bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An amino‐based protic ionic liquid as a corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in aqueous chloride solutions
Authors: Schmitzhaus Tobias Eduardo , Ortega Vega Maria R. , Schroeder Roberto , Muller Iduvirges Lourdes , Mattedi Silvana , Malfatti Célia de Fraga
Published: January 2020

Protic ionic liquids (PILs) have shown to be promising substances as corrosion inhibitors (CIs). In line with this, the aim of this study is to study the performance and propose the corrosion inhibition mechanism of N‐methyl‐2‐hydroxyethylamine (M‐2HEAOL) and bis‐2‐hidroxyethylamine (B‐HEAOL) oleate, for mild steel, in a neutral chloride solution. Electrochemical characterization was conducted under static and hydrodynamic conditions, and it was revealed that M‐2HEAOL and B‐HEAOL worked as mixed‐type CIs with more interference on the anodic reaction. Inhibition efficiency depended on the concentration reaching 97% of inhibition efficiency in 5 mmol/L concentration. Scanning electron microscopy, optical interferometry, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy are used to elicit the chemical composition of the surface film and corrosion morphology of steel in the presence of CIs, the adsorption processes of which involved physical and chemical adsorption between metal and different parts of ionic liquids. The results allowed the proposition of a corrosion inhibition mechanism.
A novel GJB1 mutation associated with X‐linked Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease in a large Chinese family pedigree
Authors: Liu Yingdi , Xue Jinjie , Li Zhuo , Linpeng Siyuan , Tan Hu , Teng Yanling , Liang Desheng , Wu Lingqian
Published: January 2020

Background

Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease is a group of hereditary neuropathies with high phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. In this study, we report a large family with X‐linked CMT (CMTX) caused by a novel GJB1 mutation.

Methods

A family with the clinical diagnosis of CMTX was investigated. For mutation analysis, the coding region of GJB1 was sequenced using DNA from 15 family members. The identified GJB1 mutation was investigated by DHPLC in 120 normal controls. Mutation reanalysis was performed based on whole‐exome sequencing (WES). Cell transfection studies were performed to characterize the function of the novel mutation.

Results

A missense mutation (c.605T>A) in GJB1 was detected in five patients and eight female carriers but not in two unaffected members of the family. The mutation was not found in 120 healthy controls and has not been previously reported. WES excluded other pathogenic mutations in the family. The pathogenicity of the mutation was confirmed by disrupting the membrane localization of the encoded proteins.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that a novel mutation (c.605T>A) in GJB1 is associated with CMTX and adds to the repertoire of GJB1 mutations related to CMTX.
Plant‐ and Fish‐Derived n‐3 PUFAs Suppress Citrobacter Rodentium–Induced Colonic Inflammation
Authors: Määttänen Pekka , Lurz Eberhard , Botts Steven R. , Wu Richard Y. , Robinson Shaiya C. , Yeung C. William , Colas Romain , Li Bo , Johnson‐Henry Kathene C. , Surette Marc E. , Dalli Jesmond , Sherman Philip M.
Published: January 2020

Scope

Marine‐derived n‐3 PUFAs may ameliorate inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. Plant‐derived n‐3 PUFAs are thought to be inferior owing to shorter chain lengths. The aim of this study is to compare the impact of plant‐ and fish‐derived PUFAs on murine colitis.

Methods and results

C57BL/6 mice are fed high fat (36% kcal) diets with either 2.5% w/w sunflower oil (SO), flaxseed oil (FSO), ahiflower oil (AO), or fish oil (FO). After 4 weeks, mice are orogastrically challenged with Citrobacter rodentium (108 CFU) or sham gavaged. Fecal shedding is assayed at 2, 7, 10, and 14 days post infection (PI), and fecal microbiota at 14 days PI. Colonic inflammation and lipid mediators are measured. Supplementation regulates intestinal inflammation with crypt lengths being 66, 73, and 62 ±17 µm shorter (compared to SO) for FSO, AO, and FO respectively, p < 0.01. FSO blunts pathogen shedding at the peak of infection and FSO and AO both enhance fecal microbial diversity. FO attenuates levels of lipoxin and leukotriene B4 while plant oils increase pro‐resolving mediator concentrations including D, E, and T‐series resolvins.

Conclusion

Plant and fish n‐3 PUFAs attenuate colitis‐induced inflammation while exhibiting characteristic pro‐resolving lipid mediator metabolomes. Plant oils additionally promote microbial diversity.
Plasma Phospholipids with Long‐Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Dihydroceramides at the Crossroads of Iron Stores and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Mayneris‐Perxachs Jordi , Mousa Aya , Naderpoor Negar , Fernández‐Real José‐Manuel , de Courten Barbora
Published: January 2020

Scope

Iron plays an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies suggest a role of specific lipids in the induction of IR, but the potential relationships between iron and lipid metabolites in relation to IR have not been explored. Therefore, the aim of the study is to evaluate the association among iron, IR, and the lipidome.

