bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Location of Scoliosis and Postural Reactions Among Girls Aged 7-18 Years
Authors: Wilczynski Jacek , Habik Natalia , Janecka Sylwia , Karolak Przemyslaw , Sliwa Alicja , Wilczynski Igor
Published: August 2018

The objective of the study was evaluation of the relationships between location of scoliosis and postural reactions in girls aged 7-18. The study included 28 girls aged 7-18 with lateral curvature of the spine and scoliotic posture. Selection of the examined girls was targeted. The children were treated in the Inter-School Centre for Corrective and Compensatory Gymnastics in Starachowice. The study was conducted in June 2011. Digital Exhibeon radiograms were applied to determine the location of the curvature. Postural reactions were evaluated using the static-dynamic platform Tecnobody ST 310 Plus Stability System. The variables were verified for normality of the distribution by means of Shapiro-Wilk test. The variability of the quantitative characteristics with respect to categorial characteristics was verified by using one-way and two-way repeated measures ANOVA. In the case of significant main results or interactions, the Bonferroni test and Tukey test were applied as a post hoc analysis. The p values p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Analysis of variance showed significant relationships between Average Forward-Backward Speed, Perimeter, Ellipse Area in open eyes test (OE), and location of the curvature. The highest amplitudes of the reactions Average Forward-Backward Speer, Perimeter, Ellipse Area in open eyes test (OE) were observed in lumbar curvatures. In examination with eyes closed (CE), a correlation was found between the location of the curvature and Forward-Backward Standard Deviation, Average Forward-Backward Speer, and Perimeter. The highest amplitudes of reactions Average Forward-Backward Speer, Perimeter, Ellipse Area in eyes closed test (CE) were noted also in lumbar curvatures. The comparative analysis of variance of postural reactions with respect to the location of the secondary curvature showed significant results only for Average Forward-Backward Speed (OE). Average Forward-Backward Speed (OE) was the highest in curvatures with thoracic location.
The Public Space as an Articulating and Structuring Element for the Sustainable Urban Mobility. Case Study: Parking management in Villavicencio, Colombia
Authors: Moncada Carlos Alberto , Escobar Diego Alexander , Velandia Ximena Carolina
Published: August 2018

With the purpose of contributing to knowledge in parking management, this research based on sustainable mobility and the right to enjoy public space, aims to generate guidelines that promote an urban lifestyle centered on integration between different modes of transport, motorized and non-motorized. In this sense, a case study is included on parking management in the city of Villavicencio (department of Meta), in which an inventory and characterization of on-street and off-street car parks is presented as the main input. Based on this information, a methodology is proposed, aimed at guaranteeing off-street parking with capacities greater than 50 spaces, eliminating those with low capacity and relocating their demand in parking lots with higher capacities and low occupancy percentages. This will allow financial sustainability so that off-street parking can offer adequate security, infrastructure and fare conditions that make them more attractive compared to on-street parking areas. Additionally, it is proposed the elimination of parking on the road with access or exit to the arterial road and the elimination of areas for this type of parking that intersect with public transport routes or infrastructure for bicyclists.
FEM Application for Evaluating and Improving the Insulation System of the 33kV Wound-Core Type Distribution Transformer
Authors: R. Hameed Kassim , J. Jabur Ibraheem
Published: August 2018

This paper presents a 2-D & 3-D FE model of 250kVA, 33/0.416 kV wound core type distribution transformer, simulated using ANSYS 17.2 software in order to evaluate the insulation system via dielectric strength under power frequency and induced withstand tests and using two types of analysis, time-harmonic analysis to simulate the dielectric tests, and electro-static analysis to calculate the capacitance matrix. The assessment is based on the maximum allowable electric field intensity. the obtained results were compared with those of the real test, and the values of electric stress were less than the maximum allowable values. also, improvements to the presented model were applied following the transformer assessment. The improvement to the transformer insulation structure was done using three suggested finite element models included reduction and changing the materials type. the results were reviewed in form of contour plots, vector plots, and curves.
Eco-Friendly Green Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Azelastine in the Presence of its Degradation Products: Applications to Degradation Kinetics
Authors: El-Masry Amal A , Hammouda Mohammed E A , El-Wasseef Dalia R , El-Ashry Saadia M
Published: August 2018

Background: Green solvents such as microemulsion were used in the proposed method because they play a vital role in the analytical method’s influence on the environment. Objective: A highly sensitive, specific, and validated stability-indicating eco-friendly green microemulsion liquid chromatography (MELC) method was developed for separation of the antihistaminic drug Azelastine HCl (AZL) from its degradation products with application to degradation kinetics. Methods: Chromatographic separation was operated on a C18 column with a microemulsion mobile phase, which consists of 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulphate, 10% n-propanol, 1% n-octanol, and 0.3% triethylamine, by using 0.02 M phosphoric acid at pH 3.5 and irbesartan as internal standard. The eluted compounds were monitored at 210 nm with flow rate 1 mL/min at ambient temperature. Results: A linear dependence of the peak area on drug concentration over the concentration range of 0.1 to 25 μg/mL was achieved with an LOD of 0.04 μg/mL and an LOQ of 0.10 μg/mL. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied for determination of AZL in eye drops and metered dose nasal inhaler as well as to study the kinetics of alkaline, acidic, neutral, oxidative, and photolytic degradation processes of AZL according to the International Council for Harmonization guidelines. Conclusions: The proposed method could be used as a harmless alternative for quality control analysis of the mentioned drug, without interference from dosage form additives or decomposition products. Highlights: A highly sensitive stability-indicating eco-friendly green MELC method was developed for the separation of the antihistaminic drug AZL from its degradation products.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Collision Cell Quadrupole Mass Spectrometric Determination of Extractible Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, and Other Elements in Food Using Microwave-Assisted Digestion: Results from an FDA Interlaboratory Study
Authors: Gray Patrick J , Cunningham William
Published: August 2018

