bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pure CuBi2O4 Photoelectrodes with Increased Stability by Rapid Thermal Processing of Bi2O3/CuO Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Gottesman Ronen , Song Angang , Levine Igal , Krause Maximilian , Islam A. T. M. Nazmul , Abou‐Ras Daniel , Dittrich Thomas , van de Krol Roel , Chemseddine Abdelkrim
Published: March 2020

A new method for enhancing the charge separation and photo‐electrochemical stability of CuBi2O4 photoelectrodes by sequentially depositing Bi2O3 and CuO layers on fluorine‐doped tin oxide substrates with pulsed laser deposition (PLD), followed by rapid thermal processing (RTP), resulting in phase‐pure, highly crystalline films after 10 min at 650 °C, is reported. Conventional furnace annealing of similar films for 72 h at 500 °C do not result in phase‐pure CuBi2O4. The combined PLD and RTP approach allow excellent control of the Bi:Cu stoichiometry and results in photoelectrodes with superior electronic properties compared to photoelectrodes fabricated through spray pyrolysis. The low photocurrents of the CuBi2O4 photocathodes fabricated through PLD/RTP in this study are primarily attributed to their low specific surface area, lack of CuO impurities, and limited, slow charge transport in the undoped films. Bare (without protection layers) CuBi2O4 photoelectrodes made with PLD/RTP shows a photocurrent decrease of only 26% after 5 h, which represents the highest stability reported to date for this material. The PLD/RTP fabrication approach offers new possibilities of fabricating complex metal oxides photoelectrodes with a high degree of crystallinity and good electronic properties at higher temperatures than the thermal stability of glass‐based transparent conductive substrates would allow.
Observation of Unconventional Dynamics of Domain Walls in Uniaxial Ferroelectric Lead Germanate
Authors: Bak Ohheum , Holstad Theodor S. , Tan Yueze , Lu Haidong , Evans Donald M. , Hunnestad Kasper A. , Wang Bo , McConville James P. V. , Becker Petra , Bohatý Ladislav , Lukyanchuk Igor , Vinokur Valerii M. , van Helvoort Antonius T. J. , Gregg J. Marty , Chen Long‐Qing , Meier Dennis , Gruverman Alexei
Published: March 2020

Application of scanning probe microscopy techniques such as piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) opens the possibility to re‐visit the ferroelectrics previously studied by the macroscopic electrical testing methods and establish a link between their local nanoscale characteristics and integral response. The nanoscale PFM studies and phase field modeling of the static and dynamic behavior of the domain structure in the well‐known ferroelectric material lead germanate, Pb5Ge3O11, are reported. Several unusual phenomena are revealed: 1) domain formation during the paraelectric‐to‐ferroelectric phase transition, which exhibits an atypical cooling rate dependence; 2) unexpected electrically induced formation of the oblate domains due to the preferential domain walls motion in the directions perpendicular to the polar axis, contrary to the typical domain growth behavior observed so far; 3) absence of the bound charges at the 180° head‐to‐head (H–H) and tail‐totail (T–T) domain walls, which typically exhibit a significant charge density in other ferroelectrics due to the polarization discontinuity. This strikingly different behavior is rationalized by the phase field modeling of the dynamics of uncharged H–H and T–T domain walls. The results provide a new insight into the emergent physics of the ferroelectric domain boundaries, revealing unusual properties not exhibited by conventional Ising‐type walls.
Metamaterials for Enhanced Optical Responses and their Application to Active Control of Terahertz Waves
Authors: Lee Seojoo , Baek Soojeong , Kim Teun‐Teun , Cho Hyukjoon , Lee Sangha , Kang Ji‐Hun , Min Bumki
Published: March 2020

Metamaterials, artificially constructed structures that mimic lattices in natural materials, have made numerous contributions to the development of unconventional optical devices. With an increasing demand for more diverse functionalities, terahertz (THz) metamaterials are also expanding their domain, from the realm of mere passive devices to the broader area where functionalized active THz devices are particularly required. A brief review on THz metamaterials is given with a focus on research conducted in the authors' group. The first part is centered on enhanced THz optical responses from tightly coupled meta‐atom structures, such as high refractive index, enhanced optical activity, anomalous wavelength scaling, large phase retardation, and nondispersive polarization rotation. Next, electrically gated graphene metamaterials are reviewed with an emphasis on the functionalization of enhanced THz optical responses. Finally, the linear frequency conversion of THz waves in a rapidly time‐variant THz metamaterial is briefly discussed in the more general context of spatiotemporal control of light.
Endomaker, a new algorithm for fully automatic extraction of cranial endocasts and the calculation of their volumes
Authors: Profico Antonio , Buzi Costantino , Melchionna Marina , Veneziano Alessio , Raia Pasquale
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Reproducing cranial endocasts is a major goal of researchers interested in vertebrate brain evolution. We present a new R software, named endomaker, which allows the automatic extraction of endocasts from skull meshes along with the calculation of its volume.

Materials and methods

We applied endomaker on non‐primate and primate skulls including the Australopithecus africanus specimen Sts‐5.

Results

We proved endomaker is faster, more feature‐rich and possibly more accurate than competing software.