Methods and results

The plasma lipidome, IR, parameters of iron metabolism, and several cytokines and adipokines in 65 overweight/obese participants are measured. Measurements of IR correlate positively with ferritin, a measure of iron storage (r = 0.35, p = 0.005), and negatively with adiponectin (r = −0.30, p = 0.02). The serum ferritin/adiponectin ratio has a stronger association with IR (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). From multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, several phospholipids containing long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with 20–22 carbons (phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylinositols, and a phosphatidylserine), are positively associated with ferritin and the ferritin/adiponectin ratio. Two dihydroceramides (Cer(18:0/22:0), Cer(18:0/24:0)) and several diglycerides and triglycerides, mainly comprised of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, and C18:2, also have positive correlations with ferritin and the ferritin/adiponectin ratio.

Conclusions

The positive associations between these lipid species and ferritin or the ferritin/adiponectin ratio suggest a potential crosstalk between iron and lipid metabolism in obesity and IR.
Benchtop NMR analysis of piperazine‐based drugs hyperpolarised by SABRE
Authors: Tennant Thomas , Hulme Matthew C. , Robertson Thomas B.R. , Sutcliffe Oliver B. , Mewis Ryan E.
Published: January 2020

Piperazine‐based drugs, such as N‐benzylpiperazine (BZP), became attractive in the 2000s due to possessing effects similar to amphetamines. Herein, BZP, in addition to its pyridyl analogues, 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐pyridylmethylpiperidine (2‐PMP, 3‐PMP, and 4‐PMP respectively) was subjected to the hyperpolarisation technique Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange (SABRE) in order to demonstrate the use of this technique to detect these piperazine‐based drugs. Although BZP was not hyperpolarised via SABRE, 2‐PMP, 3‐PMP, and 4‐PMP were, with the ortho‐ and meta‐pyridyl protons of 4‐PMP showing the largest enhancement of 313‐fold and 267‐fold, respectively, in a 1.4‐T detection field, following polarisation transfer at Earth's magnetic field. In addition to the freebase, 4‐PMP.3HCl was also appraised by SABRE and was found not to polarise, however, the addition of increasing equivalents of triethylamine (TEA) produced the freebase, with a maximum enhancement observed upon the addition of 3 equivalents of TEA. Further addition of TEA led to a reduction in the observed enhancement. SABRE was also employed to polarise 4‐PMP.3HCl (~20% w/w) in a simulated tablet to demonstrate the forensic application of the technique (138‐fold enhancement for the ortho‐pyridyl protons). The amount of 4‐PMP.3HCl present in the simulated tablet was quantified via NMR using D2O as a solvent and compared well to complimentary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry data. Exchanging D2O for CD3OD as the solvent utilised for analysis resulted in a significantly lower amount of 4‐PMP.3HCl being determined, thus highlighting safeguarding issues linked to drug abuse in relation to determining the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient present.
Discover how to effectively advocate for support services tailored to grad students
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: January 2020

A total of 2 million graduate and professional students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in 2018. However, student services tailored to graduate and professional students are rare. And student affairs professionals in graduate support roles often have very limited staff and other resources. That makes it difficult to develop effective support services for grad and professional students. And research shows that the lack of support services impacts the success of all grad students, but particularly students of color and first‐generation students.
Community college report outlines declining enrollment concerns, top priorities
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: January 2020

A report looking at how community college staff, faculty, and administrative leaders are addressing national enrollment declines offers insights into challenges in increasing retention, enrollment, and graduation rates. Hanover Research administered a survey in the summer of 2019 and received responses from 275 faculty, staff, and administrators from community colleges. The findings were jointly published by Inside Higher Ed and Salesforce.
Results from an international phase 2 study of the anti‐CD22 immunotoxin moxetumomab pasudotox in relapsed or refractory childhood B‐lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Shah Nirali N. , Bhojwani Deepa , August Keith , Baruchel André , Bertrand Yves , Boklan Jessica , Dalla‐Pozza Luciano , Dennis Robyn , Hijiya Nobuko , Locatelli Franco , Martin Paul L. , Mechinaud Françoise , Moppett John , Rheingold Susan R. , Schmitt Claudine , Trippett Tanya M. , Liang Meina , Balic Kemal , Li Xia , Vainshtein Inna , Yao Nai Shun , Pastan Ira , Wayne Alan S.
Published: January 2020

Background

In a multicenter phase 1 study of children with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), moxetumomab pasudotox, an anti‐CD22 immunotoxin, demonstrated a manageable safety profile and preliminary evidence of clinical activity. A phase 2 study further evaluated efficacy.

Procedure

This international, multicenter, phase 2 study enrolled children with relapsed/refractory B‐cell precursor ALL who received moxetumomab pasudotox 40 µg/kg intravenously every other day, for six doses per 21‐day cycle. The primary objective was to evaluate the complete response (CR) rate. Secondary objectives included safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity evaluations.

Results

Thirty‐two patients (median age, 10 years) were enrolled at 16 sites; 30 received study drug and were evaluable for safety; 28 were evaluable for response. The objective response rate was 28.6%, with three patients (10.7%) achieving morphologic CR, and five patients (17.9%) achieving partial response. Disease progression occurred in 11 patients (39.3%). Ten patients (33.3%) experienced at least one treatment‐related serious adverse event, including capillary leak syndrome (CLS; n = 6), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS; n = 4), and treatment‐related death (n = 1) from pulmonary edema. No differences were observed in inflammatory markers in patients who did or did not develop CLS or HUS.

