bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tryptophan Analogues with Fixed Side‐Chain Orientation: Expanding the Scope
Authors: Nicke Lennart , Horx Philip , Müller Ronny , Els‐Heindl Sylvia , Geyer Armin
Published: August 2020

A generalized synthetic strategy is proposed here for the synthesis of asymmetric β‐indoylated amino acids by 8‐aminoquinoline (8AQ)‐directed C(sp3)‐H functionalization of suitably protected precursors. Peptides containing one of the four stereoisomers of (indol‐3‐yl)‐3‐phenylalanine at position 2 of the parent peptide KwFwLL‐NH2 (w=d‐Trp) cover a wide range of activities as ghrelin receptor inverse agonists, among them the most active described until now. This application exemplarily shows how β‐indoylated amino acids can be used for the systematic variation of the position of an indole group in a bioactive peptide.
One‐by‐one immediate dental implants: A papillae preservation concept for adjacent implants in a compromised periodontal case
Authors: Khoury Georges , Chamieh Frédéric , Fromentin Olivier
Published: August 2020

In an immediate implant placement and provisionalization strategy, the esthetic results of multiple adjacent implants can be obtained even with compromised periodontium by implementing the “one‐by‐one” protocol. Staged extractions of multiple adjacent teeth to maintain soft tissue architecture are a key feature of the technique described.
Congenital goiter in North of Iran: A case report
Authors: Mehrpisheh Shahrokh , Zamanfar Daniel , Ghaffari Zahra , Memarian Azadeh , Nikkhah Farahnaz
Published: August 2020

Congenital goiter (CG) is one of the rarest disorders observed in a newborn at birth diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Considering the simultaneity of pregnancy and baby's hypothyroidism at birth, the goiter can be caused by diabetes during pregnancy and hypothyroidism emergence in the baby.
Nasal packing: When a routine practice becomes a life‐threatening emergency
Authors: Novoa Eva , Junge Helge
Published: August 2020

Aspiration of unsecured nasal packs of any sort must be suspected in patients presenting with acute airway situations and a recent history of nose procedures. An immediate removal is mandatory to avoid long‐term complications and even death.
Soft tissue metastasis revealing a case of acinar cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin
Authors: Ines Werda , Imtinene Belaid , Sarra Mestiri , Ahlem Bedioui , Faten Ezzaairi , Imene Chabchoub , Nouha Ammar , Makrem Hochlaf , Leila Ben Fatma , Moncef Mokni , Slim Ben Ahmed
Published: August 2020

Acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare neoplasm. It can be fatal in some cases and conventional chemotherapy may not be effective. To our knowledge, we report here the first case of ACC metastatic to soft tissues, from unknown origin.
Air Distributor Pressure Drop Analysis in a Circulating Fluidized‐Bed Boiler for Non‐reference Operating Conditions
Authors: Mirek Paweł
Published: August 2020

The air distributor plays a key role in circulating fluidized‐bed (CFB) boilers providing an even gas distribution in the cross section of the furnace. In most cases, this task under real conditions is very difficult to implement due to the destruction of the tuyeres. For this reason, the air distributors of many CFB boilers operate under conditions deviating from the design recommendations, which has a direct impact on the hydrodynamics of the fluidized bed and heat transfer conditions. This work reports studies on the performance of a tuyere‐type air distributor utilized in a CFB boiler and working under non‐reference operating conditions. Based on the results of simulation calculations, practical equations for a distributor pressure drop calculation have been derived taking into account a different degree of tuyere destruction.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polycarbonate/TiO2 Ultrafiltration Membranes: Critical Flux Determination
Authors: Etemadi Habib , Amirjangi Atefeh , Ghasemian Naser , Shokri Elham
Published: August 2020

A novel polycarbonate (PC) membrane was modified with titanium dioxide via nonsolvent‐induced phase separation method to improve its hydrophilicity and antifouling properties in a submerged membrane system for the removal of humic acid (HA) both with and without polyaluminum chloride (PAC) coagulant. The effect of TiO2 additive on the morphology and performance of the nanocomposite membranes was studied by atomic force microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray, mechanical properties, water contact angle, porosity, pure water flux, rejection tests, and antifouling parameters. The obtained results revealed that a higher critical flux was achieved by the PC/TiO2 nanocomposite membrane. The flux recovery ratio of the neat PC membrane increased with the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles and without PAC coagulant. HA removal for the PC nanocomposite membrane was higher than that of the neat PC membrane with and without PAC coagulant.
Control of Nuttall's thistle in perennial grass pastures
Authors: Dias José Luiz C. S. , Sellers Brent A.
Published: August 2020