Discussion

Endomaker is the only available program endowed with the possibility to process an entire mesh directory straight away, promising to expand the scope and phylogenetic breadth of comparative studies of brain evolution.
Grindability, thermogravimetric characteristics, and kinetics analysis of semi‐biochar from coarse wood pyrolyzed in a fluidized bed
Authors: Zhang Lihui , Yang Xiaojun , Dongdong Fang , Duan Feng , Wang Ping
Published: March 2020

For the utilization of leftover materials from furniture factory, a two‐step pyrolysis, an initial treatment at mild temperature followed by a fast pyrolysis step, in a fluidized bed reactor was proposed in this study. The grindability of semi‐biochar samples after the mild temperature pyrolysis was studied. The fast pyrolysis characteristics and kinetics parameters of the semi‐biochar samples were also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Results showed that an improvement in the grindability characteristics was observed. The grinding of semi‐biochars that do not completely devolatilize mainly produces a mixture of fine particles and small fragments, whereas the semi‐biochars that completely devolatilize have good grinding characteristic, and the main ground products are short and round particles. Most differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curves of the semi‐biochar samples presented two peaks and four common stages. With increase of the temperature or residence time in mild temperature treatment process, the decomposition intensity of hemicellulose and cellulose in grinding residues decreased gradually, while the decomposition intensity of lignin changed little. Peak DTG value ranging from 4%/min to 6%/min can be adopted to estimate the optimal operation condition for mild temperature pyrolysis. Three‐dimensional diffusion model can accurately describe the fast pyrolysis of semi‐biochar.
Library cultures of data curation: Adventures in astronomy
Authors: Darch Peter T. , Sands Ashley E. , Borgman Christine L. , Golshan Milena S.
Published: March 2020

University libraries are partnering with disciplinary data producers to provide long‐term digital curation of research data sets. Managing data set producer expectations and guiding future development of library services requires understanding the decisions libraries make about curatorial activities, why they make these decisions, and the effects on future data reuse. We present a study, comprising interviews (n = 43) and ethnographic observation, of two university libraries who partnered with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) collaboration to curate a significant astronomy data set. The two libraries made different choices of the materials to curate and associated services, which resulted in different reuse possibilities. Each of the libraries offered partial solutions to the SDSS leaders' objectives. The libraries' approaches to curation diverged due to contextual factors, notably the extant infrastructure at their disposal (including technical infrastructure, staff expertise, values and internal culture, and organizational structure). The Data Transfer Process case offers lessons in understanding how libraries choose curation paths and how these choices influence possibilities for data reuse. Outcomes may not match data producers' initial expectations but may create opportunities for reusing data in unexpected and beneficial ways.
How do atomic code uncertainties affect abundance measurements in the intracluster medium?
Authors: Mernier François , Werner Norbert , Lakhchaura Kiran , de Plaa Jelle , Gu Liyi , Kaastra Jelle S. , Mao Junjie , Simionescu Aurora , Urdampilleta Igone
Published: March 2020

Accurate chemical abundance measurements of X‐ray‐emitting atmospheres pervading massive galaxies, galaxy groups, and clusters provide essential information on the star formation and chemical enrichment histories of these large‐scale structures. Although the collisionally ionized nature of the intracluster medium (ICM) makes these abundance measurements relatively easy, the underlying spectral models can rely on different atomic codes, which brings additional uncertainties on the inferred abundances. Here we provide a simple, yet comprehensive comparison between the codes SPEXACT v3.0.5 (ciemodel) and AtomDB v3.0.9 (vapecmodel) in the case of moderate, charged‐coupled device‐like resolution spectroscopy. We show that in cool plasmas (kT ≲ 2 keV), systematic differences up to ∼20% for the Fe abundance and ∼45% for the O/Fe, Mg/Fe, Si/Fe, and S/Fe ratios may still occur. Importantly, these discrepancies are also found to be instrument‐dependent, at least for the absolute Fe abundance. Future improvements in these two codes will be necessary to better address questions on ICM enrichment.
Exploring Social Subtypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Uljarević Mirko , Phillips Jennifer M. , Schuck Rachel K. , Schapp Salena , Solomon Elizabeth M. , Salzman Emma , Allerhand Lauren , Libove Robin A. , Frazier Thomas W. , Hardan Antonio Y.
Published: March 2020

Impairments in social functioning are considered a hallmark diagnostic feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, individuals diagnosed with ASD vary widely with respect to specific presentation, severity, and course across different dimensions of this complex symptom domain. The aim of this investigation was to utilize the Stanford Social Dimensions Scale (SSDS), a newly developed quantitative measure providing parental perspective on their child's social abilities, in order to explore the existence of homogeneous subgroups of ASD individuals who share unique profiles across specific dimensions of the social domain. Parents of 164 individuals with ASD (35 females, 129 males; meanage = 7.54 years, SD = 3.85) completed the SSDS, the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS‐2) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Data on children's verbal and nonverbal intellectual functioning (FSIQ) were also collected. The Latent Profile Analysis was used to classify participants according to the pattern of SSDS subscale scores (Social Motivation, Social Affiliation, Expressive Social Communication, Social Recognition, and Unusual Approach). Five profiles were identified. Profiles did not differ in terms of chronological age nor gender distribution but showed distinct patterns of strengths and weaknesses across different social components rather than simply reflecting a severity gradient. Profiles were further differentiated in terms of cognitive ability, as well as ASD and internalizing symptom severity. The implications of current findings and the necessary further steps toward identifying subgroups of individuals with ASD who share particular constellation of strengths and weaknesses across key social domains as a way of informing personalized interventions are discussed. Autism Res 2020. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) vary greatly in terms of their social abilities and social motivation. However, researchers lack measures that can fully assess different components of social functioning. This paper provides initial evidence for capturing subgroups of individuals with ASD with specific strengths and weakness across different aspects of social functioning. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1335–1342. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zerstörungsfreie Bestimmung der Auslaugung von Beton mittels einseitiger Wasserstoff‐Kernspinresonanz
Authors: Schulte Holthausen Robert , Raupach Michael , Merkel Melanie , Breit Wolfgang
Published: March 2020

