bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Berberine reversed the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of normal colonic epithelial cells induced by SW480 cells through regulating the important components in the TGF‐β pathway
Authors: Huang Chao , Tao Liang , Wang Xiu‐lian , Pang Zuoliang
Published: December 2018

Stroma‐tumor interactions within microenvironment play a crucial role in tumor development and growth. Cellular transdifferentiation in the stroma is a prerequisite for tumor formation. Targeting the interactions maybe a promising anticancer strategy. Berberine (BBR) has been confirmed to have anticancer and anti‐inflammatory effects. We found for the first time that colon cancer cells SW480 induced spindle‐like morphological changes and downregulation of E‐cadherin and upregulation of vimentin and alpha‐smooth muscle actin in colon epithelial cells HCoEpiCs by using transwell coculture system and conditioned medium from SW480. The conditioned medium also promoted the migration of HCoEpiCs. This transition was inhibited by a transforming growth factor‐β receptor inhibitor LY364947. BBR (50 and 100 µg/ml) reversed the EMT‐like transition and repressed the migration in HCoEpiCs. Further results demonstrated that downregulation of TβRII, Smad2, p‐Smad3, and overexpression of Smad3 participated in the SW480‐induced phenotypic transition of HCoEpiCs. In addition, BBR upregulated the expressions of TβRII, Smad2, and p‐Smad3. In conclusion, our findings suggest that BBR exerts the anti‐EMT and antimigration effect by mediating the expression of TβRII, Smad2, and p‐Smad3.
Dendrimer functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as a promising platform for localized hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis
Authors: Esmaeili Elaheh , Khalili Mahsa , Sohi Alireza Naderi , Hosseinzadeh Simzar , Taheri Behnaz , Soleimani Masoud
Published: December 2018

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are a well‐explored class of nanomaterials known for their high magnetization and biocompatibility. They have been used in various biomedical applications such as drug delivery, biosensors, hyperthermia, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. It is necessary to surface modify the nanoparticles with a biocompatible moiety to prevent their agglomeration and enable them to target to the defined area. Dendrimers have attracted considerable attention due to their small size, monodispersed, well‐defined globular shape, and a relative ease incorporation of targeting ligands. In this study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via a coprecipitation method. The magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) had been modified with (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane, and then polyamidoamine functionalized MNPs had been synthesized cycling. Various characterization techniques had been used to reveal the morphology, size, and structure of the nanoparticles such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements. In addition, the cytotoxicity property of G3–dendrimer functionalized MNPs were evaluated using 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2, 5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay which confirmed the biocompatibility of the nanocomposites. Dendrimer functionalized MNPs are able to act as contrast agents for MRI and magnetic fluid hyperthermia mediators. A superior heat generation was achieved for the given concentration according to the hyperthermia results. MRI results show that the synthesized nanocomposites are a favorable option for MRI contrast agent. We believe that these dendrimer functionalized MNPs have the potential of integrating therapeutic and diagnostic functions in a single carrier.
The long noncoding RNA NORAD enhances the TGF‐β pathway to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression by targeting miR‐202‐5p
Authors: Yang Xuan , Cai Jia‐Bin , Peng Rui , Wei Chuan‐Yuan , Lu Jia‐Cheng , Gao Chao , Shen Zhao‐Zuo , Zhang Peng‐Fei , Huang Xiao‐Yong , Ke Ai‐Wu , Shi Guo‐Ming , Fan Jia
Published: December 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal cancers with common features of invasion and metastasis. Recent evidence indicate that the long noncoding RNA NORAD is a potential oncogene and is significantly upregulated in several cancers. However, the general biological role and clinical value of NORAD in HCC remains unknown. Here, NORAD expression was measured in 29 paired tumor and paratumor tissues via quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The effects of NORAD on HCC cell malignant potential were investigated via NORAD overexpression and knockdown both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) was acquired and identified by bioinformatics analyses and luciferase assays. Moreover, the impact of NORAD level on the transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) pathway was further determined by qPCR. We found that HCC tissues had a high level of NORAD compared with the paratumor tissues, and NORAD upregulation was associated with the shorter overall survival of patients with HCC. Furthermore, NORAD overexpression was demonstrated to promote HCC cell migration and invasion. Mechanically, NORAD might function as a ceRNA to regulate miR‐202‐5p, which served as a tumor‐suppressing microRNA via the TGF‐β pathway. We address that NORAD has a tumor‐promoting effect in HCC and describes a novel mechanism whereby NORAD regulates the TGF‐β pathway as a ceRNA of Homo sapiens (hsa)‐miR‐202‐5p.
Benzyltrimethylammonium Dichloroiodate Catalyzed Four‐Component Synthesis of Fully Functionalized Pyrroles Under Eco‐compatible Conditions
Authors: Pagadala Ramakanth , Kusampally Uppalaiah
Published: December 2018

