bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Education of Foreign Military Personnel in the Polish Military Universities and Academies as a Factor Enhancing National Security — Selected Aspects
Authors: Liberacki Marcin , Żyła Marek
Published: July 2018

The article discusses factors enhancing the development of international cooperation in military education limited to several chosen aspects of educating foreign military personnel in Polish military schools between 2013–2017. Such cooperation is conducted through making contact with foreign partners and participation in mutual events in the field of science, research and didactics, as well as the exchange of students and teaching staff. Additionally, the paper presents legal conditions for the education of foreigners — primarily the regulations of the Higher Education Act by which the Minister of National Defence is authorised to coordinate the cooperation of Polish and foreign schools and academies as a part of international agreements. Moreover, the
priorities of the cooperation are also mentioned. Such priorities are treated as an effective tool in supporting the process of the creation of a friendly international environment and as a part of trying to achieve some kind of unification of education and training. One of the best examples of such a priority is an increase of exchanges of military students that were made possible by the establishment of a system of exchange of students from military higher education institutions (officer cadets) and this programme is called the European Initiative for the Exchange of Young Officers (Military ERASMUS). A significant role for the development of international cooperation is also played by 1st degree studies (bachelor degree), run in the English language, conducted by three Polish military academies — Naval Academy, Military University of Land Forces and Air Force Academy. Finally, postgraduates
studies, English language courses on different levels, according to STANAG 6001, and the Polish language course for foreigners complete the educational offer for the foreign partners.
The Sense of Security of the Residents of the Borderland of Cieszyn Silesia Based on the Example of the City of Czech Cieszyn
Authors: Mika Janusz
Published: July 2018

The article analyses the issue of the sense of public security of the residents of the borderland of Cieszyn Silesia based on the example of Czech Cieszyn, a border city. Supported by research, it also presents an evaluation of police work in the city’s communities. The research was conducted in Czech Cieszyn in 2017. The research shows the current state of security and the sense of the security of the city’s inhabitants. The research mainly focuses on the level of security of Czech Cieszyn’s residents and communities occupying the borderlands of Cieszyn Silesia and the evaluation of the image of the Police of the Czech Republic. The research has adopted the diagnostic poll method in the form of a survey for which a questionnaire has been created. The analysis of the research outcome allows peculiar correlations to be identified, such as sex, age, education level, professional activity etc., time of day, the sense of security in each city quarter. The research indicates the presence of an optimistic trend of a rather high, subjectively experienced sense of security of the city’s residents. Since the citizens’ sense of security is largely dependent on the visible uniformed presence of the police patrolling the city, the research also includes the issue of the society’s satisfaction with local police service. The interviewees graded the competence, courteousness and communication skills of the officers along with their willingness to assist the residents. In general, the officers’ performance is good according to the community of Czech Cieszyn. The article ends with a conclusion along with a positive statement that the city council and the police have undertaken and have been already taking action to prevent the most undesirable threats.
The State of Public Security in the Reorganised Communes of the Province of Masovia After the Restoration of Police Stations
Authors: Michułka Tomasz S.
Published: July 2018

In the article one can find an analysis of the state of security in respect of the reorganised communes of the Province of Masovia province after the restoration of the police stations. The restoration of police stations is a switch towards a creative model of Policing bringing it closer to the problems of society. It is the model of functioning of the Police based on the philosophy of community policing. Therefore, the article is also an attempt to address the question as to whether the solutions applied have proved to be effective. During the period 2010–2013 in the area of the Masovian garrison 70 police stations were decommissioned in 70 communes. As a consequence of extensive public consultations and as a result of an analysis of recommendations reported concerning reconstruction of Police structures in communes, it was decided to create 9 police stations in the years 2016–2017. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the police stations created, the data analysed referred to the number of investigated crimes,
the crime detection rate, the number of police officers in the patrol service and a response time in the supervised area. The statistical
data dating from 2013–2016, so from the time when in the area of aforementioned communes police stations did not exist and from
the first half-year of 2017 when police stations were functioning again, have been correlated and analysed. The analyses revealed
that the state of security has improved. It has been demonstrated that the structural changes implemented in the functioning of Police
are very effective in the communes researched. The improvement in the statistical data is not the only positive result of the changes.
The most significant improvement is the increased sense of security among the local residents who have an easier access to Police.
Cognitive and Utilitarian Aspects of Psychological Support for Police Oﬃcers
Authors: Szołtek Agnieszka
Published: July 2018

