bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling sea‐level processes on the U.S. Atlantic Coast
Authors: Berrett Candace , Christensen William F. , Sain Stephan R. , Sandholtz Nathan , Coats David W. , Tebaldi Claudia , Lopes Hedibert F.
Published: December 2019

One of the major concerns engendered by a warming climate are changing sea levels and their lasting effects on coastal populations, infrastructures, and natural habitats. Sea levels are now monitored by satellites, but long‐term records are only available at discrete locations along the coasts. Sea levels and sea‐level processes must be better understood at the local level to best inform real‐world adaptation decisions. We propose a statistical model that facilitates the characterization of known sea‐level processes, which jointly govern the observed sea level along the United States Atlantic Coast. Our model not only incorporates long‐term sea level rise and seasonal cycles but also accurately accounts for residual spatiotemporal processes. By combining a spatially varying coefficient modeling approach with spatiotemporal factor analysis methods in a Bayesian framework, the method represents the contribution of each of these processes and accounts for corresponding dependencies and uncertainties in a coherent way. Additionally, the model provides a consistent way to estimate these processes and sea level values at unmonitored locations along the coast. We show the outcome of the proposed model using thirty years of sea level data from 38 stations along the Atlantic (east) Coast of the United States. Among other results, our method estimates the rate of sea level rise to range from roughly 1 mm/year in the northern and southern regions of the Atlantic coast to 5.4 mm/year in the middle region.
Predicting extreme surges from sparse data using a copula‐based hierarchical Bayesian spatial model
Authors: Beck N. , Genest C. , Jalbert J. , Mailhot M.
Published: December 2019

A hierarchical Bayesian model is proposed to quantify the magnitude of extreme surges on the Atlantic coast of Canada with limited data. Generalized extreme value distributions are fitted to surges derived from water levels measured at 21 buoys along the coast. The parameters of these distributions are linked together through a Gaussian field whose mean and variance are driven by atmospheric sea‐level pressure and the distance between stations, respectively. This allows for information sharing across the original stations and for interpolation anywhere along the coast. The use of a copula at the data level of the hierarchy further accounts for the dependence between locations, allowing for inference beyond a site‐by‐site basis. It is shown how the extreme surges derived from the model can be combined with the tidal process to predict potentially catastrophic water levels.
Manufacturing of nanoliposomal extract from Sargassum boveanum algae and investigating its release behavior and antioxidant activity
Authors: Savaghebi Davood , Barzegar Mohsen , Mozafari Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the fabrication of algal extract‐loaded nanoliposomes was optimized based on the central composite response surface design. Different concentrations of phenolic compounds (500, 1,000, and 1,500 ppm) of algal extract and lecithin (0.5, 1.25, and 2% w/w) were applied for preparation of nanoliposomes at process temperatures of 30, 50, and 70°C. Dependent variables were zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, size, and particle size distribution. The particle size of the loaded nanoliposomes ranged from 86.6 to 118.7 nm and zeta potential from −37.3 to −50.7 mV. The optimal conditions were as follows: 0.5% lecithin, 30°C process temperature, and 1,313 ppm of the phenolic compounds extracted from algae. Under these conditions, the experimental entrapment efficiency of the phenolic compounds was 45.5 ± 1.2%. FTIR analysis has verified the encapsulation of algal extract in nanoliposomes. Algal extract phenolic compounds also increased phase transition temperature (Tc) of nanoliposomes (1.6°C to 6.3°C). Moreover, the thermo‐oxidative protection of nanoliposomes for the algal extract has been proved by examining the DSC thermograms. It has been demonstrated that the formulated nanoliposomes have a good stability during storage conditions, and they are able to control the release of phenolic compounds at different pH values. During the encapsulation process, the antioxidant activity of the algal extract has been maintained to an acceptable level. Consequently, algal extract‐loaded nanoliposomes can be used as a natural antioxidant in lipid‐based foods.
Reducing the damage of quinoa saponins on human gastric mucosal cells by a heating process
Authors: Xue Peng , Zhao Lei , Wang Yujie , Hou Zhaohua , Zhang Fengxiang , Yang Xiushi
Published: December 2019

Different food processing methods will influence the structure and activity of compounds. In this work, molecular structure and different content crude saponins that were extracted from quinoa, treated with water soaking, water boiling, and water steaming were analyzed by HPLC. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the effects of the main saponins on the GES‐1 cell line. HPLC/MS analysis revealed that water soaking induced an extensive conversion of polar saponin Qc (424.41 ± 21.11 mg/g) to the less polar compound Qf (247.04 ± 15.71 mg/g). After treatment with 100 μg of Qf instead of Qc for 24 hr, the percentage of dead cells increased from 20.1 ± 2.2% to 86.2 ± 4.8%. One major reason of this result is that less polar saponins could damage membrane integrity more easier than polar saponins. The results indicate that saponin toxicity is enhanced after degradation, so it is necessary to avoid degradation before use.
Increased Liver Localization of Lipopolysaccharides in Human and Experimental NAFLD
Authors: Carpino Guido , Del Ben Maria , Pastori Daniele , Carnevale Roberto , Baratta Francesco , Overi Diletta , Francis Heather , Cardinale Vincenzo , Onori Paolo , Safarikia Samira , Cammisotto Vittoria , Alvaro Domenico , Svegliati‐Baroni Gianluca , Angelico Francesco , Gaudio Eugenio , Violi Francesco
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is increased in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but its relationship with liver inflammation is not defined.

