bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synaptic Loss in Multiple Sclerosis Spinal Cord
Authors: Petrova Natalia , Nutma Erik , Carassiti Daniele , RS Newman James , Amor Sandra , Altmann Daniel R. , Baker David , Schmierer Klaus
Published: July 2020

Disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered primarily a result of axonal loss. However, correlation with spinal cord cross‐sectional area—a predictor of disability—is poor, questioning the unique role of axonal loss. We investigated the degree of synaptic loss in postmortem spinal cords (18 chronic MS, 8 healthy controls) using immunohistochemistry for synaptophysin and synapsin. Substantial (58–96%) loss of synapses throughout the spinal cord was detected, along with moderate (47%) loss of anterior horn neurons, notably in demyelinating MS lesions. We conclude that synaptic loss is significant in chronic MS, likely contributing to disability accrual. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:619–625
An algorithm competition for automatic species identification from herbarium specimens
Authors: Little Damon P. , Tulig Melissa , Tan Kiat Chuan , Liu Yulong , Belongie Serge , Kaeser‐Chen Christine , Michelangeli Fabián A. , Panesar Kiran , Guha R.V. , Ambrose Barbara A.
Published: July 2020

Premise

Plant biodiversity is threatened, yet many species remain undescribed. It is estimated that >50% of undescribed species have already been collected and are awaiting discovery in herbaria. Robust automatic species identification algorithms using machine learning could accelerate species discovery.

Methods

To encourage the development of an automatic species identification algorithm, we submitted our Herbarium 2019 data set to the Fine‐Grained Visual Categorization sub‐competition (FGVC6) hosted on the Kaggle platform. We chose to focus on the flowering plant family Melastomataceae because we have a large collection of imaged herbarium specimens (46,469 specimens representing 683 species) and taxonomic expertise in the family. As is common for herbarium collections, some species in this data set are represented by few specimens and others by many.

Results

In less than three months, the FGVC6 Herbarium 2019 Challenge drew 22 teams who entered 254 models for Melastomataceae species identification. The four best algorithms identified species with >88% accuracy.

Discussion

The FGVC competitions provide a unique opportunity for computer vision and machine learning experts to address difficult species‐recognition problems. The Herbarium 2019 Challenge brought together a novel combination of collections resources, taxonomic expertise, and collaboration between botanists and computer scientists.
Maximizing human effort for analyzing scientific images: A case study using digitized herbarium sheets
Authors: Brenskelle Laura , Guralnick Rob P. , Denslow Michael , Stucky Brian J.
Published: July 2020

Premise

Digitization and imaging of herbarium specimens provides essential historical phenotypic and phenological information about plants. However, the full use of these resources requires high‐quality human annotations for downstream use. Here we provide guidance on the design and implementation of image annotation projects for botanical research.

Methods and Results

We used a novel gold‐standard data set to test the accuracy of human phenological annotations of herbarium specimen images in two settings: structured, in‐person sessions and an online, community‐science platform. We examined how different factors influenced annotation accuracy and found that botanical expertise, academic career level, and time spent on annotations had little effect on accuracy. Rather, key factors included traits and taxa being scored, the annotation setting, and the individual scorer. In‐person annotations were significantly more accurate than online annotations, but both generated relatively high‐quality outputs. Gathering multiple, independent annotations for each image improved overall accuracy.

Conclusions

Our results provide a best‐practices basis for using human effort to annotate images of plants. We show that scalable community science mechanisms can produce high‐quality data, but care must be taken to choose tractable taxa and phenophases and to provide informative training material.
Intravesical gemcitabine as bladder‐preserving treatment for BCG unresponsive non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. Results from a single‐arm, open‐label study
Authors: Hurle Rodolfo , Casale Paolo , Morenghi Emanuela , Saita Alberto , Buffi Nicolòmaria , Lughezzani Giovanni , Colombo Piergiuseppe , Contieri Roberto , Frego Nicola , Guazzoni Giorgio , Lazzeri Massimo
Published: July 2020

Background

There is an unmet alternative medical therapy for BCG unresponsive patients.

Objective

To report efficacy of intravesical gemcitabine in NMIBC patients, who failed a previous course of BCG, or intolerant, and unwilling to undergo radical cystectomy (RC).

Material and methods

This is an open‐label, single‐arm study, which enrolled patients showing a failure or were intolerant to BCG and unwilling to undergo the RC. Intravesical gemcitabine was administered once a week for six consecutive weeks and once a month for 12 months. The primary outcome was DFS defined as the lack of a tumor on cystoscopy and negative urine cytology. Secondary endpoint was safety defined according a grading of side effects. OS, PFS, and DFS were described with Kaplan–Meier method at 12 and 24 months.

Results and limitations

Overall 36 patients were enrolled. The median follow‐up was 27 months. The DFS was 68.75% at the end of induction phase and 44.44% and 31.66% at 12 and 24 months of, respectively. The PFS was 43.75%. The OS and CSS were 77.9% (95% CI 58.78%‐88.92%) and 80.68% (95% CI 61.49%‐90.96%), respectively. There was no life threatening event or treatment‐related death (grade 4 or 5). The most common mild and moderate adverse events reported were urinary symptoms (LUTS) and fatigue (G1‐G2).

