bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marcadores sociais da diferença: uma perspectiva interseccional sobre ser estudante negro e deficiente no Ensino Superior brasileiro
Authors: Silva Vanessa Carolina , Silva Wilker Solidade
Published: August 2018

O artigo aborda a questão dos marcadores sociais da diferença nas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) no Brasil, pontuando nas autoidentificações de negros e deficientes como material investigativo positivo para se compreender as características que permeiam o espaço social e acadêmico no que se refere ao reconhecimento e valorização de sujeitos de direito. Como apoio teórico para análise da dimensão de marcadores de diferença, é defendida a interpretação interseccional como um caminho viável por permitir o entrecruzar de fatores diversos em torno da compreensão da formação de identidades. A metodologia utilizada foi a da revisão de literatura, através da Catálogo de Teses e Dissertações da CAPES (CTDC) e análise qualitativa de dados estatísticos oficiais, com o Censo da Educação Superior do INEP (CESI). Com estas fontes, são expostas as pesquisas com a temática intersecional, com crescimento significativo do número de produções, bem como a adoção do uso quase majoritário dos marcadores raça/cor e gênero, bem como a verificação de um aumento de aproximadamente 460% no número de matrículas de pessoas negras e/ou deficientes em relação ao ano de 2010 nas IES. Defendendo a interpretação utilizada, se evidenciam possibilidades para a produção de novas pesquisas com a temática, principalmente no que se refere ao reconhecer em números os estudantes negros, deficientes, quilombolas, etc. em suas particularidades, construindo material empírico para que IES do país possam planejar práticas positivas para uma interpretação interseccional das identidades de seu alunado e, por conseguinte, construir espaços de formação realmente inclusivos.
Editorial – Revista Educação Especial
Authors: Schmidt Carlo , Menezes Eliana Pereira de , Berni Clenio Perlin
Published: August 2018

Editorial
THE INFLUENCE OF ETHYLENE COPOLYMERS WITH VINYL ACETATE ON PROPERTIES OF RUBBER BASED OF BUTADIENE-NITRILE CAOUTCHOUC
Authors: Spiridonov Ivan S. , Illarionova Marina S. , Ushmarin Nikolay F. , Sandalov Sergei I. , Kol'tsov Nikolay I.
Published: August 2018

Rubber-technical products, which are used in the oil and gas industry, must have high thermal and aggressive strength. Rubbers based on butadiene-nitrile caoutchoucs are usually used for these purposes, since they have good operational properties. However, under the influence of elevated temperatures, the resistance of such rubbers to the action of petroleum products is reduced, as a result of which the physico-mechanical characteristics decrease. To improve the operational properties of rubber-technical products, various technological additives are introduced into the rubber mixtures. Such additives can be copolymers of ethylene with vinyl acetate(EVA), which increase the resistance of rubbers to action of high temperatures and aggressive media. This is due to the fact that these copolymers are well combined with butadiene-nitrile caoutchoucs, forming coordination bonds with rubber molecules, which contributes thereby increasing in the elastic-strength and performance properties of rubber. In this connection, the influence of EVA (sevillenes 11104-030, 11808-340 and MarPol 1802), differing in the content of vinyl acetate units, on the rheometric, physico-mechanical and operational properties of the rubber mixture based on butadiene-nitrile rubber in this paper was investigated. The study was carried out to improve the thermo-resistance of rubber used for the manufacture of oil and petrol resistant rubber-technical products for the oil and gas industry. The rubber mixture was prepared on laboratory rolls and standard samples were vulcanized in an electrically heated press. The study of rheometric properties has shown that EVA affect the characteristics of the vulcanization process of a rubber mixture. For vulcanizates, the influence of the content of EVA in a rubber mixture on the physical and mechanical properties was studied: the conditional tensile strength, elongation at break, tear resistance, rebound elasticity, Shore A hardness, relative compression deformation. The effect of the standard liquid ZHR-1 on the change in these properties, as well as the degree of swelling of the vulcanizates after their daily soaking in the standard liquid SZHR-1 and a mixture of isooctane + toluene, was studied. It has been established that vulcanizate of a rubber mixture containing sevilene 11808-340 is characterized by the best physico-mechanical and operational properties.
Delimitation of the transition zone between active and inactive gully erosion in the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Li Jilong , Tang Guoan , Li Fayuan , Cao Jianjun
Published: August 2018

The interaction of various erosivities is the main factor that causes significant spatial differences in the gully development of the Loess Plateau. In some areas of the western Loess Plateau, the accumulation process is greater than erosion process, most of the gullies are in an inactive state while the loess gullies in the east is eroded with a high degree of active development. From the view of the geographical system boundary, there must be a transition zone with in the process of activity of loess gully erosion. In view of this geographical phenomenon, the definition of the erosion-active and erosion-inactive loess gully is given firstly, and then the objective existence of the transition zone is demonstrated. Based on the field investigation data and corresponding remote sensing images, the characteristic system of active and inactive loess gully is constructed. Combining the data of 1: 1000000 geomorphological map and 1: 10000 standard mapsheet of China, the loess erosionactive and erosion-inactive loess gully are identified by visual interpretation method, and the spatial location and trend of the transition zone are determined. The results show that the boundary is essentially a complex transition zone, and the core part is located in the middle of the Longxi Loess Plateau. The development characteristics of loess gullies in the transition zone and on both sides are also analyzed from the aspects of geology, natural environment and climate.
Causal contribution and dynamical encoding in the striatum during evidence accumulation
Authors: Yartsev Michael M , Hanks Timothy D , Yoon Alice Misun , Brody Carlos D
Published: August 2018

