bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of the extent of prophylactic regional lymph node radiotherapy on survival in high‐risk neuroblastoma: A report from the COG A3973 study
Authors: Braunstein Steve E. , London Wendy B. , Kreissman Susan G. , Villablanca Judith G. , Davidoff Andrew M. , DeSantes Kenneth , Castleberry Robert P. , Murray Kevin , Diller Lisa , Matthay Katherine , Cohn Susan L. , Shulkin Barry , von Allmen Daniel , Parisi Marguerite T. , Van Ryn Collin , Park Julie R. , La Quaglia Michael P. , Haas‐Kogan Daphne A.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid pediatric malignancy, with poor outcomes in high‐risk disease. Standard treatment approaches employ an increasing array of aggressive multimodal therapies, of which local control with surgery and radiotherapy remains a backbone; however, the benefit of broad regional nodal irradiation remains controversial. We analyzed centrally reviewed radiation therapy data from patients enrolled on COG A3973 to evaluate the impact of primary site irradiation and the extent of regional nodal coverage stratified by extent of surgical resection.

Methods

Three hundred thirty high‐risk neuroblastoma patients with centrally reviewed radiotherapy plans were analyzed. Outcome was evaluated by the extent of nodal irradiation. For the 171 patients who also underwent surgery (centrally reviewed), outcome was likewise analyzed according to the extent of resection. Overall survival (OS), event‐free survival (EFS), and cumulative incidence of local progression (CILP) were examined by Kaplan–Meier, log‐rank test (EFS, OS), and Grey test (CILP).

Results

The five‐year CILP, EFS, and OS for all 330 patients receiving radiotherapy on A3973 were 8.5% ± 1.5%, 47.2% ± 3.0%, and 59.7% ± 3.0%, respectively. There were no significant differences in outcomes based on the extent of lymph node irradiation regardless of the degree of surgical resection (< 90% or ≥90%).

Conclusion

Although local control remains a significant component of treatment of high‐risk neuroblastoma, our results suggest there is no benefit of extensive lymph node irradiation, irrespective of the extent of surgical resection preceding stem cell transplant.
Effect of side chain and backbone length on lamellar spacing in polystyrene‐block‐poly(dimethyl siloxane) brush block copolymers
Authors: Fei Huafeng , Yavitt Benjamin M. , Kopanati Gayathri , Watkins James J.
Published: April 2019

We report the synthesis of polystyrene‐block‐poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PS‐b‐PDMS) brush block copolymers (BBCPs) through sequential ROMP of norbornene‐modified macromonomers (‐NB) and explore the effect of side chain length (Nsc) and total backbone degree of polymerization (Nbb) on the self‐assembly of lamellar morphologies. Group I (PS‐NB Mn = 2.9 kg/mol, PDMS‐NB Mn = 4.8 kg/mol) exhibits asymmetric side chains, while Group II (PS‐NB Mn = 4.7 kg/mol, PDMS‐NB Mn = 4.8 kg/mol) possess a more symmetric arrangement. Both families rapidly self‐assemble into well‐ordered lamellar morphologies with domain spacings (d0) ranging from d0 = 54 to 140 nm. The scaling relationship between d0 and Nbb (d0 ~Nbbα) was determined as the measure of backbone flexibility. Exponents of α = 0.71 and α = 0.81 are observed for Groups I and II, respectively, indicating the BBCPs adopt an extended backbone conformation. The presence of a low Tg side chain such as PDMS increases apparent flexibility of the backbone. The interplay between contrasting characteristics of the side chains is discussed and reveals the importance of understanding the physical consequences of block architecture on controlling BBCP assembly. These findings provide necessary information for future investigations of complex phases and well‐defined nanostructures fabricated using the brush architecture. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 691–699
Self‐Assemble Polymeric Nanoparticle with GSH Exhaustion for SPECT Imaging–Guided Enhanced Radioisotope Therapy
Authors: Tao Yugui , Ren Pengfei , Yi Xuan , Zhou Hailin , Xiong Saisai , Ge Fei , Chen Lei , Yang Kai
Published: April 2019

Exploiting biocompatible nanomaterials for cancer theranostics has attracted great attention in recent years. Herein, a multifunctional self‐assembled nanoparticle based on a biocompatible polymer that contains 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester (HOPA) for radiolabeling and piperlongumine (PL) for exhausting endogenous glutathione (GSH) (HOPA‐C18PMH‐PEG/PL) is successfully synthesized. With radionuclide 125I labeling, SPECT imaging shows high tumor uptake of HOPA‐C18PMH‐PEG/PL after intravenous injection. The in vitro and in vivo combined radioisotope therapy (RIT) and chemotherapy using 131I‐labeled HOPA‐C18PMH‐PEG/PL is then carried out, achieving synergistic antitumor effect. This is because the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the tumor sites of mice treated with 131I‐labeled HOPA‐C18PMH‐PEG/PL is increased after the exhaustion of GSH by PL. Additionally, such a strategy (exhausting GSH and increasing ROS) induces no obvious toxicity to normal tissue. Therefore, as‐made polymeric nanoparticles exhibit multifunctional properties for SPECT imaging–guided combined RIT and chemotherapy in one system. This finding will further promote polymeric nanoparticle–based RIT of cancer and is expected to be used for future clinical transformation.
Catalytic triad heterogeneity in S51 peptidase family: Structural basis for functional variability
Authors: Yadav Pooja , Goyal Venuka Durani , Chandravanshi Khileshwari , Kumar Ashwani , Gokhale Sadashiv M. , Jamdar Sahayog N. , Makde Ravindra D.
Published: April 2019

