bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Correlation Analysis of Physical and Physico-Chemical Properties of Cambucá Fruits (Plinia edulis)
Authors: Souto Antônio Gustavo de Luna , Cordeiro Maria Helena Menezes , Cremasco João Paulo Gava , Nunes Valtânia Xavier , Morais Keise Barcelas , Santos Carlos Eduardo Magalhães Dos
Published: February 2019

Aims: This study was to characterize and correlate physical and physico-chemical properties of cambucá fruits (Plinia edulis).

Study Design: Experimental design was completely randomized with fifteen samples of five fruits each.

Place and Duration of Study: Experimental orchard of the Department of Plant Science, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), located in the municipality of Viçosa, Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais during the month of February 2015.

Methodology: Fruits were sampled when 100% of peels presented yellow-orange color. The following characteristics were evaluated: longitudinal and transverse diameter, total mass of both pulp and seed, pulp color, soluble solids, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, ascorbic acid and carotenoids contents. To verify the degree of correlation between two physico-chemical variables, a Pearson analysis was performed.

Results: Cambucá fruits showed average values of longitudinal and transverse diameter of 37.76 and 44.36 mm, respectively. Fruits’ average mass were 44.12 g and the percentage of pulp was 82.15%. Both soluble solids and titratable acidity presented the respective average values: 10.53 ºBrix, 1.34 mg of citric acid and 100 mL-1 of pulp. Larger cambucá fruits presented higher pulp yield and lower acidity. The increase in ascorbic acid was positively correlated with the contents of soluble solids and carotenoids.

Conclusion: Fruits of cambucá have potential for commercialization, their characteristics are similar to those found in other fruit species native to the Myrtaceae family and already found in the fruit market.
Production of Citrus Rootstock in the Santa Luzia Do Induá Community, Capitão Poço-Pará-Brazil
Authors: Ribeiro Luane Laíse Oliveira , Cunha Letícia Do Socorro , Pereira Wanderson Cunha , Monfort Lucila Elizabeth Fragoso , Araújo Francisca Das Chagas Bezerra De , Rocha Maria Eunice Lima , Santos Antônio Augusto Rodrigues Dos
Published: February 2019

The municipality of Capitão Poço, located in the state of Pará / Brazil, received the demonization of land from the orange, with citriculture as the main source of income for the producers in the municipality. Among the sectors of citrus production, the production of the rootstock, which is strongly developed in the community of Santa Luzia do Induá, is a highlight in the activity, since this sector is considered as a strong element for the job creation, capital formation, value added and also in regional development, which strengthens the production of seedlings in the municipality. In this sense, the research had as objective to make a survey of the form of production of the rootstock of citrus seedlings, in the community of Santa Luzia do Induá, municipality of Capitão Poço/Pará. Field research was carried out between December 2017 and January 2018 in the community of Santa Luzia do Induá. The research was carried out based on the application of semi-structured questionnaires, addressing aspects on the production of rootstock on the choice, production, management and classification, as well as the production of grafting. Fifty seedlings producers were randomly interviewed, out of a total of approximately 100 nurseries, which guarantees a representative sample unit. It is observed that 48% of the nurserymen consider the thickness as the main factor for the execution of the grafting, and for them the horse is ready when it reaches the thickness of a pencil. Regarding the height, the most used for grafting by the producers (86%) is that between the intervals of 10 to 20 cm. The producers reported that the most used is the lemon tree clove due to its genetic and phytotechnical characteristics. It was noticeable that they are already trying to improve techniques for acquiring higher quality propagation material. To this end, the encouragement of public policies combined with the development of technologies appropriate to the local reality is paramount to increasingly promote seedlings production in the community.
Seasonal variations in measurements of linear accelerator output
Authors: Bartolac Steven , Heaton Robert , Norrlinger Bernhard , Letourneau Daniel
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Seasonal trends in linear accelerator output have been reported by at least one institution and data have suggested that they may be present at our center as well. The purpose of this work was to characterize these trends and determine whether local environmental conditions within the treatment rooms may be impacting the linear accelerators and/or the quality control (QC) dosimeter.

Methods

Runtime plots of daily output data, acquired using an in‐house ion chamber‐based device, over 3 yr and for 15 linear accelerators of different makes and models were reviewed and evaluated. Environmental conditions were monitored prospectively in a representative treatment room for approximately 9 months and evaluated for correlations with output trends. Independent measures of output using daily MV portal images were compared with output measurements using the ion chamber‐based device. A separate controlled experiment probing the response of the in‐house dosimeter to humidity changes over time was also carried out using a constant current source and a small enclosure.

Results

Runtime plots of output revealed sinusoidal, seasonal variations that were consistent across all treatment units, irrespective of manufacturer, model, or age of machine. The amplitude of the variation was on the order of 1% and maintained a yearly period. The independent measure of output using MV portal images did not corroborate the seasonal trends observed with the daily QC dosimeter. Based on the controlled experiment, the QC dosimeter was found to have a dependence on relative humidity changes, decreasing 1% in output per 30% increase in relative humidity.