A broad range of decision-making processes involve gradual accumulation of evidence over time, but the neural circuits responsible for this computation are not yet established. Recent data indicate that cortical regions that are prominently associated with accumulating evidence, such as the posterior parietal cortex and the frontal orienting fields, may not be directly involved in this computation. Which, then, are the regions involved? Regions that are directly involved in evidence accumulation should directly influence the accumulation-based decision-making behavior, have a graded neural encoding of accumulated evidence and contribute throughout the accumulation process. Here, we investigated the role of the anterior dorsal striatum (ADS) in a rodent auditory evidence accumulation task using a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, optogenetic, electrophysiological and computational approaches. We find that the ADS is the first brain region known to satisfy the three criteria. Thus, the ADS may be the first identified node in the network responsible for evidence accumulation.
Epigenetic age-predictor for mice based on three CpG sites
Authors: Han Yang , Eipel Monika , Franzen Julia , Sakk Vadim , Dethmers-Ausema Bertien , Yndriago Laura , Izeta Ander , de Haan Gerald , Geiger Hartmut , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: August 2018

Epigenetic clocks for mice were generated based on deep-sequencing analysis of the methylome. Here, we demonstrate that site-specific analysis of DNA methylation levels by pyrosequencing at only three CG dinucleotides (CpGs) in the genes Prima1, Hsf4, and Kcns1 facilitates precise estimation of chronological age in murine blood samples, too. DBA/2 mice revealed accelerated epigenetic aging as compared to C57BL6 mice, which is in line with their shorter life-expectancy. The three-CpG-predictor provides a simple and cost-effective biomarker to determine biological age in large intervention studies with mice.
A new nodosaurid ankylosaur (Dinosauria: Thyreophora) from the Upper Cretaceous Menefee Formation of New Mexico
Authors: McDonald Andrew T. , Wolfe Douglas G.
Published: August 2018

Nodosauridae is a clade of armored dinosaurs with a rich fossil record and long history of study in North America. Nodosaurid fossils have been collected throughout the western United States and Canada. Here, we report three new nodosaurid specimens from the Upper Cretaceous (lower Campanian) Allison Member of the Menefee Formation, San Juan Basin, northwestern New Mexico. The three specimens belong to a new genus and species,Invictarx zephyri, characterized by a unique combination of features pertaining to the morphology of the osteoderms. Among the three specimens there are representative cervical/pectoral and thoracic osteoderms, as well as components of a probable co-ossified pelvic shield. The new tax on is most similar toGlyptodontopelta mimusfrom the Maastrichtian of New Mexico.
Transcriptome analysis and identification of key genes involved in 1-deoxynojirimycin biosynthesis of mulberry (Morus albaL.)
Authors: Wang Dujun , Zhao Li , Wang Dan , Liu Jia , Yu Xiaofeng , Wei Yuan , Ouyang Zhen
Published: August 2018

Mulberry (Morus albaL.) represents one of the most commonly utilized plants in traditional medicine and as a nutritional plant used worldwide. The polyhydroxylated alkaloid 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is the major bioactive compounds of mulberry in treating diabetes. However, the DNJ content in mulberry is very low. Therefore, identification of key genes involved in DNJ alkaloid biosynthesis will provide a basis for the further analysis of its biosynthetic pathway and ultimately for the realization of synthetic biological production. Here, two cDNA libraries of mulberry leaf samples with different DNJ contents were constructed. Approximately 16 Gb raw RNA-Seq data was generated and de novo assembled into 112,481 transcripts, with an average length of 766 bp and an N50 value of 1,392. Subsequently, all unigenes were annotated based on nine public databases; 11,318 transcripts were found to be significantly differentially regulated. A total of 38 unique candidate genes were identified as being involved in DNJ alkaloid biosynthesis in mulberry, and nine unique genes had significantly different expression. Three key transcripts of DNJ biosynthesis were identified and further characterized using RT-PCR; they were assigned to lysine decarboxylase and primary-amine oxidase genes. Five CYP450 transcripts and two methyltransferase transcripts were significantly associated with DNJ content. Overall, the biosynthetic pathway of DNJ alkaloid was preliminarily speculated.
A comprehensive review of circRNA: from purification and identification to disease marker potential
Authors: Xu Sheng , Zhou LuYu , Ponnusamy Murugavel , Zhang LiXia , Dong YanHan , Zhang YanHui , Wang Qi , Liu Jing , Wang Kun
Published: August 2018

