bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RUNOFF SHRINKAGE IN THE WUYUR RIVER BASIN, NORTH‐EAST CHINA, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE SUCCESSION OF SALINE MARSH IN THE LOWER REACHES
Authors: Jinming Luo , Fan Yang , Yongjie Wang , Lin Bai , Fugang Liu , Zhiliang Wang
Published: November 2019

Drought induced by global climate change and local human disturbance is having a significant impact on the succession of inland saline marshes. This study aims to examine the causes of rapid land degradation in China's Zhalong wetland over the past 65 years (1951–2015) using the Mann–Kendall rank test. Results indicate that local human disturbance (mainly water diversion) is the key detrimental factor in marsh degradation. Water diversion in the upper reaches of the Wuyur river basin has changed the hydrological regime and caused significant water deficit in the Zhalong wetland, thereby leading to rapid shrinkage of the marsh. An increasing runoff trend with an average of 7.44 × 108 m3 was observed in the upper reaches from 1983 to 2015. In contrast, the runoff in the lower reaches had significantly decreased from 8.5 × 108 m3 to 3 × 108 m3 in recent years (P < 0.05), given the water consumed by local anthropogenic activities in the upper reaches. The large water deficit in the lower reaches reduced water storage and caused rapid development of soil sodification, that is, the area of Halaquepts increased from 170 km2 in 1979 to 260 km2 in 2010, in which large areas emerged in the core area of the wetland. Land degradation decreased the habitat of the red‐crowned crane (Grus japonensis). This condition may be an important contributor to the population decline of rare birds and biodiversity loss. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced osteogenesis of honeycomb β‐tricalcium phosphate scaffold by construction of interconnected pore structure: An in vivo study
Authors: Lu Teliang , Feng Shenglei , He Fupo , Ye Jiandong
Published: November 2019

Pore structure plays an important role in the in vivo osteogenesis for bone repair materials. In this study, honeycomb β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) scaffolds were prepared by extrusion method, and gelatin microspheres were used as porogens to modify the pore structure of the scaffolds. The honeycomb β‐TCP scaffolds were characterized by channel‐like square macropores and unidirectional interconnection. To improve the pore interconnectivity of the scaffold, the spherical pores were formed in the channel walls by burning off the gelatin microspheres. Compared with unidirectional honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold, the honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold with interconnected pore structure had significantly higher porosity and faster degradation rate, at the expense of the mechanical strength. The in vivo assessment results demonstrated excellent osteogenesis of the honeycomb scaffolds. Moreover, the honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold with interconnected pore structure markedly promoted new bone formation in comparison with the unidirectional honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold. This work provides a new approach to prepare scaffolds with interconnected pore structure, and the honeycomb β‐TCP scaffold with interconnected pore structure is expected to serve as an efficient bone repair material.
Primary osteoblasts, osteoblast precursor cells or osteoblast‐like cell lines: Which human cell types are (most) suitable for characterizing 45S5‐bioactive glass?
Authors: Wilkesmann Sebastian , Fellenberg Jörg , Nawaz Qaisar , Reible Bruno , Moghaddam Arash , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Westhauser Fabian
Published: November 2019

The question how bioactive glasses (BGs) influence the viability and osteogenic differentiation of human osteogenic cells has already been addressed by several studies. However, a literature review revealed great differences in the type of cells used for these experiments. Primary human osteoblasts (hOBs) represent the desired standard, but possess the limitation of patient variability and time‐consuming isolation protocols. Therefore, several alternative cell types have been used including primary mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) and the “osteoblast‐like” cell lines MG‐63, Saos‐2, HOS, and U2OS. The aim of our study was the identification of the cell type most suitable for tissue engineering projects involving BGs by comparative analysis of cell viability and osteogenic differentiation in response to crystallized 45S5‐BG. We observed that hOBs, BMSCs, and MG‐63 cells were resistant to 45S5‐BG induced cytotoxicity, while the viability of Saos‐2, HOS, and U2OS cells was significantly reduced. In addition, we detected alkaline phosphatase activity, except in U2OS cells, that increased upon 45S5‐BG cocultivation, demonstrating the induction of osteogenic differentiation. Our data and the fact that the donor‐dependent variations can be avoided when using MG‐63 cells suggest that these are a promising alternative to primary cells and remain an important cell line for future BG related studies.
Resveratrol delay the cataract formation against naphthalene‐induced experimental cataract in the albino rats
Authors: Singh Amrita , Bodakhe Surendra H.
Published: November 2019

