bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comorbidity burden and nonclinical factors associated with sinonasal cancer all‐cause mortality
Authors: Desai Premal B. , Bukatko Aleksandr R. , Simpson Matthew C. , Adjei Boakye Eric , Greenberg Jason W. , Ward Greg M. , Walker Ronald J. , Antisdel Jastin L. , Osazuwa Peters Nosayaba
Published: August 2019

Objective

To describe comorbidity burden and nonclinical factors associated with all‐cause mortality of sinonasal cancer in the United States.

Methods

The National Cancer Database (2004–2013) was queried for adult cases of sinonasal cancer (n = 10,518). Outcome of interest was all‐cause mortality. Independent variables included comorbidity score and nonclinical factors such as age, gender, race, facility type, distance to facility, insurance, and income. Survival analysis was conducted via multivariable extended Cox regression with Heaviside adjustments.

Results

Patients were mostly (79%), male (61%), and mean age of diagnosis was 63.5 years. Approximately one in five patients (18.7%) had a major comorbid condition (Charlson‐Deyo score ≥ 1) at diagnosis. After adjusting for clinical factors, increasing comorbidity score was associated with a corresponding increase in hazard of mortality (aHR comorbidity score of 1 = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.16, 1.35), (aHR score of 2+ = 1.61; 95%, CI 1.41, 1.83). Hazard of mortality was also associated with being male (aHR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04, 1.17); black (aHR = 1.13, 95% CI, 1.03, 1.24); uninsured (aHR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.25, 1.68) or on Medicaid (aHR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.33, 1.69); residence in zip codes with lower median income quartile (aHR < $30,000 = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06, 1.29); and treatment at community cancer programs (aHR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01, 1.28).

Conclusion

Comorbid disease is associated with all‐cause sinonasal cancer mortality, and after accounting for known clinical factors, significant differences in mortality persist based on disparity‐driven, nonclinical factors.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:1443–1449, 2020
Beyond Depth of Invasion: Adverse Pathologic Tumor Features in Early Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Larson Andrew R. , Kemmer Jacquelyn , Formeister Eric , El‐Sayed Ivan , Ha Patrick , George Jonathan , Ryan William , Chan Emily , Heaton Chase
Published: August 2019

Objective

In small (≤2 cm) oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC), we sought to clarify the contribution of pathologic features including perineural invasion (PNI), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and worst pattern of invasion‐5 (WPOI‐5) to clinical outcomes relative to tumor depth of invasion (DOI) of > or ≤ 4 mm.

Methods

Cases of ≤2 cm OTSCC treated surgically between 2000 and 2017 at an academic cancer center were reviewed, with retrospective pathologic slide review of DOI, LVI, PNI, and WPOI‐5. Primary outcome measures included occult nodal positivity, 2‐year locoregional recurrence (LRR), disease‐specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

One hundred tumors were included in analyses; 50 had DOI ≤ 4 mm, while 50 had DOI > 4 mm. When DOI was ≤4 mm, the presence of PNI, LVI, or WPOI‐5 was not associated with higher rates of occult cervical metastasis, LRR, or OS. When DOI was >4 mm, there was no difference in rates of occult cervical metastasis or LRR with each feature. On multivariate analysis, only the presence of two or more adverse features was associated with higher LRR (OR 5.7, P = .01) and worse DSS (HR 6.5, P = .02).

Conclusion

The rate of occult cervical metastases in small (≤2 cm) OTSCC when DOI is ≤4 mm is very low even when PNI, LVI, or WPOI‐5 is present, and 2‐year LRR is no different. When DOI is >4 mm, the strongest predictor of recurrence and survival on multivariate analysis is the presence of two or more features in the tumor.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:1715–1720, 2020
H2 accumulation and N2 fixation variation by Ni limitation in Cyanothece
Authors: Tuo Sing‐how , Rodriguez Irene B. , Ho Tung‐Yuan
Published: August 2019

Ni is an essential cofactor in NiFe‐uptake hydrogenase, an enzyme regulating H2 metabolism in diazotrophic cyanobacteria, the major H2 producers in the surface ocean globally. Here, we investigated the effect of Ni supply on H2 production and N2 fixation by using a model marine cyanobacterial diazotroph, Cyanothece. By mediating total dissolved Ni concentrations from 100 to 0.03 nmol L−1 in a trace metal‐defined culture medium, we demonstrated that Ni deficiency results in H2 accumulation, coupled with decreasing Ni quotas, growth rates, and occasionally relatively low N2 fixation rates. These results indicate that Ni deficiency limits the growth of the Cyanothece to some extent, considerably decreases H2 uptake by hydrogenase and leads to H2 accumulation and N2 fixation variation in the diazotroph. The findings show that Ni availability is a critical factor on controlling H2 production and N2 fixation in marine diazotrophic cyanobacteria. The information of Ni bioavailability for diazotrophic cyanobacteria is thus essential to evaluate the importance of Ni for H2 cycling and N2 fixation in oceanic surface waters.
Effect of the static pressure on the power dissipation of gearboxes
Authors: Concli Franco , Gorla Carlo , Rosa Francesco , Conrado Edoardo
Published: August 2019

Many researches were conducted in the past in order to maximise the efficiency of gearboxes, and for many of the sources of power loss, very effective models and tools are already available and can significantly help to optimise the design. Nevertheless, for the load‐independent power losses of gears only in the recent years some progress has been made. Concerning these losses, numerical simulations can help the designers in optimising the internal shape of the casing, thus ensuring the proper lubrication of all the components and reducing the undesired splashing losses.