Circular RNA (circRNA) is an endogenous noncoding RNA with a covalently closed cyclic structure. Based on their components, circRNAs are divided into exonic circRNAs, intronic circRNAs, and exon-intron circRNAs. CircRNAs have well-conserved sequences and often have high stability due to their resistance to exonucleases. Depending on their sequence, circRNAs are involved in different biological functions, including microRNA sponge activity, modulation of alternative splicing or transcription, interaction with RNA-binding proteins, and rolling translation, and are a derivative of pseudogenes. CircRNAs are involved in the development of a variety of pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurological diseases, and cancer. Emerging evidence has shown that circRNAs are likely to be new potential clinical diagnostic markers or treatments for many diseases. Here we describe circRNA research methods and biological functions, and discuss the potential relationship between circRNAs and disease progression.
В-ХРОМОСОМЫ, "Успехи современной биологии"
Authors: Борисов Ю.М. , Мышлявкина Т. А.
Published: August 2018

Рассмотрены современные данные о происхождении и биологическом значении В-хромосом растений и животных, их строении и эволюции, о динамике и полиморфизме. На примере некоторых видов животных и растений показана возможная роль популяционной изменчивости в варьировании морфологических типов и числа В-хромосом.
ГЕТЕРОХРОНИЯ КАК ОСНОВА ВИДОВОГО И ВНУТРИВИДОВОГО РАЗНООБРАЗИЯ КОЖНЫХ ДЕРИВАТОВ У ПОЗВОНОЧНЫХ ЖИВОТНЫХ, "Успехи современной биологии"
Authors: Чернова О.Ф. , Киладзе А.Б.
Published: August 2018

Продемонстрировано значение гетерохронии как эволюционного пути возникновения видового и внутривидового разнообразия на примере наружных покровов и их дериватов - чешуй, волос, желез - как эктосоматических органов у различных представителей позвоночных, из практики зоологии, морфологии, биомедицины и животноводства, а также по результатам собственных исследований.
Organisational Leadership in Bangladesh: An Investigation of Managerial Response to A Change Environment
Authors: Selvarajah Christopher , Meyer Denny , Bose Tarun Kanti
Published: August 2018

This paper examines links between the cultural embeddedness and current managerial response to leadership excellence in a change environment in the context of Bangladesh. The study was performed for the years of 2009 and 2014. To explore the link between culture and managerial response, factor analysis, regression and structural modelling using SPSS V22 and AMOS V22 are employed to explain what constitutes managerial leadership excellence in Bangladesh. The results, based on the perceptions of 660 Bangladesh managers, suggest that managers are receptive to behavioural changes demanded by the environment. In particular, empathy has a negative relationship with the Excellent Leader response in 2014 compared to 2009, thus suggesting environmental changes influencing managerial behaviours. Future research should explore further the time and etic influences on leadership.

Keywords: Managerial Leadership, Human Capacity Building Sufi Islam, Environment Sustainability, Empathy

To cite this document: Christopher Selvarajah, Denny Meyer, and Tarun Kanti Bose, "Organisational Leadership in Bangladesh: An Investigation of Managerial Response to A Change Environment", Contemporary Management Research, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 21-52, 2018.

Permanent link to this document:
http://dx.doi.org/10.7903/cmr.18341
Rosiglitazone suppresses RANKL‐induced NFATc1 autoamplification by disrupting the physical interaction between NFATc1 and PPARγ
Authors: Park Kyeong‐Lok , Oh Da‐Gyo , Kim Young‐Ok , Song Kyeong‐Seob , Ahn Do‐Whan
Published: August 2018

Receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) is required for initiation of osteoclastogenesis, with the signaling pathway including the NF‐kB, c‐Fos, and nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) transcription factors. Because NFATc1 expression is autoamplified, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation by the thiazolidinedione drug rosiglitazone decreases NFATc1 expression during RANKL stimulation. Western blotting demonstrated that rosiglitazone attenuated the increase in NFATc1 protein level induced by RANKL without affecting that of PPARγ. Immunofluorescence data indicated that rosiglitazone tended to suppress RANKL‐induced NFATc1 nuclear translocation, partly by reducing calcineurin activity, as reflected by the observed decrease in nuclear NFATc1 abundance. On coimmunoprecipitation, the intensity of the physical interaction between NFATc1 and PPARγ was unexpectedly higher in the RANKL‐stimulated group than in the control, but rosiglitazone reduced this to basal levels. Furthermore, RANKL failed to elevate mRNA expression of NFATc1 after PPARγ knockdown. ChIP assay indicated that rosiglitazone significantly reduced the binding of NFATc1 to its own promoter despite RANKL stimulation. These findings suggest that PPARγ activation by rosiglitazone blocks NFATc1 from binding to its own promoter, thereby reducing RANKL‐induced NFATc1 autoamplification.
Stacking Effects in van der Waals Heterostructures of Silicene and Hexagonal Boron Nitride
Authors: Sattar Shahid , Zhang Yongyou , Schwingenschlögl Udo
Published: August 2018

The stacking effects on the electronic structure of van der Waals heterostructures consisting of silicene and hexagonal boron nitride are investigated by first‐principles calculations. It is shown that the stacking is fundamental for the details of the dispersion relation in the vicinity of the Fermi energy (gapped, non‐gapped, linear, parabolic) despite small differences in the total energy. It is also demonstrated that the tight‐binding model of bilayer graphene is able to capture most of these features of the van der Waals heterostructures, and the limitations of the model are identified.
Biocatalytic Synthesis of Chiral N‐Functionalized Amino Acids
Authors: Hyslop Julia F. , Lovelock Sarah L. , Sutton Peter W. , Brown Kristin K. , Watson Allan J. B. , Roiban Gheorghe‐Doru
Published: August 2018

