bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell block cellularity: A comparison of two fixatives and their impact on cellularity
Authors: Layfield Lester J. , Esebua Magda , Ang Jonathan , Alnijoumi Mohammed M. , Sohal Harijyot S. , Hammer Richard D. , Prabhakaran Nitya , Schmidt Robert L.
Published: November 2018

Background

Ancillary testing including immunohistochemistry and molecular diagnostics has become an increasingly important component for the evaluation of cytologic specimens. Ancillary testing is important not only for diagnosis but also for predictive and prognostic evaluation. While a number of substrates are appropriate for ancillary testing, cell block specimens are commonly utilized and the success of ancillary testing depends on cell‐block cellularity.

Methods

Forty‐six pairs of cases each fixed in both formalin and CytoLyt were each analyzed by two evaluators for overall cellularity. Linear regression was used to assess inter‐rater reliability of cell counts for each method. Cellularity scores for each case were obtained by averaging the scores for each rater and cellularity was compared between the methods.

Results

Inter‐rater agreement was very good for both methods. The coefficient of determination was 1.0 and 0.99 for the CytoLyt and formalin methods respectively. Cell blocks using the CytoLyt method have lower levels of cellularity than cell blocks performed by the formalin method.

Conclusions

Cell blocks prepared using a formalin fixative yield significantly greater cellularity than those produced by the CytoLyt method. Formalin fixation appears to optimize cellularity of cell blocks useful for ancillary testing.
Diabetes pharmacotherapy and effects on the musculoskeletal system
Authors: Kalaitzoglou Evangelia , Fowlkes John L. , Popescu Iuliana , Thrailkill Kathryn M.
Published: November 2018

Persons with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher fracture risk than age‐matched persons without diabetes, attributed to disease‐specific deficits in the microarchitecture and material properties of bone tissue. Therefore, independent effects of diabetes drugs on skeletal integrity are vitally important. Studies of incretin‐based therapies have shown divergent effects of different agents on fracture risk, including detrimental, beneficial, and neutral effects. The sulfonylurea class of drugs, owing to its hypoglycemic potential, is thought to amplify the risk of fall‐related fractures, particularly in the elderly. Other agents such as the biguanides may, in fact, be osteo‐anabolic. In contrast, despite similarly expected anabolic properties of insulin, data suggests that insulin pharmacotherapy itself, particularly in type 2 diabetes, may be a risk factor for fracture, negatively associated with determinants of bone quality and bone strength. Finally, sodium‐dependent glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors have been associated with an increased risk of atypical fractures in select populations, and possibly with an increase in lower extremity amputation with specific SGLT2I drugs. The role of skeletal muscle, as a potential mediator and determinant of bone quality, is also a relevant area of exploration. Currently, data regarding the impact of glucose lowering medications on diabetes‐related muscle atrophy is more limited, although preclinical studies suggest that various hypoglycemic agents may have either aggravating (sulfonylureas, glinides) or repairing (thiazolidinediones, biguanides, incretins) effects on skeletal muscle atrophy, thereby influencing bone quality. Hence, the therapeutic efficacy of each hypoglycemic agent must also be evaluated in light of its impact, alone or in combination, on musculoskeletal health, when determining an individualized treatment approach. Moreover, the effect of newer medications (potentially seeking expanded clinical indication into the pediatric age range) on the growing skeleton is largely unknown. Herein, we review the available literature regarding effects of diabetes pharmacotherapy, by drug class and/or by clinical indication, on the musculoskeletal health of persons with diabetes.
Abscisic acid stimulates the release of insulin and of GLP‐1 in the rat perfused pancreas and intestine
Authors: Booz Valeria , Christiansen Charlotte Bayer , Kuhre Rune Ehrenreich , Saltiel Monika Yosifova , Sociali Giovanna , Schaltenberg Nicola , Fischer Alexander W. , Heeren Jörg , Zocchi Elena , Holst Jens J. , Bruzzone Santina
Published: November 2018

Aims

Previous results indicate that nanomolar concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA) stimulate insulin release from β‐pancreatic cells in vitro and that oral ABA at 50 mg/kg increases plasma GLP‐1 in the fasted rat. The aim of this study was to test the effect of ABA on the perfused rat pancreas and intestine, to verify the insulin‐ and incretin‐releasing actions of ABA in controlled physiological models.

Materials and methods

Rat pancreas and small intestine were perfused with solutions containing ABA at high‐micromolar concentrations, or control secretagogues. Insulin and GLP‐1 concentrations in the venous effluent were analysed by radioimmunoassay, and ABA levels were determined by ELISA.

Results

High micromolar concentrations of ABA induced GLP‐1 secretion from the proximal half of the small intestine and insulin secretion from pancreas. GLP‐1 stimulated ABA secretion from pancreas in a biphasic manner. Notably, a positive correlation was found between the ABA area under the curve (AUC) and the insulin AUC upon GLP‐1 administration.