Psychological support for police officers and civilian police staff is among key factors capable of preventing negative effects of work-related stress. The need for such support is especially significant in crisis situations, when psychological assistance is provided to police officers and civilian police staff. Comprehensive psychological support is offered by police psychologists, who are responsible for psychological care and psychoeducation, psychology of human resources management and applied police psychology. This paper presents statistical figures as regards forms of psychological assistance provided by psychologists in 2016. As the most common of psychological specialisations, psychological care involves providing psychological assistance or emotional first aid to police officers and civilian police staff; doing psychotherapy; offering psychoeducation to a police officer or a civilian
employee; preparing a psychological analysis of suicide or a suicide attempt by a police officer or civilian police worker. In 2016 police psychologists specialising in psychological care and psychoeducation targeted for assistance almost 2,000 police officers and civilian police staff and provided nearly 3,500 pieces of psychological advice. In addition, the psychologists’ work consisted in offering psychotherapy to individuals and support groups. The vast majority of therapeutic activities were targeted at police officers and civilian police staff in crisis situations. An important aspect of psychological support is broadly understood psychoeducation, which makes it possible to cope with mental stress. Police officers cannot avoid work-related stress or traumatic experiences when performing their official duties, but they can and should take advantage of police psychologists’ professional assistance.
Statistical data quoted in the report summarising police psychologists’ activity in 2016 clearly shows that their work is necessary.
News from the Field
Authors: Free David
Published: July 2018

Penn State presents information literacy awardsNewberry Library releases 200,000 digital images from Americana collectionsTemple University joins PorticoCLIR Recordings at Risk grantsLibrary Assessment Conference travel grantsEBSCO, Five Colleges Consortium announce EBSCO FOLIO beta partnership
Grants and Acquisitions
Authors: Galloway Ann-Christe
Published: July 2018

The University of Arkansas Libraries has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to serve as the home for the Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts Program.
Using Data to Understand and Improve Students' Learning: Empowering Teachers and Researchers Through Building and Using a Knowledge Base
Authors: Cai Jinfa , Morris Anne , Hohensee Charles , Hwang Stephen , Robison Victoria , Hiebert James
Published: July 2018

In our May editorial (Cai et al., 2018a), we explored how collaborations among teacher-researcher partnerships could harness emerging technological resources to address the problem of isolation in the work of teachers and researchers. In particular, we described a professional knowledge base (Cai et al., 2018b) and a mechanism by which that knowledge base could be continuously populated, updated with data and resources that are useful to teachers and researchers, and shared among partnerships thereby enabling them to work on the same instructional problems. In this editorial, we shift our focus to discuss how data on students' thinking and classroom experiences could be leveraged within such a system to improve instructional practice. We will explore how the knowledge base could serve as a tool to (a) gather, process, and analyze data from individual students; (b) increase our understanding of the effects of students' mathematical learning experiences; and (c) help teacher-researcher partnerships understand and improve students' learning.
Asset-Based Approaches to Equitable Mathematics Education Research and Practice
Authors: Celedón-Pattichis Sylvia , Borden Lunney Lisa , Pape Stephen J. , Clements Douglas H. , Peters Susan A. , Males Joshua R. , Chapman Olive , Leonard Jacqueline
Published: July 2018

In July 2017, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) released a new mission statement that shifts the organization's primary focus to supporting and advocating for the highest quality mathematics teaching and learning for all students. A key strategy for achieving this goal is to advance “a culture of equity where each and every person has access to high quality teaching and is empowered as a learner and doer of mathematics” (NCTM, 2017, “Strategic Framework,” para. 2). Increasing equity and ensuring the highest quality mathematics teaching and learning for all students requires systemic change (National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics [NCSM] & TODOS: Mathematics for ALL, 2016). As educators are called to enact NCTM's new mission, we acknowledge that such change is complex. We also acknowledge that our own experiences conducting equity work that is grounded in an asset-based approach are at different stages of development, ranging from beginning levels to lived experiences as diverse mathematics learners and mathematics education researchers. We see this change in mission as a call to both act politically (Aguirre et al., 2017) and to change story lines (i.e., “broad, culturally shared narrative[s]”; Herbel-Eisenmann et al., 2016, p. 104) that dominate the public perception of mathematics learning and teaching. We acknowledge that systemic barriers are part of a larger educational issue, but for the purposes of this commentary, we focus on mathematics.
The interpersonal beginnings of fandom: The relation between attachment style, trust, and the admiration of celebrities
Authors: Collisson Brian , Browne Blaine L. , McCutcheon Lynn E. , Britt Rebecca , Browne Amy M.
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between people’s attraction to celebrities and their interpersonal trust and attachment style. Previous research suggests that individuals with different attachment styles are differentially attracted to celebrities. We predicted that securely attached participants who mistrust, rather than trust, others tend to have higher levels of benign celebrity attraction. We found only partial support for our hypothesis. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences between different attachment styles on either of the two measures of celebrity admiration. These findings contribute to the literature on trust and celebrity worship by providing new information about how different attachment styles may (or may not) affect the relationships that people have with their favorite celebrity.
Interpersonal chemistry in friendships and romantic relationships
Authors: Campbell Kelly , Nelson Jessie , Parker Michele L. , Johnston Silvana
Published: July 2018