Conclusions

Results confirm the presence of underlying seasonal variations in measured output from the linear accelerators. The findings identify humidity impact on the measurement device as the underlying cause of the cyclical changes and not the accelerators themselves. These results could help minimize unwarranted machine servicing.
Hierarchical Hydrogel Composite Interfaces with Robust Mechanical Properties for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhu Yuting , Zhang Qiang , Shi Xiaoli , Han Dong
Published: February 2019

Cells sense and respond to a wide range of external signals, including chemical signals, topography, and interface mechanics, via interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM), triggering the regulation of behavior and function. The ECM can be considered a hierarchical multiphase porous matrix with various components. Highly porous hydrogel‐based biomaterials can mimic the critical ECM properties, to provide mechanical support for tissues and to regulate cellular behaviors, such as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Herein, based on micro/nanoscale‐topography‐coupled mechanical action, recent advances in the fabrication and application of hydrogel composites with tunable mechanical properties and topography in biomedicine are summarized. In particular, recent findings showing that hydrogels with specifically designed structures not only influence a range of cellular processes and fit the needs of engineered tissues but also have pharmacological effects are emphasized.
Healing of Planar Defects in 2D Materials via Grain Boundary Sliding
Authors: Zhao Xiaoxu , Ji Yujin , Chen Jianyi , Fu Wei , Dan Jiadong , Liu Yuanyue , Pennycook Stephen J. , Zhou Wu , Loh Kian Ping
Published: February 2019

Understanding the mechanisms and kinetics of defect annihilations, particularly at the atomic scale, is important for the preparation of high‐quality crystals for realizing the full potential of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) in electronics and quantum photonics. Herein, by performing in situ annealing experiments in an atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscope, it is found that stacking faults and rotational disorders in multilayered 2D crystals can be healed by grain boundary (GB) sliding, which works like a “wiper blade” to correct all metastable phases into thermodynamically stable phases along its trace. The driving force for GB sliding is the gain in interlayer binding energy as the more stable phase grows at the expanse of the metastable ones. Density functional theory calculations show that the correction of 2D stacking faults is triggered by the ejection of Mo atoms in mirror twin boundaries, followed by the collective migrations of 1D GB. The study highlights the role of the often‐neglected interlayer interactions for defect repair in 2D materials and shows that exploiting these interactions has significant potential for obtaining large‐scale defect‐free 2D films.
Natural Mentoring, Academic Motivation, and Values Toward Education Among Latinx Adolescents
Authors: Anderson Amy J. , Sánchez Bernadette , McMahon Susan D.
Published: February 2019

We examined the roles of relational and instrumental relationship quality with natural mentors and academic intrinsic motivation on Latinx adolescents’ perceived economic values of education. Participants were 256 Latinx youth (M = 15.07 years old; 116 boys, 140 girls) who completed surveys in 9th and 10th grades. Path analyses indicated significant cross‐sectional effects in 9th grade such that instrumental quality was associated with more perceived benefits of education, and relational quality was associated with fewer perceived limitations of education. Neither instrumental nor relational quality in 9th grade was associated with either benefits or limitations of education in 10th grade. Instrumental relationship quality in 9th grade, however, did have an indirect effect on perceived benefits of education in 10th grade through intrinsic motivation. Implications for research on natural mentoring with Latinx adolescents are discussed.
Oxygen Vacancies in Amorphous InOx Nanoribbons Enhance CO2 Adsorption and Activation for CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Zhang Junbo , Yin Rongguan , Shao Qi , Zhu Ting , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: February 2019

Tuning surface electron transfer process by oxygen (O)‐vacancy engineering is an efficient strategy to develop enhanced catalysts for CO2 electroreduction (CO2ER). Herein, a series of distinct InOx NRs with different numbers of O‐vacancies, namely, pristine (P‐InOx), low vacancy (O‐InOx) and high‐vacancy (H‐InOx) NRs, have been prepared by simple thermal treatments. The H‐InOx NRs show enhanced performance with a best formic acid (HCOOH) selectivity of up to 91.7 % as well as high HCOOH partial current density over a wide range of potentials, largely outperforming those of the P‐InOx and O‐InOx NRs. The H‐InOx NRs are more durable and have a limited activity decay after continuous operating for more than 20 h. The improved performance is attributable to the abundant O‐vacancies in the amorphous H‐InOx NRs, which optimizes CO2 adsorption/activation and facilitates electron transfer for efficient CO2ER.
A Therapist’s Mandate?: Integrating an Ethics of Care into Custody Law by Recognising and Responding to Post‐separation Parental Loss of Connection with Children
Authors: Elizabeth Vivienne
Published: February 2019

