bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleaved 31P MRS imaging of human frontal and occipital lobes using dual RF coils in combination with single‐channel transmitter–receiver and dynamic B0 shimming
Authors: Lee Byeong‐Yeul , Zhu Xiao‐Hong , Woo Myung Kyun , Adriany Gregor , Schillak Scott , Chen Wei
Published: October 2017

In vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a unique tool for the non‐invasive study of brain energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. The assessment of bioenergetic impairment in different brain regions is essential to understand the pathophysiology and progression of human brain diseases. This article presents a simple and effective approach which allows the interleaved measurement of 31P spectra and imaging from two distinct human brain regions of interest with dynamic B0 shimming capability. A transistor–transistor logic controller was employed to actively switch the single‐channel X‐nuclear radiofrequency (RF) transmitter–receiver between two 31P RF surface coils, enabling the interleaved acquisition of two 31P free induction decays (FIDs) from human occipital and frontal lobes within the same repetition time. Linear gradients were incorporated into the RF pulse sequence to perform the first‐order dynamic shimming to further improve spectral resolution. The overall results demonstrate that the approach provides a cost‐effective and time‐efficient solution for reliable 31P MRS measurement of cerebral phosphate metabolites and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolic fluxes from two human brain regions with high detection sensitivity and spectral quality at 7 T. The same design concept can be extended to acquire multiple spectra from more than two brain regions or can be employed for other magnetic resonance applications beyond the 31P spin.
Hadamard editing of glutathione and macromolecule‐suppressed GABA
Authors: Oeltzschner Georg , Chan Kimberly L. , Saleh Muhammad G. , Mikkelsen Mark , Puts Nicolaas A. , Edden Richard A. E.
Published: October 2017

The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the major antioxidant glutathione (GSH) are compounds of high importance for the function and integrity of the human brain. In this study, a method for simultaneous J‐difference spectral‐edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of GSH and GABA with suppression of macromolecular (MM) signals at 3 T is proposed. MM‐suppressed Hadamard encoding and reconstruction of MEGA (Mescher–Garwood)‐edited spectroscopy (HERMES) consists of four sub‐experiments (TE = 80 ms), with 20‐ms editing pulses applied at: (A) 4.56 and 1.9 ppm; (B) 4.56 and 1.5 ppm; (C) 1.9 ppm; and (D) 1.5 ppm. One Hadamard combination (A + B – C – D) yields GSH‐edited spectra, and another (A – B + C – D) yields GABA‐edited spectra, with symmetric suppression of the co‐edited MM signal. MM‐suppressed HERMES, conventional HERMES and separate Mescher–Garwood point‐resolved spectroscopy (MEGA‐PRESS) data were successfully acquired from a (33 mm)3 voxel in the parietal lobe in 10 healthy subjects. GSH‐ and GABA‐edited MM‐suppressed HERMES spectra were in close agreement with the respective MEGA‐PRESS spectra. Mean GABA (and GSH) estimates were 1.10 ± 0.15 i.u. (0.59 ± 0.12 i.u.) for MM‐suppressed HERMES, and 1.13 ± 0.09 i.u. (0.66 ± 0.09 i.u.) for MEGA‐PRESS. Mean GABA (and GSH) differences between MM‐suppressed HERMES and MEGA‐PRESS were –0.03 ± 0.11 i.u. (–0.07 ± 0.11 i.u.). The mean signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) improvement of MM‐suppressed HERMES over MEGA‐PRESS was 1.45 ± 0.25 for GABA and 1.32 ± 0.24 for GSH. These results indicate that symmetric suppression of the MM signal can be accommodated into the Hadamard editing framework. Compared with sequential single‐metabolite MEGA‐PRESS experiments, MM‐suppressed HERMES allows for simultaneous edited measurements of GSH and GABA without MM contamination in only half the scan time, and SNR is maintained.
On quadratic matrix equations with infinite size coefficients encountered in QBD stochastic processes
Authors: Bini D. A. , Massei S. , Meini B. , Robol L.
Published: October 2017

Matrix equations of the kind A1X2+A0X+A−1=X, where both the matrix coefficients and the unknown are semi‐infinite matrices belonging to a Banach algebra, are considered. These equations, where coefficients are quasi‐Toeplitz matrices, are encountered in certain quasi‐birth–death processes as the tandem Jackson queue or in any other processes that can be modeled as a reflecting random walk in the quarter plane. We provide a numerical framework for approximating the minimal nonnegative solution of these equations that relies on semi‐infinite quasi‐Toeplitz matrix arithmetic. In particular, we show that the algorithm of cyclic reduction can be effectively applied and can approximate the infinite‐dimensional solutions with quadratic convergence at a cost that is comparable to that of the finite case. This way, we may compute a finite approximation of the sought solution and of the invariant probability measure of the associated quasi‐birth–death process, within a given accuracy. Numerical experiments, performed on a collection of benchmarks, confirm the theoretical analysis.
Obesity and Associated Health Disparities Among Understudied Multiracial, Pacific Islander, and American Indian Adults
Authors: Subica Andrew M. , Agarwal Neha , Sullivan J. Greer , Link Bruce G.
Published: October 2017

Objective

This study examined the state of obesity, diabetes, and associated health disparities among understudied multiracial, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI), and American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) adults.