N‐Functionalized amino acids are important building blocks for the preparation of diverse bioactive molecules, including peptides. The development of sustainable manufacturing routes to chiral N‐alkylated amino acids remains a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical and fine‐chemical industries. Herein we report the discovery of a structurally diverse panel of biocatalysts which catalyze the asymmetric synthesis of N‐alkyl amino acids through the reductive coupling of ketones and amines. Reactions have been performed on a gram scale to yield optically pure N‐alkyl‐functionalized products in high yields.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Overall Water Splitting Boosted by Tetrahedrally Coordinated Blende Cobalt(II) Oxide Atomic Layers
Authors: Xu Jiaqi , Li Xiaodong , Ju Zhengyu , Sun Yongfu , Jiao Xingchen , Wu Ju , Wang Chengming , Yan Wensheng , Ju Huanxin , Zhu Junfa , Xie Yi
Published: August 2018

Directly splitting water into H2 and O2 with solar light is extremely important; however, the overall efficiency of water splitting still remains extremely low. Two types of ultrathin semiconductor layers with the same elements and the same thicknesses were designed to uncover how different atomic arrangements influence water‐splitting efficiency thermodynamically and kinetically. As an example, tetrahedrally coordinated blende and octahedrally coordinated rocksalt CoO atomic layers with nearly the same thicknesses were synthesized for the first time. The blende CoO atomic layers have a smaller Eg and abundant d–d internal transition features relative to the rocksalt CoO atomic layers, which ensure enhanced visible‐light harvesting ability. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the Bader charge for Co atoms in blende CoO atomic layers is larger than that of the rocksalt CoO atomic layers, which facilitates photocarrier transfer kinetics, as verified by photoluminescence spectra and time‐resolved fluorescence emission decay spectra. In situ FTIR spectra and energy calculations reveal that the *OOH dissociation step is the rate‐limiting step, where the blende CoO atomic layers possess a smaller *OOH dissociation energy thanks to their higher Bader charge and stronger steric effect, as confirmed by the elongated Co−OOH bonds. The blende CoO atomic layers exhibit visible‐light‐driven H2 and O2 formation rates of 4.43 and 2.63 μmol g−1 h−1, roughly 3.7 times higher than those of the rocksalt CoO atomic layers.
Design Rules for Self‐Assembly of 2D Nanocrystal/Metal–Organic Framework Superstructures
Authors: Qiu Fen , Edison John R. , Preisler Zdenek , Zhang Yan‐Fang , Li Guo , Pan Aizhao , Hsu Chih‐Hao , Mattox Tracy M. , Ercius Peter , Song Chengyu , Bustillo Karen , Brady Michael A. , Zaia Edmond W. , Jeong Sohee , Neaton Jeffrey B. , Du Shixuan , Whitelam Stephen , Urban Jeffrey J.
Published: August 2018

We demonstrate the guiding principles behind simple two dimensional self‐assembly of MOF nanoparticles (NPs) and oleic acid capped iron oxide (Fe3O4) NCs into a uniform two‐dimensional bi‐layered superstructure. This self‐assembly process can be controlled by the energy of ligand–ligand interactions between surface ligands on Fe3O4 NCs and Zr6O4(OH)4(fumarate)6 MOF NPs. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and TEM tomography confirm the hierarchical co‐assembly of Fe3O4 NCs with MOF NPs as ligand energies are manipulated to promote facile diffusion of the smaller NCs. First‐principles calculations and event‐driven molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the observed patterns are dictated by combination of ligand–surface and ligand–ligand interactions. This study opens a new avenue for design and self‐assembly of MOFs and NCs into high surface area assemblies, mimicking the structure of supported catalyst architectures, and provides a thorough fundamental understanding of the self‐assembly process, which could be a guide for designing functional materials with desired structure.
Fabrication and evaluation of poly(lactic acid), chitosan, and tricalcium phosphate biocomposites for guided bone regeneration
Authors: Ramesh Srikanthan , Lungaro Lisa , Tsikritsis Dimitrios , Weflen Eric , Rivero Iris V. , Elfick Alistair P. D.
Published: August 2018

This study presents and evaluates an approach for fabricating poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/chitosan (CS)/tricalcium phosphate (TCP) electrospun scaffolds for guided bone regeneration, a dental procedure that uses membranes to direct and delineate regions of osteogenesis. Biomaterials were pre‐processed using cryomilling, a solid‐state grinding technique that facilitates the generation of powdered biocomposites conducive to electrospinning. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the generation of cryomilled blends consisting of PLA, CS, and TCP. Results from the differential scanning calorimetry showed an upward shift in glass transition temperature and an increase in crystallinity with the inclusion of TCP reinforcing the observations from XRD. Murine macrophages were used to confirm the biocompatibility of the cryomilled powders and was evaluated using CellTiter‐Blue (CTB) cell viability assay and brightfield microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the fibers produced via electrospinning, while Raman spectroscopy confirmed material homogeneity.In vitrostudies with MG‐63 cells validated the capacity of composite scaffolds to encourage proliferation, while Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering and fluorescence microscopies provided visual evidence of cell proliferation. CTB assay revealed that cells maintain viability and metabolic activity at 3 and 7 days after seeding, demonstrating the potential of the biocomposite membranes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2018,135, 46692.
Gold nanoparticle ensemble on polydopamine/graphene nanohybrid as a novel electrocatalyst for determination of baicalein
Authors: Wang Zefeng , Gou Gaozhang , Shi Ling , Yang Jin , Xu Chun , Zhang Li , Fan Aiping , Min Yong
Published: August 2018

