bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile Synthesis Of Composition‐Controllable PtPdAuTe Nanowires As Superior Electrocatalysts For Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Ren Guohong , Zhang Zhicheng , Liu Yajun , Liang Ying , Zhang Xichen , Wu Shishan , Shen Jian
Published: November 2019

Multicomponent Pt‐based nanowires (NWs) have attracted widespread attention as eletrocatalysts toward direct alcohol fuel cells because of their unique one‐dimensional structure and high reaction dynamics. Quaternary PtPdAuTe NWs are designed via a facile template method, and NWs with a different composition are obtained by adjusting the feed ratio of metal precursors. The direct displacement reaction of metal precursors with Te NWs and the partial oxidation of Te lead to the formation of quaternary NWs. The rough surface and abundant reactive sites deriving from the rearrangement of metal atoms on the Te NWs surface endow the PtPdAuTe NWs with a superior electrocatalytic property and durability for methanol oxidation. The Pt20Pd20Au10Te50 NWs display the largest mass activity and best stability among all catalysts. The preparation of PtPdAuTe NWs could provide a viable strategy for the preparation of other multicomponent NWs.
Instandsetzung der Verrohrung des Starzenbachs in Feldafing mit Carbonbeton
Authors: Al‐Jamous Ammar , Werner Michael , Kaiser Martin , Thyroff Roy , Gehrke Bernd
Published: November 2019

Bisher schließt die abZ zur Instandsetzung mit Carbonbeton den Einsatz unter feuchten Bedingungen und unter Wasser aus. Der Einsatz von Carbonbeton gerade im frei bewitterten Außenbereich und unter Wasser, wie im Bereich von Kanälen, bietet allerdings viel Potenzial für Sonderlösungen im Bereich der Instandsetzung. Neue Versuchsergebnisse zeigen, dass der Einsatz von Carbonbeton unter Wasser durchaus möglich ist. So konnte eine Kanalinstandsetzung mit Carbonbeton als Pilotprojekt erfolgreich durchgeführt werden.

Das Pilotprojekt stellte die einsturzgefährdete Bachverrohrung in zentraler Ortslage von Feldafing dar. In kurzer Bauzeit, unter höchstmöglicher Aufrechterhaltung der Überfahrbarkeit und Zugänglichkeit der Grundstücke konnte der Kanal in geschlossener Bauweise standsicher saniert werden. Zum ersten Mal wurde hierzu das genormte Spritzbetonverfahren mit der noch sehr jungen Carbonbetontechnologie kombiniert und im Wasser‐ und Kanalbereich dauerhaft eingesetzt. Hierzu waren umfangreiche Untersuchungen zum Einsatz von Carbongelegen im Wasser nötig.

Durch die statischen Eigenschaften und die sehr glatte, fugenlos hergestellte neue Rohrlaibung wurde bei einer zusätzlichen Gesamtauftragsstärke von nur ca. 70 mm das Bauwerk wieder ertüchtigt und gleichzeitig auch die Fließgeschwindigkeit erhöht.
Strength of public preferences for endovascular or open aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Wickramasekera N , Howard A , Philips P , Rooney G , Hughes J , Wilson E , Aber A , Michaels J , Shackley P
Published: November 2019

Background

This study evaluated public preferences for the treatment processes for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in order to allow them to be incorporated into a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Methods

This was a telephone survey using a trade-off method in UK resident adults (aged at least 18 years) with no previous diagnosis of a vascular condition.

Results

Some 167 of 209 participants (79·9 per cent) stated that they would prefer endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), 40 (19·1 per cent) preferred open surgery and two (1·0 per cent) stated no preference. Participants preferred EVAR because of the less invasive nature of the intervention and quicker recovery. Participants preferring open surgery cited reasons such as having a single follow-up appointment, and a procedure that felt more permanent. When participants were asked to make a sacrifice in order to have their preferred treatment, 122 (58·4 per cent) favoured EVAR, 18 (8·6 per cent) favoured open surgery and 69 (33·0 per cent) had no preference. Those preferring EVAR were willing to give up a mean of 0·135 expected quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) to have EVAR, compared with a willingness to give up 0·033 expected QALYs among those preferring open repair.

Conclusion

These results indicate a clear preference for EVAR over open surgery for aortic aneurysm.
Sustainability entrepreneurship to address large distances in international food supply
Authors: Weber Hanna , Wiek Arnim , Lang Daniel J.
Published: November 2019

International food supply is often associated with negative externalities including injustices across the economic value chain favoring trade over production and processing, significant transport‐related greenhouse gas emissions, and poor working conditions in the regions where food is being produced or processed. Relevant proxies for this situation seem to be large distances, specifically, large geographical and relational distances. Sustainability entrepreneurship demonstrates innovative practices to address large distances in international food supply. We describe five entrepreneurial solution approaches and illustrate them with empirical cases to facilitate learning across cases and support wider adoption of these practices. Our study provides food scholars, entrepreneurs, and businesses with evidence and insights on how to foster sustainable food supply through overcoming large distances.
Understand pros, cons of telling student groups to stop using institution's name, marks
Authors: Rooksby Jacob H.
Published: November 2019

