bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chitosan‐based nanocomposite membranes with improved properties: Effect of cellulose acetate blending and TiO2 nanoparticles incorporation
Authors: Mafirad Sara , Mehrnia Mohammad Reza , Zahedi Payam , Hosseini Seyed‐Nezamedin
Published: August 2017

The aim of this work was to synthesize nanocomposite membranes based on chitosan (CS) and cellulose acetate (CA) blends containing titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and investigate their morphological, structural, mechanical, and thermal properties along with dye affinity ligand content for using potentially as bioadsorption applications. The samples were characterized by means of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and water contact angle (WCA). The SEM micrograph images showed a uniform and microporous morphology of the prepared membranes. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of CA and TiO2 nanoparticles through the CS matrix in which the components used had good compatibility. The mechanical and thermal studies emphasized that strong interactions occurred between CS, CA, and TiO2 nanoparticles. Blending CS with CA and the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced the hydrophilic property of CS membranes, significantly. The CS/CA based nanocomposite containing 1.5 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticles showed the remarkable improvements in ultimate tensile strength values and an increase in stiffness more than three times compared to the neat CS membrane sample. Finally, considering the results of tensile test and immobilized Cibacron Blue F3G‐A (CB) content measurement, the nanocomposite samples denoted by (50/50) CS/CA/TiO2 (1.5%) were nominated as the promising material used for potentially bioadsorptive membrane. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4452–4466, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Validity of cancer diagnosis in the National Health Insurance database compared with the linked National Cancer Registry in Taiwan
Authors: Kao Wei‐Heng , Hong Ji‐Hong , See Lai‐Chu , Yu Huang‐Ping , Hsu Jun‐Te , Chou I‐Jun , Chou Wen‐Chi , Chiou Meng‐Jiun , Wang Chun‐Chieh , Kuo Chang‐Fu
Published: August 2017

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the validity of cancer diagnosis in the National Health Insurance (NHI) database, which has routinely collected the health information of almost the entire Taiwanese population since 1995, compared with the Taiwan National Cancer Registry (NCR).

Methods

There were 26,542,445 active participants registered in the NHI database between 2001 and 2012. National Cancer Registry and NHI database records were compared for cancer diagnosis; date of cancer diagnosis; and 1, 2, and 5 year survival. In addition, the 10 leading causes of cancer deaths in Taiwan were analyzed.

Results

There were 908,986 cancer diagnoses in NCR and NHI database and 782,775 (86.1%) in both, with 53,192 (5.9%) in the NHI database only and 73,019 (8.0%) in the NCR only. The positive predictive value of the NHI database cancer diagnoses was 94% for all cancers; the positive predictive value of the 10 specific cancers ranged from 95% (lung cancer) to 82% (cervical cancer). The date of diagnosis in the NHI database was generally delayed by a median of 15 days (interquartile range 8‐18) compared with the NCR. The 1, 2, and 5 year survival rates were 71.21%, 60.85%, and 47.44% using the NHI database and were 71.18%, 60.17%, and 46.09% using NCR data.

Conclusions

Recording of cancer diagnoses and survival estimates based on these diagnosis codes in the NHI database are generally consistent with the NCR. Studies using NHI database data must pay careful attention to eligibility and record linkage; use of both sources is recommended.
Does depression decrease the moderating effect of self‐efficacy in the relationship between illness perception and fear of progression in breast cancer?
Authors: Shim Eun‐Jung , Lee Jong Won , Min Yul Ha
Published: August 2017

Objective

Fear of progression (FOP) is a prevalent concern among breast cancer patients that affect their adjustment to disease. This study examined whether self‐efficacy moderates the effect of illness perception (IP) on FOP and whether the moderating effect of self‐efficacy depends on the level of depressive symptoms.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey including brief illness perception questionnaire (BIPQ), FOP short form, general self‐efficacy scale, and the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale were administered to 245 patients with breast cancer in Korea.

Results

Self‐efficacy moderated the negative impact of the patients' perception of chronic timeline and a greater emotional impact of the illness on FOP. However, the moderating effect of self‐efficacy of the BIPQ timeline and emotions on FOP depended on level of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the importance of considering the IP as determinants of FOP, as well as of self‐efficacy and depression as the moderating factors in the relationship between IP and FOP, suggesting the need to enhance self‐efficacy and depressive symptoms in order to compensate the negative impact of IP on FOP in breast cancer patients.
Incident Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection and lung function decline in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Barsky Emily E. , Williams Kathryn A. , Priebe Gregory P. , Sawicki Gregory S.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To determine whether incident detection of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with accelerated lung function decline and increased hospitalizations and to determine whether this effect is more pronounced in individuals with subsequent chronic infection.

Methods

We performed a longitudinal, retrospective single‐center, pre‐post study of 88 patients with CF, ages 6–51 years, with first positive respiratory culture for SM between 2008 and 2014. Rate of decline in FEV1 and hospitalization rates prior to and following incident SM infection were analyzed using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series.

