bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of prickly pear waste for baker's yeast production
Authors: Diboune Naàssa , Nancib Aicha , Nancib Nabil , Aníbal Jaime , Boudrant Joseph
Published: April 2019

The feasibility of baker's yeast production using fruits and peels of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) as carbohydrate feedstock was investigated. Two response surface methodologies involving central composite face centered design (CCFD) were successfully applied. The effects of four independent variables on baker's yeast production from OFI fruit juice was evaluated using the first CCFD. The best results were obtained with 24 H of inoculum age, 30 °C temperature, 200 rpm of agitation, and 10% inoculum size. At the maximum point, the biomass concentration reached 9.29 g/L. A second CCFD was performed to optimize the sugar extraction from OFI fruit peels. The potential of these latter as a fermentation substrate was determined. From the experimental results, the OFI fruit peel is an appropriate carbon source for the production of baker's yeast. The maximum biomass concentration was 12.51 g/L. Different nitrogen supplements were added to promote the yields of baker's yeast. Corn steep liquor was found to be the best alternative nutrient source of casein hydrolysate and yeast extract for baker's yeast production.
The clinical characteristic and prognostic factors of leptomeningeal metastasis in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer‐a retrospective study from one single cancer institute
Authors: Yan Weiwei , Jing Wang , An Ning , Tian Yaru , Guo Dong , Kong Li , Zhu Hui , Yu Jinming
Published: April 2019

Background

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a detrimental complication of advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the optimal therapeutic approach for LM patients is in shortage. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of NSCLC patients with LM.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of NSCLC patients with LM at the Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute between July 2014 and March 2018. Identified cases had pathology‐proven NSCLC with either positive cerebrospinal fluid cytology or leptomeningeal enhancement by MRI.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐six NSCLC patients (58 men, 78 women) with LM were enrolled in the retrospective study; median age was 55 years (range, 29‐89 years). Fifty‐one patients harbored EGFR mutations, ALK rearrangement was detected in 6 patients. Treatment for LM consisted of EGFR‐TKIs alone in 11 patients, whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) alone in 19 patients, Chemotherapy (ChT) alone in 12 patients, EGFR‐TKIs plus WBRT in 30 patients, WBRT plus ChT in 25 patients, and EGFR‐TKIs plus ChT in 24 patients. The median progression‐free survival was 3.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.178‐4.622), and the median overall survival (OSLM) was 9.8 months (95% CI:7.5‐12.1). Thirty patients who received WBRT plus EGFR‐TKIs achieved longer survival than those who only received WBRT (median 13.6 vs 8.8 months; P = 0.027), but did not add any survival benefit than those only received EGFR‐TKIs (median 13.6 vs 13.9 months; P = 0.352). A multivariate analysis indicated that KPS ≥ 80 (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.592, 95% CI:0.369‐0.95; P = 0.03) and EGFR‐TKIs (HR = 0.507, 95% CI:0.283‐0.908; P = 0.022) after LM diagnosis were independent favourable predictors of survival, whereas smoking (HR = 1.181, 95% CI:1.009‐3.246; P = 0.047) was an independent predictor of poor survival.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that patients with good performance statuses, non‐smoking patients, and the administration of EGFR‐TKIs might improve clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients with LM.
Effect of genetic variants in cell adhesion pathways on the biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients with radical prostatectomy
Authors: Yu Chia‐Cheng , Chen Lih‐Chyang , Lin Victor C. , Huang Chao‐Yuan , Cheng Wei‐Chung , Hsieh Ai‐Ru , Chang Ta‐Yuan , Lu Te‐Ling , Lee Cheng‐Hsueh , Huang Shu‐Pin , Bao Bo‐Ying
Published: April 2019

The aberrant expression of cell adhesion molecules is a hallmark of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, resulting in the transformation of cancer cells to a more aggressive phenotype. This study investigated the association between genetic variants in cell adhesion pathways and the prognosis of patients with prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy (RP). A total of 18 haplotype‐tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight cancer‐related adhesion molecules were genotyped in 458 prostate cancer patients, followed by the replication of the top SNPs in an additional set of 185 patients. Log‐rank test and multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for covariates were used to evaluate associations with the risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after RP. In the discovery set, four SNPs in CDH2 were marginally associated with BCR. Among these, CDH2 rs643555C > T was found to be associated with BCR in the replication set. Patients with rs643555TT genotype had a significantly shorter BCR‐free survival compared with those with CC/CT genotypes in the combined analysis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.19‐2.67, P = 0.005). Additional analyses revealed that rs643555T was associated with higher expression of CDH2, and upregulated CDH2 was correlated with tumor aggressiveness and shortened BCR‐free survival. In conclusion, rs643555C > T affects CDH2 expression, and thus influences BCR in localized prostate cancer patients treated with RP. CDH2 rs643555 may be a promising biomarker to identify patients at high risk of poor prostate cancer prognosis.
Exploratory study of automated linguistic analysis for progress monitoring and outcome assessment
Authors: Huston Jonathan , Meier Scott , Faith Myles , Reynolds Amy
Published: April 2019

Objective

The most successful approach to dealing with treatment failure employs progress monitoring and outcome assessment (PMOA) measures that enable clinicians to identify clients who are failing to progress. On the basis of previous research indicating that word use relates to individuals’ psychological characteristics as well as clinical outcomes, we investigated automated linguistic analysis of client speech as an alternative PMOA approach.

