bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RING finger protein 10 attenuates vascular restenosis by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell hyperproliferation in vivo and vitro
Authors: Li Siyu , Yu Guiquan , Jing Fuyu , Chen Hui , Liu Aoyi , Luo Minghao , Huang Wei , Pu Peng , Chen Ming
Published: December 2018

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hyperproliferation is the main pathological process in various cardiovascular diseases, such as vascular restenosis. This process may be repressed by RING finger protein 10 (RNF10) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) rats. The aim of this study is to evaluate the inhibitory effects and molecular mechanisms of RNF10 on VSMC hyperproliferation. Neointimal hyperplasia in MetS and high‐glucose‐induced VSMC hyperproliferation were measured after infection with adenoviruses encoding RNF10 (Ad‐RNF10), short hairpin RNF10 (Ad‐shRNF10), or green fluorescent protein (Ad‐GFP). In vivo and in vitro, we found that overexpression of RNF10 significantly affected neointima formation and VSMC proliferation, and displayed further inhibitory activity by promoting mesenchyme homeobox 2 (Meox2) and suppressing activating protein 1 (AP‐1). In contrast, Ad‐shRNF10 had an opposite effect on neointimal hyperplasia and VSMC hyperproliferation in vivo and in vitro. Our study indicated that RNF10 inhibited the hyperproliferation with the activities of Meox2 and AP‐1 proteins. RNF10 may be a next drug target for treating vascular restenosis and other related cardiovascular diseases. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 71(5):632–642, 2019
A Comparison of Membrane Bioreactor and Conventional‐Activated‐Sludge Mixed Liquor and Biosolids Characteristics
Authors: Holbrook R. David , Massie Kevin A. , Novak John T.
Published: December 2018

Characteristics and behavior of raw and digested mixed liquor derived from a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and a full‐scale activated‐sludge (FSAS) facility were compared. The accumulation of nondegradable chemical oxygen demand in the MBR appears to play an important role in increasing the observed biological yield coefficient (Yobs), reducing average floc size, decreasing total suspended solids/total solids and volatile suspended solids/volatile solids (VS) ratios, and reducing specific‐oxygen‐uptake rates of the mixed liquor relative to FSAS‐derived biological solids. Membrane bioreactor sludges exhibited lower VS destruction following 30 days mesophilic‐anaerobic and aerobic digestion when compared to FSAS sludges. Significant deterioration in dewatering behavior was observed for the FSAS biosolids after anaerobic digestion and, to a lesser extent, following aerobic digestion. In comparison, digestion had a small affect on dewatering efficiency and conditioner requirements for MBR biosolids. Full‐scale facilities using membrane separation may need to tailor digestion and dewatering processes to the specific characteristics of MBR sludges.
Stochastic Modeling of Chemical Oxygen Demand Transformations in Gravity Sewers
Authors: Vollertsen Jes , Hvitved‐Jacobsen Thorkild , Nielsen Asbjorn Haaning
Published: December 2018

Wastewater quality characteristics in terms of biomass, its substrates, and the corresponding kinetic and stoichiometric parameters were determined based on 109 wastewater samples originating from five different campaigns in four different sewer networks. Quality parameters were determined by model calibration of measured wastewater oxygen uptake rates applying a model that describes the aerobic breakdown of wastewater organic matter. Thereafter, the distributions of the parameters were analyzed. Two of the five datasets were obtained at the upstream end of a five‐km‐long, intercepting gravity sewer. For each of these upstream wastewater samples, downstream samples were collected with a delay corresponding to the residence time. The upstream distributions of the wastewater composition were used as boundary conditions for a Monte Carlo simulation. The calculated downstream distributions were compared to the measured downstream distributions and good agreement was observed.
Full‐Scale Experience for Nitrogen Removal from Piggery Waste
Authors: Choi Euiso , Kim Daehoon , Eum Youngjin , Yun Zuwhan , Min Kyong‐Sok
Published: December 2018

The nitrogen‐removal performances of three full‐scale piggery wastewater treatment plants, with different organic and nitrogen loads, at the capacity ranges of 95 to 130 m3/d, were compared in this study. Plants 1 and 2 can be characterized as the modification of anoxic–aerobic operating systems, while an anaerobic and anoxic–aerobic system was used in plant 3. The influent piggery wastewater concentration for plant 1 was relatively lower, but with higher organic and nitrogen loads, resulting in higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium‐nitrogen in effluent. Plant 2 was operated with strong piggery wastewater, resulting in a higher operating temperature. The high temperature could inhibit the nitrifying activity in plant 2. Although plant 3 was operated with a higher influent total COD‐to‐total Kjeldahl nitrogen ratio (TCOD:TKN), an additional external carbon source was required to polish the final effluent to remove nitrogen. Influent COD in plant 3 was used in the anaerobic–anoxic reactor for both methane (CH4) production and denitrification. Based on various mass balances, including caloric, COD, and alkalinity, the key elements for the successful nitrogen removal from the piggery waste were reactor temperature (less than 35°C), influent TCOD:TKN (greater than 6), and alkalinity‐to‐TKN ratio (greater than 3).
A Rational Procedure for Estimation of Greenhouse‐Gas Emissions from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Monteith Hugh D. , Sahely Halla R. , MacLean Heather L. , Bagley David M.
Published: December 2018

