bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dibujando Diversidad. Estudio de Caso en una Clase de Sexto Curso de Educación Primaria
Authors: Monleón Oliva Vicente
Published: May 2019

La Educación Artística es una materia idónea para introducir la diversidad sexual. Por ello se decide implementar una propuesta pedagógica sobre esta temática para una clase de sexto curso, de una escuela pública de Valencia, compuesta por 18 estudiantes. Con esta intervención se pretende enseñar conceptos básicos como homosexualidad y homofobia: también se insta en romper con estereotipos y prejuicios construidos hacia el colectivo LGBT por una sociedad heteropatriarcal. Esta iniciativa se evalúa a través de la técnica del pre-test y pos-test. Comprobándose que este modelo didáctico basado en la Educación Artística es válido para este contexto concreto y extrapolable a otros similares.
Construcción del currículo técnico-profesional desde la educación popular y sus componentes sociales en Ecuador.
Authors: Palop-Esteban Vicente , García Beatriz
Published: May 2019

La Formación Profesional suele diseñarse desde un planteamiento meramente instrumental y únicamente orientada hacia la enseñanza de algún oficio o técnica productiva, pero pocas veces nos encontramos con experiencias donde se procura la educación integral como base para el desarrollo de la persona en combinación con la adquisición de conocimientos técnicos.  En este sentido, el presente artículo pretende situar el contexto de la formación profesional y sus principales tendencias para luego, hacer una propuesta de construcción del currículo técnico desde la educación popular y sus componentes sociales de mirada centrada en el/la estudiante con un trasfondo de cambio estructural. La experiencia se pudo poner en práctica para la elaboración de la mención técnica del Bachillerato Intensivo en el Ecuador. Oferta Educativa programada desde Fe y Alegría Ecuador en alianza con el Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador para la atención de personas adultas con escolaridad inconclusa.
A Universidade e o futuro: percepção de docentes universitários
Authors: Sebastião Luís , Chaleta Elisa
Published: May 2019

Neste artigo procura-se conhecer a percepção dos professores sobre a universidade na actualidade. A percepção de Universidade surge, na voz dos professores, centrada na descrição da sua missão, em particular como contexto de produção e difusão de conhecimento para a sociedade, como espaço de pensamento criativo e crítico sobre o mundo, como espaço interdisciplinar e como sistema centrado no ensino e na investigação. Inclui, também, características relativas à sua estrutura e funcionamento como a excessiva hierarquização, burocratização, competitividade, desumanização e hipervalorização da bibliometria.
Algunos sistemas de representación y de clasificación de la Educación Superior: el difícil camino hacia el espacio de los puntos de vista
Authors: Benedito Casanova Antonio
Published: May 2019

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I Congrés Música a la llum. El patrimoni documental de les bandes de música
Authors: Asensi Silvestre Elvira
Published: May 2019

Amb el títol de "Música a la llum. El Patrimoni documental de les bandes de música", es va celebrar el I Congrés Internacional d'un encoratjador projecte que té com a objectiu visibilitzar l'ingent patrimoni documental, musical i material que tenen les bandes de música valencianes. Per aquest motiu, experts de tot arreu es van donar cita del 13 al 15 de desembre a la Nau, seu de la Universitat de València, per debatre al voltant de les possibilitats investigadores d'aquesta senyal d'identitat valenciana. La ressenya que es presenta dóna compte del devindre i les conclusions d'aquest congrés.
Joan Lluís Vives i els Emblemes
Authors: Blay Meseguer Francesc X.
Published: May 2019

En aquest treball es defensa la tesi que el primer llibre d’emblemes el va publicar Joan Lluís Vives en 1524 (Symbola sive Satellitium animae), set anys abans que el conegut del jurista i humanista italià Andrea Alciato, Emblematum liber (1531), considerat fins ara el primer que va iniciar el gènere. Tanmateix, l’humanista valencià és completament ignorat en l’abundant bibliografia disponible sobre emblemàtica. Es reivindica per tant que Vives mereix ocupar el seu lloc en la història d’aquest tipus de publicacions.
Dues poesies sobre Vives
Authors: Esteve Josep Manuel
Published: May 2019

Dues poesies sobre Vives
Tras los pasos de Vives. Reseña de Jaime Vilarroig (ed.), En busca del humanismo perdido. Estudios sobre la obra de Juan Luis Vives. Granada, editorial Comares, 2017
Authors: González Niñerola David
Published: May 2019

Tras los pasos de Vives. Reseña de Jaime Vilarroig (ed.), En busca del humanismo perdido. Estudios sobre la obra de Juan Luis Vives. Granada, editorial Comares, 2017
Una fotografia d'Eleanor K. Paucker del monument a Vives
Authors: Paucker Eleanor K.
Published: May 2019

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Reorientación de la estrategia empresarial: un estudio de caso
Authors: Firmenich Mario Eduardo
Published: May 2019

