bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical and milling properties of rice kernels from upper, middle, and basal spikelets of hybrid and inbred lines at early and ideal harvesting stages
Authors: Polidoro Edimara , El Halal Shanise Lisie Mello , Villanova Franciene Almeida , Lindemann Igor da Silva , Wang Ya‐Jane , Vanier Nathan Levien
Published: May 2020

Background and objectives

Grains from a hybrid (Inov CL) and an inbred (Irga 424 RI) line were studied as a function of harvesting time (supposed early and ideal maturity stages) and panicle position (upper, middle, and basal).

Findings

In general, greater head rice yield (HRY) and thousand grain weight were observed when the kernels were harvested with 22% moisture content. At this moisture content, HRY varied from 52.3% to 63.8% for Inov CL and from 68.2% to 69.8% for Irga 424 RI, depending on panicle position. All studied starches showed similar molecular weight distribution. Relative crystallinity varied from 18.7% to 22.0%. The protein content and extractability at different media differed just for kernels from Inov CL at the 2nd harvesting time.

Conclusions

To achieve better industrial performance, the rice kernels may be harvested at the ideal maturity stage of 22% moisture content or closer. Amylose content and starch structure of the Inov CL and Irga 424 RI cultivars did not differ among the studied harvesting times.

Significance and novelty

Obtained results improve the scientific database on factors affecting the grain quality of hybrid and inbred rice cultivars, addressing gaps that may be considered for farmers, industries, as well as for rice breeders in future rice breeding programs.
Nonpuerperal breast abscess due to Prevotella bivia
Authors: Boucher Astrid , Quaranta Delphine , Emonet Stéphane , Serratrice Jacques , Coen Matteo
Published: May 2020

Contrary to puerperal abscess, nonpuerperal breast abscess is often caused by anaerobic bacteria; polymicrobial aerobic‐anaerobic infections are also frequent. Empiric first‐choice treatment with broad‐spectrum antibiotics should be considered.
Determining Roles of Cu0 in the Chemosynthesis of Diols via Condensed Diester Hydrogenation on Cu/SiO2 Catalyst
Authors: Wang Weichao , Wang Hui , Zhang Jingwei , Kong Lingxin , Huang Huijiang , Liu Wei , Wang Shengping , Ma Xinbin , Zhao Yujun
Published: May 2020

Copper‐based catalyst was applied in the condensed diester hydrogenation with unexpected high selectivity (∼100 %) to 1,6‐hexanediol. On basis of the mass transfer analysis and kinetics results, the reaction rate of the condensed diester hydrogenation was deduced to be controlled by the activation of hydrogen on Cu0 sites, which was further demonstrated by the correlations between the catalytic activity and different copper species. Importantly, this catalysis mechanism is different with that of gas‐phase diester hydrogenation, which is generally determined by the adsorption of ester on Cu+ species.
Development of near‐infrared firefly luciferin analogue reacted with wild‐type and mutant luciferases
Authors: Kitada Nobuo , Saito Ryohei , Obata Rika , Iwano Satoshi , Karube Kazuma , Miyawaki Atsushi , Hirano Takashi , Maki Shojiro A.
Published: May 2020

Interestingly, only the D‐form of firefly luciferin produces light by luciferin–luciferase (L–L) reaction. Certain firefly luciferin analogues with modified structures maintain bioluminescence (BL) activity; however, all L‐form luciferin analogues show no BL activity. To this date, our group has developed luciferin analogues with moderate BL activity that produce light of various wavelengths. For in vivo bioluminescence imaging, one of the important factors for detection sensitivity is tissue permeability of the number of photons emitted by L–L reaction, and the wavelengths of light in the near‐infrared (NIR) range (700–900 nm) are most appropriate for the purpose. Some NIR luciferin analogues by us had performance for in vivo experiments to make it possible to detect photons from deep target tissues in mice with high sensitivity, whereas only a few of them can produce NIR light by the L–L reactions with wild‐type luciferase and/or mutant luciferase. Based on the structure–activity relationships, we designed and synthesized here a luciferin analogue with the 5‐allyl‐6‐dimethylamino‐2‐naphthylethenyl moiety. This analogue exhibited NIR BL emissions with wild‐type luciferase (λmax = 705 nm) and mutant luciferase AlaLuc (λmax = 655 nm).
Who do we blame for abusive supervision?
Authors: Khan Shahid , Medica Karen
Published: May 2020

Research has looked extensively at one side of abusive supervision (that is employee perceptions) and subsequently linked this phenomenon to supervisors' actual behaviour. We address this research gap by investigating the other side—employee characteristics as a factor related to the perception of abusive supervision (AS). Data collected from 443 employees within the Pakistani telecommunications industry revealed that employees' intimidation behaviours was positively related to their perceptions of AS, mediated by emotional exhaustion. In addition, recognition (from top management) was found to moderate the indirect effects of intimidation on AS via emotional exhaustion. Our findings challenge the assumption that supervisors are to blame for exhibiting abusive behaviour and identify a new, underlying factor related to AS.
Latency‐aware adaptive micro‐batching techniques for streamed data compression on graphics processing units
Authors: Stein Charles M. , Rockenbach Dinei A. , Griebler Dalvan , Torquati Massimo , Mencagli Gabriele , Danelutto Marco , Fernandes Luiz G.
Published: May 2020

