bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All‐around management of a fungal isolate obtained from cheese spoilage as an environmental source: Direct approach from an undergrad student to a biotechnological characterization
Authors: Ortiz Lechuga Eugenia Guadalupe , Tovar Herrera Omar Eduardo , Arévalo Niño Katiushka
Published: August 2019

In this work, we present the results of an undergrad student from the perspective of its first approach as a principal researcher in a project. In order to gain practical experience, one of the options for students that have interest in pursuing a postgraduate program corresponds to a research stay in a laboratory of their selected field conducting a project for a period of 6 months. In this particular project, a fungal sample was isolated from Parmesan cheese spoilage and its enzymatic activity evaluated. Using simple and standardized protocols, the student was capable of identifying a possible biotechnological application for the isolate by detecting and categorizing the lipolytic activity. Through microculture characterization in potato dextrose agar (PDA) the genus of the sample was determined as Penicillium and confirmed by molecular analysis of the ITS1 and ITS4 regions. In order to examine comprehensively the potential of the new isolate, the extracellular and intracellular enzymatic activities were analyzed as well as four methods of cell rupture. From these results, sonication was determined as the best technique with 211 U/L as a maximum lipolytic value. To finalize the evaluation of the sample, the student determined the optimal pH and temperature as well as the thermotolerance of the crude extract obtaining a residual activity of 13% after 60 minutes of incubation at 45 °C. Upon conclusion of the research we could recognize that through a direct characterization of a fungal isolate using techniques that are widely known, the student was capable of determining and value one of the most interesting capabilities fungi has to offer; enzymatic activity, and that the knowledge obtained from established protocols enables and encourages the students to correlate the source from where they were obtained with potential biotechnological applications. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(6):681–688, 2019.
Breast cancer cell‐derived exosomal miR‐20a‐5p promotes the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts by targeting SRCIN1
Authors: Guo Ling , Zhu Ye , Li Liandi , Zhou Shufen , Yin Guohua , Yu Guanghao , Cui Hujun
Published: August 2019

Bone metastasis of breast cancer makes patients suffer from pain, fractures, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia, and is almost incurable. Although the mechanisms of bone metastasis in breast cancers have been studied intensively, novel specific target will be helpful to the development of new therapeutic strategy of breast cancer. Herein, we focused on the microRNA of tumor cell‐derived exosomes to investigate the communication between the bone microenvironment and tumor cells. The expression of miR‐20a‐5p in the primary murine bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), MCF‐10A, MCF‐7, and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines, as well as the cell‐derived exosomes were assessed by qRT‐PCR. Transwell assays were used to evaluate the effects of miR‐20a‐5p on tumor cell migration and invasion. The expression of exosomes marker including CD63and TSG101 was detected by Western Blot. Cell cycle distribution of BMMs was analyzed by flow cytometry. 3‐UTR luciferase reporter assays were used to validate the putative binding between miR‐20a‐5p and SRCIN1. MiR‐20a‐5p was highly expressed in breast tumor tissues and the exosomes of MDA‐MB‐231 cells. MiR‐20a‐5p promoted migration and invasion in MDA‐MB‐231 cells, and the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts. MDA‐MB‐231 cell‐derived exosomes transferred miR‐20a‐5p to BMMs and facilitated the osteoclastogenesis via targeting SRCIN1. The present work provides evidence that miR‐20a‐5p transferred from breast cancer cell‐derived exosomes promotes the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts by targeting SRCIN1, providing scientific foundations for the development of exosome or miR‐20a‐5p targeted therapeutic intervention in breast cancer progression.
Everolimus‐containing therapy vs conventional therapy in the treatment of refractory breast cancer patients with PI3K/AKT/mTOR mutations: A retrospective study
Authors: Chen Zhanhong , Zheng Yabing , Cao Wenming , Zhang Yuzi , Zhao Zhengyi , Wang Guoqiang , Zhao Jing , Cai Shangli , Shao Xiying , Huang Jian , Ye Weiwu , Huang Yuan , Li Wei , Huang Xiang , Wu Hao , Wang Xiaojia , Yin Yongmei
Published: August 2019

Background

Previous case reports have shown the promising antitumor activity of everolimus in solid tumors containing molecular aberrations in PI3K/ATK/mTOR pathway, however, whether it is effective in patients with breast cancer remains unknown. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective cohort study to compare the efficacy of molecularly matched targeted therapy with everolimus to conventional therapy in refractory breast cancer patients harboring PI3K/ATK/mTOR pathway activating mutations.

Methods

Refractory metastatic breast cancer patients who have received molecular screening using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) between September 8, 2015 and October 30, 2017 in two sites were screened for this study. The primary outcome was progression‐free survival (PFS). The secondary outcomes were overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety profile.

Results

A total of 78 patients were screened for analysis, amongst all, 52 (66.7%) had at least one gene mutation in PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The most common mutation fell in PIK3CA (76.9%, 40/52) with a mutational prevalence of 51.3%. Of the 32 patients who were eligible for efficacy analysis, patients in the everolimus group (n = 19) exhibited shorter PFS than those in the conventional group (n = 13) (median, 1.9 vs 6.1 months; HR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.48‐8.81; P = .0005). ORR was 15.4% (2/13) in the everolimus group and 23.1% (3/13) in the conventional group (P = 1.000), and DCR was 30.8% (4/13) and 100% (13/13) for each group, respectively (P = .000). The incidence of grade 3‐5 adverse events was relatively higher in the conventional group (38.5%, 5/13) than that in the everolimus group (26.3%, 5/19).