Colleges and universities have long had complicated relationships with the student organizations active on their campuses. From student newspapers to club athletics (e.g., the flag football team) to student affinity groups (e.g., the rod and gun club), a critical question is when, if ever, to consider these groups an extension of the institution's corporate body?
Gold Nanocluster‐Decorated Nickel Nitride as Stable Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Lv Mengyao , Zhou Ying , Rasaki Sefiu Abolaji , Shen Hangjia , Wang Chuanxi , Song Weiyu , Thomas Tiju , Yang Minghui , Wang Jun
Published: November 2019

Water electrolysis has received tremendous interest for energy conversion. This is due to its intrinsic eco‐friendliness, and plausibly high efficiencies. However, the efficiency is hampered by sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. In this work, co‐precipitation method followed by nitridation is used for fabricating highly efficient and stable Au‐decorated Ni3N electrocatalyst for OER activity in alkaline solution. The as‐prepared 2 wt % Au at Ni3N (2 %Au/Ni3N) nanoflower exhibits remarkable OER. Current density of 10 mA cm−2, Tafel slope of 52 mV/dec, a relatively small overpotential of ∼280 mV, and 94.8 % activity retention for over 10 hour of continuous operation are observed. This remarkable performance is one of the best OER results known so far for noble metal‐supported nanostructured materials using alkaline solution as the electrolyte. From experimental results and calculations thereby, it is found that the Au nanocluster can effectively regulate Ni3N electronic structure, and reduce the energy barrier associated with OER activity. The synthesis approach given here not only provides a highly efficient electrocatalyst for energy conversion, but also offers a platform for controlling structural characteristics, thereby tuning the catalytic properties of the Au/Ni3N nanoflowers.
Enhanced Water Oxidation Activity by Introducing Gallium into Cobalt‐Iron Oxide System
Authors: Zhang Qiaoqiao , Fan Yong , Wang Wei , Liu Ning , Guan Jingqi
Published: November 2019

Development of high‐efficiency and robust multi‐element transition metal oxides for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial to improve the energy efficiency of electrocatalytic water splitting. Here, we report a simple and efficient sol‐gel strategy to synthesize an amorphous ternary Fe−Co−Ga oxide composite with high OER activity, low Tafel slope, and good durability. The overpotential at 10 mA ⋅ cm−2 of the FeCoGaOx on glassy carbon, platinum, carbon paper, and nickel foam electrode is 245, 275, 237, and 215 mV, respectively, in an alkaline electrolyte. The addition of gallium into the FeCoOx system significantly promotes the charge transfer kinetics, thus improving the OER activity. This work affords a controllable method to vastly prepare cost‐effective and high‐efficiency multi‐metal water oxidation electrocatalysts.
A rapid enantioseparation system of capillary electrochromatography modified by electrostatic adsorption with transfersomes
Authors: Huang Zhifeng , Du Yingxiang , Li Xiaoqi , Feng Zijie , Sun Xiaodong , Ma Xiaofei , Ma Mingxuan
Published: November 2019

Transfersomes were a special kind of nanomaterials with higher deformability and flexibility. A rapid method for coated‐column preparation using anionic transfersomes as a coating material by electrostatic adsorption was developed. With carboxymethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin added in running buffer as the chiral selector, the capillary electrochromatography enantioseparation system based on the transfersomes‐coated column modified by electrostatic adsorption was established for the first time. Propranolol and metoprolol acted as model drugs to evaluate the enantioseparation performance, these two basic drugs achieved baseline separation with satisfactory resolution and selection factor in this transfersomes‐electrochromatography system but only partial separation in bare column system. In order to get the optimal separation condition, concentration of chiral selector, buffer pH, and applied voltage were systematically investigated. A rapid and efficient enantioseparation electrochromatography system was established and showed that transfersomes as the stationary phase could efficiently improve chiral separation effect.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Five‐Atom‐Linker‐Based Arylpiperazine Derivatives with an Atypical Antipsychotic Profile
Authors: Wu Chunhui , Wang Yu , Yang Feipu , Shi Wenqiang , Wang Zhen , He Ling , He Yang , Shen Jingshan
Published: November 2019

Herein we describe a focused set of new arylpiperazine derivatives as potential broad‐spectrum antipsychotics. The general structure contains a quinolinone‐like moiety, an arylpiperazine moiety, and a five‐atom linker. Among them, 7‐(5‐(4‐(benzo[d]isothiazol‐4‐yl)piperazin‐1‐yl)pentyl)quinolin‐2(1H)‐one (S6) shows a promising preclinical profile. Compound S6, characterized by partial D2R agonism, 5‐HT1AR agonism, 5‐HT2AR antagonism, and blockade of SERT activities, was found to decrease psychosis‐ and depressive‐like symptoms in rodents. The polypharmacological profile of S6 could provide opportunities for the treatment of various other central nervous system disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychoses associated with dementia. Furthermore, S6 demonstrated acceptable safety, toxicology, and pharmacokinetic profiles, and has been selected as a preclinical candidate for further evaluation in schizophrenia.
A phase 2 multicenter study of stereotactic body radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Safety and efficacy
Authors: Jang Won Il , Bae Sun Hyun , Kim Mi‐Sook , Han Chul Ju , Park Su Cheol , Kim Sang Bum , Cho Eung‐Ho , Choi Chul Won , Kim Kyung Su , Hwang Sangyoun , Kim Jin Ho , Chang A Ram , Park Younghee , Kim Eun Seog , Kim Woo Chul , Jo Sunmi , Park Hae Jin
Published: November 2019

Background

Although several prospective studies have reported the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), treatment‐related toxicity varies and has not been determined. Therefore, the authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of SBRT for patients with HCC in a hepatitis B virus‐endemic area.

