bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of earned value management (EVM) methodology, its limitations, and applicable extensions
Authors: Nizam Anisulrahman , Elshannaway Ahmad
Published: April 2024

Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 5000.02 requires an Earned Value Management System (EVMS) compliant with ANSI/EIA-748 for all DoD cost or incentive contracts valued at or greater than $20M. Earned Value Management (EVM) integrates cost, schedule, and time to draw conclusions about current project status as well as make projections for future project status. Though EVM has been widely adopted on many projects, there are clear limitations indicated in the literature which ultimately inhibit the ability of EVM to become universally accepted as a best practice across all industries. In response, researchers have developed extensions such as Earned Schedule Management (ESM), Earned Duration Management (EDM), and Customer Earned Value (CEV). This paper addresses the evolution, limitations, and new extensions of EVM.
Entrepreneurship Training for Kampung Pisang Nagari Koto Panjang Kecamatan IV Koto Communities
Authors: Anne Putri  , Kuliman  , Aries Tanno  , Adriani Adnani  , Mairinal Avis  , Ananda Yuliska Rahma  , Ilham Wahyudi  , Laravia Nendri
Published: April 2024

Kampung Pisang is included in Nagari Koto Panjang, District IV Koto, according to its name, bananas are the main product of this village. Bananas with a distinctive taste are mostly sold to Bukittinggi in unprocessed raw form. The people in Nagari Koto Panjang are MSME actors engaged in selling bananas, but there is a lack of motivation for the people in Nagari Koto Panjang in developing their business. The implementation of PKM in Pisang Village aims to increase the creativity and innovation of MSME actors in Nagari Koto Panjang to create a wide variety of varied products and market their products to a wider network. It is hoped that in the future the people in Nagari Koto Panjang will be able to increase the variety of their products
Development of Resin Handicrafts (Crude Oil Derivative Products) for Students at MTs Negeri 7 Kampar
Authors: Novrianti  , Richa Melysa  , Irwan Anwar  , Teguh Sahibillah Alfajri  , Ochi Willya Chevrananda
Published: April 2024

The program for promoting the creation of resin-based handicrafts (a byproduct of crude oil) is conducted at MTS Negeri 7 Kampar,  the village o Kuntu in the Kampar District. This village is known for being one of the places of religious tourism attraction, particularly the tomb of Syekh Burhanuddin. The community service activity (PKM) aims to introduce students to various resin-based handicrafts and to provide them with direct hands-on experience. The methods for this activity involve preparing equipment and materials and creating sample handicrafts at the Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Riau. The implementation includes educating and training the students, with evaluations carried out through pre-tests and post-tests to measure the students' knowledge improvement in relation to resin, as well as evaluating the success of the students' crafted handicrafts. The results of this community service activity have successfully increased students' knowledge and skills by 100%, as shown by a questionnaire survey conducted both before and after the resin-based handicraft creation mentoring.
Pengawasan Peningkatan Perbaikan Jalan Sebuku Kecamatan Blimbing Kota Malang
Authors: Larasati Suryaningrum Endang , Winarto Yudha Rahman , Budianto  , Dika Winarto Azhar
Published: April 2024

Dalam konteks perbaikan pengaspalan, perlu memperhatikan penggunaan alat, bahan, serta metode pelaksanaan yang sesuai dengan kondisi lokasi pengaspalan. Dengan demikian, pembangunan yang baik dapat terwujud karena adanya kerjasama dari semua pihak yang terlibat. Tim pengawas juga memberikan masukan penting untuk pengendalian proyek pembangunan. Ketika kerjasama antara semua pihak terlibat terjalin dengan baik, semua kendala yang muncul dapat diselesaikan secara efektif. Tujuan pengabdian masyarakat ini yaitu memberikan pemahaman yang lebih baik kepada masyarakat tentang pentingnya pengawasan dalam memastikan kualitas, keamanan, dan keberlanjutan proyek perbaikan jalan,diharapkan potensi risiko dan bahaya pada proyek perbaikan jalan dapat diminimalkan, sehingga keselamatan pengguna jalan dan pekerja dapat terjamin. Manfaat yang diperoleh yaitu diharapkan dengan adanya pengawasan yang lebih intensif dari masyarakat, diharapkan kualitas perbaikan Jalan Sanan dapat ditingkatkan. Hal ini akan mengurangi risiko kerusakan jalan di masa mendatang dan meningkatkan keamanan pengguna jalan.
Morphology of Exhibition Spaces for Designing a Water Museum
Authors: Kolodin Konstantin , Skurlatova Ekaterina , Cherepanov Petr
Published: April 2024