Oxidative stress‐induced toxicity plays a major role in ocular diseases such as retinal degeneration, age‐related cataract (ARC) formation and macular dystrophy. In this study, we explored the possible role of resveratrol (RSV) at the different dose levels (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg/day, ip) in an experimental model of naphthalene (1 g/kg/day, po)‐induced age‐related cataracts. Morphological changes in the eyes of the rats in two groups, the RSV and the ARC groups, were monitored weekly, and biochemical parameters in the lenses were assessed after completion of the experimental work. A comparison between the rats in the two groups showed that treatments at RSV doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg/day significantly retarded lenticular opacity, restored antioxidants (CAT, SOD, GPX, GSH), Ca2+ ATPase function, and protein contents, and reduced lipid peroxidation in the lenses of the animals in the RSV group. The treatment with resveratrol at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day did not show any anti‐cataractogenic effects. Based on the results of our investigation, we conclude that supplemental doses of resveratrol at 40 mg/kg/day effectively prevent cataract formation associated with the aging via increased soluble protein contents and Ca2+ homeostasis, apart from the antioxidant restoration. The results demonstrate that RSV treatment may be considered as a promising preventive or supplemental measure for delaying and/or preventing the formation of ARCs.
Annual reporting, agency costs, and firm valuations
Authors: Semenenko Igor , Yoo Junwook
Published: November 2019

Shareholder valuations are economically significantly and statistically negatively correlated with the length of 10 K filings or their digital file sizes, whereas annual reports posted on corporate websites are uninformative. Firms with longer 10 K filings are likely to experience slower growth, lower profitability, experience free cash flow problems, and write off goodwill and intangible assets from past acquisitions. Lengthy filings are more damaging than suggested by three‐year performance following report filing dates, suggesting that outside investors penalize firms for information asymmetries and associated agency costs. Full disclosure is best from the standpoint of long‐term shareholder wealth, but managers could be maximizing short‐term term returns that better match their investment horizons.
A FFLUX Water Model: Flexible, Polarizable and with a Multipolar Description of Electrostatics
Authors: Hughes Zak E. , Ren Emmanuel , Thacker Joseph C. R. , Symons Benjamin C. B. , Silva Arnaldo F. , Popelier Paul L. A.
Published: November 2019

Key to progress in molecular simulation is the development of advanced models that go beyond the limitations of traditional force fields that employ a fixed, point charge‐based description of electrostatics. Taking water as an example system, the FFLUX framework is shown capable of producing models that are flexible, polarizable and have a multipolar description of the electrostatics. The kriging machine‐learning methods used in FFLUX are able to reproduce the intramolecular potential energy surface and multipole moments of a single water molecule with chemical accuracy using as few as 50 training configurations. Molecular dynamics simulations of water clusters (25–216 molecules) using the new FFLUX model reveal that incorporating charge‐quadrupole, dipole–dipole, and quadrupole–charge interactions into the description of the electrostatics results in significant changes to the intermolecular structuring of the water molecules. © 2019 The Authors.Journal of Computational Chemistrypublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disclosure, concealment, and dishonesty in psychotherapy: A clinically focused review
Authors: Farber Barry A.
Published: November 2019

This issue of Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session focuses on the nature and consequences of psychotherapy clients' disclosures, secrets, and dishonesty, with a particular emphasis on the ways in which therapists can best facilitate greater and more honest disclosure. This introduction to this issue reviews the growing theoretical and empirical literature on the frequency, types, motives, and consequences of client and therapist dishonesty (broadly defined); it also reviews the contributions within this issue, noting the welcome focus of the majority of these papers on the nature of client dishonesty in specific disorders (e.g., eating disorders; substance abuse) and/or specific clinical settings (e.g., prisons). Taken together, these papers speak to the ways that therapists may tailor their clinical interventions to match the specific ways that dishonesty manifests in different clinical populations.
The therapist's dilemma: Tell the whole truth?
Authors: Jackson Devlin
Published: November 2019

Honest communication between therapist and client is foundational to good psychotherapy. However, while past research has focused on client honesty, the topic of therapist honesty remains almost entirely untouched. Our lab's research seeks to explore the role of therapist honesty, how and why therapists make decisions about when to be completely honest with clients (and when to abstain from telling the whole truth), and the perceived consequences of these decisions. This article reviews findings from our preliminary research, presents a case study of the author's honest disclosure dilemma, and discusses the role of therapeutic tact and its function in the therapeutic process.
Abuse Potential of Lasmiditan: A Phase 1 Randomized, Placebo‐ and Alprazolam‐Controlled Crossover Study
Authors: Wilbraham Darren , Berg Paul H. , Tsai Max , Liffick Emily , Loo Li Shen , Doty Erin Gautier , Sellers Edward
Published: November 2019