Conclusion

Our results indicate the existence of a cross talk between GLP‐1 and ABA, whereby ABA stimulates GLP‐1 secretion, and vice versa. Release of ABA could be considered as a new promising molecule in the strategy of type 2 diabetes treatment and as a new endogenous hormone in the regulation of glycaemia.
Application of a molecular networking approach for clinical and forensic toxicology exemplified in three cases involving 3‐MeO‐PCP, doxylamine, and chlormequat
Authors: Allard Sophie , Allard Pierre‐Marie , Morel Isabelle , Gicquel Thomas
Published: November 2018

Untargeted toxicological screening is an analytical challenge, given the high number of molecules and metabolites to be detected and the constant appearance of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The combination of liquid chromatography with high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS/MS) in a data‐dependent acquisition mode generates a large volume of high quality spectral data. Commercial software for processing MS data acquired during untargeted screening experiments usually compare measured features (mass, retention time, and fragmentation spectra) against a predefined list of analytes. However, there is a lack of tools for visualizing and organizing MS data of unknown compounds. Here, we applied molecular networking to untargeted toxicological screening. This bioinformatic tool allows the exploration and organization of MS/MS data without prior knowledge of the sample's chemical composition. The organization of spectral data is based on spectral similarity. Hence, important information can be obtained even before the annotation step. The link established between molecules enables the propagation of structural information. We applied this approach to three clinical and forensic cases with various matrices: (a) blood and a syringe content in a forensic case of death by self‐injection, (b) hair segments in a case of drug‐facilitated assault, and (c) urine and blood samples in a case of 3‐methoxyphencyclidine intoxication. Data preprocessing with MZmine allows sample‐to‐sample comparison and generation of multisample molecular networks. Our present study shows that molecular networking can be a useful complement to conventional approaches for untargeted screening interpretation, for example for xenobiotics identification or NPS metabolism elucidation.
Movement responses to environment: fast inference of variation among southern elephant seals with a mixed effects model
Authors: Jonsen I. D. , McMahon C. R. , Patterson T. A. , Auger‐Méthé M. , Harcourt R. , Hindell M. A. , Bestley S.
Published: November 2018

Like many species, movement patterns of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) are being influenced by long‐term environmental change. These seals migrate up to 4,000 km from their breeding colonies, foraging for months in a variety of Southern Ocean habitats. Understanding how movement patterns vary with environmental features and how these relationships differ among individuals employing different foraging strategies can provide insight into foraging performance at a population level. We apply new fast‐estimation tools to fit mixed effects within a random walk movement model, rapidly inferring among‐individual variability in southern elephant seal environment–movement relationships. We found that seals making foraging trips to the sea ice on or near the Antarctic continental shelf consistently reduced speed and directionality (move persistence) with increasing sea‐ice coverage but had variable responses to chlorophyll a concentration, whereas seals foraging in the open ocean reduced move persistence in regions where circumpolar deep water shoaled. Given future climate scenarios, open‐ocean foragers may encounter more productive habitat but sea‐ice foragers may see reduced habitat availability. Our approach is scalable to large telemetry data sets and allows flexible combinations of mixed effects to be evaluated via model selection, thereby illuminating the ecological context of animal movements that underlie habitat usage.
Measuring heterogeneity in urban expansion via spatial entropy
Authors: Altieri L. , Cocchi D. , Roli G.
Published: November 2018

The lack of efficiency in urban diffusion is a debated issue, important for biologists, urban specialists, planners and statisticians, both in developed and new developing countries. Many approaches have been considered to measure urban sprawl, roughly identified as chaotic urban expansion; such idea of chaos is here linked to the concept of entropy. Entropy, firstly introduced in information theory, has rapidly become a standard tool in ecology, biology, and geography to measure the degree of heterogeneity among observations; in such contexts, entropy measures should include spatial information. The aim of this paper is to employ a rigorous spatial entropy‐based approach to measure urban sprawl associated to the diffusion of metropolitan cities. In order to assess the performance of the considered measures, a comparative study is run over archetypical urban scenarios; afterwards, measures are used to quantify the degree of disorder in the urban expansion of three cities in Europe. Results are easily interpretable and can be used both as absolute measures of urban sprawl and for comparison over space and time.
The top‐down regulation from the prefrontal cortex to insula via hypnotic aversion suggestions reduces smoking craving
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Chen Lijun , Ma Ru , Wang Haibao , Wan Li , Wang Ying , Bu Junjie , Hong Wei , Lv Wanwan , Vollstädt‐Klein Sabine , Yang Yihong , Zhang Xiaochu
Published: November 2018

Hypnosis has been shown to have treatment effects on nicotine addiction. However, the neural basis of these effects is poorly understood. This preliminary study investigated the neural mechanisms of hypnosis‐based treatment on cigarette smoking, specifically, whether the hypnosis involves a top‐down or bottom‐up mechanism. Two groups of 45 smokers underwent a smoking aversion suggestion and viewed smoking‐related pictures and neutral pictures. One group underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning twice (control and hypnotic states), whereas the other group underwent two electroencephalograph sessions. Our study found that self‐reported smoking craving decreased in both groups following hypnosis. Smoking cue‐elicited activations in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC) and left insula (lI) and the functional connectivity between the rDLPFC and lI were increased in the hypnotic state compared with the control state. The delta band source waveforms indicated the activation from 390 to 862 ms at the rDLPFC and from 490 to 900 ms at the lI was significantly different between the smoking and neutral conditions in the hypnotic state, suggesting the activation in the rDLPFC preceded that in the lI. These results suggest that the decreased smoking craving via hypnotic aversion suggestions may arise from the top‐down regulation of the rDLPFC to the lI. Our findings provide novel neurobiological evidence for understanding the therapeutic effects of hypnosis on nicotine addiction, and the prefrontal–insula circuit may serve as an imaging biomarker to monitor the treatment efficacy noninvasively.
Perceived satisfaction with health services under National Health Insurance Scheme: Clients' perspectives
Authors: Badu Eric , Agyei‐Baffour Peter , Ofori Acheampong Isaac , Opoku Maxwell Preprah , Addai‐Donkor Kwasi
Published: November 2018

