numbers. The calculated ratios of the optimal CG numbers to the residue numbers of fine‐grained models are in the range from 4 to 2. The comparison of the stability of index results indicates that Calinski‐Harabasz index is the better choice to determine the optimal CG representation in coarse‐graining. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Constructions of primitive formally dual pairs having subsets with unequal sizes
Authors: Li Shuxing , Pott Alexander
Published: October 2019

The concept of formal duality was proposed by Cohn, Kumar and Schürmann, which reflects a remarkable symmetry among energy‐minimizing periodic configurations. This formal duality was later translated into a purely combinatorial property by Cohn, Kumar, Reiher and Schürmann, where the corresponding combinatorial objects were called formally dual pairs. Motivated by this surprising application on the energy minimization problem, we focus on the algebraic constructions of primitive formally dual pairs. It is worth noting that almost all known examples of primitive formally dual pairs satisfy that the two subsets have the same size. Indeed, prior to this work, there was only one known example derived from computer search, which had subsets with unequal sizes in . Inspired by this example, we propose a lifting construction framework and a recursive construction framework, which generate new primitive formally dual pairs from known ones. As an application, for , we obtain pairwise inequivalent primitive formally dual pairs in , which have subsets with unequal sizes.
Neighborhood cohesion and procedural justice in policing among Black adults: The moderating role of cultural race‐related stress
Authors: Quinn Camille R. , Hope Elan C. , Cryer‐Coupet Qiana R.
Published: October 2019

Aims

This study explored how neighborhood cohesion is related to perceptions of procedural justice in policing, and the moderating role of cultural race‐related stress among Black adults.

Methods

We conducted hierarchical regression analyses of a US sample of Black adults (N = 604) to examine if neighborhood cohesion and cultural race‐related stress relate to global procedural justice in policing and procedural justice during a critical police stop. Moderation analyses were conducted to determine if cultural race‐related stress strengthens or weakens the relationship between neighborhood cohesion and procedural justice in policing.

Results

Neighborhood cohesion was positively related to procedural justice at critical stops. For participants with above average stress from cultural racism, positive neighborhood cohesion was related to greater global perceptions of procedural justice in policing.

Conclusions

Altogether, these findings highlight how structural and local environmental factors can influence perceptions of police among Black adults in the US.
Graphs with no K9= minor are 10‐colorable
Authors: Rolek Martin
Published: October 2019

Hadwiger's conjecture claims that any graph with no minor is ‐colorable. This has been proved for , but remains open for . As a variant of this conjecture, graphs with no minor have been considered, where denotes the complete graph with two edges removed. It has been shown that graphs with no minor are ‐colorable for . In this paper, we extend this result to the case and show that graphs with no minor are ‐colorable.
Diagnostic pitfalls in vitamin B6‐dependent epilepsy caused by mutations in the PLPBP gene
Authors: Jensen Kristian Vestergaard , Frid Maria , Stödberg Tommy , Barbaro Michela , Wedell Anna , Christensen Mette , Bak Mads , Ek Jakob , Madsen Camilla Gøbel , Darin Niklas , Grønborg Sabine
Published: October 2019

Vitamin B6‐responsive epilepsies are a group of genetic disorders including ALDH7A1 deficiency, PNPO deficiency, and others, usually causing neonatal onset seizures resistant to treatment with common antiepileptic drugs. Recently, biallelic mutations in PLPBP were shown to be a novel cause of vitamin B6‐dependent epilepsy with a variable phenotype. The different vitamin B6‐responsive epilepsies can be detected and distinguished by their respective biomarkers and genetic analysis. Unfortunately, metabolic biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of PLPBP deficiency are currently still lacking. Here, we present data from two further patients with vitamin B6‐dependent seizures caused by variants in PLPBP, including a novel missense variant, and compare their genotype and phenotypic presentation to previously described cases. Hyperglycinemia and hyperlactatemia are the most consistently observed biochemical abnormalities in pyridoxal phosphate homeostasis protein (PLPHP) deficient patients and were present in both patients in this report within the first days of life. Lactic acidemia, the neuroradiological, and clinical presentation led to misdiagnosis of a mitochondrial encephalopathy in two previously published cases with an early fatal course. Similarly, on the background of glycine elevation in plasma, glycine encephalopathy was wrongly adopted as diagnosis for a patient in our report. In this regard, lactic acidemia as well as hyperglycinemia appear to be diagnostic pitfalls in patients with vitamin B6‐responsive epilepsies, including PLPHP deficiency.

