bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender Hierarchy in the Qurʾān: Medieval Interpretations, Modern Responses; Gender and Muslim Constructions of Exegetical Authority: A Rereading of the Classical Genre of Qurʾān Commentary; and Gender and Muslim Constructions of Exegetical Authority: A
Authors: Berg Herbert
Published: November 2018

Gender Hierarchy in the Qurʾān: Medieval Interpretations, Modern Responses. By Karen Bauer. Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2015. Pp. xi + 308. $99.99, £64.99.

Gender and Muslim Constructions of Exegetical Authority: A Rereading of the Classical Genre of Qurʾān Commentary. By Aisha Geissinger. Islamic History and Civilization, vol. 117. Leiden: Brill, 2015. Pp. xi + 319. $163, €126.

Tafsīr and Islamic Intellectual History: Exploring the Boundaries of a Genre. Edited by Andreas Görke and Johanna Pink. Qur’anic Studies Series. New York: Oxford University Press, in association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies, London, 2014. Pp. xxi + 547. $99.
Abū Bakr al-Ṣūlī, The Life and Times of Abū Tammām. Edited and translated by Beatrice Gruendler
Authors: Fakhreddine Huda
Published: November 2018

Abū Bakr al-Ṣūlī, The Life and Times of Abū Tammām. Edited and translated by Beatrice Gruendler. Library of Arabic Literature. New York: New York University Press, 2015. Pp. xxx + 421. $40.
Yūsuf al-Shirbīnī, Brains Confounded by the Ode of Abū Shādūf Expounded, and Muḥammad ibn Maḥfūẓ al-Sanhūrī, Risible Rhymes
Authors: Guo Li
Published: November 2018

Yūsuf al-Shirbīnī, Brains Confounded by the Ode of Abū Shādūf Expounded. Edited and translated by Humphrey Davies. 2 vols. Library of Arabic Literature. New York: New York University Press, 2016. Pp. lviii + 425; viii + 541. $40 each.

Muḥammad ibn Maḥfūẓ al-Sanhūrī, Risible Rhymes. Edited and translated by Humphrey Davies. Library of Arabic Literature. New York: New York University Press, 2016. Pp. xiv + 105. $30.
Dharmakīrti on the Duality of the Object: Pramāṇavārttika III 1–63. By Eli Franco and Miyako Notake
Authors: Pecchia Christina
Published: November 2018

Dharmakīrti on the Duality of the Object: Pramāṇavārttika III 1–63. By Eli Franco and Miyako Notake. Leipziger Studien zu Kultur und Geschichte Süd- und Zentralasiens, no. 5. Berlin: LIT-Verlag, 2014. Pp. xv + 173. €24,90.
Matrix Converters
Authors: Clare Jon , Wheeler Patrick , Trentin Andrew , Empringham Lee , De Lillo Liliana
Published: November 2018

Matrix converters provide direct AC‐AC power conversion without the intermediate DC link required by other approaches. Frequency changing and voltage changing capabilities are inherent in the operation of the converter. Matrix converters can be used in all applications where a conventional rectifier‐inverter might be used – but are particularly applicable to drive systems. The absence of DC link energy storage makes the matrix converter interesting and potentially attractive for applications where high power density is required and/or where high levels of structural integration are required. Regenerative operation is also an inherent feature of the topology. This article introduces the basic concept of the matrix converter and explains how it can be practically implemented using standard semiconductor devices. Some attention is paid to the critical issue of safe commutation – as this differs from most other converter types. Methods of modulating the converter to produce the desired output voltages and input currents are also discussed. The article concludes by discussing some protection issues and some emerging circuits that are derived from the basic matrix converter concept.
Silk
Authors: Asakura Tetsuo , Kametani Shunsuke , Suzuki Yu
Published: November 2018

Silks are naturally spun fibrous proteins most often associated with silkworms and spiders. For more than 5000 years, silk fiber fromBombyx morisilkworm has been used by mankind as an excellent textile fiber “queen of textiles.” Silk fibers possess excellent mechanical properties due to a combination of strength and extensibility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Thus, silks are of high interest for researchers in many fields. Here, we review the current understandings of the production, structures, processing, and properties of silkworms and spider silks.In vivoandin vitrofindings in the field of silk research are the basis for the design of new proteins and processing strategies, which will enable applications of these fascinating protein‐based materials in the fields of biomedicine and materials engineering.
Nanocomposites, Metal‐Filled
Authors: Carotenuto G.
Published: November 2018

Because of surface effects and the dramatic changes in properties that occur when the critical length governing some phenomenon (eg, magnetic, structural) becomes comparable with size, metal clusters have unique characteristics (eg, plasmon absorption, near‐IR photoluminescence, superparamagnetism). The embedding of metal clusters into polymeric matrices represents a simple way to take advantage of mesoscopic metal characteristics. This article overviews polymer‐embedded metal clusters, including their classification, preparation, characterization, and applications.
GLUT6 is a lysosomal transporter that is regulated by inflammatory stimuli and modulates glycolysis in macrophages
Authors: Maedera Shotaro , Mizuno Tadahaya , Ishiguro Hiromu , Ito Takuya , Soga Tomoyoshi , Kusuhara Hiroyuki
Published: November 2018