Municipal wastewater treatment may lead to the emission of greenhouse gases. The current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Geneva, Switzerland) approach attributes only methane emissions to wastewater treatment, but this approach may overestimate greenhouse gas emissions from the highly aerobic processes primarily used in North America. To better estimate greenhouse gas emissions, a procedure is developed that can be used either with plant‐specific data or more general regional data. The procedure was evaluated using full‐scale data from 16 Canadian wastewater treatment facilities and then applied to all 10 Canadian provinces. The principal greenhouse gas emitted from municipal wastewater treatment plants was estimated to be carbon dioxide (CO2), with very little methane expected. The emission rates ranged from 0.005 kg CO2‐equivalent/m3 treated for primary treatment facilities to 0.26 kg CO2‐equivalent/m3 for conventional activated sludge, with anaerobic sludge digestion to over 0.8 kg CO2‐equivalent/m3 for extended aeration with aerobic digestion. Increasing the effectiveness of biogas generation and use will decrease the greenhouse gas emissions that may be assigned to the wastewater treatment plant.
Effects of Organisms on the Release of Phosphorus at the Interface Between Sediment and Water
Authors: Jin Xiangcan , Jiang Xia , Yao Yang , Li Lihe , Wu Fengchang
Published: December 2018

Organisms at the interface between sediment and water play a significant role in the cycling of phosphorus. This study reports experimental results of the influence of organisms on phosphorus release. Results show that benthic organisms controlled the low level of phosphate in overlying water with light. The maximum phosphorus release rate can reach 7.31 mg m−2 d−1 without organisms, nearly twice that in a similar system with organisms. However, significant decreases in the concentrations of sodium‐hydroxide‐extractable phosphorus and hydrochloric‐acid‐extractable phosphorus were observed in the experimental system with organisms, while no significant changes were observed without organisms. In addition, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the system was higher with organisms than without organisms with light. This study is significant to the understanding of phosphorus cycling at the interface between sediment and water in lakes.
Regulating Waste Discharge with Fuzzy Interval Effluent Limitations for Toxic Pollutants
Authors: Yin Tong , Stevens David K.
Published: December 2018

Many traditional water quality standards are based on extreme percentiles; often, there is the risk of making wrong decisions with these standards because of high estimation uncertainty. Standards expressed as fuzzy intervals in the form of [trigger, enforcement limitation] make it possible to control the risks for the discharger and the consumer simultaneously. With fuzzy interval compliance, corrective action is initiated when the trigger is exceeded; noncompliance is declared when the enforcement limitation is exceeded. Fuzzy intervals would digest the risks that are inherent when a single enforcement limitation is used to determine compliance; the risks can be further lowered when the fuzzy intervals are based on less extreme percentiles. This paper proposes several alternatives to using a single extreme percentile standard for regulating water quality or waste discharge. A case study using municipal effluent water quality data was included that suggests methods to determine compliance with fuzzy interval standards.
In vivo evaluation of anticancer efficacy of drug loaded cockle shell‐derived aragonite nanoparticles
Authors: Wenliang Fu , Rameli Mohd Adha bin P. , Ibrahim Tengku Azmi Tengku , Noor Mohd Hezmee Mohd , Yusof Loqman Mohamad , Zakaria Md Zuki Abu Bakar
Published: December 2018

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective and commonly used anthracycline anticancer drug for the treatment of osteosarcoma (OS). However, its antitumor effect is hampered by the nonspecific distribution and significant adverse effects. Nanoparticles based drug delivery systems are promising approaches to maximize the anticancer efficacy while decrease the side effects. In this study, biogenic aragonite nanoparticles (ANPs) were developed from cockle shells and loaded with DOX. An orthotopic rat OS model was induced by UMR‐106 cells tibia cavity injection. The anticancer efficacy study included five groups: normal control group, OS model group, free DOX group (2 mg/kg), DOX‐ANPs 1 group (2 mg of equivalent DOX/kg) and DOX‐ANPs 2 group (1.5 mg of equivalent DOX/kg). This study demonstrates that the DOX‐ANPs treatment groups can significantly reduce the tumor volume and increase the surviving ratio as compared to the OS model group. In addition, these two DOX‐ANPs groups showed less toxicity to the normal organs compared to the free DOX group. Furthermore, DOX‐ANPs 2 group showed the similar anticancer efficacy as DOX‐ANPs 1 group, which suggested that DOX loaded onto the ANPs may allow the reduction of chemotherapy doses. These results highlight the promising application of ANPs derived from cockle shells as an effective drug delivery system for a successful chemotherapy against OS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1898–1907, 2019.
Butylene fipronil induces apoptosis in PC12 murine nervous cells via activation of p16‐CDK4/6‐cyclin D1 and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway
Authors: Zhong Shi , Zhu Jianxun , Li Yougui , Wang Xinquan , Yu Jiaqi , Ji Dongfeng , Wu Chongming
Published: December 2018

