bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representation and complementarity of the long‐term coral monitoring on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Mellin C. , Peterson E. E. , Puotinen M. , Schaffelke B.
Published: March 2020

Effective environmental management hinges on efficient and targeted monitoring, which in turn should adapt to increasing disturbance regimes that now characterize most ecosystems. Habitats and biodiversity of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR), the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, are in declining condition, prompting a review of the effectiveness of existing coral monitoring programs. Applying a regional model of coral cover (i.e., the most widely used proxy for coral reef condition globally) within major benthic communities, we assess the representation and complementarity of existing long‐term coral reef monitoring programs on the GBR. We show that existing monitoring has captured up to 45% of the environmental diversity on the GBR, while some geographic areas (including major hotspots of cyclone activity over the last 30 yr) have remained unmonitored. Further, we identified complementary groups of reefs characterized by similar benthic community composition and similar coral cover trajectories since 1996. The mosaic of their distribution across the GBR reflects spatial variation in the cumulative impact of multiple acute disturbances, as well as spatial gradients in coral recovery potential. Representation and complementarity, in combination with other performance assessment criteria, can inform the cost‐effective design and stratification of future surveys. Based on these results, we formulate recommendations to assist with the design of future long‐term coral reef monitoring programs.
Decoding diversity in a coral reef fish species complex with restricted range using metagenomic sequencing of gut contents
Authors: French Beverly J. , Lim Yan Wei , Zgliczynski Brian J. , Edwards Robert A. , Rohwer Forest , Sandin Stuart A.
Published: March 2020

Aim

Identification of the processes that generate and maintain species diversity within the same region can provide insight into biogeographic patterns at broader spatiotemporal scales. Hawkfishes in the genus Paracirrhites are a unique taxon to explore with respect to niche differentiation, exhibiting diagnostic differences in coloration, and an apparent center of distribution outside of the Indo–Malay–Philippine (IMP) biodiversity hotspot for coral reef fishes. Our aim is to use next‐generation sequencing methods to leverage samples of a taxon at their center of maximum diversity to explore phylogenetic relationships and a possible mechanism of coexistence.

Location

Flint Island, Southern Line Islands, Republic of Kiribati.

Methods

A comprehensive review of museum records, the primary literature, and unpublished field survey records was undertaken to determine ranges for four “arc‐eye” hawkfish species in the Paracirrhites species complex and a potential hybrid. Fish from four Paracirrhites species were collected from Flint Island in the Southern Line Islands, Republic of Kiribati. Hindgut contents were sequenced, and subsequent metagenomic analyses were used to assess the phylogenetic relatedness of the host fish, the microbiome community structure, and prey remains for each species.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses conducted with recovered mitochondrial genomes revealed clustering of P. bicolor with P. arcatus and P. xanthus with P. nisus, which were unexpected on the basis of previous morphological work in this species complex. Differences in taxonomic composition of gut microbial communities and presumed prey remains indicate likely separation of foraging niches.

Main Conclusions

Our findings point toward previously unidentified relationships in this cryptic species complex at its proposed center of distribution. The three species endemic to the Polynesian province (P. nisus, P. xanthus, and P. bicolor) cluster separately from the more broadly distributed P. arcatus on the basis of relative abundance of metazoan sequences in the gut (presumed prey remains). Discordance between gut microbial communities and phylogeny of the host fish further reinforce the hypothesis of niche separation.
Outcome differences in acute vs. acute on chronic heart failure and cardiogenic shock
Authors: Jones Tara L. , Tan Michael C. , Nguyen Vidang , Kearney Kathleen E. , Maynard Charles C. , Anderson Emily , Mahr Claudius , McCabe James M.
Published: March 2020

Aims

Despite advances in coronary reperfusion and percutaneous mechanical circulatory support, mortality among patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains unacceptably high. Clinical trials and risk stratification tools have largely focused on acute CS, particularly secondary to acute coronary syndrome. Considerably less is understood about CS in the setting of acute decompensation in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). We sought to compare outcomes between patients with acute CS and patients with acute on chronic decompensated HF presenting with laboratory and haemodynamic features consistent with CS.

Methods and results

Sequential patients admitted with CS at a single quaternary centre between January 2014 and August 2017 were identified. Acute on chronic CS was defined by having a prior diagnosis of HF. Initial haemodynamic and laboratory data were collected for analysis. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were use of temporary mechanical circulatory support, durable ventricular assist device implantation, total artificial heart implantation, or heart transplantation. Comparison of continuous variables was performed using Student's t‐test. For categorical variables, the χ2 statistic was used. A total of 235 patients were identified: 51 patients (32.8%) had acute CS, and 184 patients (64.3%) had acute decompensation of chronic HF with no differences in age (52 ± 22 vs. 55 ± 14 years, P = 0.28) or gender (26% vs. 23%, P = 0.75) between the two groups. Patients with acute CS were more likely to suffer in‐hospital death (31.4% vs. 9.8%, P < 0.01) despite higher usage of temporary mechanical circulatory support (52% vs. 25%, P < 0.01) compared with patients presenting with acute on chronic HF. The only clinically significant haemodynamic differences at admission were a higher heart rate (101 ± 29 vs. 82 ± 17 b.p.m., P < 0.01) and wider pulse pressure (34 ± 19 vs. 29 ± 10 mmHg, P < 0.01) in the acute CS group. There were no significant differences in degree of shock based on commonly used CS parameters including mean arterial pressure (72 ± 12 vs. 74 ± 10 mmHg, P = 0.23), cardiac output (3.9 ± 1.2 vs. 3.8 ± 1.2 L/min, P = 0.70), or cardiac power index (0.32 ± 0.09 vs. 0.30 ± 0.09 W/m2, P = 0.24) between the two groups.