Synopsis

In vitamin B6‐responsive epilepsies, including PLPHP deficiency, there are several diagnostic pitfalls, including lactic acidemia as well as hyperglycinemia, highlighting the importance of a pyridoxine trial, and genetic testing.
The atlas–axis complex in Dibamidae (Reptilia: Squamata) and their potential relatives: The effect of a fossorial lifestyle on the morphology of this skeletal bridge
Authors: Čerňanský Andrej , Stanley Edward L.
Published: October 2019

We report on the first detailed study of the atlas–axis complex in the lizard clade Dibamidae, a family of poorly known fossorial squamates distributed in tropical or subtropical climates. This skeletal bridge is characterized by several features, such as the complete absence of the first intercentrum or the appearance of the first free cervical rib on the axis (usually less developed in Dibamus relative to that in Anelytropsis). Our study shows morphological differences of the atlas–axis complex in the Mexican blind lizard Anelytropsis relative to those of Asian Dibamus, the only two known extant genera of this clade. With regard to taxonomy and phylogenetic topology of the Dibamidae within Squamata, a huge conflict exists between morphology versus molecules. The morphology of the atlas–axis complex is therefore compared with several potential sister clades + Sphenodon. Dibamids share several features with limbless Gekkota, Scincoidea, and Amphisbaenia. The complete absence of the first intercentrum is observed in Rhineura floridana and in Ateuchosaurus chinensis as well, and the free rib associated with the synapophyses of the axis is also present in Acontias meleagris. However, some of these features may result from a limbless, burrowing ecology and thus could represent homoplastic characters. In any case, the morphology of the atlas–axis shows that dibamids share most character states with skinks. Although the atlas–axis complex forms only an additional source of information, this conclusion is consistent with most morphological rather than molecular tree topologies.
Weather regimes and analogues downscaling of seasonal precipitation for the 21st century: A case study over Israel
Authors: Hochman Assaf , Kunin Pavel , Alpert Pinhas , Harpaz Tzvi , Saaroni Hadas , Rostkier‐Edelstein Dorita
Published: October 2019

Global climate models provide only partial information on local‐scale phenomenon, such as precipitation, primarily due to their coarse resolution. In this study, statistical downscaling algorithms, based on both weather regimes and past analogues, are operated for 18 Israeli rain gauges with an altitude ranging between −200 and ~1,000 m above sea level (ASL). To project seasonal precipitation over Israel and its hydrologic basins, the algorithms are applied to six Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models for the end of the 21st century, according to the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The downscaled models can capture quite well the seasonal precipitation distribution, though with underestimation in winter and overestimation in spring. All models display a significant reduction of seasonal precipitation for the 21st century according to both scenarios. The winter reductions for the end of the century and the RCP8.5 scenario are found to be ~22 and ~37% according to the weather regimes and the analogues downscaling methods, respectively. Spring reductions are found to be ~10–20% larger than winter reductions. It is shown that the projected reduction results from a decrease in the frequency of the rain‐bearing systems, as well as a decrease in the average daily precipitation intensity. The areas with the largest reductions in seasonal precipitation are found over the central mountains, the Mediterranean coastal area, and the Sea of Galilee hydrologic basins, which are the main fresh‐water aquifers and reservoirs of Israel. The statistical downscaling methods applied in this study can be easily transferred to other regions where long‐term data sets of observed precipitation are available. This study and others may serve as a basis for priority and policy setting toward better climate adaptation with associated uncertainties related to the methods used and nonstationary of the climate system.
Impact of the North Atlantic sea surface temperature on the summer high temperature in northern China
Authors: Ding Ting , Yuan Yuan , Gao Hui , Li Weijing
Published: October 2019