Background: An interlaboratory study was conducted to test U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Elemental Analysis Manual (EAM) Method 4.7, “Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometric Determination of Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, and Other Elements in Food Using Microwave Assisted Digestion.” Objective: The goal of the study was to demonstrate the performance of FDA EAM Method 4.7. Methods: Fourteen laboratories participated in the collaborative study, including nine Food Emergency Response Network state laboratories and five federal FDA laboratories. Laboratories tested 8 labeled standard reference materials and 12 blinded foods: mayonnaise, dark chocolate, sunflowerseeds, hamburger with cheese, brown rice flour (blinded reference material included as a test food), infant formula, canned smoked oysters, sardines in tomato paste, swordfish, mineral water, cinnamon, and a multivitamin. The blinded test foods represented every sector of the AOAC food triangle. Participants measured the mass fraction of each element in each sample in triplicate. Results:Horwitz Ratio (HorRat) values were better than 1.5 for all As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb,and Se measurements when at least eight laboratories reported results greater than LOQ. The HorRat values were better than 1.5 for all Mn and Zn measurements except for the multivitamin and for all Cr measurements exceptfor sunflower seeds, in which the nonhomogeneity was identified. The average HorRat value of the blinded test foods was 0.66 for results greater than LOQ(n = 4206). Conclusions: The study showed that the method performed satisfactorily as a standard method for extractibleelemental analysis of food. Highlights: The method met or exceeded the performance expected.
Log Transformation and the Effect on Estimation, Implication, and Interpretation of Mean and Measurement Uncertainty in Microbial Enumeration
Authors: Gao Anli , Martos Perry
Published: August 2018

Background: Estimation of measurement uncertainty (MU) has been extensively addressed in documents from standard authorities. In microbiology, bacterial counts are log transformed to get a more normal distribution. Unfortunately, the difference between using original and log-transformed data appears to not have been investigated even in publications focusing on MU estimation. Method: Statistical formulae inferencing and estimation of MU using real bacterial enumeration datasets. Results: Both mean and SD calculated from original data carry the same scale and unit as the original data. However, the mean of log-transformed data becomes a geometric mean in log, and the SD becomes the logarithm of a ratio. Furthermore, calculation of RSD obtained by dividing the SD by the mean is meaningless and misleading for log-transformed data. The ratio, the antilog of the SD of log-transformed data, copes with multiplicative and divisive relationships to geometric mean (without log), instead of the arithmetic mean. The ratio can be converted to an analog ratio, which is similar or almost identical to the RSD of the untransformed data, especially when the within-subject variation is small. When MU is estimated from multiple samples with different measurands, the calculated RSD of original data is independent of the mean and can be pooled; however, for log-transformed data, the SD can be combined to estimate the common uncertainty. Conclusions: Calculation and use of RSD of log-transformed data are meaningless and misleading. Procedures outlining the estimation and interpretation of MU from log-transformed data require re-evaluation.
High-resolution stream network delineation using digital elevation models: assessing the spatial accuracy
Authors: Amatulli Giuseppe , Domisch Sami , Kiesel Jens , Sethi Tushar , Yamazaki Dai , Raymond Peter
Published: August 2018

We used the hydrologically corrected Multi-Error- Removed Improved-Terrain Digital Elevation Model at a 3 arc- second (90 m) spatial resolution to derive a seamless, standardized stream network by using GRASS-GIS hydrological modules. We compared the spatial accuracy of the derived stream network with the NHDPlusV2 dataset across the conterminous Unites States. The results demonstrate that spatial accuracy is in the order of 1 pixel displacement compared to the NHDPlusV2 locations, indicating a high level of accuracy. The implemented methodology will be extended to a global scale hydrography in an upcoming project.
Biomimetic Microgels with Controllable Deformability Improve Healing Outcomes
Authors: Sproul Erin P. , Nandi Seema , Roosa Colleen , Schreck Luisa , Brown Ashley C.
Published: August 2018

