bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncolytic virotherapy in hepato‐bilio‐pancreatic cancer: The key to breaking the log jam?
Authors: Li Yuwei , Shen Yinan , Zhao Ronghua , Samudio Ismael , Jia William , Bai Xueli , Liang Tingbo
Published: March 2020

Traditional therapies have limited efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and biliary tract cancer, especially for advanced and refractory cancers. Through a deeper understanding of antitumor immunity and the tumor microenvironment, novel immunotherapies are becoming available for cancer treatment. Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy is an emerging type of immunotherapy that has demonstrated effective antitumor efficacy in many preclinical studies and clinical studies. Thus, it may represent a potential feasible treatment for hard to treat gastrointestinal (GI) tumors. Here, we summarize the research progress of OV therapy for the treatment of hepato‐bilio‐pancreatic cancers. In general, most OV therapies exhibits potent, specific oncolysis both in cell lines in vitro and the animal models in vivo. Currently, several clinical trials have suggested that OV therapy may also be effective in patients with refractory hepato‐bilio‐pancreatic cancer. Multiple strategies such as introducing immunostimulatory genes, modifying virus capsid and combining various other therapeutic modalities have been shown enhanced specific oncolysis and synergistic anti‐cancer immune stimulation. Combining OV with other antitumor therapies may become a more effective strategy than using virus alone. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of OV, and to design appropriate dosing and combination strategies.
Evolution of a longitudinal, multidisciplinary, and scalable patient navigation matrix model
Authors: Corbett Cheyenne M. , Somers Tamara J. , Nuñez Christine M. , Majestic Catherine M. , Shelby Rebecca A. , Worthy Valarie C. , Barrett Nadine J. , Patierno Steven R.
Published: March 2020

This Longitudinal patient navigation Matrix Model was developed to overcome barriers across the cancer care continuum by offering prepatients, patients, and their families with support services. The extraordinary heterogeneity of patient needs during cancer screening, risk assessment, treatment, and survivorship as well as the vast heterogeneity of oncology care settings make it nearly impossible to follow a static navigation model. Our model of patient cancer navigation is unique as it enhances the traditional model by being highly adaptable based on both patient and family needs and scalable based on institutional needs and resources (eg, clinical volumes, financial resources, and community‐based resources). This relatively new operational model for system‐wide and systematic navigation incorporates a carefully cultivated supportive care program that evolved over the last decade from a bottom up approach that identified patient and family needs and developed appropriate resources. A core component of this model includes shifting away from department‐centric operations. This model does not require a patient to opt in or independently be able to report their needs or ask for services—it is an opt out model. The multidisciplinary “cross‐training” model can also facilitate reimbursement and sustainability by clarifying the differentiating actions that define navigation services: identification of barriers to quality care and specific actions taken to overcome those barriers, across the full continue of cancer care from community engagement to survivorship or end‐of‐life care.
Understanding supervisee nondisclosures in supervision with videorecording review and interpersonal process recall
Authors: Foskett Allison J. , Van Vliet K. Jessica
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to obtain an in‐depth understanding of supervisees' in‐the‐moment nondisclosure experiences, perceptions and internal processes as they occurred in clinical supervision involving videorecording review. The supervisees who participated in the study were students in their first year of a master's‐level counselling practicum in Western Canada. Utilising interpersonal process recall (IPR) interview methods, supervisees were asked to share their moment‐by‐moment nondisclosures that occurred during a recent videorecorded supervision session in which the supervisory dyad reviewed a videorecording of the supervisee's clinical work. Thematic analysis across cases yielded five overarching themes: (a) validation; (b) safety; (c) growth and accomplishment; (d) performance anxiety; and (e) avoidance. The findings revealed a broad range of positive and negative supervisee nondisclosures that were influenced by the supervision modality of videorecording review and the IPR interview. Implications for clinical supervision, limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Eosinophilic ulcer mimicking malignancy of the lower lip: A case report
Authors: Rahmatpour Rokni Ghasem , Sonthalia Sidharth , Rathod Dipali , Lotti Torello , Goldust Mohamad
Published: March 2020

Eosinophilic ulcer (EU) is a rare self‐limiting chronic benign lesion of the oral mucosa. It is an uncommon and benign disease, which may leading to diagnostic difficulties. Biopsy is recommended to rule out any malignant etiology.
A Janus‐type Heterogeneous Surfactant for Adipic Acid Synthesis
Authors: Vafaeezadeh Majid , Wilhelm Christian , Breuninger Paul , Ernst Stefan , Antonyuk Sergiy , Thiel Werner R.
Published: March 2020

A highly water‐dispersible heterogeneous Brønsted acid surfactant was prepared by synthesis of a bi‐functional anisotropic Janus‐type material. The catalyst comprises ionic functionalities on one side and propyl‐SO3H groups on the other. The novel material was investigated as a green substitute of a homogeneous acidic phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The activity of the catalyst was investigated for the aqueous‐phase oxidation of cyclohexene to adipic acid with 30 % hydrogen peroxide even in a decagram‐scale. It can also be used for the synthesis of some other carboxylic acid derivatives as well as diethyl phthalate.
Tuning Surface Electronic Structure of Two‐Dimensional Cobalt‐Based Hydroxide Nanosheets for Highly Efficient Water Oxidation
Authors: Qiao Chen , Rafai Souleymen , Cao Tai , Wang Zhitao , Wang Haoyu , Zhu Youqi , Ma Xilan , Xu Pengcheng , Cao Chuanbao
Published: March 2020