Benzyltrimethylammonium dichloroiodate promoted an eco‐compatible synthesis of fully functionalized pyrroles via isocyanide‐based four‐component reactions under solvent‐free conditions that are reported. Benzyltrimethylammonium dichloroiodate supported reaction process including Knoevenagel condensation followed by the Michael type and intramolecular cyclization that gives high yields.
New comprehensive procedure for custom‐made total ankle replacements: Medical imaging, joint modeling, prosthesis design, and 3D printing
Authors: Belvedere Claudio , Siegler Sorin , Fortunato Alessandro , Caravaggi Paolo , Liverani Erica , Durante Stefano , Ensini Andrea , Konow Tobias , Leardini Alberto
Published: December 2018

Many failures in total joint replacement are associated to prosthesis‐to‐bone mismatch. With recent additive‐manufacturing, that is, 3D‐printing, custom‐made prosthesis can be created by laser‐melting metal powders layer‐by‐layer. Ankle replacement is particularly suitable for this progress because of the limited number of sizes and the poor bone stock. In this study a novel procedure is presented for subject‐specific ankle replacements, including medical‐imaging, joint modelling, prosthesis design, and 3D‐printing. Three shank‐foot specimens were CT‐scanned, and corresponding 3D bone models of the tibia, fibula, talus, and calcaneus were obtained. From these models, specimen‐specific implant sets were designed according to three different concepts, and 3D‐printed from cobalt‐chromium‐molybdenum powder. Accuracy of the overall procedure was assessed via distance map comparisons between original anatomical and final metal implants. Restoration of natural ankle joint mechanics was check after implantation of each of the three sets. In a special rig, a manually‐driven dorsi/plantar‐flexion was applied throughout the passive arc. Additionally, at three different joint positions, joint torques were imposed in the frontal and axial anatomical planes. Mean manufacturing errors were found to be smaller than 0.08 mm. Consistent motion patterns were observed over repetitions, with the mean standard deviation smaller than 1.0 degree. In each ankle specimen, mobility, and stability at the replaced joints compared well with the original natural condition. For the first time, custom‐made implants for total ankle replacements were designed, manufactured with additive technology and tested. This procedure is a first fundamental step toward the development of completely personalized prostheses. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Recommendations for iliosacral screw placement in dysmorphic sacrum based on modified in‐out‐in corridors
Authors: Wendt Henry , Gottschling Heiko , Schröder Manuel , Marintschev Ivan , Hofmann Gunther O. , Burgkart Rainer , Gras Florian
Published: December 2018

(1) Can iliosacral osseous corridor diameters in sacral dysmorphism be enlarged by in‐out‐in screw placement at the posterior iliosacral recessus? (2) Are lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) the anatomical cause for sacral dysmorphism? (3) Are there sex‐specific differences in sacral dysmorphism? 594 multislice CT scans were screened for sacral dysmorphism and 55 data‐sets selected. Each pelvis was segmented manually and cylindrical iliosacral corridors (on the level of S1 and S2 vertebra) were semi‐automatically determined. Corridor trajectories, −diameters and −lengths were measured. LSTV (Castellvi‐type IIIb and IV) were found in 3 of 55 pelves and these lumbosacral variations are therefore not the anatomical basis for sacral dysmorphism. The prevalence of transsacral osseous corridors with diameters of <7.5 mm in axial CT images correlates with qualitative and quantitative criteria of sacral dysmorphism. Enlarging the osseous corridor diameters by penetration of the posterior iliosacral recessus increase the safe corridor diameters (females versus males) by 26% versus 15% at the level of S1‐ and 50% versus 48% at the level of S2‐vertebra. Sex‐specific differences for both corridors (osseous and in‐out‐in) were only found for the osseous corridor diameters at the level of S1 vertebra, being smaller in females (females versus males: 13.3 ± 3.6 mm versus 15.5 ± 3.8 mm, p = 0.04). Dysmorphic sacra can be reliably detected on standard axial CT slice images. Modified in‐out‐in corridors on the level of S1‐vertebra allow screw placement in all patients, but is still demanding compared to non‐dysmorphic sacra, due to the oblique corridor axis. Recommendations for intraoperative orientation for oblique screw placement are defined. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Deglaciation chronology of the Donegal Ice Centre, north‐west Ireland
Authors: Wilson Peter , Ballantyne Colin K. , Benetti Sara , Small David , Fabel Derek , Clark Chris D.
Published: December 2018

During the Last Glacial Maximum, Donegal in north‐west Ireland functioned as an independent centre of ice dispersal that separated and fed into the Donegal Bay Ice Lobe (sourced in the Irish Midlands) to the south and the Hebrides/Malin Sea Ice Stream to the north. We report geochronological data that demonstrate marked contrasts in the timing and rate of deglaciation in northern and southern Donegal. In northern Donegal, which occupied an inter‐ice‐stream/lobe location, decoupling from the Hebrides/Malin Sea Ice Stream resulted in formation of a marine embayment along the north coast by ∼22–21 ka, and subsequent slow (∼4 ± 1 m a−1) climatically driven inland retreat of the ice margin to mountain source areas by ∼17 ka. By contrast, in southern Donegal, which lay near the axis of the Donegal Bay Ice Lobe, deglaciation was delayed until ∼18 ka following readvance of ice to a moraine in outer Donegal Bay. The ice margin subsequently underwent net retreat, apparently uninterrupted by readvances, at a net rate of ∼ 18 ± 6 m a−1. A mean terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide age of ∼15.0 ka obtained for samples from the foothills of the Blue Stack Mountains in south‐east Donegal indicates that ice persisted in valley heads and cirques at the beginning of the Lateglacial Interstadial, suggesting that these and nearby mountains supported the last remnants of the Irish Ice Sheet before complete deglaciation of Ireland, and that almost all the shrinkage of the ice sheet in this sector occurred under stadial conditions before the onset of interstadial warming at ∼14.7 ka.
Ultrasound Elastography Images in Vascular Anomalies
Authors: Fernández Irene Salgüero , Roldán Fernando Alfageme , Merino Lucia Turrión , Fernández Raquel Salgüero , Mera Constanza Martinez , Gullón Gaston Roustan
Published: December 2018