Stream processing is a parallel paradigm used in many application domains. With the advance of graphics processing units (GPUs), their usage in stream processing applications has increased as well. The efficient utilization of GPU accelerators in streaming scenarios requires to batch input elements in microbatches, whose computation is offloaded on the GPU leveraging data parallelism within the same batch of data. Since data elements are continuously received based on the input speed, the bigger the microbatch size the higher the latency to completely buffer it and to start the processing on the device. Unfortunately, stream processing applications often have strict latency requirements that need to find the best size of the microbatches and to adapt it dynamically based on the workload conditions as well as according to the characteristics of the underlying device and network. In this work, we aim at implementing latency‐aware adaptive microbatching techniques and algorithms for streaming compression applications targeting GPUs. The evaluation is conducted using the Lempel‐Ziv‐Storer‐Szymanski compression application considering different input workloads. As a general result of our work, we noticed that algorithms with elastic adaptation factors respond better for stable workloads, while algorithms with narrower targets respond better for highly unbalanced workloads.
Titanium‐Substituted Tavorite LiFeSO4F as Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries: First‐Principles Calculations and Experimental Study
Authors: Guo Zhendong , Wang Dashuai , Zhang Lijie , Fu Qiang , Wei Yingjin
Published: May 2020

Titanium‐substituted LiTixFe1−2xSO4F (x=0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) cathode materials were synthesized by a solvothermal method. X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy were used to investigate the effects of Ti substitution on the structure of LiFeSO4F, and it was shown that Ti substitutes the Fe(2) site. First‐principles calculations and UV‐visible spectroscopy demonstrate that Ti substitution reduces the bandgap of LiFeSO4F which improves the electronic conductivity from 8.3×10−12 S cm−1 to 3.9×10−11 S cm−1. CI‐NEB and BV calculations show that the Li diffusion energy barriers along the (100), (010) and (101) directions are decreased after Ti substitution, and the Li diffusion coefficient is increased from 4.99×10−11 cm2 S−1 to 1.59×10−10 cm2 S−1. The improved electronic conductivity and ionic diffusivity mean that the Ti‐substituted material shows improved electrochemical properties compared to the pristine LiFeSO4F.
In Genetic Disorders, One Size Does Not Fit All
Authors: Wohlberg Christopher J.
Published: May 2020

In drug development, preclinical studies often do not predict human benefit. Why not, then, go right to the source—patients with rare diseases and, more importantly, with specific various genetic mutations that, in aggregate, define the phenotypic clinical disorder? In this issue, Genova et al. describe how induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with two genetic disorders (ataxia‐telangiectasia and Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome) can be used to better predict responses to immunosuppressive therapy.
Identification of race‐specific quantitative trait loci for resistance to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in an Andean population of common bean
Authors: Mungalu Handsome , Sansala Miyoba , Hamabwe Swivia , Mukuma Chikoti , Gepts Paul , Kelly James D. , Kamfwa Kelvin
Published: May 2020

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is a major disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Because of the high genetic variability of C. lindemuthianum, development of varieties with durable resistance requires deployment of loci with resistance to a wide range of C. lindemuthianum races. The objective of the current study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to nine races of C. lindemuthianum in an Andean population. A total of 150 F4:8 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from Andean parents Solwezi and AO‐1012‐29‐3‐3A were evaluated for resistance to nine races of C. lindemuthianum in a screenhouse at University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. AO‐1012‐29‐3‐3A is resistant to some races of C. lindemuthianum. The population was genotyped with 5,398 SNP markers and composite interval mapping conducted to identify QTL for resistance. A total of 14 QTL for resistance to nine races of C. lindemuthianum were identified on five chromosomes including Pv02, Pv03, Pv04, Pv07, and Pv10. These 14 QTL included both major and minor QTL with R2 values ranging from 7.3% for ANT10.1SA on Pv10 to 79% for ANT2.1UC,SA on Pv02. A majority of the identified QTL were major QTL but a few were minor QTL, suggesting a role for both qualitative and quantitative resistance in the mapping population. The major QTL ANT02.1UC,SA and ANT04.1SA, which in combination provided resistance to all nine races used in the study, colocalize with previously reported major genes and would be ideal targets for pyramiding using marker‐assisted selection to develop varieties with durable resistance to anthracnose.
Inheritance of rhizobitoxine‐induced chlorosis in soybean
Authors: Robinson K. O. , Burton J. W. , Taliercio E. W. , Israel D. W. , Carter T. E.
Published: May 2020

