bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orientation and location of the finite helical axis of the equine forelimb joints
Authors: Kaashoek Mariëlle , Hobbs Sarah Jane , Clayton Hilary Mary , Aerts Peter , Nauwelaerts Sandra
Published: March 2019

To reduce anatomically unrealistic limb postures in a virtual musculoskeletal model of a horse's forelimb, accurate knowledge on forelimb joint constraints is essential. The aim of this cadaver study is to report all orientation and position changes of the finite helical axes (FHA) as a function of joint angle for different equine forelimb joints. Five horse cadaver forelimbs with standardized cuts at the midlevel of each segment were used. Bone pins with reflective marker triads were drilled into the forelimb bones. Unless joint angles were anatomically coupled, each joint was manually moved independently in all three rotational degrees of freedom (flexion–extension, abduction–adduction, internal–external rotation). The 3D coordinates of the marker triads were recorded using a six infra‐red camera system. The FHA and its orientational and positional properties were calculated and expressed against joint angle over the entire range of motion using a finite helical axis method. When coupled, joint angles and FHA were expressed in function of flexion–extension angle. Flexion–extension movement was substantial in all forelimb joints, the shoulder allowed additional considerable motion in all three rotational degrees of freedoms. The position of the FHA was constant in the fetlock and elbow and a constant orientation of the FHA was found in the shoulder. Orientation and position changes of the FHA over the entire range of motion were observed in the carpus and the interphalangeal joints. We report FHA position and orientation changes as a function of flexion–extension angle to allow for inclusion in a musculoskeletal model of a horse to minimize calculation errors caused by incorrect location of the FHA.
Xeno‐free culture for generation of forebrain oligodendrocyte precursor cells from human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Hermanto Yulius , Maki Takakuni , Takagi Yasushi , Miyamoto Susumu , Takahashi Jun
Published: March 2019

Oligodendrocytes (OLs) show heterogeneous properties that depend on their location in the central nervous system (CNS). In this regard, the investigation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) should be reconsidered, particularly in cases of brain‐predominant disorders for which brain‐derived OPCs are more appropriate than spinal cord‐derived OPCs. Furthermore, animal‐derived components are responsible for culture variability in the derivation and complicate clinical translation. In the present study, we established a xeno‐free system to induce forebrain OPCs from hPSCs. We induced human forebrain neural stem cells (NSCs) on Laminin 511‐E8 and directed the differentiation to the developmental pathway for forebrain OLs with SHH and FGF signaling. OPCs were characterized by the expression of OLIG2, NKX2.2, SOX10, and PDGFRA, and subsequent maturation into O4+ cells. In vitro characterization showed that >85% of the forebrain OPCs (O4+) underwent maturation into OLs (MBP+) 3 weeks after mitogen removal. Upon intracranial transplantation, the OPCs survived, dispersed in the corpus callosum, and matured into (GSTπ+) OLs in the host brains 3 months after transplantation. These findings suggest our xeno‐free induction of forebrain OPCs from hPSCs could accelerate clinical translation for brain‐specific disorders.
Uncertainty in climate projections and time of emergence of climate signals in the western Canadian Prairies
Authors: Barrow Elaine M. , Sauchyn David J.
Published: March 2019

This paper has examined the relative significance of uncertainty in future climate projections from a subset of the coupled model intercomparison project phase 5 (CMIP5) global climate models for the Prairie Provinces of western Canada. This was undertaken by determining: (a) the contribution of model and scenario uncertainty and natural variability to the total variance of these future projections, and (b) the timing of climate signal emergence from the background noise of natural climate variability. We examined future projections of mean temperature, precipitation and summer climate moisture index (CMI). In this region, natural climate variability plays an important role in future uncertainty until the end of this century, particularly for precipitation and to a lesser extent, summer CMI. Model uncertainty also contributes to total uncertainty for these variables throughout this century, while scenario uncertainty becomes more important towards the end of the century. For the region as a whole, significant climate change (i.e., signal/noise >2) occurs earliest for summer mean temperature, with median time of emergence around 2035 for the RCP8.5 radiative forcing scenario. Although the median precipitation signal emerges from the noise (i.e., signal/noise >1) around the 2070s in winter and the 2080s in spring, significant values do not occur in any season for this variable before 2100. For summer CMI, the median time of emergence for significant change is around 2085. At the grid scale, signal‐to‐noise ratios are significant for all seasons for mean surface air temperature, with earliest times of emergence occurring in summer. In contrast, the summer precipitation signal is not significant this century; for summer CMI, significant values are obtained in the eastern half of the region, occurring from about 2065 onwards. Median times of emergence are towards the end of the century for summer CMI in western Saskatchewan and in Alberta, although some areas of Alberta do not exhibit significant signals this century.
Theoretical and empirical evidence of behavioral and production line factors that influence helping behavior
Authors: Cantor David E. , Jin Yao
Published: March 2019