Results

Mean (SD) age was 17.4 (9.2) years and the mean (SD) FEV1 % predicted at acquisition was 90.0% (25.2). A total of 44% developed chronic SM infection. In regression analysis adjusted for clinical and demographic factors, there was worsening of the mean annual decline in FEV1 % predicted from −1.79 (95%CI: −2.43, −1.15) pre‐acquisition to −2.14 (95%CI: −2.61, −1.67) post‐acquisition (P = 0.005). A significant change was observed in those with either subsequent intermittent or chronic infection. The mean annual hospitalization rate increased significantly in the subgroup with chronic infection from 0.46 (95%CI: 0.33, 0.60) to 0.88 (95%CI: 0.68, 1.07) (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

In this single‐center cohort, acquisition of SM in CF was associated with an acceleration in lung function decline. Among those with chronic colonization, acquisition was also associated with increased hospitalization rates.
Age‐related changes in childhood wheezing characteristics: A whole population study
Authors: Jurca Maja , Pescatore Anina M. , Goutaki Myrofora , Spycher Ben D. , Beardsmore Caroline S. , Kuehni Claudia E.
Published: August 2017

Background

Wheezing illnesses are characterized by phenotypic variability, which changes with age, but few studies report on a wide age range of children. We studied how prevalence, severity, and triggers of wheeze vary throughout childhood.

Methods

We analyzed data from a large population‐based cohort of children from Leicestershire, UK, who were followed from infancy through late adolescence using postal questionnaires. We used generalized estimating equations to describe age‐related changes in prevalence of any wheeze: episodic viral and multiple trigger wheeze; wheeze triggered by exercise, aeroallergens, food/drinks, laughing/crying; and of severe wheeze (frequent attacks, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, disturbance of daily activities) from age 1‐18 years. We analyzed this in the entire cohort (absolute prevalence) and separately among children with wheeze (relative prevalence).

Results

This study included 7670 children. Current wheeze was most common in 1‐year‐olds (36%) and then decreased in prevalence to reach 17% in children aged 14‐17 years. Absolute prevalence of episodic viral wheeze (EVW) decreased with age (from 24% to 7%), while multiple trigger wheeze (MTW) remained relatively constant throughout childhood (8‐12%). Among children with wheeze, the proportion with EVW decreased, and the proportion with MTW increased with age. In older children, wheeze triggered by exercise or aeroallergens, and wheeze accompanied by shortness of breath became more frequent, while wheeze triggered by food or laughter, and sleep disturbance decreased in prevalence.

Conclusion

Knowledge of these age‐related changes in wheezing illness is informative for health care planning and the design of future research projects and questionnaires.
A comparison of 20 heterogeneity variance estimators in statistical synthesis of results from studies: a simulation study
Authors: Petropoulou Maria , Mavridis Dimitris
Published: August 2017

When we synthesize research findings via meta‐analysis, it is common to assume that the true underlying effect differs across studies. Total variability consists of the within‐study and between‐study variances (heterogeneity). There have been established measures, such as I2, to quantify the proportion of the total variation attributed to heterogeneity. There is a plethora of estimation methods available for estimating heterogeneity. The widely used DerSimonian and Laird estimation method has been challenged, but knowledge of the overall performance of heterogeneity estimators is incomplete. We identified 20 heterogeneity estimators in the literature and evaluated their performance in terms of mean absolute estimation error, coverage probability, and length of the confidence interval for the summary effect via a simulation study. Although previous simulation studies have suggested the Paule‐Mandel estimator, it has not been compared with all the available estimators. For dichotomous outcomes, estimating heterogeneity through Markov chain Monte Carlo is a good choice if an informative prior distribution for heterogeneity is employed (eg, by published Cochrane reviews). Nonparametric bootstrap and positive DerSimonian and Laird perform well for all assessment criteria for both dichotomous and continuous outcomes. Hartung‐Makambi estimator can be the best choice when the heterogeneity values are close to 0.07 for dichotomous outcomes and medium heterogeneity values (0.01 , 0.05) for continuous outcomes. Hence, there are heterogeneity estimators (nonparametric bootstrap DerSimonian and Laird and positive DerSimonian and Laird) that perform better than the suggested Paule‐Mandel. Maximum likelihood provides the best performance for both types of outcome in the absence of heterogeneity.
Study of coverage of confidence intervals for the standardized mortality ratio in studies with missing death certificates
Authors: Timkova Jana , Kotik Lukas , Tomasek Ladislav
Published: August 2017

This paper assesses the coverage probability of commonly used confidence intervals for the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) when death certificates are missing. It also proposes alternative confidence interval approaches with coverage probabilities close to .95. In epidemiology, the SMR is an important measure of risk of disease mortality (or incidence) to compare a specific group to a reference population. The appropriate confidence interval for the SMR is crucial, especially when the SMR is close to 1.0 and the statistical significance of the risk needs to be determined. There are several ways to calculate confidence intervals, depending on a study characteristics (ie, studies with small number of deaths, studies with small counts, aggregate SMRs based on several countries or time periods, and studies with missing death certificates). This paper summarizes the most commonly used confidence intervals and newly applies several existing approaches not previously used for SMR confidence intervals. The coverage probability and length of the different confidence intervals are assessed using a simulation study and different scenarios. The performance of the confidence intervals for the lung cancer SMR and all other cancer SMR is also assessed using the dataset of French and Czech uranium miners. Finally, the most appropriate confidence intervals to use under different study scenarios are recommended.
Crown Ether Base: Highly Active, Regioselective and Reusable Catalytic Systems for Double Bond Migration in Allylic Compounds
Authors: Krompiec Stanisław , Marcol Beata , Zych Dawid , Kurpanik Aneta , Danikiewicz Witold , Matussek Marek , Kuźnik Nikodem
Published: August 2017

