bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent Studies on Bifunctional Perovskite Electrocatalysts in Oxygen Evolution, Oxygen Reduction, and Hydrogen Evolution Reactions under Alkaline Electrolyte
Authors: Ramakrishnan Prakash , Im Hyunsik , Baek Seong‐Ho , Sohn Jung Inn 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe bifunctional electrocatalyst plays a pivotal role in renewable‐energy technologies metal‐air‐batteries and water electrolysis. The advantage of the alkaline environment allows such technologies to utilize several low‐cost and efficient non‐noble transition metal oxides. Particularly, perovskite oxides (POs) of high intrinsic catalytic activity and tunable crystal structures have shown exceptional bifunctionality characteristics in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)/OER in the aforementioned system. This review focuses on the recent advancement of POs electrocatalyst in the fundamental reaction mechanism and the key factors for the catalytic improvement. The recent issues of POs related to the catalytic inhibitor and their future directions have been comprehended.
The effect of concurrent endometriosis on the prognosis of women with ovarian clear cell or endometrioid carcinoma
Authors: Ju U Chul , Kang Woo Dae , Kim Seok Mo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate features of ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and endometrioid carcinoma (EC) by presence of endometriosis among women with endometriosis‐associated ovarian cancer (EAOC).MethodsA retrospective review of the medical records of 578 women diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer at a university hospital in Korea between July 2004 and December 2016. Clinical and prognostic features of ovarian CCC and EC were compared between women with endometriosis and those without.ResultsOvarian CCC and EC were diagnosed at an earlier FIGO stage for women with endometriosis than for those without (P=0.033). The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 77.6% vs 65.0% (P=0.038) and 80.3% vs 70.9% (P=0.048), respectively. In univariate analysis, advanced stage, higher grade, bilateral tumors, lymph node metastasis, residual tumor greater than 1 cm, and non‐concurrent endometriosis were related to shorter DFS and OS; however, residual tumor greater than 1 cm was the only independent predictor in multivariate analysis (DFS: hazard ratio (HR), 9.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.84–19.93; OS: HR, 5.07; 95% CI, 2.33–11.03). No factors affected survival after stratification by stage.ConclusionNo association was found between the presence of endometriosis and the prognosis of ovarian CCC or EC.
Defying Expectations: Representations of Youths in Young Adult Literature
Authors: Silva Arsenio F. , Savitz Rachelle S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe authors used a youth lens to interrogate representations of adolescent characters and experiences that reinforce or contradict social constructions of youths across young adult novels commonly read in secondary classrooms. The authors found examples across all 10 examined novels of adolescent characters taking on adult‐like roles, exercising emotional discipline, and/or demonstrating agency and independence in ways that challenge traditional ideas about youths and disrupt socially constructed stereotypes of adolescent/ce. The authors suggest that the youth lens, especially when applied to young adult literature, can foster critical analysis and discussion of dominant discourses about adolescents/ce, and offer their own analytic template as a scaffolding tool for secondary educators to use with students.
Fabrication of alginate modified brushite cement impregnated with antibiotic: Mechanical, thermal, and biological characterizations
Authors: Dabiri S. M. Hossein , Lagazzo Alberto , Aliakbarian Bahar , Mehrjoo Morteza , Finocchio Elisabetta , Pastorino Laura 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTreatment of postsurgical infections, associated with orthopedic surgeries, has been a major concern for orthopedics. Several strategies including systematic and local administration of antibiotics have been proposed to this regard. The present work focused on fabricating alginate (Alg) modified brushite (Bru) cements, which could address osteogeneration and local antibiotic demands. To find the proper method of drug incorporation, Gentamicin sulfate (Gen) was loaded into the samples in the form of solution or powder. Several characterization tests including compression test, morphology, cytotoxicity, and cell adhesion assays were carried out to determine the proper concentration of Alg as a modifier of the Bru cement. The results indicated that addition of 1 wt% Alg led to superior mechanical and biological properties of the cement. Moreover, Alg addition changed the morphology of the cement from plate and needle‐like structures to petal‐like structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed the successful loading of Gen on the cements, specifically when Gen solution was used, and X‐Ray Diffractometer result indicated that Gen caused a decrease in crystalline size. Furthermore, thermal analysis revealed that Gen‐loaded sample had more stable structure as the transformation temperature slightly shifted to a higher one. The stability study confirmed the chemical stability and adequate mechanical performance of the cements within 1 month of soaking time. Finally, the addition of Alg has a positive impact on the release behavior at low concentration of Gen solution so that 20% decrease within 2 weeks of release experiment was remarkably detected.