Approach and Results

We studied Escherichia coli LPS in patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD, 25 simple steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver) and 25 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and in mice with diet‐induced NASH. NASH patients had higher serum LPS and hepatocytes LPS localization than controls, which was correlated with serum zonulin and phosphorylated nuclear factor‐κB expression. Toll‐like receptor 4 positive (TLR4+) macrophages were higher in NASH than simple steatosis or controls and correlated with serum LPS. NASH biopsies showed a higher CD61+ platelets, and most of them were TLR4+. TLR4+ platelets correlated with serum LPS values. In mice with NASH, LPS serum levels and LPS hepatocyte localization were increased compared with control mice and associated with nuclear factor‐κB activation. Mice on aspirin developed lower fibrosis and extent compared with untreated ones. Treatment with TLR4 inhibitor resulted in lower liver inflammation in mice with NASH.

Conclusions

In NAFLD, Escherichia coli LPS may increase liver damage by inducing macrophage and platelet activation through the TLR4 pathway.
Associations Between Prediagnostic Concentrations of Circulating Sex Steroid Hormones and Liver Cancer Among Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Petrick Jessica L. , Florio Andrea A. , Zhang Xuehong , Zeleniuch‐Jacquotte Anne , Wactawski‐Wende Jean , Van Den Eeden Stephen K. , Stanczyk Frank Z. , Simon Tracey G. , Sinha Rashmi , Sesso Howard D. , Schairer Catherine , Rosenberg Lynn , Rohan Thomas E. , Purdue Mark P. , Palmer Julie R. , Linet Martha S. , Liao Linda M. , Lee I‐Min , Koshiol Jill , Kitahara Cari M. , Kirsh Victoria A. , Hofmann Jonathan N. , Guillemette Chantal , Graubard Barry I. , Giovannucci Edward , Gaziano J. Michael , Gapster Susan M. , Freedman Neal D. , Engel Lawrence S. , Chong Dawn Q. , Chen Yu , Chan Andrew T. , Caron Patrick , Buring Julie E. , Bradwin Gary , Beane Freeman Laura E. , Campbell Peter T. , McGlynn Katherine A.
Published: December 2019

Background and Aims

In almost all countries, incidence rates of liver cancer (LC) are 100%‐200% higher in males than in females. However, this difference is predominantly driven by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for 75% of LC cases. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) accounts for 12% of cases and has rates only 30% higher in males. Hormones are hypothesized to underlie observed sex differences. We investigated whether prediagnostic circulating hormone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were associated with LC risk, overall and by histology, by leveraging resources from five prospective cohorts.

Approach and Results

Seven sex steroid hormones and SHBG were quantitated using gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and competitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively, from baseline serum/plasma samples of 191 postmenopausal female LC cases (HCC, n = 83; ICC, n = 56) and 426 controls, matched on sex, cohort, age, race/ethnicity, and blood collection date. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between a one‐unit increase in log2 hormone value (approximate doubling of circulating concentration) and LC were calculated using multivariable‐adjusted conditional logistic regression. A doubling in the concentration of 4‐androstenedione (4‐dione) was associated with a 50% decreased LC risk (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.30‐0.82), whereas SHBG was associated with a 31% increased risk (OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.05‐1.63). Examining histology, a doubling of estradiol was associated with a 40% increased risk of ICC (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.05‐1.89), but not HCC (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.81‐1.54).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that higher levels of 4‐dione may be associated with lower, and SHBG with higher, LC risk in women. However, this study does not support the hypothesis that higher estrogen levels decrease LC risk. Indeed, estradiol may be associated with an increased ICC risk.
Solution NMR Structural Studies of Glycans
Authors: Freedberg Darón I. , Kwon Jeahoo
Published: December 2019

In this account, we present a summary of our progress in the study of glycan solution conformations by NMR spectroscopy. We begin by comparing the structural biology of glycans to that of proteins. We continue by defining the challenges in solution structural studies of glycans as we see them and show what we have done to help address those challenges. This includes Residual Dipolar Coupling studies and their hurdles, accurate coupling constant measurement in the presence of strong 1H‐1H coupling, direct detection of hydrogen bonds where the NHs, OHs or CHs are the hydrogen bond donors, and on‐cell NMR structural studies. We also suggest some future approaches to glycan structure determination.
Implementation of Building Information modeling in Vietnamese infrastructure construction: A case study of institutional influences on a bridge project
Authors: Bui Nam
Published: December 2019