Butylene fipronil (BFPN) is a phenylpyrazole insecticide, acting at the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor. Here, we show that BFPN inducedcytotoxicity in PC12 murinenervous cells, which lacks GABA receptor. Treatment with BFPN for 48 hours significantly enhanced G0/G1 arrest and induced apoptosis. BFPN decreased the expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK4 and CDK6) and increased P16 and cyclin D1. Simultaneously, Bcl‐2 protein was declined while Bax and cytochrome c were significantly enhanced in BFPN‐treated groups. The apoptotic enzymes caspase‐8, ‐9, and ‐3 were also activated by BFPN. Furthermore, treatment with BFPN significantly stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and pretreatment with antioxidant diphenyleneiodonium, substantially reduced cell death. Overall, these results suggest that BFPN is effective to induce G0/G1‐phase arrest and apoptosis in PC12 murine nervous cell. Stimulating ROS generation and activation of P16‐CDK4/6‐cyclin D1 and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway may participate in the cytotoxicity of BFPN.
High doses of sodium tungstate can promote mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in isolated mitochondria
Authors: Cheraghi Ghazale , Hajiabedi Elnaz , Niaghi Behnaz , Nazari Firouzeh , Naserzadeh Parvaneh , Hosseini Mir‐Jamal
Published: December 2018

Tungstate (W) is recognized as an agent of environmental pollution and a substitute to depleted uranium. According to some preliminary studies, tungstate toxicity is related to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under abnormal pathological conditions. The kidneys and liver are the main tungstate accumulation sites and important targets of tungstate toxicity. Since the mitochondrion is the main ROS production site, we evaluated the mechanistic toxicity of tungstate in isolated mitochondria for the first time, following a two‐step ultracentrifugation method. Our findings demonstrated that tungstate‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction is related to the increased formation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, and potential membrane collapse, correlated with the amelioration of adenosine triphosphate and glutathione contents. The present study indicated that mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with disruptive effects on the mitochondrial respiratory chain and opening of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores, which is correlated with cytochrome c release. Our findings suggest that high concentrations of tungstate (2 mM)‐favored MPT pore opening in the inner membranes of liver and kidney mitochondria of rats. Besides, the results indicated higher tungstate susceptibility in the kidneys, compared with the liver.
A systematic review of the psychosocial impact of emotional numbing in US combat veterans
Authors: Schuman Donna L. , Bricout John , Peterson H. Leona , Barnhart Sheila
Published: December 2018

Context

Previous studies have linked posttraumatic emotional numbing symptoms in US combat veterans with an adverse impact in multiple important life domains.

Objectives

We updated and evaluated the evidence examining the psychosocial impact of combat‐related emotional numbing, including ethnoracial and gender differences.

Method

We reviewed 1,209 articles published betwen January 2012 and 2018 and selected 24 studies for inclusion. We assessed the overall study quality as fair using a national quality assessment tool.

Results

Studies found emotional numbing to wield adverse effects in the areas of symptom nonimprovement, mental health difficulties, increased service utilization, poor relationship functioning, reduced quality of life, substance use disorders, suicidality, and aggression/violence. We also found evidence of ethnoracial and gender differences in veterans’ posttraumatic stress disorder‐related emotional numbing symptoms.

Conclusion

Clinicians should incorporate findings on emotional numbing into assessment, treatment planning, and monitoring, to improve treatment retention and psychosocial outcomes. Implications for ethnoracial and gender differences require further exploration.
The role of therapist and patient in‐session behavior for treatment outcome in exposure‐based cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder with agoraphobia
Authors: Maiwald Lisa M. , Junga Yvonne M. , Lang Thomas , Montini Romina , Witthöft Michael , Heider Jens , Schröder Annette , Weck Florian
Published: December 2018

Objective

There is a very limited amount of research on the relationship between therapist and patient in‐session behavior and treatment outcome in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PD/AG). Additionally, the findings tend to be inconclusive. This study investigates the association between therapist competence, adherence, patient interpersonal behavior, and therapeutic alliance and outcome in a low‐control CBT setting by using comprehensive measures.

Methods

Twenty‐six patients with PD/AG received 12 sessions of exposure‐based CBT. With regard to the outcome, treatments were classified either as problematic or nonproblematic by means of distinct criteria. Two raters evaluated the in‐session behavior.

Results

Patient interpersonal behavior was significantly associated with outcome at follow‐up (r = 0.49). At posttreatment, the correlation did not reach significance (
r = 0.34). Competence, adherence, and alliance were not outcome associated.

Conclusion

The findings emphasize the need for therapists to pay particular attention to patients’ interpersonal behavior during treatment.
Pretreatment counseling experiences, stressors, and support differences between transgender and cisgender university students seeking mental healthcare
Authors: Bartholomew Theodore T. , Gundel Brittany E. , Sullivan John W. , Pérez‐Rojas Andrés E. , Lockard Allison J.
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Our aim was to explore rates of prior counseling experiences as well as pretreatment stressors and supports among transgender university students seeking psychotherapy services in university counseling centers.