Nuttall's thistle (Cirsium nuttalliDC) is a biennial species that deters grazing during dry seasons in Florida when forage is limited. Although management of other thistle species has been extensively studied, information on Nuttall's thistle control is limited. Field studies were conducted to compare the effectiveness of aminopyralid, dicamba, and 2,4‐D for Nuttall's thistle control applied at two different timings (rosette vs. bolting). A second experiment was conducted to determine the most effective aminopyralid rate through field dose–response studies. Although control of bolting plants was initially greater than control of rosette thistle at 15 d after treatment (DAT), no differences were detected between growth stages at 30 and 60 DAT. Excellent control (>90%) was achieved at 60 DAT with both rates of dicamba + 2,4‐D [4.0 + 11.4 and 6.0 + 17.2 oz acid equivalent (ae) acre−1] and aminopyralid at 0.77 oz acre−1, whereas aminopyralid at 0.26 oz ae acre−1and both rates of 2,4‐D (7.0 and 14.0 oz ae acre−1) provided 82, 80, and 78% control, respectively. The dose–response field experiment indicated that the aminopyralid effective dose required for 90% control (ED90) was 0.34 and 0.94 oz ae acre−1for rosette and bolting thistle at 30 DAT, respectively. No difference between timings was detected at 60 DAT and the aminopyralid ED90value was 0.27 oz acre−1. These data indicate that dicamba + 2,4‐D (6.0 + 17.2 oz ae acre−1) effectively controlled Nuttall's thistle; similar performance can be obtained with low aminopyralid rates (0.27 oz ae acre−1).
Edge‐Functionalized Nanographenes
Authors: Sekiya Ryo , Haino Takeharu
Published: August 2020

Nanographenes (NGs) have recently emerged as new carbon materials. Their nanoscale size results in a size‐dependent quantum confinement effect, opening the band gap by a few eV. This energy gap allows NGs to be applied as optical materials. This property has attracted researchers across multiple scientific fields. The photophysical properties of NGs can be manipulated by introducing organic groups onto their basal planes and/or into their edges. In addition, the integration of organic functional groups into NGs results in NG‐based hybrid materials. These features make the post‐synthetic modification of NGs an active research area. As obtainable information on chemically functionalized NGs is limited owing to their nonstoichiometry and structural uncertainty, their structural characterization requires a combination of multiple spectroscopic methods. Therefore, information on the characterization procedures of recently published chemically functionalized NGs is of value for advancing the field of NG‐based hybrid materials. The present review focuses on the structural characterization of chemically functionalized NGs. It is hoped that this review will help to advance this field.
Three‐Dimensional Cubic and Dice‐Like Microstructures of Higher Fullerene C78with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical and Photoluminescence Properties
Authors: Jannatun Nahar , Chen Ning , Yu Pengyuan , Shen Wangqiang , Lu Xing
Published: August 2020

The single‐crystal micro/nanostructures of fullerene species, namely C60and C70, have been previously studied, but studies on the morphology and properties of higher fullerenes have rarely been reported due to the limited amount of samples and their ellipsoidal isomeric structures. Herein, we report the formation of three‐dimensional (3D) micro‐cubes and micro‐dice of a higher fullerene (C78) via a facile liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method. The micro‐cubes were prepared by regulating the concentration of C78in trimethylbenzene (TMB) and the volume ratio of TMB and isopropanol. Interestingly, the micro‐cubes are transformed into micro‐dice with an open‐hole on each crystal face by simply shaking the solution. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopic studies revealed a simple cubic unit cell with a lattice constant of 10.6 Å and intercalated TMB molecules in both crystals. The C78cubic and dice‐like microstructures exhibited enhanced photoelectrochemical and photoluminescence properties compared with pristine C78powder, indicating their potential applications as photodetectors and photoelectric devices.
Catalytic Chemoselective Sulfimidation with an Electrophilic [CoIII(TAML)]−‐Nitrene Radical Complex**
Authors: van Leest Nicolaas P. , van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar , de Bruin Bas
Published: August 2020

The cobalt species PPh4[CoIII(TAMLred)] is a competent and stable catalyst for the sulfimidation of (aryl)(alkyl)‐substituted sulfides with iminoiodinanes, reaching turnover numbers up to 900 and turnover frequencies of 640 min−1 under mild and aerobic conditions. The sulfimidation proceeds in a highly chemoselective manner, even in the presence of alkenes or weak C−H bonds, as supported by inter‐ and intramolecular competition experiments. Functionalization of the sulfide substituent with various electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing arenes and several alkyl, benzyl and vinyl fragments is tolerated, with up to quantitative product yields. Sulfimidation of phenyl allyl sulfide led to [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of the initially formed sulfimide species to afford the corresponding N‐allyl‐S‐phenyl‐thiohydroxylamines as attractive products. Mechanistic studies suggest that the actual nitrene transfer to the sulfide proceeds via (previously characterized) electrophilic nitrene radical intermediates that afford the sulfimide products via electronically asynchronous transition states, in which SET from the sulfide to the nitrene radical complex precedes N−S bond formation in a single concerted process.
Zu Land und zu Wasser
Authors: Kochenburger Nicole
Published: August 2020

Weltweit wird immer mehr Erdöl und Erdgas unter zunehmend extremeren Bedingungen gefördert: zum Beispiel auf hoher See oder im vereisten Polarmeer. Sämtliche Anlagen, die an der Förderung beteiligt sind, müssen daher speziell für die widrigen Bedingungen
Lange Ausfallzeiten gehören der Vergangenheit an
Authors: Paschen Christian
Published: August 2020

In zahlreichen Branchen ist eine sichere und effiziente Dosierung von Chemikalien unabdingbar für eine moderne und ressourcenschonende Produktion. So auch in der Papierproduktion, in der Chemikalien unter anderem als Papier‐Additive oder Prozesshilfsmitte
Das Pumpenschutzventil
Authors: Dörseln Kai
Published: August 2020