Platelets mediate hemostasis by aggregating and binding to fibrin to promote clotting. Over time, platelets contract the fibrin network to induce clot retraction, which contributes to wound healing outcomes by increasing clot stability and improving blood flow to ischemic tissue. In this study, the development of hollow platelet‐like particles (PLPs) that mimic the native platelet function of clot retraction in a controlled manner is described and it is demonstrated that clot retraction‐inducing PLPs promote healing in vivo. PLPs are created by coupling fibrin‐binding antibodies to CoreShell (CS) or hollow N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) microgels with varying degrees of shell crosslinking. It is demonstrated that hollow microgels with loosely crosslinked shells display a high degree of deformability and mimic activated platelet morphology, while intact CS microgels and hollow microgels with increased crosslinking in the shell do not. When coupled to a fibrin‐binding antibody to create PLPs, hollow particles with low degrees of shell crosslinking cause fibrin clot collapse in vitro, recapitulating the clot retraction function of platelets, while other particle types do not. Furthermore, hollow PLPs with low degrees of shell crosslinking improve some wound healing outcomes in vivo.
Building High‐Density Au–Ag Islands on Au Nanocrystals by Partial Surface Passivation
Authors: Fan Qikui , Liu Kai , Feng Ji , Wang Fumin , Liu Zhaojun , Liu Moxuan , Yin Yadong , Gao Chuanbo
Published: August 2018

As an advanced level of control in colloidal synthesis, it is highly desirable to create secondary structures of nanocrystals in a controllable manner for collective properties. Of particular interest is the generation of nanoislands of plasmonic metals (Ag and Au) at a high density around their pre‐existing primary nanocrystals, which may produce abundant hotspots for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Often such secondary structures are difficult to be achieved by direct crystal growth because a conformal growth is favorable due to the lattice match of these metals. Here, this challenge is overcome by developing a partial surface passivation strategy which can effectively shift the crystal growth mode from the “Frank–van der Merwe” mode to the “Volmer–Weber” mode, giving rise to nanoislands as a secondary structure on Au nanocrystals. The key to this strategy is the modification of the Au surface with Ag and subsequent adsorption of iodide at the Ag sites. Further deposition of Au on the modified surface leads to the formation of well‐defined Au–Ag alloy islands of a high density on Au nanocrystals, which exhibit excellent SERS activity. This partial surface passivation strategy is fundamentally important and may inspire further endeavors in pursuit of novel secondary nanostructures and intriguing properties.
Unraveling the Effect of Conformational and Electronic Disorder in the Charge Transport Processes of Semiconducting Polymers
Authors: Chew Annabel R. , Ghosh Raja , Pakhnyuk Viktoria , Onorato Jonathan , Davidson Emily C. , Segalman Rachel A. , Luscombe Christine K. , Spano Frank C. , Salleo Alberto
Published: August 2018

Charge transport in semiconducting polymers is inextricably linked to their microstructure, making the characterization of polymer morphology at all length‐scales essential for understanding the factors that limit mobility in these materials. Indeed, charge transport depends both on the ability of polarons to delocalize at the approximately nanometer length‐scale and navigate a complex energetic and morphological mesoscale landscape. While characterization of the mesoscale morphology of polymers is well‐established, studies of the local chain packing and nanoscale disorder, which affect delocalization, can be significantly more difficult to carry out. Through infrared charge modulation spectroscopy and theoretical modeling, the effect of the local chain environment on polaron delocalization is directly measured and quantified. Using a series of polymers based on the model system, poly(3‐hexylthiophene), the link between disorder and polaron localization is systematically explored. Polaron delocalization is correlated with known trends in mobility, revealing that while charge delocalization is always beneficial, the formation of tie‐chains is necessary to reach the highest mobilities in semicrystalline polymers. The results provide direct evidence for the importance of both nanoscale (charge carrier delocalization) and mesoscale (tie‐chains) orders, demonstrating the need to distinguish the key length‐scale limiting charge transport in the design of new, high mobility polymers.
Effect of enhanced γ‐irradiation on the compatibility of polyethylene terephthalate‐based basalt fiber‐reinforced composites
Authors: Yin Yuan , Deng Pengyang , Zhang WanXi , Xing Yue
Published: August 2018

The interface adhesion between a matrix and fibers is widely known as one of the most important factors affecting the properties of polymer‐based composites. To observe the compatibility of a polymeric matrix and inorganic fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)‐based composites that have been reinforced with various contents of basalt fibers in the presence of a small amount of a polyfunctional monomer, trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), were prepared by melt blending and treated via gamma irradiation at various doses. The chemical structure and morphology changes were investigated via gel extraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The mechanical properties and thermal resistance were also studied. The gel fraction results demonstrated that a cross‐linked substance was formed in the composites in the presence of both TMPTA and fibers following irradiation and the maximum gel fraction of PET matrix reached 16 wt%. In addition, the obvious improvement of interfacial adhesion was confirmed by the morphology changes in fracture surface, from which the disappearance of pull‐out holes and plastic deformations of polymeric matrix were observed. As a result of the compatibilization of PET matrix and basalt fibers, both the mechanical strength and the thermal resistance were enhanced, and the optimum amount of TMPTA was 1–3 wt%.
The effects of habitat filtering and non‐habitat processes on species spatial distribution vary across life stages
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhang Qiongdao , Sui Xinghua , Li Buhang , He Fangliang , Chu Chengjin
Published: August 2018

Premise of the Study

Habitat filtering and non‐habitat processes are two major processes affecting spatial distributions of species. Because trees at different life stages perform differently, the life stage of tree species could play an important role in shaping the spatial distribution of species and community assembly. Here, we examined the possible changes of spatial distributions of species and evaluated the shifts in the relative importance of habitat filtering and non‐habitat processes across life stages in a 50‐ha subtropical forest plot in China.