Conclusion

Patients who presented an unresponsive‐BCG recurrent NMIBC and unwilling to receive a RC, could benefit from intravesical gemcitabine as salvage organ‐sparing treatment.
Eggshell Biliverdin as an Antioxidant Maternal Effect
Authors: Morales Judith
Published: July 2020

In this essay, the hypothesis that biliverdin pigment plays an antioxidant role in the avian eggshell is proposed. Due to its ability to scavenge free radical species and to reduce mutation, biliverdin potentially counteracts the oxidative action of pathogens that penetrate the eggshell and/or protects the shell membrane from oxidation, thus promoting the proven antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities of the shell membrane itself. Additionally, biliverdin may be able to inhibit viral replication in the eggshell due to its ascribed antiviral properties. Moreover, previous results in other taxa leave open the question of whether biliverdin can be absorbed by the embryo from the eggshell and play a role in embryogenesis. These mechanisms of antioxidant action of eggshell biliverdin remain totally unexplored in birds and in other oviparous animals. The main assumptions and predictions of the antioxidant hypothesis are developed, and directions for future research are proposed.
Inequities in access to education: Lessons from the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Walters Anne
Published: July 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought attention to the stark inequities in public education worldwide, with the United Nations sharing these statistics: Schools closed in 191 countries, affecting 1.5 billion students and 63 million primary and secondary school teachers. Half of students did not have access to a computer, and 40% did not have internet access. A total of 56 million children live in areas that are not served by mobile networks — for example, in sub‐Saharan Africa. In the United States, about 7 million school‐aged children are in homes without home internet service.
Improving cardiology fellow education of right heart catheterization using a simulation based curriculum
Authors: Davidson Laura J. , Chow Kimberly Y. , Jivan Arif , Prenner Stuart B. , Cohen Elaine R. , Schimmel Daniel R. , McGaghie William C. , Barsuk Jeffrey H. , Wayne Diane B. , Sweis Ranya N.
Published: July 2020

Background

Medical procedures are traditionally taught informally at patients' bedside through observation and practice using the adage “see one, do one, teach one.” This lack of formalized training can cause trainees to be unprepared to perform procedures independently. Simulation based education (SBE) increases competence, reduces complications, and decreases costs. We developed, implemented, and evaluated the efficacy of a right heart catheterization (RHC) SBE curriculum.

Methods

The RHC curriculum consisted of a pretest, video didactics, deliberate practice, and a posttest. Pre‐and posttest skills examinations consisted of a dichotomous 43‐item checklist on RHC skills and a 14‐item hemodynamic waveform quiz. We enrolled two groups of fellows: 6 first‐year, novice cardiology fellows at Northwestern University in their first month of training, and 11 second‐ and third‐year fellows who had completed traditional required, level I training in RHC. We trained the first‐year fellows at the beginning of the 2018–2019 year using the SBE curriculum and compared them to the traditionally‐trained cardiology fellows who did not complete SBE.

Results

The SBE‐trained fellows significantly improved RHC skills, hemodynamic knowledge, and confidence from pre‐ to posttesting. SBE‐trained fellows performed similarly to traditionally‐trained fellows on simulated RHC skills checklists (88.4% correct vs. 89.2%, p = .84), hemodynamic quizzes (94.0% correct vs. 86.4%, p = .12), and confidence (79.4 vs. 85.9 out of 100, p = .15) despite less clinical experience.

Conclusions

A SBE curriculum for RHC allowed novice cardiology fellows to achieve level I skills and knowledge at the beginning of fellowship and can train cardiology fellows before patient contact.
Simulation Analysis of the Heat Transfer Performance of an N‐type Microchannel Heat Exchanger
Authors: Zhang Ying , Pan Minqiang
Published: July 2020

A microchannel heat exchanger with a triangular wave and symmetrical triangular wave structure was proposed in this paper. In addition, a new N‐type microchannel heat exchanger was developed to balance the heat transfer performance and pressure drop. The relationship between different configurations of the N structure of the microchannel and the heat transfer performance was analyzed. The results showed that, at a high inlet flow rate, the symmetrical triangular wave microchannel had the best heat transfer performance, followed by the triangular wave microchannel and the straight channel. At the same flow rate, the degree of disturbance of the fluid was highest in the symmetrical N‐structure microchannel, and an excellent heat transfer effect was observed.
Carbon‐Methanol Based Adsorption Heat Pumps: Identifying Accessible Parameter Space with Carbide‐Derived Carbon Model Materials
Authors: Träger Lisa , Gläsel Jan , Scherle Marc , Hartmann Julian , Nieken Ulrich , Etzold Bastian J. M.
Published: July 2020

In adsorption heat pumps, the properties of the porous adsorbent and the refrigerant determine the performance. Major parameters for this working pair are the total uptake of the adsorptive, its kinetics, and the heat transfer characteristics. In the technical application despite powdered adsorbents, thin consolidated layers of the adsorbent can be attractive and obtained by a binder‐based approach but likely result in competing material properties. Thus, for a process optimization, the accessible parameter space and interdependencies have to be known and were deduced in this work for model porous carbons (carbide‐derived carbons derived from TiC and ZrC) and methanol as well as the addition of different amounts of boron nitride, silver, and graphite as heat‐conductive agents and the use of two binders.
Designing Selective Electrode Materials for Electroanalysis –New Tungsten Bronzes as Selective Potassium Hosts
Authors: Chen Yuqi , Yang Minjun , Cooper Joshaniel F. K. , Clarke Simon J. , Rasche Bertold , Compton Richard G.
Published: July 2020