A poorly motivated workforce can have a negative impact on the productivity of production lines and firm performance. One factor that can counter the effects of poorly performing workers is if stronger colleagues step in and assist them. Leveraging theory from the organizational citizenship behavior literature, this study examines how behavioral and production line factors influence individuals to help team members in a production line experiment. Study findings are that perceptions of social loafing and material‐handling ambiguity influence team helping behavior. Empirical evidence also suggests that perceptions of social loafing mediate the relationship of team altruism on helping behavior. Post hoc analyses are conducted to further explore how the behavioral and production factors influence helping behavior. Strategies for promoting volitional helping behavior are discussed.
H2O2‐enhanced stimulated Raman scattering of liquid water
Authors: Li Fabing , Wang Ying , Li Zhanlong , Sun Chenglin , Men Zhiwei
Published: March 2019

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in H2O2–H2O mixture solutions are obtained in forward and backward directions. Characteristic features peaks related to OH stretching vibrations of water are the appearance of three enhancement peaks in both directions. Simultaneously, the low‐wavenumber SRS peaks in water at 840 and 1,700 cm−1 are enhanced. The mechanism of enhancement is attributed to excess electron‐enhanced Raman scattering. The electron‐enhanced process is also discussed.
Determination of cadmium in bread and biscuit samples using ultrasound‐assisted temperature‐controlled ionic liquid microextraction
Authors: Santos Analú P , dos Santos Márcio JS , das Graças Andrade Korn Maria , Lemos Valfredo A
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

In the present work, a simple and rapid method was proposed for the preconcentration of cadmium using ultrasound‐assisted temperature‐controlled ionic liquid microextraction (TC‐IL‐LPME). The dispersion of the ionic liquid (1‐Hmim[PF6]) in the aqueous phase was performed by heating it in an ultrasonic bath, followed by cooling in an ice bath. After centrifugation, the enriched phase was dissolved in 45% (w/w) nitric acid solution to reduce viscosity, and the cadmium content was measured employing electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET‐AAS). The 2‐(5‐bromo‐2‐pyridylazo)‐5‐diethylaminophenol reagent (Br‐PADAP) was used as a complexing agent.

RESULTS

Under optimized conditions, the method had a detection limit of 2.0 ng L−1 and an enrichment factor of 24. The accuracy of the method was evaluated through the analysis of the certified reference material of brown bread (BCR‐191). The method was applied to the determination of cadmium in samples of bread and biscuit. The limit of detection of the solid samples was 0.10 μg kg−1. The recovery of cadmium in the samples varied between 93% and 107%.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method is presented as a simple, cheap, ecological and a sensitive alternative for the determination of cadmium in bread and biscuit samples. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Evidence for integration of palliative care into surgical oncology practice and education
Authors: Moroney Marisa R. , Lefkowits Carolyn
Published: March 2019

High‐quality data support multiple clinical benefits of integrating palliative care into routine oncology care. Though these data come largely from the medical oncology literature, data from surgical oncology populations support similar associations between palliative care integration and improved clinical outcomes, all without compromise in survival. This paper will review data supporting palliative care integration into oncology care, with a focus on surgical populations and recommendations for incorporating palliative care into surgical oncology.
Postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis
Authors: Shih Hsiang‐Yao , Hsu Wen‐Hung , Kuo Chao‐Hung
Published: March 2019

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been a mainstay examination to clarify the biliary and pancreatic system. Not just diagnostic purpose, it could achieve therapeutic goal. Under the trend of more and more procedures about ERCP being interventional, the rate of adverse events after the procedure is increasing. Among them, post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common and sometimes tremendous complication. This mini‐review will overview the PEP from definition, pathogenesis, and risk factors to prevention.
Adhesive pyramidal thorn patches provide pain relief to athletes
Authors: Saito Norio , Shima Rei , Yen Chen‐Tung , Yang Rei‐Cheng , Ito Etsuro , Yoshioka Tohru
Published: March 2019

Pain in athletes is ideally treated without systemic medicine. Therefore, complementary and alternative medicine, including patch treatments, is often used. The physiologic mechanisms of pain relief produced by patch treatment, however, are not well elucidated. In the present study, we introduce a pyramidal thorn (PT) patch that we developed, demonstrate the effects of this PT patch for the treatment of various types of pain in 300 subjects, and suggest a physiologic mechanism for the pain relief effects. One treatment with the PT patch effectively relieved pain in almost half the subjects evaluated. Except for pain generated deeply under the skin, such as low‐back pain, pain was eliminated within four treatments with the PT patch in almost all of the subjects. Interestingly, the pain‐sensing region moved along the nerve fibers after each trial. Further, patches without PT also provided some pain relief. We considered that this effect was due to hair deflection on the skin; that is, adhesion of the PT patch activates Merkel cells directly as well as Merkel cell‐neurite complexes around the hair follicles by deflecting the hair follicles, whereas adhesion of a patch without PT only activates the Merkel cell‐neurite complexes. In any case, patch adhesion stimulates Aβ fibers to alleviate pain. Finally, we found that the pain threshold is increased by electric stimulation, suggesting that the gentle adhesion of a PT patch would be more effective. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate physiologically the validity of an adherent patch for pain relief.
Voice and swallowing dysfunction in X‐linked dystonia parkinsonism
Authors: Song Phillip C. , Le Hoai , Acuna Patrick , De Guzman Jan Kristopher Palentinos , Sharma Nutan , Francouer Taylor N. , Dy Marisela E. , Go Criscely L.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To systematically characterize and describe voice and swallowing manifestations in patients with X‐linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP) and correlate with quality‐of‐life (QOL) measures.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with XDP with communication and swallowing difficulties underwent neurological examination, head and neck examination, nasopharyngoscopy, QOL surveys (Swallowing Quality of Life questionnaire [SWAL‐QOL] and Voice Handicap Index [VHI]), and functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) to assess the extent of dysfunction.