The highly active, reusable and regioselective crown ethers bases catalytic systems, especially 15‐Crown‐5/NaOH, 18‐Crown‐6/KOH, dibenzo‐18‐Crown/6‐t‐BuOK, and 18‐Crown‐6/t‐BuOK, for double bond migration in various allyl and diallyl compounds have been presented. Allyl and/or diallyl: arenes and heteroarenes, ethers, acetal, sulfides, selenide, sulfoxides, imines, phosphine, and phosphine oxide were smoothly converted into their corresponding 1‐propenyl derivatives under very mild conditions. Some of the C,O‐ and O,S‐diallyl compounds were fully regioselectively isomerized to allyl‐(1‐propenyl) derivatives. An unprecedented and significant effect of increasing the reaction rate and shortening the quantitative reaction conversion time without decreasing the selectivity under ultrasound‐assisted conditions was observed. Various solvents, including low‐boiling point ones containing only C, H and/or O atoms, such as DMFL, DME, THF, Et2O, toluene, and 1,4‐dioxane, can be used instead of the most frequently used DMSO. Remarkably highly effective recycling of 18‐Crown‐6/t‐BuOK and dibenzo‐18‐Crown‐6‐t‐BuOK catalytic systems for isomerization of low‐boiling or high‐boiling point allyl compounds respectively and crown ethers from all examined catalytic systems was developed. The opportunity to effectively combine the double bond migration within situgeneration of nitrile oxide and finally 1,3‐DC‐cycloaddition into one pot variant synthesis of isoxazolines from Qallyl has also been announced.
Weak Anchoring Interface Inducing Acrylate Copolymer Designs for High‐Performance Polymer‐Stabilized Blue Phase Liquid Crystal Displays
Authors: Kizhakidathazhath Rijeesh , Higuchi Hiroki , Okumura Yasushi , Kikuchi Hirotsugu
Published: August 2017

Polymer‐stabilized blue phase liquid crystal (PS‐BPLC) is emerging as a strong competitor for next‐generation liquid crystal displays and optoelectronic devices. However, the realization of technologies built on PS‐BPLC requires lowering of driving voltage without sacrificing other desirable properties of blue phase liquid crystals. Here, we present a new method for voltage reduction in PS‐BPLC based on the stabilization of BPLC with weak anchoring interface inducing acrylate monomers. This method provides significant voltage reduction while maintaining the electro‐optical performance of BPLCs at the same time. We believe that this approach has a great potential in developing high‐performance photonic devices and displays based on liquid crystals.
Highly Efficient Synthesis of Spirooxindole, Spiroacenaphthylene and Bisbenzo[b]pyran Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Inhibitory Activity against Sirtuin 2
Authors: Hasaninejad Alireza , Mandegani Fatemeh , Beyrati Maryam , Maryamabadi Ammar , Mohebbi Gholamhossein
Published: August 2017

An operationally simple and high yielding procedure for the synthesis of spirooxindole and spiroacenaphthylene derivatives is described by the condensation reaction between isatin/acenaphthenequinone derivatives, malono derivatives, and C−H activated carbonyl compounds in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1,4‐Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in ethanol or H2O/EtOH mixture under reflux conditions. This procedure has also been applied successfully for the synthesis of novel bis‐benzo[b]pyran derivatives.The ability of synthesized compounds in inhibition of Sirtuin 2 were investigated both in‐vitro and in‐silico. Some of these compounds showed moderate level activity against Sirtuin 2.
Bis{cis‐[MoO2]} Complexes of 4,6‐Diacetyl Resorcinol Bis(hydrazone)and Their Catalytic Application for the Three Components Dynamic Covalent Assembly via Hantzsch Reaction
Authors: Maurya Mannar R. , Rana Lata , Jangra Nancy , Avecilla Fernando
Published: August 2017

Four binuclear dioxidomolybdenum(VI) complexes with Schiff base ligands, H4dar(bhz)2 (I), H4dar(inh)2 (II), H4dar(nah)2 (III) and H4dar(fah)2 (IV) (H2dar=4,6‐diacetyl resorcinol and Hbhz=benzoylhydrazide, Hinh=isonicotinoylhydrazide, Hnah=nicotinoylhydrazide, and Hfah=2‐furoylhydrazide) have been prepared by the reaction of ligand with [MoVIO2(acac)2] (Hacac=acetylacetone) in 1:2 ratio in methanol. Isolated complexes[(MoVIO2)2{dar(bhz)2}(H2O)2] (1), [(MoVIO2)2{dar(inh)2}(H2O)2] (2), [(MoVIO2)2{dar(nah)2}(H2O)2] (3) and [(MoVIO2)2{dar(fah)2}(H2O)2] (4) are characterized by elemental (CHN) analysis, spectral (FT‐IR, UV‐vis, 1H and 13C NMR) and thermogravimetric analysis. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis of complexes 1, 2 and 4 confirms their binuclear structure and distorted octahedral geometry around each molybdenum where ligands behave as bis(dibasic tridentate) coordinating through phenolic oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and enolic oxygen atoms of each unit. These complexes have successfully been used as catalyst precursors in solvent as well as solvent free conditions for the one‐pot three components (ethylacetoacetate, benzaldehyde and ammonium acetate) dynamic covalent assembly, via Hantzsch reaction using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant.
Bird detection and species classification with time‐lapse images around a wind farm: Dataset construction and evaluation
Authors: Yoshihashi R. , Kawakami R. , Iida M. , Naemura T.
Published: August 2017