The solute carrier family is an important protein class governing compound transport across membranes. However, some of its members remain functionally unidentified. We analyzed ChIP‐seq data for the NF‐κB family transcription factor RelA and identified GLUT6 as a functionally uncharacterized transporter that putatively works in inflammatory responses. Inflammatory stimuli increase GLUT6 expression level, although GLUT6‐knockout mice exhibit a subtle phenotype to lipopolysaccharide administration. Metabolomics and in vitro analyses show that GLUT6 functions as a glycolysis modulator in inflammatory macrophages. GLUT6 does not mediate glucose uptake and is localized on lysosomal membranes. We conclude that GLUT6 is a lysosomal transporter that is regulated by inflammatory stimuli and modulates inflammatory responses by affecting the metabolic shift in macrophages.
Generation of 3D Soluble Signal Gradients in Cell‐Laden Hydrogels Using Passive Diffusion
Authors: Ahrens Lucas , Tanaka Simon , Vonwil Daniel , Christensen Jon , Iber Dagmar , Shastri V. Prasad
Published: November 2018

Soluble signal gradients play an important role in organ patterning, cell migration, and differentiation. Currently, signal gradients in 2D cell culture are realized using microfluidics and here cells are exposed to high and nonphysiological shear stress. Tissue morphogenesis (organogenesis) however occurs in 3D and therefore there is a need for simple and practical systems to impose gradients to cells dispersed in 3D matrix. Herein, a 3D gradient generator based on passive diffusion elements that recapitulates interstitial flow and is capable of imposing predictable gradients over long length scales (6 mm) lasting up to 48 h to cells dispersed in a hydrogel environment is reported. Using recombinant human WNT3A (rhWNT3A), the spatiotemporal activation of the canonical WNT pathway in human epithelial kidney cells and human mesenchymal stems cells expressing a green fluorescence protein reporter on a transcription factor/lymphoid enhancer‐binding factor (TCF/LEF) promoter is demonstrated. By refining computation models based on experimental findings, the diffusion coefficient of rhWNT3A in presence of human cells in 3D is determined. Furthermore, the formation of rhBMP4 gradients is visualized using immunohistochemistry by staining for phospho‐SMAD1/5, the downstream targets of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway. The simplicity of the gradient generator is expected to spur its adoption in studying developmental biology paradigms in vitro.
Epitaxial Heterogeneous Interfaces on N‐NiMoO4/NiS2 Nanowires/Nanosheets to Boost Hydrogen and Oxygen Production for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: An Li , Feng Jianrui , Zhang Yu , Wang Rui , Liu Hanwen , Wang Gui‐Chang , Cheng Fangyi , Xi Pinxian
Published: November 2018

Developing bifunctional efficient electrocatalysts for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is in high demand for the development of overall water‐splitting devices. In particular, the electrocatalytic performance can be largely improved by designing positive nanoscale‐heterojunction with well‐tuned interfaces. Herein, a novel top‐down strategy is reported to construct the oxide/sulfide heterostructures (N‐NiMoO4/NiS2 nanowires/nanosheets) as a multisite HER/OER catalyst. Starting with the NiMoO4 nanowires, nitridation in a controlled manner enables activation of Ni sites in NiMoO4 and then yields oxide/sulfide heterojunction by directly vulcanizing the highly composition‐segregated N‐NiMoO4 nanowires. The abundant epitaxial heterogeneous interfaces at atomic‐level facilitate the electron transfer from N‐NiMoO4 to NiS2, which further cooperate synergistically toward both the hydrogen and oxygen generation in alkali solution. Furthermore, with N‐NiMoO4/NiS2 grown carbon fiber cloth as the engineering electrode, the assembled N‐NiMoO4/NiS2–N‐NiMoO4/NiS2 system can deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with the cell voltage of 1.60 V in the water‐splitting reaction. This current density is 3.39 times higher than that of the Pt–Ir set (2.95 mA cm−2). The excellent catalytic performance offered of N‐NiMoO4/NiS2 nanowires/nanosheets presents a great example to demonstrate the significance of interface engineering in the field of electrocatalysis.
Ultralong Circulating Lollipop‐Like Nanoparticles Assembled with Gossypol, Doxorubicin, and Polydopamine via π–π Stacking for Synergistic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Wang Ya , Wu Youshen , Li Ke , Shen Shihong , Liu Zeying , Wu Daocheng
Published: November 2018

Long blood circulation in vivo remains a challenge to dual‐drug‐loaded nanocarriers for synergistic chemotherapy. Herein, a novel strategy to prepare lollipop‐like dual‐drug‐loaded nanoparticles (DOX–PDA–gossypol NPs) is developed based on the self‐assembly of gossypol, doxorubicin (DOX), and polydopamine (PDA) via π–π stacking. Dopamine polymerizes to PDA and fills the gaps between the gossypol and DOX molecules to form the super compact long‐circulating nanoparticles. The DOX–PDA–gossypol NPs show a suitable particle size of 59.6 ± 9.6 nm, high drug loading of 91%, superb stability, high maximum‐tolerated dose (MTD) of over 60 mg kg‐1, and negligible toxicity. These NPs also exhibit pH‐dependent drug release and low combination index (0.23). Notably, they show dramatically ultralong blood circulation (>192 h) with elimination half times 458‐fold and 258‐fold longer than that of free DOX and free gossypol, respectively. These values are markedly higher than most of the reported results. Therefore, the DOX–PDA–gossypol NPs have a high tumor accumulation of 12% remaining on the 8th day postinjection. This characteristic contributes to the excellent tumor comprehensive synergistic therapeutic efficacy (TIR > 90%) with low administration dosage and is benefitted for widening the drug therapeutic window. Thus, the proposed strategy has remarkable potential for tumor synergistic therapy.
Graphene‐Based Actuator with Integrated‐Sensing Function
Authors: Chen Luzhuo , Weng Mingcen , Zhou Peidi , Huang Feng , Liu Changhong , Fan Shoushan , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2018

