bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
«Opus artificum universa» estudio colorimétrico de la escultura románica en mármol del Museo Arqueológico Nacional: ejemplos de Galicia y León = «Opus Artificum Universa» Colorimetric Study of the Marble Romanesque Sculpture in the Museo Arqueológico Nacional: Examples from Galicia and León
Authors: Vidal Álvarez Sergio , Savin Marie-Claire , Biron Carole
Published: December 2018

El presente estudio da a conocer los resultados de los análisisno invasivosde colorimetría y espectroscopía de reflectancia visible llevados a cabo por primera vez sobre cinco ejemplos de escultura románica en mármol del Museo Arqueológico Nacional (Madrid) de procedencia gallega y leonesa. En concreto se han analizado dos columnas de San Paio de Antealtares (Santiago de Compostela), un parteluz de Vigo, y dos ejemplos procedentes del monasterio de San Benito de Sahagún (León).The present study reveals the results of the non-invasive analysis of colorimetry and visible reflectance spectroscopy, carried out for the first time to five examples of Spanish Romanesque marble sculpture from the National Archaeological Museum (Madrid, Spain) of Galician and Leonese origin. Specifically, two columns of San Paio de Antealtares (Santiago de Compostela), a mullion from Vigo, and two examples from the monastery of San Benito de Sahagún (León) have been analyzed.
Los retratos imperiales de Tarraco: talleres y técnicas de producción = Imperial Portraits from Tarraco: Some Remarks on Workshops and Production Techniques
Authors: Ruiz Rodríguez Julio César
Published: December 2018

Gran parte de los retratos imperiales procedentes de Tarragona han sido objeto de atención por parte de diversos investigadores en los últimos años, aunque siempre por separado. El resto no han sido tenidos en cuenta en la crítica arqueológica. Estas razones hacen necesaria una valoración global relacionada con la puesta al día de este nutrido conjunto. En este trabajo se aporta una primera recopilación. Asimismo, se ofrece una revisión sobre los talleres de producción de este conjunto de retratos, encuadrándolos en el marco de la producción escultórica de Tarraco en general. Además, en estrecha relación con el aspecto anterior, se ha prestado una especial atención a diversas peculiaridades que permiten constatar determinadas técnicas de elaboración. Estas consideraciones han permitido relacionar aspectos técnicos concretos con períodos específicos, lo cual permitirá profundizar en aspectos como el lugar de exposición original y acotar las dataciones.Most of imperial portraits from Tarragona have been taken into account by different researchers in recent years, but always separately. However, a number of them have not been considered recently in the bibliography. These reasons make necessary an overall assessment related to the update of this large set of portraits. This work provides a first assemblage. It also offers a review on production workshops of the imperial portraits, that have been analyzed in the framework of the general sculptural production of Tarraco. In addition, special attention has been paid to various peculiarities which make it possible to discover certain elaboration techniques. These considerations have allowed to relate specific technical aspects with concrete periods. These reflections will allow to deepen in aspects like the original place of exposure and to limit chronologies of the portraits.
Reseña de: Gutiérrez García-M., A. y Rouillard, P. (eds.) (2018): Lapidum natura restat. Canteras antiguas de la Península ibérica en su contexto (cronología, técnicas y organización de la explotación)
Authors: Rodríguez Gutiérrez Oliva
Published: December 2018

Gutiérrez García-M., A. y Rouillard, P. (eds.) (2018): Lapidum natura restat. Canteras antiguas de la Península ibérica en su contexto (cronología, técnicas y organización de la explotación), Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica / Casa de Velázquez, Tarragona / Madrid, Serie Documenta, ISBN 978-84-946298-3-9 / 978-84-9096-170-4.
Academic publishing empires need to go
Authors: Lehtomäki Joona , Eklund Johanna , Toivonen Tuuli
Published: December 2018

In response to the editorial “Open access and academic imperialism” by Burgman (2018) and signed by a large group of editors, we wish to express our disappointment with such a narrow and misleading interpretations of the recent attempts to make academic publishing more open, and what consequences this might have for the global conservation community. We highlight that the current guidelines of Plan S are open for comment until Feb 1st 2019 (see https://www.coalition-s.org/feedback). Instead of calling for a more nuanced approach – something that has been done for the past 20 years – we encourage everyone to actively participate in factoring in the nuances.
Structural organization of a major neuronal G protein regulator, the RGS7-Gβ5-R7BP complex
Authors: Patil Dipak N , Rangarajan Erumbi S , Novick Scott J , Pascal Bruce D , Kojetin Douglas J , Griffin Patrick R , Izard Tina , Martemyanov Kirill A
Published: December 2018

Signaling by the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) plays fundamental role in a vast number of essential physiological functions. Precise control of GPCR signaling requires action of regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins that deactivate heterotrimeric G proteins. RGS proteins are elaborately regulated and comprise multiple domains and subunits, yet structural organization of these assemblies is poorly understood. Here, we report a crystal structure and dynamics analyses of the multisubunit complex of RGS7, a major regulator of neuronal signaling with key roles in controlling a number of drug target GPCRs and links to neuropsychiatric disease, metabolism, and cancer. The crystal structure in combination with molecular dynamics and mass spectrometry analyses reveals unique organizational features of the complex and long-range conformational changes imposed by its constituent subunits during allosteric modulation. Notably, several intermolecular interfaces in the complex work in synergy to provide coordinated modulation of this key GPCR regulator.
The Problem with Biblical Motifs in Knut Hamsun’s Growth of the Soil
Authors: Conner Tom
Published: December 2018

