bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging characteristics and clinical outcomes of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma
Authors: Miglani Amar , Lal Devyani , Weindling Steven M. , Wood Christopher P. , Hoxworth Joseph M.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (BSS) is a new, rare tumor characterized by concomitant neural and myogenic differentiation. The aim of this study is to describe the imaging characteristics and clinical outcomes of this neoplasm.

Methods

A retrospective review of BSS patients surgically treated within a tertiary academic health care system was performed. Imaging characteristics and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Results

Five patients underwent surgical resection of BSS tumors. Negative surgical margins were achieved in four (80%) patients. There were no deaths but two (40%) patients developed local recurrences during the postoperative follow‐up period (median follow‐up 31.4 months). Review of imaging characteristics revealed a median tumor size of 3.8 cm in greatest dimension. All tumors were unilateral and centered within the nasoethmoidal region. In all cases, the tumors extended to the nasal septum, lamina papyracea, and anterior skull base with variable degrees of erosion through these structures. On CT, involved bony structures demonstrated mixed lytic and sclerotic pattern, with definitive hyperostotic bone identified in four (80%) cases. On MRI, tumors were isointense‐to‐mixed iso/hypointense on both T1‐ and T2‐weighted sequences with one tumor demonstrating mixed T2 hyperintensity. All cases demonstrated gadolinium contrast enhancement.

Conclusions

BSS is a locally aggressive tumor with a low risk of regional or distant metastases but has a significant rate of recurrence even with adequate resection. Despite its rarity, BSS should be considered in the differential diagnosis when imaging demonstrates a unilateral nasoethmoidal mass that is predominantly isointense to cerebral gray matter on T2‐weighted MRI and is hyperostotic on CT.

Level of Evidence

4
Hierarchical Functionalized Polymeric‐Ceramic Coatings on Mg‐Ca Alloys for Biodegradable Implant Applications
Authors: Santos‐Coquillat Ana , Martínez‐Campos Enrique , Vargas‐Alfredo Nelson , Arrabal Raúl , Rodríguez‐Hernández Juan , Matykina Endzhe
Published: September 2019

Magnesium‐based implants present several advantages for clinical applications, in particular due to their biocompatibility and degradability. However, degradation products can affect negatively the cell activity. In this work, a combined coating strategy to control the implant degradation and cell regulation processes is evaluated, including plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) that produces a 13 µm‐thick Ca, P, and Si containing ceramic coating with surface porosity, and breath figures (BF) approach that produces a porous polymeric poly(ε‐caprolactone) surface. The degradation of PCL‐PEO‐coated Mg hierarchical scaffold can be tailored to promote cell adhesion and proliferation into the porous structure. As a result, cell culture can colonize the inner PEO‐ceramic coating structure where higher amount of bioelements are present. The Mg/PEO/PCL/BF scaffolds exhibit equally good or better premyoblast cell adhesion and proliferation compared with Ti CP control. The biological behavior of this new hierarchical functionalized scaffold can improve the implantation success in bone and cardiovascular clinical applications.
Comparison of SBF and DMEM in terms of electrochemical properties of common metallic biomaterials
Authors: Bayrak Özgü , Ghahramanzadeh Asl Hojjat , Ak Ayşe
Published: September 2019

Corrosion behavior is an important parameter for metallic biomaterials used in the body environment. To mimic bodily fluids, simulated body fluid (SBF) has been used extensively. Even though many studies focus on corrosion inside SBF, SBF has a very time consuming and delicate preparation procedure and contains no essential and organic components for the cell environment, which may affect corrosion kinetics. We aimed to investigate whether corrosion behavior or kinetics change in different solutions, SBF and Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM). For this purpose, five commonly used metallic biomaterials, AISI 316 stainless steel, CoCrMo alloy, CP‐Ti, Ti6Al4V, and Ti6Al7Nb were subjected to open circuit measurements, cyclic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Quantitative analyses were performed and surface topography was investigated via scanning electron microscope and a roughness tester. We observed that the materials exhibited similar behaviors in SBF and DMEM but the corrosion kinetics were somewhat different and the results obtained from DMEM were time dependent.
Poly(n‐alkyl methacrylate)s as Metallocene Catalyst Supports in Nonpolar Media
Authors: Estrada‐Ramirez Alba Nidia , Ventura‐Hunter Carolina , Vitz Jürgen , Díaz‐Barriga Castro Enrique , Peralta‐Rodriguez René D. , Schubert Ulrich S. , Guerrero‐Sánchez Carlos , Pérez‐Camacho Odilia
Published: September 2019