The study aims to explore the perceived satisfaction of insured clients in financing health services through National Health Insurance in Ghana. A quantitative method was used to recruit 380 respondents, selected by multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires. More than half, 57.9%, of respondents were males, and the average age was 34 years. Most respondents, 74.3%, were insured. Overall, 53.12% of insured clients were dissatisfied with the services of providers. Factors, such as benefit package of insurance, willingness to pay higher premium, and perceived discrimination were significantly associated with poor satisfaction with health services. The current advocacy for and awareness about the use of health insurance as a prepayment plan should be prioritised in policy initiatives. The benefit package for the insurance should be increased in order to cover all disease conditions that afflict the Ghanaian population.
Hydrological functions of a peatland in a Boreal Plains catchment
Authors: Goodbrand Amy , Westbrook Cherie J. , van der Kamp Garth
Published: November 2018

Streamflow response in Boreal Plains catchments depends on hydrological connectivity between forested uplands, lakes, and peatlands, and their hydrogeomorphic setting. Expected future drying of the Boreal Plains ecozone is expected to reduce hydrological connectivity of landscape units. To better understand run‐off generation during dry periods, we determined whether peatland and groundwater connectivity can dampen expected future water deficits in forests and lakes. We studied Pine Fen Creek catchment in the Boreal Plains ecozone of central Saskatchewan, Canada, which has a large, valley‐bottom, terminally positioned peatland, two lakes, and forested uplands. A shorter intensive study permitted a more detailed partitioning of water inputs and outputs within the catchment during the low flow period, and an assessment of a 10‐year data set provided insight into the function of the peatland over a range of climate conditions. Using a water balance approach, we learned that two key processes regulate flow of Pine Fen Creek. The cumulative impact of landscape unit hydrological connectivity and the peatland's hydrological functional state were needed to understand catchment response. There was evidence of a run‐off threshold which, when crossed, changed the peatland's hydrological function from transmission to run‐off generation. Results also suggest the peatland should behave more often as a transmitter of groundwater than as a generator of run‐off under a drier climate future, owing to a reduced water supply.
A controlled trial of HNSCC patient‐derived xenografts reveals broad efficacy of PI3Kα inhibition in controlling tumor growth
Authors: Ruicci Kara M. , Meens Jalna , Sun Ren X. , Rizzo Giananthony , Pinto Nicole , Yoo John , Fung Kevin , MacNeil Danielle , Mymryk Joe S. , Barrett John W. , Boutros Paul C. , Ailles Laurie , Nichols Anthony C.
Published: November 2018

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) frequently harbor alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis, particularly in the PIK3CA gene. PI3K‐targeted agents have therefore gained considerable preclinical and clinical interest as emerging therapies for HNSCC. Identification of predictive biomarkers of response would advance the clinical application of PI3K‐targeted drugs for patients, in order to achieve maximal benefit. To date, studies of drug biomarkers have largely focused on screening cell lines, with much more limited in vivo testing, usually only as validation. This approach has rarely enabled accurate predictions of clinical efficacy. Recently, clinical trials of PDX models (PDX clinical trials) have been introduced as a preclinical approach to interrogate interpatient response heterogeneity. Already, PDX clinical trial responses have been demonstrated to correlate closely with patient outcomes. Here, using both an HNSCC specific, 28‐cell line panel and a PDX clinical trial of 80 xenografts derived from 20 unique HNSCC tumors, we systematically examine patterns of response to PI3K inhibition in HNSCC. We find EGFR, AKT1 and CSMD1 copy number aberrations, but not PIK3CA mutations, to be associated with responsiveness to PI3K‐targeted drugs. Further, we reveal PI3Kα inhibition to be almost globally tumoristatic in HNSCC xenografts regardless of PIK3CA mutational status, emphasizing its potential as a stabilizing neoadjuvant therapy for HNSCC patients.
Relative preferences for edible and leisure stimuli in children with autism
Authors: Conine Daniel E. , Vollmer Timothy R.
Published: November 2018

Prior researchers have reported a tendency for individuals with developmental disabilities to select edible items more often than leisure items when those items are presented together in stimulus preference assessments. However, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), with whom many behavior analysts currently practice, are underrepresented in this body of literature. We conducted a replication of prior research with 26 children with ASD. Results indicated that edible items were more likely than leisure items to rank highly in our preference assessments, in concurrence with prior research. However, leisure items were also selected more often overall than in prior research, and significant individual variation was observed. These results suggest that preference assessments containing both edible and leisure stimuli can yield useful information for behavior analysts providing services to children with ASD, and the degree of preference for edible items noted in prior work may not be reflected in this contemporary population.
Diverse preparation methods for small intestinal submucosa (SIS): Decellularization, components, and structure
Authors: Ji Yanhui , Zhou Jinge , Sun Tingfang , Tang Kai , Xiong Zekang , Ren Zhengwei , Yao Sheng , Chen Kaifang , Yang Fan , Zhu Fengzhao , Guo Xiaodong
Published: November 2018