The amount of lubricant plays a fundamental role: A reduction of the lubricant can be critical from the point of view of adequate lubrication and of failures of the system due to wear, scuffing, and pitting but, on the other side, an excessive amount of lubricant leads to additional power dissipation and could even determine an overheating of the system.

Another possibility to improve efficiency could be represented by the reduction of the pressure inside the housing: in this paper, the effect of the static pressure on the load‐independent power losses both for complete‐ and dip‐lubrication has been deeply studied.

The numerical results, validated by experimental data, show that a reduction up to 15% of the churning losses can be achieved without reducing the amount of lubricant, that is, without increasing the risk of failures related to lubrication.

Based on the results obtained, the reduction of the pressure of the housing proves to be a way to improve the efficiency, provided the related engineering issues are also addressed.
Effect of electrochemical potential on the corrosive wear behavior of 5052 aluminum alloy in 0.5 M NaCl solution
Authors: Lv Xiancheng , Cao Lei , Wan Yong , Yang Shuyan , Pu Jibin
Published: August 2019

A study has been carried out to investigate the corrosive wear behavior of aluminum alloy 5052 (AA5052) under reciprocated sliding in 0.5 M sodium chloride solution by a ball‐on‐disc tribometer which is associated with a potentiostat. It is clearly observed that applied potential has significant effects on the tribological and electrochemical performance of AA5052 in testing solution. The friction coefficient decreases with the increasing potential from the cathodic domain to the anodic one. The total wear volume of AA5052 increases with the increasing potential. The synergistic effort of wear and corrosion to the friction and wear performance is discussed.
Effect of dynamic DC stray current on corrosion behavior of X70 steel
Authors: Qin Huimin , Du Yanxia , Lu Minxu , Meng Qingsi
Published: August 2019

Corrosion behavior of X70 steel under the application of dynamic DC stray current was investigated in simulated soil solution by immersion tests and electrochemical measurements. Experimental results indicated that the corrosion rate of X70 steel under dynamic DC stray current was strongly influenced by the dynamic period. When the dynamic period was <80 s, the corrosion rate was only approximately 1–7% of that caused by an equivalent amount of steady direct current. However, as the dynamic period became >80 s, the corrosion rate increased significantly with the dynamic period. And finally when the dynamic period was >1 hr, the corrosion rate was nearly equal to 100% of that caused by an equivalent amount of steady direct current. Meanwhile, the surface examination showed that the specimens experienced uniform corrosion under the experimental conditions. On the basis of the experiment results, the dynamic DC stray current corrosion mechanism of X70 steel under the experimental conditions was discussed, which was closely related to the electric double‐layer structure at the electrode/solution interface and dynamic electrochemical reactions under dynamic stray current.
Synthesis of Strong Cation Exchange Macroporous Polymer Cluster for Convective Protein Chromatography
Authors: Lorenz Marcel , Vogg Sebastian , Finkelstein Patrick , Storti Giuseppe , Morbidelli Massimo
Published: August 2019

Alkyne‐terminated polyelectrolytic brushes based on 3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate are synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and subsequently linked to macroporous polymeric microclusters by Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition. It is shown that a column packed with the obtained material enables convective cation‐exchange chromatography of proteins, exhibiting flow rate independent resolution and dynamic binding capacity (8 mg mL−1). These flow characteristics are similar to those of monoliths and membranes and therefore improve the mass transport of existing chromatography resins used in the downstream process of therapeutic proteins, while the positive aspects of chromatographic beads are maintained, facilitating implementation in well‐developed platform technologies.
Twisted Hodge filtration: Curvature of the determinant
Authors: Naumann Philipp
Published: August 2019

Given a holomorphic family of compact complex manifolds and a relatively ample line bundle , the higher direct images carry a natural hermitian metric. An explicit formula for the curvature tensor of these direct images is given in [8]. We prove that the determinant of the twisted Hodge filtration is (semi‐)positive on the base S if L itself is (semi‐)positive on .
Physico‐Chemical Properties as a Key Factor in Choosing Practically Applicable Biocompatible Polymers
Authors: Hrubý Martin , Štěpánek Petr , Pánek Jiří
Published: August 2019

Main principles of applicability of polymers for biomedical purposes with the emphasis on their physico‐chemical properties and solution behavior are reviewed. The influence of molecular weight of the polymers and their degradability are also discussed. Thermosensitive polymers are pointed out including additional effects such as hydrogen bonds and vitrification. Several examples of polymers currently used or under development are presented and their advantages and drawbacks are analyzed.
Engineering of MoS2 Quantum Dots/PANI Aerogel for High Performance Supercapaciator
Authors: Das Sujoy , Nandi Arun K.
Published: August 2019