Interpersonal chemistry refers to a perceived instant connection that exists when meeting a person for the first time. In this study, we inductively explored the characteristics of friendship and romantic chemistry for men and women. A social constructionist lens guided our data collection and interpretation. The sample consisted of 362 ethnically diverse individuals (men = 162, women = 200) who completed an online survey. Using textual coding methods, we identified the core themes for interpersonal chemistry as: Reciprocal candor, mutual enjoyment, attraction, similarities, personableness, love, instant connection, and indescribable factors. The similarities theme was more characteristic of friendship than romantic chemistry and the attraction and love themes were more salient to romantic chemistry. We analyzed the data separately for men and women and found that women’s responses centered more on love as characteristic of friendship chemistry and similarities as a component of romantic chemistry.
Testing accuracy in 2D and 3D geometric morphometric methods for cut mark identification and classification
Authors: Courtenay Lloyd A. , Maté-González Miguel Ángel , Aramendi Julia , Yravedra José , González-Aguilera Diego , Domínguez-Rodrigo Manuel
Published: July 2018

The analysis of bone surface modifications (BSMs) is a prominent part of paleoanthropological studies, namely taphonomic research. Behavioral interpretations of the fossil record hinge strongly upon correct assessment of BSMs. With the significant impact of microscopic analysis to the study of BSMs, multiple authors have discussed the reliability of these technological improvements for gaining resolution in BSM discrimination. While a certain optimism is present, some important questions are ignored and others overemphasized without appropriate empirical support. This specifically affects the study of cut marks. A diversity of geometric morphometric approaches applied to the study of cut marks have resulted in the coexistence (and competition) of different 2D and 3D methods. The present work builds upon the foundation of experiments presented by Maté-González et al. (2015), Courtenay et al. (2017) and Otárola-Castillo et al. (2018) to contrast for the first time 2D and 3D methods in their resolution of cut mark interpretation and classification. The results presented here show that both approaches are equally valid and that the use of sophisticated 3D methods do not contribute to an improvement in accuracy.
Influence of elevated CO2 on development and food utilization of armyworm Mythimna separata fed on transgenic Bt maize infected by nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Authors: Li Zhuo , Parajulee Megha N. , Chen Fajun
Published: July 2018

Background

Bt crops will face a new ecological risk of reduced effectiveness against target-insect pests owing to the general decrease in exogenous-toxin content in Bt crops grown under elevated carbon dioxide (CO2). The method chosen to deal with this issue may affect the sustainability of transgenic crops as an effective pest management tool, especially under future atmospheric CO2 level raising.

Methods

In this study, rhizobacterias, as being one potential biological regulator to enhance nitrogen utilization efficiency of crops, was selected and the effects of Bt maize (Line IE09S034 with Cry1Ie vs. its parental line of non-Bt maize Xianyu 335) infected by Azospirillum brasilense (AB) and Azotobacter chroococcum (AC) on the development and food utilization of the target Mythimna separate under ambient and double-ambient CO2 in open-top chambers from 2016 to 2017.

Results

The results indicated that rhizobacteria infection significantly increased the larval life-span, pupal duration, relative consumption rate and approximate digestibility of M. separata, and significantly decreased the pupation rate, pupal weight, adult longevity, fecundity, relative growth rate, efficiency of conversion of digested food and efficiency of conversion of ingested food of M. separata fed on Bt maize, while here were opposite trends in development and food utilization of M. separata fed on non-Bt maize infected with AB and AC compared with the control buffer in 2016 and 2017 regardless of CO2 level.

Discussion

Simultaneously, elevated CO2 and Bt maize both had negative influence on the development and food utilization of M. separata. Presumably, CO2 concentration arising in future significantly can increase their intake of food and harm to maize crop; however, Bt maize infected with rhizobacterias can reduce the field hazards from M. separata and the application of rhizobacteria infection can enhance the resistance of Bt maize against target lepidoptera pests especially under elevated CO2.
Natural Product Dietary Supplement Use by Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Scoping Review
Authors: DeSalvo Janel C. , Skiba Meghan B. , Howe Carol L. , Haiber Karen E. , Funk Janet L.
Published: July 2018

Objective

Natural product dietary supplements (NDS), defined as non‐mineral, non‐vitamin, ingested, natural product–derived, substances, are the most frequently used complementary and alternative medicine modality in the US, with musculoskeletal disease being the most frequent reason for their use. Because NDS usage is frequently unreported, and patients with RA may be at higher risk for NDS‐related side effects due the underlying nature of the disease and frequent use of complex pharmaceutical regimens, a scoping review of the literature was undertaken to examine population‐based patterns of NDS use for RA self‐management.

Methods

Using guidelines for scoping reviews, Allied and Complementary Medicine, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify references presenting primary data related to the prevalence or patterns of use of NDS in RA populations.

Results

Twenty‐three studies, which were published between 1980 and 2015 and conducted in 11 countries, met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of NDS use in patients with RA was 47% worldwide and did not differ by geographic region. On average, 47% of patients found NDS to be effective and 13% reported adverse side effects, with only 30% informing their physicians about the use of NDS, which in a majority of cases were used concomitantly with RA pharmaceuticals. Marine oils, glucosamine, vinegar, and chondroitin were among the most commonly reported NDS worldwide.

