bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced frontal gamma power at 24 months is associated with better expressive language in toddlers at risk for autism
Authors: Wilkinson Carol L. , Levin April R. , Gabard‐Durnam Laurel J. , Tager‐Flusberg Helen , Nelson Charles A.
Published: May 2019

Frontal gamma power has been associated with early language development in typically developing toddlers, and gamma band abnormalities have been observed in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as high‐risk infant siblings (those having an older sibling with ASD), as early as 6 months of age. The current study investigated differences in baseline frontal gamma power and its association with language development in toddlers at high versus low familial risk for autism. Electroencephalography recordings as well as cognitive and behavioral assessments were acquired at 24 months as part of prospective, longitudinal study of infant siblings of children with and without autism. Diagnosis of autism was determined at 24–36 months, and data were analyzed across three outcome groups—low‐risk without ASD (n = 43), high‐risk without ASD (n = 42), and high‐risk with ASD (n = 16). High‐risk toddlers without ASD had reduced baseline frontal gamma power (30–50 Hz) compared to low‐risk toddlers. Among high‐risk toddlers increased frontal gamma was only marginally associated with ASD diagnosis (P = 0.06), but significantly associated with reduced expressive language ability (P = 0.007). No association between gamma power and language was present in the low‐risk group. These findings suggest that differences in gamma oscillations in high‐risk toddlers may represent compensatory mechanisms associated with improved developmental outcomes. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1211–1224. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

This study looked at differences in neural activity in the gamma range and its association with language in toddlers with and without increased risk for ASD. At 2 years of age, gamma power was lower in high‐risk toddlers without ASD compared to a low‐risk comparison group. Among high‐risk toddlers both with and without later ASD, reduced gamma power was also associated with better language outcomes, suggesting that gamma power may be a marker of language development in high‐risk children.
The world as we know it and the world as it is: Eye‐movement patterns reveal decreased use of prior knowledge in individuals with autism
Authors: Król Magdalena , Król Michał
Published: May 2019

We used a perceptual closure task with Mooney images as stimuli to record eye‐movement patterns in response to the same degraded image before and after perceptual learning in 21 adolescents and young adults with ASD and 23 sex‐, age‐, and IQ‐matched typically developing individuals. In the control group, we observed changes in the eye‐movement patterns between the first and the last presentation of the degraded stimulus, reflecting top‐down optimization of eye‐movement patterns, that is, a decrease in the number of fixations and interfixation distance, coupled with an increase in the duration of fixations. This effect was attenuated in individuals with autism, pointing to a decreased rate of perceptual learning. We also found that participants with autism displayed decreased scanpath stability, that is, a lower recurrence of fixation locations between different presentations of the same image, which may suggests a lower rate of perceptual learning or decreased predictability in the eye‐movement patterns. These results provide evidence for decreased use of prior knowledge in perceptual decisions in autism. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1386–1398. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

We showed autistic and typically developing participants some degraded images that were difficult to recognize for the first time, but once you knew what they represent, you could see it easily. We found that the eye‐movement patterns of persons with autism did not change as much after learning what the pictures represented as in the case of typically developing participants. This means that previous experiences and knowledge change the way people with autism perceive things to a smaller extent.
Microbial Poly‐3‐Hydroxybutyrate (PHB) as a Feed Additive for Fishes and Piglets
Authors: Wang Xuan , Jiang Xiao‐Ran , Wu Fuqing , Ma Yiming , Che Xuemei , Chen Xiyue , Liu Ping , Zhang Wenbing , Ma Xi , Chen Guo‐Qiang
Published: May 2019

The large‐scale use of petrochemical‐based plastics is damaging our environment. Discarded plastics are harmful to both marine and land animals, sometimes causing death when ingested. Biodegradable plastics have gained attentions from the public and the academia to reduce environmental burdens. Poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB), the simplest and the best‐studied bioplastic member of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family synthesized by many bacteria, has been studied as a feed additive for large yellow croaker fish and weaned piglets. The fish grow faster and gain more weight when 1% and 2% PHB is added as a feed additive, accompanied by increased survival rates. Weaned piglets are found to grow normally and showed no significant change in average daily weight gains, average daily feed intakes, feed efficiency, and organ developments when 0.5% PHB is added to the feed. It can therefore be concluded that biodegradable and biocompatible PHB is not harmful as a feed additive for marine large yellow croakers and sensitive weaned piglets. PHB therefore holds great promise as a plastic that combines biodegradability and biocompatibility with good tolerability as a feed supplement for animals.
Human–virtual character interaction: Toward understanding the influence of haptic feedback
Authors: Krogmeier Claudia , Mousas Christos , Whittinghill David
Published: May 2019