Commercially available monoclinic tungsten oxide WO3 (Pearson symbol mP32) is investigated electrochemically for its selectivity and sensitivity towards potassium ion detection. Electroreduction in aqueous potassium chloride solution shows two distinct phases, identified as tungsten bronzes KxWO3 (phase 1: maximum x1
0.1 and phase 2: maximum x2≈0.3). In situ synchrotron powder X‐ray diffraction reveals the concomitant structural changes, and both phases are identified as new, so far unreported, perovskite‐derived potassium bronzes (space group P4/nmm and I
3 m, respectively). In cyclic voltammetry, only the first insertion step is found to be reversible. Potentiostatic insertion and the subsequent voltammetric de‐insertion show selectivity toward potassium against lithium and sodium in 0.1 M aqueous solutions. The sensitivity towards potassium is analysed in a concentration range between 1 mM and 100 mM. Two linear regions are found for the response, which we relate to two different rate‐determining steps, depending on the concentration of potassium in solution.
Phasenwechselmaterial in Kugelkapseln für thermische Hybridspeicher
Authors: Goeke Johannes , Schwamborn Elisabeth
Published: July 2020

Wärme‐ und Kältespeicher von Gebäuden beruhen auf verschiedenen Konzepten der Wärmeübertragung. Bei thermischen Hybridspeichern befindet sich das Phasenwechselmaterial (PCM) makroverkapselt in PCM‐Objekten, die im Speicherbehälter positioniert sind und vom Wärmeträgerfluid umströmt werden. Die experimentellen Untersuchungen widmen sich den Belade‐ und Entladeeigenschaften des in Kugeln makroverkapselten PCM. Es wird gezeigt, dass die spezifische Wärmeübertragungsleistung eines Hybridspeichers unmittelbar von der Größe der Kugeln als auch von der spezifischen Wärmeleitfähigkeit des PCM abhängt.
Feasibility and stability of left bundle branch pacing in patients after prosthetic valve implantation
Authors: Guo Jincun , Li Linlin , Xiao Guosheng , Huang Xinyi , Li Qiang , Wang Yan , Cai Binni
Published: July 2020

Background

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has emerged as a promising pacing modality for preventing pacing induced cardiomyopathy in patients complicated with conduction abnormalities (CAs) after prosthetic valve (PV) implantation.

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LBBP in this patient population.

Methods

LBBP was attempted in 20 patients complicated with atrioventricular block after PV implantation. Surface, intracardiac electrical measurements, and echocardiographic data were documented. Lead parameters and complications were routinely tracked at implantation and each follow‐up visit.

Results

LBBP was successful in 90% (18/20) participants. The paced QRS duration and the stimulus to left ventricular activation time were 106.8 ± 6.8 ms and 65.5 ± 5.4 ms, respectively. Left bundle branch (LBB) potential was recorded in 61.1% (11/18) patients who succeeded in LBBP. During the procedure, the mean unipolar myocardium capture threshold was 0.51 ± 0.15 V@0.4 ms while the unipolar bundle capture threshold was 0.84 ± 0.51 V@0.4 ms. The mean fluoroscopic exposure time and the radiation dose were 13.0 ± 9.2 min and 81.7 ± 8.3 mGy, respectively. The average follow‐up period was 10.4 ± 5.9 months (range 3‐23 months). Pacing parameters remained stable and no significant lead‐related complications occurred during the whole observation period.

Conclusions

LBBP was safe and feasible in patients with PVs. Acceptable and stable pacing parameters could be expected during the procedure and the follow‐ups.
Hydrophobic Surface Coating of Nanodiamonds by Polyglycerol‐Based Polymers with Alkyl Chains for Dispersing in an Organic Solvent
Authors: Wang Wei , Zou Yajuan , López‐Moreno Alejandro , Jiang Yujing , Wen Feng , Wang Hong‐Xing , Komatsu Naoki
Published: July 2020

Since nanodiamonds (NDs) have been attracting growing interest in the field of nanomedicine, aqueously dispersed NDs have been numerously prepared by surface functionalization with hydrophilic groups. In contrast, hydrophobic NDs dispersible in organic solvents have been elusive in spite of the various potential applications such as tribology, lubrication and abrasion. Herein, NDs with a diameter of 100 nm (ND100) are made to be dispersible in an organic solvent through the following two processes: 1) ring opening polymerization of 1,2‐epoxyhexane giving NDs functionalized with poly(1,2‐hexylene glycol) (ND‐PHG) and 2) ring opening polymerization of glycidol followed by Williamson ether synthesis giving NDs functionalized with octyl and tetradecyl groups (ND‐POPG and ND‐PTPG, respectively). These functionalized NDs are characterized qualitatively by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and quantitatively by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All these NDs with hydrophobic polymers are dispersible in chloroform, while no dispersibility is observed in NDs without surface polymer coating. ND‐POPG and ND‐PTPG are found to show much higher dispersibility (∼5 mg/mL in chloroform) than ND‐PHG (∼0.3 mg/mL). The dispersibility or hydrophobicity is correlated with the number of the alkyl chains, determined by TGA, as well as their length.
A Community of Responsible and Integrated Pest Management
Authors: Thomson Allison , Coronel Eric , Young Kelly Murray
Published: July 2020

