bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Survival Among Patients With Organ Metastatic Cervical Cancer
Authors: Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Shirakawa Akira , Yoshida Kosuke , Tamauchi Satoshi , Suzuki Shiro , Kikkawa Fumitaka , Kajiyama Hiroaki 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study was conducted to investigate the prognostic significance of sarcopenia in patients with organ metastatic cervical cancer.MethodsAccordingly, the data of 40 patients with organ metastatic cervical cancer treated at our institute from December 2004 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and survival was then evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Psoas muscle index (PMI), calculated from the psoas muscle area at the L3 vertebral‐body level using computed tomography images obtained for pretreatment evaluation, was adopted as an index of sarcopenia.ResultsThe median follow‐up period was 14 months (range, 1–91 months). Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed a 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate of 46.1% and 35.8% for all patients, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve maximizing the area under the curve showed that the optimal PMI for predicting 1‐year survival was 3.72 cm2/m2. Patients with a PMI > 3.72 cm2/m2 had significantly better OS than those with a PMI ≤ 3.72 cm2/m2 (P = .046). Multivariate analysis revealed that only PMI was significantly associated with OS in patients with organ metastatic cervical cancer. Furthermore, patients with a PMI > 3.72 cm2/m2 who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) had a longer OS than those receiving other therapies (P < .001).ConclusionsHigh PMI was determined to be a favorable prognostic factor for patients with organ metastatic cervical cancer. Moreover, patients with organ metastatic cervical cancer who have a PMI > 3.72 cm2/m2 may benefit from CCRT as an initial treatment.
2.0 μm Laser Transmission Welding
Authors: Fuhrberg Peter , Ahrens Anja , Schkutow Andreas , Frick Thomas 
Published: April 2020