In 1999 Smart and Neale published their seminal book Family Fragments, arguing for the replacement of the ethics of justice that currently informs custody law and practice with an ethics of care. Recognising loss is one of four principles they identify as being key to care‐based processes for managing post‐separation parenting arrangements. Here they had in mind the non‐resident fathers in their study, who were often anxious, angry, and resentful about their diminished fatherhood. Yet gender‐neutral custody laws and the greater prominence given to shared care across the West means that increasing numbers of separated mothers are also experiencing diminished connections to their children, either by becoming non‐resident parents or through shared care arrangements. Research into post‐separation fathers’ and mothers’ experiences of loss and grief in relation to their children is sparse and largely consists of small‐scale qualitative studies focusing either on fathers or mothers. Nonetheless, these studies show that the grief talk of post‐separated parents is strikingly similar, except that mothers who become non‐resident parents commonly talk about a sense of stigma and shame, while fathers are more likely than mothers to resort to the language of anger and rights. Despite Smart and Neale's call roughly 20 years ago, custody law systems across the West continue to neglect parents’ need for recognition and support. This paper seeks to rectify this social neglect through describing a dual program of therapeutically informed interventions with separated mothers and fathers. This is designed to recognise and respond to parental loss and grief experiences, whilst simultaneously fostering personal self‐reflexivity and transformation. The latter is no easy task but is frequently an essential basis for workable co‐parenting post‐separation.
Environmental DNA analysis reveals the spatial distribution, abundance, and biomass of Japanese eels at the river‐basin scale
Authors: Itakura Hikaru , Wakiya Ryoshiro , Yamamoto Satoshi , Kaifu Kenzo , Sato Takuya , Minamoto Toshifumi
Published: February 2019

There is growing international concern about declines in populations of anguillid eels, resulting in their inclusion in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Monitoring the population dynamics of these species is often challenging, however, owing to their broad distributions and complex, catadromous life histories.

Whether environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis could be used to monitor the spatial distribution of anguillid eels in rivers was investigated by conducting basin‐scale surveys of Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1846, in 10 rivers in Japan, and comparing the results obtained using eDNA analysis with the results obtained using the electrofishing method. Moreover, the relationship between the eDNA concentration and the abundance and biomass of Japanese eels was examined.

The eDNA of Japanese eels was detected at 56 (91.8%) of the 61 study sites from which individuals were collected by electrofishing, and at an additional 35 sites where individuals were not directly collected. This indicates that eDNA analysis has a greater sensitivity for detecting the presence of eels, making it a powerful tool for monitoring the spatial distribution of anguillid eels in rivers.

A significant, but weak, positive relationship between the eDNA concentration and the abundance and biomass of Japanese eels was also found, suggesting that eDNA analysis may be useful for estimating the abundance and biomass of anguillid eels in rivers.

This is the first study to demonstrate the potential usefulness of eDNA analysis for estimating the spatial distribution, abundance, and biomass of Japanese eels in rivers. eDNA analysis will allow anguillid eel populations to be monitored over large spatial and temporal scales using a consistent protocol, with reduced time and effort compared with conventional techniques, providing invaluable information for managing populations of these endangered species.
Social and delay discounting in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Warnell Katherine Rice , Maniscalco Sydney , Baker Sydney , Yi Richard , Redcay Elizabeth
Published: February 2019

Current literature is divided over whether and how processes such as perspective taking and reward sensitivity differ between individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus neurotypical individuals. Discounting tasks may provide novel insight into how these processes operate. In delay discounting tasks, participants choose between smaller immediate rewards and larger delayed rewards, and in social discounting tasks, participants choose between a smaller monetary rewards for themselves versus a larger reward for partners of varied social distance (e.g., a close friend vs. an acquaintance). Delay and social discounting tasks thus implicitly measure the subjective value of rewards given to one's future self and to others, capturing constructs such as perspective taking, reward processing, and social closeness, all of which have been discussed as core cognitive mechanisms underlying ASD. Despite extensive research on discounting in other clinical populations, few studies have examined delay discounting in ASD and no research has examined social discounting in ASD. The goal of the current study was to assess delay and social discounting for monetary rewards in a single sample of adolescents and adults with ASD compared to a matched neurotypical sample. Overall, adults and adolescents with ASD valued both future rewards and rewards given to others less than their typical counterparts did, but rates of discounting were not significantly correlated across temporal and social domains. These results extend an important behavioral paradigm for understanding both perspective taking and reward processing to autism. Autism Res 2019, 12: 870–877. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Discounting tasks—which experimentally measure the subjective value of different rewards—have been used with a variety of clinical populations, but are underexplored in ASD. We found that compared to neurotypical individuals, individuals with ASD showed diminished subjective value for future rewards (compared to immediate rewards) and rewards for others (compared to rewards for self). This finding has implications for understanding perspective taking, reward processing, and social closeness in ASD.
Using online tools to publicize lead service line locations and promote replacement
Authors: Hiltner Sofia , Romero‐Canyas Rainer , McCormick Lindsay , Neltner Tom
Published: February 2019