The lower conductivity of MoS2 sheet presents a huge barrier for the exploitation of its supercapaciator electrode application. To alleviate this difficulty, MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) having high surface area is prepared. The synthesized MoS2 QDs are embedded into polyaniline (PANI)‐N,N‐dibenzoyl‐L‐cystine (D) aerogel matrix for application in high performance supercapaciator. Here, conductive PANI hydrogel are prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline where D acts as a gelator, dopant, and cross‐linker. The D‐PANI aerogel shows conductivity of 0.02 S cm−1, specific capacitance of 278 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. The optimal MoS2 QDs in D‐PANI aeogel improves specific capacitance up to 796.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 showing long cycling stability (86% after 5000 cycles).
Photo‐Electrodialysis Combination System for Cd2+ Removal Using Polymeric
Authors: Saib Faouzi , Arous Omar , Mazari Akkacha , Trari Mohamed
Published: August 2019

The present work combines the solar energy with the environmental protection through the membrane selectivity for metallic ions. Firstly, we have elaborated new polymeric membranes for ions separation. The membrane is made up of cellulose acetate (CA) modified by polyelectrolytes (polyethylenimine (PEI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyanetholsulfonic acid (PATSA) using glycerol as plasticizer. Different membranes are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In a second part, we have prepared two new photo‐electrodes, crystallizing in the brownmillerites structure: n‐Sr2Fe2O5 and p‐Sr2Co2O5 and their photo‐electrochemical characterizations are undertaken. As application, the transport of Cd2+ using the synthesized membranes coupled with the photo‐electrodes is studied. The photo‐catalytic results indicate that the combined hetero‐system n‐Sr2Fe2O5/p‐Sr2Co2O5 enhances considerably the electrons transfer. The diffusion flux of Cd2+ is considerably enhanced when the electrode is exposed to visible light illumination. The results show that the transport percentages of Cd2+ increases by 40% under solar energy and 25% under a tungsten lamp.
Complexation of Syndiotactic Polystyrene with Branched Molecules
Authors: Kaneko Fumitoshi , Radulescu Aurel , Iwase Hiroki , Takata Shin‐ichi , Nishiura Masayoshi , Hou Zaomin
Published: August 2019

Syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) forms cocrystals with a wide range of chemical species from low‐mass molecules to polymeric compounds, such as polyethylene glycols. Although the sPS lattice has been confirmed to accept linear compounds, such as n‐alkanes and n‐fatty acids, branched molecules have not been regarded as guests until now. To investigate whether sPS can adopt branched molecules as guests, cocrystallization using three types of monoacid triacylglycerols (TAGs) with relatively short acyl chains, tricaprin, trilaurin, and trimyristin has been attempted. Moreover, the sPS films subjected to the guest exchange procedure have been investigated via X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and simultaneous small‐ and wide‐angle neutron scattering. The results showed that sPS forms the monoclinic δ clathrate cocrystal with all the three TAGs.
On the generalized exact boundary synchronization for a coupled system of wave equations
Authors: Wang Yanyan
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we deliver a normalized synchronization transformation to study the generalized exact boundary synchronization for a coupled system of wave equations with Dirichlet boundary controls. The clear relationship among the generalized exact boundary synchronization, the exact boundary null controllability, and the generalized exactly synchronizable states is precisely obtained. This approach gives further a forthright decomposition for the generalized exact boundary synchronization problem, whereby, we gain directly the determination of generalized exactly synchronizable states.
Accumulation of Dietary S‐Methyl Cysteine Sulfoxide in Human Prostate Tissue
Authors: Coode‐Bate Jack , Sivapalan Tharsini , Melchini Antonietta , Saha Shikha , Needs Paul W. , Dainty Jack R. , Maicha Jean‐Bapiste , Beasy Gemma , Traka Maria H. , Mills Robert D. , Ball Richard Y. , Mithen Richard F.
Published: August 2019

Scope

Observational studies have associated consumption of cruciferous vegetables with reduced risk of prostate cancer. This effect has been associated with the degradation products of glucosinolates—thioglycosides that accumulate within crucifers. The possible role of S‐methyl cysteine sulfoxide, a metabolite that also accumulates in cruciferous vegetables, and its derivatives, in cancer prevention is relatively unexplored compared to glucosinolate derivatives. The hypothesis that consuming a broccoli soup results in the accumulation of sulfate (a SMCSO derivative) and other broccoli‐derived metabolites in prostate tissue is tested.

Methods and results

Eighteen men scheduled for transperineal prostate biopsy were recruited into a 4‐week parallel single blinded diet supplementation study (NCT02821728). Nine men supplemented their diet with three 300 mL portions of a broccoli soup each week for four weeks prior to surgery. Analyses of prostate biopsy tissues reveal no detectable levels of glucosinolates and derivatives. In contrast, SMCSO is detected in prostate tissues of the participants, with significantly higher levels in tissue of men in the supplementation arm. SMCSO was also found in blood and urine samples from a previous intervention study with the identical broccoli soup.