Many of today's building designs are created based on three‐dimensional modeling technology. Architects and engineers use so‐called building information modeling (BIM) systems to create digital representations of buildings. Inspired by the improvements in building construction projects, a Vietnamese construction project team decided to use the system to model a large‐scale bridge crossing the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This paper provides an understanding of how the project team adopted BIM as the first BIM pilot project in Vietnamese infrastructure construction and analyzes the influence of institutional pressures. The findings reveal how the BIM champion of an international engineering consultancy led the project team to overcome challenges posed by local construction requirements and how the local partner adopted BIM technology under strict time and quality constraints. The case study presents an example for other infrastructure projects that involve BIM.
The role of metabolism in the developmental toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon‐containing extracts of petroleum substances
Authors: Kamelia Lenny , de Haan Laura , Spenkelink Bert , Bruyneel Ben , Ketelslegers Hans B. , Boogaard Peter J. , Rietjens Ivonne M.C.M.
Published: December 2019

In vitro assays presently used for prenatal developmental toxicity (PDT) testing only assess the embryotoxic potential of parent substances and not that of potentially embryotoxic metabolites. Here we combined a biotransformation system, using hamster liver microsomes, with the ES‐D3 cell differentiation assay of the embryonic stem cell test (EST) to compare the in vitro PDT potency of two 5‐ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DBA), and dimethyl sulfoxide extracts from five PAH‐containing petroleum substances (PS) and a gas‐to‐liquid base oil (GTLb), with and without bioactivation. In the absence of bioactivation, DBA, but not BaP, inhibited the differentiation of ES‐D3 cells into beating cardiomyocytes in a concentration‐dependent manner. Upon bioactivation, BaP induced in vitro PDT, while its major metabolite 3‐hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene was shown to be active in the EST as well. This means BaP needs biotransformation to exert its embryotoxic effects. GTLb extracts tested negative in the EST, with and without bioactivation. The PS‐induced PDT in the EST was not substantially changed following bioactivation, implying that metabolism may not play a crucial role for the PS extracts under study to exert the in vitro PDT effects. Altogether, these results indicate that although some PAH require bioactivation to induce PDT, some do not and this latter appears to hold for the (majority of) the PS constituents responsible for the in vitro PDT of these complex substances.
Developing a self‐organized tubulogenesis model of human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Wang Xiuli , Guo Chengchen , Chen Ying , Tozzi Lorenzo , Szymkowiak Sophia , Li Chunmei , Kaplan David L.
Published: December 2019

Three‐dimensional tissue culture models which recapitulate the phenotype and function of human renal tissue have attracted significant interest as valuable tools for studying kidney development, disease pathophysiology, and nephrotoxicity. Here, a layer‐by‐layered three‐dimensional (3D) co‐culture technique was employed to bioengineer an improved human proximal tubule tissue model through incorporating human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs) with two types of interstitial cells on the layered extracellular matrix‐like culture matrix. The resulting cultures were characterized by their growth profile, metabolic and proliferative activity, morphological characteristics as well as their functional gene expression. Our results found that the cultures were able to enable the self‐organization of RPTECs and promote the tubule‐like structure formation in vitro. A well‐defined lumen structure and polarized expression of some key protein markers including actin, P‐gp, Na+‐K+‐ATPase, and SGLT2 were also observed in the 3D co‐cultures. Moreover, compared to the 3D monocultures, the tubule‐like structures formed within the 3D co‐cultures displayed more significant polarity and enhanced functional gene expression. This suggested the important role played by the renal stromal cells in supporting the tubulogenesis and differentiation of RPTECs. Thus, the 3D co‐culture model reported here would benefit bioengineering approaches toward more physiologically relevant proximal tubule tissue in vitro, providing more robust tool not only for better understanding kidney development and pathophysiology but also for drug screening for nephrotoxicity.
Geometric groups of second order and related combinatorial structures
Authors: Woldar Andrew
Published: December 2019

In 1977, D. Betten defined a geometric group to be a permutation group such that for some hypergraph on . In this paper, we extend Betten's notion of a geometric group to what we call a geometric group of second order. By definition, this is a permutation group for which for some set of hypergraphs on . Our main focus will be on permutation groups that are geometric of second order but not geometric. Within this small class of groups one finds the projective groups and the affine groups . Our investigations, which are based primarily on these four groups, lead us to consider some familiar combinatorial structures (eg, Fano plane and affine design) in a less familiar context (overlarge sets of Steiner systems).
Inhibiting the aberrant activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling by selenium supplementation ameliorates deoxynivalenol‐induced toxicity and catabolism in chondrocytes
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing , Jin Zhankui , Chen Ming , Duan Dapeng , Lammi Mikko J. , Guo Xiong , Chang Yanhai
Published: December 2019

