bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An immersed discontinuous Galerkin method for compressible Navier‐Stokes equations on unstructured meshes
Authors: Xiao Hong , Febrianto Eky , Zhang Qiaoling , Cirak Fehmi
Published: August 2019

We introduce an immersed high‐order discontinuous Galerkin method for solving the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations on non–boundary‐fitted meshes. The flow equations are discretised with a mixed discontinuous Galerkin formulation and are advanced in time with an explicit time marching scheme. The discretisation meshes may contain simplicial (triangular or tetrahedral) elements of different sizes and need not be structured. On the discretisation mesh, the fluid domain boundary is represented with an implicit signed distance function. The cut‐elements partially covered by the solid domain are integrated after tessellation with the marching triangle or tetrahedra algorithms. Two alternative techniques are introduced to overcome the excessive stable time step restrictions imposed by cut‐elements. In the first approach, the cut‐basis functions are replaced with the extrapolated basis functions from the nearest largest element. In the second approach, the cut‐basis functions are simply scaled proportionally to the fraction of the cut‐element covered by the solid. To achieve high‐order accuracy, additional nodes are introduced on the element faces abutting the solid boundary. Subsequently, the faces are curved by projecting the introduced nodes to the boundary. The proposed approach is verified and validated with several two‐ and three‐dimensional subsonic and hypersonic low Reynolds number flow applications, including the flow over a cylinder, a space capsule, and an aerospace vehicle.
Descriptive sensory analysis of heat‐resistant milk chocolates
Authors: Dicolla Carolina B. , Evans Janet L. , Hainly Larry L. , Celtruda Sheri L. , Brown B. Douglas , Anantheswaran Ramaswamy C.
Published: August 2019

Sensory attributes of six heat‐resistant chocolates were compared with the standard chocolate using a trained sensory panel who were trained using the Sensory Spectrum method. The panel evaluated the chocolates using three tactile and ten oral attributes at 24, 29, and 38°C. The panel demonstrated consistent rating of the various samples. ANOVA showed that all of the 13 sensory attributes (Firmness to touch, Stickiness to fingers, Snap, Abrasiveness, Hardness with incisors, Fracturability, Cohesiveness of mass, Time to melt, Firmness with tongue, Adhesiveness to teeth, Number of particles, Oily mouthcoating, and Chocolate messiness) were significantly different across the samples. A higher degree of heat resistance was identified by the panelists for the low‐fat gelatin and polyol samples at 38°C. Principal component analysis revealed two principal components; the first pricipal component described the variability due to temperature, and the second principal component described the variability brought about by the various technologies.
Reducing Transportation Energy Use—Opportunities to Scale
Authors: DeCotis Paul A.
Published: August 2019

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports that 28 percent of energy used in the United States is for transportation, moving people and goods. Transport vehicles in this context include automobiles, motorcycles, trucks (light, medium, and heavy‐duty), buses, trains, aircraft, and watergoing vessels. Of these vehicles, approximately 58 percent of the related energy use is from cars, light‐duty trucks, and motorcycles, with the remaining shares being other trucks (23 percent), aircraft (8 percent), boats and ships (4 percent), and trains and buses (3 percent). Pipelines account for 4 percent of transportation energy use, transporting liquids and gases across the United States. It is worth noting that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reported by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are greatest in the transportation sector (29 percent), followed by electricity (28 percent), industry (22 percent), commercial and residential (22 percent), and agriculture (9 percent), as illustrated in Figure 1. This suggests, as many know, that any serious effort to reduce GHG emissions—as many states and municipalities and businesses and consumers have pledged—requires reducing energy use and, therefore, GHG emissions in the transportation sector.
Effect of population stratification on SNP‐by‐environment interaction
Authors: An Jaehoon , Won Sungho , Lutz Sharon M. , Hecker Julian , Lange Christoph
Published: August 2019

Proportions of false‐positive rates in genome‐wide association analysis are affected by population stratification, and if it is not correctly adjusted, the statistical analysis can produce the large false‐negative finding. Therefore various approaches have been proposed to adjust such problems in genome‐wide association studies. However, in spite of its importance, a few studies have been conducted in genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐by‐environment interaction studies. In this report, we illustrate in which scenarios can lead to the false‐positive rates in association mapping and approach to maintaining the overall type‐1 error rate.
Potentiation of cannabinoid signaling in microglia by adenosine A2A receptor antagonists
Authors: Franco Rafael , Reyes‐Resina Irene , Aguinaga David , Lillo Alejandro , Jiménez Jasmina , Raïch Iu , Borroto‐Escuela Dasiel O. , Ferreiro‐Vera Carlos , Canela Enric I. , Sánchez de Medina Verónica , del Ser‐Badia Anna , Fuxe Kjell , Saura Carlos A. , Navarro Gemma
Published: August 2019