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that everolimus might not be effective for cancer patients harboring mutations in PI3K/ATK/mTOR pathway and physicians should be cautious about its off‐label use in clinical practice.
Identification of a prosurvival neuroprotective mitochondrial peptide in a mammalian hibernator
Authors: Szereszewski Kama E. , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: August 2019

Hibernation requires the intricate regulation of physiological and biochemical adaptations to facilitate the decrease in metabolic rate and activation of prosurvival factors needed for winter survival. Mitochondria play important roles in eliciting these responses and in coordinating the required energy shifts. Herein, we report the presence of a novel mitochondrial peptide, s‐humanin, in the hibernating 13‐lined ground squirrel, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus. S‐humanin was shown to have strong structural and sequence similarities to its human analogue, humanin—a powerful neuroprotective mitochondrial peptide. An assessment of the protein and gene expression levels of this peptide in ground squirrels revealed stark tissue‐specific regulatory responses whereby transcript levels increased in brain cortex, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissues during hibernation, suggesting a protective torpor‐induced activation. Accompanying peptide measurements found that s‐humanin levels were suppressed in liver of torpid squirrels but enhanced in brain cortex. The enhanced transcript and protein levels of s‐humanin in brain cortex suggest that it is actively involved in protecting delicate brain tissues and neuronal connections from hibernation‐associated stresses. We propose that this squirrel‐specific peptide is involved in modulating tissue‐specific cytoprotective functions, expanding its role from human‐specific neuroprotection to environmental stress protection.

Significance of the study

Understanding the molecular mechanisms, which protect against oxidative stress in a model hibernator such as the ground squirrel, could be pivotal to the regulation of cytoprotection. This study expands on our knowledge of metabolic rate depression and could suggest a potential role for humanin therapy in neurodegenerative diseases.
Improved Low‐Temperature Activity and H2O Resistance of Fe‐Doped Mn−Eu Catalysts for NO Removal by NH3−SCR
Authors: Guo Mingyu , Zhao Peipei , Liu Qingling , Liu Caixia , Han Jinfeng , Ji Na , Song Chunfeng , Ma Degang , Lu Xuebin , Liang Xingyu , Li Zhenguo
Published: August 2019

Novel Mn−Eu−Fe catalysts were prepared via co‐precipitation method for NOx removal by selective catalytic reduction with NH3 (NH3−SCR). The Mn−Eu−Fe(1)‐500 catalyst possessed the highest level of low‐temperature activity, giving 98 % NO conversion at 100 °C. This catalyst also exhibited excellent H2O resistance capacity, even at a high gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 75,000 h−1. The NO conversion still maintained at approximately 90 % in the presence of 15 % H2O at 230 °C after 50 h, and the adverse effects of H2O could be quickly eliminated after the removal of H2O. Detailed characterization and analysis indicated that strong interactions among Mn, Eu and Fe resulted in the excellent low‐temperature SCR activity and H2O resistance of the Mn−Eu−Fe(1)‐500 catalyst. The strong interactions lead to larger specific surface area, higher concentrations of Mn4+, Fe3+ and Oα; improved redox properties, increased acid sites and acid strength, and more adsorption amounts of NO/NH3 in the presence of H2O. The Mn−Eu−Fe(1)‐500 catalyst is a potential future catalyst for low‐temperature NOx removal derived from high‐H2O‐content flue gases of natural gas combustion.
Introducing LNAzo: More Rigidity for Improved Photocontrol of Oligonucleotide Hybridization**
Authors: Grebenovsky Nikolai , Luma Larita , Müller Patricia , Heckel Alexander
Published: August 2019

Oligonucleotide‐based therapeutics have made rapid progress in clinical treatment of a variety of disease indications. Since most therapeutic oligonucleotides serve more than just one function and tend to have a prolonged lifetime, spatio‐temporal control of these functions would be desirable. Photoswitches like azobenzene have proven themselves as useful tools in this matter. Upon irradiation, the photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety causes destabilization in adjacent base pairs, leading to a decreased hybridization affinity. Since the way the azobenzene is incorporated in the oligonucleotide is of utmost importance, we synthesized locked azobenzene C‐nucleosides and compared their photocontrol capabilities to established azobenzene C‐nucleosides in oligonucleotide test‐sequences by means of fluorescence‐, UV/Vis‐, and CD‐spectroscopy.
Stillstand reduzieren ‐ das Dauerthema
Authors: Hacker Manuela
Published: August 2019

Es ist fast wie im echten Leben: unverhofft kommt oft und dann geballt. Bei (hoffentlich geplanten) Stillständen und dem anschließenden Anfahren von Anlagen warten immer wieder überraschungen auf die Mitarbeiter. Mal entdeckt man bei einem Stillstand eine bislang unbemerkte Unstimmigkeit, mal treten Probleme beim (Wieder‐)Anfahren der Anlage auf. Beides ist wenig erfreulich, liegt aber in der Natur der Sache und ist branchenübergreifend Routine in allen Betrieben. Wie man für derlei überraschungen vorsorgen kann, zeigt der Spezialist für Explosionsschutz und Druckentlastung Rembe.
Pflicht und Kür zugleich – die Technische Dokumentation
Authors: Erner Petra
Published: August 2019