Kashin–Beck disease (KBD) is an endemic degenerative osteoarticular disorder associated with physical disability and a heavy economic burden. Contamination by mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) and selenium deficiency have been proposed to be key etiological factors for KBD, and can work together to aggravate the progression of KBD. Nevertheless, the mechanism of DON in KBD remains elusive. In the present study, exposure to DON dose‐dependently suppressed cell viability and expression of pro‐proliferation marker PCNA in human chondrocytes, whereas it enhanced lactate dehydrogenase release, cell apoptosis, and caspase‐3/9 activity. In addition, DON incubation shifted metabolism homeostasis towards catabolism by suppressing the transcription of collagen II and aggrecan, and the production of sulphated glycosaminoglycans and TIMP‐1, while increasing matrix metalloproteinase levels (MMP‐1 and MMP‐13). Mechanistically, DON exposure induced the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Intriguingly, blocking this pathway reversed the adverse effects of DON on cytotoxic damage and metabolism disruption to catabolism. Notably, supplementation with selenium reduced DON‐induced activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Moreover, selenium addition abrogated cytotoxic injury and excessive pro‐catabolic gene expression in chondrocytes upon DON conditions. These findings confirm that DON may facilitate the development of KBD by inducing cell injury, inhibiting matrix synthesis, and increasing cellular catabolism by activating the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, which were partially reversed by selenium supplementation. Thus, the current study may presents a new viewpoint for how selenium supplementation ameliorates the development of KBD by inhibiting DON‐induced cytotoxic injury and metabolism imbalance in chondrocytes.
A review on recent advances in catalytic combustion of chlorinated volatile organic compounds
Authors: Li Chunli , Zhao Yaxin , Song Hui , Li Hao
Published: December 2019

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) with strong stability, poor reactivity and high toxicity in waste gases are emitted into the atmosphere from many industrial operations, which has caused sustained harm to both human health and atmospheric environment. Catalytic combustion is regarded as one of the most effective methods to eliminate CVOCs due to its high removal efficiency, low energy consumption and low production of secondary pollutants. However, the screening of efficient catalysts (i.e. low cost, high activity and durability) still remains challenging. In this review, recent developments on catalytic combustion of CVOCs, including catalysts, reaction condition, catalytic reaction mechanism, deactivation reasons and regeneration methods are summarized. It is emphasized that the active components, structures and supports of catalysts have significant effects on their activity, selectivity, stability and longevity. In addition, it is pointed out that catalyst deactivation is closely related to chlorine poisoning, sintering, carbon deposition and metal active phase leaching. Compared with other catalysts, perovskite‐type composite oxides and spinel‐type composite oxides have shown to be promising materials in the catalytic combustion of CVOCs due to their particular structure and nature (e.g. surface area, redox property and surface acidity). Thereafter, the outlooks on catalytic combustion of CVOCs are also presented in this article based on the studies in the literature, which offer influential information for further research on the treatment technology of CVOCs. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Facile access to some new 3,3′‐bipyrazole‐ester derivatives utilizing bis‐hydrazonoyl chlorides
Authors: Dawood Kamal M. , Elassar Abdel‐Zaher A. , Al‐Fulaij Othman A.
Published: December 2019

The 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of bis‐hydrazonoyl chlorides with ethyl propiolate and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate afforded diethyl 1,1′‐aryl‐3,3′‐bipyrazole‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate and tetramethyl 1,1′‐diaryl‐3,3′‐bipyrazole‐4,4′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylate esters, respectively. Heating the latter two compounds with a mixture of HCl/AcOH furnished the same product: 3,3′‐bipyrazole‐5,5′‐dicarboxylic acid. Reaction of the tetracarboxylate ester with aniline derivatives and with hydrazine gave the corresponding bipyrazole‐fused heterocycles. Heating the dicarboxylic acid with 2‐aminothiazole gave the corresponding bis‐amide derivative. The structures of the products were established by elemental analysis, spectral data, and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography.
Pathophysiology and targets for treatment in hereditary galactosemia: A systematic review of animal and cellular models
Authors: Haskovic Minela , Coelho Ana I. , Bierau Jörgen , Vanoevelen Jo M. , Steinbusch Laura K. M. , Zimmermann Luc J. I. , Villamor‐Martinez Eduardo , Berry Gerard T. , Rubio‐Gozalbo M. Estela
Published: December 2019

Since the first description of galactosemia in 1908 and despite decades of research, the pathophysiology is complex and not yet fully elucidated. Galactosemia is an inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism caused by deficient activity of any of the galactose metabolising enzymes. The current standard of care, a galactose‐restricted diet, fails to prevent long‐term complications. Studies in cellular and animal models in the past decades have led to an enormous progress and advancement of knowledge. Summarising current evidence in the pathophysiology underlying hereditary galactosemia may contribute to the identification of treatment targets for alternative therapies that may successfully prevent long‐term complications. A systematic review of cellular and animal studies reporting on disease complications (clinical signs and/or biochemical findings) and/or treatment targets in hereditary galactosemia was performed. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched, 46 original articles were included. Results revealed that Gal‐1‐P is not the sole pathophysiological agent responsible for the phenotype observed in galactosemia. Other currently described contributing factors include accumulation of galactose metabolites, uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐hexose alterations and subsequent impaired glycosylation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, altered signalling pathways, and oxidative stress. galactokinase (GALK) inhibitors, UDP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) up‐regulation, uridine supplementation, ER stress reducers, antioxidants and pharmacological chaperones have been studied, showing rescue of biochemical and/or clinical symptoms in galactosemia. Promising co‐adjuvant therapies include antioxidant therapy and UGP up‐regulation. This systematic review provides an overview of the scattered information resulting from animal and cellular studies performed in the past decades, summarising the complex pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hereditary galactosemia and providing insights on potential treatment targets.
Longitudinal Model of Periprosthetic Joint Infection in the Rat
Authors: Fan Yingfang , Xiao Yinbo , Sabuhi Wali A. , Leape Charlotte P. , Gil Dmitry , Grindy Scott , Muratoglu Orhun K. , Bedair Hany , Collins Jamie E. , Randolph Mark , Oral Ebru
Published: December 2019