Der neue Pumpenschutz‐Ventiltyp Schroeder Intermediate Pressure (SIP) eignet sich für Drücke von 140 bis 250 bar, vor allem in Anlagen mit häufigem Betrieb im Mindestmengenbereich der Pumpe. Sie kommt insbesondere in Kesselspeisewasserkreisläufen von Gas‐
Richtige Datennutzung für höhere Prozessqualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit
Authors: Schulte Christian , Reiff Christine
Published: August 2020

Mit passgenauen Lösungen von Process Automation Solutions für effektive Datennutzung lassen sich Prozess‐ + Produktqualität verbessern und die Wirtschaftlichkeit erhöhen.
An ontology‐based procedure knowledge framework for the process industry
Authors: Cao Jian , He Yan‐Lin , Zhu QunXiong
Published: August 2020

Process industry enterprises rely heavily on expert experience in production, and expert knowledge is stored in multiple formats like, pictures, texts, videos, etc. Several isolated islands of information or knowledge are formed, and they are difficult to store, share, and expand upon. Therefore, the same procedure appears multiple times in different application scenarios, such as optimization scheduling, optimization operation, or fault diagnosis. If redundant knowledge is paid too much attention, decision‐makers will not be able to comprehensively consider business knowledge. Thus, a novel framework is proposed for the process industry to manage procedure knowledge. This paper first divides the detailed procedure of process plants into four layers, that is, raw materials, intermediate materials, operation, and products based on the P‐graph theory, which involves virtual hierarchies, nodes, and operations. Second, the domain ontology‐based procedure knowledge model is constructed. Finally, two experimental cases, the Tennessee Eastman (TE) and the ethylene production process, are studied to verify the procedure knowledge framework (PKF). The PKF provides a useful foundation for the subsequent construction of a superstructure model based on the P‐graph theory and is different from the previous industrial process industrial ontology model. The PKF has a theoretical basis for simulation calculation and makes future work based on PKF more accurate and interpretable.
Chiral Nanoprobes and Their Biological Effects
Authors: Sun Maozhong , Li Si , Hao Changlong , Xu Chuanlai , Kuang Hua
Published: August 2020

Chirality is an essential property of nature. The emergence of chiral material in nanoscale has shown great promise in the investigation of biological interfaces, chiral optical devices, metamaterials and the origin of chirality. In the present study, we focused on fabricating chiral nanoprobes and their applications in living systems. Through precise synthesis or the self‐assembly of various chiral configurations, significant research achievements have been obtained by our group. In this brief introduction, we will discuss the recent progress of chiral nanostructures in the selective recognition of biomolecules, ultrasensitive detection and their interaction with living cells.
Performance characteristics of screening strategies to identify Lynch syndrome in women with ovarian cancer
Authors: Kim Soyoun Rachel , Tone Alicia , Kim Raymond H. , Cesari Matthew , Clarke Blaise A. , Eiriksson Lua , Hart Tae , Aronson Melyssa , Holter Spring , Lytwyn Alice , Maganti Manjula , Oldfield Leslie , Gallinger Steven , Bernardini Marcus Q. , Oza Amit M. , Djordjevic Bojana , Lerner‐Ellis Jordan , Van de Laar Emily , Vicus Danielle , Pugh Trevor J. , Pollett Aaron , Ferguson Sarah E.
Published: August 2020

Background

For women with ovarian cancer (OC), the optimal screening strategy to identify Lynch syndrome (LS) has not been determined. In the current study, the authors compared the performance characteristics of various strategies combining mismatch repair (MMR) immunohistochemistry (IHC), microsatellite instability testing (MSI), and family history for the detection of LS.

Methods

Women with nonserous and/or nonmucinous ovarian cancer were recruited prospectively from 3 cancer centers in Ontario, Canada. All underwent germline testing for LS and completed a family history assessment. Tumors were assessed using MMR IHC and MSI. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of screening strategies were compared with the gold standard of a germline result.

Results

Of 215 women, germline data were available for 189 (88%); 13 women (7%) had pathogenic germline variants with 7 women with mutS homolog 6 (MSH6); 3 women with mutL homolog 1 (MLH1); 2 women with PMS1 homolog 2, mismatch repair system component (PMS2); and 1 woman with mutS homolog 2 (MSH2). A total of 28 women had MMR‐deficient tumors (13%); of these, 11 had pathogenic variants (39%). Sequential IHC (with MLH1 promoter methylation analysis on MLH1‐deficient tumors) followed by MSI for nonmethylated and/or MMR‐intact patients was the most sensitive (92.3%; 95% confidence interval, 64%‐99.8%) and specific (97.7%; 95% confidence interval, 94.2%‐99.4%) approach, missing 1 case of LS. IHC with MLH1 promoter methylation analysis missed 2 patients of LS. Family history was found to have the lowest sensitivity at 55%.