This article is brought to you by the SPARC Initiative created in partnership between the American Society for Agronomy, the Agricultural Retailers Association, Environmental Defense Fund, and Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture to empower trusted advisers to deliver services that drive continuous improvement in the productivity, profitability, and environmental outcomes of farmers’ operations. Learn more about the SPARC Initiative and access additional resources, including the six‐module series on sustainability at www.fieldtomarket.org/SPARC. Earn 1 CEU in Sustainability by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/842.
Data Management and Variability:Precision Agriculture Considerations for 4R Management Planning
Authors: Flis Sally A.
Published: July 2020

Precision agriculture plays a large role for crop advisers and farmers when developing 4R nutrient management plans. Combining temporal and spatial yield data can help farmers and consultants manage areas of fields or farms based on their differences from farm average yield and variability to improve nutrient use efficiency. The development of tools that use an increasing number of data layers together—beyond only yield maps—is needed to improve the interpretation and implementation of data‐intensive precision agriculture. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/840.
Establishment of a novel gene panel as a biomarker of immune checkpoint inhibitor response
Authors: Pan Yi‐Ru , Wu Chiao‐En , Wang Yu‐Chao , Yeh Yi‐Chen , Lu Meng‐Lun , Hung Yi‐Ping , Chao Yee , Yeh Da‐Wei , Lin Chien‐Hsing , Hsieh Jason Chia‐Hsun , Chen Ming‐Huang , Yeh Chun‐Nan
Published: July 2020

Objective

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the standard of care in various cancers, although the predictive tool is still unknown.

Methods

This study aimed to develop a novel gene panel by selecting DNA damage response (DDR) genes from the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) databank and validating them in previously reported cohorts. This association between DDR gene mutations and tumor mutation burden or microsatellite status was analysed from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databank. Furthermore, we made the gene panel clinically accessible and predicted the response in clinical patients receiving ICIs by using cell‐free DNA.

Results

The top 20 mutated DDR genes in various cancers (total 37 genes) were taken from the COSMIC databank, and the DDR genes found to individually predict a response rate > 50% in Van Allen's cohort were selected (Science, 350, 2015 and 207). Eighteen DDR genes were selected as the gene panel. The prevalence and predicted response rate were validated in the other three reported cohorts. Tumor mutational burden‐high was positively associated with mutations of the 18 DDR genes for most cancers. We used cell‐free DNA to test the DDR gene panel and validated by our patients receiving ICIs. This DDR gene panel accounted for approximately 30% of various cancers, achieving a predicted response rate of approximately 60% in patients with a mutated gene panel receiving ICIs.

Conclusion

This gene panel is a novel and reliable tool for predicting the response to ICIs in cancer patients and guides the appropriate administration of ICIs in clinical practice.
Odorant receptor phylogeny confirms conserved channels for sex pheromone and host plant signals in tortricid moths
Authors: Gonzalez Francisco , Borrero‐Echeverry Felipe , Jósvai Júlia K. , Strandh Maria , Unelius C. Rikard , Tóth Miklós , Witzgall Peter , Bengtsson Marie , Walker William B.
Published: July 2020

The search for mates and food is mediated by volatile chemicals. Insects sense food odorants and sex pheromones through odorant receptors (ORs) and pheromone receptors (PRs), which are expressed in olfactory sensory neurons. Molecular phylogenetics of ORs, informed by behavioral and functional data, generates sound hypotheses for the identification of semiochemicals driving olfactory behavior. Studying orthologous receptors and their ligands across taxa affords insights into the role of chemical communication in reproductive isolation and phylogenetic divergence. The female sex pheromone of green budworm moth Hedya nubiferana (Lepidoptera, Totricidae) is a blend of two unsaturated acetates, only a blend of both elicits male attraction. Females produce in addition codlemone, which is the sex pheromone of another tortricid, codling moth Cydia pomonella. Codlemone also attracts green budworm moth males. Concomitantly, green budworm and codling moth males are attracted to the host plant volatile pear ester. A congruent behavioral response to the same pheromone and plant volatile in two tortricid species suggests co‐occurrence of dedicated olfactory channels. In codling moth, one PR is tuned to both compounds, the sex pheromone codlemone and the plant volatile pear ester. Our phylogenetic analysis finds that green budworm moth expresses an orthologous PR gene. Shared ancestry, and high levels of amino acid identity and sequence similarity, in codling and green budworm moth PRs offer an explanation for parallel attraction of both species to the same compounds. A conserved olfactory channel for a sex pheromone and a host plant volatile substantiates the alliance of social and habitat signals in insect chemical communication. Field attraction assays confirm that in silico investigations of ORs afford powerful predictions for an efficient identification of behavior‐modifying semiochemicals, for an improved understanding of the mechanisms of host plant attraction in insect herbivores and for the further development of sustainable insect control.
The protected flora of long‐established cemeteries in Hungary: Using historical maps in biodiversity conservation
Authors: Löki Viktor , Schmotzer András , Takács Attila , Süveges Kristóf , Lovas‐Kiss Ádám , Lukács Balázs András , Tökölyi Jácint , Molnár V. Attila
Published: July 2020