Die Meister Strömungstechnik erstellt seit zehn Jahren die Technischen Dokumentationen für ihre weltweit vertriebenen Produkte mit dem Redaktionssystem Cosima go!. Mit dieser Standardsoftware von Docufy erfüllen auch die Dokumentationen den hohen Qualitätsanspruch, für den das Unternehmen mit seinen Systemen zum Messen und überwachen von Durchfluss im industriellen Umfeld bekannt ist. Für Meister Strömungstechnik ist der Einsatz einer professionellen Dokumentations‐Software so wichtig wie ein ERP‐System.
Produktverunreinigung: Fehlanzeige
Authors: Meißler Sebastian
Published: August 2019

Die Anforderungen an die Gebläsetechnik in der pneumatischen Förderung von Schüttgütern sind hoch. Das Anspruchsdenken beruht nicht nur auf der Tatsache, dass diese Systeme in vielen Industrien eine Schlüsselfunktion im Materialfluss einnehmen, sondern auch auf der Tatsache, dass die Druckluftqualität von entscheidender Bedeutung ist. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die Aerzener Maschinenfabrik einen neuen und zertifizierten Sicherheitsstandard speziell für die Anforderungen in der Pneumatik entwickelt.
Wartungsarmer Betrieb im Atex‐Bereich
Authors: Wagner Petra
Published: August 2019

Zur alkoholbasierten Lösung von natürlichen Wirkstoffen aus Pflanzen sind mehrere Seitenkanalpumpen des Hamburger Pumpenherstellers Fristam im industriellen Einsatz. Die selbstansaugenden FZ 17 Kreiselpumpen fördern Alkohol aus IBCs in Tanks mit Pflanzenteilen, wie zum Beispiel Kamille. Der Alkohol wird solange immer wieder durch den Tank gepumpt, bis alle Wirkstoffe aus den Grundstoffen ausgelöst sind. Für diese Aufgabe und Produktionsumgebung sind die FZ‐Pumpen mit Magnetkupplung und Spalttopf hermetisch dicht abgeschlossen, besonders wartungsarm und erfordern weniger Atex‐konforme Peripherie als Pumpen mit Gleitringdichtungen.
Flexible Sekundärbarriere
Authors: Deininger Susanne
Published: August 2019

In Raffinerien und Tanklagern können durch Leckagen wassergefährdende und entflammbare Stoffe austreten. Sind die dafür vorgesehenen Auffangräume nicht mehr dicht, können diese Medien in den Boden eindringen. Eine Instandsetzung, insbesondere von kontaminierten Betonoberflächen, ist aufwändig und kostenintensiv. KTW Umweltschutztechnik bietet nun eine hochelastische Abdichtung auf einem Trägervlies an, welches auch auf kontaminierte Flächen eingebaut werden kann.
Auslegung von Notentspannungssystemen
Authors: Conzen Jens
Published: August 2019

Wie ein Notentspannungssystem für Behälter von reaktiven Stoffen mit adiabatischer Reaktionskalorimetrie praktisch dimensioniert werden kann, beschreibt dieser Beitrag.
Retracted: How employee's perceived corporate social responsibility affects employee's pro‐environmental behaviour? The influence of organizational identification, corporate entrepreneurship, and environmental consciousness
Authors: Cheema Sadia , Afsar Bilal , Al‐Ghazali Basheer M. , Maqsoom Ahsen
Published: August 2019

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a useful tool for effective organizational, social, and environmental functioning. This study expanded CSR and green research streams by examining the positive effect of employee's perceived CSR on pro‐environmental behaviour through mediation of organizational identification, as well as the moderation mechanisms of corporate entrepreneurship and employees' environmental consciousness for such an effect. The study drew on a survey sample of 479 employees and 122 department managers from various hotels in Pakistan. Key findings showed that CSR had both a direct and an indirect influence, through organizational identification, on pro‐environmental behaviour. The results lent support for the interactive effect of corporate entrepreneurship and environmental consciousness with CSR in predicting pro‐environmental behaviours. This is the first study of its kind to study a comprehensive model linking perceived CSR with employee's pro‐environmental behaviours in hotel industry through intervening variables.
Green Human Resource Management and Employee Green Behavior: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Chaudhary Richa
Published: August 2019

This study was conducted with an objective to understand the role of green human resource management (GHRM) in fostering environmental performance of employee. Specifically, it examines the impact of GHRM practices on employee green performance behaviors (task related and voluntary) with organizational identification as a mediator and employee personal environmental values and gender as moderators. Three hundred one employee from automobile sector in India participated in the study. Using cross‐sectional research design, the proposed research model was tested with the help of hierarchical regression analysis. GHRM was found to significantly predict both task‐related and voluntary employee green behaviors. Organizational identification significantly mediated the effect, whereas gender and environmental values failed to moderate the relationship between GHRM and employee green behaviors. The study signifies the role of HRM in achieving environmental sustainability and emphasizes on the urgent need to embed sustainability dimension into HR systems to achieve sustainable development goals.
A Crosslinked Polyethyleneglycol Solid Electrolyte Dissolving Lithium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
Authors: Tian Guiying , Zhao Zijian , Zinkevich Tatiana , Elies Katharina , Scheiba Frieder , Ehrenberg Helmut
Published: August 2019