Abstract2.0 μm fiber lasers provide a high beam quality and a high‐power output, which makes them ideal for welding and cutting a wide variety of commercially used plastics, as well as marking plastics, metals or even food. At 2.0 μm wavelength the intrinsic absorption of most thermoplastics is high enough to weld or cut without applying any absorbent additives or coatings. Compared to commonly used near‐infrared systems, welding with 2.0 μm lasers can improve heat distribution and gap bridging and enable transmission welding for challenging materials.
Abnormal gut microbiota composition is associated with experimental autoimmune prostatitis‐induced depressive‐like behaviors in mice
Authors: Du He‐Xi , Liu Yi , Zhang Li‐Gang , Zhan Chang‐Sheng , Chen Jing , Zhang Meng , Chen Xian‐Guo , Zhang Li , Liang Chao‐Zhao 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundDepressive symptoms are found in approximately 78% of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) patients, but the pathological mechanisms remain unknown. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal gut microbiota may play an important role in depression. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether gut microbiota contributes to CP/CPPS‐associated depression by using a mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP).MethodsMale nonobese diabetic mice were immunized twice by subcutaneous injection of prostate antigen and adjuvant. Behavioral tests consisted of an open field test, sucrose preference test, forced swimming tests, and tail suspension test was used to confirm the depression‐like symptoms that were induced by EAP. Then, fecal samples were collected, and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed to detect differences in gut microbiota composition between control and EAP group. Additionally, fecal bacteria from the control and EAP mice were transplanted into antibiotics‐induced pseudo‐germ‐free mice to investigate the effects on host behaviors and the composition of gut bacteria.ResultsEAP was successfully established and exhibited depressive‐like behaviors in mice. The 16S rRNA analysis of fecal samples indicated the abnormal composition of gut microbiota in the EAP mice compared to the control mice. In the fecal microbiota transplant study, antibiotics‐treated pseudo‐germ‐free mice presented depressive states as compared to naïve mice. Fecal bacteria transplant from EAP mice, but not from control mice, into the pseudo‐germ‐free mice, significantly exaggerated host depression‐like behaviors. Moreover, fecal bacteria transplants from control and EAP mice induced distinct alterations in α‐diversity and β‐diversity indices. In all, 24 bacteria at six phylogenetic levels were remarkably changed by the fecal bacteria transplantation.ConclusionsAbnormal gut microbiota composition after EAP induction may contribute to the development of depression in mice. A therapeutic strategy that targets gut microbiota may provide an alternative treatment for alleviating this condition.
Jet latitude regimes and the predictability of the North Atlantic Oscillation
Authors: Strommen Kristian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn recent years, numerical weather prediction models have begun to show notable levels of skill at predicting the average winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) when initialised one month ahead. At the same time, these model predictions exhibit unusually low signal‐to‐noise ratios, in what has been dubbed a ‘signal‐to‐noise paradox’. We analyse both the skill and signal‐to‐noise ratio of the Integrated Forecast System (IFS), the European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model, in an ensemble hindcast experiment. Specifically, we examine the contribution to both from the regime dynamics of the North Atlantic eddy‐driven jet. This is done by constructing a statistical model which captures the predictability inherent to the trimodal jet latitude system, and fitting its parameters to reanalysis and IFS data. Predictability in this regime system is driven by interannual variations in the persistence of the jet latitude regimes, which determine the preferred state of the jet. We show that the IFS has skill at predicting such variations in persistence: because the position of the jet strongly influences the NAO, this automatically generates skill at predicting the NAO. We show that all of the skill the IFS has at predicting the winter NAO over the period 1980–2010 can be attributed to its skill at predicting regime persistence in this way. Similarly, the tendency of the IFS to underestimate regime persistence can account for the low signal‐to‐noise ratio, giving a possible explanation for the signal‐to‐noise paradox. Finally, we examine how external forcing drives variability in jet persistence, and highlight the role played by transient baroclinic eddy feedbacks to modulate regime persistence.
Theoretical infrared spectrum of the ethanol hexamer