Neuroprotective M2‐skewed microglia appear as promising to alter the course of neurodegenerative diseases and G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are potential targets to achieve such microglial polarization. A common feature of adenosine A2A (A2AR) and cannabinoid CB2 (CB2R) GPCRs in microglia is that their expression is upregulated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). On the one hand, CB2R seems a target for neuroprotection, delaying neurodegenerative processes like those associated to AD or Parkinson's diseases. A2AR antagonists reduce amyloid burden and improve cognitive performance and memory in AD animal models. We here show a close interrelationship between these two receptors in microglia; they are able to physically interact and affect the signaling of each other, likely due to conformational changes within the A2A‐CB2 receptor heteromer (A2A‐CB2Het). Particularly relevant is the upregulation of A2A‐CB2Het expression in samples from the APPSw,Ind AD transgenic mice model. The most relevant finding, confirmed in both heterologous cells and in primary cultures of microglia, was that blockade of A2A receptors results in increased CB2R‐mediated signaling. This heteromer‐specific feature suggests that A2AR antagonists would potentiate, via microglia, the neuroprotective action of endocannabinoids with implications for AD therapy.
Activation of G protein‐coupled receptor 30 protects neurons by regulating autophagy in astrocytes
Authors: Wang Xin‐Shang , Yue Jiao , Hu Li‐Ning , Tian Zhen , Zhang Kun , Yang Le , Zhang Hui‐Nan , Guo Yan‐Yan , Feng Bin , Liu Hai‐Yan , Wu Yu‐Mei , Zhao Ming‐Gao , Liu Shui‐Bing
Published: August 2019

Ischemic stroke leads to neuronal damage induced by excitotoxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Astrocytes play diverse roles in stroke and ischemia‐induced inflammation, and autophagy is critical for maintaining astrocytic functions. Our previous studies showed that the activation of G protein‐coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), an estrogen membrane receptor, protected neurons from excitotoxicity. However, the role of astrocytic GPR30 in maintaining autophagy and neuroprotection remained unclear. In this study, we found that the neuroprotection induced by G1 (GPR30 agonist) in wild‐type mice after a middle cerebral artery occlusion was completely blocked in GPR30 conventional knockout (KO) mice but partially attenuated in astrocytic or neuronal GPR30 KO mice. In cultured primary astrocytes, glutamate exposure induced astrocyte proliferation and decreased astrocyte autophagy by activating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and inhibiting p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. G1 treatment restored autophagy to its basal level by regulating the p38 pathway but not the mTOR and JNK signaling pathways. Our findings revealed a key role of GPR30 in neuroprotection via the regulation of astrocyte autophagy and support astrocytic GPR30 as a potential drug target against ischemic brain damage.
A Last Gift
Authors: Solomon Mildred Z.
Published: August 2019

Here at the Center, we had the privilege of seeing how Dan Callahan lived out his last days and weeks. True to his nature, Dan never stopped thinking or writing. Indeed, his wife Sidney told me that he finished his last essay one day before his death, on July 16th, insisting that she help him get to the computer so he could discuss it with a colleague. “It's my last one,” he told her with his characteristic self‐awareness. Dan also chose the last topic he would focus on: climate change. At a December 2018 board meeting, Dan presented his desire to develop a workshop to explore the ways in which bioethics in general, and The Hastings Center in particular, might be able to make a valuable contribution to addressing the problem of global warming.
The Tyranny of Hope
Authors: Geller Gail
Published: August 2019

Biomedical science is usually framed for the public in terms of its “promise.” When a breakthrough results from scientific inquiry, that promise is translated into a hope for a cure. The “promise” of such advances in biomedical research can have a paradoxical effect. In the case of pediatric neuromuscular disease, rather than reducing suffering, the expectation of cure can be a burden—both physically and emotionally—for affected children and their families. If a family expects a cure, it is likely to do everything possible to help the child live as long as possible, in the hope that the child will eventually receive it. I am not arguing that the appropriate response to the paradox of promise is to impede scientific progress. What is needed, however, is a broader conception of hope—one that values hope for a good day, a good quality of life, good relationships, or even a good death—alongside the hope for a cure.
Homeless, Ill, and Psychiatrically Complex: The Grueling Carousel of Cassandra Lee
Authors: Guidry‐Grimes Laura
Published: August 2019

Ask any clinical ethics consultant, and they can tell you about their transformative cases. Some stick with us because all roads led nowhere. Cassandra Lee had a history of pulling out lines and tubes and a distaste of warming blankets. Her admission marked her thirtieth over the past year. Many of the challenges facing the hospital caring for her were not unique: significant psychiatric issues, prolonged nonadherence to medical advice, and end‐of‐life decision‐making combined to create an ethically dense and vexing situation. Ms. Lee, like so many patients, was suffering because of system failures.
Ostriches and Obligations: Ethical Challenges Facing Research on Usual Care
Authors: Morain Stephanie R.
Published: August 2019