Conclusions

Despite a signal for clinical activity, this phase 2 study was terminated at interim analysis for a CR rate that did not reach the stage 1 target. Preclinical data suggest enhanced efficacy of moxetumomab pasudotox via continuous infusion or in combination regimens; thus, further studies designed to optimize the efficacy and safety of moxetumomab pasudotox in pediatric ALL may be warranted.
High prevalence of parent‐reported sleep problems in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after induction therapy
Authors: Steur Lindsay M. H. , Grootenhuis Martha A. , Van Someren Eus J. W. , Van Eijkelenburg Natasha K. A. , Van der Sluis Inge M. , Dors Natasja , Van den Bos Cor , Tissing Wim J. E. , Kaspers Gertjan J. L. , Van Litsenburg Raphaële R. L.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To assess sleep problems (prevalence and predictors) in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after the most intensive phase of therapy (induction).

Methods

Patients (≥2 years) treated according to the Dutch ALL‐11 protocol were included. Sleep was measured using parent‐reports and self‐reports (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire; CSHQ) and actigraphy. Parental sleep (Medical Outcome Study Sleep Scale) and distress and parenting problems (Distress Thermometer for Parents) were assessed with questionnaires. Z‐scores were calculated for total CSHQ scores using age‐appropriate scores of healthy Dutch children. The prevalence of sleep problems (defined as a Z‐score > 1) in patients with ALL was compared to healthy children (chi‐square tests). Actigraphic sleep estimates were collected in healthy Dutch children (n = 86, 2‐18 years) for comparison with patients (linear regression). Determinants of parent‐reported child sleep (total CSHQ Z‐score) were identified with regression models.

Results

Responses were collected for 124 patients (response rate 67%), comprising 123 parent‐reports, 34 self‐reports, and 69 actigraphy assessments. Parents reported sleep problems in 38.0% of the patients compared to 15.2% in healthy children (P < .001). Patients reported fewer sleep problems themselves: 12.1% compared to 15.8% in healthy children (P = .33). Total time in bed (B (95% CI): 22.89 (9.55‐36.22)) and total sleep time (B (95% CI):16.30 (1.40‐31.19)), as derived from actigraphy, were significantly longer in patients. More parent‐reported child sleep problems were predicted by parenting problems, more parental sleep problems, bedroom sharing, and child's sleep medication use (explained variance: 27.4%).

Conclusions

Systematic monitoring of child and parental sleep and implementation of effective interventions may be a gateway to improve quality of survival in pediatric ALL.
Metabolomics of endemic sixAstragalusspecies by combined NMR and GC‐MS analysis
Authors: Sahin Yaglioglu Ayse , Temirturk Murat , Ugur Emic , Dolarslan Melda , Demirtas Ibrahim
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Astragalus anthylloides,A. dipsaceus,A. karamasicus,A. lycius,A. sigmoideusand A. xylobasisvar.angustusare an endemic and generally grow in the Irano‐Turanian phytogeographic region of Turkey.Astragalusspecies contain saponins, polysaccharides, and phenolics, while the toxic compounds include imidazoline alkaloids, nitro toxins, and selenium derivatives.

Objectives

To apply a combined metabolomic fingerprinting approach by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) of endemic sixAstragalusspecies extract.

Methodology

The whole plant collected in Turkey of six endemicAstragalussubsp. were dried and then extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate,n‐butanol and methanol solvents, respectively. The hexane extracts were analyzed by GC‐MS. Carbon‐13 (13C)‐NMR analyzes of all extracts were performed. In both analyses, a biomarker was obtained.

Results

The hexane extracts were determined as palmitic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, and linolenic acid as the main components. As a result of13C‐NMR analyzes, in hexane, chloroform, and ethylacetate the extracts detected were palmitic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, and linolenic acid.d‐Pinitol was obtained using13C‐NMR analyzes withn‐butanol and methanol extracts.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated thatd‐pinitol is a biomarker for the endemic sixAstragalussubsp.
From depressive symptoms to suicide risk: Roles of sense of belongingness and acquired capability for suicide in patients with mental disorders
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Li Congcong , Jia Xuji , Lyu Juncheng , Wang Yanyu , Sun Hongwei
Published: January 2020

In order to prevent suicides in patients with mental disorders, it was critical to recognize the risk factors and explore the mechanism. Based on depressive symptoms, which were common in patients with mental disorders in consolidation period in China, we constructed a moderated mediating model under the framework of Integrated Motivational‐Volitional Model of suicidal behaviour, and examined the mechanism of how depressive symptoms, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability for suicide influenced suicide risk. In this study, data were collected from 164 patients through four questionnaires, and analyzed with PROCESS macro for SPSS (Hayes, 2008). The result showed that in the predictive effects of depressive symptoms on suicide risk, thwarted belongingness was a partial mediating variable, while acquired capability for suicide played a moderating role in the partial mediating model. Specifically, the predictive effects of depressive symptoms and thwarted belongingness, both as motivation variables, on suicide risk both occurred in the case of the high acquired capability of suicide, which was a volition variable. The research pointed out the interdependence of depressive symptoms and a sense of belongingness, and clarified the critical role of acquired capability for suicide. The integrated perspective could enhance the interpretation of reality, and enlightened those carrying out the practice of suicide intervention to patients with mental disorders.
Evaluation of Eravacycline: A Novel Fluorocycline
Authors: Alosaimy Sara , Abdul‐Mutakabbir Jacinda C. , Kebriaei Razie , Jorgensen Sarah C. J. , Rybak Michael J.
Published: January 2020