Religion does not play a major role in Norwegian Nobel laureate Knut Hamsun’s work. The one brilliant exception to this detached and seemingly cavalier attitude toward religion or, should I say, Christianity, is Hamsun’s masterpiece, Growth of the Soil (1917), which won him the Nobel Prize in literature in 1920. In this mythic novel, Hamsun draws upon a plethora of biblical motifs to create a heroic cosmogony that proposes an alternative to the rapid social and economic transformation under way in Norway in the second half of the nineteenth century and a vision of Norway founded on the cultivation of the land through hard labor and the populating of the earth.Numerous critics have remarked on the Biblical allusions in the novel (e.g., Per Thomas Andersen, Nettum, Rottem, Storfjell, Øyslebo); however, only Rolf Steffensen and Andreas Lødemel have studied the role of religion in Growth of the Soil in any depth. I will expand upon their work to examine whether Biblical allusions are part of a rhetorical strategy that aims at a coherent worldview. Biblical motifs cleverly interspersed throughout the novel suggest that it is always gesturing toward a world outside its pages through a dialog with pre-existing texts, in this case the Bible, absorbing and transforming voices from culture and society, historical memory and national identity. I will reexamine not only the place of Christianity in this important novel but also the foundational myth that undergirds it, that is, the idea that Isak is the founder not so much of a new civilization as a biblical exemplum of a traditional way of life and old values based on the cultivation of the land.That said, upon closer examination, Growth of the Soil does not amount to a faithful adaptation of the Old Testament; the novel is fraught with contradictions and the narrator also subverts its biblical framework by promoting an ambiguous reading of key scenes and motifs. Isak is not a bona fide practicing Christian and the novel should not be seen as an apology for Christianity in any way, shape, or form. Hamsun’s Isak is no biblical patriarch, even though he, too, at first appears to be divinely chosen to bring about a new beginning for humankind; instead, Isak turns out to be just another human being—albeit an exceptional one—who works hard to make his life dream come true. Moreover, it “er tvilsomt om MG var tenkt som en ‘agrarisk opbyggelsesbog’” (Rottem, Hamun og fantasiens triumf 167); however, an intertextual reading does enrich the novel’s narrative as well as moral authority by drawing on Biblical persona and antecedents.Finally, I feel compelled to address a postcolonial perspective if for no other reason than that an insistence on a Biblical reading of the novel largely ignores the import of the Samí, who ultimately pay the price of Isak’s colonization of the land, which prefigures the conquest of Northern Norway by homesteaders like him as well as the advance of what is euphemistically called “civilization.”
The impact of pneumococcal vaccination on pneumonia mortality among the elderly in Japan: a difference-in-difference study
Authors: Jung Sung-mok , Lee Hyojung , Nishiura Hiroshi
Published: December 2018

Background

It is plausible that the routine immunization among infants using pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 (PCV13) from 2013 and among the elderly using pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPV23) from 2014 contributed to reducing the pneumonia mortality among the elderly in Japan. The present study aimed to estimate the causal effect of this vaccination on pneumonia mortality, using the available cause-of-death data and employing a difference-in-difference (DID) design.

Methods

Two types of mortality data, that is, prefecture-dependent and age- and gender-specific mortality data, from 2003 to 2017 were retrieved. We used mortality due to malignant neoplasm and heart disease as control groups and employed a DID design with an assumed parallel mortality trend between pneumonia and control group mortality since 2013 to estimate the causal effect of pneumococcal vaccination from 2014.

Results

Our estimation based on malignant neoplasm and heart disease as controls indicated that the reduced pneumonia mortality in 2017 owing to pneumococcal vaccination was as large as 41.9 (33.2, 50.6) and 31.2 (23.8, 38.6) per 100,000 individuals, respectively. The largest mortality reduction was observed for the oldest group (aged ≥90 years), especially among men.

Discussion

The pneumococcal vaccination program, perhaps mainly represented by high vaccination coverage of PCV13 among children and partly by PPV23 administration with low coverage among the elderly in Japan, was shown to have reduced the pneumonia mortality in the elderly at the population level.
A
rdenticatenia
Authors: Kawaichi Satoshi , Yoshida Takashi , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: December 2018

Ar.den.ti.ca.te'ni.a. N.L. fem. n.
Ardenticatena
the type genus of the type order of the class; suff. ‐
ia
ending to denote a class; N.L. neut. pl. n.
Ardenticatenia
the
Ardenticatenales
class.

Chloroflexi / Ardenticatenia

The class
Ardenticatenia
is currently represented by a single species, which was reportedly distinct from members of other classes on the basis of a phylogenetic tree by comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis from a wide variety of cultivated strains and environmental clones. Cells are nonpigmented and form multicellular filaments. Spores are not formed. Thermophilic chemoorganotrophs.
A
rdenticatenaceae
Authors: Kawaichi Satoshi , Yoshida Takashi , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: December 2018

Ar.den.ti.ca.te.na.ce'ae. N.L. fem. n.
Ardenticatena
type genus of the family; suff. ‐
aceae
ending to denote a family; N.L. fem. pl. n.
Ardenticatenaceae
the family of
Ardenticatena
.

Chloroflexi / Ardenticatenia / Ardenticatenales / Ardenticatenaceae

Multicellular filaments of indefinite length, unbranched, and undifferentiated. Individual cells are 0.2–0.5 µm in diameter and 2 µm in length. Nonmotile. Grow under aerobic or anaerobic conditions using nitrate of ferric iron as a terminal electron acceptor. Thermophilic with optimum growth temperature between 55 and 70°C. Neither photosynthetic nor fermentative growth is observed. Spores are not formed. The cellular fatty acids consist primarily of saturated fatty acids (e.g., C
22:0
and C
19:0
).

The family
Ardenticatenaceae
was proposed and validated as a subordinate taxon of the order
Ardenticatenales
based on its phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic characteristics. The family currently includes only one monospecific genus,
Ardenticatena
. Therefore, the current description of the family is the same as for the genus
Ardenticatena
.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 51.5 (HPLC).

Type genus
:
Ardenticatena
Kawaichi, Ito, Kamikawa, Sugawara, Yoshida and Sako 2013a, 2999
VP
.
Halorubrum
Authors: Oren Aharon
Published: December 2018

Ha.lo.ru'brum. Gr. n.hals,halos, salt; L. neut. adj.rubrum, red; N.L. neut. n.Halorubrumsalt (‐requiring) and red.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Haloferacales / Halorubraceae / Halorubrum

With 37 species,Halorubrum(familyHalorubraceae, orderHaloferacales) is the largest genus within the classHalobacteria. Cells ofHalorubrumspecies are rod shaped or pleomorphic under optimal growth conditions and stain Gram‐negative. Some species are motile. Colonies are generally red‐orange due to the presence of bacterioruberin carotenoids, but some species are almost colorless; retinal pigments can also be present. Some strains produce gas vesicles.Halorubrumspecies are extremely halophilic, with growth occurring in media containing 1.0–5.2 M NaCl; the optimum magnesium concentration varies between 0.005 and 0.6 M. Cells lyse in distilled water. The genus contains both neutrophilic and alkaliphilic species. All are aerobic chemoorganotrophs; anaerobic growth of some species was reported in the presence of nitrate or arginine. Some species grow on single carbon sources. Most species use sugars, some with the production of acids. The major polar lipids are C20C20and sometimes C20C25glycerol diether derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate (in most species), and a sulfated glucosyl mannosyl diether, for some species identified as S‐DGD‐3. Alkaliphilic species lack glycolipids. The DNA G + C content is between 60.2 and 71.2 mol%.Halorubrumspecies have been isolated from marine salterns, salt lakes, soda lakes, saline soils, rock salt, salted foods, and other hypersaline environments. The type species isHalorubrum saccharovorum.

Later homotypic synonym:HalorubrobacteriumKamekura and Dyall‐Smith 1996, 625VP(Effective publication: Kamekura and Dyall‐Smith 1995, 345).

DNA G + C content (mol%): 60.2–71.2.

Type species:Halorubrum saccharovorum(Tomlinson and Hochstein 1976) McGenity and Grant 1996, 362VP(Effective publication: McGenity and Grant 1995, 241) (Halobacterium saccharovorumTomlinson and Hochstein 1977, 306;Halorubrobacterium saccharovorum(Tomlinson and Hochstein 1976) Kamekura and Dyall‐Smith 1996, 625).
N
atronobacterium
Authors: Oren Aharon
Published: December 2018

Na.tro.no.bac.te'ri.um
. N.L. n.
natron
(arbitrarily derived from the Arabic n.
natrun
or
natron
) soda, sodium carbonate; N.L. pref.
natrono‐
, pertaining to soda; N.L. neut. n.
bacterium
, a small rod; N.L. neut. n.
Natronobacterium
, soda rod.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Natrialbales / Natrialbaceae / Natronobacterium

The genus
Natronobacterium
(family
Natrialbaceae
, order
Natrialbales
, class
Halobacteria
) contains two species of haloalkaliphilic, nonmotile, and rod‐shaped or coccoid cells that lyse in distilled water. Colonies are red due to the presence of bacterioruberin carotenoids. The organisms are aerobic chemoorganotrophs; growth is stimulated by some sugars. The major polar lipids are C
20
C
20
and C
20
C
25
glycerol diether derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester. Minor amounts of glycolipids may be present. The DNA G + C content is between 61.1 and 62.9 mol% (genome sequence). The type strains of the two
Natronobacterium
species were isolated from a saltern near a hypersaline soda lake in Kenya and from the soil of a dried‐out lake in Mexico. The type species is
Natronobacterium gregoryi
.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 61.1–62.9 (genome sequence).

Type species
:
Natronobacterium gregoryi
Tindall, Ross and Grant 1984b, 355
VP
(Effective publication: Tindall, Ross and Grant 1984a, 54).
N
atronococcus
Authors: Oren Aharon
Published: December 2018

Na.tro.no.coc'cus
. N.L. n.
natron
(arbitrarily derived from the Arabic n.
natrun
or
natron
) soda, sodium carbonate; N.L. pref.
natrono‐
, pertaining to soda; N.L. masc. n.
coccus
, from Gr. masc. n.
kokkos
, a berry, coccus; N.L. masc. n.
Natronococcus
, soda berry.

Euryarchaeota / Halobacteria / Natrialbales / Natrialbaceae / Natronococcus

The genus
Natronococcus
(family
Natrialbaceae
, order
Natrialbales
, class
Halobacteria
) contains four species of haloalkaliphilic, nonmotile cocci, growing in irregular clusters, pairs, or single. The cells do not lyse in distilled water. Colonies are red to pale brown due to the presence of bacterioruberin carotenoids. The organisms are obligately aerobic chemoorganotrophs; growth is stimulated by some sugars. The major polar lipids are C
20
C
20
and C
20
C
25
glycerol diether derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester. Glycolipids are absent. The type strains of the four
Natronococcus
species were isolated from soda lakes or fermented seafood.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 61.1–64.9.

Type species
:
Natronococcus occultus
Tindall, Ross and Grant 1984b, 355
VP
(Effective publication: Tindall, Ross and Grant 1984a, 55).
P
seudoglutamicibacter
Authors: Busse Hans‐Jürgen , Wieser Monika
Published: December 2018

Pseu.do.glu.ta.mi.ci.bac'ter. Gr. adj.
pseudês
false; N.L.masc. n.
Glutamicibacter
a bacterial genus name; N.L. masc. n.
Pseudoglutamicibacter
false
Glutamicibacter
.

Actinobacteria / Actinobacteria / Micrococcales / Micrococcaceae / Pseudoglutamicibacter

The genus
Pseudoglutamicibacter
contains the two species
Pseudoglutamicibacter albus
and
Pseudoglutamicibacter cumminsii
. Cells show coryneform morphology, are nonmotile, and do not form spores. The two species share 99.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The peptidoglycan type is A4α (Lys–Ala–Glu or Lys–Ser–Glu). The quinone system contains menaquinone MK‐8(H
2
) as the major component. The polar lipid profile is more complex than in most species of related genera. Major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, dimannosylglyceride, and three unidentified phospholipids. Phosphatidylinositol is present. Major fatty acid is anteiso‐C
15:0
. High amounts of iso‐C
16:0
and anteiso‐C
17:0
are also present.

The type strains of the two species have been isolated from human blood and urine, respectively.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 60–62.

Type species
:
Pseudoglutamicibacter cumminsii
Busse 2016, 32
VP
.
C
hloracidobacterium
Authors: Tank Marcus , Costas Amaya M. Garcia , Bryant Donald A.
Published: December 2018

Chlor.a.ci.do.bac.te'ri.um. Gr. adj.
chlôros
, greenish‐yellow, pale green; N.L. neut. n.
Acidobacterium
, a bacterial genus; N.L. neut. n.
Chloracidobacterium
, a green Acidobacterium.

Acidobacteria / Blastocatellia / “Chloracidobacteriales” / “Chloracidobacteriaceae” / Chloracidobacterium

Chloracidobacterium
is the sole chlorophyll (Chl)‐dependent phototrophic genus in the phylum
Acidobacteria
and currently contains a single species,
Chloracidobacterium thermophilum
. This species is an anoxygenic chlorophototroph and grows photoheterotrophically under microoxic conditions with a broad circum‐neutral pH range (5.5–9.5).
C. thermophilum
is moderately thermophilic (
T
opt.
∼ 50–51°C) and produces chlorosomes, the (bacterio) (B)‐Chl
a
‐binding Fenna–Matthews–Olson protein, and homodimeric type‐1 reaction centers. Derivatives of BChl
a
, Zn‐BChl
a′
, BChl
c
, Chl
a
, and keto‐carotenoids serve as photosynthetic pigments. Cells stain Gram‐negative, are nonmotile, do not form spores, and divide by binary fission. Colonies and cell suspensions are greenish‐brown in color. Cells are auxotrophic for several nutrients. Photoautotrophy does not occur. Fatty acids include
n
‐C
14:0
, iso‐C
15:0
, anteiso‐C
15:0
, iso‐C
16:0
,
n
‐C
16:1
Δ9,
n
‐C
16:0
, iso‐C
17:0
, anteiso‐C
17:0
, and 5‐methyl iso‐diabolic acid. The most abundant fatty acid is iso‐diabolic acid (46.5% of total). The major quinone is dihydrogenated menaquinone‐8 (MK8 (H2)).

The type strain was isolated from a chlorophototrophic microbial mat associated with Octopus Spring, a slightly alkaline hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Isolation studies and molecular biological surveys have also detected representatives of this genus in other hot springs in Yellowstone National Park and other circum‐neutral to slightly alkaline hot springs worldwide. Members belong to the class
Blastocatellia
, to the order “
Chloracidobacteriales
”, and to the family “
Chloracidobacteriaceae
.”

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 61.3 (by genome sequence of type strain).

Type species
:
Chloracidobacterium thermophilum
Tank and Bryant 2015b, 1429.
A
rdenticatena
Authors: Kawaichi Satoshi , Yoshida Takashi , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: December 2018

Ar.den.ti.ca.te'na. L. adj.
ardens ‐entis
hot; L. fem. n.
catena
chain; N.L. fem. n.
Ardenticatena
hot chain‐shaped organism.

Chloroflexi / Ardenticatenia / Ardenticatenales / Ardenticatenaceae / Ardenticatena

Multicellular filaments of indefinite length, unbranched, and undifferentiated. Individual cells are 0.2–0.5 µm in diameter and 2 µm in length. Nonmotile. Grow under aerobic or anaerobic conditions using nitrate of ferric iron as a terminal electron acceptor. Thermophilic with optimum growth temperature between 55 and 70°C. Neither photosynthetic nor fermentative growth is observed. Spores are not formed. The cellular fatty acids consist primarily of saturated fatty acids (e.g., C
22:0
and C
19:0
).

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 51.5 (HPLC).

Type species
:
Ardenticatena maritima
Kawaichi, Ito, Kamikawa, Sugawara, Yoshida and Sako 2013a, 2999
VP
.
A
rdenticatenales
Authors: Kawaichi Satoshi , Yoshida Takashi , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: December 2018

Ar.den.ti.ca.te.na'les. N.L. fem. n.
Ardenticatena
type genus of the order; suff. ‐
ales
ending to denote an order; N.L. fem. pl. n.
Ardenticatenales
the order of
Ardenticatena
.