Ultrasound elastography is an emerging imaging technique that provides an objective method to assess the relative or absolute stiffness of soft tissues. The authors have not found any description in the use of ultrasound elastography in vascular anomalies, and we want to share our experience in different cases with ultrasound elastography and its applications in these pathologies.
Otopathology in Angiosarcoma of the Temporal Bone
Authors: Chen Jenny X. , Kozin Elliott D. , O'Malley Jennifer , Chebib Ivan , Hedley‐Whyte E. Tessa , Faquin William , Nadol Joseph , Quesnel Alicia M.
Published: December 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Investigate the otopathology of angiosarcoma of the temporal bone, which has not been previously described in the literature.

Study Design

Postmortem evaluation and literature review.

Methods

Postmortem histological evaluation of the temporal bones and review of the literature for the treatment and prognosis of this rare disease were performed.

Results

A 50‐year‐old male with right chronic otitis media presented with progressive hearing loss, disequilibrium, otalgia, and acute facial paresis. Biopsy of the external auditory canal was unrevealing, but specimens from a canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy later showed high‐grade angiosarcoma. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an unresectable middle ear and mastoid mass extending superiorly into the temporal lobe. The patient received induction chemotherapy followed by proton beam radiation therapy and concurrent paclitaxel and bevacizumab. His course was complicated by a cerebrospinal fluid leak and cauda equina syndrome from leptomeningeal sarcomatosis. The patient died after developing meningitis and a temporal lobe abscess. Postmortem otopathology revealed persistent angiosarcoma in the internal auditory canal, although none was found in the middle ear or mastoid. There was inflammatory infiltrate throughout the mastoid, with direct extension of neutrophils and bacteria into the cochlea and through the tegmen into the middle cranial fossa.

Conclusions

Angiosarcoma of the temporal bone can arise in the setting of chronic otitis media. In this case, postmortem temporal bone sections demonstrated viable cancer despite chemoradiation. Inflammatory infiltrates crossing from the middle ear/mastoid into the labyrinth and central nervous system illustrate pathways for the development of otogenic meningitis.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 129:737–742, 2019
Cardanol Benzoxazines: A Versatile Monomer with Advancing Applications
Authors: Monisha Monisha , Amarnath Nagarjuna , Mukherjee Sourav , Lochab Bimlesh
Published: December 2018

Polybenzoxazines are evolving as a new class of phenolic resins with a tremendous amount of applications. The ease of structural designing, synthetic procedure, and polymerization reactions are attractive to affect their properties ensuing as an effective substitute for many existing polymers. The nonrenewable origin, toxicity, and increasing cost of petro‐based raw materials are alarming issues. Therefore, the emergence of sustainable benzoxazines, especially based on naturally abundant, agro‐waste origin cardanol is encouraging as it allows both solventless synthesis of monomers and processing to form highly thermally stable thermoset resins. The inherent functionalities in cardanol benzoxazine provide a platform for further structural modifications to advance their applications as adhesives, composites, and energy storage devices.
Dielectric and Resistive Heating of Polymeric Media: Toward Remote Thermal Activation of Stimuli‐Responsive Soft Materials
Authors: Armstrong Daniel P. , Spontak Richard J.
Published: December 2018

Stimuli‐responsive soft materials are becoming increasingly important in a wide range of contemporary technologies, and methods by which to promote thermal stimulation remotely are of considerable interest for controllable device deployment, particularly in inaccessible environments such as outer space. Until now, remote thermal stimulation of responsive polymers has relied extensively on the use of nanocomposites wherein embedded nanoparticles/structures are selectively targeted for heating purposes. In this study, an alternative remote‐heating mechanism demonstrates that the dielectric and resistive thermal losses introduced upon application of an alternating current generate sufficient heat to raise the temperature of a neat polyimide by over 70 °C within ≈10 s. Thermal imaging is used here to measure current‐induced temperature changes of polymeric media, and a proposed analytical model yields predictions that compare reasonably well with experimental data, confirming that such remote heating is viable. Conditions permitting a shape‐memory polymer possessing a melting transition and susceptible to dielectric actuation to achieve continuous electrostrain‐temperature cycling are identified.
The microstructure and tribological behavior of a pre‐cold‐deformed 0.90 % nitrogen containing stainless steel
Authors: Zhao H. , Ren Y. , Dong J. , Yang K.
Published: December 2018