In recent years, a robust body of scholarship has emerged that examines ethical challenges facing the learning health organization model. In “Bystander Ethics and Good Samaritanism,” James Sabin and colleagues make a valuable addition to this scholarship, identifying and exploring the important question of what researchers' obligations are to patients receiving “usual care” if “that care is seen as suboptimal.” The central issue that Sabin et al. faced was whether it would be acceptable for researchers to identify patients with untreated atrial fibrillation but then assign them to a control group that would not receive education about the importance of oral anticoagulation. The authors present this challenge as an issue of “bystander ethics.” To avoid being “bystanders” to identified instances of suboptimal care, the research team decided to instead identify a “delayed intervention” group for which they would not determine the members' anticoagulation status, thereby preventing them from knowing that specific patients met the criteria for oral anticoagulants but were not using them. This “workaround” approach strikes me as disingenuous.
Neural correlates of top‐down modulation of haptic shape versus roughness perception
Authors: Mueller Stefanie , de Haas Benjamin , Metzger Anna , Drewing Knut , Fiehler Katja
Published: August 2019

Exploring an object's shape by touch also renders information about its surface roughness. It has been suggested that shape and roughness are processed distinctly in the brain, a result based on comparing brain activation when exploring objects that differed in one of these features. To investigate the neural mechanisms of top‐down control on haptic perception of shape and roughness, we presented the same multidimensional objects but varied the relevance of each feature. Specifically, participants explored two objects that varied in shape (oblongness of cuboids) and surface roughness. They either had to compare the shape or the roughness in an alternative‐forced‐choice‐task. Moreover, we examined whether the activation strength of the identified brain regions as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can predict the behavioral performance in the haptic discrimination task. We observed a widespread network of activation for shape and roughness perception comprising bilateral precentral and postcentral gyrus, cerebellum, and insula. Task‐relevance of the object's shape increased activation in the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG/BA 40) and the right precentral gyrus (PreCG/BA 44) suggesting that activation in these areas does not merely reflect stimulus‐driven processes, such as exploring shape, but also entails top‐down controlled processes driven by task‐relevance. Moreover, the strength of the SMG/PreCG activation predicted individual performance in the shape but not in the roughness discrimination task. No activation was found for the reversed contrast (roughness > shape). We conclude that macrogeometric properties, such as shape, can be modulated by top‐down mechanisms whereas roughness, a microgeometric feature, seems to be processed automatically.
Widespread higher fractional anisotropy associates to better cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis
Authors: Kristensen Tina D. , Mandl René C. W. , Raghava Jayachandra M. , Jessen Kasper , Jepsen Jens Richardt M. , Fagerlund Birgitte , Glenthøj Louise B. , Wenneberg Christina , Krakauer Kristine , Pantelis Christos , Nordentoft Merete , Glenthøj Birte Y. , Ebdrup Bjørn H.
Published: August 2019

In schizophrenia patients, cognitive functions appear linked to widespread alterations in cerebral white matter microstructure. Here we examine patterns of associations between regional white matter and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. One hundred and sixteen individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis and 49 matched healthy controls underwent 3 T magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted imaging and cognitive assessments. Group differences on fractional anisotropy were tested using tract‐based spatial statistics. Group differences in cognitive functions, voxel‐wise as well as regional fractional anisotropy were tested using univariate general linear modeling. Multivariate partial least squares correlation analyses tested for associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions. Univariate analyses revealed significant impairments on cognitive functions and lower fractional anisotropy in superior longitudinal fasciculus and cingulate gyrus in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. Partial least squares correlation analysis revealed different associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis compared to healthy controls. Widespread higher fractional anisotropy was associated with better cognitive functioning for individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis, but not for the healthy controls. Furthermore, patterns of cognitive functions were associated with an interaction‐effect on regional fractional anisotropy in fornix, medial lemniscus, uncinate fasciculus, and superior cerebellar peduncle. Aberrant associations between patterns of cognitive functions to white matter may be explained by dysmyelination.
Vaccine hesitancy and (fake) news: Quasi‐experimental evidence from Italy
Authors: Carrieri Vincenzo , Madio Leonardo , Principe Francesco
Published: August 2019

The spread of fake news and misinformation on social media is blamed as a primary cause of vaccine hesitancy, which is one of the major threats to global health, according to the World Health Organization. This paper studies the effect of the diffusion of misinformation on immunization rates in Italy by exploiting a quasi‐experiment that occurred in 2012, when the Court of Rimini officially recognized a causal link between the measles‐mumps‐rubella vaccine and autism and awarded injury compensation. To this end, we exploit the virality of misinformation following the 2012 Italian court's ruling, along with the intensity of exposure to nontraditional media driven by regional infrastructural differences in Internet broadband coverage. Using a Difference‐in‐Differences regression on regional panel data, we show that the spread of this news resulted in a decrease in child immunization rates for all types of vaccines.
Patterns of local recurrence after curative resection and reconstruction for oropharyngeal and oral cancers: Implications for postoperative radiotherapy target volumes
Authors: Cho Yeona , Yoon Hong In , Lee Ik Jae , Kim Jun Won , Lee Chang Geol , Choi Eun Chang , Kim Se‐Heon , Keum Ki Chang
Published: August 2019

Background

We aimed to determine the patterns of local recurrence after curative resection and reconstruction for oropharyngeal and oral cancers.