Unter gewöhnlichen Bedingungen sind zementgebundene Baustoffe in Trinkwasser beständig. Sehr weiches bzw. kalkarmes Wasser kann jedoch die Dauerhaftigkeit von Betonoberflächen beeinträchtigen. Auslaugungsprozesse zwischen Werkstoff und Wasser führen langfristig zur Aufweichung der Oberfläche und der einhergehende Alkalitätsverlust kann bei unzureichender Betondeckung zur Korrosion der Bewehrung führen. In einer zuvor in der Bautechnik vorgestellten Studie wurde der Widerstand von Betonoberflächen gegenüber Auslaugung in Trinkwasser untersucht. Darauf aufbauend werden hier Messergebnisse mittels einseitiger Wasserstoff‐Kernspinresonanz vorgestellt, die einen vertieften Einblick in die zeit‐ und tiefenabhängige Porositätsänderung bei der Auslaugung von Betonoberflächen erlauben. Auf Basis einer neu entwickelten Auswertungsmethodik werden aus den Messungen quantitativ Schädigungstiefen abgeleitet. Die erfassten Strukturänderungen innerhalb des Zementsteins erlauben direkte Rückschlüsse auf die bei der Auslaugung aufeinanderfolgenden Schädigungsprozessen.
Frische Meeresbrise – Atemübungen für eine außergewöhnliche Fassade in San Francisco
Authors: Nuiding Xaver , Lorenz Thomas , Herreiner Philipp , Engelmann Michael
Published: March 2020

Die Atmung ist essenzielle Grundlage des Lebens. Überträgt man diesen Gedanken, kommt es nicht selten vor, dass auch Gebäude als Lebewesen beschrieben werden. Sie atmen über ihre Außenhaut – über die Fassade. In diesem Sinn entstand eine atmende Fassadenfläche für ein Tech‐Unternehmen in San Francisco. SHoP Architects entwarfen den halb klimatisierten Atriumraum „The Commons“ innerhalb der äußeren verglasten Hülle, welcher gleich einem Lebewesen seinen Brustkorb sanft hebt und senkt, indem eine zentrale Steuerung eine Vielzahl von Fensterflügeln öffnet und schließt.

Um diesen Raum zu belüften, entwickelte der Fassadenspezialist Josef Gartner motorisch betriebene Doppel‐Faltfenster mit 3,0 m Breite und 4,4 m Höhe. In Verbindung mit bedienbaren Skylights entstehen angenehme Temperaturen im Atrium und reduzieren den Bedarf an mechanischer Lüftung deutlich.

Eine Untersuchung kinematischer Optionen führt im Ergebnis zur Entwicklung neuer Doppel‐Vertikal‐Hybridrollen in sichtbaren Schienen zum Eigenlastabtrag. Für die notwendige Seitenstabilität sorgen beidseitig montierte Scherenarme, die ein einseitiges seitliches Ausweichen des Fensters über den gesamten Öffnungshub, welcher 155 s dauert, verhindern. Alle Komponenten, insbesondere der synchronisierte Kettenantrieb und ein linearer Verriegelungsantrieb mit drei Doppelklauen, sind in den Mittelpfosten verdeckt eingebaut. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt die technische und gestalterische Entwicklung dieser dynamischen Fassade.
Carbon‐Seilnetzfassaden
Authors: Schlaich Mike , Burghartz Anne K.
Published: March 2020

Carbonfasern eignen sich aufgrund ihrer hohen Zugfestigkeit ausgezeichnet für zugbeanspruchte Tragwerke. Besonders hochvorgespannte Seilnetze, bei denen bei orthogonaler Belastung hohe Rückstellkräfte aktiviert werden können, erlauben es, das Potenzial dieser Hochleistungsfasern voll auszuschöpfen. Ausgehend von der Erfahrung mit verglasten Stahlseilnetzfassaden wurde deshalb ein neuartiger Fassadentyp mit Seilen aus carbonfaserverstärktem Kunststoff (CFK) entwickelt. Das gesamte Tragwerk dieser neuartigen Fassade, ein Netz aus hochvorgespannten und sehr dünnen Carbonzuggliedern, ist in den Fugen zwischen den Glasscheiben untergebracht. So liegen die Carbonseile geschützt im Silikon, wodurch gleichzeitig eine Glasfassade ohne sichtbares Tragwerk entsteht.