Conclusions

Current definitions and risk stratification models for CS based on clinical trials performed in the setting of acute coronary syndrome may not accurately reflect CS in patients with acute on chronic HF. Further investigation into CS in patients with acute on chronic HF is warranted.
Rationally designed Spot 42 RNAs with an inhibition/toxicity profile advantageous for engineering E. coli
Authors: Vogel Carolin , Gynnå Arvid H. , Yuan Jinwen , Bao Letian , Liljeruhm Josefine , Forster Anthony C.
Published: March 2020

Bacterial regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) have shown promise for gene knock‐down studies and metabolic engineering. However, some mRNAs might be difficult to target due to poor binding by the Hfq chaperone, individual synthetic sRNAs can have off‐target effects, potential sRNA toxicities have not been studied globally, and a consensus on optimal sRNA design has yet to emerge. Here, Spot 42 sRNA is validated as an excellent scaffold by showing that its over‐expression minimally affects the growth rate of Escherichia coli, and that inhibition is reliably achieved for all eight tested protein targets by designing antisense to target the first few codons. Two related sRNAs that could not be cloned, possibly due to lethality of the encoded sRNAs, became clonable when an eight‐nucleotide sequence was inserted directly upstream of the antisense region. Global fitness costs for E. coli of the designer sRNAs were measured and found to be variable but tolerable. Importantly for utility, there was no correlation between target inhibition and cellular toxicity. As a proof of concept for applications, suppression of the UAG stop codon was improved by knock down of translation release factor 1 (RF1).
Experimental and numerical investigations of actuator disks for wind turbines
Authors: Ranjbar Mohammad Hassan , Zanganeh Kia Hadi , Nasrazadani Seyyed Abolfazl , Gharali Kobra , Nathwani Jatin
Published: March 2020

The expenses of a wind turbine modeling in particular a wind farm modeling either numerically or experimentally cause to take the advantages of actuator disks (AD). Porous disks (PD) are used to simulate actuator disks in experiments especially for wake studies. A rotor of a wind turbine replaced by a PD can be modeled efficiently with less cost and process time. For a proper PD selection, some semi‐empirical equations are suggested for a range of solidity of 0.2‐0.6. These equations came from a number of tests. The PDs with different dimensions and solidity values were considered for the tests and models. The results of 2D and 3D numerical simulations and the experimental results show that at the solidity of 0.5, the coefficient of performance of a PD reaches approximately 16/27 which is equal to the Betz's limit; the relation between the coefficient of power and the solidity is fitted by a parabolic equation. The average error of the proposed equations for the power coefficient is reported 1.59%. Finally, based on the current results, some semi‐empirical equations are suggested to help the initial PD selection, and then, the cost of further studies may decrease.
Laser‐Printed, Flexible Graphene Pressure Sensors
Authors: Kaidarova Altynay , Alsharif Nouf , Oliveira Barbara Nicoly M. , Marengo Marco , Geraldi Nathan R. , Duarte Carlos M. , Kosel Jurgen
Published: March 2020

While the outstanding properties of graphene have attracted a lot of attention, one of the major bottlenecks of its widespread usage is its availability in large volumes. Laser printing graphene on polyimide films is an efficient single‐step fabrication process that can remedy this issue. A laser‐printed, flexible pressure sensor is developed utilizing the piezoresistive effect of 3D porous graphene. The pressure sensors performance can be easily adjusted via the geometrical parameters. They have a sensitivity in the range of 1.23 × 10−3kPa and feature a high resolution with a detection limit of 10 Pa in combination with an extremely wide dynamic range of at least 20 MPa. They also provide excellent long‐term stability of at least 15 000 cycles. The biocompatibility of laser‐induced graphene is also evaluated by cytotoxicity assays and fluorescent staining, which show an insignificant drop in viability. Polymethyl methacrylate coating is particularly useful for underwater applications, protecting the sensors from biofouling and shunt currents, and enable operation at a depth of 2 km in highly saline Red Sea water. Due to its features, the sensors are a prime choice for multiple healthcare applications; for example, they are used for heart rate monitoring, plantar pressure measurements, and tactile sensing.
Dual‐specificity phosphatase 6 plays a critical role in the maintenance of a cancer stem‐like cell phenotype in human endometrial cancer
Authors: Kato Masaya , Onoyama Ichiro , Yoshida Sachiko , Cui Lin , Kawamura Keiko , Kodama Keisuke , Hori Emiko , Matsumura Yumiko , Yagi Hiroshi , Asanoma Kazuo , Yahata Hideaki , Itakura Atsuo , Takeda Satoru , Kato Kiyoko
Published: March 2020