El artículo plantea la reorientación de la estrategia empresarial, y se aplica esta perspectiva teórica en un estudio de caso que considera el sector turístico de deportes de aventura en la comarca del Pallars Sobirà. La referencia teórica sobre estrategia empresarial son los conceptos de ventaja competitiva y estrategias genéricas de Porter (1991). Se analiza la estrategia genérica que sigue de hecho este sector en el Pallars Sobirà, con los datos disponibles de ventas de actividades de deportes de aventura; se concluye que el diseño de esta estrategia desaprovecha las posibilidades de construir una ventaja competitiva comarcal sostenible. Se sugiere la posibilidad de una reorientación estratégica del sector, buscando ventaja competitiva en diferenciación del producto, estrategia sectorial comarcal, prioridad de deportes de agua, ampliación del mercado a España y al mundo, fidelización del cliente y diversificación de productos turísticos para todo el año. Sin embargo, la decisión sobre maximizar beneficios reorientando la estrategia depende de juicios de valor que involucran al conjunto de la comarca.
Towards a quantitative model of epidemics during conflicts
Authors: Banerjee Soumya
Published: May 2019

Epidemics may both contribute to and arise as a result of conflict. The effects of conflict on infectious diseases are complex and there have been confounding observations of both increase and decrease in disease outbreaks during and after conflicts. However there is no unified mathematical model that explains all these counter-intuitive observations. There is an urgent need for a quantitative framework for modelling conflicts and epidemics. We introduce a set of mathematical models to understand the role of conflicts in epidemics. Our mathematical framework has the potential to explain the counterintuitive observations and the complex role of human conflicts in epidemics. Our work suggests that aid and peacekeeping organizations should take an integrated approach that combines public health measures, socio-economic development, and peacekeeping in the conflict zone. Our approach exemplifies the role of non-linear thinking in complex systems like human societies. We view our work as a step towards a quantitative model of disease spread in conflicts.
Why mountains matter for biodiversity
Authors: Perrigo Allison , Hoorn Carina , Antonelli Alexandre
Published: May 2019

Mountains are arguably Earth’s most striking features. They play a major role in determining global and regional climates, are the source of most rivers, act as cradles, barriers and bridges for species, and are crucial for the survival and sustainability of many human societies. The complexity of mountains is tightly associated with high biodiversity, but the processes underlying this association are poorly known. Solving this puzzle requires researchers to generate more primary data, and better integrate available geological and climatic data into biological models of diversity and evolution. We coordinated the efforts of many researchers to jointly produce an edited book, Mountains, Climate and Biodiversity, where this integration of disciplines is presented and discussed in detail. In this perspective, we highlight some of the emerging insights, which stress the importance of mountain building through time as a generator and reservoir of biodiversity. We also discuss recently proposed parallels between surface uplift, habitat formation, and species diversification. We exemplify these links and discuss other factors, such as Quaternary climatic variations, which may have obscured some mountain-building evidence due to erosion and other processes. Biological evolution is complex and the build-up of mountains is certainly not the only explanation, but biological and geophysical processes are probably more intertwined than many of us realise. The overall conclusion is that geology sets the stage for speciation, where ecological interactions, adaptive and non-adaptive radiations, and stochastic processes co-act to increase biodiversity. Further integration of these fields may yield novel and robust insights.
Order, please! Uncertainty in the ordinal-level classification of Chlorophyceae
Authors: Fučíková Karolina , Lewis Paul O. , Neupane Suman , Karol Kenneth G. , Lewis Louise A.
Published: May 2019

Background

Chlorophyceae is one of three most species-rich green algal classes and also the only class in core Chlorophyta whose monophyly remains uncontested as gene and taxon sampling improves. However, some key relationships within Chlorophyceae are less clear-cut and warrant further investigation. The present study combined genome-scale chloroplast data and rich sampling in an attempt to resolve the ordinal classification in Chlorophyceae. The traditional division into Sphaeropleales and Volvocales (SV), and a clade containing Oedogoniales, Chaetopeltidales, and Chaetophorales (OCC) was of particular interest with the addition of deeply branching members of these groups, as well as the placement of several incertae sedis taxa.

Methods

We sequenced 18 chloroplast genomes across Chlorophyceae to compile a data set of 58 protein-coding genes of a total of 68 chlorophycean taxa. We analyzed the concatenated nucleotide and amino acid datasets in the Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood frameworks, supplemented by analyses to examine potential discordant signal among genes. We also examined gene presence and absence data across Chlorophyceae.

Results

Concatenated analyses yielded at least two well-supported phylogenies: nucleotide data supported the traditional classification with the inclusion of the enigmatic Treubarinia into Sphaeropleales sensu lato. However, amino acid data yielded equally strong support for Sphaeropleaceae as sister to Volvocales, with the rest of the taxa traditionally classified in Sphaeropleales in a separate clade, and Treubarinia as sister to all of the above. Single-gene and other supplementary analyses indicated that the data have low phylogenetic signal at these critical nodes. Major clades were supported by genomic structural features such as gene losses and trans-spliced intron insertions in the plastome.