Peptidase E (PepE) is a nonclassical serine peptidase with a Ser‐His‐Glu catalytic triad. It is specific for dipeptides with an N‐terminal aspartate residue (Asp‐X dipeptidase activity). Its homolog from Listeria monocytogenes (PepElm) has a Ser‐His‐Asn “catalytic triad.” Based on sequence alignment we predicted that the PepE homolog from Deinococcus radiodurans (PepEdr) would have a Ser‐His‐Asp “catalytic triad.” We confirmed this by solving the crystal structure of PepEdr to 2.7 Å resolution. We show that PepElm and PepEdr lack the Asp‐X dipeptidase activity. Our analyses suggest that absence of P1 pocket in the active site could be the main reason for this lack of typical activity. Sequence and structural data reveal that the PepE homologs can be divided into long and short PepEs based on presence or absence of a C‐terminal tail which adopts a β‐hairpin conformation in the canonical PepE from Salmonella enterica. A long PepE from Bacillus subtilis with Ser‐His‐Asp catalytic triad exhibits Asp‐X dipeptidase activity. Whereas the three long PepEs enzymatically characterized till date have been found to possess the Asp‐X dipeptidase activity, the three enzymatically characterized short PepEs lack this activity irrespective of the nature of their catalytic triads. This study illuminates the structural and functional heterogeneity in the S51 family and also provides structural basis for the functional variability among PepE homologs.
Employment, education, and family: Revealing the motives behind internal migration in Great Britain
Authors: Thomas Michael J.
Published: April 2019

Distinctions between internal migration and residential mobility are often formed with reference to assumed differences in motivation, with migration typically linked to employment and educational motives and shorter distance mobility to housing and family. Using geocoded microdata, this article reveals how employment‐led migration represents only a minority share (≈30%) of total migration events over 40 km. Family motives appear just as important, even at distances ≥100 km, with the desire to live closer to non‐resident family/friends being the most frequently cited family submotive. Estimated propensities to undertake employment and educational‐related migration fit very closely to predictions of human capital models of migration, being highest among young, residentially flexible and highly educated individuals. Migrants citing family‐related motives are disproportionately drawn from midlife and later‐life phases, with family shown to be a key motive among migrants with care‐related needs (e.g., parents with children) or access to fewer resources (e.g., social renters and low educational attainment).
Storm surge and seiche modelling in the Adriatic Sea and the impact of data assimilation
Authors: Bajo Marco , Međugorac Iva , Umgiesser Georg , Orlić Mirko
Published: April 2019

In this research we present a modelling study of storm surges influenced by pre‐existing seiches in the Adriatic Sea. The natural oscillation modes – seiches – of the Adriatic Sea can be easily excited by wind, due to the particular marine bathymetry and coastal orography. Moreover, such oscillations can interact with newer wind‐induced storm surges or with other sea‐level components. This paper first considers modelling issues in the seiche reproduction, using a simplified approach, and then analyses the reproduction with the model of two extreme storm surge events, influenced by pre‐existing seiches. In order to investigate the impact of assimilating sea level data, these events are simulated without and with a data assimilation system, based on an Ensemble Kalman Filter. Results show that, while the formulation of the bottom shear stress does not influence the seiche period, the seiche decay time is correctly estimated with a hybrid linear‐quadratic formulation. We found also that non‐linear interactions of bottom currents, caused by different sea level components, can modify the decay time. However, the two events are poorly reproduced by the model, even with a correct modelling set‐up, because of wind deficiencies. Therefore we considered the issue and found that the assimilation of tide‐gauge residual sea level has a strong positive impact, lasting several days, despite the errors in the atmospheric forcing. This is mainly due to the persistence of the seiche oscillations in the Adriatic Sea.
Research on equitable mathematics teaching practices: Insights into its divergences and convergences
Authors: Yolcu Ayşe
Published: April 2019

This paper reviews the research on equitable mathematics teaching practices that focus on providing fair opportunities to learn for all children. The studies conducted with in‐service teachers are examined in descriptive, integrated and critical ways to explore the differences and similarities across the body of research. Three divergent themes are identified from the literature according to how the mathematical learning is conceptualised: social, cultural and critical. In the first part of the review, the studies are synthesised and also the reflective conversations are presented for each perspective. The second part of the article focuses on the similarities where three convergent themes are identified across the scholarship: (1) gatekeeping primacy of mathematics, (2) regenerating exclusions through psychological registers and (3) positioning teachers as objects of research and subjects of change. These convergent themes make visible the limitations of the literature that need further interrogation. Further research is required to study how these convergent themes are historically emerged, accumulated and still existed in the contemporary practices to expand the teacher education research for equity and social justice.
Context and Implications Document for: Research on equitable mathematics teaching practices: Insights into its divergences and convergences
Authors: Yolcu Ayşe
Published: April 2019

