bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Initial invasion of glyphosate‐resistant Amaranthus palmeri around grain‐import ports in Japan
Authors: Shimono Ayako , Kanbe Hiroki , Nakamura Shunta , Ueno Saneyoshi , Yamashita Jun , Asai Motoaki 
Published: September 2020

Societal Impact StatementThe dispersal of alien species is tightly coupled to human activities such as trade and transport. Trade is known to spread troublesome weeds from countries exporting, to those importing, grain. Glyphosate resistant (GR) Amaranthus palmeri is one of the most problematic weeds in the US, which is the largest grain exporter to Japan. We demonstrate that GR A. palmeri has become established in a Japanese port in less than 10 years from the first report of GR A. palmeri in the US. The initial detection of alien species is critical to enable effective control measures to be undertaken, before problematic species are able to spread more widely.Summary

The US is the largest source to Japan of crops genetically modified to be glyphosate resistant (GR). The intensive use of glyphosate in the US has led to the evolution of GR Amaranthus palmeri, one of the most problematic weeds in the US. Here, we investigated the initial invasion and establishment of GR A. palmeri at grain‐importing ports in Japan.

The primary glyphosate resistance mechanism is a copy‐number amplification of the 297‐kb region containing the herbicide target site gene 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS). We used quantitative PCR to measure the EPSPS genomic copy number and used PCR to confirm the presence of the other amplified region. We used microsatellite marker analysis to compare the genetic similarities between Japanese populations and US accessions.

We detected GR A. palmeri at three ports: although present as a casual plant at two of the three ports, GR populations were established at one of the ports investigated. The port populations were found to be genetically similar to the US accessions and showed no geographical genetic structure.

This study shows that GR A. palmeri has naturalized in Japan in less than 10 years from the first report of GR A. palmeri in the US.
In Vitro Studies of Fe3O4‐ZIF‐8 Core–Shell Nanoparticles Designed as Potential Theragnostics
Authors: Ettlinger Romy , Moreno Natalia , Ziółkowska Natalia , Ullrich Aladin , Krug von Nidda Hans‐Albrecht , Jirák Daniel , Kerl Kornelius , Bunzen Hana 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTheragnostics represent a combination of therapy and diagnosis within one system. Herein, Fe3O4‐ZIF‐8 core–shell nanoparticles are developed and suggested as candidates for theragnostic applications in cancer treatment. A drug loaded metal–organic framework ZIF‐8 (zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8) represents the therapeutic tool, while the Fe3O4 core is included to enable the material visualization by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A reliable synthesis of Fe3O4‐ZIF‐8 core–shell nanoparticles of an average size below 100 nm is reported. The nanoparticles are characterized by FT‐IR, TGA, XRPD, TEM, STEM‐EDS, DLS, ICP‐OES, CHN‐elemental analysis, SQUID measurements, and MRI. Moreover, their chemical stability and in vitro cytotoxicity against fibroblast and selected cancer cell lines are evaluated. As a model drug, arsenic trioxide—a promising anticancer drug—is used. The drug release can be triggered by a pH change from 7.4 to 6.0 and the nanoparticles can be visualized by MRI in vitro, thus a potential theragnostic agent for cancer treatment is developed.
Oral antibiotic prescribing patterns for treatment of pulmonary exacerbations in two large pediatric CF centers
Authors: Hoppe Jordana E. , Hinds Daniel M. , Colborg Adrianne , Wagner Brandie D. , Morgan Wayne J. , Rosenfeld Margaret , Zemanick Edith T. , Sanders Don B. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionOral antibiotics are frequently prescribed for outpatient pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aimed to characterize oral antibiotic use for PEx and treatment outcomes at two large US CF centers.MethodsRetrospective, descriptive study of oral antibiotic prescribing practices among children with CF ages 6–17 years over 1 year. The care setting for antibiotic initiation (clinic or phone encounter) was determined and outcomes were compared.ResultsA total of 763 oral antibiotic courses were prescribed to 312 patients aged 6–17 years (77% of 403 eligible patients) with a median of two courses per year (range: 1–10). Fifty‐eight percent of prescriptions were provided over the phone. Penicillin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic class (36% of prescriptions) but differences in antibiotic class prescriptions were noted between the two centers. Hospitalizations occurred within 3 months following 19% of oral antibiotic courses. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) recovered to within 90% of prior baseline within 6 months in 87% of encounters; the mean (SD) % recovery was 99.6% (12.1%) of baseline. Outcomes did not differ between phone and clinic prescriptions.ConclusionsPhone prescriptions, commonly excluded in studies of PEx, made up more than half of all oral antibiotic courses. Heterogeneity in prescribing patterns was observed between the two centers. Most patients had improvement in FEV1 returning to near their prior baseline, but hospitalizations occurred in one‐fifth following oral antibiotic treatment. Efforts to optimize PEx treatment must consider care that occurs over the phone; this is particularly important as the use of telemedicine increases.