There are two species of Bradyrhizobium that nodulate soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and fix nitrogen (N): B. japonicum and B. elkanii. Bradyrhizobium elkanii is endemic to soils in the southeastern region of the United States. Some strains of B. elkanii produce rhizobitoxine (RT), a toxin that causes chlorosis on newly developing trifoliates of some field‐grown soybean, in root nodules. Some soybean genotypes are resistant to rhizobitoxine‐induced (RI) chlorosis. The objective of this research was to determine the inheritance of soybean resistance to RI chlorosis. Crosses were made between resistant and susceptible cultivars. Progeny were identified as susceptible, resistant, or segregating in the first, second, and third self‐pollinated generations. All F1 hybrids from crosses between resistant and susceptible soybean exhibited seedling chlorosis, indicating that genes for resistance to chlorosis are recessive. The F2 progeny segregated in a ratio of nine susceptible to seven resistant, indicating that there are two genes responsible for the soybean resistance to RI chlorosis. This ratio was confirmed in F2:3 population screening. One hundred forty‐one simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers polymorphic in both a susceptible parent and a resistant parent were used to locate the genes responsible for resistance to chlorosis. A gene found near marker Satt 657 on linkage group (LG) F (chromosome 13) explained a statistically significant 32% of the phenotypic variation among F2 plants based on the p‐value and R2 of a single factor ANOVA. The second gene was not located.
Forward‐looking information in integrated reports: Insights from “best in class”
Authors: Mio Chiara , Marchini Pier Luigi , Medioli Alice
Published: May 2020

Are integrated reports actually forward looking or do they disclose mainly the past? Stakeholders, particularly investors, increasingly call for more information on strategies, risks, and opportunities that companies face. Integrated Reporting, through its future‐oriented approach, represents a response to these corporate reporting challenges, by making companies disclose more about their future outlook, enabling investors and other stakeholders to take a much longer term view. In such a context, this study explore the extent and characteristics of forward‐looking information in reports that are recognized as best practices by a reputable awards process or through benchmarking in the International Integrated Reporting Council's database and proposes different dimensions of analysis. Overall, the results show that even among the best in class integrated reports, there are differences in the disclosure of forward‐looking information and that the information needs of stakeholders regarding future‐oriented disclosure do not seem to be fully met.
Fitness consequences of redundant cues of competition in male Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Dore Alice A. , Bretman Amanda , Chapman Tracey
Published: May 2020

Phenotypic plasticity can allow animals to adapt their behavior, such as their mating effort, to their social and sexual environment. However, this relies on the individual receiving accurate and reliable cues of the environmental conditions. This can be achieved via the receipt of multimodal cues, which may provide redundancy and robustness. Male Drosophila melanogaster detect presence of rivals via combinations of any two or more redundant cue components (sound, smell, and touch) and respond by extending their subsequent mating duration, which is associated with higher reproductive success. Although alternative combinations of cues of rival presence have previously been found to elicit equivalent increases in mating duration and offspring production, their redundancy in securing success under sperm competition has not previously been tested. Here, we explicitly test this by exposing male D. melanogaster to alternative combinations of rival cues, and examine reproductive success in both the presence and absence of sperm competition. The results supported previous findings of redundancy of cues in terms of behavioral responses. However, there was no evidence of reproductive benefits accrued by extending mating duration in response to rivals. The lack of identifiable fitness benefits of longer mating under these conditions, both in the presence and absence of sperm competition, contrasted with some previous results, but could be explained by (a) damage sustained from aggressive interactions with rivals leading to reduced ability to increase ejaculate investment, (b) presence of features of the social environment, such as male and female mating status, that obscured the fitness benefits of longer mating, and (c) decoupling of behavioral investment with fitness benefits.
Reproductive isolation caused by azoospermia in sterile male hybrids of Drosophila
Authors: Davis Hunter , Sosulski Nicholas , Civetta Alberto
Published: May 2020

Recently diverged populations in the early stages of speciation offer an opportunity to understand mechanisms of isolation and their relative contributions. Drosophila willistoni is a tropical species with broad distribution from Argentina to the southern United States, including the Caribbean islands. A postzygotic barrier between northern populations (North America, Central America, and the northern Caribbean islands) and southern populations (South American and the southern Caribbean islands) has been recently documented and used to propose the existence of two different subspecies. Here, we identify premating isolation between populations regardless of their subspecies status. We find no evidence of postmating prezygotic isolation and proceeded to characterize hybrid male sterility between the subspecies. Sterile male hybrids transfer an ejaculate that is devoid of sperm but causes elongation and expansion of the female uterus. In sterile male hybrids, bulging of the seminal vesicle appears to impede the movement of the sperm toward the sperm pump, where sperm normally mixes with accessory gland products. Our results highlight a unique form of hybrid male sterility in Drosophila that is driven by a mechanical impediment to transfer sperm rather than by an abnormality of the sperm itself. Interestingly, this form of sterility is reminiscent of a form of infertility (azoospermia) that is caused by lack of sperm in the semen due to blockages that impede the sperm from reaching the ejaculate.
Impact of tricuspid regurgitation on survival in patients with heart failure: a large electronic health record patient‐level database analysis
Authors: Messika‐Zeitoun David , Verta Patrick , Gregson John , Pocock Stuart J. , Boero Isabel , Feldman Ted E. , Abraham William T. , Lindenfeld JoAnn , Bax Jeroen , Leon Martin , Enriquez‐Sarano Maurice
Published: May 2020

Aims

More evidence is needed to quantify the association between tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