Flexible actuators have important applications in artificial muscles, robotics, optical devices, and so on. However, most of the conventional actuators have only actuation function, lacking in real‐time sensing signal feedbacks. Here, to break the limitation and add functionality in conventional actuators, a graphene‐based actuator with integrated‐sensing function is reported, which avoids the dependence on image post‐processing for actuation detection and realizes real‐time measurement of the shape‐deformation amplitudes of the actuator. The actuator is able to show a large bending actuation (curvature of 1.1 cm−1) based on a dual‐mode actuation mechanism when it is driven by near infrared light. Meanwhile, the relative resistance change of the actuator is −17.5%. The sensing function is attributed to piezoresistivity and thermoresistivity of the reduced graphene oxide and paper composite. This actuator can be used as a strain sensor to monitor human motions. A smart gripper based on the actuators demonstrates perfect integration of the actuating and sensing functions, which can not only grasp and release an object, but also sense every actuation state of the actuator. The developed integrated‐sensing actuator is hopeful to open new application fields in soft robotics, artificial muscles, flexible wearable devices, and other integrated‐multifunctional devices.
Ultralight Conductive and Elastic Aerogel for Skeletal Muscle Atrophy Regeneration
Authors: Wang Leyu , Zhang Xingying , He Yutong , Wang Ying , Zhong Wen , Mequanint Kibret , Qiu Xiaozhong , Xing Malcolm
Published: November 2018

Cell‐free materials that can transmit both mechanical and electrical stimulations provide a promising strategy for myoinjury repair. Skeletal muscle is sensitive to electrical stimulation (ES), and accordingly, materials are required to transmit the electrical signal while maintaining their elasticity to build the cellular communication network in denervated muscle for retarding muscle atrophy. Here, tannic acid functionalized with methacrylate group (TA–MA), dopamine, and hydrothermal reduction are employed in multistep base reduction to fabricate a polydopamine (PDA)/reduced graphite oxide (rGO) aerogel. This mussel‐inspired PDA/rGO aerogel possesses good conductivity, electromechanical stability, and appropriate Young's modulus, which are favorable for the growth and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. After the cell‐free PDA/rGO aerogel‐transplanted denervated muscle is loaded with cyclic ES for 3 weeks, the mean muscle fiber size increases by 90% and the maximum contraction force of denervated muscle elevates by 50%, accompanied with a slight inflammation infiltration in muscle. In conclusion, PDA/rGO aerogel is a safe and effective implant for retarding the disuse muscle atrophy.
Ten States of Nonvolatile Memory through Engineering Ferromagnetic Remanent Magnetization
Authors: Zhong Hai , Wen Yan , Zhao Yuelei , Zhang Qiang , Huang Qikun , Chen Yanxue , Cai Jianwang , Zhang Xixiang , Li Run‐wei , Bai Lihui , Kang Shishou , Yan Shishen , Tian Yufeng
Published: November 2018

Emerging nonvolatile multilevel memory devices have been regarded as a promising solution to meet the increasing demand of high‐density memory with low‐power consumption. In particular, decimal system of the new computers instead of binary system could be developed if ten nonvolatile states are realized. Here, a general remanent magnetism engineering method is proposed for realizing multiple reliable magnetic and resistance states, not depending on a specific material or device structure. Especially, as a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, ten states of nonvolatile memory based on the manipulation of ferromagnetic remanent magnetization have been revealed in both Co/Pt magnetic multilayers with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and MgO‐based magnetic tunneling junctions at room temperature. Considering ferromagnets have been one of the key factors that enabled the information revolution from its inception, this state‐of‐the‐art remanent magnetism engineering approach has a very broad application prospect in the field of spintronics.
Mobility Deception in Nanoscale Transistors: An Untold Contact Story
Authors: Nasr Joseph R. , Schulman Daniel S. , Sebastian Amritanand , Horn Mark W. , Das Saptarshi
Published: November 2018