Methods

We modeled species distribution with and without life stages using three point process models. The performance of these models, with and without considering life stages, was evaluated by comparing the species‐area curve and the degree of clustering. The relative effects of habitat filtering and non‐habitat processes across life stages were quantified using a spatial variance decomposition method.

Key Results

The incorporation of life stage considerably improved the goodness‐of‐fit of these point process models at both the community and species levels. Non‐habitat processes explained about 90% of the total variation in spatial distribution, while habitat filtering explained about 10%. The relative importance of habitat filtering only increased slightly from sapling to adult stages.

Conclusions

Point process models performed better when life stages are included, indicating the importance of considering life stage when modeling spatial distributions for understanding community assembly. The finding that habitat acts weakly and non‐habitat processes act dominantly in determining spatial distributions of species suggests a strong dependence of spatial patterns on non‐habitat processes.
The noncoding RNA AK127244 in 2p16.3 locus: A new susceptibility region for neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Rizzo Ambra , Alfei Enrico , Zibordi Federica , Saletti Veronica , Zorzi Giovanna , Freri Elena , Estienne Margherita , Girgenti Vita , D'Arrigo Stefano , Esposito Silvia , Buldrini Barbara , Moroni Isabella , Milani Donatella , Granata Tiziana , Ardissone Anna , Eoli Marica , Molteni Bruna , Bigoni Stefania , Pantaleoni Chiara , Nardocci Nardo , Sciacca Francesca Luisa
Published: August 2018

The presence of redundant copy number variants (CNVs) in groups of patients with neurological diseases suggests that these variants could have pathogenic effect. We have collected array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) data of about 2,500 patients affected by neurocognitive disorders and we observed that CNVs in 2p16.3 locus were as frequent as those in 15q11.2, being both the most frequent unbalances in our cohort of patients. Focusing to 2p16.3 region, unbalances involving NRXN1 coding region have been already associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, although with incomplete penetrance, but little is known about CNVs located proximal to the gene, in the long noncoding RNA AK127244. We found that, in our cohort of patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, the frequency of CNVs involving AK127244 was comparable to that of NRXN1 gene. Patients carrying 2p16.3 unbalances shared some common clinical characteristics regardless NRXN1 and AK127244 CNVs localization, suggesting that the AK127244 long noncoding RNA could be involved in neurocognitive disease with the same effect of NRXN1 unbalances. AK127244 as well as NRXN1 unbalances seem to have a particular influence on language development, behavior or mood, according with the topographic correlation between NRXN1 expression and prefrontal cortex functions.
Lichtgetriebene enzymatische Decarboxylierung von Fettsäuren
Authors: Huijbers Mieke M. E. , Zhang Wuyuan , Tonin Fabio , Hollmann Frank
Published: August 2018

Eine photoenzymatische Decarboxylierung von Fettsäuren zu Alkanen wird als Alternative zu herkömmlichen Biodieselsynthesen vorgeschlagen. Mittels der kürzlich beschriebenen Photodecarboxylase aus Chlorella variabilis NC64A (CvFAP) zeigen wir die Synthese von Alkanen aus Fettsäuren und ihren Triglyzeriden. Unter Belichtung mit blauem Licht setzt CvFAP eine Reihe verschiedener Fettsäuren hochselektiv und nahezu quantitativ um. Bereits in dieser Konzeptstudie zeigt CvFAP vielversprechende Wechselzahlen um 8000.
Smart Transformation of a Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Shell Controlled by Thiolate Silver(I) Nanocluster Core in Cluster@Clusters Dendrimers
Authors: Li Si , Wang Zhao‐Yang , Gao Guang‐Gang , Li Bing , Luo Peng , Kong Yu‐Jin , Liu Hong , Zang Shuang‐Quan
Published: August 2018

Using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) modified by a thiol group as a protected ligand, atom‐precise multi‐heteorocluster‐based dendrimers Ag12@POSS6 (1 a and 1 b) were assembled. Through the reactive −SH groups, six POSS shell ligands stabilize the central 12‐core silver(I) cluster by diverse Ag−S interactions. When such Ag12@POSS6 complex was stimulated by different solvents (acetone or tetrahydrofuran), the core Ag12 silver(I) cluster underwent reversible structural transformation between flattened cubo‐octahedral (in 1 a) and normal cubo‐octahedral (in 1 b); concomitantly shell POSS clusters rearranged from pseudo‐octahedral to quasi‐octahedral. Furthermore, the film matrix modified by 1 a or 1 b showed different hydrophobicity.
Advancing Early Childhood Development and Prevention Programs: A Pan‐Canadian Knowledge Transfer Initiative for Better Beginnings, Better Futures
Authors: Worton S. Kathleen , Nelson Geoffrey , Loomis Colleen , Mark Pancer S. , Hayward Karen , Peters Ray DeV.
Published: August 2018