Replacing liquid electrolytes with solid ones can provide advantages in safety, and all‐solid‐state batteries with solid electrolytes are proposed to solve the issue of the formation of lithium dendrites. In this study, a crosslinked polymer composite solid electrolyte was presented, which enabled the construction of lithium batteries with outstanding electrochemical behavior over long‐term cycling. The crosslinked polymeric host was synthesized through polymerization of the terminal amines of O,O‐bis(2‐aminopropyl) polypropylene glycol‐block‐polyethylene glycol‐block‐polypropylene glycol and terminal epoxy groups of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether at 90 °C and provided an amorphous matrix for Li+ dissolution. This composite solid electrolyte containing Li+ salt and garnet filler exhibited high flexibility, which supported the formation of favorable interfaces with the active materials, and possessed enough mechanical strength to suppress the penetration of lithium dendrites. Ionic conductivities higher than 5.0×10−4 S cm−1 above 45 °C were obtained as well as a wide electrochemical stability window (>4.51 V vs. Li/Li+) and a high Li+ diffusion coefficient (≈16.6×10−13 m2 s−1). High cycling stability (>500 cycles or 1000 h) was demonstrated.
On the impact of relay circuit losses in four‐coil wireless power transfer systems
Authors: de Miranda Caio M. , Pichorim Sergio F. , Abatti Paulo J.
Published: August 2019

In wireless power transfer (WPT) systems with more than two coils, the intermediary or relay circuits are used to extend the link distance. Thus, to achieve this extension efficiently in terms of power transfer, these relay circuits must have low losses. However, there are several instances in which there are restrictions in reducing the ohmic losses in all the relay circuits of the system. This is the case of biomedical applications where commonly there are size and access restrictions since one of the circuits can be implanted and also in applications using high‐temperature superconductor (HTS) coils due to the difficulty in implementing the necessary cooling system for all the coils of the system. Therefore, in these situations, the designer need to choose which relay circuit will be optimized. In this work, it is presented an analysis on the impact that losses in individual relay circuits have on efficiency, and power transfer, of typical four‐coil wireless power transfer systems consisting of circuit 1 (transmitter), relay circuits 2 and 3, and circuit 4 (load). It is shown that the losses on relay circuit 2 have greater impact on efficiency, while the losses of relay circuit 3 have a greater impact on power transfer for a given condition. Practical experiments confirm the developed analysis.
Improving time integration scheme for FEM analysis of MTL problems
Authors: Juric‐Grgic Ivica , Lucic Rino , Krolo Ivan
Published: August 2019

This paper presents improved algorithm for electromagnetic transient calculations on multiconductor transmission line (MTL) achieved by improvement of the time integration when forming a local system of equations for a finite element. Improvement of accuracy was obtained by using Heun's method. Previously developed local system of equations of MTL has been obtained using the generalized trapezoidal rule (ϑ‐method). The use of the generalized trapezoidal rule for the time integration sometimes causes numerical oscillations or numerical diffusion of numerical solutions. Numerical solutions obtained using Heun's method and using the generalized trapezoidal rule for different values of a time integration parameter are compared with analytical solution. It has been shown that Heun's method yields the results with much higher accuracy comparing to results obtained by generalized trapezoidal rule.
Hidden Secrets Behind Dots: Improved Phytoplankton Taxonomic Resolution Using High‐Throughput Imaging Flow Cytometry
Authors: Dunker Susanne
Published: August 2019

Phytoplankton are aquatic, microscopically small primary producers, accounting for almost half of the worldwide carbon fixation. As early indicators of environmental change, they play a crucial role in water quality management. Human activities like climate change, eutrophication, or international shipping traffic strongly impact diversity of these organisms. Phytoplankton monitoring is a crucial step in the recognition of changes in community composition. The common standard for monitoring programs is manual microscopic counting, which strongly limits sample number and sampling frequency. In contrast, high‐throughput technologies like standard flow cytometry (FCM) are restricted to a low taxonomic resolution, which makes them unsuitable for the identification of indicator species. Imaging flow cytometers (IFC) could overcome these limitations as they combine microscopy and high‐throughput analysis. In comparison to single fluorescence values, image information not only allows for a wide variety of possibilities to characterize different species as well as immediate and fast measurements but also provides an archivable data output. Taxonomic resolution of IFC (ImageStream X Mk II) was proven comparable to standard FCM (FACSAria II) by the help of numerical evaluations. This is demonstrated on different levels of taxonomic differentiation of laboratory grown cultures in this study. Phytoplankton species discrimination by an imaging flow cytometer could be useful as supportive tool to make machine‐learning classifications more robust, reliable, and flexible. Furthermore, this study provides examples, demonstrating the possibility of discrimination between species with similar fluorescence properties, strains, and even subpopulations. In contrast to standard FCM, each cell is not only represented as a dot in a cytogram but is also linked to microscopic brightfield and the author presents a new way to visualize this as image‐based cytograms. The source code is supplied and could be useful for all kind of IFC data in general. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Anterior trunk muscle shows mix of axial and appendicular developmental patterns
Authors: Sagarin Kathleen A. , Redgrave Anna C. , Mosimann Christian , Burke Ann C. , Devoto Stephen H.
Published: August 2019

Background

Skeletal muscle in the trunk derives from the somites, paired segments of paraxial mesoderm. Whereas axial musculature develops within the somite, appendicular muscle develops following migration of muscle precursors into lateral plate mesoderm. The development of muscles bridging axial and appendicular systems appears mixed.

