bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting Integrins in Cancer Nanomedicine: Applications in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Wu Ping-Hsiu , Opadele Abayomi Emmanuel , Onodera Yasuhito , Nam Jin-Min
Published: November 2019

Due to advancements in nanotechnology, the application of nanosized materials (nanomaterials) in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics has become a leading area in cancer research. The decoration of nanomaterial surfaces with biological ligands is a major strategy for directing the actions of nanomaterials specifically to cancer cells. These ligands can bind to specific receptors on the cell surface and enable nanomaterials to actively target cancer cells. Integrins are one of the cell surface receptors that regulate the communication between cells and their microenvironment. Several integrins are overexpressed in many types of cancer cells and the tumor microvasculature and function in the mediation of various cellular events. Therefore, the surface modification of nanomaterials with integrin-specific ligands not only increases their binding affinity to cancer cells but also enhances the cellular uptake of nanomaterials through the intracellular trafficking of integrins. Moreover, the integrin-specific ligands themselves interfere with cancer migration and invasion by interacting with integrins, and this finding provides a novel direction for new treatment approaches in cancer nanomedicine. This article reviews the integrin-specific ligands that have been used in cancer nanomedicine and provides an overview of the recent progress in cancer diagnostics and therapeutic strategies involving the use of integrin-targeted nanomaterials.
Facile Synthesis of High Performance Iron Oxide/Carbon Nanocatalysts Derived from the Calcination of Ferrocenium for the Decomposition of Methylene Blue
Authors: Poonsawat Thinnaphat , Techalertmanee Thanyaphat , Chumkaeo Peerapong , Yunita Isti , Meechai Titiya , Namkajorn Montree , Pornsuwan Soraya , Somsook Ekasith
Published: November 2019

Iron oxide/carbon nanocatalysts were successfully synthesized by the calcination of ferrocenium at high temperatures ranging from 500 to 900 °C. Then the synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), VSM (Vibrating-Sample Magnetometry), BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), XPS (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance), and CHN elemental analysis. The prepared nanocatalysts were applied for the decomposition of methylene blue as a model in wastewater treatment. It was unexpected to discover that the prepared nanocatalysts were highly active for the reaction with methylene blue in the dark even though no excess of hydrogen peroxide was added. The nanocatalyst calcined at 800 °C exhibited the rod shape with the best catalytic activity. The nanocatalysts could be reused for 12 times without the significant loss of the catalytic activity.
Oligodendrocytes in Development, Myelin Generation and Beyond
Authors: Kuhn Sarah , Gritti Laura , Crooks Daniel , Dombrowski Yvonne
Published: November 2019

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that are generated from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC). OPC are distributed throughout the CNS and represent a pool of migratory and proliferative adult progenitor cells that can differentiate into oligodendrocytes. The central function of oligodendrocytes is to generate myelin, which is an extended membrane from the cell that wraps tightly around axons. Due to this energy consuming process and the associated high metabolic turnover oligodendrocytes are vulnerable to cytotoxic and excitotoxic factors. Oligodendrocyte pathology is therefore evident in a range of disorders including multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Deceased oligodendrocytes can be replenished from the adult OPC pool and lost myelin can be regenerated during remyelination, which can prevent axonal degeneration and can restore function. Cell population studies have recently identified novel immunomodulatory functions of oligodendrocytes, the implications of which, e.g., for diseases with primary oligodendrocyte pathology, are not yet clear. Here, we review the journey of oligodendrocytes from the embryonic stage to their role in homeostasis and their fate in disease. We will also discuss the most common models used to study oligodendrocytes and describe newly discovered functions of oligodendrocytes.
Identification of A Novel Class of Benzofuran Oxoacetic Acid-Derived Ligands that Selectively Activate Cellular EPAC1
Authors: Beck Elizabeth M. , Parnell Euan , Cowley Angela , Porter Alison , Gillespie Jonathan , Robinson John , Robinson Lindsay , Pannifer Andrew D. , Hamon Veronique , Jones Philip , Morrison Angus , McElroy Stuart , Timmerman Martin , Rutjes Helma , Mahajan Pravin , Wiejak Jolanta , Luchowska-Stańska Urszula , Morgan David , Barker Graeme , Rehmann Holger , Yarwood Stephen J.
Published: November 2019