Lasmiditan is a centrally penetrant, highly selective 5‐hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 1F (5HT1F) agonist under development as a novel therapy for acute treatment of migraine. A phase 1 randomized, placebo‐ and positive‐controlled crossover study assessed the abuse potential of lasmiditan in adult recreational polydrug users. Following a qualification phase, subjects were randomized into treatment sequences, each consisting of 5 study treatments: placebo, alprazolam 2 mg, lasmiditan 100, 200 (lasmiditan 100 and 200 mg are proposed therapeutic doses), and 400 mg (supratherapeutic). The abuse potential of lasmiditan was investigated and compared with alprazolam and with placebo using the maximal effect score (Emax) of the Drug‐Liking Visual Analog Scale as the primary end point. Lasmiditan was not similar to placebo in drug‐liking scores at all doses tested, with a maximum difference observed with the lasmiditan 400‐mg dose (upper 90% confidence limit on difference in least‐squares [LS] means > 14 for all lasmiditan doses). Drug‐liking scores for lasmiditan 400 mg were not significantly different from alprazolam (lower 90% confidence limit on difference in LS means < 5), but drug‐liking scores at lower doses (100 and 200 mg) were significantly different from alprazolam. During the treatment phase, the incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) increased with increasing dose of lasmiditan; all TEAEs reported with lasmiditan treatment were mild. Subjective drug‐liking effects for lasmiditan versus placebo and versus alprazolam, and the safety and tolerability profile of lasmiditan suggest that lasmiditan has a low potential for abuse.
Toxicity of azoles towards the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process
Authors: Lakhey Nivrutti , Li Guangbin , Sierra‐Alvarez Reyes , Field Jim A
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Azoles are an important class of compounds that are widely used as corrosion inhibitors in aircraft de‐icing agents, cooling towers, semiconductor manufacturing and household dishwashing detergents. They also are important moieties in pharmaceutical drugs and fungicides. Azoles are widespread emerging contaminants occurring frequently in water bodies. Azole compounds can potentially cause inhibition towards key biological processes in natural ecosystems and wastewater treatment processes. Of particular concern is the inhibition of azoles to the nitrification process (aerobic oxidation of ammonium). This study investigated the acute toxicity of azole compounds towards the anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) process, which is an important environmental biotechnology gaining traction for nutrient‐nitrogen removal during wastewater treatment. In this study, using batch bioassay techniques, the anammox toxicity of eight commonly occurring azole compounds was evaluated.

RESULTS

The results show that 1H‐benzotriazole and 5‐methyl‐1H‐benzotriazole had the highest inhibitory effect on the anammox process, causing 50% decrease in anammox activity (IC50) at concentrations of 19.6 and 17.8 mg L−1, respectively. 1H‐imidazole caused less severe toxicity with an IC50 of 79.4 mg L−1. The other azole compounds were either nontoxic (1H‐pyrazole, 1H‐1,2,4‐triazole and 1‐methyl‐pyrazole) or at best mildly toxic (1H‐benzotriazole‐5‐carboxylic acid and 3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) towards the anammox bacteria at the concentrations tested.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that most azole compounds tested displayed mild to low or no toxicity towards the anammox bacteria. The anammox bacteria were found to be far less sensitive to azoles compared to nitrifying bacteria. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
HIV viral resuppression following an elevated viral load: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ford Nathan , Orrell Catherine , Shubber Zara , Apollo Tsitsi , Vojnov Lara
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Guidelines for antiretroviral therapy recommend enhanced adherence counselling be provided to individuals with an initial elevated viral load before making a decision whether to switch antiretroviral regimen. We undertook this systematic review to estimate the proportion of patients with an initial elevated viral load who resuppress following enhanced adherence counselling.

Methods

Two databases and two conference abstract sites were searched from January 2012 to October 2019 for studies reporting the number of patients with an elevated viral load whose viral load was undetectable when subsequently assessed. Data were pooled using random effects meta‐analysis.

Results

Fifty‐eight studies reported outcomes of 45,720 viraemic patients, mostly from Africa (48 studies), and among patients on first‐line antiretroviral therapy (43 studies). Almost half (46.1%, 95% CI 42.6% to 49.5%) of patients with an initial elevated viral load resuppressed following an enhanced adherence intervention. Of those on first‐line ART with confirmed virological failure (6280 patients, 21 studies), only 53.4% (40.1% to 66.8%) were appropriately switched to a different regimen. Resuppression was higher among studies that provided details of adherence support. The proportion resuppressing was lower among children (31.2%, 21.1% to 41.3%) and adolescents (40.4%, 15.7% to 65.2%) compared to adults (50.4%, 42.6% to 58.3%). No important differences were observed by date of study publication, gender, viral failure threshold, publication status, time between viral loads or treatment regimen. Information on resistance testing among people with an elevated viral load was inconsistently reported.

Conclusions

The findings of this review suggest that in settings with limited resources, current guideline recommendations to provide enhanced adherence counselling can result in resuppression of a substantial number of these patients, avoiding unnecessary drug regimen changes. Appropriate action on viral load results is limited across a range of settings, highlighting the importance of viral load cascade analyses to identify gaps and focus quality improvement to ensure that action is taken on the results of viral load testing.
Inborn errors of metabolism leading to neuronal migration defects
Authors: Schiller Stina , Rosewich Hendrik , Grünewald Stephanie , Gärtner Jutta
Published: November 2019