Highly exposing active sites and well tuning their electronic configuration are great challenges toward highly efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate an in situ surface modification strategy for α and β‐Co(OH)2 nanosheets to boost their OER activities via a simple substitution of their surface hydroxyl functional groups by carboxylate or acetic anhydridate ones, respectively. This in situ surface modification can increase the areal densities of active sites and reduce the OER energy barriers while maintaining initial structure and morphology. Experimental results show that the modified catalysts can present much larger electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and lower OER onset overpotential in comparison with the fresh ones. In case of carboxylate‐modified α‐Co(OH)2 nanosheets, the onset overpotential has decreased from 266 to 233 mV and the required overpotential at 10 mA cm−2 has decreased from 309 to 288 mV on glassy carbon electrode. Density of states (DOS) calculations reveal an optimized adsorption energy of reaction intermediates. Remarkably, tuning surface electronic structure of catalyst by appropriately choosing highly electronegative functional groups can be considered as an efficient approach to enhance its OER activity.
Cause‐specific mortality in survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer
Authors: Armenian Saro H. , Xu Lanfang , Cannavale Kimberly L. , Wong F. Lennie , Bhatia Smita , Chao Chun
Published: March 2020

Background

Few studies have adequately addressed long‐term survival (>20 years from diagnosis) among survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers.

Methods

In this retrospective, population‐based cohort study in a US integrated health care system, the authors examined cause‐specific mortality in 2‐year survivors of AYA cancers (patients aged 15‐39 years who were diagnosed between 1990 and 2012; N = 10,574) matched (by age, sex, and calendar year) to individuals without cancer (N = 136,683) to determine whether mortality rates changed over time. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for mortality were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression. A multivariable Cox model was used to examine predictors of cause‐specific mortality among AYA cancer survivors.

Results

Through December 31, 2014, 1352 deaths were observed among AYA cancer survivors, yielding an overall survival rate of 78.5% at 25 years after diagnosis. Overall, AYA cancer survivors were at 10.4‐fold increased risk for death (95% CI, 9.7‐fold to 11.2‐fold increased risk for death) compared with the matched noncancer cohort, and this risk remained elevated at >20 years after diagnosis (IRR, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0‐4.3). The absolute excess risk for death from any cause was 12.7 per 1000 person‐years (95% CI, 11.9‐13.4 per 1000 person‐years). Starting at 15 years after diagnosis, the incidence of second cancer‐related mortality exceeded the rate of recurrence‐related mortality, and similar trends were observed for deaths from other health‐related conditions. The 8‐year cumulative incidence of mortality declined over time (before 2000, 12.6%; 2000‐2006, 10.1%; after 2006, 7.3%; P < .001), largely because of declines in recurrence‐related mortality. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, cancer stage at diagnosis, and cancer treatment predicted cause‐specific mortality.

Conclusions

The current data highlight the need for specialized, long‐term follow‐up care for AYA cancer survivors.
The complete chloroplast genome of Myriophyllum spicatum reveals a 4‐kb inversion and new insights regarding plastome evolution in Haloragaceae
Authors: Liao Yi‐Ying , Liu Yu , Liu Xing , Lü Tian‐Feng , Mbichi Ruth Wambui , Wan Tao , Liu Fan
Published: March 2020

Myriophyllum, among the most species‐rich genera of aquatic angiosperms with ca. 68 species, is an extensively distributed hydrophyte lineage in the cosmopolitan family Haloragaceae. The chloroplast (cp) genome is useful in the study of genetic evolution, phylogenetic analysis, and molecular dating of controversial taxa. Here, we sequenced and assembled the whole chloroplast genome of Myriophyllum spicatum L. and compared it to other species in the order Saxifragales. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of M. spicatum is 158,858 bp long and displays a quadripartite structure with two inverted repeats (IR) separating the large single copy (LSC) region from the small single copy (SSC) region. Based on sequence identification and the phylogenetic analysis, a 4‐kb phylogenetically informative inversion between trnE‐trnC in Myriophyllum was determined, and we have placed this inversion on a lineage specific to Myriophyllum and its close relatives. The divergence time estimation suggested that the trnE‐trnC inversion possibly occurred between the upper Cretaceous (72.54 MYA) and middle Eocene (47.28 MYA) before the divergence of Myriophyllum from its most recent common ancestor. The unique 4‐kb inversion might be caused by an occurrence of nonrandom recombination associated with climate changes around the K‐Pg boundary, making it interesting for future evolutionary investigations.
Conditional female strategies influence hatching success in a communally nesting iguana
Authors: Moss Jeanette B. , Gerber Glenn P. , Laaser Tanja , Goetz Matthias , Oyog TayVanis , Welch Mark E.
Published: March 2020

