bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A hidden crust beneath the central Urumieh‐Dokhtar Magmatic Arc revealed by inherited zircon ages, Tafresh, Iran
Authors: Chaharlang Razieh , Ghorbani Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2019

Laser ablation ICP‐MS U–Pb dating on inherited zircons from Neogene volcanic rocks of the Tafresh area in the central part of Urumieh‐Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA) yielded Paleoproterozoic, Late Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian, Carboniferous, and Cretaceous ages. These ages improve our understanding of the geodynamical evolution of central UDMA. The 2,379 Ma age (i.e., Paleoproterozoic) is the oldest age reported in the central UDMA and is similar to the age of detrital zircons from Central Iran. The Paleoproterozoic zircons may come from the African Craton and fed from Central Iran sedimentary sequences. The Late Neoproterozoic–Early Cambrian ages (605 ± 11 Ma to 533 ± 9.2 Ma) indicate a basement for the UDMA, which is similar to that of the Sanandaj‐Sirjan Zone, Central Iran, and northwest Iran. The Carboniferous zircon age (328.4 Ma) is interpreted as being derived from the Eurasian arc produced by northward subduction of the Paleo‐Tethys Oceanic Plate. The Late Cretaceous zircon ages (106 to 71.2 Ma) might be regarded as indicating the Late Cretaceous magmatic episode, marking the subduction of oceanic crust that followed the Neo‐Tethys subduction.
Stimulus‐dependent modifications in astrocyte‐derived extracellular vesicle cargo regulate neuronal excitability
Authors: Datta Chaudhuri Amrita , Dasgheyb Raha M. , DeVine Lauren R. , Bi Honghao , Cole Robert N. , Haughey Norman J.
Published: August 2019

Extracellular vesicles have now emerged as key players in cell‐to‐cell communication. This is particularly important in the central nervous system, where glia–neuron cross‐talk helps maintain normal neuronal function. Astrocyte‐derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) secreted constitutively promote neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival. However, extracellular stimuli can alter the cargo and downstream functions of ADEVs. For example, ADEVs secreted in response to inflammation contain cargo microRNAs and proteins that reduce neurite outgrowth, neuronal firing, and promote neuronal apoptosis. We performed a comprehensive quantitative proteomic analysis to enumerate the proteomic cargo of ADEVs secreted in response to multiple stimuli. Rat primary astrocytes were stimulated with a trophic stimulus (adenosine triphosphate, ATP), an inflammatory stimulus (IL‐1β) or an anti‐inflammatory stimulus (IL10) and extracellular vesicles secreted within a 2 hr time frame were collected using sequential ultracentrifugation method. ADEVs secreted constitutively without exposure to any stimulus were used a control. A tandem mass tag‐based proteomic platform was used to identify and quantify proteins in the ADEVs. Ingenuity pathway analysis was performed to predict the downstream signaling events regulated by ADEVs. We found that in response to ATP or IL10, ADEVs contain a set of proteins that are involved in increasing neurite outgrowth, dendritic branching, regulation of synaptic transmission, and promoting neuronal survival. In contrast, ADEVs secreted in response to IL‐1β contain proteins that regulate peripheral immune response and immune cell trafficking to the central nervous system.
Temporal precedence of cognitive function and functional abilities: A latent difference score model of the Chinese community‐dwelling elders
Authors: Wang Juan , Zhu Wei‐Heng , Li You‐Fu , Zhu Wei‐Wen
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Little research has explored how cognitive function and activities of daily living (ADL) affect each other over time. In addition, no current finding provides a clear hint to the temporal precedence between them. The present study tries to address these limitations of prior studies by utilizing a longitudinal data and advanced statistical modeling.

Methods

This study analyzed the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a prospective observational study performed every 2 years for a total of three waves between 2011 and 2015 using a multistage probability sampling. Cognitive function was measured on the basis of three aspects of cognitive performance. Functional abilities were assessed using six types of activities of ADL and five types of instrumental ADL (IADL). Latent difference score modeling was employed to investigate the temporal precedence between cognitive function and ADL.

Results

The best fitting model indicates poor cognitive function precede worsening in ADL function, whereas the current findings did not support that poor ADL predate the cognition decline or reciprocal influence hypotheses.

Conclusions

The elderly with poor cognitive function may be more vulnerable to deterioration in ADL. Findings underscore the importance of early screening for cognitive function among the elderly as the key strategy to prevent further ADL impairment and keep independence.
The marginal benefits of healthcare spending in the Netherlands: Estimating cost‐effectiveness thresholds using a translog production function
Authors: Stadhouders Niek , Koolman Xander , van Dijk Christel , Jeurissen Patrick , Adang Eddy
Published: August 2019

New technologies may displace existing, higher‐value care under a fixed budget. Countries aim to curtail adoption of low‐value technologies, for example, by installing cost‐effectiveness thresholds. Our objective is to estimate the opportunity cost of hospital care to identify a threshold value for the Netherlands. To this aim, we combine claims data, mortality data and quality of life questionnaires from 2012 to 2014 for 11,000 patient groups to obtain quality‐adjusted life‐year (QALY) outcomes and spending. Using a fixed effects translog model, we estimate that a 1% increase in hospital spending on average increases QALY outcomes by 0.2%. This implies a threshold of €73,600 per QALY, with 95% confidence intervals ranging from €53,000 to €94,000 per QALY. The results stipulate that new technologies with incremental cost effectiveness ratios exceeding the Dutch upper reference value of €80,000 may indeed displace more valuable care.
The prognostic impact of level I lymph node involvement in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xiao Roy , Ward Matthew C. , Yang Kailin , Adelstein David J. , Koyfman Shlomo A. , Prendes Brandon L. , Burkey Brian B.
Published: August 2019

Background

We investigated the impact of level I lymph node involvement (LNI) on survival for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods

We performed a cohort study of patients with OPSCC who underwent resection with known human papillomavirus (HPV) status in the National Cancer Database (2010‐2014).