This study investigates the relationship between the summer high temperature in northern China and the northern North Atlantic (NNA) sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the previous winter and spring during the period 1981–2017. In northern China, mean maximum temperature (Tmax) above 31°C and high frequencies of hot days are concentrated in June–July. SSTAs in the NNA in the previous December–April have a significant positive relationship with the mean Tmax from the Yellow River Basin to the north of the Yangtze River in June–July, and this significant positive correlation still exists after removing the trends. Correlation and composition analysis suggests that the NNA SST and high temperature in northern China are connected by the mid‐latitude wave‐train circulation anomalies across the Atlantic and Europe. Warm SSTAs in the NNA in winter and spring favour anticyclonic circulations in the NNA, Western Europe and the south of Lake Baikal, and cyclonic circulations in the northeastern North Atlantic and the Ural Mountains. The positive height anomaly and anticyclonic circulation in the south of Lake Baikal tend to result in downward motion and high temperature in northern China. The linkage between winter–spring North Atlantic SST and high temperature can be used to facilitate seasonal prediction of extreme high temperature in China.
Sulfonated chitosan oligosaccharide alleviates the inhibitory effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Li Yangfan , Yu Fenglin , Liu Yang , Liang Qian , Huang Yadong , Xiang Qi , Zhang Qihao , Su Zhijian , Yang Yan , Zhao Yueping
Published: October 2019

Background

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) play an essential role in periodontal tissue repair. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been used in the clinical treatment of periodontal disease. However, studies have shown that bFGF inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, which is not conducive to alveolar bone repair. Sulfonated chitosan oligosaccharide (SCOS), a heparan‐like compound, can maintain the conformation of bFGF and promote its proliferation activity. This study investigated the effects of bFGF in combination with SCOS on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs.

Methods

hPDLSCs were isolated from healthy human periodontal ligament and identified by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The affinity between SCOS and bFGF was analyzed by surface plasmon resonance. Changes in osteogenic differentiation by combination of bFGF with SCOS were analyzed by alkaline phosphatase activity assay, Sirius Red staining, and Alizarin Red staining. Expression of genes and proteins was investigated by western blotting and reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR.

Results

Extracted hPDLSCs were mesenchymal stem cells with pluripotent differentiation potential. SCOS exhibited an affinity for bFGF. bFGF (20 ng/mL) promoted the proliferation of hPDLSCs, but inhibited their osteogenic differentiation. SCOS alleviated the inhibitory effect of bFGF on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs.

Conclusions

SCOS can reduce the inhibitory effect of bFGF on the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. This study provides evidence for the clinical use of bFGF to repair periodontal tissue.
Does shifting from conventional to zero tillage in combination with a cover crop offers opportunities for silage maize cultivation in Flanders?
Authors: Landschoot Sofie , Dewitte Kevin , Marynissen Bram , Derycke Veerle , Latré Joos , Haesaert Geert
Published: October 2019

Tillage is an important agricultural practice, influencing the physical, chemical and biological soil characteristics. In this paper the influence of various tillage systems combined with or without a cover crop under different nitrogen fertilization levels on silage maize yield and soil fertility was investigated. Based on a field trial in Bottelare (Belgium), during the period 2007–2015, it was concluded that for each tillage system higher nitrogen levels resulted in a higher yield. In addition, the highest yield was achieved for the conventional tillage system, the yield gain for mouldboard ploughing varied between 13% (2015) and 71% (2012) compared to zero tillage. In case reduced tillage was adopted, the yield loss compared to mouldboard ploughing varied between 6% (2013 and 2015) and 24% (2012). Furthermore, it seemed that the accumulated temperature during the growing season and rainfall around flowering were decisive in determining maize yield. Additionally, rainfall in the period 60 days post sowing was significantly negatively correlated with the yield from the zero tillage plots, whereas in case tillage was adopted no correlations with rainfall 60 days post sowing were detected. Concerning the soil organic carbon content and the amount of earthworms, no clear trends could be observed. Zero tillage resulted in high weed pressure and caused soil compaction. So, in this trial, under humid conditions, the less labor intensive zero tillage system did not result in competitive maize yields. In conclusion, reduced tillage methods offer opportunities for maize cultivation in Belgium. This method of farming resulted in a lower yield, however, the difference with mouldboard ploughing was not significant. Therefore, adopting a reduced tillage system can be seen as a valid alternative for ploughing as this tillage system ensures a sustainable environment.
Culture Medium Evaluation Using Low‐Cost Substrate for Biosurfactants Lipopeptides Production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in Pilot Bioreactor
Authors: Lima Frederico A. , Santos Olga Silva , Pomella Alan William Vilela , Ribeiro Eloízio J. , de Resende Miriam Maria
Published: October 2019