Discussion

While the sequence and gene order data support the deep split between the SV and OCC lineages, multiple phylogenetic hypotheses are possible for Sphaeropleales s.l. Given this uncertainty as well as the higher-taxonomic disorder seen in other algal groups, dwelling on well-defined, strongly supported Linnaean orders is not currently practical in Chlorophyceae and a less formal clade system may be more useful in the foreseeable future. For example, we identify two strongly and unequivocally supported clades: Treubarinia and Scenedesminia, as well as other smaller groups that could serve a practical purpose as named clades. This system does not preclude future establishment of new orders, or emendment of the current ordinal classification if new data support such conclusions.
Identification of microRNA signatures in umbilical cord blood associated with maternal characteristics
Authors: Juracek Jaroslav , Piler Pavel , Janku Petr , Radova Lenka , Slaby Ondrej
Published: May 2019

Background

Umbilical cord blood could serve as useful source of blood markers enabling more efficient and reliable prenatal and neonatal diagnostics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitous in body fluids where they were used for detecting and monitoring various physiological and pathological conditions. In this descriptive study, we aimed to identify changes in miRNA expression profiles associated with basic maternal somatic and epidemiological characteristics.

Methods

Study is based on 24 mothers from the Pilot phase of CELSPAC: TNG (Central European Longitudinal Studies of Parents and Children: The Next Generation) study. Cord blood was collected at time of delivery and global miRNA profiling was performed using microRNA Ready-to-use PCR Human Panel I+II TaqMan microarrays. Expression profiles were statistically evaluated in relation to maternal age, BMI, pregnancy weight gain, blood type, Rh factor status, allergies during pregnancy, addictive substance abuse and smoking status.

Results

We analyzed expression of 752 human mature miRNAs in 24 samples of umbilical cord blood. For all maternal characteristics tested we described a specific signature of significantly deregulated miRNAs (P < 0.05). Analysis revealed seven miRNA associated with maternal age (three increased and four decreased in women younger than 35 years), 14 miRNAs associated with BMI status (five miRNAs increased and nine miRNAs decreased in women with BMI > 25) and nine miRNAs associated with maternal weight gain during pregnancy (eight miRNAs increased, and one miRNA decreased in women with weight gain < 12 kg). Additionally, 17 miRNAs correlated to blood type (two miRNAs decreased in blood type A, 11 increased in blood type B, two miRNAs increased in blood type AB and two miRNAs increased in blood type 0) and 17 miRNAs to Rh status of mother. We also detected seven miRNAs deregulated in umbilical cord blood of women with allergy (four increased and three decreased in women with allergy), four miRNAs associated to addictive substance abuse status (two up- and two downregulated in women with addictive substance abuse) and eight miRNAs associated with maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy.

Conclusions

We successfully described differences in miRNA profiles in umbilical cord blood associated with basic characteristics connected with mother. Our data suggest that miRNAs in umbilical cord blood are detectable and associated with a wide range of maternal characteristics. These results indicate that miRNAs could potentially serve, and should be studied, as biomarkers for screening and diagnosis of pregnancy-associated complications and pathologies.
Assessment of Blood Donation Safety by People Diagnosed with Diabetes, Hypertension, Malaria and Cancer
Authors: Debecho Demeke Ashencho , Hailu Alemayehu
Published: May 2019

The present review aims to assess the blood donation safety by people suffered from diabetes, hypertension, malaria and cancer. Diabetes, hypertension, malaria and cancer have become common health problems in human society. Cases of blood transfusion-transmitted malaria, hypertension, cancer and the safety of blood donation by diabetic people have been described around the world and highlighted in some studies. Diabetes is generally associated with complications and people with diabetes usually take different medications and may already have anaemia secondary to renal impairment, B12 deficiency. As for the recipient safety, a blood from a person with hyperglycaemia but otherwise healthy i.e. satisfy blood donation safety standards (no record of HIV, Hepatitis B or C) would be quite safe to receive as the extra glucose would simply be regulated and utilised by the recipient's body. Hypoglycemia is as bad as hyperglycemia and could be fatal and hence, generally, it is not desired that diabetics give blood donations. Diabetic patients taking bovine or porcine insulin may develop antibodies and it is not recommended that the antibody contaminated blood to be given to any other person. A person with hypertension can donate blood, as long as the blood pressure is normal at the time of blood donation and there’s no fluctuation. Malaria is also readily transmitted by blood transfusion through donations collected from asymptomatic, parasitaemic donors. The parasite is released into the bloodstream during its lifecycle and will, therefore, be present in blood donated by infected individuals. The presence of total anti-Plasmodium spp. antibodies in the bloodstream of individuals many years after exposure, with no history of malaria in the meantime, is important to highlight. Regarding donors with cancer blood donations should not be taken from people with recently active malignancies, except in the case of basal cell carcinoma or cervical carcinoma in situ.
Agronomic Characteristics Correlation of Sunflower Genotypes Grown in the Second Crop in the Cerrado
Authors: Rondon Onassis Henrique Simon , Faria Dayana Aparecida De , Avelino Anne Caroline Dallabrida , Pallaoro Dryelle Sifuentes , Filho Aluisio Brigido Borba , Matos Victor Arlindo Taveira De , Abreu Joadil Gonçalves De , Nadin Wesley , Peixoto Wender Mateus , Silva Yasmim Rodrigues Vilas Boas e , Cabral Luciano da Silva
Published: May 2019

