bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Sandwich‐Structured Nanofluidic Diodes Modulating Ionic Transport for an Enhanced Electrochromic Performance
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Liu Qirong , Kang Jianxin , Huang Qingjiao , Liu Zhaoyue , Diao Xungang , Zhai Jin
Published: June 2018

Biomimetic solid‐state nanofluidic diodes have attracted extensive research interest due to the possible applications in various fields, such as biosensing, energy conversion, and nanofluidic circuits. However, contributions of exterior surface to the transmembrane ionic transport are often ignored, which can be a crucial factor for ion rectification behavior. Herein, a rational design of robust sandwich‐structured nanofluidic diode is shown by creating opposite charges on the exterior surfaces of a nanoporous membrane using inorganic oxides with distinct isoelectric points. Potential‐induced changes in ion concentration within the nanopores lead to a current rectification; the results are subsequently supported by a theoretical simulation. Except for providing surface charges, functional inorganic oxides used in this work are complementary electrochromic materials. Hence, the sandwich‐structured nanofluidic diode is further developed into an electrochromic membrane exhibiting a visual color change in response to redox potentials. The results show that the surface‐charge‐governed ionic transport and the nanoporous structure facilitate the migration of Li+ ions, which in turn enhance the electrochromic performance. It is envisioned that this work will create new avenues to design and optimize nanofluidic diodes and electrochromic devices.
Dead Ends Limit Charge Carrier Extraction from All‐Polymer Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Jasiūnas Rokas , Melianas Armantas , Xia Yuxin , Felekidis Nikolaos , Gulbinas Vidmantas , Kemerink Martijn
Published: June 2018

Extraction of photocreated charge carriers from a prototypical all‐polymer organic solar cell is investigated by combining transient photocurrent and time‐delayed collection field experiments with numerical simulations. It is found that extraction is significantly hampered by charges getting trapped in spatial traps that are tentatively attributed to dead ends in the intermixed polymer network—in photovoltaic devices based on the same donor polymer and a fullerene acceptor this effect is much weaker. The slow‐down in charge extraction leads to enhanced recombination and associated performance losses. These effects are observed in addition to the dispersive behavior that is characteristic of charge motion in energetically disordered media. Upon annealing the effects of spatial traps diminish, rationalizing the doubling in device power conversion efficiency after annealing.
Progress in Poly (3‐Hexylthiophene) Organic Solar Cells and the Influence of Its Molecular Weight on Device Performance
Authors: Wadsworth Andrew , Hamid Zeinab , Bidwell Matthew , Ashraf Raja S. , Khan Jafar I. , Anjum Dalaver H. , Cendra Camila , Yan Jun , Rezasoltani Elham , Guilbert Anne A. Y. , Azzouzi Mohammed , Gasparini Nicola , Bannock James H. , Baran Derya , Wu Hongbin , de Mello John C. , Brabec Christoph J. , Salleo Alberto , Nelson Jenny , Laquai Frédéric , McCulloch Iain
Published: June 2018

Poly (3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) was an early frontrunner in the development of donor polymers to be used in organic photovoltaics. A relatively straightforward and inexpensive synthesis suggests that it may be the most viable donor polymer to use in large‐scale commercial organic solar cells. Replacing fullerenes with new electron acceptors has led to significant improvements in device performance and stability, with devices now able to exceed an efficiency of 7%. Past studies have reported a dependence of device performance on the molecular weight of the polymer in fullerene‐containing blends, however, with nonfullerene acceptors now showing promise a similar study was needed. P3HT blends, with two nonfullerene acceptors (O‐IDTBR and EH‐IDTBR), were probed using a number of polymer batches with varying molecular weights. O‐IDTBR was shown to exhibit a dependence on the polymer molecular weight, with optimal performance achieved with a 34 kDa polymer, while EH‐IDTBR displayed an independence in performance with varying polymer molecular weight. Probing the thermal and morphological behavior of the P3HT:O‐IDTBR blends suggests that an optimal morphology with pronounced donor and acceptor domains was only achieved with the 34 kDa polymer, and a greater degree of mixing was exhibited in the other blends, likely leading to poorer device performance.
A Stable Quasi‐Solid‐State Sodium–Sulfur Battery
Authors: Zhou Dong , Chen Yi , Li Baohua , Fan Hongbo , Cheng Faliang , Shanmukaraj Devaraj , Rojo Teofilo , Armand Michel , Wang Guoxiu
Published: June 2018

Ambient‐temperature sodium–sulfur (Na–S) batteries are considered a promising energy storage system due to their high theoretical energy density and low costs. However, great challenges remain in achieving a high rechargeable capacity and long cycle life. Herein we report a stable quasi‐solid‐state Na‐S battery enabled by a poly(S‐pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETEA))‐based cathode and a (PETEA‐tris[2‐(acryloyloxy)ethyl] isocyanurate (THEICTA))‐based gel polymer electrolyte. The polymeric sulfur electrode strongly anchors sulfur through chemical binding and inhibits the shuttle effect. Meanwhile, the in situ formed polymer electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and enhanced safety successfully stabilizes the Na anode/electrolyte interface, and simultaneously immobilizes soluble Na polysulfides. The as‐developed quasi‐solid‐state Na‐S cells exhibit a high reversible capacity of 877 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C and an extended cycling stability.
Low‐Coordinated Edge Sites on Ultrathin Palladium Nanosheets Boost Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction Performance
Authors: Zhu Wenjin , Zhang Lei , Yang Piaoping , Hu Congling , Luo Zhibin , Chang Xiaoxia , Zhao Zhi‐Jian , Gong Jinlong
Published: June 2018

Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to value‐added products is a possible way to decrease the problems resulting from CO2 emission. Thanks to the eminent conductivity and proper adsorption to intermediates, Pd has become a promising candidate for CO2 electroreduction (CO2ER). However, Pd‐based nanocatalysts generally need a large overpotential. Herein we describe that ultrathin Pd nanosheets effectively reduce the onset potential for CO by exposing abundant atoms with comparatively low generalized coordination number. Hexagonal Pd nanosheets with 5 atomic thickness and 5.1 nm edge length reached CO faradaic efficiency of 94 % at −0.5 V, without any decay after a stability test of 8 h. It appears to be the most efficient among all of Pd‐based catalysts toward CO2ER. Uniform hexagonal morphology made it reasonable to build models and take DFT calculations. The enhanced activity originates from mainly edge sites on palladium nanosheets.
Patients' preferences for treatment after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer
Authors: Noordman B J , de Bekker-Grob E W , Coene P P L O , van der Harst E , Lagarde S M , Shapiro J , Wijnhoven B P L , van Lanschot J J B
Published: June 2018

Background

After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) plus surgery for oesophageal cancer, 29 per cent of patients have a pathologically complete response in the resection specimen. Active surveillance after nCRT (instead of standard oesophagectomy) may improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but patients need to undergo frequent diagnostic tests and it is unknown whether survival is worse than that after standard oesophagectomy. Factors that influence patients' preferences, and trade-offs that patients are willing to make in their choice between surgery and active surveillance were investigated here.

Methods

A prospective discrete-choice experiment was conducted. Patients with oesophageal cancer completed questionnaires 4–6 weeks after nCRT, before surgery. Patients' preferences were quantified using scenarios based on five aspects: 5-year overall survival, short-term HRQoL, long-term HRQoL, the risk that oesophagectomy is still necessary, and the frequency of clinical examinations using endoscopy and PET–CT. Panel latent class analysis was used.

Results

Some 100 of 104 patients (96·2 per cent) responded. All aspects, except the frequency of clinical examinations, influenced patients' preferences. Five-year overall survival, the chance that oesophagectomy is still necessary and long-term HRQoL were the most important attributes. On average, based on calculation of the indifference point between standard surgery and active surveillance, patients were willing to trade off 16 per cent 5-year overall survival to reduce the risk that oesophagectomy is necessary from 100 per cent (standard surgery) to 35 per cent (active surveillance).

Conclusion

Patients are willing to trade off substantial 5-year survival to achieve a reduction in the risk that oesophagectomy is necessary.
T cell receptor repertoire profiling predicts the prognosis of HBV‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Kai‐Rong , Deng Fei‐Wen , Jin Ya‐Bin , Chen Xiang‐Ping , Pan Ying‐Ming , Cui Jin‐Huan , You Zhi‐Xuan , Chen Huan‐Wei , Luo Wei
Published: June 2018

Tumor‐infiltrating T cell repertoire has been demonstrated to be closely associated with anti‐tumor immune response. However, the relationship between T cell repertoire in tumor tissue and prognosis has never been reported in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We performed the high‐throughput T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to systematically characterize the infiltrating T cell repertoires of tumor and matched adjacent normal tissues from 23 HBV‐associated HCC patients. Significant differences on usage frequencies of some Vβ, Jβ, and Vβ‐Jβ paired genes have been found between the 2 groups of tissue samples, but no significant difference of TCR repertoire diversity could be found. Interestingly, the similarity of TCR repertoires between paired samples or the TNM stage alone could not be helpful to evaluate the prognosis of patients very well, but their combination could serve as an efficient prognostic indicator that the patients with early stage and high similarity showed a better prognosis. This is the first attempt to assess the potential value of TCR repertoire in HCC prognosis, and our findings could serve as a complement for the characterization of TCR repertoire in HCC.
Aluminum Containing Dendrimeric Silica Nanoparticles as Promising Metallocene Catalyst Supports for Ethylene Polymerization
Authors: Cecílio Duarte M. , Fernandes Auguste , Lourenço João Paulo , Ribeiro M. Rosário
Published: June 2018

Several aluminum containing dendrimeric silica nanospheres, DSAl materials, were prepared using different synthesis and post‐synthetic procedures. These materials were used for the immobilization of Cp2ZrCl2 via direct impregnation. The support materials were rigorously characterized by TEM, N2 adsorption, FTIR (using pyridine as probe molecule) and SS‐NMR to assess their morphological, textural and surface acidic properties. Supported catalysts were tested in ethylene homopolymerization using methylaluminoxane (MAO) as co‐catalyst and scavenger. The relationships between the types and strength of acid sites, as well as the textural and morphological parameters of DSAl materials with the behavior of catalytic systems are explored in this work. The results analyzed in this paper confirm the importance that support surface acidity plays in the formation of the active species for ethylene polymerization and in its activity without neglecting the contribution of support textural properties as well.
Achieving Efficient and Low Content Ru‐Based Catalyst for Acetylene Hydrochlorination Based on N,N’‐Dimethylpropyleneurea
Authors: Li Hang , Wu Botao , Wang Fumin , Zhang Xubin
Published: June 2018