The main objective of this article is to identify the architectural image of a new type of museum and exhibition complex associated with the use of water as one of the design components. The subject of the study is to identify the morphology of exhibition spaces in the architecture of the object "Museum of Water". The article contains a brief overview of already implemented objects related to water, as well as a description of its own project proposal for the introduction of water and its aggregate states into a three-dimensional architectural structure. The material for analysis is the research results of the author's group as part of the design studio under the guidance of Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design of the St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) Kolodin Konstantin Ivanovich and Bachelor Skurlatova Ekaterina Anatolyevna in the framework of the final qualifying work. As a basis for the developed research methodology, an overview analysis of architectural, urban planning and compositional principles of designing multifunctional complexes of complex structure was chosen, and a list of promising design and construction tasks was compiled. The relevance of this study is to consider the scientific novelty in creating a fundamentally new approach to the design of a multifunctional complex based on the morphology of water conditions. Based on the results of the main sections of the study, conclusions were formulated concerning the potential of water use in spatial and planning structures, as well as recommendations for the design of multifunctional complexes of a new type.
Symbolic images in V.G. Korolenko's short story “In bad society” and their interpretation in the film of K.G. Muratova
Authors: Il'chenko Natal'ya Mikhailovna , Il'chenko Natal'ya Mikhailovna , Sovina Natalia Konstantinovna , Sovina Natalia Konstantinovna
Published: April 2024

The actuality of the research is connected with the problem of “translation” of a classical literature piece by a director-interpreter. The subject of the study is the story by V. G. Korolenko “In a Bad Society” (1885) and its film adaptation by K. G. Muratova – “Among the Gray Stones” (1983). It is demonstrated that on the basis of the story and symbolic images of V.G. Korolenko – the garden, the apple, the flowers, the portarait, the birds and others, K.G. Muratova provides them with additional characteristics, concordant with the new cultural context. The portrait of the mother performs a plot-forming function in the film, and flowers are the main symbol associated with Marusya. K. G. Muratova uses symbols of animal masks - tiger, lion, wolf, with their help Vasya tries to build relationships with others. In the analysis a complex literature study approach is applied that combines historical and cultiral, biographical, comparative-typological methods that make it possible to determine the specific implementation of symbolic imagery in “texts” of various kinds. The substantive dominants of a classic work of Russian literature of the XIX th century are clarified and supplemented in the metalanguage of Russian cinema. The film uses Pushkin's tales ('The tale of the dead princess and seven knights, 'Winter evening'), fairy story of birds, symbolism of colors as specifying elements of cinematic speech. The language of a film is made more complicated with the introduction of musical accompaniment, sound symbols (sound of steps, dripping water and others). The analysis of the “new reading” of symbolic images of V.G. Korolenko's short story “In bad society” in the film “Among the grey rocks” by K.G. Muratova reveals the hidden meanings of a classical piece of Russian literature.
Natural variation in the Caenorhabditis elegans egg-laying circuit modulates an intergenerational fitness trade-off
Authors: Mignerot Laure , Gimond Clotilde , Bolelli Lucie , Bouleau Charlotte , Sandjak Asma , Boulin Thomas , Braendle Christian
Published: April 2024

Evolutionary transitions from egg laying (oviparity) to live birth (viviparity) are common across various taxa. Many species also exhibit genetic variation in egg-laying mode or display an intermediate mode with laid eggs containing embryos at various stages of development. Understanding the mechanistic basis and fitness consequences of such variation remains experimentally challenging. Here, we report highly variable intra-uterine egg retention across 316 Caenorhabditis elegans wild strains, some exhibiting strong retention, followed by internal hatching. We identify multiple evolutionary origins of such phenotypic extremes and pinpoint underlying candidate loci. Behavioral analysis and genetic manipulation indicates that this variation arises from genetic differences in the neuromodulatory architecture of the egg-laying circuitry. We provide experimental evidence that while strong egg retention can decrease maternal fitness due to in utero hatching, it may enhance offspring protection and confer a competitive advantage. Therefore, natural variation in C. elegans egg-laying behaviour can alter an apparent trade-off between different fitness components across generations. Our findings highlight underappreciated diversity in C. elegans egg-laying behavior and shed light on its fitness consequences. This behavioral variation offers a promising model to elucidate the molecular changes in a simple neural circuit underlying evolutionary shifts between alternative egg-laying modes in invertebrates.
Risk-sensitive learning is a winning strategy for leading an urban invasion
Authors: Breen Alexis J , Deffner Dominik
Published: April 2024

In the unpredictable Anthropocene, a particularly pressing open question is how certain species invade urban environments. Sex-biased dispersal and learning arguably influence movement ecology, but their joint influence remains unexplored empirically, and might vary by space and time. We assayed reinforcement learning in wild-caught, temporarily captive core-, middle-, or edge-range great-tailed grackles—a bird species undergoing urban-tracking rapid range expansion, led by dispersing males. We show, across populations, both sexes initially perform similarly when learning stimulus-reward pairings, but, when reward contingencies reverse, male—versus female—grackles finish ‘relearning’ faster, making fewer choice-option switches. How do male grackles do this? Bayesian cognitive modelling revealed male grackles’ choice behaviour is governed more strongly by the ‘weight’ of relative differences in recent foraging payoffs—i.e., they show more pronounced risk-sensitive learning. Confirming this mechanism, agent-based forward simulations of reinforcement learning—where we simulate ‘birds’ based on empirical estimates of our grackles’ reinforcement learning—replicate our sex-difference behavioural data. Finally, evolutionary modelling revealed natural selection should favour risk-sensitive learning in hypothesised urban-like environments: stable but stochastic settings. Together, these results imply risk-sensitive learning is a winning strategy for urban-invasion leaders, underscoring the potential for life history and cognition to shape invasion success in human-modified environments.
Prior probability cues bias sensory encoding with increasing task exposure
Authors: Walsh Kevin , McGovern David P , Dully Jessica , Kelly Simon P , O'Connell Redmond G
Published: April 2024