Methods

We employed the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) program to study the language of a subset of 12 clients from the York I Depression Study. Automated analyses examined transcripts of 24 individual psychotherapy sessions, one early in treatment (T1) and one late in treatment (T2), split between six good and six poor outcome cases.

Results

Good outcomes were associated with more positive emotion words and fewer past focus words and negation words at T1. Logistic regression models predicted good versus poor treatment outcome for 70–82% of transcripts. However, analyses failed to support the hypothesis that language use patterns changed from T1 to T2 during the course of therapy.

Conclusions

Clinicians have been slow to adopt PMOA measures as part of routine practice, partially as a result of additional paperwork and time burdens. Automated analysis of client language provides one alternative method for decreasing client and therapist workload. This study's results, while mixed, provide evidence that additional research should be conducted to investigate the potential for LIWC and other automated measures to provide PMOA data for clinical feedback.
Cuprophilic Interactions in and between Molecular Entities
Authors: Harisomayajula N. V. Satyachand , Makovetskyi Serhii , Tsai Yi‐Chou
Published: April 2019

Despite being weak attractive forces, closed‐shell metallophilic interactions play important roles in the Group 11 metal complexes on their diverse structural and physical features. A plethora of experimental and computational studies has thus been dedicated to such weak attractive d10–d10 interactions, particularly aurophilic and argentophilic interactions. Although d10–d10 CuI–CuI forces had been recognized for four decades, cuprophilic interactions are less explored and they are best evidenced by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis on CuI complexes and aggregates thereof, by which precise information about the Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu contacts, shorter than the sum of two van der Waals radii (3.92 Å) between the copper centers concerned can be obtained. Based on recently compelling experimental and spectroscopic evidence for intra‐ and intermolecular cuprophilic interactions in copper chemistry, the present Minireview summarizes recent progress in the past three decades in the synthesis and structures of multinuclear homometallic copper complexes, whereby supported and unsupported d10–d10 CuI–CuI interactions are at work.
Visible Light‐Induced Sulfonylation/Arylation of Styrenes in a Double Radical Three‐Component Photoredox Reaction
Authors: Lipp Benjamin , Kammer Lisa Marie , Kücükdisli Murat , Luque Adriana , Kühlborn Jonas , Pusch Stefan , Matulevičiūtė Gita , Schollmeyer Dieter , Šačkus Algirdas , Opatz Till
Published: April 2019

Simultaneous sulfonylation/arylation of styrene derivatives is achieved in a photoredox‐catalyzed three‐component reaction using visible light. A broad variety of difunctionalized products is accessible in mostly excellent yields and high diastereoselectivity. The developed reaction is scalable and suitable for the modification of styrene‐functionalized biomolecules. Mechanistic investigations suggest the transformation to be operating through a designed sequence of radical formation and radical combination.
Iodine Clathrated: A Solid‐State Analogue of the Iodine–Starch Complex
Authors: Pan Fangfang , Chen Yingchun , Li Siyu , Jiang Minzhi , Rissanen Kari
Published: April 2019

Co‐crystallizing iodine with a simple dicationic salt (1,8‐diammoniumoctane chloride) results in the clathration of the iodine (I2) molecules inside trigonal and hexagonal helical channels of the crystal lattice with 72 wt % overall I2 loading. The I2 inside the bigger trigonal channel forms a I−I⋅⋅⋅I−I⋅⋅⋅I−I halogen‐bonded infinite helical chain, while the I2 in the smaller hexagonal channel is disordered. In both channels the I2 interaction with the channel wall happens through I−I⋅⋅⋅Cl− halogen bonds. The helical channels in the crystal lattice are constructed via the strong charge‐assisted H2N+H⋅⋅⋅Cl− hydrogen bonds between the dications and the chloride anions. The structure shows a marked similarity with the well‐known starch–I2 system, and thus may provide insight for the yet unresolved structure of the I2 in the helical starch channel.
Insekten und Schimmelpilze als Bioressource
Authors: Rühl Martin , Pietzner Verena , Vilcinskas Andreas , Zorn Holger
Published: April 2019

Mikroorganismen werden seit Jahrtausenden zur Herstellung von Lebensmitteln genutzt. Mittlerweile sind diese biotechnologischen Verfahren nicht mehr auf die Verwendung einiger Organismen beschränkt. Die Möglichkeit, Enzyme unabhängig von ihrem Wirtsorganismus zu produzieren, erweiterte den Einsatzbereich dieser technischen Hilfsmittel ungemein. Seither werden vermehrt neue Bioressourcen erschlossen, um neuartige Enzyme und Peptide für die Lebensmittelproduktion verfügbar zu machen: Peptidasen aus Getreideschädlingen vermögen Gluten zu hydrolysieren und antimikrobiell wirksame Peptide aus Insekten könnten zur Haltbarmachung von Lebensmitteln eingesetzt werden. Aber wie findet man solche Katalysatoren? Beispiele aus eigenen Arbeiten zeigen es.
Sustainable Continuous Flow Valorization of γ‐Valerolactone with Trioxane to α‐Methylene‐γ‐Valerolactone over Basic Beta Zeolites
Authors: Al‐Naji Majd , Puértolas Begoña , Kumru Baris , Cruz Daniel , Bäumel Marius , Schmidt Bernhard V. K. J. , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier
Published: April 2019