Conclusion

The consequences of SMCSO accumulation in prostate tissues and its potential role in prevention of prostate cancer remains to be investigated.
Toward predicting the evolution of lung tumors during radiotherapy observed on a longitudinal MR imaging study via a deep learning algorithm
Authors: Wang Chuang , Rimner Andreas , Hu Yu‐Chi , Tyagi Neelam , Jiang Jue , Yorke Ellen , Riyahi Sadegh , Mageras Gig , Deasy Joseph O. , Zhang Pengpeng
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To predict the spatial and temporal trajectories of lung tumor during radiotherapy monitored under a longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study via a deep learning algorithm for facilitating adaptive radiotherapy (ART).

Methods

We monitored 10 lung cancer patients by acquiring weekly MRI‐T2w scans over a course of radiotherapy. Under an ART workflow, we developed a predictive neural network (P‐net) to predict the spatial distributions of tumors in the coming weeks utilizing images acquired earlier in the course. The three‐step P‐net consisted of a convolutional neural network to extract relevant features of the tumor and its environment, followed by a recurrence neural network constructed with gated recurrent units to analyze trajectories of tumor evolution in response to radiotherapy, and finally an attention model to weight the importance of weekly observations and produce the predictions. The performance of P‐net was measured with Dice and root mean square surface distance (RMSSD) between the algorithm‐predicted and experts‐contoured tumors under a leave‐one‐out scheme.

Results

Tumor shrinkage was 60% ± 27% (mean ± standard deviation) by the end of radiotherapy across nine patients. Using images from the first three weeks, P‐net predicted tumors on future weeks (4, 5, 6) with a Dice and RMSSD of (0.78 ± 0.22, 0.69 ± 0.24, 0.69 ± 0.26), and (2.1 ± 1.1 mm, 2.3 ± 0.8 mm, 2.6 ± 1.4 mm), respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed deep learning algorithm can capture and predict spatial and temporal patterns of tumor regression in a longitudinal imaging study. It closely follows the clinical workflow, and could facilitate the decision‐making of ART. A prospective study including more patients is warranted.
Minimizing the risk of deducing wrong natural product structures from NMR data
Authors: Burns Darcy C. , Reynolds William F.
Published: August 2019

There continues to be a disturbing number of natural products reported in the literature whose structures are incorrect. At least in part, this reflects the fact that many natural product chemists have limited formal nuclear magnetic resonance training. Gaps in training and lack of awareness regarding the challenges and ambiguities associated with two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance data interpretation can easily lead to errors in structure elucidation. The purpose of this tutorial is to point out some of these issues, highlight the kinds of errors that have been made and provide specific advice on how to avoid these missteps such that the risk of reporting a wrong structure is minimized.
Effects of Cognitive Strategies on Neural Food Cue Reactivity in Adults with Overweight/Obesity
Authors: Demos McDermott Kathryn E. , Lillis Jason , McCaffery Jeanne M. , Wing Rena R.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of obesity have revealed key roles for reward‐related and inhibitory control–related activity in response to food cues. This study examines how cognitive strategies impact neural food cue reactivity.

Methods

In a within‐participants, block‐design, fMRI paradigm, 30 participants (24 women; mean BMI = 31.8) used four mind‐sets while viewing food: “distract” (cognitive behavioral therapy based), “allow” (acceptance and commitment therapy based), “later” (focusing on long‐term negative consequences), and “now” (control; focusing on immediate rewards). Participants rated cravings by noting urges to eat on four‐point Likert scales after each block.

Results

Self‐reported cravings significantly differed among all conditions (pairwise comparisons P < 0.05). Cravings were lowest when participants considered long‐term consequences (LATER mind‐set: 1.7 [SD 0.7]), were significantly higher when participants used the DISTRACT (1.9 [SD 0.7]) and ALLOW (2.3 [SD 0.9]) mind‐sets, and were highest when participants used the NOW mind‐set (3.2 [SD 0.7]). These behavioral differences were accompanied by differences in neural food cue reactivity. The LATER mind‐set (long‐term consequences) led to greater inhibitory‐control activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The cognitive behavioral therapy–based DISTRACT mind‐set was associated with greater activity in executive function and reward‐processing areas, whereas the ALLOW mind‐set (acceptance and commitment therapy) elicited widespread activity in frontal, reward‐processing, and default‐mode regions.

Conclusions

Because focusing on negative long‐term consequences led to the greatest decrease in cravings and increased inhibitory control, this may be a promising treatment strategy for obesity.
Cross‐Sectional, Primary Care–Based Study of the Prevalence of Hypoandrogenemia in Nondiabetic Young Men with Obesity
Authors: Molina‐Vega María , Asenjo‐Plaza Maite , García‐Ruiz María Concepción , Varea‐Marineto Enrique , Casal‐Nievas Nieves , Álvarez‐Millán Juan J. , Cabezas‐Sanchez Pablo , Cardona‐Díaz Fernando , Queipo‐Ortuño María Isabel , Castellano‐Castillo Daniel , Tinahones Francisco J. , Fernández‐García José C.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Obesity‐associated hypoandrogenemia is increasing in parallel to the obesity epidemic. The prevalence of hypoandrogenemia in nondiabetic young men with obesity is not known. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hypoandrogenemia and associated risk factors in this population.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 266 nondiabetic men < 50 years of age with obesity who were referred from primary care. Total testosterone (high‐performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry), sex hormone–binding globulin, free testosterone (FT), luteinizing hormone (LH), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance were determined. Body composition and erectile function were also assessed. Hypoandrogenemia was defined as FT level < 70 pg/mL.