In diesem Beitrag werden sowohl der Entwurf und die konstruktive Durchbildung einer solchen Fassade beschrieben als auch die vielversprechenden Erkenntnisse und Ergebnisse aus den Versuchen an einem Prototyp vorgestellt.
Dünnglas in der Fassade
Authors: Kothe Christiane , Bodenko Anna , Nicklisch Felix , Louter Christian
Published: March 2020

Dünnglas ist das beliebteste Displaymaterial für Smartphones und Tablets. Es bietet sich aber auch für neuartige Glasanwendungen im Bauwesen an. Aufgrund seiner hohen Festigkeit und der geringen Dicke (0,1–2 mm) ist Dünnglas sehr flexibel, leicht und einfach biegbar, weshalb es ein attraktives Material für Fassadenanwendungen darstellt. Dünnglas kann jedoch herkömmliche Fassadenverglasungen nicht einfach ersetzen. Um zu hohe Verformungen der Verglasung infolge der hohen Flexibilität zu vermeiden, muss diese versteift werden. Eine aussichtsreiche Idee ist die Verwendung von Sandwichelementen, die aus zwei dünnen Glasscheiben mit einem inneren Polymerkern bestehen. Um den Vorteil des geringen Gewichts solcher Dünnglas‐Fassadenelemente zu erhalten, sollen 3‐D‐gedruckte Polymerstrukturen anstelle eines massiven Polymerkerns zum Einsatz kommen. Die vorliegende Studie widmet sich der Untersuchung von geeigneten Klebstoffen für die adhäsive Verbindung der 3‐D‐gedruckten Polymerstruktur mit dem Dünnglas. Die mechanischen und thermomechanischen Eigenschaften verschiedener Kombinationen typischer 3‐D‐druckbarer Polymere und transparenter Klebstoffe wurden im Hinblick auf Temperatur‐ und UV‐Belastungen in der Fassade analysiert und bewertet.
Optimizing the design of invasive placebo interventions in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cousins S , Blencowe N S , Tsang C , Chalmers K , Mardanpour A , Carr A J , Campbell M K , Cook J A , Beard D J , Blazeby J M
Published: March 2020

Background

Placebo-controlled trials play an important role in the evaluation of healthcare interventions. However, they can be challenging to design and deliver for invasive interventions, including surgery. In-depth understanding of the component parts of the treatment intervention is needed to ascertain what should, and should not, be delivered as part of the placebo. Assessment of risk to patients and strategies to ensure that the placebo effectively mimics the treatment are also required. To date, no guidance exists for the design of invasive placebo interventions. This study aimed to develop a framework to optimize the design and delivery of invasive placebo interventions in RCTs.

Methods

A preliminary framework was developed using published literature to: expand the scope of an existing typology, which facilitates the deconstruction of invasive interventions; and identify placebo optimization strategies. The framework was refined after consultation with key stakeholders in surgical trials, consensus methodology and medical ethics.

Results

The resulting DITTO framework consists of five stages: deconstruct treatment intervention into constituent components and co-interventions; identify critical surgical element(s); take out the critical element(s); think risk, feasibility and role of placebo in the trial when considering remaining components; and optimize placebo to ensure effective blinding of patients and trial personnel.

Conclusion

DITTO considers invasive placebo composition systematically, accounting for risk, feasibility and placebo optimization. Use of the framework can support the design of high-quality RCTs, which are needed to underpin delivery of healthcare interventions.
Perianal block with ropivacaine as a supplement to anaesthesia in proctological surgery: double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial (PERCEPT)
Authors: Rotigliano N , Füglistaler I , Guenin M-O , Dursunoglu G-B , Freiermuth D , von Flüe M , Steinemann D C
Published: March 2020

Background

The benefit of a perianal block as an adjunct to general or regional anaesthesia is debated. This RCT aimed to compare pain at 24 h and up to 14 days after proctological surgery in patients with and without a perianal block.

Methods

Between January 2018 and April 2019, patients were allocated to receive a perianal block with ropivacaine or placebo as an adjunct to anaesthesia. Patients, surgeons and assessors were blinded. The primary outcome was pain measured on a numerical rating scale (NRS) after 24 h. Secondary outcomes were need for rescue analgesia, and pain after 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 h. The mean, rest and maximum NRS scores were measured for 14 days.

Results

A total of 138 patients were included, of whom 46 and 44 received general anaesthesia with or without ropivacaine respectively, and 23 and 25 received spinal anaesthesia with or without ropivacaine respectively (P = 0·858). The mean NRS score differed significantly at 24 h (mean(s.d.) 1·1(0·1) versus 2·3(0·2); P < 0·001), but not at 1 h (1·4(0·2) versus 2·2(0·3); P = 0·051). The NRS score was lower with use of ropivacaine at 2 h (1·0(0·2) versus 1·6(0·2); P = 0·045), 3 h (0·9(0·2) versus 1·5(0·2); P = 0·022), 6 h (1·1(0·2) versus 1·8(0·2); P = 0·042) and 12 h (1·2(0·2) versus 1·8(0·2); P = 0·034). The use of oral morphine equivalents was 10·2(1·4) and 16·6(2·5) mg with and without ropivacaine respectively (P = 0·028). The mean and maximum NRS scores within 14 days were lower when ropivacaine was used (95 per cent c.i. for difference 0·14 to 0·49 (P = 0·002) and 0·39 to 0·63 (P < 0·001) respectively). There was no injection-associated morbidity.