Conclusion

Given the apparent communication gap between patients and providers regarding NDS use and higher potential risks associated with this usage in RA, ongoing surveillance of population‐based practices may help facilitate RA management and direct future NDS research.
Tuning the Photoinduced Electron Transfer in a Zr‐MOF: Toward Solid‐State Fluorescent Molecular Switch and Turn‐On Sensor
Authors: Gui Bo , Meng Yi , Xie Yang , Tian Jianwu , Yu Ge , Zeng Weixuan , Zhang Guanxin , Gong Shaolong , Yang Chuluo , Zhang Deqing , Wang Cheng
Published: July 2018

The immobilization of fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) switches/sensors into solid state, which usually cannot maintain their identical properties in solution, has remained a big challenge. Herein, a water‐stable anthracene and maleimide appended zirconium‐based‐metal–organic framework (Zr‐MOF; UiO‐68‐An/Ma) is reported. Unlike the regular intramolecular “fluorophore–spacer–receptor” format, the separated immobilization of fluorescent (anthracene) and acceptor (maleimide) groups into the framework of a multivariate MOF can also favor a pseudo‐intramolecular fluorescent PET process, resulting in UiO‐68‐An/Ma with very weak fluorescence. Interestingly, after Diels–Alder reaction or thiol‐ene reaction of maleimide groups, the pseudo‐intramolecular fluorescent PET process in UiO‐68‐An/Ma fails and the solid‐state fluorescence of the crystals is recovered. In addition, UiO‐68‐An/Ma shows an interesting application as solid‐state fluorescent turn‐on sensor for biothiols, with the naked eye response at a low concentration of 50 µmol L−1 within 5 min. This study represents a general strategy to enable the efficient tuning of fluorescent PET switches/sensors in solid state, and considering the fluorescence of the PET‐based MOFs can be restored after addition of analyte/target species, this research will definitely inspire to construct stimuli‐responsive fluorescent MOFs for interesting applications (e.g., logic gate) in future.
Development of a Novel Orthogonal Double Gradient for High‐Throughput Screening of Mesenchymal Stem Cells–Materials Interaction
Authors: Zhou Qihui , Ge Lu , Guimarães Carlos F. , Kühn Philipp T. , Yang Liangliang , van Rijn Patrick
Published: July 2018

Surface gradients provide a powerful platform to accelerate multiscale design by efficiently studying of material–cell interactions to ultimately enhance function of synthetic clinical biomaterials. Herein, a novel orthogonal double gradient is reported in which surface stiffness and wettability vary independently and continuously in perpendicular directions, providing unique combinations of stiffness and wettability over a broad range (stiffness: 6–89 MPa; water contact angle: 29°–90°). It is found that mesenchymal stem cell behavior is nonlinearly regulated by surface stiffness and wettability. These combined stiffness and wettability properties of a material significantly affect stem cell adhesion, spreading, nucleus size, and vinculin expression. This high‐throughput screening system enables elucidation of the relationships between biointerface properties and biological behavior, and thereby serves a potential tool for accelerating the development of high‐performance biomaterials.
Tetrathienoanthracene and Tetrathienylbenzene Derivatives as Hole‐Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cell
Authors: Rojas Diana Elizabeth Meza , Cho Kyung Taek , Zhang Yi , Urbani Maxence , Tabet Nouar , de la Torre Gema , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja , Torres Tomás
Published: July 2018

The synthesis and characterization of two related families of star‐shaped thiophene‐containing hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) based on fused tetrathienoanthracene and nonfused tetrathienylbenzene cores are reported. All of them are endowed with four terminal (4,4′‐dimethoxy)diphenylamino groups that are either linked directly to the core or showed a different type of bridges (i.e., thiophene‐phenyl or phenyl rings). The novel HTMs are tested in mixed‐ion perovskite (Cs0.1FA0.74MA0.13PbI2.48Br0.39) solar cells, and power conversion efficiencies of up to 18.8% are measured under 1 sun irradiation, comparable with the efficiency obtained for the reference cell using 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N′‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene as an HTM.
Engineering Surface Amine Modifiers of Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide for Improved Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Zhao Yong , Wang Caiyun , Liu Yuqing , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: July 2018

Ultrasmall gold (Au) nanoparticles with high mass activity have great potential for practical applications in CO2 electroreduction. However, these nanoparticles often suffer from poor product selectivity since their abundant low‐coordinated sites are favorable for H2 evolution. In this work, a catalyst, reduced graphene oxide supported ultrasmall Au nanoparticles (≈2.4 nm) is developed which delivers high Au‐specific mass activities (>100 A g−1) and good Faradaic efficiencies (32–60%) for the CO2‐to‐CO conversion at moderate overpotentials (450–600 mV). The efficiencies can be improved to 59–75% while retaining the ultrahigh mass activities via a simple amine‐modification strategy. In addition, an amine‐structure‐dependent effect is revealed: linear amines promote the CO formation whereas the branched polyamine greatly depresses it; the increasing alkyl chain length boosts the promotion effect of linear amines. The strong Au‐amine interaction and molecular configuration induced amine coverage on the ultrasmall Au NPs may contribute to this effect.
Process synthesis using block superstructure with automated flowsheet generation and optimization
Authors: Li Jianping , Demirel Salih Emre , Hasan M. M. Faruque
Published: July 2018