Between 2008–2017, using the Optum longitudinal database, a patient‐level database that integrates multiple US‐based electronic health and claim records from several health care providers, we identified 435 679 patients with new HF diagnosis and both an assessment of the left ventricular ejection fraction and at least 1 year of history. TR was graded as mild, moderate or severe and classified as prevalent (at the time of the initial HF diagnosis) or incident (subsequent new cases thereafter). For prevalent TR, the analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model with adjustment for patient covariates. Incident TR was modelled as a time‐updated covariate, as were other non‐fatal events during follow‐up. Prevalence of mild, moderate and severe TR at baseline was 10.1%, 5.1% and 1.4%, respectively. Over a median follow‐up of 1.5 years, 121 273 patients (27.8%) died and prevalent TR was independently associated with survival. Compared to patients with no TR at baseline, the adjusted hazard ratios for mortality were 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.01], 1.17 (95% CI 1.14–1.20) and 1.34 (95% CI 1.28–1.39) for mild, moderate and severe TR, respectively. In the 363 270 patients free from TR at baseline, incident TR (at least mild, at least moderate, or severe) developed during follow‐up in 12.1%, 5.1% and 1.1%, respectively. Adjusted mortality hazard ratios for such new cases were 1.48 (95% CI 1.44–1.52), 1.92 (95% CI 1.86–1.99) and 2.44 (95% CI 2.32–2.57), respectively. Findings were consistent across all patient subgroups based on age, gender, rhythm, associated comorbidities, prior cardiac surgery, B‐type natriuretic peptide/N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, and left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusions

In this large contemporary patient‐level database of almost half‐million US patients with HF, TR was associated with a marked increases in mortality risk overall and in all subgroups. Future randomized controlled trials will evaluate the impact of TR correction on clinical outcomes and the causal relationship between TR and mortality.
The formation mechanisms of flow field in a compound intake ported rotary engine considering apex seal leakage
Authors: Fan Baowei , Zhang Yaoyuan , Pan Jianfeng , Otchere Peter , Wang Yuanguang , Zeng Yonghao
Published: May 2020

The development of rotary engines is severely restricted by its low combustion efficiency and high emission. In‐cylinder flow field is known to play a major role in combustion process for rotary engines. Therefore, in the present article, a three‐dimensional dynamic simulation model considering leakage through apex seals was developed and verified by the two‐dimensional particle image velocimetry experiment results on the rotor housing central plane. Based on the three‐dimensional dynamic simulation model, the formation mechanisms of flow field in a compound intake ported rotary engine under different apex seal leakage gap sizes (0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08 mms) and engine speeds (2,000, 3,500, and 5,000 rpms) were numerically studied. The simulation results showed that there exist two formation mechanisms of the flow field in the intake stroke, that is, “side intake port dominance” and “peripheral intake port dominance.” For the three engine speeds (2,000, 3,500, and 5,000 rpms), with the increase of apex seal leakage gap size, the formation mechanism of the flow field gradually changed from “side intake port dominance” to “peripheral intake port dominance.” In addition, the influences of apex seal leakage on the volume coefficient and the turbulence kinetic energy in the combustion chamber were also investigated in detail.
Impact of immunophenotypic characteristics on genetic subgrouping in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Tokyo Children's Cancer Study Group (TCCSG) study L04‐16
Authors: Ohki Kentaro , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Fukushima Takashi , Nanmoku Toru , Kusano Shinpei , Mori Makiko , Nakazawa Yozo , Yuza Yuki , Migita Masahiro , Okuno Haruna , Morimoto Akira , Yoshino Hiroshi , Kato Motohiro , Hayashi Yasuhide , Manabe Atsushi , Ohara Akira , Hasegawa Daisuke , Inukai Takeshi , Tomizawa Daisuke , Koh Katsuyoshi , Kiyokawa Nobutaka ,   for the Tokyo Children's Cancer Study Group (TCCSG)
Published: May 2020

Immunophenotyping was performed in 1044 consecutive childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients enrolled in the Tokyo Children's Cancer Study Group L04‐16 trial, revealing novel findings associated with genetic abnormalities. In addition to TCF3‐PBX1 and MEF2D fusions, the CD10(+) subtype of KMT2A‐MLLT3‐positive ALL frequently exhibited the cytoplasmic‐μ(+) pre‐B ALL immunophenotype. Although ETV6‐RUNX1 was significantly correlated with myeloid antigen expression, more than half of patients expressed neither CD33 nor CD13, while the CD27(+)/CD44(−) immunophenotype was maintained. Expression of CD117 and CD56 in B‐cell precursor‐ALL was limited to certain subtypes including ETV6‐RUNX1 and KMT2A‐MLLT3. Besides BCR‐ABL1, CRLF2, hyperdiploidy, and hypodiploidy, CD66c was also expressed in Ph‐like kinase fusion‐, PAX5 fusion‐, and DUX4 fusion‐positive ALL, but not in MEF2D fusion‐positive ALL, indicating constant selectivity of CD66c expression. In T‐ALL, SIL‐TAL1‐positive patients were likely to exhibit a more mature immunophenotype. Expression of CD21 and CD10 was not rare in T‐ALL, while lack of CD28 was an additional feature of early T‐cell precursor‐ALL. Considering the immunophenotype as a prognostic maker, MEF2D fusion‐positive ALL with CD5 expression may be associated with a poorer prognosis in comparison with those lacking CD5 expression. In cases with characteristic marker expression, the presence of certain fusion transcripts could be predicted accurately.
Effectiveness of a peer education gender and health project for men in Timor‐Leste
Authors: Smith Helen , Botfield Jessica R. , Soares Marce , Cheng Yan , McGeechan Kevin
Published: May 2020

Issue Addressed

In response to high rates of gender‐based violence and poor sexual and reproductive health indicators in Timor‐Leste, a ‘Men's Health Project’ was implemented in two rural communities in 2013. A peer education model was utilised to engage men in issues regarding health, relationships and well‐being.