The prognosis of patients with high‐grade or advanced‐stage endometrial cancer remains poor. As cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs) are thought to be associated with endometrial cancers, it is essential to investigate the molecular mechanisms that regulate endometrial CSCs. Dual‐specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) functions as a negative‐feedback regulator of MAPK–ERK1/2 signaling, but its role in endometrial cancer remains unknown. We investigated whether DUSP6 is involved in cancer cell stemness using endometrial cancer cell lines and specimens from endometrial cancer patients. DUSP6 induced the expression of CSC‐related genes including ALDH1, Nanog, SOX2 and Oct4A, increased the population of cells in the G0/G1 phase, and promoted sphere formation ability. DUSP6 knockdown resulted in reduced cell invasion and metastasis, whereas DUSP6 overexpression inhibited apoptosis under serum‐free conditions. Moreover, DUSP6 decreased phosphorylated ERK1/2 and increased phosphorylated Akt levels, which potentially induces CSC features. In patients with endometrial cancers, DUSP6 expression was determined using immunohistochemistry, and based on the results, the patients were dichotomized into high‐ and low‐DUSP6‐expression groups. Progression‐free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in the high‐DUSP6‐expression group. These results suggest that DUSP6 has potential value as a biomarker of CSCs and as a target of therapies designed to eliminate CSCs in endometrial cancer.
A diffusion‐based compensation approach for intensity inhomogeneity correction in MRI
Authors: George Maryjo M. , Kalaivani S.
Published: March 2020

Intensity inhomogeneity is considered as an inherent artifact in magnetic resonance images and is prominent in high‐field strength scanners. An effective and conceptually simple retrospective correction technique is introduced in this article that implements a compensation function based on spatially constrained fuzzy c‐means clustering to reduce the effect of intensity inhomogeneity. Intensity compensation functions are estimated on each clustered region and are subsequently processed with an anisotropic diffusion strategy. The proposed approach does not require any parametric models or prior knowledge on the acquisition process for the intensity inhomogeneity correction. The proposed diffusion based technique was evaluated on simulated and real data sets and the results were compared with some of the prominent correction methods. The quantitative analyses in terms of coefficient of variation and coefficient of joint variation ensure the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The experimental analyses of the results show that the proposed methodology outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Mineralization of simulated flue gas to prepare CaCO3 whisker using suspended CaSO4
Authors: Lu Shuangqiang , Miao Yuming , Liu Zhongqing
Published: March 2020

CaCO3 whiskers were synthesized controllably by introducing simulated flue gas containing CO2 and N2 into a CaSO4 suspension. The effects of solution pH, reaction temperature, and simulated flue gas on the formation of CaCO3 whiskers were studied. The growth mechanism and growth model of CaCO3 whiskers had also been provisionally recommended. The reaction product was characterized by scanning electron microscopy analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. CaCO3 whiskers with 97% purity were synthesized at pH 7.5, 80°C, 0.1 L/min CO2 flow rate, and 16.7% CO2 purity, with a length between 15 and 20 μm and an aspect ratio of about 12.
Interactions between the MMP‐3 gene rs591058 polymorphism and occupational risk factors contribute to the increased risk for lumbar disk herniation: A case‐control study
Authors: Luo Yongjun , Wang Jiaxing , Pei Jie , Rong Yuluo , Liu Wei , Tang Pengyu , Cai Weihua , Yin GuoYong
Published: March 2020

Objective

Lumbar disk herniation (LDH) is a complex condition based on lumbar disk degeneration (LDD). Previous studies have shown that genetic factors are highly associated with the severity and risk for LDH. This case‐control study was aimed to evaluate the association between the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3 gene rs591058 C/T polymorphism and LDH risk in a southern Chinese population.

Methods

A total of 231 LDH patients and 312 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Genotyping was analyzed using a standard polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP).

Results

It was observed that TT genotype or T allele carriers of the MMP‐3 gene rs591058 C/T polymorphism was more likely associated with an increased risk for LDH. Subgroup analyses showed the following characteristics increased the risk for LDH: female sex; cigarette smoking; and alcohol consumption. Furthermore, individuals with high whole body vibration, bending/twisting, and lifting were associated with an increased risk for LDH.

Conclusion

Taken together, these data indicated that the MMP‐3 gene rs591058 C/T polymorphism was associated with an increased risk for LDH. The MMP‐3 gene rs591058 C/T polymorphism might serve as a clinical indicator and marker for LDH risk in the Chinese population.
Aldehyde dehydrogenases contribute to skeletal muscle homeostasis in healthy, aging, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: Etienne Jessy , Joanne Pierre , Catelain Cyril , Riveron Stéphanie , Bayer Alexandra Clarissa , Lafable Jérémy , Punzon Isabel , Blot Stéphane , Agbulut Onnik , Vilquin Jean‐Thomas
Published: March 2020

Background

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are key players in cell survival, protection, and differentiation via the metabolism and detoxification of aldehydes. ALDH activity is also a marker of stem cells. The skeletal muscle contains populations of ALDH‐positive cells amenable to use in cell therapy, whose distribution, persistence in aging, and modifications in myopathic context have not been investigated yet.