Conclusions

Sequential IHC (with MLH1 promoter methylation analysis) followed by MSI was found to be most sensitive. However, IHC with MLH1 promoter methylation analysis also performed well and is likely more cost‐effective and efficient in the clinical setting. The pretest probability of LS is high in patients with MMR deficiency and warrants universal screening for LS.
Barriers to the early integration of palliative care in pediatric oncology in 11 Eurasian countries
Authors: Ehrlich Bella S. , Movsisyan Narine , Batmunkh Tsetsegsaikhan , Kumirova Ella , Borisevich Marina V. , Kirgizov Kirill , Graetz Dylan E. , McNeil Michael J. , Yakimkova Taisiya , Vinitsky Anna , Ferrara Gia , Li Chen , Lu Zhaohua , Kaye Erica C. , Baker Justin N. , Agulnik Asya ,   the Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment (ADAPT) Research Group
Published: August 2020

Background

The early integration of palliative care significantly improves quality of life for children with cancer. However, cultural, structural, and socioeconomic barriers can delay the integration of palliative care into cancer care, particularly in low‐income and middle‐income countries. To date, little is known regarding the timing of and barriers to palliative care integration in Eurasia.

Methods

The Assessing Doctors' Attitudes on Palliative Treatment (ADAPT) survey evaluates physician perceptions regarding palliative care integration into pediatric oncology in Eurasia. This evidence‐based survey was adapted to the regional context; iteratively reviewed by US and regional panelists; and piloted in English, Russian, and Mongolian. After distribution to physicians caring for children with cancer, statistical analysis was complemented by qualitative analysis of open‐ended responses.

Results

A total of 424 physician responses were received from 11 countries in the Eurasian region. Study findings demonstrated wide variability in access to palliative care experts across countries (18%‐96%), with the majority of providers (64%) reporting that the initial palliative care consultation typically occurs when curative options are no longer available. Providers desired an earlier initial palliative care consultation than what currently occurs in their setting (P < .001). Primary barriers to timely consultation included limited access to palliative care services and specialists, lack of physician education, and perceived family resistance.

Conclusions

The current study is the first to identify physician perceptions of the delayed timing of palliative care integration into childhood cancer care and associated barriers in Eurasia. These findings will inform the development of targeted interventions to mitigate local structural and cultural barriers to access and facilitate earlier palliative care integration in the region.
Immunohistochemistry surrogates for molecular alterations: A new paradigm in salivary gland tumor cytopathology?
Authors: Bishop Justin A.
Published: August 2020

We are in the midst of an exciting diagnostic revolution in salivary gland pathology. The success of the NR4A3 immunostain may usher in a new era of using sensitive and specific immunostains as surrogates for molecular analysis in salivary gland pathology.
LBMA and IMAR2: Weighted lottery based migration strategies for NUMA multiprocessing servers
Authors: Laso R. , Lorenzo O. G. , Rivera F. F. , Cabaleiro J. C. , Pena T. F. , Lorenzo J. A.
Published: August 2020

Multicore NUMA systems present on‐board memory hierarchies and communication networks that influence performance when executing shared memory parallel codes. Characterizing this influence is complex, and understanding the effect of particular hardware configurations on different codes is of paramount importance. In this article, monitoring information extracted from hardware counters at runtime is used to characterize the behavior of each thread for an arbitrary number of multithreaded processes running in a multiprocessing environment. This characterization is given in terms of number of operations per second, operational intensity, and latency of memory accesses. We propose a runtime tool, executed in user space, that uses this information to guide two different thread migration strategies for improving execution efficiency by increasing locality and affinity without requiring any modification in the running codes. Different configurations of NAS Parallel OpenMP benchmarks running concurrently on multicore NUMA systems were used to validate the benefits of our proposal, in which up to four processes are running simultaneously. In more than the 95% of the executions of our tool, results outperform those of the operating system (OS) and produces up to 38% improvement in execution time over the OS for heterogeneous workloads, under different and realistic locality and affinity scenarios.
Inter‐Ligand Energy Transfer Process in an Ir‐Complex with Expanding π‐Conjugated Ligand
Authors: Hwang Jeongwook , Ahn Mina , Choi Jungkweon , Wee Kyung‐Ryang
Published: August 2020

The inter‐ligand energy transfer (ILET) process in heteroleptic iridium complex, [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy‐Im2)]+, where dfppy=2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)pyridine and bpy‐Im2=4,4’‐bis(1,2‐diphenyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole)‐2,2’,‐bipyridine, was investigated using a femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) spectroscopic technique. The photophysical properties of [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy‐Im2)]+ with significantly expanding π‐conjugated ligand are compared to those of [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy)]+ (bpy=2,2’‐bipyridine) and a free bpy‐Im2 ligand. The emission spectrum of [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy‐Im2)]+ shows no shift upon changing the solvent polarity, whereas the free ligand bpy‐Im2 showed bathochromic fluorescence shifts with increasing solvent polarity, which is attributed to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The unique photophysical properties of [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy‐Im2)]+ are due to the fast ILET process from 3MLCTdfppy to 3MLCT/3LCbpy‐Im2, resulting in the phosphorescence emission originating from 3MLCT/3LCbpy‐Im2. On the other hand, the TA bands of bpy‐Im2 are observed at 540 and 480 nm, corresponding to the singlet and triplet manifolds, respectively. In contrast, the TA spectrum of [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy‐Im2)]+ showes broad bands centered at 420 and 600 nm, attributed to the transitions from 3MLCTdfppy and 3MLCT/3LCbpy‐Im2, respectively. Time‐resolved spectroscopic results confirm the efficient ILET dynamics from 3MLCTdfppy to 3MLCT/3LCbpy‐Im2 in [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy‐Im2)]+. From the relaxation times determined by singular value decomposition analysis and simple sequential kinetic model, we infer that the ILET process from 3MLCTdfppy to 3MLCT/3LCbpy‐Im2 occurs with a time constant of ca. 4 ps. The presented results in this study show that the introduction of an expanding π‐conjugated ligand can lead to the efficient ILET dynamics for improving the OLED performance.
Characterization of Calcium Oxalate Hydrates and the Transformation Process
Authors: Valido Iris H. , Rius‐Bartra Joaquim M. , Boada Roberto , Resina‐Gallego Montserrat , Valiente Manuel , López‐Mesas Montserrat
Published: August 2020