The majority of periprosthetic joint infections occur shortly after primary joint replacement (<3 months) and require the removal of all implant components for the treatment period (~4 months). A clinically relevant animal model of periprosthetic infection should, therefore, establish an infection with implant components in place. Here, we describe a joint replacement model in the rat with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and titanium components inoculated at the time of surgery by methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which is one of the main causative microorganisms of periprosthetic joint infections. We monitored the animals for 4 weeks by measuring gait, weight‐bearing symmetry, von Frey testing, and micro‐CT as our primary endpoint analyses. We also assessed the infection ex vivo using colony counts on the implant surfaces and histology of the surrounding tissues. The results confirmed the presence of a local infection for 4 weeks with osteolysis, loosening of the implants, and clinical infection indicators such as redness, swelling, and increased temperature. The utility of specific gait analysis parameters, especially temporal symmetry, hindlimb duty factor imbalance, and phase dispersion was identified in this model for assessing the longitudinal progression of the infection, and these metrics correlated with weight‐bearing asymmetry. We propose to use this model to study the efficacy of using different local delivery regimens of antimicrobials on addressing periprosthetic joint infections. Statement of clinical significance: We have established a preclinical joint surgery model, in which postoperative recovery can be monitored over a multi‐week course by assessing gait, weight‐bearing, and allodynia. This model can be used to study the efficacy of different combinations of implant materials and medication regimens. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:1101‐1112, 2020
A comparison of endolymphatic shunt surgery and intratympanic gentamicin for meniere's disease
Authors: Gibson Alec W. , Moon Il Joon , Golub Justin S. , Rubinstein Jay T.
Published: December 2019

Objective

To report audiovestibular outcomes following endolymphatic shunt surgery (ELS) and intratympanic gentamicin injections (ITG) in patients with Meniere's disease (MD).

Study Design

Retrospective matched cohort study

Methods

Patients with MD refractory to medical management between 2004 and 2017 were reviewed: 44 patients underwent ELS and had outcomes available, while 27 patients underwent ITG and had outcomes available. Mean follow‐up durations for the ELS and ITG groups were 39.1 and 43.3 months, respectively. Twenty‐six patients from the ELS group and 24 patients from the ITG group were then included in a pretreatment hearing‐ and age‐matched analysis. Main outcome measures were successful control of vertigo, pure‐tone average (PTA; 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz), word recognition score (WRS), and treatment complications.

Results

A matched analysis showed vertigo control rates of 73.1% in the ELS group and 66.8% in the ITG group, which were not significantly different (P = .760). The change in PTA following treatment was statistically similar between the ELS group (6.2 dB) and ITG group (4.6 dB) (P = .521), while the change in WRS for the ELS group (+3.9 %) was significantly more favorable than the ITG group (‐13.6 %) (P = .046). Chronic post‐treatment unsteadiness was reported in 25.0% of the ITG group and was not encountered in the ELS group (P = .009).

Conclusion

ELS provided successful vertigo control at least as well as ITG with a lower incidence of audiovestibular complications.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:2455–2460, 2020
MASS SPECTROMETRIC FRAGMENTATION OF TRIMETHYLSILYL AND RELATED ALKYLSILYL DERIVATIVES
Authors: Harvey David J. , Vouros Paul
Published: December 2019

This review describes the mass spectral fragmentation of trimethylsilyl (TMS) and related alkylsilyl derivatives used for preparing samples for analysis, mainly by combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The review is divided into three sections. The first section is concerned with the TMS derivatives themselves and describes fragmentation of derivatized alcohols, thiols, amines, ketones, carboxylic acids and bifunctional compounds such as hydroxy‐ and amino‐acids, halo acids and hydroxy ethers. More complex compounds such as glycerides, sphingolipids, carbohydrates, organic phosphates, phosphonates, steroids, vitamin D, cannabinoids, and prostaglandins are discussed next. The second section describes intermolecular reactions of siliconium ions such as the TMS cation and the third section discusses other alkylsilyl derivatives. Among these latter compounds are di‐ and trialkyl‐silyl derivatives, various substituted‐alkyldimethylsilyl derivatives such as the tert‐butyldimethylsilyl ethers, cyclic silyl derivatives, alkoxysilyl derivatives, and 3‐pyridylmethyldimethylsilyl esters used for double bond location in fatty acid spectra. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 0000:1–107, 2019
Functionalized diamond nanoparticles as a drug delivery system: Loading and release study
Authors: Rouhani Parvaneh , Govindaraju Nirmal , Iyer Janaki K. , Kaul Rashmi , Kaul Anil , Singh Raj N.
Published: December 2019