Chloroflexi / Ardenticatenia / Ardenticatenales

Multicellular filaments of indefinite length, unbranched, and undifferentiated. Individual cells are 0.2–0.5 µm in diameter and 2 µm in length. Nonmotile. Grow under aerobic or anaerobic conditions using nitrate of ferric iron as a terminal electron acceptor. Thermophilic with optimum growth temperature between 55 and 70°C. Neither photosynthetic nor fermentative growth is observed. Spores are not formed. The cellular fatty acids consist primarily of saturated fatty acids (e.g., C
22:0
and C
19:0
).

The order
Ardenticatenales
was proposed and validated as a subordinate taxon of the class
Ardenticatenia
based on its phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic characteristics. The order currently includes only one family
Ardenticatenaceae
and a single monospecific genus,
Ardenticatena
. Therefore, the current description of the order is the same as for the genus
Ardenticatena
.

Type genus
:
Ardenticatena
Kawaichi, Ito, Kamikawa, Sugawara, Yoshida and Sako 2013, 2999
VP
.
Heme‐Dependent Oxidative N‐Demethylase
Authors: Ortmayer Mary , Leys David
Published: December 2018

Heme‐dependent oxidative N‐demethylase (HODM) catalyzes the NADPH‐dependent oxidation or N‐dealkylation of dialkylamines to alkylamine. HODM is a heterotetrameric enzyme containing a histidine‐coordinated heme, flavin mononucleotide, 2Fe‐2S, and tetrahydrofolic acid cofactors. The alpha subunit is responsible for heme binding and contains a Per‐Arnt‐Sim domain fold. HODM functions in bacterial methylated amine catabolism, linking alkylamine oxidation to the tetrahydrofolate C1 pool. The discovery of the HODM operon allowed heterologous expression inEscherichia coliand biophysical/structural characterization reveled that the dimethylamine substrate plays a key role in a polarized oxygen‐binding site, highly evolved for oxygen activation.
Flexible Weaving Constructed Self‐Powered Pressure Sensor Enabling Continuous Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease and Measurement of Cuffless Blood Pressure
Authors: Meng Keyu , Chen Jun , Li Xiaoshi , Wu Yufen , Fan Wenjing , Zhou Zhihao , He Qiang , Wang Xue , Fan Xing , Zhang Yuxin , Yang Jin , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: December 2018

Pulse wave carries comprehensive information regarding the human cardiovascular system (CS), which is essential for directly capturing CS parameters. More importantly, cuffless blood pressure (BP) is one of the most critical markers in CS. Accurately measuring BP via the pulse wave for continuous and noninvasive diagnosis of a disease associated with hypertension remains a challenge and highly desirable. Here, a flexible weaving constructed self‐powered pressure sensor (WCSPS) is reported for measurement of the pulse wave and BP in a noninvasive manner. The WCSPS holds an ultrasensitivity of 45.7 mV Pa−1 with an ultrafast response time of less than 5 ms, and no performance degradation is observed after up to 40 000 motion cycles. Furthermore, a low power consumption sensor system is developed for precisely monitoring pulse wave from the fingertip, wrist, ear, and ankles. A practical measurement is performed with 100 people with ages spanning from 24 to 82 years and different health statuses. The discrepancy between the measured BP results using the WCSPS and that provided by the commercial cuff‐based device is about 0.87–3.65%. This work demonstrates an efficient and cost‐effective way for human health monitoring, which would be a competitive alternative to current complex cardiovascular monitoring systems.
Epidermal Growth Factor–Releasing Radially Aligned Electrospun Nanofibrous Patches for the Regeneration of Chronic Tympanic Membrane Perforations
Authors: Seonwoo Hoon , Shin Beomyong , Jang Kyoung‐Je , Lee Myungchul , Choo Oak‐Sung , Park Sang‐Bae , Kim Yeong Cheol , Choi Mi‐Jin , Kim Jangho , Garg Pankaj , Jang Jeong Hun , Choung Yun‐Hoon , Chung Jong Hoon
Published: December 2018

Chronic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations can cause otorrhea. To date, various types of tissue engineering techniques have been applied for the regeneration of chronic TM perforations. However, the application of nanofibers with radially aligned nanostructures and the simultaneous release of growth factors have never been applied in the regeneration of chronic TM perforations. Here, epidermal growth factor (EGF)–releasing radially aligned nanofibrous patches (ERA‐NFPs) are developed and applied for the regeneration of chronic perforated TMs. First, radial alignments and the presence of EGF in the ERA‐NFPs are analyzed. EGF is confirmed to be released from the ERA‐NFPs until 8 weeks. In an in vitro study, cell viability assay, immunocytochemistry, and wound‐healing assay indicate rational enhancement of healing by the combination of radial alignments and EGF release. The effect of ERA‐NFPs on TM cells is revealed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. An in vivo animal study shows that the ERA‐NFPs effectively stimulates the healing of the chronic TM perforations. The TMs healed by ERA‐NFPs show histological properties similar to those of normal TMs. These results indicate that ERA‐NFPs may be an efficient platform for the regeneration of chronic TM perforations, laying the foundation for nonsurgical treatments of chronic otitis media.
Carbonized Bamboos as Excellent 3D Solar Vapor‐Generation Devices
Authors: Bian Yue , Du Qianqian , Tang Kun , Shen Yang , Hao Licai , Zhou Dong , Wang Xiaokun , Xu Zhonghua , Zhang Huiling , Zhao Lijuan , Zhu Shunming , Ye Jiandong , Lu Hai , Yang Yi , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou , Gu Shulin
Published: December 2018