In this work, poly(alkylmethacrylates) based on poly(n‐alkyl methacrylate)s (PnAMAs), that is, poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PHMA), poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA), and poly(stearyl methacrylate) (PSMA), with similar molar masses (Mn), are synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer technique using a high‐throughput approach. Analyses by dynamic light scattering (DLS) of PnAMAs in nonpolar solvents show the presence of nanoparticles distributions (unimers or single chains). Interactions of methylaluminoxane (MAO) and MAO/metallocene compounds with PnAMA nanoparticles, lead to self‐assembled micellar‐like structures useful as “nanoreactors” for coordination polymerizations of ethylene. The inverse micellar‐like structures of the three kinds of polymethacrylates, formed in the presence of MAO are confirmed by DLS experiments and by transmission electron microscopy using energy dispersive spectrometry analyzer, in dyed PnAMAs/MAO samples. The encapsulation of the metallocene catalyst into the PSMA/MAO nanoparticles reveals stable catalytic systems that have a clear effect on the morphology of the polyethylenes synthesized through this method.
Load Transfer Behavior of 3D Aerogels Fabricated with Halloysite Nanotubes
Authors: Li Hongyan , Li Ruyi , Liu Hongli , Bai Xiqing , Wang Dongmei , Zhang Pengyu , Zhang Baolian , Wei Dongqing , Liao Xiaolan
Published: September 2019

Nanofibrous network aerogels as an important class of porous material have received enormous attention in materials research. However, the fabrication of nanofibrous network aerogels with short fiber as building blocks is extremely challenging, since it is difficult for them to build 3D network structures spontaneously from the topological point of view. Here the synthesis and load transfer behavior of 3D aerogels composed of halloysite nanotube (HNT) short fibers are described. The resulting aerogels take inorganic materials as the skeleton, elastic organic materials as the connection point, and exhibit inorganic/organic phase interfaces. Confocal Raman microscopy system is utilized to investigate the structural‐dynamic profile of halloysite clay aerogels (HCAs) under applied load. The results indicate that the deformation mainly occurs in the polysiloxane (PSO) molecular chain connected with the HNT skeleton. HCAs have a certain load transfer capability, and the PSO chains between tubes are strong enough to support the HCA skeleton.
Contributions of clean development mechanisms to the sustainable use of productive soil through the analytic hierarchy process method: INCAUCA S.A. case, Northern Cauca, Colombia
Authors: Vergara Tamayo Carlos Andrés , Bello Arias Juliana Carmenza
Published: September 2019

This article aims at evaluating a project carried out in INCAUCA S.A. to implement a clean development mechanism to use sugarcane waste to generate electric power and make sustainable use of productive soil. The research project applied a multicriteria analysis methodology and the analytic hierarchy process method. This paper starts by contextualizing the reader in the implementation of this type of project in Colombia making emphasis on the case study in question and analysing the importance of its influence in the sustainable use of productive soil in the region where the project was carried out. The main takeaway of the study was finding out that all subject groups give the highest relevance to the “environmental impact” criterion.
Integration of Cancer Genomics Data for Tree‐based Dimensionality Reduction and Cancer Outcome Prediction
Authors: Shi Mingguang , Wang Junwen , Zhang Chenyu
Published: September 2019

Accurate outcome prediction is crucial for precision medicine and personalized treatment of cancer. Researchers have found that multi‐dimensional cancer omics studies outperform each data type (mRNA, microRNA, methylation or somatic copy number alteration) study in human disease research. Existing methods leveraging multiple level of molecular data often suffer from various limitations,e. g., heterogeneity, poor robustness or loss of generality. To overcome these limitations, we presented the tree‐based dimensionality reduction approach for the identification of smooth tree graph and developed accurate predictive model for clinical outcome prediction. We demonstrated that 1) Discriminative Dimensionality Reduction via learning a Tree (DDRTree) achieved reduced dimension space tree with statistical significance; 2) Tree based support vector machine (SVM) classifier improved prediction performance of cancer recurrence as compared tot‐test based SVM classifier; 3) Tree based SVM classifier was robust with regard to the different number of multi‐markers; 4) Combining multiple omics data improved prediction performance of cancer recurrence as compared to a single‐omics data; and 5) Tree based SVM classifier achieved similar or better prediction performance when compared to the features from state‐of‐the‐art feature selection methods. Our results demonstrated great potential of the tree‐based dimensionality reduction approach based clinical outcome prediction.
Assessment of functional recovery after total hip and knee arthroplasty: An observational study of 95 patients
Authors: Mark‐Christensen Troels , Kehlet Henrik
Published: September 2019

Background

A significant proportion of patients experience functional limitations following total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA). The purpose of this study was to investigate prospectively the patient‐reported and objectively assessed functional recovery following THA and TKA.

Methods

Patients were recruited at a regional Danish hospital, using a prospective, observational hypothesis‐generating cohort design. Primary outcome measures were performance‐based function (30‐s chair‐stand test) and self‐reported physical function measured by the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) for those who had undergone THA, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for those who had undergone TKA. In addition, patient expectations, the “forgotten joint” scale and pain catastrophizing were measured. Outcome measures were collected at baseline (preoperatively) and at follow‐up (4 months postoperatively).

Results

A total of 95 patients (59 who had undergone THA and 36 who had undergone TKA) were recruited. Performance‐based function improved only slightly, with a mean difference of 2.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9, 4.0) for THAs and 1.6 (95% CI 0.4, 2.8) for TKAs. Self‐reported physical function improved significantly, with a mean difference of 37.9 (95% CI 31.5, 44.3) for THAs and 28.6 (95% CI 22.7, 34.4) for TKAs. However, dividing the cohort into “improved” and “non‐improved” groups based on changes in performance‐based function, no clinically relevant predictors for poor performance‐based outcome could be found.

Conclusions

Self‐reported outcome measures improved significantly following THA and TKA, whereas performance‐based function improved only slightly by the 4‐month follow‐up. The subgroup that did not improve in performance‐based function still reported significant improvements in self‐reported outcome measures, demonstrating the difficulty in predicting optimal rehabilitation strategies after THA and TKA.
Should the Energy Contribution of Commercial Thickeners Be Considered in the Nutrition Plan of Patients With Dysphagia?
Authors: Miranda Diana , Breda Joana , Cardoso Rita , Gonçalves Nilza , Caldas Ana Castro , Ferreira Joaquim J.
Published: September 2019

Background: Clinical management options for dysphagia include the use of thickeners to increase the consistency of liquids. Health professionals may not be aware of the nutrition value of these products, since there are no such recommendation in clinical guidelines. Our aim was to estimate the added nutrition value of the 2 types of commercial thickeners (starch and xanthan gum) to daily nutrition intake and compare their nutrition value for nectar, honey, and pudding consistencies. Additionally, we compared the nutrition value of both thickeners with a high‐energy powder, since they share the same main ingredients. Methods: We collected recommended dosages for obtaining the 3 different consistencies and nutrition content from the technical food labels. Daily intake of fluids was estimated from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Total daily amount of thickener needed was estimated, as well as their correspondent nutrition contributions. Results: Estimated daily fluid intake was 2439 mL. Starch thickeners provide significantly more energy at all consistencies than xanthan gum provides (423–846 kcal, P < 0.05, and 103–308 kcal, P < 0.05, respectively). Significantly more fiber is provided by xanthan gum thickeners (9 g in nectar and 27 g in pudding consistencies, P < 0.05). Median energy and carbohydrate values per 100 g of high‐energy powder modules and starch thickeners are similar. Conclusion: The nutrition value of thickeners should be routinely considered in the nutrition assessment and planning of patients with dysphagia for liquids, since they contribute significantly with energy, carbohydrate, and fiber.
Singular enrichment functions for Helmholtz scattering at corner locations using the boundary element method
Authors: Gilvey B. , Trevelyan J. , Hattori G.
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we use an enriched approximation space for the efficient and accurate solution of the Helmholtz equation to solve problems of wave scattering by polygonal obstacles. This is implemented in both boundary element method (BEM) and partition of unity BEM (PUBEM) settings. The enrichment draws upon the asymptotic singular behaviour of scattered fields at sharp corners, leading to a choice of fractional‐order Bessel functions that complement the existing Lagrangian (BEM) or plane wave (PUBEM) approximation spaces. Numerical examples consider configurations of scattering objects, subject to the Neumann “sound hard” boundary conditions, demonstrating that the approach is a suitable choice for both convex scatterers and also for multiple scattering objects that give rise to multiple reflections. Substantial improvements are observed, significantly reducing the number of degrees of freedom required to achieve a prescribed accuracy in the vicinity of a sharp corner.
Observer design for stochastic time‐delayed Markovian jump systems with incomplete transition rates and actuator saturation
Authors: Qi Wenhai , Gao Xianwen , Kao Yonggui , Lian Lian , Chen Zixuan
Published: September 2019

This paper is concerned with observer design for stochastic time‐delayed Markovian jump systems with incomplete transition rates and actuator saturation. By employing mode‐dependent Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, an observer‐based feedback controller is designed to guarantee stochastic stability of the corresponding closed‐loop saturated system and an estimation of the domain of attraction in the mean square is expanded. The procedure of deriving observer gain matrices is converted into an optimization problem with constraints of a set of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, the vertical take‐off and landing helicopter model is given to demonstrate the validity of the main results.
Competitiveness improvement in public sector organizations: What they need?
Authors: Jahanshahi Asghar Afshar , Bhattacharjee Amitab
Published: September 2019

What types of public sector organizations have more capabilities to build competitive advantages? Ability to achieve a unique advantage over the competitors is a way to explain why some of the firms are more successful than others, and it is important to the survival of both public and private businesses in the present day's highly competitive business world. Concentrating on the role of employees, the current study analyzes how internal marketing, employees' positive work attitude, and employees' intention to leave have an impact on public firms' competitiveness improvement. Our survey‐based data from 82 public sector organizations in Bangladesh showed that internal marketing affects positively on employees' positive work attitude and negatively on employees' intention to leave in public sector organizations. Most importantly, our result confirmed that firms' internal marketing and employees' positive work attitude influence positively on firms' competitiveness improvement. We did not find any significant relationship between employees' intention to leave and firms' competitiveness improvement in public sector organization.
High‐Temperature Annealing of Sputter‐Deposited AlN on (001) Diamond Substrate
Authors: Shirato Tatsuya , Hayashi Yusuke , Uesugi Kenjiro , Shojiki Kanako , Miyake Hideto
Published: September 2019

A novel fabrication process of hexagonal aluminum nitride (AlN)/(001) diamond by means of sputtering and high‐temperature annealing is proposed. Crystallinity of the AlN is significantly improved by the annealing, leading to full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the AlN(0002) diffraction X‐ray rocking curve (XRC) of 1490 arcsec for the AlN thickness of 400 nm. The in‐plane epitaxial relationship in AlN/diamond structure is stabilized in the single domain of (0001) [11–20] AlN || (001) [110] diamond on single‐crystal diamond substrates with off‐cut angle along [110]. Transmission electron microscopy and nano‐beam electron diffraction indicate the existence of an epitaxial graphite layer exhibiting an epitaxial relationship of (0001) [11–20] AlN || (1–100) [0001] graphite || (001) [110] diamond. The demonstration of single‐domain hexagonal AlN/(001) diamond structure provides a cost‐effective, mass production approach for realizing AlxGa1−xN/diamond devices for electronic and optoelectronic applications.
Mostar indices of carbon nanostructures and circumscribed donut benzenoid systems
Authors: Arockiaraj Micheal , Clement Joseph , Tratnik Niko
Published: September 2019

On the great success of bond‐additive topological indices such as Szeged, Padmakar‐Ivan, Zagreb, and irregularity measures, yet another index, the Mostar index, has been introduced recently as a quantitative refinement of the distance nonbalancedness and also a peripherality measure in molecular graphs and networks. In this direction, we introduce other variants of bond‐additive indices, such as edge‐Mostar and total‐Mostar indices. The present article explores a computational technique for Mostar, edge‐Mostar, and total‐Mostar indices with respect to the strength‐weighted parameters. As an application, these techniques are applied to compute the three indices for the family of coronoid and carbon nanocone structures.
Phospholipid‐Free Small Unilamellar Vesicles for Drug Targeting to Cells in the Liver
Authors: Zhang Wunan , Böttger Roland , Qin Zhu , Kulkarni Jayesh A. , Vogler Julian , Cullis Pieter R. , Li Shyh‐Dar
Published: September 2019

It is reported that cholesterol (Chol) and TWEEN 80 at a molar ratio of 5:1 can form small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) using a staggered herringbone micromixer. These phospholipid‐free SUVs (PFSUVs) can be actively loaded with a model drug for targeting hepatocytes via the endogenous apolipoprotein mechanism. PFSUVs particles with compositions of Chol:TWEEN 80 ranging between 1.5:1 and 5:1 (mol/mol) can be produced with a mean diameter of ≈80 nm, but only the high‐Chol formulations (3:1 and 5:1) can retain a transmembrane gradient of ammonium sulfate for active loading of doxorubicin (DOX). Under cryo‐transmission electron microscopy, PFSUVs‐DOX displays a unilamellar bilayer structure with DOX molecules forming spindle‐shape aggregates inside the aqueous core. Relative to PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) that exhibits little interaction with cells in various conditions, the cellular uptake of PFSUVs‐DOX is dependent on the presence of serum and enhanced with an increased concentration of apolipoproteins. After intravenous injection, the vast majority of PFSUVs‐DOX accumulates in the liver and DOX is detected in all liver cells (predominantly the hepatocytes), while PLD is captured only by the sinusoidal cells (i.e., macrophages). This report discloses an innovative lipid bilayer vesicle for highly efficient and selective hepatocyte targeting.
Microcontact Printing with Laser Direct Writing Carbonization for Facile Fabrication of Carbon‐Based Ultrathin Disk Arrays and Ordered Holey Films
Authors: Ruan Xiaojun , Luo Jiangjiang , Wang Rui , Yao Yanbo , Guan Jingjiao , Liu Tao
Published: September 2019

A nanometer‐thick carbon film with a highly ordered pattern structure is very useful in a variety of applications. However, its large‐scale, high‐throughput, and low‐cost fabrication is still a great challenge. Herein, microcontact printing (µCP) and direct laser writing carbonization (DLWc) are combined to develop a novel method that enables ease of fabrication of nanometer‐thick and regularly patterned carbon disk arrays (CDAs) and holey carbon films (HCFs) from a pyromellitic dianhydride‐oxydianiline‐based polyamic acid (PAA) solution. The effect of PAA concentration and pillar lattice structure of the polydimethyl siloxane stamp are systematically studied for their influence on the geometrical parameter, surface morphology, and chemical structure of the finally achieved CDAs and HCFs. Within the PAA concentration being investigated, the averaged thickness of CDAs and HCFs can be tailored in a range from a few tens to a few hundred of nanometers. The µCP+DLWc‐enabled electrically conductive CDAs and HCFs possess the characteristics of ease‐of‐fabrication, nanometer‐thickness, highly regular and controlled patterns and structures, and the ability to form on both hard and soft substrates, which imparts usefulness in electronics, photonics, energy storage, catalysis, tissue engineering, as well as physical, chemical, and bio‐sensing applications.
Understanding Interlayer Contact Conductance in Twisted Bilayer Graphene
Authors: Yu Zhiwei , Song Aisheng , Sun Luzhao , Li Yanglizhi , Gao Lei , Peng Hailin , Ma Tianbao , Liu Zhongfan , Luo Jianbin
Published: September 2019

Bilayer or few‐layer 2D materials showing novel electrical properties in electronic device applications have aroused increasing interest in recent years. Obtaining a comprehensive understanding of interlayer contact conductance still remains a challenge, but is significant for improving the performance of bilayer or few‐layer 2D electronic devices. Here, conductive atomic force microscope (C‐AFM) experiments are reported to explore the interlayer contact conductance between bilayer graphene (BLG) with various twisted stacking structures fabricated by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The current maps show that the interlayer contact conductance between BLG strongly depends on the twist angle. The interlayer contact conductance of 0° AB‐stacking bilayer graphene (AB‐BLG) is ≈4 times as large as that of 30° twisted bilayer graphene (t‐BLG), which indicates that the twist angle–dependent interlayer contact conductance originates from the coupling–decoupling transitions. Moreover, the moiré superlattice‐level current images of t‐BLG show modulations of local interlayer contact conductance. Density functional theory calculations together with a theoretical model reproduce the C‐AFM current map and show that the modulation is mainly attributed to the overall contribution of local interfacial carrier density and tunneling barrier.
Tunable Color Temperatures and Efficient White Emission from Cs2Ag1−xNaxIn1−yBiyCl6 Double Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Hu Qingsong , Niu Guangda , Zheng Zhi , Li Shunran , Zhang Yanan , Song Haisheng , Zhai Tianyou , Tang Jiang
Published: September 2019

Recently, Bi‐doped Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4InCl6 lead‐free double perovskites demonstrating efficient warm‐white emission have been reported. To enable the solution processing and enrich the application fields of this promising material, here a colloidal synthesis of Cs2Ag1−xNaxIn1−yBiyCl6 nanocrystals is further developed. Different from its bulk states, the emission color temperatures of the nanocrystal can be tuned from 9759.7 to 4429.2 K by Na+ and Bi3+ incorporation. Furthermore, the newly developed nanocrystals can break the wavefunction symmetry of the self‐trapped excitons by partial replacement of Ag+ ions with Na+ ions and consequently allow radiative recombination. Assisted with Bi3+ ions doping and ligand passivation, the photoluminescence quantum yield of the Cs2Ag0.17Na0.83In0.88Bi0.12Cl6 nanocrystals is further promoted to 64%, which is the highest value for lead‐free perovskite nanocrystals at present. The new colloidal nanocrystals with tunable color temperature and efficient photoluminescence are expected to greatly advance the research progress of lead‐free perovskites in single‐emitter‐based white emitting materials and devices.
Phylogenetic analysis of the Archaeocidaridae and Palaeozoic Miocidaridae (Echinodermata, Echinoidea) and the origin of crown group echinoids
Authors: Thompson Jeffrey R. , Mirantsev Georgy V. , Petsios Elizabeth , Bottjer David J.
Published: September 2019

The archaeocidarids comprise the most derived stem group echinoids and have long been regarded as closely related to the crown group. The fossil record of echinoids in the Palaeozoic is, however, poor, so details surrounding the initial divergence of crown group echinoids are not well constrained. In order to better understand the phylogenetic relationships of the most derived stem group and most basal crown group echinoids, a phylogenetic analysis was undertaken of the Archaeocidaridae, including the genera Nortonechinus, Devonocidaris, Lepidocidaris, Polytaxicidaris and Archaeocidaris and the Palaeozoic miocidarid cidaroids from the genus Eotiaris. We found that Archaeocidaris appears to be paraphyletic with respect to crown group echinoids. Furthermore, we mapped character evolution along our phylogeny and found that the diversification of archaeocidarids and miocidarids may be linked to large‐scale macroecological changes taking place in the late Palaeozoic, including increasing predation pressure and echinoid encrustation by epibionts. We compared the stratigraphical distribution of archaeocidarid and miocidarid occurrences to our resulting phylogenies, and found that the fit of our cladograms to the stratigraphic record of archaeocidarid occurrences is worse than other echinoid groups, supporting the idea that the imbricate plated archaeocidarids have a poor fossil record. In the course of carrying out these analyses, we also felt it necessary to describe a new species of Archaeocidaris, Archaeocidaris ivanovi sp. nov. We also provide novel descriptions and interpretations for Devonocidaris primaevus, Archaeocidaris brownwoodensis, Archaeocidaris apheles and revise the synonymy of Archaeocidaris legrandensis and ?Eotiaris meurevillensis, which may be a crown group echinoid.
Effect of kamikihito on platelet count: Retrospective pilot study
Authors: Nogami Tatsuya , Kato Atsushi , Ishikawa Yudai , Ryu Nobukazu , Adachi Isao
Published: September 2019

Objective

This study assessed the effect of the kampo medicine kamikihito (KKT) on platelet count irrespective of type of illness.