A new Ru‐based catalyst system based on N,N′‐Dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) was developed for the acetylene hydrochlorination reaction in this study. The optimal 1 % Ru‐10 %DMPU/AC catalyst exhibits the best activity with the acetylene conversion of 87.6 % under 170 °C and the GHSV (C2H2) of 900 h−1. Additionally, the Ru‐10 %DMPU/AC with lower Ru content (0.2 wt%) displayed excellent activity and stability with acetylene conversion of 81.3 % after 200 h under the conditions of 170 °C and C2H2 GHSV of 180 h−1. The characterization results indicate that the presence of DMPU could improve the dispersion of the catalytic species and provide full protection to prevent the sintering of the ruthenium particles and to inhibit the reduction of active ruthenium oxide component. Moreover, the catalytic property, characterizations and theoretical calculation results reveal that the ability to adsorb and activate HCl reactant with the addition of DMPU via its strong hydrogen bonding plays a significant role on the high stability of the Ru‐DMPU/AC catalyst system.
Ultra‐Bright Rhodamines with Sulfobutylether‐β‐Cyclodextrin: A Viable Supramolecular Dye Laser in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Khurana Raman , Agarwalla Sandeep , Sridhar G. , Barooah Nilotpal , Bhasikuttan Achikanath C. , Mohanty Jyotirmayee
Published: June 2018

Although aqueous dye lasers are much sought after, they have been of no practical use, as laser dyes show a strong tendency for aggregation in water, thus diminishing their optical output. Contributing towards this shortcoming, we studied the noncovalent interactions of two prominent laser dyes, namely, rhodamine 6G and rhodamine B, with a water soluble macrocyclic host, sulfobutylether‐β‐cyclodextrin (SBE7βCD). Spectral changes in the absorption and fluorescence behavior of dyes in presence of the SBE7βCD host indicated adequate complex formation between dye and host (K∼104 M−1). A combination of various photophysical parameters evaluated from measurements such as Job plot, changes in the fluorescence lifetime/anisotropy values, and favorable thermodynamic parameters from isothermal titration calorimetric measurements adjudicated a 1 : 1 stoichiometric complex formation between dye and SBE7βCD host. Consequently, SBE7βCD prevents dye aggregation/adsorption and present rhodamine dyes in their monomeric forms with enhanced fluorescence yield and brightness. These vital parameters were utilized to optimize and demonstrate cost‐effective supramolecular broad‐band and narrow‐band aqueous dye laser systems with improved lasing efficiencies (∼25 % higher for the SBE7βCD : RhB system and ∼10 % higher for SBE7βCD : Rh6G system), better beam profile, and enhanced durability compared to the respective dyes in optically matched ethanol solutions.
Comparative mitochondrial genomic analyses of three chemosynthetic vesicomyid clams from deep‐sea habitats
Authors: Liu Helu , Cai Shanya , Liu Jun , Zhang Haibin
Published: June 2018

Vesicomyid clams of the subfamily Pliocardinae are among the dominant chemosymbiotic bivalves found in sulfide‐rich deep‐sea habitats. Plastic morphologies and present molecular data could not resolve taxonomic uncertainties. The complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes will provide more data for comparative studies on molecular phylogeny and systematics of this taxonomically uncertain group, and help to clarify generic classifications. In this study, we analyze the features and evolutionary dynamics of mt genomes from three Archivesica species (Archivesica sp., Ar. gigas and Ar. pacifica) pertaining to subfamily Pliocardinae. Sequence coverage is nearly complete for the three newly sequenced mt genomes, with only the control region and some tRNA genes missing. Gene content, base composition, and codon usage are highly conserved in these pliocardiin species. Comparative analysis revealed the vesicomyid have a relatively lower ratio of Ka/Ks, and all 13 protein‐coding genes (PGCs) are under strong purifying selection with a ratio of Ka/Ks far lower than one. Minimal changes in gene arrangement among vesicomyid species are due to the translocation trnaG in Isorropodon fossajaponicum. Additional tRNA genes were detected between trnaG and nad2 in Abyssogena mariana (trnaL3), Ab. phaseoliformis (trnaS3), and Phreagena okutanii (trnaM2), and display high similarity to other pliocardiin sequences at the same location. Single base insertion in multiple sites of this location could result in new tRNA genes, suggesting a possible tRNA arising from nongeneic sequence. Phylogenetic analysis based on 12 PCGs (excluding atp8) supports the monophyly of Pliocardiinae. These nearly complete mitogenomes provide relevant data for further comparative studies on molecular phylogeny and systematics of this taxonomically uncertain group of chemosymbiotic bivalves.
Biocrust contribution to ecosystem carbon fluxes varies along an elevational gradient
Authors: Dettweiler‐Robinson Eva , Nuanez Michelle , Litvak Marcy E.
Published: June 2018