Microdamage as a Bone Quality Component: Practical Guidelines for the Two‐Dimensional Analysis of Linear Microcracks in Human Cortical Bone
Authors: Dominguez Victoria M , Agnew Amanda M 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTMicrodamage is a component of bone quality believed to play an integral role in bone health. However, comparability between existing studies is fraught with issues due to highly variable methods of sample preparation and poorly defined quantification criteria. To address these issues, this article has two aims. First, detailed methods for preparation and analysis of linear microcracks in human ribs, specifically addressing troubleshooting issues cited in previous studies, are laid out. Second, new, partially validated criteria are proposed in an effort to reduce subjective differences in microcrack counts and measures, ensuring more comparable results between studies. Revised definitions based on current literature in conjunction with a digital atlas to reduce observer inaccuracy and bias are presented. The goal is to provide a practical methodology for bone biologists and biomechanists to collect and analyze linear microcracks for basic science research. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Molecular imaging of the prostate: Comparing total sodium concentration quantification in prostate cancer and normal tissue using dedicated 13C and 23Na endorectal coils
Authors: Barrett Tristan , Riemer Frank , McLean Mary A. , Kaggie Joshua D. , Robb Fraser , Warren Anne Y. , Graves Martin J. , Gallagher Ferdia A. 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundThere has been recent interest in nonproton MRI including hyperpolarized carbon‐13 (13C) imaging. Prostate cancer has been shown to have a higher tissue sodium concentration (TSC) than normal tissue. Sodium (23Na) and 13C nuclei have a frequency difference of only 1.66 MHz at 3T, potentially enabling 23Na imaging with a 13C‐tuned coil and maximizing the metabolic information obtained from a single study.PurposeTo compare TSC measurements from a 13C‐tuned endorectal coil to those quantified with a dedicated 23Na‐tuned coil.Study TypeProspective.PopulationEight patients with biopsy‐proven, intermediate/high risk prostate cancer imaged prior to prostatectomy.Sequence3T MRI with separate dual‐tuned 1H/23Na and 1H/13C endorectal receive coils to quantify TSC.AssessmentRegions‐of‐interest for TSC quantification were defined for normal peripheral zone (PZ), normal transition zone (TZ), and tumor, with reference to histopathology maps.Statistical TestsTwo‐sided Wilcoxon rank sum with additional measures of correlation, coefficient of variation, and Bland–Altman plots to assess for between‐test differences.ResultsMean TSC for normal PZ and TZ were 39.2 and 33.9 mM, respectively, with the 23Na coil and 40.1 and 36.3 mM, respectively, with the 13C coil (P = 0.22 and P = 0.11 for the intercoil comparison, respectively). For tumor tissue, there was no statistical difference between the overall mean tumor TSC measured with the 23Na coil (41.8 mM) and with the 13C coil (46.6 mM; P = 0.38). Bland–Altman plots showed good repeatability for tumor TSC measurements between coils, with a reproducibility coefficient of 9 mM; the coefficient of variation between the coils was 12%. The Pearson correlation coefficient for TSC between coils for all measurements was r = 0.71 (r2 = 0.51), indicating a strong positive linear relationship. The mean TSC within PZ tumors was significantly higher compared with normal PZ for both the 23Na coil (45.4 mM; P = 0.02) and the 13C coil (49.4 mM; P = 0.002).Data ConclusionWe demonstrated the feasibility of using a carbon‐tuned coil to quantify TSC, enabling dual metabolic information from a single coil. This approach could make the acquisition of both 23Na‐MRI and 13C‐MRI feasible in a single clinical imaging session.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:90–97.