The native extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterial derived from small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is widely applied in tissue engineering for tissue repair and regeneration. SIS ECM is obtained through physical and chemical methods to remove the intrinsic cells, which would otherwise cause adverse immune reactions when the SIS ECM is implanted into the host body. Several research teams have reported diverse SIS decellularization methods. However, there was no consensus on the criteria to be used for the decellularization methods for SIS and further research on the mechanism action of SIS is needed for comprehensive detection of the biological composition. In this present study, we used three reported methods to prepare SIS and compared their effects on decellularization and the remaining biological components, microstructure and cytocompatibility. SIS prepared by the three kinds of decellularization methods all achieved the recommended criteria, had good biocompatibility and retained most active components. Nevertheless, regardless of which decellularization method was used, the microstructure and bioactive components of the prepared SIS were damaged in varying degrees. We recommend that researchers need to select a decellularization method that would be appropriate to use according to their research purposes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 689–697, 2019.
Inflammatory potential of cotton‐based surgically invasive devices: Implications for cardiac surgery
Authors: Trunk Stefan , Müllerbader Pia , Hennig Ulrike , Abel Martin , Koggel Annette , Stang Katharina , Altreuter Yvonne , Steger Volker , Schlensak Christian , Wendel Hans P. , Stoppelkamp Sandra
Published: November 2018

Cotton‐based surgical invasive devices with their desired hemostyptic properties have been used for decades in the surgical field. However, in cardiac surgery using the heart–lung machine with direct retransfusion of suction blood, activated blood may re‐enter the circulation without filtration and may trigger a cascade reaction leading to systemic inflammation and thrombosis. We therefore set out to evaluate the inflammatory potential of untreated and pyrogen‐impregnated cotton‐based surgical invasive medical devices. After incubation of the swabs with whole blood or PBMC, the cell‐free supernatant was investigated for IL1β and IL6. While the reaction of human whole blood toward cotton swabs could not be influenced by any sterilization technique, dry heat and gamma‐irradiation were able to diminish the inflammatory reaction of PBMC toward the material and the used pyrogens. In conclusion, using PBMC in direct contact to cotton we are the first to establish a suitable test method for quantification of the pyrogenic/inflammatory activity of this material. The unaltered reaction of whole blood, however, suggests a crosstalk of cells and plasma proteins in the inflammation activation that is not prevented by sterilization of the swabs. This newin vitrotesting methodology may help to better display the clinical situation during development of new materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1877–1888, 2019.
Low titer A plasma in three AB patients for therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Kaplan Alesia , Sevcik Joan , Kiss Joseph E.
Published: November 2018

Background

Currently, low titer A plasma is used on a routine basis in bleeding trauma patients of unknown AB type. Three AB non‐bleeding apheresis patients are presented here who safely received a combination of AB and low titer A plasma during therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). One control AB patient received AB plasma only.

Methods

Data was obtained retrospectively on number of procedures, volume replaced, total plasma, and A plasma volumes including hemolysis laboratory data. Average A plasma volume and % of A plasma out of total plasma volume used were calculated.

Results

Two female AB patients were treated for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) with TPE and a third female AB patient was treated for microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Patient 1 received a total of 12 procedures, 10/12 with AB+A plasma (average 916.3 ±84.6 mL). Patient 2 received a total of 12 procedures, 4/12 with AB+A plasma (average 1210.5 ±27.9 mL). Patient 3 received a total of six procedures, four out of six procedures with AB+A plasma (average 1009.8 ±80.3 mL). Patient 4, control, received AB plasma only. Percent of A plasma volume exchanged ranged between 23.8% and 47.8%. Haptoglobin, LDH, hemoglobin, and total bilirubin were monitored and trends were comparable with the control patient. The patients had a negative follow up direct antiglobulin test, adequate platelet recovery and a favorable clinical outcome with treatments.

Conclusions

TPE was effectively performed without evidence of increased hemolysis using up to 47.8% of low titer A plasma. This approach can reduce strains on limited supplies of AB plasma whereas providing a vital treatment alternative for AB patients undergoing TPE with plasma replacement.
Retracted: TNF‐α–TNFR signal pathway inhibits autophagy and promotes apoptosis of alveolar macrophages in coal worker's pneumoconiosis
Authors: Qian Qingzeng , Cao Xiangke , Wang Bin , Qu Yi , Qian Qingqiang , Sun Zhiqian , Feng Fumin
Published: November 2018

Objective: Exposure to coal dust causes the development of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP), which is associated with accumulating macrophages in the lower respiratory tract. This study was performed to investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)–tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signal pathway on autophagy and apoptosis of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in CWP.

Methods: AMs from controls exposed to coal dust and CWP patients were collected, in which expressions of TNF‐α and TNFR1 were determined. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy, and apoptosis by light microscope and using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling staining. AMs in CWP patients were treated with TNF‐α or anti‐TNF‐α antibody. Besides, expressions of autophagy marker proteins, apoptosis‐related factors, FAS, caspase‐8, and receptor‐interacting serine–threonine‐protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) were determined by western Blot. Activities of caspase‐3 and caspase‐8 were determined by a fluorescence kit. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the expression of TNFR1 on the surface of the AM.