Understanding how each component of an ecosystem contributes to carbon fluxes across a range of abiotic conditions enables accurate forecasts for future emission scenarios. In drylands, biological soil crust (biocrust) contribution to ecosystem carbon fluxes may vary at a regional scale but is rarely quantified due to the difficulty of parameterizing process‐based models or parsing biocrust (on the soil surface) from whole‐soil flux measurements. We measured excised biocrust carbon fluxes across current and future predicted warmer summertime temperatures from dryland sites (grassland, shrubland, savanna, and woodland) and compared those to the ecosystem and soil fluxes from eddy flux towers. Overall, biocrust fluxes showed net carbon loss during the warm growing season temperatures, suggesting that cool‐season photosynthesis is likely critical for maintaining positive biocrust carbon balance in these sites. Biocrust flux temperature responses differed by site: Grassland and shrubland biocrust gross photosynthesis was relatively invariant, while respiration increased with temperature; in the woodland and savanna, biocrust gross photosynthesis and respiration increased with temperature. Biocrust fluxes contributed <3% to the observed ecosystem gross primary productivity at 26°C and ecosystem respiration at 19°C in grassland, shrubland, and woodland, but contributed >10% of observed soil respiration in grassland and shrubland at 19°C, reinforcing the need to separate biocrust activity from root and subsurface heterotroph activity to understand drivers of fluxes at different sites. Regional resolution of biocrust type and cover will improve predictions of biocrust contribution to global carbon flux with changing temperatures.
Interannual variability in climate effects on community assembly and ecosystem functioning in restored prairie
Authors: Manning George C. , Baer Sara G.
Published: June 2018

Community assembly theory attempts to explain factors influencing the composition of communities, which can be governed by deterministic and/or stochastic processes. We used a sequential restoration approach to gain insights into how interannual variation in climate influences community assembly in an agriculture field restored to tallgrass prairie. Species composition and aboveground net primary production (ANPP) were followed for three years in each of three sequentially restored communities, which were established in different years, and sown with the same suite of species using the same live seeding rate for each species. There was a sequence‐by‐age interaction for sown, volunteer, and total species composition (P = 0.001), cover (P < 0.009), diversity (P < 0.024), and richness (P < 0.025). Annual net primary production had a sequence‐by‐age interaction for total, sown, and volunteer species (P < 0.05). In general, species diversity and richness increased over time. We attributed different starting compositions and trajectories in the developing composition of communities and ANPP among sequences to variation in precipitation. Sequences II and III were sown under drought conditions and became dominated by a drought‐resistant agricultural weed that corresponded with delayed establishment and lower ANPP of sown species in those sequences. This study suggests that the effects of drought on community composition vary depending on restoration year, with younger restorations exhibiting greater sensitivity to drought than those that are more established.
Novel Acetylcholinesterase Biosensor for Detection of Paraoxon Based on Holey Graphene Oxide Modified Glass Carbon Electrode
Authors: Li Yan Ping , Zhao Rui Xia , Han Gao Yi , Xiao Yao Ming
Published: June 2018

Holey graphene oxide (HGO) has been synthesized by one step hydrothermal method and applied to construct a highly sensitive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor. The developed system is characterized by using SEM, TEM, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption, Raman, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It is proved that HGO can effectively immobilize AChE and accelerate electron transfer rate. The prepared biosensor AChE/HGO/glass carbon electrode (GCE) shows excellent affinity to the acetylthiocholine chloride (ATCl) with a Michaelis‐Menten constant value of 0.23 mM. Under optimum conditions, AChE/HGO/GCE can effectively detect paraoxon with a linear ranged from 10 to 45 ng/mL and a detection limit of 1.58 ng/mL. Furthermore, the prepared AChE/HGO/GCE biosensor demonstrates excellent stability and reproducibility, which provides a reliable method for the detection of organophosphate pesticides. The developed biosensor is used for detecting paraoxon in real samples of lettuce and cabbage and shows a satisfactory recovery.
Evaluation of the synergistic effect with amino acids for enantioseparation of basic drugs using capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Chalavi Soheila , Fakhari Ali Reza , Nojavan Saeed , Mirzaei Peyman
Published: June 2018

The synergistic effect of two acidic amino acids, aspartic and glutamic acid, on the electrophoretic enantioseparation of four basic drugs was evaluated in the BGE containing a CD and at different pHs. Chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine, propranolol and tramadol were used as the basic model drugs. However, no enantioseparations were achieved with a BGE containing sole amino acid, but the combined use of an acidic amino acid and a CD showed improved enantioseparations (synergistic effect) compared with the single CD system. The results demonstrated that at optimized pH, the electrostatic interactions of the anionic amino acids with the positively charged basic drugs could result in a decrease of the analyte migration velocity and it consequently improved the enantioseparation. The effective parameters such as the amino acid and chiral selector type and concentration, buffer pH, applied voltage, and capillary temperature were optimized. Favorable enantiomeric resolution and migration times of the model drugs were achieved with a 100 mM phosphate buffer solution (pH 3.0) containing 5.0 mM HP‐α‐CD/HP‐β‐CD and 20 mM aspartic acid with an 18 kV applied voltage at 25°C. 1H NMR experiments were also carried out in a mixture of an analyte and CD in the absence and presence of aspartic acid. The NMR results were consistent with the results obtained by CE which showed the synergistic effect of amino acid.
Commentary regarding: “The effect of simulated space radiation on the N‐glycosylation of human immunoglobulin G1”
Authors: Bevelacqua Joseph John , Mortazavi S.M.J.
Published: June 2018