The development and organisation of the human brain start in the embryonic stage and is a highly complex orchestrated process. It depends on series of cellular mechanisms that are precisely regulated by multiple proteins, signalling pathways and non‐protein‐coding genes. A crucial process during cerebral cortex development is the migration of nascent neuronal cells to their appropriate positions and their associated differentiation into layer‐specific neurons. Neuronal migration defects (NMD) comprise a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders including monogenetic disorders and residual syndromes due to damaging factors during prenatal development like infections, maternal diabetes mellitus or phenylketonuria, trauma, and drug use. Multifactorial causes are also possible. Classification into lissencephaly, polymicrogyria, schizencephaly, and neuronal heterotopia is based on the visible morphologic cortex anomalies. Characteristic clinical features of NMDs are severe psychomotor developmental delay, severe intellectual disability, intractable epilepsy, and dysmorphisms. Neurometabolic disorders only form a small subgroup within the large group of NMDs. The prototypes are peroxisomal biogenesis disorders, peroxisomal ß‐oxidation defects and congenital disorders of O‐glycosylation. The rapid evolution of biotechnology has resulted in an ongoing identification of metabolic and non‐metabolic disease genes for NMDs. Nevertheless, we are far away from understanding the specific role of cortical genes and metabolites on spatial and temporal regulation of human cortex development and associated malformations. This limited understanding of the pathogenesis hinders the attempt for therapeutic approaches. In this article, we provide an overview of the most important cortical malformations and potential underlying neurometabolic disorders.
Role of Breast MRI in the Evaluation and Detection of DCIS: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Greenwood Heather I. , Wilmes Lisa J. , Kelil Tatiana , Joe Bonnie N.
Published: November 2019

Historically, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was not considered an effective modality in the evaluation of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Over the past decade this has changed, with studies demonstrating that MRI is the most sensitive imaging tool for detection of all grades of DCIS. It has been suggested that not only is breast MRI the most sensitive imaging tool for detection but it may also detect the most clinically relevant DCIS lesions. The role and outcomes of MRI in the preoperative setting for patients with DCIS remains controversial; however, several studies have shown benefit in the preoperative evaluation of extent of disease as well as predicting an underlying invasive component. The most common presentation of DCIS on MRI is nonmass enhancement (NME) in a linear or segmental distribution pattern. Maximizing breast MRI spatial resolution is therefore beneficial, given the frequent presentation of DCIS as NME on MRI. Emerging MRI techniques, such as diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), have shown promising potential to discriminate DCIS from benign and invasive lesions. Future opportunities including advanced imaging visual techniques, radiomics/radiogenomics, and machine learning / artificial intelligence may also be applicable to the detection and treatment of DCIS.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy Stage: 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:697–709.
Exploring the Effect of Perceived Teacher Support on Multiple Creativity Tasks: Based on the Expectancy–Value Model of Achievement Motivation
Authors: Sun Cuicui , Zhou Zhijin , Yu Quanlei , Gong Shaoying , Yi Liu , Cao Yang
Published: November 2019

The present study explores the effect of perceived teacher support on three forms of thinking related to creativity. Tests of convergent thinking (by means of the Remote Associates Test), insight thinking (explored through a brain‐teaser test), and divergent thinking (by means of a verbal creativity test) were given to 512 middle school students in China, along with assessments of their perceived teacher support and creative self‐efficacy. The results of this study indicate that perceived teacher support positively predicts convergent thinking and insight thinking, with creative self‐efficacy playing a partial mediating role between perceived teacher support and convergent thinking. However, no significant relationships were found between perceived teacher support and divergent thinking. The findings partly lend support to the expectancy–value model of achievement motivation that teacher’s behavior influences student performance through self‐belief pathway.
Raman imaging of residual stress distribution in epoxy resin and metal interface
Authors: Abiko Katsutoshi , Kato Yuichi , Hohjo Hiroshi , Kishida Yoshihiro , Sudo Eiichi
Published: November 2019

A method for the distribution analysis of residual stress in epoxy resins by Raman microspectroscopy was developed. By using the uniaxial tensile method, a negative correlation between the peak shift of the aromatic C─H stretching vibration and external stress was obtained. By optimizing the precision of the Raman shift measurement, a reliable stress image was obtained for a bulk epoxy resin. This method was applied to the evaluation of the residual stress distribution in epoxy resin/aluminum bonded materials. Raman spectra imaging revealed that stress concentration strongly occurred in the interface of the cured epoxy resin with aluminum, and it was found that Raman spectra images of the small residual stress of the resin interface were affected by the curing process and physical properties of the epoxy resin. Therefore, Raman spectra imaging would appear to have significant potential as a technique for the evaluation of local thermal residual stress in the interface of multimaterial structures.
Kinetics of wet air oxidation of sodium sulfide over heterogeneous iron catalyst
Authors: Barge Aditti S. , Vaidya Prakash D.
Published: November 2019

Wet air oxidation (WAO) is an established technique for reducing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of refinery sulfidic spent caustic waste. In the present work, the heterogeneous form of the cheap and abundant catalyst ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) was employed for WAO of sodium sulfide. The performance of this catalyst in the oxidative destruction of this model compound is thus far unfamiliar. Kinetic data for the non‐catalytic and catalytic oxidation processes was collected in a batch reactor. For the catalytic process, temperature (T), oxygen partial pressure () and catalyst concentration (ω) were varied in the ranges 80‐150°C, 0.69‐2.06 MPa and 0.8‐2.4 g/L respectively. Around 94% COD was destroyed within 1 h when feed containing 8 g/L of sulfide was oxidized at T = 100°C, = 0.69 MPa, and ω = 0.8 g/L. First, the data on disappearance of COD were fitted to a power law model and reaction rate constants were determined. The activation energy for the non‐catalytic (91 kJ/mol) and catalytic (50 kJ/mol) oxidation process was found from the temperature dependence of the rate constants. Second, hyperbolic models based on Langmuir‐Hinshelwood (L‐H) and Eley‐Rideal (E‐L) kinetics were used for fitting kinetic data. It was found that the L‐H model suggesting dissociative adsorption of oxygen provided the best fit. In this way, a deep insight into oxidation kinetics of sodium sulfide was provided.
Clinical predictors of descending necrotizing mediastinitis after deep neck infections
Authors: Kimura Akari , Miyamoto Shunsuke , Yamashita Taku
Published: November 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