Quantitative Proteome of Infant Stenotic Ureters Reveals Extracellular Matrix Organization and Oxidative Stress Dysregulation Underlying Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction
Authors: Li Yueyan , Chen Zhoutong , Zhang Junqi , Zhang Qimin , He Lei , Xu Maosheng , Xu Guofeng , Geng Hongquan , Fang Xiaoliang 
Published: September 2020

PurposeUreteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most frequent cause of congenital hydronephrosis in child. To better investigate the molecular mechanisms of this pathological process, the stenotic ureter proteome of UPJO in infants is compared with their own normal pre‐stenotic segments.Experimental DesignData independent acquisition‐based proteomics are performed to compare proteome between pre‐stenotic and stenotic ureter from nine UPJO infants. Gene ontology analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and network interaction are performed to characterize biological functions of significantly altered proteins. Selected significantly altered proteins are validated by western blot on another three UPJO infants.Results15 proteins are up‐regulated and 33 proteins are down‐regulated during stenotic pathology. Significantly altered proteins are involved in decreased extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton organization, increased regulation of oxidative activity, and altered inflammatory associated exocytosis. Significant expression of biglycan, fibulin‐1, myosin‐10, cytochrome b5 are validated providing possible mechanism in UPJO which could be associated impaired smooth muscle cell, epithelial integrity, and increased oxidative stress.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThis study provides molecular evidence of dysregulated extracellular matrix organization, impaired smooth muscle cell, and oxidative stress during UPJO pathology, indicating that biglycan, fibulin‐1, myosin‐10, cytochrome b5 might reflect the pathology of UPJO.
Association between PSA density and pathologically significant prostate cancer: The impact of prostate volume
Authors: Omri Nativ , Kamil Malshy , Alexander Kastin , Alexander Kravtzov , Edmond Sabo , Ariel Zisman , David Kakiashvili , Gilad Amiel E. , Azik Hoffman 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is mainly based on prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) blood levels and digital rectal examination. However, this approach may result in a high rate of negative biopsies and increased detection of clinically insignificant PCa (CS‐PCa). An important prognostic biomarker, PSA density (PSA‐D) demonstrated improved performance in PCa detection compared to PSA. The relationship between prostate volume and the prognostic accuracy of PSA‐D remains mostly unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate the PSA‐D predictive value of CS‐PCa detection at different prostate volumes.MethodsUsing our local radical prostatectomy registry, patients were divided into three prostate size subgroups based on preoperative sonographic prostate volume assessment: less than 50, 50–75, and more than 75 cc. Patients' and PCa characteristics were recorded, including age, body mass index, PSA at diagnosis, prostate volume, PSA‐D, D'Amico risk classification, Gleason grade group, and pathological staging following surgery.ResultsThe study cohort included 364 patients who underwent Robotic Radical prostatectomy for biopsy‐proven clinically localized PCa. 221 (61%) and 143 (39%) patients had PSA‐D less than 0.15 and PSA‐D more than 0.15, respectively. ISUP GG 1–2 PCa (CS‐PCa) was observed in 220 patients (60%), while 144 (40%) had ISUP GG 3–5 PCa at final pathology. PSA‐D correlated with CS‐PCa only in small and medium‐size prostates, but not in large glands (p = .03, p = .01, and p = .36, respectively). The highest sensitivity (72.7%) was observed in small prostates, compared to 3.2% in large prostates. The highest specificity (89.4%) was noted in large prostates. Positive predictive value in small and medium‐size prostates was similar (~50%), compared to 20% in large glands. The negative predictive value was slightly better for small and medium‐size prostates compared with large glands (68.9%, 73.7%, and 53.1%, respectively). An association between PSA‐D and harboring CS‐PCa was detected only in small and medium‐size glands (72.7% and 43%, respectively).ConclusionPSA‐D is associated with CS‐PCa detection in radical prostatectomy specimens in small and medium‐size prostates. The level of PSA‐D is directly associated with the ISUP PCa grade group. Therefore, PSA‐D is a beneficial, available, and cost‐effective tool during decision‐making in patients with small and medium‐size prostate when considering treatment for PCa.