Results

Among 5591 patients with OPSCC, 599 (10.7%) had level I LNI. Predictors of level I LNI included pT classification (pT3 vs pT1; odds ratio [OR], 1.95; P < 0.001), pN classification (pN3 vs pN1; OR, 1.63; P = 0.05), and level III LNI (OR, 6.05; P < 0.001). Among included patients, 4035 had known survival status. Level I LNI predicted inferior overall survival (OS) while adjusting for covariates (HR, 1.64; P < 0.001). Subset analyses revealed association between level I LNI and inferior OS among patients with base of tongue cancer, pT/pN classification greater than 1, and HPV‐negative cancer.

Conclusions

Level I LNI predicts inferior OS, particular among patients with at least pT2 or pN2 OPSCC.
Interplay of Liver–Heart Inflammatory Axis and Cannabinoid 2 Receptor Signaling in an Experimental Model of Hepatic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Matyas Csaba , Erdelyi Katalin , Trojnar Eszter , Zhao Suxian , Varga Zoltan V. , Paloczi Janos , Mukhopadhyay Partha , Nemeth Balazs T. , Haskó György , Cinar Resat , Rodrigues Robim M. , Ait Ahmed Yeni , Gao Bin , Pacher Pal
Published: August 2019

Background and Aims

Hepatic cardiomyopathy, a special type of heart failure, develops in up to 50% of patients with cirrhosis and is a major determinant of survival. However, there is no reliable model of hepatic cardiomyopathy in mice. We aimed to characterize the detailed hemodynamics of mice with bile duct ligation (BDL)–induced liver fibrosis, by monitoring echocardiography and intracardiac pressure–volume relationships and myocardial structural alterations. Treatment of mice with a selective cannabinoid‐2 receptor (CB2‐R) agonist, known to attenuate inflammation and fibrosis, was used to explore the impact of liver inflammation and fibrosis on cardiac function.

Approach and Results

BDL induced massive inflammation (increased leukocyte infiltration, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines), oxidative stress, microvascular dysfunction, and fibrosis in the liver. These pathological changes were accompanied by impaired diastolic, systolic, and macrovascular functions; cardiac inflammation (increased macrophage inflammatory protein 1, interleukin‐1, P‐selectin, cluster of differentiation 45–positive cells); and oxidative stress (increased malondialdehyde, 3‐nitrotyrosine, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases). CB2‐R up‐regulation was observed in both livers and hearts of mice exposed to BDL. CB2‐R activation markedly improved hepatic inflammation, impaired microcirculation, and fibrosis. CB2‐R activation also decreased serum tumor necrosis factor‐alpha levels and improved cardiac dysfunction, myocardial inflammation, and oxidative stress, underlining the importance of inflammatory mediators in the pathology of hepatic cardiomyopathy.

Conclusions

We propose BDL‐induced cardiomyopathy in mice as a model for hepatic/cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. This cardiomyopathy, similar to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in humans, is characterized by systemic hypotension and impaired macrovascular and microvascular function accompanied by both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Our results indicate that the liver–heart inflammatory axis has a pivotal pathophysiological role in the development of hepatic cardiomyopathy. Thus, controlling liver and/or myocardial inflammation (e.g., with selective CB2‐R agonists) may delay or prevent the development of cardiomyopathy in severe liver disease.
Mesencephalic Astrocyte‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Inhibits Liver Cancer Through Small Ubiquitin‐Related Modifier (SUMO)ylation‐Related Suppression of NF‐κB/Snail Signaling Pathway and Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Liu Jun , Wu Zhengsheng , Han Dan , Wei Chuansheng , Liang Yanyan , Jiang Tongcui , Chen Lu , Sha Manqi , Cao Yajie , Huang Fan , Geng Xiaoping , Yu Jishuang , Shen Yujun , Wang Hua , Feng Lijie , Wang Dong , Fang Shengyun , Wang Siying , Shen Yuxian
Published: August 2019

Background and Aims

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with liver inflammation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, how ER stress links inflammation and HCC remains obscure. Mesencephalic astrocyte‐derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is an ER stress‐inducible secretion protein that inhibits inflammation by interacting with the key subunit of nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) p65. We hypothesized that MANF may play a key role in linking ER stress and inflammation in HCC.

Approach and Results

Here, we found that MANF mRNA and protein levels were lower in HCC tissues versus adjacent noncancer tissues. Patients with high levels of MANF had better relapse‐free survival and overall survival rates than those with low levels. MANF levels were also associated with the status of liver cirrhosis, advanced tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage, and tumor size. In vitro experiments revealed that MANF suppressed the migration and invasion of hepatoma cells. Hepatocyte‐specific deletion of MANF accelerated N‐nitrosodiethylamine (DEN)‐induced HCC by up‐regulating Snail1+2 levels and promoting epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). MANF appeared in the nuclei and was colocalized with p65 in HCC tissues and in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α)‐treated hepatoma cells. The interaction of p65 and MANF was also confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Consistently, knockdown of MANF up‐regulated NF‐κB downstream target genes TNF‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1α expression in vitro and in vivo. Finally, small ubiquitin‐related modifier 1 (SUMO1) promoted MANF nuclear translocation and enhanced the interaction of MANF and p65. Mutation of p65 motifs for SUMOylation abolished the interaction of p65 and MANF.