Better Beginnings, Better Futures is an evidence‐based early childhood initiative that promotes the healthy development of children and families in economically disadvantaged communities. The Better Beginnings model involves the development of community‐driven programs through resident involvement that are integrated with existing services, universally accessible to all children and families in a community, focused on prevention, and ecological in nature. In this paper, we describe a pan‐Canadian knowledge transfer strategy involving attendance at workshops designed to build the capacity of participants to develop Better Beginnings initiatives in their own communities, and the impacts of the workshops on participants. Process evaluation data were obtained from participants in each Canadian province and territory immediately following the workshops (k = 12, N = 271). In addition, a smaller sample (n = 54) completed a follow‐up telephone interview 3 months later. All components of the knowledge transfer strategy were well‐received and rated highly by participants. Workshop participants indicated increased knowledge of the Better Beginnings model and high levels of satisfaction with the workshop. In the follow‐up evaluation, participants indicated strong intentions to use the information they had learned about Better Beginnings to advance the well‐being of children and families in their community. We discuss the lessons learned from the knowledge transfer initiative and provide recommendations for advancing knowledge transfer of programs for children and families in context.
Optimizing the Thermoelectric Performance of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) through Molecular‐Weight Engineering
Authors: Qu Sanyin , Yao Qin , Yu Bingxue , Zeng Kaiyang , Shi Wei , Chen Yanling , Chen Lidong
Published: August 2018

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films with various molecular weights (MWs) were successfully prepared, and both their molecular structures and thermoelectric (TE) properties were investigated. It was found that the molecular weight of P3HT had an important effect on the carrier‐transport properties by affecting the molecular structure and, as a result, also had an effect on the TE performance. The electrical conductivity of the P3HT films first increased upon increasing the molecular weight and then decreased at high molecular weights, whereas the Seebeck coefficient remained at the same level. As a result, the P3HT‐M50k (MW≈50 000 g mol−1) film reached an electrical conductivity of (103.8±1.2) S cm, which is more than 20 times higher than the electrical conductivity of P3HT‐M10k (MW≈10 000 g mol−1) and almost 30 % higher than the electrical conductivity of P3HT‐M100k (MW≈100 000 g mol−1). Consequently, the maximum TE power factor of P3HT‐M50k at room temperature was as high as (22.6±0.6) μW mK−2, which is much higher than that of either P3HT‐M10k or P3HT‐M100k. Microstructure analysis combined with C‐AFM suggested that carrier transport between most of the ordered and amorphous regions was unconnected in films with low molecular weights, and this resulted in a high migration barrier and poor carrier mobility. Upon increasing the molecular weight, the long molecular chain provided enough connectivity for the charge to move through the ordered regions, which decreased the carrier barrier and increased carrier mobility. Therefore, both the conductivity and Seebeck coefficient were significantly improved. However, a too‐high molecular weight could cause more folding of the polymer chain, which would deteriorate the electrical‐transport properties. The experimental results not only reveal the intrinsic effect of molecular weight on the electric transporting properties of conducting polymers but also suggest that molecular‐weight engineering is an effective way to design and screen high‐performance polymer TE materials.
Bioelectrochemical synthesis of caproate through chain elongation as a complementary technology to anaerobic digestion
Authors: Reddy Motakatla Venkateswar , ElMekawy Ahmed , Pant Deepak
Published: August 2018

Chain elongation is one of the common anaerobic fermentation processes in which bacteria convert ethanol and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) into medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). These are single carboxylic acids having six to twelve carbon atoms, with several applications, such as biofuels. Caproate is a promising MCFA, and several technologies were proposed for the valorization of waste to obtain it. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are technologies that are capable of converting the chemical energy of organic/inorganic wastes into value‐added products, using in situ generated H2 or electricity as energy sources. To convert waste biomass into caproate, an electron donor in the form of hydrogen or ethanol should be supplemented within the anaerobic fermentation, which can be used as the electron donor in the cathodic compartment for the conversion of acetate into caproate. This review highlights recent anaerobic and bioelectrochemical processes for the production of caproate. The discussion will also cover the potential applications of this technology, together with obstacles to its use, compared with the conventional anaerobic digestion (AD) process, and considers whether it could be a standalone technology or a complementary one for AD. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Assessing long‐term maintenance of staff performance following behavior skills training in a home‐based setting
Authors: Aherne Christine M. , Beaulieu Lauren
Published: August 2018

We used a multiple baseline across participant design to evaluate the effects of behavior skills training on teaching three behavior therapists to implement discrete trial teaching (DTT) and evaluate the long‐term maintenance of skills acquired through behavioral skills training. For participants whose skills did not maintain, the authors evaluated an independent self‐evaluation procedure on their performance. Following DTT implementation training, maintenance probes were assessed at 2‐, 4‐, 6‐, and 8‐week follow‐ups. The results demonstrated that one participant maintained 100% procedural integrity (PI) through all follow‐ups, one participant decreased below mastery criterion at the 2‐week follow‐up, and one participant dropped below mastery criterion at the 4‐week follow‐up. Those participants that demonstrated decreased accuracy of implementation of DTT programs and were taught to implement a self‐evaluation procedure. Following self‐evaluation, PI maintained for up to 7 weeks for one participant. Our results suggest that if PI does not maintain, self‐evaluation may be a supplementary intervention to increase and maintain PI of new employees.
Mand acquisition across different teaching methodologies
Authors: Russell Sarah M. , Reinecke Dana
Published: August 2018