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common infectious disease in the United States, costing about $ 3.5 billion annually in treatment. As resistance to antibiotics becomes more common, a greater need for alternative treatments, including low‐dosage and cellular‐targeted antibiotic for treating UTIs, is required. Nanodiamond particles (NDPs) are attractive drug delivery platforms because of their stable, inert core and reactive but functionalizable surfaces. In addition, diamond nanoparticles show multiplicity of stable optical emission wavelengths offering a strong possibility that one or more of optical emissions can be used for optical transduction based biosensing applications. Recently and for the first time, a stable amoxicillin loading on purified and polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐functionalized NDPs has been demonstrated through our research. This research paper describes further study on the amoxicillin‐loaded NDPs by quantifying the amoxicillin loading on 6 and 25 nm NDPs and study of amoxicillin release at different pH as well as investigation of PEI release if any from these NDPs. As PEI is not detectable by UV–Vis spectrophotometer, we developed a technique of attaching copper ions to PEI polymer so that PEI can be traced and detected in the presence of amoxicillin by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that 1 g PEI‐functionalized 6 or 25 nm NDPs produced successful loading of 19 and 48 mg amoxicillin, respectively, as demonstrated by FTIR, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV–Vis characterization. The mechanism of drug release with respect to PEI is explained, and results show almost 85% of the drug is released in 20 hr in pH 4 at the body temperature. The results also demonstrated that there is no PEI release from the 25 nm NDPs, when the amoxicillin is released, which can be a therapeutic benefit property for drug delivery.
Boundary blow‐up rate of solutions to elliptic cooperative systems
Authors: Wang Ying
Published: December 2019

This paper shows the existence, uniqueness, and boundary blow‐up rate of large solution of cooperative systems of the form
in a bounded smooth domain Ω⊂RN, bi(x) is nonnegative weight function that can be singular on ∂Ω, and the exponents verify λi∈R,ai>0,pi>1,qi>0 for i=1,2, and q1q2<p1p2.
P(MMA‐co‐AA) Nanoparticles Loaded with Clioquinol and Functionalized with TAT Peptide
Authors: Campos Izabella Maria Ferreira , de Barros Ivan Ricardo , Ferraz Helen Conceição , Pinto José Carlos
Published: December 2019

Polymer nanoparticles produced through miniemulsion polymerizations can be used for design of drug encapsulation and targeted delivery systems. Particularly, the immobilization of functional groups on the surfaces of polymeric nanoparticles enables the development of targeted delivery systems, intended for particle absorption by specific body tissues, favoring the treatment of diseases. For this reason, in the present work poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) (P(MMA‐co‐AA)) nanoparticles loaded with clioquinol are prepared through in situ miniemulsion polymerizations for the first time. Besides, nanoparticles are functionalized with a cell‐penetrating trans‐activating transcriptor (TAT) peptide for the first time, to show that incorporation of carboxylic groups (from acrylic acid (AA)) on the particle surfaces provides an effective route for functionalization of nanoparticles with biomolecules. Particularly, it is shown that spherical particles with average sizes between 60 and 100 nm and zeta potential of −50 mV are produced and that the TAT peptide is successfully immobilized onto the particle surfaces. Besides, it is also shown that the clioquinol encapsulation efficiency is equal to 97%. In vitro tests show that 50% of the initial load of clioquinol is released after 9 h of test.
Parallelized combined finite‐discrete element (FDEM) procedure using multi‐GPU with CUDA
Authors: Liu Quansheng , Wang Weiqin , Ma Hao
Published: December 2019

This paper focuses on the efficiency of finite discrete element method (FDEM) algorithmic procedures in massive computers and analyzes the time‐consuming part of contact detection and interaction computations in the numerical solution. A detailed operable GPU parallel procedure was designed for the element node force calculation, contact detection, and contact interaction with thread allocation and data access based on the CUDA computing. The emphasis is on the parallel optimization of time‐consuming contact detection based on load balance and GPU architecture. A CUDA FDEM parallel program was developed with the overall speedup ratio over 53 times after the fracture from the efficiency and fidelity performance test of models of in situ stress, UCS, and BD simulations in Intel i7‐7700K CPU and the NVIDIA TITAN Z GPU. The CUDA FDEM parallel computing improves the computational efficiency significantly compared with the CPU‐based ones with the same reliability, providing conditions for achieving larger‐scale simulations of fracture.
High‐resolution diffusion MRI studies of development in pregnant mice visualized by novel spatiotemporal encoding schemes
Authors: Bao Qingjia , Liberman Gilad , Solomon Eddy , Frydman Lucio
Published: December 2019