This guide accompanies the following article: Ayşe Yolcu, Research on equitable mathematics teaching practices: Insights into its divergences and convergences. Review of Education, https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3163.
Assessing the performance of object‐oriented LiDARpredictors for forest bird habitat suitability modeling
Authors: Glad Anouk , Reineking Björn , Montadert Marc , Depraz Alexandra , Monnet Jean‐Matthieu
Published: April 2019

Habitat suitability models (HSMs) are widely used to plan actions for species of conservation interest. Models that will be turned into conservation actions need predictors that are both ecologically pertinent and fit managers’ conceptual view of ecosystems. Remote sensing technologies such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR) can describe landscapes at high resolution over large spatial areas and have already given promising results for modeling forest species distributions. The point‐cloud (PC) area‐based LiDARvariables are often used as environmental variables inHSMs and have more recently been complemented by object‐oriented (OO) metrics. However, the efficiency of each type of variable to capture structural information on forest bird habitat has not yet been compared. We tested two hypotheses: (1) the use ofOOvariables inHSMs will give similar performance asPCarea‐based models; and (2)OOvariables will improve model robustness to LiDARdatasets acquired at different times for the same area. Using the case of a locally endangered forest bird, the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), model performance and predictions were compared between the two variable types. Models usingOOvariables showed slightly lower discriminatory performance thanPCarea‐based models (average ΔAUC = −0.032 and −0.01 for females and males, respectively).OO‐based models were as robust (absolute difference in Spearman rank correlation of predictions ≤ 0.21) or more robust thanPCarea‐based models. In sum, LiDAR‐derivedPCarea‐based metrics andOOmetrics showed similar performance for modeling the distribution of the capercaillie. We encourage the further exploration ofOOmetrics for creating reliableHSMs, and in particular testing whether they might help improve the scientist–stakeholder interface through better interpretability.
Investigation of Empirical and Semi‐Empirical Charges to Study the Effects of Partial Charges on Quality and Prediction Accuracy in 3D‐QSAR
Authors: Babu Sathya , Nagarajan Santhosh Kumar , Madhavan Thirumurthy
Published: April 2019

In Quantitative Structure‐Activity Relationship (QSAR) studies, selection of an appropriate method to assign the partial charge is crucial to derive a reliable model. The prediction accuracy of 3D‐QSAR models depends mainly on the method by which the partial charges were calculated. Therefore, we are interested in examining the effects of empirical and semi‐empirical partial charges on 3D‐QSAR methods, Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) and Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA). The feasibility and performance of these charges have been tested on Janus Kinase 2 inhibitors. Both empirical (Gasteiger‐Huckel, Del‐Re, Gasteiger Marsili, Huckel, Merck Molecular Force Field 94 (MMFF94), Pullman) and semi‐empirical (Austin Model 1 (AM1), Parameterized Model 3 (PM3), Recife Model 1 (RM1), and Modified Neglect of Diatomic Overlap (MNDO)) charges exhibited statistically significant quality. Among them, MMFF94, MNDO and AM1 charges yielded higher cross‐validation correlation coefficient (q2) values whereas Del‐Re and MMFF94 charges produced topmost predictive ability (r2pred). Overall, MMFF94 in CoMFA and MMFF94 and MNDO in CoMSIA models was found to be the best charges when both q2 and r2pred values were used as an evaluation criterion. Our results could provide an idea of selection of appropriate charge rather than using default charge to enhance the quality of 3D‐QSAR when prediction accuracy and predictive ability were employed.
Enhanced Surface Properties of Hydroxyapatite by Grafting Tartaric Acid for Sustained Release of Moxifloxacin
Authors: Zarif Faiza , Sharif Faiza , Batool Madeeha , Haider Ammar , Gul Urooj , Gilani Mazhar A. , Idrees Ayesha , Tabassum Sobia
Published: April 2019

Grafting of material with organic functionalities helps to tune material's surface properties. Surface properties of a biomaterial play a significant role for sustained release of therapeutic agent. To evaluate the effect of tartaric acid concentration on HA surface properties and phase purity, a series of tartaric acid grafted HA (t‐HA) samples were prepared via in situ wet chemical synthesis. Grafting of HA with tartaric acid improved its surface properties. The surface area of 737 m2/g was gained when 0.05 mole equivalent of tartaric acid was used for HA grafting. X‐ray diffraction patterns of t‐HA samples have shown low degree of crystallinity compared to HA sample. XRD results showed the formation of calcium tartrate phase along with HA when higher concentration of tartaric acid was used for synthesis. The HA and t‐HA samples were explored for the delivery of moxifloxacin. High surface area, surface charge and low degree of crystallinity have improved electrostatic interaction between the drug and t2‐HA and help in sustained release of moxifloxacin. In vitro antibacterial activity of drug loaded samples showed activity against S. aureus. Calcium tartrate containing samples t3‐HA, t4‐HA and t5‐HA showed, however, moderate inhibition against S. aureus without drug. In vitro cell studies by using MC3T3 cell line showed that prepared HA and t‐HA samples did not exhibit any cytotoxic effect.
A Sensor Based on Hollow, Octahedral, Cu2O‐Supported Palladium Nanoparticles – Prepared by a Galvanic Replacement Reaction – and Carboxylic Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Electrochemical Detection of Caffeic Acid in Red Wine
Authors: Hu Bibo , Zhang Min , Liu Peng , Xie Shilei , Xie Dong , Wang Shoushan , Cheng Faliang , Wang Lishi
Published: April 2019