The decision of females to nest communally has important consequences for reproductive success. While often associated with reduced energetic expenditure, conspecific aggregations also expose females and offspring to conspecific aggression, exploitation, and infanticide. Intrasexual competition pressures are expected to favor the evolution of conditional strategies, which could be based on simple decision rules (i.e., availability of nesting sites and synchronicity with conspecifics) or on a focal individual's condition or status (i.e., body size). Oviparous reptiles that reproduce seasonally and provide limited to no postnatal care provide ideal systems for disentangling social factors that influence different female reproductive tactics from those present in offspring‐rearing environments. In this study, we investigated whether nesting strategies in a West Indian rock iguana, Cyclura nubila caymanensis, vary conditionally with reproductive timing or body size, and evaluated consequences for nesting success. Nesting surveys were conducted on Little Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies for four consecutive years. Use of high‐density nesting sites was increasingly favored up to seasonal nesting activity peaks, after which nesting was generally restricted to low‐density nesting areas. Although larger females were not more likely than smaller females to nest in high‐density areas, larger females nested earlier and gained access to priority oviposition sites. Smaller females constructed nests later in the season, apparently foregoing investment in extended nest defense. Late‐season nests were also constructed at shallower depths and exhibited shorter incubation periods. While nest depth and incubation length had significant effects on reproductive outcomes, so did local nest densities. Higher densities were associated with significant declines in hatching success, with up to 20% of egg‐filled nests experiencing later intrusion by a conspecific. Despite these risks, nests in high‐density areas were significantly more successful than elsewhere due to the benefits of greater chamber depths and longer incubation times. These results imply that communal nest sites convey honest signals of habitat quality, but that gaining and defending priority oviposition sites requires competitive ability.
Study on the shear movement law of overlying strata by slice mining
Authors: Fu Junhui , Wen Guangcai , Sun Haitao , Yang Xuelin
Published: March 2020

Based on the analysis of shear movement characteristics of overlying strata under mining effect, a quantitative calculation model for shear displacement in the along‐strike and down‐dip directions of the overlying strata is established. The shear displacement at any point on the interface of overlying strata in composite rock beam under slice mining is analyzed. The evolution law of shear displacement and deformation of the overlying strata with the advancement of working face was inverted by physical simulation test. The results show that the shear movement of the overlying strata is characterized by a repeated pattern of "increase → decrease →increase → decrease.” The shear displacement of the overlying strata increases gradually after slice mining. The shear displacement of the overlying strata is in the shape of “W” after the lower seam mining, and the maximum shear displacement of the overlying strata by the lower seam mining is 1.67 times of that of the overlying strata after the upper seam mining. Field test of shear movement of the overlying strata was conducted on the panel 4308 of Chengzhuang coal mine. The results show that the shear displacement of the overlying strata above the coal seam increases with the burial depth. And the shear displacement of the overlying strata movement after mining has "time‐delay" effect. The larger the depth of the measuring point is, the larger value of the along‐strike shear displacement is. The breakage of the key strata of the overlying strata will cause the shear displacement of the overlying strata to increase rapidly. And there is a demarcation depth (127.98 m) for the shear displacement of the overlying strata. The shear movement of the overlying strata above the dividing point is not obvious, while the shear movement of the overlying strata below the dividing point is in the shape of "S" (amplitude of 50 mm). When the working face advanced beyond the test well, the overlying strata would experience multiple shear movement. When the working face advanced 34‐100 m ahead of the surface test well, the overlying strata experienced the most severe shear displacement. When the working face advanced to 74 m away from the surface test well, the shear displacement of the overlying strata between 10# (depth of 192.01 m) and 16# (depth of 300.07 m) is larger than that at the upper position, and down‐dip shear displacement is the most severe(about 315 mm). The shear displacement of the overlying strata is coincident with the along‐strike shear displacement, and the down‐dip shear displacement is smaller than the along‐strike shear displacement. This research provides theoretical guidance for the design of shale gas or coalbed methane surface wells and coal mine shaft under slice mining.
Dual‐phase‐lag model on magneto‐thermoelastic rotating medium with voids and diffusion under the effect of initial stress and gravity
Authors: Abo‐Dahab S. M. , Abd‐Alla Abdelmooty M.
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the propagation of harmonic plane waves is considered in a generalized thermoelastic medium with diffusion and voids in the presence of initial stress, magnetic field, rotation, and gravity in the context of thermoelastic models; classical, Lord Shulman, Green Lindsay as well as dual‐phase‐lag models. We applied the boundary conditions in the physical domain using the normal mode method technique on the surface to obtain the displacements, stresses, temperature, diffusion concentration, and the volume fraction field. Influence of initial stress, magnetic field, rotation, and gravity on temperature, stresses, concentration of diffusion, and the volume fraction is observed through a numerical example. The results obtained will be compared in the presence and absence of the new considered variables, also with the previous results obtained by the others and displayed graphically.
Quantitative, qualitative and spatial analysis of lymphocyte infiltration in periampullary and pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lundgren Sebastian , Elebro Jacob , Heby Margareta , Nodin Björn , Leandersson Karin , Micke Patrick , Jirström Karin , Mezheyeuski Artur
Published: March 2020