Mobility is a critical parameter that is routinely used for benchmarking the performance of field‐effect transistors (FETs) based on novel nanomaterials. In fact, mobility values are often used to champion nanomaterials since high‐performance devices necessitate high mobility values. The current belief is that the contacts can only limit the FET performance and hence the extracted mobility is an underestimation of the true channel mobility. However, here, such misconception is challenged through rigorous experimental effort, backed by numerical simulations, to demonstrate that overestimation of mobility occurs in commonly used geometries and in nanomaterials for which the contact interface, contact doping, and contact geometry play a pivotal role. In particular, dual‐gated FETs based on multilayer MoS2 and WSe2 are used as case studies in order to elucidate and differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic contact effects manifesting in the mobility extraction. The choice of 2D layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) as the semiconducting channel is motivated by their potential to replace and/or coexist with Si‐based aging FET technologies. However, the results are equally applicable to nanotube‐ and nanowire‐based FETs, oxide semiconductors, and organic‐material‐based thin‐film FETs.
Bifunctional imidazole‐PTSA deep eutectic solvent for synthesizing long‐chain ester IBIBE in reactive extraction
Authors: Qin Hao , Song Zhen , Zeng Qian , Cheng Hongye , Chen Lifang , Qi Zhiwen
Published: November 2018

The traditional production of long‐chain organic esters like isobutyl isobutyrate (BIBE) suffers from severe problems due to the homogenous catalyst in process and complex system thermodynamics. In this work, an innovative bifunctional deep eutectic solvent (DES) is introduced, playing as both reaction catalyst and extraction solvent, to intensify the esterification process. The DES was formed by imidazole (Im) and p‐toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA), which was for the first time found acid–base tunable, represented by weak basic DES [3Im:PTSA] and strong acidic DES [Im:2PTSA]. The formation mechanisms of [3Im:PTSA] and [Im:2PTSA] were illustrated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and COnductor‐like Screening MOdel for Real Solvent (COSMO‐RS) combined with the Im‐PTSA phase diagram. The dual functions of the acidic [Im:2PTSA] in reactive extraction were evaluated by σ‐potential analysis and esterification experiments. The high conversion, easy product separation, and good solvent reusability confirm the excellent catalytic and solvent effect of [Im:2PTSA]. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 675–683, 2019
Preoperative management of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea with acetazolamide
Authors: Tilak Ashwini M. , Koehn Heather , Mattos José , Payne Spencer C.
Published: November 2018

Background

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea has been associated with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). As such, ICP reducing measures are commonly employed to optimize repair. Although postoperative acetazolamide use has been described, no data currently exists on the potential for preoperative use.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed including patients treated for anterior spontaneous CSF leaks by a single surgeon over a 6‐year period during which acetazolamide therapy (250 mg twice daily) was employed before considering surgical repair. The primary endpoint was whether the patient went on to require surgical repair.

Results

A total of 16 patients were identified who were pretreated with acetazolamide. Leak sites were noted as cribriform (5/16), sphenoid (8/16), ethmoid (1/16), multiple (1/16), and indeterminate (1/16). Five patients had resolution of their rhinorrhea without surgery (31.3%). Mean follow‐up for these nonsurgical patients was 470 days (range, 64 to 857 days). There were no differences in the patients’ age or site of leak between surgical and nonsurgical patients (p = 0.65, p = 0.52, respectively). Nonsurgical patients had a lower body mass index (BMI) than surgical patients (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

This is the first study to report the use of acetazolamide therapy as a primary treatment option for spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea. This therapy enabled surgery to be avoided in 31.3% of patients. This would indicate that in the absence of other contraindications for delaying repair, a trial of acetazolamide therapy could be considered as an initial option in the management of isolated spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea.
Analysis of 24‐hour surgical cancellations in an academic rhinology and skull base surgery practice
Authors: Roxbury Christopher R. , Shah Janki , Tang Dennis , Kshettry Varun R. , Recinos Pablo F. , Woodard Troy D. , Taylor Mark , Sindwani Raj
Published: November 2018

Background

Late cancellations within 24 hours of surgery lead to decreased utilization of operating room time with loss of productivity, decreased access to care, and inconvenience to patients and staff. To date, no studies have analyzed 24‐hour cancellations in a tertiary rhinology practice.

Methods

All procedures performed at a tertiary rhinology/skull base practice from January 2016 to December 2017 were reviewed. Twenty‐four‐hour cancellations were analyzed by procedure type and reason for cancellation. Avoidable cancellations were late cancellations that could have been prevented by review of medical records or communication by hospital staff with the patient before surgery. Univariate analysis was performed to determine predictive factors for cancellations.

Results

A total of 39 of 640 surgical cases were cancelled (6.1%) within 24 hours of surgery. Of these, 69.2% were inflammatory and 30.8% were skull base cases. The mean number of operating room minutes lost was 151 (60 of 210) for inflammatory and 263 (102 of 480) for skull base cases. Avoidable cancellations were seen in 25 of 35 (71.4%) cases. Patients undergoing inpatient or skull base surgery were more likely to have medical cancellations than patients undergoing outpatient or inflammatory surgery (91.7% vs 43.5%, p = 0.01; 83.3% vs 47.8%, p = 0.07).

Conclusion

This is the first study to analyze 24‐hour cancellations in tertiary rhinology/skull base surgery. The results suggest that a majority of late cancellations are avoidable and that skull base and inpatient surgeries are more likely to be canceled for medical reasons. Further studies are required to better characterize surgical cancellations in rhinology and identify strategies to try to prevent them.
Early fetal echocardiography
Authors: McBrien Angela , Hornberger Lisa K.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To explore the technical aspects and clinical utility of early fetal echocardiography and screening of the fetal heart in early pregnancy. Also, to document differences in cardiac structure and function which can be demonstrated in the late first/early second trimesters.