Methods

Aggregated data for 184,617 adults from the California Health Interview Survey (2005 to 2011) were analyzed to determine obesity, diabetes, poor/fair health, and physical disability prevalence by racial group. Logistic regressions controlling for age, gender, and key social determinants (education, marital status, poverty, health insurance) generated multiracial, NHOPI, and AIAN adults' odds ratios (ORs) for our targeted health conditions versus non‐Hispanic white adults.

Results

Obesity, diabetes, and other targeted health conditions were highly prevalent among multiracial, NHOPI, and AIAN adults, who displayed significantly greater adjusted odds than non‐Hispanic white adults for obesity (ORs = 1.2‐1.9), diabetes (ORs = 1.6‐2.4), poor/fair health (ORs = 1.4‐1.7), and, with the exception of NHOPI adults, physical disability (ORs = 1.5‐1.6). Multiracial and AIAN adults with obesity also had significantly higher adjusted odds of diabetes (OR = 1.5‐2.6) than non‐Hispanic white adults with obesity.

Conclusions

Multiracial, NHOPI, and AIAN adults experience striking obesity‐related disparities versus non‐Hispanic white adults, urging further disparities research with these vulnerable minority populations.
Body Mass Index Trajectories from Adolescence to Early Young Adulthood: Do Adverse Life Events Play a Role?
Authors: Elsenburg Leonie K. , Smidt Nynke , Hoek Hans W. , Liefbroer Aart C.
Published: October 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are different classes of body mass index (BMI) development from early adolescence to young adulthood and whether these classes are related to the number of adverse life events children experienced.

Methods

Data were from the TRAILS (TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey) cohort (n = 2,218). Height and weight were objectively measured five times between participants' ages 10 to 12 years and 21 to 23 years. Parents reported on the occurrence of adverse life events in their child's life in an interview when children were 10 to 12 years old. Unconditional and conditional growth mixture modeling was used for statistical analysis.

Results

“Normal weight” (75.1%), “late onset overweight” (20.1%), and “early onset overweight” classes (4.8%) were identified. In analyses unadjusted for additional covariates, children who experienced a higher number of adverse events had higher odds to be in the late onset overweight (OR [95% CI] = 1.08 [1.00‐1.17]) than the normal weight class, but the association was attenuated in analyses adjusted for additional covariates (OR [95% CI] = 1.07 [0.98‐1.16]).

Conclusions

Three BMI trajectory classes can be distinguished from early adolescence to young adulthood. The accumulation of adverse life events is not related to BMI trajectory class.
Behavioral Associations with Overweight in Low‐Income Children
Authors: Gearhardt Ashley N. , Miller Alison L. , Sturza Julie , Epstein Leonard H. , Kaciroti Niko , Lumeng Julie C.
Published: October 2017

Objective

Food reinforcement (relative reinforcement value [RRV]), self‐control (the ability to delay gratification [ATDG]), and eating outside of homeostatic need (eating in the absence of hunger [EAH]) are associated with overweight/obesity. These constructs have typically been studied in isolation in children, and little is known about how they interrelate and whether these associations differ by sex. The objective of this study is to investigate these associations by sex.

Methods

In a low‐income sample of 230 7‐ to 10‐year‐old children, RRV, ATDG, and EAH were assessed. The model showing that elevated RRV, lower ATDG, and greater EAH are each independent, direct predictors of overweight in middle childhood was separately tested by sex. It was predicted that greater RRV and less ATDG would also have indirect effects on overweight through EAH. The association between RRV and ATDG was investigated.

Results

For girls, higher RRV was indirectly associated with overweight through EAH. For boys, no associations of RRV, ATDG, or EAH with overweight were significant. Finally, for girls, RRV and ATDG were significantly positively associated.

Conclusions

In girls, higher food reinforcement appears to be an important contributor to overweight. During middle childhood, ATDG may be assessing food reinforcement rather than self‐control. Future studies are needed to identify the mechanisms underlying childhood overweight in boys.
Risk factors for fetomaternal bleeding after laser therapy for twin‐twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Chon Andrew H. , Korst Lisa M. , Grubbs Brendan H. , Kontopoulos Eftichia V. , Quintero Rubén A. , Chmait Ramen H.
Published: October 2017

Objective

To quantify and assess potential risk factors for transplacental passage of fetal red blood cells (RBCs) into the maternal circulation (fetomaternal bleeding, FMB) after laser surgery for twin‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Study Design

A retrospective study of Rhesus‐D negative patients that underwent laser surgery for TTTS. Patients with and without postoperative detectable fetal RBCs on Kleihauer‐Betke (KB) testing were compared to determine risk factors for FMB. Patients were further sub‐classified into those with a FMB < 20% and ≥20% of estimated fetoplacental blood volume.

Results

Of 60 studied patients, 26/60 (43%) had a positive postoperative KB test. The median fetal:adult RBC ratio was 0.00125, estimated to be a FMB volume of 6.25 mL. There were 17/26 (65%) of patients with FMB < 20% and 9/26 (35%) patients with ≥20% of the fetoplacental blood volume. Stage III‐Recipient and III‐Recipient/Donor patients were more likely to have a positive KB test (14/21 [66.7%] vs 12/39 [30.8%], OR = 4.50 [1.27–16.54], P = 0.0162). No other risk factors for FMB were apparent.

Conclusions

Fetomaternal bleed appears to be a common finding after laser surgery for TTTS. TTTS Stage, particularly stage III‐Recipient and III‐Recipient/Donor, appears to be a risk factor for FMB.
Nitrogen‐doped graphene combined with bioactive conducting polymer: An ideal platform for neural interface
Authors: Xiao Yinghong , Chen Xue , Wang Tongxin , Yang Xiaodi , Mitchell James
Published: October 2017

Nanoscale components at neural interface are crucial factors for neural devices due to the complex nanoscale structure of neural tissue. Nitrogen‐doped graphene (g‐C3N4) was prepared and applied as a candidate material for the surface modification of neural electrodes. To better explore the practical applications of g‐C3N4, a conducting polymer of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was employed and a nanoporous composite of g‐C3N4/PEDOT was achieved with excellent electrochemical performance including low interfacial impedance, high electric capacity, and long‐term stability. Investigation revealed that the enhanced performance of the composite was attributed to its unique nanostructure, which was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, as well as the synergistic effect of the two components. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that g‐C3N4/PEDOT promoted robust cell growth, possessing excellent biocompatibility. Our study validates that the g‐C3N4/PEDOT nanocomposite is a promising candidate material to construct the interface between neural tissue and neural electrodes. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1548–1554, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Moisture ingress prediction in polyisobutylene‐based edge seal with molecular sieve desiccant
Authors: Kempe Michael D. , Nobles Dylan L. , Postak Lori , Calderon Jose Alonzo
Published: October 2017

Often photovoltaic modules are constructed with materials that are sensitive to water. This is most often the case with thin film technologies, including perovskite cells, where the active layers are a few microns thick and can be sensitive to moisture, liquid water or both. When moisture or liquid water can ingress, a small amount of water can lead to corrosion and depending on the resulting reactions, a larger local detrimental effect is possible. To prevent moisture from contacting photovoltaic components, impermeable frontsheets and backsheets are used with a polyisobutylene (PIB)‐based edge seal material around the perimeter. Here, we evaluate the ability of a PIB‐based edge seal using a molecular sieve desiccant to keep moisture out for the expected module lifetime. Moisture ingress is evaluated using test coupons where the edge seal is placed between 2 pieces of glass, one of which has a metallic calcium film on it, and monitoring the moisture ingress distance as a function of time. We expose samples to different temperature and humidity conditions to create permeation models useful for extrapolation to field use. This extrapolation indicates that this PIB material is capable of keeping moisture out of a module for the desired lifetime.
Randomized clinical study of safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of RIPK1 inhibitor GSK2982772 in healthy volunteers
Authors: Weisel Kathleen , Scott Nicola E. , Tompson Debra J. , Votta Bartholomew J. , Madhavan Sujith , Povey Kat , Wolstenholme Allen , Simeoni Monica , Rudo Todd , Richards‐Peterson Lauren , Sahota Tarjinder , Wang J. Gene , Lich John , Finger Joshua , Verticelli Adeline , Reilly Michael , Gough Peter J. , Harris Philip A. , Bertin John , Wang Mei‐Lun
Published: October 2017

GSK2982772 is a highly selective inhibitor of receptor‐interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) being developed to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. This first‐in‐human study evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and exploratory pharmacodynamics (PD) of GSK2982772 administered orally to healthy male volunteers. This was a Phase I, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study. In Part A, subjects received single ascending doses of GSK2982772 (0.1‐120 mg) or placebo in a crossover design during each of 4 treatment periods. In Part B, subjects received repeat doses of GSK2982772 (20 mg once daily [QD] to up to 120 mg twice daily [BID]) or placebo for 14 days. Part C was an open‐label relative bioavailability study comparing 20‐mg tablets vs capsules. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), RIPK1 target engagement (TE), and pharmacodynamics (PD) were assessed. The most common adverse events (AEs) were contact dermatitis and headache. Most AEs were mild in intensity, and there were no deaths or serious AEs. The PK of GSK2982772 was approximately linear over the dose range studied (up to 120 mg BID). There was no evidence of drug accumulation upon repeat dosing. Greater than 90% RIPK1 TE was achieved over a 24‐hour period for the 60‐mg and 120‐mg BID dosing regimens. Single and repeat doses of GSK2982772 were safe and well tolerated. PK profiles showed dose linearity. The high levels of RIPK1 TE support progression into Phase II clinical trials for further clinical development.
Introduction of a putative biocontrol agent into a range of phytoplasma‐ and liberibacter‐susceptible crop plants
Authors: Lidor Ofir , Dror Orit , Hamershlak Dor , Shoshana Nofar , Belausov Eduard , Zahavi Tirtza , Mozes‐Daube Netta , Naor Vered , Zchori‐Fein Einat , Iasur‐Kruh Lilach , Bahar Ofir
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Phytoplasma, the causative agent of Bois Noir disease of grapevines, are vectored by the planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae). A Dyella‐like bacterium (DLB) isolated from H. obsoletus inhibits the growth of Spiroplasma melliferum, a cultivable relative of phytoplasma. Additional evidence suggests that DLB can reduce the symptoms of yellows disease in grapevine plantlets. The aim of this study was to test whether DLB could colonize a range of phytoplasma‐ and liberibacter‐sensitive crop plants, and thus assess its potential agricultural use.

RESULTS

Vitex agnus‐castus, the preferred host plant of H. obsoletus was found to be a natural host of DLB, which was successfully introduced into a range of crop plants belonging to seven families. The most effective DLB application method was foliar spraying. Microscopy observation revealed that DLB aggregated on the leaf surface and around the stomata, suggesting that this is its route of entry. DLB was also present in the vascular tissues of plants, indicating that it moved systemically through the plant.

CONCLUSIONS

DLB is a potential biocontrol agent and its broad spectrum of host plants indicates the possibility of its future use against a range of diseases caused by phloem‐limited bacteria. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of field‐evolved resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis‐derived Cry1F δ‐endotoxin in Spodoptera frugiperda populations from Argentina
Authors: Chandrasena Desmi I , Signorini Ana M , Abratti Gustavo , Storer Nicholas P , Olaciregui Magdalena L , Alves Analiza P , Pilcher Clinton D
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) event TC1507 (Herculex® I insect protection), expressing Cry1F δ‐endotoxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai, was commercialized in 2003 in the Americas. Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) susceptibility to Cry1F was monitored annually across several regions in Argentina using diagnostic concentration bioassays. Reduced performance of TC1507 maize against S. frugiperda was reported in 2013. A resistant population was established in the laboratory and the dominance of Cry1F resistance was characterized.

RESULTS

During 2012–2015, high‐survivorship of several populations was observed in the resistance monitoring program. Reciprocal crosses of a Cry1F‐resistant population with a Cry1F‐susceptible population were evaluated to calculate effective dominance (DML) based on mortality levels observed at 100 µg/ml Cry1F. Two additional dominance levels (DLC and DEC) were calculated using lethal (LC50) or effective concentration (EC50) derived from concentration–response bioassays. Estimates indicated that Cry1F resistance in S. frugiperda in Argentina was either highly recessive (DML = 0.005) or incompletely recessive (DLC < 0.26 and DEC < 0.19).

CONCLUSION

This study is the first documented confirmation and characterization of S. frugiperda Cry1F field‐evolved resistance in Argentina. The resistance to Cry1F in S. frugiperda populations collected in Argentina, is autosomal and incompletely recessive similar to the resistance reported in Brazil. © 2017 Dow AgroSciences LLC. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Microbiome facilitated pest resistance: potential problems and uses
Authors: Gressel Jonathan
Published: October 2017

Microbiome organisms can degrade environmental xenobiotics including pesticides, conferring resistance to most types of pests. Some cases of pesticide resistance in insects, nematodes and weeds are now documented to be due to microbiome detoxification, and is a demonstrated possibility with rodents. Some cases of metabolic resistance may have been misattributed to pest metabolism, and not to organisms in the microbiome, because few researchers use axenic pests in studying pesticide metabolism. Instances of microbiomes evolving pesticide resistance contributing to resistance of their hosts may become more common due the erratic nature of climate change, as microbiome populations typically increase and evolve faster in stressful conditions. Conversely, microbiome organisms can be engineered to provide crops and beneficial insects with needed resistance to herbicides and insecticides, respectively, but there has not been sufficient efficacy to achieve commercial products useful at the field level, even with genetically engineered microbiome organisms. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Mechanochemistry on the Müller–Brown surface by Newton trajectories
Authors: Quapp Wolfgang , Bofill Josep Maria
Published: October 2017

Chemical processes which suffer the application of mechanical force are theoretically described by effective potential energy surface (PES). We worked out (W. Quapp, J. M. Bofill, Theor. Chem. Acc. 2016, 135, 113) that the changes due to the force for the minimums and for the saddle points can be described by Newton trajectories (NT) of the original PES. If the force is so high that the saddle point disappears into a shoulder then the mechanochemical action is fulfilled: the pulling force breaks down the reaction barrier. The point is named barrier breakdown point. Different families of NTs form corridors on the original PES which describe qualitative different actions of the force. The border regions of such corridors are governed by the valley‐ridge inflection points (VRI) of the surface. Here, we discuss all this on the basis of the well‐known Müller–Brown surface, and we describe a new kind of NT‐corridor.
Concise Review: Cancer Cells, Cancer Stem Cells, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Influence in Cancer Development
Authors: Papaccio Federica , Paino Francesca , Regad Tarik , Papaccio Gianpaolo , Desiderio Vincenzo , Tirino Virginia
Published: October 2017

Tumors are composed of different types of cancer cells that contribute to tumor heterogeneity. Among these populations of cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in cancer initiation and progression. Like their stem cells counterpart, CSCs are also characterized by self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate. A particular population of CSCs is constituted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that differentiate into cells of mesodermal characteristics. Several studies have reported the potential pro-or anti-tumorigenic influence of MSCs on tumor initiation and progression. In fact, MSCs are recruited to the site of wound healing to repair damaged tissues, an event that is also associated with tumorigenesis. In other cases, resident or migrating MSCs can favor tumor angiogenesis and increase tumor aggressiveness. This interplay between MSCs and cancer cells is fundamental for cancerogenesis, progression, and metastasis. Therefore, an interesting topic is the relationship between cancer cells, CSCs, and MSCs, since contrasting reports about their respective influences have been reported. In this review, we discuss recent findings related to conflicting results on the influence of normal and CSCs in cancer development. The understanding of the role of MSCs in cancer is also important in cancer management.
Five Crucial Innovations: A Method of Studying Evolutionary Change in Small Colleges
Authors: MacVie Leah
Published: October 2017

Educational researchers studying institutions of higher education typically study issues without historical context or concern for small institutions. In 1969, Erich Jantsch published a paper about the disruptive forces affecting higher education and society. He predicted (hoped for) five crucial institutional innovations in order to transform disruptions into ‘cohesive forces’. This article argues that many of these disruptive forces are still present today and therefore, Jantsch's five crucial innovations provide an informative option for studying evolutionary change in small higher education institutions. Drawing examples from the literature on the history of higher education and the work of Erich Jantsch, this article introduces a method for utilizing Jantsch's five crucial innovations for studying to what degree small institutions of higher education are evolving. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Starch Derivatives Bearing Aromatic Sulfonated Functional Groups
Authors: Zain Gamal , Nada Ahmed A. , Attaby Fawzy A. , Waly Ahmed
Published: October 2017

Starch derivatives with anionic functional groups have attracted a lot of attention because of their potential in the industrial applications. Commonly, anionic starch derivatives possess gelatinization temperatures lower than that of native starch, which is broadening its applications in industrial processes operated at low temperature. Here, new starch derivatives containing sulfonated functional groups are prepared through intermediate triazinyl compounds. Four different bridging compounds are synthesized and characterized via spectral analysis. The sulfonated triazinyl compounds are reacted with native starch to obtain different densities of sulfonic acid groups on the starch backbone. Native starch is reacted with mono/dichlorotriazine‐4‐aminobenzene‐sulfonic acid and mono/dichlorotriazine‐4‐aminobenzene 1,3‐disulfonic acid. The sulfonic acid groups are introduced in different degrees of substitutions (0.043, 0.032, 0.006, and 0.008) which causescharge repulsion along the starch chains and results in keeping chains stretched and therefore less affected by pH and temperature. Ultimately, the produced anionic starch derivatives possess gelatinization temperatures lower than that of native starch.
Shear strength of concrete interfaces with infra‐lightweight and foam concrete
Authors: Frenzel Michael , Curbach Manfred
Published: October 2017

Ceiling and floor slabs made of horizontal layers of regular and lightweight concrete could lead to an efficient use of materials. In this context, the bond between the different types of concrete is of particular importance. This paper shows the shear strength and failure mode of unreinforced concrete interfaces with high‐quality, lightweight concretes in dependence of different interface roughness. To achieve this, a regular and a structural lightweight concrete were bonded to an infra‐lightweight and a foam concrete. Small‐scale shear specimens consisting of five layers were manufactured and loaded to investigate their shear behavior as a whole. Both concrete and interface failures were detected in dependence of interface roughness and the type of core layer concrete. Additionally, it is shown that the observed behavior can be satisfactorily reproduced by a finite‐element model using the material parameters of concrete standard tests. The experimental and numerical investigations provide clearly defined interface parameters to design efficient load‐bearing slabs made of different concrete layers.
An overview of the flexural post‐cracking behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete
Authors: Tiberti Giuseppe , Germano Federica , Mudadu Antonio , Plizzari Giovanni A.
Published: October 2017

This paper provides a general overview of recent developments in the study of the flexural post‐cracking behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). The results of three‐point‐bending tests (3PBTs) performed at the University of Brescia during the last lustrum were collected in a broad database consisting of 81 series for a total amount of 528 beams. Several experimental parameters were investigated: strength of concrete matrix, fiber dosage, fiber aspect ratio, fiber filament tensile strength, as well as fiber orientation. The latter was deeply studied by means of image analysis of cut cross sections. The results, discussed in terms of post‐cracking flexural residual strengths, highlight that all the parameters studied contribute to the post‐cracking performances exhibited by SFRCs.
Posttranscriptional control of airway inflammation
Authors: Ezegbunam Wendy , Foronjy Robert
Published: October 2017

Acute inflammation in the lungs is a vital protective response, efficiently and swiftly eliminating inciters of tissue injury. However, in respiratory diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, enhanced expression of inflammatory mediators leads to tissue damage and impaired lung function. Although transcription is an essential first step in the induction of proinflammatory genes, tight regulation of inflammation requires more rapid, flexible responses. Increasing evidence shows that such responses are achieved by posttranscriptional mechanisms directly affecting mRNA stability and translation initiation. RNA‐binding proteins, microRNAs, and long noncoding RNAs interact with messenger RNA and each other to impact the stability and/or translation of mRNAs implicated in lung inflammation. Recent research has shown that these biological processes play a central role in the pathogenesis of several important pulmonary conditions. This review will highlight several posttranscriptional control mechanisms that influence lung inflammation and the known associations of derangements in these mechanisms with common respiratory diseases.WIREs RNA2018, 9:e1455. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1455

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability
Outcomes for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Curative Intent in a Western Cohort: Should Multimodal Therapy Be the Gold Standard?
Authors: Sheil Fiachra , Donohoe Claire L. , King Sinéad , O’Toole Dermot , Cunningham Moya , Cuffe Sinéad , Ravi Narayanasamy , Reynolds John V.
Published: October 2017

Introduction

The standard of care for treatment of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) continues to evolve. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) provides a significant survival benefit compared to surgery alone but it is unclear whether definitive chemoradiation (dCRT) is superior.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of outcomes from patients treated in a national high‐volume centre (2000–2014) where both neoCRT and dCRT are used with curative intent. Propensity score match analysis was used to match patients undergoing dCRT with those undergoing surgery ± neoCRT.

Results

A total of 668 patients were treated for SCC in this time period, 361 (54.0%) of whom were treated with curative intent. In patients treated with curative intent, 179 (49.6%) had dCRT, and of these 32 (18%) did not complete the treatment regimen. One hundred and seven patients (29.6%) underwent surgery only, and 75 patients (20.8%) had multimodal therapy. The proportion of patients treated with curative intent increased over this time period. The five‐year disease‐specific and overall survival rate of patients treated with multimodal therapy was 62 and 50%, respectively, compared with 25 and 20% for patients the dCRT group and 44 and 38%, respectively, for the surgery only cohort (p < 0.001). Patients with a complete pathological response had a 90% five‐year disease‐specific survival and 76% overall survival rate. Multimodal treatment rather than dCRT was a significant predictor of overall survival (OR 1.7 95% CI 1.3–2.4, p = 0.002). In 106 patients matched, those undergoing dCRT had a significantly poorer overall survival versus those receiving surgery as a component of their care (20.47 ± 3.74 months versus 30.65 ± 10.07 months, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence, consistent with CROSS data, that multimodal therapy for SCC can provide excellent outcomes with respect to overall survival, pathologic complete response rates, R0 resections and treatment‐related mortality. A large RCT with specific arms for multimodal, dCRT and surgery alone is required.
Transformation of Methyl Linoleate to its Conjugated Derivatives with Simple Pd(OAc)2/Lewis Acid Catalyst
Authors: Senan Ahmed M. , Zhang Sicheng , Qin Shuhao , Chen Zhuqi , Yin Guochuan
Published: October 2017

With the rapid depletion of fossil resources, the exploitation of biomass to partly replace fossil resources as the source of carbon in the chemical industry constitutes a promising alternative for the near future. This work introduces catalytic transformation of vegetable oil, i.e., methyl linoleate, to its conjugated esters by a simple Pd(OAc)2/Sc(OTf)3 catalyst, which has extensive applications in industry. It was found that adding non‐redox metal ions like Sc(III) to a simple Pd(OAc)2 catalyst can effectively improve its isomerization activity in toluene/t‐BuOH solvent, whereas Pd(OAc)2 alone is inactive. Preliminary mechanistic investigations together with previous studies suggested that the in situ‐generated heterobimetallic Pd(II)/Sc(III) dimer serves as the key species for methyl linoleate isomerization, and the reaction proceeds by [1,3]‐hydrogen shift mechanism involving a formal Pd(II)/Pd(IV) cycle.
Influence analysis of propeller location parameters on wings using a panel/viscous vortex particle hybrid method
Authors: Wang H.B. , Zhou Z. , Xu X.P. , Zhu X.P.
Published: October 2017

For aircraft that employ distributed propeller propulsion systems, the distributed propeller slipstream increases the analysis complexity. The objective of this paper is to rapidly analyse the influence of propeller slipstream on a wing using a fast prediction approach to perform conceptual design studies. This fast approach is implemented through a panel/viscous vortex particle hybrid method taking into account the air viscosity effect. The parametric studies of propeller streamwise, spanwise, vertical installed position, propeller number and rotational direction are conducted for a rectangular wing platform in two different propeller-wing configurations. The results indicate that the propeller slipstream causes both the augmentations of the wing lift and drag in a traditional tractor propeller layout. For an over-the-wing propeller configuration, however, the obvious lift increase and drag decrease can be obtained. A rear propeller position relative to the wing chord leads to a beneficial increase in lift while a fore propeller location is able to decrease the wing drag. The maximum increment of the lift-to-drag ratio can be achieved by 17.6% when the propeller is located at 30% of the wing chord, which shows a considerable advantage in improving the wing aerodynamic efficiency.
Mobility and Secession in the Early Roman Republic
Authors: Bradley Guy
Published: October 2017

One consequence of the globalisation of the modern world in recent years has been to focus historical interest on human migration and movement. Sociologists and historians have argued that mobility is much more characteristic of past historical eras than we might expect given our modern nationalistic perspectives. This paper aims to contribute to this subject by surveying some of the evidence for mobility in central Italy and by examining its implications for early Rome. I will focus primarily on the plebeian movement, which is normally seen in terms of an internal political dispute. Our understanding of the ‘Struggle of the Orders’ is conditioned by the idealising view of our literary sources, which look back on the early Republic from a period when the plebeians provided many of the key members of the nobility. However, if we see the plebeian movement in its contemporary central Italian context, it emerges as much more threatening and potentially subversive. The key plebeian tactic – secession from the state – is often regarded as little more than a military strike. Instead, I argue that it was a genuine threat to abandon the community, and secessions can be seen as ‘paused migrations’. This paper also considers two other episodes that support this picture, the migration to Rome of Attus Clausus and the Claudiangensand the proposed move to Veii by the plebs.
Citizenship as a Reward or Punishment? Factoring Language into the Latin Settlement
Authors: Stewart Owen
Published: October 2017

In the Latin Settlement, which was supposedly initiated in 338BC, Rome organised many of the incorporated communities into either thecivitasorcivitas sine suffragio. Livy, and those scholars who have accepted his explanation, claim that the use of these two types of citizenship was influenced by the political and military circumstances of each community’s incorporation. Such an argument posits that Rome judged each community on the basis of its past behaviour and ‘rewarded’ or ‘punished’ it accordingly, using these different forms of citizenship. However, Livy’s anachronistic and inconsistent approach to the Roman franchise undermines this explanation – at least in its simplest form. This paper highlights the inconsistencies in Livy’s account of the Latin Settlement and offers an alternative explanation for the differing grants of citizenship. It is argued that the pre-existing languages and cultures of the different communities need to be taken into account, as does the legal significance of the use of Latin at Rome. In sum, this paper argues that the decision to incorporate a community as acivitasor as acivitas sine suffragiowas not straightforwardly based on the political or military circumstances of each community’s incorporation, but also (or rather) involved the recognition of cultural and linguistic differences in each community and the consequent practicalities of the inclusion of each in Rome’s legal and political apparatus.
The Roman Nobility, the Early ConsularFasti, and the Consular Tribunate
Authors: Richardson J. H.
Published: October 2017

While the general absence of Rome’s nobility from the traditions of the regal period has often been noted, the nobility’s prompt appearance at the beginning of the republican period has elicited little comment. This paper argues that the nobility’s appearance is more significant than its earlier absence, precisely on account of its very promptness and also because the nobility appears primarily with the consulship. Given the special importance that the consulship later came to have, following the emergence of Rome’s office-holding nobility, these circumstances inevitably raise questions about the value of the early consularfasti, and indeed even about the whole premise on which the earlyfastiare based, namely that the consulship was established immediately after the expulsion of the kings. It is argued here that this premise is anachronistic, and that the early consularfastiare unreliable and often tendentious; it is further argued that this premise is also responsible for some of the confusion surrounding the mysterious consular tribunate. The consular tribunate was a magistracy about which ancient writers quite clearly knew very little, and their ignorance and the inconsistencies in what they had to say about the tribunate inevitably undermine their claim to possess better and more detailed information about earlier times.
Illiberalism Within: Rule of Law Backsliding in the EU
Authors: PECH Laurent , SCHEPPELE Kim Lane
Published: October 2017

How should the European Union cope with Member States that no longer respect the basic values of the Union? This article reviews the responses of the major European Union institutions to Poland and Hungary as their governments removed checks on their power, eliminated the independence of judiciaries and failed to honour their European commitments. As the article demonstrates, the responses of EU institutions have so far been ineffective in bringing these Member States back into line with European values. We examine the various proposals that have been made to do better, concluding that there is promise in some legal strategies that are available now, but have yet to be tried.
Symmetry breaking and instabilities of conical vortex pairs over slender delta wings
Authors: Ma Bao-Feng , Wang Zhijin , Gursul Ismet
Published: October 2017

An investigation of symmetry breaking and naturally occurring instabilities over thin slender delta wings with sharp leading edges was carried out in a water tunnel using particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Time-averaged location, strength and core radius of conical vortices vary almost linearly with chordwise distance for three delta wings with $75^{\circ }$, $80^{\circ }$ and $85^{\circ }$ sweep angles over a wide range of angles of attack. Properties of the time-averaged vortex pairs depend only on the similarity parameter, which is a function of the angle of attack and the sweep angle. It is shown that time-averaged vortex pairs develop asymmetry gradually with increasing values of the similarity parameter. Vortex asymmetry can develop in the absence of vortex breakdown on the wing. Instantaneous PIV snapshots were analysed using proper orthogonal decomposition and dynamic mode decomposition, revealing the shear layer and vortex instabilities. The shear layer mode is the most periodic and more dominant for lower values of the similarity parameter. The Strouhal number based on the free stream velocity component in the cross-flow plane is a function of only the similarity parameter. The dominant frequency of the shear layer mode decreases with the increasing similarity parameter. The vortex modes reveal the fluctuations of the vorticity magnitude and helical displacement of the cores, but with little periodicity. There is little correlation between the fluctuations in the cores of the vortices.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulence modulation by particles in compressible isotropic turbulence
Authors: Dai Qi , Luo Kun , Jin Tai , Fan Jianren
Published: October 2017

In this paper, a systematic investigation of turbulence modulation by particles and its underlying physical mechanisms in decaying compressible isotropic turbulence is performed by using direct numerical simulations with the Eulerian–Lagrangian point-source approach. Particles interact with turbulence through two-way coupling and the initial turbulent Mach number is 1.2. Five simulations with different particle diameters (or initial Stokes numbers, $St_{0}$) are conducted while fixing both their volume fraction and particle densities. The underlying physical mechanisms responsible for turbulence modulation are analysed through investigating the particle motion in the different cases and the transport equations of turbulent kinetic energy, vorticity and dilatation, especially the two-way coupling terms. Our results show that microparticles ($St_{0}\leqslant 0.5$) augment turbulent kinetic energy and the rotational motion of fluid, critical particles ($St_{0}\approx 1.0$) enhance the rotational motion of fluid, and large particles ($St_{0}\geqslant 5.0$) attenuate turbulent kinetic energy and the rotational motion of fluid. The compressibility of the turbulence field is suppressed for all the cases, and the suppression is more significant if the Stokes number of particles is close to 1. The modifications of turbulent kinetic energy, the rotational motion and the compressibility are all related with the particle inertia and distributions, and the suppression of the compressibility is attributed to the preferential concentration and the inertia of particles.
Lagrangian transport in a class of three-dimensional buoyancy-driven flows
Authors: Contreras P. S. , Speetjens M. F. M. , Clercx H. J. H.
Published: October 2017

The present study concerns the Lagrangian dynamics of three-dimensional (3D) buoyancy-driven cavity flows under steady and laminar conditions due to a global temperature gradient imposed via an opposite hot and cold sidewall. This serves as the archetypal configuration for natural-convection flows in which (contrary to the well-known Rayleigh–Bénard flow) gravity is perpendicular (instead of parallel) to the global temperature gradient. Limited insight into the Lagrangian properties of this class of flows, despite its relevance to observed flow phenomena as well as scalar transport, motivates this study. The 3D Lagrangian dynamics are investigated in terms of the generic structure and associated transport properties of the global streamline pattern (‘Lagrangian flow topology’) by both theoretical and computational analyses. The Grashof number$Gr$is the principal control parameter for the flow topology: limit$Gr=0$yields a trivial state of closed streamlines;$Gr>0$induces symmetry breaking by fluid inertia and buoyancy and thus causes formation of toroidal coherent structures (‘primary tori’) embedded in chaotic streamlines governed by Hamiltonian mechanisms. Fluid inertia prevails for ‘smaller’$Gr$and gives behaviour that is dynamically entirely analogous to 3D lid-driven cavity flows. Buoyancy-induced bifurcation of the flow topology occurs for ‘larger’$Gr$and underlies the emergence of ‘secondary rolls’ observed in the literature and to date unreported secondary tori for ‘larger’ Prandtl numbers$Pr$. Key to these dynamics are stagnation points and corresponding heteroclinic manifold interactions.
Miraculous healing in rural Malawi: between ‘grace’ and ‘work’
Authors: Wroe Daniel
Published: October 2017

The way in which people approach ill health and its relief is often explained as a function of pragmatic evaluation. Through looking at a case of illness in the family of David Kaso, a Baptist pastor living in rural Malawi, this article suggests that trust or faithfulness may be more appropriate terms with which to describe people's approaches to healing and their social antecedents and outcomes. Pentecostal churches had grown in influence in the area where the churches David led were located. Pentecostal leaders often emphasized that experiencing divine healing, or successfully bringing it about, were the results of the ‘work’ that Christians did for God. David and his congregants recognized the difficult questions this perspective could raise about their status in church and emphasized instead that healing happened in God's ‘grace’, largely irrespective of the actions of the Christian. This being the case, the efficacy of prayer as a way of bringing about healing could not really be tested nor, as a corollary, could the outcome of prayer for healing stand as a proxy for evaluating the Christian. The uncertainties David and his church members admitted over healing meant that the basis of their relationships was better described in terms of trust or faithfulness than pragmatism.