Methods

Community‐based baseline and endline surveys were undertaken to evaluate the project in the two communities.

Results

In 2013, 401 men and boys completed a baseline survey, and 400 completed an endline survey in 2016. Significant differences were found in a number of areas, with more men in the endline survey aware of the negative impacts of alcohol, safe pregnancy practices, family planning and sexually transmitted infections. Many men reported making the major decisions in their family in both surveys.

Conclusions

The peer education approach engaged men in health awareness and contributed to increasing knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and other health issues. However, while education and positive attitudes are an important foundation for change, other enabling mechanisms including vital infrastructure, services and health personnel must be in place to facilitate change and increase access to information and healthcare. Findings highlight the importance of engaging both women and men in processes of challenging behaviours and structures that reinforce gender inequalities.

So What?

Peer education appears to be an effective model for engaging community members in gender and health issues in Timor‐Leste. The Men's Health Project enabled men to participate in health awareness and issues regarding health, relationships and well‐being.
Multiple‐indicator study of the response of groundwater recharge sources to highly turbid river water after a landslide in the Tedori River alluvial fan, Japan
Authors: Yoshioka Yumi , Nakamura Kimihito , Takimoto Hiroshi , Sakurai Shinji , Nakagiri Takao , Horino Haruhiko , Tsuchihara Takeo
Published: May 2020

The large volume of groundwater stored in the Tedori River alluvial fan, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, is an important source of local drinking and industrial water. The Tedori River was observed to be highly turbid from the beginning of May 2015 to at least November 2017 due to a landslide in the upper reach of the river. After the landslide, the groundwater level was drawn down by several to 10 m near the middle river section during paddy irrigation periods in 2015 and 2016. This study addresses the impacts of the highly turbid water on groundwater recharge from the river and paddy fields. In 2016, we sampled groundwater, river water, paddy irrigation water, paddy ponding water, and precipitation five times at 2‐month intervals. We analysed the H, O, and Sr stable isotopic compositions and major dissolved ion (and Sr) concentrations and compared our data to previous data obtained in June 2011. Ca, Sr, Cl, SO4, and TN concentrations and δ18O values were higher in June 2016 than in June 2011; these increases were more extreme along the left bank of the Tedori River than along the right bank. We explored the mixing of Tedori River water with groundwater using a two‐endmember mixing model based on their Sr concentrations and isotopic compositions. Compared to June 2011, mixing ratios were decreased near the Tedori River in 2016, and larger decreases were observed along the left bank and in the middle stream area. These results confirm that the contribution to groundwater recharge from the river decreased during the turbidity event, particularly along the left bank.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Elusive Matrix‐Open State of Mitochondrial ADP/ATP Carrier
Authors: Škulj Sanja , Brkljača Zlatko , Vazdar Mario
Published: May 2020

We studied and compared in detail an elusive matrix open (m‐state) and cytoplasmic open (c‐state) state of ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) protein embedded in the DOPC bilayer by microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We analyzed both states with and without cardiolipin (CDL) molecules, with a special emphasis on the recently obtained crystallographic structure of the AAC m‐state. The obtained results show that both states of the protein are stable in the DOPC bilayer and impermeable to water. In comparison with the c‐state of AAC, the m‐state is more dynamic, but at the same time possesses a larger occluded area in the protein cavity. Both states of the protein are less flexible in simulations when CDL molecules are present, which is especially visible for the m‐state. Finally, the analysis of the protein conformational changes during MD simulations shows that protein parts at the protein/lipid boundaries are prone to larger conformational changes in contrast to central region of the protein embedded in the bilayer core, thus further supporting the cycling mechanism suggested for ADP/ATP exchange by AAC.
The use of the wetting front detector as an irrigation‐scheduling tool for pepper production in the Upper East Region of Ghana: Evidence from field experiment and farmers' perceptions
Authors: Adimassu Zenebe , Balana Bedru B. , Appoh Richard , Nartey Eric
Published: May 2020

We compare the effect of the wetting front detector on yield and water productivity with farmers' practices (FP) and irrigation requirements based on crop water requirement calculation (IRCWR). A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of the wetting front detector, FP and IRCWR combined with six fertilizer rates. We also interviewed 50 farmers to understand their perception about the use and associated concerns with the wetting front detector. Analysis of variance and partial budget economic analysis were performed. The results show that the wetting front detector saved 16% of irrigation water compared to FP, which in turn led to 16% labour saving to irrigate pepper as compared to FP. Yield and water productivity of pepper were not significantly affected by the irrigation regimes. Regardless of irrigation regimes, yield of pepper was significantly influenced by fertilizer treatment in both years. Although the highest fresh fruit yield of pepper (8.6 t ha−1) was recorded from Fortifer granules, the highest marginal rate of return was obtained from application of inorganic fertilizer including 173 N, 36 P,18 K ha¯¹. The majority of farmers perceived the wetting front detector as low risk and compatible to use. The result also suggests that farmers are interested in buying and adopting the tool for future use. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incorporating social determinants of health into comprehensive medication management: Insights from the field
Authors: Pestka Deborah L. , Espersen Chris , Sorge Lindsay A. , Funk Kylee A.
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Social determinants of health affect all aspects of health, including a patient's ability to access and appropriately use medications.