Conclusion

Perianal block as an adjunct to general or regional anaesthesia should be recommended for proctological surgery. It yields a reduction in pain, a reduced need for opioids, and a faster recovery with minimal risk of adverse events. Registration number: NCT03405922 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Mechanistic model of pH and excipient concentration during ultrafiltration and diafiltration processes of therapeutic antibodies
Authors: Ladwig Justin E. , Zhu XiaoXiang , Rolandi Pablo , Hart Roger , Robinson John , Rydholm Amber
Published: March 2020

Ultrafiltration and diafiltration (UF/DF) unit operations are widely used for the manufacture of therapeutic antibodies to control drug substance protein concentration, pH, and excipient properties. During UF/DF, molecular interactions and volume exclusion effects often lead to substantial differences in pH and excipient concentrations between the diafiltration buffer and final UF/DF pool. These differences complicate the design process beyond simply specifying a buffer with the desired drug substance pH and excipient conditions. This article describes a UF/DF process model which dynamically and accurately simulates UF/DF retentate pool pH and excipient conditions throughout the UF/DF process. This multiscale model accounts for microscopic descriptions of ion‐protein charge interactions using the Poisson–Boltzmann equation as well as macroscopic descriptions of volume exclusion and mass transfer. Model predictions of the final UF/DF pool properties were experimentally verified through comparisons to design of experiment (DoE) data from four monoclonal antibody (mAb) processes, each with differing formulations and UF/DF operating conditions. Additionally, model simulations of the retentate pool properties throughout the UF/DF process were verified for two mAb processes through comparisons to experimental data collected at intermediate process points. Model results were qualified, using statistical equivalence tests, against the outputs from large‐scale GMP runs which confirmed that the model accurately captures large‐scale process performance. Finally, the model was applied toward the simulation of process scenarios beyond those examined experimentally. These in‐silico experiments demonstrate the model's capability as a tool for augmented process design and it is potential to reduce the extent of UF/DF laboratory experiments.
Clofarabine, cytarabine, and mitoxantrone in refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukemia: High response rates and effective bridge to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Gill Harinder , Yim Rita , Pang Herbert H. , Lee Paul , Chan Thomas S. Y. , Hwang Yu‐Yan , Leung Garret M. K. , Ip Ho‐Wan , Leung Rock Y. Y. , Yip Sze‐Fai , Kho Bonnie , Lee Harold K. K. , Mak Vivien , Chan Chi‐Chung , Lau June S. M. , Lau Chi‐Kuen , Lin Shek‐Yin , Wong Raymond S. M. , Li Wa , Ma Edmond S. K. , Li Jun , Panagiotou Gianni , Sim Joycelyn P. Y. , Lie Albert K. W. , Kwong Yok‐Lam
Published: March 2020

Clofarabine is active in refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this phase 2 study, we treated 18‐ to 65‐year‐old AML patients refractory to first‐line 3 + 7 daunorubicin/cytarabine induction or relapsing after 3 + 7 induction and high‐dose cytarabine consolidation, with clofarabine (30 mg/m2/d, Days 1‐5), cytarabine (750 mg/m2/d, Days 1‐5), and mitoxantrone (12 mg/m2/d, Days 3‐5) (CLAM). Patients achieving remission received up to two consolidation cycles of 50% CLAM, with eligible cases bridged to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). The mutational profile of a 69‐gene panel was evaluated. Twenty‐six men and 26 women at a median age of 46 (22‐65) years were treated. The overall response rate after the first cycle of CLAM was 90.4% (complete remission, CR: 69.2%; CR with incomplete hematologic recovery, CRi: 21.2%). Twenty‐two CR/CRi patients underwent allo‐HSCT. The 2‐year overall survival (OS), relapse‐free survival (RFS), and event‐free survival (EFS) were 65.8%, 45.7%, and 40.2%, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that superior OS was associated with CR after CLAM (P = .005) and allo‐HSCT (P = .005), and superior RFS and EFS were associated with allo‐HSCT (P < .001). Remarkably, CR after CLAM and allo‐HSCT resulted in 2‐year OS of 84.3% and 90%, respectively. Karyotypic aberrations and genetic mutations did not influence responses or survivals. Grade 3/4 neutropenia/thrombocytopenia and grade 3 febrile neutropenia occurred in all cases. Other nonhematologic toxicities were mild and uncommon. There was no treatment‐related mortality and the performance of allo‐HSCT was not compromised. Clofarabine, cytarabine, and mitoxantrone was highly effective and safe in refractory/relapsed AML. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02686593).
Investigating association of perineural invasion on prostate biopsy with Gleason score upgrading at prostatectomy: A multi‐institutional analysis
Authors: Barsky Andrew R. , Kraus Ryan D. , Carmona Ruben , Santos Patricia M. G. , Li Carrie , Schwartz Lauren E. , Ballas Leslie K. , Vapiwala Neha
Published: March 2020

Background

The significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in prostate cancer (PC) is unclear. A recent report of patients with pT2N0R0 PC found that PNI at prostatectomy was independently associated with higher Gleason score and more diffuse prostatic disease. We aimed to test our hypothesis that PNI on prostate biopsy in pT2N0R0 patients is associated with increased Gleason score upgrading at prostatectomy.

Methods

We identified 2892 patients status post prostatectomy with pT2N0R0 PC from three institutions, diagnosed between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2014. Multivariable logistic regression (MVA) was used to evaluate the association between prostate biopsy PNI status and surgical Gleason upgrading, while controlling for potential confounders.