Conclusions

MANF plays an important role in linking ER stress and liver inflammation by inhibiting the NF‐κB/Snail signal pathway in EMT and HCC progression. Therefore, MANF may be a cancer suppressor and a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
CREBZF as a Key Regulator of STAT3 Pathway in the Control of Liver Regeneration in Mice
Authors: Hu Zhimin , Han Yamei , Liu Yuxiao , Zhao Zehua , Ma Fengguang , Cui Aoyuan , Zhang Feifei , Liu Zhengshuai , Xue Yaqian , Bai Jinyun , Wu Haifu , Bian Hua , Chin Y. Eugene , Yu Ying , Meng Zhuoxian , Wang Hua , Liu Yong , Fan Jiangao , Gao Xin , Chen Yan , Li Yu
Published: August 2019

Background and Aims

STAT3, a member of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family, is strongly associated with liver injury, inflammation, regeneration, and hepatocellular carcinoma development. However, the signals that regulate STAT3 activity are not completely understood.

Approach and Results

Here we characterize CREB/ATF bZIP transcription factor CREBZF as a critical regulator of STAT3 in the hepatocyte to repress liver regeneration. We show that CREBZF deficiency stimulates the expression of the cyclin gene family and enhances liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Flow cytometry analysis reveals that CREBZF regulates cell cycle progression during liver regeneration in a hepatocyte‐autonomous manner. Similar results were observed in another model of liver regeneration induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Mechanistically, CREBZF potently associates with the linker domain of STAT3 and represses its dimerization and transcriptional activity in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, hepatectomy‐induced hyperactivation of cyclin D1 and liver regeneration in CREBZF liver‐specific knockout mice was reversed by selective STAT3 inhibitor cucurbitacin I. In contrast, adeno‐associated virus–mediated overexpression of CREBZF in the liver inhibits the expression of the cyclin gene family and attenuates liver regeneration in CCl4‐treated mice.

Conclusions

These results characterize CREBZF as a coregulator of STAT3 to inhibit regenerative capacity, which may represent an essential cellular signal to maintain liver mass homeostasis. Therapeutic approaches to inhibit CREBZF may benefit the compromised liver during liver transplantation.
Option‐implied risk measures: An empirical examination on the S&P 500 index
Authors: Barone‐Adesi Giovanni , Legnazzi Chiara , Sala Carlo
Published: August 2019

The forward‐looking nature of option market data allows one to derive economically based and model‐free risk measures. This article proposes an extensive analysis of the performances of option‐implied value at risk and conditional value at risk and compares them with classical risk measures for the S&P 500 index. Delivering good results both at short and long time horizons, the proposed option‐implied risk metrics emerge as a convenient alternative to the existing risk measures.
Exosomal miR‐221 derived from hydroquinone‐transformed malignant human bronchial epithelial cells is involved in cell viability of recipient cells
Authors: Jiang Ran , Huang Haoyu , Lian Zhenwei , Hu Zuqing , Lloyd R. Stephen , Fang Daokui , Li Yanfeng , Xian Hongyi , Yuan Jianhui , Sha Yan , Wang Sanming , Hu Dalin
Published: August 2019

miR‐221, an oncogenic microRNA, can promote cell proliferation and is highly expressed in various types of tumors. However, the role of exosomal miR‐221 in benzene‐caused carcinogenesis remains elusive. Our study was designed to investigate whether exosomes secreted by the hydroquinone (HQ; an active metabolite of benzene)‐transformed malignant cells can transmit miR‐221 to normal recipient cells and its possible effects on cell viability. Our investigation revealed that expression levels of miR‐221 were significantly increased in HQ‐transformed malignant cells relative to normal controls. Furthermore, exposure of control cells to exosomes that were derived from HQ‐transformed malignant cells increased miR‐221 levels and promoted their proliferation. Analyses of the biological potency of exosomes derived from HQ‐transformed malignant cells in which miR‐221 levels were decreased using an inhibitor, showed that both miR‐221 levels and proliferation of recipient cells were decreased, but still were higher than those of normal 16HBE cells. Our study indicates that exosomal miR‐221 derived from HQ‐transformed malignant human bronchial epithelial cells is involved in the proliferation of recipient cells.
Biochar‐mediated oxidation of phenol by persulfate activated with zero‐valent iron
Authors: Nguyen Thi‐Hai Anh , Oh Seok‐Young
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Biochar, a by‐product of the pyrolysis of biomass, was used to investigate activation of persulfate in the presence of zero‐valent iron, Fe(0), for the purposes of phenol degradation. Relevant factors of pH, persulfate concentration, and type of black carbon (biochar, activated carbon, and graphite) were examined.