Calcium oxalate can be found in humans as kidney stones and in cultural heritage as films in two crystallographic species, dihydrate (COD/weddellite) and/or monohydrate (COM/whewellite). Due to its instability, COD is transformed into COM. Studying this crystalline conversion provides information about the origin of the monohydrated species, which will help in the assessment of prevention measurements to avoid their formation. In the present study, the synthesis of calcium oxalate hydrate microcrystals has been carefully performed to avoid mixture of phases in the final products; the long and short range order structure of both species have been studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), respectively. This structural information was considered in the density functional theory (DFT) computational study performed to assign the characteristic vibrational IR and Raman frequencies found. This detailed characterization allows an unambiguous assignment of the vibrations, thus providing the appropriate parameters required to monitor and characterize the transformation process.
Identification and validation of Fusarium head blight resistance QTL in the U.S. soft red winter wheat cultivar ‘Jamestown’
Authors: Carpenter Neal R. , Wright Emily , Malla Subas , Singh Lovepreet , Van Sanford David , Clark Anthony , Harrison Stephen , Murphy J. Paul , Costa Jose , Chao Shiaoman , Brown‐Guedira Gina L. , McMaster Nicole , Schmale David G. , Griffey Carl A. , Rawat Nidhi
Published: August 2020

Use of genetic resistance is one of the most important strategies to manage the devastating disease Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat. Numerous quantitative trait loci (QTL) having varying effects on reducing FHB and the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation have been reported from Asian, European, or distant sources such as wild relatives of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, coming from nonadapted backgrounds, the incorporation of such QTL into regional breeding programs has often resulted in the simultaneous transfer of other undesirable traits. Therefore, it is important to identify, characterize, and deploy sources of genetic resistance that do not suffer from poor adaptability and/or linkage drag. In the present work, QTL associated with FHB resistance in a high‐yielding, moderately resistant soft red winter wheat cultivar ‘Jamestown’ were mapped and validated. The QTL mapping was done using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of Pioneer ‘25R47’ × Jamestown having 186 individuals. Phenotyping over 2 yr at three locations, and genotyping using the 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) platform identified two new QTL, named QFHB.vt‐1B.1 and QFHB.vt‐1B.2, on the chromosome 1B long arm. The QTL contributed to FHB incidence, FHB severity, Fusarium‐damaged kernels, and DON content. Independent mapping of these QTL using two additional RIL populations of FG95195 × Jamestown (170 RILs) and Jamestown × LA97113UC‐124 (77 RILs) validated their stability and effectiveness in different genetic backgrounds. Kompetitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction (KASP) assays were developed using linked SNPs for marker‐assisted selection of the QTL. These QTL are being used in breeding programs to develop FHB‐resistant, high‐yielding varieties.
Performance of grain sorghum hybrids resistant to acetolactate synthase and acetyl coenzyme‐A carboxylase inhibitor herbicides
Authors: Weerasooriya Dilooshi , Gobena Dereje , Bandara Ananda , Dowell Floyd , Peiris Kamaranga , Bean Scott , Perumal Ramasamy , Adee Eric , Tesso Tesfaye
Published: August 2020

Acreage under grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in the United States has sharply declined over the past several decades. Among the major causes are the lack of better postemergence weed control options. Farmers opt for crops and tools that allow better management of weeds, and sorghum is not one of them. The discovery of sources of resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) and acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor herbicides in feral relatives of sorghum opened a new horizon for development of a resistance‐based weed control option for the crop. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the agronomic potential of sorghum hybrids resistant to ALS and ACCase inhibitor herbicides and shed light on concerns that deployment of resistance traits may cause yield drags. A total of 186 hybrids involving homozygous ALS resistant, homozygous ACCase resistant, heterozygous ALS and ACCase resistance, and conventional hybrids plus commercial checks were grown in three sets consisting of 68, 62 and 56 entries for Set I, Set II, and Set III, respectively. The experiments were conducted during the 2014 and 2015 season in three replications at Kansas State University Agronomy Research Farm near Manhattan, KS. Data were collected on plant height, maturity, yield, and yield components, as well as grain nutritional traits. The analysis of the data revealed that the resistance technology has no negative effect on agronomic adaptability, yield potential, and nutritional traits of grain sorghum.
The impact of the amount of environmental information disclosure on financial performance: The moderating effect of corporate internationalization
Authors: Yang Yi , Yao Congxu , Li Ying
Published: August 2020