Objective

To understand the experience of pharmacists incorporating social determinants of health into their comprehensive medication management visits.

Methods

Two pharmacists practicing comprehensive medication management in an outpatient behavioral health clinic received regular coaching for 10 months from a social determinants of health consultant on incorporating social determinants of health into their visits. At the end of the project, an interview was conducted with both participating pharmacists to learn about their experience. All coaching calls and the interview were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed qualitatively.

Results

Fifteen codes emerged to describe the pharmacists' experience incorporating social determinants of health into their visits. The codes were categorized using the steps of the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process. Additionally, there was a category of codes describing larger system issues that posed a barrier to addressing social determinants of health, as well as a category of lessons that pharmacists learned through the process of incorporating social determinants of health into their visits.

Conclusion

Given the prevalence of social determinants of health and the dramatic effect they have on a patient's health and wellbeing, more work needs to be done to determine how health care teams can incorporate and address social determinants of health into their visits. This work provides an important first step to understanding how incorporating social determinants of health fit into the practice of comprehensive medication management.
Comprehensive expression analysis of mRNA and microRNA for the investigation of compensatory mechanisms in the rat kidney after unilateral nephrectomy
Authors: Matsushita Kohei , Toyoda Takeshi , Yamada Takanori , Morikawa Tomomi , Ogawa Kumiko
Published: May 2020

Compensation is a physiological response that occurs during chemical exposure to maintain homeostasis. Because compensatory responses are not usually considered adverse effects, it is important to understand compensatory mechanisms for chemical risk assessment. Although the kidney is a major target organ for toxicity, there is controversy over whether hyperplasia or hypertrophy contributes to the compensatory mechanism, and there is limited information to apply for chemical risk assessment. In the present study, compensatory mechanisms of the kidney were investigated in a unilateral nephrectomy (UNx) model using adult male and female F344 rats. In residual kidneys of male and female rats after UNx, 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine‐labeling indices and mRNA expression of cell cycle‐related genes were increased, although there were no fluctuations in mRNA expression of transforming growth factor‐β1, which contributes to hypertrophy in renal tubules. Pathway analysis using mRNA expression data from a complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray revealed that canonical pathways related to cell proliferation were mainly activated and that forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) was an upstream regulator of compensatory cell proliferation in residual kidneys of male and female rats. cDNA microarray for microRNAs (miRNAs) demonstrated that nine miRNAs were downregulated in residual kidneys, and mRNA/miRNA integrated analysis indicated that miRNAs were associated with the expression of factors downstream of FOXM1. Overall, these results suggested that FOXM1‐mediated hyperplasia rather than hypertrophy contributed to compensatory mechanisms in the kidney and that miRNAs regulated downstream FOXM1 signaling. These results will be beneficial for evaluating nephrotoxicity in chemical risk assessment and for developing new biomarkers to predict nephrotoxicity.
Epidemiology of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in Japan: A focused literature review
Authors: Eguchi Yuichiro , Wong Gabriel , Lee Emma (I‐Heng) , Akhtar Omar , Lopes Ricardo , Sumida Yoshio
Published: May 2020

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represent a growing unmet medical need and an increasingly prevalent cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death in Japan. The aim of this review was to characterize the epidemiology of NAFLD and NASH in Japan. An English and Japanese literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and ICHUSHI Web, identifying 6553 studies, 67 of which were included. Prevalence of NAFLD in the Japanese population rose from the early 1990s (12.6–12.9%) to the early 2000s (24.6–34.7% of the population). Japanese NASH prevalence is estimated to be 1.9–2.7%. NAFLD and NASH are more common among males than females; however, females experience more severe disease than males. While obese patients had higher prevalence of NAFLD/NASH, nonobese individuals (body mass index [BMI] <25 kg/m2) consistently comprised 20% to >35% of NAFLD and NASH patients. The evidence shows that, despite obesity being linked with worse disease stages, “lean‐NASH” also plays an important role in NASH epidemiology. Besides obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome appeared to be reliably associated with disease severity. The prevalence of advanced fibrosis or cirrhotic disease was the highest in patients with NASH‐HCC (44–80% with stage F3/F4 disease), while 21–50% of patients with NASH had F3/F4 disease. NAFLD/NASH is common in the Japanese population, and the prevalence of these conditions has tripled in the last two decades. Furthermore, these NAFLD/NASH patients have a high comorbidity burden. Early and efficient identification of safe and effective treatments for NAFLD/NASH patients is urgently needed.
Synthesis of polynitro methyltetrazoles
Authors: Duddu Raja , Damavarapu Reddy , Parrish Damon
Published: May 2020