Methods

In addition to summarizing our own experiences of late first/early second trimester fetal echocardiography, we reviewed the literature to explore clinical indications for, technical aspects, safety, accuracy, strengths and weaknesses of early fetal echocardiography.

Results

In the current era, an increasing number of fetuses are identified as being at risk of congenital heart disease from as early as the late first trimester. In experienced hands, early fetal echocardiography can pick up a high proportion of congenital heart disease with good reliability for the majority of lesions. Early fetal echocardiography is relatively poor at assessing pulmonary veins, the atrioventricular valves and lesions that typically occur later or progress during the course of pregnancy. There is increasing interest in widespread implementation of an early obstetric anomaly screen which includes an assessment of the fetal heart for all pregnancies. There are a variety of hemodynamic differences in the late first/early second trimester compared with later in pregnancy.

Conclusion

Early fetal echocardiography is has become an established tool for detection of congenital heart disease. It affords opportunities to learn about the true spectrum and progression of congenital heart disease in‐utero. Operators should be mindful of safety issues, technical aspects and hemodynamic findings which differ when performing echocardiograms at this stage of pregnancy.
Investigation of virus retention by size exclusion membranes under different flow regimes
Authors: Kosiol Peter , Kahrs Catharina , Thom Volkmar , Ulbricht Mathias , Hansmann Björn
Published: November 2018

Virus removal by filter membranes is regarded as a robust and efficient unit operation, which is frequently applied in the downstream processing of biopharmaceuticals. The retention of viruses by virus filtration membranes is predominantly based on size exclusion. However, recent results using model membranes and bacteriophage PP7 point to the fact that virus retention can also significantly be influenced by adsorptive interactions between virus, product molecules, and membranes. Furthermore, the impact of flow rate and flow interruptions on virus retention have been studied and responsible mechanisms discussed. The aim of this investigation was to gain a holistic understanding of the underlying mechanisms for virus retention in size exclusion membranes as a function of membrane structure and membrane surface properties, as well as flow and solution conditions. The results of this study contribute to the differentiation between size exclusion and adsorptive effects during virus filtration and broaden the current understanding of mechanisms related to virus breakthroughs after temporary flow interruptions. Within the frame of a Design of Experiments approach it was found that the level of retention of virus filtration membranes was mostly influenced by the membrane structure during typical process‐related flow conditions. The retention performance after a flow interruption was also significantly influenced by membrane surface properties and solution conditions. While size exclusion was confirmed as main retention mechanism, the analysis of all results suggests that especially after a flow interruption virus retention can be influenced by adsorptive effects between the virus and the membrane surface. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2747, 2019.
From Bugs to Bioplastics: Total (+)‐Dihydrocarvide Biosynthesis by Engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Ascue Avalos Gabriel A. , Toogood Helen S. , Tait Shirley , Messiha Hanan L. , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: November 2018

The monoterpenoid lactone derivative (+)‐dihydrocarvide ((+)‐DHCD) can be polymerised to form shape‐memory polymers. Synthetic biology routes from simple, inexpensive carbon sources are an attractive, alternative route over chemical synthesis from (R)‐carvone. We have demonstrated a proof‐of‐principle in vivo approach for the complete biosynthesis of (+)‐DHCD from glucose in Escherichia coli (6.6 mg L−1). The pathway is based on the Mentha spicata route to (R)‐carvone, with the addition of an ′ene′‐reductase and Baeyer–Villiger cyclohexanone monooxygenase. Co‐expression with a limonene synthesis pathway enzyme enables complete biocatalytic production within one microbial chassis. (+)‐DHCD was successfully produced by screening multiple homologues of the pathway genes, combined with expression optimisation by selective promoter and/or ribosomal binding‐site screening. This study demonstrates the potential application of synthetic biology approaches in the development of truly sustainable and renewable bioplastic monomers.
Recent Advances in the Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic‐Carbene‐Functionalized Metal‐Nanoparticles and Their Applications
Authors: An Yuan‐Yuan , Yu Jian‐Gang , Han Ying‐Feng
Published: November 2018

Metal‐nanoparticles (M‐NPs) have been widely applied in catalysis, imaging, sensing and medicine. One particularly active area of this research is the modification of the surface of the nanoparticles to prevent aggregation through the coordination of ligands. N‐Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have emerged as suitable ligands for this purpose due to their affinity to the metals and their strongly electron donating nature. A number of rationally designed NHC‐modified M‐NPs have been developed using strategies based on metal complex decomposition and ligand exchange. Herein, NHC‐stabilized M‐NPs based on a range of transition metals, especially the recent advances, were summarized.
Dust ion‐acoustic solitons collision in weakly relativistic plasmas with superthermality‐distributed electrons and positrons: Higher‐order phase shifts
Authors: EL‐Shamy E.F. , El‐Shewy E.K. , Abdo N.F. , Ould Abdellahi M. , Al‐Hagan O.
Published: November 2018