The need for more sustainable products and processes has led to the use of new methodologies with low carbon footprints. In this work, an efficient tandem process is demonstrated for the liquid‐phase catalytic upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass‐derived γ‐valerolactone (GVL) with trioxane (Tx) to α‐methylene‐γ‐valerolactone (MeGVL) in flow system using Cs‐loaded hierarchical beta zeolites. The introduction of mesopores along with the presence of basic sites of mild strength leads to MeGVL productivity 20 times higher than with the bulk beta zeolite, reaching 0.325 mmol min−1 gcat−1 for the best‐performing catalyst, the highest value reported so far. This catalyst proves stable upon reuse in consecutive cycles, which is ascribed to the partial depletion of the basic sites. The obtained MeGVL is subjected to visible‐light‐induced polymerization, resulting in a final material with similar properties to the widely used poly(methyl) methacrylate.
Non‐thermal plasma‐induced apoptosis in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Čtvrtečková Lucie , Pichová Alena , Scholtz Vladimír , Khun Josef , Julák Jaroslav
Published: April 2019

The effect of non‐thermal plasma generated by the direct current (DC) corona discharge in the mode of transition spark is studied on a yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The exposure to plasma increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, possibly causing the induction of apoptosis. To clarify the mechanism of apoptosis, its induction is tested not only on a wild strain of S. cerevisiae, but also on mutant strains: A deletion mutant Δyca1 without yeast metacaspase proves that in S. cerevisiae the apoptosis occurs partly by the caspase‐independent pathway. A petite strains with mutation in the mitochondria do not show pronounced ROS formation, but in spite of this, apoptosis is detected. Hence, mitochondrial ROS probably do not play an important role in induction of apoptosis.
A forebrain undivided: Unleashing model organisms to solve the mysteries of holoprosencephaly
Authors: Grinblat Yevgenya , Lipinski Robert J.
Published: April 2019

Evolutionary conservation and experimental tractability have made animal model systems invaluable tools in our quest to understand human embryogenesis, both normal and abnormal. Standard genetic approaches, particularly useful in understanding monogenic diseases, are no longer sufficient as research attention shifts toward multifactorial outcomes. Here, we examine this progression through the lens of holoprosencephaly (HPE), a common human malformation involving incomplete forebrain division, and a classic example of an etiologically complex outcome. We relate the basic underpinning of HPE pathogenesis to critical cell‐cell interactions and signaling molecules discovered through embryological and genetic approaches in multiple model organisms, and discuss the role of the mouse model in functional examination of HPE‐linked genes. We then outline the most critical remaining gaps to understanding human HPE, including the conundrum of incomplete penetrance/expressivity and the role of gene‐environment interactions. To tackle these challenges, we outline a strategy that leverages new and emerging technologies in multiple model systems to solve the puzzle of HPE.
Pure, shared, and coupling effects of climate change and sea level rise on the future distribution ofSpartina alternifloraalong the Chinese coast
Authors: Gong Haibo , Liu Huiyu , Jiao Fusheng , Lin Zhenshan , Xu Xiaojuan
Published: April 2019

Aim

Global change seriously threatens the salt marsh ecosystem, while it remains unclear howS. will respond to climate change and sea level rise. Here, we investigated interactions among variables and identified the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and their interactions on the distribution ofSpartina alterniflora.

Location

Northern Chinese coast and Southern Chinese coast.

Taxon

Spartina alternifloraLoisel.

Methods

With global sensitivity analysis, we determined interactions among variables and their relative importance to the distribution ofS. alterniflora. Integrating the Venn's four‐set diagram, we built ecological niche models under current and three future scenarios to identify pure, shared, and coupling effects of climate change and sea level rise on the distribution ofS. alterniflora.

Results

Mean diurnal range (Bio02) and Elevation were the two most critical variables controlling the distribution ofS. alternifloraon the Chinese coast, and interactions among variables of the northern coast were much greater than that of the southern coast. Habitats change was mainly caused by pure effects of climate change, except habitats reduction on the southern coast. Pure effects of sea level rise were low, but it can influence habitats change through shared and coupling effects from complex interactions with climate change. Interactions of climate change and sea level rise can drive habitats change, and the changed habitats caused by shared and coupling effects were mainly distributed the areas near the landward side.