Methods

One hundred‐fourteen patients with oropharyngeal and oral cancers underwent resection and reconstruction. The local recurrences were classified as “intra‐flap” (the recurrent tumor was located in the flap tissue), “marginal” (≤5 mm from the flap anastomosis), and “outside” (in the original tissue and >5 mm from the anastomosis) recurrences.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients (23.7%) experienced local recurrence, while 32 (28.1%) experienced regional, and nine (7.9%) recurred distantly. Among those who showed local recurrence, one developed “outside” recurrence and the remaining 26 developed “marginal” recurrences. Age >60 years and lymph node metastasis were associated with poor disease‐free survival and overall survival (OS), while the perineural invasion was related to poor locoregional failure‐free survival and OS.

Conclusion

Most recurrences developed at the anastomosis marginal site, while none developed in the flap tissue.
Functional redundancy in leaf‐litter‐associated aquatic hyphomycetes: Fine sediment alters community composition but hardly decomposer activity
Authors: Martínez Aingeru , Lírio Ana V. , Febra Isabel , Rosa João , Gonçalves Ana L. , Canhoto Cristina
Published: August 2019

The increase in the flow of fine sediments to the aquatic ecosystems (AH), as a consequence of human activities, is a widespread stressor that may alter the structure of biological communities and ecosystem processes. In this study, the effects of sediments (Ø < 2 mm) on the structure (biomass and composition) and activity (decomposer activity and sporulation rate) of litter‐associated microorganisms (mainly AH) were investigated. For this, leaf discs of in‐stream preconditioned Quercus robur were incubated in microcosms for 30 days under the influence of four different grain‐size (<2, 1–0.5, 0.5–0.063, and <0.063 mm) sediments kept in motion. Fine sediments barely altered microbial decomposer activity and did not affect fungal biomass. Meanwhile, the sporulation rate was enhanced by sediments’ presence, the results being grain‐size‐dependent, and the fungal community composition was affected by the presence of sediments, independently of grain size. These findings evidence the functional redundancy of microbial assemblages involved in leaf litter decomposition in freshwaters.
A new approach to the production of a biovital skin graft based on human acellular dermal matrix produced in‐house, in vitro revitalized internally by human fibroblasts and keratinocytes on the surface
Authors: Łabuś Wojciech , Kitala Diana , Klama‐Baryła Agnieszka , Szapski Michał , Smętek Wojciech , Kraut Małgorzata , Poloczek Ryszard , Glik Justyna , Pielesz Anna , Biniaś Dorota , Sarna Ewa , Grzybowska‐Pietras Joanna , Kucharzewski Marek
Published: August 2019

Patients with extensive and deep burns who do not have enough donor sites for autologous skin grafts require alternative treatment methods. Tissue engineering is a useful tool to solve this problem. The aim of this study was to find the optimal method for the production of a biovital skin substitute based on acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and in vitro cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes. In this work, nine methods of ADM production were assessed. The proposed methods are based on the use of the following enzymes: Dispase II, collagenase I/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), collagenase II/EDTA, and mechanical perforation using DermaRoller and mesh dermatome. The obtained ADMs were examined (both on the side of the basement membrane and on the “cut‐off” side) by means of scanning electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry tests and strength tests. ADM was revitalized with human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The ability of in‐depth revitalization of cultured fibroblasts and their ability to secrete collagen IV was examined. The obtained results indicate that the optimal method of production of live skin substitutes is the colonization of autologous fibroblasts and keratinocytes on the scaffold obtained using two‐step incubation method: Trypsin/EDTA and dispase II.
The effect of platelet‐rich fibrin exudate addition to porous poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) scaffold in bone healing: An in vivo study
Authors: Witek Lukasz , Tian Han , Tovar Nick , Torroni Andrea , Neiva Rodrigo , Gil Luiz F. , Coelho Paulo G.
Published: August 2019