Collisions of birds, especially endangered species, with wind turbines is a major environmental concern. Automatic bird monitoring can be of aid in resolving the issue, particularly in environmental risk assessments and real‐time collision avoidance. For automatic recognition of birds in images, a clean, detailed, and realistic dataset to learn features and classifiers is crucial for any machine‐learning‐based method. Here, we constructed a bird image dataset that is derived from the actual environment of a wind farm and that is useful for examining realistic challenges in bird recognition in practice. It consists of high‐resolution images covering a wide monitoring area around a turbine. The birds captured in these images are at relatively low resolution and are hierarchically labeled by experts for fine‐grained species classification. We conducted evaluations of state‐of‐the‐art image recognition methods by using this dataset. The evaluations revealed that a deep‐learning‐based method and a simpler traditional learning method were almost equally successful at detection, while the former captures more generalized features. The most promising results were provided by the deep‐learning‐based method in classification. The best methods in our experiments recorded a 0.98 true positive rate for bird detection at a false positive rate of 0.05 and a 0.85 true positive rate for species classification at a false positive rate of 0.1.
Cover Image, Volume 9, Issue 5
Authors: Ozcelikkale Altug , Moon Hye‐ran , Linnes Michael , Han Bumsoo
Published: August 2017

The cover image, by Altug Ozcelikkale et al., is based on the Advanced Review In vitro microfluidic models of tumor microenvironment to screen transport of drugs and nanoparticles, DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1460.

image
Transcriptional regulation of the protein kinase a subunits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during fermentative growth
Authors: Galello Fiorella , Pautasso Constanza , Reca Sol , Cañonero Luciana , Portela Paula , Moreno Silvia , Rossi Silvia
Published: August 2017

Yeast cells can adapt their growth in response to the nutritional environment. Glucose is the favourite carbon source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which prefers a fermentative metabolism despite the presence of oxygen. When glucose is consumed, the cell switches to the aerobic metabolism of ethanol, during the so‐called diauxic shift. The difference between fermentative and aerobic growth is in part mediated by a regulatory mechanism called glucose repression. During glucose derepression a profound gene transcriptional reprogramming occurs and genes involved in the utilization of alternative carbon sources are expressed. Protein kinase A (PKA) controls different physiological responses following the increment of cAMP as a consequence of a particular stimulus. cAMP–PKA is one of the major pathways involved in the transduction of glucose signalling. In this work the regulation of the promoters of the PKA subunits during respiratory and fermentative metabolism are studied. It is demonstrated that all these promoters are upregulated in the presence of glycerol as carbon source through the Snf1/Cat8 pathway. However, in the presence of glucose as carbon source, the regulation of each PKA promoter subunits is different and only TPK1 is repressed by the complex Hxk2/Mig1 in the presence of active Snf1. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a Novel Detachable Magnetic Nerve Stimulator for Intraoperative Neuromonitoring
Authors: Sung Eui‐Suk , Lee Jin‐Choon , Shin Sung‐Chan , Choi Sung‐Won , Jung Da‐Woon , Lee Byung‐Joo
Published: August 2017

Background

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy is a serious complication of thyroid surgery. During intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the RLN in thyroid surgery, repeated shifting between surgical instruments and the nerve stimulator is cumbersome and time‐consuming. Therefore, we developed a simple detachable magnetic nerve stimulator that may be connected to all metallic surgical instruments. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of this detachable magnetic nerve stimulator for IONM in a porcine model and humans.

Methods

Eight RLNs in four pigs and thirteen in nine patients that underwent thyroidectomy were examined. We developed a detachable nerve stimulator that combined surgical instruments with the nerve‐stimulating probe. We evaluated the electromyography (EMG) amplitudes of the RLNs in pigs and patients using conventional nerve probes and surgical instruments with the novel detachable magnetic nerve stimulator attached.

Results

The EMG amplitudes of the eight RLNs in pigs and thirteen in patients were analyzed. The detachable magnetic nerve stimulator was feasible and safe. There was no significant difference in the EMG amplitude between instruments (P = 0.423 in animals, P = 0.446 in humans).