To identify the clinical predictors of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) secondary to deep neck infections (DNIs) before treatment.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

We reviewed 73 patients with DNIs who had been treated with external drainage at our institute between April 2009 and March 2019. We divided these patients into either a DNI group without mediastinitis (n = 55) or a DNM group secondary to DNI (n = 18). We collected clinical data and compared them between the groups, conducting univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the predictors of DNM.

Results

We identified age, C‐reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), presence of comorbidities, presence of gas, and abscess extension below the hyoid bone as statistically significant by univariate analysis. Moreover, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥55 years, NLR ≥13, and CRP ≥30 mg/dL were statistically significant.

Conclusions

We identified age ≥55, NLR ≥13, and CRP ≥30 before DNI treatment as clinical predictors of a DNM complication.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:E567–E572, 2020
Tracheostomy in bilateral neck dissection: Comparison of three tracheostomy scoring systems
Authors: Janik Stefan , Brkic Faris F. , Grasl Stefan , Königswieser Meinhard , Franz Peter , Erovic Boban M.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To evaluate whether elective tracheostomy is justified after tumor resection and bilateral neck dissection (ND) and whether application of tracheostomy scoring systems is reliable for planning of postoperative airway management.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed airway management in 160 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Additionally, we applied and analyzed the 1) Cameron, 2) TRACHY, and 3) CASST tracheostomy scoring systems on the tracheostomy recommendations.

Results

Elective tracheostomies were performed in 51.3% of our patients, particularly in T3 to T4 tumors, cases with free flap reconstruction, and concurrent procedures. Among patients undergoing concurrent procedures, those who received tracheostomy showed significantly longer inpatient stays (27.8 ± 30.0 days vs. 13.3 ± 6.6 days; P < 0.001). Tracheostomy recommendation coincides with the performance of bilateral ND in 28.6% (CASST), 60.0% (Cameron), and 75.0% (TRACHY) of the cases, respectively. By applying corresponding criteria, tracheostomy would be recommended in 2.5% (CASST), 76.9% (Cameron), and 84.4% (TRACHY) of our cases. Bleeding episodes were the most common complication occurring in 10 patients (6.3%), but tracheostomy scores did not significantly differ between bleeders and nonbleeders.

Conclusion

Bilateral ND on its own is not a reliable predictor for elective tracheostomy. Furthermore, given the significant heterogeneity of currently available scoring systems, they prove inadequate for decision making and predictive modeling of tracheostomy placement.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:E580–E586, 2020
Borealization of Arctic zooplankton—smaller and less fat zooplankton species in Disko Bay, Western Greenland
Authors: Møller Eva Friis , Nielsen Torkel Gissel
Published: November 2019

In a warmer Arctic with less sea ice and stronger stratification, the environmental changes are expected to impact the pelagic food web, but few biological studies supporting this exist compared with the well‐documented physical changes. Here, we analyze a subset of 13 yr of data from Disko Bay, Western Greenland, from the period 1992 to 2018 for trends in the key zooplankton genus Calanus during May and June in relation to physical conditions. In the 1990s, the small North Atlantic species Calanus finmarchicus and the two larger Arctic species Calanus hyperboreus and Calanus glacialis contributed equally to the copepod biomass. With the reduction in sea ice cover, however, the Arctic species have declined, and currently C. finmarchicus dominates the biomass. Because of the species shift, the Calanus community is now dominated by smaller individuals and the lipid content of Calanus females during spring and summer has decreased by 34%. Moreover, during the last decade the annual variation in population size has been prominent, Calanus virtually being absent in some years. Because of the central role of Calanus in the Arctic food web, the changes will likely impact higher trophic levels, including fish, sea birds, and marine mammals.
Efficient Polymer Solar Cells Based on New Random Copolymers with Porphyrin‐Incorporated Side Chains
Authors: Liu Zhixin , Huang Zhuohao , Chen Yuzhuo , Xu Tao , Yu Hao , Guo Xia , Yan Lei , Zhang Maojie , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Wang Xingzhu
Published: November 2019