Simultaneous monitoring of origin and scale of a shifted exponential process with unknown and estimated parameters
Authors: Chong Zhi Lin , Mukherjee Amitava , Marozzi Marco 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe distribution of consumer lifetimes, high‐voltage of current in semiconductor transistors, and the risk associated with monitoring health care often come with a threshold. A two‐parameter (or shifted) exponential distribution is, in general, regarded as a better statistical model in such situations compared with a traditional (one‐parameter) exponential model. Research on inferential problems associated with two‐parameter exponential distributions, including monitoring schemes for the parameters of this model, is active. Currently, all existing monitoring schemes for origin and scale parameters of a shifted exponential distribution assume that the process parameters are known (Case‐K). The actual values of the process parameters are, however, rarely known in practice. The traditional method of estimating parameters from a set of a (Phase‐I) reference sample and plug them in for Phase‐II monitoring affects the performance of a monitoring scheme. Skewed processes, like the two‐parameter exponential process, exacerbate this problem. The present article shows that even a reference sample of size 50,000 cannot guarantee nominal in‐control performances of monitoring schemes when the actual process parameters are unknown (Case‐U). To address this problem, we develop monitoring schemes based on max and distance statistics for simultaneously monitoring the two parameters of a shifted exponential process in Case‐U. We show that the proposed schemes perform well. We illustrate the practical application of the proposed procedures by analyzing data about the production of an electronic component.
Structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of TiO2/organic clusters: performance of DFTB method with different parameter sets
Authors: Naumov Vladimir S. , Loginova Anastasiia S. , Avdoshin Alexander A. , Ignatov Stanislav K. , Mayorov Alexey V. , Aradi Bálint , Frauenheim Thomas 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe clusters of bare TiO2 and TiO2 with linked organic ligands modeling polyorganic composites used as photocatalytic materials were studied using the density functional based tight binding (DFTB) electronic structure method with three parameter sets (trans3d, tiorg, and matsci) in comparison with results of B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) calculations, semiempirical methods PM6 and PM7, and available experimental data. It was found that the highly scalable DFTB method shows results that are close to the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level of theory. The corrected version of the tiorg DFTB parameter set (tiorg‐smooth) has better performance for the estimations of structural parameters, whereas the trans3d set better reproduces energies of the composite material formation in polycondensation reactions. Performance of the matsci set is somehow in the middle of the tiorg‐smooth and trans3d sets. The tiorg‐smooth and matsci sets can be used for the studies of adsorption complexes of bare TiO2 clusters. All three DFTB parameter sets well estimate the electronic parameters of clusters (HOMO‐LUMO gap, ionization potential, and dipole moment). DFTB results are closer to the estimates made with DFT (B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p)) than the results of PM6 and PM7 methods. DFTB calculations of large (up to 448 atoms) bare TiO2 and TiO2/organic clusters (72 structures in total) confirm the robustness and computational efficiency of the method.