Methods

We used regression models to explore relationships between gender identity and prior mental health experiences, risk‐related experiences, traumatic experiences, and support among clients (cisgender: n = 162,305; transgender: n = 545) seeking treatment at 136 university counseling centers.

Results

Results demonstrate more previous mental health service utilization and greater frequency of some prior stressors transgender clients. Findings indicate the odds of transgender clients reporting drug and alcohol concerns are lower than the reference group. Additionally, transgender clients report less familial support but more social support than cisgender clients.

Conclusion

We discuss the importance of these findings through a more holistic lens that recognizes both stressors as well as positive factors that may more accurately characterize the experiences of transgender clients.
Engagement in linkage to mental health care program in the Rockaways after Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Bevilacqua Kristin , Schneider Samantha , Rasul Rehana , Taioli Emanuela , Schwartz Rebecca M.
Published: December 2018

The Rockaways area of New York City was especially devastated by Hurricane Sandy. This study examined participant characteristics associated with acceptance of a linkage to and attendance at appointments for mental health difficulties (MHD). Participants (N = 1,011) completed questionnaires to assess mental health symptoms. Participants who met screening criteria (n = 442) were offered linkage to care. Individuals who had a higher mental health symptom burden (MHSB; i.e., those who screened in on more than one criteria vs. only one criterion) had 2.68 greater odds of accepting services (95% confidence interval [1.68, 4.26]). MHSB was not associated with attending a first appointment (p = 0.80). Female gender and Hispanic ethnicity were also associated with acceptance of linkage to care, though not attendance. Reducing stigma around MHD associated with natural disasters and increasing knowledge about the mental health care system could promote help‐seeking behavior among survivors.
Antimicrobial activity of intracanal medications against both Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans biofilm
Authors: Zancan Rafaela Fernandes , Calefi Pedro Henrique Souza , Borges Mariana Maciel Batista , Lopes Marcelo Ribeiro Milanda , de Andrade Flaviana Bombarda , Vivan Rodrigo Ricci , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro
Published: December 2018

Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans have been associated with cases of secondary and persistent root canal infections, been resistant to calcium hydroxide. So, the evaluation of the susceptibility of these microorganisms biofilms to new drugs is an important practice for establishing the best drug and consequently success of treatment. For this, in vitro biofilm formation of E. faecalis and C. albicans was induced separately on blocks obtained from bovine teeth. After the period of specimen incubation for biofilm maturation, the samples were immersed in the pastes: 1 – calcium hydroxide (CH), 2 – chlorhexidine (C), 3 – ciprofloxacin (CP), 4 – metronidazole (MT), 5 – ketoconazole (KE), 6 – double antibiotic (DB), 7 – triple antibiotic (TA), 8 – ciprofloxacin + ketoconazole (CPKE); 9 – ciprofloxacin + metronidazole + ketoconazole (CPMTKE), 10 – metronidazole + ketoconazole (MTKE), and 11 – control (CO) for 7 days. Next, the specimens were live/dead stained for analysis by confocal microscopy. By means of the Bioimage program, the biovolume and percentage of live cells were measured. The data were statistically compared (p = .05). For the C. albicans biofilm, the best antimicrobial action was found for MTKE, CPKE, and MT groups. Whereas for E. faecalis biofilm, the lowest percentage of live bacteria was found in TA, DB, and CP groups; however, KE, CPKE, CPMTKE, and MTKE groups shown to be effective. The authors concluded calcium hydroxide paste and chlorhexidine was not effective for both biofilms. The MTKE and CPKE pastes presented effectiveness for both biofilms. TA and DB pastes were effective just in the E. faecalis biofilms.
Patient goals, motivations, and attitudes in a patient‐driven variant reclassification study
Authors: Tsai Ginger J. , Garrett Lauren Thomas , Makhnoon Sukh , Bowen Deborah J. , Burke Wylie , Shirts Brian H.
Published: December 2018

Family studies to reclassify clinically ascertained variants of uncertain significance (VUS) can impact risk assessment, medical management, and psychological outcomes for patients and their families. There are limited avenues for patients and their families to actively participate in VUS reclassification, and access to family studies at most commercial laboratories is restricted by multiple factors. To explore patient attitudes about participation in family studies for VUS reclassification, we conducted semistructured pre‐ and post‐participation telephone interviews with 38 participants in a family‐based VUS reclassification study that utilized a patient‐driven approach for family ascertainment and recruitment. Participants had VUS from multigene panel testing performed at multiple clinical laboratories for cancer or other disease risk. Inductive thematic analysis of transcribed interviews highlighted four major themes: (a) Participants’ study goals were driven by the desire to resolve uncertainty related to the VUS, (b) Participants had mixed reactions to the VUS reclassification outcomes of the study, (c) Personal, public, and familial knowledge increased through study participation and (d) Participants used study participation to actively cope with the uncertainty of a VUS. As personalized genomic medicine becomes more prevalent, clinicians, clinical laboratories, and researchers could consider creating more opportunities for active partnership with patients and families, who are motivated to contribute data to familial VUS studies.
Single MRI‐Based Volumetric Assessment in Clinical Practice Is Associated With MS‐Related Disability
Authors: D'hooghe Marie B. , Gielen Jeroen , Van Remoortel Ann , D'haeseleer Miguel , Peeters Erika , Cambron Melissa , De Keyser Jacques , Nagels Guy
Published: December 2018

Background

The added value of brain volume measurements in the clinical practice of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been questioned.