Eravacycline (ERV), formerly known as TP‐434, is a novel tetracycline (TET) antibiotic that exhibits in vitro activity against various gram‐positive, gram‐negative aerobic and anaerobic pathogens, including those exhibiting TET‐specific acquired resistance mechanisms. Similar to other TETs, it inhibits protein synthesis through binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. Eravacycline was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2018 for the treatment of complicated intraabdominal infections (cIAIs) in adults following the Investigating Gram‐Negative Infections Treated with Eravacycline (IGNITE)1 and IGNITE4 phase III trials. In these two, double‐blind, multicenter clinical trials, ERV was proven noninferior in terms of clinical response in comparison to ertapenem and meropenem, respectively. Eravacycline was well tolerated with nausea, vomiting, and infusion site reactions being the most commonly reported adverse reactions. Clinicians now have ERV as a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of adults with intraabdominal infections, allergies to β‐lactam agents, Clostridioides difficile‐associated diarrhea, or if tolerability to other agents is a concern.
Controllable synthesis of silica nanoparticle size and packing efficiency onto PVP‐functionalized PMMA via a sol–gel method
Authors: Kim Gi H. , Hwang Sung W. , Kang Dong H. , Jung Bich N. , Lee Mi J. , Shim Jin K. , Seo Kwan H.
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to investigate synthesis and adsorption behavior of silica nanoparticles onto polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) under various conditions such as methanol/water ratio, ammonium hydroxide concentration, polymer contents, tetraethylorthosilicate contents, and total volume of solvent via sol–gel method. First, the copolymerization of methyl acrylate as a comonomer and 1‐dodecanethiol as a chain transfer agent increased the thermal stability of the product; however, the uniformity of the PMMA particles decreased because of the chain transfer reaction. Second, the adsorption behavior and size of silica nanoparticles could be controlled by adjusting the silica synthesis conditions. The adsorbed silica particle size was greatly influenced by the ammonium hydroxide concentration and the addition of water further enhanced the size increase. However, increasing the water content reduced the packing efficiency of the adsorbed silica particles. Increasing the PVP‐functionalized PMMA content at a fixed TEOS content linearly decreased the silica particle size. But TEOS concentration did not significantly affect the silica particle size. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 58, 662–672
Transnational mobility desires and discourses: Young people from return‐migrant families negotiate intergenerationality, mobility capital, and place embeddedness
Authors: Ní Laoire Caitríona
Published: January 2020

A longitudinal and intergenerational perspective opens up possibilities of novel insights into the socio‐spatial practices and relations that constitute, and generate, transnational youth im/mobilities. This paper draws on research conducted over 10 years with young adults who had migrated to Ireland as children with their return‐migrant parents during the Celtic Tiger period. It explores how, as young adults, they envisage and navigate their unfolding im/mobility pathways. In a context where transnational mobility experience is highly valued and celebrated, they draw on their mobility capital as former migrants to self‐position as knowledgeable mobile subjects. However, precisely because of their personal and family mobility resources, their engagements with discourses of hypermobility are selective—simultaneously claiming the cultural capital of transnational mobility and de‐fetishising it by producing grounded interpretations that value place embeddedness. The paper sheds light on some of the tensions of contemporary youth mobilities in contexts of globalisation, uncertainty, and migration.
Dynamic predictor for systems with state and input delay: A time‐domain robust stability analysis
Authors: Juárez Luis , Mondié Sabine , Kharitonov Vladimir L.
Published: January 2020

The robust stability of linear systems with both state and input delay in closed loop with dynamic predictor‐based controller is analyzed. The problem of time‐varying matrix uncertainty is studied in the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii framework. The complete type functional with prescribed derivative expressed in terms of the delay Lyapunov matrix associated with the nominal system is a key piece of our analysis. The robust stability conditions depend on the delay Lyapunov matrix whose computation is carried out. An illustrative example is presented.
Study on the effect of collector and inhibitor acid on the floatability of collophane and dolomite in acidic media by TOF‐SIMS and XPS
Authors: Chen Qing , Zhang Qin , Hart Brian R. , Ye Junjian
Published: January 2020