An alternative method for chemical process synthesis using a block‐based superstructure representation is proposed. The block‐based superstructure is a collection of blocks arranged in a two‐dimensional grid. The assignment of different equipment on blocks and the determination of their connectivity are performed using a mixed‐integer nonlinear formulation for automated flowsheet generation and optimization‐based process synthesis. Based on the special structure of the block representation, an efficient strategy is proposed to generate and successively refine feasible and optimized process flowsheets. Our approach is demonstrated using two process synthesis case studies adapted from the literature and one new process synthesis problem for methanol production from biogas © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3082–3100, 2018
Cascade Reactions in Tunable Lamellar Micro‐ and Mesopores for C=C Bond Coupling and Hydrocarbon Synthesis
Authors: Lin Fan , Zhang Junyan , Liu Dongxia , Chin Ya‐Huei (Cathy)
Published: July 2018

Two‐dimensional MFI zeolite nanosheets contain Brønsted acid sites partially confined at the intercept between micro‐ and mesopores. These acid sites exhibit exceptional reactivities and stabilities for C=C bond coupling and ring‐closure reactions that transform light aldehydes to aromatics. These sites are much more effective than those confined within the micropores of MFI crystallites and those unconfined on H4SiW12O40 clusters or mesoporous aluminosilicate Al‐MCM‐41. The partially confined site environment solvates and stabilizes the transition states of the kinetically relevant steps during aromatization.
A Protein‐Based Encapsulation System with Calcium‐Controlled Cargo Loading and Detachment
Authors: Lizatović Robert , Assent Marvin , Barendregt Arjan , Dahlin Jonathan , Bille Anna , Satzinger Katharina , Tupina Dagnija , Heck Albert J. R. , Wennmalm Stefan , André Ingemar
Published: July 2018

Protein‐based encapsulation systems have a wide spectrum of applications in targeted delivery of cargo molecules and for chemical transformations in confined spaces. By engineering affinity between cargo and container proteins it has been possible to enable the efficient and specific encapsulation of target molecules. Missing in current approaches is the ability to turn off the interaction after encapsulation to enable the cargo to freely diffuse in the lumen of the container. Separation between cargo and container is desirable in drug delivery applications and in the use of capsids as catalytic nanoparticles. We describe an encapsulation system based on the hepatitis B virus capsid in which an engineered high‐affinity interaction between cargo and capsid proteins can be modulated by Ca2+. Cargo proteins are loaded into capsids in the presence of Ca2+, while ligand removal triggers unbinding inside the container. We observe that confinement leads to hindered rotation of cargo inside the capsid. Application of the designed container for catalysis was also demonstrated by encapsulation of an enzyme with β‐glucosidase activity.
Peripheral Amplification of Multi‐Resonance Induced Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence for Highly Efficient OLEDs
Authors: Liang Xiao , Yan Zhi‐Ping , Han Hua‐Bo , Wu Zheng‐Guang , Zheng You‐Xuan , Meng Hong , Zuo Jing‐Lin , Huang Wei
Published: July 2018

Multi‐resonance induced by boron and nitrogen atoms in opposite resonance positions endows a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) emitter with a strikingly small full width at half maximum of only 26 nm and excellent photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 97.48 %. The introduction of a carbazole unit in the para position of the B‐substituted phenyl‐ring can significantly boost up the resonance effect without compromising the color fidelity, subsequently enhancing the performances of the corresponding pure blue TADF‐OLED, with an outstanding external quantum efficiency (EQE) up to 32.1 % and low efficiency roll‐off, making it one of the best TADF‐OLEDs in the blue region to date. Furthermore, utilizing this material as host for a yellow phosphorescent emitter, the device also shows a significantly reduced turn‐on voltage of 3.2 V and an EQEmax of 22.2 %.
Agronomic Performance and Seed Inorganic Phosphorus Stability of Low‐Phytate Soybean Line TN09‐239
Authors: Wiggins Suzannah J. , Smallwood Chris J. , West Dennis R. , Kopsell Dean A. , Sams Carl E. , Pantalone Vincent R.
Published: July 2018