Methods

This multicenter phase 2 trial enrolled patients with unresectable HCC. Patients received SBRT with 45 to 60 Gy in 3 fractions. To evaluate gastroduodenal toxicity, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed before and 2 months after SBRT. The primary endpoint was treatment‐related severe toxicity at 1 year after SBRT. The secondary endpoints were the 2‐year local control, progression‐free survival, and overall survival rates.

Results

In total, 74 patients were enrolled between January 2012 and April 2015, and 65 eligible patients were analyzed. One patient experienced radiation‐induced liver disease with acute grade ≥3 toxicity 1 month after SBRT. In addition, 1 patient had a grade 3 esophageal ulcer with stenosis 5 months after SBRT. The actuarial rate of treatment‐related severe toxicity at 1 year was 3%. The pre‐SBRT and post‐SBRT EGD findings were not significantly different among the 57 evaluable patients who underwent EGD. The 2‐year and 3‐year local control rates were 97% and 95%, respectively. The progression‐free and overall survival rates were 48% and 84% at 2 years, respectively, and 36% and 76% at 3 years, respectively.

Conclusions

With a median follow‐up of 41 months, this prospective multicenter study demonstrated that SBRT for patients with HCC is well tolerated and is an effective treatment modality.
Securing PIN‐based authentication in smartwatches with just two gestures
Authors: Guerar Meriem , Migliardi Mauro , Palmieri Francesco , Verderame Luca , Merlo Alessio
Published: November 2019

Smartwatches are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as they offer new capabilities to develop sophisticated applications that make daily life easier and more convenient for consumers. The services provided include applications for mobile payment, ticketing, identification, access control, etc. While this makes modern smartwatches very powerful devices, it also makes them very attractive targets for attackers. Indeed, PINs and Pattern Lock have been widely used in smartwatches for user authentication. However, such authentication methods are not robust against various forms of cybersecurity attacks, such as side channel, phishing, smudge, shoulder surfing, and video‐recording attacks. Moreover, the recent adoption of hardware‐based solutions, like the Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), can mitigate only partially such problems. Thus, the user's security and privacy are at risk without a strong authentication scheme in place. In this work, we propose 2GesturePIN, a new authentication framework that allows users to authenticate securely to their smartwatches and related sensitive services through solely two gestures. 2GesturePIN leverages the rotating bezel or crown, which are the most intuitive ways to interact with a smartwatch, as a dedicated hardware. 2GesturePIN improves the resilience of the regular PIN authentication method against state‐of‐the‐art cybersecurity attacks while maintaining a high level of usability.
Engaging Scientists in Policy Discourse
Authors: Bushana Priyanka N. , Szlenk Christopher , Kozlovich Shannon
Published: November 2019

Today's science is largely funded by taxpayer dollars, and because of this, scientists have a responsibility to ensure that their research is being effectively communicated back to taxpayers and to the policy makers who determine the distribution of those funds. The importance and impact of effective science communication is compounded when research is used to inform legislative action. Science impacts policy, and policy can impact science. However, the formal education of scientists does not usually include specific training on interacting with science policy. This article describes strategies for engaging with science policy—starting with simple and easy policy actions, and delving into more complex event planning and group organizing tasks. Whether advocating for evidence‐based policies or policies that impact the scientific enterprise or STEM education, practicing skills pertinent to science policy can help you gain comfort in translating your experiences and experiments into lasting change. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Electrostatics and Polarization in σ‐ and π‐Hole Noncovalent Interactions: An Overview
Authors: Politzer Peter , Murray Jane S.
Published: November 2019

The energetics of σ‐ and π‐hole interactions can be described very well in terms of electrostatics and polarization, consistent with their Coulombic natures. When both of these components are taken into account, very good correlations with quantum‐chemically computed interaction energies are obtained. If polarization is only minor, as when the interactions are quite weak, then electrostatics can suffice, as represented by the most positive electrostatic potential associated with the σ‐ or π‐hole. For stronger interactions, the combination of electrostatics plus polarization is very effective even for interaction energies considerably greater in magnitude than what is normally considered noncovalent bonding. Several procedures for treating polarization are summarized, including the use of point charges and the direct inclusion of electric fields.
Langmuir probe in magnetized plasma: Determination of the electron diffusion parameter and of the electron energy distribution function
Authors: Jauberteau Jean‐Louis , Jauberteau Isabelle , Cortázar O. Daniel , Megía‐Macías Ana
Published: November 2019