Authors: Malloum Alhadji , Fifen Jean J. , Conradie Jeanet 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe hydrogen bond network of ethanol clusters is among the most complex hydrogen bond networks of molecular clusters. One of the reasons of its complexity arises from the number of possible ethanol monomers (there are three isoenergetic isomers of the ethanol monomer). This leads to difficulties in the exploration of potential energy surfaces (PESs) of ethanol clusters. In this work, we have explored the PES of the ethanol hexamer at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level of theory. We have provided structures and their relative stability at 0 K and for temperatures ranging from 20 to 400 K in the gas phase. These structures are used to compute the theoretical infrared (IR) spectrum of the ethanol hexamer at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level of theory. As a result, 98 different structures have been investigated, and six isomers are reported to be the most isoenergetically stable structures of the ethanol hexamer. These isomers are folded cyclic structures in which the stability is enhanced by the implication of CH⋯O interactions. Our investigations show that the PES of the ethanol hexamer is very flat, yielding several isoenergetic structures. Furthermore, we have noted that several isomers contribute to the population of the ethanol hexamer at high temperatures. As far as the IR spectroscopic study is concerned, we have found that the IR spectra of the most stable structures are in good agreement with the experiment. Considering this agreement, these structures are used to assign the experimental peaks in the CH‐stretching region. We concluded that the stability of the structures of the ethanol hexamer is related both to OH⋯O hydrogen bonds and CH⋯O interactions. Overall, we have found that the IR spectrum of the ethanol hexamer, calculated from the contribution of all the possible stable structures weighted by their probability, excellently reproduce the experimental spectrum of the ethanol hexamer.
In Search of the Meaning and Purpose of 21st‐Century Literacy Learning: A Critical Review of Research and Practice
Authors: Mirra Nicole , Garcia Antero 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn response to widespread interest in 21st‐century learning across the educational landscape, the authors explored the extent to which the concept possesses clear definition and coherent meaning within both research discourse and K–12 classroom practice in the United States, particularly with regard to conceptualizations and enactments of literacy. This research review offers descriptive data about the subject areas and grade levels in which 21st‐century learning efforts are concentrated, analyzes the literacy frameworks employed to guide pedagogy, and describes instructional practices most frequently associated with the concept. Further, this research review explores the role of digital tools in the enactment of 21st‐century learning, including how often teachers are leveraging the collaborative and interactive affordances of those tools. By leveraging a critical analytic framework, findings indicate a dearth of classroom‐based research emphasizing democratic engagement and equity within 21st‐century learning, as well as a hesitancy to use digital literacies to connect with wider publics. Analysis suggests a weakly defined understanding of what literacy learning in the 21st century means in classrooms today, which speaks to the need for a stronger focus on social futures.
Impacts ofSpartina alterniflorainvasion on soil inorganic carbon in coastal wetlands in China
Authors: Yang Ren‐Min , Yang Fan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBiological invasion has profoundly influenced coastal soil reservoirs of carbon. Previous carbon studies regarding biological invasion in coastal wetlands mainly focused on soil organic carbon; however, little is known about the mechanisms that control soil inorganic carbon (SIC, e.g., carbonates) variation. In order to explore our understanding, we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate controlling mechanisms of SIC in response toSpartina alterniflora(Loisel) invasion in the east‐central China coast, where there is a lack of native salt marsh species. A space‐for‐time substitution method was used to identify sampling sites, assuming it has the capability to quantify the soil‐vegetation relationship along a gradient of the increasingS. alternifloraage (17 year). The results showed that soil inorganic carbon density (SICD) at the 0.3–0.6 m depth exhibited a decline underS. alterniflorainvasion, while there was no substantial change at the depths of 0–0.3 m and 0.6–1 m. The majority of the variances in SICD changes could be explained byS. alterniflorainvasion and key soil physicochemical variables. In SEM,S. alterniflorainvasion, soil water content, and soil texture presented direct influence on SICD throughout the soil profile (i.e., to 1 m depth). Soil salinity presented direct influence on SICD in the upper 0.6 m soil, while pH played an important role in the depth of 0.6–1 m. These results highlight that dynamics of SIC processes are probably controlled by interactions amongS. alterniflorainvasion and key soil physicochemical variables.
Mechanistische Narrative als Mittel der Dissemination: das Beispiel koronarer Technologien
Authors: Donner-Banzhoff Norbert 
Published: April 2020