The present work aimed to evaluate the correlation of the agronomic characteristics of sunflower genotypes grown for seven years in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, as an aid for the indirect selection of genotypes. The data were obtained from experiments conducted in the period from 2009 to 2017, in the municipality of Campo Verde, Mato Grosso state, Brazil, using different sunflower genotypes. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the following agronomic characteristics: Initial flowering (IF), physiological maturation (PM), plant height (PH), thousand achene weight (TAW), achene yield (AY), oil content (OC) and oil yield (OY). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.75*) was observed between IF and AY, and a moderately strong positive correlation (r = 0.67*) between PM and AY. There was a negative correlation (r = -0.51*) between TAW and OC, as well as between plant height and achene yield (r = -0.32*) and oil yield (r = -0.34*). Late-cycle genotypes showed a positive correlation with achene yield and oil yield. Smaller plants favor productive parameters. Further studies and the anticipation of the crop sowing season in the second crop are suggested due to the local edaphoclimatic conditions.
Giving short‐term prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing open and laparoscopic hepatic resection
Authors: Shinkawa Hiroji , Tanaka Shogo , Takemura Shigekazu , Amano Ryosuke , Kimura Kenjiro , Nishioka Takayoshi , Ito Tokuji , Miyazaki Toru , Ishihara Atsushi , Kubo Shoji
Published: May 2019

Aim

The 2016 guidelines of the Japan Society for Surgical Infection and the Japan Society of Chemotherapy advocate giving prophylactic antibiotics 1 hour before surgery and until 24 hours after surgery in patients undergoing elective hepatic resection. However, the efficacy of short‐term antimicrobial prophylaxis has not been evaluated according to surgical approach. We evaluated the efficacy of giving prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing open or laparoscopic hepatic resection.

Methods

The study comprised 218 and 185 patients undergoing open and pure laparoscopic hepatic resection, respectively. Incidence rates of postoperative infectious complications were compared between patients who received flomoxef sodium as the prophylactic antibiotic before and until 24 hours after surgery (short‐term group) and those who received flomoxef sodium until 72 hours after surgery (long‐term group) among patients undergoing open or laparoscopic hepatic resection. Propensity score matching analysis was carried out to adjust for confounding factors between the short‐ and long‐term groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in the postoperative infectious complication incidence between the short‐ and long‐term groups among patients undergoing open (18.9% vs 12.2%; P = 0.36) or laparoscopic (3.3% vs 1.7%; P > 0.99) hepatic resection after propensity score matching. Incidence rate of surgical site infections was comparable between the short‐ and long‐term groups among patients undergoing open (13.5% vs 10.8%; P = 0.80) or laparoscopic (3.3% vs 1.7%; P > 0.99) hepatic resection.

Conclusion

Giving short‐term prophylactic antibiotics might be sufficient in preventing postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing open and laparoscopic hepatic resection.
RAF1 variant in a patient with Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines and craniosynostosis
Authors: Rodríguez Fernando , Ponce Diana , Berward Francisco J. , Lopetegui Bernardita , Cassorla Fernando , Aracena Mariana
Published: May 2019

We report the case of a 14 years and 8 months girl, who is the first child of nonconsanguineous parents, with short stature, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, multiple facial lentigines, high and wide forehead, downslanting palpebral fissures, low‐set ears, short neck, and pectus excavatum; all features suggestive of Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML). In addition, the patient exhibited craniosynostosis. Molecular analysis of rats sarcoma (RAS)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway genes with high‐resolution melting curve analysis followed by sequencing showed a RAF1 amino acid substitution of valine to glycine at position 263 (p.V263G). The present report provides clinical data regarding the first association of a RAF1 variant and craniosynostosis in a patient with clinical diagnosis of NSML.
Covalent Organic Frameworks: Chemical Approaches to Designer Structures and Built‐In Functions
Authors: Chen Xinyi , Geng Keyu , Liu Ruoyang , Tan Ke Tian , Gong Yifan , Li Zhongping , Tao Shanshan , Jiang Qiuhong , Jiang Donglin
Published: May 2019

A new approach has been developed to design organic polymers using topology diagrams. This strategy enables covalent integration of organic units into ordered topologies and creates a new polymer form, that is, covalent organic frameworks. This is a breakthrough in chemistry because it sets a molecular platform for synthesizing polymers with predesignable primary and high‐order structures, which has been a central aim for over a century but unattainable with traditional design principles. This new field has its own features that are distinct from conventional polymers. This Review summarizes the fundamentals as well as major progress by focusing on the chemistry used to design structures, including the principles, synthetic strategies, and control methods. We scrutinize built‐in functions that are specific to the structures by revealing various interplays and mechanisms involved in the expression of function. We propose major fundamental issues to be addressed in chemistry as well as future directions from physics, materials, and application perspectives.
Colorimetric Detection of DNA Strands on Cellulose Microparticles Using ZZ–CBM Fusions and Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Rosa Ana M. M. , Nazaré Maria R. , Prazeres Duarte M. F.
Published: May 2019