Most of the phosphate ore in southern China is contained within siliceous dolomite phosphate rock, and more than 90% of it is medium and low‐grade collophane. Reverse flotation of carbonate gangue minerals (dolomite) from phosphate in acidic media is still the most economical method for the reduction of carbonate in collophane concentrates. It has been recognized that the collophane and dolomite in acidic media affect the surface properties of minerals, thereby affecting their flotation properties. In this paper, HCl and H3PO4 were used as regulators or inhibitors to study the flotation behaviour of collophane and dolomite. The inhibition mechanism of collophane and dolomite in two acid media was studied by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. It was found that the addition of an inhibiting acid can partially depress the collophane and improve the flotation of dolomite, thus achieving their flotation separation, and the inhibition effect of H3PO4 on collophane is better than that of HCl. And it was found by TOF‐SIMS analysis that the increase in acid concentration did not reduce the adsorption concentration of the collector, and the main reason for the inhibition was not the decrease in the adsorption concentration of the collector. The adsorption capacity of collector on dolomite surface with H3PO4 is greater than that with HCl. The XPS test indicated that metaphosphate (PO3−1) is the pivotal ion for depressing collophane under acid conditions.
Thiourea Derivatives Based on the Dapsone‐Naphthoquinone Hybrid as Anticancer and Antimicrobial Agents: In Vitro Screening and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Alimohammadi Aazam , Mostafavi Hossein , Mahdavi Majid
Published: January 2020

According to the structure‐activity relationships (SAR), we synthesized a series of novel thiourea derivatives based on the dapsone‐naphthoquinone hybrid by the nucleophilic addition reaction of various primary/secondary amines to 2‐[4‐(4‐isothiocyanato‐benzenesulfonyl)‐phenylamino]‐[1,4]naphthoquinone (4). All thiourea derivatives (5 a‐j) were screened for in vitro anticancer activity against human leukemia cell line (K562). Thiourea derivative containing N‐methyl piperazine (5 h) was identified as the most effective molecule with IC50= 5.8±0.55 μM. Antimicrobial activity of thiourea derivatives (5 a–j) was evaluated in vitro against six strains of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and a fungus Candida kefyr by the microdilution method. Interestingly, compound 5 h exhibited better antibacterial activity compared with the dapsone as a positive control against S. epidermidis. The molecular docking studies indicated that compound 5 h may act as anticancer agent through the inhibition of Abl kinase and T315I Abl mutant.
A Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Capped Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene Quantum Dots System for Sensitive Determination of Tetracycline in Animal‐Derived Food
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Junping , Fang Guozhen , Deng Jiankang , Wang Shuo
Published: January 2020

A novel, highly sensitive and selective fluorescent sensor based on water‐soluble nitrogen‐doped graphene quantum dots (N‐GQDs) coupled with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was developed to detect tetracycline (TC). Unique N‐GQDs@MIPs nanomaterials were synthesized via the simple sol‐gel method due to its advantages of saving time and costs. The prepared N‐GQDs were fairly uniform and the fluorescence quantum yield (QY) was up to 58.2%. Results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed that the N‐GQDs@MIPs nanomaterial was prepared successfully. The imprinted factor (IF) of the synthesized N‐GQDs@MIPs was 3.42. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the fluorescence intensity and concentration of TC maintained a good linear range. The recovery experiment indicated this method can be applied to detecting TC in animal‐derived food. In summary, the proposed method provided a new and effective way for simple and rapid analysis of specific components in complex matrix samples.
Incorporation of risk preferences in a value‐based systems engineering framework
Authors: Kannan Hanumanthrao , Mesmer Bryan L. , Bloebaum Christina L.
Published: January 2020

Large‐scale complex engineered systems are designed in large organizations consisting of hundreds or thousands of individuals making design decisions at different stages in the process. These complex systems are inherently multidisciplinary and uncertain, involving diverse disciplines spanning geographical locations. Without a means to guide their decisions, these many decision‐makers fall back on selecting a design according to their own value and risk preferences. The primary focus of this paper is to enable consistency in design decision‐making with respect to both value and risk preferences of the stakeholder. A new value‐based systems engineering (VBSE) framework is presented that enables physics‐based system consistency as well as consistency in communication of value and risk preferences for design decision‐making in a hierarchically decomposed system. This framework embraces principles of value‐driven design and multidisciplinary design optimization, while also ensuring consistency in risk preferences throughout the system to address uncertainty. Improper communication of risk preferences could result in nonoptimal designs, which are risk biased by the design decision‐makers at different levels of the hierarchy, with respect to the stakeholder's preferences. Consistency in risk preferences in the context of the VBSE framework is addressed in this research by incorporating decision analysis techniques.
AdS4/CFT3 from weak to strong string coupling
Authors: Binder Damon J. , Chester Shai M. , Pufu Silviu S.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We consider the four-point function of operators in the stress tensor multiplet of the U(N)k× U(N)−k ABJM theory, in the limit where N is taken to infinity while N/k5 is held fixed. In this limit, ABJM theory is holographically dual to type IIA string theory on AdS4× ℂℙ3 at finite string coupling gs∼ (N/k5)1/4. While at leading order in 1/N, the stress tensor multiplet four-point function can be computed from type IIA supergravity, in this work we focus on the first subleading correction, which comes from tree level Witten diagrams with an R4 interaction vertex. Using superconformal Ward identities, bulk locality, and the mass deformed sphere free energy previously computed to all orders in 1/N from supersymmetric localization, we determine this R4 correction as a function of N/k5. Taking its flat space limit, we recover the known R4 contribution to the type IIA S-matrix and reproduce the fact that it only receives perturbative contributions in gs from genus zero and genus one string worldsheets. This is the first check of AdS/CFT at finite gs for local operators. Our result for the four-point correlator interpolates between the large N, large ’t Hooft coupling limit and the large N finite k limit. From the bulk perspective, this is an interpolation between type IIA string theory on AdS4× ℂℙ3 at small string coupling and M-theory on AdS4× S7/ℤk.
Completing the scalar and fermionic universal one-loop effective action
Authors: Krämer Michael , Summ Benjamin , Voigt Alexander
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We extend the known Universal One-Loop Effective Action (UOLEA) by all operators which involve scalars and fermions, not including contributions arising from open covariant derivatives. Our generic analytic expressions for the one-loop Wilson coefficients of effective operators up to dimension six allow for an application of the UOLEA to a broader class of UV-complete models. We apply our generic results to various effective theories of supersymmetric models, where different supersymmetric particles are integrated out at a high mass scale.
On T-Schur Convex Maps
Authors: Olbryś Andrzej , Szostok Tomasz
Published: January 2020