Total biosurfactant production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IT45 was evaluated with different substrates concentrations in a culture medium. A central composite design (CCD) was developed to evaluate the influence of variables, including glucose syrup, yeast extract, and calcium chloride, on surface tension (ST), total biosurfactant production, and residual sugar (RS). As a result, the best observed results for ST, RS, and total biosurfactant production were 30 mN m−1, 31%, and 5.5 g L−1, respectively, after 48 h of fermentations carried out in batch operation process. Characterization of the biosurfactant identified the presence of surfactin. To validate the CCD experiments, fermentations were conducted in a 40 L pilot bioreactor. For this fermentation, the cellular growth was 3.0 × 109 CFU mL−1, surfactin production was 0.55 g L−1, and RS was 28%. The results demonstrate that B. amyloliquefaciens IT45 has the potential to produce biosurfactants and does not require high concentrations of carbon and nitrogen sources for its development.
Pulse radiolysis studies of intermediates derived from p‐terphenyl in the oxygenated methyltributylammonium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide ionic liquid
Authors: Kocia Rafał
Published: October 2019

Radiation‐induced processes in oxygenated ionic liquid (IL) methyltributylammonium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide ([MeBu3N][NTf2]) solutions containing p‐terphenyl (TP) were investigated by the nanosecond pulse radiolysis with UV‐vis detection. The transient absorption spectra generated in these solutions were assigned to radical anions (TP•−), radical cations (TP•+), and triplet excited states (3TP*). Saturation of [MeBu3N][NTf2] solutions with oxygen (O2) efficiently eliminates solvated electrons (esolv−); however, it does not decrease significantly the radiation chemical yield of TP•−, which are mainly formed in a reaction of TP with presolvated electrons (epresolv−). On the other hand, the lifetime of TP•− decreases significantly due to their reaction with O2. The TP•+ is formed in a reaction of electron‐deficient centers of the IL (IL⊕) with TP. Their radiation chemical yield and lifetime are not affected by the presence of O2; however, they are decreased by the presence of triethylamine (TEA). The 3TP* are formed in a reaction of excited states of ionic liquid (IL*) with TP. The presence of O2 and TEA effectively eliminates 3TP* in the time domain >1 μs.
Planktivorous fish predation masks anthropogenic disturbances on decadal trends in zooplankton biomass and body size structure in Lake Biwa, Japan
Authors: Liu Xin , Dur Gaël , Ban Syuhei , Sakai Yoichiro , Ohmae Shinsuke , Morita Takashi
Published: October 2019

Pelagic zooplankton samples from Lake Biwa, Japan, collected monthly since 1971, were analyzed for biomass and body size structure. Our aim was to clarify the relative effects of food availability and global warming vs. top‐down control by fish predation on long‐term trends. Annual mean biomass and density‐weighted body size were calculated and compared with water temperature, total phosphorus (TP), as a proxy of food amount, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of Ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis), as a proxy of planktivorous fish predation pressure. Mean water temperature above 20 m increased by 0.94°C. TP increased until 1974 and then decreased until 1985, becoming stable after that. Ayu CPUE increased until 1987 and then declined. The study period can be divided into two nutritional phases: a high TP phase (1971–1985) and a low‐stable TP phase (1986–2010). Five zooplankton taxa, Eodiaptomus japonicus, Cyclopoida spp., Daphnia spp., Bosmina longirostris, and Diaphanosoma orientalis, were continuously dominant. Annual mean total crustacean biomass varied from 0.3 to 3.6 g dry weight m−2, slightly decreasing until 1993 but increasing thereafter. Generalized linear models showed that annual mean body sizes were affected by temperature and CPUE, whereas annual mean biomass was affected by TP and CPUE. These had no effect during the high TP phase, whereas only CPUE affected both traits during the low‐stable TP phase. We concluded that zooplankton biomass and body size long‐term trends were mostly influenced by fish predation and that eutrophication and global warming impacts might be affected by top‐down control.
Ultra‐pH‐Sensitive Biopolymer Micelles Based on Nuclear Base Pairs for Specific Tumor‐Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Jiang Yujia , Zhou Junhui , Zhao Xuefei , Zhang Jianhua , Guo Ruiwei , Dong Anjie , Deng Lian‐dong
Published: October 2019