RESULTS

Maximal removal of phenol was obtained at an initial pH of 2 in Fe(0)–biochar–persulfate systems. At a pH of 7, 89% of the phenol was degraded, with 2.60 mmol L−1 of persulfate, 300 mg of Fe(0), and 100 mg of biochar. Under optimal conditions, more than 95% of phenol degraded after 330 min. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis showed that sulfate radical (SO4−·) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) were involved in phenol degradation. A graphitic structure arising from a sp2 covalent carbon network and oxygen‐containing functional groups on biochar were responsible for enhancement of phenol degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that biochar‐mediated oxidation by persulfate with Fe(0) may be an effective treatment technology for removal of phenol from natural and engineered aquatic systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Sorption‐assisted thermopervaporation method for organics recovery from ABE fermentation broth
Authors: Volkov Vladimir , Borisov Ilya , Golubev Georgy , Vasilevsky Vladimir , Matveev Dmitry , Bondarenko Galina , Volkov Alexey
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

Fermentation broth is a complex mixture which contains target and other organic compounds which must be continuously recovered to maintain microorganism activity. To overcome this problem, a sorption‐assisted thermopervaporation (SA‐TPV) method has been proposed, which enables the removal of volatile organics by means of evaporation, and low and nonvolatile compounds by membrane adsorption.

RESULTS

A dense membrane made of polymer of intrinsic microporosity in the SA‐TPV process demonstrated stable performance (butanol flux 57.7 g m−2 h−1; separation factor butanol/water 30.4) within five months of operation with cell‐free ABE fermentation broth. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the proposed SA‐TPV method reduced ‘external’ membrane fouling by a factor of three. Fourier transform infrared and gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that it was possible to extract ‘external’ and ‘internal’ foulants by membrane adsorption followed by in situ regeneration.

CONCLUSION

The SA‐TPV approach can be effective for recovery of both volatile and nonvolatile compounds from fermentation broth, whilst maintaining stable long‐term membrane performance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating reimbursement of integrated support services using chronic care management (CCM) codes for treatment of hepatitis C among Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Fluegge Kyle , Bresnahan Marie P. , Laraque Fabienne , Litwin Alain H. , Perumalswami Ponni V. , Shukla Shuchin J. , Weiss Jeffrey J. , Winters Ann
Published: August 2019

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) implemented Project INSPIRE, an integrated model of hepatitis C care coordination and telementoring services, from 2014 to 2017. We evaluated the use of chronic care management (CCM) codes to sustain the intervention. DOHMH data were collected as part of a Healthcare Innovation Award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). A retrospective cohort medical billing study was conducted by assigning INSPIRE activities to procedure codes in both facility and nonfacility settings. Rates for procedures were extracted from the CMS's 2018 fee schedules and added across the eligibility periods for Medicare enrollees. Reimbursement was adjusted on the basis of expected patient attrition and compared to costs. The minimum number needed to treat (NNT) to break even was calculated in each setting. Facility reimbursement was higher than costs, whereas nonfacility reimbursement was lower (both P < .01). The NNT was 23 patients in facilities and 33 patients in nonfacilities; 24 patients per care coordinator were treated annually in INSPIRE. CCM fees alone were insufficient to fully reimburse the costs in either setting. Implementation of an appropriate risk financing strategy is necessary to mitigate financial shortfalls when providing CCM services in facility settings.
A novel CEM technique for modeling electromagnetic scattering from metasurfaces
Authors: Ozgun Ozlem , Mittra Raj , Kuzuoglu Mustafa
Published: August 2019

This paper presents a novel computational electromagnetics (CEM) technique, which hybridizes the periodic finite element method (FEM) with the method of moments (MoM), for efficient numerical modeling of electromagnetic scattering from metasurfaces consisting of truncated periodic or locally varying quasi‐periodic array of structures. Based on the quasi‐periodic nature of metasurfaces, the periodic FEM is employed to generate high‐level macro basis functions (MBFs). Following that, a reduced MoM matrix is formed by using the MBFs with unknown coefficients belonging to each cell of the periodic array. The proposed hybrid method reduces the computational load significantly when compared with conventional numerical methods, especially for electrically large truncated metasurfaces involving arbitrarily inhomogeneous unit cells. Various numerical results are presented, and the accuracy and performance of the proposed method are tested against commercial codes, as well as an in‐house FEM code.
Changes in winter stationary wave activity during weak mid‐latitude and Arctic thermal contrast period
Authors: Wang Sai , Nath Debashis , Chen Wen , Wang Lin
Published: August 2019

Using reanalysis data set, this study investigates the changes in winter mean stationary wave activity, when the thermal contrast between mid‐latitude and Arctic is weak. The mid‐latitude and Arctic thermal contrast was stronger during 1986–2003 and weaker during 1966–1985 and 2004–2017. The changes in stationary wave characteristics are studied based on the stationary wave activity flux (SWAF). Compare to the period when the contrast was stronger (1986–2003), both the convergence of SWAF and stationary wave amplitude have been enhanced in the Northern part of Eurasia during the periods 1966–1985 and 2004–2017. We further proposed that a weak mid‐latitude/Arctic thermal contrast provides a good condition for the enhancement of the stationary wave activity. The weak mid‐latitude‐Arctic thermal contrast is conducive to the enhancement of blocking frequency around Ural Mountains, which may contribute partly to the increase in stationary wave amplitude and associated changes in the SWAF. Furthermore, the weak thermal contrast is associated with the decrease in baroclinicity and synoptic‐scale eddy activity, which in turn contributes to the generation of stationary waves via eddy feedback processes.
Improving visual biodiversity assessments of motile fauna in turbid aquatic environments
Authors: Jones Robyn E. , Griffin Ross A. , Rees Sam C. , Unsworth Richard K.F.
Published: August 2019