Main conclusions

Our research suggests paying attention to interactions among variables when calculating the relative importance of explanatory variables. Identifying pure, shared, and coupling effects of climate change and sea level rise for the distribution ofS. alterniflorawill provide scientific references for assessing the risk of similar coastal species.
SSDs revisited: part II—practical considerations in the development and use of application factors applied to species sensitivity distributions
Authors: Belanger S.E. , Carr G.J.
Published: April 2019

Application factors are routinely applied in the extrapolation of laboratory aquatic toxicity data to ensure protection from exposure to chemicals in the natural environment. The magnitude of the application factor is both a scientific and a policy decision, but in any case, it should be rooted in scientific knowledge so as to not be arbitrary. Information-rich chemicals are often subjected to species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analysis to transparently describe certain aspects of assessment uncertainty and are normally subjected to much smaller application factors than screening information data sets. We describe a new set of tools useful to assess the quality of SSDs. Twenty-two data sets and 19 chemicals representing agrochemicals, biocides, surfactants, metals, and common wastewater contaminants were compiled to demonstrate how the tools can be used. “Add-one-in” and “leave-one-out” simulations were used to investigate SSD robustness and develop quantitative evidence for the use of application factors. Theoretical new toxicity data were identified for add-one-in simulations based on the expected probabilities necessary to lower the hazardous concentration to 5% of a species (HC5) by a factor of 2, 3, 5, or 10. Simulations demonstrate the basis for application factors in the range of 1 to 5 for well-studied chemicals with high-quality SSDs. Leave-one-out simulations identify the fact that the most influential values in the SSD come from the extremes of the sensitive and tolerant toxicity values. Mesocosm and field data consistently demonstrate that HC5s are conservative, further justifying the use of small application factors for high-quality SSDs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1526–1541. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

Species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) are useful tools in ecotoxicological hazard assessment. Application factors assigned to SSD outcomes should be a function of sample size and in-depth analysis of data inputs, statistical properties, and biological knowledge.
Following tracer through the unsaturated zone using a multiple interacting pathways model: Implications from laboratory experiments
Authors: Scaini Anna , Amvrosiadi Nino , Hissler Christophe , Pfister Laurent , Beven Keith
Published: April 2019

Models must effectively represent velocities and celerities if they are to address the old water paradox. Celerity information is recorded indirectly in hydrograph observations, whereas velocity information is more difficult to measure and simulate effectively, requiring additional assumptions and parameters. Velocity information can be obtained from tracer experiments, but we often lack information on the influence of soil properties on tracer mobility. This study features a combined experimental and modelling approach geared towards the evaluation of different structures in the multiple interacting pathways (MIPs) model and validates the representation of velocities with laboratory tracer experiments using an undisturbed soil column. Results indicate that the soil microstructure was modified during the experiment. Soil water velocities were represented using MIPs, testing how the (a) shape of the velocity distribution, (b) transition probability matrices (TPMs), (c) presence of immobile storage, and (d) nonstationary field capacity influence the model's performance. In MIPs, the TPM controls exhanges of water between pathways. In our experiment, MIPs were able to provide a good representation of the pattern of outflow. The results show that the connectedness of the faster pathways is important for controlling the percolation of water and tracer through the soil. The best model performance was obtained with the inclusion of immobile storage, but simulations were poor under the assumption of stationary parameters. The entire experiment was adequately simulated once a time‐variable field capacity parameter was introduced, supporting the need for including the effects of soil microstructure changes observed during the experiment.
Alternative Management of Oil and Gas Produced Water Requires More Research on Its Hazards and Risks
Authors: Danforth Cloelle , McPartland Jennifer , Blotevogel Jens , Coleman Nancy , Devlin Dennis , Olsgard Mandy , Parkerton Thomas , Saunders Nichole
Published: April 2019

Produced water is the largest waste stream associated with oil and gas exploration and production operations. Most produced water generated onshore is managed by permitted injection in deep underground wells, but alternative disposal options including reuse are increasingly being considered. However, insufficient understanding of the composition and toxicity of produced water imposes significant constraints on effective management of potential short-term and long-term risks associated with such alternative uses. As interest builds for management options, such as surface discharge, livestock watering, irrigation, and other industrial uses, research is needed to assess produced-water hazards and exposures to both humans and the environment. This challenge affords an opportunity to capitalize on emerging risk assessment tools. Innovative and comprehensive approaches to filling data gaps and assessing produced water risks will be imperative. A group of experts from industry, academia, and government were assembled to define research needs to support objective decision making on the acceptability, or lack thereof, of produced water disposal alternatives. Presented here are key outcomes from that workshop and recommendations for a research framework to assess toxicity of produced water and associated risks from above ground discharge and reuse options. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:677–682. © 2019 SETAC.
OVERESTIMATION OF BENEFITS OF CANAL IRRIGATION PROJECTS: DECLINE OF PERFORMANCE OVER TIME CAUSED BY DETERIORATION OF CONCRETE CANAL LINING
Authors: Plusquellec Hervé
Published: April 2019