In this study, we compare haptic feedback and nonhaptic feedback conditions in which virtual characters bump into the participant who is immersed in a virtual environment. A questionnaire was developed to determine the influence of haptic feedback on a number of concepts (presence, embodiment, positive and negative affect, interaction realism with virtual character, and haptic feedback realism). Physiological data were also collected using galvanic skin response (GSR) to investigate the influence of haptic feedback on physiological arousal during human–virtual character interaction. Five conditions were developed (no haptic feedback, full intensity, half intensity, incorrect position, and delayed timing) to determine which aspects of haptic feedback are most important in influencing participant responses. Significant differences were found in embodiment, realism of virtual character interaction, and haptic feedback realism. In addition, significant differences were found in GSR amplitude after the first interaction with the virtual character. Implications for further research are discussed.
A New Strategy for Solar‐to‐Hydrogen Energy Conversion: Photothermal‐Promoted Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Qi Jing , Zhang Wei , Cao Rui
Published: May 2019

Solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) energy conversion can be typically realized by photocatalytic water splitting, photoelectrochemical water splitting, and photovoltaic water electrolysis. Herein, we propose a new strategy for STH energy conversion based on photothermal‐promoted electrocatalysis (PTPE). First, carbon hemispheres were developed with strong capability of collecting and concentrating heat by absorbing photons (>630 nm). Second, we incorporated two representative materials, Co(OH)2 and MoS2, with the heat collectors (carbon hemispheres) as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), respectively. The two hybrids showed enhanced electrocatalytic activity of water splitting under light irradiation, owing to the elevated local temperature of carbon that had been heated by the light. PTPE might be widely applied in electrocatalytic systems for solar energy utilization via a simple STH and subsequent heat‐promoted electrosynthesis route.
Iodophenylsulfonates and Iodobenzoates as Redox‐Active Supporting Electrolytes for Electrosynthesis
Authors: Roesel Arend F. , Broese Timo , Májek Michal , Francke Robert
Published: May 2019

Hypervalent iodine compounds constitute a popular class of reagents in organic chemistry. Regardless of whether they are generated in situ from an iodoarene precursor with a terminal oxidant or used in stoichiometric amounts, the resulting separation and waste issues are major challenges en route to sustainable and scalable processes. The electrochemical generation of iodine(III) compounds represents an attractive alternative, since electric current is used as traceless oxidant and unstable or hazardous species are conveniently generated in situ. In this context, we have explored the possibility for the use of iodoarene sulfonates and iodobenzoates as ex‐cell mediators for electrosynthesis in 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol. While 2‐, 3‐ and 4‐iodobenzoate salts proved to be impractical for various reasons, 2‐ and 4‐iodobenzenesulfonates salts can be selectively oxidized to the iodine(III) species and used for synthetic applications. The ionic tag on the mediator allows for electrolysis without supporting electrolyte additives and enables a straightforward recovery from the product mixture.
The impact of frequent cystoscopy on surgical care and cancer outcomes among patients with low‐risk, non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Schroeck Florian R. , Lynch Kristine E. , Li Zhongze , MacKenzie Todd A. , Han David S. , Seigne John D. , Robertson Douglas J. , Sirovich Brenda , Goodney Philip P.
Published: May 2019

Background

Surveillance recommendations for patients with low‐risk, non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are based on limited evidence. The objective of this study was to add to the evidence by assessing outcomes after frequent versus recommended cystoscopic surveillance.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with low‐risk (low‐grade Ta (AJCC)) NMIBC from 2005 to 2011 with follow‐up through 2014 from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Patients were classified as having undergone frequent versus recommended cystoscopic surveillance (>3 vs 1‐3 cystoscopies in the first 2 years after diagnosis). By using propensity score‐adjusted models, the authors estimated the impact of frequent cystoscopy on the number of transurethral resections, the number of resections without cancer in the specimen, and the risk of progression to muscle‐invasive cancer or bladder cancer death.

Results

Among 1042 patients, 798 (77%) had more frequent cystoscopy than recommended. In adjusted analyses, the frequent cystoscopy group had twice as many transurethral resections (55 vs 26 per 100 person‐years; P < .001) and more than 3 times as many resections without cancer in the specimen (5.7 vs 1.6 per 100 person‐years; P < .001). Frequent cystoscopy was not associated with time to progression or bladder cancer death (3% at 5 years in both groups; P = .990).

Conclusions

Frequent cystoscopy among patients with low‐risk NMIBC was associated with twice as many transurethral resections and did not decrease the risk for bladder cancer progression or death, supporting current guidelines.
Breast cancer histologic subtypes show excess familial clustering
Authors: Henry N. Lynn , Cannon‐Albright Lisa A.
Published: May 2019

Background

The inherited predisposition to developing specific histologic subtypes of invasive breast carcinoma has been incompletely investigated. By using a large, population‐based database, the authors sought to investigate familial clustering of breast cancer by histologic subtype.

Methods

By using the Utah Population Database, which links genealogy records to the National Cancer Institute's statewide Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry, the authors identified patients with breast cancer by histology and tested for evidence of shared genetic predisposition to histologic specific subtypes by examining pairwise relatedness and estimating the relative risk (RR) among first‐degree, second‐degree, and third‐degree relatives.