Methods

The Aldefluor® (ALDEF) reagent was used to assess the ALDH activity of muscle cell populations, whose phenotypic characterizations were deepened by flow cytometry. The nature of ALDH isoenzymes expressed by the muscle cell populations was identified in complementary ways by flow cytometry, immunohistology, and real‐time PCR ex vivo and in vitro. These populations were compared in healthy, aging, or Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, healthy non‐human primates, and Golden Retriever dogs (healthy vs. muscular dystrophic model, Golden retriever muscular dystrophy [GRMD]).

Results

ALDEF+ cells persisted through muscle aging in humans and were equally represented in several anatomical localizations in healthy non‐human primates. ALDEF+ cells were increased in dystrophic individuals in humans (nine patients with DMD vs. five controls: 14.9 ± 1.63% vs. 3.6 ± 0.39%, P = 0.0002) and dogs (three GRMD dogs vs. three controls: 10.9 ± 2.54% vs. 3.7 ± 0.45%, P = 0.049). In DMD patients, such increase was due to the adipogenic ALDEF+/CD34+ populations (11.74 ± 1.5 vs. 2.8 ± 0.4, P = 0.0003), while in GRMD dogs, it was due to the myogenic ALDEF+/CD34− cells (3.6 ± 0.6% vs. 1.03 ± 0.23%, P = 0.0165). Phenotypic characterization associated the ALDEF+/CD34− cells with CD9, CD36, CD49a, CD49c, CD49f, CD106, CD146, and CD184, some being associated with myogenic capacities. Cytological and histological analyses distinguished several ALDH isoenzymes (ALDH1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1B1, 1L1, 2, 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 4A1, 7A1, 8A1, and 9A1) expressed by different cell populations in the skeletal muscle tissue belonging to multinucleated fibres, or myogenic, endothelial, interstitial, and neural lineages, designing them as potential new markers of cell type or of metabolic activity. Important modifications were noted in isoenzyme expression between healthy and DMD muscle tissues. The level of gene expression of some isoenzymes (ALDH1A1, 1A3, 1B1, 2, 3A2, 7A1, 8A1, and 9A1) suggested their specific involvement in muscle stability or regeneration in situ or in vitro.

Conclusions

This study unveils the importance of the ALDH family of isoenzymes in the skeletal muscle physiology and homeostasis, suggesting their roles in tissue remodelling in the context of muscular dystrophies.
High selective hydroxylation of phenol catalyzed by PNP ligand‐containing [FeFe]‐hydrogenase model complexes
Authors: Li Bin , Wang Di , Zhang Tianyong , Jiang Shuang , Wang Jingchao , Ma Xiaoyuan , Liu Yiwei , Wang Kaijun , Yan Ziran
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Dihydroxybenzene (DHB) which is an important raw material and intermediate of the organic chemical industry can be prepared by hydroxylation of phenol, so it promotes the study of highly selective catalyst for hydroxylation of phenol.

RESULTS

Two novel PNP ((Ph2P)2NPh) ligand‐substituted di‐iron complexes were synthesized under controllable reaction conditions via carbon monoxide (CO)/ligand substitution of the parent complex (μ‐budt)Fe2(CO)6 [budt = SCH(CH3)CH2CH2)S]. The substituted complexes 1 and 2 were fully characterized by solution infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetoresonance spectroscopy, single crystal X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory calculations. Due to its favorable redox properties, Complex 1 was adopted first as an efficient catalyst for the hydroxylation of phenol to DHB (dihydroxybenzene) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as oxidant and H2O as solvent. Under the optimum reaction conditions, the conversion of phenol achieved 42.0%, the selectivity of DHB was ≤88.6% and the catechol:hydroquinone ratio (mol mol−1) was 2.2. Furthermore, only trace amounts of benzoquinone, as a deeply oxidized product, was detected (yield c. 0.1%).

CONCLUSION

Complex 1 could be a new type of catalyst for the hydroxylation of phenol to hydroquinone owing to the mild reaction conditions and excellent catalytic performance. In addition, a possible catalytic reaction mechanism was related to the special structure of Complex 1 which features an internal base of amine in PNP ligand.
Cell phenotypes as macrostates of the GRN dynamics
Authors: Borriello Enrico , Walker Sara I. , Laubichler Manfred D.
Published: March 2020

The two most fundamental processes describing change in biology, development, and evolution, occur over drastically different timescales. Development involves temporal sequences of cell states controlled by hierarchies of regulatory structures. It occurs over the lifetime of a single individual and is associated with gene expression level change of a given genotype. Evolution, by contrast, entails genotypic change through mutation, the acquisition/loss of genes and changes in the network topology of interactions among genes. It involves the emergence of new, environmentally selected phenotypes over the lifetimes of many individuals. We start by reviewing the most limiting aspects of the theoretical modeling of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) which prevent the study of both timescales in a common, mathematical language. We then consider the simple framework of Boolean network models of GRNs and point out its inadequacy to include evolutionary processes. As opposed to one‐to‐one maps to specific attractors, we adopt a many‐to‐one map which makes each phenotype correspond to multiple attractors. This definition no longer requires a fixed size for the genotype and opens the possibility for modeling the phenotypic change of a genotype, which is itself changing over evolutionary timescales. At the same time, we show that this generalized framework does not interfere with established numerical techniques for the identification of the kernel of controlling nodes responsible for cell differentiation through external signals.
Preparative scale mass spectrometry: A brief history of the calutron
Authors: Yergey Alfred L. , Yergey A. Karl
Published: March 2020