Current knowledge of turbid coastlines relies heavily on extractive sampling methods with less destructive visual techniques limited primarily by underwater visibility. Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) is now a commonly used nonextractive sampling technique which involves the use of bait to attract motile fauna to the field of view of the camera, but its use is restricted to clear water environments. Here, we describe and test the addition of a clear liquid optical chamber (CLOC) to a BRUV system to improve underwater visibility when observing motile fauna in turbid waters. The CLOC method was trialed with respect to the ability of the system to identify taxa to species level in both controlled laboratory and field conditions across gradients of underwater visibility. This study found that the introduction of a CLOC to a conventional BRUV system significantly improved the ability to observe identifying features of four fish species in a controlled low‐visibility environment (p ≤ 0.001). The ability to identify taxa to species level in field conditions was also significantly increased with the addition of a CLOC (p ≤ 0.01). We conclude that the introduction of a CLOC to a conventional BRUV system is a reliable way of improving underwater visibility when assessing motile fauna allowing for a more consistent identification of taxa to species level. This system may be applied to both marine and freshwater aquatic environments.
Rare single‐nucleotide variants in oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum (OAVS)
Authors: Zamariolli Malú , Colovati Mileny , Moysés‐Oliveira Mariana , Nunes Natália , Caires dos Santos Leonardo , Alvarez Perez Ana B. , Bragagnolo Silvia , Melaragno Maria Isabel
Published: August 2019

Background

Oculo‐auriculo‐vertebral spectrum (OAVS) is a craniofacial developmental disorder that affects structures derived from the first and second pharyngeal arches. The clinically heterogeneous phenotype involves mandibular, oral, and ear development anomalies. Etiology is complex and poorly understood. Genetic factors have been associated, evidenced by chromosomal abnormalities affecting different genomic regions and genes. However, known pathogenic single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) have only been identified in MYT1 in a restricted number of patients. Therefore, investigations of SNVs on candidate genes may reveal other pathogenic mechanisms.

Methods

In a cohort of 73 patients, coding and untranslated regions (UTR) of 10 candidate genes (CRKL, YPEL1, MAPK1, NKX3‐2, HMX1, MYT1, OTX2, GSC, PUF60, HOXA2) were sequenced. Rare SNVs were selected and in silico predictions were performed to ascertain pathogenicity. Likely pathogenic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and heritability was assessed when possible.

Results

Four likely pathogenic variants in heterozygous state were identified in different patients. Two SNVs were located in the 5’UTR of YPEL1; one in the 3’UTR of CRKL and one in the 3’UTR of OTX2.

Conclusion

Our work described variants in candidate genes for OAVS and supported the genetic heterogeneity of the spectrum.
An Importance–Satisfaction Analysis of Trout License Holders in Georgia
Authors: TenHarmsel Hailey J. , Boley B. Bynum , Irwin Brian J. , Jennings Cecil A.
Published: August 2019

As anglers become increasingly diverse, fisheries managers are challenged to find ways to satisfy users with divergent preferences while conserving a limited resource on a limited budget. With this management challenge in mind, this study combines previous angler specialization research with an importance–satisfaction analysis (ISA) to aid fisheries managers in better understanding users with divergent preferences. An ISA involves asking stakeholders to simultaneously evaluate the importance of salient attributes of their fishing experience and their satisfaction with those attributes, which allows for graphical depiction of each attribute in one of four quadrants with managerial implications: Concentrate Here, Keep up the Good Work, Possible Overkill, and Low Priority. The data were collected via a mail-administered survey that was sent to 4,000 licensed trout anglers who were residents of Georgia. The anglers were asked to evaluate 10 catch and 7 noncatch attributes as well as answer questions that were used to measure levels of angler specialization. A K-means cluster analysis was used to segment the 469 respondents into three groups based on their specialization level. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether anglers’ preferences differed by level of specialization. The results revealed that specialization groups differed in the level of importance that they placed on 6 catch and 4 noncatch attributes and in their levels of satisfaction with 5 catch and 2 noncatch attributes. There were also differences among the groups in quadrant placement for both catch and noncatch attributes. The respondents agreed that habitat improvement initiatives, adding new fishable water, and clear signage of regulations were of relatively high importance, with habitat improvement initiatives as the only attribute to fall in the Concentrate Here quadrant for all three clusters. The average responses for importance and satisfaction were highest for the most specialized group and lowest for the least specialized group. Combining segmenting techniques, like cluster analysis with ISA, offers fisheries managers the opportunity to gauge different user groups’ perceptions of salient fishery attributes.
CASA‐IoT: Scalable and context‐aware IoT access control supporting multiple users
Authors: Castro Tiago O. , Caitité Vitor G. R. , Macedo Daniel F. , dos Santos Aldri L.
Published: August 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) supports many users and context‐aware applications controlling heterogeneous IoT devices. This differs from traditional networks, in which a single entity manages each device. Thus, new access control models must be created in order to support more responsive, scalable, secure, and autonomous management. This article presents an attribute‐based access control model, which applies conflict resolution and access delegation in a multiuser and multiapplication environment. With scalability in mind, we propose the caching of access permissions, as well as a split policy processing model in which the devices with enough computational power perform part of the processing. The proposed model was implemented as part of the ManIoT architecture an d evaluated in experiments on a testbed to demonstrate its efficiency. Results show that our model accelerates the processing of access management policies from 51% by up to 79%.
Addressing the big picture: Deaf children and reading assessments
Authors: Greene‐Woods Ashley , Delgado Natalie
Published: August 2019