We introduce and examine the notion ofT-Schur convexity which is naturally connected with Schur convexity. As a particular case, we considerT-Wright convex maps which generalize a well-known and intensively investigated class oft-Wright convex functions. We discuss several properties of this class of functions. In the last part of the paper we give a characterization ofT-Wright affine maps i.e. maps satisfying the corresponding functional equation.
A modified method for purification of Eimeria tenella sporozoites
Authors: Rentería-Solís Zaida , Zhang Runhui , Taha Shahinaz , Daugschies Arwid
Published: January 2020

Coccidiosis is an economically important gastrointestinal disease in domestic fowl.Eimeriaspecies are the causative agents of avian coccidiosis. Current challenges in management and prevention of eimeriosis enhance the need for research in this field. Sporozoite purification is a necessary step forEimeriaspp. in vitro infection models. Current alternatives such as DE-52 anion exchange chromatography and Percoll gradient require time and resources. We present a modified protocol consisting on vacuum filtration of sporozoites using a disposable 5-μL filter. Yield percentages were similar to those reported for Percoll gradient purification. By reducing time and efforts during sporozoite purification, it could be possible to increase resources in other areas ofEimeriastudies.
Circular economy model framework in the European water and wastewater sector
Authors: Smol Marzena , Adam Christian , Preisner Michał
Published: January 2020

One of the key elements in the transformation towards a circular economy (CE) is providing more sustainable practices for resources and waste management. Improvement actions focused on transformation towards a CE should be targeted at all groups of materials and waste. As water is essential for human survival and well-being and plays a significant role in sustainable development (SD), the actions related to the reuse of water and the recovery of raw materials from wastewater and other water-based waste should be taken. The paper presents a proposition for a new CE model framework in the water and wastewater sector, which includes the six following actions:reduction—prevent wastewater generation in the first place by the reduction of water usage and pollution reduction at source; reclamation (removal)—an application of effective technologies for the removal of pollutants from water and wastewater; reuse—reuse of wastewater as an alternative source of water supply (non-potable usage), recycling—recovery of water from wastewater for potable usage; recovery—recovery of resources such as nutrients and energy from water-based waste, and rethink—rethinking how to use resources to create a sustainable economy, which is `free` of waste and emissions. The novelty of the proposed CE model framework is that it presents possible ways of implementing CE principles in the water and wastewater sector, with a strong emphasis not only technological but also organisational and societal changes. Application of the proposed model may help to further transform the European economy to the CE model. Moreover, the indicated model can be significant tool supporting an assessment of local or regional progress towards CE in the water and wastewater sector and further environmental management and planning.
Subnanoliter precision piezo pipette for single-cell isolation and droplet printing
Authors: Francz Barbara , Ungai-Salánki Rita , Sautner Éva , Horvath Robert , Szabó Bálint
Published: January 2020

Although microliter-scale liquid handling with a handheld pipette is a routine task, pipetting nanoliter-scale volumes is challenging due to several technical difficulties including surface tension, adhesion and evaporation effects. We developed a fully automated piezoelectric micropipette with a precision of < 1 nanoliter, improving the efficiency of imaging-based single-cell isolation to above 90%. This improvement is crucial when sorting rare or precious cells, especially in medical applications. The compact piezoelectric micropipette can be integrated into various (bio)chemical workflows. It eliminates plastic tubes, valves, syringes, and pressure tanks. For high-quality phase-contrast illumination of the sample, e.g., cells or tiny droplets, we constructed rings of LEDs arranged concentrically to the micropipette. The same device can be readily used for single-cell printing and nanoliter-scale droplet printing of reagents using either fluorescent or transparent illumination on a microscope. We envision that this new technology will shortly become a standard tool for single-cell manipulations in medical diagnostics, e.g., circulating tumor cell isolation.
Taxonomical and functional diversity of Saprolegniales in Anzali lagoon, Iran
Authors: Masigol Hossein , Khodaparast Seyed Akbar , Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa Reza , Rojas-Jimenez Keilor , Woodhouse Jason Nicholas , Neubauer Darshan , Grossart Hans-Peter
Published: January 2020