Calutrons were developed in the laboratory of E. O. Lawrence at the University of California at Berkeley. They were a modification of the cyclotrons he had invented and used in his Nobel Prize‐winning investigations of the atomic nucleus. At the time their construction was undertaken, calutrons represented the only certain means of preparing enriched uranium isotopes for the construction of a fission bomb. The effort was successful enough that every atom of the 42 kg of 235U used in the first uranium bomb had passed through at least one stage of calutron separation. At peak production, the first stage separators, α tanks, yielded an aggregate 258‐g/day 235U enriched to about 10 at. % from its natural abundance level of 0.72 at. %. The second stage separators, β tanks, used the 10 at. % material as feedstock and produced a total 204‐g/day 235U enriched to at least 80 at. %. The latter, weapons grade, material was used in fission bombs. Under typical operating conditions, each α tank operated at a uranium beam intensity at the collectors of approximately 20 mA and each β tank at a beam intensity of approximately 215 mA at the collectors. Bulk separation of isotopes for bomb production ceased in 1945. Since that time calutrons have been used to separate stable isotopes, but on a more limited scale than wartime weapons production. Stable isotope separations since 1960 have taken place using one modified β tank.
Neuroendocrine function and associated mental health outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury in OEF‐deployed service members
Authors: Ciarlone Stephanie L. , Statz Jonathan K. , Goodrich Jessica A. , Norris Jacob N. , Goforth Carl W. , Ahlers Stephen T. , Tschiffely Anna E.
Published: March 2020

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been linked to mental health disorders (MHDs) and pituitary function alterations. Due to the complex relationship of mTBI, the neuroendocrine system, and MHDs, we propose that neuroendocrine dysfunction (NED) may play a role in negative long‐term health outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine if blast‐concussed service members (SMs) have a stronger likelihood of developing NED. We hypothesized that NED either pre‐ or post‐injury is associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes. Serum samples from the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch were obtained from concussed (n = 59) and non‐concussed (n = 72) SMs treated at the Concussion Restoration Care Center (CRCC) in Afghanistan. Serum was collected within 2 years prior to deployment and one or two times within 3 years following their CRCC visit. Samples were analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, human growth hormone, cortisol, and prolactin to assess post‐injury neuroendocrine function. Results indicate that SMs who incurred an mTBI exhibited long‐term LH and testosterone deficiencies 3 years following injury compared to controls. Specifically, 47.6% of head‐injured SMs displayed hypofunction in at least one of five hormones at 3 years post‐injury. Anxiety disorders were the most common MHD observed in concussed SMs with hypopituitarism, while there was also a trend for SMs with chronic pituitary dysfunction to have MHD diagnoses. Findings indicate blast‐related mTBI may be associated with long‐term health outcomes following a period of incubation. Neuroendocrine screenings may increase treatment opportunities, inform rehabilitation strategies, and improve overall quality of life for patients.
Dispersive liquid–liquid extraction based on magnetic Pickering emulsion followed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of aldehydes in environmental water samples
Authors: Cao Xiaoji , Fang Mei , Dong Danqi , Ye Beibei , Xu Jiahui , Ye Xuemin , Mo Weimin
Published: March 2020

A dispersive liquid–liquid extraction based on Pickering emulsion stabilized with ferroferric oxide grafted nitrogen‐doped graphitized carbon black has been developed to simultaneously determine seven aldehydes in environmental water samples, in combination with pentafluorobenzyl hydroxylamine precolumn derivatization gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The nitrogen‐doped graphitized carbon was prepared from dicyandiamide waste residue with a simple acid wash process. The effects of magnetic emulsifier amount, extraction time, solution pH, and oil/water volume ratio on the formation of magnetically responsive Pickering emulsion and the extraction efficiency of the proposed dispersive liquid–liquid extraction were also investigated. Under the optimized conditions, satisfactory linearities were obtained for all aldehydes with correlation coefficients larger than 0.9984. The limits of detection and quantitation of seven aldehydes were in the range of 17.3–30.1 ng/L and 54.3–103.4 ng/L, respectively, with intra‐ and interday relative standard deviations less than 8.6%. The mean recoveries at three spiked levels ranged from 70.0 to 101.4%. With the Pickering emulsion as a “minimized extractor”, the extraction was accomplished within 5 min. After extraction, the magnetic disperser could be recovered for reuse at least five times by an external magnetic field. The proposed method was demonstrated to be feasible, simple, and economic for the trace analysis of the aldehydes in environmental water samples.
Riparian Conservation Facilitated Expansion of Gray Hawks
Authors: La Porte Ariana M. , Mannan R. William , Brewer Samantha
Published: March 2020