Purpose

To investigate the contribution of volume measures obtained with magnetic resonance scans performed as part of regular care to predict measures of cognitive and physical MS disability in a real‐world setting.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

In all, 470 adults with diagnosed MS.

Field Strength/Sequence

3D fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) and 3D T1‐weighted MR images at 3.0T MR.

Assessment

Lesion and brain volume were measured by an automated method, MSmetrix, developed by icometrix.

Statistical Tests

We used stepwise linear regression models to assess the added value of a single volumetric assessment in predicting Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Brain volumes categorized into quartiles were used as predictive variables in a time‐to‐event analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression with time to worsening from baseline as outcome measures.

Results

Brain and lesion volume in relapsing onset MS strongly contributed to the best models, with a substantial role for age in the EDSS model and a modest role for education in the SDMT model. Adding MR volumetric information increased the explained variance from 17% to 28% in the best model for EDSS and from 9% to 25% in the best model for SDMT. A significantly reduced hazard (P < 0.05) of SDMT worsening was found in the highest normalized brain volume quartiles (1375–1608 ml), compared with the lowest quartile (1201–1374 ml) in the total study population.

Data Conclusion

Our findings indicate that a single brain volumetric assessment contributes to the prediction of MS‐related disability, with distinct patterns for EDSS as a measure of physical disability, and SDMT as a measure of cognitive disability. A threshold effect for the lowest brain volumes with regard to SDMT worsening over time was found.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1312–1321.
Challenges in the identification process of phenidate analogues in LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis: Information enhancement by derivatization with isobutyl chloroformate
Authors: Shamai Yamin Tamar , Prihed Hagit , Weissberg Avi
Published: December 2018

A new analytical technique for the structural elucidation of four representative phenidate analogues possessing a secondary amine residue, which leads to a major/single amine‐representative fragment/product ion at m/z 84 both in their GC‐EI‐MS and LC‐ESI‐MS/MS spectra, making their identification ambiguous, was developed. The method is based on “in vial” chemical derivatization with isobutyl chloroformate in both aqueous and organic solutions, followed by liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS). The resulting carbamate derivatives promote rich fragmentation patterns with full coverage of all substructures of the molecule, enabling detailed structural elucidation and unambiguous identification of the original compounds at low ng/mL levels.
Tra2β silencing suppresses cell proliferation in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma via inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling
Authors: Ni Hao‐Sheng , Hu Song‐Qun , Chen Xi , Liu Yi‐Fei , Ni Ting‐Ting , Cheng Lei
Published: December 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Transformer‐2 protein homolog beta (Tra2β) generally plays an important role in various human cancers, but its role and the underlying mechanisms in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remained unknown. So this study aimed to assess the clinical significance and regulatory mechanisms of Tra2β in LSCC.

Study Design

Laboratory analysis.

Methods

Expression of Tra2β was compared in human LSCC tissue samples and paired adjacent normal tissue samples. The in vitro effects of Tra2β expression in Hep‐2 cells on their proliferation, invasion, and migration were assessed by CCK‐8 assays, Matrigel invasion, and transwell migration assays. In addition, the effects of downregulation of Tra2β on the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were measured using Western blot analysis. The effect of Tra2β on the growth of tumors was detected in the Hep‐2–injected xenograft models in vivo.

Results

Reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunochemistry analysis indicated that the increased expression of Tra2β in LSCC was significantly associated with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and advanced clinical stage. In vitro knockdown of Tra2β caused a significant decrease in the proliferation, invasion, and migration of Hep‐2 cells. Tra2β silencing decreased the expression of Bcl‐2 but increased Bax and Caspase‐3 both in mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, knockdown of Tra2β eliminated the suppressive effects of activation of PI3K/AKT signaling. In vivo knockdown of Tra2β significantly inhibited the tumor growth of Hep‐2–injected xenograft mice.