This work is devoted to a new method used to determine the electron diffusion parameter and the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) in magnetized plasma, by means of a Langmuir single probe. This method is only based on calculations performed on experimental data, no model is used and results do not depend on the accuracy of the different hypothesis, the probe orientation within the plasma, the magnetic field intensity, the diffusion coefficient, the mean free path or the potential profile through the sheath. We test the method and show its efficiency with experiments performed in hydrogen magnetized microwave plasma, using magnetic field intensity up to 0.12 T. The results are compared with those obtained using classical methods based on models and hypothesis reported in the literature.
Sex ratio is variable and increasingly male biased at two colonies of Magellanic Penguins
Authors: Gownaris Natasha J. , García Borboroglu Pablo , Boersma P. Dee
Published: November 2019

Sex ratios are commonly skewed and variable in wild populations, but few studies track temporal trends in this demographic parameter. We examined variation in the operational sex ratio at two protected and declining breeding colonies of Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in Chubut, Argentina. Penguins from the two colonies, separated by 105 km, migrate north in the non‐breeding season and have overlapping distributions at sea. Conditions during the non‐breeding season can impact long‐term trends in operational sex ratio (i.e., through sex‐specific survival) and interannual variation in operational sex ratio (i.e., through sex‐specific breeding decisions). We found an increasingly male‐biased operational sex ratio at the two disparate colonies of Magellanic Penguins, which may contribute to continued population decline. We also found that the two colonies showed synchronous interannual variation in operational sex ratio, driven by variation in the number of females present each year. This pattern may be linked to sex‐specific overwintering effects that cause females to skip breeding, i.e., to remain at sea rather than returning to the colony to breed, more often than males. Contrary to our predictions, colony‐wide reproductive success was not lower in years with a more male‐biased operational sex ratio. We did find that males showed more evidence of fighting and were less likely to pair when the operational sex ratio was more male biased. Our results highlight an indirect mechanism through which variation in the operational sex ratio can influence populations, through a higher incidence of fighting among the less abundant sex. Because biased sex ratios can reduce the size of the breeding population and influence rates of conflict, tracking operational sex ratio is critical for conservation.
Electrocatalytic Oxidation and Sensitive Determination of Paracetamol Based on Nanosheets Self‐assembled Lindgrenite Microflowers
Authors: Fu Rong , Shen Mingju , Ding Yaping , Li Musen , Li Li , Ren Zhongming , Wu Qingsheng
Published: November 2019

In this work, the nanosheet‐assembled lindgrenite microflowers (chemical formula: Cu3Mo2O9) were synthesised through a simple process and low‐cost raw materials at room temperature in aqueous solution without using any surface‐active agent. The tightly interlaced nanosheets, like petals, can increase the specific surface area, which can bring about higher electrocatalytic activity and electroanalysis sensitivity. Thus, lindgrenite microflowers were prepared as an electrochemical sensor and successfully applied in the detection of paracetamol through the modified glass carbon electrode. Furthermore, this electrochemical reaction process was simulated at the ab‐initio level to reveal the catalytic mechanism, and the simulation results agreed well with electrochemical experiments. The electrochemical performance of the lindgrenite microflowers modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The linearity of paracetamol ranged from 0.05 to 1200 μM (IT method) and 0.05 to 1000 μM (DPV method), low detection limit (0.01 μM) and high sensitivity (5.11 mA mM−1 cm−2) towards paracetamol. Moreover, this sensor was applied to detect paracetamol in human blood serum samples. The excellent results demonstrated that the prepared electrode not only showed a desirable linear range towards paracetamol but also exhibited practical applicability and reliability towards human serum samples detection.
Quality assessment and variety classification of seed‐used pumpkin by‐products: Potential values to deep processing
Authors: Chen Qinqin , Lyu Ying , Bi Jinfeng , Wu Xinye , Jin Xin , Qiao Yening , Hou Haonan , Lyu Chunmao
Published: November 2019

Seed‐used pumpkin (SUP) is known as a traditional popular crop, which is mainly processed for seeds. However, the by‐products (49 times the amount of seeds) were disposed directly into the field as waste. In this study, potential values of seed‐used pumpkins’ by‐products (SUPBs, peel and pulp) as food resource were investigated. Physico‐chemical, nutritional, and aroma profile of ten varieties of SUPBs were characterized, and variety differences were also distinguished. Peel “a*” value, water, fructose, crude fat, sucrose, and Ca contents were the 6 characteristic indicators of SUPBs which screened through correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and PCA‐X model. Comprehensive evaluation of physico‐chemical, nutritional, and aroma profile, four varieties by‐products (Jf8#, Nf8#, Rbf#, and Rf9#) were always characterized into Cluster Ⅰ. Other varieties were classified into Cluster Ⅱ based on aroma profile. However, two varieties by‐products (Db1# and Xn1#) presented significant differences from others (Db2#, Db3#, Db4#, and Myxc2#) in physico‐chemical and nutritional indices, they were classified as Cluster III and IV, respectively. Db1# had the highest nutritional value of soluble solid (11.78 ºBx), pectin (1,166.15 mg/ 100 g), total carotenoid (19.57 mg/ 100 g), and total sugar (13.69 g/ 100 g). Among all the SUPBs, Db1# had a relatively higher nutritional value, which was suitable as food resource for deep processing.
Multi‐response optimization of extrusion conditions of grain amaranth flour by response surface methodology
Authors: Atukuri Julian , Odong Brian B. , Muyonga John H.
Published: November 2019