A novel nanocomposites prepared from hollow, octahedral cuprous oxide supported palladium nanoparticles (Cu2O‐PdNPs) through a facile galvanic replacement reaction and carboxylic multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs‐COOH) was modified on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (Cu2O‐PdNPs@MWCNTs‐COOH/GCE) to fabricate a sensor for electrochemical detection of caffeic acid. The synergistic effect between Cu2O‐PdNPs and MWCNTs‐COOH exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic activity, higher selectivity and higher sensitivity toward caffeic acid. At optimized test conditions, the Cu2O‐PdNPs@MWCNTs‐COOH/GCE nanocomposites sensor revealed wider linear range of 0.006‐60 μM with a lower detection limit of 0.002 μM (S/N=3) for caffeic acid determination. Eventually, the proposed nanocomposites sensor was successfully applied to determine the concentration of caffeic acid in red wine samples.
Monitoring Photocatalytic Degradation of Plasmocorinth B with Titania Thin Films using Non‐Spectroscopic Methods
Authors: Žener Boštjan , Medoš Žiga , Rogač Marija Bešter , Korošec Romana Cerc
Published: April 2019

Due to its advantageous properties, titanium dioxide has been one of the most researched metal oxides and extensively used in various fields, including photocatalysis. Metal (platinum) and non‐metal (sulfur, nitrogen) doped titania thin films were prepared via a particular sol‐gel synthesis, coated onto object glasses and then thermally treated to promote TiO2 crystallization. Until now, photocatalytic activity of titania thin films has mostly been measured with different spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV‐Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy). The aim of the work presented in this article was to find alternative, non‐spectroscopic methods for photocatalytic activity measurements. To achieve this, we performed in‐situ UV‐Vis absorption spectra, conductivity (κ) and pH measurements during photocatalytic degradation of Plasmocorinth B under UV light illumination. Results have shown that there exists a linear correlation between changes in conductivity (Δκ), pH (ΔpH) values and photocatalytic activity of the samples, measured with UV‐Vis spectroscopy.
Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles supported by magnetite
Authors: Lazić Vesna , Mihajlovski Katarina , Mraković Ana , Illés Erzsébet , Stoiljković Milovan , Ahrenkiel S. Phil , Nedeljković Jovan M.
Published: April 2019

Antibacterial and antifungal ability of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) supported by functionalized magnetite (Fe3O4) with 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) was tested against Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and yeast Candida albicans. Characterization of materials including transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectroscopy technique followed each step during the course of nanocomposite preparation. The synthesized powder consists of 30–50 nm in size silver particles surrounded by clusters of smaller (∼10 nm) Fe3O4 particles. The content of silver in the nanocomposite powder was found to be slightly above 40 wt.–%. Concentration‐dependent and time‐dependent bacterial reduction measurements in dark indicated that use of Ag NPs leads to the complete reduction of E. coli and S. aureus even at the concentration level of silver as low as 40 μg/mL. However, the negligible antifungal ability of synthesized nanocomposite was found against yeast C. albicans in the entire investigated concentration range (0.1‐2.0 mg/mL of the nanocomposite, i. e., 40–800 μg/mL of silver). Complete inactivation of E. coli and S. aureus was achieved in five repeated cycles indicated that synthesized nanocomposite can perform under long‐run working conditions. From the technological point of view, magnetic separation is the additional advantage of synthesized nanocomposite for potential use as an antibacterial agent.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of 9‐Formyl and 9‐Ethynyl Noscapines
Authors: Reddy Nagireddy Praveen Kumar , Kommalapati Vamsi Krishna , Manchukonda Naresh K. , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Tangutur Anjana Devi , Kantevari Srinivas
Published: April 2019

Appending functional groups to the core skeleton of natural α‐noscapine, an FDA approved cough medicine, resulted in analogues with anticancer activity. In this study, we report the synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 9‐formyl and 9‐ethynylnoscapines. 9‐Formylnoscapine 5 was synthesized from 9‐bromonoscapine 2c via a three‐step reaction sequence involving palladium catalysed Heck reaction with ethyl acrylate leading to noscapinoid 7, dihydroxylation of 7 with OsO4 and oxidative cleavage of diol 8. Further, Seyferth‐Gilbert homologation of 9‐formylnoscapine using Bestmann‐Ohira reagent resulted in 9‐ethynylnoscapine 6 in excellent yield. Antiproliferative activity screening of new noscapinoids 5‐7 against NCI60 human tumor cell lines resulted in 9‐ethynylnoscapine 6 as a potent anticancer agent with the lowest mean percentage growth against the full 60‐cell line panel.
Renewable Soybean Pulp Derived N‐Doped Carbon Materials for Efficient Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Halogenated Nitrobenzenes
Authors: Lv Jing , Zheng Yunfeng , Zhu Yangyang , Yuan Man , Chang Yanlong , Dong Zhengping
Published: April 2019