The role of anthropogenically influenced habitats in conserving elements of the original wildlife has increased worldwide simultaneously with the disappearance of natural sites. Burial places are able to conserve original elements of the wildlife, and this fact has been known for at least a century. To this day, little is known about long‐time changes and the effect of long‐time management methods in cemeteries on the flora they harbor. The utility of historical maps in research focused on natural values, as well as in answering questions related to conservation was recently demonstrated, but the use of digitized historical maps in biodiversity research of the Carpathian Basin is very limited. In the present paper, we aimed to predict the conservation potential of long‐established and newly established cemeteries of Hungarian settlements with various population sizes based on the digitized maps of the 2nd Military Survey of the Austrian Empire (1819–1869), by categorizing cemeteries into 3 distinct (anthropogenic habitat, cemetery, or natural habitat) types. To build our models, we used records of the protected flora from Hungarian cemeteries, based on data of thematic botanical surveys of 991 cemeteries. Out of the surveyed cemeteries, 553 (56%) harbored protected plants, totaling 306.617 estimated individuals of 92 protected species, belonging to 28 plant families. These species represent 12% of the entire protected flora of Hungary. Hungarian cemeteries play a key role mainly in preserving steppe and dry grassland plant species. Long‐established and large cemeteries harbor more protected plant species than small and newly established ones. Human population size of the settlements correlated negatively with the number of protected species and individuals. Moreover, woodland cover and proportion of grassland also significantly positively affected the number of protected plant species in cemeteries.
Species–area relationships in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands emerge because rarer species are disproportionately favored on larger islands
Authors: Gooriah Leana D. , Davidar Priya , Chase Jonathan M.
Published: July 2020

The island species–area relationship (ISAR) describes how the number of species increases with increasing size of an island (or island‐like habitat), and is of fundamental importance in island biogeography and conservation. Here, we use a framework based on individual‐based rarefaction to infer whether ISARs result from passive sampling, or whether some processes are acting beyond sampling (e.g., disproportionate effects and/or habitat heterogeneity). Using data on total and relative abundances of four taxa (birds, butterflies, amphibians, and reptiles) from multiple islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, we examine how different metrics of biodiversity (total species richness, rarefied species richness, and abundance‐weighted effective numbers of species emphasizing common species) vary with island area. Total species richness increased for all taxa, as did rarefied species richness controlling for a given sampling effort. This indicates that the ISAR did not result because of passive sampling, but that instead, some species were disproportionately favored on larger islands. For birds, frogs, and lizards, this disproportionate effect was only associated with species that were rarer in the samples, but for butterflies, both more common and rarer species were affected. Furthermore, for the two taxa for which we had plot‐level data (reptiles and amphibians), within‐island β‐diversity did not increase with island size, suggesting that within‐island compositional effects were unlikely to be driving these ISARs. Overall, our results indicate that the ISARs of these taxa are most likely driven by disproportionate effects, that is, where larger islands are important sources of biodiversity beyond a simple sampling expectation, especially through their influence on rarer species, thus emphasizing their role in the preservation and conservation of species.
Selection for outbreeding in Varroa parasitising resistant honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies
Authors: Conlon Benjamin H. , Kastally Chedly , Kardell Marina , Kefuss John , Moritz Robin F. A. , Routtu Jarkko
Published: July 2020

Parasitism is expected to select for counter‐adaptations in the host: driving a coevolutionary arms race. However, human interference between honey bees (Apis mellifera) and Varroa mites removes the effect of natural selection and restricts the evolution of host counter‐adaptations. With full‐sibling mating common among Varroa, this can rapidly select for virulent, highly inbred, Varroa populations. We investigated how the evolution of host resistance could affect the infesting population of Varroa mites.

We screened a Varroa‐resistant honey bee population near Toulouse, France, for a Varroa resistance trait: the inhibition of Varroa's reproduction in drone pupae. We then genotyped Varroa which had co‐infested a cell using microsatellites. Across all resistant honey bee colonies, Varroa's reproductive success was significantly higher in co‐infested cells but the distribution of Varroa between singly and multiply infested cells was not different from random. While there was a trend for increased reproductive success when Varroa of differing haplotypes co‐infested a cell, this was not significant. This suggests local mate competition, through the presence of another Varroa foundress in a pupal cell, may be enough to help Varroa overcome host resistance traits; with a critical mass of infesting Varroa overwhelming host resistance. However, the fitness trade‐offs associated with preferentially co‐infesting cells may be too high for Varroa to evolve a mechanism to identify already‐infested cells. The increased reproductive success of Varroa when co‐infesting resistant pupal cells may act as a release valve on the selective pressure for the evolution of counter resistance traits: helping to maintain a stable host–parasite relationship.
Chemically reacting mixed convective Casson fluid flow in the presence of MHD and porous medium through group theoretical analysis
Authors: Tufail Muhammad Nazim , Saleem Musharafa , Chaudhry Qasim Ali
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the consequences of chemically reacting magnetohydrodynamic mixed convective fluid substances driven by the porous medium, slippery, incompressible, and laminar vertical channel flow. Casson fluid model in a vertical channel is strengthened with mixed convection flow. The effects of the heat source‐sink parameter, the suction‐injection parameter, slips on the slide wall, and thermal radiation are also considered. A Lie group method is taken into consideration and nonlinear partial differential equations are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The NDSolve command solves these ODEs and shows the action of the related parameters in the velocity, temperature, and concentration figures. The Casson fluid parameter increases the velocity profile but reduces the concentration profile. The parameter of suction‐injection enhances the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. The variations in skin‐friction coefficient in the heat and mass transfer rate are addressed in the diagrams. Moreover, streamlines are plotted for suction‐injection parameter.
Varying the sustained release of BMP‐2 from chitosan nanogel‐functionalized polycaprolactone fiber mats by different polycaprolactone surface modifications
Authors: Sundermann Julius , Oehmichen Sarah , Sydow Steffen , Burmeister Laura , Quaas Bastian , Hänsch Robert , Rinas Ursula , Hoffmann Andrea , Menzel Henning , Bunjes Heike
Published: July 2020

Polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mats with different surface modifications were functionalized with a chitosan nanogel coating to attach the growth factor human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2). Three different hydrophilic surface modifications were compared with regard to the binding and in vitro release of BMP‐2. The type of surface modification and the specific surface area derived from the fiber thickness had an important influence on the degree of protein loading. Coating the PCL fibers with polydopamine resulted in the binding of the largest BMP‐2 quantity per surface area. However, most of the binding was irreversible over the investigated period of time, causing a low release in vitro. PCL fiber mats with a chitosan‐graft‐PCL coating and an additional alginate layer, as well as PCL fiber mats with an air plasma surface modification boundless BMP‐2, but the immobilized protein could almost completely be released. With polydopamine and plasma modifications as well as with unmodified PCL, high amounts of BMP‐2 could also be attached directly to the surface. Integration of BMP‐2 into the chitosan nanogel functionalization considerably increased binding on all hydrophilized surfaces and resulted in a sustained release with an initial burst release of BMP‐2 without detectable loss of bioactivity in vitro.
Effect of three‐dimensional porosity gradients of biomimetic coatings on their bonding strength and cell behavior
Authors: Yu Le , Silva Santisteban Tomas M. , Liu Qinqing , Hu Changmin , Bi Jinbo , Wei Mei
Published: July 2020

Surface modification techniques are often used to enhance the properties of Ti‐based materials as hard‐tissue replacements. While the microstructure of the coating and the quality of the interface between the substrate and coating are essential to evaluate the reliability and applicability of the surface modification. In this study, both a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating and a collagen‐hydroxyapatite (Col‐HA) composite coating were deposited onto a Ti‐6Al‐4V substrate using a biomimetic coating process. Importantly, a gradient cross‐sectional structure with a porous coating toward the surface, while a dense layer adjacent to the interface between the coating and substrate was observed in three‐dimensional (3D) from both the HA and Col‐HA coatings via a dual‐beam focused ion beam‐scanning electron microscope (FIB‐SEM). Moreover, the pore distributions within the entire coatings were reconstructed in 3D using Avizo, and the pores size distributions along the coating depth were calculated using RStudio. By evaluating the mechanical property and biocompatibility of these materials and closely observing the cross‐sectional cell‐coating‐substrate interfaces using FIB‐SEM, it was revealed that the porous surface created by both coatings well supports osteoblast cell adhesion while the dense inner layer facilitates a good bonding between the coating and the substrate. Although the mechanical property of the coating decreased with the addition of collagen, it is still strong enough for implant handling and the biocompatibility was promoted.
Intermittent Parathyroid Hormone Accelerates Stress Fracture Healing More Effectively Following Cessation of Bisphosphonate Treatment
Authors: Bakr Mahmoud M , Kelly Wendy L , Brunt Athena R , Paterson Bradley C , Massa Helen M , Morrison Nigel A , Forwood Mark R
Published: July 2020

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bisphosphonates (BPs), including alendronate (ALN), have opposing effects on bone dynamics. The extent to which PTH remains effective in the treatment of stress fracture (SFx) in the presence of an ongoing BP treatment has not been tested. SFx was induced in 150 female Wistar rats, divided into five equal groups (n = 30). All rats were pretreated with ALN (1 μg/kg−1/day−1) for 14 days prior to SFx induction, followed by ALN cessation or continuation for the duration of the experiment; this was combined with daily PTH (8 μg/100 g−1/day−1) on SFx induction for 14 days, followed by cessation or continuation of ALN after SFx induction or an equivalent vehicle as a control. Ulnas were examined 2 weeks or 6 weeks following SFx. Two toluidine blue‐ and two tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐stained sections were examined for histomorphometric analysis using Osteomeasure software. There was a significant interaction between the effects of time and treatment type on the woven bone width and apposition rate, as well as an improvement in the woven bone architecture. However, woven bone variables remained unaffected by the cessation or continuation of ALN. Cessation of ALN increased osteoclast number when compared with the ALN‐PTH continuation group (p = 0.006), and vehicle (p = 0.024) after 2 weeks. There was a significant interaction between the effects of time and treatment type on the number of osteoclasts per unit BMU area and length. The number of osteoclasts per unit BMU area and length was significantly greater in ALN cessation groups. It was concluded that intermittent short‐duration iPTH treatment effectively increased remodeling of SFx with a concurrent BP treatment, provided that BP was ceased at the time of SFx. Our results could help develop shorter iPTH treatment protocols for the clinical management of SFxs and guide clinical decision‐making to cease BP treatment in cases of SFx. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Synthesis of chalcone precursor via Cu(I) catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar reaction of functionalized acetylene and pyrazole embedded dipole
Authors: Nagaraja Manju , Kalluraya Balakrishna , Asma  , Shreekanth Tharangini K. , Kumar Madan S.
Published: July 2020