Based on the data of A‐share heavily polluting listed companies in China from 2010 to 2017, this study uses content analysis and multiple linear regression to investigate the effect of the amount of corporate environmental information disclosure on financial performance and the moderating effect of corporate internationalization on this relationship. The results confirm the significant negative impact of the amount of environmental information disclosure on financial performance, while corporate internationalization has a positive moderating effect on this relationship. The degree of regional marketization and corporate ownership influences this moderating effect. Thus, a mandatory disclosure mechanism with a legal basis and clear standards is necessary, but should include diverse policies and improved incentive mechanisms in light of the differences in regional development in China. In addition, international organizations should encourage companies to increase their international operations. The robustness test shows that the results are reliable.
An efficient hardware realization of EMD for real‐time signal processing applications
Authors: Das Kaushik , Pradhan Sambhu Nath
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a field‐programmable gate array (FPGA) and application‐specific integrated circuit (ASIC) based design for the real‐time implementation of empirical mode decomposition (EMD) algorithm. Here, at the beginning, register‐transfer‐level (RTL) design of EMD algorithm is developed in the form of verilog‐HDL code. Then, simulation‐based testing of the RTL design is done. In this paper, two envelope computation methods are proposed: one using linear Bezier curve (LBC) and the other using cubic spline interpolation (CSI). For ASIC, the verilog‐HDL code of EMD is synthesized using Genus tool of Cadence using SCL 180‐nm technology library and Innovus tool of Cadence is used for the layout design. The core area of the proposed EMD ASIC is 1.16 mm2 and can be operated at 62.5 MHz clock rate. The developed FPGA‐based EMD architecture can be operated at 50 MHz clock rate and up to 50 MHz sampling rate. Here, an effort is also made to classify the normal and seizure/ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, which are used as an input to EMD, with the help of a support vector machine (SVM). The classification accuracy obtained is above 99%, and here, MATLAB is used for feature calculation and classification purposes.
Cyto‐morphological and clinical approach to infections presenting with discharging sinuses mimicking malignancy
Authors: Ravi Soundarya , Stephen Norton , Sreerekha Jinkala , Ramassamy Sivaranjini , Behera Biswanath , Gochhait Debasis
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Discharging sinuses is a form of chronic unhealed infection that can present at any site due to a variety of infectious organisms. These discharging sinuses may be associated with mass lesions and lymphadenopathy to mimic some neoplastic processes. Identifying these infections with accuracy and promptness is essential, as the treatment regimens are specific. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of these lesions, along with appropriate cytochemical stains, aids in the rapid and precise diagnosis of these infections and excludes neoplasms at these sites. Also, material for culture and other studies can be obtained by FNA.

Material and methods

This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of pathology from 2018 to 2020. A total of 179 patients with similar clinical presentation and confirmed infection on cytology were identified. On the evaluation of the requisition forms, 32 (18%) patients were identified with discharging sinus associated along with swelling.

Results

The five infections (32 cases) that were identified, included 18 cases of tuberculosis (56.25%) followed by 9 cases of actinomycosis (28.12%), 3 cases of pheohypomycosis (9.37%), and one case each of Nocardia (3.12%) and eumycetoma (3.12%) which presented as swelling with discharging sinus. Special stains were performed in all cases for confirmation. Histopathological/Microbiological correlation was done whenever available.

Conclusion

Infections presenting as swelling with discharging sinuses mimicking malignancy can be diagnosed on FNAC with good accuracy.
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas involving serous cavity fluid specimens exhibit diverse cytomorphologies: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jones Robert M. , VandenBussche Christopher J.
Published: August 2020

Involvement of serous cavity specimens by alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a rare event and only a few case reports have been reported in the literature, with conflicting cytomorphologic patterns. Herein, we report on a 41‐year‐old man with no significant past medical history who presented with pancytopenia and shortness of breath and was found to have widely metastatic sinonasal alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, including involvement of the pleura. The pleural fluid specimen was cellular and contained ARMS cells in small‐to‐medium sized three‐dimensional fragments that resembled an adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma, and numerous single cells were seen in the background. The individual tumor cells demonstrated variable morphology; all were large, with varying degree of cytoplasm, and multinucleated cells were commonly seen in the background. The cells were negative for calretinin and claudin‐4 and were positive for myogenin, confirming the diagnosis. Given the cytomorphologic diversity of ARMS seen in serous fluid specimens, patient history and the use of confirmatory immunostains are essential.
PDX1−/NKX6.1+ progenitors derived from human pluripotent stem cells as a novel source of insulin‐secreting cells
Authors: Memon Bushra , Younis Ihab , Abubaker Fadhil , Abdelalim Essam M.
Published: August 2020

Aim

Beta cell replacement strategies are a promising alternative for diabetes treatment. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) serve as a scalable source for producing insulin‐secreting cells for transplantation therapy. We recently generated novel hPSC‐derived pancreatic progenitors, expressing high levels of the transcription factor NKX6.1, in the absence of PDX1 (PDX1−/NKX6.1+). Herein, our aim was to characterize this novel population and assess its ability to differentiate into insulin‐secreting beta cells in vitro.

Materials and Methods

Three different hPSC lines were differentiated into PDX1−/NKX6.1+ progenitors, which were further differentiated into insulin‐secreting cells using two different protocols. The progenitors and beta cells were extensively characterized. Transcriptome analysis was performed at different stages and compared with the profiles of various pancreatic counterparts.