Two new wide bandgap block copolymers (PL1 and PL2) with porphyrin‐incorporated side chains are designed and used as electron donors for solution‐processed bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells. The photophysical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties, charge transport mobility and film morphology of these two block copolymers are investigated. Detailed investigations reveal that the different alkyl groups and electron‐withdrawing substituents on the porphyrin pendant units have significant influence on the polymer solubility, absorption energy level, band gap, and charge separation in the bulk‐heterojunction thin films, and thus the overall photovoltaic performances. Organic photovoltaic devices derived from these copolymers and ([6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester) (PC71BM) acceptor show the best power conversion efficiencies of 5.83% and 7.14%, respectively. These results show that the inclusion of a certain proportion of side chain porphyrin group as a pendant in the traditional donor‐acceptor (D‐A) type polymer can broaden the molecular absorption range and become a full‐color absorbing molecule. The size of the porphyrin pendant also has an obvious effect on the properties of the molecule.
Synthesis of Novel Sulfobetaine Polymers with Differing Dipole Orientations in Their Side Chains, and Their Effects on the Antifouling Properties
Authors: Schönemann Eric , Koc Julian , Aldred Nick , Clare Anthony S. , Laschewsky André , Rosenhahn Axel , Wischerhoff Erik
Published: November 2019

The impact of the orientation of zwitterionic groups, with respect to the polymer backbone, on the antifouling performance of thin hydrogel films made of polyzwitterions is explored. In an extension of the recent discussion about differences in the behavior of polymeric phosphatidylcholines and choline phosphates, a quasi‐isomeric set of three poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate)s is designed for this purpose. The design is based on the established monomer 3‐[N‐2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl‐N,N‐dimethyl]ammonio‐propane‐1‐sulfonate and two novel sulfobetaine methacrylates, in which the positions of the cationic and the ionic groups relative to the polymerizable group, and thus also to the polymer backbone, are altered. The effect of the varied segmental dipole orientation on their water solubility, wetting behavior by water, and fouling resistance is compared. As model systems, the adsorption of the model proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA), fibrinogen, and lysozyme onto films of the various polyzwitterion surfaces is studied, as well as the settlement of a diatom (Navicula perminuta) and barnacle cyprids (Balanus improvisus) as representatives of typical marine fouling communities. The results demonstrate the important role of the zwitterionic group's orientation on the polymer behavior and fouling resistance.
Demolishing the great wall of biofilms in Gram‐negative bacteria: To disrupt or disperse?
Authors: Yu Miao , Chua Song Lin
Published: November 2019

Bacterial infections lead to high morbidity and mortality globally. While current therapies against bacteria often employ antibiotics, most bacterial pathogens can form biofilms and prevent effective treatment of infections. Biofilm cells can aggregate and encased themselves in a self‐secreted protective exopolymeric matrix, to reduce the penetration by antibiotics. Biofilm formation is mediated by c‐di‐GMP signaling, the ubiquitous secondary messenger in bacteria. Synthesis of c‐di‐GMP by diguanylate cyclases leads to biofilm formation via the loss of motility, increased surface attachment, and production of biofilm matrix, whereas c‐di‐GMP degradation by phosphodiesterases causes biofilm dispersal to new sites via increased bacterial motility and matrix breakdown. The highly variable nature of biofilm development and antimicrobial tolerance imposes tremendous challenges in conventional antimicrobial therapies, indicating an imperative need to develop anti‐biofilm drugs against biofilm infections. In this review, we focus on two main emergent approaches—active dispersal and disruption. While both approaches aim to demolish biofilms, we will discuss their fundamental differences and associated methods. Active dispersal of biofilms involves signaling the bacterial cells to leave the biofilm, where resident cells ditch their sessile lifestyle, gain motility and self‐degrade their matrix. Biofilm disruption leads to direct matrix degradation that forcibly releases embedded biofilm cells. Without the protection of biofilm matrix, released bacterial cells are highly exposed to antimicrobials, leading to their eradication in biofilm infections. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches will allow optimized utility with antimicrobials in clinical settings.
CT prostate segmentation based on synthetic MRI‐aided deep attention fully convolution network
Authors: Lei Yang , Dong Xue , Tian Zhen , Liu Yingzi , Tian Sibo , Wang Tonghe , Jiang Xiaojun , Patel Pretesh , Jani Ashesh B. , Mao Hui , Curran Walter J. , Liu Tian , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Accurate segmentation of the prostate on computed tomography (CT) for treatment planning is challenging due to CT's poor soft tissue contrast. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to aid prostate delineation, but its final accuracy is limited by MRI‐CT registration errors. We developed a deep attention‐based segmentation strategy on CT‐based synthetic MRI (sMRI) to deal with the CT prostate delineation challenge without MRI acquisition.

Methods and materials

We developed a prostate segmentation strategy which employs an sMRI‐aided deep attention network to accurately segment the prostate on CT. Our method consists of three major steps. First, a cycle generative adversarial network was used to estimate an sMRI from CT images. Second, a deep attention fully convolution network was trained based on sMRI and the prostate contours deformed from MRIs. Attention models were introduced to pay more attention to prostate boundary. The prostate contour for a query patient was obtained by feeding the patient's CT images into the trained sMRI generation model and segmentation model.

