bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and properties of novel corn straw cellulose–based superabsorbent with water‐retaining and slow‐release functions
Authors: Wang Weishuai , Yang Shiqi , Zhang Aiping , Yang Zhengli
Published: January 2020

In this study, novel semiinterpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) superabsorbent resins with slow‐release fertilizer (CSC‐g‐AA/APP, CSC‐g‐AA/PVA‐APP), based on corn straw cellulose polymer and linear polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), were prepared by solution polymerization. The nitric acid‐aqueous solution method was adopted to extract cellulose from corn straw. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was introduced to supply nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. The prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, the water absorbency and the slow‐release performance of CSC‐g‐AA/APP and CSC‐g‐AA/PVA‐APP were studied. The results indicated that the two superabsorbent resins exhibited excellent water absorbency of 262.8 and 303.2 g/g in distilled water, enhanced the water‐holding capacity of soil, and also released nutrients slowly. The cumulative N and P release rates of CSC‐g‐AA/PVA‐APP were 64.47 and 53.53% after 25 days in soil, which were lower than those of CSC‐g‐AA/APP. The addition of these products into soil significantly reduced the leaching losses of nutrients. Therefore, it can be concluded that the superabsorbent resins with water‐retaining and slow‐release properties, low production costs, and environment‐friendly characteristics, have great potential for applications in agricultural production. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48951.
Realizing Superior Cycle Stability of a Ni‐Rich Layered LiNi0.83Co0.12Mn0.05O2 Cathode with a B2O3 Surface Modification
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhuang Weidong , Li Zhao , Wu Shuaijin , Li Ning , Gao Min , Li Wenjin , Wang Jiantao , Lu Shigang
Published: January 2020

Ni‐rich cathode is considered a promising cathode for its high specific capacity. However, a sharp capacity attenuation induced by interface problems limits the application of the cathode material. Herein, we propose a practical surface modification strategy by introducing diboron trioxide (B2O3) to the surface of LiNi0.83Co0.12Mn0.05O2 (NCM) cathode materials. B2O3‐modified NCM shows superior cyclic stability with a capacity retention of 87.7 % at 1 C after 200 cycles in comparison to 69.4 % for a bare NCM. On the basis of material and electrochemical characterizations, we conclude that the superior cycle stability of B2O3‐modified NCM material benefits from the formation of B2O3 coating and B3+ doping on the surface. The B2O3 coating layer that is confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy can suppress surface side reactions and reduce the content of Li2CO3 on the surface. The B3+‐doping surface is verified by X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and triggers a reduction of a small amount of Ni3+ to Ni2+. Furthermore, the combination of surface B2O3 coating and B3+ doping inhibits the irreversible phase transitions and extension of microcracks in the NCM material. The above surface modification strategy provides a direction for the acquisition of long‐life cathode materials.
Complementary double‐stranded helical oligomers bearing achiral bifunctional groups that catalyze asymmetric aldol reaction
Authors: Taura Daisuke , Shimomura Kouhei , Ousaka Naoki , Yashima Eiji
Published: January 2020

Two novel chiral dimer and trimer strands composed of m‐terphenyl groups linked through p‐diethynylbenzene units with the chiral amidine group and achiral piperazine group introduced at the terminus or center of the strands, respectively, and its complementary achiral carboxylic acid dimer and trimer were synthesized. The complementary chiral/achiral strands form an excess‐handed double‐helical structure as supported by intense split‐type Cotton effects in the absorption regions of the conjugated backbones biased by the chiral amidinium–carboxylate salt bridges. The double‐helical trimer was found to catalyze the direct aldol reaction of cyclohexanone with 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde and produce the products with a moderate enantioselectivity despite the fact that the catalytically active bifunctional piperazine/carboxylic acid pair introduced in the middle is achiral, indicating the key role of the one‐handed double‐helical framework for supramolecular bifunctional organocatalysis.
Nonlinear desorption activation energy from TPD curves: Analysis of the influence of initial values for the regression procedure
Authors: Pirola Carlo , Di Michele Alessandro
Published: January 2020

Thermal programmed desorption (TPD) is a powerful technique for materials and catalysts characterization. By analyzing TPD curves, it is possible to calculate important parameters as the desorption activation energy,
E
d, that depends on the surface coverage (θ) by a nonlinear polynomial function, ie, . The Polanyi‐Wigner equation, , can be used as theoretical basis to calculate this parameter, by a fitting regression procedure starting from experimental TPD data. Different degrees (k) for this polynomial equation and different initial values of the frequency factor
A(θ) were considered and discussed to obtain the univocal value of desorption energy. Three different Pt and Co based catalysts, suitable for hydrogenation reactions, have been considered as case studies for the application and validation of the proposed calculation procedure.
Biomarker recommendation for PD‐1/PD‐L1 immunotherapy development in pediatric cancer based on digital image analysis of PD‐L1 and immune cells
Authors: Silva Manuel A , Triltsch Nicolas , Leis Simon , Kanchev Ivan , Tan Tze Heng , Van Peel Benjamine , Van Kerckhoven Marian , Deschoolmeester Vanessa , Zimmermann Johannes
Published: January 2020

Anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 immunotherapy could offer an alternative to traditional chemo‐ and/or radiotherapy to treat pediatric cancer patients. To unveil the potential benefit of this new therapeutic approach, the prevalence of PD‐L1 and other relevant immune markers using quantitative digital image analysis (DIA) could help to clarify this point. A bridging study was first conducted using commercially available normal formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tonsils to compare immunostaining patterns and intensities from PD‐L1, tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) markers CD3, CD8, FoxP3, CD45RO, and macrophage marker CD68 in adult (n = 5) and pediatric (n = 10) samples. Then, commercially available pediatric FFPE tumor samples from five prevalent pediatric solid tumor indications: ganglioneuroblastoma (n = 7); neuroblastoma (n = 23); nephroblastoma (n = 30); osteosarcoma (n = 24); and rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 25) were immunostained and their images (n = 654) digitally analyzed using predefined algorithms. The qualitative analysis of staining patterns and intensities in all 15 tonsils for all 6 biomarkers was similar regardless of age category. Quantitative DIA showed that PD‐L1 values varied across cancer‐types, nephroblastoma having the lowest counts. PD‐L1 counts in ganglioneuroblastoma, our pediatric indication with the highest average value, was approximately 12‐times lower than in a similar nonsmall cell lung cancer study, an indication approved for anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 immunotherapies. Variable values were measured for the TIL markers CD3, CD8, and CD45RO. FoxP3 was scant across all indications. The macrophage marker CD68 showed highest values in ganglioneuroblastoma, with lowest levels in nephroblastoma. In conclusion, the low PD‐L1 levels uncorrelated with TIL values from the present biomarker morphological study suggest that a PD‐L1 immunohistochemistry patient selection strategy used for anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 monotherapy in adult tumors may not succeed in these pediatric indications.
Defining and managing patients with non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction: Sorting through type 1 vs other types
Authors: Cohen Marc , Visveswaran Gautam
Published: January 2020

Advances in cardiovascular (CV) imaging, redefined electrocardiogram criteria, and high‐sensitivity CV biomarker assays have enabled more differentiated etiological classification of myocardial infarction (MI). Type 1 MI has a different underlying pathophysiology than type 2 through type 5 MI; type 1 MI is characterized primarily by intracoronary atherothrombosis and the other types by a variety of mechanisms, which can occur with or without an atherosclerotic component. In type 2 MI, there is evidence of myocardial oxygen supply‐demand imbalance unrelated to acute coronary atherothrombosis. Types 1 and 2 MI are spontaneous events, while type 4 and type 5 are procedure‐related; type 3 MI is identified only after death. Most type 1 and type 2 MI present as non‐ST‐elevation MI (NSTEMI), although both types can also present as ST‐elevation MI. Because of their different underlying etiologies, type 1 and type 2 NSTEMI have different presentation and prognosis and should be managed differently. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology, prognosis, and management of NSTEMI occurring in the setting of underlying type 1 or type 2 pathophysiology. Most NSTEMI (65%–90%) are type 1 MI. Patients with type 2 MI have multiple comorbidities and causes of in‐hospital mortality among these patients are not always CV‐related. It is important to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 NSTEMI early in the clinical course to allow for the use of the most appropriate treatments that will provide the greatest benefit for these patients.
Positive ion speed at the plasma–sheath boundary of a negative ion‐emitting electrode
Authors: Pandey Avnish K. , Karkari Shantanu K.
Published: January 2020

One‐dimensional fluid model for a planar sheath in front of a negative ion‐emitting electrode surface immersed in a collision‐less, non‐magnetized, electronegative plasma is presented. It was found that the positive ion speed at the plasma–sheath boundary (PSB) increases linearly with negative ion emission from the electrode but attains a saturation value as soon as a virtual cathode is formed near the electrode surface. The effect of negative ion emission on the pre‐sheath region shows that the potential drop increases across the pre‐sheath in accordance with the rise in positive ion speed at the PSB. The sheath width obtained using the present model shows a similar trend as the Child‐Langmuir law, but its magnitude is found to be consistently higher compared with a non‐emitting electrode. A plausible explanation has been given to explain these effects.
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and the assessment of science practical work: an historical review of assessment policy
Authors: Childs Ann , Baird Jo‐Anne
Published: January 2020

This article responds to two key concerns in science education: firstly, that policies designed to assess practical work have distorted its use as an effective pedagogical tool. Secondly, it addresses concerns about the lack of research on the assessment of practical work. The article analyses the policy trajectory for the assessment of science practical work, through the GCSE, in the English National Curriculum from 1988 to the present day. Drawing on published research and policy documents, using Bowe, Ball and Gould's policy cycle approach to policy analysis, we first identify three distinct eras which represent different ways of assessing practical work from 1988 to the present day. Second, we demonstrate that the interaction between high‐stakes assessment narrows the ways practical work is conducted in schools. The interaction between curriculum policy and assessment policy and its influences on pedagogy for practical work has been influenced by the high‐stakes nature of the tests. This is not a unique case to England nor to science education. Finally, we question whether we can design assessments, ‘tests worth teaching to’, that can withstand the implications of high‐stakes testing.
Factors associated with withdrawal from insulin pump therapy: A large‐population‐based study
Authors: Merzon Eugene , Grossman Jeremy , Vinker Shlomo , Merhasin Ilia , Levit Shmuel , Golan‐Cohen Avivit
Published: January 2020

Background

Although, number of diabetic patients received insulin pump (IP) therapy is increasing; there are limited data regarding factors associated with IP withdrawal.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study using data from an Israeli health maintenance organization. All patients, 21 or older, with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 (T2DM) diabetes, who received IP therapy for a 7‐year period were identified. Patients who did not purchase IP maintenance supplies for at least six consecutive months were defined as withdrawn (N = 355). Patients who purchased supplies were defined as adherent (N = 352).