Deep space missions, including Mars voyages, are an important area of research. Protection of astronauts’ health during these long‐term missions is of paramount importance. The paper authored by Szarka et al. entitled “The effect of simulated space radiation on the N‐glycosylation of human immunoglobulin G1” is indeed a step forward in this effort. Despite numerous strengths, there are some shortcomings in this paper including an incomplete description of the space radiation environment as well as discussion of the resulting biological effects. Due to complexity of the space radiation environment, a careful analysis is needed to fully evaluate the spectrum of particles associated with solar particle events and galactic cosmic radiation. The radiation source used in this experiment does not reproduce the range of primary galactic cosmic radiation and solar particle events particles and their associated energies. Furthermore, the effect of radiation interactions within the spacecraft shell and the potential effects of microgravity are not considered. Moreover, the importance of radioadaptation in deep space missions that is confirmed in a NASA report is neither considered. Other shortcomings are also discussed in this commentary. Considering these shortcomings, it can be argued that Szarka et al. draw conclusions based on an incomplete description of the space radiation environment that could affect the applicability of this study.
Modeling of sorption and transport of cadmium, copper and chromium on an agricultural soil impacted by mining activities
Authors: Mosai Alseno K. , Tutu Hlanganani
Published: June 2018

The efficiency of an agricultural soil in retaining cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) was investigated using PHREEQC geochemical modeling code. The effects of initial concentration of the elements, bed depth and pH were investigated. The modeling was based on an initial calibration in which the appropriate column parameters were determined experimentally. Simulations using PHREEQC represented the natural environment and what will happen over a long period of time. The breakthrough curves were observed earlier at high concentrations (300 mg L−1) than for lower concentration (100 mg L−1) for Cd and Cu. Shorter bed length (5 cm) gave earlier breakthroughs compared to the longer bed length (10 cm) for Cd and Cu. The model showed that Cr3+ was oxidized to Cr6+, leading to the formation of
and Cr2
which were not favored for adsorption. The conversion of Cu2+ to Cu(OH)2 at basic pH reduced the adsorption of Cu. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018
A Hybrid clustering and classification technique for forecasting short‐term energy consumption
Authors: Torabi Mehrnoosh , Hashemi Sattar , Saybani Mahmoud Reza , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Mosavi Amir
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a hybrid approach to predict the electric energy usage of weather‐sensitive loads. The presented method utilizes the clustering paradigm along with ANN and SVM approaches for accurate short‐term prediction of electric energy usage, using weather data. Since the methodology being invoked in this research is based on CRISP data mining, data preparation has received a great deal of attention in this research. Once data pre‐processing was done, the underlying pattern of electric energy consumption was extracted by the means of machine learning methods to precisely forecast short‐term energy consumption. The proposed approach (CBA‐ANN‐SVM) was applied to real load data and resulting higher accuracy comparing to the existing models. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 66–76, 2019
Applying Pattern Oriented Sampling in current fieldwork practice to enable more effective model evaluation in fluvial landscape evolution research
Authors: Briant Rebecca M. , Cohen Kim M. , Cordier Stephane , Demoulin Alain J.A.G. , Macklin Mark G. , Mather Anne E. , Rixhon Gilles , Veldkamp Tom , Wainwright John , Whittaker Alex , Wittmann Hella
Published: June 2018

Field geologists and geomorphologists are increasingly looking to numerical modelling to understand landscape change over time, particularly in river catchments. The application of landscape evolution models (LEMs) started with abstract research questions in synthetic landscapes. Now, however, studies using LEMs on real‐world catchments are becoming increasingly common. This development has philosophical implications for model specification and evaluation using geological and geomorphological data, besides practical implications for fieldwork targets and strategy. The type of data produced to drive and constrain LEM simulations has very little in common with that used to calibrate and validate models operating over shorter timescales, making a new approach necessary. Here we argue that catchment fieldwork and LEM studies are best synchronized by complementing the Pattern Oriented Modelling (POM) approach of most fluvial LEMs with Pattern Oriented Sampling (POS) fieldwork approaches. POS can embrace a wide range of field data types, without overly increasing the burden of data collection. In our approach, both POM output and POS field data for a specific catchment are used to quantify key characteristics of a catchment. These are then compared to provide an evaluation of the performance of the model. Early identification of these key characteristics should be undertaken to drive focused POS data collection and POM model specification. Once models are evaluated using this POM/POS approach, conclusions drawn from LEM studies can be used with greater confidence to improve understanding of landscape change. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication and Characterization of a Thin, Double‐sided Air Breathing Micro Fuel Cell
Authors: Mahmoodi S. R. , Besser R. S.
Published: June 2018