Immunotherapeutic modalities are currently revolutionizing cancer treatment. In pancreatic cancer, however, early clinical trials have been disappointing. The optimization of immunotherapeutic strategies requires better understanding of the inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the aim of our study was to perform a detailedin situdescription of lymphocyte infiltration patterns in resected pancreatic and other periampullary cancers. Multiplexed immunofluorescence imaging was applied to tissue microarrays with tumors from a cohort of 175 patients with resected periampullary adenocarcinoma. A panel of immune cell markers including CD4, CD8α, FoxP3, CD20, CD45RO and pan‐cytokeratin was applied to allow for simultaneous spatial analysis of multiple lymphocyte populations. The majority of lymphocyte populations were significantly more abundant in intestinal (I‐type) compared to pancreatobiliary (PB‐type) tumors. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed several immune cell signatures of potential clinical relevance. Notably, in the stromal compartment of PB‐type tumors, high infiltration of B cells, CD8α+CD45RO+and single‐positive CD4+T cells, but low levels of FoxP3+CD45ROhighand single‐positive CD8α+T cells were associated with improved overall survival (OS). The study also defined prognostic relevant topographical patterns of lymphocytic infiltration, in particular proximity of CD8α+cells to cancer cells. Moreover, the presence of lymphocytes with potential T‐helper capacities (CD4+) in the nearest vicinity to CD8α+cells was associated with a prolonged OS. Our data demonstrate that the composition and clinical impact of immune infiltrates in periampullary adenocarcinoma differ by morphological type as well as localization. Furthermore, spatialin situanalysis identified potential immunological mechanisms of prognostic significance.
Follow‐up of late‐onset Pompe disease patients with muscle magnetic resonance imaging reveals increase in fat replacement in skeletal muscles
Authors: Nuñez‐Peralta Claudia , Alonso‐Pérez Jorge , Llauger Jaume , Segovia Sonia , Montesinos Paula , Belmonte Izaskun , Pedrosa Irene , Montiel Elena , Alonso‐Jiménez Alicia , Sánchez‐González Javier , Martínez‐Noguera Antonio , Illa Isabel , Díaz‐Manera Jordi
Published: March 2020

Background

Late‐onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the skeletal muscles produced by a deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha‐glucosidase. Enzymatic replacement therapy with recombinant human alpha‐glucosidase seems to reduce the progression of the disease; although at the moment, it is not completely clear to what extent. Quantitative muscle magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) is a good biomarker for the follow‐up of fat replacement in neuromuscular disorders. The aim of this study was to describe the changes observed in fat replacement in skeletal muscles using qMRI in a cohort of LOPD patients followed prospectively.

Methods

A total of 36 LOPD patients were seen once every year for 4 years. qMRI, several muscle function tests, spirometry, activities of daily living scales, and quality‐of‐life scales were performed on each visit. Muscle MRI consisted of two‐point Dixon studies of the trunk and thigh muscles. Computer analysis of the images provided the percentage of muscle degenerated and replaced by fat in every muscle (known as fat fraction). Longitudinal analysis of the measures was performed using linear mixed models applying the Greenhouse–Geisser test.

Results

We detected a statistically significant and continuous increase in mean thigh fat fraction both in treated (+5.8% in 3 years) and in pre‐symptomatic patients (+2.6% in 3years) (Greenhouse–Geisser p < 0.05). As an average, fat fraction increased by 1.9% per year in treated patients, compared with 0.8% in pre‐symptomatic patients. Fat fraction significantly increased in every muscle of the thighs. We observed a significant correlation between changes observed in fat fraction in qMRI and changes observed in the results of the muscle function tests performed. Moreover, we identified that muscle performance and mean thigh fat fraction at baseline visit were independent parameters influencing fat fraction progression over 4 years (analysis of covariance, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our study identifies that skeletal muscle fat fraction continues to increase in patients with LOPD despite the treatment with enzymatic replacement therapy. These results suggest that the process of muscle degeneration is not stopped by the treatment and could impact muscle function over the years. Hereby, we show that fat fraction along with muscle function tests can be considered a good outcome measures for clinical trials in LOPD patients.
Physiological and psychological stress in pregnant women with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease: A pilot study using salivary biomarkers
Authors: Khil Jennifer , Picardo Sherman , Seow Cynthia H. , Leung Yvette , Metcalfe Amy , Afshar Elnaz E. , Sharifi Nastaran , Campbell Tavis , Letourneau Nicole , Dewey Deborah , Giesbrecht Gerald F. ,   the APrON Study Team
Published: March 2020

Background

Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely than the general pregnant population to experience adverse maternofetal outcomes, especially if the disease is active at the time of conception and during pregnancy. Elevated stress is often seen in patients with chronic diseases and could account for these outcomes. Salivary cortisol and alpha‐amylase (sAA) are novel biomarkers of stress, reflecting the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system, respectively. Our aim in this pilot study was to assess stress differences between pregnant women with inactive IBD and matched controls using psychometric questionnaires and salivary biomarker measures.