Phytate (myoinositol‐1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexa‐kisphosphate) in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cannot be absorbed by livestock with monogastric digestive systems, and is often excreted in their waste. This can result in agricultural runoff pollution, as well as nutritional deficiencies in poultry (Gallus Gallus domesticus) and swine (Sus domesticus). The enzyme phytase is often applied to break the phytin‐salt bonds and allow for phosphorus (P) absorption, but is an added cost for animal producers. Therefore, we developed a low‐phytate BC4‐derived line TN09‐239 for comparison of agronomic and seed‐quality traits with the high‐yielding recurrent parent, 5601T. In a replicated, multienvironment field test in Tennessee, TN09‐239 was significantly higher for inorganic P (Pi) (P < 0.001), which is inversely correlated with the seed‐phytate concentration, but significantly lower for yield (P < 0.05) in comparison with the recurrent parent. These findings for increased Pi, but reduced yield, for TN09‐239 in comparison with 5601T were confirmed in the 2010 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Uniform Preliminary V Soybean Test grown in 10 southern US environments. 5601T and TN09‐239 differed in Pi stability across southern environments, with linear regression showing 5601T having stability across environments, while TN09‐239 showed variations based on the environments. However, in each environment TN09‐239 displayed nearly a 10‐fold increase in Pi compared to 5601T. Although the low‐phytate trait and much of the recurrent parent genome along with 85–90% of the yield have been captured, further backcrossing could help recover the remaining seed yield of 5601T and other traits desirable for southern US producers.
Integrating syntax‐semantic‐based text analysis with structural and citation information for scientific plagiarism detection
Authors: Vani K , Gupta Deepa
Published: July 2018

The objective of the work is to explore the potency of integrating structural and citation information with effective syntax‐semantic text‐based analysis for scientific plagiarism detection. One of the major limitations in today's plagiarism checkers is their sole dependence on text‐based detection, where they ignore the citation and structural information. Further, the text‐based detection approaches that they employ usually fail to trace out intelligent manipulations. In the proposed work, a plagiarism detection system is presented that employs the effective coupling of various modules, namely, logical structure classifications and citation parsing, two‐stage candidate document selections, syntax‐semantic‐based exhaustive passage level analysis with plagiarism analysis using structural and citation information. Further, a new plagiarism score, namely, weighted overall similarity index is proposed, opposed to the general plagiarism scores. The proposed approach is evaluated on the data set created by Alzahrani et al. (), which contains scientific publications imposed with various plagiarism complexities. Comparison of the final system results is done against a potential baseline approach. The proposed approach exhibits considerable improvement over the comparative baseline, and hence reflects the potency of syntax‐semantic text‐based analysis with structural and citation information.
Addressing the Challenges to Identification in Gas Chromatography by Increased Resolution and Enhanced Detection Modalities
Authors: Marriott Philip J.
Published: July 2018

In the past 15+ years, gas chromatography (GC) has undergone a renaissance in its implementation on the basis of the “disruptive” technology of comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). With a foundation based upon a two‐column GC separation approach, GC×GC significantly alters the classical multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC) method by employing very fast separation on a second dimension (2D) after a conventional one‐dimensional (i.e., single column; 1D) column separation. This allows the experimentalist to apply the advantages of multidimensionality to the total sample rather than to just discrete zones of the 1D separation that characterizes MDGC. This requires a new “language” to describe GC×GC separations, applied to the first dimension (1D) and 2D, and consideration of the modulation processes that define the transfer of analyte from the 1D to the 2D. The present review is based on the FACS Foundation lectureship of the author given at the 17th Asian Chemical Congress of the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS). The award lecture and this manuscript is based on material deriving largely from research in the area of MDGC and GC×GC separations of the author.
Self‐Assembly and Stabilization of Hybrid Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus Particles under Nearly Physiological Conditions
Authors: Timmermans Suzanne B. P. E. , Vervoort Daan F. M. , Schoonen Lise , Nolte Roeland J. M. , van Hest Jan C. M.
Published: July 2018

Capsids of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) hold great promise for use as nanocarriers in vivo. A major drawback, however, is the lack of stability of the empty wild‐type virus particles under physiological conditions. Herein, the assembly behavior and stability under nearly physiological conditions of protein‐based block copolymers composed of the CCMV capsid protein and two hydrophobic elastin‐like polypeptides are reported. UV/Vis spectroscopy studies, dynamic light‐scattering analysis, and TEM measurements demonstrate that both hybrid variants form stable capsids at pH 7.5, physiological NaCl concentration, and 37 °C. The more hydrophobic variant also remains stable in a cell culture medium. These engineered, hybrid CCMV capsid particles can therefore be regarded as suitable candidates for in vivo applications.
Robust Adaptive Neural Network Control For A Class Of Multiple‐Input Multiple‐Output Nonlinear Time Delay System With Hysteresis Inputs And Dynamic Uncertainties
Authors: Wu Yuefei , Yue Dong
Published: July 2018

This paper studies an adaptive neural control for nonlinear multiple‐input multiple‐output systems with dynamic uncertainties, hysteresis input, and time delay. The studied systems are composed of N nonlinear time‐delay subsystems and the interconnection terms are contained in every equation of each subsystem. Adaptive neural control algorithms are developed by introducing a well‐defined smooth function. The unknown time‐varying delays and the unmodeled dynamics are dealt with by constructing appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functions and introducing an available dynamic signal. The main advantage of the proposed controllers is that they contain fewer parameter estimates that need to be updated online. Consequently, the accuracy of ultimate tracking errors asymptotically approaches a pre‐defined bound, and all signals in the closed‐loop systems are also ensured to be uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, a simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness and merits of the proposed adaptive neural network control schemes.
Intestinal secretion of indoxyl sulfate as a possible compensatory excretion pathway in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Morimoto Kaori , Tominaga Yuuta , Agatsuma Yuta , Miyamoto Masanari , Kashiwagura Shota , Takahashi Akira , Sano Yoshimi , Yano Kentaro , Kakinuma Chihaya , Ogihara Takuo , Tomita Mikio
Published: July 2018