The development of N‐doped catalysts from biomass remains an important objective of chemical research. In this study, a simple fabrication process for renewable N‐doped carbon (RNC, N content 6.5 wt%) is provided to take the inexpensive of soybean pulp for efficient chemoselective hydrogenation of halogenated nitrobenzenes. The RNC precursor was activated by KOH and carbonized at high temperatures; this resulted in dramatically increased specific surface area and accessible active sites. Natural N atoms in the carbon matrix provide out‐of‐domain charge and modulate the electronic property of RNC as a metal‐like structure. The obtained RNC material shows excellent catalytic activity in the catalytic hydrogenation of halogenated nitrobenzenes using N2H4⋅H2O as the reducing agent under mild reaction conditions. The catalytic activity of RNC only slightly decrease after repeated reaction cycles.
An Efficient Synthesis of 1,2‐Diketones by Oxidative Cross‐coupling of Alkynes and Aryl Triazenes using Copper Catalysis
Authors: Vishwakarma Ramesh Kumar , Kumar Saurabh , Sharma Anup Kumar , Singh Rahul , Singh Krishna Nand
Published: April 2019

An efficient and mild approach to 1,2‐diketones has been developed via oxidative cross‐coupling of alkynes and aryl triazenes using copper catalysis under open atmosphere. The approach is convenient, clean, and offers a wide range of substrate scope and functional group tolerance.
Carbon‐Based Alloy‐Type Composite Anode Materials toward Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Guorui , Ilango P. Robert , Wang Silan , Nasir Muhammad Salman , Li Linlin , Ji Dongxiao , Hu Yuxiang , Ramakrishna Seeram , Yan Wei , Peng Shengjie
Published: April 2019

In the scenario of renewable clean energy gradually replacing fossil energy, grid‐scale energy storage systems are urgently necessary, where Na‐ion batteries (SIBs) could supply crucial support, due to abundant Na raw materials and a similar electrochemical mechanism to Li‐ion batteries. The limited energy density is one of the major challenges hindering the commercialization of SIBs. Alloy‐type anodes with high theoretical capacities provide good opportunities to address this issue. However, these anodes suffer from the large volume expansion and inferior conductivity, which induce rapid capacity fading, poor rate properties, and safety issues. Carbon‐based alloy‐type composites (CAC) have been extensively applied in the effective construction of anodes that improved electrochemical performance, as the carbon component could alleviate the volume change and increase the conductivity. Here, state‐of‐the‐art CAC anode materials applied in SIBs are summarized, including their design principle, characterization, and electrochemical performance. The corresponding alloying mechanism along with its advantages and disadvantages is briefly presented. The crucial roles and working mechanism of the carbon matrix in CAC anodes are discussed in depth. Lastly, the existing challenges and the perspectives are proposed. Such an understanding critically paves the way for tailoring and designing suitable alloy‐type anodes toward practical applications.
Ligand Engineering for Improved All‐Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dot‐MoS2 Monolayer Mixed Dimensional van der Waals Phototransistor
Authors: Wu Hualin , Kang Zhuo , Zhang Zihan , Si Haonan , Zhang Suicai , Zhang Zheng , Liao Qingliang , Zhang Yue
Published: April 2019

Combining intriguing physical properties of 2D crystals and intrinsically remarkable optical properties of halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs), the 0D–2D perovskite QD–based mixed dimensional van der Waals heterostructure (MvdWH) is considered as promising for optoelectronic applications. Even though the interfacial electronic structure of MvdWHs is sufficiently engineered to manipulate the charge carrier behavior, the issue of interfacial charge transfer efficiency originating from the residue ligands that are inevitably introduced by the QDs is still prominently remained. From this perspective, for the first time, a solution‐processed surface ligand density control strategy is demonstrated to balance the QD surface passivation and the interfacial charge carrier extraction and injection efficiency in the 0D–2D MvdWH system. The accurate adjustment of ligand density outside QDs enables the subsequent modulation on interfacial charge carrier transfer efficiency from the aspect of electronic and optoelectronic properties. Furthermore, such kind of ligand engineering toward MvdWH interface is substantially demonstrated in a photogating mechanism–based phototransistor with an improved photoresponsivity as high as 1.13 × 105 A W−1. These results may push forward the evolution of 0D–2D mixed dimensional van der Waals optoelectronics.
Fluorous Fullerene Acceptors in Vacuum‐Deposited Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Reeves Brian J. , Brook Colin P. , Gerdes Olga , Deng Shihu H. M. , Yuan Qinqin , Wang Xue-Bin , Strauss Steven H. , Boltalina Olga V. , Walzer Karsten
Published: April 2019

The first successful example of vacuum‐deposited organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells based on a fullerene derivative and a small‐molecule donor is reported. A series of thermally robust fluorous fullerene acceptors with experimental gas‐phase electron affinities ranging from 2.8 to 3.3 eV are paired with a new dicyanovinyl thiophene‐based molecular donor to enable direct comparison of their performance in planar and bulk heterojunction architectures in the cells fabricated by vacuum deposition. Unprecedented insights into the role of the acceptor intrinsic molecular and electronic structures are obtained, which are not obscured by solvent and additive effects as in the typical solution‐processed fullerene‐based OPV cells.
Effects of Nb on Bainite Transformation Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Low‐Carbon Bainitic Steels
Authors: Chen Zhenye , Li Jianxin , Qi Jianjun , Chen Liqing , Sun Li , Wang Guodong
Published: April 2019