An estimated 6.1 million lead service lines (LSLs) are in use across the United States, posing a significant threat to children's health. Some proactive water utilities provide online tools enabling users to learn what addresses have LSLs. This study examined tools from three Ohio utilities, surveying a sample of Ohio homebuyers and renters to assess the comprehensibility of each tool. Tools varied by whether they included (1) a visual (i.e., map as opposed to database), (2) information about individual properties, and (3) information about both the public and private sides of the service line. Survey respondents demonstrated the greatest understanding of the Greater Cincinnati Water Works map, which featured all three of these elements. When presented with scenarios about purchasing homes with LSLs or with unknown material, respondents overwhelmingly said they would pressure the seller to replace the LSL as a condition of purchase, regardless of the communication tool viewed.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of nine major bioactive components in normal and ulcerative colitis rats after oral administration of Lizhong decoction extracts by UPLC–TQ–MS/MS
Authors: Shen Yumeng , Cui Xiang , Jiang Shu , Qian Da‐wei , Duan Jin‐ao
Published: February 2019

Lizhong decoction (LZD), a classic formula, has been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) for thousands of years in clinical practice. However, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of its major bioactive components in rats under different physiological and pathological states are not clear. Thus, in this study, a rapid and sensitive analytical method, ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method, was developed and applied to simultaneously determine glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin, isoliquiritin, glycyrrhizin, isoliquiritigenin, 6‐gingerol, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Re in normal and UC rats after oral administration of LZD extract. A Waters BEH C18 UPLC column was used for chromatographic separation, while acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid were selected as mobile phase. The linearity of nine analytes was >0.9920. Inter‐ and intra‐day accuracy was ≤ 11.4% and precision was from 1.1 to 12.7%. Additionally, stable and suitable extraction recoveries were also obtained. The established method was validated and found to be specific, accurate and precise for nine analytes. Furthermore, it was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic investigation of nine major components after oral administration of LZD extracts to normal and model rats, respectively. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, Tmax, AUC0–t, AUC0–∞) in the plasma of UC rats were significantly different from those of normal rats, which could provide a reference for the clinical application of LZD.
Development of a rapid and reliable analytical method for screening poloxamer 188 for use in cell culture process
Authors: Bareford Lisa , Peng Haofan , Ali Amr , Kolwyck David , Dickens Jason
Published: February 2019

Poloxamer P188 is a common nonionic surfactant additive used in cell culture media as a cellular protectant from the hydrodynamic forces and shear stress during bioprocessing. Presence of a hydrophobic high molecular weight impurity contaminant has been shown to compromise its protective properties and lead to batch failure. In this work we present, a reliable, sensitive, and rapid analytical method to detect and quantify the contaminant impurity in poloxamer 188. This method replaces a laborious and time‐consuming functional test in the form of a shake flask assay. The method is based upon reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with charged aerosol detection, simple mobile phase compositions, and a three‐step gradient. The method was optimized to resolve the impurity from the main P188 fraction in less than 10 min. Analytical method qualification and functional test comparison demonstrate equivalent or better high throughput impurity screening performance. Attempts to identify the impurity and establish suitable method positive control standards are also discussed.
A novel nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide control strategy for increasing the cell density of Haemophilus parasuis
Authors: Cheng Likun , Li Feng , Li Shuguang , Lin Chuwen , Fu Qiang , Yin Huanhuan , Tian Fengrong , Qu Guanggang , Wu Jiaqiang , Shen Zhiqiang
Published: February 2019

Haemophilus parasuis is the causative agent of Glässer's disease and is a major source of economic losses in the swine industry each year. To enhance the production of an inactivated vaccine against H. parasuis, the availability of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) must be carefully controlled to ensure a sufficiently high cell density of H. parasuis. In the present study, the real‐time viable cell density of H. parasuis was calculated based on the capacitance of the culture. By assessing the relationship between capacitance and viable cell density/NAD concentration, the NAD supply rate could be adjusted in real time to maintain the NAD concentration at a set value based on the linear relationship between capacitance and NAD consumption. The linear relationship between cell density and addition of NAD indicated that 7.138 × 109 NAD molecules were required to satisfy per cell growth. Five types of NAD supply strategy were used to maintain different NAD concentration for H. parasuis cultivation, and the results revealed that the highest viable cell density (8.57, OD600) and cell count (1.57 × 1010 CFU/mL) were obtained with strategy III (NAD concentration maintained at 30 mg/L), which were 1.46‐ and 1.45‐ times more, respectively, than cultures with using NAD supply strategy I (NAD concentration maintained at 10 mg/L). An extremely high cell density of H. parasuis was achieved using this NAD supply strategy, and the results demonstrated a convenient and reliable method for determining the real‐time viable cell density relative to NAD concentration. Moreover, this method provides a theoretical foundation and an efficient approach for high cell density cultivation of other auxotroph bacteria.
Higher inositol phosphates and total oxalate of cookies containing fruit by‐products and their influence on calcium, iron, and zinc bioavailability by Caco‐2 cells
Authors: de Toledo Nataly Maria Viva , Brigide Priscila , López‐Nicolás Rubén , Frontela Carmen , Ros Gaspar , Canniatti‐Brazaca Solange Guidolin
Published: February 2019

Background and objectives

Fruit by‐products have been used as a strategy to increase the mineral content of cookies. However, to admit functionality in the organism, these minerals must be bioavailable. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect on the mineral bioavailability (calcium, iron, and zinc) of cookies prepared with partial replacement of wheat flour by fruit by‐products (melon peel, apple endocarp, and pineapple central axis).