Results

We examine development of three migratory muscle precursor‐derived muscles in zebrafish: the sternohyoideus (SH), pectoral fin (PF), and posterior hypaxial (PHM) muscles. We show there is an anterior to posterior gradient to the developmental gene expression and maturation of these three muscles. SH muscle precursors exhibit a long delay between migration and differentiation, PF muscle precursors exhibit a moderate delay in differentiation, and PHM muscle precursors show virtually no delay between migration and differentiation. Using lineage tracing, we show that lateral plate contribution to the PHM muscle is minor, unlike its known extensive contribution to the PF muscle and absence in the ventral extension of axial musculature.

Conclusions

We propose that PHM development is intermediate between a migratory muscle mode and an axial muscle mode of development, wherein the PHM differentiates after a very short migration of its precursors and becomes more anterior primarily by elongation of differentiated muscle fibers.
Yes‐associated protein expression in germ cells is dispensable for spermatogenesis in mice
Authors: Abou Nader Nour , Levasseur Adrien , Zhang Xiangfan , Boerboom Derek , Nagano Makoto C. , Boyer Alexandre
Published: August 2019

Yes‐associated protein (YAP), a key effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, is expressed in the nucleus of spermatogonia in mice, suggesting a potential role in spermatogenesis. Here, we report the generation of a conditional knockout mouse model (Yapflox/flox; Ddx4cre/+) that specifically inactivates Yap in the germ cells. The inactivation of Yap in spermatogonia was found to be highly efficient in this model. The loss of Yap in the germ cells had no observable effect on spermatogenesis in vivo. Histological examination of the testes showed no structural differences between mutant animals and age‐matched Yapflox/flox controls, nor was any differences detected in gonadosomatic index, expression of germ cell markers or sperm counts. Cluster‐forming assay using undifferentiated spermatogonia, including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), also showed that YAP is dispensable for SSC cluster formation in vitro. However, an increase in the expression of spermatogenesis and oogenesis basic helix–loop–helix 1 (Sohlh1) and neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) was observed in clusters derived from Yapflox/flox; Ddx4cre/+ animals. Taken together, these results suggest that YAP fine‐tunes the expression of genes associated with spermatogonial fate commitment, but that its loss is not sufficient to alter spermatogenesis in vivo.
Last exit before the brink: Conservation genomics of the Cambodian population of the critically endangered southern river terrapin
Authors: Çilingir F. Gözde , Seah Adeline , Horne Brian D. , Som Sitha , Bickford David P. , Rheindt Frank E.
Published: August 2019

The southern river terrapin, Batagur affinis is one of the world's 25 most endangered freshwater turtle species. The major portion of the global population is currently found in peninsular Malaysia, with the only remnant Indochinese population in southern Cambodia. For more than a decade, wild nests in this remnant Cambodian population have been fenced and hatchlings reared in captivity. Here we amplified 10 microsatellite markers from all 136 captive individuals, obtained 2,658 presumably unlinked and neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms from 72 samples with ddRAD‐seq, and amplified 784 bp of mtDNA from 50 samples. Our results reveal that the last Indochinese population comprised only four kinship groups as of 2012, with all offspring sired from <10 individuals in the wild. We demonstrate an obvious decrease in genetic contributions of breeders in the wild from 2006–2012 and identify high‐value breeders instrumental for ex‐situ management of the contemporary genetic stock of the species.
Evolution and losses of spines in slug caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)
Authors: Lin Yu‐Chi , Lin Rung‐Juen , Braby Michael F. , Hsu Yu‐Feng
Published: August 2019

Larvae of the cosmopolitan family Limacodidae, commonly known as “slug” caterpillars, are well known because of the widespread occurrence of spines with urticating properties, a morpho‐chemical adaptive trait that has been demonstrated to protect the larvae from natural enemies. However, while most species are armed with rows of spines (“nettle” caterpillars), slug caterpillars are morphologically diverse with some species lacking spines and thus are nonstinging. It has been demonstrated that the evolution of spines in slug caterpillars may have a single origin and that this trait is possibly derived from nonstinging slug caterpillars, but these conclusions were based on limited sampling of mainly New World taxa; thus, the evolution of spines and other traits within the family remains unresolved. Here, we analyze morphological variation in slug caterpillars within an evolutionary framework to determine character evolution of spines with samples from Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. The phylogeny of the Limacodidae was reconstructed based on a multigene dataset comprising five molecular markers (5.6 Kbp: COI, 28S, 18S, EF‐1α, and wingless) representing 45 species from 40 genera and eight outgroups. Based on this phylogeny, we infer that limacodids evolved from a common ancestor in which the larval type possessed spines, and then slug caterpillars without spines evolved independently multiple times in different continents. While larvae with spines are well adapted to avoiding generalist predators, our results imply that larvae without spines may be suited to different ecological niches. Systematic relationships of our dataset indicate six major lineages, several of which have not previously been identified.
Spin‐thermoelectric voltage in longitudinal SSE elements incorporating LPE YIG films and polycrystalline YIG slabs with an ultrathin Pt layer
Authors: Imamura Masaaki , Asada Hironori , Tashima Daisuke , Kitagawa Jiro
Published: August 2019