Nucleic acid testing requires skilled personnel and expensive instrumentation. A method for the colorimetric detection of oligonucleotides that combines cellulose microparticles with biomolecular recognition is presented. DNA sequences from Trypanosoma brucei and dengue are used as model targets. Cellulose microparticles (≈20 µm) are bioactived by anchoring anti‐biotin antibodies via fusions that combine a carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM) with the ZZ fragment of protein A. Samples are prepared by incubating DNA probes immobilized on ≈14 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with biotin‐labeled targets and mixed with bioactive microparticles. The presence of unlabeled targets could also be probed by introducing a second, biotinylated DNA probe. The target:probe‐AuNP hybrids are mixed with and captured by the microparticles, which change color from white to red. Depletion of AuNPs from the liquid is also signaled by a decrease in absorbance at 525 nm. It was possible to detect targets with concentrations as low as 50 n
m. In the presence of noncomplementary targets, microparticles remain white and the liquid remains red. The system is able to discriminate targets with a high degree of homology (≈53%). Overall, it is demonstrated that simple systems for the visual detection of nucleic acids can be set up by combining cellulose microparticles with biomolecular recognition agents based on CBMs and AuNPs.
Phosphonic and Phosphinic Acid Derivatives as Novel Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Kinetic Studies and Molecular Docking
Authors: Wolińska Ewa , Hałdys Katarzyna , Góra Jerzy , Olszewski Tomasz K. , Boduszek Bogdan , Latajka Rafał
Published: May 2019

A dozen of phosphonic and phosphinic acid derivatives containing pyridine moiety were synthesized and its inhibitory activity toward mushroom tyrosinase was investigated. Moreover, molecular docking of these compounds to the active site of the enzyme was performed. All the compounds (1–10) demonstrated the inhibitory effect with the IC50and inhibition constants ranging millimolar concentrations. The obtained results indicate that the compounds show different types of inhibition (competitive, noncompetitive, mixed), but all of them are reversible inhibitors. The obtained outcomes allowed to make the structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis. Compound4([(benzylamino)(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]phenylphosphinic acid) revealed the lowest IC50value of 0.3 mmand inhibitory constant ofKi0.076 mm, with noncompetitive type and reversible mechanism of inhibition. According to SAR analysis, introducing bulky phenyl moieties to phosphonic and amino groups plays an important role in the inhibitory potency on activity of mushroom tyrosinase and could be useful in design and development of a new class of potent organophosphorus inhibitors of tyrosinase. Combined results of molecular docking and SAR analysis can be helpful in designing novel tyrosinase inhibitors of desired properties. They may have broad application in food industry and cosmetology.
Removal of methylene blue (aq) using untreated and acid‐treated eucalyptus leaves and GA‐ANN modelling
Authors: Ghosh Koushik , Bar Nirjhar , Biswas Asit Baran , Das Sudip Kumar
Published: May 2019

In the present batch study, eucalyptus leaves (EUL), H2SO4‐treated eucalyptus leaves (SEUL), and H3PO4‐treated eucalyptus leaves (PEUL) are used as bio‐adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB). The bio‐adsorption is executed to inspect the results of the variation between different experimental variables such as pH (2–10), adsorbent dose (1–10 g/L), contact time (5–360 min), and temperature (298–318 K) on the bio‐adsorption of MB. The Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.99) fitted adequately to the bio‐adsorption data for the initial MB concentrations of 10–300 mg/L. It is also necessary to mention that the MB bio‐adsorption occurred in the order of a monolayer on the EUL, SEUL, and PEUL. The bio‐adsorption kinetics have been fitted by the pseudo‐second‐order model (R2 ≥ 0.99) for various MB concentrations. The maximum bio‐adsorption capacity was 194.34 mg/g and was achieved for the H3PO4‐treated eucalyptus leaves (PEUL). These results showed that EUL, SEUL, and PEUL may be utilized as a favourable low‐cost bio‐adsorbent to eliminate MB from aqueous solutions. With safe disposal methods in mind, this investigation has revealed the eco‐friendliness of the bio‐adsorbents. A prediction of the removal percentage of methylene blue using a genetic algorithm (GA) from the data collected from the experiment has also been tested. The results related to the prediction using the GA‐ANN are accurate.
Association between advanced cancer patient‐caregiver agreement regarding prognosis and hospice enrollment
Authors: Trevino Kelly M. , Prigerson Holly G. , Shen Megan Johnson , Tancredi Daniel J. , Xing Guibo , Hoerger Michael , Epstein Ronald M. , Duberstein Paul R.
Published: May 2019

Background

Patients with advanced, incurable cancer who understand their illness is incurable are more likely to prefer hospice care at the end of life compared with patients who believe their illness is curable. To the authors' knowledge, it is unclear whether patient‐caregiver agreement regarding perceived prognosis is associated with hospice enrollment.

Methods

The current study examined the prospective relationship between patient‐caregiver agreement concerning perceived prognosis and hospice enrollment in the last 30 days of life. Data were collected during a cluster randomized controlled trial examining a communication intervention for oncologists and patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. At the time of study entry, patients and caregivers (141 dyads) were categorized as endorsing a “good” prognosis if they: 1) reported a >50% chance of surviving ≥2 years; or if they 2) predicted that the patient's quality of life 3 months into the future would be ≥7 on an 11‐point scale.