Synthesis of new energetic gem‐dinitropropylnitramino methyltetrazoles has been described.
AADC deficiency from infancy to adulthood: Symptoms and developmental outcome in an international cohort of 63 patients
Authors: Pearson Toni S. , Gilbert Laura , Opladen Thomas , Garcia‐Cazorla Angeles , Mastrangelo Mario , Leuzzi Vincenzo , Tay Stacy K. H. , Sykut‐Cegielska Jolanta , Pons Roser , Mercimek‐Andrews Saadet , Kato Mitsuhiro , Lücke Thomas , Oppebøen Mari , Kurian Manju A. , Steel Dora , Manti Filippo , Meeks Kathleen D. , Jeltsch Kathrin , Flint Lisa
Published: May 2020

Aromatic l‐amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCD) is a rare, autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired synthesis of dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline and serotonin, leading to a complex syndrome of motor, behavioral, and autonomic symptoms. This retrospective study assessed the symptoms and developmental outcome of a large international cohort of patients with AADCD via physician and/or caregiver responses to a detailed, standardized questionnaire. Sixty‐three patients (60% female; ages 6 months‐36 years, median 7 years; 58 living) from 23 individual countries participated. Common symptoms at onset (median age 3 months, range 0‐12 months) were hypotonia, developmental delay, and/or oculogyric crises. Oculogyric crises were present in 97% of patients aged 2 to 12 years, occurred in the majority of patients in all age groups, and tended to be most severe during early childhood. Prominent non‐motor symptoms were sleep disturbance, irritable mood, and feeding difficulties. The majority of subjects (70%) had profound motor impairment characterized by absent head control and minimal voluntary movement, while 17% had mild motor impairment and were able to walk independently. Dopamine agonists were the medications most likely to produce some symptomatic benefit, but were associated with dose‐limiting side effects (dyskinesia, insomnia, irritability, vomiting) that led to discontinuation 25% of the time. The age distribution of our cohort (70% of subjects under age 13 years) and the observation of a greater proportion of patients with a more severe disease phenotype in the younger compared to the older patients, both suggest a significant mortality risk during childhood for patients with severe disease.
3D printed wideband flat gain multilayer nonuniform reflectarray antenna for X‐band applications
Authors: Belen Aysu , Güneş Filiz , Belen Mehmet A. , Mahouti Peyman
Published: May 2020

Reflectarray antenna designs have become an efficient solution alternative to their counterpart designs due to their beam scanning capability, low profile, high gain, and mounting flexibility. Herein, design and realization of a wideband, flat gain multi‐layer nonuniform reflectarray (MNURA) using 3D printing technology is presented. Design optimization of the proposed MNURA has been achieved in the two stages: First, a 3D CST Microwave Studio based Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP NN) model establishes the reflection phase characteristic of the MNURA unit element as an accurate continuous function of the geometrical design parameters and dielectric constant. Then Differential Evolutionary Algorithm DEA is selected as a powerful optimization algorithm for determining the optimum geometrical design parameters and dielectric constant of MNURA throughout the X‐band to have a large range, wideband, and flat gain RA design. 3D printing technology has been used for prototyping of the proposed MNURA design. Here, the resulted optimum dielectric constant value of 2.2 is realized by 56% infill rate of “Polar White” PLA using the relation between the infill rate and dielectric constant. The prototyped antenna has a total size of 300 × 300 (mm), and its measured performance characteristics achieve a wideband flat gain of 23.2 dBi with a ripple level of almost 1.5 dBi and return loss characteristic of less than −10 dB over the operation band of 8 to 12 GHz.
Correlation of the peak oxygen consumption and ventilatory aerobic threshold by cardiopulmonary exercise testing with atrial fibrillation recurrences after ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yamashita Daiki , Kamikawa Shigeshi , Tanaka Ryou , Tabita Natsumi , Nishimura Saori , Mitsuoka Miyuki , Higashiya Shunich , Yamaji Hirosuke , Murakami Takashi , Hina Kazuyoshi , Kusachi Shozo
Published: May 2020

Background

The cardiopulmonary function is hypothesized to be associated with atrial fibrillation/atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF/AT) recurrence after AF ablation.

Purpose

To clarify the relationship between the cardiopulmonary function after successful ablation and AF/AT recurrence.

Methods

We examined 31 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent AF ablation. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed at 1month after the ablation. A continuously increasing loading method on a bicycle ergometer was employed for the CPET.

Results

No adverse events, including AF/AT recurrence, occurred during the CPET. Among 31 patients, AT/AF recurrence was observed in seven (23%). The ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and peak oxygen consumption (VO2) were significantly higher in patients without AF/AT recurrence than in those with AT/AF recurrences (peak VO2 23.6 ± 5.7 vs 17.2 ± 4.1 mL/kg/min; VAT, 16.7 ± 2.8 vs 13.8 ± 2.7 mL/min/kg). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the peak VO2 and VAT were 0.786 (P < .01) and 0.789(P < .01), respectively. Both indices had a sensitivity of 70%–80% and specificity of 70%–80% for predicting AT/AF recurrence. Similar results were obtained for the percent values of the predicted peak VO2 and VAT.