The higher‐order (H‐O) phase shift of dust ion‐acoustic solitons (DIASs) in a weakly relativistic plasma is examined considering the influence of both superthermality‐distributed electrons and positrons. Employing the extended Poincaré–Lighthill–Kuo method (EPLKM), the Korteweg–de Vries equations (KdVEs) and the deviation in trajectories of DIASs (i.e., phase shifts) are obtained after the collision. For obtaining H‐O phase shifts of DIASs, the fifth‐order dispersion terms are added into KdVEs. The effects of the relativistic factor for a weakly relativistic regime and the superthermality of both electrons and positrons on the H‐O phase shifts are discussed. Numerical analysis gives rise to important highlights on the excitation and the collision of DIASs in astrophysical situations such as a pulsar magnetosphere.
Estimating precipitation extremes using the log‐histospline
Authors: Huang Whitney K. , Nychka Douglas W. , Zhang Hao
Published: November 2018

One of the commonly used approaches in modeling extremes is the peaks‐over‐threshold (POT) method. The POT method models exceedances over a threshold that is sufficiently high so that the exceedance has approximately a generalized Pareto distribution. This method requires the selection of a threshold that might affect the estimates. Here, we propose an alternative method, the log‐histospline (LHSpline), to explore modeling the tail behavior and the remainder of the density in one step using the full range of the data. LHSpline applies a smoothing spline model to a finely binned histogram of the log‐transformed data to estimate its log density. By construction, a LHSpline estimation is constrained to have polynomial tail behavior, a feature commonly observed in daily rainfall observations. We illustrate the LHSpline method by analyzing precipitation data collected in Houston, Texas.
Conceptual framework underpinning management of soil health—supporting site‐specific delivery of sustainable agro‐ecosystems
Authors: Stockdale Elizabeth A. , Griffiths Bryan S. , Hargreaves Paul R. , Bhogal Anne , Crotty Felicity V. , Watson Christine A.
Published: November 2018

The need for sustainable intensification of agricultural production has ushered in a growing awareness of soil health and a requirement to identify with some certainty how changes to land management will affect soil. From an agricultural perspective, the active management of soil health needs to balance the production of a healthy and profitable crop with environmental protection and improvement. However, the extreme spatial and temporal heterogeneity of soils, and the complexity of biological, physical and chemical interactions therein, makes predicting management effects on soil health challenging. Although the general principles underlying effects on soil health are well understood, they still need interpretation in a local context and the inclusion of site‐specific details. Approaches from landscape ecology provide a potential framework to integrate consideration of the structural (pools, patterns), dynamic and functional (processes, flows) aspects of the soil system. These approaches allow the crucial transition from a “descriptive and general” understanding toward a “detailed and site‐specific” prediction to be made. Using this conceptual framework, we have taken knowledge of the effects of fixed site factors (soil type and climatic zone), cropping systems and farm management practices on a range of soil physical, chemical and biological parameters forUKlowland agricultural systems, and have developed a predictive framework that shows semi‐quantitatively the effects of typical management choices on soil health and crop yield.
Astrocyte‐neuron lactate shuttle sensitizes nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord
Authors: Miyamoto Keisuke , Ishikura Kei‐ichiro , Kume Kazuhiko , Ohsawa Masahiro
Published: November 2018

Astrocytes play a key role in the maintenance of synaptic transmission by producing L‐lactate via the astrocyte‐neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS). Astrocyte activation in the spinal cord is involved in the expression of neuropathic pain. We investigated the role of the ANLS in the spinal cord on hyperalgesia in neuropathic pain in mice. Specific activation of dorsal horn astrocytes induced mechanical hyperalgesia, which was attenuated by α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamate (4‐CIN), an inhibitor of monocarboxylate transporters that deliver L‐lactate from astrocytes to neurons. Intrathecal L‐lactate administration lowered the mechanical nociceptive threshold, which was attenuated by pretreatment with 4‐CIN and isosafrole (a lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor), but not gliotoxin. Intrathecal L‐lactate administration significantly upregulated c‐Fos and cofilin phosphorylation, which was reversed by 4‐CIN. The lowered mechanical nociceptive threshold was significantly attenuated by intrathecal fluorocitrate (an astrocyte‐specific Krebs cycle inhibitor), 4‐CIN, and isosafrole treatment. Thus, these results suggested that, in neuropathic pain, mechanical hyperalgesia was maintained by excessive L‐lactate supplied by activated astrocytes via an aberrant ANLS.
Rescuing the negative impact of human endogenous retrovirus envelope protein on oligodendroglial differentiation and myelination
Authors: Göttle Peter , Förster Moritz , Gruchot Joel , Kremer David , Hartung Hans Peter , Perron Hervé , Küry Patrick
Published: November 2018