Given the global challenges of water scarcity, solar‐driven vapor generation has become a renewed topic as an energy‐efficient way for clean water production. Here, it is revealed that bamboo, as a natural hierarchical cellular material, can be an excellent 3D solar vapor‐generation device by a simple carbonization progress. A floating carbonized bamboo sample evaporates water with an extremely high vapor‐generation rate of 3.13 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun illumination. The high evaporation rate is achieved by the unique natural structure of bamboos. The inner wall of bamboo recovers the diffuse light energy and the thermal radiation heat loss from the 3D bamboo bottom, and the outer wall captures energy from the warmer environment. The high evaporation rate is also attributed to reduced vaporization enthalpy of water confined in the bamboo mesh. Such bamboo‐based high‐performance, low‐cost, self‐cleaning, solid durable, and scalable 3D vapor‐generation device has attractive applications in desalination as well as industrial and domestic wastewater abatement.
Finding the Sweet Spot: Investigating the Effects of Relationship Closeness and Instrumental Activities in School‐based Mentoring
Authors: Lyons Michael D. , McQuillin Samuel D. , Henderson Lora J.
Published: December 2018

School‐based mentoring programs are popular prevention programs thought to influence youth development; but rigorous evaluations indicate that these programs often have small effects on youth outcomes. Researchers suggest that these findings may be explained by (a) mentors and mentees failing to develop a close relationship and (b) mentors not setting goals or focusing on specific skills necessary improve outcomes. We assessed these explanations using data from approximately 1360 mentor and mentee pairs collected through a national study of school‐based mentoring (called, “The Student Mentoring Program”). Specifically, we tested the influence of mentee‐reported relationship quality and mentor‐reported use of goal‐setting and feedback‐oriented activities on academic, behavioral, and social‐emotional outcomes. Results suggested that youth reported relationship quality was associated with small to medium effects on outcomes. Moreover, goal‐setting and feedback‐oriented activities were associated with moderate to large effects on outcomes. We also found significant interactions between relationship quality and goal‐setting and feedback‐oriented activities on youth outcomes. We conclude that there appears to be a “sweet‐spot” wherein youth outcomes are maximized. The results of this study suggest a need for school‐based mentoring programs to monitor and support mentors in developing a close relationship while also providing opportunities to set goals and receive feedback.
A biallelic truncating AEBP1 variant causes connective tissue disorder in two siblings
Authors: Hebebrand Moritz , Vasileiou Georgia , Krumbiegel Mandy , Kraus Cornelia , Uebe Steffen , Ekici Arif B. , Thiel Christian T. , Reis André , Popp Bernt
Published: December 2018

Biallelic variants in the AEBP1 gene cause a novel autosomal‐recessive connective tissue disorder (CTD) reminiscent of Ehlers‐Danlos Syndrome (EDS). The four previously reported individuals show considerable clinical variability. Unbiased high‐throughput sequencing enables the rapid identification of additional cases for such rare entities. We identified the homozygous nonsense variant c.917dup, p.Tyr306* in AEBP1 using clinical exome sequencing in a female individual with previously unsolved CTD. Segregation testing confirmed homozygosity in the clinically affected brother and heterozygous carrier status in the healthy mother. Chromosomal microarray showed that the variant lies in a run of homozygosity, suggesting a common origin of this genomic segment. RT‐PCR analysis in the mother revealed a monoallelic expression of the normal transcript supporting a nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay and functional nullizygosity as disease mechanism. We describe two individuals from a fourth family with AEBP1‐associated CTD. Our results further verify that autosomal‐recessive inherited LOF variants in the AEBP1 gene cause clinical features of different EDS subtypes, but also of the marfanoid spectrum. As identification of further individuals is necessary to inform the clinical characterization, we stress the added value of exome sequencing for such rare diseases.
Shape memory polyurethane‐urea foams with improved toughness
Authors: Easley Alexandra D. , Monroe Mary Beth Browning , Hasan Sayyeda M. , Weems Andrew C. , Frederick Jane , Maitland Duncan J.
Published: December 2018

Current vascular aneurysm treatments often require either highly invasive strategy to surgically occlude an aneurysm or endovascular occlusion via metal coils. While endovascular coils are safer, they have limited efficacy. Endovascular coils that are integrated with shape memory polymer (SMP) foams have the potential to improve occlusion and reduce coil risks; however, the mechanical performance and limited homogeneity of SMP foams can hinder their effective use. To address this issue, SMP foams are synthesized using the monomer diethanolamine (DEA) in place of triethanolamine (TEA) to provide improved mechanical properties for medical device applications. Mechanical testing and micro‐fracture analysis were performed on DEA and TEA foams. DEA foams show improved toughness and reduced micro‐fractures compared to the control. This work presents the utility of DEA in SMP synthesis to enable the potential production of safer aneurysm treatment. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47268.
The effects of natural astaxanthin‐modified silica on properties of natural rubber
Authors: Yao Bin‐bin , Xia Li‐jian , Wang Hui , Kan Ze
Published: December 2018