Many children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder lack functional independent communication. The current study used a combined multiple‐baseline and alternating‐treatments design to evaluate whether the presence or absence of a verbal prompt (asking a question) during teaching affected independent verbal manding. Two teaching procedures were used to teach specific responses (two per teaching condition) and evaluate if the acquired response, once trained, occurred independently (in the absence of stimuli or supplemental prompts). One student learned more rapidly under the mand training condition whereas the other learned at a similar rate under both conditions. The assessment methodology presented may be beneficial in future practice to determine if one teaching procedure is more effective than the other for a learner.
The impact of voluntary environmental disclosure on firm value: Does organizational visibility play a mediation role?
Authors: Hassan Omaima A.G.
Published: August 2018

The current study investigates whether organizational visibility, that is the extent to which analysts follow, and institutions hold, a firm's stock (Baker, Powell, & Weaver, , p. 47), may explain the mechanism through which corporate environmental disclosure (CED) affects firm value. It explores whether CED impacts organizational visibility, and if so, whether firm value increases in organizational visibility, after accounting for greenhouse gas emissions intensity (GHG) as well as several firm‐level and country‐level controls. It utilizes a sample of S&P Global 1200 companies from 2010 to 2015. Using structural equation modeling to address the complex interrelationships between the variables of interest and employing Full Information Maximum Likelihood regression method, the findings show that organizational visibility does not play a statistically significant mediation role on the relationship between CED and firm value. However, organizational visibility is significantly associated with both CED and firm value, which indicates that failing to control for organizational visibility when examining the relationship between CED and firm value could yield misleading results. The results also show that prior CED significantly reduces current GHG. Interestingly, analyst coverage is found to play a full mediation role on the relationship between institutional ownership and firm value as well as a partial mediation role on the relationship between prior GHG and firm value. Thus, this study suggests that corporate management lobby financial analysts and educate them about their firms' environmental disclosure and performance to improve their information set and increase firm visibility and value.
Stability and antioxidant activities of corn protein hydrolysates under simulated gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Ren Xiaofeng , Liang Qiufang , Zhang Xi , Hou Ting , Li Suyun , Ma Haile
Published: August 2018

Background and objectives

Bioactive peptides are expected to be ingested orally; it is important to study the effect of simulated gastrointestinal (GI) digestion on the stability and antioxidant activity of these peptides.

Findings

After simulated GI digestion, degree of hydrolysis of corn protein hydrolysates (CPH) significantly increased from 22.7% to 39.4% while 77.5% peptides were still retained. Compared to the undigested CPH, the final CPH digests exhibited excellent antioxidant activity, including 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐(2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl radical scavenging activity (12.9% increase), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (4.1% increase), and reducing power (50.9% increase), but lower inhibition rate of linoleic acid peroxidation (41.5% decrease). The free amino acids including Pro, Asp, and Glu maintained at a low proportion during the entire course of digestion. Two GI‐resistant antioxidant peptides (Tyr‐Pro‐Gln, 406.45 Da; Ala‐Tyr‐Leu, 365.43 Da) were purified with multistep chromatography and identified by UPLC‐ESI‐MS.

Conclusions

The CPH digests exhibited excellent antioxidant activity after simulated GI digestion. The results suggested that CPH obtained by alcalase digestion are potential functional foods or nutraceuticals due to their content of bioactive peptides.

Significance and novelty

Some peptides containing Pro, Asp, and Glu had a strong ability to resist digestion. Two novel antioxidant peptides have been purified and identified from the CPH digests.
A Tethered Tolane: Twisting the Excited State
Authors: Kozhemyakin Yury , Krämer Maximilian , Rominger Frank , Dreuw Andreas , Bunz Uwe H. F.
Published: August 2018

The synthesis of a doubly bridged tolane is reported. The target is obtained in a five‐step synthesis, starting from commercially available 2‐amino‐meta‐xylene by a combination of a Sandmeyer reaction, radical bromination, and Stille‐type coupling, followed by double ring closing. The doubly tethered tolane is crystalline; the two phenyl rings are highly twisted with respect to each other both in solution and in the solid state. Optical spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations show that the doubly bridged tolane is twisted not only in the ground state, but also in the excited state, leading to emission from the twisted state in solution and in the solid state. Strong phosphorescence is observed at cryogenic temperatures.
Power‐aware pipelining with automatic concurrency control
Authors: Torquati Massimo , De Sensi Daniele , Mencagli Gabriele , Aldinucci Marco , Danelutto Marco
Published: August 2018