The study was designed to optimize extrusion processing conditions for production of instant grain amaranth flour for complementary feeding. Multi‐response criteria using response surface methodology and desirability function analysis were employed during the study. The central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to determine the level of processing variables and to generate the experimental runs. The process parameters tested included extrusion temperature (110–158°C), screw speed (40–52 Hz), and feed moisture content (11%–16%), while response variable was protein digestibility, sensory acceptability, water absorption index, water solubility index, bulk density, and viscosity. Data obtained from extrusion were analyzed using response surface methodology. Data were fitted to a second‐order polynomial model, and the dependent variables expressed as a function of the independent variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that extrusion parameters had significant linear, quadratic, and interactive effects on the responses. Numerical optimization indicated that the optimum extrusion parameters were extrusion temperature of 150°C, extrusion speed (screw speed) of 50 Hz, and feed moisture content of 14.41%. The responses predicted for optimization resulted in protein digestibility 81.87%, water absorption index 1.92, water solubility index 0.55, bulk density 0.59 gm/L, viscosity 174.56 cP (14.55 RVU), and sensory acceptability score of 6.69, with 71% desirability.
Powerful rare variant association testing in a copula‐based joint analysis of multiple phenotypes
Authors: Konigorski Stefan , Yilmaz Yildiz E. , Janke Jürgen , Bergmann Manuela M. , Boeing Heiner , Pischon Tobias
Published: November 2019

In genetic association studies of rare variants, the low power of association tests is one of the main challenges. In this study, we propose a new single‐marker association test called C‐JAMP (Copula‐based Joint Analysis of Multiple Phenotypes), which is based on a joint model of multiple phenotypes given genetic markers and other covariates. We evaluated its performance and compared its empirical type I error and power with existing univariate and multivariate single‐marker and multi‐marker rare‐variant tests in extensive simulation studies. C‐JAMP yielded unbiased genetic effect estimates and valid type I errors with an adjusted test statistic. When strongly dependent traits were jointly analyzed, C‐JAMP had the highest power in all scenarios except when a high percentage of variants were causal with moderate/small effect sizes. When traits with weak or moderate dependence were analyzed, whether C‐JAMP or competing approaches had higher power depended on the effect size. When C‐JAMP was applied with a misspecified copula function, it still achieved high power in some of the scenarios considered. In a real‐data application, we analyzed sequencing data using C‐JAMP and performed the first genome‐wide association studies of high‐molecular‐weight and medium‐molecular‐weight adiponectin plasma concentrations. C‐JAMP identified 20 rare variants with p‐values smaller than 10−5, while all other tests resulted in the identification of fewer variants with higher p‐values. In summary, the results indicate that C‐JAMP is a powerful, flexible, and robust method for association studies, and we identified novel candidate markers for adiponectin. C‐JAMP is implemented as an R package and freely available from https://cran.r‐project.org/package=CJAMP.
Trefoil Factor Family 1 Inhibits the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Regulating β‐Catenin Activation
Authors: Ochiai Yosuke , Yamaguchi Junpei , Kokuryo Toshio , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Ebata Tomoki , Nagino Masato
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Recent studies have suggested that trefoil factor family 1 (TFF1) functions as a tumor suppressor in gastric and pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Approach and Results

To investigate the role of TFF1 in hepatocarcinogenesis, we performed immunohistochemical staining of surgically resected human liver samples, transfected a TFF1 expression vector into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, and employed a mouse model of spontaneous HCC development (albumin–cyclization recombination/Lox‐Stop‐Lox sequence–Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologG12D [KC]); the model mouse strain was bred with a TFF1‐knockout mouse strain to generate a TFF1‐deficient HCC mouse model (KC/TFF1−/−). TFF1 expression was found in some human samples with HCC. Interestingly, TFF1‐positive cancer cells showed a staining pattern contradictory to that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and aberrant DNA hypermethylation in TFF1 promoter lesions was detected in HCC samples, indicating the tumor‐suppressive role of TFF1. In vitro, induction of TFF1 expression resulted in impaired proliferative activity and enhanced apoptosis in HCC cell lines (HuH7, HepG2, and HLE). These anticancer effects of TFF1 were accompanied by the loss of nuclear β‐catenin expression, indicating inactivation of the β‐catenin signaling pathway by TFF1. In vivo, TFF1 deficiency in KC mice accelerated the early development and growth of HCC, resulting in poor survival rates. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed that the amount of nuclear‐localized β‐catenin was significantly higher in KC/TFF1−/− mice than in KC mice and that human HCC tissue showed contradictory expression patterns for β‐catenin and TFF1, confirming the in vitro observations.