A spin‐thermoelectric (STE) voltage is generated when a temperature gradient ∇T is applied to an element having a thin Pt layer coated on a magnetic substance. In this study, yttrium iron garnet (YIG) ferrimagnetic films prepared by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) were tested as magnetic insulators. In addition, polycrystalline YIG slabs were tested to compare the STE voltages of film and slab samples. In a Pt coating and YIG film bilayer structure made by an ultrathin Pt layer of 1‐4 nm thickness and an LPE film of approximately 10 µm thickness, a large STE voltage of 600 µV was observed at a probe distance of 5 mm with a temperature difference ∆T of 30 K. On the other hand, the STE voltage of a Pt layer and YIG slab bilayer structure was 340 µV, which is roughly half of that of the Pt/YIG‐film element. The cause of the large voltage observed experimentally for the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect element incorporating an LPE YIG film was discussed mainly from the viewpoint of the Pt layer resistivity and the effects of YIG specimen surface conditions on crystallinity and the magnetization process.
Physics‐based model of lithium‐ion batteries running on a circuit simulator
Authors: Sato Kosuke , Kono Akihiko , Urushibata Hiroaki , Fujita Yoji , Koyama Masato
Published: August 2019

The authors developed a physics‐based equivalent circuit model of a lithium‐ion battery (LIB) whose parameters are continually updated, reflecting the theoretical calculation results of the Butler‐Volmer equation, diffusion equations of the lithium‐ion and lithium, and Nernst equations of the liquid and solid phases. The developed model was applied to the charge/discharge simulations of an LIB, and the experimental and simulated results of constant current discharges and pulsed‐charge/discharge were found to be in excellent agreement. In particular, using the developed model, analyzing transient responses of the LIB derived from the transition of the electric double layer charging to the electrode reaction is possible. These results demonstrate that the electrochemical performance of an LIB can be calculated on a circuit simulator using the developed model.
Mixotrophic cultivation of Scenedesmus dimorphus in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate
Authors: Manzoor Maleeha , Ahmad Qurat‐ul‐Ain , Aslam Ambreen , Jabeen Faiza , Rasul Azhar , Schenk Peer M. , Qazi Javed I.
Published: August 2019

Overuse of the fossil fuels to fulfill existing energy requirements has generated various environmental problems like global warming. Emergence of environmental issues due to burning of the fossil fuel resources has provoked researchers to explore alternative sources of fuel. In this scenario, microalgal biofuels could present a promising alternative fuel if produced cost‐effectively without competing for freshwater resources and arable land. Aim of the present study was to grow microalgae by employing lignocellulosic waste for production of lipids. Scenedesmus dimorphus NT8c was chosen based on its ability to tolerate heat, rapid growth, and ease of harvesting by overnight settling. Biochemical composition and growth parameters of microalgae were analyzed when cultivated mixotrophically on sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, a low‐value agricultural by‐product, that is, currently underutilized. Despite a slight increase in turbidity in the medium, S. dimorphus NT8c cultures raised mixotrophically in 5 g/L sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate displayed significantly higher growth rates compared to photoautotrophic cultivation with an overall biomass productivity of 119.5 mg L d−1, protein contents of 34.82% and fatty acid contents of 15.41%. Thus, microalgae cultivated mixotrophically are capable of photosynthesizing while metabolizing and assimilating organic carbon, significant increases of biomass and lipid productivity can be achieved. However, high supplementation with organic carbon can result in unfavorable levels of turbidity and bacterial growth, reducing microalgal biomass productivity.
Adsorption and dissociation of H2 on Al4Sim (m = 2, 3, and 4) clusters
Authors: Ma Li , Li Jinyun , Chen Hongshan
Published: August 2019

Hydrogen in alanates forms unit and the bonding strength depends on the electron donor property of the metal atoms. The electronic structures of Al─Si clusters are similar to metal clusters but the Al atom is a weaker electron donor than that in light metal alanates, so hydrogen may form weaker Al─H bonds in Al─Si systems. This article studies the adsorption and dissociation of H2 on Al4Si
m (m = 2, 3, and 4) clusters by using density functional theory. The physisorption of H2 molecules on Al4Si
m is very weak, the average binding energies of two H atoms on Al4Si
m fall in the range –0.61 to –1.50 eV. It suggests that Al─Si hydrides can be candidates for hydrogen storage at ambient conditions. The investigation on the H2 dissociation processes shows that the lowest energy barrier is 0.76 eV, which implies that H2 dissociation can occur at moderate temperatures.
Performance and evaluation of calcined limestone as catalyst in biodiesel production from high viscous nonedible oil
Authors: Bharadwaj A. V. S. L. Sai , Niju S. , Meera Sheriffa Begum K. M. , Narayanan Anantharaman
Published: August 2019