When observers have prior knowledge about the likely outcome of their perceptual decisions, they exhibit robust behavioural biases in reaction time and choice accuracy. Computational modelling typically attributes these effects to strategic adjustments in the criterion amount of evidence required to commit to a choice alternative - usually implemented by a starting point shift - but recent work suggests that expectations may also fundamentally bias the encoding of the sensory evidence itself. Here, we recorded neural activity with EEG while participants performed a contrast discrimination task with valid, invalid, or neutral probabilistic cues across multiple testing sessions. We measured sensory evidence encoding via contrast-dependent steady-state visual-evoked potentials (SSVEP), while a read-out of criterion adjustments was provided by effector-selective mu-beta band activity over motor cortex. In keeping with prior modelling and neural recording studies, cues evoked substantial biases in motor preparation consistent with criterion adjustments, but we additionally found that the cues produced a significant modulation of the SSVEP during evidence presentation. While motor preparation adjustments were observed in the earliest trials, the sensory-level effects only emerged with extended task exposure. Our results suggest that, in addition to strategic adjustments to the decision process, probabilistic information can also induce subtle biases in the encoding of the evidence itself.
Sensorimotor mechanisms selective to numerosity derived from individual differences
Authors: Anobile Giovanni , Petrizzo Irene , Paiardini Daisy , Burr David , Cicchini Guido Marco
Published: April 2024

We have previously shown that after few seconds of adaptation by finger-tapping, the perceived numerosity of spatial arrays and temporal sequences of visual objects displayed near the tapping region is increased or decreased, implying the existence of a sensorimotor numerosity system (Anobile et al., 2016). To date, this mechanism has been evidenced only by adaptation. Here, we extend our finding by leveraging on a well-established covariance technique, used to unveil and characterize ‘channels’ for basic visual features such as colour, motion, contrast, and spatial frequency. Participants were required to press rapidly a key a specific number of times, without counting. We then correlated the precision of reproduction for various target number presses between participants. The results showed high positive correlations for nearby target numbers, scaling down with numerical distance, implying tuning selectivity. Factor analysis identified two factors, one for low and the other for higher numbers. Principal component analysis revealed two bell-shaped covariance channels, peaking at different numerical values. Two control experiments ruled out the role of non-numerical strategies based on tapping frequency and response duration. These results reinforce our previous reports based on adaptation, and further suggest the existence of at least two sensorimotor number channels responsible for translating symbolic numbers into action sequences.
Ethnic and region-specific genetic risk variants of stroke and its comorbid conditions can define the variations in the burden of stroke and its phenotypic traits
Authors: Sukumaran Rashmi , Nair Achuthsankar S , Banerjee Moinak
Published: April 2024

Burden of stroke differs by region, which could be attributed to differences in comorbid conditions and ethnicity. Genomewide variation acts as a proxy marker for ethnicity, and comorbid conditions. We present an integrated approach to understand this variation by considering prevalence and mortality rates of stroke and its comorbid risk for 204 countries from 2009 to 2019, and Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) risk variant for all these conditions. Global and regional trend analysis of rates using linear regression, correlation, and proportion analysis, signifies ethnogeographic differences. Interestingly, the comorbid conditions that act as risk drivers for stroke differed by regions, with more of metabolic risk in America and Europe, in contrast to high systolic blood pressure in Asian and African regions. GWAS risk loci of stroke and its comorbid conditions indicate distinct population stratification for each of these conditions, signifying for population-specific risk. Unique and shared genetic risk variants for stroke, and its comorbid and followed up with ethnic-specific variation can help in determining regional risk drivers for stroke. Unique ethnic-specific risk variants and their distinct patterns of linkage disequilibrium further uncover the drivers for phenotypic variation. Therefore, identifying population- and comorbidity-specific risk variants might help in defining the threshold for risk, and aid in developing population-specific prevention strategies for stroke.
Ethnic and region-specific genetic risk variants of stroke and its comorbid conditions can define the variations in the burden of stroke and its phenotypic traits
Authors: Sukumaran Rashmi , Nair Achuthsankar S. , Banerjee Moinak
Published: April 2024

Burden of stroke differs by region, which could be attributed to differences in comorbid conditions and ethnicity. Genomewide variation acts as a proxy marker for ethnicity, and comorbid conditions. We present an integrated approach to understand this variation by considering prevalence and mortality rates of stroke and its comorbid risk for 204 countries from 2009 to 2019, and GWAS risk variant for all these conditions. Global and regional trend analysis of rates using linear regression, correlation and proportion analysis, signify ethnogeographic differences. Interestingly, the comorbid conditions that act as risk drivers for stroke differed by regions, with more of metabolic risk in America and Europe, in contrast to high SBP in Asian and African regions. GWAS risk loci of stroke and its comorbid conditions indicate distinct population stratification for each of these conditions, signifying for population specific risk. Unique and shared genetic risk variants for stroke, and its comorbid and followed up with ethnic specific variation can help in determining regional risk drivers for stroke. Unique ethnic specific risk variants and their distinct patterns of Linkage Disequilibrium further uncover the drivers for phenotypic variation. Therefore, identifying population and comorbidity specific risk variants might help in defining the threshold for risk, and aid in developing population specific prevention strategies for stroke.
Cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous effects of arginase-II on cardiac aging
Authors: Potenza Duilio M. , Cheng Xin , Ajalbert Guillaume , Brenna Andrea , Giraud Marie-Noelle , Frobert Aurelien , Cook Stephane , Mertz Kirsten D. , Yang Zhihong , Ming Xiu-Fen
Published: April 2024