Studies on the diversity, distribution and ecological role of Saprolegniales (Oomycota) in freshwater ecosystems are currently receiving attention due to a greater understanding of their role in carbon cycling in various aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we characterized several Saprolegniales species isolated from Anzali lagoon, Gilan province, Iran, using morphological and molecular methods. Four species of Saprolegnia were identified, including S. anisospora and S. diclina as first reports for Iran, as well as Achlya strains, which were closely related to A. bisexualis, A. debaryana and A. intricata. Evaluation of the ligno-, cellulo- and chitinolytic activities was performed using plate assay methods. Most of the Saprolegniales isolates were obtained in autumn, and nearly 50% of the strains showed chitinolytic and cellulolytic activities. However, only a few Saprolegniales strains showed lignolytic activities. This study has important implications for better understanding the ecological niche of oomycetes, and to differentiate them from morphologically similar, but functionally different aquatic fungi in freshwater ecosystems.
Institutions and Agency in the Sustainability of Day-to-Day Consumption Practices: An Institutional Ethnographic Study
Authors: Pekkanen Tiia-Lotta
Published: January 2020

Consumption is essentially an institutional action. While both the formal institutional environment and cultural embeddedness shape consumption, individuals may reciprocally amend the institutional setting through consumption choices that challenge the prevalent institutional constraints. This paper reconciles theoretical and conceptual premises from institutional and practice theory literature to study the sustainability of consumption. Using institutional ethnography as a methodological approach, the study explores the pendulum between embeddedness and agency in shaping the sustainability of day-to-day consumption of necessary goods; and further, how the external institutional environment may interact with human behaviour to contribute towards sustainability. The study finds a hierarchy of informal institutions, each level of which interacts differently with external changes. For example, sustainability is found to be more widespread the more it is embedded in practices, and this is a result of overall institutional development beyond regulation and choice editing. The results also highlight the importance of understanding unintentional sustainability in consumption practices.
Seasonal and pandemic influenza during pregnancy and risk of fetal death: A Norwegian registry-based cohort study
Authors: Gunnes Nina , Gjessing Håkon Kristian , Bakken Inger Johanne , Ghaderi Sara , Gran Jon Michael , Hungnes Olav , Magnus Per , Samuelsen Sven Ove , Skrondal Anders , Stoltenberg Camilla , Trogstad Lill , Wilcox Allen J. , Håberg Siri Eldevik
Published: January 2020

Previous studies of fetal death with maternal influenza have been inconsistent. We explored the effect of maternal influenza-like illness (ILI) in pregnancy on the risk of fetal death, distinguishing between diagnoses during regular influenza seasons and the 2009/2010 pandemic and between trimesters of ILI. We used birth records from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway to identify fetal deaths after the first trimester in singleton pregnancies (2006–2013). The Norwegian Directorate of Health provided dates of clinical influenza diagnoses by primary-health-care providers, whereas dates of laboratory-confirmed influenza A (H1N1) diagnoses were provided by the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases. We obtained dates and types of influenza vaccinations from the Norwegian Immunisation Registry. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of fetal death, with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs), comparing women with and without an ILI diagnosis in pregnancy. There were 2510 fetal deaths among 417,406 eligible pregnancies. ILI during regular seasons was not associated with increased risk of fetal death: adjusted HR = 0.90 (95% CI 0.64–1.27). In contrast, ILI during the pandemic was associated with substantially increased risk of fetal death, with an adjusted HR of 1.75 (95% CI 1.21–2.54). The risk was highest following first-trimester ILI (adjusted HR = 2.28 [95% CI 1.45–3.59]). ILI during the pandemic—but not during regular seasons—was associated with increased risk of fetal death in the second and third trimester. The estimated effect was strongest with ILI in first trimester.
Experience and rationality under risk: re-examining the impact of sampling experience
Authors: Aydogan Ilke , Gao Yu
Published: January 2020

A recent strand of the literature on decision-making under uncertainty has pointed to an intriguing behavioral gap between decisions made from description and decisions made from experience. This study reinvestigates this description-experience gap to understand the impact that sampling experience has on decisions under risk. Our study adopts a complete sampling paradigm to address the lack of control over experienced probabilities by requiring complete sampling without replacement. We also address the roles of utilities and ambiguity, which are central in most current decision models in economics. Thus, our experiment identifies the deviations from expected utility due to over- (or under-) weighting of probabilities. Our results confirm the existence of the behavioral gap, but they provide no evidence for the underweighting of small probabilities within the complete sampling treatment. We find that sampling experience attenuates rather than reverses the inverse S-shaped probability weighting under risk.
Proximal Humerus Morphology Indicates Divergent Patterns of Locomotion in Extinct Giant Kangaroos
Authors: Janis Christine M. , Napoli James G. , Billingham Coral , Martín-Serra Alberto
Published: January 2020