Findings

Cookies containing fruit by‐products presented lower levels of phytate and oxalate when compared to the control. The use of pineapple by‐product in cookies increased zinc retention (26.40%). Cookies containing melon by‐product presented a higher uptake for iron (2.14%). Cookies with apple by‐product demonstrated the highest transport (0.06% and 9.71%) and uptake (2.92% and 15.52%) efficiencies for calcium and zinc, respectively.

Conclusions

The use of fruit by‐products in cookie formulations was associated with an improvement in the mineral bioavailability, which may represent nutritional and functional benefits for this foodstuff.

Significance and novelty

Although some studies contemplate the use of fruit by‐products to increase the mineral content of cookies, the determination of their antinutrients and the effects on the mineral bioavailability measured by Caco‐2 cells are not widely explored in the literature.
Classic Kaposi’s sarcoma with an initial solitary colon lesion
Authors: Carillio Guido , Tucci Luigi , Molica Stefano
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical Message

Kaposi's sarcoma involving the digestive tract in isolated form before the appearance of diffuse skin lesions is very rare in HIV‐negative patients and is a condition requiring watchful waiting.
Towards Selective Syntheses of Octadienylethers from the Butadiene Palladium‐catalyzed Telomerization with Polyols in Aqueous Biphasic Medium
Authors: Drelon Mathieu , Mérel Delphine S. , Mortreux André , Suisse Isabelle , Sauthier Mathieu
Published: February 2019

The palladium catalyzed telomerization of butadiene with polyols has been efficiently performed under aqueous and biphasic medium leading to the corresponding octadienylethers. Depending on the choice of the organic co‐solvent and nature of the catalyst employed to promote the reaction, mono‐ to fully substituted ethers could be obtained with high selectivities and yields. Particularly, pentaerythritol was telomerized for the first time allowing the selective synthesis of the corresponding monotelomers by using methylethylketone as organic co‐solvent and the water soluble ligand TPPTS associated to a simple palladium precursor. Polyethers of sorbitol could be efficiently obtained by using a mixture of TPPTS and PPh3 ligands.
Conformational Dynamics Underlies Different Functions of Human KDM7 Histone Demethylases
Authors: Chaturvedi Shobhit S. , Ramanan Rajeev , Waheed Sodiq O. , Ainsley Jon , Evison Martin , Ames Jennifer M. , Schofield Christopher J. , Karabencheva‐Christova Tatyana G. , Christov Christo Z.
Published: February 2019

The human KDM7 subfamily histone H3 Nϵ‐methyl lysine demethylases PHF8 (KDM7B) and KIAA1718 (KDM7A) have different substrate selectivities and are linked to genetic diseases and cancer. We describe experimentally based computational studies revealing that flexibility of the region linking the PHD finger and JmjC domains in PHF8 and KIAA1718 regulates interdomain interactions, the nature of correlated motions, and ultimately H3 binding and demethylation site selectivity. F279S an X‐linked mental retardation mutation in PHF8 is involved in correlated motions with the iron ligands and second sphere residues. The calculations reveal key roles of a flexible protein environment in productive formation of enzyme‐substrate complexes and suggest targeting the flexible KDM7 linker region is of interest from a medicinal chemistry perspective.
Covalent Inhibition in Drug Discovery
Authors: Ghosh Avick Kumar , Samanta Indranil , Mondal Anushree , Liu Wenshe Ray
Published: February 2019

Although covalent inhibitors have been used as therapeutics for more than a century, there has been general resistance in the pharmaceutical industry against their further development due to safety concerns. This inclination has recently been reverted after the development of a wide variety of covalent inhibitors to address human health conditions along with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of several covalent therapeutics for use in humans. Along with this exciting resurrection of an old drug discovery concept, this review surveys enzymes that can be targeted by covalent inhibitors for the treatment of human diseases. We focus on protein kinases, RAS proteins, and a few other enzymes that have been studied extensively as targets for covalent inhibition, with the aim to address challenges in designing effective covalent drugs and to provide suggestions in the area that have yet to be explored.
A comparative study of methods used to generate the arterial fiber structure in a clinically relevant numerical analysis
Authors: Misiulis Edgaras , Džiugys Algis , Navakas Robertas , Petkus Vytautas
Published: February 2019