Bone grafting procedures have been widely utilized as the current state‐of‐the‐art for bone regeneration, with autogenous bone graft being the gold‐standard bone reconstructive option. However, the use of autografts may be limited by secondary donor‐site comorbidities, a finite amount of donor supply, increased operating time, and healthcare cost impact. Synthetic materials, or alloplasts, such as the polymeric material, poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) has previously been utilized as a transient scaffold to support healing of bone defects with the potential to locally delivery osteogenic additives. In this study a novel procedure was adopted to incorporate both the dissolved contents and mechanical components of leukocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin (L‐PRF) into an PLGA scaffold through a two‐step method: (a) extraction of the L‐PRF membrane transudate with subsequent immersion of the PLGA scaffold in transudate followed by (b) delivering a fibrin gel as a low‐viscosity component that subsequently polymerizes into a highly viscous, gel‐like biological material within the pores of the PLGA scaffold. Two, ~0.40 cm3, submandibular defects (n = 24) were created per side using rotary instrumentation under continuous irrigation in six sheep. Each site received a PLGA scaffold (Intra‐Lock R&D, Boca Raton, FL), with one positive control (without L‐PRF exudate addition [nL‐PRF]), and one experimental (augmented with PLGA/L‐PRF Blocks [L‐PRF]). Animals were euthanized 6 weeks postoperatively and mandibles retrieved, en bloc, for histological analysis. Histomorphometric evaluation for bone regeneration was evaluated as bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) within the region of interest of the cortical bone (with specific image analysis software) and data presented as mean values with the corresponding 95% confidence interval values. Qualitative evaluation of nondecalcified histologic sections revealed extensive bone formation for both groups, with substantially more bone regeneration for the L‐PRF induced group relative nL‐PRF group. Quantitative BAFO within the defect as function of the effect of L‐PRF exudate on bone regeneration, demonstrated significantly (p = .018) higher values for the L‐PRF group (38.26% ± 8.5%) relative to the nL‐PRF group (~28% ± 4.0%). This in vivo study indicated that L‐PRF exudate has an impact on the regeneration of bone when incorporated with the PLGA scaffold in a large translational model. Further studies are warranted in order to evaluate the L‐PRF exudate added, as well as exploring the preparation methods, in order to facilitate bone regeneration.
lncRNA GAS5 regulates myocardial infarction by targeting the miR‐525‐5p/CALM2 axis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Hou Yue‐mei , Gao Feng , Xiao Jin‐wen , Li Chuan‐chuan , Tang Yuan
Published: August 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, especially in myocardial infarction (MI). However, the underlying molecular mechanism of how lncRNA involves and affect MI still remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression of lncRNA growth arrest‐specific transcript 5 (GAS5) and its effects on myocardial cells' proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The possible mechanisms involved in GAS5, calmodulin 2 (CALM2), and microRNA (miR)‐525‐5p were also explored. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of CALM2, GAS5, and miR‐525‐5p in postmyocardial infarction (MI) and normal cells were examined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Western blot analysis assay was conducted to detect the protein levels of CALM2. The changes of cell cycle/apoptosis and cell viability of post‐MI myocardial cells (PMMC) were determined by flow cytometry analysis and MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide) assay after knockdown of GAS5 or CALM2, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were performed to verify the targeting relationship between miR‐525‐5p and GAS5, CALM2 in myocardial. Hypoxic preconditioning was performed in normal cells, which constructed a simulated MI environment, and the effect of GAS5 on cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected. Our data showed that the expression of GAS5 and CALM2 in PMMC was significantly upregulated, while the expression of miR‐525‐5p was downregulated. Overexpression of GAS5 and CALM2 profoundly promoted the apoptosis of myocardial cell. However, the proliferation of myocardial cell was inhibited by the upregulation of GAS5 and CALM2. Moreover, GAS5 was proved to be the target of miR‐525‐5p and GAS5 downregulated the expression of miR‐525‐5p and CALM2. In addition, lncRNA GAS5 promotes MI, while CALM2 induced MI can be reversed by miR‐525‐5p. These data suggested that lncRNA GAS5 promoted the development and progression of MI via targeting of the miR‐525‐5p/CALM2 axis and it has the potential to be explored as a therapeutic target for the treatment of MI in the future.
Isopropanol, n‐butanol and ethanol recovery from IBE model solutions by salting‐out using potassium pyrophosphate
Authors: Li Hao , Liu Haixiong , Fang Jing , Yin Shuo , Chen Chuanyu , Li Chunli
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Isopropanol, n‐butanol and ethanol (IBE) could be used as a clean and renewable biofuel. However, the separation and purification of IBE requires more energy due to the low concentration of IBE in fermentation broth and the existence of azeotropes. Here, we investigate in detail the separation ability of IBE from two typical model solutions by salting‐out with potassium pyrophosphate (K4P2O7) as the salting‐out agent.

RESULTS

Increasing the salt content could effectively increase the distribution coefficient and selectivity coefficient of IBE. The recovery of IBE was over 95 wt%, and the dehydration ratio could reach above 99.8 wt%. A higher total organic compound content could increase the recovery of IBE but could decrease the dehydration ratio. The logarithm of solubility of IBE in the aqueous phase or water content in the organic phase has a good linear relationship with the molality of K4P2O7.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the ability of K4P2O7 to recover IBE from IBE model solutions during the separation process. The results showed that the salting‐out method has the potential to save energy in recovering IBE from a real fermentation broth. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
The minimum number of Hamilton cycles in a Hamiltonian threshold graph of a prescribed order
Authors: Qiao Pu , Zhan Xingzhi
Published: August 2019

We prove that the minimum number of Hamilton cycles in a Hamiltonian threshold graph of order is and this minimum number is attained uniquely by the graph with degree sequence of distinct degrees. This graph is also the unique graph of minimum size among all Hamiltonian threshold graphs of order .
Fast direct solution of 3‐D volume integral equations by skeletonization for dynamic electromagnetic wave problems
Authors: Liu Yan‐Nan , Pan Xiao‐Min , Sheng Xin‐Qing
Published: August 2019