Results

Approximately one‐fifth of dyads agreed on a poor prognosis whereas approximately one‐half disagreed regarding prognosis. In approximately one‐third of dyads, patients and caregivers both believed the patient's future quality of life would be good (34%) and that the patient would live for ≥2 years (30%). Patients in these dyads were less likely to enroll in hospice compared with patients in dyads who disagreed and those who agreed on a shorter life expectancy and poor future quality of life.

Conclusions

Dyadic understanding of patients' projected life expectancy and future quality of life appears to be predictive of care received at the end of life. Improving rates of hospice enrollment may be best achieved with dyadic interventions.
Ultrasound‐Guided Approaches to Improve Orthotopic Mouse Xenograft Models for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Bou About Ghina , Thiebault Emilie , Wattenhofer‐Donzé Marie , Jacobs Hugues , Guimond Alain , Sorg Tania , Robinet Eric , Baumert Thomas F. , Monassier Laurent , Herault Yann
Published: May 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. While curative approaches for early stage HCC exist, effective treatment options for advanced HCC are lacking. Furthermore, there are no efficient chemopreventive strategies to limit HCC development once cirrhosis is established. One challenge for drug development is unsatisfactory animal models. In this article, we describe an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of human liver cancer cell lines through image‐guided injection into the liver. This technique provides a less invasive yet highly efficient approach to engraft human HCC into mouse liver. Similarly, image‐guided injections are used to deliver chemotherapeutics locally, enabling reduction in potential systemic adverse effects, while reducing the required dose for a therapeutic effect. In summary, this image‐guided strategy provides a novel and convenient approach to improve current HCC mouse models. © 2019 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial‐NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non‐commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Porous Palladium Nanomeshes with Enhanced Electrochemical CO2‐into‐Syngas Conversion over a Wider Applied Potential
Authors: Wu Jun , Xie Ying , Ren Zhiyu , Du Shichao , Meng Huiyuan , Zhao Lei , Wang Xiuwen , Wang Guiling , Fu Honggang
Published: May 2019

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into syngas, which can be used directly in the classical petroleum industrial processes, provides a powerful approach for achieving the recycling of anthropogenic carbon. Pd has previously been reported to be capable of converting CO2 into syngas with various CO/H2 ratios, but only at limited applied potential, which is mainly attributed to fewer active sites exposed toward electrocatalysis. Herein, high‐performance Pd nanomeshes (NMs) assembled with branch‐like Pd nanoparticles were designed and synthesized by using a simple interface‐induced self‐assembly strategy; these NMs could catalyze CO2‐into‐syngas conversion with a high current density in a wide applied potential range from −0.5 to −1.0 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode). Further evidence validated that the enhanced activity of the Pd NMs was not only caused by the crosslinked network structure accelerating electron transport, but also by the greater number of edge and/or corner active sites exposed on the surface of the NMs, which facilitated CO2 adsorption, CO2.− formation, COOH* stabilization, and CO generation. Under optimal operating conditions, Pd NMs could balance two competing reactions: CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution. The resultant syngases with the ideal and tunable CO/H2 ratio between 0.5:1 and 1:1 could be used directly for methanol synthesis and Fischer–Tropsch reactions.
Tree shape‐based approaches for the comparative study of cophylogeny
Authors: Avino Mariano , Ng Garway T. , He Yiying , Renaud Mathias S. , Jones Bradley R. , Poon Art F. Y.
Published: May 2019

Cophylogeny is the congruence of phylogenetic relationships between two different groups of organisms due to their long‐term interaction. We investigated the use of tree shape distance measures to quantify the degree of cophylogeny. We implemented a reverse‐time simulation model of pathogen phylogenies within a fixed host tree, given cospeciation probability, host switching, and pathogen speciation rates. We used this model to evaluate 18 distance measures between host and pathogen trees including two kernel distances that we developed for labeled and unlabeled trees, which use branch lengths and accommodate different size trees. Finally, we used these measures to revisit published cophylogenetic studies, where authors described the observed associations as representing a high or low degree of cophylogeny. Our simulations demonstrated that some measures are more informative than others with respect to specific coevolution parameters especially when these did not assume extreme values. For real datasets, trees’ associations projection revealed clustering of high concordance studies suggesting that investigators are describing it in a consistent way. Our results support the hypothesis that measures can be useful for quantifying cophylogeny. This motivates their usage in the field of coevolution and supports the development of simulation‐based methods, i.e., approximate Bayesian computation, to estimate the underlying coevolutionary parameters.
Formation of textured Al thin film on periodic microswelling structure fabricated on silicone rubber surface to realize superhydrophobicity
Authors: Okoshi Masayuki
Published: May 2019

Periodic microswelling structure was fabricated on silicone rubber by the 193‐nm ArF excimer laser induced photodissociation of silicone; subsequent deposition of Al thin film on the sample surface significantly improved the superhydrophobicity. To discuss the improvement, Al thin film was deposited on a flat slide glass, silicone rubber, and silicone resin substrates. Under a scanning electron microscope, textured structure of Al thin film was found only on the silicone rubber. As a result, contact angle of water on the sample with the textured Al indicated to be approximately 165°, compared with the case of 155° before Al deposition.
Morphology Engineering of Self‐Assembled Nanostructured CuCo2O4 Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Aqueel Ahmed Abu Talha , Hou Bo , Inamdar Akbar I. , Cha SeungNam , Kim Hyungsang , Im Hyunsik
Published: May 2019