Results: TNF‐α expression and TNFR1 expression on the surface of AM, as well as autophagy and apoptotic index were significantly increased in AMs of CWP patients. In response to the treatment of TNF‐α, TNF‐α expression and TNFR1 expression on the surface of AM as well as LC3I expression were increased, autophagy was decreased, and LC3, LC3II, Beclin1 and B‐cell lymphoma 2 expressions decreased, whereas FAS expression and activity and expression of caspase‐3 and caspase‐8 increased, and apoptotic index increased. Moreover, the situations were reversed with the treatment of anti‐TNF‐α antibody.

Conclusion: TNF‐α–TNFR signal pathway was involved in the occurrence and development of CWP by activating FAS–caspase‐8 and thus inhibiting autophagy while promoting apoptosis of AM.
Newborn screening for 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaric aciduria using direct analysis in real‐time mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Zhongping , Liu Yanshuxian , Huang Xiaoli , Hu Zhenzhen , Liu Huijun , Wang Lili , Liu Charles , Ren Yiping
Published: November 2018

A novel method utilizing ambient thermal desorption ionization with a direct analysis in real‐time source integrated with mass spectrometry (DART‐MS) was established and applied to the rapid analysis of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaric (3‐HMG) acid in the neonatal urine. Instrument parameter settings were optimized to obtain high sensitive and accurate determination of 3‐HMG acid. The use of helium gas heated to temperature of 400°C was observed to permit deprotonation, 3‐HMG acid producing an abundant (M‐H)− (m/z 161) in the negative ion mode. The calibration curve was determined to be linear over the range of 0.05‐5 mg/L, with the correlation coefficient r = 0.9988 and the relative standard deviations (n = 6) in the range of 1.5‐11.8%. The limit of detection was 0.002 mg/L, and the limit of quantitation was 0.007 mg/L. The recoveries ranged from 88.0% to 123.1%. Four urine samples from patients and four simulated urine samples were investigated. The results of DART‐MS were in agreement with the values determined using established methods at the hospitals. The proposed method demonstrated significant potential in the application of the high‐throughput screening in newborn screening.
Dispersion characteristics and electromagnetic properties of semicircularly corrugated slow‐wave structure for backward‐wave oscillators
Authors: Al‐Amin Md. Rasheduzzaman , Amin Md. Ruhul , Sagor Rakibul Hasan
Published: November 2018

The dispersion relation of semicircularly corrugated slow‐wave structure (SCCSWS) is calculated and verified numerically using synthetic technique. The metallic periodic structure resonates at discrete frequencies when both ends of it are shorted and excited properly. From the discrete frequencies of the axial modes of the resonant cavity, continuous dispersion curve for both the fundamental and the higher order passband modes (TM01‐TM03) are generated. The generated dispersion curve is compared with the analytical results, which agree excellently with a maximum deviation of 1.33% for TM01 mode, 1.94% for TM02 mode, and 1.30% for TM03 mode. The electromagnetic field patterns of SCCSWS in both radial and axial direction are also calculated and compared with analytical field patterns. Comparative results validate both the obtained dispersion relation and field patterns of SCCSWS, which can be employed as viable alternative of the existing slow‐wave structure (SWS) in high‐power microwave devices.
Sea surface temperature‐related response of precipitation in northern South America according to a WRF multi‐decadal simulation
Authors: Martinez J. Alejandro , Arias Paola A. , Castro Chris , Chang Hsin‐I , Ochoa‐Moya Carlos A.
Published: November 2018

Precipitation, low‐level flow and atmospheric moisture transport fields over the Intra‐Americas region from a Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) multi‐decadal simulation are presented. The period of analysis is 1982–2012, and the focus is on mean monthly states and their variability. WRF results are compared to global precipitation products and to the Interim Reanalysis from the ECWMF (ERA‐Interim). An analysis of the coupling between precipitation over northern South America and regional scale sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and winds within ERA‐Interim and WRF is also presented. Over land, precipitation biases in WRF are mostly positive, especially over Central America and northern South America. This bias is associated with an excess in atmospheric moisture convergence in WRF compared to ERA‐Interim, which in turn is related to stronger low‐level circulation structures and differences in the moisture transport field between WRF and ERA‐Interim at the regional scale. The largest differences in the flow are observed over the eastern Pacific, where the flow is correlated with precipitation over southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America during the boreal summer. During early winter, correlation patterns of WRF precipitation and SST anomalies over the tropical Pacific are substantially weaker over western Texas and northwestern South America compared to the coupling between the global precipitation products and observed SSTs. For northwestern South America, the low correlation seems to be associated to a lack of coupling between regional scale winds and SST anomalies. During the boreal summer, the coupling between Caribbean SSTs and precipitation over parts of Mexico and Central America is stronger in WRF compared to observation‐based products.
Raman spectra analysis of ZrO2 thermally grown on Zircaloy substrates irradiated with heavy ion: Effects of oxygen isotopic substitution
Authors: Ciszak Clément , Mermoux Michel , Gutierrez Gaëlle , Leprêtre Frédéric , Duriez Christian , Popa Ioana , Fayette Laurent , Chevalier Sébastien
Published: November 2018