Results

All patients showed high rates of lingual, oromandibular, and laryngeal dysfunction, as well as severe QOL changes in swallowing and communication ability. The most common head and neck manifestations of dystonic symptoms were difficulty coordinating the mouth and tongue (79%), uncontrollable tongue thrusting (53%), and jaw opening (35%). Laryngeal symptoms including vocal strain (adductor voice breaks) or stridor (32%), as well as velopharyngeal insufficiency (20%), were also identified. Of the patients with laryngeal symptoms, 18% had respiratory dystonia. Swallowing assessments showed significant abnormalities in oral bolus control and oropharyngeal dysphagia. FEES examinations showed that 87.5% of the study group had penetration or aspiration. QOL scores showed an average VHI of 94.4 (severe dysfunction), and SWAL‐QOL showed an average of 37.7 (severe dysfunction).

Conclusion

Swallowing and voice impairment in XDP is not well characterized and presents a more distinctive phenomenology than other neurological disorders, with a unique set of challenges for treatment. This is the first study to systematically evaluate laryngeal and pharyngeal dysfunction in XDP patients and correlate with QOL measures.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:171–177, 2020
Audiologic profile of the jackson heart study cohort and comparison to other cohorts
Authors: Bishop Charles E. , Spankovich Christopher , Lin Frank R. , Seals Samantha R. , Su Dan , Valle Karen , Schweinfurth John M.
Published: March 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

The objective of this study was to determine the audiological profile of an African American cohort, identify related factors, and compare them to other datasets.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional, longitudinal cohort study.

Methods

The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is a longitudinal cohort study of 5,306 African Americans living in the metropolitan Jackson, Mississippi area, with a focus on cardiometabolic health. The JHS Hearing Study (n = 1,314) was implemented to measure the prevalence of hearing, tinnitus, and balance outcomes and relationship to predictor variables. Here we present prevalence and covariate relationships in comparison to the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Results

The prevalence of self‐reported hearing difficulty was 38.1% (n = 500). The prevalence of hearing loss based on audiometric pure tone threshold average (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz) of the better ear was 19.8% (n = 260) and for the worse ear 29.8% (n = 392). The prevalence of tinnitus was 29.5% (n = 388) and balance dysfunction 24.1% (n = 317). Relationships of hearing loss to demographic, cardiometabolic, and audiologic variables are presented.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance dysfunction are common issues affecting adult African Americans, and that hearing loss is related to numerous modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with lower prevalence of hearing loss in African Americans compared to the non–African American populations. However, despite the lower audiometric evidence of hearing loss, nearly 40% of participants reported hearing difficulty.

Level of Evidence

2b

Laryngoscope, 129:2391–2397, 2019
What is driving the abandonment of villages in the mountains of Southeast China?
Authors: Wang Chengchao , Zhang Yaoqi , Yang Yusheng , Yang Qichun , Hong Jing
Published: March 2019

In recent decades, village abandonment as a result of migration from rural areas constitutes a serious socioeconomic problem in China and many other developing countries. The aim of this study is to identify the drivers of village abandonment in the mountain areas of Southeast China. Pucheng County was selected as the study case. A conceptual framework for the primary drivers of village abandonment was established to link rural depopulation, farmland abandonment, and house abandonment, which are three integral parts of village abandonment. Results show that the intense rural–urban migration propelled by new urban economic opportunities is the most significant driver of sparse rural population distribution, though this does not usually result in the straightforward abandonment of villages. Instead, the scarcity of public services in mountain villages is a decisive factor in local resettlement and resultant village abandonment. Limited school access and a demand for high‐quality education is the foremost and most immediate motivation for rural–town migration and resettlement in townships, which directly leads to the substantial abandonment of mountain settlements. Additionally, isolation, higher transportation costs, and non‐viability of traditional subsistence agriculture are minor drivers that are interwoven, aggravating the abandonment of remote villages. Our study highlights the aggregated characteristics of village abandonment and heterogeneity of rural migration and its corresponding primary drivers. These findings will have significant policy implications for decision makers by helping to identify areas with a high probability of village abandonment and predict the future magnitude of intra‐county migration and subsequent in situ urbanization.
Water flow and salt transport in bare saline‐sodic soils subjected to evaporation and intermittent irrigation with saline/distilled water
Authors: Liu Dongdong , She Dongli , Mu Xingmin
Published: March 2019