The electrochemical kinetics and output capacity of active electrode materials are significantly influenced by their surface structure. Herein, the template‐free morphological evolution of CuCo2O4 is reported, which is achieved by controlling the nucleation and growth rate during the hydrothermal process and evaluating its anode performance. The charge‐transfer resistance and specific surface area of the fabricated CuCo2O4 anode films are influenced by the viscosity of the solvent used. The optimized mesoporous nanosheet anode exhibits a high specific discharge capacity (1547 mAh g–1) at 0.1 A g–1 and an excellent restoring capability (≈91%); it retains 88% of the initial capacity with a coulombic efficiency of ≈99% even after 250 discharge–charge cycles. The superior lithium‐ion energy storage performance of this anode is due to its electrochemically favorable porous 2D morphology with large Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area and pore volume, resulting in enhanced Li+ storage and intercalation property.
Identifying the trajectory of social milestones 15‐20 years after epilepsy surgery: Realistic timelines for postsurgical expectations
Authors: Coleman Honor , McIntosh Anne , Wilson Sarah J.
Published: May 2019

Objective

Patients often undertake epilepsy surgery with the expectation that it will lead to improvements in their social situation. Short‐ to medium‐term research consistently points toward improvements in social outcomes; however, no study has mapped out postsurgical social timelines, particularly for longer‐term (>15 years) outcomes.

Methods

We recruited 39 patients who had undergone anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) for drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) between 1994 and 2002. The cohort (24 females) had a median age of 49 years (range 38‐67), age of habitual seizure onset was 9.5 years (range 0.5‐29 years), and age at surgery was 31 years (range 20‐53). Patients were followed up for a median of 18.4 years postsurgery (IQR = 4.4). Using data obtained from semistructured interviews, we conducted a comprehensive qualitative analysis of patients' self‐reported postsurgical social trajectories. Self‐report questionnaires were used to assess mood and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) at the time of interview.

Results

There was a common sequence of social milestone achievement, spanning 20 years postsurgery. Typically, patients first (re)gained their license, then attempted educational and vocational gains, followed by establishing long‐term relationships and finally a family unit. Rare, intermittent seizures postsurgery did not appear to have detrimental effects on social trajectories. Those who experienced a reduction in seizures showed increased likelihood of attaining social milestones compared to those with ongoing seizures.

Significance

Achieving social milestones after epilepsy surgery may take considerably longer than patients are expecting prior to surgery. The pattern of social milestone outcome resembled a process of psychosocial development. These findings have important implications for presurgical counseling and postsurgical rehabilitation.
SUDEP in patients with epilepsy and nonepileptic seizures
Authors: Verducci Chloe , Friedman Daniel , Devinsky Orrin
Published: May 2019

We report 13 SUDEP cases in the North American SUDEP Registry with both psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and epileptic seizures (ES) among a consecutive series of 231 cases (excluding epileptic encephalopathies). On average, cases of PNES + ES died at a younger age (23 ± 11 years) than the ES‐only cohort (30 ± 14 years), and died an average of 3 years after PNES diagnosis. We found no statistically significant confounding cardiac, respiratory, or psychiatric comorbidities and equal rates of anti‐seizure medication adherence, although there was a trend for higher rates of psychiatric disorders in the PNES group. Our findings confirm that patients with comorbid ES and PNES can die from SUDEP and that there may be a high‐risk period after the diagnosis of PNES is made in patients with comorbid ES. Such patients should be closely monitored and provided with coordinated care of both their epilepsy and psychiatric disorder(s).
Olfactory function in focal epilepsies: Understanding mesial temporal lobe epilepsy beyond the hippocampus
Authors: Espinosa‐Jovel Camilo , Toledano Rafael , Jiménez‐Huete Adolfo , Aledo‐Serrano Ángel , García‐Morales Irene , Campo Pablo , Gil‐Nagel Antonio
Published: May 2019

Several lines of research have linked olfactory regions with the pathophysiology of focal epilepsies. Among those regions, the piriform cortex represents the major part of the primary olfactory cortex. According to these data, we raised the hypothesis that in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis exists an interictal dysfunction of olfactory processing that could be more significant compared to patients with extra‐hippocampal focal epilepsy and healthy controls. This could be the consequence of a dysfunctional epileptogenic network that extends beyond the hippocampus and affects other structures, including the piriform cortex. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the olfactory function with the Sniffin' Sticks test in 32 patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis, 30 patients with extra‐hippocampal focal epilepsy, and 22 healthy controls. Compared to the other study groups, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy due to hippocampal sclerosis showed a basal olfactory dysfunction characterized by an impairment in odor discrimination and odor identification. We also found that high seizure frequency had a strong correlation with the evaluated olfactory tasks. Our results are consistent with neuroimaging and neuropathological data that establish a link between olfactory regions and the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Improvement of rhizobium‐soybean symbiosis and nitrogen fixation under drought
Authors: Kibido Tsholofelo , Kunert Karl , Makgopa Matome , Greve Michelle , Vorster Juan
Published: May 2019