Aging is a predominant risk factor for heart disease. Aging heart reveals low-grade chronic inflammation, cell apoptosis, cardiac fibrosis, and increased vulnerability to ischemic injury. The underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the cardiac aging phenotype and its susceptibility to injury are far from being fully understood. Although previous literature reports a role of the mitochondrial enzyme arginase-II (Arg-II) in development of heart failure, contradictory results are reported and no systematic analysis of cellular expression and localization of Arg-II in the heart has been performed. Whether and how Arg-II participates in cardiac aging are still unknown. In this study, we demonstrate, to our surprise, that Arg-II is not expressed in cardiomyocytes from aged mice and human patients, but upregulated in non-myocytes of the aging heart, including macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells. Mice with genetic deficiency of
arg-ii
(

arg-ii
-/-

) are protected from age-associated cardiac inflammation, myocyte apoptosis, interstitial and perivascular fibrosis, endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and susceptibility to ischemic injury. Further experiments show that Arg-II mediates IL-1β release from macrophages of old mice, contributing to the above-described cardiac aging phenotype. In addition, Arg-II enhances mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and activates cardiac fibroblasts that is inhibited by inhibition of mtROS. Thus, our study demonstrates a non-cell-autonomous effect of Arg-II on cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells mediated by IL-1β from aging macrophages as well as a cell-autonomous effect of Arg-II through mtROS in fibroblasts contributing to cardiac aging phenotype.
Modulation of α-Synuclein Aggregation Amid Diverse Environmental Perturbation
Authors: Wasim Abdul , Menon Sneha , Mondal Jagannath
Published: April 2024

Intrinsically disordered protein
α
-Synuclein (
α
S) is implicated in Parkinson’s disease due to its aberrant aggregation propensity. In a bid to identify the traits of its aggregation, here we computationally simulate the multi-chain association process of
α
S in aqueous as well as under diverse environmental perturbations. In particular, the aggregation of
α
S in aqueous and varied environmental condition led to marked concen-tration differences within protein aggregates, resembling liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Both saline and crowded settings enhanced the LLPS propensity. However, the surface tension of
α
S droplet responds differently to crowders (entropy-driven) and salt (enthalpy-driven). Conformational analysis reveals that the IDP chains would adopt extended conformations within aggregates and would maintain mutually per-pendicular orientations to minimize inter-chain electrostatic repulsions. The droplet stability is found to stem from a diminished intra-chain interactions in the C-terminal regions of
α
S, fostering inter-chain residue-residue interactions. Intriguingly, a graph theory analysis identifies
small-world-like networks
within droplets across environmental conditions, suggesting the prevalence of a consensus interaction patterns among the chains. Together these findings suggest a delicate balance between molecular grammar and environment-dependent nuanced aggregation behaviour of
α
S.
Domestic Violence During Pregnancy and Risk of Obstetrical Complications
Authors: Alain Djam Chefor , Nidelle Tchinda Allende , Evrard Kepgang Nanseu , Franck Keumoe Fetchouang , Armand Nguemnang Nguemnang Willy , Sadrack Amadou , Charles Kouanfack
Published: April 2024

Context: Intimate partner violence is a phenomenon that affects a significant number of women and has an important impact on society. This conjugal violence against women can have important consequences on their health as well as on the health of the unborn child during pregnancy.
Objectives and Methods: In order to assess the risk of obstetrical complications in women who are victims of domestic violence, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component to determine the association between domestic violence and obstetrical complications on the one hand, and to determine the factors associated with domestic violence on the other. The descriptive part consisted of determining the prevalence of domestic violence and neonatal complications, and describing the different types of violence. A questionnaire was self-administered to pregnant women who came for prenatal consultations at the Dschang District Hospital.
Results: Amongst 320 women approached, 300 agreed to participate in the study. The overall prevalence of spousal violence was 37.33%, and the prevalence of spousal violence during pregnancy was 13.33%; the prevalence of neonatal complications was 20.7%, premature deliveries accounted for 7.7%, miscarriages 7%, stillbirths 6.7%, while the prevalence of low birth weight babies was 1.7%. Domestic violence was significantly associated with neonatal complications (OR=4.1 p value=0.000). Regarding the types of violence, verbal and psychological violence had a frequency of (108)36%, physical violence which represented (40) 13.3%, control and financial violence represented (23) 7.7% and (30) 10% respectively; sexual violence was the least represented with (20) 6.7%. Regarding the factors associated with domestic violence, the 25-34 age group of the woman (p value 0.02, OR: 4.2), consumption of alcohol by the partner (p value 0.02, OR: 4.14) and the history of violence before pregnancy (p value 0.001, OR: 92.91) were significantly associated with domestic violence.
Conclusion: Early identification of abuse in pregnant women and taking steps to prevent it may reduce the occurrence of these adverse outcomes.
Case Report on Brown Tumor: An Unusual Expression of Renal Osteodystrophy and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Krishna Abhishek S , Nair Harikrishnan V , K F Sandeep , Dharan Shaiju S , Dharman Dhanya
Published: April 2024

The new term of ‘Chronic Kidney Disease- Mineral and Bone Disorders’ has been introduced to encompass a wide-ranging syndrome, capturing various abnormalities in bone and mineral metabolism seen in patients with chronic kidney disease. Multifactorial disorders affecting mineral metabolism and bone structure emerge early in the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.  Brown tumors, an uncommon type of bone lesion are distinctive manifestations of high-turnover bone disease. In this case, a patient with chronic kidney disease (dialysis dependent) with IgA nephropathy that presented with multiple osseous lesions of bilateral ribs, sternum, scapula, clavicle, mandible and vertebral bodies. The case highlights the significance of considering brown tumors in the differential diagnosis and management of patients with both an osseous mass and chronic kidney disease. Failing to establish an accurate diagnosis may result in unnecessary additional diagnostic procedures and extensive surgery, ultimately increasing patient morbidity. Through this case report, the importance of preventing, early diagnosing, and treating secondary hyperparathyroidism to reduce the prevalence of high-turnover bone disease and associated complications such as brown tumors is emphasized.
Elucidating Drought Tolerance Potential of Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines through Polyethylene Glycol Induced Drought Stress
Authors: Islam Nusrat ul , Rather M. A. , Sofi P. A. , Wani M. A. , Ali Gowhar , Wani Fehim, J. , Kumar B. , Shikari A. B. , Dar Z. A. , Kauser Shaheen , Bhat Asif Ahmad , Hussan Shamshir Ul , Ahngar Tanveer Ahmad
Published: April 2024

Drought is one of the most distressing environmental stresses restraining the crop production . Drought undermines the plant growth from seedling to maturity and the studies have unveiled that the harmful impact of drought results in crops due to the damages perceived during crucial stages of development namely, germination, seedling development and flowering stages. Biometric elements and indices at an early growth stage could be employed in designing the selection criteria to figure out the drought tolerant genotypes. Breeding for drought-prone environments is constrained by lack of suitable selection indices of drought stress resistance. The present study was conducted to determine the reliability of in-vitro screening method for initiating drought breeding programme. Poly ethylene glycol (PEG) has been used often as abiotic stress inducer in many studies to screen drought tolerant germplasm. The present investigation was carried out to reveal the drought tolerance potential of 103 maize inbred lines  by in-vitro screening under three  levels of PEG levels viz.,  0%  as control, 10% and 20%   and evaluating their effect on the root parameters like primary root length, number of seminals roots , number of lateral roots and root biomass. The seedlings exhibited a significant variation for all the traits analyzed. All the root parameters had highest value under control and had significant decline with increasing PEG concentrations (0% < 10% < 20%). The inbreds showing  the best level of drought tolerance at all levels of PEG induced stress can be used as a source of drought tolerance for the improvement of drought tolerant hybrids . The variation among maize inbreds for these traits was found to be an ideal indicator to screen the drought tolerant genotypes at early growth stages.
Waiving informed consent in newborn screening research: Balancing social value and respect
Authors: Tarini Beth A. , Burke Wylie , Scott C. Ronald , Wilfond Benjamin S.
Published: January 2008

While newborn screening (NBS) programs have historically relied on presumptive benefit in deciding when to implement new tests, experience has demonstrated that this approach can lead to screening tests that lack efficacy or, worse yet, cause harm. Population‐based NBS research provides an opportunity to evaluate safety and effectiveness of potential tests prior to widespread implementation. Using the example of Pompe disease, we argue that waiving the requirement for informed consent is appropriate for research evaluating the screening phase of potential NBS tests when data support the potential health benefits of testing and when other research safeguards are present. The regulatory requirement for informed consent can be waived if a research study meets criteria of minimal risk, protecting rights and welfare, and practicability. In population‐based NBS research, the main risks are related to false positive results and results with ambiguous implications for treatment—risks that are comparable to those posed by many tests newly added to NBS programs without prior population‐based NBS research. Waiving the informed consent requirement facilitates the development of flexible strategies for informing and educating parents about NBS research that reflect the logistics of population‐based NBS screening. A strict interpretation of the regulatory requirement of informed consent may create significant logistical and financial barriers to adequate evaluation of NBS tests. Without a broader interpretation of this regulatory requirement in NBS research for which there is evidence of a clinically meaningful benefit from treatment, we may create incentives for the implementation of inadequately evaluated NBS tests. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of different compatibilisers on nanoclay dispersion, thermal stability, and burning behavior of polypropylene–nanoclay blends
Authors: Kandola Baljinder K. , Smart Gillian , Horrocks A. Richard , Joseph Paul , Zhang Sheng , Hull T. Richard , Ebdon John , Hunt Barry , Cook Andy
Published: January 2008