The bainite transformation behavior and the mechanical properties of low‐carbon bainitic steels with and without niobium (Nb) are investigated by two different heat‐treatment methods − isothermal transformation process (ITP) and continuous cooling process (CCP). The results indicate that for ITP, the kinetics of bainitic transformation for the Nb‐added sample is accelerated at the beginning of the isothermal holding process due to more nucleation sites followed by its further deceleration as a consequence of the formation of ferrite prior to austempering. For all ITPs, Nb addition resulted in a decrease in the final amount of transformed bainites. In addition, different from the generally accepted result, the tensile strength of the steel is degraded by Nb addition during both ITP and CCPs, and the addition of Nb did not improve the final comprehensive properties of the steels. Moreover, Nb addition caused an increase in the critical temperature of high‐temperature transformation (Ar3); however, it yielded no significant effects on critical temperatures of Ac1 and Ac3.
Using the Science Talk–Writing Heuristic to Build a New Era of Scientific Literacy
Authors: Chen Ying‐Chih
Published: April 2019

One of the major goals of science education is preparing students to be scientifically literate. Argumentation is a core practice to promote both scientific literacy and science learning. However, incorporating argumentation into science teaching can be challenging for both teachers and students. The author introduces the Science Talk–Writing Heuristic as a teaching approach that science teachers can use to integrate literacy practices and science learning in an argumentative environment.
Performance of broilers fed diets supplemented with two yeast cell wall strains using two feeding strategies
Authors: Hashim Mohammed M. , Leyva‐Jimenez Hector E. , Al‐Ajeeli Morouj N. , Jameel Yasser J. , Gaydos Thomas A. , Bailey Christopher A.
Published: April 2019

Different supplements or strategies have been proposed as alternatives to the use of antibiotics at sub‐therapeutic levels in chickens. Mannan oligosaccharides and β‐glucans, yeast cell wall fractions (YCW), have been reported to beneficially influence broiler performance and health. Two differently produced yeast cell wall fractions derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were evaluated in this study using two different supplementation strategies offered to full‐term broilers. The birds were placed in floor pens on used pine‐shaving litter to increase potential microbial stress and mimic industry practice. The study utilized a three‐phase feeding program with a 1‐ to 21‐day starter, 21‐ to 35‐day grower and 35‐ to 42‐day finisher phases. Five dietary treatments were compared in this study. The experimental diets consisted of a control basal broiler diet; or the basal diet supplemented with the two differently produced fractions of YCW. The YCW products were supplemented at a constant 250 ppm or a decreasing concentration program (500, 250, 125 ppm) throughout the three feeding phases. Birds fed diets supplemented with either YCW products at any inclusion regimen demonstrated higher (P < 0.05) body weight (BW) in all three phases than control birds. The difference in final 42‐day BW of the YCW treatments (3041 g) averaged 165 g higher (P < 0.05) than the control group. For all YCW treatments, productivity index was higher (P < 0.05) in the grower (418) and finisher phase (441) versus control birds (389 grower and 415 finisher). These results suggested that both YCW fractions prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can improve broiler performance when added at either a constant rate (250 ppm) or at a decreasing rate from 500 ppm for the starter to 125 ppm for the finisher phase.
Antibody and antibody derivatives as cancer therapeutics
Authors: Arlotta Keith J. , Owen Shawn C.
Published: April 2019

Antibodies are an important class of therapeutic for treating a wide range of diseases. These versatile macromolecules can be engineered to target many different antigens and to utilize several mechanisms of action to produce a pharmacological effect. The most common antibody platform used for therapeutics is immunoglobulin G (IgG). Advances in protein‐display and genetic engineering have enabled the construction and manipulation of IgG to enhance desired activity such as increasing antigen affinity, modulating pharmacokinetics, and enhancing effector functions. IgGs can also be altered to suppress undesired effects, such as immunogenicity. The main approaches to control IgG behavior include engineering the protein sequence and glycosylation of intact IgG; constructing IgG‐based derivatives, including bispecific and multivalent binders; and fusing small‐drug molecules or proteins to IgG‐derived scaffolds. Often, a single modification applied to a given IgG can alter more than one property. The desired effects of an antibody therapeutic should be carefully tailored to the physiology and characteristics of each disease condition.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide‐Based Structures
Introduction
Authors: Vickstrom Erik R.
Published: April 2019