Desert riparian ecosystems are among the most threatened biodiversity hotspots in the United States, and efforts to conserve them have been increasing. In 2010–2011 and 2014–2016, we examined shifts in the distribution, habitat characteristics, diet, nest success, and productivity of the gray hawk (Buteo plagiatus), 25 years after a Riparian National Conservation Area was established along the San Pedro River in Arizona, USA, to determine how the removal of grazing and agriculture may have affected the ecosystem. The gray hawk population increased and expanded from mesquite (Prosopis spp.)‐dominated areas that they historically occupied into areas that were dominated by grassland. In contrast with the 1990s, percent of mesquite cover in pairs' territories did not correlate with their productivity. Gray hawk diets also included more mammals in our study period, particularly in territories with more grassland. We propose that conservation measures created habitat for gray hawks in areas that were previously unsuitable by allowing grasslands to regenerate and become habitat for their prey, and that management strategies in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area could serve as a model for conservation of other desert riparian ecosystems. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
HPV‐Related Multiphenotypic Sinonasal Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ward Matthew L. , Kernig Mikelle , Willson Thomas J.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Human papilloma virus‐related multi phenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (HMSC), a recently characterized sinonasal malignancy, is discussed including histology, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes.

Study Design

Case report with literature review.

Methods

A case of HMSC is reported, as well as a retrospective review of all cases of HMSC reported in the English literature from January 2000 through May 2018 in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus databases. Case data from selected articles was pooled along with the presented case and analyzed.

Results

Including the present case report, a total of 57 cases of HMSC were identified through literature review. Of the 42 cases with staging information, 25 (60%) presented as early‐stage disease (T1/T2). No nodal metastasis or disease‐specific mortalities were reported. Among the 44 cases with posttreatment follow‐up data, 16 cases (36.4%) developed local recurrence. The majority of recurrences occurred 24 to 60 months posttreatment, although reports of recurrence 10 and 29 years posttreatment exist. Local recurrence occurred in 40% and 60% of patients with perineural invasion and bone invasion, respectively. Patients who developed local recurrence had a longer disease‐free interval when treated with adjuvant radiotherapy, which approached statistical significance.

Conclusions

HMSC is a distinct entity with paradoxically aggressive morphology paired with an indolent clinical course characterized by high rates of local recurrence but no reported disease‐specific mortalities to date. Surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy is the most common treatment modality, and adjuvant radiotherapy may be associated with an increased disease‐free interval among patients with local recurrence.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:106–110, 2021
Association of cough with asthma in chronic rhinosinusitis patients
Authors: Marino Michael J. , Lal Devyani
Published: March 2020

Objective

To determine whether the complaint of cough in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients is associated with asthma and if there is a potential predictive value for asthma diagnosis.

Method

Consecutive patients presenting for initial evaluation at a tertiary rhinology clinic who were diagnosed with CRS were considered for inclusion in a cross‐sectional study. The presence and severity of cough was determined using the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). Subgroup analysis included asthma diagnosis confirmed by pulmonary function testing (PFT) in our institution, and for chronic rhinosinusitis patients with (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP).

Results

The total study population included 297 patients with a diagnosis of CRS, with 63.9% of patients reporting cough. Physician‐confirmed diagnosis of asthma was made in 38.7% of patients, and confirmed in 69.6% by PFT. Cough was more frequently reported by CRS patients diagnosed with asthma (relative risk [RR] = 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13‐2.25), with sensitivity of 73.9% (95% CI, 65.0%‐81.1%). This remained significant in the CRSsNP subgroup (RR = 2.65, 95% CI, 1.32‐5.30), with sensitivity of 83.3% (95% CI, 70.4%‐91.3%) and specificity of 41.2% (95% CI, 33.2%‐49.8%). Cough was not associated with asthma in CRSwNP patients (RR = 1.26, 95% CI, 0.89‐1.79). Cough severity had poor predication for asthma diagnosis (AUC = 0.60, 95% CI, 0.54‐0.65).

Conclusions

Complaint of cough is associated with diagnosis of asthma in CRS patients. In CRSsNP, complaint of cough was sensitive for asthma diagnosis, although specificity was low. Cough in CRS patients can be multifactorial and asthma may be an important diagnostic consideration.

Level of evidence

4.
An Effective Strategy to Achieve Ultralow Electrical Percolation Threshold with CNTs Anchoring at the Interface of PVDF/PS Bi‐Continuous Structures to Form an Interfacial Conductive Layer
Authors: Yang Yi , Li Ling‐yan , Yin Bo , Yang Ming‐bo
Published: March 2020

Conductive composites based on polymers and conductive nanofillers are widely studied as a promising material. The rational design of 3D conductive networks in composites is crucial to improve their electrical conductivity and reduce the dosage of nanofillers. Herein, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polystyrene (PS) bi‐continuous structures with modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) tailored to anchor at the interface are designed to achieve an ultralow electrical percolation threshold because of the formation of a thin interfacial conductive layer. In this work, the modification of CNTs with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which contributes to the improvement of the compatibility between PVDF and CNTs, is effective to control the distribution of CNTs in composites. It promotes the migration of CNTs from the PS phase to the interface of PVDF and PS. Consequently, the interfacial conductive layer is formed at a low CNT content, and the electrical percolation threshold of PVDF/PS/CNTs‐PMMA nanocomposites is only 0.07 vol%, having a great decrease of about 50% compared with that of PVDF/PS/CNTs nanocomposites. Thus, it is demonstrated that the distribution of CNTs can be tailored to anchor at the interface by proper chemical modification to form an interfacial conductive layer and a decrease of percolation threshold can also be achieved.
Generalized Chorea and JAK2V617F Mutation‐Positive Myeloproliferative Disorders
Authors: Betté Sagari , Moore Henry
Published: March 2020

View Supplementary Video 1
Problems in variation interpretation guidelines and in their implementation in computational tools
Authors: Vihinen Mauno
Published: March 2020

Background

ACMG/AMP and AMP/ASCO/CAP have released guidelines for variation interpretation, and ESHG for diagnostic sequencing. These guidelines contain recommendations including the use of computational prediction methods. The guidelines per se and the way they are implemented cause some problems.