This study introduces an MRI approach to map diffusion of water in vivo with high resolution under challenging conditions; the approach's potential is then used in diffusivity characterizations of embryos and fetoplacental units in pregnant mice, as well as of newborn mice in their initial postnatal period. The method relies on performing self‐referenced spatiotemporal encoded MRI acquisitions, which can achieve the motional and susceptibility immunities needed to target challenging regions such as a mouse's abdominal cavity in a single shot. When suitably combined with zooming‐in and novel interleaving procedures, these scans can overcome the inhomogeneity and sensitivity challenges arising upon targeting ≈100 μm in‐plane resolutions, and thereby enable longitudinal development studies of abdominal organs that have hitherto eluded in vivo diffusion‐weighted imaging. This is employed here to follow processes related to embryonic implantation and placentation, including the final stages of mouse gastrulation, the development of white matter in fetal brains, the maturation of fetal spines, and the evolution of the different layers making up mouse hemochorial placentas. The protocol's ability to extract diffusivity information in challenging regions as a function of embryonic mouse development is thus demonstrated, and its usefulness as a tool for visualizing pregnancy‐related developmental changes in rodents is discussed.
Enhanced miscibility and strain resistance of blended elastomer/π‐conjugated polymer composites through side chain functionalization towards stretchable electronics
Authors: Pakhnyuk Viktoria , Onorato Jonathan W , Steiner Emily J , Cohen Theodore A , Luscombe Christine K
Published: December 2019

This work presents improved compatibility in an elastomer/π‐conjugated polymer blend through side chain functionalization of the electronic polymer. Poly[(3‐(6‐bromohexyl)thiophene)‐ran‐(3‐hexylthiophene)] (P3BrxHT, x = 0%–100%) was synthesized (i) to improve miscibility with polybutadiene (PB) elastomer through altered π–π interactions and (ii) to covalently bond across phase‐segregated interfaces. Functionalization led to morphology with reduced domain sizes to improve crack onset strain from 7% to 40%. Furthermore, UV‐activated crosslinking reinforced mechanically weak interfaces and yielded at least an additional 40% increase in crack onset strain. Charge mobility in PB/P3BrxHT organic field‐effect transistors showed minimal dependence on bromide concentration and no negative effects from crosslinking. Functionalization was an effective method to reduce brittleness in PB/P3BrxHT blends through morphology modification and crosslinking to improve stability towards strain for potential stretchable electronic applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A DFT study on optical, electronic, and charge transport properties of star‐shaped benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐b″]trithiophene oligomers
Authors: Tripathi Anuj , Kozaderov Oleg , Shikhaliev Khidmet , Prabhakar Chetti
Published: December 2019

We present a study of optical and electronic properties along with reorganization energies in benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐b″]trithiophene (BTT) and its oligomers. The primary objective of this work is to study the effect of the addition of BTT units to the core BTT, on the absorption, electronic, and charge transport properties, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The absorption spectra of all molecules were calculated by employing time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) methodology. The results show that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), HOMO‐LUMO energy gap, ionization potentials (IPs), electron affinities (EAs), and reorganization energies (λ) are dramatically affected upon the addition of each BTT unit to the core BTT.
Leader Normativity in Crisis Management: Tales From a School Fire
Authors: Danielsson Erna , Sjöstedt‐Landén Angelika
Published: December 2019

This study examines the handling of a school fire in a rural Swedish community and the role of the normalized narratives of leaders in crisis management. The article claims that leader normativity legitimizes certain positions and actions in a crisis management narrative and marginalizes others. The study uses theories on gender, boundary work and space to illuminate this claim. To explore such processes in narratives, we use feminist theory and critical management studies. The study shows that leader normativity creates gendered differences that result in both inequalities and the marginalization of any parts of crisis management that do not apply to leader normativity. The study shows that there is a strong norm of crisis management as an individualistic perspective that focuses on heroes and higher‐level management as the people managing a crisis. Support for describing crisis management as a collective achievement and caring perspectives become marginalized.
An empirical comparison of two novel transformation models
Authors: Tian Yuqi , Hothorn Torsten , Li Chun , Harrell Frank E. , Shepherd Bryan E.
Published: December 2019

Continuous response variables are often transformed to meet modeling assumptions, but the choice of the transformation can be challenging. Two transformation models have recently been proposed: semiparametric cumulative probability models (CPMs) and parametric most likely transformation models (MLTs). Both approaches model the cumulative distribution function and require specifying a link function, which implicitly assumes that the responses follow a known distribution after some monotonic transformation. However, the two approaches estimate the transformation differently. With CPMs, an ordinal regression model is fit, which essentially treats each continuous response as a unique category and therefore nonparametrically estimates the transformation; CPMs are semiparametric linear transformation models. In contrast, with MLTs, the transformation is parameterized using flexible basis functions. Conditional expectations and quantiles are readily derived from both methods on the response variable's original scale. We compare the two methods with extensive simulations. We find that both methods generally have good performance with moderate and large sample sizes. MLTs slightly outperformed CPMs in small sample sizes under correct models. CPMs tended to be somewhat more robust to model misspecification and outcome rounding. Except in the simplest situations, both methods outperform basic transformation approaches commonly used in practice. We apply both methods to an HIV biomarker study.
History‐informed strategy research: The promise of history and historical research methods in advancing strategy scholarship
Authors: Argyres Nicholas S. , De Massis Alfredo , Foss Nicolai J. , Frattini Federico , Jones Geoffrey , Silverman Brian S.
Published: December 2019