The skeletonization‐based direct solver is extended to the method of moments (MoM) solution of 3‐D volume integral equations (VIEs) for dynamic electromagnetic wave problems. The direct solver approximates the impedance matrix by the hierarchical data sparse representation through skeletonization and then obtains the inverse matrix implicitly. Improvement is made in the proxy strategy to accelerate the skeletonization. Detailed studies are presented on the behavior of the direct solver with respect to target shape, mesh density, and permittivity. It is revealed that the fast direct solver is promising for nano applications, especially for the cases where large and high‐contrast objects are involved, because iterative solvers always fail in reaching convergence due to the associated ill‐conditioned impedance matrix.
Removal of Pb (II), As (III), and Cr (VI) by nitrogen‐starved Papiliotrema laurentii strain RY1
Authors: Sarkar Soumyadev , Mukherjee Avishek , Parvin Rubia , Das Subhadeep , Roy Uttariya , Ghosh Somdeep , Chaudhuri Punarbasu , Roychowdhury Tarit , Mukherjee Joydeep , Bhattacharya Semantee , Gachhui Ratan
Published: August 2019

Heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and metalloid like arsenic dominate the pinnacle in posing a threat to life. Being environment‐friendly, elucidating the mechanism by which microorganisms detoxify such elements has always been an active field of research hitherto. In the present study, we have investigated the capability of nitrogen‐deprived Papiliotrema laurentii strain RY1 toward enhanced tolerance and neutralizing toxic elements. There were biosorption and bioprecipitation of lead and chromium at the cell surfaces. Bioprecipitation mechanisms included the formation of lead phosphates and pyromorphites from lead, grimaldite from chromium. Transcripts such as metallothionein, aquaporins, and arsenical pump‐driving ATPase have been surmised to be involved in the detoxification of elements. Furthermore, activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms for the cells for each of the elements should contribute towards yeast's propagation. The efficiency of removal of elements for live cells and immobilized cells were high for lead and chromium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such high tolerance of lead, arsenic, and chromium for any yeast. The yeast showed such varied response under dual stress due to nitrogen starvation and in the presence of respective elements. The yeast possesses promising potentials in nitrogen deprived and enriched environments to aid in bioremediation sectors.
Temperature variation at the low‐latitude regions of East Asia recorded by tree rings during the past six centuries
Authors: Liu Yu , Li Ching‐Yao , Sun Changfeng , Song Huiming , Li Qiang , Cai Qiufang , Liu Ruoshi
Published: August 2019

The understanding of past millennium climate change is very important. Due to the lack of continuously annual resolution records, the temperature characteristics in the low‐latitude regions of East Asia (LLREA) during past several centuries are still unknown. Using tree‐ring width chronology from Taiwan, an island located in the western Pacific region and in southeastern China, February–October mean temperature from 1380 to 2007 AD was reconstructed. Spatial correlation analysis indicated that the reconstructed temperature could represent the sea‐land temperature change in LLREA. During the past six centuries, both the warmest intervals and the largest variability of temperature appeared in the twentieth century. This is probably related to human activities. Temperature in LLREA provided good contrast with temperature changes in the Tibet Plateau and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere. The LLREA entered into the Little Ice Age around the year of 1450, approximately 100 years earlier than the Tibet Plateau. The 10‐year cycle contained in the reconstructed temperature is close to the 11‐year period of solar activity, which revealed there was a certain relationship between them. The temperature in LLREA significantly correlated with solar activity at the decadal to centennial scales. The strong/weak solar irradiance corresponded to the great/small temperature variability.
Monthly and seasonal variability of dust events over northern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mashat Abdul‐Wahab S. , Awad Adel M. , Alamoudi Ahmad O. , Assiri Mazen E.
Published: August 2019

The monthly and seasonal variability and distribution of dust events over northern Saudi Arabia were studied using ground‐based measurements from 11 surface stations for the period of 1978–2010. Additionally, to study the synoptic climatology of the dust variability, the aerosol index (AI) data from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite and meteorological data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis datasets were used. The dust types observed at the surface stations are classified into two categories: weak dust and dust storms. A statistical study of the ground measurements demonstrated that weak dust category events are prevalent in the cold months, whereas storm category events are prevalent in the hot months. Additionally, the annual distribution distinguishes two periods for dust observations, before and after 1989, where the number of events in the first period is lower than the annual average but increases during the second period. The synoptic climate study indicated that two main atmospheric wind patterns, anticyclonic and northerly (shamal) patterns, accompany the dust events in the study area. The dust in winter and autumn is mainly affected by the anticyclonic pattern, while that in spring and summer is mainly affected by the shamal pattern. In addition, a synoptic study of selected cases confirmed the climate results and demonstrated the existence of two atmospheric patterns corresponding to winter and summer. Both patterns include troughs over the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf and a ridge or high‐pressure cell over the eastern Mediterranean region during the summer atmospheric pattern and over the mid‐Arabian Peninsula during the winter atmospheric pattern. The characteristic of non‐dust storm composition demonstrated that the storms exhibit pronounced synoptic systems (winter and summer) with the highest pressure/geopotential gradient near the Arabian Peninsula.
Liver Kinase B1 Fine‐Tunes Lineage Commitment of Human Fetal Synovium‐Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Zhou Sheng , Fu Yawen , Zhang Xiao‐Bing , Pei Ming
Published: August 2019

Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a serine/threonine protein, is a key regulator in stem cell function and energy metabolism. Herein, we describe the role of LKB1 in modulating the differentiation of synovium‐derived stem cells (SDSCs) toward chondrogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic lineages. Human fetal SDSCs were transduced with CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9)‐single‐guide RNA vectors to knockout or lentiviral vectors to overexpress the LKB1 gene. Analyses including ICE (Inference of CRISPR Edits) data from Sanger sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as well as Western blot demonstrated successful knockout (KO) or overexpression (OE) of LKB1 in human fetal SDSCs without any detectable side effects in morphology, proliferation rate, and cell cycle. LKB1 KO increased CD146 expression; interestingly, LKB1 OE increased SSEA4 level. The qPCR data showed that LKB1 KO upregulated the levels of SOX2 and NANOG while LKB1 OE lowered the expression of POU5F1 and KLF4. Furthermore, LKB1 KO enhanced, and LKB1 OE inhibited, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential. However, perhaps due to the inherent inability to achieve osteogenesis, LKB1 did not obviously affect osteogenic differentiation. These data demonstrate that LKB1 plays a significant role in determining human SDSCs’ adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, which might provide an approach for fine‐tuning the direction of stem cell differentiation in tissue engineering and regeneration. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:258‐268, 2020
Prognostic Value of Prolonged Feeding Intolerance in Predicting All‐Cause Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study
Authors: Hu Bangchuan , Sun Renhua , Wu Aiping , Ni Yin , Liu Jingquan , Guo Feng , Ying Lijun , Ge Guoping , Ding Aijun , Shi Yunchao , Liu Changwen , Xu Lei , Jiang Ronglin , Lu Jun , Lin Ronghai , Zhu Yannan , Wu Weidong , Xie Bo
Published: August 2019

Background

The 2012 European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) guidelines provided a clear definition of feeding intolerance (FI). The study aimed to investigate the association between FI based on the current ESICM definition and clinical outcome and to further explore the effect of the duration of FI on mortality.

Methods

Adult patients from 14 general intensive care units (ICUs) with an expected ICU stay ≥24 hours were prospectively studied. Based on FI duration in the first week of admission to the ICU, FI was categorized as 7‐day persistent feeding tolerance (FT), delayed FT, delayed FI, and 7‐day persistent FI. The primary outcomes were 28‐day and 60‐day all‐cause mortality.

Results

Of 499 patients, the prevalence of 3‐day and 7‐day persistent FI was 39.2% (n = 196) and 25.4% (n = 106), respectively. The patients with 3‐day FT had lower risk of 28‐day and 60‐day mortality rates and higher prevalence in ventilator weaning and vasoactive medication on the seventh day of ICU admission than those with 3‐day FI. Three‐day FI remained an independent predictor for 60‐day mortality. In a subgroup analysis including 418 patients with 7‐day survival, compared with those with 7‐day persistent FT, the odds ratios of 60‐day mortality were 1.67, 1.97, and 2.62 in the patients with delayed FT, delayed FI, and 7‐day persistent FI, respectively.

Conclusion

FI was associated with increased mortality and longer duration of mechanical ventilation and vasoactive support. Prolonged or relapsing FI represented an incremental risk of adverse outcomes in critically ill patients.
Preparative separation of isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens using a middle‐pressure chromatogram isolated gel column coupled with two‐dimensional liquid chromatography
Authors: Pan Guoqing , Shen Jianwei , Ma Yuhua , He Yanfeng , Bao Yi , Li Rongrong , Wang Shunshan , Wang Qi , Lin Pengcheng , Dang Jun
Published: August 2019

We established a two‐dimensional strong cation exchange/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography protocol to isolate and purify isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis impatiens. Isoquinoline alkaloids were first enriched from a C. impatiens extract in which liposoluble components were removed using a medium‐pressure chromatographic tower containing middle chromatogram isolated gel. A strong cation exchange column was employed to separate and obtain 30 fractions. We chose fractions 22–29 for reversed‐phase liquid chromatography purification using characteristic isoquinoline alkaloid ultraviolet absorption spectra. Several isoquinoline alkaloid fractions (22–29) were further separated, and those of low resolution were isolated via two‐dimensional liquid chromatography in the orthogonal plane. A total of eight novel isoquinoline alkaloids with characteristic ultraviolet spectra were obtained from C. impatiens. We thus demonstrate the benefits of off‐line two‐dimensional strong cation exchange/reversed‐phase liquid chromatography to isolate isoquinoline alkaloids from C. impatiens.
Effectiveness of the Intent to Complete and Intent to Attend Intervention to Predict and Prevent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Drop Out Among Soldiers
Authors: Shulman Grant P. , Buck Benjamin E. , Gahm Gregory A. , Reger Greg M. , Norr Aaron M.
Published: August 2019