Conclusions

The application of stimulating dissection using a detachable magnetic nerve stimulator during thyroidectomy with IONM is simple, convenient, and effective. It provides surgeons with real‐time feedback of the EMG response during intermittent IONM. We propose that this novel device could be an essential guide for most surgeons, especially for less experienced head and neck surgeons.
QTL mapping and loci dissection for leaf epicuticular wax load and canopy temperature depression and their association with QTL for staygreen in Sorghum bicolor under stress
Authors: Awika H. O. , Hays D. B. , Mullet J. E. , Rooney W. L. , Weers B. D.
Published: August 2017

Plant waxes and staygreen are distinct phenotypic traits that have been independently implicated in heat and drought tolerance among grasses. The association between these two traits has not been fully explored, which makes the exploitation of synergy between them difficult. This study assessed the association between QTL regulating the staygreen (Stg) trait in sorghum and those regulating epicuticular wax load (WL) and associated canopy temperature depression (TD). Using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from Tx642 and Tx7000, phenotypic data were collected in three replicated field trials and one greenhouse trial. High absolute TD generally corresponded to high WL. The r2 of TD against WL was highest under non-stress conditions in the greenhouse while it was much larger in the cooler and irrigated field conditions compared to hotter, drier field trials. The genetic correlations between the two traits also followed this pattern. Composite interval mapping identified a total of 28 QTL, 15 of which had significant overlaps between different traits. Most of the wax QTL were associated with pre-anthesis drought tolerant Tx7000. However, one QTL for WL overlapped with a QTL for staygreen (Stg2) and was represented by a single, isolated marker near the centromeric region on the short arm of SBI-01. The marker is identified by a Cis-acting regulatory module and is part of a 2-kb multifunctional motif-rich region which includes core promoter and enhancer regions and transcription elements, including a drought-responsive MYB binding site. We suggest that this QTL may be pleiotropic for important stress tolerance mechanisms regulating both staygreen and leaf wax in sorghum.
Counseling Close to Home: Genetic Counselors’ Experiences with their own Family Members
Authors: Rust Laura , Adamsheck Hallee , Reiser Catherine A. , Petty Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2017

Genetic counselors are trained to provide personalized genetic information and support to clients and their families. When requests for counseling comes from the counselor's own family member, should that counselor still provide service? There is a paucity of literature regarding genetic counselors counseling their own family members and no specific recommendations regarding how to reply to requests for genetic information from relatives. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to report genetic counselors’ and genetic counseling students’ perspectives and experiences providing genetic counseling to relatives. In the present study, 423 genetic counselors and genetic counseling students completed a 70‐item web‐based survey that explored genetic counselors’ experiences counseling family members outside of a clinic setting. The majority (73%; n = 301/410) of respondents have been asked to provide genetic counseling. Over half (57%; n = 257/423) provided counseling, personalized genetic information or risk assessment to family members. Only a small fraction of respondents (11%; n = 45/420) responded that they received any formal training in their graduate education, or in any other capacity that addressed the issue of how genetic counselors should respond to genetic counseling requests made family members. Those who have were less likely to provide genetic counseling to a family member (p < 0.05). Respondents who provided genetic counseling to relatives were significantly more likely to think their colleagues would do the same. Those who never provided genetic counseling to relatives were more likely to think their colleagues would refer to an unrelated genetic counselor (p < 0.0001). We highlight how our results have clinical and professional implications and provide suggestions to generate discussion among genetic counselors on how they might respond to requests for counseling from family members.
Weak solutions of semilinear elliptic equation involving Dirac mass
Authors: Chen Huyuan , Felmer Patricio , Yang Jianfu
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we study the elliptic problem with Dirac mass

\tag{1}
\begin{cases}
\Delta u = Vu^{p} + k\delta _{0} \quad &\mathrm{in} \quad \mathbb{R}^{N},\\
\lim_{|x|\rightarrow + \infty } u (x) = 0,
\end{cases}

where

N > 2

,

p > 0

,

k > 0

,

\delta _{0}

is the Dirac mass at the origin and the potential

V

is locally Lipchitz continuous in

\mathbb{R}^{N} \setminus \{0\}

, with non-empty support and satisfying

0 \leq V(x) \leq \frac{\sigma _{1}}{|x|^{a_{0}}(1 + |x|^{a_{\infty }−a_{0}})},

with

a_{0} < N

,

a_{0} < a_{\infty }

and

\sigma _{1} > 0

. We obtain two positive solutions of (1) with additional conditions for parameters on

a_{\infty },a_{0}

,

p

and

k

. The first solution is a minimal positive solution and the second solution is constructed via Mountain Pass Theorem.
Impact of vitamin D deficiency on increased blood eosinophil counts
Authors: Filho João Tadeu Damian Souto , Andrade Alícia Souza de , Ribeiro Felipe Mesquita , Alves Paola de Araujo Sardenberg , Ribeiro Fernandes Simonini Virgínia
Published: August 2017

Objective/background:

Vitamin D has been increasingly recognized as an immunomodulatory agent. Its deficiency has been associated with immune-mediated diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. These allergic conditions are dependent on T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells secreting interleukins, overproduction of immunoglobulin E (IgE), and eosinophil activation. We investigated the association between serum vitamin D levels and blood absolute eosinophil count.

Methods:

We carried out a cross-sectional study of 669 men and women referred to a clinical pathology laboratory who underwent 25-hydroxyvitamin D testing and complete blood count analysis on the same day.