Results

The authors identified 23,629 individuals in the Utah Population Database who had at least 3 generations of genealogy and at least 1 primary breast cancer, 2883 (12.2%) of which were specific histologic subtypes other than invasive ductal carcinoma (including inflammatory [n = 178], lobular [n = 1688], and mucinous [n = 542]). Statistically significant excess distant relatedness was identified for the mucinous subtype (P = .011) as well as for inflammatory breast cancers (P = .024). The RR for breast cancer of any histology in second‐degree relatives was significantly increased for patients with inflammatory (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.68; P = .03), lobular (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.25‐1.47; P < .001), and mucinous (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12‐1.44; P = .00021) subtypes.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence for significant familial clustering within histological subtypes for lobular, mucinous, and inflammatory breast carcinomas. Further research is required to identify the underlying genetic variants responsible for the increased risk. Studies of high‐risk pedigrees segregating a specific histologic subtype could be a powerful design for predisposition gene identification.
Race and risk of subsequent aggressive breast cancer following ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Liu Ying , West Robert , Weber Jason D. , Colditz Graham A.
Published: May 2019

Background

General populations of black women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer negative for both estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in comparison with white counterparts. Racial differences remain unknown in the risk of developing aggressive invasive breast cancer (IBC) that is characterized by negativity for both ER and PR (ER–PR–) or higher 21‐gene recurrence scores after ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Methods

This study identified 163,892 women (10.5% black, 9.8% Asian, and 8.6% Hispanic) with incident DCIS between 1990 and 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data sets. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazards ratios (HRs) of subsequent IBC classified by the hormone receptor status and 21‐gene recurrence scores.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 90 months, 8333 women developed IBC. In comparison with white women, the adjusted HR of subsequent ER–PR– breast cancer was 1.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57‐2.20) for black women (absolute 10‐year difference, 2.2%) and 1.40 (95% CI, 1.14‐1.71) for Asian women (absolute 10‐year difference, 0.4%); this was stronger than the associations for ER+ and/or PR+ subtypes (Pheterogeneity = .0004). The 21‐gene recurrence scores of subsequent early‐stage, ER+ IBCs varied by race/ethnicity (Pheterogeneity = .057); black women were more likely than white women to have a recurrence score of 26 or higher (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.92). No significant difference was observed in the risks of subsequent IBC subtypes for Hispanic women.

Conclusions

Black and Asian women with DCIS had higher risks of developing biologically aggressive IBC than white counterparts. This should be considered in treatment decisions for black and Asian patients with DCIS.
Intimate Interfacial Interaction between Amino‐Modified Ti5 Clusters and BiVO4 towards Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Dai Shuqi , Jiang Lizhi , Zhao Chaowei , Chen Fengjiao , Chen Ruihao , Qin Ruixuan , Zhang Wuyong , Zhang Weijie , Wu Binghui , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: May 2019

In this work, a novel series of amino‐modified Ti5 clusters (NH2‐TOCs) with a Janus surface were synthesized. Then, a facile hydrolysis self‐assembly strategy was adopted to fabricate a well‐defined monolayer of NH2‐TOCs on BiVO4 with intimate interaction at low temperature. The as‐formed NH2‐TOCs/BiVO4 heterojunction electrode exhibited high performance on photoelectrochemical water‐splitting, which was ascribed to strong M−O−Ti (M=Bi, V) bonding at the interface. It is anticipated that this work could boost new insights for cluster‐support interaction and corresponding applications.
Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Doravirine and Methadone
Authors: Khalilieh Sauzanne , Yee Ka L. , Sanchez Rosa I. , Vaynshteyn Kate , Fan Li , Searle Shawn , Bouhajib Mohammed , Iwamoto Marian
Published: May 2019

Doravirine is a novel nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of HIV type 1 infection. A subset of people living with HIV receives methadone for the treatment of opioid addiction. The current study (NCT02715700) was an open‐label, multiple‐dose, drug interaction study in participants on a methadone maintenance program to investigate potential drug‐drug interactions between doravirine and methadone. Participants received a stable methadone maintenance dose of 20 to 180 mg once daily for 14 days prior to day 1 and remained on their maintenance dose over days 1 through 7. On days 2 through 6, an oral dose of doravirine 100 mg was coadministered. For doravirine and methadone pharmacokinetic analysis, blood samples were collected before dosing through 24 hours after dosing. Fourteen participants were enrolled; all participants completed the study. For R‐methadone, geometric least squares mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) for dose‐normalized area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to 24 hours, plasma concentration at 24 hours, and maximum plasma concentration ([methadone + doravirine]/methadone alone) were 0.95 (0.90‐1.01), 0.95 (0.88‐1.03), and 0.98 (0.93‐1.03), respectively. For doravirine, based on a comparison with historical data, modest decreases in area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to 24 hours, plasma concentration at 24 hours, and maximum plasma concentration were observed after coadministration of doravirine and methadone; geometric least squares mean ratios ([methadone + doravirine]/doravirine alone [90% confidence intervals]) were 0.74 (0.61‐0.90), 0.80 (0.63‐1.03), and 0.76 (0.63‐0.91), respectively. Coadministration of doravirine and methadone was generally well tolerated. No serious adverse events occurred, and there were no discontinuations. In conclusion, coadministration of methadone and doravirine did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetic profile of either agent.
Isolating Rat Intestinal Explants for In Vitro Cultures
Authors: Kothari Anjaney , Rajagopalan Padmavathy
Published: May 2019