Results

Subnormal FT concentrations were found in 25.6% of participants. Hypoandrogenemia prevalence was different along the BMI continuum, being > 75% in individuals with BMI ≥ 50 kg/m2. A multivariate regression analysis indicated that increasing BMI (P < 0.001), age (P = 0.049), and reduced LH levels (P = 0.003) were independent risk factors for hypoandrogenemia.

Conclusions

In a primary care–based cohort of nondiabetic young men with obesity, hypoandrogenemia was a very prevalent finding and was directly associated with adiposity. Obesity, age, and reduced LH levels were independent risk factors associated with hypoandrogenemia. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the long‐term consequences of hypoandrogenemia in this population.
Examining the Impact of Estrogen on Binge Feeding, Food‐Motivated Behavior, and Body Weight in Female Rats
Authors: Brutman Julianna N. , Sirohi Sunil , Davis Jon F.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Binge‐eating disorder is associated with diminished self‐control, emotional distress, and obesity. In this context, women are nearly twice as likely to develop binge‐eating disorder and depression relative to men. Here, the physiological, psychological, and endocrine parameters were characterized in female rats subjected to a binge‐eating protocol.

Methods

Nonrestricted female Long Evans rats (n = 8/group) received 2‐hour restricted access to a high‐fat diet (HFD) (4.54 kcal/g) every day or every third day. The progression of estrous cycling, the functional relevance of estrogen signaling for binge feeding, and binge‐induced changes in food motivation were measured.

Results

Female rats developed a binge pattern of feeding that included alternation between caloric overconsumption and compensatory voluntary restriction without impacting estrous cycling. Notably, rats that received daily HFD exposure progressively decreased binge meals. Estrogen replacement in normal cycling or ovariectomized rats mimicked the reduction in body weight in female rats that received daily HFD access. Operant responding was unaffected by binge feeding; however, estrogen augmented operant performance in HFD‐exposed rats.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data suggest that estrogen protects against binge‐induced increases in body weight gain without affecting food motivation in female rats.
Effect of Meal Acceptability on Postprandial Appetite Scores and Hormones of Male Participants with Varied Adiposity
Authors: El Helou Nehmat , Obeid Omar A. , Olabi Ammar
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study portrays the effect of hedonic manipulation (high acceptability [HA] vs. low acceptability [LA]) on postprandial hormones and appetite scores in healthy males.

Methods

Thirty participants (15 with normal weight and 15 with obesity) were recruited for a randomized, crossover design. They were randomly assigned to the HA or LA (with acesulfame‐K) custard. Blood samples were drawn before the meals and for 4 hours after the meals and were analyzed for glucose, insulin, ghrelin, and glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP‐1). Appetite scores and subsequent energy intake were recorded.

Results

Postprandial glucose, insulin, and ghrelin were different according to adiposity, whereas meal acceptability did not correspond to any significant difference in postprandial glucose, insulin, ghrelin, and GLP‐1 concentrations. Appetite scores showed lower hunger, higher satiety, and fullness after the HA meal without a significant difference between the meals. Subsequent energy intake, expressed as a percentage of the resting energy expenditure, was higher in participants with obesity but did not reflect postprandial hormones and appetite scores; there was no significant difference between meals.

Conclusions

Hedonic properties and palatability do not affect gut hormones, mainly ghrelin and GLP‐1. Moreover, their postprandial concentrations were not paralleled by similar changes in appetite scores, and both were not found to affect subsequent intake.
Prevalence of hyperfiltration among US youth/young adults with overweight and obesity: A population‐based association study
Authors: Turer Christy B. , Baum Michel , Dubourg Laurence , Selistre Luciano S. , Skinner Asheley C.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Determine prevalence of hyperfiltration (high estimated glomerular filtration rate "eGFR" >95th percentile for age/sex) among youth and association with BMI classification.

Methods

With the use of 1999 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 12‐ to 29‐year‐olds, data for serum creatinine and thresholds for high eGFR were normed using a metabolically healthy subsample (no albuminuria, healthy weights, normal blood pressures, blood glucoses, lipids, and liver enzymes). Logistic regression examined the association of BMI classification (healthy weight, overweight, and obesity classes 1‐3) with hyperfiltration (eGFR > 95th percentile for age/sex), adjusted for diabetes and other covariates.

Results

Of 12‐ to 29‐year‐olds (N = 18 698), 27.4% (n = 5493) met criteria for entry into the "healthy subsample" and contributed data to derive normative values for serum creatinine/hyperfiltration thresholds. In the full sample, hyperfiltration prevalence in 12‐ to 29‐year‐olds classified as healthy‐weight, overweight, and obesity classes 1 to 3 was 4.9%, 4.7%, 6.5%, 8.7%, and 11.8%, respectively (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, obesity classes 2 and 3 were associated with greater likelihood of hyperfiltration (adjusted ORs for class 2: 1.5, 95% CI, 1.1‐2.1; and for class 3, 2.1, 95% CI, 1.5‐2.9). Diabetes also was associated with hyperfiltration (AOR, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.2‐7.4).