Results

Of the 2892 patients identified, 14% had PNI on biopsy, of whom 21% had surgical Gleason upgrading, while 28% without PNI on biopsy had such upgrading (P < .01). On MVA, the odds ratio (OR) of surgical Gleason upgrading for patients with biopsy PNI relative to patients without biopsy PNI was 0.69 (P < .01). The variables associated with surgical Gleason upgrading were age ≤60 years (OR 1.22, P = .02) and preoperative PSA >4 ng/mL (OR 1.26, P = .02).

Conclusions

In post‐prostatectomy patients with favorable‐risk PC, PNI on prostate biopsy was not associated with surgical Gleason score upgrading. This may be due to the association of PNI with more diffuse disease, leading to increased biopsy tumor yield and grading accuracy. These findings suggest that in this setting, biopsy PNI alone should not be a concern for more aggressive disease requiring pathologic confirmation or intervention. This may help guide treatment decision‐making for men debating active surveillance, radiation, and surgery.
The association between anxiety disorders and in‐hospital outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction
Authors: Li Pengyang , Lu Xiaojia , Kranis Mark , Wu Fangcheng , Teng Catherine , Cai Peng , Hashmath Zeba , Wang Bin
Published: March 2020

Background

Anxiety disorders are prevalent in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), but the effects of anxiety disorders on in‐hospital outcomes within MI patients have not been well studied.

Hypothesis

To examine the effects of concurrent anxiety disorders on in‐hospital outcomes in MI patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in patients with a principal diagnosis of MI with and without anxiety disorders in the National Inpatient Sample 2016. A total of 129 305 primary hospitalizations for acute MI, 35 237 with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 94 068 with non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) were identified. Of these, 13 112 (10.1%) had anxiety (7.9% in STEMI and 11.0% in NSTEMI). We compared outcomes of anxiety and nonanxiety groups after propensity score matching for the patient and hospital demographics and relevant comorbidities.

Results

After propensity score matching, the anxiety group had a lower incidence of in‐hospital mortality (3.0% vs 4.4%, P < .001), cardiac arrest (2.1% vs 2.8%, P < .001), cardiogenic shock (4.9% vs 5.6%, P = .007), and ventricular arrhythmia (6.7% vs 7.9%, P < .001) than the nonanxiety group. In the NSTEMI subgroup, the anxiety group had significantly lower rates of in‐hospital mortality (2.3% vs 3.5%, P < .001), cardiac arrest (1.1% vs 1.5%, P = .008), and cardiogenic shock (2.8% vs 3.5%, P = .008). In the STEMI subgroup, we found no differences in in‐hospital outcomes (all P > .05) between the matched groups.

Conclusion

Although we found that anxiety was associated with better in‐hospital outcomes, subgroup analysis revealed that this only applied to patients admitted for NSTEMI instead of STEMI.
Echo state network‐based feature extraction for efficient color image segmentation
Authors: Souahlia Abdelkerim , Belatreche Ammar , Benyettou Abdelkader , Ahmed‐Foitih Zoubir , Benkhelifa Elhadj , Curran Kevin
Published: March 2020

Image segmentation plays a crucial role in many image processing and understanding applications. Despite the huge number of proposed image segmentation techniques, accurate segmentation remains a significant challenge in image analysis. This article investigates the viability of using echo state network (ESN), a biologically inspired recurrent neural network, as features extractor for efficient color image segmentation. First, an ensemble of initial pixel features is extracted from the original images and injected into the ESN reservoir. Second, the internal activations of the reservoir neurons are used as new pixel features. Third, the new features are classified using a feed forward neural network as a readout layer for the ESN. The quality of the pixel features produced by the ESN is evaluated through extensive series of experiments conducted on real world image datasets. The optimal operating range of different ESN setup parameters for producing competitive quality features is identified. The performance of the proposed ESN‐based framework is also evaluated on a domain‐specific application, namely, blood vessel segmentation in retinal images where experiments are conducted on the widely used digital retinal images for vessel extraction (DRIVE) dataset. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms state‐of‐the‐art general segmentation techniques in terms of performance with an F‐score of 0.92 ± 0.003 on the segmentation evaluation dataset. In addition, the proposed method achieves a comparable segmentation accuracy (0.9470) comparing with reported techniques of segmentation of blood vessels in images of retina and outperform them in terms of processing time. The average time required by our technique to segment one retinal image from DRIVE dataset is 8 seconds. Furthermore, empirically derived guidelines are proposed for adequately setting the ESN parameters for effective color image segmentation.
Predictive breeding for maize: Making use of molecular phenotypes, machine learning, and physiological crop models
Authors: Washburn Jacob D. , Burch Merritt B. , Franco José A. Valdes
Published: March 2020

Maize (Zea mays L.) has been a focus of scientific research and breeding for over a century. It is also one of the most economically important crops in the world, with a value of approximately US$50 billion per year in the United States alone. Additionally, maize has long been the model species of choice for the study and exploitation of hybrid vigor, and it continues to be one of the world's most efficient converters of photosynthetic energy into starch. This review discusses the history and future of maize predictive breeding in the context of both genotype centric methods, and those focusing on genotype × environment × management interactions. Current prediction challenges are highlighted, as well as important advances in technology, methods, datasets, interdisciplinary collaborations, and scientific culture that will enable accelerated progress in predictive maize (and other crop species) breeding for years to come.
Temporal water use by two maize lines differing in leaf osmotic potential
Authors: Beseli Amber L. , Shekoofa Avat , Ali Mujahid , Sinclair Thomas R.
Published: March 2020