The small intestine is an important organ primarily involved in digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. In vitro intestinal models are being developed to study this organ in health and disease. Intestinal explants can be used in such investigations since they contain all the major intestinal cell types. A detailed procedure to isolate intestinal explants from the rat jejunum is described. A protocol for culturing them in vitro for up to 24 hr is also provided. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Unlabeled Competitor Antibody to Reduce Nonlinear Signal Spillover in Mass Cytometry
Authors: Sekhri Palak , Kim Miriam Y. , Behbehani Gregory K.
Published: May 2019

Mass cytometry (MCM; CyTOF) utilizes isotopically purified metal‐tagged antibodies for single‐cell analysis and can analyze more than 40 parameters simultaneously with minimum signal spillover to other mass channels as compared to fluorescent flow cytometry. In spite of this improvement, various factors such as metal oxidation, abundance sensitivity related spillover, and metal impurities can cause measurable amounts of spillover in MCM that can potentially lead to misinterpretation of data. Linear spillover can be corrected by applying compensation; however, we demonstrate that at high signal intensities, MCM channel spillovers are frequently nonlinear. This report describes a simple method to correct for nonlinear signal spillover (due to abundance sensitivity, isotopic contamination, or oxide formation) that can occur at high signal intensity through the use of unlabeled competitor antibodies to the specific metal‐tagged antibodies causing spillover. This method significantly decreased high signal intensity and nonlinear spillover to other mass channels while maintaining saturating antibody concentrations, thereby facilitating accurate staining and compensation. In contrast, the common method of using under‐titrated antibodies to overcome spillover lead to staining intensity that varied with cell numbers and antigen abundance. We demonstrate that this technique reduces total signal without significantly altering immunophenotypic or functional measurement of relative antigen levels and could be used to enable improved linear compensation of signal spillovers from high abundance antigens.

Statement of Significance

Mass cytometry is becoming a well‐established technology for comprehensive analysis of complex biological samples, due to its ability to enable measurement of more than 40 simultaneous parameters. Due to the use of isotopically pure metal‐tagged antibodies, measurement channel spillover in mass cytometry is drastically lower than in fluorescent cytometry but can still occur due to metal oxidation, isotopic impurities, or abundance sensitivity when mass signals have high intensity. We show in this report that high abundance antigens with high signal intensity exhibit non‐linear mass channel spillovers that cannot be easily compensated. We also demonstrate a simple method for the use of unlabeled competitor antibody to decrease antigen signal intensity while maintaining antigen abundance to allow for more accurate linear compensation. This method performs more consistently than the commonly used approach of using under‐titrated antibodies. We believe that this report has immediate practical utility for researchers using mass cytometry and can be broadly utilized to enable compensation of mass cytometry data when needed. We thus feel that this article merits publication as a Brief Report in Cytometry Part A. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Cardiac tamponade as an initial presentation of papillary carcinoma with psammoma bodies and intranuclear grooves—A diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Gochhait Debasis , Sreerekha Jinkala , Rangarajan Vidhyalakshmi , Siddaraju Neelaiah , Govindarajalou Ramkumar , Penumadu Prasanth
Published: May 2019

Involvement of body fluids by adenocarcinoma is a common phenomenon. However, metastasis to the pericardial fluid by adenocarcinoma is a rare occurrence. The most common malignancies associated with malignant pericardial effusion are carcinoma of the lung, breast, esophagus, melanoma, lymphoma, and leukemia. Here, we discuss a case of a 36‐year‐old female with hemorrhagic pericardial effusion presenting with cardiac tamponade and psammoma bodies which was suspected and reported as metastatic papillary carcinoma of thyroid on cytomorphology; however, the immunocytochemical and radiological features confirmed metastatic papillary adenocarcinoma of lung contrary to the thyroid which is more common and expected.
Malignant teratoma of the thyroid: A difficult diagnosis by fine‐needle aspiration
Authors: Starling Cherry E. , Sabra John , Brady Bridget , Horton Michelle , Traweek Stephen Thomas
Published: May 2019