Sustainable development of coastal reclamation areas is severely restricted by the high soil salt content and irrigation water salinity. We investigated the water flow and salt transport in open soil columns subjected to evaporation and intermittent irrigation with saline/distilled water by long‐term wetting–drying cycles. The study included two different soil materials (silt loam and silty clay) with four to five soil sodicity levels. Three groups of experiments with three replicates were imposed: silt loam × 5 sodicity level, silty clay × 5 sodicity level, and 2 soil textures × 5 irrigation water qualities. Three irrigations were conducted in Spring to early Autumn (March 2, June 30, and September 8), whereas the soil columns were subjected to the natural evaporation without rainfall throughout the period September 9 to March 1. The average daily soil evaporation rate significantly decreased with the soil clay content (pr = −0.55; P < 0.001), soil exchangeable sodium percentage (pr = −0.54; P < 0.001), and irrigation water salinity (pr = −0.32; P < 0.001). The soil properties were the major factors responsible for controlling evaporation, whereas the irrigation water salinity was the less important factor. Soil salt distribution was significantly affected by the soil clay content (pr = 0.82; P < 0.001), soil depth (pr = 0.68; P < 0.05), soil exchangeable sodium percentage (pr = 0.85; P < 0.001), and irrigation water salinity (pr = 0.37; P < 0.001). The magnitudes of the steady‐state infiltration rate ic and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks were largely reduced by wetting–drying cycles, especially for the silty clay. Understanding water flow and salt transport in saline‐sodic soils subjected to evaporation and intermittent irrigation with saline/distilled water is important for improving the soil desalination project and strategy.
The Phosphorylation of IRS1S307 and AktS473 Molecules in Insulin‐Resistant C2C12 Cells Induced with Palmitate Is Influenced by Epigallocatechin Gallate from Green Tea
Authors: Bakhtiyari Salar , Zaherara Motahareh , Haghani Karimeh , Khatami Mehrdad , Rashidinejad Ali
Published: March 2019

In the current investigation, the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the phosphorylation of IRS1S307 and AktS473 molecules in insulin‐resistant C2C12 muscle cells induced with palmitate was studied and compared with the effect of the antidiabetic drug, rosiglitazone. C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and differentiated into myotubes using horse serum and the creatine kinase test was used to confirm their differentiation. The treatment of C2C12 myotubes was carried out with palmitate, where albumin was used as the conjugator. The Western blot technique was used to check the useful phosphorylation of IRS1S307 and AktS473 in C2C12 myotubes, in the presence or absence of palmitate. There was a significant (p < 0.00) and linear increase in the activity of creatine kinase over time (0 to 96 h after differentiation) with everyday myoblast formation. While neither EGCG nor rosiglitazone showed a significant (p > 0.05) effect on palmitate content during 96 h of incubation of IRS1S307, EGCG alone or combined with rosiglitazone increased the phosphorylation of AktS473, leading to the increase of glucose uptake into C2C12 cells. Thus, it can be concluded that EGCG alone or in combination with rosiglitazone may show some therapeutic effects for the prevention or treatment of Type 2 diabetes owing to its substantial effect on increasing the phosphorylation of AktS473 and the subsequent glucose uptake into the cells.
Differential Impact of Sex on Seasonal Changes in Mantle and Tentacle Phospholipids and Triacylglycerols inSepia officinalis
Authors: Tir Meriam , El Cafsi Imen , Ammar Rym B. , Mejri Hssan , Tlili Nizar , El Cafsi Mhamed
Published: March 2019

The aim of the present work was to study the effect of season on phospholipids and triacylglycerols (TAG) of mantle and tentacles of female and male wildSepia officinalis. The identified phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn), phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), and phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), and PtdEtn was the major fraction. Results showed apparent seasonal variation of phospholipid content, particularly with female samples. Fatty acid composition of phospholipid classes showed a differentiation much more in the proportions than in the diversity of fatty acids. Results showed that the major saturated fatty acids were 16:0 and 18:0, the major monounsaturated fatty acids were 18:1 and 20:l, and the major polyunsaturated fatty acids were docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n‐3) (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3) (EPA). The results relative to TAG demonstrated significant variations. Principal component analysis confirmed the seasonal and sexual effects. This study could be appropriate for the improvement of consistent monitoring of phospholipid and TAG accumulation in cephalopod, which might be important for both physiological studies and food industries.
Replacing Dietary Fish Oil with Vegetable Oil Blends in Female Rainbow Trout Brood Stock Does Not Affect Breeding Quality
Authors: Agh Naser , Jafari Fatemeh , Jalili Reza , Noori Farzaneh , Mozanzadeh Mansour T.
Published: March 2019

To determine the effects of replacing fish oil (FO) with a mixture of vegetable oils (VO) in plant protein‐rich diets on reproductive performance, the fatty acid profile of embryos as well as health indices of female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) brooders (initial mean body weight, 1.8 ± 0.1 kg), a 3‐month feeding trial was conducted. Four isoproteic (ca. 42%) and isoenergetic (ca. 20 MJ/kg) diets were formulated in which 50% (FO50/VO50), 75% (FO25/VO75), and 100% (VO100) of FO were replaced by a mixture of VO, whereas the control diet (FO100) was prepared with FO as the major source of lipid. Fish fed the VO100 had the lowest fertilization (73.0 ± 2.5%), survival at eyed‐embryo stage (62.5 ± 5.0%), and hatching rate (56.0 ± 4.7%) rates. Brood fish fed the FO50/VO50, FO25/VO50, and VO100 diets had higher levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in embryos in comparison with fish fed FO100 diet. The levels of docosahexaenoic acid of embryos gradually decreased during embryogenesis in all treatments, whereas the concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid was greatly increased at hatching day (35 days after spawning). Regarding serum biochemical parameters, fish fed the VO100 diet had the highest serum glucose, cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein levels. The results of the current study revealed that replacement of dietary FO with a mixture of VO up to 75% did not have any adverse effects on reproductive performance and health indices of O. mykiss females.
A New Series of Conjugated Platinum‐co‐Poly(p‐phenylenebutadiynylene)s Polymers: Syntheses and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Ahmed Md. Kausar , Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Naher Masnun , Mehdi Shawon Shawrier , Khan Atiqur Rahman , Khan Mohammad Mizanur Rahman , Islam S. M. Saiful , Younus Muhammad , Wedler Stefan , Bagnich Sergey , Hofmann Anna‐Lena , Rudnick Alexander , Köhler Anna
Published: March 2019