Continuous streaming computations are usually composed of different modules, exchanging data through shared message queues. The selection of the algorithm used to access such queues (ie, the concurrency control) is a critical aspect both for performance and power consumption. In this paper, we describe the design of automatic concurrency control algorithm for implementing power‐efficient communications on shared‐memory multicores. The algorithm automatically switches between nonblocking and blocking concurrency protocols, getting the best from the two worlds, ie, obtaining the same throughput offered by the nonblocking implementation and the same power efficiency of the blocking concurrency protocol. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach using two micro‐benchmarks and two real streaming applications.
Implementing a hardware‐assisted memory management mechanism for ARM platforms using the B method
Authors: Chang Rui , Jiang Liehui , Xie Yaobin , He Hongqi , Chen Danmin , Ren Lu
Published: August 2018

ARM embedded devices are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, permeating many aspects of daily life. The security issues on ARM embedded devices are much more important in critical infrastructure. The trusted hardware technologies provide the trusted environments isolated from the untrusted part of the system. However, for some deficiency, the researchers focus on current hardware‐assisted isolated mechanisms. Depending on the implementation of the protection mechanism, the software‐based approaches are not efficient and the hardware‐based approaches are not flexible. Moreover, these defense mechanisms need formal specification that is inadequate in recent research. B method is a state‐based formal method, which provides a successive refinement mechanism. In this paper, we propose a hardware‐assisted memory isolation protection mechanism, provide specifications and refinements using the B method, and implement the memory management system on an ARM‐based platform. The evaluation results show that the proposed isolation protection mechanism is effective, and the automatic proof rate of machines is acceptable.
An efficient Manhattan‐distance‐constrained disjoint paths algorithm for incomplete mesh network
Authors: Zhao Hongzhi , Wang Yongchang , Xiong Ke , Song Lihua
Published: August 2018

Finding link/node‐disjoint paths between a pair of nodes is capable of providing Quality of Service and reliable routing which is very critical for mesh‐connected Network‐on‐Chip. State‐of‐art works usually aim at random topologies and multiple constraints. Therefore, it is difficult to optimize their time complexity. In this paper, MDPPIM (Manhattan‐distance‐constrained Disjoint Path Pair Problem in Incomplete Mesh) problem is presented based on Network‐on‐Chip application scenarios. Then, PCDP (Path‐Counting Disjoint Path) algorithm is proposed to solve the MDPPIM problem with low time complexity. Compared with previous disjoint path algorithms, PCDP algorithm does not have to use Dijkstra's algorithm to find a shortest path. It is optimized according to the feature of incomplete mesh such as the regularity of mesh and Manhattan‐distance constraint. Therefore, it is with low time complexity. Numerical results demonstrate the proposed PCDP algorithm's effectiveness and low time complexity.
A genetic algorithm enhanced automatic data flow management solution for facilitating data intensive applications in the cloud
Authors: Li Siguang , Huang Zhengwen , Han Liangxiu , Jiang Changjun
Published: August 2018

The past few years have witnessed a rapid deployment of computing infrastructures in the cloud in support of data intensive applications. The effort of the existing works is mainly focused on data reusing mechanisms without considering data processing routes, which can significantly affect the computation costs when exchanging data among the computing node in the cloud. This paper presents a genetic algorithm enhanced Automatic Data Flow Management Solution (ADFMS) that facilitates automatic routing function and a self‐adjustable intermediate data management mechanism to achieve an efficient data processing structure of cloud computing. Experimental results show that ADFMS optimizes costs in managing intermediate data in the cloud.
The Conformational Ensemble of Polyglutamine‐14 Chains: Specific Influences of Solubility Tail and Chromophores
Authors: Pylaeva Svetlana , Böker Arne , Elgabarty Hossam , Paul Wolfgang , Sebastiani Daniel
Published: August 2018

We address polyglutamine‐14 in aqueous solution with specific chromophores and a solubility chain by means of a multiscale simulation approach, combining atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and coarse‐grained Monte‐Carlo conformational sampling. Despite the intrinsically disordered nature of the amyloidogenic polyglutamine, we observe transient characteristic structural motifs which exhibit a specific hydrogen bonding pattern. We illustrate the relationship between structure pattern and the distance distribution of a pair of chromophores attached to the peptide termini, in light of specific influence of a short solubility tail and the chromophores themselves on the conformational ensemble.
Muscle Stem Cell Immunostaining
Authors: Wang Shuaiyu , Zhang Bao , Addicks Gregory C. , Zhang Hui , J. Menzies Keir , Zhang Hongbo
Published: August 2018

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are essential for maintaining muscle homeostasis by providing progenitor cells for muscle regeneration after injury and in muscular diseases. MuSC properties dynamically change, reflecting physiology or pathological status. For instance, MuSCs are activated after muscle injury, but become exhausted in late stages of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) disease and senescent during aging. Therefore, characterization of MuSCs, including proliferation, activation, senescence, and apoptosis, etc., is very important in applying MuSC knowledge to regenerative medicine, such as in the treatment of DMD and to improve muscle function in aging. Here, we describe a detailed method for characterizing MuSCs in situ using immunostaining techniques in the mouse. This method can also be easily adapted to analyze other skeletal muscle properties. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The link between socially responsible human resource management and intellectual capital
Authors: Barrena‐Martinez Jesus , López‐Fernández Macarena , Romero‐Fernández Pedro M.
Published: August 2018