Remyelination in the adult CNS depends on activation, differentiation, and functional integration of resident oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs) and constitutes the only spontaneous neuroregenerative process able to compensate for functional deficits upon loss of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths as it is observed in multiple sclerosis. The proteins encoded by p57kip2‐ and by human endogenous retrovirus type W (pHERV‐W) envelope genes were previously identified as negative regulators of OPC maturation. We here focused on the activity of the ENV protein and investigated how it can be neutralized for an improved myelin repair. We could demonstrate that myelination in vitro is severely affected by this protein but that application of an anti‐ENV neutralizing antibody, currently investigated in clinical trials, can rescue the generation of internodes. We then compared p57kip2 and ENV dependent inhibitory mechanisms and found that a dominant negative version of the p57kip2 protein can equally save OPCs from myelination failure in response to ENV‐mediated TLR4 activation. Additional experiments addressing p57kip2's underlying mode of action revealed a direct interaction with ATP6v1d, a central component of a vascular ATPase. Its pharmacological blocking was then shown to exert an analogous myelination rescue effect in presence of the ENV protein. Therefore, our study provides mechanistic insights into oligodendroglial inhibition processes and presents three different means to counteract the anti‐myelination effect of the ENV protein. These observations are therefore of interest in light of understanding the complexity of the numerous oligodendroglial inhibitors and might promote the establishment of novel regenerative therapies.
The use of direct care in nursing home residents: A longitudinal cohort study over 3 years
Authors: Vossius Corinna , Selbæk Geir , Šaltytė Benth Jūratė , Wimo Anders , Bergh Sverre
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the trend in the use of direct care in a cohort of nursing home (NH) residents and explore its association with resident characteristics and organizational factors.

Methods/design

A total of 696 NH residents from 47 Norwegian NHs were included at admissions at NH. In 537 residents, the use of direct care was assessed every 6 months over a course of 3 years. A multiple model was estimated to identify demographic, clinical, and organizational characteristics associated with the use of direct care time.

Results

Six months after admission, on average, 76.2 hours of direct care were rendered to each resident per month, while this number was reduced to 50.3 hours per month at the end of the study period. Most residents (92%) showed a stable use of direct care time, while a small group of residents displayed a much higher and varying use of direct care time. Increasing dementia, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and decreasing function in activities of daily living were associated with higher use of direct care time. Direct care time constituted about 50% of the staff's working time.

Conclusion

In Norwegian NHs, high use of direct care time was associated with younger age, more severe dementia, and severe neuropsychiatric symptoms. By identifying factors that impact on direct care time, preventive measures might be put in place to the benefit of the residents and possibly to improve resource use. Further research should explore the association between direct care time, quality of care, and the residents' quality of life.
Addressing challenges of high spatial resolution UHF fMRI for group analysis of higher‐order cognitive tasks: An inter‐sensory task directing attention between visual and somatosensory domains
Authors: Aquino Kevin M. , Sokoliuk Rodika , Pakenham Daisie O. , Sanchez‐Panchuelo Rosa Maria , Hanslmayr Simon , Mayhew Stephen D. , Mullinger Karen J. , Francis Susan T.
Published: November 2018

Functional MRI at ultra‐high field (UHF, ≥7 T) provides significant increases in BOLD contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) compared with conventional field strength (3 T), and has been exploited for reduced field‐of‐view, high spatial resolution mapping of primary sensory areas. Applying these high spatial resolution methods to investigate whole brain functional responses to higher‐order cognitive tasks leads to a number of challenges, in particular how to perform robust group‐level statistical analyses. This study addresses these challenges using an inter‐sensory cognitive task which modulates top‐down attention at graded levels between the visual and somatosensory domains. At the individual level, highly focal functional activation to the task and task difficulty (modulated by attention levels) were detectable due to the high CNR at UHF. However, to assess group level effects, both anatomical and functional variability must be considered during analysis. We demonstrate the importance of surface over volume normalisation and the requirement of no spatial smoothing when assessing highly focal activity. Using novel group analysis on anatomically parcellated brain regions, we show that in higher cognitive areas (parietal and dorsal‐lateral‐prefrontal cortex) fMRI responses to graded attention levels were modulated quadratically, whilst in visual cortex and VIP, responses were modulated linearly. These group fMRI responses were not seen clearly using conventional second‐level GLM analyses, illustrating the limitations of a conventional approach when investigating such focal responses in higher cognitive regions which are more anatomically variable. The approaches demonstrated here complement other advanced analysis methods such as multivariate pattern analysis, allowing UHF to be fully exploited in cognitive neuroscience.
The applications of neuro‐linguistic programming in organizational settings: A systematic review of psychological outcomes
Authors: Kotera Yasuhiro , Sheffield David , Van Gordon William
Published: November 2018

Neuro‐linguistic programming (NLP) is an approach to communication and personal development focusing on how individuals organize their thinking, feelings, and language. While a growing number of academic articles highlight the application of NLP in organizational settings, a systematic review synthesizing and evaluating the quality of this evidence has not been conducted to date. The aim of this article was to follow the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and conduct a systematic review of empirical studies evaluating the application of NLP in organizational settings. Targeted outcomes included self‐esteem, trustworthiness, organizational commitment, and occupational stress. Academic research databases used to identify articles included ProQuest, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and a specific NLP database. The literature search yielded 952 titles from which seven studies met all of the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that NLP can be effective for improving a wide range of work‐related psychological outcomes including self‐esteem and occupational stress. However, there were concerns regarding methodological rigor. In general, the benefits of NLP were both overpromised and undersupported. Implications for future NLP application and research, with a focus on the relevance to current issues in the field of human resource (HR) development, are discussed.
Systems Engineering, Data Analytics, and Systems Thinking: Moving Ahead to New and More Complex Challenges
Authors: Kenett Ron S. , Zonnenshain Avigdor , Swarz Robert S.
Published: November 2018