Cyclic AMP promotes EPAC1 and EPAC2 activation through direct binding to a specific cyclic nucleotide-binding domain (CNBD) within each protein, leading to activation of Rap GTPases, which control multiple cell responses, including cell proliferation, adhesion, morphology, exocytosis, and gene expression. As a result, it has become apparent that directed activation of EPAC1 and EPAC2 with synthetic agonists may also be useful for the future treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. To identify new EPAC agonists we have developed a fluorescent-based, ultra-high-throughput screening (uHTS) assay that measures the displacement of binding of the fluorescent cAMP analogue, 8-NBD-cAMP to the EPAC1 CNBD. Triage of the output of an approximately 350,000 compound screens using this assay identified a benzofuran oxaloacetic acid EPAC1 binder (SY000) that displayed moderate potency using orthogonal assays (competition binding and microscale thermophoresis). We next generated a limited library of 91 analogues of SY000 and identified SY009, with modifications to the benzofuran ring associated with a 10-fold increase in potency towards EPAC1 over SY000 in binding assays. In vitro EPAC1 activity assays confirmed the agonist potential of these molecules in comparison with the known EPAC1 non-cyclic nucleotide (NCN) partial agonist, I942. Rap1 GTPase activation assays further demonstrated that SY009 selectively activates EPAC1 over EPAC2 in cells. SY009 therefore represents a novel class of NCN EPAC1 activators that selectively activate EPAC1 in cellulae.
A Peptide–Lectin Fusion Strategy for Developing a Glycan Probe for Use in Various Assay Formats
Authors: Lim Butaek , Kydd LeNaiya , Jaworski Justyn
Published: November 2019

While nucleic acid and protein analysis approaches continue to see significant breakthroughs, analytical strategies for glycan determination have by comparison seen slower technological advances. Here we provide a strategy for glycan probe development using an engineered lectin fusion that can be incorporated into various common pathology lab assay formats including Western blot and agglutination assays. In this proof of concept, we use the natural lectin, Pseudomonas fluorescens agglutinin (PFA), capable of binding core Man alpha(1-3)-Man alpha(1-6)-Man units, where this lectin has previously been shown to bind to the glycans presented by the gp120 coat protein of (HIV) Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In our strategy, we engineered the lectin to possess a fusion of the biotin mimetic tag equence of amino acids V-S-H-P-Q-A-P-F. With the glycan receptive PFA directly linked to the biotin mimic, we could facilitate a probe for various standard clinical assay formats by virtue of coupling to streptavidin-HRP (horseradish peroxidase) or streptavidin beads for Western blot and agglutination assays respectively. We found the PFA fusion retained low nanomolar affinity for gp120 by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and microscale thermophoresis. This probe engineering strategy proved effective in the relevant assay formats that may now allow detection for the presence of glycans containing the core Man alpha(1-3)-Man alpha(1-6)-Man units recognized by PFA.
Radiomics Analysis on Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography Images for Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Losurdo Liliana , Fanizzi Annarita , Basile Teresa Maria A. , Bellotti Roberto , Bottigli Ubaldo , Dentamaro Rosalba , Didonna Vittorio , Lorusso Vito , Massafra Raffaella , Tamborra Pasquale , Tagliafico Alberto , Tangaro Sabina , La Forgia Daniele
Published: November 2019

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography is one of the latest diagnostic tool for breast care; therefore, the literature is poor in radiomics image analysis useful to drive the development of automatic diagnostic support systems. In this work, we propose a preliminary exploratory analysis to evaluate the impact of different sets of textural features in the discrimination of benign and malignant breast lesions. The analysis is performed on 55 ROIs extracted from 51 patients referred to Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II” of Bari (Italy) from the breast cancer screening phase between March 2017 and June 2018. We extracted feature sets by calculating statistical measures on original ROIs, gradiented images, Haar decompositions of the same original ROIs, and on gray-level co-occurrence matrices of the each sub-ROI obtained by Haar transform. First, we evaluated the overall impact of each feature set on the diagnosis through a principal component analysis by training a support vector machine classifier. Then, in order to identify a sub-set for each set of features with higher diagnostic power, we developed a feature importance analysis by means of wrapper and embedded methods. Finally, we trained an SVM classifier on each sub-set of previously selected features to compare their classification performances with respect to those of the overall set. We found a sub-set of significant features extracted from the original ROIs with a diagnostic accuracy greater than 80 % . The features extracted from each sub-ROI decomposed by two levels of Haar transform were predictive only when they were all used without any selection, reaching the best mean accuracy of about 80 % . Moreover, most of the significant features calculated by HAAR decompositions and their GLCMs were extracted from recombined CESM images. Our pilot study suggested that textural features could provide complementary information about the characterization of breast lesions. In particular, we found a sub-set of significant features extracted from the original ROIs, gradiented ROI images, and GLCMs calculated from each sub-ROI previously decomposed by the Haar transform.
Impact of Investor Behavior and Stock Market Liquidity: Evidence from China
Authors: Hu Shulan , Zhong Meiling , Cai Yanli
Published: November 2019

Investor behavior is one of the important factors that affects market liquidity. It is very interesting to find out how investor behavior affects stock market liquidity. The Investor sentiment changes and information cognitive ability affect not only their expected returns but also market liquidity through short-selling restrained market behavior. This paper gives a comprehensive index of investor sentiment based on the entropy method. According to the empirical analysis based on evidence from China, we obtain the following results: The investor sentiment has a positive impact on market liquidity; the development of margin trading has curbed the positive impact of investor sentiment on market liquidity; the information cognitive ability has a negative impact on market liquidity; the explosive information volume enhances the market liquidity in the bull, weakens the market liquidity in the bear, and has no significant impact while shocked.
Intelligent On-Off Web Defacement Attacks and Random Monitoring-Based Detection Algorithms
Authors: Cho Youngho
Published: November 2019