Primary thyroid teratomas are rare, usually benign, and typically occur in children. We report the unusual occurrence of a malignant thyroid teratoma in a young man. Initial ultrasound and CT studies revealed an 8.5 heterogeneous mass involving the entire right thyroid lobe causing tracheal compression and deviation. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) revealed malignant cells with possible neuroendocrine features. Similar findings have been previously reported, with an occasional interpretation as possible medullary thyroid carcinoma. In no report, as with our case, has the correct diagnosis been suggested with FNA. The surgical specimen contained abundant primitive neuroepithelium with a very minor component of mature ectodermal tissue in one area. Like this case, an abundance of immature neuroepithelium has been reported in essentially all previous reports of primary malignant thyroid teratoma, sometimes creating a challenge to find another type of germ cell tissue. Array comparative genomic hybridization studies in this case revealed a markedly complex karyotype including gain of chromosome 12 and loss of 17p. Amplification of MYCN, EWSR1 rearrangement and isochromosome 12p were not identified, providing no evidence for neuroblastoma or Ewing sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor, both of which have also rarely been reported as primary thyroid tumors. With the use of cisplatinum‐based chemotherapy combined with radiation, survival times have increased dramatically. Our patient is now disease free and back to his normal activities after relatively short follow‐up. Although rare, it is important to be aware that teratomas may present as a thyroid nodule. Recognition by FNA is challenging, and requires multiple modalities for full identification.
Sex‐ And tissue‐specific differences in telomere length in a reptile
Authors: Rollings Nicky , Friesen Christopher R. , Whittington Camilla M. , Johansson Rasmus , Shine Richard , Olsson Mats
Published: May 2019

The usage of telomere length (TL) in blood as a proxy for the TL of other tissues relies on the assumption that telomere dynamics across all tissues are similar. However, telomere attrition can be caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) which may vary with metabolic rate, which itself varies across organs depending upon the life history strategy of an organism. Thus, we chose to measure the telomeres of various cell types in juvenile painted dragon lizards, Ctenophorus pictus, given their unusual life history strategy. Individuals typically only experience a single mating season. We measured the TL of male and female dragons using qPCR and observed that TL varied with tissue type and sex. Telomeres of blood cells were longer than those of liver, heart, brain, and spleen, and females had longer telomeres than males. Brain telomeres in males were approximately half the length of those in females. Telomeric attrition in the male brain may be due to the need for rapid learning of reproductive tactics (territory patrol and defense, mate‐finding). Significant correlations between the TL of tissue types suggest that blood TL may be a useful proxy for the TL of other tissues. Our comparison of organ‐specific telomere dynamics, the first in a reptile, suggests that the usage of blood TL as a proxy requires careful consideration of the life history strategy of the organism.
Comparative transcriptomics reveals the selection patterns of domesticated ramie
Authors: Huang Kun‐Yong , Zhu Ai‐Guo , Chen Xiao‐Rong , Shi Ya‐Liang , Tang Qing , Wang Xiao‐Fei , Sun Zhi‐Min , Luan Ming‐Bao , Chen Jian‐Hua
Published: May 2019

Although domestication has dramatically altered the phenotype, physiology, and life history of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) plants, few studies have investigated the effects of domestication on the structure and expression pattern of genes in this fiber crop. To investigate the selective pattern and genetic relationships among a cultivated variety of ramie (BNZ: B. nivea, ZZ1) and four wild species, BNT (B. nivea var. tenacissima), BNN (B. nivea var. nipononivea), BNW (B. nivea var. nivea), and BAN (B. nivea var. viridula), in the section Tilocnide, we performed an RNA sequencing analysis of these ramie species. The de novo assembly of the “all‐ramie” transcriptome yielded 119,114 unigenes with an average length of 633 bp, and a total of 7,084 orthologous gene pairs were identified. The phylogenetic tree showed that the cultivar BNZ clustered with BAN in one group, BNW was closely related to BNT, and BNN formed a separate group. Introgression analysis indicated that gene flow occurred from BNZ to BNN and BAN, and between BAN and BNN. Among these orthologs, 2,425 and 269 genes underwent significant purifying and positive selection, respectively. For these positively selected genes, oxidation–reduction process (GO:0055114) and stress response pathways (GO:0006950) were enriched, indicating that modulation of the cellular redox status was important during both ramie fiber evolution and improvement. Two genes related to the suppression of flowering and one gene annotated as a flowering‐promoting factor were subjected to positive selection, probably caused by human manipulation. Additionally, five genes were homologs of those involved in abiotic stress tolerance and disease resistance, with higher expression levels in the cultivar BNZ than in the wild species. Collectively, the results of this study indicated that domestication has resulted in the upregulation of many genes involved in the abiotic and biotic stress responses, fiber yield, and plant growth of ramie.
Hydrological impacts of afforestation in the semiarid Patagonia: A modelling approach
Authors: Milkovic Mayra , Paruelo José M. , Nosetto Marcelo D.
Published: May 2019