Isolation, identification, and characterization of diesel‐oil‐degrading bacterial strains indigenous to Changqing oil field, China
Authors: Sun Wuyang , Ali Imran , Liu Jiwei , Dai Min , Cao Wenrui , Jiang Mingyu , Saren Gaowa , Yu Xinke , Peng Changsheng , Naz Iffat 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn the present study, 12 indigenous diesel‐oil‐degrading bacteria were isolated from the petroleum‐contaminated soils of the Changqing oil field (Xi’an, China). Measurement of the diesel‐oil degradation rates of these strains by the gravimetric method revealed that they ranged from 42% to 66% within 2 weeks. The highest degradation rates were observed from strains CQ8‐1 (66%), CQ8‐2 (62.6%), and CQ11 (59%), which were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, Ochrobactrum anthropi, and Bordetella bronchialis, respectively, based on their 16S rDNA sequences. Moreover, the physiological and biochemical properties of these three strains were analyzed by Gram staining, catalase, oxidase, and Voges–Proskauer tests. Transmission electron microscopy showed that all three strains were rod shaped with flagella. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometric analyses indicated that medium‐ and long‐chain n‐alkanes in diesel oil (C11–C29) were degraded to different degrees by B. thuringiensis, O. anthropi, and B. bronchialis, and the degradation rates gradually decreased as the carbon numbers increased. Overall, the results of this study indicate strains CQ8‐1, CQ8‐2, and CQ11 might be useful for environmentally friendly and cost‐effective bioremediation of oil‐contaminated soils.
Comparison of the aridity index and its drivers in eight climatic regions in China in recent years and in future projections
Authors: Li Yanzhong , Yu Wenjun , Wang Kaiwen , Ma Xieyao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntense anthropogenic climate changes are expected to increase atmospheric aridity in the 21st century. The aridity index (AI), defined as the ratio of annual precipitation (Pre) to atmospheric evaporation (potential evapotranspiration [PET]), represents an efficient indicator of climatic changes. However, the variations and underlying drivers of AI values have not been comprehensively compared in different climatic regions. Using the AI calculated on the basis of bias‐corrected precipitation and optimized PET over the period of 1999–2017 and two climate model projections for the coming century, we investigated the response of the AI to climate change and quantified the contributions of climatic factors to AI variations in eight climatic regions in China, that is, the northwest (NW), north‐centre (NC), northeast (NE), North China Plain (NCP), east (E), southeast (SE), southwest (SW) and Tibet Plateau (TP). The results indicated that the AI values in seven of the eight climate regions exhibited negative trends from 1999 to 2017, with mean values ranging from −0.0008 in SW to −0.0414 in NC, while the AI values in the TP region showed a significant positive trend, with a value of 0.0124. Pre was the dominant factor for the variations in AI values in all climate regions, with contribution rates from 65 to 308%, followed by decreasing solar radiation in the NW, NC, E, SE and SW regions; deceasing wind speed in NE and NCP; and deceasing actual vapour pressure in the TP. The effect of increasing temperature on the AI trend was offset by other climate factors. By the end of the 21st century, under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 emission scenario, the AI will significantly increase in five of the eight regions to values approximately 16.5% higher than those during 1999–2017, and this increase in the AI will be dominated by increasing PET. Overall, the shift in the dominant AI factor from Pre in recent years to PET in the future indicates that more attention should be given to the response of the AI to global warming. Furthermore, regional differences in climate change and AI values during 2018–2,100 will inevitably influence water availability and urgently require the development of adaptation strategies for different climatic regions.