Natural astaxanthin is a natural substance extracted from algae such as Haematococcus pluvialis. Its molecular structure contains conjugated double bonds as well as keto and hydroxyl groups, and therefore it has high activity. In this research, natural astaxanthin was used to modify the surface of the silica, and its effects on natural rubber vulcanization properties, physical and mechanical properties, dynamic properties, and antiaging properties were studied by means of rubber process analyzer, dynamic mechanical anaylsis, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that natural astaxanthin‐modified silica could reduce the degree of delayed vulcanization. At the same time, the resilience and abrasion resistance of the obtained vulcanizates were increased. The DIN abrasion volume of the vulcanizates modified and reinforced by the second strategy decreased by 19.2% and 23.6%, respectively; the Payne effect of the natural astaxanthin‐modified silica/NR composites was weakened, and the dispersibility of the filler and the compatibility with the rubber matrix was significantly improved. Regardless of which strategy was used to modify the silica, the vulcanizates had a lower rolling resistance. Specially, it could greatly improve the hot air aging resistance property of rubber. Natural astaxanthin as being a renewable feedstock is expected to have a quite broad applications in the rubber industry. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 136, 47287.
Tannic acid coating and in situ deposition of silver nanoparticles to improve the antifouling properties of an ultrafiltration membrane
Authors: Zhao Chen , Nguyen Nhi Sa , Li Xingya , McCarthy David , Wang Huanting
Published: December 2018

The construction of antifouling membranes has been a desirable approach for addressing membrane‐fouling issues in the ultrafiltration (UF) process. Antifouling means antiadhesive and antimicrobial; however, few researchers have achieved both properties in a facile and effective manner. In this article, we report a direct tannic acid (TA) coating method combined with the in situ deposition of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs); this was used to improve the antifouling properties of a positively charged polymeric UF membrane. The results show that the TA–Ag NP modified membranes showed improved protein resistance (flux recovery rate = 71.2% after modification vs 17.8% before modification) and less attachment of bacteria (Escherichia coli K1) on the membrane surface and reduced cell viability in the resulting bacterial suspension (reduced by ≥90%) because of the combined antimicrobial properties of both the TA and Ag NPs. This indicated that our modification method was promising for UF membrane antifouling applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47314.
Assessment of sorption kinetics of carbon nanotube‐based composite foams for oil recovery application
Authors: Piperopoulos E. , Calabrese L. , Mastronardo E. , Abdul Rahim S. H. , Proverbio E. , Milone C.
Published: December 2018

Sorption kinetics of pollutant oils, such as kerosene, virgin naphtha, crude oil, and pump oil, into porous siloxanic foams filled with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are investigated. Both, pristine and functionalized, CNTs are used as foam fillers. Among all, the foam filled with pristine CNT shows a poor affinity with water and high sorption rate in light oils, in which it achieves the highest absorption values (7991 mg g−1 after 660 s and 6685 mg g−1 after 420 s, respectively, in virgin naphtha and kerosene). The kinetic data are described by the pseudo‐first order, pseudo‐second order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. Results show that chemisorption processes are rate limiting the sorption step. In fact, pseudo‐second order model better represents the equilibrium isotherm data. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47374.
Three‐Dimensional Structures of Nanoporous NiO/ZnO Nanoarray Films for Enhanced Electrochromic Performance
Authors: Wei Wei , Gu Xiangyu , Liu Yuze , Zheng Zejun , Li Shaoyang , Mei Zhilin , Wei Ang
Published: December 2018

An electrochromic device with the as‐obtained nanoporous NiO /ZnO nanoarray as a working electrode was constructed and assembled. The nanoporous NiO/ZnO nanoarray film with a three‐dimensional structure was prepared on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate through a two‐step route that combined chemical bath deposition method with a hydrothermal method. The nanoporous NiO/ZnO nanoarray electrode reveals a noticeable improvement in electrochromism compared with that of nanoporous NiO alone, including higher optical modulation (81 %), higher coloration efficiency (78.5 cm2 C−1), faster response times (2.6 and 9.7 s for coloring and bleaching, respectively), and favorable durability performance. Such enhancements are mainly attributed to the three‐dimensional structures of nanoporous NiO coated on ZnO nanoarray, namely, 1) the uniform hexagonal ZnO nanoarray loads more nanoporous NiO, 2) nanoporous NiO cross‐linked with ZnO nanorods provides a loose interspace morphology, 3) stronger adhesion between ZnO nanorods and ITO covered with ZnO seed, 4) core–shell and cross‐linked structures promote electrolyte infiltration, and 5) appropriate band gaps improve charge transfer.
Methoden zur Bewertung experimenteller Ergebnisse bei kleinem Stichprobenumfang
Authors: Marx Steffen , Grünberg Jürgen , Schacht Gregor
Published: December 2018

Für die Bewertung der Standsicherheit bestehender Bauteile oder Bauwerke bedarf es häufig Informationen, die nur durch eine Bestandserfassung oder ‐beprobung gewonnen werden können. Die integralste Form der experimentellen Bewertung im Bestand stellt der klassische Belastungsversuch dar, da so direkt und zerstörungsfrei die Tragsicherheit nachgewiesen werden kann. Problematisch ist allerdings die Übertragung der Ergebnisse eines oder weniger durchgeführter Versuche auf andere, nicht beprobte Bauteile. Dieser Beitrag diskutiert existierende Bewertungsmethoden und stellt einen neuen Ansatz für die Berücksichtigung der Unsicherheiten bei der Übertragung von Versuchsergebnissen auf nicht direkt beprobte Bauteile vor.
Testing strategy in phase 3 trials with multiple doses
Authors: Li Jianjun (David) , Kirby Simon
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we consider multiplicity testing approaches mainly for phase 3 trials with two doses. We review a few available approaches and propose some new ones. The doses selected for phase 3 usually have the same or a similar efficacy profile, so they have some degree of consistency in efficacy. We review the Hochberg procedure, the Bonferroni procedure, and a few consistency‐adjusted procedures, and suggest new ones by applying the available procedures to the pooled dose and the high dose, the dose that is thought to be more efficacious between two doses. The reason behind the idea is that the pooled dose and the high dose are more consistent than the original two doses if the high dose is more efficacious than the low dose. We compare all approaches via simulations and recommend using a procedure combining 4A and the pooling approach. We also discuss briefly the testing strategy for trials with more than two doses.
Experimental measurements of bubble size distributions in a water model and its influence on the aluminum kinetics degassing
Authors: Mancilla Ernesto , Cruz‐Méndez Wiener , Ramírez‐Argáez Marco Aurelio , González‐Rivera Carlos , Ascanio Gabriel
Published: December 2018