Methods

A single‐center, retrospective pilot study was performed from March 2014 to March 2017. The subjects were patients who received KKT treatment and had blood samples collected in the 2 weeks prior to treatment initiation and ≤9 weeks after treatment completion at Toyama University Hospital.

Results

A total of 16 patients were identified as potential subjects, and their medical records were assessed. Their diagnoses were patent ear canal, insomnia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, aplastic anemia, and chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia. Three cases of chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia were excluded from the analysis. Eight of 13 patients receiving KKT had elevated platelet count after treatment, but the increase was not statistically significant. Interestingly, three patients with platelet count below the lower limit of the standard value prior to KKT treatment had a statistically significantly increased platelet count after treatment completion (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Kamikihito increased the platelet count in most patients, specifically in all patients with thrombocytopenia.
Rethinking Text Sets to Support Knowledge Building and Interdisciplinary Learning
Authors: Lupo Sarah M. , Berry Alicia , Thacker Emma , Sawyer Amanda , Merritt Joi
Published: September 2019

Building content knowledge alongside the task of increasing literacy skills has become a goal for many elementary classrooms. Selecting and implementing texts for the literacy block that both increase content knowledge and develop students’ literacy skills alongside increasing motivation for reading is a daunting task. The authors share a strategic approach for selecting texts called the quad text set framework. This framework involves first selecting a target text, which is a challenging content‐related text, and then selecting easier texts, including visuals, to build background knowledge and a hook text to garner interest in the topic. The teacher then decides how to implement the texts to best support students’ content learning. The authors describe considerations for selecting and ordering texts for interdisciplinary units to maximize content learning and literacy and provide examples of how to implement quad text sets related to math, science, and social studies.
The history and importance of private lands for North American waterfowl conservation
Authors: Brasher Michael G. , Giocomo James J. , Azure David A. , Bartuszevige Anne M. , Flaspohler Mark E. , Harrigal Dean E. , Olson Brian W. , Pitre John M. , Renner Randy W. , Stephens Scott E. , Vest Josh L.
Published: September 2019

Waterfowl conservation in North America provides an example of an abundant wildlife resource that was driven to alarmingly low levels as a result of unregulated exploitation of its populations and habitats, but which has since recovered because of cooperative efforts across multiple countries. Waterfowl conservation in North America began in earnest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and has developed through international treaties and national policy as well as regional partnerships and supporting efforts of private landowners. In recent years, significant accomplishments have been realized through public–private partnerships that use local knowledge and engagement with stakeholders to develop conservation programs that are compatible with landowner interests and existing farming or ranching operations. Through the presentation of case studies from across North America, we demonstrate there exists no single ‘best’ program or framework for conserving waterfowl habitat on private lands, although a common denominator for success is robust support from an energized and resourceful partnership. Financial incentives provided a positive encouragement for participation, but private land programs will be most effective long term when they explicitly incorporate the needs of private landowners and generate benefits beyond provision of wildlife habitat. Successful conservation of waterfowl populations into the future will require a suite of programs and strategies and will hinge on our ability to develop conservation solutions that provide mutual benefits to waterfowl and an increasingly diverse private‐landowner base. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Bridging the gap between conservation delivery and economics with precision agriculture
Authors: McConnell Mark D.
Published: September 2019

Agricultural landscapes are important for natural resource conservation, but present numerous obstacles associated with intensive agricultural production. Chief among these challenges is the competing economics outcomes of conservation and crop production. Understanding these outcomes requires quantifying economics of crop production and conservation enrollment. Precision agriculture technology provides a mechanism to address these needs by using advanced technology to quantify spatially explicit profitability in agricultural fields. Precision agriculture's application to conservation planning represents a growing field of research. I present a brief overview of precision agriculture technology and its application in natural resource conservation. I discuss the role precision agriculture can play in United States conservation policy, highlight hindrances to adopting this technology, and provide recommendations for future application. I outline a new approach of targeted conservation delivery that focuses on return on investment to agricultural producers and discuss the role of precision agriculture in this approach. Increased adoption and application of this technology in natural resource conservation will require substantial investment from state wildlife agencies, nongovernmental organizations, farm managers, rural banks, and agricultural companies. Precision agriculture represents the next paradigm shift in natural resource conservation where spatially explicit conservation decisions are made that optimize conservation and profitability to produce environmentally resilient, multifunctional agricultural landscapes. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Pharmaceutical Industry in China: Policy, Market and IP
Authors: Chen Xiangdong , Xue Shaofang , Lv Miaochen , Wang Ruolan
Published: September 2019