Active duty military service members have high dropout rates for trauma‐focused treatment in both clinical practice and research settings. Measuring patients’ intent to complete (ITC) and intent to attend (ITA) treatment have been suggested as methods to reduce dropout, but no studies have examined the effectiveness of such measures. In an attempt to reduce high dropout rates, measures of ITC and ITA were included in a randomized controlled trial evaluating prolonged exposure (PE) and virtual reality exposure (VRE) in active duty soldiers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants (N = 108) were randomized to either PE or VRE, and the last 49 to enroll were administered a measure of ITC at enrollment and a measure of ITA at the end of every session. A score of 7 or below triggered a problem‐solving discussion with the individual's therapist. The results revealed that the ITA assessment predicted treatment dropout after controlling for mental health stigma, PTSD symptoms, and age, odds ratio (OR) = 0.24, p = .023. Additionally, participants who completed the ITA assessment were less likely to drop out than those who were not administered the ITA, OR = 0.29 p = .002. The ITC did not predict treatment dropout OR = 0.98, p = .402. These findings suggest that assessing ITA throughout trauma‐focused therapy may reduce treatment dropout rather than solely measuring ITC prior to starting psychotherapy. Based on these preliminary findings, future research should randomize the measurement of ITA in clinical trials to evaluate its impact on treatment dropout.
Impact of livestock grazing on biodiversity and giant panda habitat
Authors: Wang Xiao , Huang Jinyan , Connor Thomas A. , Bai Wenke , Zhang Jindong , Wei Wei , Zhang Zejun , Liu Dian , Zhou Caiquan
Published: August 2019

Livestock grazing occurs in many protected areas for wildlife and has become a threat to wildlife worldwide. Livestock grazing within protected areas causes negative effects to rare wildlife (e.g., giant panda [Ailuropoda melanoleuca]) and their habitat. We used the 2,000‐km2 Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, to document the effects of livestock on the giant panda and its habitat. We monitored arrow bamboo (Bashania fangiana), wildlife sign (i.e., feces and tracks), and characteristics of plant communities in intact habitat (IH; limited livestock grazing) and disturbed habitat (DH; with grazing disturbance) to assess the effects of livestock grazing and the responses of giant pandas and sympatric species across spatial and temporal scales. Bamboo coverage and the height and basal diameter of bamboo in IH were greater than those in DH, whereas the number of herbaceous species and herbaceous coverage in IH were lower than those in DH. Wildlife signs in IH were greater than those in DH; specifically, giant panda and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) signs were greater, whereas signs of sambar (Rusa unicolor) and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) in IH were similar to those in DH. Livestock grazing reduced bamboo, which may threaten the long‐term survival of the giant panda. Our results have implications for understanding and management of livestock grazing in the Wolong National Nature Reserve and elsewhere. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Social organization, home ranges, and extraterritorial forays of black‐backed jackals
Authors: Kamler Jan F. , Stenkewitz Ute , Gharajehdaghipour Tazarve , Macdonald David W.
Published: August 2019

We radio‐tracked 15 black‐backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) from 8 adjacent family groups on Benfontein Game Farm (i.e., Benfontein) in South Africa to investigate their movement patterns and social organization. Jackal family groups consisted of mated pairs (alphas), 0–3 nonbreeding adults (betas), and pups, depending on the season. Mean (±SE) home‐range size of alphas (9.4 ± 1.2 km2, n = 6) did not differ (P = 0.766) from betas (9.8 ± 0.7 km2, n = 8). Most beta jackals (8 of 10) remained philopatric on Benfontein, apparently because of the high density of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), their preferred prey. Three of 5 alphas and all 8 betas went on extraterritorial forays (i.e., forays). Generally, betas spent more of their active time on forays (2–20% of time) than alphas (0–3%; P = 0.048), and betas went farther on forays (2–8 km) than alphas (2–3 km; P = 0.003). The number of forays differed (P < 0.001) among seasons; most forays occurred during summer (64%) when jackals visited neighboring livestock farms, apparently to predate on domestic sheep. Overall, our results indicate forays by jackals are affected by social status, seasonal availability of preferred prey, and the reproductive cycle of jackals. To reduce jackal predation on livestock farms near reserves, we recommend that preventative measures (e.g., use of herders, jackal control activities) be increased during summer when jackals are most likely to travel outside reserves. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Suspending Polyrotaxane Dissociation via Photo‐Reversible Capping of Terminals
Authors: Arisaka Yoshinori , Yui Nobuhiko
Published: August 2019

Reversible covalent bonds yield polymeric materials with functional characteristics such as self‐healing, shape memory, stress relaxation, and stimuli‐responsiveness. Here, photo‐reversibly cappable polyrotaxanes are designed and the on–off controlled dissociation of their supramolecular architectures is demonstrated. The polyrotaxanes are synthesized by capping dithiobenzoates at both terminals of polyethylene glycol threaded through multiple α‐cyclodextrins. Since dethreading of the α‐cyclodextrins is prevented by the dithiobenzoate stoppers, the supramolecular dissociation is induced by their photo‐cleavage. Subsequently, the cleaved dithiobenzoates spontaneously re‐cap the polyrotaxane terminals in darkness. Thus, the supramolecular dissociation can be modulated by photo‐reversible capping of the dithiobenzoate stoppers. These polyrotaxanes with dithiobenzoate stoppers are promising functional materials for photo‐controlling physical properties and structures.