Recently, unusual Raman signals were observed in different works conducted on thin zirconia layers grown on zirconium alloys simulating in‐reactor materials after high fluence ion irradiation or for samples cut from fuel rods irradiated in nuclear plants. As such, these spectra clearly do not correspond to any known spectrum of a pure standard zirconia phase. Therefore, the analysis conducted in this paper aims to provide a better understanding of these peculiar Raman features. For that purpose, specific ion‐irradiated samples were analysed. In situ Raman spectroscopy was first used to follow the irradiation process. Then, samples were characterized using different excitation wavelengths. Finally, the effects of oxygen isotopic substitution were examined in details. Results are discussed in terms of disorder and size‐related effects.
TIRADS Interobserver Variability Among Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Single‐Institution Study
Authors: Sahli Zeyad T. , Sharma Ashwyn K. , Canner Joseph K. , Karipineni Farah , Ali Osama , Kawamoto Satomi , Hang Jen‐Fan , Mathur Aarti , Ali Syed Z. , Zeiger Martha A. , Sheth Sheila
Published: November 2018

Objectives

A high proportion of cytologically indeterminate, Afirma Gene Expression Classifier “suspicious” thyroid nodules are benign. The Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS), was proposed by the American College of Radiology in 2017 to help classify thyroid nodules based on ultrasound characteristics in a standardized fashion to guide management. We aim to determine the interobserver variability of TIRADS classification among cytologically indeterminate and Afirma suspicious nodules.

Methods

We retrospectively queried cytopathology archives for thyroid fine‐needle aspiration specimens obtained between February 2012 and September 2016 with associated (1) indeterminate diagnosis, (2) ultrasound imaging at our institution, (3) Afirma suspicious result, and (4) surgery at our institution. We compared the TIRADS variability of the 3 blinded radiologists using intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

Our cohort consisted of 127 nodules. Intraclass correlation coefficients can be interpreted as follows: less than 0.4, poor; 0.4 to 0.59, fair; 0.6 to 0.74, good; 0.75 to 1.00, excellent. The intraclass correlation coefficients of the raw TIRADS score and category variability was 0.561 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.464–0.651) or fair and 0.547 (95% CI, 0.449–0.640) or fair, respectively. When analyzing composition, echogenicity, shape, margin, and echogenic foci, the ICCs were 0.552 (95% CI, 0.454–0.643), fair; 0.533 (95% CI, 0.432–0.627), fair; 0.359 (95% CI, 0.248–0.469), poor; 0.192 (95% CI, 0.084–0.308), poor; and 0.549 (95% CI, 0.451– 0.641), fair, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results show that among the subset of cytologically indeterminate and Afirma suspicious nodules, TIRADS interobserver variability was fair. Shape and margin criteria were the biggest sources of disagreement. Large prospective studies are needed to evaluate the interobserver variability of TIRADS in this subset of thyroid nodules.
Hybrid Cation Exchange Membranes with Lithium Ion‐Sieves for Highly Enhanced Li+ Permeation and Permselectivity
Authors: Zhang Jie , Cui Xulin , Yang Fan , Qu Lingbo , Du Fengguang , Zhang Haoqin , Wang Jingtao
Published: November 2018

Cation exchange membranes (CEMs) hold promise for efficient and environment‐friendly lithium extraction from salt‐lake brine. However, development and practical application of CEMs are significantly hindered by the low Li+ permeation and permselectivity. Herein, novel hybrid CEMs are developed by dispersing lithium ion‐sieves (LMO) into sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) matrix. Two kinds of LMOs are synthesized including acidified LMO (HMO) and its sulfonation compound (HMO‐S). The physicochemical property and separation performance of hybrid membranes are systematically investigated. The uniformly dispersed HMO and HMO‐S enhance the thermal, mechanical stability, and swelling resistance of hybrid membranes. Furthermore, these fillers obviously reduce the area resistance from 8.0 to less than 6.0 Ω cm−2. Importantly, the unique Li+ transfer channels in HMO/HMO‐S efficiently elevate the Li+ permeation by up to 66%. While the “ion‐sieve effect” of the channels weakens the migration of Mg2+ and K+, thus notably rising Li+/Mg2+ and Li+/K+ permselectivities by ≈5 times, which is difficult to realize with conventional fillers. Comparing with HMO, HMO‐S shows higher improvement for permselectivity because of the reduced area resistance of the resultant hybrid membrane. This study paves a way to design and development of selective Li+ exchange membranes for transport and separation applications.
MRI Outperforms [18F]AV‐1451 PET as a Longitudinal Biomarker in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Whitwell Jennifer L. , Tosakulwong Nirubol , Schwarz Christopher G. , Botha Hugo , Senjem Matthew L. , Spychalla Anthony J. , Ahlskog J. Eric , Knopman David S. , Petersen Ronald C. , Jack Clifford R. , Lowe Val J. , Josephs Keith A.
Published: November 2018

Background

Elevated uptake of the [18F]AV‐1451 tau‐PET ligand has been observed cross‐sectionally in subjects with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). However, it is unknown how the ligand performs longitudinally in PSP. We aimed to determine how regional measures of change on [18F]AV‐1451 PET perform as longitudinal biomarkers of PSP compared with the more established biomarker of rate of midbrain atrophy.