An air‐breathing micro fuel cell (μFC) with laterally fed porous anode electrode is realized and reported. The performance of this microdevice with embedded flow channels and electrodes is characterized in ambient conditions. To realize this device, we used negative epoxy‐based photoresist (SU‐8) as a stamp to transfer a microchannel pattern into a Nafion 1110 membrane by micro hot embossing. A Nafion 212 layer served to seal the device as a blanket top layer. The fabrication process of microchannels and μFC assembly is evaluated with optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) step by step. Variations of hydrogen feed rate on performance are investigated. The cell is composed of two individual fuel cells with a shared anode. The characteristics of the cell are further studied by performance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements of the separate constituent cells and compared with data for the complete cell. The maximum power density per superficial (footprint) area is 68.4 mW cm−2 for the shared anode stack. In the present μFC architecture, the external packaging is Nafion polymer, which results in a thin and light energy source with simplicity of manufacturing. The device performance offers a high volumetric and gravimetric energy density for portable applications.
Sequence stratigraphy and facies architecture of a mound‐shoal‐dominated dolomite reservoir in the late Ediacaran Dengying Formation, central Sichuan Basin, SW China
Authors: Hu Mingyi , Gao Da , Wei Guoqi , Yang Wei , Xie Wuren
Published: June 2018

The late Ediacaran Dengying Formation is one of the oldest carbonate microbial mound and shoal reservoirs in the world. This formation has recently attained widespread attention with the significant discovery of a huge volume of natural gas in the central part of the Sichuan Basin, South China. To fully understand the depositional processes and impacts on the reservoir, a comprehensive study of the sequence stratigraphy and facies architecture as well as reservoir analysis was undertaken by integrating analysis of seismic, well‐logging, and core data. The D4 member consists of nine types of lithofacies representing distinguished depositional environments. These types of lithofacies can be grouped into five types of lithofacies associations, which are platform‐margin shoal, mound‐shoal complex, microbial mound, lagoon, and tidal flat. The platform margin was dominated by shoal and mound‐shoal complexes, whereas the platform interior contained microbial mounds, lagoon, and tidal flat facies. We constructed a high‐frequency sequence stratigraphy framework and identified two third‐order sequences (SQ1 and SQ2) in the Dengying Formation and five fourth‐order sequences (SQ2‐1 to SQ2‐5) in the fourth member of the Dengying Formation (the D4 member). In the D4 member, the thickness of the mound‐shoal complex increases from the bottom to the top. The reservoir spaces in this Formation generally have low porosity and low permeability and include dissolution vugs and caves, and intercrystalline vugs and pores. Three types of reservoirs are identified, which are early‐stage karst mound‐shoal reservoirs, late‐stage karst superimposed reservoirs, and other factors impacted reservoirs. Microbial mound and shoal facies are the material basis for a favourable reservoir, with the key factor for the improvement of reservoir quality being early‐stage meteoric‐water dissolution related to fourth‐order sequence boundaries. The tectonic unconformity that was formed at the end of the Sinian Stage dominates the development and distribution of the most beneficial reservoir beds. Organic acid, hydrothermal fluid, and tectonic fracturing processes modified the reservoir beds in advance. Results from our investigation enable us to propose a model for the depositional evolution and reservoir formation in the D4 member of the Dengying Formation.
Hospital outcomes of older people with cognitive impairment: An integrative review
Authors: Fogg Carole , Griffiths Peter , Meredith Paul , Bridges Jackie
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To summarise existing knowledge of outcomes of older hospital patients with cognitive impairment, including the type and frequency of outcomes reported, and the additional risk experienced by this patient group.

Methods

Integrative literature review. Health care literature databases, reports, and policy documents on key websites were systematically searched. Papers describing the outcomes of older people with cognitive impairment during hospitalisation and at discharge were analysed and summarised using integrative methods.

Results

One hundred four articles were included. A range of outcomes were identified, including those occurring during hospitalisation and at discharge. Older people with a dementia diagnosis were at higher risk from death in hospital, nursing home admission, long lengths of stay, as well as intermediate outcomes such as delirium, falls, dehydration, reduction in nutritional status, decline in physical and cognitive function, and new infections in hospital. Fewer studies examined the relationship of all‐cause cognitive impairment with outcomes. Patient and carer experiences of hospital admission were often poor. Few studies collected data relating to hospital environment, eg, ward type or staffing levels, and acuity of illness was rarely described.

Conclusions

Older people with cognitive impairment have a higher risk of a variety of negative outcomes in hospital. Prevalent intermediate outcomes suggest that changes in care processes are required to ensure maintenance of fundamental care provision and greater attention to patient safety in this vulnerable group. More research is required to understand the most appropriate ways of doing this and how changes in these care processes are best implemented to improve hospital outcomes.
Genome‐wide association analysis links multiple psychiatric liability genes to oscillatory brain activity
Authors: Smit Dirk J. A. , Wright Margaret J. , Meyers Jacquelyn L. , Martin Nicholas G. , Ho Yvonne Y. W. , Malone Stephen M. , Zhang Jian , Burwell Scott J. , Chorlian David B. , de Geus Eco J. C. , Denys Damiaan , Hansell Narelle K. , Hottenga Jouke‐Jan , McGue Matt , van Beijsterveldt Catharina E. M. , Jahanshad Neda , Thompson Paul M. , Whelan Christopher D. , Medland Sarah E. , Porjesz Bernice , Lacono William G. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: June 2018