This chapter provides a three-prong investigation framework on Chinese pharmaceutical industry, namely, policy structure, market structure and IP (patent-based) structure. The Chinese pharmaceutical industry has been developing fast in market size and revenue volumes. However, the scale of Chinese pharmaceutical companies is relatively small, and the market concentration is low. Therefore, local pharmaceutical companies with higher R&D input are generally less profitable. Although there is increase in the number of patented drugs in the pharmaceutical industry in China, patents have made relatively low contribution to the industrial values, and IP held by Chinese firms is less competitive compared with that of foreign companies. Most of the pharmaceutical enterprises in China still focus on generic drugs. Market regulation of the pharmaceutical industry in China is relatively strict, especially market entry and price control. A detailed comparison between Chinese and Indian industry is given by this chapter.
Rooting for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Through Improved Regulatory Governance in India
Authors: Tripathy Sunita
Published: September 2019

‘Zero hunger’ as a sustainable development goal requires macro-level multisectoral innovation in any regulatory setting. This is more so in the case of India, which grapples with poverty, famine, shortage in food supply and massive hike in prices of basic foodstuffs. In this chapter, I critically analyse the recent Indian efforts to overcome challenges posed by the pervasive problem of food insecurity and discuss the issues that India must overcome to position itself in a low-hunger bracket globally. In that I elaborately reflect on whether the prevailing food distribution system is being reformed to achieve aims of creating sustainable food systems through action-oriented policies. Further I contend that agroecological practices in comparison to the intellectual property-centred industrial model are the more sustainable approach in the longer run. However, the high concentration of firms in the sector seems to often create an imbalance, since capitalist tendencies outweigh the presence of any competition in the market. I argue that this imbalance has specifically led to regulatory failure in the Indian context by exemplifying the litigations concerning ag-biotech gene patents held by Monsanto. Thus, improved oversight through better understanding of the long-term goal of regulation in light of the food-health-climate nexus is the need of the hour. Preserving gene diversity, traditional farm practices and adapting to sustainable ways that aid regulatory governance in India is the plausible way to create a hunger-free future, as envisaged in UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s definition of food security.
Constitutional Governance in India and China and Its Impact on National Innovation
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan
Published: September 2019

India and China have attracted research interest due to their potential to catch up to developed nations. The framework of the National Innovation System (NIS) is a popular theory to explain the role of the state in supporting knowledge creation and learning capacity for the catching-up stage. Various comparative studies on sectoral innovation or geography of innovation in India and China have been conducted, mainly by economists. This chapter tries to bring the non-quantified factor-constitutional governance into the discussion from three aspects of the political philosophy for achieving social revolution and social justice, power distribution from three dimensions of vertical, horizontal, and state versus citizen, which have not been favored by economists, due to their lack of rigorousness. At the end, the chapter applies the factors to the analysis of their influence on the economic development path and on the innovation strategy in India and China.
The role of expectancies and emotional load in false auditory perceptions among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: Gawęda Łukasz , Moritz Steffen
Published: September 2019

Cognitive models suggest that top-down and emotional processes increase false perceptions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). However, little is still known about the interaction of these processes in false auditory perceptions. The present study aimed at investigating the specific as well as joint impacts of expectancies and emotional load on false auditory perceptions in SSD. Thirty-three patients with SSD and 33 matched healthy controls were assessed with a false perception task. Participants were asked to detect a target stimulus (a word) in a white noise background (the word was present in 60% of the cases and absent in 40%). Conditions varied in terms of the level of expectancy (1. no cue prior to the stimulus, 2. semantic priming, 3. semantic priming accompanied by a video of a man’s mouth spelling out the word). The words used were neutral or emotionally negative. Symptom severity was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Higher expectancy significantly increased the likelihood of false auditory perceptions only among the patients with SSD (the group x expectancy condition interaction was significant), which was unrelated to general cognitive performance. Emotional load had no impact on false auditory perceptions in either group. Patients made more false auditory perceptions with high confidence than controls did. False auditory perceptions were significantly correlated with the severity of positive symptoms and disorganization, but not with other dimensions. Perception in SSD seems to be susceptible to top-down processes, increasing the likelihood of high-confidence false auditory perceptions.
Probing IoT-based consumer services: ‘insights’ from the connected shower
Authors: Crabtree Andy , Hyland Lewis , Colley James , Flintham Martin , Fischer Joel E. , Kwon Hyosun
Published: September 2019

This paper presents findings from the deployment of a technology probe—the connected shower—and implications for the development of ‘living services’ or autonomous context-aware consumer-oriented IoT services that exploit sensing to gain consumer ‘insight’ and drive personalised service innovation. It contributes to the literature on water sustainability and the potential role and barriers to the adoption of smart showers in domestic life. It also contributes to our understanding of context, which enables user activity to be discriminated and elaborated thereby furnishing the ‘insight’ living services require for their successful operation. Problematically, however, our study shows that context is not a property of sensor data. Rather than provide contextual insights into showering, the sensor data requires contextualisation to discriminate and elaborate user activity. Thus, in addition to examining the potential of the connected shower in everyday life, we consider how sensor data is contextualised through the doing of data work and the relevance of its interactional accomplishment and organisation to the design of living services.
Priapism from Recreational Intracavernosal Injections in a High-Risk Metropolitan Community
Authors: Zhao Hanson , Berdahl Carl , Bresee Catherine , Moradzadeh Ariel , Houman Justin , Kim Howard , Eilber Karyn , Pevnick Joshua , Anger Jennifer T.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Recreational use of intracavernosal injections (ICIs) is a high-risk behavior that involves sharing of these agents by men without physician regulation.