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a protein‐bound uremic toxin that progressively accumulates in plasma during chronic kidney disease (CKD), and its accumulation is associated with the progression of CKD. This study examined the intestinal secretion of IS using in situ single‐pass intestinal perfusion in a rat model of renal insufficiency, MRP2‐ and BCRP‐overexpressing Sf9 membrane vesicles, and Caco‐2 cell monolayers. An in situ single‐pass perfusion study in CKD model rats demonstrated that a small amount of IS is secreted into intestinal lumen after iv administration of IS, and the clearance increased AUC‐dependently. An excess amount of IS (3 mm) partially inhibited the MRP2‐ and BCRP‐mediated uptake of specific fluorescent substrates, CDCF and Lucifer yellow, respectively, into the membrane vesicles, although IS was not taken up at a physiological concentration, 10 μm. In the Caco‐2 cell monolayers, the IS transport was higher in the absorptive direction than in the secretory direction (p < 0.05). p‐Aminohippuric acid (PAH) strongly inhibited IS transport in both directions (absorptive, p = 0.142; secretory, p < 0.01). Given that the blood IS levels are much higher than those in the intestinal lumen, it is possible that this unknown PAH‐sensitive system contributes to the intestinal IS secretion. Although in situ inhibition study is needed to confirm that this unknown transporter mediates the in vivo intestinal secretion of IS, we speculate that this unknown active efflux system works as a compensatory excretion pathway for excess organic anions such as IS especially in end‐stage renal disease.
DNA‐Binding Properties of New Fluorescent AzaHx Amides: Methoxypyridylazabenzimidazolepyrroleimidazole/pyrrole
Authors: Liu Beibei , Pett Luke , Kiakos Konstantinos , Patil Pravin C. , Satam Vijay , Hartley John A. , Lee Moses , Wilson W. David
Published: July 2018

DNA minor groove binding polyamides have been extensively developed to control abnormal gene expression. The establishment of novel, inherently fluorescent 2‐(p‐anisyl)benzimidazole (Hx) amides has provided an alternative path for studying DNA binding in cells by direct observation of cell localization. Because of the 2:1 antiparallel stacking homodimer binding mode of these molecules to DNA, modification of Hx amides to 2‐(p‐anisyl)‐4‐azabenzimidazole (AzaHx) amides has successfully extended the DNA‐recognition repertoire from central CG [recognized by Hx‐I (I=N‐methylimidazole)] to central GC [recognized by AzaHx‐P (P=N‐methylpyrrole)] recognition. For potential targeting of two consecutive GG bases, modification of the AzaHx moiety to 2‐ and 3‐pyridyl‐aza‐benzimidazole (Pyr‐AzaHx) moieties was explored. The newly designed molecules are also small‐sized, fluorescent amides with the Pyr‐AzaHx moiety connected to two conventional five‐membered heterocycles. Complementary biophysical methods were performed to investigate the DNA‐binding properties of these molecules. The results showed that neither 3‐Pyr‐AzaHx nor 2‐Pyr‐AzaHx was able to mimic I‐I=N‐methylimidazole–N‐methylimidazole to target GG dinucleotides specifically. Rather, 3‐Pyr‐AzaHx was found to function like AzaHx, f‐I (f=formamide), or P‐I as an antiparallel stacked dimer. 3‐Pyr‐AzaHx‐PI (2) binds 5′‐ACGCGT′‐3′ with improved binding affinity and high sequence specificity in comparison to its parent molecule AzaHx‐PI (1). However, 2‐Pyr‐AzaHx is detrimental to DNA binding because of an unfavorable steric clash upon stacking in the minor groove.
Short‐Circuit Flow in Hydrocyclones with Arc‐Shaped Vortex Finders
Authors: Jiang Lanyue , Liu Peikun , Yang Xinghua , Zhang Yuekan
Published: July 2018

Several new arc‐shaped vortex finder structures were developed to restrain the circulation flow and reduce short‐circuit flow. These problems were investigated by conducting laboratory experiments and using a computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation method. To verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation, a type A vortex finder was employed to perform a particle image velocimetry test under identical working conditions. Then, these new structures were compared with a type O vortex finder to reveal the differences in pressure field, velocity field, and separation performance. The arc‐shaped vortex finder was able to restrain the circulation flow and reduce the maximum pressure drop at the outer wall of the vortex finder.
Dual Roles of Li3N as an Electrode Additive for Li‐Excess Layered Cathode Materials: A Li‐Ion Sacrificial Salt and Electrode‐Stabilizing Agent
Authors: Bian Xiaofei , Pang Qiang , Wei Yingjing , Zhang Dong , Gao Yu , Chen Gang
Published: July 2018