Immigration and its economic, political, cultural, and social consequences have recently emerged as increasingly contentious issues in Europe. Although some European countries have long histories of welcoming immigrants, the relative cultural and ethnic homogeneity of many others has thrown recent increases in foreign-born populations into sharp relief. European anxiety over immigrant integration has also increased with the recognition that unauthorized immigration has been a persistent and seemingly intractable challenge for the continent’s immigration policies. While quantifying irregular migration in Europe remains an exercise in “counting the uncountable” (Vogel et al. 2011), recent research estimated the EU’s stock of irregular migrants to be between two and four million (Triandafyllidou 2009; Vogel et al. 2011).
Remarks on the influence of quantum vacuum fluctuations over a charged test particle near a conducting wall
Authors: De Lorenci V. A. , Ribeiro C. C. H.
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Quantum vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field in empty space seem not to produce observable effects over the motion of a charged test particle. However, when a change in the background vacuum state is implemented, as for instance when a conducting boundary is introduced, dispersions of the particle velocity may occur. As a consequence, besides the existence of classical effects due to the interaction between particle and boundary, there will be a quantum contribution to the motion of the particle whose magnitude depends on how fast the transition between the different vacuum states occurs. Here this issue is revisited and a smooth transition with a controllable switching time between the vacuum states of the system is implemented. Dispersions of the particle velocity in both, zero and finite temperature regimes are examined. More than just generalizing previous results for specific configurations, new effects are unveiled. Particularly, it is shown that the well known vacuum dominance reported to occur arbitrarily near the wall is a consequence of assumed idealizations. The use of a controllable switching enables us to conclude that thermal effects can be as important as, or even stronger than, vacuum effects arbitrarily near the wall. Additionally, the residual effect predicted to occur in the late time regime was here shown to be linked to the duration of the transition. In this sense, such effect is understood to be a sort of particle energy exchanging due to the vacuum state transition. Furthermore, in certain arrangements a sort of cooling effect over the motion of the particle can occur, i.e., the kinetic energy of the particle is lessen by a certain amount due to subvacuum quantum fluctuations.
Precision diboson measurements at hadron colliders
Authors: Azatov A. , Barducci D. , Venturini E.
Published: April 2019

Abstract

We discuss the measurements of the anomalous triple gauge couplings at Large Hadron Collider focusing on the contribution of the

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

3W
and

$$ {\mathcal{O}}_{3\tilde{W}} $$

O

3

W
˜

operators. These deviations were known to be particularly hard to measure due to their suppressed interference with the SM amplitudes in the inclusive processes, leading to approximate flat directions in the space of these Wilson coefficients. We present the prospects for the measurements of these interactions at HL-LHC and HE-LHC using exclusive variables sensitive to the interference terms and taking carefully into account effects appearing due to NLO QCD corrections.
Non-linear evolution in QCD at high-energy beyond leading order
Authors: Ducloué B. , Iancu E. , Mueller A. H. , Soyez G. , Triantafyllopoulos D. N.
Published: April 2019

Abstract

The standard formulation of the high-energy evolution in perturbative QCD, based on the Balitsky-Kovchegov equation, is known to suffer from severe instabilities associated with radiative corrections enhanced by double transverse logarithms, which occur in all orders starting with the next-to-leading one. Over the last years, several methods have been devised to resum such corrections by enforcing the time-ordering of the successive gluon emissions. We observe that the instability problem is not fully cured by these methods: various prescriptions for performing the resummation lead to very different physical results and thus lack of predictive power. We argue that this problem can be avoided by using the rapidity of the dense target (which corresponds to Bjorken x) instead of that of the dilute projectile as an evolution time. This automatically ensures the proper time-ordering and also allows for a direct physical interpretation of the results. We explicitly perform this change of variables at NLO. We observe the emergence of a new class of double logarithmic corrections, potentially leading to instabilities, which are however less severe, since disfavoured by the typical BK evolution for “dilute-dense” scattering. We propose several prescriptions for resumming these new double-logarithms to all orders and find only little scheme dependence: different prescriptions lead to results which are consistent to each other to the accuracy of interest. We restore full NLO accuracy by completing one of the resummed equations (non-local in rapidity) with the remaining NLO corrections.
Molecular analysis indicates high levels of carabid weed seed consumption in cereal fields across Central Europe
Authors: Frei Britta , Guenay Yasemin , Bohan David A. , Traugott Michael , Wallinger Corinna
Published: April 2019

Carabid beetles are abundant in temperate agroecosystems and can play a pivotal role as biocontrol agents. While there is good knowledge regarding their effects on invertebrate pests in some systems, comparably little is known on the rate of seed feeding under field conditions. Molecular approaches are ideally suited for investigating carabid feeding interactions; to date, however, they have only been applied to animal prey. We sampled adult carabid beetles in organic cereal fields in three regions along a Central European transect. Regurgitates from populations of the three most common species,Poecilus cupreus, Pseudoophonus rufipesandPterostichus melanarius, were screened for plant DNA, cereal aphids, collembolans and earthworms. The frequency of carabid individuals positive for plant DNA was high (> 70%) and independent of carabid species, sex, region and the time point of sampling. Detections for non-pest and pest prey were comparably lower, with 21.6% for collembolans, 18.1% for earthworms and 4.2% for aphids, respectively. Despite the prolonged detection period of plant DNA in carabid guts, as compared to animal prey, these first results suggest that weed seeds form an important part of the adult carabid diet. It would also lend support to the hypothesis that seed-feeding carabids are biocontrol agents of weeds, with effects of regulation on the weed seedbank that depend on behavioural and contextual factors including carabid species preferences for weed seed species, their life stage and tillage practices.
Single plant selection for improving root rot disease (Phytophthora medicaginis) resistance in Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.)
Authors: Miranda John Hubert
Published: April 2019