The dispersion of nanoclays in nonpolar polypropylene (PP) is difficult without the use of a small fraction (1–3%) of modified grafted PP as a compatibiliser. This work reports the effect of different graft‐modified polypropylenes on the dispersion of nanoclays in PP, and thermal stability and flammability of the blends. PP has been compounded in a Brabender compounder with a selection of modified PP polymers as compatibilisers. The grafts include maleic anhydride, N‐ethylmaleimide, diethylmaleate, diethyl‐p‐vinylbenzyl phosphonate, and acrylic acid‐2‐[(diethoxyphosphoryl)methylamino] ethyl ester. Films were cast from the blends by compression molding and the nanocomposite structures assessed using X‐ray diffraction. Thermal characterization was performed using DSC and TGA, the burning behavior was observed using limiting oxygen index measurements, and cone calorimetry where samples were exposed to 35 kW/m2 external heat flux. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Differential pharmacological regulation of drug efflux and pharmacoresistant schizophrenia
Authors: Bebawy Mary , Chetty Manoranjenni
Published: January 2008

Pharmacoresistant schizophrenia is a significant impediment to the successful management of the disease. The expression and function of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) has recently been implicated in this phenomenon. P‐gp is a multidrug efflux transporter that prevents drug substrates from crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Although the direct interaction between individual antipsychotic agents and P‐gp has been demonstrated, the effect of antipsychotic drug combinations used in disease management on P‐gp transport function remains to be elucidated. This could have important clinical implications in some individuals as dosage adjustments based on plasma drug concentration changes may not always be appropriate if drug–drug interactions and the resulting changes in drug concentration in the brain are not considered. This paper introduces the potential impact that combination antipsychotic therapy may have on P‐gp function at the BBB and discusses the consequences of this in the prevention and circumvention of unfavourable therapeutic response in schizophrenic disorders. BioEssays 30:183–188, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Which way does the Wnt blow? Exploring the duality of canonical Wnt signaling on cellular aging
Authors: DeCarolis Nathan A. , Wharton Keith A. , Eisch Amelia J.
Published: January 2008

Critical cellular functions, including stem cell maintenance, fate determination, and cellular behavior, are governed by canonical Wnt signaling, an evolutionarily conserved pathway whose intracellular signal is transduced by β‐catentin. Emerging evidence suggests that canonical Wnt signaling influences cellular aging, indicating that increases in Wnt signaling delay age‐related deficits.1 However, recent Science papers suggest that Wnt signaling accelerates the onset of aging.2,3 In an attempt to resolve this paradox and clarify how Wnt signaling affects aging, we provide a selective review of research relevant to Wnt signaling and aging. BioEssays 30:102–106, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Another notch in stem cell biology: Drosophila intestinal stem cells and the specification of cell fates
Authors: Wilson Andrew A. , Kotton Darrell N.
Published: January 2008

Previous work has suggested that many stem cells can be found in microanatomic niches, where adjacent somatic cells of the niche control the differentiation and proliferation states of their resident stem cells. Recently published work examining intestinal stem cells (ISCs) in the adult Drosophila midgut suggests a new paradigm where some stem cells actively control the cell fate decisions of their daughters. Here, we review recent literature(1) demonstrating that, in the absence of a detectable stem cell niche, multipotent Drosophila ISCs modulate the Notch signaling pathway in their adjacent daughter cells in order to specify the differentiated lineages of their descendants. These observations made in Drosophila are challenging and advancing our understanding of stem cell biology. BioEssays 30:107–109, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Density Functional Study on Adsorption of NO on AuSe (010) Surface
Authors: XU Xiang‐Lan , CHEN Wen‐Kai , WANG Xia , SUN Bao‐Zhen , LI Yi , LU Chun‐Hai
Published: January 2008

NO molecule adsorption on (010) surface of gold selenide (AuSe) has been studied with a periodic slab model by means of the GGA‐PW91 exchange‐correlation functional within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). Four different on‐top adsorption sites Au(1), Au(2), Se(1) and Se(2) were considered for α‐AuSe and three on‐top adsorption sites Au(1), Au(2) and Se(1) for β‐AuSe. N‐end and O‐end adsorptions of NO were investigated for the above sites. The results show that N‐end adsorptions are preferred for α‐ and β‐AuSe and O‐end adsorptions are not feasible and thought as physisorption with the weak adsorption energies from 6.0 to 10.8 kJ/mol. For the N‐end adsorptions on α‐ and β‐AuSe (010) surfaces, Au(2) sites are most favorable with the adsorption energies 89.0 and 78.0 kJ/mol for α‐ and β‐AuSe, respectively. However, the adsorptions at Au1 sites are very weak with the adsorption energies of 27.8 and 7.5 kJ/mol, respectively. In case of the adsorption of N‐down orientations of NO at Se sites for α‐ and β‐AuSe (010) surfaces, the adsorption activities of Se(1) and Se(2) sites on the α‐AuSe (010) surface and Se(1) site on the β‐AuSe (010) surface are almost the same with the adsorption energies 51.2, 52.7 and 49.2 kJ/mol. The geometric optimizations for adsorption configurations were calculated along with accounting for stretching frequency and density of states in our work.
Probing Cellular Binding of Dendrofullerene by in‐situ Electrochemical Contact Angle Measurement
Authors: ZHOU Jian , ZHANG Ren‐Yun , WU Chun‐Hui , ZHAO Xue‐Yan , ZHENG Li‐Qiang , FU De‐Gang , CHEN Bao‐An , WANG Xue‐Mei
Published: January 2008

Dendrofullerene (C60DF) is a novel fullerene derivative with potential and promising biomedical applications. In this work, electrochemical/contact angle behavior of C60DF in the cellular system has been explored by in‐situ electrochemical contact angle measurement. This measuring system is a newly developed technique which can provide electrochemical and contact angle detection simultaneously. The electrochemical results indicate that dendrofullerene may effectively bind and permeate the tumor cell membrane and then distribute into the cancer cells. Our observations of in‐situ electrochemical contact angle measurement also illustrate that the permeation and interaction of C60DF with target cancer cells may lead to some variation of the configurational structure of the relative cell membrane and thus result in the change of hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of target cellular system. Furthermore, through confocus fluorescence microscopy study we found that, upon application of C60DF, the intracellular accumulation of anticancer drug daunorubicin in leukemia K562 cells could be remarkably enhanced by C60DF. Therefore fullerene derivatives were demonstrated to be a good candidate that can play an important role in improving the intracellular drug uptake in the target cancer cells.
Thermal Decomposition of 4‐Nitroimidazole Catalyzed by Pb(NO3)2
Authors: LI Ji‐Zhen , FAN Xue‐Zhong , LIU Xiao‐Gang , ZHENG Xiao‐Dong
Published: January 2008

The thermal decomposition of 4‐nitroimidazole catalyzed by Pb(NO3)2 was studied by the combination technique of in situ thermolysis cell with rapid‐scan Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (thermolysis/RSFT‐IR). The results showed that the decomposition of 4‐nitroimidazole began with the split of the C–NO2 bond in the temperature range of 185–210 °C. The strongly oxidative product NO2 destroyed the instable annulus of 4‐nitroimidazole instantly, all the other CN, CC, C–H and N–H bonds of the five membered ring were broken simultaneously, and the detected gas products of 4‐nitroimidazole decomposition were NO2, CO2 and CO.
Preparation of a Novel COOH Ion Implantation Sensor and Its Application
Authors: GAO Dong‐Mei , ZHAO Dan‐Ling , HU Jing‐Bo , LI Qi‐Long
Published: January 2008

A novel ion implantation sensor (DNA/COOH/ITO) based on DNA immobilization in COOH/ITO probe was manufactured for the first time. The surface morphologies of the electrodes were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field‐emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FSEM) and electrochemical methods. In a 0.5 mol/L PBS solution, a sensitive oxidation peak of DNA on the COOH/ITO electrode was obtained by voltammetry. The electrochemical behavior of DNA was studied. And the oxidative peak potential of DNA was +0.400 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Its peak current was proportional to the concentration of DNA over the range of 1.0×10−8−1.0×10−6 mol/L with a detection limit of 5.0×10−9 mol/L (about 0.5 ng/mL). This sensor was applied to the direct detection of DNA samples.
A New pH Indicator Based on 2,5‐Diaryl‐1‐salicylideneamino‐1,3,4‐triazole Derivative
Authors: GUNDOGDU Ali , BULUT Volkan N. , DURAN Celal , KEMER Baris , BEKIRCAN Olcay , SOYLAK Mustafa
Published: January 2008

2‐Phenyl‐5‐p‐tolyl‐1‐salicylideneamino‐1,3,4‐triazole (PTST) was studied among 2,5‐diaryl‐1‐salicylidene amino‐1,3,4‐triazole derivatives as a novel potential pH indicator. In terms of absorption intensity coming from the acid‐base reactions, PTST showed strong yellow‐green colour with high extinction coefficient in the pH range 7.0–9.5. In addition, the corresponding colour development at the transition point can be attributed to the resonance structures of PTST, which were caused by the hydrogen ion dissociation from the acidic form of the compound in the presence of alkali. The full geometric optimization and achievement of the electronic structure of the molecule were performed by an AM1 semiempirical method. The triazole compound was compared with phenolphthalein (PT), which is widely used as an acid‐base indicator in titrimetry, for accuracy test.
Study of the Molecular Recognition of Nucleotides and Bases by a Novel Calixarene Derivative Containing Uracil
Authors: SHI Hui‐Jie , SHI Xian‐Fa , YAO Tian‐Ming , JI Liang‐Nian
Published: January 2008

A calix[4]arene derivative containing uracil, 5‐(uracil‐N1‐acetamido)‐25,26,27,28‐tetrahy droxycalix[4]‐arene (UC), was designed and synthesized. The interaction with nucleotides and bases has also been studied by ESI‐MS and π‐A isotherms. The results of ESI‐MS showed that UC could recognize adenine and adenosine from other nucleotides and bases. In addition, π‐A isotherms at the air‐water interface indicated that there was interaction between UC and the species in the subphase, and the respective complexes were formed in the monolayer. The mean molecular area at zero surface pressure increased with the sizes of the nucleotides and bases in the subphase in the order: water<adenine<adenosine<ATP·Na2.
Effect of Cross Linking Agent on Alkali/Surfactant/Polymer
Authors: ZHANG Ke , LU Xiang‐Guo
Published: January 2008