An efficient route is developed to synthesize a series of platinum‐co‐poly(p‐phenylenebutadiynylene)s (Pt‐co‐PPBs) polymers by stoichiometric mixing of poly(p‐phenylenebutadiynylene)s (PPBs) and platinum bis‐phosphine dichlorides. This synthetic route involves two steps; first, oxidative coupling of diterminal phenyleneethynylenes (PEs) gives low‐molecular‐weight PPBs oligomers HCC(Ph(OR)2
CCCC)n

Ph(OR)2
CCH (R = C4H91, R = C8H172, R = C12H253) (Mn = 1000–3000, degrees of polymerization, Pn(Mn) = 4–6), which have bifunctional alkynyl end groups, and in the second step, these organic oligomers are allowed to react with trans‐[(PnBu3)2PtCl2] to form newly designed Pt‐co‐PPBs (R = C4H94, R = C8H175, R = C12H256) polymers. The yield of 4–6 varies from good (63%) to high (76%) with high molecular weights (Mn) ranging from 52 738 to 74 212, and this methodology tolerates different alkoxy substituted PPBs. These new organometallic polymers contain platinum to phenylenebutadiynylene (PB) ratio of 1:4 to 1:6 and are solution processable. Polymer 4 displays fluorescence at room temperature and fluorescence and phosphorescence at low temperature in thin film, which would be useful for studying the triplet emission in these polymers.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Ethylene/Hexene Copolymer Adsorption onto Graphene: New Insight into Thermal Gradient Interaction Chromatography
Authors: Brunel Fabrice , Boyron Olivier , Clement Arnaud , Boisson Christophe
Published: March 2019

Crystallization‐based fractionation techniques are powerful methods for the analysis of short‐chain branching (SCB) in linear low‐density polyethylene. Recently, thermal gradient interaction chromatography (TGIC) has been developed for SCB determination of semi‐crystalline and amorphous polyolefins. In TGIC, the fractionation mechanism relies on the interaction of polyolefin chains with a graphite surface upon temperature change for a given solvent strength. Using molecular dynamics simulations, both the enthalpic and entropic contributions responsible for the separation of short‐chain branched polyethylene are estimated. A new thermodynamic framework for understanding the fractionation mechanism of TGIC is proposed. It is confirmed that at high SCB content, the decrease of the adsorption enthalpy is mostly due to the increased steric hindrance of short branches. However, for low chain branching density, strong increase of the persistence length observed during adsorption decreases the conformational entropy of the polymer and thus counter‐balances the favorable adsorption enthalpy. This entropic contribution may also explain the narrowing of the peak observed experimentally with low short‐chain branching density at high elution temperature.
Facile Synthesis of Cx(AB)yCx Triblock Silicone Copolymers Utilizing Moisture Mediated Living‐End Chain Extension
Authors: Schneider Alyssa F. , Laidley Elizabeth , Brook Michael A.
Published: March 2019

The physical and chemical properties of silicone block copolymers depend upon the block size and chemical characteristics. Silicone block copolymer synthetic procedures typically involve chain‐growth polymerization techniques that are difficult to control, require low temperatures, inert atmospheres, etc., and which are subject to polymer chain redistribution; the latter process broadens dispersity and leads to the formation of cyclic monomers that must be removed. Once formed, tuning the size of the individual blocks is challenging. The controlled one‐pot synthesis of organosilicone Cx
(AB)y
Cx
triblock copolymers with aryl rich cores is demonstrated by exploiting the Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction and a hydrolysis/condensation polymerization, both using B(C6F5)3 catalysis. A fast Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction between HSi‐terminated silicones and aryl phenyl ethers leads preferentially to the formation of the aryl‐rich core. Subsequent addition of HSi‐terminated silicones permits controlled chain extension of the flanking homosilicone blocks via a slower hydrolysis/condensation facilitated by atmospheric moisture and leads in one pot, two steps to clean Cx
(AB)y
Cx
triblocks. The products are surprisingly resilient to hydrolysis.
Polyurethane/Siloxane Hybrid Polymers with Chemiluminescent Mechanophores as Stress Probes
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Li Mengwei , Yuan Wei , Yang Fan , Chen Yulan
Published: March 2019