Results

In both T1DM and T2DM patients, withdrawal from IP therapy was positively associated with duration of diabetes longer than 5 years (odds ratio [OR] = 13.26 [CI, 7.16‐23.34; P < .001] and OR = 10.92 [CI, 5.64‐21.14; P < .001], respectively), nonadherence to dietician follow‐up (OR = 5.78 [CI, 3.65‐9.14; P < .001] and OR = 3.41 [CI, 1.99‐5.85; P < .001], respectively), and poor glycaemic control prior to IP treatment (OR = 4.04 [CI, 2.18‐7.48; P < .001] and OR = 4.59 [CI, 2.71‐7.81; P < .001], respectively]. Co‐morbid neuro‐psychiatric disorders were also risk factors for IP withdrawal: diagnosis of depression (OR = 2.22 [CI, 1.16‐4.27; P = .017] and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) OR = 2.45 [CI, 1.003‐5.087; P = .043]) among T1DM patients; and diagnosis of depression (OR = 1.85 [CI, 1.05‐5.27; P = .046] and dementia OR = 4.03 [CI, 1.03‐19.77; P = .048]) among T2DM patients.

Conclusion

In our large real‐world population‐based study, we found that smoking, obesity, poor glycaemic control, and co‐morbid neuro‐psychiatric disorders were associated with a high rate of withdrawal from IP therapy. Health care providers ought to familiarize themselves with patient characteristics predictive of nonadherence and should intensify patient follow‐up when incorporating this new, costly, and challenging technology.
Teammate influences, psychological well‐being, and athletes’ eating and exercise psychopathology: A moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Scott Charlotte L. , Plateau Carolyn R. , Haycraft Emma
Published: January 2020

Objective

Positive and negative influences from teammates (e.g., supportive teammate friendships, modelling of teammates’ disordered eating) have been associated with athletes’ eating/exercise psychopathology. However, research is yet to explore how an athlete's psychological well‐being and gender may impact upon these relationships. This study aimed to explore whether psychological well‐being mediates the relationship between teammate influences and eating/exercise psychopathology, and to determine whether gender moderates the significant mediation effects identified.

Method

Athletes (N = 195, mean age 18.35 years, n = 110 female, n = 81 lean sport athletes) completed a survey three times over an 8‐month period exploring teammate influences, psychological well‐being (self‐esteem, anxiety, depression) and eating/exercise psychopathology. Mediation and moderated‐mediation analyses were conducted.

Results

Higher levels of anxiety significantly mediated the positive relationships between bulimia modelling and teammate pressure with eating and exercise psychopathology. Higher levels of depression significantly mediated the positive relationship between teammate pressure and body dissatisfaction, and the negative relationship between supportive friendships and body dissatisfaction. Higher levels of self‐esteem mediated both inverse relationships between supportive friendships and a lower drive for thinness (fully) and body dissatisfaction (partially). Gender did not significantly moderate any mediation relationships.

Discussion

Male and female athletes with poor psychological well‐being (i.e., high levels of anxiety or depression) are more susceptible to negative teammate influences, while athletes with good psychological well‐being (i.e., high self‐esteem) reap the protective benefits of supportive teammate friendships. Understanding the circumstances under which teammates are influential is vital for the development of targeted intervention and prevention strategies to reduce athlete eating and exercise psychopathology.
Trade‐offs between morphology and thermal niches mediate adaptation in response to competing selective pressures
Authors: Uiterwaal Stella F. , Lagerstrom Ian T. , Luhring Thomas M. , Salsbery Miranda E. , DeLong John P.
Published: January 2020

The effects of climate change—such as increased temperature variability and novel predators—rarely happen in isolation, but it is unclear how organisms cope with multiple stressors simultaneously. To explore this, we grew replicate Paramecium caudatum populations in either constant or variable temperatures and exposed half to predation. We then fit thermal performance curves (TPCs) of intrinsic growth rate (rmax) for each replicate population (N = 12) across seven temperatures (10°C–38°C). TPCs of P. caudatum exposed to both temperature variability and predation responded only to one or the other (but not both), resulting in unpredictable outcomes. These changes in TPCs were accompanied by changes in cell morphology. Although cell volume was conserved across treatments, cells became narrower in response to temperature variability and rounder in response to predation. Our findings suggest that predation and temperature variability produce conflicting pressures on both thermal performance and cell morphology. Lastly, we found a strong correlation between changes in cell morphology and TPC parameters in response to predation, suggesting that responses to opposing selective pressures could be constrained by trade‐offs. Our results shed new light on how environmental and ecological pressures interact to elicit changes in characteristics at both the individual and population levels. We further suggest that morphological responses to interactive environmental forces may modulate population‐level responses, making prediction of long‐term responses to environmental change challenging.
Circulating levels and prognostic value of soluble ST2 in heart failure are less influenced by age than N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide and high‐sensitivity troponin T
Authors: Aimo Alberto , Januzzi James L. , Vergaro Giuseppe , Richards A. Mark , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Latini Roberto , Anand Inder S. , Cohn Jay N. , Ueland Thor , Gullestad Lars , Aukrust Pål , Brunner‐La Rocca Hans‐Peter , Bayes‐Genis Antoni , Lupón Josep , de Boer Rudolf A. , Takeishi Yasuchika , Egstrup Michael , Gustafsson Ida , Gaggin Hanna K. , Eggers Kai M. , Huber Kurt , Gamble Greg D. , Ling Lieng H. , Leong Kui Tong Gerard , Yeo Poh Shuah Daniel , Ong Hean Yee , Jaufeerally Fazlur , Ng Tze P. , Troughton Richard , Doughty Robert N. , Passino Claudio , Emdin Michele
Published: January 2020

Aims

N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), high‐sensitivity troponin T (hs‐TnT) and soluble suppression of tumorigenesis‐2 (sST2) predict outcome in chronic heart failure (HF). We assessed the influence of age on circulating levels and prognostic significance of these biomarkers.

Methods and results

Individual data from 5301 patients with chronic HF and NT‐proBNP, hs‐TnT, and sST2 data were evaluated. Patients were stratified according to age: <60 years (n = 1332, 25%), 60–69 years (n = 1628, 31%), 70–79 years (n = 1662, 31%), and ≥ 80 years (n = 679, 13%). Patients (median age 66 years, 75% men, median left ventricular ejection fraction 28%, 64% with ischaemic HF) had median NT‐proBNP 1564 ng/L, hs‐TnT 21 ng/L, and sST2 29 ng/mL. Age independently predicted NT‐proBNP and hs‐TnT, but not sST2. The best NT‐proBNP and hs‐TnT cut‐offs for 1‐year and 5‐year all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality and 1‐ to 12‐month HF hospitalization increased with age, while the best sST2 cut‐offs did not. When stratifying patients according to age‐ and outcome‐specific cut‐offs, this stratification yielded independent prognostic significance over NT‐proBNP levels only, or the composite of NT‐proBNP and hs‐TnT, and improved risk prediction for most endpoints. Finally, absolute NT‐proBNP, hs‐TnT, and sST2 levels predicted outcomes independent of age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction category, ethnic group, and other variables.

Conclusions

Soluble ST2 is less influenced by age than NT‐proBNP or hs‐TnT; all these biomarkers predict outcome regardless of age. The use of age‐ and outcome‐specific cut‐offs of NT‐proBNP, hs‐TnT and sST2 allows more accurate risk stratification than NT‐proBNP alone or the combination of NT‐proBNP and hs‐TnT.
Cardiovascular risk associated with serum potassium in the context of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use in patients with heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction
Authors: Rossignol Patrick , Duarte Kevin , Girerd Nicolas , Karoui Moez , McMurray John J.V. , Swedberg Karl , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Pocock Stuart , Dickstein Kenneth , Zannad Faiez , Pitt Bertram
Published: January 2020

Background

To assess the prognostic value of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) initiation and change in serum potassium (K+) during follow‐up in patients post‐acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular dysfunction or chronic heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results

Risk scores for predicting cardiovascular death (primary outcome), hospitalization for HF and all‐cause death were developed. K+ and other relevant time‐updated clinical and biological variables were added to conventional prognostic factors when constructing these new models. EPHESUS (n = 6632) was the derivation cohort, while EMPHASIS‐HF (chronic HF, n = 2737) was used as external validation cohort. The final cardiovascular death risk score included medical history, clinical and biological parameters (e.g. K+, below or above the normal range of 4–5 mmol/L, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and anaemia), as well as aspects of treatment (any diuretic usage, MRA use or discontinuation, and beta‐blocker use). The risk score performed well in both the derivation and validation cohorts and outperformed the MAGGIC score. A web‐based calculator was created to allow easy determination of the risk score (http://cic-p-nancy.fr/CardiovascularriskscoreCalculator/).

Conclusion

Adding time‐updated variables, including K+ and MRA treatment, improved risk prediction of cardiovascular death (on top of the MAGGIC score) in patients with HF eligible for renin–angiotensin system inhibitors and MRA therapy. This new risk score including MRA usage and K+ may be of value in helping physicians to better use MRAs, avoid unnecessary and potentially detrimental permanent discontinuations, and therefore improving cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic HFrEF or HF after acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular dysfunction.
Photocatalytic treatment of mixed selenocyanate and phenol streams: Process modeling, optimization, and kinetics
Authors: Vohra Muhammad Shariq , Labaran Bashir Alhaji
Published: January 2020

Elevated selenium presence in the aquatic bodies because of increased industrial practices and the resulting toxicity concerns have prompted selenium treatment. Although most studies have focused on selenite (SeO32−) and selenate (SeO42−) removal, however selenocyanate (SeCN−) is another Se‐species whose treatment is challenging often because of a complex wastewater matrix and presence of co‐pollutants such as phenol. The present study therefore investigated the efficiency of TiO2 photocatalysis (with EDTA as a hole/h+ scavenger) for the treatment of mixed selenocyanate/phenol wastewater along with response surface methodology (RSM) based process optimization, determination of reaction intermediates, and kinetic modeling. The application of face‐centered central composite design (CCD) RSM modeling yielded Natural Log Transformed Linear model for selenium removal, and non‐transformed two‐factor interaction model for phenol removal. These models were duly validated using statistical tools, and then tested employing additional experiments. The optimal process conditions for maximum selenium and phenol removal were found to be pH 4, 10 ppm selenocyanate, 5 ppm phenol, and 450 ppm EDTA. Findings from the reaction byproducts analysis indicated selenite, selenate, benzenediols, and benzeneseleninic acid as most noted intermediates. A kinetic model that predicts the changes in parent compounds selenocyanate/phenol and dominant reaction intermediates during photocatalysis is also presented.
Multichannel allocation for full‐duplex underlay device‐to‐device communication
Authors: Jose Justin , Agarwal Anirudh , Singh Sengar Aditya , Gangopadhyay Ranjan , Debnath Soumitra
Published: January 2020

Device‐to‐device (D2D) communication is a promising future wireless network technology that establishes a direct link between the devices in close vicinity. Along with the improved end‐to‐end latency and network rate, it also enhances the spectral and power efficiency. Most of the previous works on interference management and resource allocation have considered half‐duplex (HD) D2D systems and have assumed that D2D pairs cannot access more than a single channel at a time and a cellular channel is assigned to at most one D2D pair. In this article, we investigate multiple‐pair‐multiple‐channel (MPMC) allocation scenario over multiple‐input‐multiple‐output‐based full‐duplex D2D networks. The idea is to maximize the aggregate sum data rate of the D2D network by optimal allocation of the resources and maintaining a desired threshold rate for the cellular users. The cross‐tier interferences are intelligently handled by appropriate channel allocation and the co‐tier interferences by proper power allocation. The efficacy of the proposed MPMC algorithm has been evaluated through rigorous simulations, and an appreciably better network rate has been found as compared with the single‐pair‐single‐channel‐based allocation. Moreover, by allowing more users to communicate in tandem, with enhanced average rate, the results also ensure a better opportunity of higher utilization of the scarce licensed cellular spectrum. The presented algorithm has also been compared with random and uniform based allocations and further analyzed in HD‐MPMC communications.
TD‐PSO: Task distribution approach based on particle swarm optimization for vehicular ad hoc network
Authors: Bany Taha Mohammad , Talhi Chamseddine , Ould‐Slimane Hakima , Alrabaee Saed
Published: January 2020

The rapid advancement of the artificial intelligence revolution during the past decade has significantly affected vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). Several applications have been introduced that must meet the requirements of a VANET, including automatic driving and preaccident alerts and broadcasting of video. The customization of vehicles for implementation of these applications is costly and might not be possible due to many constraints, particularly resource limitations. In order to achieve compliance with the VANET framework within the resource limitations, this article proposes limiting the time frame related with the individual parts of the process. To this end, this article recommends that the resource‐intensive ciphertext‐policy attribute‐based encryption (CP‐ABE) task be simplified by virtue of partitioning it into subtasks. This can be achieved by a machine‐learning technique (decision tree) in a manner that significantly influences the completion times of all subtasks. An approach based on particle swarm optimization (PSO), called task‐distribution PSO (TD‐PSO) , is proposed to perform the CP‐ABE task distribution on a VANET. The performance of this approach is evaluated by comparison with a genetic algorithm (GA), followed by comparison of these two solutions with the optimal solution proposed by the linear programming (LP) method. Results show that the TD‐PSO approach consumes less overhead than the GA. Moreover, comparison with the optimal solution proposed by LP shows that the near‐optimal solution obtained using TD‐PSO is more accurate than that obtained using the GA in most scenarios.
Polygenic risk scores outperform machine learning methods in predicting coronary artery disease status
Authors: Gola Damian , Erdmann Jeannette , Müller‐Myhsok Bertram , Schunkert Heribert , König Inke R.
Published: January 2020

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading global cause of mortality and has substantial heritability with a polygenic architecture. Recent approaches of risk prediction were based on polygenic risk scores (PRS) not taking possible nonlinear effects into account and restricted in that they focused on genetic loci associated with CAD, only. We benchmarked PRS, (penalized) logistic regression, naïve Bayes (NB), random forests (RF), support vector machines (SVM), and gradient boosting (GB) on a data set of 7,736 CAD cases and 6,774 controls from Germany to identify the algorithms for most accurate classification of CAD status. The final models were tested on an independent data set from Germany (527 CAD cases and 473 controls). We found PRS to be the best algorithm, yielding an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.92 (95% CI [0.90, 0.95], 50,633 loci) in the German test data. NB and SVM (AUC ~ 0.81) performed better than RF and GB (AUC ~ 0.75). We conclude that using PRS to predict CAD is superior to machine learning methods.
Palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate evolution during the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene of SE Romania
Authors: Casas‐Gallego Manuel , Marza Andreea , Tudor Eugen
Published: January 2020

Fossil microfloral assemblages from five sedimentary successions of the Dacian Basin (Eastern Paratethys) are used to reconstruct the palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate of SE Romania during the Late Miocene to Early Pliocene (regional stages Khersonian, Meotian, Pontian, and Dacian). The studied microfloras were deposited under brackish to freshwater conditions in a fairly distal area of the Dacian Basin and are interpreted to reflect changes in the terrestrial ecosystems at a regional scale. The results show that the vegetation dynamic of the area was driven by the interplay of palaeogeographical and climatic changes. Broadleaved deciduous trees characteristic of temperate climatic regimes and a variety of gymnosperms dominated the vegetation during the Khersonian and the Meotian. This type of vegetation underwent a gradual decline throughout the studied time span, probably associated with a long‐term cooling and drying trend. Thermophilous taxa were virtually absent in the area, with the exception of Engelhardia and Taxodioideae, which probably inhabited lowland swamp forests. The effect of an arid phase, which had its acme during the late Khersonian and extended, in an attenuated mode, during the earliest Meotian, is reflected in the palynological assemblages. This event resulted in the development of a xeric flora including Ephedra and Lygeum. The latter genus is cited for the first time in the Neogene flora of the Eastern Paratethys. Although mesic herbaceous taxa generally occur in low numbers throughout the successions, its signal becomes more relevant in the Pontian, suggesting drier conditions favourable for open ecosystems to develop. During the Dacian substage, the transition from brackish to freshwater settings in the basin favoured the development of shallow, freshwater marshes and led to the spread of a diverse hygrophytic flora. At the same time, a significant increase in Celtis pollen is interpreted to represent increased seasonality of precipitation.
Dystrophic microglia in late‐onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Streit Wolfgang J. , Khoshbouei Habibeh , Bechmann Ingo
Published: January 2020

Here, we summarize current understanding of functional involvement of microglial cells in the most common neurodegenerative disease to affect humans, which is sporadic or late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Our review narrowly focuses on insights obtained from post‐mortem neuropathological examinations of human brains paying particular attention to microglia as these cells have long been implicated as pivotal players in the cellular processes that lead to AD‐type neurodegeneration. Although complete understanding of the roles played by microglia in AD neurodegeneration remains elusive, our studies thus far have illuminated microglial involvement in LOAD, showing that microglial dystrophy, the morphological manifestation of senescence, can be integrated with other hallmark pathological features of AD, such as intraneuronal neurofibrillary degeneration (NFD) and extracellular deposits of amyloid‐beta (Aβ) protein. We have demonstrated an in situ correlation between microglial dystrophy and presence of NFD suggesting that neurodegeneration is secondary to aging‐related microglial deterioration, a concept founded on the notion that proper neuronal function is dependent on presence of healthy microglia. Diseased or weakened glia are detrimental for neuronal well‐being because their ability to provide neuronal support may be impaired. Our most recent work also links microglial dystrophy with Aβ deposits by showing that there is a chronic, yet futile microglial reaction to insoluble amyloid deposits. This inability of microglia to remove aggregated amyloid (a foreign body) causes microglial exhaustion and thereby exacerbates already ongoing aging‐dependent microglial deterioration. An eventual total loss of functional microglia in advanced LOAD promotes widespread NFD, dementia, and brain failure.
How aging affects the premotor control of lower limb movements in simulated gait
Authors: Sacheli Lucia Maria , Zapparoli Laura , Bonandrini Rolando , Preti Matteo , Pelosi Catia , Sconfienza Luca Maria , Banfi Giuseppe , Paulesu Eraldo
Published: January 2020

Gait control becomes more demanding in healthy older adults, yet what cognitive or motor process leads to this age‐related change is unknown. The present study aimed to investigate whether it might depend on specific decay in the quality of gait motor representation and/or a more general reduction in the efficiency of lower limb motor control. Younger and older healthy participants performed in fMRI a virtual walking paradigm that combines motor imagery (MI) of walking and standing on the spot with the presence (Dynamic Motor Imagery condition, DMI) or absence (pure MI condition) of overtly executed ankle dorsiflexion. Gait imagery was aided by the concomitant observation of moving videos simulating a stroll in the park from a first‐person perspective. Behaviorally, older participants showed no sign of evident depletion in the quality of gait motor representations, and absence of between‐group differences in the neural correlates of MI. However, while younger participants showed increased frontoparietal activity during DMI, older participants displayed stronger activation of premotor areas when controlling the pure execution of ankle dorsiflexion, regardless of the imagery task. These data suggest that reduced automaticity of lower limb motor control in healthy older subjects leads to the recruitment of additional premotor resources even in the absence of basic gait functional disabilities.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor overexpression predicts reduced survival but its targeting is not effective in unselected HNSCC patients
Authors: Khan Martin , Khaznadar Sami S. , Routila Johannes , Ventelä Sami , Schmid Elke , Gebhart Bastian , Becker Eva T. , Roider Helge G. , Perala Merja , Schmitz Arndt A. , Krahn Thomas , von Ahsen Oliver
Published: January 2020

Background

MET has emerged as target in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, clinical data on MET inhibition in HNSCC are limited.

Methods

HNSCC biopsies and cell lines were tested for MET activity. The response of cell lines to BAY‐853474 was tested in proliferation assays. The prognostic value of MET expression was also analyzed.

Results

HNSCC cell lines do not respond to MET inhibition. MET‐dependent gastric cancer cell lines have much higher levels of MET expression and phosphorylation than HNSCC cell lines. Clinical samples of HNSCC contain much less MET than responsive models.

Conclusions

No clinical response to MET inhibitors in monotherapy may be expected in unselected cases of HNSCC. Only selected patients with MET amplifications should be treated with MET inhibitors. Patients with increased MET immunoreactivity have shorter overall survival. MET might be useful as marker for the detection of patients with more aggressive types of HNSCC.
Elective neck treatment in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Faisal Muhammad , Seemann Rudolf , Lill Claudia , Hamzavi Sasan , Wutzl Arno , Erovic Boban M. , Janik Stefan
Published: January 2020

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas (SNUCs), being an aggressive malignancy with dismal survival outcome, have given limited consideration regarding management of regional failures. A total of 12 studies, published between 1999 and 2019, met inclusion criteria. We performed a meta‐analysis assessing regional (neck) relapse after elective neck treatment compared to observation in clinically node negative (N0) necks. Clinical data of 255 patients were used for meta‐analysis. Among them, 83.4% of patients presented with T4 tumors and 14.1% had positive neck nodes. Elective neck treatment was applied in 49.5% of analyzed patients. Regional relapses occurred in 3.7% of patients who have undergone elective neck treatment compared to 26.4% in patients who had not. Elective neck treatment significantly reduced the risk of regional recurrence (odds ratio 0.20; 95% confidence interval 0.08‐0.49; P = .0004). The meta‐analysis indicates that elective neck treatment could significantly reduce the risk of regional failures in patients with SNUCs.
Treatment with mogamulizumab or lenalidomide for relapsed adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: The Nagasaki transplant group experience
Authors: Sakamoto Hikaru , Itonaga Hidehiro , Sawayama Yasushi , Furumoto Takafumi , Fujioka Machiko , Chiwata Masahiko , Toriyama Eo , Kasai Sachie , Nakashima Jun , Horai Makiko , Kato Takeharu , Sato Shinya , Ando Koji , Taguchi Jun , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Yoshida Shinichiro , Hata Tomoko , Moriuchi Yukiyoshi , Miyazaki Yasushi
Published: January 2020

Mogamulizumab (Mog) and lenalidomide (Len) are new therapeutic candidates for relapsed adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed 12 patients who received Mog or Len monotherapy for relapsed ATL after allo‐HSCT. Eight and three patients received Mog and Len, respectively. The remaining patient received Mog for the first relapse and Len for the third relapse. A complete response was achieved by three and two patients who received Mog and Len, respectively, two and one of whom remained alive with a complete response for more than 20 months. In terms of adverse events, the emergence or progression of graft‐versus‐host disease was observed in three out of four patients treated with Len and in none of the patients treated with Mog. The development or progression of cytomegalovirus reactivation was detected in four out of eight patients treated with Mog and in none of those treated with Len. The present results suggest that Mog and Len would be promising treatment options for relapsed ATL after allo‐HSCT and need to be selected based on adverse event profiles.
An enhanced rainfall–runoff model with coupled canopy interception
Authors: Tao Wanghai , Wang Quanjiu , Guo Li , Lin Henry , Chen Xiaopeng , Sun Yan , Ning Songrui
Published: January 2020

The translation of rainfall to runoff is significantly affected by canopy interception. Therefore, a realistic representation of the role played by vegetation cover when modelling the rainfall–runoff system is essential for predicting water, sediment, and nutrient transport on hillslopes. Here, we developed a new mathematical model to describe the dynamics of interception, infiltration, and overland flow on canopy‐covered sloping land. Based on the relationship between rainfall intensity and the maximum interception rate, the interception process was modelled under two simplified scenarios (i.e., re ≤ Intm and re > Intm). Parameterization of the model was based on consideration of both vegetation condition and soil properties. By analysing the given examples, we found that Intm reflects the capacity of the canopy to store the precipitation, k reveals the ability of the canopy to retain the intercepted water, and the processes of infiltration and runoff generation are impacted dramatically by Intm and k. To evaluate the model, simulated rainfall experiments were conducted in 2 years (2016 and 2017) across six cultivation plots at Changwu State Key Agro‐Ecological Experimental Station of the Chinese Loess Plateau. The parameters were obtained by fitting the unit discharge (simulated rainfall experiments in 2016) using the least squares method, and estimation formulas for parameters pertaining to vegetation/soil factors (measured in 2016) were constructed via multiple nonlinear regressions. By matching the simulated results and unit discharge (simulated rainfall experiments in 2017), the validity of the model was verified, and a reasonable precision (average R2 = .86 and average root mean square error = 6.45) was obtained. The model developed in this research creatively incorporates the canopy interception process to complement the modelling of rainfall infiltration and runoff generation during vegetation growth and offers an improved hydrological basis to analyse matter transport during rainfall events.
Modulating sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors to improve chemotherapy efficacy against Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Marmonti Enrica , Savage Hannah , Zhang Aiqian , Bedoya Claudia A.F. , Morrell Miriam G. , Harden Avis , Buzbee Meridith , Schadler Keri
Published: January 2020

Tumor vasculature is innately dysfunctional. Poorly functional tumor vessels inefficiently deliver chemotherapy to tumor cells; vessel hyper‐permeability promotes chemotherapy delivery primarily to a tumor's periphery. Here, we identify a method for enhancing chemotherapy efficacy in Ewing sarcoma (ES) in mice by modulating tumor vessel permeability. Vessel permeability is partially controlled by the G protein‐coupled Sphinosine‐1‐phosphate receptors 1 and 2 (S1PR1 and S1PR2) on endothelial cells. S1PR1 promotes endothelial cell junction integrity while S1PR2 destabilizes it. We hypothesize that an imbalance of S1PR1:S1PR2 is partially responsible for the dysfunctional vascular phenotype characteristic of ES and that by altering the balance in favor of S1PR1, ES vessel hyper‐permeability can be reversed. In our study, we demonstrate that pharmacologic activation of S1PR1 by SEW2871 or inhibition of S1PR2 by JTE‐013 caused more organized, mature and functional tumor vessels. Importantly, S1PR1 activation or S1PR2 inhibition improved antitumor efficacy. Our data suggests that pharmacologic targeting of S1PR1 and S1PR2 may be a useful adjuvant to standard chemotherapy for ES patients.
Using long short‐term memory neural networks to analyze SEC 13D filings: A recipe for human and machine interaction
Authors: Aydogdu Murat , Saraoglu Hakan , Louton David
Published: January 2020

We implement an efficient methodology for extracting themes from Securities Exchange Commission 13D filings using aspects of human‐assisted active learning and long short‐term memory (LSTM) neural networks. Sentences from the ‘Purpose of Transaction’ section of each filing are extracted and a randomly chosen subset is labelled based on six filing themes that the existing literature on shareholder activism has shown to have an impact on stock returns. We find that an LSTM neural network that accepts sentences as input performs significantly better, with precision of 77%, than an alternately specified neural network that uses the common bag of words approach. This indicates that both sentence structure and vocabulary are important in classifying SEC 13D filings. Our study has important implications, as it addresses the recent cautions raised in the literature that analysis of finance and accounting‐related text sources should move beyond bag‐of‐words approaches to alternatives that incorporate the analysis of word sense and meaning reflecting context.
Evolutionary conflict and coloniality in animals
Authors: Blackstone Neil W.
Published: January 2020

Despite considerable interest in the effects of evolutionary conflict in colonies of social insects, relatively little attention has been paid to this issue in clonal animals with modular construction, such as colonial ascidians, bryozoans, and cnidarians. These colonial animals are structural individuals, subdivided into repeated morphological modules, which can individually acquire, process, and share resources. While size‐related selection favors colony formation, evolutionary conflicts remain a potent obstacle to such cooperation. These conflicts can occur at several levels and must be mediated for cooperation to emerge. Module‐level conflicts potentially result in coalitions of genetically similar modules failing to share resources or monopolizing reproduction. Mediation occurs by a number of mechanisms including: (a) a single‐module bottleneck at the initiation of colony formation, (b) allorecognition that limits colony fusion to close kin, (c) development of new modules from connective tissue, (d) synchronization of module budding, (e) programmed module death, (f) terminal differentiation of reproductive modules, and (g) architectural constraints. Effective mediation of module‐level conflicts, however, may in some cases contribute to cell‐level conflicts. Animal colonies typically have multipotent stem cells, and genetically variant stem cells can potentially monopolize gamete formation. Limiting colony fusion to close kin may not eliminate such conflict. Finally, in at least some taxa an association between photosymbiosis and coloniality is found. Allocation of photosynthate can lead to host‐symbiont conflicts that can be mediated by housing symbionts intracellularly and using chemiosmotic mechanisms to detect defectors. Colonial animals thus serve as a living laboratory of evolutionary conflict and its mediation.
Consanguineous marriage and its effect on reproductive behavior and uptake of prenatal screening
Authors: Sahin Eda , İnciser Paşalak Şeyma , Seven Memnun
Published: January 2020

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of consanguinity among pregnant women, its effect on reproductive behavior and the uptake of prenatal screening. The sample consisted of 842 pregnant women recruited to a prospective cohort study conducted in twenty‐three cities from different regions in Turkey between June 2017 and March 2018. Of the women, 17.7% (n = 149) were in consanguineous marriages. The consanguineous couples were younger at the time of their marriages than non‐consanguineous couples, and 49% of the consanguineous marriages were arranged. The educational levels of both spouses in consanguineous marriages were lower than those in non‐consanguineous marriages. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the pregnant women having a prenatal screening test between women in consanguineous marriages (53%) and those in non‐consanguineous marriages (78.2%). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of having health problems during pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, abortions and/or stillbirths, the week of delivery and the birthweight of the baby. Healthcare providers play a key role in eliciting whether or not pregnant couples are consanguineous, providing a tailored risk assessment, education, and counseling about screening and diagnostic tests for early diagnosis and management of the fetus, explaining the testing process and possible outcomes, and helping couples make informed decisions regarding their reproductive options or pregnancy management.