Ovarian reserve after three‐step laparoscopic surgery for endometriomas utilizing dienogest: A pilot study
Authors: Kitajima Michio , Matsumoto Kanako , Murakami Naoko , Harada Ayumi , Kitajima Yuriko , Masuzaki Hideaki , Miura Kiyonori 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPurposeSurgery for endometriomas may cause detrimental effects on ovarian reserve. We evaluated the safety of three‐step laparoscopic surgery for endometriomas utilizing dienogest in terms of post‐surgical ovarian reserve.MethodsTwelve women received first look laparoscopy (FLL) with fenestration and drainage. Immediately after the surgery, they took oral dienogest 2 mg for three months; then, they received second look laparoscopy (SLL) with cystectomy. We compared serum AMH levels between women had three‐step management with dienogest, and another twelve women had conventional one‐step surgery without medications. In women had three‐step procedures, the changes in concentration of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in peritoneal fluids were evaluated.ResultsSerum AMH levels were significantly decreased after three months of dienogest following FLL. AMH levels were also significantly decreased 3‐6 months both after SLL and after one‐step surgery; however, recovery of serum AMH levels at 9‐12 months after surgery was evident in women had three‐step surgery comparing to those of one‐step surgery. Proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in peritoneal fluids were downregulated at the time of SLL comparing to those of FLL.ConclusionsThree‐step surgery with dienogest may be a beneficial approach to protect ovarian reserve. Dienogest may exert its effects in part by lowering proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Potential water withdrawal reduction to mitigate riverine ecosystem degradation under hydropower development: A computable general equilibrium model analysis
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Mao Xianqiang , Gao Ting , Liu Hongrui , Zhao Yanwei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHydropower development can lead to riverine ecosystem degradation due to flow regime alteration, but also offers an opportunity to reduce water withdrawal from rivers for better maintenance of environmental flows, because hydropower could substitute for water to promote economic development, to some extent. Seizing this opportunity, this research proposes to adjust the water withdrawal volume at the national scale by reducing withdrawal from rivers with environmental flow deficits, and seeks to determine the volume of water withdrawal that could be reduced under the increase of hydropower generation. A computable general equilibrium model (CGE) is established to analyse the balance of water and hydropower from the perspective of economic development. China is adopted as a case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The results show that the water‐hydropower equivalent decreases with the hydropower yield. When the hydropower yield increases by 10%, 30%, 100% and 150%, the water‐hydropower equivalents are 0.73, 0.54, 0.22 and 0.13 m3/kWh, respectively, and the water compensation rate for hydropower increase is determined accordingly.
Weathering the storm: Improving the availability and stability of artificial shelters for hellbender salamanders
Authors: Button Sky T. , Hallagan John J. , Bodinof Jachowski Catherine M. , Case Brian F. , Groffen Jordy , Hopkins William A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractArtificial shelters show considerable promise as tools for studying imperiled hellbender salamanders. Their full utility has not yet been fully reached in practice, however, because during initial trials shelters often became blocked by sediment or dislodged during high stream discharge events. To determine whether these challenges could be overcome, we deployed 438 artificial shelters of two different designs across 10 stream reaches and three rivers in the upper Tennessee River Drainage in 2013–2018. We recorded shelter entrance availability during surveys, and recorded which shelters became dislodged following high discharge events. We evaluated two hypotheses: (a) shelter availability was driven by shelter placement and maintenance frequency and (b) shelter stability was driven by shelter design and shelter placement. Shelters were available 78.6% of the time on average (range = 0–100%), and 88.6% (388 of 438) of shelters were stable across all high discharge events. Shelter availability was maximized by clearing sediment from shelter entrances at least once every 40 days (more often in impaired reaches with high siltation) and after large storm events, situating the shelter within 1 m of ≥5 boulders, and orienting shelters such that their entrances do not face directly downstream. Shelter stability with our initial shelter design was 77.5% (169 of 218), but approached 100% (219 of 220) for heavier (~40 kg vs. ~25 kg) shelters with recessed lids, and in reaches with abundant large boulders. Our findings demonstrate that with an improved design and careful placement, artificial shelters can serve as valuable tools for monitoring hellbenders in reaches with modest siltation.