Methods

Thirteen pregnant women with quiescent IBD (6 Crohn's disease, 7 ulcerative colitis) were matched (1:3) to 39 expectant mothers without IBD by parity and gestational age. Participants completed several psychometric questionnaires assessing stress, and salivary cortisol and sAA were collected as objective biomarkers of stress during pregnancy.

Results

Pregnant women with quiescent IBD did not demonstrate significant differences on any psychometric measures of stress or salivary biomarker measures when compared with controls (all P > 0.05). Pregnant women with quiescent IBD demonstrated similar cortisol and sAA awakening responses (both P > 0.05) and total levels of cortisol and sAA production (both P > 0.05) when compared with controls.

Conclusions

Pregnant women with well‐controlled IBD do not experience demonstrable differences in psychological stress or dysregulation of salivary stress biomarkers when compared with non‐IBD controls. The effect of chronic disease may be evaluated in future studies by including a comparative group of pregnant women with active IBD.
A novel nonsense mutation in the L1CAM gene responsible for X‐linked congenital hydrocephalus
Authors: Guo Dewei , Shi Yuting , Jian Wenyan , Fu Yimei , Yang Hui , Guo Manhui , Yong Wenjing , Chen Gang , Deng Huan , Qin Yan , Liao Weihua , Yao Ruojin
Published: March 2020

Background

Congenital hydrocephalus is a descriptive diagnosis of symptoms, that are present for numerous reasons, including chromosomal disorders, genetic mutations, intrauterine infection and hemorrhage, amongst other factors. Mutation of L1CAM gene is the most frequent cause of congenital hydrocephalus, contributing to approximately 30% of X‐linked congenital hydrocephalus.

Methods

In the present study, we used whole‐exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing to investigate an aborted male fetus present with severe congenital hydrocephalus at 24 weeks of gestation, whose mother had a history of two previous voluntary terminations of pregnancies as a result of hydrocephalus. Magnetic resonance imaging, an autopsy and electron microscopy were performed and the phenotypic changes were described.

Results

Whole‐exome sequencing in the fetus, as well as variant segregation analysis, revealed a novel maternally derived hemizygous nonsense mutation (c.2865G>A; p. Y955*) in exon 21 of the L1CAM gene (NM_000425.4). Severe hydrocephalus was observed along with marked dilatation of lateral ventricles. An electron micrograph of the surface of lateral ventricle walls revealed a lack of ependymal cilia.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that L1CAM mutation screening should be considered for a male fetus with isolated hydrocephalus, especially with a family history, which could facilitate prenatal diagnosis in a subsequent pregnancy.
Application of urease inhibitor improves protein composition and bread‐baking quality of urea fertilized winter wheat
Authors: Rekowski Azin , Wimmer Monika A. , Hitzmann Bernd , Hermannseder Bernhard , Hahn Heike , Zörb Christian
Published: March 2020

Background: Nitrogen losses is an economic problem for wheat production and a high risk to the environment. Therefore, improved N fertilizer management is a key to increasing the N efficiency and minimizing N losses. To increase N efficiency, enhanced fertilizers such as urea combined with urease inhibitor can be used.

Aims: The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of different N forms on grain storage protein subunits in winter wheat and to examine whether the observed changes correlate with parameters of baking quality.

Methods: The investigation was performed over two consecutive years at two locations in Germany. Protein subunits were analyzed by SDS‐PAGE.

Results: Protein concentrations were similarly increased after fertilization with ammonium nitrate and urea + urease inhibitor. Analysis of the individual storage protein fractions indicated that both fertilizers specifically enhanced ω‐gliadins and HMW glutenins, but the effect was more pronounced in the ammonium nitrate treatment. Application of urea + urease inhibitor had greater influence on the protein composition and resulted in higher specific baking volume as well as the best fresh keeping ability, in comparison with urea treatment.

Conclusion: Considering that the urea + urease inhibitor treatment resulted in almost comparable improvements of NUE and baking quality, with the additional benefit of reduced N losses in combination with easy handling, urea + urease inhibitor can be recommended as a viable alternative to both urea alone and ammonium nitrate treatments. This opens up an opportunity for the reduction of N loss in wheat production when use of urea is preferred.
Industrial clusters in the developing economies: Insights from the Iranian carpet industry
Authors: Saadatyar Fahime Sadat , Al‐Tabbaa Omar , Dagnino Giovanni Battista , Vazife Zahra
Published: March 2020

Industrial clusters are perceived as potential drivers of small and medium‐sized enterprises development and efficient policy instruments to lead national and regional innovation and growth. However, these clusters in developing economies are typically placed in complex environments that impose a mix of serious challenges that adversely affect their overall performance. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the nature of these challenges and understand their dynamics using a case study of a carpet industry cluster in Iran. Using multiple sources of evidence, the study reveals two distinct, yet interrelated, levels of challenges: micro and macro. Under each level, a number of key dimensions were identified and theoretically linked which helped to conceptualize the structure of these challenges and model their dynamics.
Simple compensation method for improved half‐pulse excitation profile with rephasing gradient
Authors: Latta Peter , Starčuk Zenon , Kojan Martin , Gruwel Marco L. H. , Tomanek Boguslaw , Trattnig Siegfried , Juras Vladimir
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To improve the slice profile quality obtained by RF half‐pulse excitation for 2D‐UTE applications.