A new class of functionalized pyrazole bearing 1,2,3‐triazole has been synthesized via Cu(I) mediated 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of pyrazole bearing azide with various aromatic/heteroaromatic bearing terminal dipolarophile (acetylene). Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were explicated by analytical and spectral analysis. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in‐vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Among the synthesized compound, triazole bearing 2,5‐thiazolidinone 5b (20 ± 0.70) and triazole bearing thiocarboamide 5e (19 ± 0.70) showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. The newly synthesized compounds further tested for their ability to bleach DPPH radical using DPPH scavenging assay. Among the synthesized compounds 1,2,3‐triazole bearing 2,5‐thiazolidinone 5b (58.81%) exhibited good DPPH scavenging activity compared to the rest of the compounds. From the X‐ray and Hirshfield analysis, it was observed that compound 3, crystallizes in a triclinic crystal system with a P‐1 space group. The major intercontacts present in these molecules are H…H (39.7%), C…H (23.9%), N…H (20.3%).
Is the systematic use of mapping systems during His Bundle catheter ablation cost‐effective? A single‐center experience
Authors: Marini Massimiliano , Ravanelli Daniele , Martin Marta , Battisti Valentina , Quintarelli Silvia , Guarracini Fabrizio , Coser Alessio , Menegotti Loris , Bonmassari Roberto
Published: July 2020

Aim

Three‐dimensional (3D) nonfluoroscopic mapping systems (NMSs) are generally used during the catheter ablation (CA) of complex arrhythmias. We evaluated the efficacy, safety, and economic advantages of using NMSs during His‐Bundle CA (HB‐CA).

Methods

A total of 124 consecutive patients underwent HB‐CA between 2012 and 2019 in our EP Laboratory. We compared two groups: 63 patients who underwent HB‐CA with fluoroscopy alone from 2012 to 2015 (Group I) and 61 patients who underwent HB‐CA with the aid of NMSs from 2016 to 2019 (Group II). Two cost‐effectiveness analyses were carried out: the alpha value (AV) (ie, a monetary reference value of the units of exposure avoided, expressed as $/man Sievert) and the value of a statistical life (VSL) (ie, the amount of money that a community would be willing to pay to reduce the risk of a person's death owing to exposure to radiation, it is not the cost value of a person's life). The cost reduction estimated by means of both these methods was compared with the real additional cost of using NMSs.

Results

The use of NMS resulted in reduced fluoroscopy time in Group II {median 1.35 min} in comparison with Group I {median 4.8 min (P < .05)}. The effective dose reduction (ΔE) was 1.16 milli‐Sievert.

Conclusion

The use of NMS significantly reduces fluoroscopy time. However, the actual reduction is modest and in our EP Laboratory this reduction is not cost‐effective. Indeed, when the ΔE is referred to country and agency tables for absolute values of AV or VLS, it is not economically advantageous in almost all cases.
Bread and durum wheat classification using wavelet based image fusion
Authors: Sabanci Kadir , Aslan Muhammet Fatih , Durdu Akif
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Wheat, which is an essential nutrient, is an important food source for human beings because it is used in flour and feed production. As in many nutrients, wheat plays an important role in macaroni and bread production. The types of wheat used for both foods are different, namely bread and durum wheat. A strong separation of these two wheat types is important for product quality. This article differs from the traditional methods available for the identification of bread and durum wheat species. In this study, ultraviolet (UV) and white light (WL) images of wheat are obtained for both species. Wheat types in these images are classified by various machine learning (ML) methods. Afterwards, these images are fused by wavelet‐based image fusion method.

RESULTS

The highest accuracy value calculated using only UV and only WL image is 94.8276% and these accuracies are obtained by Support Vector Machine (SVM) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithms, respectively. However, this accuracy value is 98.2759% for the fusion image and both MLP and SVM achieved the same success.

CONCLUSION

Wavelet‐based fusion has increased the classification accuracy of all three learning algorithms. It is concluded that the identification ability in the resulting fusion image is higher than the other two raw images. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of processing temperature on dynamic rheological properties and color degradation kinetics of bael fruit pulp
Authors: Sonawane Akshay , Pathak Sumit , Pradhan Rama Chandra
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

A lack of knowledge about the dynamic rheological properties and color degradation of bael fruit pulp gives rise to many problems during thermal processing for the preparation of bael fruit products. In this research, the effects of processing temperature (30–75 °C) on dynamic rheology and color degradation kinetics of bael fruit pulp were studied and analyzed.