This paper sheds light on the relevance of socially responsible human resource management (SR‐HRM) and its link to the generation of value for companies. Based on the synergistic assumptions of the configurational approach, the article tests the association of SR‐HRM policies on intellectual capital (IC) dimensions (human, social and organizational capital). A cluster and structural equation modelling analysis on a sample of 85 human resource (HR) managers confirms that companies implementing socially responsible HR policies could experience a greater increase in IC levels than other companies. This process facilitates the sustainable development of organizations through the enhancement of IC value and stakeholder engagement among employees as a main group of interest.
Dual‐Axial Gradient Doping (Zr and Sn) on Hematite for Promoting Charge Separation in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Chen Dong , Liu Zhifeng
Published: August 2018

One of the crucial challenges to enhance the photoelectrochemical water‐splitting performance of hematite (α‐Fe2O3) is to resolve its very fast charge recombination in bulk. Herein, we describe the design and fabrication of dual‐axial gradient‐doping on 1D Fe2O3 nanorod arrays with Zr doping for x‐axial and Sn doping for y‐axial directions to promote the charge separation. This dual‐axial gradient‐doping structure fulfills the requirements of a greater electron‐carrier concentration for increasing conductivity as well as a higher charge‐separation efficiency across the dual‐axial direction of Fe2O3 nanorods, ultimately showing an excellent photocurrent density of 1.64 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE, which is 26.3 times more than that of the bare Fe2O3. Furthermore, the remarkably improved photocurrent density, when comparing the uniform Zr‐doped Fe2O3 nanorod arrays (1.0 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE) with dual‐axial gradient‐doped (Zr and Sn) Fe2O3 nanorod arrays, highlights the additional charge‐separation effect resulting from gradient codoping of Zr and Sn. Hence, this promising design may provide guidelines for dual‐axial gradient doping into photoelectrodes to realize efficient PEC water splitting.
Matrix‐free modified extended BDF applied to the discontinuous Galerkin solution of unsteady compressible viscous flows
Authors: Nigro A. , De Bartolo C. , Crivellini A. , Bassi F.
Published: August 2018

In this work, a time‐accurate integration of the discontinuous Galerkin space‐discretized Navier‐Stokes equations is performed exploiting the matrix‐free (MF) approach to speed up the solution process of the modified extended backward differentiation formulae (MEBDF) schemes. MEBDF are high‐order accurate implicit multistep schemes composed by three nonlinear stages. The proposed algorithm consists in solving the resulting nonlinear system of each stage with a preconditioned MF Newton/Krylov method using a frozen preconditioner strategy to improve its efficiency. Numerical results for compressible inviscid and viscous test cases, both with a known analytical solution, aim at assessing the performance of the proposed MF‐MEBDF algorithm, by comparing it with the one obtained by using its matrix‐explicit counterpart or the explicit strong stability preserving Runge‐Kutta scheme. In particular, the influence of some relevant physical (low‐speed flows) and discretization (aspect ratio, polynomial degree) aspects on the performance of the different time integration schemes are investigated, highlighting the pros and cons of the proposed algorithm and its effectiveness in solving nonstiff and stiff systems. Furthermore, the scalability in parallel computations of the proposed algorithm is investigated and, finally, its potential for efficient long‐time simulations is demonstrated computing a laminar vortex shedding behind a circular cylinder at different Reynolds numbers and by comparing its effectiveness with that of the strong stability preserving Runge‐Kutta scheme.
A case of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia with t(11;16)(q23;q24) leading to a novel KMT2A‐USP10 fusion gene
Authors: Zerkalenkova Elena , Lebedeva Svetlana , Kazakova Anna , Baryshev Pavel , Meyer Claus , Marschalek Rolf , Novichkova Galina , Maschan Michael , Maschan Aleksey , Olshanskaya Yulia
Published: August 2018

We present a leukemia case that exhibits a chromosomal translocation t(11;16)(q23;q23), which results in the expression of a novel KMT2A fusion gene. This novel fusion, KMT2A‐USP10, was found in a relapse of acute myeloid leukaemia M5a. USP10 belongs to a protein family that deubiquitinates a distinct set of target proteins, and thus, increases the steady state protein levels of its target subproteome. One of the USP10 targets is TP53. Wildtype TP53 is usually rescued from proteasomal degradation by USP10. As most KMT2A leukemias display wildtype p53 alleles, one might argue that the disruption of an USP10 allele can be classified as a pro‐oncogenic event.
Lessons for Sequencing from the Addition of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency to Newborn Screening Panels
Authors: Puck Jennifer M.
Published: August 2018

Now widely adopted, SCID newborn screening has proven effective for early identification and treatment of SCID. In addition, screening has improved our understanding of SCID and related disorders, which are more diverse than originally believed. Newborn screening for SCID illustrates how adding new disorders to newborn screening panels can be enormously beneficial if evidence‐based guidelines are adhered to and if mechanisms are in place to track outcomes and learn along the way. These lessons should guide all additions to newborn screening, including those involving sequencing.