The paper starts with a review of the findings and recommendations of the evaluation studies at completion of the projects financed by the World Bank up to the mid‐2000s and a review of the performance of a cohort of canal projects by independent consultants and by the FAO using the rapid appraisal process methodology. All the evaluation studies confirmed that the assumptions made at appraisal were overly optimistic: crop yields, cropping intensities, overall irrigation efficiencies and economic evaluations. Not only were the efficiency values quite often largely overestimated, but many economic evaluations assumed that the overall water efficiency values would remain constant over the life of the project. There is strong evidence that hard surface linings could deteriorate within a few years and then seepage returns to that from an unlined canal. Despite the accumulated evidence of the short life of the conventional rigid lining techniques in many irrigation systems, adoption of sustainable options using long‐life geomembranes in irrigation canal lining is still very slow. The paper ends with a short discussion of that technique, which has pervaded all civil engineering disciplines except irrigation. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
General Equation for Advance and Recession of Water in Border Irrigation
Authors: Chari Mohammad Mahdi , Davary Kamran , Ghahraman Bijan , Ziaei Ali Naghi
Published: April 2019

Advance and recession curves are of great importance for assessing the performance of border irrigation. In recent years, scaling techniques have helped to reduce the required measurements and to provide formulation of soil–water relations. The purpose of this study was to develop an invariant equation for calculating advance and recession curves in border irrigation using scaling techniques. The kinematic wave model and the Philip infiltration equation were used to simulate border irrigation. Scale factors were defined such that the kinematic wave equation remained independent of the initial and boundary conditions of the soil. Scaled advance and recession curves showed certain patterns, which led us to introduce a power and a binomial equation for advance and recession phases, respectively. The scaled equations were applied on 25 vegetated and non‐vegetated borders. Four performance indices were calculated for each border, including application efficiency (Ea), deep percolation ratio (DPR), tail water ratio (TWR) and water requirement efficiency (Er). Results showed that the maximum differences between measured and estimated values were 4% for Ea, 9% for DPR and 4% for Er. Considering the simplicity and soil‐condition independence of the proposed method, it can be concluded that scaled advance and recession curves could provide a reasonable estimate of border irrigation performance. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scaling molecular dynamics beyond 100,000 processor cores for large‐scale biophysical simulations
Authors: Jung Jaewoon , Nishima Wataru , Daniels Marcus , Bascom Gavin , Kobayashi Chigusa , Adedoyin Adetokunbo , Wall Michael , Lappala Anna , Phillips Dominic , Fischer William , Tung Chang‐Shung , Schlick Tamar , Sugita Yuji , Sanbonmatsu Karissa Y.
Published: April 2019

The growing interest in the complexity of biological interactions is continuously driving the need to increase system size in biophysical simulations, requiring not only powerful and advanced hardware but adaptable software that can accommodate a large number of atoms interacting through complex forcefields. To address this, we developed and implemented strategies in the GENESIS molecular dynamics package designed for large numbers of processors. Long‐range electrostatic interactions were parallelized by minimizing the number of processes involved in communication. A novel algorithm was implemented for nonbonded interactions to increase single instruction multiple data (SIMD) performance, reducing memory usage for ultra large systems. Memory usage for neighbor searches in real‐space nonbonded interactions was reduced by approximately 80%, leading to significant speedup. Using experimental data describing physical 3D chromatin interactions, we constructed the first atomistic model of an entire gene locus (GATA4). Taken together, these developments enabled the first billion‐atom simulation of an intact biomolecular complex, achieving scaling to 65,000 processes (130,000 processor cores) with 1 ns/day performance. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Relations of anxiety sensitivity dimensions to nonsuicidal self‐injury frequency and versatility among patients with substance use disorders
Authors: Dixon Laura J. , Cohen Rivka T. , Baer Margaret M. , Gratz Kim L. , Tull Matthew T.
Published: April 2019

Objective

Despite the theoretical and empirical relevance of anxiety sensitivity (AS) to nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), few studies have investigated this association. This study examined the incremental validity of AS dimensions in NSSI frequency and versatility, above and beyond emotion dysregulation and relevant covariates (racial/ethnic background, negative affectivity). AS dimensions were expected to account for additional unique variance in NSSI outcomes.

Method

Participants included 204 patients (50.5% female) with substance use disorders in residential treatment.

Results

In this sample, 37.2% reported a history of NSSI. The hierarchical regression models revealed a unique positive association between AS social concerns and NSSI outcomes when adjusting for model variables. In contrast, AS physical concerns were uniquely negatively associated with NSSI outcomes.

Conclusion

Findings provide support for AS social concerns as a vulnerability for engagement in NSSI behaviors and highlight this particular AS dimension as a potential treatment target for NSSI prevention and intervention programs.
AAV9 gene replacement therapy for respiratory insufficiency in very‐long chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Zieger Marina , Keeler Allison M. , Flotte Terence R. , ElMallah Mai K.
Published: April 2019