Conclusions

TFF1 might function as a tumor suppressor that inhibits the development of HCC by regulating β‐catenin activity.
Ibrutinib in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: 5 years on
Authors: Molica Stefano , Matutes Estella , Tam Constantine , Polliack Aaron
Published: November 2019

A major revolution in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) began with the approval of ibrutinib, a first‐in‐class oral inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) and/or TP53 mutated patients with CLL. However, 5 years later, some issues relating to this disorder still remain including the fact that with ibrutinib only a relatively small proportion of patients achieve complete remission and that ibrutinib‐resistant CLL clones can develop in about 20% of patients. In addition, therapy must still be given continuously, and toxicities leading to drug discontinuation occur in about 30% of patients. In the meantime second‐generation BTK inhibitors have already aroused considerable interest and gathered momentum. A possible strategy to overcome some of these obstacles is to combine ibrutinib with other targeted agents especially in high‐risk disease, such as previously treated refractory patients or those with TP53 aberrations or complex karyotypes, in whom rapid eradication of disease is most desirable. Therapy with single agent ibrutinib should be part of a sequential approach for patients with low risk disease, especially in older patients (aged >70 years) with a higher burden of comorbidities. Long‐term results of ongoing studies combining Ibrutinib with (chemo)‐immunotherapy or other targeted agents are eagerly awaited. Future clinical trials are indeed still needed to provide answers to these open questions.
Nonlinear magnetoconvection in a rotating fluid due to thermal and compositional buoyancy with anisotropic diffusivities
Authors: Benerji Babu Avula , Reddy G. Shiva Kumar , Tagare Suhas G.
Published: November 2019

Magnetoconvection in a rotating fluid due to thermal and compositional buoyancy with anisotropic diffusivities is investigated by both linear and weakly nonlinear analyses. By linear stability analysis, the threshold values of physical parameters give conditions for the occurrence of various types of bifurcations. By using multiple scale analysis, the nonlinear two‐dimensional amplitude equation is derived and occurrence of secondary instabilities is investigated. Nusselt number is used to study heat transport. Furthermore, the effect of stratification anisotropy is to enhance heat transport. The system of coupled amplitude equations is also derived.
Three‐dimensional computational comparison of mini pinned heat sinks using different nanofluids: Part one—the hydraulic‐thermal characteristics
Authors: Al‐damook Amer , Alfellag Mohanad A. , Khalil Wissam H.
Published: November 2019

The hydraulic‐thermal characteristics of 3D pinned heat sink designs have been numerically compared as the first part of a three‐part investigation. Five different pin geometries (circular, square, triangular, strip, and elliptic pins) and an unpinned heat sink with three types of nanofluids (Al2O3–H2O, SiO2–H2O, and CuO–H2O) are considered for laminar forced convection. The range of Reynolds number is from 100 to 1000, and volume fractions vary between 0% and 5%. The finite volume method is employed to solve the Navier–Stokes and energy equations by employing a SIMPLE algorithm for a computational solution. Three parameters are presented—the Nusselt number, the bottom temperature, and the hydrothermal performance of the heat sink with pressure drop data. The findings indicated that the overall hydrothermal performance of elliptic‐pinned (EP) heat sinks produces the most substantial value of 3.10 for pure water. For different nanofluids, the SiO2–water nanofluids with EPs have the most significant hydrothermal performance. Also, this factor is enhanced with an increase in nanofluid concentration up to nearly 3.34 for 5% of SiO2–water. Consequently, applying the elliptic‐pinned heat sinks is recommended with pure water for considering an increase in the pressure drop, with 5% of SiO2–water nanofluids, regardless of an enlargement of pressure drop for heat‐dissipation applications.
Decreased local immune response and retained HPV gene expression during chemoradiotherapy are associated with treatment resistance and death from cervical cancer
Authors: Cosper Pippa F. , McNair Christopher , González Iván , Wong Nathan , Knudsen Karen E. , Chen Jason J. , Markovina Stephanie , Schwarz Julie K. , Grigsby Perry W. , Wang Xiaowei
Published: November 2019

More than one‐third of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer do not respond to chemoradiation therapy (CRT). We aimed to characterize the transcriptional landscape of paired human cervical tumors before and during CRT in order to gain insight into the evolution of treatment response and to elucidate mechanisms of treatment resistance. We prospectively collected cervical tumor biopsies from 115 patients both before and 3 weeks into CRT. RNA‐sequencing, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and HPV gene expression were performed on 20 paired samples that had adequate neoplastic tissue mid‐treatment. Tumors from patients with no evidence of disease (NED) at last follow‐up had enrichment in pathways related to the immune response both pretreatment and mid‐treatment, while tumors from patients dead of disease (DOD) demonstrated enrichment in biosynthetic and mitotic pathways but not in immune‐related pathways. Patients DOD had decreased expression of T‐cell and cytolytic genes and increased expression of PD‐L2 mid‐treatment compared to patients NED. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decrease in tumor‐associated lymphocytes (TAL) during CRT in all patients but tumors from patients DOD had a significantly more pronounced decrease in TALs and CD8+ cells mid‐treatment, which was validated in a larger mid‐treatment cohort. Finally, patients DOD retained more HPV E6/E7 gene expression during CRT and this was associated with increased expression of genes driving mitosis, which was corroborated in vitro. Our results suggest that decreased local immune response and retained HPV gene expression may be acting together to promote treatment resistance during CRT in patients with cervical cancer.
Examining trends in non‐fatal strangulation among sexual assault survivors seeking Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner care from 2002 to 2017
Authors: Cannon Lindsay M. , Bailey Joanne M. , Ernst Susan D. , St. Ivany Amanda , Bevilacqua Kristin G. , Scheiman Lisa , Munro‐Kramer Michelle L.
Published: November 2019