Results

The segmentation technique was validated with a clinical study of 49 patients by leave‐one‐out experiments and validated with an additional 50 patients by hold‐out test. The Dice similarity coefficient, Hausdorff distance, and mean surface distance indices between our segmented and deformed MRI‐defined prostate manual contours were 0.92 ± 0.09, 4.38 ± 4.66, and 0.62 ± 0.89 mm, respectively, with leave‐one‐out experiments, and were 0.91 ± 0.07, 4.57 ± 3.03, and 0.62 ± 0.65 mm, respectively, with hold‐out test.

Conclusions

We have proposed a novel CT‐only prostate segmentation strategy using CT‐based sMRI, and validated its accuracy against the prostate contours that were manually drawn on MRI images and deformed to CT images. This technique could provide accurate prostate volume for treatment planning without requiring MRI acquisition, greatly facilitating the routine clinical workflow.
Simultaneous multislice imaging of the heart using multiband balanced SSFP with blipped‐CAIPI
Authors: Price Anthony N. , Cordero‐Grande Lucilio , Malik Shaihan J. , Hajnal Joseph V.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

In this work, we explore the use of multiband (MB) balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) with blipped‐controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (CAIPI), which avoids the issues of altered frequency response associated with RF phase cycling, and show its application to accelerating cardiac cine imaging.

Methods

Blipped and RF‐cycled CAIPI were implemented into a retrospective‐gated segmented cine multiband bSSFP sequence. The 2 methods were compared at 3T using MB2 to demonstrate the effect on frequency response. Further data (4 subjects) were acquired at both 1.5T and 3T collecting 12‐slice short axis stacks using blipped‐CAIPI with MB acceleration factors of 1–4. The impact on SNR and contrast was evaluated along with g‐factors at different accelerations.

Results

Data acquired with blipped‐CAIPI multiband bSSFP up to factor 4 yielded functional cine data with good SNR and contrast, while reliably keeping dark‐band artefacts clear of the heart at 1.5T. SAR limits the maximum MB acceleration, particularly at 3T, where minimum TR increase is problematic and leakage artefacts are more prevalent. Mean g‐factors across the heart were measured at 1.00, 1.06, and 1.12 for MB2–MB4, whereas blood‐pool SNR measures (end‐diastole) decreased by 11.8, 21.5, and 36.9%; ultimately LV‐myocardium CNR remained sufficient at 1.5T with values ranging: 15.6, 13.4, 11.9, and 9.6 (MB1–MB4).

Conclusion

Blipped‐CAIPI multiband bSSFP can be used in cardiovascular applications without affecting the frequency response because of controlled aliasing and can be readily incorporated into segmented cine acquisitions without adding any additional constraints because of phase cycling requirements. The method was used to collect full ventricular coverage within a single breath‐hold.
Linking Rural and Urban Circular Economies through Reuse and Repair
Authors: Berry Brieanne , Isenhour Cindy
Published: November 2019

Increasing resource scarcity and what has been called “the end of cheap nature” are prompting policymakers and scholars to foster more circular economies to reduce waste and lengthen the lifespan of material goods. Our essay critically examines the political and economic relationships between urban and rural geographies in the context of secondhand economies. Practices of bartering, swapping, selling, and repairing used goods have long been important to rural people and places, but the increasing commodification of discards risks upending rural livelihoods and ways of being as goods move toward urban centers. We explore the relationship between rural and urban reuse economies and suggest how future scholars of rural North America might contribute to strengthening and supporting localized reuse practices.
Security
Authors: Kobak Briel
Published: November 2019

This essay examines discussions over the future of a rural public school through the lens of security, comparing defense‐oriented preparations for school shootings with local concerns around declining enrollment and unemployment. It takes stock of the material, financial, and affective resources at stake when the future of rural North America is forecasted through inevitable decline or crisis rather than community investment.
#WeNeedANewCounty: Enduring Division and Conquest in the Indigenous Southwest
Authors: Montoya Teresa
Published: November 2019

Pernicious threats to tribal sovereignty and Indigenous empowerment at local scales of governance have often evaded the scrutiny applied to other formations of the settler state. To illustrate this point, I draw on recent attempts to divide and redistrict county jurisdictions that overlap with the Navajo Nation. I argue that such efforts become a pretext to treat Navajo citizens as an economic liability and to exclude them from upwardly mobile settler polities in historically racialized ways. As a result, rural politics becomes a crucial site for understanding the contemporary struggles of the 573 federally recognized tribal nations in the United States. I conclude that considerations of rurality must be attentive to how histories of dispossession continue to surface in and permeate the present political moment.
Someone Else's “Country”: American Roots Music and Rural Identity in Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Jacobsen Kristina M.
Published: November 2019

This article examines rural North American expressive culture vis‐a‐vis country music and language reclamation within minoritarian language contexts. Drawing on my previous ethnographic fieldwork performing and learning Navajo on the Navajo Nation, I explore how rural identities circulate transnationally in and through spoken and sung performances of country “roots” music in my more recent field site of Sardinia, Italy. In both Sardinia and on the Navajo Nation, this musical genre acts as a medium for heritage language reclamation and consequently allows for reconnection to a rural sense of self.
Urodynamics in patients with multiple sclerosis: A consensus statement from a urodynamic experts working group
Authors: Averbeck M. A. , Iacovelli V. , Panicker J. , Schurch B. , Finazzi Agrò E.
Published: November 2019

Aims

Urodynamics (UDS) is often indicated for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients either at presentation to specialized medical centers or after failure of conservative management of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). However, the ideal moment and context to indicate this exam in this group of patients remain controversial. We aimed to establish a consensus panel to address the role of UDS in MS patients.

Methods

A panel representing urology, rehabilitation medicine, and neurology skilled in neuro‐urology participated in a consensus‐forming project using a Delphi method to reach consensus on the role of UDS in MS patients.

Results

In total, five experts participated. All panelists participated in the four phases of the consensus process. Consensus was reached if ≥70% of the experts agreed on recommendations. To facilitate a common understanding among all experts, a face‐to‐face consensus meeting was held in Florence in September 2017 and then with a follow‐up teleconference in March 2018. By the end of the Delphi process, formal consensus was achieved for 100% of the items and an algorithm was then developed in a face‐to‐face meeting in Philadelphia in August 2018. The final expert opinion recommendations were approved by the unanimous consensus of the panel.

Conclusions

UDS represents an important diagnostic tool for MS patients and is particularly useful to evaluate the pattern of LUT dysfunction in high‐risk patients. There is a lack of high‐evidence level studies to support an optimal urodynamic long‐term follow‐up protocol.
Health‐related quality of life in patients with heart failure eligible for treatment with sacubitril–valsartan
Authors: Holmlund Lena , Brännström Margareta , Lindmark Krister , Sandberg Camilla , Hellström Ängerud Karin
Published: November 2019

Aim

To describe and compare self‐reported health‐related quality of life between younger and older patients with severe heart failure eligible for treatment with sacubitril–valsartan and to explore the association between health‐related quality of life and age, NYHA classification, systolic blood pressure and NT‐proBNP level.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A total of 59 patients, eligible for treatment with sacubitril–valsartan were consecutively included and divided into a younger (≤75 years) and older group (>75 years). Health‐related quality of life was assessed using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and the EuroQol 5‐dimensions. Data were collected between June 2016 and January 2018. The STROBE checklist was used.

Results

There were no differences in overall health‐related quality of life between the age groups. The older patients reported lower scores in two domains measured with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, namely self‐efficacy (67.0SD22.1 vs. 78.8SD19.7) and physical limitation (75.6SD19.0 vs. 86.3SD14.4). Higher NYHA class was independently associated with lower Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary Score.
The effect of dispersion quality of fillers on soundproofing properties of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/dense filler composites: Barite vs Magnetite
Authors: Ersoy Orkun
Published: November 2019

Dense mineral fillers are used to provide sound insulation properties to polymer‐matrix composites. According to the mass law of sound insulation, the greater the mass, the harder it is for the material to vibrate, indicating the material will have better insulation. Thus, magnetite and barite minerals provide sound insulation by adding weight to composites. In this study, 25% (w) dense filler and 75% (w) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) composites were prepared using a laboratory‐type twin‐screw extruder. Dense filler powders and ABS/dense filler composites were characterized using a particle size analyzer, a color spectrophotometer, a gas pycnometer, an X‐ray diffractometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, an impedance tube, and techniques such as the Brunauer Emmett Teller method and high‐resolution microtomography (μ‐CT). The sound insulation of ABS blend with these two minerals as fillers was compared. Magnetite had better sound insulation performance although both fillers were incorporated into the polymers in equal amounts by weight. The better sound insulation performance of magnetite was attributed to its good dispersion in the polymer matrix. The dispersion of the filler particles within the composites was displayed in three dimensions utilizing X‐ray μ‐CT. Structural analysis was performed on the tomography images, and numerical values expressing the dispersion quality of the filler particles in the composites were obtained.
Improved mechanical properties and hydrophobicity on wood flour reinforced composites: Incorporation of silica/montmorillonite nanoparticles in polymers
Authors: Jiang Jun , Mei Changtong , Pan Mingzhu , Cao Jinzhen
Published: November 2019

Silica/montmorillonite hybrid nanoparticles were prepared to modify high‐density polyethylene which was used to fabricate wood/polymer composites (WPC). Surface modification of hybrids with γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) increased water contact angles from 10.7°to 88.1°and decreased the content of hydroxyl groups (42% relative OH content), indicating the successful grafting of MPTS. Compared with silica, the layered structure of montmorillonite (MMT) provided a better barrier (tortuous paths) for water penetration, and the incorporation of silica in hybrids provided more sites for MPTS grafting. Both of them resulted in the improvement on hydrophobicity for hybrids and WPCs. In the WPC system, some silicas in modified hybrids were not only dispersed in the polymer matrix but also penetrated into the cell wall of wood flours (WF) owing to the extruded process. The MMT in hybrids could mainly cover the WF surface. This distribution of hybrids could improve the WF mechanical strength and interfacial compatibility between the WF and polymer with the help of MPTS, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties of the composites. Compared with control (without nanoparticles), the tensile strength, impact strength, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of the WPC with modified hybrids incorporation increased by 31%, 47%, 18%, and 28%, respectively.