A series of mechanoluminescent polyurethane/siloxane hybrid polymers are synthesized through mild polycondensation and sol–gel hydrolysis process with 1,2‐dioxetane as the mechanophore. With joint advantages of polyurethanes and silicon‐containing polymers, these hybrid polymers exhibit good mechanical strength, high elasticity, and water resistance properties. Herein, 1,2‐dioxetane acts as an autoluminescent probe of chain scission, which could emit visible and sensitive signals of the covalent bond breaking in these hybrid polymers under mechanical force. Thus, chain scission and chain slipping events during the failure process of these polymers can be effectively discriminated. The current work will offer exciting opportunities to study the failure process of hybrid polymers with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolutions.
Sensitivity to the two peptide bacteriocin plantaricin EF is dependent on CorC, a membrane‐bound, magnesium/cobalt efflux protein
Authors: Heeney Dustin D. , Yarov‐Yarovoy Vladimir , Marco Maria L.
Published: March 2019

Lactic acid bacteria produce a variety of antimicrobial peptides known as bacteriocins. Most bacteriocins are understood to kill sensitive bacteria through receptor‐mediated disruptions. Here, we report on the identification of the Lactobacillus plantarum plantaricin EF (PlnEF) receptor. Spontaneous PlnEF‐resistant mutants of the PlnEF‐indicator strain L. plantarum NCIMB 700965 (LP965) were isolated and confirmed to maintain cellular ATP levels in the presence of PlnEF. Genome comparisons resulted in the identification of a single mutated gene annotated as the membrane‐bound, magnesium/cobalt efflux protein CorC. All isolates contained a valine (V) at position 334 instead of a glycine (G) in a cysteine‐β‐synthase domain at the C‐terminal region of CorC. In silico template‐based modeling of this domain indicated that the mutation resides in a loop between two β‐strands. The relationship between PlnEF, CorC, and metal homeostasis was supported by the finding that PlnEF‐resistance was lost when PlnEF was applied together with high concentrations of Mg2+, Co2+, Zn2+, or Cu2+. Lastly, PlnEF sensitivity was increased upon heterologous expression of LP965 corC but not the G334V CorC mutant in the PlnEF‐resistant strain Lactobacillus casei BL23. These results show that PlnEF kills sensitive bacteria by targeting CorC.
Successful treatment of breast cancer‐related breast lymphedema by lymphovenous anastomosis in a male patient
Authors: Giacalone Guido , Yamamoto Takumi , Belva Florence , Wets Rudiger , Hayashi Akitatsu , Koshima Isao
Published: March 2019

Men, as well as women may develop breast lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. Microsurgically performed lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), an effective treatment for lymphedema of the extremities, has also been successfully applied to breast lymphedema. Here we report the first case of breast lymphedema secondary to male breast cancer, treated with supermicrosurgical LVA. A 48‐year‐old man presented with breast lymphedema following mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, and adjuvant radiotherapy. After the oncological treatments, the patient reported a sensation of tension, pain, and swelling of the left breast. The diagnosis of breast lymphedema was confirmed by lymphoscintigraphy. Since conservative treatment with manual lymphdrainage was ineffective, we performed LVAs at the left breast region. In total, two lymph vessels were anastomosed to two nearby veins. Immediately following this intervention, the left breast and lateral thorax region decreased in size and the sensation of tension disappeared. One year postoperative there was no recurrence of the swelling and the patient was very satisfied with the result. Although more reports are needed to confirm its efficacy, supermicrosurgical LVA appears to be a valuable treatment option for breast lymphedema in both women and men.
Decay rate of unique global solution for a class of 2D tropical climate model
Authors: Li Hongmin , Xiao Yuelong
Published: March 2019

This paper is concerned with a time decay for unique global strong solution of a modified version of the tropical climate model originally derived by Frierson‐Majda‐Pauluis. We prove that
as t→∞ and obtain the decay rates with
as t→∞, where s  ≥  0.
The smallest eigenvalue of large Hankel matrices generated by a deformed Laguerre weight
Authors: Zhu Mengkun , Emmart Niall , Chen Yang , Weems Charles
Published: March 2019

We study the asymptotic behavior of the smallest eigenvalue, λN, of the Hankel (or moments) matrix denoted by
, with respect to the weight
. An asymptotic expression of the polynomials orthogonal with w(x) is established. Using this, we obtain the specific asymptotic formulas of λN in this paper.

Applying a parallel numerical algorithm, we get a variety of numerical results of λN corresponding to our theoretical calculations.
Fucoxanthin Protects against oxLDL‐Induced Endothelial Damage via Activating the AMPK‐Akt‐CREB‐PGC1α Pathway
Authors: Ou Hsiu‐Chung , Chou Wan‐Ching , Chu Pei‐Ming , Hsieh Pei‐Ling , Hung Ching‐Hsia , Tsai Kun‐Ling
Published: March 2019

Scope

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent cause of mortality and morbidity. Fucoxanthin (FX) possesses anti‐hypertensive and anti‐obesity properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of FX on oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL)‐induced oxidative injuries in human endothelial cells are still largely unknown. This study aims to test the hypothesis that FX protects against oxLDL‐induced oxidative stress by upregulating AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and to explore the roles of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α).