Conclusion

Obesity classes 2 to 3 are associated with hyperfiltration in youth. Age/sex‐specific norms for creatinine and hyperfiltration thresholds may aid recognition of kidney dysfunction early.
Compression resilience and impact resistance of fiber‐reinforced sandwich composites
Authors: Mishra Rajesh , Wiener Jakub , Militky Jiri , Petru Michal , Tomkova Blanka , Novotna Jana
Published: August 2019

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the compression behavior of fiber‐reinforced sandwich composites. In this study, five different types of sandwich composites were prepared with warp knitted spacer fabric as middle layer. Four different types of woven Kevlar fabric structures were used as outer layers (skin) along with one sample of woven basalt fabric. The middle layer used is 100% polyester spacer fabric. Sandwich composites were fabricated using epoxy resin by wet lay‐up method under vacuum bagging technique. Compression behavior, ball burst, and knife penetration were tested for all samples. The effect of outer layer of these composites on the mechanical performance was studied using the compression stress‐strain curves. It is known that spacers have excellent compression elasticity and cushioning. Maximum knife penetration resistance is obtained with twill weave on surface because of maximum yarn cohesion and resin impregnation. Higher amount of cohesive friction results in higher resistance against penetration of sharp objects like the knife edge. Plain and twill fabrics offer sufficient resistance again ball burst. The yarn deformation allows formation of dome shape after ball impact. Maximum impact resistance in ball burst is obtained for plain weave because of highest level of interyarn binding. The results provide new understanding of knitted spacer fabric‐based sandwich composites under compression and impact loading condition.
Quality evaluation of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos based on simultaneous determination of multiple bioactive constituents combined with multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Cai Zhichen , Wang Chengcheng , Chen Cuihua , Zou Lisi , Chai Chuan , Chen Jiali , Tan Mengxia , Liu Xunhong
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (LJF) and Lonicerae Flos (LF) belong to different genera of Caprifoliaceae. They have been historically utilised as herbal medicine to treat various diseases. However, the comprehensive assessment of them still remains a challenge.

Objective

To develop a comprehensive method of ultra‐fast liquid chromatography‐tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS) coupled with multivariate statistical analysis for the quality evaluation and reveal differential components of LJF and LF.

Methodology

A validated UFLC‐QTRAP‐MS/MS method was established for simultaneous determination of 50 constituents, including 12 organic acids, 12 flavonoids, 6 iridoids, 3 saponins, 13 amino acids and 4 nucleosides. The obtained data were employed to multivariate statistical analysis. Principal component anlysis (PCA) and partial least squares determinant analysis (PLS‐DA) were performed to classify and reveal differential components of samples; grey relational analysis (GRA) was introduced to assess the samples according to the contents of 50 constituents by calculating the relative correlation degree of each sample.

Results

Fifty constituents were simultaneously determined of LJF and LF. Based on obtained data, PCA and PLS‐DA were easy to distinguish samples and the classification of the samples was related to 11 chemical constituents. GRA implied the quality of LJF was better, and that the flower buds were superior to the flowers. Moreover, organic acids are the main components of samples.

Conclusion

This study not only established a method of simultaneous determination of multiple bioactive constituents in LJF and LF, but provided comprehensive information on the quality control of them. The developed method is conducive to distinguish orthologues or paralogues of them, and supply the support for “heterologous effects”.
Studies on rheological, thermal, and morphological properties of methylcellulose gel in aqueous medium
Authors: Singh Ratan Pal , Kundu Patit Paban
Published: August 2019

The rheological, morphological, and thermal behavior of aqueous methylcellulose (MC) gels was investigated by optical microscope, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and differential scanning calorimeter. The double crossover between the storage modulus and loss modulus during the frequency scan in DMA suggests the transition from gel to sol state. These gel networks are comprised of bead‐rod structures, which is visible under the optical microscope. Furthermore, the degelation mechanism of gels comprises of the thermodynamic viable bead burst phenomenon. The reheated samples of MC under dynamic compression show partial irreversibility of the MC aqueous system, indicating the possible presence of weakly coupled random coils and helix. The phenomenon of turbidity of MC aqueous gels is discussed with the help of a large bead model, in which the small‐sized beads present in aqueous solution collide with each other to form large beads. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2024–2031, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Biocompatible polymers via aqueous electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Michieletto Alessandro , Lorandi Francesca , De Bon Francesco , Isse Abdirisak Ahmed , Gennaro Armando
Published: August 2019

The preparation of well‐defined polymers via aqueous atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is challenging due to the high activity and limited stability of ATRP catalysts in water. Optimized conditions previously reported for the ATRP of some water‐soluble monomers cannot be regarded as universal conditions. Indeed, well‐controlled electrochemically mediated ATRP (eATRP) of oligo(ethylene oxide)methyl ether acrylate (OEOA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were achieved by adjusting the conditions in relation to the solubility and reactivity of these monomers and corresponding polymers. Importantly, PEOA with low dispersity and predetermined molecular weight was obtained even with low catalyst loading and high monomer content (up to 50 vol %). Moreover, >90% conversion of HEMA was obtained within 6–7 h, giving PHEMA with dispersity 1.2–1.3. This work confirms eATRP as a versatile, clean technique applicable to a range of water‐soluble, biocompatible monomers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 58, 114–123
Seasonal fluctuations in psychological distress amongst women diagnosed with early breast cancer receiving radiotherapy
Authors: Pidduck William , Wan Bo Angela , Zhang Liying , Chow Selina , Yee Caitlin , Chan Stephanie , Drost Leah , Sousa Philomena , Lewis Donna , Lam Henry , Leung Eric , Chow Edward
Published: August 2019

Objective

Seasonal effects on patients diagnosed with depression/anxiety‐related psychological disorders have varying impacts on symptom severity. Seasonal changes in psychological distress may be due to decreased daylight exposure during the fall/winter seasons. Patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) for early‐stage invasive breast cancer (EIBC) are at high risk for developing depressive symptoms. Of interest is whether seasonal factors influence the psychological symptoms of patients being treated for EIBC.

Methods

Patients treated with RT for EIBC between January 2011 and June 2017 were identified. Patients who completed at least one Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS‐r) pre‐RT and post‐RT were included in our analysis. Patients receiving RT during the autumn and winter (November‐March) were compared with patients receiving RT during the spring and summer (April‐August). Psychological distress was evaluated based on patient‐reported depression, anxiety, and overall wellbeing on the ESAS‐r. Data on systemic treatment and radiation were extracted from existing databases.

Results

Eight‐four patients treated with RT in spring/summer and 102 patients treated with RT in autumn/winter were included. Patients receiving RT during spring/summer had better wellness score prior to RT, compared with those receiving RT during winter/autumn (P = .03). However, patients receiving RT in the spring/summer had worse symptom trajectories across three domains of depression, anxiety, and wellbeing (P = .03, P = .008, and P < .0001, respectively).

Conclusions

Seasonality influenced the symptoms reported by patients with EIBC receiving RT. Future studies are needed to understand when during treatment patients are at highest risk for psychological distress and how seasonality may influence high‐risk periods.
Simulation of soil thermal dynamics using an artificial neural network model for a permafrost alpine meadow on the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau
Authors: Chang Juan , Wang Genxu , Guo Linmao
Published: August 2019

The thermal regime of the active layer temperature (ALT) is a key variable with which to monitor permafrost changes and to improve the precision of simulations and predictions of land surface processes. The dynamics of the active layer thermal regime can differ substantially under various land surface types and climatic conditions. The proper simulation of these different processes is essential for accurately predicting the changes in water cycles and ecosystems under a warming climate scenario. In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN) forecasting model system was developed using only two accessible parameters, air and ground surface temperatures, to predict and simulate the ALT thermal regime. The model results show that the ANN model has better real‐time prediction capability than other physics‐based models and performs well at simulating and forecasting variations in soil temperature with a step size of 12 days in permafrost regions on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. The influence of an increase in air temperature on the ALT thermal regime was more intense during the thawing process than during the freezing process, and this influence decreased with an increase in soil depth.
Fabrication of Nanostructured Composite Microspheres Based on the Self‐Assembly of Polymers and Functional Nanomaterials
Authors: Yabu Hiroshi
Published: August 2019

This Review examines recent developments in the morphological control of polymer microspheres fabricated via the phase separation of polymers as well as the alignment of functional nanoparticles inside microspheres prepared by so‐called bottom‐up synthesis techniques. Several methods for adjusting the internal and surface morphologies of polymer microspheres based on the phase separation of polymer blends and block copolymers are discussed, and the effects of microsphere size on phase separated structures and theoretical simulations of morphologies are also reviewed. The alignment of functional nanoparticles in phase separated polymer microspheres and applications of nanostructured and hybrid polymer microspheres are summarized.
Instability in a coiled‐coil signaling helix is conserved for signal transduction in soluble guanylyl cyclase
Authors: Weichsel Andrzej , Kievenaar Jessica A. , Curry Roslyn , Croft Jacob T. , Montfort William R.
Published: August 2019

How nitric oxide (NO) activates its primary receptor, α1/β1 soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC or GC‐1), remains unknown. Likewise, how stimulatory compounds enhance sGC activity is poorly understood, hampering development of new treatments for cardiovascular disease. NO binding to ferrous heme near the N‐terminus in sGC activates cyclase activity near the C‐terminus, yielding cGMP production and physiological response. CO binding can also stimulate sGC, but only weakly in the absence of stimulatory small‐molecule compounds, which together lead to full activation. How ligand binding enhances catalysis, however, has yet to be discovered. Here, using a truncated version of sGC from Manduca sexta, we demonstrate that the central coiled‐coil domain, the most highly conserved region of the ~150,000 Da protein, not only provides stability to the heterodimer but is also conformationally active in signal transduction. Sequence conservation in the coiled coil includes the expected heptad‐repeating pattern for coiled‐coil motifs, but also invariant positions that disfavor coiled‐coil stability. Full‐length coiled coil dampens CO affinity for heme, while shortening of the coiled coil leads to enhanced CO binding. Introducing double mutation αE447L/βE377L, predicted to replace two destabilizing glutamates with leucines, lowers CO binding affinity while increasing overall protein stability. Likewise, introduction of a disulfide bond into the coiled coil results in reduced CO affinity. Taken together, we demonstrate that the heme domain is greatly influenced by coiled‐coil conformation, suggesting communication between heme and catalytic domains is through the coiled coil. Highly conserved structural imperfections in the coiled coil provide needed flexibility for signal transduction.
Egohoods that segregate. Immigrants, social contexts, and income penalties
Authors: Zampatti Davide , Ballarino Gabriele , Squazzoni Flaminio
Published: August 2019