Very‐long chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency (VLCADD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of fatty acid oxidation. Fatty acids are a major source of energy during catabolic stress, so the absence of VLCAD can result in a metabolic crises and respiratory insufficiency. The etiology of this respiratory insufficiency is unclear. Thus, our aims were: (1) to characterize respiratory pathophysiology in VLCADD mice (VLCAD−/−), and (2) to determine if AAV9‐mediated gene therapy improves respiratory function. For the first aim, VLCAD−/− and wild‐type (WT) mice underwent an exercise/fast “stress protocol” and awake spontaneous breathing was evaluated using whole‐body plethysmography (WBP) both at baseline and during a hypercapnic respiratory challenge (FiO2: 0.21; FiCO2: 0.07; nitrogen balance). During hypercapnia, VLCAD
−/− mice had a significantly lower frequency, tidal volume, minute ventilation, and peak inspiratory and expiratory flow, all of which indicate respiratory insufficiency. Histologically, the cardiac and respiratory muscles of stressed VLCAD
−/− animals had an accumulation of intramyocellular lipids. For the second aim, a single systemic injection of AAV9‐VLCAD gene therapy improved this respiratory pathology by normalizing breathing frequency and enhancing peak inspiratory flow. In addition, following gene therapy, there was a moderate reduction of lipid accumulation in the respiratory muscles. Furthermore, VLCAD protein expression was robust in cardiac and respiratory muscle. This was confirmed by immuno‐staining with anti‐human VLCAD antibody. In summary, stress with exercise and fasting induces respiratory insufficiency in VLCAD−/− mice and a single injection with AAV9‐VLCAD gene therapy ameliorates breathing.
Collaborative doctor–pharmacist prescribing in the emergency department and admissions unit: a study of accuracy and safety
Authors: Taylor Sally , Hale Andrew , Lewis Rebecca , Rowland Jeffrey
Published: April 2019

Prescribing by pharmacists in a collaborative manner has been occurring in the UK for several years. There are minimal studies involving pharmacist prescribing in Australia. In the present audit, 34 medication charts (17 each from the pharmacist prescriber and medical officer) were reviewed for safety and accuracy. Medication charts written by a pharmacist were more accurate than those written by a medical officer when compared to the medication history. Discrepancies and omissions had more potential for patient harm in the charts written by the medical officer. In all, 146 orders prescribed by pharmacists and 145 orders prescribed by medical officers were reviewed for safety. Of these, 90% of orders written by the pharmacist were error free, compared with 26% written by medical officers. The incorporation of pharmacist prescribers into the admissions process has the potential to improve patient safety and decrease medication errors.
Clinical and pathological outcomes of induction chemotherapy before neoadjuvant radiotherapy in locally‐advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Hardiman Karin M. , Antunez Alexis G. , Kanters Arielle , Schuman Ari D. , Regenbogen Scott E.
Published: April 2019

Background and Objectives

In North America, preoperative combination chemoradiation is the most commonly recommended and utilized approach to locally advanced rectal cancer. There is increasing interest in the use of induction chemotherapy (IC) before radiation and surgery in locally advanced rectal cancer. How widely IC is being used and whether it improves pathologic and oncologic outcomes is unknown.

Methods

We evaluated clinical stage 2 or 3 rectal cancer patients in the National Cancer Database between 2006 and 2015. We identified predictors of use of IC with multivariable logistic regression and compared survival between groups using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Among 36 268 patients, IC use increased significantly over time from 5.5% in 2006 to 15.9% in 2015 (P < 0.001). Treatment at a hospital with a high IC rate was an independent predictor of receipt of IC. IC and traditional therapy yielded similar pathologic complete response rates (32.2% vs 30.5%,
P = 0.2) and similar 5‐year survival (82.4% vs 81.4%, 0.71).

Conclusions

Use of IC for locally advanced rectal cancer has increased significantly. The choice of IC seems to be driven more by institutional and regional practice patterns than clinical characteristics and is not associated with improved pathologic or oncologic outcomes.
Arginine within a specific motif near the N‐terminal of FimY is critical for the maximal production of type 1 fimbriae in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Kuan Nan‐Ling , Yeh Kuang‐Sheng
Published: April 2019

An important Salmonella serovar for both human and animals Salmonella Typhimurium possesses 13 gene clusters that have the potential to produce fimbrial structure, among which the type 1 fimbriae with the binding specificity to mannose residue is the most commonly found type. Six structural genes and five regulatory genes comprise the fim gene cluster that is responsible for the production of type 1 fimbriae in S. Typhimurium. The fimY gene encodes a positive regulator for type 1 fimbrial expression since a deletion in fimY abolished the production of fimbriae. The N‐terminal portion of FimY contains amino acid residues that exhibit some similarity as those found in the proteins possessing the PilZ domain, which is engaged in cyclic di‐GMP binding. A fimY allele that had a change from arginine to alanine at position 7 (R7A) or 7 and 11 (R7/11A) generated by site‐directed mutagenesis in a 6RRERH11R motif near N‐terminal, when cloned in pACYC184 and transformed into a fimY‐deleted strain, decreased the expression of fimA and fimZ. The number of type 1 fimbriae in these two transformants was also less than those of the other transformants that contained different fimY alleles in pACYC184 when observed in electron microscopy. However, changing from arginine to alanine at position 11 (R11A) remained the same as the wild‐type fimY allele. It is likely that the arginine at the 7th position of FimY is critical for its maximal activating activity upon fimZ. Another motif 83DI85SLWIEK91G motif did not affect the function of FimY. Although FimY has the two aforementioned motifs, which contain some amino acids that are present within those of the PilZ domain proteins, secondary structure prediction analysis did not reveal that FimY has a conformation commonly observed in PilZ‐like proteins. Therefore, FimY and PilZ domain proteins are not homologs. Further investigation for a detailed analysis of FimY is thus warranted.
Estimation of a class of quasi‐resonances generated by multiple small particles with high surface impedances
Authors: Challa Durga Prasad , Mouffouk Fouzi , Sini Mourad
Published: April 2019