In the field of education, there is a great emphasis placed on literacy, from reading fluency to writing. There are various approaches that teachers can use in their classroom to design and identify needed areas of instruction, but these approaches do not always apply to Deaf Education. The act of using the same assessments throughout all student populations presents some potential issues, particularly the question of whether or not the students’ actual literacy abilities are being identified. The focus is to spotlight a frequently used approach for measuring reading fluency and present an alternative approach.
Conjugate addition between syringol and a captodative olefin catalyzed by BF3
Authors: Morales‐Palacios Freddy G. , Navarro‐Santos Pedro , Beiza‐Granados Lidia , Rivera José L. , García‐Gutiérrez Hugo A. , Herrera‐Bucio Rafael
Published: August 2019

The regioselectivity of the conjugate addition between syringol (1) and the captodative olefin 3‐(p‐nitrobenzoyloxy)‐but‐3‐en‐2‐one (2) is evaluated under diverse solvent and Lewis acid catalyst conditions, providing a mixture of the para/meta phenol adducts. Experimental results revealed for most of the trials that the para regioisomer is the major one. However, there is not a clear correlation between the regioselectivity of products and the polarity of the tested solvents. In this work, the reactivity descriptors and the reaction mechanism are studied in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT) to give insights about the reactivity and regioselectivity of this reaction. The Parr functions difference is used as the reactivity descriptor in each stage of the reaction explaining quite well the involved transition states. Overall, it is found that the reactivity of 1 is strongly influenced by the presence of the catalyst, while the regioselectivity of the products depends on both the catalyst and the polarity of the solvent, finding that, the meta adduct is highly dependent of the presence of nonpolar solvents.
Cognitive and motor effects of Kinect‐based games training in people with and without Parkinson disease: A preliminary study
Authors: de Melo Cerqueira Thília Maria , de Moura Júlia Araújo , de Lira Juliana Onofre , Leal Josevan Cerqueira , D'Amelio Marco , do Santos Mendes Felipe Augusto
Published: August 2019

Objective

Purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of training with six commercial Xbox KinectTM games on cognitive and motor aspects in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and to compare the effects with a group of paired healthy subjects.

Methods

This study was a quasi‐experimental, controlled trial. Eight individuals with PD (mean age 68.9 ± 7.9) and eight older adults without PD, matched by age (mean age 67.6 ± 7.3) were enrolled in the study. Ten sessions of six Xbox 360 KinectTM commercial games were performed for 5 weeks. Subjects were evaluated before and 7 and 30 days after intervention. They were assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Timed Up and Go test, Ten Meters Walking test, and Balance Berg Scale. The Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale, and the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire were also applied to PD group.

Results

Significant improvement was found for cognitive aspects measured by Montreal Cognitive Assessment and FAB in both groups but without retention on FAB in PD group. No significant improvements were found for motor aspects in none group.

Conclusion

Motor–cognitive training using Xbox KinectTM games is a feasible resource to improve executive functions in PD patients and in older healthy people.
Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus inhibits behavioral deficits induced by sleep deprivation and chronic unpredictable mild stress via increased signaling of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Yan Tingxu , Sun Yingying , Xiao Feng , Wu Bo , Bi Kaishun , He Bosai , Jia Ying
Published: August 2019

The present study was undertaken to explore the interactions between sleep deprivation (SD) and Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (SCF) treatment in the antidepressant‐like effects. We observed that SD aggravated the anxiety‐like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in the elevated plus maze test. However, the forced swimming test and sucrose preference test showed that SD (12 hr) alleviated the depressive symptoms and SD (72 hr) has the opposite effects. Administration of SCF showed a promising therapeutic effect on depression and anxiety induced by CUMS and SD. Moreover, SCF could potential strengthen the antidepressant‐like effects of SD (12 hr) according to the behavioral tests. In addition, the BDNF level in hippocampus was elevated by SD (12 hr) and SCF treatment and together with the upregulation of TrkB/CREB/ERK and PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/mTOR signaling pathways. Besides, the protein levels of p70S6K and PSD95, which are downstream targets of mTOR, also increased by the treatment. These results indicated that the antidepressant‐like effect of SCF in the CUMS depends on the activation of BDNF and the modulation of TrkB/CREB/ERK and PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/mTOR signaling cascades, and SD (12 hr) shared a common etiology consisting of complex bidirectional interactions with SCF.
3′‐Desmethylarctigenin induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through reactive oxygen species generation in hepatocarcinoma cells
Authors: Zhang Enxiang , Wang Xiuling , Liu Xiaoyi , Liang Min , Hu Hongbo , Yin Shutao
Published: August 2019

Previous studies have shown that arctigenin is a promising chemopreventive or therapeutic agent against various cancers. However, less is known about anticancer activity of 3′‐desmethylarctigenin (3′‐DMAG), which is a biotransformed product from arctigenin or arctin. In this study, we compared the anticancer activity of 3′‐DMAG with its parent compound arctigenin and demonstrated that 3′‐DMAG exerted a more potent inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells than arctigenin. Mechanistically, reactive oxygen species generation played an apical role in 3′‐DMAG‐induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the Chk2–Cdc25c–Cdc2–cyclin B1 cascade was found to contribute to the cell cycle arrest, whereas the activation of mitochondrial pathway was involved in the cell apoptosis by 3′‐DMAG. Additionally, a mouse xenograft hepatocellular carcinoma model was used to evaluate the antitumor effect of 3′‐DMAG in vivo, and the results indicated that 3′‐DMAG treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth without apparent toxicity. Taken together, 3′‐DMAG is highly effective against liver cancer both in vitro and in vivo. The findings of the present study suggest that this compound deserves to be further investigated for its potential anticancer activity.
Graphene Quantum Dot Embedded Hydrogel for Dissolved Iron Sensing
Authors: Pincher Daniel W. M. , Bader Christie A. , Hayball John D. , Plush Sally E. , Sweetman Martin J.
Published: August 2019