Methods and Results

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells are treated with oxLDL in the presence or absence of FX. FX significantly increases AMPK phosphorylation. In addition, FX diminishes oxLDL‐mediated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activation by inhibiting protein kinase C and subsequently inducing reactive oxygen species generation and impairing the activity of the endogenous antioxidant enzyme superoxidase dismutase. Furthermore, FX restores oxLDL‐mediated dephosphorylation of phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase/Akt and decreases CREB and PGC‐1α expression to nearly normal levels. Moreover, FX ameliorates the oxLDL‐mediated suppression of mitochondrial function and apoptosis.

Conclusion

These findings provide new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms by which FX mitigates oxLDL‐induced endothelial oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
A convolutional neural network algorithm for automatic segmentation of head and neck organs at risk using deep lifelong learning
Authors: Chan Jason W. , Kearney Vasant , Haaf Samuel , Wu Susan , Bogdanov Madeleine , Reddick Mariah , Dixit Nayha , Sudhyadhom Atchar , Chen Josephine , Yom Sue S. , Solberg Timothy D.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study suggests a lifelong learning‐based convolutional neural network (LL‐CNN) algorithm as a superior alternative to single‐task learning approaches for automatic segmentation of head and neck (OARs) organs at risk.

Methods and materials

Lifelong learning‐based convolutional neural network was trained on twelve head and neck OARs simultaneously using a multitask learning framework. Once the weights of the shared network were established, the final multitask convolutional layer was replaced by a single‐task convolutional layer. The single‐task transfer learning network was trained on each OAR separately with early stoppage. The accuracy of LL‐CNN was assessed based on Dice score and root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) compared to manually delineated contours set as the gold standard. LL‐CNN was compared with 2D‐UNet, 3D‐UNet, a single‐task CNN (ST‐CNN), and a pure multitask CNN (MT‐CNN). Training, validation, and testing followed Kaggle competition rules, where 160 patients were used for training, 20 were used for internal validation, and 20 in a separate test set were used to report final prediction accuracies.

Results

On average contours generated with LL‐CNN had higher Dice coefficients and lower RMSE than 2D‐UNet, 3D‐Unet, ST‐ CNN, and MT‐CNN. LL‐CNN required ~72 hrs to train using a distributed learning framework on 2 Nvidia 1080Ti graphics processing units. LL‐CNN required 20 s to predict all 12 OARs, which was approximately as fast as the fastest alternative methods with the exception of MT‐CNN.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that for head and neck organs at risk, LL‐CNN achieves a prediction accuracy superior to all alternative algorithms.
Accuracy of registration algorithms in subtraction CT of the lungs: A digital phantom study
Authors: Grob Dagmar , Oostveen Luuk , Rühaak Jan , Heldmann Stefan , Mohr Brian , Michielsen Koen , Dorn Sabrina , Prokop Mathias , Kachelrieβ Marc , Brink Monique , Sechopoulos Ioannis
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess, using an anthropomorphic digital phantom, the accuracy of algorithms in registering precontrast and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) chest images for generation of iodine maps of the pulmonary parenchyma via temporal subtraction.

Materials and methods

The XCAT phantom, with enhanced airway and pulmonary vessel structures, was used to simulate precontrast and contrast‐enhanced chest images at various inspiration levels and added CT simulation for realistic system noise. Differences in diaphragm position were varied between 0 and 20 mm, with the maximum chosen to exceed the 95th percentile found in a dataset of 100 clinical subtraction CTs. In addition, the influence of whole body movement, degree of iodine enhancement, beam hardening artifacts, presence of nodules and perfusion defects in the pulmonary parenchyma, and variation in noise on the registration were also investigated. Registration was performed using three lung registration algorithms — a commercial (algorithm A) and a prototype (algorithm B) version from Canon Medical Systems and an algorithm from the MEVIS Fraunhofer institute (algorithm C). For each algorithm, we calculated the voxel‐by‐voxel difference between the true deformation and the algorithm‐estimated deformation in the lungs.

Results

The median absolute residual error for all three algorithms was smaller than the voxel size (1.0 × 1.0 × 1.0 mm3) for up to an 8 mm diaphragm difference, which is the average difference in diaphragm levels found clinically, and increased with increasing difference in diaphragm position. At 20 mm diaphragm displacement, the median absolute residual error after registration was 0.85 mm (interquartile range, 0.51–1.47 mm) for algorithm A, 0.82 mm (0.50–1.40 mm) for algorithm B, and 0.91 mm (0.54–1.52 mm) for algorithm C. The largest errors were seen in the paracardiac regions and close to the diaphragm. The impact of all other evaluated conditions on the residual error varied, resulting in an increase in the median residual error lower than 0.1 mm for all algorithms, except in the case of whole body displacements for algorithm B, and with increased noise for algorithm C.

Conclusion

Motion correction software can compensate for respiratory and cardiac motion with a median residual error below 1 mm, which was smaller than the voxel size, with small differences among the tested registration algorithms for different conditions. Perfusion defects above 50 mm will be visible with the commercially available subtraction CT software, even in poorly registered areas, where the median residual error in that area was 7.7 mm.
Quantitative assessment of breast density using transmission ultrasound tomography
Authors: Wiskin James , Malik Bilal , Natesan Rajni , Lenox Mark
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Breast density is important in the evaluation of breast cancer risk. At present, breast density is evaluated using two‐dimensional projections from mammography with or without tomosynthesis using either (a) subjective assessment or (b) a computer‐aided approach. The purpose of this work is twofold: (a) to establish an algorithm for quantitative assessment of breast density using quantitative three‐dimensional transmission ultrasound imaging; and (b) to determine how these quantitative assessments compare with both subjective and objective mammographic assessments of breast density.