MSC Therapy for Osteoarthritis: An Unfinished Story
Authors: Barry Frank 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have firmly occupied the attention of orthopedic clinicians and scientists for most of the last 25 years. Hundreds of laboratories worldwide have carried out research aimed at unraveling the biological characteristics of these cells and probing the manner in which they potentially contribute to cartilage and bone repair. Clinical trials registries indicate that they are also being tested in patient studies for a wide range of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fracture repair, regeneration of articular cartilage, tendon repair, and for treatment of degenerative disc disease. Despite these efforts, the effectiveness of MSCs as a treatment modality for these conditions is still uncertain and market authorizations have been limited. In addition, critical and clear phenotypic parameters for defining MSCs are uncertain and a coherent biological framework surrounding the therapeutic mechanism of action is not yet available. Added to this, cell manufacturing protocols are complex and costly and present substantial challenges in terms of regulatory oversight and standardization. Despite these obstacles, MSCs still remain at the forefront of efforts in Regenerative Medicine, based on a conviction that this technology can provide an effective treatment paradigm for major diseases where there is still an unmet need. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1229–1235, 2019.
Trends in tricolored blackbird colony size: 2008 through 2017
Authors: Meehan Timothy D. , Arthur Samantha , Michel Nicole L. , Wilsey Chad B. , Langham Gary M. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTTricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) is a colonial breeder, largely restricted to grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural areas of California, USA. Tricolored blackbird abundance declined considerably during the twentieth century. Recent trends have been less clear, however, hindering efforts to evaluate the conservation needs of the species. We assessed trends in tricolored blackbird colony size using 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017 Triennial Tricolored Blackbird Statewide Survey, a community‐science effort involving hundreds of volunteer observers. After accounting for variation in observer characteristics and survey effort, we found a clear, statistically significant decrease in average colony size of approximately 5% per year, which translated to a decrease in average colony size of approximately 40% between 2008 and 2017. This decrease in colony size matches the overall decline in abundance reported in another recent study and reinforces the conclusion that tricolored blackbird is in need of protection and recovery efforts. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Northern bobwhite breeding season habitat selection in fire‐maintained pine woodland
Authors: Rosche Sarah B. , Moorman ChristopheR E. , Pacifici Krishna , Jones Jeffrey G. , DePerno Christopher S. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTDespite the acknowledged importance of prescribed fire in creating northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) breeding cover, little research has investigated bobwhite breeding season habitat selection relative to time since fire. In 2016 and 2017, we monitored radio‐tagged bobwhite on a 17,000‐ha portion of a military installation managed with frequent (every ~3 years) prescribed fires, applied during the growing and dormant seasons. We monitored bobwhite to determine which vegetation characteristics associated with prescribed burning were important to bobwhite breeding season habitat selection at the microsite (i.e., telemetry location compared to nearby random location) and the macrosite scale (i.e., the burn‐unit containing the location compared to study area availability). During 2 breeding seasons, we collected 2,315 bobwhite locations and compared percent cover of vegetation, days since burn, basal area, and distance to key landscape features (e.g., stream, wildlife opening) at a subset of microsite locations (301 locations during 2016 and 890 locations during 2017) to paired random locations. At the microsite scale, bobwhite selected lower basal area of hardwoods, greater woody understory cover, greater other (not wiregrass [Aristida stricta]) grass cover, and greater forb cover than at random points. At the macrosite scale, bobwhite selected units with <4.6 m2/ha basal area (combined hardwoods and pines) in 2016 and units with <9.2 m2/ha basal area in 2017. At the macrosite scale, bobwhite selected for areas burned in the dormant season of the same year, avoided areas burned in the growing season of the same year, and used other times since last burn categories proportionate to their availability. The selection for a low basal area at both scales indicates prescribed fire effects would be limited by shading from dense overstory, and the shrubs, grasses, and forbs that provide essential cover for bobwhite during the breeding season will not develop. In lower productivity soil regions similar to our study area, we advise that thinning operations set target basal areas below 10 m2/ha to create and maintain breeding season habitat for northern bobwhite. © 2019 The Wildlife Society
Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification‐based proteomic analysis of Puccinellia tenuiflora inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reveal stress response mechanisms in alkali‐degraded soil
Authors: Wang Yingnan , Lin Jixiang , Huang Shouchen , Zhang Liang , Zhao Wenna , Yang Chunxue 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAlkali soil is a major abiotic constraint that limits plant distribution and yield in the northeast of China. Puccinellia tenuiflora is considered the most promising grass species for salt‐alkali grassland restoration. However, there is little information on the molecular mechanisms underlying how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhances P. tenuiflora stress responses in alkali‐degraded soil. In this study, AMF colonization, growth, photosynthetic pigments, and inorganic ion contents were measured. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification‐based quantitative proteomic technology were employed to identify the differentially abundant proteins in P. tenuiflora seedlings with or without AMF under alkalinity stress. The results showed that AMF colonization increased seedling biomass, photosynthetic pigment contents, and K+/Na+ ratio under alkalinity stress. Moreover, a total of 598 proteins were significantly differentially regulated in P. tenuiflora seedlings after AMF inoculation under alkalinity stress compared with under alkalinity stress alone. The results showed that AMF inoculation significantly improved protein synthesis, reactive oxygen species scavenging, and nitrogen metabolism to promote the biosynthesis of osmotic substances in response to alkalinity stress. In addition, P. tenuiflora seedlings produced more energy to compensate for the energy loss caused by alkalinity stress after AMF inoculation. In conclusion, these findings provide new insights into the physiological mechanisms of the response to alkali‐degraded soil in P. tenuiflora seedlings with AMF and also clarify the role of AMF in the molecular regulation network of P. tenuiflora under alkalinity stress.
Body Fat Distribution and Systolic Blood Pressure in 10,000 Adults with Whole‐Body Imaging: UK Biobank and Oxford BioBank
Authors: Malden Deborah , Lacey Ben , Emberson Jonathan , Karpe Fredrik , Allen Naomi , Bennett Derrick , Lewington Sarah 
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveThis study aimed to quantify the associations of regional fat mass and fat‐free mass with systolic blood pressure.MethodsThis analysis combined individual participant data from two large‐scale imaging studies: UK Biobank and Oxford BioBank. In both studies, participants were interviewed and measured, and they underwent dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry imaging. Linear regression was used to relate systolic blood pressure to anthropometric measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio) and dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry–derived measures of body composition (visceral android fat, subcutaneous android fat, subcutaneous gynoid fat, and fat‐free mass).ResultsAmong 10,260 participants (mean age 49; 96% white), systolic blood pressure was positively associated with visceral android fat (3.2 mmHg/SD in men; 2.8 mmHg/SD in women) and fat‐free mass (1.92 mmHg/SD in men; 1.64 mmHg/SD in women), but there was no evidence of an association with subcutaneous android or gynoid fat. Associations of systolic blood pressure with BMI were slightly steeper than those with waist circumference or waist to hip ratio; these associations remained unchanged following adjustment for fat‐free mass, but adjustment for visceral android fat eliminated associations with waist circumference and waist to hip ratio and more than halved associations with BMI.ConclusionsThis analysis indicates that visceral fat is the primary etiological component of excess adiposity underlying the development of adiposity‐related hypertension.
Current treatment, particle radiotherapy, and boron neutron capture therapy for advanced oral cancer in patients
Authors: Yura Yoshiaki , Tada Shinya , Fujita Yusei , Hamada Masakazu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMalignant tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), malignant salivary gland tumor, mucosal melanoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma occur in the oral cavity. Among them, oral SCC accounts for 90%. The frequency of lymph node metastasis of oral SCC varies depending on the site of occurrence, which affects the prognosis. Surgery is the primary treatment for oral cancer, but when the tumor extends, postoperative radiation with or without chemotherapy is required. Photons including X‐rays and γ‐rays are the most widely used types of ionizing radiation in cancer radiotherapy. Particle radiotherapy using protons and carbon ions shows a highly focused dose distribution to tumor tissues. Carbon ion therapy is effective for salivary gland tumors, malignant melanomas, and sarcomas which are less susceptible to photons. Furthermore, boron neutron capture therapy with tumor selectivity is expected to further reduce damage to surrounding normal cells. The introduction of novel radiotherapy to current treatment might improve the prognosis of patients and organ preservation.