Conclusions

The present pilot study found that CPET can be performed safely at approximately 1 month after AF ablation. The peak VO2 and VAT were significantly associated with AT/AF recurrence. The peak VO2 and VAT were thought to provide helpful information regarding AT/AF recurrence.
Altered tibiofemoral position following ACL reconstruction is associated with cartilage matrix changes: A voxel‐based relaxometry analysis
Authors: Li Alan K. , Ochoa Jonathan K. , Pedoia Valentina , Amano Keiko , Souza Richard B. , Li Xiaojuan , Ma Chunbong B.
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between postsurgical tibial translation (TT) and tibial rotation (TR) with cartilage matrix changes using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, specifically voxel‐based relaxometry with T1ρ and T2 mapping sequences. Knee magnetic resonance imaging's (MRI's) of 51 patients with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury, no concomitant ligamentous injury, history of osteoarthritis (OA), and previous knee surgery were scanned prior to surgery. Thirty‐four patients completed follow‐up MRI scans at 6‐month, 1‐ and 2‐year post‐reconstruction and were included in this study. Knee biomechanics, T1ρ, and T2 were calculated using an in‐house Matlab program. Compared to the contralateral knee, the injured knee demonstrated significantly increased anterior TT at baseline (P < .001), 6‐month (P < .001), 1‐ (P = .001), and 2‐year (P < .001). Furthermore, patients were divided into groups based on TT at 6‐month. When compared to patients with normal TT, those with increased anterior TT at 6‐month displayed significantly longer T1ρ and T2 relaxation times in 10.4% and 7.4% of the voxels in the injured medial tibia at 1‐year, respectively, as well as 12.4% and 9.8% of the voxels in the injured medial tibia at 2‐year, respectively. Our results demonstrate an association between abnormal tibiofemoral position and early degradative changes to the articular cartilage matrix of the injured knee. Clinical significance: These findings suggest that altered tibiofemoral position following ACL reconstruction is associated with early degeneration of knee cartilage. Future prospective studies employing longer follow‐up times are warranted to evaluate the relationship between abnormal tibiofemoral position and the early onset of posttraumatic OA.
Hypoxic stress enhances extension and branching of dorsal root ganglion neuronal outgrowth
Authors: Ma Junxuan , Stefanoska Despina , Stone Laura S. , Hildebrand Maria , van Donkelaar Corrinus C. , Zou Xuenong , Basoli Valentina , Grad Sibylle , Alini Mauro , Peroglio Marianna
Published: May 2020

It has been shown that painful intervertebral discs (IVDs) were associated with a deeper innervation. However, the effect of the disc's degenerative microenvironment on neuronal outgrowth remains largely unknown. The focus of this study was to determine the influence of hypoxia on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurite outgrowth. Toward this aim, the DRG‐derived cell line ND7/23 was either directly subjected to 2% or 20% oxygen conditions or exposed to conditioned medium (CM) collected from IVDs cultured under 2% or 20% oxygen. Viability and outgrowth analysis were performed following 3 days of exposure. Results obtained with the cell line were further validated on cultures of rabbit spinal DRG explants and dissociated DRG neurons. Results showed that hypoxia significantly increased neurite outgrowth length in ND7/23 cells, which was also validated in DRG explant and primary cell culture, although hypoxia conditioned IVD did not significantly increase ND7/23 neurite outgrowth. While hypoxia dramatically decreased the outgrowth frequency in explant cultures, it significantly increased collateral sprouting of dissociated neurons. Importantly, the hypoxia‐induced decrease of outgrowth frequency at the explant level was not due to inhibition of outgrowth branching but rather to neuronal necrosis. In summary, hypoxia in DRG promoted neurite sprouting, while neuronal necrosis may reduce the density of neuronal outgrowth at the tissue level. These findings may help to explain the deeper neo‐innervation found in the painful disc tissue.

Highlights

Hypoxia promoted elongation and branching of neurite outgrowth at single cell level, but reduced outgrowth density at tissue level, possibly due to hypoxia‐induced neuronal necrosis; these findings may help to explain the deeper neo‐innervation found in clinically painful tissues.
Esterification reaction kinetics of acetic acid and n‐pentanol catalyzed by sulfated zirconia
Authors: Hamerski Fabiane , Dusi Giovana Gonçalves , Fernandes dos Santos Julia Trancoso , da Silva Vítor Renan , Pedersen Voll Fernando Augusto , Corazza Marcos Lúcio
Published: May 2020

This study reports experimental data and kinetic modeling of acetic acid esterification with n‐pentanol using sulfated zirconia as a catalyst. Reactions were carried out in an isothermal well‐mixed batch reactor at different temperatures (50‐80°C), n‐pentanol to acid molar ratios (1:1‐3:1), and catalyst loadings (5‐10 wt% in relation to the total amount of acetic acid). The reaction mechanism regarding the heterogeneous catalysis was evaluated considering pseudo‐homogeneous, Eley–Rideal, and Langmuir–Hinshelwood model approaches. The reaction mixture was considered a nonideal solution and the UNIQUAC thermodynamic model was used to take into account the nonidealities in the liquid phase. The results obtained indicated that increases in the temperature and catalyst loading increased the product formation, while changes in the n‐pentanol to acetic acid molar ratio showed no significant effect. The estimated enthalpy of the reaction was −8.49 kJ mol−1, suggesting a slightly exothermic reaction. The Eley–Rideal model, with acetic acid adsorbed on the catalyst as the limiting step, was found to be the most significant reaction mechanism.