Conclusions

The results of the present study demonstrated that knockdown of Tra2β inhibits the proliferation and invasion of LSCC cells, at least partly via inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:E318–E328, 2019
In‐band phase deviation minimization method for wideband tunable phase shifter
Authors: Chaudhary Girdhari , An Boram , Jeong Yongchae
Published: December 2018

This article provides a novel approach to analyze and design wideband tunable reflection‐type phase shifter (RTPS) with low in‐band phase deviation (IBPD) error. The proposed RTPS consists of coupled lines where through and coupled ports are terminated with varactor diodes. The coupled lines can minimize the parasitic elements of varactor diode to achieve high phase shift range (PSR). In addition, the measured frequency‐dependent capacitance of varactor diode was used in the analytical analysis to obtain minimum IBPD error and high PSR. For experimental demonstration, phase shifter was fabricated at the center frequency of 2.5 GHz. The measured results show that the fabricated circuit achieved 126.85° PSR with ±6.48° IBPD error for 500 MHz bandwidth (BW). In addition, the measured maximum insertion loss variation and input/output return losses are within ±0.34 dB and higher than 16.85 dB within 500 MHz BW, respectively.
Co‐polarized monostatic antenna with high Tx–Rx isolation for 2.4 GHz single channel full duplex applications
Authors: Nawaz Haq , Gürbüz Özgür , Tekin Ibrahim
Published: December 2018

This article presents a linear co‐polarized (same polarization for transmit and receive modes), proximity coupled monostatic patch antenna with high port to port RF isolation for 2.4 GHz single channel full duplex (SCFD) wireless applications. The presented proximity coupled monostatic patch antenna deploys differential feeding for receive (Rx) mode to significantly suppress RF leakage from transmit (Tx) port and external single‐tap self‐interference cancellation (SIC) circuit provides additional interport isolation. The measurements for implemented prototype of antenna in lab environment provide around 50 dB Tx–Rx isolation for 50 MHz bandwidth in addition to better than 75 dB peak isolation. Moreover, the deployed single‐tap RF SIC circuit can be used to suppress SI resulted from environmental reflections and 50 MHz SIC bandwidth with 50 dB isolation can be tuned within antenna's 10 dB return loss impedance bandwidth of 150 MHz.
Hybrid conductive filler/polycarbonate composites with enhanced electrical and thermal conductivities for bipolar plate applications
Authors: Naji Ahmed , Krause Beate , Pötschke Petra , Ameli Amir
Published: December 2018

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) with high electrical and thermal conductivities are demanded for bipolar plates of fuel cells. In this work, CPCs of polycarbonate (PC) filled with carbon nanotube (CNT), carbon fiber (CF), graphite (G), and their double and triple hybrids were prepared using solution casting method followed by compression molding. The results showed that the electrical percolation thresholds for the PC‐CNT and PC‐CF were ~1 wt% and ~10 wt%, respectively, while no clear threshold was found for PC‐G composites. Addition of 3–5 wt% CNT improved the electrical conductivity of PC‐CF and PC‐G systems up to 6 orders of magnitude and enhanced the thermal conductivity as much as 65%. The results of triple hybrid CPCs (with constant loading of 63 wt%) indicated that the combination of highest electrical and thermal conductivities is achieved when the CF and CNT loadings were near their percolation thresholds. Therefore, a triple filler system of 3 wt% CNT, 10 wt% CF, and 50 wt% G resulted in a composite with the through‐plane and in‐plane electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity values of 12.8 S/cm, 8.3 S/cm, and 1.7 W/m•K, respectively. The results offer a combination of properties surpassing the existing values and suitable for high‐conductivity applications such as bipolar plates. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3189–3198, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Hygrothermal effects on mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of co‐bonded and secondary bonded composites joints
Authors: Mendonça Sales Rita de Cássia , Brito Camila Belo Gomes , Silveira Núbia Nale Alves , de Souza Sena Jhonathan Louis , Arbelo Mariano Andrés , Donadon Maurício Vicente
Published: December 2018

Adhesive joints are being more extensively applied in the aeronautical industry, allowing for better integration between the structural parts and overall lower weight if compared with joints made with fasteners and rivets. However, a further evaluation of these new technologies is needed, once their critical fracture toughness under different environmental conditions is still unknown and this value is essential for design and certification of aircraft manufactured with these materials. Thus, this work focuses on the mode II fracture toughness characterization of carbon fiber composite laminates joined by co‐bonded (CB) and secondarily bonded (SB) techniques, using EA 9695 epoxy adhesive aged at different environmental conditions (room temperature ambient—RTA and elevated temperature wet—ETW). Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to understand the effect of moisture absorption on the glass transition of materials and on the decreasing of Mode II fracture toughness after aging. The DMA results showed a reduction of 11% in Tg values for the GIIc values of ETW samples in comparison with specimens tested at RTA condition. Reductions about 92 and 94% in Mode II fracture toughnesses were obtained for CB and SB aged specimens, respectively when compared with the toughness values obtained for specimens tested at RTA. Further inspection of the fracture surfaces using scanning electron microscope proved that light fiber‐tear fracture occurred at both RTA and ETW conditions for CB joints, while fracture was mainly light‐fiber‐tear at RTA condition, becoming mostly cohesive after aging for SB joints. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3220–3232, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
The relationship between teachers’ emotional intelligence and classroom discipline management
Authors: Valente Sabina , Monteiro Ana Paula , Lourenço Abílio Afonso
Published: December 2018

One of the fundamental problems of educational systems in many countries is related to classroom discipline. This reflects one of the worst problems faced by teachers. Classroom discipline management strategies play an effective role in creating positive teacher‐student relationships. One of the factors that influence behavior management in a classroom is emotional intelligence. Therefore, this study analyzing how teachers emotional intelligence influences the management of discipline in a classroom and the relationship between gender, academic formation, and service time of teachers with their emotional intelligence. Its sample comprises 559 basic and secondary school teachers. An Emotional Competence Questionnaire, a Scale of Teacher Efficacy in Classroom Management, and a personal and professional data inquiry have been used as instruments. Results show that teachers who have more capacity to deal with emotion demonstrate a greater management of discipline in the classroom. Most of the relationships in the model are statistically significant.
Parent question use during shared reading time: How does training affect question type and frequency?
Authors: Zibulsky Jamie , Casbar Christine , Blanchard Tamar , Morgan Chelsea
Published: December 2018

This study was designed to examine whether participation in a shared reading workshop alters the frequency with which parents ask their children questions during book reading sessions, particularly questions designed to strengthen component reading skills that they may not have known about before training. Participants in the reading workshop series (N = 57) were taught strategies for asking questions about story content and word structure to build children's language and literacy skills. Findings suggest that parents may be somewhat familiar with traditional dialogic reading strategies focused on story content and utilize them without instruction, whereas parents may be less knowledgeable about sound or print‐focused skills and do not employ strategies focused on word structure until instructed to do so. It is also notable that parents do not use all story content prompts equally. This information can be used by school psychologists to refine the messages educators share with parents about how to best support their children's reading development.
Scoring measures of word dictation curriculum‐based measurement in writing: Effects of incremental administration
Authors: Poch Apryl L. , Allen Abigail A. , Lembke Erica S.
Published: December 2018

Spelling has been identified as a key transcription skill that emerges during the elementary years as students learn how to write and subsequently develop fluency with writing, making the assessment of spelling a critical component of evaluation systems within schools. This includes the use of curriculum‐based measures of writing (CBM‐W). This study examined the extent to which word dictation CBM‐W administered during the Fall, Winter, and Spring of an academic year maintained technical adequacy across 1‐min time intervals in grades 1–3. Results revealed moderate predictive and concurrent validity estimates with the Spelling subtest of the Weschler Individual Achievement Test‐III. Statistically significant differences existed between and within grade levels across each minute of administration and across Fall, Winter, and Spring time points for all scoring procedures.
Longitudinal effects of RtI implementation on reading achievement outcomes
Authors: Grapin Sally L. , Waldron Nancy , Joyce‐Beaulieu Diana
Published: December 2018

Because several studies have investigated student outcomes in schools implementing Response to Intervention (RtI), relatively little research has investigated the impact of implementation on students’ long‐term achievement outcomes (i.e., several years after exposure). The purpose of this study was to describe one elementary school's RtI implementation process and to examine students’ long‐term reading comprehension outcomes following their exposure to various phases of implementation. Four cohorts of students who experienced different implementation phases (i.e., a baseline condition or Phases I, II, or III of implementation) during Grade 2 were subsequently followed across Grades 3, 4, and 5 to examine their outcomes on two reading comprehension measures. Results indicated that students who experienced the early phases of RtI implementation (i.e., Phases I and II) during Grade 2 generally had higher mean comprehension scores in Grades 4 and 5 than students in the baseline condition. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Living cationic polymerization of a vinyl ether with an unprotected pendant alkynyl group and their use for the protecting group‐free synthesis of macromonomer‐type glycopolymers via CuAAC with maltosyl azides
Authors: Tan Nguyen Minh , Mori Ryota , Tanaka Tomonari , Motoyanagi Jin , Minoda Masahiko
Published: December 2018

An asymmetric bifunctional monomer having both an unprotected alkynyl group and a vinyl ether (VE) group (3‐[2‐(2‐vinyloxyethoxy)‐ethoxy]‐propyne [VEEP]) was newly designed and found that the polymerization of VEEP smoothly proceeded in a controlled manner under a living cationic polymerization condition to give alkyne‐substituted polyVE (polyVEEP) without any protection of the pendant alkynyl function. Next, the use of an initiator with a methacryloyl moiety for the living cationic polymerization of VEEP afforded macromonomer‐type polyVE (MA‐PVEEP) carrying pendant alkynyl groups. The potential ability of the resultant macromonomer as an alkyne‐substituted polymer for the copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) was also confirmed. A novel macromonomer‐type glycopolymer [MA‐P(VE‐Mal)] having pendant maltose residues and a terminal methacryloyl group was successfully synthesized by CuAAC of MA‐PVEEP with maltosyl azide. Thus, a new pathway to the controlled synthesis of macromonomer‐type glycopolymers of free from any protecting/deprotecting processes was demonstrated. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 681–688
Liquid crystalline epoxy resin with improved thermal conductivity by intermolecular dipole–dipole interactions
Authors: Jeong Iseul , Kim Chae Bin , Kang Dong‐Gue , Jeong Kwang‐Un , Jang Se Gyu , You Nam‐Ho , Ahn Seokhoon , Lee Dai‐Soo , Goh Munju
Published: December 2018

To address tremendous needs for developing efficiently heat dissipating materials with lightweights, a series of liquid crystalline epoxy resins (LCEs) are designed and synthesized as thermally conductive matrix. All prepared LCEs possess epoxies at the molecular side positions and cyanobiphenyl mesogenic end groups. Based on several experimental results such as differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction, it is found that the LCEs exhibited liquid crystalline mesophases. When LCE is cured with a diamine crosslinker, the cured LCE maintains the oriented LC domain formed in the uncured state, ascribing to a presence of dipole–diploe and π–π interactions between cyanobiphenyl mesogenic end groups. Due to the anisotropic molecular orientation, the cured LCE exhibits a high thermal conductivity of 0.46 W m−1 K−1, which is higher than those of commercially available crystalline or amorphous epoxy resins. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 708–715
A psychological intervention (ConquerFear) for treating fear of cancer recurrence: Views of study therapists regarding sustainability
Authors: Butow Phyllis , Williams Douglas , Thewes Belinda , Tesson Stephanie , Sharpe Louise , Smith Allan Ben , Fardell Joanna E. , Turner Jane , Gilchrist Jemma , Girgis Afaf , Beith Jane ,   the Conquer Fear Authorship Group
Published: December 2018

Objective

ConquerFear is a metacognitive intervention for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) with proven efficacy immmediately and 6 months post‐treatment. This qualitative study documented barriers and facilitators to the sustainability of ConquerFear from the perspective of study therapists.

Methods

Fourteen therapists who had delivered ConquerFear in a randomised controlled trial completed a semi‐structured phone interview, reaching theoretical saturation. Themes from thematic analysis were mapped to the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) implementation framework.

Results

Participants were 13 males and one female with, on average, 14 years psycho‐oncology experience. Nine over‐arching themes were identified, falling into three domains, which when present, were facilitators, and if absent, were barriers: evidence (intervention credibility, experienced efficacy, perceived need for intervention); context (positive attitude to and capacity for survivorship/FCR care, favourable therapist orientation and flexibility, strong referral pathways); and facilitation of implementation (intervention/service fit, intervention/patient fit, and training, support, and provided resources).

Conclusions

ConquerFear is a sustainable intervention in routine clinical practise. Facilitators included a sound evidence base; a receptive context; good fit between the intervention, therapist orientation, and patient need; and flexibility of delivery. Where absent, these factors served as barriers. These results have implications for enhancing uptake of psycho‐oncology interventions in routine care.
Multicomponent QM study on the reaction of HOSO + NO2 with H2O: Nuclear quantum effect on structure and reaction energy profile
Authors: Sugimoto Hideya , Tachikawa Masanori , Udagawa Taro
Published: December 2018

The hydrogen transfer reaction in the reaction of HOSO + NO2 with and without H2O have been investigated using multicomponent quantum‐mechanics method, which can directly take nuclear quantum effect (NQE) of light nuclei into account. For the case of the reaction without H2O, our calculation reveals that the reaction leading to trans‐HONO is preferred. For the reaction with H2O, water‐non‐mediated and water‐mediated (hydrogen‐relay) hydrogen transfer mechanism are investigated. The NQE of hydrogen nucleus lowers the relative energy of the stationary point structures and reduces the activation barrier of the reactions. The largest stabilization is found in the transition state structure of the hydrogen‐relay type reaction. H/D isotope effects for the reactions are also analyzed. In particular, H/D isotope effect on the activation barrier is analyzed in detail with the aid of the active strain model.
Strontium isotope ratios of human hair from the United States: Patterns and aberrations
Authors: Tipple Brett J. , Valenzuela Luciano O. , Chau Thuan H. , Hu Lihai , Bataille Clement P. , Chesson Lesley A. , Ehleringer James R.
Published: December 2018

Rationale

Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) of hair may be a valuable tool to estimate human provenance. However, the systematics and mechanisms controlling spatial variation in 87Sr/86Sr of modern human hair remain unclear. Here, we measure 87Sr/86Sr of hair specimens from across the USA to assess the presence of geospatial relationships.

Methods

Ninety‐eight human hair specimens were collected from salon/barbershop floors in 48 municipalities throughout the conterminous USA. [Sr] and 87Sr/86Sr ratios were measured from hair using quadrupole and multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers, respectively. The [Sr] and 87Sr/86Sr ratios of hair were compared with the measured [Sr] and 87Sr/86Sr ratios of tap waters from the collection locations. In addition, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of hair was compared with the modeled ratios of bedrock and surface waters.

Results

Hair color was independent of the 87Sr/86Sr ratio, but related to [Sr]. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of hair and leachate were not statistically different and were positively correlated; however, in several hair‐leachate pairs, the ratios were conspicuously different. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of both hair and leachate were linearly correlated with tap water. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of hair was also significantly correlated with the modeled ratio of bedrock and surface waters, although the 87Sr/86Sr ratio of hair was most strongly correlated with the measured ratio of tap water.

Conclusions

The 87Sr/86Sr ratio of hair is related to the ratio of tap water, which varied geographically. The ratio of hair provided geographic information about an individual's recent residence. Differences in the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of hair and hair leachate may be concomitant with travel and could potentially be used as a screening tool to identify recent movements.