Non‐fatal strangulation associated with sexual assault is a public health problem affecting female survivors, especially those assaulted by current/former partners or strangers.
Setting the record straight: System justification and rigidity‐of‐the‐right in contemporary Hungarian politics
Authors: Jost John T. , Kende Anna
Published: November 2019

Despite international concern about the resurgence of right‐wing authoritarianism and xenophobic prejudice throughout Central and Eastern Europe, researchers have argued recently that rightists may be less cognitively rigid and system‐justifying than liberals and leftists in the context of Hungary (Kelemen, Szabó, Mészáros, László, & Forgas, 2014; Lönnqvist, Szabó, & Kelemen, 2019). We identify shortcomings of the research on which these claims are based and provide evidence that “rigidity‐of‐the‐right” does indeed characterise contemporary Hungarian politics. Specifically, we hired professional survey firms to administer measures of personal needs for order and structure, system justification and political orientation to two large, nationally representative samples in Hungary. Results revealed that self‐identified rightists scored higher than leftists on needs for order and structure and system justification (Study 1, N = 1005) and that supporters of right‐wing parties (Fidesz and Jobbik) scored higher on both general and economic system justification than supporters of liberal and leftist parties (Study 2, N = 886). In exploratory analyses, we also observed that rightists expressed more intolerance than leftists toward groups that are commonly mistreated in Eastern Europe, including the Roma, religious minorities and sexual minorities.
Some issues in blockchain for accounting and the supply chain, with an application of distributed databases to virtual organizations
Authors: O'Leary Daniel E.
Published: November 2019

This paper reviews some recent blockchain‐based applications for information capture, distribution and preservation. As part of that review, this paper examines two key concerns with current blockchain designs for accounting and supply chain transactions: data independence and multiple semantic models for the same information distribution problem. Blockchain applications typically integrate database, application and presentation tiers all in the same ledger. This results in a general inability to query information in the ledger and other concerns. Further, since most applications appear to be private blockchain applications, there is a concern of agents needing to accommodate multiple blockchains depending on who their trading partners are and what they request. Finally, this paper uses a distributed database to design a ‘blockchain‐like’ system for virtual organizations.
Changes in anger and aggression after treatment for PTSD in active duty military
Authors: Miles Shannon R. , Dillon Kirsten H. , Jacoby Vanessa M. , Hale Willie J. , Dondanville Katherine A. , Wachen Jennifer Schuster , Yarvis Jeffrey S. , Peterson Alan L. , Mintz Jim , Litz Brett T. , Young‐McCaughan Stacey , Resick Patricia A. ,   on behalf of the STRONG STAR Consortium
Published: November 2019

Objective

To examine whether treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reduces anger and aggression and if changes in PTSD symptoms are associated with changes in anger and aggression.

Method

Active duty service members (n = 374) seeking PTSD treatment in two randomized clinical trials completed a pretreatment assessment, 12 treatment sessions, and a posttreatment assessment. Outcomes included the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale and state anger subscale of the State‐Trait Anger Expression Inventory.

Results

Treatment groups were analyzed together. There were small to moderate pretreatment to posttreatment reductions in anger (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.25), psychological aggression (SMD = −0.43), and physical aggression (SMD = −0.25). The majority of participants continued to endorse anger and aggression at posttreatment. Changes in PTSD symptoms were mildly to moderately associated with changes in anger and aggression.

Conclusions

PTSD treatments reduced anger and aggression with effects similar to anger and aggression treatments; innovative psychotherapies are needed.
The “Buzz” Behind the Buzz Matters: Energetic and Tense Arousal as Separate Motivations for Word of Mouth
Authors: Teeny Jacob , Deng Xiaoyan , Unnava H. Rao
Published: November 2019

This research provides a novel theoretical framework to explain the missing mechanism behind one of the strongest predictors for engaging in word of mouth (WOM): the consumer's psychological arousal (i.e., greater arousal leads to greater WOM; e.g., Berger, 2011). Across six studies (N = 1,309), we provide evidence for a motivational theory of the arousal–WOM relationship, highlighting the importance of the WOM's valence (positive vs. negative) as well as the consumer's salient type of arousal (energetic vs. tense; Thayer, 1989). In doing so, we demonstrate that consumers use WOM as an arousal management strategy: They are motivated to engage in positive WOM to maintain or increase their energetic arousal and to engage in negative WOM to reduce or eliminate their tense arousal. These findings also demonstrate the importance of the WOM recipient's response for the WOM source to achieve his/her desired arousal state. Thus, this work both expands our understanding of the arousal–WOM relationship and provides a framework for interpreting past work and conducting future investigations into when and how consumers will engage in WOM.
Microbial community dynamics and process performance of a full‐scale two‐stage anaerobic digester under the replacement from energy crop to poultry manure
Authors: Bellucci Micol , Borruso Luigimaria , Brusetti Lorenzo , Russo Pasquale , Beneduce Luciano
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the composition and dynamics of the bacterial and archaeal communities in a full‐scale two‐stage anaerobic digester over five months. The plant was fed on a variable mixture of feedstock, in which the energy crops were replaced with poultry manure/litter (from 1.6% to 7.5%) to reduce the operational costs.

RESULTS

The elevated concentration of ammonia in the digester did not hamper biogas production and its concentration of methane. The low level of acetate, butyrate and propionate in the methanogenesis phase indicated a strong activity of acetotrophic methanogens. PCR‐DGGE and sequencing have demonstrated that the stability of the volatile fatty acid distribution concurred with low level of population shifts as shown by the moving windows analysis. Nevertheless, PCoA analyses revealed that the variation in the digester alimentation and the carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio had a key role in assembly the bacterial and archaeal communities. The high ammonia level favoured the growth of Caldicoprobacteraceae and Syntrophomonadaceae, whereas dominant archaea detected belonged to the family of Methanosarcinaceae.

CONCLUSION

Cheap and readily available N‐rich feedstock could be used safely to decrease the costs of the anaerobic digestion process. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Multistage operational transconductance amplifier frequency compensation technique based on fully differential feedback stage
Authors: Soltani Zanjani Masoud , Khatib Farzan , Seyyed Mahdavi Chabok Seyyed Javad
Published: November 2019

In this article, a new configuration of a three‐stage Complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is proposed. It removes the feedforward path while simultaneously amplifying the feedback path in the compensation network. Also, the proposed circuit uses only one small compensation capacitor which makes it appropriate regarding die area. The approach behind is demonstrated through a successful design using 0.18‐μm CMOS technology. In fact, the simulated OTA shows better performance in comparison with other methods and achieved 20.2 MHz, 82°, and 124 dB as gain‐bandwidth product, phase margin, and DC gain, respectively, and consumes 545 μW @ 1.8 V.
Control of cortical synapse development and plasticity by MET receptor tyrosine kinase, a genetic risk factor for autism
Authors: Ma Xiaokuang , Qiu Shenfeng
Published: November 2019

The key developmental milestone events of the human brain, such as neurogenesis, synapse formation, maturation, and plasticity, are determined by a myriad of molecular signaling events, including those mediated by a number of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and their cognate ligands. Aberrant or mistimed brain development and plasticity can lead to maladaptive changes, such as dysregulated synaptic connectivity and breakdown of circuit functions necessary for cognition and adaptive behaviors, which are hypothesized pathophysiologies of many neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we review recent literature that supports autism spectrum disorder as a likely result of aberrant synapse development due to mistimed maturation and plasticity. We focus on MET RTK, a prominent genetic risk factor for autism, and discuss how a pleiotropic molecular signaling system engaged by MET exemplifies a genetic program that controls cortical circuit development and plasticity by modulating the anatomical and functional connectivity of cortical circuits, thus conferring genetic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Preoperative systemic inflammatory markers are prognostic indicators in recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Gaitanidis Apostolos , Wiseman Douglas , el Lakis Mustapha , Nilubol Naris , Kebebew Electron , Patel Dhaval
Published: November 2019

Background

Recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) has a poor prognosis with minimal clinical and biochemical factors to guide management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of systemic inflammatory response in patients with recurrent ACC.

Methods

Patients who underwent resection for recurrent ACC were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte ratio (LMR), and mean platelet volume were calculated.

Results

Twenty‐five patients (age at operation 52.2 ± 9.5 years) were identified. We observed a statistically significant shorter disease‐specific survival (DSS) in patients with LMR less than 4 (41 ± 7.4 months vs 71 ± 12.3, P = .023) and male sex (26.6 ± 4.2 months vs 57.6 ± 9.5 months, P = .079), while time‐to‐recurrence (TTR) less than 12 months (40 ± 7.7 months vs 70.3 ± 13.1 months, P = .059) had a trend on univariate analysis for worse DSS. On multivariable analysis, LMR < 4 (hazard ratio [HR] 4.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18‐14.76; P = .027) and TTR less than 12 months (HR 2.77 95% CI: 1‐7.62; P = .049) were found to be significantly associated with worse DSS.

Conclusion

Preoperative LMR greater than 4 and TTR greater than 12 months are associated with longer DSS. Patients with LMR greater than 4 and TTR greater than 12 months may benefit from a more aggressive therapeutic approach and may require less frequent surveillance.
Outcomes of surgery and postoperative radiation therapy in managing medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Groen Andries H. , Beckham Thomas H. , Links Thera P. , Goldman Debra A. , Sherman Eric J. , Tuttle Michael M. , Bijl Hendrik P. , Wong Richard J. , Plukker John Th. M. , Lee Nancy Y. ,   and other Group/Consortium Members
Published: November 2019

Background and Objectives

We evaluated the outcomes of surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) in the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Methods

From two tertiary cancer centers, 297 consecutive patients with MTC treated with PORT (n = 46) between 1990 and 2016 or surgery alone (n = 251) between 2000 and 2016 were reviewed.

Results

Ten‐year cumulative incidences of locoregional and distant failure were 30.2% and 24.9% in the surgery cohort, and 16.9% and 55.2% in the PORT cohort. In the surgery alone cohort, T4 disease, extrathyroidal extension, N1 disease, extranodal extension (ENE), and residual disease after surgery were associated with local failure. The PORT cohort had significantly higher proportions of patients with T4 disease, N1 disease, ENE, and residual disease.

Conclusions

High‐risk clinical features can help identify patients with MTC at high‐risk for local failure after surgery alone. Patients with high‐risk clinical features had effective locoregional control after PORT.