Continuous riverine biodiversity changes in a 10‐years‐post‐restoration‐study—Impacts and pitfalls
Authors: Lorenz Armin W. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEvaluating river restoration effects over several years is the exception rather than the rule. The benthic invertebrate fauna of three small mountain streams was investigated yearly from 2010 to 2019 following remeandering measures. Additionally, upstream near‐natural reaches were studied following a Before‐After‐Control‐Impact (BACI) design. Species richness and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera richness decreased strongly immediately after restoration but had positive effect sizes in the following 6 years. Abundances increased in all sites after restoration. These patterns were consistent also in the upstream near‐natural reaches, except for the decrease in richness in the second year, indicating that other factors beside the restoration affected the sites. A large flood event coincided with the implementation of the restoration measures depleting also the near‐natural sites. The similarity between paired reaches showed a sharp decline in the first year after restoration, followed by a direct increase, which indicates fast recolonization from the upstream reaches. Community composition analysis showed a shift of all communities with the time axis, underlining a substantial effect of external factors. Generalized linear mixed effects models exhibited that the percentage of tree cover and riparian vegetation had significant effects on changes in richness and abundance. Clear‐cut logging in the floodplains to restore natural floodplain forest supposedly increased water temperatures because many cold‐adapted upstream species were replaced by species naturally inhabiting more downstream reaches. The results emphasize that multiannual samples and a BACI design are necessary to understand restored systems. Furthermore, floodplain restoration and natural hydrology often shape benthic invertebrate communities more than pure instream restoration measures.
Structural power, corporate strategy, and performance
Authors: Zhu David H. , Westphal James D. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractResearch SummaryWe develop a structural theory of power to explain how an organization is indirectly influenced by others through intermediaries. Our theory begins by explaining why an organization can improve its power position by acquiring partners that have direct advantages over it. We then propose the construct of indirect disadvantage to explain why an organization is motivated to acquire other partners that have advantages over its powerful partners. We further predict that the organization is motivated to acquire non‐partners to gain two‐step leverage over powerful partners. Finally, we theorize that the total indirect disadvantage of an organization relative to all partners negatively influences its performance. Using an extensive dataset on American businesses (1997–2007), we find strong support for our theory at both industry‐industry and firm‐industry levels.Managerial SummaryPowerful buyers and suppliers are major influencers of the bottom line. This study develops a new theory to explain how to deal with them effectively, especially through mergers and acquisitions. In addition to considering powerful exchange partners as acquisition targets, firms can seek to exercise indirect influence over them through others. Acquiring other partners or non‐partners that have control over powerful buyers and suppliers is often feasible and effective in dealing with those organizations and improving the firm's financial position. Our analysis of a very large sample of American businesses over a decade not only provides clear evidence that supports our theory but also highlights the substantial competitive advantages enjoyed by firms that exercise indirect sources of influence over major exchange partners.
Combined Effects of Electric Stimulation and Microgrooves in Cardiac Tissue‐on‐a‐Chip for Drug Screening
Authors: Ren Li , Zhou Xingwu , Nasiri Rohollah , Fang Jun , Jiang Xing , Wang Canran , Qu Moyuan , Ling Haonan , Chen Yihang , Xue Yumeng , Hartel Martin C. , Tebon Peyton , Zhang Shiming , Kim Han‐Jun , Yuan Xichen , Shamloo Amir , Dokmeci Mehmet Remzi , Li Song , Khademhosseini Ali , Ahadian Samad , Sun Wujin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAnimal models and traditional cell cultures are essential tools for drug development. However, these platforms can show striking discrepancies in efficacy and side effects when compared to human trials. These differences can lengthen the drug development process and even lead to drug withdrawal from the market. The establishment of preclinical drug screening platforms that have higher relevancy to physiological conditions is desirable to facilitate drug development. Here, a heart‐on‐a‐chip platform, incorporating microgrooves and electrical pulse stimulations to recapitulate the well‐aligned structure and synchronous beating of cardiomyocytes (CMs) for drug screening, is reported. Each chip is made with facile lithographic and laser‐cutting processes that can be easily scaled up to high‐throughput format. The maturation and phenotypic changes of CMs cultured on the heart‐on‐a‐chip is validated and it can be treated with various drugs to evaluate cardiotoxicity and cardioprotective efficacy. The heart‐on‐a‐chip can provide a high‐throughput drug screening platform in preclinical drug development.