Recent cyberattacks armed with various ICT (information and communication technology) techniques are becoming advanced, sophisticated and intelligent. In security research field and practice, it is a common and reasonable assumption that attackers are intelligent enough to discover security vulnerabilities of security defense mechanisms and thus avoid the defense systems’ detection and prevention activities. Web defacement attacks refer to a series of attacks that illegally modify web pages for malicious purposes, and are one of the serious ongoing cyber threats that occur globally. Detection methods against such attacks can be classified into either server-based approaches or client-based approaches, and there are pros and cons for each approach. From our extensive survey on existing client-based defense methods, we found a critical security vulnerability which can be exploited by intelligent attackers. In this paper, we report the security vulnerability in existing client-based detection methods with a fixed monitoring cycle and present novel intelligent on-off web defacement attacks exploiting such vulnerability. Next, we propose to use a random monitoring strategy as a promising countermeasure against such attacks, and design two random monitoring defense algorithms: (1) Uniform Random Monitoring Algorithm (URMA), and (2) Attack Damage-Based Random Monitoring Algorithm (ADRMA). In addition, we present extensive experiment results to validate our idea and show the detection performance of our random monitoring algorithms. According to our experiment results, our random monitoring detection algorithms can quickly detect various intelligent web defacement on-off attacks (AM1, AM2, and AM3), and thus do not allow huge attack damage in terms of the number of defaced slots when compared with an existing fixed periodic monitoring algorithm (FPMA).
Huff-n-Puff Experimental Studies of CO2 with Heavy Oil
Authors: Shilov Evgeny , Cheremisin Alexey , Maksakov Kirill , Kharlanov Sergey
Published: November 2019

This work is devoted to CO2 Huff-n-Puff studies on heavy oil. Oil recovery for heavy oil reservoirs is sufficiently small in comparison with conventional reservoirs, and, due to the physical limitation of oil flow through porous media, a strong need for better understanding of tertiary recovery mechanisms of heavy oil exists. Notwithstanding that the idea of Huff-n-Puff gas injection technology for enhanced oil recovery has existed for dozens of years, there is still no any precise methodology for evaluating the applicability and efficiency of this technology in heavy oil reservoirs. Oil recovery factor is a question of vital importance for heavy oil reservoirs. In this work, we repeated Huff-n-Puff tests more than three times at five distinct pressure points to evaluate the applicability and efficiency of CO2 Huff-n-Puff injection to the heavy oil reservoirs. Additionally, the most critical factor that affects oil recovery in gas injection operation is the condition of miscibility. Experimental data allowed to distinguish the mixing zone of the light fractions of studied heavy oil samples. The experimental results showed that the pressure increase in the Huff-n-Puff injection process does not affect the oil recovery when the injection pressure stays between miscibility pressure of light components of oil and minimum miscibility pressure. It was detected that permeability decreases after Huff-n-Puff CO2 tests.
Hardware Approach to Mitigate the Effects of Module Mismatch in a Grid-connected Photovoltaic System: A Review
Authors: Bassi Hussain , Salam Zainal , Ramli Mohd Zulkifli , Sindi Hatem , Rawa Muhyaddin
Published: November 2019

This study reviews the hardware approach to mitigate the effects of module mismatch in a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system. Unlike software solutions, i.e. the maximum power tracking algorithm, hardware techniques are well suited to enhance energy yield because of their inherent ability to extract energy from the mismatched module. Despite the extra cost of the additional circuitry, hardware techniques have recently gained popularity because of their long-term financial benefits. Notwithstanding the growing interest in this topic, review papers that provide updates on the technological developments of the three main hardware solutions, namely micro inverter, DC power optimizer, and energy recovery circuits, are lacking. This is in contrast to software solutions, which have had a considerable number of reputable reviews. Thus, a comprehensive review paper is appropriate at this juncture to provide up-to-date information on the latest topologies, highlight their merits/drawbacks, and evaluate their comparative performance.
Assessment of Iron Oxide (III)–Therminol 66 Nanofluid as a Novel Working Fluid in a Convective Radiator Heating System for Buildings
Authors: Sarafraz M. , Dareh Baghi Alireza , Safaei Mohammad , Leon Arturo , Ghomashchi R. , Goodarzi Marjan , Lin Cheng-Xian
Published: November 2019

This work investigates the use of iron oxide (III)–therminol 66 oil-based nanosuspensions in a convective heating system with potential heating applications in the buildings sector. In an experimental study, characteristics of nanofluids were measured, including heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and density. The influences of mass flow rate and concentration of nanofluid on various parameters were quantified, such as pressure loss, friction coefficient, and heat transfer rate. For a concentration of 0.3 wt.%, the heat transfer increased by 46.3% and the pressure drop increased by 37.5%. The latter is due to the higher friction and viscosity of the bulk of the nanofluid. Although the pressure drop is higher, the thermo-hydraulic efficiency still increased by 19%. As a result, iron oxide (III)–therminol 66 presented reasonable thermal performance, higher heat transfer coefficient, and a lower pressure drop value (19% better performance in comparison with water) for the air–liquid convective system. Results also showed that for nanosuspensions at 0.3 wt.%, the friction factor of the system increased by 10% in comparison with the performance of the system with water.
Reconstruction of Landslide Activity Using Dendrogeomorphological Analysis in the Karavanke Mountains in NW Slovenia
Authors: Oven Domen , Levanič Tomislav , Jež Jernej , Kobal Milan
Published: November 2019

Tree ring eccentricity was used to reconstruct landslide activity in the last 138 years in the Urbas landslide located at Potoška planina in the NW part of the Karavanke Mountains, Slovenia. The research was based on the dendrochronological sampling of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in areas of varying landslide intensity. Analysis of a sudden change in the eccentricity index of 82 curved trees concluded that there were 139 growth disturbances and 16 landslide reactivations between 1880 and 2015, with a landslide return period of 8.5 years. Using lidar data, changes in the surface of the digital terrain model (DTM) were compared with changes in the eccentricity index of trees at the same location in the period 2014–2017. On the basis of temporal changes in the eccentricity index and by using spatial interpolation, landslide activity was reconstructed for the period 1943–2015. During this period, landslide intensity increased in the central part of the landslide. Although categorization into seven categories of different stem curvature was proposed, no distinction between categories with respect to their eccentricity index was found.
Does Drought Stress on Seedlings Have Longer Term Effects on Sapling Phenology, Reshooting, Growth and Plant Architecture in Quercus robur, Q. petraea and Their Morphological Intermediates?
Authors: Vander Mijnsbrugge Kristine , Turcsan Arion , Moreels Stefaan , Van Goethem Michiel , Meeus Steven , Van der Aa Beatrijs
Published: November 2019

Background and Objectives: Summer droughts are expected to increase in central and western Europe both in terms of frequency and intensity, justifying studies on longer term legacies of drought stress on tree species and their hybrids. Materials and Methods: We studied the longer-term after effects of water withholding and re-watering in the first growing season of potted seedlings from the sympatric species Quercus robur L., Q. petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and their morphological intermediates. Phenology, growth, and plant architecture were examined after a cut-back of the stems at the end of the third growing season. Results: The legacy of the first-year water limitation is faded in the phenological response. Nonetheless, leaf senescence occurred later in offspring from Q. robur than in offspring from Q. petraea at the end of the fourth growing season and leafing out tended to be later in the subsequent growing season. Offspring from the intermediate forms displayed variable phenological responses. Height and radial growth were still affected by the drought stress in a taxon-dependent way, with the offspring from Q. petraea displaying growth reduction both in height and diameter, whereas offspring from Q. robur did not show any differences anymore between control and treated plants, demonstrating better post-stress recovery in Q. robur. Offspring from morphological intermediates responded again in a variable way. Although the number of reshoots after cutting back the stems was not affected anymore by the drought treatment in the first growing season, the number of side shoots on the reshoots was still reduced in the drought treated group of plants, independent of the taxon of the mother tree. Conclusions: Together, our results demonstrate the longer-lasting effects of drought stress on oak saplings with regard to growth and plant architecture, with the first being taxon dependent.
Consumer Attitudes and Preference Exploration towards Fresh-Cut Salads Using Best–Worst Scaling and Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Massaglia Stefano , Merlino Valentina Maria , Borra Danielle , Bargetto Aurora , Sottile Francesco , Peano Cristiana
Published: November 2019

This research explored the preferences and buying habits of a sample of 620 consumers of fresh-cut, ready-to-eat salads. A best–worst scaling approach was used to measure the level of preference stated by individuals regarding 12 attributes for quality (intrinsic, extrinsic and credence) of fresh-cut salads. The experiment was carried out through direct interviews at several large-scale retail outlets in the Turin metropolitan area (north-west of Italy). Out of the total number of questioned consumers, 35% said they did not consume fresh-cut salads. On the contrary, the rest of the involved sample expressed the highest degree of preference towards the freshness/appearance attribute, followed by the expiration date and the brand. On the contrary, attributes such as price, organic certification and food safety did not emerge as discriminating factors in consumer choices. Additionally, five clusters of consumers were identified, whose preferences are related both to purchasing styles and socio-demographic variables. In conclusion, this research has highlighted the positive attitude of consumers towards quality products backed by a brand, providing ideas for companies to improve within this sector and implement strategies to answer the needs of a new segment of consumers, by determining market opportunities that aim to strengthen local brands.
Safety, Quality, and Processing of Fruits and Vegetables
Authors: Tylewicz Urszula , Tappi Silvia , Nowacka Malgorzata , Wiktor Artur
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, one of the main objectives of the fruit and vegetable industry is to develop innovative novel products with high quality, safety, and optimal nutritional characteristics in order to respond with efficiency to the increasing consumer expectations. Various emerging, unconventional technologies (e.g., pulsed electric field, pulsed light, ultrasound, high pressure, and microwave drying) enable the processing of fruits and vegetables, increasing their stability while preserving their thermolabile nutrients, flavour, texture, and overall quality. Some of these technologies can also be used for waste and by-product valorisation. The application of fast noninvasive methods for process control is of great importance for the fruit and vegetable industry. The following Special Issue “Safety, Quality, and Processing of Fruits and Vegetables” consists of 11 papers, which provide a high-value contribution to the existing knowledge on safety aspects, quality evaluation, and emerging processing technologies for fruits and vegetables.
Psychosocial Risks and Violence Against Teachers. Is It Possible to Promote Well-Being at Work?
Authors: Berlanda Sabrina , Fraizzoli Marta , de Cordova Federica , Pedrazza Monica
Published: November 2019

Teaching has been reported to be one of the most stressful occupations, with heavy psychological demands, including the need to develop positive relationships with students and their parents; relationships that, in turn, play a significant role in teachers’ well-being. It follows that the impact of any violence perpetrated by a student or parent against a teacher is particularly significant and represents a major occupational health concern. The present study examines for the first time the influence of the Job Demands-Control-Support Model on violence directed against teachers. Six hundred and eighty-six teachers working in elementary and high schools in north-east Italy completed an online, self-report questionnaire. Our findings reveal the role played by working conditions in determining teachers’ experience of violence: greater job demands are associated with most offense types, whereas the availability of diffused social support at school is associated with lower rates of harassment. Workload should be equally distributed and kept under control, and violence should gain its place in the shared daily monitoring of practices and experiences at school in order to provide a socially supportive work environment for all teachers.
Association between the Type of Diabetes Treatment and Depressive Symptoms among Patients with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study of Korea Community Health Surveys Data, 2011–2016
Authors: Lee Hyeon Ji , Jang Jieun , Lee Sang Ah , Oh Sarah Soyeon , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the different types of treatment for diabetes and depressive symptoms. In particular, this study assessed the presence of depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes who are undergoing pharmacological treatments in terms of sex. This study used data from the 2011–2016 Korea Community Health Survey, which included responses from 50,774 male and 48,978 female participants with diabetes who were receiving pharmacological treatments. Patients aged ≥30 years were included. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the significance of the association. Male participants treated with insulin injection were more likely to experience depressive symptoms than those taking oral hypoglycemic (oral agents) only (odds ratio (OR) = 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.56). Male patients treated with both oral agents and insulin injection had the highest OR value of depressive symptoms among different types of treatments (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.25–1.60). The same tendency was observed in female participants. In female patients, however, the association between depressive symptoms and insulin injection was statistically insignificant (both oral agents and insulin injection OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.22–1.50, insulin injection OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.98–1.41). The association between depressive symptoms and the type of diabetes treatment was more significant in male than in female patients. Those who were treated with oral agents and insulin injection were more likely to have depressive symptoms than those receiving oral agents of treatment.
The Dark Side of the Self-Determination Theory and Its Influence on the Emotional and Cognitive Processes of Students in Physical Education
Authors: Trigueros Rubén , Aguilar-Parra José M. , López-Liria Remedios , Rocamora Patricia
Published: November 2019

Amongst the main objectives of physical education (PE) classes is the consolidation of healthy lifestyle habits in young people and adolescents. Nonetheless, these classes can also provide the basis from which adverse experiences are generated which affect students’ perceptions of these classes. Previously conducted studies have focused on motivational processes and not on emotional processes, nor on the way in which students learn. The objective of the present study was to explore the dark side of the self-determination theory, its influence on emotional intelligence and the meta-cognitive strategies of students. Methodology: A total of 1602 young people undertaking secondary education participated, with self-reported ages between 13 and 19 years. The following questionnaires were utilized: Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale, Frustration of Psychological Needs in PE classes Scale, Emotional Intelligence in PE Scale and Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. A structural equation model was developed which explained causal associations between the study variables. Results: Psychological control positively predicted each one of the sub-factors of frustration of psychological needs. Frustration of psychological needs negatively predicted emotional intelligence. Finally, emotional intelligence positively predicted meta-cognitive thinking. Conclusions: The influence and importance of the teaching style adopted by teachers is indicated, in addition to the effect of students’ psychological experiences on emotions and learning strategies.
Early Intervention for Children at High Risk of Developmental Disability in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review
Authors: Kohli-Lynch Maya , Tann Cally J. , Ellis Matthew E.
Published: November 2019

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), while neonatal mortality has fallen, the number of children under five with developmental disability remains unchanged. The first thousand days are a critical window for brain development, when interventions are particularly effective. Early Childhood Interventions (ECI) are supported by scientific, human rights, human capital and programmatic rationales. In high-income countries, it is recommended that ECI for high-risk infants start in the neonatal period, and specialised interventions for children with developmental disabilities as early as three months of age; more data is needed on the timing of ECI in LMICs. Emerging evidence supports community-based ECI which focus on peer support, responsive caregiving and preventing secondary morbidities. A combination of individual home visits and community-based groups are likely the best strategy for the delivery of ECI, but more evidence is needed to form strong recommendations, particularly on the dosage of interventions. More data on content, impact and implementation of ECI in LMICs for high-risk infants are urgently needed. The development of ECI for high-risk groups will build on universal early child development best practice but will likely require tailoring to local contexts.
Determination of Triglycidyl Isocyanurate in Workplace Air
Authors: Jeżewska Anna , Kowalska Joanna
Published: November 2019

Triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) is a white solid in powder or granular form. TGIC does not occur naturally in the environment. It is intentionally manufactured and used as a crosslinking agent or hardener to produce polyester powder coatings. TGIC may cause genetic defects. This article presents the method of TGIC determination in workplace air using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode-array detector (DAD). The method is based on the collection of TGIC present in the air on a polypropylene filter, extraction with acetonitrile, and chromatographic analysis of the solution obtained in this way. The determination was carried out in the reverse-phase system (mobile phase: acetonitrile: water) using an Ultra C18 column. The measurement range is 2 to 40 µg/m3 for a 720 liters air sample. Limit of detection (LOD) is 23 ng/m3 and limit of quantification (LOQ): 70 ng/m3. The method can be used for assessing occupational exposure to TGIC and associated risk to workers’ health.
An Adaptive Construction Method of Hierarchical Spatio-Temporal Index for Vector Data under Peer-to-Peer Networks
Authors: Li Chengming , Wu Zheng , Wu Pengda , Zhao Zhanjie
Published: November 2019

Spatio-temporal indexing is a key technique in spatio-temporal data storage and management. Indexing methods based on spatial filling curves are popular in research on the spatio-temporal indexing of vector data in the Not Relational (NoSQL) database. However, the existing methods mostly focus on spatial indexing, which makes it difficult to balance the efficiencies of time and space queries. In addition, for non-point elements (line and polygon elements), it remains difficult to determine the optimal index level. To address these issues, this paper proposes an adaptive construction method of hierarchical spatio-temporal index for vector data. Firstly, a joint spatio-temporal information coding based on the combination of the partition and sort key strategies is presented. Secondly, the multilevel expression structure of spatio-temporal elements consisting of point and non-point elements in the joint coding is given. Finally, an adaptive multi-level index tree is proposed to realize the spatio-temporal index (Multi-level Sphere 3, MLS3) based on the spatio-temporal characteristics of geographical entities. Comparison with the XZ3 index algorithm proposed by GeoMesa proved that the MLS3 indexing method not only reasonably expresses the spatio-temporal features of non-point elements and determines their optimal index level, but also avoids storage hotspots while achieving spatio-temporal retrieval with high efficiency.
Investigations of the Kinetics and Mechanism of Reduction of a Carboplatin Pt(IV) Prodrug by the Major Small-Molecule Reductants in Human Plasma
Authors: Liu Yang , Tian Hongwu , Xu Liyao , Zhou Li , Wang Jinhu , Xu Benyan , Liu Chunli , Elding Lars I. , Shi Tiesheng
Published: November 2019

The development of Pt(IV) anticancer prodrugs to overcome the detrimental side effects of Pt(II)-based anticancer drugs is of current interest. The kinetics and reaction mechanisms of the reductive activation of the carboplatin Pt(IV) prodrug cis,trans-[Pt(cbdca)(NH3)2Cl2] (cbdca = cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate) by the major small-molecule reductants in human plasma were analyzed in this work. The reductants included ascorbate (Asc), the thiol-containing molecules L-cysteine (Cys), DL-homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH), and the dipeptide Cys–Gly. Overall second-order kinetics were established in all cases. At the physiological pH of 7.4, the observed second-order rate constants k′ followed the order Asc << Cys–Gly ~ Hcy < GSH < Cys. This reactivity order together with the abundances of the reductants in human plasma indicated Cys as the major small-molecule reductant in vivo, followed by GSH and ascorbate, whereas Hcy is much less important. In the cases of Cys and GSH, detailed reaction mechanisms and the reactivity of the various protolytic species at physiological pH were derived. The rate constants of the rate-determining steps were evaluated, allowing the construction of reactivity-versus-pH distribution diagrams for Cys and GSH. The diagrams unraveled that species III of Cys (−SCH2CH(NH3+)COO−) and species IV of GSH (−OOCCH(NH3+)CH2CH2CONHCH(CH2S−)- CONHCH2COO−) were exclusively dominant in the reduction process. These two species are anticipated to be of pivotal importance in the reduction of other types of Pt(IV) prodrugs as well.
Quantification of Surface GalNAc Ligands Decorating Nanostructured Lipid Carriers by UPLC-ELSD
Authors: Gauthier Laura , Varache Mathieu , Couffin Anne-Claude , Lebrun Colette , Delangle Pascale , Gateau Christelle , Texier Isabelle
Published: November 2019

Nanoparticles have been extensively studied for drug delivery and targeting to specific organs. The functionalization of the nanoparticle surface by site-specific ligands (antibodies, peptides, saccharides) can ensure efficient recognition and binding with relevant biological targets. One of the main challenges in the development of these decorated nanocarriers is the accurate quantification of the amount of ligands on the nanoparticle surface. In this study, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were functionalized with N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) units, known to target the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). Different molar percentages of GalNAc-functionalized surfactant (0%, 2%, 5%, and 14%) were used in the formulation. Based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography separation and evaporative light-scattering detection (UPLC-ELSD), an analytical method was developed to specifically quantify the amount of GalNAc units present at the NLC surface. This method allowed the accurate quantification of GalNAc surfactant and therefore gave some insights into the structural parameters of these multivalent ligand systems. Our data show that the GalNAc decorated NLC possess large numbers of ligands at their surface and suitable distances between them for efficient multivalent interaction with the ASGPR, and therefore promising liver-targeting efficiency.
The Role of Obesity in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients: Clinical-Pathological Implications
Authors: Aurilio Gaetano , Piva Francesco , Santoni Matteo , Cimadamore Alessia , Sorgentoni Giulia , Lopez-Beltran Antonio , Cheng Liang , Battelli Nicola , Nolè Franco , Montironi Rodolfo
Published: November 2019

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development. However, the RCC–obesity link has not been fully addressed when considering a comprehensive scenario starting from pathogenetic aspects through pathological issues up to the outcome of medical treatment. We therefore conducted an electronic PubMed search using keywords “obesity”, “body mass index”, “overweight”, “renal cell carcinoma/kidney cancer”, “medical treatment”, “targeted therapy”, and “immunotherapy/immune checkpoint inhibitors”. The selected data supported a crosstalk between adipose tissue (adipocytes and other white adipose tissue cells) and cancer cells inducing several signaling pathways that finally stimulated angiogenesis, survival, and cellular proliferation. Accurate sampling of renal sinus fat correlated with a prognostic value. Retrospective clinical evidence in metastatic RCC patients with higher body mass index (BMI) and treated with targeted therapies and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors showed advantageous survival outcomes. Therefore, obesity may influence the course of RCC patients, although the interplay between obesity/BMI and RCC warrants a large prospective confirmation. We are therefore still far from determining a clear role of obesity as a prognostic/predictive factor in metastatic RCC patients undergoing targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Micromagnetic Analysis of Thermally Induced Influences on Surface Integrity Using the Burning Limit Approach
Authors: Heinzel Jonas , Sackmann Daniel , Karpuschewski Bernhard
Published: November 2019

Particularly for highly stressed components, it is important to have precise knowledge of the surface and subsurface properties and, thus, of the functional properties after final grinding at the end of a complex process chain in order to avoid rejected parts. Therefore, non-destructive testing methods have been the subject of research for several years. The Barkhausen noise analysis, as a micromagnetic measuring method, has the potential to characterize the subsurface area up to an analyzing depth δ non-destructively with micromagnetic parameters. In addition to micromagnetic multiparameter approaches, which allow post-process mode clear statements about the subsurface area state, the present research work deals with the concept of a connection of a single Barkhausen noise parameter with grinding process parameters. In combination with the analytical approach of Malkin for the thermal surface and subsurface area influence, which is based on the process parameters of grinding processes, a distinction between good and rejected ground parts can be achieved. The results show that, by post-process measurements of the Barkhausen noise on case-hardened workpieces made of steel 18CrNiMo7-6 (No. 1.6587, AISI 4820) and machined by a cylindrical grinding process, incipient changes in the residual stress state up to industrial-relevant limits, which distinguish between good and rejected parts, is possible. In the future, a combination of the Malkin grinding burning limit and sufficient condition monitoring based on in-process measurements of Barkhausen noise will be investigated. The application limits of the analytical approach of Malkin as well as the measurement of the Barkhausen noise in-process have to be determined.
Collapse Analysis of ERW Pipe Based on Roll-Forming and Sizing Simulations
Authors: Han Seong-Wook , Park Yeun Chul , Kang Soo-Chang , Jung Sungmoon , Kim Ho-Kyung
Published: November 2019

The demand for electric resistance welded (ERW) pipe for deep-water installation has increased, which necessitates a higher degree of accuracy in evaluating the strength of pipe in order to satisfy the design limit state, otherwise referred to as the collapse performance. Since ovality and residual stress governs the collapse performance, an accurate evaluation of these factors is needed. An analytical approach using a three-dimensional finite element method was proposed to simulate the roll-forming and sizing processes in manufacturing ERW pipe. To simulate significant plastic deformation during manufacturing, a nonlinear material model that included the Bauschinger effect was incorporated. The manufacturing of ERW pipe made of API 5L X70 steel was simulated and analyzed for collapse performance. Controlling the ovality of the pipe significantly decreased the amount of pressure that would cause a collapse, whereas the effect of residual stress was minor. These two factors could be improved via the use of a proper sizing ratio.
Evaluation of Liquefaction Potential in Saturated Sand under Different Drainage Boundary Conditions—An Energy Approach
Authors: Yao Chang-Rui , Wang Bo , Liu Zhi-Qiang , Fan Hao , Sun Fang-Hao , Chang Xin-Hao
Published: November 2019

Drainage conditions are supposed to have significant influence on sand liquefaction behavior. An infiltration device was utilized in cyclic triaxial tests to reproduce different drainage conditions by altering dry density of the within silt. Permeability coefficient ratio (kp) was utilized for quantifying the drainage boundary effect. Cyclic triaxial tests were conducted on saturated Fujian standard sand samples. Test results were used to evaluate the liquefaction potential by using the energy approach. It can be concluded that, if kp increases slightly bigger than zero, excess pore water pressure (EPWP) will respond more fiercely, and the dissipated energy that triggers sand liquefaction will be less. By considering kp, an energy-based database was built by taking kp into consideration and different neural network (NN) models were constructed to predict liquefaction potential by energy approaches accurately under different drainage boundary conditions. It was suggested that the neuro-fuzzy (NF)-based NN model has more satisfactory performance.
Detection of Fusarium Species in Clinical Specimens by Probe-Based Real-Time PCR
Authors: Springer Jan , Walther Grit , Rickerts Volker , Hamprecht Axel , Willinger Birgit , Teschner Daniel , Einsele Hermann , Kurzai Oliver , Loeffler Juergen
Published: November 2019

The mold Fusarium is a ubiquitous fungus causing plant, animal and human infections. In humans, Fusarium spp. are the major cause of eye infections in patients wearing contact lenses or after local trauma. Systemic infections by Fusarium spp. mainly occur in immunosuppressed patients and can disseminate throughout the human body. Due to high levels of resistance to antifungals a fast identification of the causative agent is an urgent need. By using a probe-based real-time PCR assay specific for the genus Fusarium we analysed several different clinical specimens detecting Fusarium spp. commonly found in clinical samples in Germany. Also, a large collection of lung fluid samples of haematological patients was analysed (n = 243). In these, two samples (0.8%) were reproducibly positive, but only one could be confirmed by sequencing. For this case of probable invasive fungal disease (IFD) culture was positive for Fusarium species. Here we describe a rapid, probe-based real-time PCR assay to specifically detect DNA from a broad range of Fusarium species and its application to clinically relevant specimens.
Constructed Action in American Sign Language: A Look at Second Language Learners in a Second Modality
Authors: Kurz Kim B. , Mullaney Kellie , Occhino Corrine
Published: November 2019

Constructed action is a cover term used in signed language linguistics to describe multi-functional constructions which encode perspective-taking and viewpoint. Within constructed action, viewpoint constructions serve to create discourse coherence by allowing signers to share perspectives and psychological states. Character, observer, and blended viewpoint constructions have been well documented in signed language literature in Deaf signers. However, little is known about hearing second language learners’ use of constructed action or about the acquisition and use of viewpoint constructions. We investigate the acquisition of viewpoint constructions in 11 college students acquiring American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language in a second modality (M2L2). Participants viewed video clips from the cartoon Canary Row and were asked to “retell the story as if you were telling it to a deaf friend”. We analyzed the signed narratives for time spent in character, observer, and blended viewpoints. Our results show that despite predictions of an overall increase in use of all types of viewpoint constructions, students varied in their time spent in observer and character viewpoints, while blended viewpoint was rarely observed. We frame our preliminary findings within the context of M2L2 learning, briefly discussing how gestural strategies used in multimodal speech-gesture constructions may influence learning trajectories.
Pattern Pick and Place Method for Twisted Bi- and Multi-Layer Graphene
Authors: Lim Jae-Young , Jang Hyeon-Sik , Yoo Hyun-Jae , Kim Seung-il , Whang Dongmok
Published: November 2019

Twisted bi-layer graphene (tBLG) has attracted much attention because of its unique band structure and properties. The properties of tBLG vary with small differences in the interlayer twist angle, but it is difficult to accurately adjust the interlayer twist angle of tBLG with the conventional fabrication method. In this study, we introduce a facile tBLG fabrication method that directly picks up a single-crystalline graphene layer from a growth substrate and places it on another graphene layer with a pre-designed twist angle. Using this approach, we stacked single-crystalline graphene layers with controlled twist angles and thus fabricated tBLG and twisted multi-layer graphene (tMLG). The structural, optical and electrical properties depending on the twist angle and number of layers, were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), micro–Raman spectroscopy, and gate-dependent sheet resistance measurements. The obtained results show that the pick and place approach enables the direct dry transfer of the top graphene layer on the as-grown graphene to fabricate uniform tBLG and tMLG with minimal interlayer contamination and pre-defined twist angles.