Li2CO3‐passivated Li3N with high stability is prepared by aging Li3N powder in dry air, and is then used as an electrode additive for a Li(Li0.18Ni0.15Co0.15Mn0.52)O2 (LLMO) cathode material. The material shows a large irreversible capacity of 800 mA h g−1 during the first charge, with the formation of a Li2N intermediate product. Acting as a Li+ sacrificial salt for a LLMO(+)/graphite(−) Li‐ion battery, 2 wt % Li3N results in a 10 % increase in discharge capacity. The Li2N intermediate product reacts with the electrolyte, forming a uniform and regular surface film on the cathode. Moreover, chemical bonding between LLMO and N improves the electrode stability, resulting in excellent electrochemical performance.
Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of ϵ‐RuxFe2‐xO3 Nanosize Hard Ferrite
Authors: Namai Asuka , Ohkoshi Shin‐ichi
Published: July 2018

A new series of metal‐substituted ϵ‐iron oxides, ϵ‐RuxFe2‐xO3 (x=0 (1), 0.005 (2), and 0.014 (3)) nanoparticles (average size=20 nm) is synthesized by sintering iron oxide hydroxide with ruthenium hydroxide in a silica matrix. The samples are characterized by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) of transmission electron microscope. The X‐ray diffraction pattern shows that ϵ‐RuxFe2−xO3 has an orthorhombic crystal structure with a space group of Pna21 and the Rietveld analyses show that Ru is doped selectively at the regular octahedral C site among the four non‐equivalent Fe sites (A, B, C, and D site). Magnetization vs. temperature plots show that the Curie temperature (TC) depends on x, and TC=498 K for 1, 497 K for 2, and 496 K for 3. Magnetization vs. external magnetic field plots indicate that the coercive field (Hc) increases from 17.7 kOe (1) to 20.3 kOe (3). This increment of 15 % on Hc is attributed to the single ion anisotropy of the magnetic spin on RuIII (4d5, S=1/2).
The incremental predictive value of frailty measures in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery: A systematic review
Authors: Li Zhe , Ding Xin
Published: July 2018

Emerging evidence demonstrates that frailty measures can predict adverse outcomes after cardiac procedures. Our objectives were to examine whether the inclusion of frailty measures adds incremental predictive value to existing surgical risk prediction models in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to evaluate the reporting and methods of studies that investigated the prediction of frailty measures in cardiology. The inclusion of frailty measures adds incremental predictive value on existing perioperative risk‐scoring systems. We systematically searched the EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases for relevant studies. Studies were included according to predefined inclusion criteria. The quality of included studies was appraised using the QUADAS‐2 tool. Data were extracted and synthesized according to predefined methods. Twelve studies were included in the analysis. Included studies demonstrated the incremental predictive value of frailty measures on existing surgical risk models for mortality, but the predictive value of frailty measures alone was not consistent across literature. Few studies that investigated the predictive ability of frailty measures reported all important model performance measures. When comparing the predictive value of frailty measures with existing models, few studies reported if the frailty measurement was separately performed from the existing perioperative risk assessment. The addition of frailty measures to the existing perioperative risk models improved the prediction performance for mortality, but the incorporation of frailty assessment into perioperative risk assessment requires further evidence before making health policy recommendations.
Pragmatic approaches to address expansion cohort design
Authors: Dahlberg Suzanne E. , Gray Robert J.
Published: July 2018

The report by Mokdad and colleagues in this issue of Cancer addresses an increasingly important concern in the conduct of early phase oncology clinical trials. Here, the advantages and caveats of their proposed approach are discussed.

See referenced original article on pages 3339‐45, this issue.
Statistical justification of expansion cohorts in phase 1 cancer trials
Authors: Mokdad Ali A. , Xie Xian‐Jin , Zhu Hong , Gerber David E. , Heitjan Daniel F.
Published: July 2018

Background

Phase I cancer trials increasingly incorporate dose‐expansion cohorts (DECs), reflecting a growing demand to acquire more information about investigational drugs. Protocols commonly fail to provide a sample‐size justification or analysis plan for the DEC. In this study, we develop a statistical framework for the design of DECs.

Methods

We assume the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for the investigational drug has been identified in the dose‐escalation stage of the trial. We use the 80% lower confidence bound and the 90% upper confidence bound for the response and toxicity rates, respectively, as decision thresholds for the dose‐expansion stage. We calculate the operating characteristics with reference to prespecified minimum effective response rates and maximum safe DLT rates.

Results

We apply our framework to specify a system of DEC plans. The design comprises three components: 1) the number of subjects enrolled at the MTD, 2) the minimum number of responses necessary to indicate provisional drug efficacy, and 3) the maximum number of dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) permitted to indicate drug safety. We demonstrate our method in an application to a cancer immunotherapy trial.

Conclusions

Our simple and practical tool enables creation of DEC designs that appropriately address the safety and efficacy objectives of the trial.