The root rot caused by Phytophthora medicaginis is a major disease of chickpea in Australia. Grain yield loss of 50 to 70% due to the disease was noted in the farmers’ fields and in the experimental plots, respectively. To overcome the problem, resistant single plants were selected from the National Chickpea Multi Environment Trials (NCMET)—Stage 3 (S3) of NCMET-S1 to S3, which were conducted in an artificially infected phytophthora screening field nursery in the Hermitage Research Station, Queensland. The inheritance of resistance of these selected resistant single plants were tested in the next generation in three different trials, (1) at seedling stage in a shade house during the off-season, (2) as bulked single plants and (3) as individual single plants in the disease screening filed nursery during the next season. The results of the tests showed that many of the selected single plants had higher level of resistance and seed yield (P < 0.05) than the best resistant cultivars used as checks. The single plants with bidirectional expression of anthocyanin pigment, both at the shoot apex and at the base of stem, showed higher level of resistance than plants without it. The results also indicated certain level of heterozygosity-induced heterogeneity, which could cause higher levels of susceptibility, if the selected single plants were not screened further for the disease resistance in advanced generation/s. The genetics of resistance to PRR disease was confirmed as quantitative in nature.
The Many-Valued Logic of Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Pykacz Jarosław
Published: April 2019

It is shown that any quantum logic in the Birkhoff - von Neumann sense that possesses an ordering set of probability measures can be isomorphically represented as a particular kind of infinite-valued Łukasiewicz logic with partially defined conjunction and disjunction. It is argued that such non-classical features of BvN quantum logic as lack of distributivity or validity of the orthomodular law follow from properties of Łukasiewicz conjunction and disjunction.
Validation of automatic passenger counting: introducing the t-test-induced equivalence test
Authors: Siebert Michael , Ellenberger David
Published: April 2019

Automatic passenger counting (APC) in public transport has been introduced in the 1970s and has been rapidly emerging in recent years. Still, real-world applications continue to face events that are difficult to classify. The induced imprecision needs to be handled as statistical noise and thus methods have been defined to ensure that measurement errors do not exceed certain bounds. Various recommendations for such an APC validation have been made to establish criteria that limit the bias and the variability of the measurement errors. In those works, the misinterpretation of non-significance in statistical hypothesis tests for the detection of differences (e.g. Student’s t-test) proves to be prevalent, although existing methods which were developed under the term equivalence testing in biostatistics (i.e. bioequivalence trials, Schuirmann in J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 15(6):657–680, 1987) would be appropriate instead. This heavily affects the calibration and validation process of APC systems and has been the reason for unexpected results when the sample sizes were not suitably chosen: Large sample sizes were assumed to improve the assessment of systematic measurement errors of the devices from a user’s perspective as well as from a manufacturers perspective, but the regular t-test fails to achieve that. We introduce a variant of the t-test, the revised t-test, which addresses both type I and type II errors appropriately and allows a comprehensible transition from the long-established t-test in a widely used industrial recommendation. This test is appealing, but still it is susceptible to numerical instability. Finally, we analytically reformulate it as a numerically stable equivalence test, which is thus easier to use. Our results therefore allow to induce an equivalence test from a t-test and increase the comparability of both tests, especially for decision makers.
The Survivorship of the Uncemented Iso-Elastic Monoblock Acetabular Component at a Mean of 6-Year Follow-up
Authors: Snijders T. E. , Halma J. J. , Massier J. R. A. , van Gaalen S. M. , de Gast A.
Published: April 2019

Background

Aseptic loosening, caused by wear and osteolysis, is the most frequent reason for hip replacement revision in the UK. To prevent aseptic loosening, an acetabular component with vitamin E added to irradiated highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) was developed to reduce oxidative degradation.

Questions/Purposes

A prior study of the vitamin E–blended HXLPE acetabular component after 2 years of follow-up reported no adverse reactions or abnormal mechanical behavior. To further examine this hypothesis of reducing wear and osteolysis, we sought to evaluate outcomes after 6-year follow-up.

Methods

A cohort of 95 of the 112 initial patients (84.2%) completed the 6 years of follow-up after receiving a vitamin E–blended HXLPE acetabular component. Evaluation was performed in terms of clinical (visual analog scale [VAS] score, VAS score with weight-bearing, VAS score for satisfaction, and Harris Hip Score) and radiological (inclination, polar gap, radiolucencies, migration, and 2-D linear femoral head penetration rate) assessment.

Results

The mean VAS score for patient satisfaction was 8.75 and the mean Harris Hip Score was 91.8. There were two revisions because of deep infections and one because of a peri-prosthetic femoral fracture. Two acetabular components migrated initially; however, delayed acetabular stabilization occurred. Both patients had good clinical scores at 72 months. The mean femoral head penetration rate was 0.036 mm/year.

Conclusions

This prospective cohort study has shown no adverse reactions concerning the vitamin E additive, promising wear rates, no signs of osteolysis, a 100% survival rate for aseptic loosening, and an all-cause survivorship percentage of 97.4% at 6 years of follow-up.
From semi-conscious to strategic paragraphing
Authors: Lingard Lorelei
Published: April 2019

None
Modifying layered double hydroxide nanoparticles for tumor imaging and therapy
Authors: Li Li , Li Bei , Gu Wenyi , Xu Zhi Ping
Published: April 2019

Tumor theranostics (a portmanteau of therapeutics and diagnostics) is now achieved in various ways with complex nanoparticle systems. Layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles are effective at drug/gene delivery and as imaging agents in potential tumor theranostics. This mini-review paper summarizes recent progress in developing LDH nanoparticles as a pH-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, as a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent, and as a co-delivery platform for two therapeutic agents for tumor diagnosis and therapy. These results have indicated clearly the potential application of LDH nanoparticles for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of cancers.