This paper looks at the causal impact of residential segregation on income among migrants in Brescia, a wealthy industrial city of about 200,000 inhabitants in North‐Eastern Italy, where almost one citizen out of five is born abroad. Using a new register‐like dataset including economic and demographic microdata from administrative sources, we geo‐localised each migrant household and created for each individual an “egohood” by imposing buffer circles with the same diameter (250 or 500 m) around his or her residential location. Within this spatial area of reference, we calculated indices of ethnic segregation and exposure to Italian natives, thus measuring the individual network of potential contacts with co‐ethnics and with Italians.

Following social networks and social capital theories, we expected ethnic segregation to have a negative impact and exposure to natives to have a positive impact on income and tested our hypotheses with a set of ordinary least squares and two‐stage least squares with instrumental variables regression models. Results showed a robust and negative effect of ethnic segregation on income, whereas a small and positive effect of exposure to natives was not robust to endogeneity checks. We also found substantial heterogeneity among migrant groups defined by macroareas of origin: Exposure to Italians was found to have the expected impact only among migrants coming from Eastern Europe and from the Middle East and North Africa.
The discovery and global distribution of novel mosquito‐associated viruses in the last decade (2007‐2017)
Authors: Atoni Evans , Zhao Lu , Karungu Samuel , Obanda Vincent , Agwanda Bernard , Xia Han , Yuan Zhiming
Published: August 2019

In the last decade, virus hunting and discovery has gained pace. This achievement has been driven by three major factors: (a) advancements in sequencing technologies, (b) scaled‐up routine arbovirus surveillance strategies, and (c) the “hunt” for emerging pathogens and novel viruses. Many novel viruses have been discovered from a myriad of hosts, vectors, and environmental samples. To help promote understanding of the global diversity and distribution of mosquito‐associated viruses and facilitate future studies, we review mosquito‐associated viruses discovered between years 2007 and 2017, across the world. In the analyzed period, novel mosquito‐associated viruses belonging to 25 families and a general group of unclassified viruses were categorized. The top three discovered novel mosquito‐associated viruses belonged to families Flaviviridae (n=32), Rhabdoviridae (n=16), and Peribunyaviridae (n=14). Also, 67 unclassified viruses were reported. Majority of these novel viruses were identified from Culex spp, Anopheles spp, Aedes spp, and Mansonia spp mosquitoes, respectively. Notably, the number of these discovered novels is not representative of intercontinental virus diversity but rather is influenced by the number of studies done in the study period. Some of these newly discovered mosquito‐associated viruses have medical significance, either directly or indirectly. For instance, in the study period, 14 novel mosquito‐borne viruses that infect mammalian cells in vitro were reported. These viruses pose a danger to the global health security on emerging viral diseases. On the other hand, some of the newly discovered insect specific viruses described herein have potential application as future biocontrol and vaccine agents against known pathogenic arboviruses. Overall, this review outlines the crucial role played by mosquitoes as viral vectors in the global virosphere.
Caching in heterogeneous satellite networks with fountain codes
Authors: Recayte Estefanía , Lázaro Francisco , Liva Gianluigi
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we investigate the performance of caching schemes based on fountain codes in a heterogeneous satellite network. We consider multiple cache‐aided hubs, which are connected to a geostationary satellite through backhaul links. With the aim of reducing the average number of transmissions over the satellite backhaul link, we propose the use of a caching scheme based on fountain codes. We derive a simple analytical expression of the average backhaul transmission rate and provide a tight upper bound on it. Furthermore, we show how the performance of the fountain code‐based caching scheme is similar to that of a caching scheme based on maximum distance separable codes.
Mediation analysis of time‐to‐event endpoints accounting for repeatedly measured mediators subject to time‐varying confounding
Authors: Vansteelandt Stijn , Linder Martin , Vandenberghe Sjouke , Steen Johan , Madsen Jesper
Published: August 2019

In this article, we will present statistical methods to assess to what extent the effect of a randomised treatment (versus control) on a time‐to‐event endpoint might be explained by the effect of treatment on a mediator of interest, a variable that is measured longitudinally at planned visits throughout the trial. In particular, we will show how to identify and infer the path‐specific effect of treatment on the event time via the repeatedly measured mediator levels. The considered proposal addresses complications due to patients dying before the mediator is assessed, due to the mediator being repeatedly measured, and due to posttreatment confounding of the effect of the mediator by other mediators. We illustrate the method by an application to data from the LEADER cardiovascular outcomes trial.