ZusammenfassungViele medizinische Technologien kommen großflächig zum Einsatz, obwohl empirische Belege zur Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit fehlen. Beispielsweise werden perkutane koronare Interventionen (PCI) häufig bei der chronisch stabilen koronaren Herzerkrankung (KHK) eingesetzt, ohne dass dafür ausreichend Studienevidenz vorliegt. Diese Situation wirft die Frage auf, auf welcher Basis diese Technologien verbreitet und von den Menschen akzeptiert werden.Studien zur ärztlichen Kommunikation über die Wirksamkeit von koronaren Interventionen zeigen, dass stark vereinfachende Narrative hierbei eine große Rolle spielen. In diesem Diskussionsbeitrag soll erörtert werden, inwieweit spezifische Narrative zur Verbreitung von Technologien beitragen.Fachliche Kommunikation einschließlich der Aus- und Fortbildung hat überwiegend die Form von Narrativen. In der Medizin zeichnen sich diese aus durch eine 1) extreme Vereinfachung, 2) Reduktion auf biologische Prozesse, 3) deterministische Struktur, 4) starke moralische Komponente. Diese Narrative sind grundsätzlich tendenziös; bei Interventionen zeichnen sie ein im Vergleich zur empirischen Evidenz überoptimistisches Bild von Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit. Auch wenn es sich um moderne Technologien handelt, entsprechen die begleitenden Erzählungen teils archaischen Mythen.Vermutlich sind ein Überzeugen und Lehren ganz ohne die narrative Struktur nicht möglich. Angehörige von Gesundheitsprofessionen, aber auch Patientinnen und Patienten sowie die allgemeine Öffentlichkeit müssen sich jedoch klar darüber sein, welches Verzerrungs- und Manipulationspotenzial mit dieser Form der Kommunikation gegeben ist.
Modulation of soleus muscle H-reflexes and ankle muscle co-contraction with surface compliance during unipedal balancing in young and older adults
Authors: Alizadehsaravi Leila , Bruijn Sjoerd M. , Maas Huub , van Dieën Jaap H. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to assess modulation of lower leg muscle reflex excitability and co-contraction during unipedal balancing on compliant surfaces in young and older adults. Twenty healthy adults (ten aged 18–30 years and ten aged 65–80 years) were recruited. Soleus muscle H-reflexes were elicited by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve, while participants stood unipedally on a robot-controlled balance platform, simulating different levels of surface compliance. In addition, electromyographic data (EMG) of soleus (SOL), tibialis anterior (TA), and peroneus longus (PL) and full-body 3D kinematic data were collected. The mean absolute center of mass velocity was determined as a measure of balance performance. Soleus H-reflex data were analyzed in terms of the amplitude related to the M wave and the background EMG activity 100 ms prior to the stimulation. The relative duration of co-contraction was calculated for soleus and tibialis anterior, as well as for peroneus longus and tibialis anterior. Center of mass velocity was significantly higher in older adults compared to young adults ($$p<0.001)$$