Results

PDX1−/NKX6.1+ progenitors expressed high levels of nestin, a key marker of pancreatic islet‐derived progenitors, in the absence of E‐cadherin, similar to pancreatic mesenchymal stem cells. At progenitor stage, comparison of the two populations showed downregulation of pancreatic epithelial genes and upregulation of neuronal development genes in PDX1−/NKX6.1+ cells in comparison to the PDX1+/NKX6.1+ cells. Interestingly, on further differentiation, PDX1−/NKX6.1+ cells generated mono‐hormonal insulin+ cells and activated pancreatic key genes, such as PDX1. The transcriptome profile of PDX1−/NKX6.1+‐derived beta (3D‐beta) was closely similar to those of human pancreatic islets and purified hPSC‐derived beta cells. Also, the 3D‐beta cells secreted C‐peptide in response to increased glucose concentrations indicating their functionality.

Conclusion

These findings provide a novel source of insulin‐secreting cells that can be used for beta cell therapy for diabetes.
How faithfully does intramembranous bone regeneration recapitulate embryonic skeletal development?
Authors: Ko Frank C. , Sumner D. Rick
Published: August 2020

Postnatal intramembranous bone regeneration plays an important role during a wide variety of musculoskeletal regeneration processes such as fracture healing, joint replacement and dental implant surgery, distraction osteogenesis, stress fracture healing, and repair of skeletal defects caused by trauma or resection of tumors. The molecular basis of intramembranous bone regeneration has been interrogated using rodent models of most of these conditions. These studies reveal that signaling pathways such as Wnt, TGFβ/BMP, FGF, VEGF, and Notch are invoked, reminiscent of embryonic development of membranous bone. Discoveries of several skeletal stem cell/progenitor populations using mouse genetic models also reveal the potential sources of postnatal intramembranous bone regeneration. The purpose of this review is to compare the underlying molecular signals and progenitor cells that characterize embryonic development of membranous bone and postnatal intramembranous bone regeneration.
A nontoxic fungal natural product modulates fin regeneration in zebrafish larvae upstream of FGF‐WNT developmental signaling
Authors: Cavanah Paul , Itou Junji , Rusman Yudi , Tahara Naoyuki , Williams Jessica M. , Salomon Christine E. , Kawakami Yasuhiko
Published: August 2020

Background

The regeneration of larvae zebrafish fin emerged as a new model of regeneration in the last decade. In contrast to genetic tools to study fin regeneration, chemical probes to modulate and interrogate regeneration processes are not well developed.

Results

We set up a zebrafish larvae fin regeneration assay system and tested activities of natural product compounds and extracts, prepared from various microbes. Colomitide C, a recently isolated product from a fungus obtained from Antarctica, inhibited larvae fin regeneration. Using fluorescent reporter transgenic lines, we show that colomitide C inhibited fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling and WNT/β‐catenin signaling, which were activated after larvae fin amputation. By using the endothelial cell reporter line and immunofluorescence, we showed that colomitide C did not affect migration of the blood vessel and nerve into the injured larvae fin. Colomitide C did not show any cytotoxic activities when tested against FGF receptor‐amplified human cancer cell lines.

Conclusion

Colomitide C, a natural product, modulated larvae fin regeneration likely acting upstream of FGF and WNT signaling. Colomitide C may serve as a template for developing new chemical probes to study regeneration and other biological processes.
Foraging by an avian ecosystem engineer extensively modifies the litter and soil layer in forest ecosystems
Authors: Maisey Alex C. , Haslem Angie , Leonard Steven W. J. , Bennett Andrew F.
Published: August 2020

Ecosystem engineers physically modify their environment, thereby altering habitats for other organisms. Increasingly, “engineers” are recognized as an important focus for conservation and ecological restoration because their actions affect a range of ecosystem processes and thereby influence how ecosystems function. The Superb LyrebirdMenura novaehollandiaeis proposed as an ecosystem engineer in forests of southeastern Australia due to the volume of soil and litter it turns over when foraging. We measured the seasonal and spatial patterns of foraging by Lyrebirds and the amount of soil displaced in forests in the Central Highlands, Victoria. We tested the effects of foraging on litter, soil nutrients and soil physical properties by using an experimental approach with three treatments: Lyrebird exclusion, Lyrebird exclusion with simulated foraging, and non‐exclusion reference plots. Treatments were replicated in three forest types in each of three forest blocks. Lyrebirds foraged extensively in all forest types in all seasons. On average, Lyrebirds displaced 155.7 Mg/ha of litter and soil in a 12‐month period. Greater displacement occurred where vegetation complexity (<50 cm height) was low. After two years of Lyrebird exclusion, soil compaction (top 7.5 cm) increased by 37% in exclusion plots compared with baseline measures, while in unfenced plots it decreased by 22%. Litter depth was almost three times greater in fenced than unfenced plots. Soil moisture, pH, and soil nutrients showed no difference between treatments. The enormous extent of litter and soil turned over by the Superb Lyrebird is unparalleled by any other vertebrate soil engineer in terrestrial ecosystems globally. The profound influence of such foraging activity on forest ecosystems is magnified by its year‐round pattern and widespread distribution. The disturbance regime that Lyrebirds impose has implications for diverse ecosystem processes including decomposition and nutrient cycling, the composition of litter‐ and soil‐dwelling invertebrate communities, the shaping of ground‐layer vegetation patterns, and fire behavior and post‐fire ecosystem recovery. Maintaining Lyrebird populations as a key facilitator of ecosystem function is now timely and critical as unprecedented wildfires in eastern Australia in summer 2019–2020 have severely burned ~12 million ha of forest, including ~30% of the geographic range of the Superb Lyrebird.
Trophic niche similarities of sympatric Turdus thrushes determined by fecal contents, stable isotopes, and bipartite network approaches
Authors: Bosenbecker Camila , Bugoni Leandro
Published: August 2020