Aim

To characterize the etiologies and outcomes of priapism at a Los Angeles metropolitan medical center to better understand patterns of usage of recreational ICIs and the public health implications of such practices.

Methods

With institutional review board approval, we retrospectively reviewed all cases of priapism presenting to the emergency room of a Los Angeles tertiary medical center from 2010 to 2018. We compared outcomes between patients who presented with priapism after recreational ICI and patients who presented with other etiologies.

Main Outcome Measure

We describe patient characteristics, etiologies, and treatments of priapism at our institution.

Results

We identified 169 priapism encounters by 143 unique patients. Recreational ICIs accounted for 82 of the 169 priapism encounters (49%). Patients who used recreational injections were younger than those who presented with other etiologies (43.5 years vs 47.5 years; P = .048) and had delayed presentations (median, 12 hours vs 8 hours; P < .0001). There was no statistical difference across groups in the proportion of patients requiring operative intervention (14.6% of recreational ICI users vs 16.1% of all other patients; P = .23). A total of 36 out of 72 patients who used recreational ICIs (50%) were HIV+.

Clinical Implications

Our study adds to the relatively sparse literature on priapism outcomes. We identify and describe a high-risk population that uses recreational intracavernosal injections.

Strengths & Limitations

To our knowledge, this is the largest series of priapism encounters. However, the data are retrospective from a single institution, and there is a lack of long-term follow up.

Conclusion

A large proportion of priapism visits at our institution were attributed to recreational use of ICIs. This is a high-risk patient population that may not be aware of the risks of recreational ICIs and the consequences of priapism. Further effort should be made to increase public and physician awareness of this harmful practice.
Long-Term Follow-Up After Penile Prosthesis Implantation—Survival and Quality of Life Outcomes
Authors: Chierigo Francesco , Capogrosso Paolo , Dehò Federico , Pozzi Edoardo , Schifano Nicolò , Belladelli Federico , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Hydraulic penile prostheses have shown an overall good mechanical reliability up to 10 years after surgery; however, few data have been published on very long-term follow-up.

Aim

We looked at long-term (≥15 years) complications, including functional and quality of life (QoL) outcomes, after 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods

Data regarding 149 patients submitting to IPP placement before 2001 were analyzed. All patients were implanted with AMS CX and Ultrex Plus 3-piece prostheses.

Main Outcome Measure

Patients were reassessed to evaluate rates of complications and functional outcomes. The validated questionnaire Quality of Life and Sexuality with Penile Prosthesis (QoLSPP) was used to assess patient QoL. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated the probability of prosthesis survival (defined as working device/not-explanted).

Results

Median follow-up of 51 patients was 206 months (interquartile range [IQR], 145–257). The etiology of ED was vasculogenic (n = 20; 39%), Peyronie’s disease (n = 15; 29%), pelvic surgery (n = 4; 7.8%), organic other than vasculogenic (n = 3; 5.9%), or other (n = 9; 18%). Throughout the follow-up, 24 patients (49%) experienced complications: mechanical failure (n = 19; 79%), pain (n = 3; 12%), orgasmic dysfunctions (n = 1; 4.5%), or device infection (n = 1; 4.5%). The estimated IPP survival was 53% (95% CI, 36–67) at 20-year follow-up. Baseline characteristics (age, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, and erectile dysfunction etiology) were not significantly associated with the risk of IPP failure over time by Cox regression analysis. At 20-year follow-up, 41% (95% CI, 19–49) of the patients were still using the device. Among them, QoLSPP median domain scores were high: functional 22/25 (IQR, 20–23), relational 17/20 (IQR, 15–18), personal 14/15 (IQR, 12–15), and social 14/15 (IQR, 11–15).

Clinical Implications

The longevity of the device and long-term satisfaction rates should be comprehensively discussed during patient consultation for IPP surgery.

Strengths & Limitations

To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting long-term QoL outcomes using a dedicated questionnaire for penile prostheses. The low response rate for the telephone interviews, the retrospective design of the study, and the relatively small number of patients are the main limitations.

Conclusion

Long-term follow-up data after IPP placement showed that almost half of the devices still worked properly 20 years after the original penile implant, as 60% of patients were still using the device with high satisfaction and adequate QoL outcomes. Both patients and physicians should be aware of the expected life and outcomes of IPP implants.