We deal with the stationary acoustic waves propagating in a cluster of small particles enjoying high contrasts. Such contrasts allow the appearance of (complex valued) resonances that are close to the real line as the size of the particles becomes small. For single (but not necessarily small) particles, we derive the characteristic equation that generates a class of these resonances (the ones for which the corresponding eigenfunctions are uniformly constant). For multiple and small particles, we provide sufficient conditions on the contrasts that generates quasi‐resonances for which the corresponding eigenfunctions are uniformly constant. Precisely, we show that, if we distribute the particles on a uniform line, then the existence of such quasi‐resonances is related to the eigenvalues of the Harary matrix. To show these results, we take, as the small contrasted particles, small obstacles with high surface impedances λ of the form λ: = βa−1 − αβa−1 + h where a is the maximum radi of the particles, with a < <1, and β is a universal and positive constant depending only on the shape of the particles (but not on their size). In this case, if the relative constant α is an eigenvalue of the Harary matrix, then the used frequency is a quasi resonance of the cluster of the small particles where the error of approximation is of the order
for h ∈ (0,1) as a < <1.
The skills, knowledge and attributes needed as a first‐contact physiotherapist in musculoskeletal healthcare
Authors: Langridge Neil
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The provision of musculoskeletal assessment and pathway management by physiotherapists in primary care is an expanding innovation within the UK National Health Service. This new model of care is challenging physiotherapists to work in new ways, and so an understanding of these roles is timely and wil contribute to the growing knowledge regarding these practitioners and their impact.

Methods

This qualitative study aimed to improve the understanding of the clinical practice of first‐contact clinicians in musculoskeletal healthcare. The study used a think‐aloud method to explore eight clinicians’ views via a stage 1 semi‐structured interview process. This was followed by a stage 2 focus group involving physiotherapists and a general practitioner trainer. A thematic analysis then followed, which involved the researcher and a research colleague coding the data and subsequently developing themes.

Results

The themes identified were: medical assessment and systems knowledge; speed of thought in an uncertain environment; breadth of knowledge; people and communication skills; common sense/simplify; and responsibility and experience.

Conclusions

The identified themes should help to underpin the competence, capability and training requirements for these new roles, and should be considered when developing new services utilizing first‐contact primary care physiotherapy practice.
The State of 8K
Authors: Donelan Jenny
Published: April 2019

Televisions and monitors with a whopping 7,680‐ by 4,320‐pixel resolution have entered the market, but with rare exceptions the content and delivery systems to support these 8K devices have not kept pace. Even so, there is more to 8K than the classic chicken and egg scenario.
Temporal Requirements for VR Displays to Create a More Comfortable and Immersive Visual Experience
Authors: Hoffman David M. , Lee Grace
Published: April 2019

The crux of producing compelling virtual reality experiences is the careful allocation of each millisecond to rendering, display driving, and display emission in order to mitigate serious visual problems such as flicker, latency, motion blur, cross‐talk, and dropped frames.
Evaluation of flow dependent external costs in freight logistics networks
Authors: Ambrosino Daniela , Sciomachen Anna , Surace Chiara
Published: April 2019

In this paper we face a distribution problem arising in a freight logistics context. More precisely, we are involved with the containerized flow originating from maritime terminals and going to inland destinations using the road transportation network. The goal is the minimization of the total shipping costs, given by the travelled distance, vehicles and external cost components. In particular, we consider accidental and polluting costs as external negative costs. Note that the proposed externality costs depend on the amount of flow through the selected arcs in the route and their capacity; therefore, a novel stepwise function is proposed and analyzed. A deep analysis is performed for evaluating the impact of environmental externalities on the choice of the route in terms of costs and distances depending on the density of the traffic. Results of an extensive computational experimentation performed with randomly generated instances of different size and capacity values of the arcs are reported. A real case instance related to the logistics network connecting the main ports of the Liguria County (Italy) to the main inland destinations is finally proposed and analyzed.
Stakeholder approach and the impact of brand image within higher education in the Middle East: Student and staff perspective
Authors: Hailat Khaled Qassem , Alshreef Amal Abdelhadi , Azzam Islam A. , Darabseh Fakhrieh
Published: April 2019

Higher education institutions should take into account the needs of stakeholders in the planning and development of quality educational services. In general, the stakeholders are divided into two categories: internal and external stakeholders. This study aims to explore the diverse basic needs of the university internal stakeholders (students, academic staff, and employees) and the impact of the services on the brand image of the educational institutions. Consensus has been built that an organization's image can only be or assessed by its stakeholders or constituents. Utilizing the qualitative approach through empirical semi‐structured interviews, data were collected from both Benghazi University in the country of Libya and Yarmouk University in the country of Jordan. To gain an in‐depth understating of the basic services, interviews were conducted with 41 university internal stakeholders (students, academic staff, and employees). The findings have a remarkable impact on the education services quality and the perception of brand image of both institutions, which subsequently affects the Libyan and Jordanian economy. The paper explores the differences between the needs of the three groups. This study is of value to educational leaders as it serves as contribution to the well designing of comprehensive plans of the university, by providing the decision makers with information on the needs of the university internal stakeholders. Managements can develop policies, which will improve the safety of customers and staff and increase collaborations with both universities stakeholders, etc. Accordingly, the results provide a foundation on which future research can be built.
Additive manufacturing of fire‐retardant ethylene‐vinyl acetate
Authors: Geoffroy Laura , Samyn Fabienne , Jimenez Maude , Bourbigot Serge
Published: April 2019