Oscillatory activity is crucial for information processing in the brain, and has a long history as a biomarker for psychopathology. Variation in oscillatory activity is highly heritable, but current understanding of specific genetic influences remains limited. We performed the largest genome‐wide association study to date of oscillatory power during eyes‐closed resting electroencephalogram (EEG) across a range of frequencies (delta 1–3.75 Hz, theta 4–7.75 Hz, alpha 8–12.75 Hz, and beta 13–30 Hz) in 8,425 subjects. Additionally, we performed KGG positional gene‐based analysis and brain‐expression analyses. GABRA2—a known genetic marker for alcohol use disorder and epilepsy—significantly affected beta power, consistent with the known relation between GABAA interneuron activity and beta oscillations. Tissue‐specific SNP‐based imputation of gene‐expression levels based on the GTEx database revealed that hippocampal GABRA2 expression may mediate this effect. Twenty‐four genes at 3p21.1 were significant for alpha power (FDR q < .05). SNPs in this region were linked to expression of GLYCTK in hippocampal tissue, and GNL3 and ITIH4 in the frontal cortex–genes that were previously implicated in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In sum, we identified several novel genetic variants associated with oscillatory brain activity; furthermore, we replicated and advanced understanding of previously known genes associated with psychopathology (i.e., schizophrenia and alcohol use disorders). Importantly, these psychopathological liability genes affect brain functioning, linking the genes' expression to specific cortical/subcortical brain regions.
AHNS Series: Do you know your guidelines? AHNS Endocrine Section Consensus Statement: State‐of‐the‐art thyroid surgical recommendations in the era of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features
Authors: Ferris Robert L. , Nikiforov Yuri , Terris Davis , Seethala Raja R. , Ridge J. Andrew , Angelos Peter , Duh Quan‐Yang , Wong Richard , Sabra Mona M. , Fagin James A. , McIver Bryan , Bernet Victor J. , Harrell R. Mack , Busaidy Naifa , Cibas Edmund S. , Faquin William C. , Sadow Peter , Baloch Zubair , Shindo Maisie , Orloff Lisa , Davies Louise , Randolph Gregory W.
Published: June 2018

The newly introduced pathologic diagnosis of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary‐like nuclear features (NIFTP) will result in less bilateral thyroid surgery as well as deescalation in T4 suppressive and radioactive iodine treatment. Although, NIFTP is a nonmalignant lesion that has nuclear features of some papillary malignancies, the challenge for the surgeon is to identify a lesion as possibly NIFTP before the pathologic diagnosis. NIFTP, due to its reduction of overall rates of malignancy, will result in the initial surgical pendulum swinging toward lobectomy instead of initial total thyroidectomy. This American Head and Neck Society endocrine section consensus statement is intended to inform preoperative evaluation to attempt to identify those patients whose final pathology report may ultimately harbor NIFTP and can be offered a conservative surgical plan to assist in cost‐effective, optimal management of patients with NIFTP.
Racial disparities in the choice of definitive treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity
Authors: Lewis Carol M. , Ajmani Gaurav S. , Kyrillos Alexandra , Chamberlain Paul , Wang Chi‐Hsiung , Nocon Cheryl C. , Peek Monica , Bhayani Mihir K.
Published: June 2018

Background

Definitive surgery is recommended for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The purpose of this study was to present our assessment of the disparities in treatment selection for oral cavity SCC.

Methods

Non‐Hispanic white and non‐Hispanic black patients with oral cavity SCC were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Regression models were used to estimate relative risk (RR) of receiving surgery and absolute difference between non‐Hispanic white and non‐Hispanic black patients.

Results

There were 82.3% of non‐Hispanic white patients who received surgery, compared to 64.2% of non‐Hispanic black patients (P < .001). The non‐Hispanic black patients were less likely to receive surgery than non‐Hispanic white patients (RR 0.87) with an absolute difference of 10.9%. The non‐Hispanic black patients were significantly more likely to not be offered surgery (RR 1.42) and to refuse recommended surgery (RR 1.38) but not have a contraindication to surgery (RR 1.17).

Conclusion

The non‐Hispanic black patients are less likely to receive or be recommended surgery for oral cavity SCC and are more likely to refuse surgery. Further study is needed to identify strategies to close this disparity.
Compartmentalized endoscopic resection of the olfactory cleft for nasal intestinal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Russel Adrien , Nguyen Duc Trung , Vigouroux Charlène , Gallet Patrice , Vignaud Jean‐Michel , Rumeau Cécile , Jankowski Roger
Published: June 2018

Background

The purpose of this study was to describe the pathology of the different compartments in endoscopic resection of nasal intestinal‐type adenocarcinomas (ITACs) and its relationships with oncologic outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study included all patients endoscopically operated for nasal ITACs, followed by radiotherapy in the majority of cases, between 2004 and 2014. The surgery systematically separated 3 compartments: ethmoid lateral mass, olfactory cleft, and anterior cranial fossa (in cases with skull‐base invasion) to analyze their pathological “focal” or “massive” invasion by the tumor.