Methods

We described and verified a threshold‐based segmentation algorithm to give a quantitative breast density (QBD) on ultrasound tomography images of phantoms of known geometric forms. We also used the algorithm and transmission ultrasound tomography to quantitatively determine breast density by separating fibroglandular tissue from fat and skin, based on imaged, quantitative tissue characteristics, and compared the quantitative tomography segmentation results with subjective and objective mammographic assessments.

Results

Quantitative breast density (QBD) measured in phantoms demonstrates high quantitative accuracy with respect to geometric volumes with average difference of less than 0.1% of the total phantom volumes. There is a strong correlation between QBD and both subjective mammographic assessments of Breast Imaging ‐ Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) breast composition categories and Volpara density scores — the Spearman correlation coefficients for the two comparisons were calculated to be 0.90 (95% CI: 0.71–0.96) and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92–0.98), respectively.

Conclusions

The calculation of breast density using ultrasound tomography and the described segmentation algorithm is quantitatively accurate in phantoms and highly correlated with both subjective and Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐cleared objective assessments of breast density.
A depth average SPH model including μ(I) rheology and crushing for rock avalanches
Authors: Longo Alberto , Pastor Manuel , Sanavia Lorenzo , Manzanal Diego , Martin Stickle Miguel , Lin Chuan , Yague Angel , Tayyebi Saeid Moussavi
Published: March 2019

Classical depth‐integrated smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) models for avalanches are extended in the present work to include a μ(I)− rheological model enriched with a fragmentation law. With this improvement, the basal friction becomes grain distribution dependent. Rock avalanches, where grain distribution tends to change with time while propagating, are the appropriate type of landslide to apply the new numerical proposal. The μ(I)− rheological models considered in the present work are those of Hatano and Gray, combined with two different fragmentation laws, a hyperbolic and a fractal‐based law. As an application, Frank avalanche, which took place in Canada in 1903, is analyzed under the scope of the present approach, focusing in the influence of the rheological and fragmentation laws in the evolution of the avalanche.
Randomized, open‐label, tolterodine‐controlled, comparative study of the novel antimuscarinic agent imidafenacin in patients with overactive bladder
Authors: Pushkar Dmitry Y. , Kasyan George R. , Kolontarev Konstantin B. , Sharvadze Georgy G. , Mukhametshina Elvira I.
Published: March 2019

Background

The role of the selective antimuscarinic imidafenacin in Caucasian patients with overactive bladder (OAB) has not been previously assessed.

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of imidafenacin 0.2 mg vs tolterodine 4 mg per day in patients with OAB.

Design Setting and Participants

This study was a randomized, open‐label, tolterodine‐controlled, comparative multicenter trial of 300 randomized patients with OAB symptoms for 12 weeks with full analysis of 289 patients.

Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis

Based on 5‐day bladder diaries, the primary efficacy endpoint was the change in the mean number of micturitions per day. The secondary endpoints were the change in the mean incontinence episodes, voiding frequency, the OAB Awareness Tool score, and the European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ‐5D) score. The superiority of tolterodine over imidafenacin in the mean number of micturitions/24 hours was the null hypothesis.

Results and Limitation

The median age was 46.6 years, and 82% of patients were female. After treatment, the change in the mean number of incontinence episodes was −2.1 ± 2.2 in the imidafenacin group and −1.9 ± 1.8 in the tolterodine group (P = .001). The change in the mean number of daytime incontinence episodes was −1.7 ± 1.7 and −1.5 ± 1.4 (
P = .01). The OAB Awareness Tool score decreased by 14.2 ± 8.5 and 14.5 ± 8.0, respectively (
P = 0.5). Most adverse events were mild and resolved without treatment.

Conclusions

The clinical efficacy and safety of imidafenacin are not inferior to those of tolterodine for the treatment of Caucasian patients with OAB.

Patient Summary

Imidafenacin is as effective as tolterodine for the treatment of OAB.
Distributionally robust project crashing with partial or no correlation information
Authors: Ahipasaoglu Selin Damla , Natarajan Karthik , Shi Dongjian
Published: March 2019

Crashing is shortening the project makespan by reducing activity times in a project network by allocating resources to them. Activity durations are often uncertain and an exact probability distribution itself might be ambiguous. We study a class of distributionally robust project crashing problems where the objective is to optimize the first two marginal moments (means and SDs) of the activity durations to minimize the worst‐case expected makespan. Under partial correlation information and no correlation information, the problem is solvable in polynomial time as a semidefinite program and a second‐order cone program, respectively. However, solving semidefinite programs is challenging for large project networks. We exploit the structure of the distributionally robust formulation to reformulate a convex‐concave saddle point problem over the first two marginal moment variables and the arc criticality index variables. We then use a projection and contraction algorithm for monotone variational inequalities in conjunction with a gradient method to solve the saddle point problem enabling us to tackle large instances. Numerical results indicate that a manager who is faced with ambiguity in the distribution of activity durations has a greater incentive to invest resources in decreasing the variations rather than the means of the activity durations.