Alkali/surfactant/polymer (ASP) multisystem flooding technique, which has an expansive application prospect, is one of the enhancing oil recovery (EOR) methods. By adding the organic chromium to the ASP, the molecular structure of polymer was made to change, and the capability of controlling mobility coefficient of ASP was improved. The results showed that multisystem could still keep ultra‐low interfacial tension between the multisystem and crude oil after addition of Cr3+. The resistance factor and residual resistance factor, the indicator which describes the capability of controlling mobility, upgraded strikingly. However its storage modulus and loss modulus, the indicator which describes viscoelasticity, increased. The results of physical simulation experiment indicated that this type of improved ASP could increase the recovery ratio by 4.3% compared to common ASP multisystem.
Photoinduced Oxidation Reaction of Benzotrifluoride with OH Radical by the Laser Flash Method
Authors: ZHANG Ren‐Xi , YE Zhao‐Lian , SHEN Yan , DONG Wen‐Bo , HOU Hui‐Qi
Published: January 2008

The optical transient and kinetics characterizations of the transients formed in the reaction of OH with benzotrifluoride (BTF) were performed by a laser flash photolysis technique. The results indicated that the formation of π‐type adduct of C6H5(OH)CF3 was the major reaction channel, and the δ‐type adduct of C6H5CF3OH formation was an additional minor process in the oxidation reaction of BTF attacked by OH radicals yielded from the photolysis of H2O2. Addition of OH to the CF3 group led to the fluoride ion elimination to yield α,α‐difluorophenylcarbinol (C6H5CF2OH). Trifluoromethylphenol (HOC6H4CF3) of meta‐, para‐ and ortho‐substituted isomers resulted from the addition of OH to the BTF aromatic ring.
Approach to a Facile and Selective Benzyl‐Protection of Carbohydrates Based on Silyl Migration
Authors: WANG Wei , LI Xiao‐Liu , ZHANG Ping‐Zhu , CHEN Hua
Published: January 2008

A convenient and selective benzyl protection of carbohydrates has been investigated on the basis of the silyl migration under the conventional benzylation conditions, developing a facile and short synthesis of methyl 2,3,6‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside.
Nonisothermal Kinetics of the Solid‐Solid Phase Transitions in the Perovskite Type Layer Compounds (CnH2n+1NH3)2ZnCl4
Authors: WU Ke‐Zhong , LI Jian‐Ling , ZHANG Jian‐Jun , LIU Xiao‐Di
Published: January 2008

Nonisothermal kinetics of the solid‐solid phase transitions in the perovskite type layer compounds (CnH2n+1NH3)2ZnCl4 has been determined for the hydrocarbon chain length from even number 12 to 18 of carbon atoms. The activation energy Ea was calculated by the Kissinger and Ozawa methods from the curves of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements at different heating rates. The results indicated that the values of Ea of the phase transitions decreased with increasing chain length and showed a linear dependence on the number of carbon atoms, which was caused by that the order and rigidity of the hydrocarbon chain were decreased with increasing the carbon atoms. The two methods are in agreement with each other. The reaction order n of all materials is one that remains constant independently of the heating rate.
C60‐Based Ebselen Derivative: Synthesis and Enhanced Protective Effect on Mouse Thymus Cells
Authors: LIU Xu‐Feng , GUAN Wen‐Chao , KE Wen‐Shan
Published: January 2008

A C60‐based ebselen derivative 3 was synthesized through a Bingel cyclopropanation of C60 with the ebselen malonate 2. It was obtained in a three‐step synthesis starting from 2‐(chloroseleno)benzoyl chloride and 2‐(2‐aminoethoxy)ethanol, in a 42% yield (based on consumed C60). Its structure was characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, FAB‐MS, and elemental analyses techniques. To verify that the C60‐based ebselen derivative 3 had enhanced effect on viability of mouse thymus cells, the C60 derivative 4 and ebselen derivative 2 were selected to treat the mouse thymus cells using the same procedures as those with the C60‐based ebselen derivative 3. The result shows that MTT(OD) values of compound 3 treated groups (0.335±0.021) were all higher than those of compound 4 (0.283±0.031) and compound 2 (0.247±0.025) treated groups, indicating that the compound 3 has an advantage over compounds 2 and 4 in promoting the viability of the mouse thymus cell.
TDDFT Study of the Electronic Structure, Absorption and Emission Spectra of the Light Emitters of the Amazing Firefly Bioluminescence and Solvation Effects on the Spectra
Authors: REN Ai‐Min , GUO Jing‐Fu , FENG Ji‐Kang , ZOU Lu‐Yi , LI Zhong‐Wei , GODDARD John David
Published: January 2008

The ground and excited state properties of luciferin (LH2) and oxyluciferin (OxyLH2), the bioluminescent chemicals in the firefly, have been characterized using density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent DFT (TDDFT) methods. The effects of solvation on the electronic absorption and emission spectra of luciferin and oxyluciferin were predicted with a self‐consistent isodensity polarized continuum model of the solvent using TDDFT. The S0→S1 vertical excitation energies in the gas phase and in water were obtained. Optimizations of the excited state geometries permitted the first predictions of the fluorescence spectra for these biologically important molecules. Shifts in both of the absorption and emission spectra on proceeding from the gas phase to aqueous solution were also predicted.