Afforestation has been widely encouraged with different goals, including as a strategy to tackle global warming. However, the side‐effects of this land‐use transformation have been in many cases underestimated. Particularly, the hydrological impacts may become relevant in (semi)arid regions where water is a key element. In this work, we evaluated the hydrological effects triggered by afforestation with ponderosa pine in the semiarid Argentine Patagonia that is currently a focus of afforestation programs. For this purpose, we used complementary approaches that included hydrological modelling (DINAQUA model), satellite image analysis, and soil wetness data. All analyses provided convergent results into hydrological effects of afforestation. The modelling results showed that afforestation significantly increased transpiration in relation to native grass–shrub steppe. In the steppe in degraded condition, transpiration accounted for only 10% (40 mm year−1) of total water flux, whereas in adult pine plantations, it accounted for up to 73% (277 mm year−1). Deep drainage was also severely affected by afforestation as it decreased from 182 mm year−1 in the steppe to zero in adult plantations, according to model simulations. Estimates from Landsat images also showed that evapotranspiration was higher in plantations compared with the steppe. Soil wetness data also revealed significantly drier soils in plantations. Our results indicate that pine plantations in the semiarid Patagonia evaporate all rainfall inputs, resulting in zero deep drainage and groundwater recharge. If the afforested area in the region increases, downstream meadow ecosystems, which are hotspots of primary productivity, may be negatively impacted.
Trade‐offs and synergies in a payment‐for‐ecosystem services program on ranchlands in the Everglades headwaters
Authors: Boughton Elizabeth H. , Quintana‐Ascencio Pedro F. , Jenkins David G. , Bohlen Patrick J. , Fauth John E. , Engel Angelica , Shukla Sanjay , Kiker Greg , Hendricks Greg , Swain Hilary M.
Published: May 2019

Increasingly, agriculture is recognized as valuable not only for food production, but also for regulating and supporting ecosystem services such as those encompassing biodiversity and water. Various government programs provide incentives to farmers and ranchers to maintain ecosystem services, with an emerging focus on payment‐for‐ecosystem services (PES) programs. However, interactions among ecosystem services, including synergies or trade‐offs, at spatial scales relevant to land managers are not well understood. Here, we examined how a PES program for enhanced water retention on subtropical ranchlands in the headwaters of the Everglades affected seven indicators of ecosystem services and three indicators of disservices within wetlands (local scale) and among wetlands (wetland scale) at four different ranches. We used general linear mixed models and model selection to evaluate the feasibility of explicit, a priori hypotheses using data from 15 wetlands sampled across four participating ranches. Our study indicated that managing for increased water retention could result in both synergies and trade‐offs among ecosystem services. Higher water retention increased wetland plants at both local and wetland scales and was associated with reduced mosquitoes. Trade‐offs included significant declines in forage plant cover and decreases in amphibian abundance with higher water retention. Unimodal non‐linear relationships described responses of macroinvertebrates, fish, mosquito, and non‐native plant abundance to increasing water retention. These complex relationships indicate that optimizing water retention, provisioning services, and wetland biodiversity in ranchlands may not be straightforward. Unimodal non‐linear relationships among water retention and biodiversity suggest there is a threshold of water retention that represents a trade‐off for also maintaining biodiversity. Land use was an important driver of ecosystem disservices, with more intensely managed ranches having a greater potential for ecosystem disservices such as increased cover of non‐native plants, abundant mosquitoes, and lower amphibian abundance. Multidisciplinary collaboration was required to design, implement, monitor, and assess this PES program for trade‐offs and synergies.
Self‐Organized Arrays of SnO2 Microplates with Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Mohri Nils , Kerschbaumer Hannes , Link Thorben , Andre Rute , Panthöfer Martin , Ksenofontov Vadim , Tremel Wolfgang
Published: May 2019

Porous anodic metal oxides have been widely used for the development of various functional nanostructures. So far, these self‐organized pore structures were prepared as hexagonal arrangements of nanopores, which have become a popular template system for the fabrication of functional nanostructures. Here we report a new oxalic acid‐based anodization process for long‐range ordered arrays of submicrometer tin dioxide plates at low applied voltages in buffered solution, which prevents the precipitation of SnC2O4 on the Sn anode surface. The chemical composition of the surface SnO2 was established by Mössbauer spectroscopy and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The growth direction of the SnO2 nanoplates was shown to be related to the orientation of the domains of the underlying polycrystalline yet oriented β‐Sn foil. The structured SnO2 surface is highly photoactive and generates superoxide radicals (O2·–) upon UV exposure resulting in a strong degradation of organic contaminants and a strong antimicrobial activity. Upon illumination the SnO2 coating exhibits a switchable amphiphilic behavior, which – in combination with its photoactivity – creates a self‐cleaning surface.
Base‐Catalyzed 1,6‐Hydrophosphonylation of p‐Quinone Methides with Diphenylphosphane Oxide/Phosphites
Authors: Zhang Bin , Liu Lu , Mao Shukuan , Zhou Ming‐Dong , Wang He , Li Lei
Published: May 2019

A novel base‐catalyzed 1,6‐conjugated addition of p‐QMs with diphenylphosphane oxide/phosphites has been developed. This reaction provides a highly efficient strategy for the construction of diarylmethyl phosphonate compounds in moderate to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance under mild and metal‐free conditions. Moreover, the reaction can be carried out on a gram scale, which opens up the possibility for practical applications.
Palladium Nanoclusters Uniformly Enveloped Electrochemically Activated Graphene for Highly Sensitive Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor
Authors: Abdelwahab Adel A. , Abdel‐Hakim M. , Abdelmottaleb Mohamed , Elshahawy Anwar S.
Published: May 2019