Methods

The overall first‐order and zero‐order phase errors along the slice‐selection direction were obtained with the help of an optimization task to minimize the out‐of‐slice signal contamination from the calibration 1‐dimenisonal (1D) profile data. The time‐phase‐error evolution was approximated from the k‐space readout data, which were acquired primarily for correction of the readout trajectories during data regridding to the rectilinear grids. The correction of the slice profile was achieved by rephasing gradient pulses applied immediately after the end of excitation. The total prescan calibration typically took less than 2 minutes.

Results

The improved image quality using the proposed calibration method was demonstrated both on phantoms and on ankle images obtained from healthy volunteers. It was demonstrated that calibration can be performed either as a separate water phantom measurement or directly as a prescan procedure.

Conclusion

The slice‐profile distortion from the half‐pulse excitation could substantially affect the overall fidelity of 2D‐UTE images. The presented experiments proved that the image quality could be substantially increased by application of the proposed slice‐correction method.
Interrupted time series analysis to assess changes in prescription filling around conception and implications for exposure misclassification
Authors: Cohen Jacqueline M. , Selmer Randi , Furu Kari , Karlstad Øystein
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Medication exposures in pregnancy are often defined by one or more prescription fills. Harmful effects could be underestimated if rapid discontinuation of use after pregnancy recognition is common. We used conception, a critical biological period, as an intervention in a novel application of interrupted time series analysis (ITSA).

Methods

Among 645 049 pregnancies from the Medical Birth Registry (2005‐2015) linked to the Norwegian Prescription Database, we modeled the total number of prescription fills in the 12 weeks before and after estimated conception date with ITSA. We examined psychostimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptics (AEDs; separated by use for epilepsy or other indications). We used relative measures (%) to compare model coefficients. We also compared number of pregnancies defined as exposed when the earliest fill considered was 30 days before the last menstrual period (LMP −30 days), LMP, or estimated conception date (LMP +14 days).

Results

We observed a sudden decline in prescription fills from 2 weeks after conception and decreasing fills thereafter for psychostimulants, antidepressants, AEDs for other indications, and antipsychotics excluding incident users. Fills for AEDs for epilepsy did not fall after conception. Only 77% of pregnancies with fills for psychostimulants from LMP and 58% with fills from LMP −30 days had fills from conception. Similar figures for AEDs for epilepsy were 99% and 96%.

Conclusions

This application shows that ITSA can help researchers understand rapid changes in patient behavior around conception that have consequences for exposure misclassification in pregnancy drug safety studies. ITSA results can help pharmacoepidemiologists guide study exposure definitions.
Cancer worry and empathy moderate the effect of a survivorship‐focused intervention on quality of life
Authors: Parker Patricia A. , Banerjee Smita C. , Matasar Matthew J. , Bylund Carma L. , Schofield Elizabeth , Li Yuelin , Jacobsen Paul B. , Astrow Alan B. , Leventhal Howard , Horwitz Steven , Kissane David
Published: March 2020

Objective

This study examined the impact of a survivorship planning consultation (SPC) for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and diffuses large B‐cell lymphoma on quality of life (QOL). We specifically assessed two potential moderators, cancer worry and perceived empathy, of the intervention effects on QOL.

Methods

This cluster randomized, four‐site trial examined the efficacy of a SPC; physicians received communication skills training and applied these skills in a survivorship‐focused office visit using a care plan vs a control arm in which physicians were trained to and subsequently provided a time‐controlled, manualized wellness rehabilitation consultation focused only on discussion of healthy nutrition and exercise. We examined the effect of the intervention on patients' QOL and examined potential moderators—cancer worry and perceived physician empathy.

Results

Forty‐two physicians and 198 patients participated. There was no main effect of the intervention on any of the QOL dimensions (ps > 0.10). However, cancer worry was a significant moderator of the effects of the intervention on three QOL domains (physical P = .04; social P = .04; spiritual P = .01) and perceived empathy was a significant moderator of QOL (physical P = .004; psychological P = .04; social P = .01). Specifically, the beneficial effects of the intervention were more pronounced among patients who initially reported higher levels of cancer worry and lower levels of physician empathy.

Conclusions

This study identified two factors, perceived empathy and cancer worry, that were found to impact the QOL of patients who participated in this communication‐based survivorship intervention.
Suicide attempts in patients with head and neck cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Sun Li‐Min , Lin Cheng‐Li , Shen Wei‐Chih , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: March 2020

Objective

We examined the risk of suicide attempts in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in comparison with that in the general population and in patients of other cancers (including all other cancers rather than HNC).