Methods

Sixteen subjects with PSP underwent 2 serial [18F]AV‐1451 tau‐PET scans and 3‐Tesla MRI over 12 months and were age‐ and sex‐matched to 39 healthy controls with longitudinal [18F]AV‐1451 PET. Median [18F]AV‐1451 uptake was calculated for each scan for regions of interest across the brain and divided by uptake in cerebellar crus to create standard uptake value ratios. Midbrain volume on MRI was also calculated for each scan. Sample sizes required to power placebo‐controlled treatment trials were calculated.

Results

Rate of midbrain atrophy was significantly increased in PSP compared with controls. [18F]AV‐1451 regional change measures were significantly increased in PSP compared with controls in the pallidum, precentral cortex, dentate nucleus of the cerebellum, and midbrain. Change over time in the PSP Rating Scale correlated with change in midbrain volume but did not correlate with change in the [18F]AV‐1451 measures. Smallest sample‐size estimates were obtained with rate of midbrain atrophy, followed by the PSP Rating Scale, with both outperforming [18F]AV‐1451 measures.

Conclusions

[18F]AV‐1451 tau‐PET measures increase over time in subjects with PSP, but longitudinal [18F]AV‐1451 measures may not perform as well as rate of midbrain atrophy as biomarkers for PSP clinical trials. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A miniaturized substrate integrated waveguide end‐fire antenna with improved E‐plane radiation pattern for X and Ku bands
Authors: Zhou Xiangyu , Zhai Huiqing , Wei Zichun , Ma Shaobo , Zheng Licheng
Published: November 2018

A miniaturized substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) end‐fire antenna with improved E‐plane radiation pattern for X and Ku bands is proposed in this letter. The width of the antenna is only 15 mm, which is about 0.7λ0 at the center frequency, and the height of the antenna is 3.5 mm, which is only 0.17λ0 at the center frequency. The two stepped metalized ridges are used for impedance matching, which can achieve a wide bandwidth from 10.2 GHz to 19 GHz. The four small metal strips which are placed at the front of the antenna and the other FR4 substrate are used to improve the stable E‐plane radiation direction of the antenna. The measured results and the simulated results have good agreement.
Dual‐wideband semi‐circular patch antenna for Ku/K band applications
Authors: Singh Vivek , Mishra Brijesh , Singh Rajeev
Published: November 2018

A compact dual wideband semi‐circular shape micro‐strip patch antenna is proposed for Ku/K band applications. The proposed antenna structure comprises of a modified T‐shape slot on the patch. Simulated and measured bandwidths of 2.12 GHz and 1.92 GHz at lower frequency bands (16.60‐18.72 GHz) and (16.78‐18.70 GHz) respectively are reported. We observe simulated and measured bandwidths of 0.77 GHz and 0.81 GHz at higher frequency bands (22.66‐23.43 GHz) and (22.56‐23.37 GHz), respectively. Ringing resonating frequencies are observed at lower operating band and are responsible for gain degradation.
Viscoplastic parameter identification of temperature‐dependent mechanical behavior of modified polyphenylene oxide polymers
Authors: Doh Jaehyeok , Hur Su Haeng , Lee Jongsoo
Published: November 2018

Modified polyphenylene oxide (MPPO) is a widely known thermoplastic polymer and is extensively utilized for weight reduction of automobiles since it possesses outstanding mechanical properties, such as resistance and toughness. In this study, the viscoplastic behaviors of MPPO with respect to changes in temperature were identified through an approximate optimization method. For this work, parameter studies were conducted with a tensile simulation of the MPPO polymer, in accordance with the modified two‐layer viscoplastic material parameters and the suggested shift parameter. The sensitivity tendency of the force‐displacement curves was captured in accordance with the material parameters. Computational experiments for obtaining calibration error data were performed using the material parameters based on interior central composite design. Surrogate models of root mean square error relative to force and displacement were generated using the response surface method. The accuracy of the surrogate models was evaluated with R‐square. Optimization for obtaining the material parameters was performed using the non‐dominant sorting genetic algorithm‐II. The results showed that the calibration error from the finite element analysis was minimized and agreed with experimental data. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E200–E211, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Abrasive/Erosive Wear on MMCs in Plastic Molds as a Function of Volumetric Flow Rates and Glass Fiber Distribution
Authors: Blutmager Andreas , Varga Markus , Schmidt Tobias , Pock Alexander , Friesenbichler Walter
Published: November 2018