An ecological niche has been defined as an n‐dimensional hypervolume formed by conditions and resources that species need to survive, grow, and reproduce. In practice, such niche dimensions are measurable and describe how species share resources, which has been thought to be a crucial mechanism for coexistence and a major driver of broad biodiversity patterns. Here, we investigate resource partitioning and trophic interactions of three sympatric, phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species of thrushes (Turdus spp.). Based on one year of data collected in southern Brazil, we investigated niche partitioning using three approaches: diet and trophic niche assessed by fecal analysis, diet and niche estimated by stable isotopes in blood and mixing models, and bipartite network analysis derived from direct diet and mixing model outputs. Approaches revealed that the three sympatric thrushes are generalists that feed on similar diets, demonstrating high niche overlap. Fruits from C3 plants were one of the most important food items in their networks, with wide links connecting the three thrush species. Turdus amaurochalinus and T. albicollis had the greatest trophic and isotopic niche overlap, with 90% and 20% overlap, respectively. There was partitioning of key resources between these two species, with a shared preference for fig tree fruits—Ficus cestrifolia (T. amaurochalinus PSIRI% = 11.3 and T. albicollis = 11.5), which was not present in the diet of T. rufiventris. Results added a new approach to the network analysis based on values from the stable isotope mixing models, allowing comparisons between traditional dietary analysis and diet inferred by isotopic mixing models, which reflects food items effectively assimilated in consumer tissues. Both are visualized in bipartite networks and show food‐consumers link strengths. This approach could be useful to other studies using stable isotopes coupled to network analysis, particularly useful in sympatric species with similar niches.
Seed bank characteristics in a Pinus densata forest and its relationship with vegetation diversity in Southeast Tibet, China
Authors: Lu Jie , Li Zhaoqing , Gao Tan , Tang Xiaoqin
Published: August 2020

Objective

We aimed to understand the basic characteristics of the underground seed bank of Pinus densata forest and its relationship with aboveground vegetation, to provide a theoretical basis for vegetation restoration.

Methods

The study sites were Dongjiu Bridge (DJ), Linji Bridge (LZ), and Birishen Mountain Scenic Spot (RB) in Gongbu Nature Reserve, Southeast Tibet, China. Species composition and distribution pattern of the underground seed bank in P. densata forest were analyzed. Germination data and field investigations were used to examine the similarities between aboveground vegetation and underground seed banks, and their responses to the environment.

Results

There were 47 species belonging to 27 families in the underground seed bank of the P. densata forest. Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Labiatae, and Poaceae were dominant, accounting for 40.4% of the total number of families. Underground seed density was 2,114, 1,952, and 1,141 seeds/m2 in DJ, LZ, and BR, respectively. The percentage of different life‐forms in each sampling location was shown to be perennial herbs > shrubs > annual herbs > trees > subshrubs. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Margalef richness index, and Simpson's dominance index of each sample showed that species decreased with higher elevation, while the Pielou evenness index showed the opposite trend. Elevation, slope position, slope aspect, and slope were positively correlated with the Pielou evenness index and negatively correlated with the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Margalef richness index, and Simpson's dominance index. The Sørensen index, comparing the similarity between the underground seed bank and aboveground vegetation of DJ, LZ, and BR was 0.46, 0.35, and 0.31, respectively.

Conclusion

The underground seed bank of P. densata forest has high seed density and high species richness, but there was little similarity between aboveground vegetation and underground seed bank. Elevation and slope position had a great influence on the uniformity of species distribution.
Diversity of medium and large mammals in the Loka Abaya National Park, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Diriba Guta , Tamene Sintaheyu , Mengesha Girma , Asefa Addisu
Published: August 2020

We evaluated the richness, diversity, and composition of the medium and large mammal community in the Loka Abaya National Park (LANP), southern Ethiopia, and how these parameters differ among four habitat types: wooded grassland, riverine forest, hilly scrubland and wetland, and between seasons. We recorded a total of 2,573 individual animals of 28 medium and large mammal species in the park. This included three globally threatened species: the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), the vulnerable Leopard (Panthera pardus), and Hippopotamus (Hippopothamus amphibius). Season had little effect on species richness, diversity, and composition both across and within habitat types. However, species richness across seasons was significantly different among the four habitat types, in the declining order of the following: wooded grassland > riverine forest > hilly scrubland > wetland. The strongest similarity in species composition, both across and within seasons, was found between wooded grassland and riverine forest. In terms of relative abundance, mammal assemblage of the wooded grassland and wetland habitats had more evenly distributed number of species with different relative abundance categories. Overall, Anubis Baboon (Papio anubis), Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), and Greater Kudu (Tragelephus strepsiceros) were the three most abundant species across habitat types. In conclusion, findings of our study reveal that LANP plays an important role in Ethiopia's mammal conservation. Our findings will serve as baseline information for managers of the park to make effective conservation decisions and as a baseline for researchers wishing to conduct related ecological studies.