The advanced constitutive material models of artery wall require the definition of the mean collagen fiber directions in the material configuration. There are several proposed methods; however, it is unclear how much does the fiber structures obtained by these methods differ one from the other and how much this difference may affect the results of the structural analysis of a clinically relevant scenario. Therefore, in this paper, we address this issue by presenting the results of the comparative study of our developed and currently state‐of‐the‐art fiber definition methods. In addition, we present the verification of our developed numerical model that incorporates the extended Holzapfel‐Gasser‐Ogden (HGO) constitutive material model and the generalized prestressing algorithm (GPA). In the case of the patient‐specific internal carotid artery (ICA), the percentage error of the mean fiber directions defined by different methods does not exceed 17.73% (at least 0.05%, at most 81.82%) and has negligible effect on the stress levels, as the percentage error of the mean circumferential Cauchy stress does not exceed 0.1%. Both fiber definition methods produce comparable fiber structure, but our proposed method has an advantage, as it does not depend on method and software used to model the arterial wall mechanics.
Reflective color reduction using genetic algorithm optimization
Authors: Xu Zhiling , Brill Michael H.
Published: February 2019

A subset of colors often needs to be selected to represent a full set. In one such application, a multi‐band color sensor is used to measure reflective color samples, and a matrix transformation method is used to recover the reflectance spectrum of the measured sample. To achieve this, a group of training colors needs to be selected to calculate the transformation matrix. A genetic algorithm (GA) has been developed to optimize the selection of the subset of training colors, and the result is compared with those obtained using random selection or a traditional culling algorithm. In a simulation study, the GA gives better results.
An equal‐area triangulated partition method for parallel Xdraw viewshed analysis
Authors: Dou Wanfeng , Li Yanan , Wang Yanli
Published: February 2019

This paper presents an effective equal‐area triangulated partition method (EATP) for parallel viewshed computation based on Xdraw algorithm that is a viewshed analysis algorithm with lower overhead. Our approach is to first partition the target domain into eight 45° octants along a coordinate‐axis direction and diagonal line direction around a given observer. Each octant remains mutually independent on data dependency based on the principle of Xdraw algorithm. Then, each octant is repartitioned into equal‐area sub‐regions with the shape of the triangle according to the requirements of system platform such as the number of computing nodes or processors and the size of memory of each node. Our method is beneficial to group these triangle sub‐regions for determination of their dependent relationships during the computation of visibility and distribution of each triangle sub‐region to a suitable node. The unified expression of the sub‐regions is simple for implementation of parallel Xdraw viewshed algorithm. The experimental results are evaluated to demonstrate a distinct improvement in computation performance compared with other partition methods such as equal‐angle and simple equal‐area methods.
Light‐Induced Pulsed EPR Dipolar Spectroscopy on a Paradigmatic Hemeprotein
Authors: Dal Farra Maria Giulia , Richert Sabine , Martin Caterina , Larminie Charles , Gobbo Marina , Bergantino Elisabetta , Timmel Christiane R. , Bowen Alice M. , Di Valentin Marilena
Published: February 2019

Light‐induced pulsed EPR dipolar spectroscopic methods allow the determination of nanometer distances between paramagnetic sites. Here we employ orthogonal spin labels, a chromophore triplet state and a stable radical, to carry out distance measurements in singly nitroxide‐labeled human neuroglobin. We demonstrate that Zn‐substitution of neuroglobin, to populate the Zn(II) protoporphyrin IX triplet state, makes it possible to perform light‐induced pulsed dipolar experiments on hemeproteins, extending the use of light‐induced dipolar spectroscopy to this large class of metalloproteins. The versatility of the method is ensured by the employment of different techniques: relaxation‐induced dipolar modulation enhancement (RIDME) is applied for the first time to the photoexcited triplet state. In addition, an alternative pulse scheme for laser‐induced magnetic dipole (LaserIMD) spectroscopy, based on the refocused‐echo detection sequence, is proposed for accurate zero‐time determination and reliable distance analysis.
Specific Ion and Concentration Effects in Acetate Solutions with Na+, K+ and Cs+
Authors: Friedman Ran
Published: February 2019

How salt ions affect solutes and the water beyond the solvation shell is not well understood. Molecular dynamics simulations of alkali‐acetate solutions were analysed here in order to examine if, and how, different cations and solute concentrations affect the water structure and the interactions between water and acetates. The results revealed that water structure is perturbed to more than 1 nm away from the acetates and that this effect is more pronounced in physiological than in molar electrolyte concentrations. Analysis of simulations of a soluble protein revealed that the water orientation is perturbed to at least 1.5 nm from the protein structure. Furthermore, modifications to the orientation of water around carboxylate side chains were shown to depend on the local environment on the protein surface, and could extend to well over 1 nm, which may have an effect on protein dynamics during MD simulations in small water boxes.
Multifunctional Clickable Reagents for Rapid Bioorthogonal Astatination and Radio‐Crosslinking
Authors: Denk Christoph , Wilkovitsch Martin , Aneheim Emma , Herth Matthias M. , Jensen Holger , Lindegren Sture , Mikula Hannes
Published: February 2019