Methods

The definition of suicide attempt here is that an attempt of suicide with or without completed suicide. This retrospective cohort study consisted of 66 931 cases of HNC and individual without HNC from the general population assigned to the control group. Cox's proportion hazard regression analysis was conducted to compare the subsequent suicide attempt risk between patients with HNC and the control group.

Results

The suicide attempt rate for HNC and control groups were 7.44 and 1.98 per 10 000 person‐year, respectively. A more than three‐fold higher risk of suicide attempts was observed in the HNC group than in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 3.72; 95% confidence intervals: 2.85, 4.88). Patients of HNC also had a significantly 1.9‐fold higher risk of suicide attempt than patients with other cancers. Subsequent stratified analyses revealed a significantly elevated risk of suicide attempts across every cancer anatomic subsite and almost all categories of various demographics, but the risk was limited to male patients and patients with no comorbidity. The suicide attempt rate was the highest among patients with oropharyngeal cancer, and chemotherapy was associated with an elevated risk of suicide attempt.

Conclusions

Patients with HNC are vulnerable to an increased risk of suicide attempts than the general population and patients with other cancers.
Conformationally constrained peptides for drug delivery
Authors: Jerath Gaurav , Goyal Ruchika , Trivedi Vishal , Santhoshkumar Thankayyan R. , Ramakrishnan Vibin
Published: March 2020

Peptides have shown great potential in acting as template for developing versatile carrier platforms in nanomedicine, aimed at selective delivery of drugs to only pathological tissues saving its normal neighbors. Cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) are short oligomeric peptides capable of translocating across the cell membrane while simultaneously employing multiple mechanisms of entry. Most CPPs exist as disordered structures in solution and may adopt a helical conformation on interaction with cell membrane, vital to their penetrative capability. Herein, we report a series of cationic helical amphipathic peptides (CHAPs), which are topologically constrained to be helical. The peptides were tested against cervical and breast cancer cells for their cell penetration and drug delivery potential. The cellular uptake of CHAP peptides is independent of temperature and energy availability. The activity of the peptides is biocompatible in bovine serum. CHAPs delivered functional methotrexate (MTX) inside the cell as CHAP‐MTX conjugates. CHAP‐MTX conjugates were more toxic to cancer cells than MTX alone. However, the CHAP‐MTX conjugates were less toxic to HEK‐293 cells compared with the cancer cells suggesting higher affinity towards cancer cells.
Inference of the lifetime performance index with power Rayleigh distribution based on progressive first‐failure–censored data
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed Abdul Wahab , Kilany Neveen Mohamed , El‐Refai Lobna Hisham
Published: March 2020

One of the modern statistical methods is assessing quality performance of product. The performance of a process in the manufacturing and services industry is assessed to examine the level of product quality. The product performance is measured using the lifetime performance index
, where
is a lower specification limit. In this paper, the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) of
for the power Rayleigh distribution is derived based on progressive first‐failure–censored sample on the condition of known
is calculated. The hypothesis testing procedure is applied for assessing whether the lifetime of products meets the required level. Finally, real‐life data of the number of revolutions before failure of a ball bearing in endurance life time test are used to illustrate the proposed procedure.
Rapid bulk density measurement using mobile device photogrammetry
Authors: Whiting Michael , Salley Shawn W. , James Darren K. , Karl Jason W. , Brungard Colby W.
Published: March 2020

Soil bulk density (Db), the ratio of soil solid mass to bulk soil volume, is an important but difficult soil property to measure. Existing methods are either expensive, time consuming, or destructive to the sample. The goal of this research was to investigate the utility of photogrammetry for measuring Db. Photogrammetry is the determination of shape and volume from multiple overlapping photos. Photos of soil peds placed on a 3D‐printed turntable were obtained using two mobile devices. Photogrammetry‐measured volume and Db were compared with volume and Db measured using the clod and 3D laser‐scanning methods. No significant differences between Db measured by any method were found. No statistical difference between cameras types was found. We conclude that photogrammetry is a useful method for measuring Db. Measuring Db using photogrammetry was much easier than the other methods and was less expensive and faster than 3D laser scanning.
Overcoming the Limitations of Transient Photovoltage Measurements for Studying Recombination in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Azzouzi Mohammed , Calado Philip , Telford Andrew M. , Eisner Flurin , Hou Xueyan , Kirchartz Thomas , Barnes Piers R. F. , Nelson Jenny
Published: March 2020

Transient photovoltage (TPV) measurements are frequently used to study recombination processes in thin‐film solar cells by probing the decay of a small optically induced voltage perturbation to infer the charge carrier dynamics of devices at open circuit. However, the validity of this method to probe organic semiconductors has recently come into doubt due to large discrepancies in the reported carrier lifetime values for the same systems and the reporting of unrealistic reaction order values. Herein, the validity of TPV to extract reliable charge carrier lifetimes in thin‐film solar cells is explored through the use of time‐dependent drift‐diffusion simulations and measurements. It is found that in low‐mobility materials, TPV serves primarily as a probe of charge carrier redistribution in the bulk rather than bulk recombination dynamics and that the extracted time constant is highly mobility dependent. To address this shortcoming, transient photocharge, a new technique to measure the charge carrier density during photovoltage decay, is introduced and applied to study the recombination dynamics in a series of (fullerene and nonfullerene) organic solar cell systems. It is shown that using this technique the charge carrier recombination lifetime in the active layer is more accurately determined.
Water Additive Enhanced Solution Processing of Alloy Sb2(S1−xSex)3‐Based Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Chunyan , Lian Weitao , Zhang Lijian , Ding Honghe , Jiang Chenhui , Ma Yuyuan , Han Wenhao , Li Yumeng , Zhu Junfa , Chen Tao , Zhu Changfei
Published: March 2020