Biodiesel production by transesterification of rubber seed oil (RSO) using calcium oxide (CaO) derived from calcined limestone as a heterogeneous catalyst is presented in this study. Optimization of process parameters affecting the conversion of RSO to biodiesel is done by design of experiments (DOE) and an effective comparison of two different optimization methods, namely, response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) is presented. A high conversion of 95.2% was obtained at 12:1 methanol: Oil molar ratio, 4 (wt%) catalyst and 5 hr of reaction time. The proposed design model of RSM is found to fit well with the predicted conversion and with molar ratio and reaction time as the significant process parameters affecting the conversion. Best validation performance of 8.8991 occurred at epoch 4 with a mean square error (MSE) of 1.55 in ANN model trained with Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. By comparing the predicted coefficient of determination, R2, values of 0.8452 obtained by using RSM, and 0.9939 obtained by using ANN for biodiesel conversion, it is concluded that ANN model is the best model for predicting the percentage conversion of RSO to biodiesel with minimum error between experimental and predicted values.
Real‐world experience with decitabine as a first‐line treatment in 306 elderly acute myeloid leukaemia patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy
Authors: Bocchia Monica , Candoni Anna , Borlenghi Erika , Defina Marzia , Filì Carla , Cattaneo Chiara , Sammartano Vincenzo , Fanin Renato , Sciumè Margherita , Sicuranza Anna , Imbergamo Silvia , Riva Marta , Fracchiolla Nicola , Latagliata Roberto , Caizzi Emanuela , Mazziotta Francesco , Alunni Giulia , Di Bona Eros , Crugnola Monica , Rossi Marianna , Consoli Ugo , Fontanelli Giulia , Greco Giuseppina , Nadali Gianpaolo , Rotondo Francesco , Todisco Elisabetta , Bigazzi Catia , Capochiani Enrico , Molteni Alfredo , Bernardi Massimo , Fumagalli Monica , Rondoni Michela , Scappini Barbara , Ermacora Anna , Simonetti Federico , Gottardi Michele , Lambertenghi Deliliers Daniela , Michieli Mariagrazia , Basilico Claudia , Galeone Carlotta , Pelucchi Claudio , Rossi Giuseppe
Published: August 2019

Despite widespread use of decitabine to treat acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), data on its effectiveness and safety in the real‐world setting are scanty. Thus, to analyze the performance of decitabine in clinical practice, we pooled together patient‐level data of three multicentric observational studies conducted since 2013 throughout Italy, including 306 elderly AML patients (median age 75 years), unfit for intensive chemotherapy, treated with first‐line decitabine therapy at the registered schedule of 20 mg/m2/iv daily for 5 days every 4 weeks. Overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) curves, and multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) of all‐cause mortality were computed. Overall, 1940 cycles of therapy were administered (median, 5 cycles/patient). A total of 148 subjects were responders and, therefore, ORR was 48.4%. Seventy‐one patients (23.2%) had complete remission, 32 (10.5%) had partial remission, and 45 (14.7%) had haematologic improvement. Median OS was 11.6 months for patients with favourable‐intermediate cytogenetic risk and 7.9 months for those with adverse cytogenetic risk. Median relapse‐free survival after CR was 10.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.7‐16.0). In multivariate analysis, mortality was higher in patients with adverse cytogenetic risk (HR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.13‐2.21) and increased continuously with white blood cell (WBC) count (HR=1.12; 95% CI: 1.06‐1.18). A total of 183 infectious adverse events occurred in 136 patients mainly (>90%) within the first five cycles of therapy. This pooled analysis of clinical care studies confirmed, outside of clinical trials, the effectiveness of decitabine as first‐line therapy for AML in elderly patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. An adverse cytogenetic profile and a higher WBC count at diagnosis were, in this real life setting, unfavourable predictors of survival.
China's policy experimentation on long‐term care insurance: Implications for access
Authors: Zhu Yumei , Österle August
Published: August 2019

China's population is aging rapidly, while the traditional long‐term care (LTC) system that heavily relies on families is eroding. In response, China has embarked on a journey of policy experimentation for long‐term care insurance (LTCI) since 2016, launching LTCI pilots in 15 pioneer cities. These pilots have a great diversity in participation, eligibility, and provision. This paper estimates the prevalence of LTC needs and analyzes the impact of the LTCI pilots on access. Although substantial progress has been achieved, the overall coverage of LTCI is still relatively small, and a large proportion of vulnerable people needing LTC seem to be left behind because of the strict eligibility criteria. This analysis suggests that future policy experimentation on LTCI reform in China needs to address the following pressing policy issues: expanding the coverage of LTCI; narrowing rural–urban disparities in access; improving access for vulnerable subpopulations; and reducing the heavy reliance on institutional care.
Health system strengthening—Reflections on its meaning, assessment, and our state of knowledge
Authors: Witter Sophie , Palmer Natasha , Balabanova Dina , Mounier‐Jack Sandra , Martineau Tim , Klicpera Anna , Jensen Charity , Pugliese‐Garcia Miguel , Gilson Lucy
Published: August 2019

Comprehensive reviews of health system strengthening (HSS) interventions are rare, partly because of lack of clarity on definitions of the term but also the potentially huge scale of the evidence. We reflect on the process of undertaking such an evidence review recently, drawing out suggestions on definitions of HSS and approaches to assessment, as well as summarising some key conclusions from the current evidence base. The key elements of a clear definition include, in our view, consideration of scope (with effects cutting across building blocks in practice, even if not in intervention design, and also tackling more than one disease), scale (having national reach and cutting across levels of the system), sustainability (effects being sustained over time and addressing systemic blockages), and effects (impacting on health outcomes, equity, financial risk protection, and responsiveness). We also argue that agreeing a framework for design and evaluation of HSS is urgent. Most HSS interventions have theories of change relating to specific system blocks, but more work is needed on capturing their spillover effects and their contribution to meeting overarching health system process goals. We make some initial suggestions about such goals, to reflect the features that characterise a “strong health system.” We highlight that current findings on “what works” are just indicative, given the limitations and biases in what has been studied and how, and argue that there is need to rethink evaluation methods for HSS beyond finite interventions and narrow outcomes. Clearer concepts, frameworks, and methods can support more coherent HSS investment.
Hidden group patterns in democracy developments: Bayesian inference for grouped heterogeneity
Authors: Kim Jaeho , Wang Le
Published: August 2019