In the past decade, several developments have expanded the chemical toolbox for astatination and the preparation of 211At‐labeled radiopharmaceuticals. However, there is still a need for advanced methods for the synthesis of astatinated (bio)molecules to address challenges such as limited in vivo stability. Herein, we report the development of multifunctional 211At‐labeled reagents that can be prepared by applying a modular and versatile click approach for rapid assembly. The introduction of tetrazines as bioorthogonal tags enables rapid radiolabeling and radio‐crosslinking, which is demonstrated by steric shielding of 211At to significantly increase label stability in human blood plasma.
Iterative channel estimation and pilot design rules for high‐mobility comb‐pilot OFDM system
Authors: Jin Jie , Chen Meihao , Jiang Xiaoxiao , Ai Baoli , Wu Enkai
Published: February 2019

With wireless communications in high‐mobility environment becoming popular, this poses a big challenge for communication systems based on the comb‐pilot OFDM, such as IEEE 802.11p, since it has not the enough pilots to estimate the time‐ and frequency‐selective channel accurately. In this paper, several comb‐pilot schemes and three comb‐pilot design rules are proposed to meet the Nyquist criterion for sampling the vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) channel and the requirements of second‐order statistic of V2V channel. Based on the proposed pilot schemes, an iterative channel estimation method from the CE‐BEM model is proposed, together with three ICI cancellation methods. After thorough simulation, the effectiveness of the comb‐pilot design rules, the proposed channel estimation method, and intercarrier interference (ICI) cancellation methods is verified. Compared with other channel estimation methods, the proposed method performs better. The simulation results also reveal that the channel order L+1 has a great impact on the performance of the comb‐pilot OFDM system.
Refugees in the media: Exploring a vicious cycle of frustrated psychological needs, selective exposure, and hostile intergroup attitudes
Authors: Lueders Adrian , Prentice Mike , Jonas Eva
Published: February 2019

Two research objectives underlay the present research. First, we tested how frustrated psychological needs caused by the refugee‐influx influence the endorsement and selection of refugee‐relevant information. Second, we tested how information selection processes contribute to the development of exclusionary attitudes that counteract the integration of refugees into host countries. In a laboratory study (n = 181), frustrated psychological needs decreased participants’ endorsement of a refugee‐friendly essay (vs. a control essay). Additionally, frustrated needs led to a biased selection of refugee‐hostile over refugee‐friendly information and such selection biases, in turn, predicted higher levels of ingroup defense and prejudice toward refugees. The findings imply that host societies’ receptiveness to refugees is influenced by the maintenance of basic psychological needs.
Oxygen Evolution Reaction on Nanoporous Gold Modified with Ir and Pt: Synergistic Electrocatalysis between Structure and Composition
Authors: Wang Yumi , Kim Jongwon
Published: February 2019

Active oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts for water splitting have received great attention because of their importance in the utilization of renewable energy sources. Here, the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction activities of a nanoporous gold (NPG)‐based electrode in acidic media are investigated. The dependence of the oxygen evolution reaction activity on the NPG surface area shows that the large electrochemical surface areas of the NPG are effectively utilized to enhance electrocatalytic activity. The NPG surfaces are modified with Pt using atomic layer electrodeposition methods, and the resulting NPG@Pt exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activities compared to those of the NPG and flat Pt electrodes. Ir‐modified NPG (NPG@Ir) electrodes are prepared by spontaneous exchange of Ir on NPG surfaces and exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity compared to that of flat Ir surfaces. The modification of NPG@Pt with Ir results in NPG@Pt/Ir electrodes, and their electrocatalytic activities exceed those of NPG@Ir. The enhanced oxygen evolution reaction activity on NPG@Pt/Ir over that on NPG@Ir surfaces is examined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxygen evolution reaction activity on NPG@Pt/Ir surfaces demonstrates synergistic electrocatalysis between the nanoporous surface structure and active electrocatalytic components.
Molecular Recognition of Aflatoxin M1 in Water and Milk Samples
Authors: Mincu Mariana , Stefan‐van Staden Raluca‐Ioana , van Staden Jacobus Frederick
Published: February 2019

Two stochastic microsensors based on diamond paste modified with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were proposed for the molecular recognition of aflatoxin M1 in water and milk samples. Two types of diamond were used: a monocrystalline diamond powder (1 μm) (DP) and a nanopowder of monocrystalline diamond (10 nm) (nDP) for the design of the stochastic microsensors. The microsensors were incorporated as combined stochastic microsensors (a microcell containing the stochastic microsensor and the Pt wire, and a Ag/AgCl sensor) in a platform used for monitoring of waste waters and milk samples. The platforms were used for the fast screening of water and milk samples for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of aflatoxin M1 at very low concentration levels (up to 0.001 fg/L). The linear concentration ranges were wide, being able to cover concentrations between 0.001 fg/L to 20 μg/L. The highest sensitive microsensor (sensitivity of 4.74×1010 s mg−1 L) was the one based on nDP. The results provided by the platforms were in agreement with those obtained by utilization of standard method (ISO certified methods (HPLC/fluorescence method)), recoveries being higher than 99.00 % and RSD lower than 1.00 % proving that the method can be reliable used for molecular recognition of aflatoxin M1 in water and milk samples.
Elucidating fentanyls differentiation from morphines in chemical and biological samples with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Kai , Xu Bin , Wu Jianfeng , Zhu Yingjie , Guo Lei , Xie Jianwei
Published: February 2019