A robust and accurate chemical sensor for dissolved iron has been developed, based on highly fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs). This work describes the construction of a GQD embedded hydrogel that displays strong fluorescence emission from the bulk structure. The hydrogel is made from poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and crosslinked by ethylene glycol dimethacrylate to form a water permeable, flexible and transparent material. Polymerisation in the presence of the GQDs physically entraps the fluorescent nanoparticles within the hydrogel. The fluorescence properties of the GQD‐pHEMA hydrogels have been thoroughly characterised, including by confocal microscopy in the first reported use of this technique for a GQD composite material. Sensing of dissolved Fe(III) by the GQD‐pHEMA hydrogels has been demonstrated, whereby the Fe(III) quenches the GQDs fluorescence emission. The GQD‐pHEMA hydrogels were selective to Fe(III) and showed a linear response for concentrations in the range of 10–200 μM.
Membrane‐Solvothermal Synthesis of Cobalt Ferrite/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites and Their Photocatalytic and Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties
Authors: Guan Xiao‐Hui , Kuang Jia‐Min , Yang Liu , Lu Min , Wang Guang‐Sheng
Published: August 2019

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanorods have been synthesized by a membrane‐solvothermal method and a series of CoFe2O4/rGO nanocomposites with different reduced graphene oxide (rGO) weight ratios of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% have been synthesized via ultrasonic treatment, named as CoFe2O4/rGO‐1, CoFe2O4/rGO‐2, CoFe2O4/rGO‐3, CoFe2O4/rGO‐4, CoFe2O4/rGO‐5 and CoFe2O4/rGO‐6, respectively. The photocatalytic activity was studied by photodegradation of malachite green (MG), and the wave absorbing performance was studied by network vector analyzer. CoFe2O4 had the function of magnetic separation, which had largely reduced the separation difficulty of photocatalyst and dye wastewater. Among all the graphene‐based composites, CoFe2O4/rGO‐5 has the most excellent photocatalytic performance which could eliminate about 93.48% of MG in 90 min. Even after five cycles, the photocatalytic degradation rate of MG was still above 88%, suggesting that CoFe2O4/rGO‐5 is a promising photocatalyst for recyclable utilization. The wave absorption test results showed that the electromagnetic wave reflection loss of CoFe2O4/rGO nanocomposites was lower than that of pure CoFe2O4, which showed that the addition of graphene could effectively enhance the absorbing properties of materials. When the thickness of the absorbing layer was 2.5 mm, the reflection loss of the CoFe2O4/rGO‐4 nanocomposite reached the maximum value of 17 GHz at ‐11.1 dB and the bandwidth of less than ‐10 dB was 2.3 GHz.
Selective and Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Isoxazole‐Containing Spiro‐Thiazolidinones Using TiO2‐SO3H as Solid Catalyst
Authors: Singh Ruby , Singh Aakash , Bhardwaj Diksha
Published: August 2019

A solvent‐free nano‐titania‐supported sulfonic acid [nano‐TiO2‐SO3H (n‐TSA)] catalyzed approach has been developed for the synthesis of pharmaceutically interesting new hybrids of isoxazolyl‐spiro‐thiazolidinones. The key feature of present investigated three component reaction of cyclic ketones (isatin, ninhydrin and acenaphthenequinone), 3‐amino‐5‐methyl‐isoxazole and α‐mercaptocarboxylic acids involves the synthesis of a five member ring system instead of the anticipated seven member ring system & also exploits the possibility of other likely isomers, regio and diastereoselectively. The selectivity of synthesized spiro‐thiazolidinone systems was established, based on the spectroscopic outcome and single crystal X‐ray analyses of representative compounds. Further, the use of a solid catalyst, n‐TSA under solvent‐free conditions was observed to be the best choice of reaction conditions, as it not only afforded the product in higher yields in less reaction time but in an environmentally friendly manner as well.
A Condensation of Biginelli Products with 1,3‐Benzenediols: a Facile Access to Diastereomerically Pure Hexahydro‐5H‐chromeno[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐5‐ones
Authors: Filimonov Sergey I. , Chirkova Zhanna V. , Kabanova Mariya V. , Makarova Elena S. , Shetnev Anton A. , Panova Valeria A. , Suponitsky Kyrill Yu.
Published: August 2019

A new simple method for the synthesis of 2‐thioxo‐1,2,3,4,4a,10b‐hexahydro‐5H‐chromeno[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐5‐ones via acid‐catalyzed condensation of Biginelli products with 1,3‐benzenediols was developed. The diastereoselectivity of this reaction was studied in details. A convenient work‐up procedure providing the major (4R*,4aS*,10bR*) diastereomer from the reaction mixture was found.
A ligand and Palladium‐free Avenue for Cyanation of Aryl Halides: The Art of Samarium Powder in C–C Coupling Reaction
Authors: Moghaddam Firouz Matloubi , Pourkaveh Raheleh , Gholamtajari Milad , Karimi Ashkan
Published: August 2019

This is the first study of samarium powder catalyzed cyanation reaction of aryl halides, bearing electron‐withdrawing and electron‐releasing substituents, in the presence of NaCN to afford corresponding benzonitriles in high yields. This protocol takes the advantage of being done in the absence of additive, ligand and precious transition metals such as palladium.
Activation Pathway of C‐H and C–C Bonds of Ethane by Pd Atom with CO2 as a Soft Oxidant
Authors: Yang Zhongqing , Lan Yan , Yan Yunfei , Guo Mingnv , Zhang Li
Published: August 2019