Results:

Vitamin D levels were stratified into four ranges: severely deficient (<10 ng/mL), deficient (≥10 ng/mL and <20 ng/mL), insufficient (≥20 ng/mL and <30 ng/mL), or sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). The mean/median eosinophil count in the four groups was 267/254 cells/μL, 245/238 cells/μL, 191/159 cells/μL, and 182/146 cells/μL, respectively, (p = .001). The difference was significant between the severe deficiency group and each of the other three groups (p = .012, p = .002, and p = .001, respectively). There was no statistical difference among the four groups in terms of total leukocyte counts (p = .151), neutrophils (p = .177), or lymphocytes (p = .582).

Conclusion:

Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher blood eosinophil count. These results support the possible role of vitamin D in the eosinophil immune response.
Article Commentary: A Psychospiritual Integration frame of Reference for Occupational Therapy. Part 2: Transformative Occupations and the Change Process
Authors: Kang Chris
Published: August 2017

This paper builds upon the first in the series on psychospiritual integration (PSI) and examines the concept of transformative occupations and the process of change underpinning occupational therapy from a PSI perspective. A repertoire of new terms highlighting finer distinctions in the concept of occupation will be introduced and explained, as will the dynamic for transformation inherent in the psychospiritual integration change process. Suggestions for PSI-informed occupational therapy practice will be explored.
Disrupting Boundaries in Education and Research
Authors: Smythe Suzanne , Hill Cher , MacDonald Margaret , Dagenais Diane , Sinclair Nathalie , Toohey Kelleen
Published: August 2017

In Disrupting Boundaries in Education and Research, six educational researchers explore together the potentialities of transdisciplinary research that de-centres human behaviour and gives materiality its due in the making of educational worlds. The book presents accounts of what happens when researchers think and act with new materiality and post-human theories to disrupt boundaries such as self and other, human and non-human, representation and objectivity. Each of the core chapters works with different new materiality concepts to disrupt these boundaries and to consider the emotive, sensory, nuanced, material and technological aspects of learning in diverse settings, such as in mathematics and learning to swim, discovering the bio-products of 'eco-sustainable' building, making videos and contending with digital government and its alienating effects. When humans are no longer at the centre of the unfolding world it is both disorienting and exhilarating. This book is an invitation to continue along these paths.
Psychiatric Interviewing and Assessment
Authors: Poole Rob , Higgo Robert
Published: August 2017

Interviewing and assessment are integral to the practice of psychiatry, and this book helps psychiatrists and other mental health professionals develop the skills needed to gain the right information to make diagnostic formulations and build therapeutic relationships with their patients. The text examines common dilemmas and problems in an engaging and accessible way, and the use of case studies relates the principles discussed to identifiable psychiatric settings. This new edition has been revised and expanded to reflect changes in clinical practice in recent years. New chapters have been added covering the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, fragmented interviews and 'impossible' clinical situations such as the assessment of intoxicated patients and rhetorical interviews. Essential reading for all mental health professionals, the practical grounding in real-world clinical experience will benefit trainee psychiatrists, experienced clinicians, nurses, social workers and physician associates.
The Bangladesh Sustainability Compact: An Effective Exercise of Global Experimentalist EU Governance?
Authors: KENNER Jeff , PEAKE Katrina
Published: August 2017

The calamitous Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013 focused international attention on labour rights’ violations and factory safety in Bangladesh’s dominant ready-made garment industry which is almost wholly dependent on exports to the EU. In response, the EU and the ILO launched the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact, with the core objective of promoting continuous improvement in labour rights and factory safety in the industry. The uniqueness of the Compact stems from its nature as a form of experimentalist governance involving both governmental and non-governmental actors. Being primarily an EU-led initiative based on balancing trade, sustainable development and human rights’ objectives, it is underpinned by the possible option, if the Compact fails, of withdrawing trade preferences. This article will examine the rationale for the Compact, its main features, and its effectiveness as a form of ‘global experimentalist governance’.
Seizures and Choice of Antiepileptic Drugs Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Review
Authors: Mahmoud Sherif Hanafy , Buxton Jenna
Published: August 2017

Seizures are important complications following a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The evidence for the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in treatment and prevention of those seizures is conflicting. The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date evidence summary of the incidence and outcomes of seizures following an SAH as well as the use of different AEDs post-SAH in order to evaluate the need for seizure prophylaxis, the choice of AEDs, and their dosing considerations in SAH patients. A literature search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed. A total of 37 studies were reviewed, mostly observational. Definitions of seizures in temporal relation to initial hemorrhage were variable. Similarly, the rates of seizures varied in the literature, ranging from 0 to 31%. Given the reported adverse outcomes associated with AED usage, seizure prophylaxis is not warranted. Levetiracetam appears to be better tolerated than phenytoin in SAH patients, though further research is needed. Higher initial dosing of levetiracetam might be required due to its enhanced clearance in SAH patients. In conclusion, there is a lack of quality evidence to definitively recommend the use of one AED over another. Further prospective research comparing the use of different AEDs in patients with an SAH is needed.
The Engineering Development Array: A Low Frequency Radio Telescope Utilising SKA Precursor Technology
Authors: Wayth Randall , Sokolowski Marcin , Booler Tom , Crosse Brian , Emrich David , Grootjans Robert , Hall Peter J. , Horsley Luke , Juswardy Budi , Kenney David , Steele Kim , Sutinjo Adrian , Tingay Steven J. , Ung Daniel , Walker Mia , Williams Andrew , Beardsley A. , Franzen T. M. O. , Johnston-Hollitt M. , Kaplan D. L. , Morales M. F. , Pallot D. , Trott C. M. , Wu C.
Published: August 2017