Solution process is a convenient and cost‐effective approach to the deposition of thin films for optoelectronic devices. The quality of as‐prepared films depends critically on the applied precursor materials as well as solvents. Herein, a method is developed to synthesize Sb2(S1−xSex)3 thin films and demonstrate the role played by water during the film formation. In the synthesis, antimony trichloride, selenourea, and thiourea used as Sb, Se, and S sources are dissolved in N,N‐dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide mixed solvents. It is found that a tiny amount of water (1%) in the solution enables an essential increase in grain size that in turn facilitates carrier transport and suppresses recombination. The deep‐level transient spectroscopy analysis shows that water additive helps to reduce defect density and type in the as‐obtained films. Finally, the improved film quality leads to a certified power conversion efficiency of 7.42%, a top efficiency in Sb2(S,Se)3‐based solar cells regardless of the device configurations. This study provides an effective approach to tailor the optoelectronic properties of Sb2(S,Se)3 and a practical strategy to improve the device efficiency.
Trauma‐Informed Educational Yoga Program for Teens as an Addiction Prevention Tool
Authors: Ovissi Maryam , Hagaman Heather
Published: March 2020

Dysregulated trauma can propel people to abuse alcohol or drugs as medicine to feel balanced. People are not aware of what is happening in their body and may use substances as a way to dial down their overreactive sympathetic nervous systems. Since the advent of the Polyvagal Theory (founded by Porges), we now have a deeper understanding of the body's parasympathetic processes that contribute to freezing, disassociation, and mental collapse. These processes make it difficult, especially in early recovery, for people to communicate effectively and with self‐understanding. Yoga education taught by a trauma‐informed yoga therapist offers a process that can encourage the individual to participate more fully in helping the body heal and the nervous system regulate. We believe we can empower individuals, starting in the formative years, through education, tools of breath work, simple movement, and meditation practices. This is the essence of therapeutic yoga. Sex education is mandatory in most school systems, with an option to opt out. What if there were a mandatory education module taught in middle school for emotional self‐regulation and self‐empowerment? Trauma‐informed yoga education could help to mitigate the effects of trauma and may even lessen the likelihood of individuals developing addictions.
Diagrammatic state sums for 2D pin-minus TQFTs
Authors: Turzillo Alex
Published: March 2020

Abstract

The two dimensional state sum models of Barrett and Tavares are extended to unoriented spacetimes. The input to the construction is an algebraic structure dubbed half twist algebras, a class of examples of which is real separable superalgebras with a continuous parameter. The construction generates pin-minus TQFTs, including the root invertible theory with partition function the Arf-Brown-Kervaire invariant. Decomposability, the stacking law, and Morita invariance of the construction are discussed.
Infinite distances and the axion weak gravity conjecture
Authors: Grimm Thomas W. , van de Heisteeg Damian
Published: March 2020

Abstract

The axion Weak Gravity Conjecture implies that when parametrically increasing the axion decay constants, instanton corrections become increasingly important. We provide strong evidence for the validity of this conjecture by studying the couplings of R-R axions arising in Calabi-Yau compactifications of Type IIA string theory. Specifically, we consider all possible infinite distance limits in complex structure moduli space and identify the axion decay constants that grow parametrically in a certain path-independent way. We then argue that for each of these limits a tower of D2-brane instantons with decreasing actions can be identified. These instantons ensure that the convex hull condition relevant for the multi-axion Weak Gravity Conjecture cannot be violated parametrically. To argue for the existence of such instantons we employ and generalize recent insights about the Swampland Distance Conjecture. Our results are general and not restricted to specific examples, since we use general results about the growth of the Hodge metric and the sl(2)-splittings of the three-form cohomology associated to each limit.
Brane dynamics from the first law of entanglement
Authors: Cooper Sean , Neuenfeld Dominik , Rozali Moshe , Wakeham David
Published: March 2020

Abstract

In this note, we study the first law of entanglement in a boundary conformal field theory (BCFT) dual to warped AdS cut off by a brane. Exploiting the symmetry of boundary-centered half-balls in the BCFT, and using Wald’s covariant phase space formalism in the presence of boundaries, we derive constraints from the first law for a broad range of covariant bulk Lagrangians. We explicitly evaluate these constraints for Einstein gravity, and find a local equation on the brane which is precisely the Neumann condition of Takayanagi [6] at linear order in metric perturbations. This is analogous to the derivation of Einstein’s equations from the first law of entanglement entropy. This machinery should generalize to give local linearized equations of motion for higher-derivative bulk gravity with additional fields.