The microstructure of a 0.90 % nitrogen containing stainless steel pre‐deformed by cold rolling was analyzed using optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction; Then the tribological behavior of nitrogen containing stainless steel was investigated using sliding wear method in air and in sodium chloride solutions and the worn surface was observed by a scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that nitrogen containing stainless steel possessed stable single‐phase austenite and the number of mechanical twins increased with increasing cold deformation. In dry wear tests, when the GCr15 bearing steel ball and 304 stainless steel ball acted as the counterpart, the wear resistance of nitrogen containing stainless steel decreased gradually and kept nearly the same, respectively, with increasing cold deformation. The corrosion wear resistance of nitrogen containing stainless steel was improved gradually by cold deformation in the 0.9 % sodium chloride solution and 3.5 % sodium chloride solution, while their friction coefficients were nearly equal.
Thermal fatigue behavior of HHD hot work tool steel with structures
Authors: Ma Y. , Wang H. , Chai X. , Zhuang J. , Li J. , Tong J. , Bhushan B.
Published: December 2018

HHD hot work tool steel with a circular hole and a regular triangular hole were prepared to compare the thermal fatigue behavior. The results showed that the crack resistance of the sample with structure of the circular hole was superior to that of the regular triangular hole due to the release of tensile stress. The Rockwell hardness and microstructure around the structure and the plate have been measured before and after the thermal fatigue test. The results showed that the hardness decreased sharply during the thermal fatigue test and that the shape of the curves barely changed around the two structures and the plate. The observation of microstructures indicated that the crack nucleated at the grain boundary and the two structures were transgranular. The thermal fatigue behavior of high‐Cr hot work tool steel processed by circular hole structure process got a remarkable improvement compared to the regular triangular hole structure and plate.
Effects of sawtooth side edges with different radial clearance angles on the cutting force in wood sawing
Authors: Li W. , Zhang Z. , Luo B.
Published: December 2018

This study focuses on the influence of the sawtooth side edges on the cutting force and analyzes the functions of the side edges in wood sawing by separating the total cutting force into the force from the main edge and the side edges. Birch (Betula spp.) is used as the material for conducting the experiment. The influence of the sawtooth side edges with different radial clearance angles on the cutting force was studied by comparing closed cutting with open cutting for different cutting thicknesses, cutting speeds, and directions using a single sawtooth. The cutting force from the side edges accounts for 4.6 % to 16.9 % of the total cutting force when the sawing kerf is 1.6 mm. As the radial clearance angle increases or the cutting thickness decreases, the cutting force from the side edges and the proportion of the force from the side edges decrease. The cutting force from the side edges increases with an increase in the cutting speed but the cutting speed does not have a clear influence on the cutting force from the side edges. For the same radial clearance angle, the cutting force from the side edges is the largest for the (0°–90°), followed by the (90°–0°) and the (90°–90°).
Tribo‐chemical smoothening process with silica nanoparticles
Authors: Jin L. , Scheerer H. , Andersohn G. , Oechsner M. , Hellmann D.
Published: December 2018

Additional silica (silicon dioxide) nanoparticles were added in the tribo‐gap to prevent the severe abrasive wear. The method was a flat surface‐contact reciprocating sliding test between the sintered silicon carbide surfaces with water lubrication. Before testing, the silica nanoparticles were added in the tribo‐gap. These silica nanoparticles acted as a buffer layer during the initial running‐in, thus the abrasion risk was decreased. After running‐in, the silicon carbide surface was tribo‐chemically smoothened without severe abrasion. Comparing to the same tests without silica nanoparticles, the same ultra‐low friction state (friction coefficient was approx. 0.01) was built, and the running‐in period was shortened by 80 %. As has been well reported, the tribo‐chemical smoothening process for silicon carbide needs abundant water, e. g., in the point‐contact tests. However, in the surface‐contact case, water is locally insufficient, which induces severe wear. The preset silica nanoparticles can solve this wear problem. Therefore, it is not necessary to polish the silicon carbide surfaces as the seal faces in mechanical seals. Instead, a pair of rough silicon carbide surfaces can be pressed onto each other and then proceed to a running‐in with preset silica nanoparticles. After running‐in, a pair of precisely mated tribo‐chemically smoothened surfaces can be naturally obtained.
Technical Note: A method for quality assurance of landmark sets for use in evaluation of deformable image registration accuracy of lung parenchyma
Authors: Guy Christopher L. , Weiss Elisabeth , Jan Nuzhat , Christensen Gary E. , Hugo Geoffrey D.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To develop a quality control method to improve the accuracy of corresponding landmark sets used for deformable image registration (DIR) evaluation in the lung parenchyma.

Methods

An iterative workflow was developed as a method for quality assurance of landmark sets. Starting with the initial landmark set for a given image pair, a landmark‐based deformation was applied to one of the images. A difference image and a color overlay were generated using the deformed image and the other image of the pair. Inspection of these generated images at locations of landmarks allowed for the identification of misplaced landmarks. The observer responsible for creating the initial landmark set was tasked with review and revision of points flagged by the quality assurance procedure. Using the updated landmark sets, the process was repeated until all points were acceptable to the reviewer.

Results

Eighteen landmark sets, containing a mean (SD) of 170 (31) landmarks, were created using CT images from non‐small cell lung cancer patients exhibiting large geometric changes and atelectasis resolution, making landmark specification challenging. Following the quality assurance procedure, the final landmark sets contained a mean (SD) of 165 (25) landmarks, as points too difficult to match were removed and points were added to regions deficient in landmarks. For landmark sets in which changes were made, maximum and mean differences in landmark positions before and after quality assurance ranged between 8.7–81.5 mm and 0.3–9.6 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

An effective method for improving the accuracy of landmark correspondence was presented. This quality assurance approach enables more accurate evaluation of DIR for lung parenchyma in clinical image pairs in the absence of a ground truth deformation and may be applicable to other feature‐rich anatomical sites.
Quantification of the electrostatic and covalent interaction between whey proteins and low methoxyl pectin using PFG‐NMR diffusometry
Authors: Setiowati Arima Diah , Vermeir Lien , De Neve Lorenz , Sedaghat Doost Ali , Sinnaeve Davy , Van der Meeren Paul
Published: December 2018

As interaction between proteins and polysaccharides is expected to change the average diffusion coefficient and the distribution width, it is believed that NMR diffusometry can be a useful tool to study and quantify the interaction between whey protein isolate (WPI) and low methoxyl pectin (LMP). For this purpose, the influence of pH, dry‐heat‐treatment duration, and WPI to LMP ratio on WPI and LMP interaction was evaluated using pulsed field gradient NMR. At pH 5.0 and 5.5, approximately 40–50% of the WPI present in the mixture interacted with LMP through electrostatic interaction. Hence, it is important to measure the degree of covalent interaction at a pH where electrostatic interaction between WPI and LMP is limited. The diffusion coefficient of WPI gradually decreased as the mixtures of WPI and LMP were incubated for 1, 2, 8, and 16 days, which was accompanied by an increase in the distribution width. With regard to the LMP concentration, the higher the LMP concentration, the higher the amount of WPI bound to LMP and the smaller the diffusion coefficient of WPI. Overall, the results indicate that NMR diffusometry enables the quantification of the interaction in biopolymer mixtures. Whereas the results showed a similar trend as that obtained via chemical analysis, pulsed field gradient NMR does not require any sample pretreatment.
Constitutive modeling of inherent anisotropy in a strain space multiple mechanism model for granular materials
Authors: Ueda Kyohei , Iai Susumu
Published: December 2018

Consideration of fabric anisotropy is crucial to gaining an improved understanding of the behavior of granular materials. This paper presents a constitutive model to describe the sand behavior associated with fabric anisotropy within a framework of a strain space multiple mechanism model. In the proposed model, a second‐order fabric tensor is extended by incorporating a new function that represents the effect of inherent (or initial fabric) anisotropy, along with three additional parameters: two of them, a1 and a2, control the degree of anisotropy, and the second mode of inherent anisotropy can be expressed by introducing the parameter a2 as well as the first mode by the parameter a1. The third parameter, θ0, expresses the principal direction of inherent anisotropy (eg, the normal vector direction of bedding planes relative to horizontal axis). The formulation of the dilative component of dilatancy (ie, positive dilatancy) is also extended to consider the effect of inherent anisotropy based on the interlocking mechanism. Experimental data on the complex anisotropic responses of Fraser River sand and Toyoura sand under monotonic loading is used to validate this model. The proposed model is shown to successfully capture anisotropic responses, which become contractive or dilative depending on different principal‐stress directions, with a single set of anisotropy parameters; thus, the model is considered to possess the capability to simulate the anisotropic behaviors of granular materials. In addition to different loadings on the same fabric, the effects of different fabric anisotropies upon the sand behavior under the same loadings are also investigated.
A biocultural analysis of mortuary practices in the later Anglo‐Saxon to Anglo‐Norman Black Gate Cemetery, Newcastle‐upon‐Tyne, England
Authors: Swales Diana Mahoney
Published: December 2018

The lack of grave goods in cemeteries from later Anglo‐Saxon England (eighth to 11th century AD) has in the past been interpreted as reflecting standardisation of burial rites dictated by Christian doctrine. This study employed a biocultural approach to investigate whether variations in mortuary practices such as burial location, grave form, and body disposition within the eighth to 12th‐century Black Gate Cemetery, Newcastle‐upon‐Tyne represented alternative mediums of social display.

Skeletal markers commonly associated with early life stress (cribra orbitalia and linear enamel hypoplasia), non‐specific stress (tibial periosteal lesions and maxillary sinusitis), oral health (calculus, caries, abscesses, and ante‐mortem tooth loss), and biomechanical stress (appendicular and spinal degenerative joint disease and trauma) were examined macroscopically on the skeletal remains of 643 individuals. The aim of the analysis was to investigate whether patterns in age, sex, and biological stress in the different burial locations, burial types, and body positions evidenced social status or sociocultural relationships between the different mortuary practices.

Demographic and biocultural analysis revealed the inclusion of males, females, non‐adults, and the elderly in all of the mortuary practices, and no evidence for marked inequalities in biological stress between those afforded the different burial practices. The dominant influence for non‐significant trends in the stress data was variation in age‐structure between different areas of burial. However, non‐significant but consistently higher frequencies of stress indicators were observed in graves containing stone inclusions (pillow stones, head‐cists, and earmuffs) compared with those constructed from stone (cists and rubble cists) and plain burials, all burial practices with a similar mortality profile.

The distribution of age and stress indicators between the mortuary practices placed in the wider sociocultural context provided a deeper insight into the complex contribution of social relationships, life‐course, pragmatism, regional and temporal trends, and cultural and religious beliefs upon treatment of the deceased.
Novel ranking of protective and risk factors for adolescent adiposity in US females
Authors: Narla A. , Rehkopf D. H.
Published: December 2018

Objective

Rank the importance of potentially modifiable psychosocial, dietary and environmental risk and protective factors for female adolescent obesity in order to target and inform public health prevention efforts. Utilizing the largest dataset available that captures the onset of the adolescent obesity surge in the USA, the study provides a more robust understanding of paediatric obesity risk factors.

Methods

Data were obtained from an observational, longitudinal study conducted between 1989 and 2001, the NHLBI Growth and Health Study. This study includes girls aged 9–19 years from three urban US locations, with Black and White girls generally represented equally. Data were analysed using multiple regression, random forest and propensity score matching to determine the strongest adiposity risk and protective factors during ages 9–12 predicting adiposity at age 19 with multiple methods to maximize the ability to identify possible public health interventions. Multiple linear regression and random forest analysis identified the strongest associations among 288 risk and protective factors selected from the study's literature review. For the 190 factors associated with follow‐up adiposity from the data, propensity score matching was used to control for confounding of these factors.

Results

Findings suggest that highest priority interventional targets across the domains surveyed are lowering specific nutrients; eating meals with others or during activities without skipping; parents fixing evening snacks; improving perceptions of non‐extremes as the healthy weight; improving self‐worth, physical activity and social competence; and limiting any negative impact of dieting relatives. Similar associations were observed for Black and White girls.

Conclusion

The clinical implications of these findings allow health practitioners to target behavioural change efforts and address social and environmental factors that have demonstrated higher prioritization value for early obesity interventional efforts for adolescents.
Cancer survivors' experiences with breakdowns in patient‐centered communication
Authors: Street Richard L. , Spears Erica , Madrid Sarah , Mazor Kathleen M.
Published: December 2018

Objective

This study analyzed cancer survivors' communication experiences that fell short of being patient‐centered. Patients' descriptions of communication “breakdowns” were analyzed according to domain (eg, information exchange, fostering relationships, and managing emotions), whether it was a breakdown of commission (what was communicated) or omission (what should have been communicated) and whether it involved a clinician or the health care organization.

Methods

Cancer survivors (from an online panel of patients) completed the Patients Assessment of Communication Experience measure. Ratings less than “excellent” elicited a prompt asking where communication fell short. Communication breakdowns were categorized as one of commission/omission, if it involved a clinician/health care system, and within which communication domain. Thematic analysis explored how communication breakdowns affected respondents' cancer care experiences.

Results

Overall communication was rated as less than excellent by 153 respondents, of which 79 identified a specific communication breakdown. Over half (n = 43, 54%) were problems of omission, mostly attributed to interaction with health care organizations (n = 25). Breakdowns of commission (n = 36, 46%) occurred primarily within clinical encounters (n = 32). Most breakdowns were problems of information exchange (49%) or fostering relationships (27%). Three overarching themes emerged—emotional fallout from unmet information needs, inattention to patient perspective, and uncertainty about navigation and team communication.

Conclusions

Patient‐centered communication breakdowns create distress that worsens patients' cancer care experiences. Communication skills training for clinicians should address listening, perspective taking, and assessing/satisfying patients' information and emotional needs. Health care organizations should enhance processes to provide timely, useful information to patients.
Partner‐specific prediction of RNA‐binding residues in proteins: A critical assessment
Authors: Jung Yong , EL‐Manzalawy Yasser , Dobbs Drena , Honavar Vasant G.
Published: December 2018

RNA‐protein interactions play essential roles in regulating gene expression. While some RNA‐protein interactions are “specific”, that is, the RNA‐binding proteins preferentially bind to particular RNA sequence or structural motifs, others are “non‐RNA specific.” Deciphering the protein‐RNA recognition code is essential for comprehending the functional implications of these interactions and for developing new therapies for many diseases. Because of the high cost of experimental determination of protein‐RNA interfaces, there is a need for computational methods to identify RNA‐binding residues in proteins. While most of the existing computational methods for predicting RNA‐binding residues in RNA‐binding proteins are oblivious to the characteristics of the partner RNA, there is growing interest in methods for partner‐specific prediction of RNA binding sites in proteins. In this work, we assess the performance of two recently published partner‐specific protein‐RNA interface prediction tools, PS‐PRIP, and PRIdictor, along with our own new tools. Specifically, we introduce a novel metric, RNA‐specificity metric (RSM), for quantifying the RNA‐specificity of the RNA binding residues predicted by such tools. Our results show that the RNA‐binding residues predicted by previously published methods are oblivious to the characteristics of the putative RNA binding partner. Moreover, when evaluated using partner‐agnostic metrics, RNA partner‐specific methods are outperformed by the state‐of‐the‐art partner‐agnostic methods. We conjecture that either (a) the protein‐RNA complexes in PDB are not representative of the protein‐RNA interactions in nature, or (b) the current methods for partner‐specific prediction of RNA‐binding residues in proteins fail to account for the differences in RNA partner‐specific versus partner‐agnostic protein‐RNA interactions, or both.
A clay‐based formulation of the herbicide imazaquin containing exclusively the biologically active enantiomer
Authors: López‐Cabeza Rocío , Poiger Thomas , Cornejo Juan , Celis Rafael
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Imazaquin is a chiral herbicide which displays high mobility in soils. Like other imidazolinones, imazaquin is available for use only as racemic mixture of its enantiomers. In this work, several clay materials were assayed as adsorbents of imazaquin, and then the most suitable material was selected to prepare a clay‐based slow release imazaquin nanoformulation containing exclusively the biologically active R‐enantiomer. Next, laboratory experiments were conducted to illustrate the benefits of using the clay‐based R‐imazaquin formulation over the free (non‐supported) racemic herbicide or the free pure R‐imazaquin enantiomer regarding its leaching behavior and bioefficacy.

RESULTS

The clay material selected as a carrier for R‐imazaquin, hexadecyltrimethylammonium‐saturated montmorillonite (SA‐HDTMA), combined a high affinity for the herbicide and a high stability of the clay‐herbicide adsorption complex. In a simulated scenario of high water input shortly after herbicide application, the clay‐based R‐imazaquin formulation displayed reduced leaching and increased bioefficacy compared to free racemic imazaquin and free R‐imazaquin.

CONCLUSION

The new clay‐R‐imazaquin formulation prepared, besides avoiding the environmental impact caused by the application of the less active S‐enantiomer, reduced the herbicide leaching losses and prolonged the herbicidal activity, by increasing the residence time of the herbicide in the topsoil. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Small rodent species on pig and dairy farms: habitat selection and distribution
Authors: Lovera Rosario , Fernández María Soledad , Cavia Regino
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Rodent species are common in livestock production systems, and some of them are considered serious pests because of the sanitary problems and economic losses they cause. Information about microhabitat selection by rodent species in livestock production systems is necessary for understanding rodent requirements and to contribute to effective prevention and development of control measures for pest rodent species. In this work we study microhabitat selection by rodent species that inhabit pig and dairy farms in central Argentina. Rodent trapping was conducted over three years (2008–2011) on 18 livestock farms, each one sampled seasonally during one year. To study habitat selection, microhabitat characterizations were performed describing 22 environmental variables in captured sites and random trap sites without captures.

RESULTS

With a trapping effort of 7333 Sherman and 7026 cage live trap‐nights, 444 rodents of seven species were captured (including the murine pest species Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus and Mus musculus and four native species). The three murines selected characteristics related to building structure and/or to food sources availability/proximity, while Akodon azarae selected sites with tall herbatious vegetation.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified microhabitat characteristics that explain habitat distribution of small rodent species in these complex farm systems. This study contributes to broaden the integrated pest management of rodent pest species and could also contribute to the reduction of the use of rodenticides in these systems. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Management of rheumatoid arthritis in adults
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: December 2018

In July, NICE published an update of its 2009 guideline on the management of rheumatoid arthritis in adults. This article provides a summary of the main additions and amendments in the new guidance.
Modifying the Electronic Properties of Se/n‐Si Heterostructure Using Electrolysis
Authors: John Joshua D. , Enomoto Kunitaka , Miyachi Noritoshi , Saito Ichitaro , Masuzawa Tomoaki , Chua Daniel H. C. , Yamada Takatoshi , Okano Ken
Published: December 2018

Heterostructures of dissimilar crystalline materials are key in the development of photoelectronic devices. Such structures rely on matching lattice constants for efficient transport. Nevertheless, an amorphous material, amorphous Se is becoming important in high‐energy photoelectronics. Thus there is a need to understand the heterostructures it forms with conventional crystalline materials. Since the transport properties of such heterostructures will be limited by lattice mismatches, methods to improve transport are necessary. We investigated the effect of electrolysis on the electronic properties of Se based multilayer films deposited on n‐type silicon (Se/n‐Si) and showed that conduction and photoresponse can be changed by electrolysis processing. The Se surface of the Se/n‐Si samples was used as an anode in the electrolysis of NaCl solution. Afterwards, the samples were measured using current–voltage and capacitance–voltage variations in dark conditions and under illumination. Electrolysis processed samples showed higher conduction current and photocurrent, compared to samples not used in electrolysis. This is due to the introduction of Cl into the Se, which affects carrier lifetimes: increasing hole lifetime and reducing electron lifetime. We therefore suggest that electrolysis can be applied to modify the electronic properties of Se/n‐Si heterostructures.
Nanoarchitecture: Toward Quantum‐Size Tuning of Superconductivity
Authors: Arutyunov Konstantin Yu. , Zavialov Vitali V. , Sedov Egor A. , Golokolenov Ilia A. , Zarudneva Anastasia A. , Shein Kirill V. , Trun'kin Igor N. , Vasiliev Aleksandr L. , Konstantinidis George , Stavrinidis Antonis , Stavrinidis George , Croitoru Mihail D. , Shanenko Arkady A.
Published: December 2018

Quantum confinement is known to affect a nanosized superconductor through quantum‐size variations of the electronic density of states. Here, it is demonstrate that there is another quantum‐confinement mechanism overlooked in previous studies. In particular, it is found that the electron–electron attraction can be enhanced due to quantum‐confinement modifications of electronic wave functions. The superconducting correlations are strengthened by such quantum mechanical effect, which creates a subtle interplay with surface–substrate phonon modifications. The combined effect depends on nanofilm thickness and can be controlled by nanoarchitechture. The calculations are in a reasonable agreement with experiments performed on high‐quality aluminum films. These findings shed light on the long‐standing problem of the size dependence of the critical temperature in low‐dimensional superconductors.
Plasmonic Helicity‐Driven Detector of Terahertz Radiation
Authors: Gorbenko Ilya V. , Kachorovskii Valentin Yu. , Shur Michael S.
Published: December 2018

A theory of the helicity‐driven plasmonic dc response of a gated two‐dimensional electron gas to terahertz (THz) radiation is developed. A general diagram of a plasmonic detector operating in different regimes is found and analytical equations describing all these regimes are derived. It is demonstrated that the helicity‐sensitive part of the response dramatically increases in the vicinity of the plasmonic resonances and oscillates with the phase shift between the excitation signals on the source and drain. The resonance line shape is an asymmetric function of the frequency deviation from the resonance. In contrast, the helicity‐insensitive part of the response is symmetrical. These properties yield significant advantage for using plasmonic detectors as helicity‐sensitive THz and far infrared spectrometers and interferometers.
Simulation and diagnosis of observation, model and background error contributions in data assimilation cycling
Authors: Berre Loïk
Published: December 2018

Data assimilation is usually cycled in time, through a temporal succession of analysis and forecast steps. This implies that forecast errors arise from contributions of observation, model and background errors, which are introduced during successive steps of the cycling. A linearized expansion of forecast errors is here considered, in order to derive expressions and estimates of respective accumulated contributions of these different errors with varying ages. Experiments are conducted in the context of the Météo‐France global numerical weather prediction system ARPEGE.

Formal and experimental results indicate that old background errors, which contain all error components arising from corresponding previous cycles, are dampened by successive steps of the cycling, so that they become negligible after a 4‐day period. It is then shown that the variance contribution of recent observation errors tends to converge in time like a power series, within 4 days. This leads the observation error contribution variance to be globally stable in time, which can be interpreted as an approximate compensation between damping of old observation errors and accumulation of recent observation errors. Ensemble experiments and innovation‐based diagnostics are also used to estimate and compare model error contributions with observation error contributions. Such model error diagnostics are likely to be useful e.g. for calibrating model error parametrization schemes in ensemble systems.
Integral sliding mode control for Euler‐Lagrange systems with input saturation
Authors: Guo Yong , Huang Bing , Li Ai‐jun , Wang Chang‐qing
Published: December 2018

This paper investigates the robust control for the Euler‐Lagrange (EL) system with input saturation by using the integral sliding mode control and adaptive control. An integral sliding mode surface that is suitable for solving the problem of the input constraint is given based on the saturation function. By using the integral sliding mode surface, two robust antisaturation controllers are designed for the EL system with external disturbances. The first controller can deal with the external disturbances with known bounds, whereas the second one can compensate the external disturbances with unknown bounds by using the adaptive control. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed controllers is demonstrated by strict theoretical analysis and numerical simulations.
A discrete‐time nonlinear state observer for the anaerobic digestion process
Authors: Chaib Draa K. , Zemouche A. , Alma M. , Voos H. , Darouach M.
Published: December 2018

This paper is concerned with the design of an LMI‐based
discrete‐time nonlinear state observer for an anaerobic digestion model. In presence of disturbances in both the dynamics of the model and the output measurement signals, the proposed observer robustly estimates all state variables including bacteria concentrations, which are costly and difficult to measure. In the goal to increase applicability of the proposed observer for other systems, we present the theoretical results in a general way. First, due to the use of Young's inequality in a convenient way, we get new sufficient conditions, expressed in terms of bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs), ensuring the
criterion. Then, to render the BMIs convex, two alternative solutions are proposed, where both lead to linear matrix inequality (LMI) conditions. It is shown analytically and numerically that these two solutions provide less conservative LMI conditions compared to the existing methods in the literature. To validate the proposed methodology on a real‐world model, an application to an anaerobic digestion model is given.