Fentanyl and morphine are opioid drugs as well as new psychoactive substances. Even originally introduced as efficient anesthetic drugs to relieve moderate‐to‐severe pain in clinic, the overdose of new synthetic opioids is currently a serious public health problem in numerous countries worldwide. The entire category of fentanyls has been included in the regulatory list in several countries. There is a great and urgent demand to rapidly recognize fentanyls and morphines in various samples. Here, we report an on‐site surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic method to classify fentanyls from morphines by the Raman spectroscopic signature of the molecular scaffold structure, with an assistance of principle component analysis algorithm. Moreover, by simple but fine‐tuning approach of inorganic salt‐induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles substrate, we achieved a selective detection of 10 ng/mL fentanyl from 2000‐fold of heroin, the most common coexisting substance in chemical samples. Good differentiation of 50 ng/mL fentanyl from 10 000‐fold morphine as a main metabolite of heroin in urine samples was also possible after a feasible pretreatment by StageTip procedures. Depending on different structures, the detection sensitivity of five fentanyls ranged from 50 to 2000 ng/mL.
The determination of effective diffusion coefficient from the electrochemical impedance spectra of composite poly (vinyl alcohol) membranes
Authors: Tomas Martin , Remis Tomas , Gholami Fatemeh
Published: February 2019

This study presents the effect of swelling on effective diffusion coefficient of the composite poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The PVA based membranes were cross‐linked by sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) or tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) to improve the ionic conductivity and suppress the swelling. The impedance spectra of the synthesized membranes were recorded and then fitted using Randles circuit. The values of the Warburg element were analyzed and the effective diffusion coefficient was calculated for membranes in dry or wet state. Obtained values were compared with those of the Nafion NR 212 and pure PVA. A significant dependency of effective diffusion coefficient on dimension change caused by swelling was measured. In case of SSA cross‐linking, an improvement of ionic conductivity by chemical modification was observed. However, the highly hydrophilic behavior of PVA SSA samples is limiting further utilization of membrane in applications such as methanol fuel cells. To improve the stability of membrane in the wet environment, the composite PVA SSA TEOS membrane was prepared. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13146, 2019
Feasibility and acceptability of food‐based complementary feeding recommendations using Trials of Improved Practices among poor families in rural Eastern and Western Uganda
Authors: Bekele Hana , Turyashemererwa Florence
Published: February 2019

Inadequate complementary feeding practices are a major contributor to stunting among children in Uganda. The WHO recommends the promotion of local food‐based complementary feeding recommendations (FBCFRs) to address nutrient gaps during complementary feeding. This study tested the feasibility and acceptability of FBCFRs, using trials of improved practices (TIPs). Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in a cross‐sectional survey over three household visits. At first household visit, information on socio‐demographic factors and food frequency was collected and FBCFRs introduced. The second household visit assessed the use and barriers related to the FBCFRs, while the third household visit assessed the continued use of the FBCFRs. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews provided the insights into community norms on the FBCFRs. Most FBCFRs were feasible and acceptable. However, caretakers found it difficult to implement a full set of FBCFRs together with the recommended frequencies. Caretakers were more likely to try and continue using FBCFRs that had familiar methods of preparation and commonly used ingredients. Seasonality and cost were major barriers to use. Through TIPs, mothers demonstrated that they are open to try new ways of improving their children's nutrition.
Inhibition of MAPK/ERK pathway promotes oligodendrocytes generation and recovery of demyelinating diseases
Authors: Suo Na , Guo Yu‐e , He Bingqing , Gu Haifeng , Xie Xin
Published: February 2019

Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are the myelinating glia of the central nervous system. Injury to OLs causes myelin loss. In demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, the remyelination is hindered principally due to a failure of the oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to differentiate into mature OLs. To identify inducers of OPC to OL differentiation, a high‐throughput screening based on myelin basic protein expression using neural progenitor cells‐derived OPCs has been performed and, PD0325901—an MEK (MAPK kinase) inhibitor—is found to significantly enhance OPC to OL differentiation in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Other MEK inhibitors also display similar effect, indicating blockade of MAPK–ERK signaling is sufficient to induce OPC differentiation into OLs. PD0325901 facilitates the formation of myelin sheaths in OPC–neuron co‐culture in vitro. And in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model and cuprizone‐induced demyelination model, PD0325901 displays significant therapeutic effect by promoting myelin regeneration. Our results suggest that targeting the MAPK–ERK pathway might be an intriguing way to develop new therapies for demyelinating diseases.