A facile and green approach is used to synthesize polydopamine (PDA) functionalized reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via the self‐polymerization of dopamine (DA) under alkaline conditions. The obtained reduced RGO/PDA composite facilitate Au precursor adsorption. Then Au nanoparticles are reduced and assemble onto the surface of RGO/PDA composite form reduced RGO/PDA/gold (RGO/PDA/Au) nanocatalysts. After that, a sensitive electrochemical sensor for baicalein is fabricated based on RGO/PDA/Au nanocatalysts. In this method, the hydroxyl units of PDA can form hydrogen bonding with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of baicalein, making baicalein easily adsorb on the modified electrode surface to enhance the electrochemical response. The electrochemical mechanism of baicalein on the RGO/PDA/Au nanocatalysts modified GCE is thoroughly investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The fabricated electrochemical sensor show good electrochemical activity for baicalein. The linear range of baicalein is 1 × 10−8 to 15 × 10−6 mol L−1 with the detection limit of 3.1 × 10−9 mol L−1. Furthermore, the proposed electrochemical sensor can be used to detect real sample. The results reveal that this method provides a new avenue for electrochemical investigation of baicalein in biochemical, pharmaceutical, and clinical research. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 46720.
Effect of crosslinking agent on properties and morphology of water‐blown semirigid polyurethane foam
Authors: Luo Yinfu , Zou Jing , Li Jie , Zou Huawei , Liang Mei
Published: August 2018

In this article, triethanolamine (TEOA) is used as crosslinking agent, water‐blown semirigid polyurethane foams with different crosslinking agent content were prepared. The crosslinking density of polyurethane foams (PUFs) were adjusted and designed by changing the content of TEOA. The influence of crosslinking agent content on foaming process, apparent density, cell structure, microphase separation structure, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of PUFs has been studied. The cell structure, apparent density, and mean size of foams are closely related to foaming and gelation process. The results show that the crosslinking density is increased with the content of TEOA, and the swelling ratio of foams decreased from 294.9 to 194.7%. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicates that the promotion of crosslinking density can effectively restrict the movement of molecular chains, results in the glass‐transition temperature (T
g) of foams increased from −14.2 to −8.6 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis states that the carbon residue of foams has increased by 5%, because the addition of crosslinking density contributes to reducing and limiting the formation of volatile degradation products. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is shown that the introduction of TEOA is not conducive to the microphase separation of urea, resulting in the decrease of foam mechanical properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46753.
Migration and performance of erucamide slip additive in high‐density polyethylene bottle caps
Authors: Dulal N. , Shanks R. , Chalmers D. , Adhikari B. , Gill H.
Published: August 2018

Diffusion of erucamide and their morphology on surface characteristics of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) screw caps depend on storage conditions. Erucamide performance relies on its amount, distribution, and consistency on the surface of HDPE. Specific application and removal torques can be achieved by controlling the amount of erucamide on the surface. The surface amount and the torque increased to an optimum level at 38 and 50 °C within 120 hours of incubation, while they remained unchanged for lower temperatures. Erucamide diffused to the surface and formed flat plate‐like crystal structures at similar time and temperature. These flat‐plates can slide over each other and provide the slip required to decrease the torque. An increase in contact angle demonstrated that hydrophobic hydrocarbon‐chains of amide slip additives were oriented toward the air interface. An optimum surface amount of erucamide for proper sealing torque could be produced at a different combination of storage time and temperature. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46822.
Compatibility of banana starch nanocrystals/poly(butylene succinate) bio‐nanocomposite packaging films
Authors: Saeng‐on Jittiporn , Aht‐Ong Duangdao
Published: August 2018

This work focused on the effects of compatibility techniques [i.e., modification of filler and addition of an l‐lysine diisocyanate (LDI) coupling agent] and filler content on the properties of bio‐nanocomposite films prepared using poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) as a matrix and starch nanocrystals (SNC) as filler by chill‐roll cast film extrusion. The films reinforced with modified SNC had superior tensile and barrier properties than those reinforced with unmodified SNC or an added LDI. Elongation at break of 1%wt modified SNC/PBS film was increased up to 51.1% compared with neat PBS film. Water vapor transmission rate and oxygen transmission rate values of 9%wt modified SNC/PBS film (54.1 g m−2 day and 216.3 cc m−2 day) were lower than those of neat PBS film (114.5 g m−2 day and 560.3 cc m−2 day) due to the higher hydrophobicity and better dispersion of modified SNC in PBS leading to the superior properties of PBS films. The PBS bio‐nanocomposite films can be completely degraded within ~3 months under wastewater treatment condition. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46836.
Nodular structure and crystallinity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes: Impact on the performance of direct‐contact membrane distillation for nutrient isolation
Authors: Mohd Yatim Nur Suhaili , Abd. Karim Khairiah , Ooi Boon Seng
Published: August 2018