Sthenurine kangaroos, extinct “giant kangaroos” known predominantly from the Plio-Pleistocene, have been proposed to have used bipedal striding as a mode of locomotion, based on the morphology of their hind limbs. However, sthenurine forelimb morphology has not been considered in this context, and has important bearing as to whether these kangaroos employed quadrupedal or pentapedal locomotion as a slow gait, as in extant kangaroos. Study of the correlation of morphology of the proximal humerus in a broad range of therian mammals shows that humeral morphology is indicative of the degree of weight-bearing on the forelimbs during locomotion, with terrestrial species being distinctly different from arboreal ones. Extant kangaroos have a proximal humeral morphology similar to extant scansorial (semi-arboreal) mammals, but sthenurine humeri resemble those of suspensory arboreal taxa, which rarely bear weight on their forelimbs, supporting the hypothesis that they used bipedal striding rather than quadrupedal locomotion at slow gaits. The humeral morphology of the enigmatic extinct “giant wallaby,” Protemnodon, may be indicative of a greater extent of quadrupedal locomotion than in extant kangaroos.
The best CRISPR/Cas9 versus RNA interference approaches for Arabinogalactan proteins’ study
Authors: Moreira Diana , Pereira Ana Marta , Lopes Ana Lúcia , Coimbra Sílvia
Published: January 2020

Arabinogalactan Proteins (AGPs) are hydroxyproline-rich proteins containing a high proportion of carbohydrates, widely spread in the plant kingdom. AGPs have been suggested to play important roles in plant development processes, especially in sexual plant reproduction. Nevertheless, the functions of a large number of these molecules, remains to be discovered. In this review, we discuss two revolutionary genetic techniques that are able to decode the roles of these glycoproteins in an easy and efficient way. The RNA interference is a frequently technique used in plant biology that promotes genes silencing. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)—associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), emerged a few years ago as a revolutionary genome-editing technique that has allowed null mutants to be obtained in a wide variety of organisms, including plants. The two techniques have some differences between them and depending on the research objective, these may work as advantage or disadvantage. In the present work, we propose the use of the two techniques to obtain AGP mutants easily and quickly, helping to unravel the role of AGPs, surely a great asset for the future.
Genetics and future therapy prospects of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Authors: Rauner Martina , Seefried Lothar , Shore Eileen
Published: January 2020

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic condition characterised by progressive extra-skeletal bone formation in connective tissues. Over time, heterotopic ossification entombs patients within a second skeleton, drastically impairing their mobility and autonomy. Mutations in the ACVR1 gene have been identified as the cause of FOP. The single nucleotide missense mutation in ACVR1, c.617G > A, causes a single amino acid substitution, p.R206H, and is found in >90% of all patients. Heterotopic bone formation in FOP mimics embryonic skeletal endochondral ossification, with cartilage forming after fibroproliferative tissue condensation as an intermediate stage prior to osteogenesis and tissue ossification. In contrast to normal embryonic endochondral ossification, heterotopic ossification in FOP involves an inflammatory phase that precedes cartilage and bone formation. New insights into the mechanisms of action of heterotopic bone formation in FOP have led to the discovery of new potential treatment targets including inhibitors of BMP signalling, activin A inhibitors, and mTOR inhibitors. This review summarises the current knowledge on mutations causing FOP, as well as the molecular basis of heterotopic ossification and the therapeutic options that result from these discoveries.
Prognosticating for Adult Patients With Advanced Incurable Cancer: a Needed Oncologist Skill
Authors: Chu Christina , Anderson Rebecca , White Nicola , Stone Patrick
Published: January 2020

Opinion statement

Patients with advanced cancer and their families commonly seek information about prognosis to aid decision-making in medical (e.g. surrounding treatment), psychological (e.g. saying goodbye), and social (e.g. getting affairs in order) domains. Oncologists therefore have a responsibility to identify and address these requests by formulating and sensitively communicating information about prognosis. Current evidence suggests that clinician predictions are correlated with actual survival but tend to be overestimations. In an attempt to cultivate prognostic skills, it is recommended that clinicians practice formulating and recording subjective estimates of prognosis in advanced cancer patient’s medical notes. When possible, a multi-professional prognostic estimate should be sought as these may be more accurate than individual predictions alone. Clinicians may consider auditing the accuracy of their predictions periodically and using feedback from this process to improve their prognostic skills.

Clinicians may also consider using validated prognostic tools to complement their clinical judgements. However, there is currently only limited evidence about the comparative accuracy of different prognostic tools or the extent to which these measures are superior to clinical judgement. Oncologists and palliative care physicians should ensure that they receive adequate training in advanced communication skills, which builds upon their pre-existing skills, to sensitively deliver information on prognosis. In particular, clinicians should acknowledge their own prognostic uncertainty and should emphasise the supportive care that can continue to be provided after stopping cancer-directed therapies.
Soft Tissue Special Issue: Perivascular and Vascular Tumors of the Head and Neck
Authors: Flucke Uta , Karanian Marie , Broek Roel W. ten , Thway Khin
Published: January 2020

Perivascular and vascular neoplasms of the head and neck are a rare group of tumors comprising a spectrum of clinical/biologic and histological features. They are frequently diagnostically challenging, due to their morphologic and immunohistochemical overlap. In this review, we summarize the pathology of these neoplasms, discussing morphology, immunohistochemistry, associated genetic findings, and the differential diagnoses.