Methods

Logical reasoning based on domain knowledge.

Results

According to the guidelines, several methods have to be used and they have to agree. This means that the methods with the poorest performance overrule the better ones. The choice of the prediction method(s) should be made by experts  based on systematic benchmarking studies reporting all the relevant performance measures. Currently variation interpretation methods have been applied mainly to amino acid substitutions and splice site variants; however, predictors for some other types of variations are available and there will be tools for new application areas in the near future. Common problems in prediction method usage are discussed. The number of features used for method training or the number of variation types predicted by a tool are not indicators of method performance. Many published gene, protein or disease‐specific benchmark studies suffer from too small dataset rendering the results useless. In the case of binary predictors, equal number of positive and negative cases is beneficial for training, the imbalance has to be corrected for performance assessment. Predictors cannot be better than the data they are based on and used for training and testing. Minor allele frequency (MAF) can help to detect likely benign cases, but the recommended MAF threshold is apparently too high. The fact that many rare variants are disease‐causing or ‐related does not mean that rare variants in general would be harmful. How large a portion of the tested variants a tool can predict (coverage) is not a quality measure.

Conclusion

Methods used for variation interpretation have to be carefully selected. It should be possible to use only one predictor, with proven good performance or a limited number of complementary predictors with state‐of‐the‐art performance. Bear in mind that diseases and pathogenicity have a continuum and variants are not dichotomic i.e. either pathogenic or benign, either.
Novel compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in ASCC1 in a Chinese patient with spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures 2 : Evidence supporting a "Definitive" gene‐disease relationship
Authors: Lu Weiliang , Liang Mingxing , Su Jiasun , Wang Jin , Li Lingxiao , Zhang Shujie , Qin Zailong , Huang Limei , Lu Yingchi , Yi Shang , Yi Sheng , Xie BoBo , Zheng Haiyang , Luo Jingsi , Gao Xiaoyan , Shen Yiping
Published: March 2020

Background

A very limited spectrum of ASCC1 pathogenic variants had been reported in six (mostly consanguineous) families with spinal muscular atrophy with congenital bone fractures 2 [OMIM #616867] since 2016.

Methods

A proband from a non‐consanguineous Chinese family presented with neonatal severe hypotonia, respiratory distress, muscle weakness, and atrophy, as well as congenital bone fractures was performed by exome sequencing.

Results

A compound heterozygosity of a nonsense (c.932C>G,p.Ser311Ter) and an exon 5 deletion in ASCC1 segregating with phenotypes was detected, both variants are novel and pathogenic. Since ASCC1 is a relatively new disease gene, we performed the gene curation by ClinGen SOP. The existing evidence is sufficient to support a "Definitive" level of disease‐gene relationship.

Conclusion

This case report expended the mutation spectrum of ASCC1 and support the notion that this novel disease also occurs in outbreed populations and this is a rare disease but may still be underdiagnosed due to its perinatal lethal outcomes.
Neimark‐Sacker bifurcation and hybrid control in a discrete‐time Lotka‐Volterra model
Authors: Khan Abdul Qadeer , Khalique Tanzeela
Published: March 2020

We explore the local dynamics, N‐S bifurcation, and hybrid control in a discrete‐time Lotka‐Volterra predator‐prey model in
. It is shown that
parametric values, model has two boundary equilibria:
and
, and a unique positive equilibrium point:
if
. We explored the local dynamics along with different topological classifications about equilibria:
,
, and
of the model. It is proved that model cannot undergo any bifurcation about
and
but it undergoes an N‐S bifurcation when parameters vary in a small neighborhood of
by using a center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory and meanwhile, invariant close curves appears. The appearance of these curves implies that there exist a periodic or quasiperiodic oscillations between predator and prey populations. Further, theoretical results are verified numerically. Finally, the hybrid control strategy is applied to control N‐S bifurcation in the discrete‐time model.
Creation of an anthropomorphic CT head phantom for verification of image segmentation
Authors: Holmes Robin B. , Negus Ian S. , Wiltshire Sophie J. , Thorne Gareth C. , Young Peter ,   The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Many methods are available to segment structural magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain into different tissue types. These have generally been developed for research purposes but there is some clinical use in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. The potential exists for computed tomography (CT) segmentation to be used in place of MRI segmentation, but this will require a method to verify the accuracy of CT processing, particularly if algorithms developed for MR are used, as MR has notably greater tissue contrast.

Methods

To investigate these issues we have created a three‐dimensional (3D) printed brain with realistic Hounsfield unit (HU) values based on tissue maps segmented directly from an individual T1 MRI scan of a normal subject. Several T1 MRI scans of normal subjects from the ADNI database were segmented using SPM12 and used to create stereolithography files of different tissues for 3D printing. The attenuation properties of several material blends were investigated, and three suitable formulations were used to print an object expected to have realistic geometry and attenuation properties. A skull was simulated by coating the object with plaster of Paris impregnated bandages. Using two CT scanners, the realism of the phantom was assessed by the measurement of HU values, SPM12 segmentation and comparison with the source data used to create the phantom.

Results

Realistic relative HU values were measured although a subtraction of 60 was required to obtain equivalence with the expected values (gray matter 32.9–35.8 phantom, 29.9–34.2 literature). Segmentation of images acquired at different kVps/mAs showed excellent agreement with the source data (Dice Similarity Coefficient 0.79 for gray matter). The performance of two scanners with two segmentation methods was compared, with the scanners found to have similar performance and with one segmentation method clearly superior to the other.

Conclusion

The ability to use 3D printing to create a realistic (in terms of geometry and attenuation properties) head phantom has been demonstrated and used in an initial assessment of CT segmentation accuracy using freely available software developed for MRI.
Stable generalized finite element methods for elasticity crack problems
Authors: Cui Cu , Zhang Qinghui
Published: March 2020

Generalized or eXtended finite element methods (GFEM/XFEM) for crack problems have been studied extensively. The GFEM/XFEM are called extrinsic if additional functions are enriched at every node in certain domains, while they are called degree of freedom (DOF)‐gathering if the singular enriched functions are gathered using cutoff functions. The DOF‐gathering GFEM/XFEM save the additional DOFs compared with the extrinsic approach. Both extrinsic and DOF‐gathering GFEM/XFEM suffer from difficulties of stabilities in a sense that their scaled condition numbers (SCN) of stiffness matrices could be much larger than those of the standard FEM. A GFEM/XFEM is referred to as stable GFEM (SGFEM) if it reaches optimal convergence orders, and its SCN is of same order as that of FEM. An extrinsic SGFEM was established in Zhang et al for the Poisson crack problems. Objective of this article is to propose the SGFEM for elasticity crack problems; both extrinsic and DOF‐gathering schemes are addressed. The main idea is to modify the enriched functions by subtracting their FE interpolants, which was developed by Babuška and Banerjee. To remove local almost linear dependence introduced by multifold enrichments at one node, we propose a local principal component analysis technique to identify and analyze “contributions” of multifold enrichments at one node. Numerical studies demonstrate that the proposed SGFEM and DOF‐gathering SGFEM are of optimal convergence and have the SCNs of same order as in the
FEM.
High‐refractive‐index and high‐barrier‐capable epoxy‐phenoxy‐based barrier film for organic electronics
Authors: Rafiqul Bari Gazi A. K. M. , Kim Haekyoung
Published: March 2020

A barrier film is a fundamental component of the fast growing organic electronic device industry that is necessary to sustain long‐term stability. The barrier film prevents the permeation of environmental moisture and oxygen into the organic electronic device. Superior barrier property is the most crucial characteristic of a barrier film, in addition to a high refractive index. A high‐refractive‐index barrier film has the potential to reduce the refractive‐index mismatch between a device and a protective film, consequently, reducing the energy costs by increasing the light output. In this work, six epoxy and phenoxy resin composite compositions are synthesized separately, each with a different cross‐linker. POL‐TE1/PET and POL‐HD1/PET films show enhanced refractive indexes of 1.726 (at 750 nm) and 1.721 (at 500 nm), allowing only 71.7% and 70.4% permeation, respectively, compared to those of POL/PET, while exhibiting more than 80% transparency and excellent properties. The films are fabricated using a straightforward process, from a solution, at low temperature and under atmospheric conditions, using an applicator and bar coating.
Poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate) copolymers/bovine serum albumin complexes in aqueous solutions
Authors: Sentoukas Theodore , Pispas Stergios
Published: March 2020

Complexation ability of poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(hydroxy propyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA‐b‐PHPMA) amphiphilic doubly thermo‐responsive block copolymers, and their quaternized counterparts QPDMAEMA‐b‐PHPMA, toward bovine serum albumin (BSA) is studied in aqueous solutions. The PDMAEMA‐b‐PHPMA amphiphilic block copolymers self‐assemble in nanostructured aggregates with PDMAEMA coronas having different inner structure and micro‐polarity depending on the solubilization protocol utilized when inserted in aqueous media. By incorporating different BSA concentrations, we investigate the copolymer–protein interactions by light scattering measurements in aqueous solutions in a broad temperature range, utilizing different solubilization protocols for the copolymers. Fluorescence spectroscopy and ζ‐potential measurements were also utilized to investigate the structure and properties of the copolymer/protein complexes formed in each case. Such knowledge may lead to a better understanding of the inner structure and micro polarity of the nanostructured aggregates formed by the novel (Q)PDMAEMA‐b‐PHPMA copolymers, along with their potential abilities in nanocarrier formation, protein complexation, stabilization, and delivery.