An experimental study of the gas‐liquid dynamics in a water model of an aluminum ladle was conducted. The rotor degassing performance was evaluated for two commercial rotor‐injector devices compared to a new rotor design. In this work, the influence of the turbulent properties of the flow fields on the bubble size distribution is analyzed for a better understanding of its impact on the degassing efficiency in aluminum refinement operations. The degassing process was analyzed by two different methods: (a) a high‐speed camera was used to obtain the bubble size distribution into the container; and (b) the particle image velocimetry technique (PIV) was employed to obtain the liquid flow properties. It was found that the rotor geometry plays an important role on the average size and distribution of the bubbles. The energy dissipation rate contours show significant differences for the distinct rotors tested. These hydrodynamic states and bubbles distribution dominate the kinetic and efficiency of the degassing processes. It was shown that the new rotor configuration enhances the degassing kinetics, due to a more suitable bubble dispersion compared to the commercial rotors tested.
A Scaffold‐Hopping Strategy toward the Identification of Inhibitors of Cyclin G Associated Kinase
Authors: Wouters Randy , Tian Junjun , Herdewijn Piet , De Jonghe Steven
Published: December 2018

We recently reported the discovery of isothiazolo[4,3‐b]pyridine‐based inhibitors of cyclin G associated kinase (GAK) displaying low nanomolar binding affinity for GAK and demonstrating broad‐spectrum antiviral activity. To come up with novel core structures that act as GAK inhibitors, a scaffold‐hopping approach was applied starting from two different isothiazolo[4,3‐b]pyridines. In total, 13 novel 5,6‐ and 6,6‐fused bicyclic heteroaromatic scaffolds were synthesized. Four of them displayed GAK affinity with Kd values in the low micromolar range that can serve as chemical starting points for the discovery of GAK inhibitors based on a different scaffold.
Bedaquiline and delamanid in the treatment of multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis: Promising but challenging
Authors: Li Yang , Sun Feng , Zhang Wenhong
Published: December 2018

Improving treatment outcomes in multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) is partly hampered by inadequate effective antitubercular agents. Development of bedaquiline and delamanid has potentially changed the treatment landscape for MDR‐TB. This review provides an update on the progress of these novel antitubercular agents. We review published studies aimed at evaluating clinical efficacy and effectiveness of bedaquiline and delamanid. Five prospective clinical studies and seven retrospective studies on bedaquiline showed that patients treated with a bedaquiline‐containing regimen had a high culture conversion rate ranging from 65 to 100% and a satisfactory treatment outcome. The combined use with linezolid might add to the effectiveness of bedaquiline. Controversies about bedaquiline resistance are discussed. Three clinical trials have reported outcomes on delamanid and showed that introducing delamanid to a background regimen improved culture conversion rate at 2 months from 29.6% to more than 40%. A higher favorable treatment rate was also observed among patients who received delamanid for more than 6 months, but about a quarter of patients defaulted in the control group. Seven retrospective studies were summarized and found a treatment benefit as well. More reliable evidence from randomized clinical trials reporting on the treatment outcomes is needed urgently to support a strong recommendation for the use of delamanid. Advances in the combined use of bedaquiline and delamanid are also reviewed, and the combination may be well tolerated but requires electrocardiograph monitoring.
Role of BMP Signaling for the Formation of Auditory Brainstem Nuclei and Large Auditory Relay Synapses
Authors: Kronander Elin , Clark Christopher , Schneggenburger Ralf
Published: December 2018

Large excitatory synapses are found at specific points in the neuronal circuits of the auditory brainstem, to enable fast information transfer and the preservation of acoustic timing information. The extracellular cues and signaling mechanisms that lead to the development of these specialized synaptic connections, exemplified by the calyx of Held in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), are still largely unknown. Here, we investigate the role of BMP signaling for the early development of the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and MNTB, and for the initial formation of the calyx of Held synaptic connection. We used conditional alleles of two BMP type‐1 receptors in the background of a constitutive BMPR1b knock‐out (KO), or else a conditional allele of SMAD4. The conditional alleles were recombined by the Krox20Cre mouse line that is active around mid‐gestation in rhombomeres (r) 3 and 5 from which the VCN and MNTB are derived; alternatively, virus‐mediated Cre‐expression was performed early postnatally in the VCN. The data show that embryonic SMAD‐dependent BMP‐signaling in r3 and r5 contributes to the histogenesis of auditory brainstem nuclei. On the other hand, BMP‐receptor signaling early postnatally in presynaptic neurons of the calyx of Held projection is necessary for correct axon branch retraction, which suggests a cell‐autonomous role of presynaptic BMP‐receptors in synapse elimination at the developing calyx of Held. Thus, our work dissects developmentally early and late roles of BMP‐signaling for the formation of auditory brainstem nuclei, and the highly specialized synaptic connectivity in these structures.