The main objective of this study was to prepare a low‐surface‐energy poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane distillation via changes in its surface morphology and crystallinity. We found that membranes prepared at different polymer concentrations with a dual coagulation bath showed distinctive differences in terms of their physical and chemical properties. We found that when the polymer concentration was increased, both the pore sizes and porosities of the membranes decreased. In addition, the polymer concentration also resulted in significant changes to the surface roughness and morphology of the membrane, which were manifested through varied nodule shapes and sizes. Higher polymer concentrations gave better wetting resistance (higher liquid entry pressure) because of the increasing hydrophobic α‐phase crystallinity but suffered from a lower porosity (lower vapor permeability). At a higher PVDF concentration, we expected that the thermal efficiency would be lower (because of the lower porosity); however, we observed an appreciable contrast phenomenon due to the increasing nonconductive α‐phase, and this lowered the thermal conductivity. These observations showed that the wettability of the membrane very much depended on the chemical properties of PVDF. The optimum membrane (20% PVDF) showed a consistent nutrient rejection of more than 99% with a membrane flux of 9.491 kg m2 h ± 0.1 at a feed temperature of 90 °C. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46866.
Use of acoustic emission in the analysis of polypropylene failure caused by photodegradation
Authors: da Silva Jéssica Raquel M. B. , Nunes Lucas S. A. , Rabello Marcelo S.
Published: August 2018

Photodegradation is among the most frequent causes for the low performance of polypropylene (PP) products during service. This type of failure has been investigated extensively throughout the years using conventional methods including infrared spectroscopy and molar mass measurements. The use of acoustic emission, conversely, is not a common technique to evaluate polymer behavior, even though showed to be very useful to detect and locate damage during loading, contributing to the understanding and, hence, to the prevention of failure. In this investigation, injection molded tensile bars were exposed to the ultraviolet radiation in the laboratory for periods of up to 35 weeks and then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, tensile properties, and scanning electron microscopy. During tensile testing, the acoustic emission technique was applied to monitor parameters like intensity of hits, events, and energy released during deformation. The results confirmed the high efficiency of hindered amines light stabilizers to inhibit chemical degradation of PP and the high sensitivity of the neat polymer toward UV exposure. The several steps of polymer failure were detected by acoustic emission, being a very important tool to understand the differences in mechanical behavior of the types of samples under investigation. It showed the beginning of the failure process as well as significant events that occurred during the test, such as the formation of shear bands, cracking, and material fracture. These observations, combined with the traditional degradation monitoring procedures, allowed a good understanding of the effect of UV radiation on PP failure mechanism. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 46943.
Preparation of binary and hybrid epoxy nanocomposites containing graphene oxide and rubber nanoparticles: Fracture toughness and mechanical properties
Authors: Mehrabi‐Kooshki Mahdi , Jalali‐Arani Azam
Published: August 2018

Binary and hybrid epoxy nanocomposites modified with graphene oxide (GO) and core–shell rubbers (CSR) were synthesized via the solvent‐exchange method. X‐ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy of the samples showed a homogeneous dispersion of GO and CSR in the epoxy matrix. The tensile modulus and tensile strength of the samples modified with CSR decreased continuously with increasing CSR content; however, with the addition of only 0.05 phr GO to the neat epoxy and rubber‐modified epoxy, these properties significantly increased. The use of GO and CSR individually improved the fracture toughness, but the impact of GO was greater. The simultaneous use of GO and CSR improved both the fracture toughness and the mechanical properties. Our investigation of the toughening mechanism indicated that crack deflection–bifurcation, crack pinning, and particle debonding–pullout in the presence of GO nanosheets and limited rubber particle cavitation contributed to fracture toughness improvement in the hybrid systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 46988.
Enhanced figure of merit of poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) and SWCNT thermoelectric composites by doping with FeCl3
Authors: Zhou X. , Pan C. , Liang A. , Wang L. , Wan T. , Yang G. , Gao C. , Wong W.‐Y.
Published: August 2018

Poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole (F8BT) generally has a large Seebeck coefficient, and single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have high electrical conductivity. In this work, we prepared F8BT/SWCNT composites to combine the good Seebeck coefficient of the polymer and the excellent electrical conductivity of SWCNTs to achieve enhanced thermoelectric properties. For the composite materials, the maximum power factor of 1 μW mK−2 was achieved when the SWCNT content was 60%, with the maximum ZT value of 4.6 × 10−4. After ferric chloride was employed as the oxidative dopant for the composites, the electrical conductivity of the composites improved significantly. The maximum value of power factor (1.7 μW mK−2) was achieved when the SWCNT content was 60%, and the ZT value of 7.1 × 10−4 was about 1.5 times as high as that of the composites with undoped F8BT. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47011.
Combination of polymeric substrates and metal–polymer nanocomposites for optical humidity sensors
Authors: Mahapure Poonam D. , Gangal S. A. , Aiyer R. C. , Gosavi S. W.
Published: August 2018