During the last decade, industries in advanced economies have experienced significant changes in their engineering and manufacturing practices, processes, and technologies that have the potential to create a resurgence in their engineering and manufacturing activities. This phenomenon referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 ‐ a term used commonly in Europe about high digitization in manufacturing, loosely equivalent to advanced manufacturing used in the United States. The term's basis comes from advanced manufacturing and engineering technologies, such as massive digitization, big data analytics, advanced robotics and adaptive automation, additive and precision manufacturing (3D printing), modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence, and the nano‐engineering of materials. This revolution presents challenges and opportunities to the systems engineering discipline. For example, virtually all systems will have porous and ill‐defined boundaries and requirements. Under Industry 4.0, systems will have access to large types and numbers of external devices, and enormous quantities of data, which must undergo analysis through data analytics. It is, therefore, the right time for enhancing the development and application of data‐driven and evidence‐based systems engineering. One of the trends in data analytics is the shift from detection to prognosis and predictive monitoring in systems testing and maintenance using prognostics and health monitoring (PHM). Also, it is proposed to practice evidence‐based risk management as a more effective approach for managing the systems’ risks.
A Fresh Look at Systems Engineering – What is it, How Should it Work?
Authors: Sillitto Hillary , Martin James , Griego Regina , McKinney Dorothy , Arnold Eileen , Godfrey Patrick , Dori Dov , Krob Daniel , Jackson Scott
Published: November 2018

INCOSE's definition of systems engineering was compared to the aspirations set out in the INCOSE Systems Engineering Vision 2025 for systems engineering as it ought to be to address modern challenges. Doing this led us to three fundamental realisations. First, while “20th century systems” were, for the most part, “deterministic” or nearly so, 21st century systems are on the other hand increasingly non‐deterministic, adaptive or “evolutionary.” Second, while “20th Century systems engineering management” was implicitly based on a “command and control” paradigm, 21st Century systems engineering, to be successful, will usually need to use a more collaborative leadership paradigm. And third, that while 20th Century systems were largely “single systems”, designed to “solve” specific problems, 21st Century systems are almost invariably networked, and are parts of complex extended enterprises with multiple, often conflicting, stakeholder objectives, that are intimately related to complex societal challenges. We used elements of soft systems methodology (SSM) to understand the implication and consequences of the paradigm shift implied by these realisations. A revised strawman definition of systems engineering is offered for consideration by INCOSE, showing the changes that would be required to take these and related factors into account.
Dextran‐based hydrogel with enhanced mechanical performance via covalent and non‐covalent cross‐linking units carrying adipose‐derived stem cells toward vascularized bone tissue engineering
Authors: Cai Litao , Li Jitian , Quan Songtao , Feng Wei , Yao Junna , Yang Minglu , Li Wuyin
Published: November 2018

Hydrogels for biomedical applications were limited toward bone tissue engineering due to the poor mechanical performance. Tough hydrogels with strong and elastic features have received extensive attention, the application of which, however, was limited by their degradation. The present study introduced an approach to enhance mechanical properties of hydrogel while ensuring its degradation. Carboxyl dextran (Dex) was grafting modified by poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), sequentially followed by being cross‐linked through polyethyleneglycol 400 (PEG400) to yield a gel with covalent cross‐linking units in DMSO. The gel was underwent solvent displacement in H2O to induce hydrophobic association of PCL to form non‐covalent cross‐linking units. The tough Dex‐g‐PCL hydrogel showed maximum strain of Dex‐g‐PCL hydrogel was 90% ± 6%, with the corresponding stress of 2.7 ± 0.2 MPa, which was significantly enhanced when comparing to dextran hydrogel (maximum strain 65% ± 5%, with the corresponding stress of 0.225 ± 0.06 MPa). Most hydrogel degraded after 12 w in vivo with only a little residues. Adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) proliferated well after being seeded in hydrogel to form micro‐mass at 14 days post‐seeding. In vitro and in vivo angiogenesis, as well as in vitro osteogenesis illustrated the potential of the Dex‐g‐PCL hydrogel carrying ASCs toward vascularized bone tissue engineering. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1120–1131, 2019.
Contextual influence over deriving another's false beliefs using a relational triangulation perspective taking protocol (RT‐PTP‐M2)
Authors: Guinther Paul M.
Published: November 2018

The original relational triangulation perspective taking protocol (RT‐PTP‐M1; Guinther, ) was extended with a second training and testing module (RT‐PTP‐M2) showing contextual influence over derivation of another's “false beliefs” during an analog of the Sally‐Anne test for Theory of Mind (Baron‐Cohen, Leslie, & Frith, ; Wimmer & Perner, ) in verbally competent adults. Under the respective contextual control of experimental stimuli X2 and X3, participants first learned through direct conditioning procedures that avatars A2 and A3 “behave the same way” towards target stimuli. Participants then made object discriminations under X2 according to the spatial perspective of A2, who saw an initial target at a particular location but could not see that the target was later swapped with a second target; reporting the identity of the initial target was reinforced for participants. Among participants who had failed baseline testing, this directly trained “false belief attribution” repertoire was then spontaneously emitted by participants relative to the perspective of A3 under X3 during the final test for derivation. Other participants were able to derive false belief under X3 without the X2 attribution training. These results suggest the RT‐PTP procedures were successful in causing X3 to acquire context‐of‐relating functions for exerting control over perspectival relational triangulation.