Nonenzymatic sensors based on a metals nanocomposite with high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability has been received considerable interest. In this study, a novel electrochemical nanocomposite sensor based on palladium nanoclusters (PdNCs) decorated electrochemically activated graphene (EAGr) was established for highly sensitive nonenzymatic H2O2 sensor. The PdNCs/EAGr nanocomposite was fabricated via an electrochemical activation of Gr by the potential cycling in the range of +0.6 to −1.8 V, followed by the electrodeposition of PdNCs at −0.4 V applied potential. The homogeneous dispersion of PdNCs/EAGr nanocomposite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The PdNCs/EAGr nanocomposite electrode showed higher electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H2O2 in pH 7.0 of 0.1 M PBS by significantly enhancing the reduction peak current and reduced the reduction overpotential as well as eliminated other interfering species responses. The PdNCs/EAGr electrode displayed a wide linear range for H2O2 reduction from 1.0 to 1100 μM with limit of detection 0.02±0.01 μM. The higher sensitivity and selectivity as well as long‐time stability and excellent reproducibility obtained, indicating the proposed sensor is an effective H2O2 based sensor. In addition, the analytical application of the nancomposite sensor was successfully examined for the determination of H2O2 in the real sample of human urine indicating that the appreciable practicality of the nonenzymatic sensor for the determination of H2O2 in physiological fluids.
Ultrastable High‐Energy On‐Chip Nickel–Bismuth Microbattery Powered by Crystalline Bi Anode and Ni–Co Hydroxide Cathode
Authors: He Liang , Hong Tianjiao , Hong Xufeng , Liao Xiaobin , Chen Yiming , Zhang Wencui , Liu Hui , Luo Wen , Mai Liqiang
Published: May 2019

On‐chip microbatteries (MBs) with excellent electrochemical performance have attracted great attention for applications in miniaturized electronics. However, the lack of strategy for well‐suited integration of microelectrodes with decent mechanical properties and high electrochemical performance in microdevices restricts the development of on‐chip MBs. This work proposes a promising planar nickel–bismuth (Ni//Bi) MB, constructed through the microelectromechanical system‐based fabrication process and facile electrodeposition of Bi anode and Ni1−xCox(OH)2 cathode. Benefiting from the large surface area and effective integration of electrodes, the fabricated Ni//Bi MB achieves a relatively high energy density of 12.3 μWh cm−2 and high stability with 84.44% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. With an attractive fabrication technique and outstanding electrochemical performance, the Ni//Bi MB shows great potential for prospective applications in portable devices/systems.
Investigation on Different Electrochemical Behaviors of Four‐Layered Bismuth Oxyhalogens
Authors: Gu Wenhao , Yang Liye , Teng Fei , Abiden Zian Ul , Zhao Fangdi
Published: May 2019

For the first time, the electrochemical properties of four‐layered bismuth oxyhalogens are investigated. The results show that their discharge capacitances follow the order of BiOI > BiOF > BiOBr > BiOCl, although the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas follow the order of BiOCl > BiOBr > BiOI > BiOF, and they have nearly similar electrical conductivities (2.28–3.37 Ω). It is found that three BiOXs (X = F, Cl, Br) show a characteristic electric double‐layer capacitive behavior, whereas BiOI shows a pseudo‐capacitive behavior. The high capacitance of BiOI results from the Faradic reaction. Compared with BiOBr and BiOCl, the higher capacitance of BiOF mainly results from the higher electronegativity of F. Compared with BiOCl, the higher capacitance of BiOBr mainly attributes to the larger interlayer distance.
Facile Spray‐Drying Synthesis of Dual‐Shell Structure Si@SiOx@Graphite/Graphene as Stable Anode for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Jianbin , Liu Wenjing , Wan Qi , Liu Fangming , Li Xuan , Qiao Yingjun , Qu Meizhen , Peng Gongchang
Published: May 2019

A dual‐shell structure Si@SiOx@graphite/graphene (SGGr) is prepared by large‐scale spray‐drying. In this composite, Si nanoparticles act as the core, SiOx and graphite/graphene serve as the shell. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies show that Si nanoparticles are coated with a 1–2 nm SiOx layer and embedded into the sheets of graphite/graphene. Amorphous SiOx and graphite/graphene as the production layer can prevent Si directly connecting with the electrolyte and improve the entire structural stability. In addition, nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements indicate that the prepared SGGr has a higher Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area (48.4 m2 g−1) than pure Si (36.2 m2 g−1) due to the existence of mesopores and macropores, which can shorten the lithium‐ion transport pathway and provide enough void space for accommodating the volume expansion. The prepared SGGr exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 1089.3 mAh g−1 after 400 cycles (0.16% decay per cycle), indicating that SGGr has the great potential for industrial application for lithium‐ion batteries.
A comparison of denoising pipelines in high temporal resolution task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging data
Authors: Mayer Andrew R. , Ling Josef M. , Dodd Andrew B. , Shaff Nicholas A. , Wertz Christopher J. , Hanlon Faith M.
Published: May 2019

It has been known for decades that head motion/other artifacts affect the blood oxygen level‐dependent signal. Recent recommendations predominantly focus on denoising resting state data, which may not apply to task data due to the different statistical relationships that exist between signal and noise sources. Several blind‐source denoising strategies (FIX and AROMA) and more standard motion parameter (MP) regression (0, 12, or 24 parameters) analyses were therefore compared across four sets of event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (erfMRI) and block‐design (bdfMRI) datasets collected with multiband 32‐ (repetition time [TR] = 460 ms) or older 12‐channel (TR = 2,000 ms) head coils. The amount of motion varied across coil designs and task types. Quality control plots indicated small to moderate relationships between head motion estimates and percent signal change in both signal and noise regions. Blind‐source denoising strategies eliminated signal as well as noise relative to MP24 regression; however, the undesired effects on signal depended both on algorithm (FIX > AROMA) and design (bdfMRI > erfMRI). Moreover, in contrast to previous results, there were minimal differences between MP12/24 and MP0 pipelines in both erfMRI and bdfMRI designs. MP12/24 pipelines were detrimental for a task with both longer block length (30 ± 5 s) and higher correlations between head MPs and design matrix. In summary, current results suggest that there does not appear to be a single denoising approach that is appropriate for all fMRI designs. However, even nonaggressive blind‐source denoising approaches appear to remove signal as well as noise from task‐related data at individual subject and group levels.
Brachytherapy seeds as a nidus for urethral stone formation: A case report
Authors: Kamisawa Ken , Kosaka Takeo , Hongo Hiroshi , Mizuno Ryuichi , Oya Mototsugu
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Iatrogenic foreign bodies can cause urolithiasis. However, iodine seeds used in brachytherapy are not a known cause of stone formation. We report a rare case of urethral stone formation with brachytherapy seeds determined to be the nidus, which occurred 9 years after permanent seed brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

Case presentation

An 87‐year‐old man with a history of prostate cancer treated with brachytherapy presented to our hospital with macroscopic hematuria. He underwent transurethral resection of the mucosa with erythema 4 years after brachytherapy. Cystoscopy revealed urethral stones on the bladder neck. Transurethral lithotripsy was performed and the nidus of stone formation was revealed to be an aggregate of iodine seeds.

Conclusion

In the course of the long‐term follow‐up after brachytherapy for prostate cancer, the possibility of the formation of the urethral stone associated with iodine seeds should be considered when gross hematuria is observed.
Oxyvanite V3O5: A new intercalation‐type anode for lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Chen Dong , Tan Huiteng , Rui Xianhong , Zhang Qi , Feng Yuezhan , Geng Hongbo , Li Chengchao , Huang Shaoming , Yu Yan
Published: May 2019

In the present study, V3O5 microcrystals that synthesized via vacuum calcination are employed as anodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) for the first time. Despite the widely observed sluggish reaction kinetics and poor cycling stability in most micro‐sized transition metal oxides, the V3O5 microcrystals exhibit excellent rate capability (specific capacities of 144 and 125 mAh g−1 are achieved at extremely high current densities of 20 and 50 A g−1, respectively) and long‐term cycling performance (specific capacity of 117 mAh g−1 is sustained over 2000 cycles at 50 A g−1). It is ascribed to the three‐dimensional open‐framework structure of the V3O5 microcrystals as a major factor in dictating the fast reaction kinetics (lithium diffusion coefficient: ~10−9 cm2 s−1). In addition, significant insight into the reaction mechanism of the V3O5 microcrystals in concomitant its phase evolution are obtained from ex‐situ XRD study, revealing that the V3O5 microcrystals undergo intercalation reaction with insignificant structural change in response to lithiation/delithiation.
Association of lnc‐IL17RA‐11 with increased radiation sensitivity and improved prognosis of HPV‐positive HNSCC
Authors: Song Lianhao , Xie Huanhuan , Tong Fangjia , Yan Bingqing , Zhang Siwei , Fu Enhui , Jing Qingxu , Wei Lanlan
Published: May 2019

Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a far better prognosis than HPV negative HNSCC. Recent studies suggest that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) moieties may play a role in HPV associated differential HNSCC prognoses. In this study, we examined differential expression of lncRNAs in HPV+ vs HPV− HNSCC using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. LncRNAs were categorized based on expression level and survival analysis. A group of eight lncRNAs was identified in which altered expression was associated with both HPV infection and better prognosis. Subsequently, genes coexpressed with these lncRNAs in HNSCC cells were sorted into corresponding co‐expression modules. The lnc‐IL17RA‐11 coexpression module exhibited the greatest correlation with HPV infection and radiotherapy efficacy. We identified the lnc‐IL17RA‐11 transcription factor ER‐alpha as the most likely HPV infection associated factor promoting increased lnc‐IL17RA‐11 levels. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed enrichment among lnc‐IL17RA‐11 co‐expressed genes for functions related to DNA replication and cell proliferation. These observations are consistent with a model in which HPV infection upregulates transcription factor ER‐alpha, which increases levels of lnc‐IL17RA‐11 and coexpressed genes that promote HNSCC cell sensitivity to radiotherapy, thereby improving disease prognosis.