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0.001
)

and increased with increasing surface compliance in both groups ($$p<0.001)$$

p
<
0.001
)

. The soleus H-reflex gain decreased with surface compliance in young adults $$(p= 0.003)$$

(
p
=
0.003
)

, while co-contraction increased $${(p}_{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{L},\mathrm{T}\mathrm{A}}=0.003\ \mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}\ {p}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{L},\mathrm{T}\mathrm{A}}<0.001)$$

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0.003

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d

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. Older adults did not show such modulations, but showed overall lower H-reflex gains $$(p<0.001)$$

(
p
<
0.001
)

and higher co-contraction than young adults $${(p}_{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{L},\mathrm{T}\mathrm{A}}<0.001\ \mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}\ {p}_{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{L},\mathrm{T}\mathrm{A}}=0.002)$$

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. These results suggest an overall shift in balance control from the spinal level to supraspinal levels in older adults, which also occurred in young adults when balancing at more compliant surfaces.
Contribution of mechanosensitive channels to osmoadaptation and ectoine excretion in Halomonas elongata
Authors: Vandrich Jasmina , Pfeiffer Friedhelm , Alfaro-Espinoza Gabriela , Kunte Hans Jörg 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFor osmoadaptation the halophilic bacterium Halomonas elongata synthesizes as its main compatible solute the aspartate derivative ectoine. H. elongata does not rely entirely on synthesis but can accumulate ectoine by uptake from the surrounding environment with the help of the osmoregulated transporter TeaABC. Disruption of the TeaABC-mediated ectoine uptake creates a strain that is constantly losing ectoine to the medium. However, the efflux mechanism of ectoine in H. elongata is not yet understood. H. elongata possesses four genes encoding mechanosensitive channels all of which belong to the small conductance type (MscS). Analysis by qRT-PCR revealed a reduction in transcription of the mscS genes with increasing salinity. The response of H. elongata to hypo- and hyperosmotic shock never resulted in up-regulation but rather in down-regulation of mscS transcription. Deletion of all four mscS genes created a mutant that was unable to cope with hypoosmotic shock. However, the knockout mutant grew significantly faster than the wildtype at high salinity of 2 M NaCl, and most importantly, still exported 80% of the ectoine compared to the wildtype. We thus conclude that a yet unknown system, which is independent of mechanosensitive channels, is the major export route for ectoine in H. elongata.
Direct Processing of Structural Thermoplastic Composites Using Rapid Isothermal Stamp Forming
Authors: Reynolds N. , Awang-Ngah S. , Williams G. , Hughes D. J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA novel rapid isothermal stamp forming process is proposed which enables the rapid manufacture of structural thermoplastic composite laminate parts directly from multilayer hybrid fabrics comprising stitched unidirectional carbon fibre-thermoplastic polymer veil. The process employs rapid-response variothermal tooling, allowing macro-scale (fabric forming/draping) and micro-scale (fibre wetting/laminate consolidation) composite material transformation processes to occur isothermally above the constituent polymer matrix melt temperature (Tm), thus manufacturing a composite component directly from a hybrid dry fabric in a single press cycle in a relatively short overall cycle time. The proposed rapid isothermal stamp forming (RISF) concept is presented, and details of the process are given along with some considerations made throughout the formulation of the process. As a result of the RISF process development work, candidate manufacturing parameters were derived, delivering parts that exhibit acceptable composite laminate microstructure and mechanical performance within a press station cycle time of 330 s.
The rise of a large carnivore population in Central Europe: genetic evaluation of lynx reintroduction in the Harz Mountains
Authors: Mueller Sarah Ashley , Reiners Tobias Erik , Middelhoff Tomma Lilli , Anders Ole , Kasperkiewicz Anna , Nowak Carsten 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLarge carnivores have made a successful comeback across human-dominated landscapes in Central Europe. The Eurasian lynx, for instance, has been actively reintroduced in different regions. Genetic diversity is quickly eroding in these isolated, small populations, questioning the long-term success of lynx reintroductions. To track population development and genetic diversity in a reintroduced lynx population, we used microsatellite analysis and mtDNA haplotyping based on 379 samples collected during the initial 15 year period of lynx reintroduction in the Harz mountains National Park, Germany. The Harz lynx population shows higher genetic diversity relative to other lynx reintroductions, due to initial cross-breeding of divergent captive source lineages and a comparably high founder size. While the population shows significant population growth and spread into adjacent regions, genetic diversity is continiously declining. Expected heterozygosity values dropped from 0.63 after reintroduction (2006/2007) to 0.55 within a 10 year period. Despite this, the Harz lynx population is currently a viable component to an envisioned lynx metapopulation spanning across Central Europe. The ongoing genetic erosion in the Harz population along with a lack of geneflow from adjacent populations indicates that such connectivity is urgently needed to ensure long-term population persistence.
The entrepreneurial finance markets of the future: a comparison of crowdfunding and initial coin offerings
Authors: Block Joern H. , Groh Alexander , Hornuf Lars , Vanacker Tom , Vismara Silvio 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEntrepreneurial finance markets are in a dynamic state. New market niches and players have developed and continue to emerge. The rules of the game and the methods for receiving financial backing have changed in many ways. This editorial and the special issue of Small Business Economics focus on crowdfunding (CF) and initial coin offerings (ICOs), which are two distinct but important entrepreneurial finance market segments of the future. Although the two market segments initially appear to be similar, we identify differences between them. Our comparison focuses on the stakeholders, microstructures, regulatory environments, and development of the markets. We conclude with suggestions for future ICO and CF research.
The Application of Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering to Investigate Hydrogen Diffusion in an Iron-Based Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst
Authors: Davidson Alisha L. , Webb Paul B. , Silverwood Ian P. , Lennon David 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIron-based Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts evolve in situ on exposure to synthesis gas (CO & H2) forming a mixture of iron oxides, iron carbides and carbonaceous deposits. Recently, the application of inelastic neutron scattering has shown the progressive formation of a hydrocarbonaceous overlayer during this catalyst conditioning period. The evolving nature of the catalyst alters the proportion of phases present within the catalyst, which may influence the transport of hydrogen within the reaction system. Preliminary quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) measurements are used to investigate hydrogen diffusion within an un-promoted iron FTS catalyst that has experienced varying levels of time-on-stream (0, 12 and 24 h) of ambient pressure CO hydrogenation at 623 K. Measurements on the catalyst samples in the absence of hydrogen show the unreacted sample (t = 0 h) to exhibit little increase in motion over the temperature range studied, whereas the t = 12 and 24 h samples exhibit a pronounced change in motion with temperature. The contrast is attributed to the presence of the afore-mentioned hydrocarbonaceous overlayer. Measurements on the samples in the presence of liquid hydrogen show hydrogen diffusional characteristics to be modified as a function of the catalyst conditioning process but, due to the complexity of the evolving catalyst matrix, the hydrogen motion cannot be attributed to a particular phase or component of the catalyst. Problems in the use of hydrogen as a probe molecule in this instance are briefly considered. Coincident neutron diffraction studies undertaken alongside the QENS measurements confirm the transition from hematite pre-catalyst to that of Hägg carbide during the course of extended times-on-stream.