This paper reports a combination of self‐supported, 80‐μm‐thick polymeric substrates of poly(dimethyl siloxane), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and poly(N‐vinylpyridine) (PVP) and nanocomposites, silver nanoparticle (nAg)/0.1% PVP (S1) and nAg/0.1% PVA (S2), for use in optical‐transmission‐type humidity sensors. Composites are synthesized by a chemical reduction method at optimum conditions, giving particle sizes of 5–10 nm and 10–20 nm, respectively, for nAg/0.1% PVP and nAg/0.1% PVA. Composite formation is confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The role of polymers in obtaining a smaller Ag particle size is studied using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposite is coated onto substrates either on a single side or on both sides by dip coating. The humidity response of nAg/0.1% PVP‐0.1% PVP‐ nAg/0.1% PVP (S1‐PVP‐S1) sensors, measured using the direct optical transmission method, exhibits an enhancement in sensitivity [0.88 ± 0.04 (/% RH)] for the humidity range 6–94% RH and response (6 s) and recovery (8 s) times compared to nAg/0.1% PVP‐PVP S1‐PVP sensors and a linear response (R2 ≥ 0.99). An attempt is made to explain the sensing process with the help of FTIR spectra in dry and humid environments. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47035.
Ridge estimation of network models from time‐course omics data
Authors: Miok Viktorian , Wilting Saskia M. , van Wieringen Wessel N.
Published: August 2018

Time‐course omics experiments enable the reconstruction of the dynamics of the cellular regulatory network. Here, we describe the means for this reconstruction and the downstream exploitation of the inferred network. It is assumed that one of the various vector‐autoregressive models (VAR) models presented here serves as a reasonably accurate description of the time‐course omics data. The models are estimated through ridge penalized likelihood maximization, accompanied by functionality for the determination of optimal penalty paramaters. Prior knowledge on the network topology is accommodated by the estimation procedures. Various routes that translate the fitted models into more tangible implications for the medical researcher are described. The network is inferred from the—nonsparse—ridge estimates through empirical Bayes probabilistic thresholding. The influence of a (trait of a) molecular entity at the current time on those at future time points is assessed by mutual information, impulse response analysis, and path decomposition of the covariance. The presented methodology is applied to the omics data from the p53 signaling pathway during HPV‐induced cellular transformation. All methodology is implemented in the ragt2ridges package, freely available from the Comprehensive R Archive Network.
Effects of English versus heritage language on play in bilingually exposed children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Lim Nataly , Charlop Marjorie H.
Published: August 2018

An alternating treatments design was used to assess the effects of the language of instruction (English vs. heritage language) on the play skills of four bilingually exposed children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Baseline consisted of 5‐min free‐play sessions conducted in English. Intervention consisted of two alternating conditions: 5‐min play sessions conducted in English or the participant's heritage language. During intervention, a play‐related instruction, comment, and verbal praise were made every 30 s. Results demonstrated that participants displayed more play behaviors in the heritage language than English condition. Ancillary data for one participant indicated that the occurrence of challenging behavior was lower in the heritage language condition. Results are discussed in terms of the inclusion of heritage languages in interventions for children with ASD.
Local anaesthesia for endovascular repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Mouton R , Rogers C A , Harris R A , Hinchliffe R J
Published: August 2018

Background

Case series and a post hoc subgroup analysis of a large randomized trial have suggested a potential benefit in treating ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) using endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with local anaesthesia (LA) rather than general anaesthesia (GA). The uptake and outcomes of LA in clinical practice remain unknown.

Methods

The UK National Vascular Registry was interrogated for patients presenting with rAAA managed with EVAR under different modes of anaesthesia between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included: the number of centres performing EVAR under LA; the proportion of patients receiving this technique; duration of hospital stay; and postoperative complications.

Results

Some 3101 patients with rAAA were treated in 72 hospitals during the study: 2306 underwent on open procedure and 795 had EVAR (LA, 319; GA, 435; regional anaesthesia, 41). Overall, 56 of 72 hospitals (78 per cent) offered LA for EVAR of rAAA. Baseline characteristics and morphology were similar across the three EVAR subgroups. Patients who had surgery under LA had a lower in-hospital mortality rate than patients who received GA (59 of 319 (18·5 per cent) versus 122 of 435 (28·0 per cent)), and this was unchanged after adjustment for factors known to influence survival (adjusted hazard ratio 0·62, 95 per cent c.i. 0·45 to 0·85; P = 0·003). Median hospital stay and postoperative morbidity from other complications were similar.

Conclusion

The use of LA for EVAR of rAAA has been adopted widely in the UK. Mortality rates appear lower than in patients undergoing EVAR with GA.
What drives voluntary corporate water disclosures? The effect of country‐level institutions
Authors: Ben‐Amar Walid , Chelli Mohamed
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this cross‐country comparative research is twofold. First, it investigates the country‐level institutional factors that affect corporate incentives to voluntarily disclose water information. Second, it examines the way in which the interaction between formal and informal institutions affects corporate reporting decisions regarding water‐related risks. The results reveal that the country‐level legal system shapes the firm's propensity to voluntarily respond to the 2015 Carbon Disclosure Project water survey. Uncertainty avoidance and societal trust are negatively related to the propensity to provide voluntary water disclosures, whereas countries' future orientation is positively related to the likelihood of water reporting. More importantly, the results indicate that the effect of informal institutions on water disclosure practices is contingent on the strength of formal institutions at the country level. The paper contributes to the emerging water literature and provides insights on the effects of the interaction between formal and informal institutions on corporate behavior.
An Intraosseous Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor in the Anterior Maxilla: A Case Report
Authors: Ortiz Christopher R. , Wessel Jeffrey R. , Roman Ivan
Published: August 2018

Introduction

The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT), also known as the Pindborg tumor, is a rare benign odontogenic neoplasm that accounts for <1% of all odontogenic tumors. It has a predilection for the mandible, especially the molar‐premolar region, and more commonly presents as an intraosseous tumor. Few cases have been reported of CEOT presenting in the anterior maxilla, and to date, an intraosseous CEOT has not been reported in the anterior maxilla unassociated with an impacted tooth.

Case Presentation

A 40‐year‐old male presented to the periodontics clinic for evaluation. Clinical exam was unremarkable for swelling, induration, or pulpal pathosis. Upon radiographic examination, a well‐defined radiolucency was observed between the mid‐roots of teeth #9 and #10. A cone‐beam computed tomography scan was taken that identified the coronal and palatal location of the intraosseous lesion. A full thickness flap was reflected on the palate, and osteoplasty was performed using piezoelectric instrumentation to expose the lesion. The lesion was enucleated and submitted for histologic evaluation. The site was grafted with bone allograft and a membrane. Histologic examination identified the lesion as a Pindborg tumor. A surgical revision was subsequently performed to ensure complete removal of the lesion. The site was re‐grafted using a guided tissue regeneration approach. The patient was followed for 11 months without recurrence.

Conclusion

This case report describes successful management of the first asymptomatic intraosseous CEOT in the anterior maxilla in an adult patient.
Tissue Expansion of Dental Extraction Sockets Using Dehydrated Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane: Case Series
Authors: Maksoud Mohamed A. , Guze Kevin A.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Primary closure of augmented extraction sockets is one of the most challenging procedures in oral surgery as it requires vertical releasing incisions and undermining of the buccal mucosa to establish primary closure. This commonly used technique has been successful in wound closure; however, it has the disadvantage of loss of the buccal keratinized tissue due to flap positioning towards the lingual flap edges.

Case Presentation

This case series demonstrates the effectiveness of the dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) in increasing the attached keratinized tissue over augmented extraction socket wounds and thus expanding the tissue. Patients with posterior extraction sockets were treated using the same bone graft material. The distance between the buccal and lingual flaps was measured and recorded. The dHACM was tucked underneath the buccal and lingual flaps by approximately 2 to 3 mm, secured with sutures, and left to heal. Postoperative visits were scheduled at 2‐, 4‐, and 12‐week intervals for observation of the healing and treatment of any complications.

Conclusions

At 12 weeks postoperative, the amount of bucco‐lingual attached keratinized tissue was measured on the horizontal ceiling of the healed extraction socket and recorded. It showed gain in the keratinized tissue on top of the bone graft when the membrane was used. Although the membrane was exposed, no loss of the bone graft material was reported.
Highly Enantioselective Synthesis and Anticancer Activities of Chiral Conjugated Diynols
Authors: Zhang Ke , Zhang Chun , He Zhong‐Hong , Huang Jian , Du Xi , Wang Li , Wei Si‐Ping , Pu Lin , Wang Qin
Published: August 2018

A chiral amino alcohol based ligand was found to promote the highly enantioselective addition of terminal conjugated diynes to aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. The combination of easily available C2‐symmetric (R)‐ and (S)‐BINOL with Ti(OiPr)4, Zn powder, and EtI was also found to catalyze the asymmetric addition of 1,3‐diynes to aldehydes under mild reaction conditions, and thus, both enantiomers of the chiral conjugated diynols could be prepared with high enantioselectivities. The resulting optically active conjugated diynols were found to have potential anticancer activities with significant differences against HepG2 and HeLa cancer cells, and remarkable enantioselective cytotoxicity was observed for the first time.
Whole wheat noodle: Processing, quality improvement, and nutritional and health benefits
Authors: Niu Meng , Hou Gary G.
Published: August 2018

Background and objectives

The popularity of Asian noodles is increasing around the world, and the introduction of noodle products made from whole grain flour is considered as an effective way to modify customer's dietary pattern and promote high‐fiber food consumption. This review summarizes the processing technologies, quality improvement techniques, and nutritional and health benefits of whole wheat noodles (WWN).

Findings

Fresh raw noodles, dried noodles, and instant noodles are the major types of WWN. They contain various formulations and processing procedures. The quality attributes of flour qualities, color, shelf life, cooking performance, textural attributes, and sensory properties are particularly emphasized for WWN quality improvements. The improving techniques include wheat selection, flour/bran particle size control, functional ingredient use, and some emerging technologies. WWN possess a superior nutritive value than refined noodle products.

Conclusions

Whole wheat noodles have great potential for delivering a stable food with high nutritional values and desirable eating qualities. It is important for the manufactures to select the proper processing technologies and improvement techniques for various WWN.

Significance and novelty

The review highlights the differences in the processing technology of WWN and demonstrates the quality improvement techniques and nutritional and health benefits. It contributes to the expansion of knowledge on WWN and provides valuable guidance for the further improvement of WWN.