Thermocompression (with also extrusion and injection molding) is a classical polymer shaping manufacturing, but it does not easily allow designing sophisticated shapes without using a complex mold, on the contrary to 3D printing (or polymer additive manufacturing), which is a very flexible technique. Among all 3D printing techniques, fused deposition modeling is of high potential for product manufacturing, with the capability to compete with conventional polymer processing techniques. This is a quite low cost 3D printing technique, but the range of filaments commercially available is limited. However, in some specific 3D printing processes, no filaments are necessary. Polymers pellets feed directly the printing nozzle allowing to investigate many polymeric matrices with no commercial limitation. This is of high interest for the design of flame‐retarded materials, but literature is scarce in that field. In this paper, a comparison between thermocompression and 3D printing processes was performed on both neat ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and EVA flame retarded with aluminum triHydroxyde (ATH) containing different loadings (30 or 65 wt%) and with expandable graphite (EG), ie, EVA/ATH (30 wt%), EVA/ATH (65 wt%), and EVA/EG (10 wt%), respectively. Morphological comparisons, using microscopic and electronic microprobe analyses, revealed that 3D printed plates have lower apparent density and higher porosity than thermocompressed plate. The fire‐retardant properties of thermocompressed and 3D printed plates were then evaluated using mass loss calorimeter test at 50 kW/m2. Results highlight that 3D printing can be used to produce flame‐retardant systems. This work is a pioneer study exploring the feasibility of using polymer additive manufacturing technology for designing efficient flame‐retarded materials.
Facile measurement of protein stability and folding kinetics using a nano differential scanning fluorimeter
Authors: Chattopadhyay Gopinath , Varadarajan Raghavan
Published: April 2019

With advancements in high‐throughput generation of phenotypic data on mutant proteins, it has become important to individually characterize different proteins or their variants rapidly and with minimal sample consumption. We have made use of a nano differential scanning fluorimetric device, from NanoTemper technologies, to rapidly carry out isothermal chemical denaturation and measure folding/unfolding kinetics of proteins and compared these to corresponding data obtained from conventional spectrofluorimetry. We show that using sample volumes 10‐50‐fold lower than with conventional fluorimetric techniques, one can rapidly and accurately measure thermodynamic and kinetic stability, as well as folding/unfolding kinetics. This method also facilitates characterization of proteins that are difficult to express and purify.
The measurement of volume change by capillary dilatometry
Authors: Kahn Peter C.
Published: April 2019

Capillary dilatometry enables direct measurement of changes in volume, an extensive thermodynamic property. The results provide insight into the changes in hydration that occur upon protein folding, ligand binding, and the interactions of proteins with nucleic acids and other cellular components. Often the entropy change arising from release of hydrating solvent provides the main driving force of a binding reaction. For technical reasons, though, capillary dilatometry has not been as widely used in protein biochemistry and biophysics as other methods such as calorimetry. Described here are simple apparatus and simple methods, which bring the technique within the capacity of any laboratory. Even very simple results are shown to have implications for macromolecular‐based phenomena. Protein examples are described.
Aqueous extract of clove inhibits tumor growth by inducing autophagy through AMPK/ULK pathway
Authors: Li Cong , Xu Huanli , Chen Xiaoliang , Chen Jijun , Li Xiao , Qiao Gan , Tian Ye , Yuan Ru , Su Shuonan , Liu Xiaohui , Lin Xiukun
Published: April 2019

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, displays broad biological activity. In the present study, the aqueous extract of clove (AEC) was prepared, and its anticancer affects were studied. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐(3‐carboxymethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(4‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetra‐zolium (MTS) analysis revealed that AEC was able to inhibit cancer cell growth in vitro on several cancer cell lines; the IC50 is around 150 μg/ml for human pancreatic ASPC‐1 and human colon HT‐29 cancer cells. Treatment of the cancer cells with AEC also diminished the colony formation significantly in both human pancreatic ASPC‐1 cancer cells and human colon HT‐29 cancer cells. In vivo study revealed that AEC inhibited the tumor growth significantly in HT‐29 xenograft mice model. Transmission electron microscope, flow cytometry assay, and fluorescence microscope analysis confirmed that AEC is capable of inducing cell autophagy. Further study showed that AMPK/ULK pathway plays an important role in AEC‐induced autophagy in cancer cells. Analysis of AEC components was performed by liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer approach, and more than nine constitutes were identified in AEC fraction. The study provides evidence that AEC has potential to be developed as a novel anticancer agent or as an adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy.