bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Patient‐Reported Swelling and Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Defined Effusion‐Synovitis in Patients With Meniscus Tears and Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: MacFarlane Lindsey A. , Yang Heidi , Collins Jamie E. , Guermazi Ali , Mandl Lisa A. , Levy Bruce A. , Marx Robert G. , Safran‐Norton Clare E. , Losina Elena , Katz Jeffrey N. ,   the Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research Investigator Group
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveSynovitis is a prevalent feature in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and meniscal tear and is associated with pain and cartilage damage. Patient‐reported swelling is also prevalent in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the cross‐sectional association between patient‐reported swelling and effusion‐synovitis detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with OA and meniscal tear.MethodsWe used baseline data from a multicenter, randomized controlled trial, Meniscal Tear in Osteoarthritis Research (METEOR). MRI‐identified effusion‐synovitis, a proxy for effusion and synovitis on noncontrast MRIs, was graded as none/small versus medium/large. Using MRI‐identified effusion‐synovitis as the gold standard, we assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of patient self‐reported swelling in the previous week (none, intermittent, constant) to detect effusion and synovitis.ResultsWe analyzed data from 276 patients. Twenty‐five percent of patients reported no swelling, 40% had intermittent swelling, and 36% had constant swelling. Fifty‐two percent had MRI‐identified medium/large–grade effusion‐synovitis. As compared with MRI‐identified effusion‐synovitis, any patient‐reported swelling (versus none) had a sensitivity of 84% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 77–89), a specificity of 34% (95% CI 26–43), and a positive predictive value of 57% (95% CI 54–61). A history of constant swelling (versus none or intermittent) showed a sensitivity of 46% (95% CI 37–54), a specificity of 75% (95% CI 67–82), and a positive predictive value of 66% (95% CI 58–74).ConclusionWe found that the sensitivity and specificity of patient‐reported swelling were modest when compared with effusion‐synovitis detected by MRI. These data urge caution against using patient‐reported swelling as a proxy of inflammation manifesting as effusion‐synovitis.
Aniline Catalysed Hydrazone Formation Reactions Show a Large Variation in Reaction Rates and Catalytic Effects
Authors: Trausel Fanny , Fan Bowen , van Rossum Susan A. P. , van Esch Jan H. , Eelkema Rienk 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHydrazone formation reactions from aldehydes and hydrazides have the remarkable qualities that they proceed in water and the kinetics can be controlled by organocatalysis. For these reasons, this class of reactions finds widespread use in biological as well as material settings. We recently reported a protected aniline catalyst for hydrazone formation that can be activated using a chemical signal. In our search to find a suitable hydrazone formation reaction to investigate the activation of this pro‐catalyst, we found a wide variety in reaction rates and response to catalysis. Here we report an overview of hydrazone formation reactions, their reaction rates and response to aniline catalysis, their compatibility for kinetic analysis by UV/Vis spectroscopy, and their compatibility with the reaction environment and with the pro‐catalyst pro‐aniline.magnified image
Theoretical Development of Near‐Infrared Bioluminescent Systems
Authors: Cheng Yuan‐Yuan , Liu Ya‐Jun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe luciferin/luciferase system of the firefly has been used in bioluminescent imaging to monitor biological processes. In order to enhance the efficiency and expand the application range, some efforts have been made to tune the light emission, especially the effort to obtain NIR light. However, those case‐by‐case studies have not together revealed the nature and mechanism of the color tuning. In this paper, we theoretically investigated the fluorescence of all kinds of typical oxyluciferin analogues. The present systematical modifications of both oxyluciferin and luciferase indicate that the essential factor affecting the emission color is the charge distribution (or the electric dipole moment) on the oxyluciferin, which impacts on the charge transfer to form the light emitter and, subsequently, influence the strength and wavelength of the emission light. More negative charge distributed on the “thiazolone moiety” of the oxyluciferin or its analogues leads to a redshift. Based on this conclusion, we theoretically designed optimal pairs of luciferin analogue and luciferase for emitting NIR light, which could inspire new synthetic procedures and practical applications.
Charge and Potential Balancing for Optimized Capacitive Deionization Using Lignin‐Derived, Low‐Cost Activated Carbon Electrodes
Authors: Zornitta Rafael Linzmeyer , Srimuk Pattarachai , Lee Juhan , Krüner Benjamin , Aslan Mesut , Ruotolo Luis Augusto Martins , Presser Volker 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLignin‐derived carbon is introduced as a promising electrode material for water desalination by using capacitive deionization (CDI). Lignin is a low‐cost precursor that is obtained from the cellulose and ethanol industries, and we used carbonization and subsequent KOH activation to obtain highly porous carbon. CDI cells with a pair of lignin‐derived carbon electrodes presented an initially high salt adsorption capacity but rapidly lost their beneficial desalination performance. To capitalize on the high porosity of lignin‐derived carbon and to stabilize the CDI performance, we then used asymmetric electrode configurations. By using electrodes of the same material but with different thicknesses, the desalination performance was stabilized through reduction of the potential at the positive electrode. To enhance the desalination capacity further, we used cell configurations with different materials for the positive and negative electrodes. The best performance was achieved by a cell with lignin‐derived carbon as a negative electrode and commercial activated carbon as a positive electrode. Thereby, a maximum desalination capacity of 18.5 mg g−1 was obtained with charge efficiency over 80 % and excellent performance retention over 100 cycles. The improvements were related to the difference in the potential of zero charge between the electrodes. Our work shows that an asymmetric cell configuration is a powerful tool to adapt otherwise inappropriate CDI electrode materials.
Pacific Decadal and El Niño oscillations shape survival of a seabird
Authors: Champagnon Jocelyn , Lebreton Jean‐Dominique , Drummond Hugh , Anderson David J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUnderstanding and modeling population change is urgently needed to predict effects of climate change on biodiversity. High trophic‐level organisms are influenced by fluctuations of prey quality and abundance, which themselves may depend on climate oscillations. Modeling effects of such fluctuations is challenging because prey populations may vary with multiple climate oscillations occurring at different time scales. The analysis of a 28‐yr time series of capture–recapture data of a tropical seabird, the Nazca Booby (Sula granti), in the Galápagos, Ecuador, allowed us to test for demographic effects of two major ocean oscillations occurring at distinct time‐scales: the inter‐annual El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and inter‐decadal oscillations. As expected for a tropical seabird, survival of fledgling birds was highly affected by extreme ENSO events; by contrast, neither recruitment nor breeding participation were affected by either ENSO or decadal oscillations. More interesting, adult survival, a demographic trait that canalizes response to environmental variations, was unaffected by inter‐annual ENSO oscillations yet was shaped by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and small pelagic fish regime. Adult survival decreased during oceanic conditions associated with higher breeding success, an association probably mediated in this species by costs of reproduction that reduce survival when breeding attempts end later. To our knowledge, this is the first study suggesting that survival of a vertebrate can be vulnerable to a natural multidecadal oscillation.
Interactive effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning
Authors: Pires Aliny P. F. , Srivastava Diane S. , Marino Nicholas A. C. , MacDonald A. Andrew M. , Figueiredo‐Barros Marcos Paulo , Farjalla Vinicius F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractClimate change and biodiversity loss are expected to simultaneously affect ecosystems, however research on how each driver mediates the effect of the other has been limited in scope. The multiple stressor framework emphasizes non‐additive effects, but biodiversity may also buffer the effects of climate change, and climate change may alter which mechanisms underlie biodiversity–function relationships. Here, we performed an experiment using tank bromeliad ecosystems to test the various ways that rainfall changes and litter diversity may jointly determine ecological processes. Litter diversity and rainfall changes interactively affected multiple functions, but how depends on the process measured. High litter diversity buffered the effects of altered rainfall on detritivore communities, evidence of insurance against impacts of climate change. Altered rainfall affected the mechanisms by which litter diversity influenced decomposition, reducing the importance of complementary attributes of species (complementarity effects), and resulting in an increasing dependence on the maintenance of specific species (dominance effects). Finally, altered rainfall conditions prevented litter diversity from fueling methanogenesis, because such changes in rainfall reduced microbial activity by 58%. Together, these results demonstrate that the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on ecosystems cannot be understood in isolation and interactions between these stressors can be multifaceted.
Photosynthetic tolerance to non‐resource stress influences competition importance and intensity in an invaded estuary
Authors: Tang Long , Wolf Amelia A. , Gao Yang , Wang Cheng Huan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn an attempt to clarify the role of environmental and biotic interactions on plant growth, there has been a long‐running ecological debate over whether the intensity and importance of competition stabilizes, increases or decreases across environmental gradients. We conducted an experiment in a Chinese estuary to investigate the effects of a non‐resource stress gradient, soil salinity (from 1.4‰ to 19.0‰ salinity), on the competitive interactions between native Phragmites australis and invasive Spartina alterniflora. We linked these effects to measurements of photosynthetic activities to further elucidate the underlying physiological mechanism behind the competitive interactions and the driver of invasion. The experiments revealed that while biomass of both species decreased in the presence of the other, competition did not alter photosynthetic activity of either species over time. P. australis exhibited high photosynthetic activity, including low chlorophyllase activity, high chlorophyll content, high stomatal conductance and high net photosynthetic rate, at low salinity. Under these conditions, P. australis experienced low competitive intensity, leading to high biomass production and competitive exclusion of S. alterniflora. The opposite was observed for S. alterniflora: while competitive intensity experienced by P. australis increased with increasing salinity, and photosynthetic activity, biomass, competitive dominance and the importance of competition for P. australis growth decreased, those of S. alterniflora were stable. These findings demonstrate that S. alterniflora invasion driven by competitive exclusion are likely to occur and expand in high salinity zones. The change in the nature of competition along a non‐resource stress gradient differs between competitors likely due to differences in photosynthetic tolerance to salinity. The driver of growth of the less‐tolerant species changes from competition to non‐resource stress factors with increasing stress levels, whereas competition is constantly important for growth of the more‐tolerant species. Incorporating metrics of both competition intensity and importance, as well as linking these competitive outcomes with physiological mechanisms, is crucial to understanding, predicting, and mediating the effects of invasive species in the future.
Study on the investment timing of carbon capture and storage under different business modes
Authors: Wang Xiping , Qie Shaoyuan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper, the optimal investment timing decision in carbon capture and storage (CCS) is studied under different business modes. Two analytical models of the optimal CCS investment threshold are presented: one is the ‘single mode,’ meaning that CCS investment is performed only by the power producer; the other is the ‘cooperation mode,’ referring to CCS investment can be conducted by cooperation between the power producer and the CCS operator. In the single mode, this study pictures the investment decision for a CCS project based on real options theory considering uncertainties in carbon prices, government incentives, and CCS investment costs. On this basis, a model for the cooperation mode is proposed by integrating real options theory and game theory to analyze the CCS investment threshold. The results of a numerical example show that CCS investment in cooperation mode requires a much larger threshold than in single mode. Moreover, the CCS investment threshold is positively affected by carbon price volatility and the transfer payments coefficients, but negatively affected by government incentives and learning effects. These conclusions provide a theoretical foundation for decision making regarding CCS investment and related policy making. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective removal of calcified deposits on microstructured titanium fixture surfaces of dental implants with erbium lasers
Authors: Takagi Toru , Aoki Akira , Ichinose Shizuko , Taniguchi Yoichi , Tachikawa Noriko , Shinoki Takeshi , Meinzer Walter , Sculean Anton , Izumi Yuichi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecently, the occurrence of peri‐implantitis has been increasing. However, a suitable method to debride the contaminated surface of titanium implants has not been established. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphologic changes of the microstructured fixture surface after erbium laser irradiation, and to clarify the effects of the erbium lasers when used to remove calcified deposits from implant fixture surfaces.MethodsIn experiment 1, sandblasted, large grit, acid etched surface implants were treated with Er:YAG laser or Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 30 to 60 mJ/pulse and 20 Hz with water spray. In experiments 2 and 3, the effects of erbium lasers used to remove calcified deposits (artificially prepared deposits on virgin implants and natural calculus on failed implants) were investigated and compared with mechanical debridement using either a titanium curette or cotton pellets. After the various debridement methods, all specimens were analyzed by stereomicroscopy (SM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS).ResultsStereomicroscopy and SEM showed that erbium lasers with optimal irradiation parameters did not influence titanium microstructures. Compared with mechanical debridement, erbium lasers were more capable of removing calcified deposits on the microstructured surface without surface alteration using a noncontact sweeping irradiation at 40 mJ/pulse (ED 14.2 J/cm2/pulse) and 20 Hz with water spray.ConclusionThese results indicate that Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers are more advantageous in removing calcified deposits on the microstructured surface of titanium implants without inducing damage, compared to mechanical therapy by cotton pellet or titanium curette.
Gallbladder carcinoma: An analysis of the national cancer data base to examine hispanic influence
Authors: Liu Chrissy , Berger Nicholas G. , Rein Lisa , Tarima Sergey , Clarke Callisia , Mogal Harveshp , Christians Kathleen K. , Tsai Susan , Gamblin T. Clark 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundGallbladder cancer (GBC) is a lethal disease with high incidence among Hispanics. Overall survival (OS) among races/ethnicities has not been described using the most recent National Cancer Database. This study hypothesized that prognosis is worse for Hispanics compared to similar non‐Hispanic populations.MethodsPatients with GBC were identified from the National Cancer Database and categorized as White, Black, Hispanic, and Other. Descriptive statistics, OS, and Cox regression were examined.ResultsThe study identified 12 952 patients. Median age was 71 years and 68.8% were female. The study characterized 69.8% White, 13.9% Black, 11.0% Hispanic, and 5.4% other patients. A 5‐year OS curves differed, with survival highest in Hispanic patients (27% vs 23% Other, 18% White, and 17% Black, P < 0.001). Hispanics presented at younger ages (67 vs 72 years, P < 0.001), were more likely to be uninsured (17.3% vs 3.9% P < 0.001), had lower income (P < 0.001), and education levels (P < 0.001) compared to Whites. Following multivariable modeling, treatment at an academic facility (HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.84‐0.97) and year of diagnosis (HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.88‐0.92) related to survival. Hispanic ethnicity did not show significance (P = 0.207).DiscussionHispanic ethnicity exhibits the highest OS for GBC, but after adjusting for covariates, this influence is not significant.
Complete Posterior Sagittal Anorectal Mobilization (PSAM): A new surgical approach for pediatric pelvic‐perineal tumor resections
Authors: Martucciello Giuseppe , Pio Luca , Avanzini Stefano , Garaventa Alberto 
Published: May 2018

IntroductionDiffuse or massive tumors involving the perineal and pelvic compartments may require aggressive surgical treatment in children. The authors, propose and present their results using a Posterior Sagittal Anorectal Mobilization (PSAM)MethodsThe oncologic patient is placed in a prone position with the pelvis elevated, without a previous colostomy. A 10 Ch bladder catheter is positioned. A midline sagittal incision is performed from the coccyx to the posterior margin of the anus. Fine electrocautery is used to obtain an accurate dissection all around the anal margin itself. The incisional so involves the midline dissection into the perineal body. Reconstruction is achieved by the classical pelvic‐perineal anatomical structure approximation.ResultsThe authors describe for the first time a novel posterior anorectal mobilization technique for four children with pelvic‐perineal tumors. No intraoperative or post‐operative complications occurred. The oldest boy presented at follow‐up a complete normal faecal and urinary continence (Krickenbeck criteria).ConclusionThe presented technical approach, defined as PSAM, is completely suitable for surgical resection of perineal‐pelvic tumors, without the need of more invasive operations including transpubic dissection and/or anorectal split. Moreover, nervous and muscular sphincter structures are easily identified and preserved.
Evaluation of ptarmigan management with a population reconstruction model
Authors: Sturludottir Erla , Nielsen Olafur K. , Stefansson Gunnar 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTThe rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a popular game bird in Iceland, but the population has endured a long‐term decline. A hunting ban was enforced in 2003, but 2 years later hunting was allowed again with added restrictions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a change in hunting regulations on the ptarmigan population in northeast Iceland, 1998–2013, using a population reconstruction model and to estimate the abundance of juveniles and adults, natural survival, and harvest mortality. The estimated abundance at the beginning of the hunting season ranged from 42,000 (95% CI = 36,000–49,000) birds in 2002 to 158,000 (95% CI = 105,000–250,000) in 1998. The natural survival of adult rock ptarmigan was density dependent and ranged from 36% to 65% (95% CI = 30–75%). Survival for juveniles was constant and was estimated to be 19% (95% CI = 18–20%). We included a change point in the model to account for a change in the harvest mortality that could have occurred with the changes in the hunting regulations. The results indicated that the change in hunting regulations did reduce ptarmigan harvest mortality and changed the harvest strategies of hunters. Inclusion of a change point in models is useful for managers to test if a change in regulations had an effect on the target population. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Mortality of mule deer fawns in a natural gas development area
Authors: Peterson Mark E. , Anderson Charles R. , Northrup Joseph M. , Doherty Paul F. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTRecent natural gas development has caused concern among wildlife managers, researchers, and stakeholders over the potential effects on wildlife and their habitats. Specifically, understanding how this development and other factors influence mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawn (i.e., 0–6 months old) mortality rates, recruitment, and subsequently population dynamics have been identified as knowledge gaps. Thus, we tested predictions concerning the relationship between natural gas development, adult female, fawn birth, and temporal (weather) characteristics on fawn mortality in the Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorado, USA, from 2012–2014. We captured and radio‐collared 184 fawns and estimated apparent cause‐specific mortality in areas with relatively high or low levels of natural gas development using a multi‐state model. Mean daily predation probability was similar in the high versus low development areas. Predation was the leading cause of fawn mortality in both areas and decreased from 0–14 days old. Black bear (Ursus americanus; 22% of all mortalities, n = 17) and cougar (Felis concolor; 36% of all mortalities, n = 6) predation was the leading cause of mortality in the high and low development areas, respectively. Predation of fawns was negatively correlated with the distance from a female's core area to a producing well pad on winter or summer range. Contrary to expectations, predation of fawns was positively correlated with rump fat thickness of adult females. Well pad densities and development activity were relatively low during our study, indicating that the observed intensity of development did not appear to influence daily predation probability. Our results suggest maintaining development activity thresholds at levels we observed to potentially minimize the effects of development on fawn mortality. However, we caution that higher development intensity and drilling activity in flatter, less rugged areas with less concealment cover could influence fawn mortality. Managers should maintain low development densities in areas where topography and vegetation offer less concealment. Overall, region‐specific data (e.g., development intensity, topography, predator assemblages, and associated predation risk) are needed to better understand the effects of natural gas development on fawn mortality. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.