Two lines of maize which had different levels of expressions of leaf osmotic potential (OP) under water‐deficit conditions in the field were previously found to differ in leaf area duration and water extraction at soil depths greater than 0.80 m. In the current study, the hypothesis was explored that the difference in leaf OP between the two lines was associated with differences in transpiration rate which in turn had a major effect on the temporal dynamics of soil water use. The line with the lowest (most negative) OP in the early stages of the soil drying cycle was found to have the greatest transpiration rate and delayed wilting which was consistent with the original field observations. However, with further soil drying, the line with higher OP was able to sustain transpiration over a longer time period and actually reached the end point of transpirable soil water at a later date. The results of these experiments highlighted the necessity of accounting for temporal dynamics when interpreting crop water use in response to soil drying, particularly when comparing genotypes with differing OP.
Solitary self‐gravitational potential in magnetized astrophysical degenerate quantum plasmas
Authors: Asaduzzaman M. , Mannan A. , Mamun A.A.
Published: March 2020

A rigorous theoretical investigation has been conducted on solitary self‐gravitational potential structures in a magnetized degenerate quantum plasma system (containing heavy nuclei and degenerate electrons). The reductive perturbation method has been used to derive the Korteweg‐de Vries (K‐dV) equation, which admits a solitary wave solution for small but finite amplitude limit. It has been shown, for the first time, that the periodic U‐shaped structures represented by secant square function [Asaduzzaman et al, Physics of Plasmas, 24, 052102 (2017)] are converted into solitary self‐gravitational potential structures represented by hyperbolic secant square function due to the presence of a static external magnetic field. It is also observed that the effects of the static external magnetic field and obliqueness significantly modify the basic properties (viz. amplitude, width, speed, etc.) of the solitary self‐gravitational potential structures.
The Cholera Epidemics in Hamburg and What to Learn for COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2)
Authors: Tárnok Attila
Published: March 2020

© 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Estimating occupancy of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) in a protected and non‐protected area of Nepal
Authors: Sharma Sandhya , Sharma Hari P. , Chaulagain Chanda , Katuwal Hem B. , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: March 2020

Chinese pangolin is the world's most heavily trafficked small mammal for luxury food and traditional medicine. Although their populations are declining worldwide, it is difficult to monitor their population status because of its rarity and nocturnal behavior. We used site occupancy (presence/absence) sampling of pangolin sign (i.e., active burrows) in a protected (Gaurishankar Conservation Area) and non‐protected area (Ramechhap District) of central Nepal with multiple environmental covariates to understand factors that may influence occupancy of Chinese pangolin. The average Chinese pangolin occupancy and detection probabilities were

 ± SE = 0.77 ± 0.08;

 ± SE = 0.27 ± 0.05, respectively. The detection probabilities of Chinese pangolin were higher in PA (

 ± SE = 0.33 ± 0.03) than compared to non‐PA (

 ± SE = 0.25 ± 0.04). The most important covariates for Chinese pangolin detectability were red soil (97%), food source (97.6%), distance to road (97.9%), and protected area (97%) and with respect to occupancy was elevation (97.9%). We recommended use of remote cameras and potentially GPS collar surveys to further investigate habitat use and site occupancy at regular intervals to provide more reliable conservation assessments.
Host plant resistance promotes a secondary pest population
Authors: Straub Cory S. , Faselt Jamie A. , Keyser Erich S. , Traugott Michael
Published: March 2020

Insecticides can cause secondary pest outbreaks that weaken the benefit of chemical pest control. These detrimental nontarget effects motivate the use of alternative pest management strategies such as host plant resistance and intercropping. However, when alternative pest management strategies effectively suppress primary pests, they also have the potential to promote secondary pest populations via competitive release. The potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae) is a key pest of alfalfa, and leafhopper‐resistant cultivars are being widely adopted by growers in the Midwest and Northeast United States. We conducted a field experiment comparing leafhopper‐susceptible alfalfa, leafhopper‐resistant alfalfa, and leafhopper‐resistant alfalfa intercropped with orchardgrass. Leafhopper‐resistant alfalfa reduced potato leafhopper abundance and protected the crop from protein loss, but there was no benefit of intercropping leafhopper‐resistant alfalfa with orchardgrass. Importantly, the abundance of a secondary pest, the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum), was twice as high in the leafhopper‐resistant plant treatments compared to the leafhopper‐susceptible treatment. Field sampling and microcosm experiments confirmed that the increase in pea aphids was caused, at least in part, by release from competition with leafhoppers. These results suggest that, when host plant resistance against insects is employed, efforts to monitor and manage secondary pest populations are warranted.
Analysis of atmospheric circulation situation and source areas for brown planthopper immigration to Korea: a case study
Authors: Yang Shi‐Jun , Bao Yun‐Xuan , Chen Can , Lu Ming‐Hong , Liu Wan‐Cai , Hong Sung‐Jun
Published: March 2020