Ethane and CO2 can be converted to synthesis (CO and H2) via the dry reforming pathway and formed important industrial raw material ethylene through oxidative dehydrogenation pathway, which are relating to the C−C bond and C−H bond cleavage, respectively. In this study, density functional theory was used to study the activation reaction of ethane C−H bond, C−C bond on Pd atom with CO2 as oxidant. CH3CH3→CH2CH3+H→CH2CH2+2H is the dominant path for dehydrogenation to ethylene. Adding an appropriate amount of H2 can reduce the deep dehydrogenation of ethylene and increase the selectivity. Under the condition of 873 K with Pd atom as catalyst, it is more inclined to ethane/CO2 reforming reaction. The main route for generating CO is CH3CH2+H→CH3+CH3→CH2→CHOH→CHO→CO. H atoms are conducive to the activation of CO2, CO2+H→COOH→CO+OH is the dominant reaction pathway for CO2 activation. The first reaction in the whole system is the first C−H bond cleavage of ethane.
7‐Oxy‐3,4‐cyclohexenecoumarin Carrying Novel Zinc(II) and Indium(III) Acetate Phthalocyanines: Synthesis, Characterization, Photophysical and Photochemical Properties
Authors: Karapınar Begümhan , Özdemir Mücahit , Salan Ümit , Durmuş Mahmut , Yalçın Bahattin , Bulut Mustafa
Published: August 2019

In this study, 7‐hydroxy‐3,4‐cyclohexenecoumarin (1), two new phthalonitriles, 7‐(2,3‐dicyanophenoxy)‐3,4‐cyclohexene‐coumarin (2), 7‐(3,4‐dicyanophenoxy)‐3,4‐cyclohexenecoumarin (3), were prepared. The phthalonitrile derivatives 2 and 3 were converted to the respective non‐peripheral tetra, peripheral tetra 7‐oxy‐3,4‐cyclohexenecoumarin substituted zinc(II) (4,6) and indium(III)acetate phthalocyanine (5,7) derivatives. All novel purified compounds (2‐7) were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, UV‐vis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MALDI‐TOF mass data. The spectral, photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes), and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation under light irradiation) properties of the synthesized Pcs (4‐7) were studied in DMF, and the results were compared to determine the effects of the locations of substituents and the diversity of the central metal atom on these properties. The 7‐oxy‐3,4‐cyclohexenecoumarin bearing phthalocyaninatozinc(II) and indium(III)acetate complexes showed good solubility in organic solvents such as chloroform, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, DMF and DMSO. The fluorescence quenching behavior were investigated using 1,4‐benzoquinone as a quencher. They have an acceptable level of singlet oxygen production, which determines the usability of phthalocyanines in photodynamic therapy applications and demonstrated appropriate photodegradation. The thermal properties of Pcs (4‐7) were also investigated.
The Effect of the Morphology of BiVO4 on Z‐scheme Photocatalyst of ZnIn2S4/RGO/BiVO4 for Hydrogen Generation Under Visible Light
Authors: Fan Yingying , Zhong Jian , Yang Ruijie , Zhu Rongshu , Tian Fei , Hu Longjun , Chen Qianqian
Published: August 2019

In our previous work, the ZnIn2S4‐RGO‐BiVO4 Z‐scheme system has been constructed successfully, which exhibits enhanced photoquantum yields and photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production. It is generally believed that morphology characteristics of catalysts is an important factor for achieving efficient photocatalytic activity. Therefore, in this work, the effect of BiVO4 morphology on photocatalytic activity of Z‐scheme system was investigated. A series of BiVO4 with the morphologies of dumbbell, globose, flake, flower‐like, acicular and massive shape were synthesized successfully using hydrothermal synthesis method. Then, using these BiVO4 as oxidation side photocatalyst, a series of ZnIn2S4/RGO/BiVO4 Z‐scheme photocatalysts were synthesized. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the hydrogen production from water under visible‐light irradiation and the physicochemical properties were explored by various analytical techniques such as SEM, XRD, BET and Raman. It was found that the morphology of BiVO4 has a significant influence on the properties of ZnIn2S4/RGO/BiVO4, such as the self‐assembly of ZnIn2S4, the graphitization extents of RGO, and the special surface area of the Z‐scheme photocatalyst. Among the numbers Z‐scheme photocatalyst, the Z‐acicular shape photocatalyst has the best activity and its hydrogen production rate reaches 563.3μmol/(g⋅h).
Synthesis of New Sulfoximine‐Tethered Alkynones and Further Extension towards Metal‐Free Synthesis of Pyrimidines, Amino Pyrimidines, Pyrazoles and Isoxazoles
Authors: Reddy M. L. Chenna , Khan Fazlur Rahman Nawaz , Saravanan Vadivelu
Published: August 2019

A metal free and divergent synthetic method has been successfully developed for the synthesis of sulfoximine tethered pyrimidines, amino pyrimidines, pyrazoles and isoxazoles. Two key sulfoximine tethered alkynone intermediates ((tert‐butyldiphenylsilyl)imino)(2‐oxo‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐yn‐1‐yl)(phenyl)‐λ6‐sulfanone (3 a) and ((tert‐butyldiphenylsilyl)imino)(2‐oxopent‐3‐yn‐1‐yl)(phenyl)‐λ6‐sulfanone (3 b), have been reported for the first time and were used as the common building blocks to construct these heterocycles. Good functional group tolerability was observed and the products were isolated in excellent yield.