Results

Sixty‐seven patients (aged 69.2 ± 9.8 years) were included. Twenty‐nine patients (43.3%) had only pathological focal invasion. At 61.0 ± 41.7 months of mean follow‐up, the recurrence rates were 34.2% in the group with massive invasion and 10.3% in the group with focal invasion (P = .023). The disease‐specific death rate had a tendency to be higher in the group with massive invasion (23.7% vs 6.9% for the group with focal invasion; P = .097). By Kaplan‐Meier analysis, the 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate was better in the group with focal invasion than the group with massive invasion (P = .01). The 5‐year overall survival was not different between the 2 groups (47.4% and 65.5% for focal invasion and massive invasion respectively; P = .14).

Conclusion

Compartmentalized endoscopic resection, combined with postoperative radiotherapy, is one way to operate on nasal ITACs with good oncologic outcomes.
Walsh Hadamard kernel‐based texture feature for multimodal MRI brain tumour segmentation
Authors: Angulakshmi M. , Lakshmi Priya G. G
Published: June 2018

The automated brain tumor segmentation methods are challenging due to the diverse nature of tumors. Recently, the graph based Spectral Clustering (SC) method is utilized for brain tumor segmentation to create high‐quality clusters. In this article, a new superpixel based SC using the Walsh Hadamard texture feature for multimodal brain tumor segmentation from Magnetic Resonance Image is proposed. The selected kernels of Walsh Hadamard Transform (WHT) are projected on equal size blocks of the image for texture feature extraction. The texture feature strength of each block is considered as superpixels, and these superpixels become nodes in the graph of SC. Finally, the original members of superpixels are recovered to represent Complete Tumor (CT), Tumor Core (TC), and Enhancing Tumor (ET) tissues. The observational results are brought out on BRATS 2015 data sets and evaluated using the Dice Score (DS), Hausdorff Distance, and Volumetric Difference metrics. The proposed method has produced competitive results with a DS of 0.83 for CT, 0.75 for TC, and 0.73 for ET, respectively, for high‐grade images. In case of low‐grade images, the proposed method achieves DS of 0.78 for CT, 0.68 for TC, and 0.60 for ET, respectively. The proposed method produces results better than other existing clustering methods.
Enhanced Activation of Rac1/Cdc42 and MITF Leads to Augmented Osteoclastogenesis in Autosomal Dominant Osteopetrosis Type II
Authors: Jung Youn‐Kwan , Kwon Ki‐Tae , Jang Ji‐Ae , Han Min‐Su , Kim Gun‐Woo , Han Seungwoo
Published: June 2018

The autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADOII) caused by the mutation of chloride channel 7 (ClC‐7) gene is the most common form of adult‐onset osteopetrosis. Despite dysfunctional bone resorption, an augmented osteoclast differentiation was reported recently in ADOII patients. DNA sequencing analysis of the ADOII patient's ClC‐7 gene identified a known heterozygous mutation, c.643G>A in exon 7, encoding p.Gly215Arg. In vitro osteoclast differentiation from the ADOII patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) increased compared with control despite their dysfunctional bone resorbing capacity. Osteoclasts from the ADOII patient's PBMCs and ClC‐7 knockdown bone marrow monocytes (BMMs) showed an enhanced Ser‐71 phosphorylation of Rac1/Cdc42 and increase of the microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) and receptor activator of NF‐κB (RANK) that can be responsible for the enhanced osteoclast differentiation. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Platelet-Derived TGF-β Induces Tissue Factor Expression via the Smad3 Pathway in Osteosarcoma Cells
Authors: Saito Masanori , Ichikawa Jiro , Ando Takashi , Schoenecker Jonathan G , Ohba Tetsuro , Koyama Kensuke , Suzuki-Inoue Katsue , Haro Hirotaka
Published: June 2018

Over the last three decades, the prognosis of osteosarcoma has remained unchanged; the prognosis for patients with lung metastasis is still poor, and the development of new treatments is urgently required. We previously showed that aggressive osteosarcoma cells express more tissue factor (TF) and demonstrate enhanced extrinsic pathway capacity. Furthermore, tumor growth can be suppressed with the anticoagulant low molecular weight heparin. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying TF regulation are still unclear. Here, we report that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) upregulates TF, which can occur via activated platelets. TF was found to be expressed on osteosarcoma cell surfaces, which mediated the production of Xa and thrombin. TF induction by TGF-β was observed in several osteosarcoma cells, and especially in MG 63 cells. Both TF expression by TGF-β and extrinsic pathway activity through TF were rapidly increased. This reaction was inhibited by a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor and TGF-β neutralizing antibody. Although TGF-β was found to phosphorylate both Smad2 and Smad3, their roles were markedly disparate. Surprisingly, Smad2 knockdown resulted in no inhibitory effect, whereas Smad3 knockdown completely suppressed TGF-β–induced TF expression. Next, data suggested that platelets were the source of TGF-β. We confirmed that thrombin-activated platelets and osteosarcoma cells could release TGF-β, and that platelet-derived TGF-β could induce TF expression. These processes were also inhibited by a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor and Smad3 knockdown. Moreover, CD42b, TF, TGF-β, Smad2/3, and p-Smad2/3 were also detected in a biopsy sample from an osteosarcoma patient. Collectively, these finding suggested that the interaction between osteosarcoma cells and platelets, via thrombin and TGF-β, results in a continuous cycle, and that anti-platelet or anti-TGF-β therapy could be a promising tool for disease treatment. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.