Research Summary

The last decade has witnessed an increasing interest in the use of history and historical research methods in strategy research. We discuss how and why history and historical research methods can enrich theoretical explanations of strategy phenomena. In addition, we introduce the notions of “history‐informed strategy research,” distinguishing between the dimensions of “history to theory” and “history in theory” and discussing various under‐utilized methods that may further work on history‐informed strategy research. We then discuss how contemporary research contributes to history‐informed research within the strategy field, examine key methodological and empirical challenges associated with such research, and develop an agenda for future research.

Managerial Summary

Firms are increasingly making use of their historical past as they reflect on their identities and how these can be used strategically. At the same time, strategy researchers are paying increasing to the use of historical research methods, as well as to how firms use history strategically. We take stock on the role of history in strategy research, outline the key strategic issues that can be informed by a historical way of doing research, discuss the available historical methods, and offer suggestions for future research in the history/strategy intersection.
Response Surface Analysis of PS/EPDM/PA6 Ternary Blends: Effect of Mixing Sequence, Composition, and Viscosity Ratio on the Mechanical Properties
Authors: Alidadi‐Shamsabadi Marzie , Arefazar Ahmad , Shokoohi Shirin
Published: December 2019

In this work, effect of three factors on the phase morphology and mechanical properties of ternary blends based on polystyrene (PS)/ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM)/polyamide6 (PA6) was investigated by response surface methodology (RSM). Results indicated that among the studied factors (i.e., mixing sequence, composition, and viscosity ratio of the minor phases), the first two have the greatest effect on the impact strength (75.6%) and tensile properties (tensile modulus (84.9%) and yield stress (88.9%); while EPDM/PA6 viscosity ratio has the least effect (≤ 2.1%) on the final mechanical properties. These achievements are, in fact, arising from the considerable changes in the phase morphology and the contribution share predicted by experimental design outputs. However, mixing sequences just affected on the size of dispersed particles, but samples with different compositions presented different morphology types. According to the mechanical characterization of PS/EPDM/PA6 blends, the maximum impact strength and tensile properties were not obtained simultaneously. Optimal levels of input factors, aimed to balance impact strength and tensile properties, are M1 simultaneous mixing sequence, C1 composition (70/10/20), and V1 viscosity ratio (PA6 with low viscosity). J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 26:282–290, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cover Image, Volume 12, Issue 1
Authors: Mukund Kavitha , Subramaniam Shankar
Published: December 2019

The cover image is based on the Advanced Review Skeletal Muscle: A Review of Molecular Structure and Function, In Health and Disease, by Kavitha Mukund and Shankar Subramaniam. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsbm.1462

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Efficacy of oral administration of cystine and theanine in colorectal cancer patients undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery: a multi-institutional, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase II trial (JORTC-CAM03)
Authors: Hamaguchi Reo , Tsuchiya Takashi , Miyata Go , Sato Toshihiko , Takahashi Kenichi , Miura Koh , Oshio Hiroshi , Ohori Hisatsugu , Ariyoshi Keisuke , Oyamada Shunsuke , Iwase Satoru
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients often causes adverse events (AEs), such as diarrhea, stomatitis, anorexia, and hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Cystine and theanine were reported to attenuate some chemotherapy-associated AEs, and hence are also expected to attenuate capecitabine-induced AEs. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of cystine/theanine treatment in colorectal cancer patients undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery.

Methods

A total of 100 colorectal cancer patients treated with capecitabine as an adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery were randomly allocated into the cystine/theanine group (n = 52) or the placebo group (n = 48). The primary endpoint was incidence rate of diarrhea of grade 1 or higher in accordance with the Common Terminology Criteria for AEs (CTCAE) v.4.0, Japanese Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) version. The secondary endpoints included incidence rates of other AEs (CTCAE v.4.0-JCOG), as well as the incidence rate of HFS according to the HFS grading scale.

Results

There were no significant differences in capecitabine-induced AEs between the two groups. However, the incidence rate of diarrhea of grade 1 or higher tended to be lower in the cystine/theanine group than the placebo group (18.4% vs. 28.9%, p = 0.169) as well as the incidence rate of HFS of grade 1 or higher (CTCAE v.4.0-JCOG or HFS grading scale) (67.4% vs. 77.8%, p = 0.185, 67.3% vs. 80.0%, p = 0.124, respectively).

Conclusion

This trial demonstrated that cystine/theanine treatment of colorectal cancer patients undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is safe and has the tendency to reduce the incidence rate of diarrhea or HFS.

Trial registration

UMIN000024784