We propose a nonparametric Bayesian approach to estimate time‐varying grouped patterns of heterogeneity in linear panel data models. Unlike the classical approach in Bonhomme and Manresa (Econometrica, 2015, 83, 1147–1184), our approach can accommodate selection of the optimal number of groups and model estimation jointly, and also be readily extended to quantify uncertainties in the estimated group structure. Our proposed approach performs well in Monte Carlo simulations. Using our approach, we successfully replicate the estimated relationship between income and democracy in Bonhomme and Manresa and the group characteristics when we use the same number of groups. Furthermore, we find that the optimal number of groups could depend on model specifications on heteroskedasticity and discuss ways to choose models in practice.
The effect of oil supply shocks on US economic activity: What have we learned?
Authors: Herrera Ana María , Rangaraju Sandeep Kumar
Published: August 2019

Estimated responses of real oil prices and US gross domestic product (GDP) to oil supply disruptions vary widely. We show that most variation is attributable to differences in identification assumptions and in the model specification. Models that allow for a large short‐run price elasticity of oil supply imply a larger response of oil prices and a larger, longer lived contraction in US real GDP. We find that, if we condition on a range of supply elasticity values supported by microeconomic estimates, the differences in the oil price responses diminishes. We also examine the role of lag length, of using pre‐1973 data, alternative measures of real economic activity and using the median response function instead of the modal structural model.
Mitochondria could be a potential key mediator linking the intestinal microbiota to depression
Authors: Chen Jiezhong , Vitetta Luis
Published: August 2019

The intestinal microbiota has been reported to affect depression, a common mental condition with severe health‐related consequences. However, what mediates the effect of the intestinal microbiota on depression has not been well elucidated. We summarize the roles of the mitochondria in eliciting beneficial effects on the gut microbiota to ameliorate symptoms of depression. It is well known that mitochondria play a key role in depression. An important pathogenic factor, namely inflammatory response, may adversely impact mitochondrial functionality to maintain cellular homeostasis. Dysfunction of mitochondria not only affects neuronal function but also reduces neuron cell numbers. We posit that the intestinal microbiota could affect neuronal mitochondrial function through short‐chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Brain inflammatory processes could also be affected through the modulation of gut permeability and blood lipopolysaccharide levels. Aberrant mitochondria functionality coupled to adverse cellular homeostasis could be a key mediator for the effect of the intestinal microbiota on the progression of depression.
Differentially expressed circular RNAs in maternal and neonatal umbilical cord plasma from SGA compared with AGA
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Shu‐Fang , Dang Yu‐Jiao , Shi Xiao‐Ming , Chen Lian , Wang Nan , Cai You , Zhao Yang‐Yu
Published: August 2019

Small for gestational age (SGA) has a high risk of mortality and morbidity and is common in obstetrics. To date, no effective prediction and treatment tools are available. Acting as microRNA (miRNA) sponges and disease biomarkers are clear functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs). However, it is still unknown what role circRNAs act in SGA. To explore the role of circRNAs in SGA, circRNA expression patterns of the umbilical cord and maternal plasma in SGA was assessed. We first evaluated circRNAs in umbilical cord blood of the SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) groups by microarray sequencing. In total, 170 340 circRNAs were sequenced, and 144 circRNAs were significantly upregulated while 977 were markedly downregulated. Has_circRNA15994‐13, has_circ_0001359, and has_circ_0001360 were abundant and differentially expressed between the SGA and AGA groups, and confirmed in the umbilical cord and maternal blood specimens by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. By combining miRNA microarray data of the SGA placenta tissue in NCBI, it was found that two miRNAs were both hsa_circRNA15994‐13 targets and differentially expressed, including hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p and hsa‐miR‐4741. Further KEEG analysis revealed that the most significant pathway enriched by hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p was Wnt signaling that is closely related to SGA; meanwhile, previous reports demonstrated that hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p directly binds to β‐catenin to accommodate the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, whereby the suggestive hsa_circRNA15994‐13 → hsa‐miR‐3619‐5p → β‐catenin signaling pathway may play an important part in SGA.
Computer simulation to investigate magnetic and wave‐absorbing characteristics of iron nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Chuan‐Wen , Liu Min‐Hsien , Tai Chung‐Chieh , Kuo Bing‐Cheng , Chen Cheng‐Lung , Shen Hua‐Zhen
Published: August 2019

Computer simulations were carried out to investigate the magnetic and wave‐absorbing characteristics of iron nanoparticles. The magnetic properties were found to depend on the shape, aggregation, and array of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticle systems were simulated using a molecular dynamics (MD) method, and the resulting configurations were used to compute the magnetic properties of the systems. In this work, microdot magnetic dipoles were assumed to localize on the iron atoms of nanoparticles. The dynamics of these magnetic dipoles under an external magnetic field were simulated by solving the Landau‐Lifshitz‐Gilbert equation numerically. The energy loss of a system under an external magnetic field was computed from the hysteresis curve and was correlated with the wave‐absorbing characteristic of the system. The findings suggested that the disk‐shaped iron particles had a greater hysteresis loss energy than the ball‐shaped iron particles. It was also found that the aggregation of nanoparticles apparently reduced the wave‐absorbing characteristic of the system. All the outcomes were in good agreement with the experimental measurements.