The symbiotic interaction between soybean plants and rhizobacteria can be severely affected by drought, which results in a reduction in symbiotic nitrogen fixation and ultimately decreased yields. The aim of our research was to determine whether symbiotically efficient rhizobia that can better tolerate soil water deficits can improve nodule performance in plants subjected to drought. Firstly, rhizobial strains were selected that exhibited differences in tolerance to salt (NaCl) or water deficit (PEG 6000). Sinorhizobium fredii strain SMH12 showed the highest tolerance to these treatments while Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens strain WB74‐1 showed the lowest tolerance. Greenhouse‐grown Prima 2000 soybean plants were then inoculated with either SMH12 or WB74‐1 and subjected to two water deficit regimes. Different nodule and plant growth traits were determined, including nodule number, dry weight, water potential, and the accumulation of malondialdehyde and ureide. Plants inoculated with SMH12 had significantly more nodules under water deficit conditions than those inoculated WB74‐1, despite having lower root and shoot biomass. SMH12‐inoculated plants had higher nodule water potentials and lower malondialdehyde contents than the WB74‐1‐inoculated plants. These results demonstrate that inoculation of soybean plants with the more water deficit‐tolerant S. fredii strain improved nodule characteristics when plants were grown under water deficit conditions. However, these improved nodule characteristics do not always directly translate into better plant growth.
Ecohydrologic separation alters interpreted hydrologic stores and fluxes in a headwater mountain catchment
Authors: Cain Molly R. , Ward Adam S. , Hrachowitz Markus
Published: May 2019

Recent studies have demonstrated that compartmentalized pools of water preferentially supply either plant transpiration (poorly mobile water) or streamflow and groundwater (highly mobile water) in some catchments, a phenomenon referred to as ecohydrologic separation. The omission of processes accounting for ecohydrologic separation in standard applications of hydrological models is expected to influence estimates of water residence times and plant water availability. However, few studies have tested this expectation or investigated how ecohydrologic separation alters interpretations of stores and fluxes of water within a catchment. In this study, we compare two rainfall‐runoff models that integrate catchment‐scale representations of transport, one that incorporates ecohydrologic separation and one that does not. The models were developed for a second‐order watershed at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest (Oregon, USA), the site where ecohydrologic separation was first observed, and calibrated against multiple years of stream discharge and chloride concentration. Model structural variations caused mixed results for differences in calibrated parameters and differences in storage between reservoirs. However, large differences in catchment storage volumes and fluxes arise when considering only mobile water. These changes influence interpreted residence times for streamflow‐generating water, demonstrating the importance of ecohydrologic separation in catchment‐scale water and solute transport.
How preferential flow delivers pre‐event groundwater rapidly to streams
Authors: Worthington Stephen R.H.
Published: May 2019

Groundwater often accounts for a substantial fraction of flood hydrographs, but the processes responsible for this have been unclear. However, many aquifers have preferential flow and this explains how aquifers can be so responsive. In bedrock aquifers, weathering enhances the connectivity and apertures along the most efficient flow paths and hence enhances the permeability. This results in celerities and velocities of the preferential flow in these dual‐porosity aquifers that are two to three orders of magnitude higher than if the aquifers behaved as single‐porosity media. The celerities have been determined from artificial and natural flood pulses, from tidal lags, and from pumping tests. Preferential‐flow velocities have been calculated from tests using applied tracers. Celerities in bedrock aquifers are typically one to two orders of magnitude faster than velocities. The ubiquitous preferential flow in aquifers provides an additional explanation, besides groundwater ridging, for the rapid release of groundwater to streams during storm events.
Caregiving for children through conflict and displacement: a pilot study testing the feasibility of delivering and evaluating a light touch parenting intervention for caregivers in the West Bank
Authors: El‐Khani Aala , Maalouf Wadih , Baker Dania Abu , Zahra Nosheen , Noubani Ali , Cartwright Kim
Published: May 2019

A child's adjustment to wartime stress is reliant not only on individual responses and qualities, but very significantly on the availability of support that they may receive from their parent or caregivers and quality of relationships. Strengthening parental support has the potential to be valuable. A pilot two‐arm randomised controlled trial investigated the feasibility of delivering and evaluating the “Caring for Children Through Conflict and Displacement” intervention with caregivers in the West Bank. Feasibility to recruit and train non‐specialist staff on‐the‐ground to screen families for eligibility, collect outcome data, deliver the intervention and to recruit and retain families in the study were examined. Research staff and intervention facilitators were successfully appointed in the field, screened participants and delivered the intervention to 120 caregivers, collecting outcome measures pre‐and post‐delivery. All families completed the outcome measures, with very little missing data. This indicated that the intervention can be delivered feasibly and evaluated with families in this humanitarian context. Preliminary outcome data showed promise that the intervention may have the potential to both improve family functioning and reduce children's problem behaviour. Implications of family‐focused initiatives, particularly within a conflict/post‐conflict context for the prevention of several negative health and social outcomes directions, are discussed.