We describe the design and performance of the Engineering Development Array, which is a low-frequency radio telescope comprising 256 dual-polarisation dipole antennas working as a phased array. The Engineering Development Array was conceived of, developed, and deployed in just 18 months via re-use of Square Kilometre Array precursor technology and expertise, specifically from the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope. Using drift scans and a model for the sky brightness temperature at low frequencies, we have derived the Engineering Development Array’s receiver temperature as a function of frequency. The Engineering Development Array is shown to be sky-noise limited over most of the frequency range measured between 60 and 240 MHz. By using the Engineering Development Array in interferometric mode with the Murchison Widefield Array, we used calibrated visibilities to measure the absolute sensitivity of the array. The measured array sensitivity matches very well with a model based on the array layout and measured receiver temperature. The results demonstrate the practicality and feasibility of using Murchison Widefield Array-style precursor technology for Square Kilometre Array-scale stations. The modular architecture of the Engineering Development Array allows upgrades to the array to be rolled out in a staged approach. Future improvements to the Engineering Development Array include replacing the second stage beamformer with a fully digital system, and to transition to using RF-over-fibre for the signal output from first stage beamformers.
Assessing the validity of commercial and municipal food environment data sets in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Daepp Madeleine IG , Black Jennifer
Published: August 2017

Objective

The present study assessed systematic bias and the effects of data set error on the validity of food environment measures in two municipal and two commercial secondary data sets.

Design

Sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV) and concordance were calculated by comparing two municipal and two commercial secondary data sets with ground-truthed data collected within 800 m buffers surrounding twenty-six schools. Logistic regression examined associations of sensitivity and PPV with commercial density and neighbourhood socio-economic deprivation. Kendall’sτestimated correlations between density and proximity of food outlets near schools constructed with secondary data setsv. ground-truthed data.

Setting

Vancouver, Canada.

Subjects

Food retailers located within 800 m of twenty-six schools

Results

All data sets scored relatively poorly across validity measures, although, overall, municipal data sets had higher levels of validity than did commercial data sets. Food outlets were more likely to be missing from municipal health inspections lists and commercial data sets in neighbourhoods with higher commercial density. Still, both proximity and density measures constructed from all secondary data sets were highly correlated (Kendall’sτ>0·70) with measures constructed from ground-truthed data.

Conclusions

Despite relatively low levels of validity in all secondary data sets examined, food environment measures constructed from secondary data sets remained highly correlated with ground-truthed data. Findings suggest that secondary data sets can be used to measure the food environment, although estimates should be treated with caution in areas with high commercial density.
Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the MHC-SF in the	USA
Authors: Joshanloo Mohsen
Published: August 2017

Abstract. This study examines the factor structure of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) in a sample of 23,674 students at 26 American universities. The measurement invariance of the scale is also examined across gender, nationality, and sexual orientation. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are used for data analysis. The results support the three-dimensional factor structure of the scale as well as full or partial measurement invariance across the groups. Results show that Item 13 (related to autonomy) demonstrates differential item functioning across gender.
Factorial Invariance of the German Version of the Marital	Offence-Specific Forgiveness Scale (MOFS)
Authors: Haversath Julia , Gärttner Kathrin M. , Kliem Sören , Kröger Christoph
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Spousal forgiveness is positively linked to aspects of relationship satisfaction, as well as to the physical and psychological health of both partners. Oftentimes, the respective values for men and women are compared under the untested assumption of measurement invariance of the assessment tool. In order to investigate the factorial invariance (configural, metric, scalar, and residual) of the German version of the Marital Offence-Specific Forgiveness Scale (MOFS; Paleari et al., 2009 ), we conducted several multigroup confirmatory factor analyses. In the context of comparing increasingly stringent models, tests of measurement invariance indicated at least partial measurement invariance. These findings suggest that the MOFS operates in a similar fashion among men and women, thus supporting the assessment of spousal forgiveness with the German MOFS.
Offshore Wind Turbines Can’t Yet Withstand Category 5 Hurricanes
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: August 2017

A new study suggests that more robust turbine design is needed to weather high winds.
O. Walter Lennartsson (1943–2017)
Authors: Peterson W. , Shelley Edward
Published: August 2017

A pioneering leader in unraveling the complex plasma interactions that drive the dynamics of Earth’s magnetosphere and other space plasma environments.
Correction: Corrigendum: Earliest signs of life on land preserved in ca. 3.5 Ga hot spring deposits
Authors: Djokic Tara , Van Kranendonk Martin J. , Campbell Kathleen A. , Walter Malcolm R. , Ward Colin R.
Published: August 2017