RESULTS

Bael fruit pulp showed more elastic behavior than viscous behavior by analyzing the storage modulus, loss modulus and phase angle over oscillatory frequency range 0.06–300 rad s−1. The dynamic rheological study classified the bael fruit pulp as a weak gel (G′ > G″). The values of first‐order degradation rate constant (k) were determined to be 0.07, 0.011, 0.018 and 0.023 for 30, 45, 60 and 75 °C, respectively. The first‐order color degradation kinetics of bael fruit pulp has given a higher value of activation energy (Ea = 23.83 kJ mol−1) with coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.99, which indicated a higher sensitivity for treatment temperature and time during processing.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained would allow simplification of processes for easier formulation of quality products from bael fruit pulp. This study has the potential to increase the processing ability of bael fruit, which will encourage a greater production of bael fruits. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
miR‐34b‐3p protects against acute kidney injury in sepsis mice via targeting ubiquitin‐like protein 4A
Authors: He Shu‐Yin , Wang Gang , Pei Ying‐Hao , Zhu Hai‐Ping
Published: July 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as a diagnostic markers for sepsis, and miRNAs have also been found to play a regulatory role in sepsis‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the regulatory effect and mechanism of miR‐34b‐3p on AKI remains elusive. First, sepsis mice with AKI was established via cecal ligation puncture (CLP), and verified through hematoxylin‐eosin staining, determination of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6/1β and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Data showed that CLP‐induced mice demonstrated increased ALT, BUN, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 with injured pathological morphology of kidney tissues. Second, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment elevated TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 contents in rat mesangial cells (RMCs). MiR‐34b‐3p was downregulated in both CLP‐induced mice and LPS‐induced RMCs. Third, target gene of miR‐34b‐3p was verified as ubiquitin‐like protein 4A (UBL4A), and UBL4A was upregulated in LPS‐induced RMCs. MiR‐34b‐3p could inhibit UBL4A expression and decreased TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 contents in LPS‐induced RMCs, while overexpression of UBL4A counteract with the suppressive effects of miR‐34b‐3p on the protein expression. Moreover, transcriptional activity of UBL4A‐induced NF‐κB was decreased by miR‐34b‐3p. Lastly, in vivo injection of miR‐34b‐3p agomir improved CLP‐induced kidney tissues injury with declined ALT, BUN, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and UBL4A. In general, miR‐34b‐3p overexpression could alleviate AKI in sepsis mice through downregulation of UBL4A/NF‐κB, providing potential therapeutic strategy for AKI.
Developments in how the boundary layer lower the pipe drag reduction in transport of dense paste
Authors: Fuyan Lyu , Minjun Zhang , Di Jiang , Chunzhi Li , Ying Tian , Yuting Lv
Published: July 2020

Wall slip phenomenon occurs near the inner wall of pipe when dense paste is transported, and it reduces the frictional resistance loss and saves energy. To determine how the boundary layer influences the flowing law, more pipe transporting tests have been performed. Taking coal slime as test material, water and PEO (plasma electrolytic oxidation) were injected into the boundary layer part. Many factors, such as mass concentration, pipe diameter, flow velocity, boundary layer thickness, were systematically studied on their changes influencing pressure loss. The pressure loss decreases exponentially with the increase of boundary layer thickness. Drag reduction effect of PEO as the injecting liquid is better than water, and the pressure loss declines about 20%. The smaller the pipe diameter, lower flow rate, and the more obvious the drag reduction effect will be.
Analytical solutions to the boundary integral equation: A case of angled dendrites and paraboloids
Authors: Alexandrov Dmitri V. , Galenko Peter K.
Published: July 2020

The boundary integral equation is solved analytically in the case of two‐ and three‐dimensional growth of angled dendrites and arbitrary parabolic/paraboloidal solid/liquid interfaces. The undercooling of a binary melt and the solute concentration at the phase transition boundary are found. The theory under consideration has a potential impact in describing more complex growth shapes and interfaces.
A model for the energy and angular distribution of x rays emitted from an x‐ray tube. Part I. Bremsstrahlung production
Authors: Omar Artur , Andreo Pedro , Poludniowski Gavin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To develop an analytical model for bremsstrahlung production in a thick x‐ray target (i.e., the x‐ray tube anode) that takes into account the intrinsic bremsstrahlung angular distribution.

Methods

X‐ray spectrum models developed from theoretical principles have traditionally treated the angular distribution of the bremsstrahlung production as spherically uniform. This assumption stems from the rationale that electrons promptly attain a diffuse directional distribution in an x‐ray target due to multiple scattering, thereby effectively masking the intrinsic bremsstrahlung angular distribution. In this work, a model that explicitly accounts for the angular distribution of the bremsstrahlung production is presented. The model combines Monte Carlo‐calculated depth, energy, and angular distributions of electrons penetrating the x‐ray target, and incorporates theoretical results for the differential bremsstrahlung cross section. The effects of using different simplified model assumptions for the electron penetration and the intrinsic bremsstrahlung angular distribution are analyzed for tungsten and molybdenum targets in the energy range 20–300 keV.

Results

Typical assumptions of previous models are shown to introduce errors in calculated spectra. Particularly, it is shown that predictions of fluence and air kerma free‐in‐air can be overestimated by 15–30% (2–3% in aluminum half‐value layer thickness) for clinically relevant beam qualities. The present model is able to reproduce comprehensive Monte Carlo calculations of the bremsstrahlung production generally to within 1%.

Conclusions

The bremsstrahlung model developed in this work is an improvement over previous models in that the main features of the electron penetration and the resulting bremsstrahlung are considered in detail. The model can be used for more accurate predictions of the energy and angular distribution of x rays emitted from an x‐ray tube.