In injection molding wear of components is pronounced in positions with high flow rates of melt. The platelet‐wear‐test is an established method for comparative assessment of wear resistance of tool materials in such regimes. Within this study three metal matrix composites: two hard metals and one powder metallurgical steel were investigated. Results show non‐linear wear rates with increasing amount of plastic melt processed. The reasons were found in the viscous dissipation, which is based on high volumetric flow rates and the small wear gap, leading to a temperature rise, which are detrimental especially for the PM‐steel. Analysis of the processed glass fiber‐filled polymer showed dramatic decrease of fiber length due to the processing through the wear gap. This entails a high amount of free fiber ends, resulting in higher load for the surfaces through micro chipping. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E302–E311, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Polymer Engineering & Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Plastics Engineers.
Dynamics of entangled polymer chains with nanoparticle attachment under large amplitude oscillatory shear
Authors: Hershey Christopher , Jayaraman Krishnamurthy
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a nonlinear viscoelastic model for polymer nanocomposites and the computed model response to large amplitude oscillatory shear flow. The model predicts the stress in a mixture of entangled polymer chains, with different convective constraint release (CCR) rates for free chains and nanoparticle‐attached chains, through an averaging scheme which is consistent with double reptation in the Marrucci–Ianniruberto constitutive equation. The nonlinear response of the mixture is evaluated both numerically in terms of Q and by an asymptotic analysis in terms of four frequency dependent parameters of medium amplitude oscillatory shear (MAOS) as well as the intrinsic nonlinearity parameter Q0. In the case of free polymer chains alone, the MAOS signatures are comparable to those of the Giesekus model with the notable difference of a minimum in the elastic parameter [e1] at De >1. The viscous nonlinear parameters of the mixture model depart significantly from those of the free chains, especially in mixtures where the CCR parameter for attached chains is larger than that for the free chains: [v1] has a prominent minimum and [v3] has a prominent maximum near De = 2/c, the low frequency plateau region, along with a higher Q0 compared to the matrix at all Deborah numbers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 62–76
Low‐Temperature Growth of Submicron Cu(In, Ga)Se2 Solar Cells Based on Molybdenum Oxide Back Interface Layer
Authors: Liu Yang , Lin Shuping , Liu Wei , Shi Sihan , He Zhichao , Wang He , Zhang Yi , Zhou Zhiqiang , Liu Fangfang , Xu Shu , Sun Yun
Published: November 2018

Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells are proven to be highly efficiency. However, lowering the substrate temperature and reducing absorber layer thickness can lead to severe light and electric losses. In this work, the authors employ molybdenum oxide acting as back interface layer in order to decrease the recombination at the rear interface in low‐temperature growth of submicron CIGS solar cells. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show that the compositions of molybdenum oxide films are mainly MoOx(2 < x < 3) under the influence of metal molybdenum substrate and CIGS absorber. Meanwhile, the authors study the properties of CIGS devices with different MoOx thicknesses. They find that MoOx with appropriate thickness can facilitate the crystallization of CIGS absorber layer and restrain the recombination in the CIGS bulk as well as at the back interface. Finally a CIGS solar cell with active area efficiency of 11.8% is fabricated by low‐temperature processes below 450 °C when the thicknesses of absorber layer and molybdenum oxide are 0.92 and 10 nm, respectively. Compared with the reference device, absolute increase about 40 mV and 13% for Voc and FF are achieved.
Structure, Microscopic Ordering, and Viscous Properties of Amorphous Poly(n‐alkylsilsesquioxane) Liquids and Solids Synthesized by Cosolvent‐Free Hydrolytic Polycondensation of n‐Alkyltrimethoxysilanes
Authors: Kajihara Koichi , Seto Ryosuke , Kanamura Kiyoshi , Onodera Yohei , Kohara Shinji
Published: November 2018

Poly(n‐alkylsilsesquioxane) [poly(R‐SQ)] liquids with R = Et, Pr, or Bu are prepared from acid‐catalyzed n‐alkyltrimethoxysilane – water binary systems through hydrolytic polycondensation followed by aging. The resultant liquids contain a lot of SiOH groups whereas the viscosities remain almost constant during storage at room temperature over a month. Heat treatment for 1 day at 200 °C in N2 yields poly(Et‐SQ) and poly(Pr‐SQ) solids whereas poly(Bu‐SQ) remains viscous. High‐energy X‐ray diffraction measurements confirm that all samples are amorphous and nonporous. The total structure factor S(Q) of poly(R‐SQ)s and amorphous silica are similar, apart from the prominent prepeak observed for poly(R‐SQ)s at Q ≈  0.5 − 0.7 Å−1. This prepeak undergoes a distinct shift to lower Q with an increase in the alkyl chain length. These observations indicate the presence of microscopic inhomogeneity consisting of silica‐rich and alkyl‐rich domains and their ordering with a periodicity of ≈9 − 12 Å both in liquid and solid forms of poly(R‐SQ). Thermal curing modifies S(Q) of poly(Et‐SQ) only slightly. The overall shapes of the total correlation function T(r) are similar between poly(R‐SQ)s and a‐SiO2, suggesting the similarity of short‐range order of Si−O network between these materials.
An Explicit Construction of the Underlying Laminated Microstructure of the Least Compliant Elastic Bodies
Authors: Czarnecki Sławomir
Published: November 2018

The paper discusses the problem of recovery of the microstructure of the least compliant bodies of non‐homogeneous optimal isotropic properties predicted by the Isotropic Material Design method. The three‐dimensional microstructure is assumed as constructed by a subsequent lamination process in which two isotropic materials of ordered properties are used, the process being repeated three or six times, subsequently. The Hooke tensors closest to the optimal ones are found by making use of the analytical Francfort–Murat formulae for effective moduli of third and sixth rank sequential laminates. The ability to model an auxetic behavior within the subdomains where the optimal Poisson's ratio assumes negative values is also shown.