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 15263 (2017); Published: 9 May 2017; Updated: 16 August 2017. The original manuscript presented evidence that the deposits studied were fluvial rather than marine to support the conclusion that evidence of life on land had been discovered in the 3.4 Ga Dresser Formation, Pilbara Craton, Australia.
Different route of hydroxide incorporation and thermal stability of new type of water clathrate: X-ray single crystal and Raman investigation
Authors: Dulski Mateusz , Marzec Katarzyna M. , Kusz Joachim , Galuskina Irina , Majzner Katarzyna , Galuskin Evgeny
Published: August 2017

Chlormayenite Ca12Al14O32[♦4Cl2] (♦-vacancy) is partially hydrated micro porouss mineral with hydroxide groups situated at various crystallographic sites. There are few mechanisms describing its hydration. The first one assumes Cl− substitution by OH− at the center of the structural cages (W-site). The second one determines the converting a T1O4 tetrahedron to a T1O3(OH)3 octahedron due to the replacement of oxygen at the O2 site by three OH-groups according to the scheme: (O2O2− + 
W
Cl−) → 3 × 
O2aOH. The third mechanism, not considered so far in the case of zeolite-like minerals, includes the hydroxide incorporation in form of hydrogarnet defect due to the arrangement of tetrahedral (OH)4 in vacant cages. This yields a strong hydrated phase containing even up to 35% of water more than in any currently known mineral applicable to Portland cement. Moreover, water molecules present in different structural cages are stable up to 355 K while dehydroxylation linked to the gradual loss of only 8% of OH− groups according to 3
O2aOH− → O2O2− +
W
OH− + gH2O occurs at temperature range from 355 K to 598 K.
The molecular chaperones DNAJB6 and Hsp70 cooperate to suppress α-synuclein aggregation
Authors: Aprile Francesco A. , Källstig Emma , Limorenko Galina , Vendruscolo Michele , Ron David , Hansen Christian
Published: August 2017

A major hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the presence of Lewy bodies (LBs) in certain neuronal tissues. LBs are protein-rich inclusions, in which α-synuclein (α-syn) is the most abundant protein. Since these inclusions are not present in healthy individuals, despite the high concentration of α-syn in neurons, it is important to investigate whether natural control mechanisms are present to efficiently suppress α-syn aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout (KO) of a DnaJ protein, DNAJB6, in HEK293T cells expressing α-syn, causes a massive increase in α-syn aggregation. Upon DNAJB6 re-introduction into these DNAJB6-KO HEK293T-α-syn cells, aggregation is reduced to the level of the parental cells. We then show that the suppression of α-syn aggregation is dependent on the J-domain of DNAJB6, as the catalytically inactive protein, which carries the H31Q mutation, does not suppress aggregation, when re-introduced into DNAJB6-KO cells. We further demonstrate, that the suppression of α-syn aggregation is dependent on the molecular chaperone Hsp70, which is consistent with the well-known function of J-domains of transferring unfolded and misfolded proteins to Hsp70. These data identify a natural control strategy to suppress α-syn aggregation and suggest potential therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat PD and related disorders.
A method for rapid high-throughput biophysical analysis of proteins
Authors: Perez-Riba Albert , Itzhaki Laura S.
Published: August 2017

Quantitative determination of protein thermodynamic stability is fundamental to many research areas, both basic and applied. Although chemical-induced denaturation is the gold-standard method, it has been replaced in many settings by semi-quantitative approaches such as thermal stability measurements. The reason for this shift is that chemical denaturation experiments are labour-intensive, sample-costly and time-consuming, and it has been assumed that miniaturisation to a high-throughput format would not be possible without concomitantly comprising data quality. Here we exploit current technologies to create a high-throughput label-free chemical denaturation method that is capable of generating replicate datasets on multiple proteins in parallel on a timescale that is at least ten times faster, much more economical on sample, and with the potential for superior data quality, than the conventional methods used in most research labs currently.
Transcriptome analysis of genes involved in secondary cell wall biosynthesis in developing internodes of Miscanthus lutarioriparius
Authors: Hu Ruibo , Xu Yan , Yu Changjiang , He Kang , Tang Qi , Jia Chunlin , He Guo , Wang Xiaoyu , Kong Yingzhen , Zhou Gongke
Published: August 2017

Miscanthus is a promising lignocellulosic bioenergy crop for bioethanol production. To identify candidate genes and regulation networks involved in secondary cell wall (SCW) development in Miscanthus, we performed de novo transcriptome analysis of a developing internode. According to the histological and in-situ histochemical analysis, an elongating internode of M. lutarioriparius can be divided into three distinct segments, the upper internode (UI), middle internode (MI) and basal internode (BI), each representing a different stage of SCW development. The transcriptome analysis generated approximately 300 million clean reads, which were de novo assembled into 79,705 unigenes. Nearly 65% of unigenes was annotated in seven public databases. Comparative profiling among the UI, MI and BI revealed four distinct clusters. Moreover, detailed expression profiling was analyzed for gene families and transcription factors (TFs) involved in SCW biosynthesis, assembly and modification. Based on the co-expression patterns, putative regulatory networks between TFs and SCW-associated genes were constructed. The work provided the first transcriptome analysis of SCW development in M. lutarioriparius. The results obtained provide novel insights into the biosynthesis and regulation of SCW in Miscanthus. In addition, the genes identified represent good candidates for further functional studies to unravel their roles in SCW biosynthesis and modification.