The nanocarriers modified with nonspecificity targeting groups can not only enrich in tumor sites, but can also accumulate in normal tissues to cause serious side effects. In order to ensure the therapeutic effects and overcome the side effects, herein, a ligand self‐detachment targeting system (mPEG‐T@A/VB7‐PCL micelles) based on hydrogen bond interaction between adenine (A) and thymine (T) for specific tumor targeting is developed. The nuclear magnetic spectrum shows that the successful introduction of biotin VB7 has no effect on formation and pH‐responsive property of the micelles. The cellular uptake experiment indicated these micelles can efficiently shield the non‐specificity targeting and can hardly be endocytosed by tumor cells in physiological environment. On the contrary, the detachment of poly(ethylene glycol) PEG crown which is triggered by hydrogen bond dissociation at tumor microenvironment pH 6.8 can enhance endocytosis due to the exposure of the VB7. Cytotoxicity assays show that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of free doxorubicin DOX, DOX‐loaded mPEG‐T@A‐PCL (mPEG‐T@A‐PCL (DOX)), and mPEG‐T@A/VB7‐PCL (DOX) are about 2.03, 7.20, and 1.32 µg mL−1, respectively, which indicate that the mPEG‐T@A/VB7‐PCL (DOX) micelles can significantly improve the therapeutic effects. Accordingly, mPEG‐T@A/VB7‐PCL (DOX) micelles, as an innovative strategy, suggests feasibility of its broad applications in cancer therapy.
Low‐calcium diet in mice leads to reduced gut colonization by Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Top Janetta , Hendrickx Antoni P. A. , van Ampting Marleen T. J. , van Limpt Kees , Knol Jan , van de Kamer Denise , Braat Johanna C. , Viveen Marco , Rogers Malbert R. , Kemperman Hans , Willems Rob J. L. , Paganelli Fernanda L.
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary intervention influenced luminal Ca2+ levels and Enterococcus faecium gut colonization in mice. For this purpose, mice fed semi‐synthetic food AIN93 were compared to mice fed AIN93‐low calcium (LC). Administration of AIN93‐LC resulted in lower luminal Ca2+ levels independent of the presence of E. faecium. Furthermore, E. faecium gut colonization was reduced in mice fed AIN93‐LC based on culture, and which was in concordance with a reduction of Enterococcaceae in microbiota analysis. In conclusion, diet intervention might be a strategy for controlling gut colonization of E. faecium, an important opportunistic nosocomial pathogen.
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of β‐thalassemia by relative haplotype dosage without analyzing proband
Authors: Li Haoxian , Du Bole , Jiang Fuman , Guo Yulai , Wang Yang , Zhang Chunsheng , Zeng Xiaojing , Xie Yuhuan , Ouyang Shuming , Xian Yexing , Chen Min , Liu Weiqiang , Sun Xiaofang
Published: October 2019

Background

β‐thalassemia is one of the most common monogenic diseases in the world. Southeast China is a highly infected area affected by four β‐thalassemia mutation types (HBB:c.‐78A>G, HBB:c.52A>T, HBB:c.126_129delCTTT, and HBB:c.316‐197C>T). Relative haplotype dosage (RHDO), a haplotype‐based approach, has shown promise as an application for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD); however, additional family members (such as the proband) are required for haplotype construction. The abovementioned circumstances make RHDO‐based NIPD cost prohibitive; additionally, the genetic information of the proband is not always available. Thus, it is necessary to find a practical method to solve these problems.

Methods

Targeted sequencing was applied to sequence parental genomic DNA and cell‐free fetal DNA (cffDNA). Parental haplotypes were constructed with the SHAPEIT software based on the 1000 Genomes Project (1000G) Phase 3 v5 Southern Han Chinese (CHS) haplotype dataset. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the target region were called and classified, and the fetal mutation inheritance status was deduced using the RHDO method.

Results

Construction of the parental haplotypes and detection of the inherited parental mutations were successfully achieved in five families, despite a suspected recombination event. The status of the affected fetuses is consistent with the results of traditional reverse dot blot (RDB) diagnosis.

Conclusion

This research introduced SHAPEIT into the classical RHDO workflow and proved that it is applicable to construct parental haplotypes without information from other family members.