Rice planthoppers and related viral diseases have become one of the most important factors affecting rice production in Asian countries, and the resulting abuse of pesticides is laying a hidden danger for future food security. As the most economically devastating species, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), moves from the tropical Indochina Peninsula to temperate regions where it cannot overwinter annually with the feature of long‐range migration, and eventually appears in paddy fields of most East Asian countries. Compared with the overland migration that has been studied in more detail, there is relatively less understanding of N. lugens’ performance in transnational movement, especially in the representative overseas migration between China and Northeast Asia. Based on the light‐trap data from China and Korea and the matched meteorological data of East Asia in 2016, a typical overseas migration event was basically analyzed. The results are as follows. First, the source area of the N. lugens population in this migration was in southeastern Jiangsu and eastern Shanghai. They took off at dusk on 1 August, flying at the altitude of 1700–2200 m, and landed in southwestern Korea at 02:00–11:00 UTC on 3 August. Second, a southerly airflow belt was the main weather factor for population's overseas migration, and the confrontation between the western Pacific subtropical high and a northern high pressure in southern Korea was the main reason for population to land. Besides, we discussed the one‐off feature of overseas migration compared to overland migration. These results show the close relation between weather systems and the migration dynamics of N. lugens and may extend the perception for N. lugens’ behavioral chain in the long‐range migration between China and Northeast Asia, thus allowing a sufficient time for reasonable and effective control measures.
Time‐traveling larvae ensure survival in small, synchronously fluctuating populations
Authors: Solbreck Christer , Widenfalk Olof
Published: March 2020

Population structure is an important aspect of patchily distributed organisms. Small local populations, large temporal fluctuations, synchronized dynamics, and low migration rates should all lead to lowered rates of patch occupancy and increased extinction risks. These effects can, however, be counteracted if there is a pool of hidden, dormant individuals bridging unfavorable periods. Prolonged diapause—a dormancy that extends over two or more years—provides such a temporal bridge among insects, but its role in structuring patchy populations is poorly known. Based upon a long‐term study, we explore the landscape scale population structure of a galling insect, the larva of which has an unusually long diapause spent hidden in the soil. Gall populations in patches fluctuated synchronously in a long wave with a tenfold amplitude. Abundances were very low with a median of less than twenty galls per patch. Although only a third of the patches had galls in all years, local populations persisted thanks to the pool of diapausing larvae. Colonizations of two new plant patches were very slow. The combination of small, synchronously fluctuating gall populations and high occupancy rates can be maintained because of the very low extinction rates imposed by the time‐traveling diapausing larvae.
Strong opioid consumption and its correlation with pain intensity and inpatient complexity. A 6‐year analysis in a tertiary hospital
Authors: Monge‐Escartín Inés , Montes Antonio , Comas Merce , Grau Santiago
Published: March 2020

Background

An increasing trend in opioid consumption has been observed worldwide in last decades. However, data related to opioid utilization in hospital settings are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the evolution of use of strong opioids and pain intensity in a tertiary hospital during 6 years.

Methods

Consumption of strong opioid analgesics used at the hospital at any time between 2012 and 2017 was collected. Data were expressed on oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) per 100 bed‐days. Pain intensity was measured by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the percentage of patients who experienced a NRS value ≥3 and ≥7 were calculated. Case mix index (CMI) was also collected. Data were quantified in medical and surgical area separately.

Results

Consumption of opioids varied from 812.4 to 1,038.8 OMEs/100 bed‐days and from 967.3 to 1,023.7 in medical and surgical area. The percentage of patients that experienced a value of NRS ≥ 3 and ≥7 in medical area increased from 24.2% and 5.5% to 31.7% and 7.5%, (p = .038, p = .040). It was observed a correlation between the percentage of patients that experienced a NRS ≥ 7 in two consecutive determinations and opioid prescription in medical area (p = .039).The CMI increased from 1.05 and 0.91 to 1.18 and 1.04 in medical and surgical area (p = .020, p = .004).

Conclusions

Consumption of strong opioids has remained stable, both in medical and surgical area, during last years. A correlation between prescription of opioids and pain intensity is observed in case of repeated and severe pain in medical departments.

Significance

This study shows a stable consumption of strong opioid analgesics in a hospital setting in contrast to what appears to be the extrahospitalary trend during last years. The association between consumption of opioids and pain intensity seems to indicate a good control of pain in the clinical setting, showing a significant correlation between the consumption of opioids and repeated and severe pain in medical departments.
Electrochemical Detection of Three Monohydroxylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using Electroreduced Graphene Oxide Modified Screen‐printed Electrode
Authors: Pang Yue‐Hong , Huang Yu‐Ying , Li Wan‐Yu , Yang Nian‐Ci , Shen Xiao‐Fang
Published: March 2020

An electrochemical sensor for detection of three monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH−PAHs) was fabricated by electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide (E‐rGO) on screen‐printed electrode (SPE). The E‐rGO film presents typical wrinkled structure with porous and cavity‐like nanostructure, providing large surface area, effective π‐electron system and high electrical conductivity. The developed E‐rGO/SPE sensor exhibits outstanding sensing performance for the target OH−PAHs, 2‐hydroxynaphthalene, 3‐hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1‐hydroxypyrene, within a linear range varying from 50–800 nM, 50–1150 nM, and 100–1000 nM, and with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10.1 nM, 15.3 nM, and 20.4 nM (S/N=3), respectively. The electrochemical sensor possesses excellent stability, acceptable reproducibility, and good anti‐interference ability. Additionally, the proposed sensor can be applied to the analysis of OH−PAHs in the urine samples with recoveries of 98.1–105.9 %.