bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical Measurement's Uncertainty in the Curved Space‐Time
Authors: Ming Fei , Wang Dong , Ye Liu
Published: June 2019

The dynamical characteristics of measurement's uncertainty are investigated under two modes of Dirac field in the Garfinkle–Horowitz–Strominger dilation space‐time. It shows that the Hawking effect induced by the thermal field would result in an expansion of the entropic uncertainty with increasing dilation‐parameter value, as the systemic quantum coherence reduces, reflecting that the Hawking effect could undermine the systemic coherence. Meanwhile, the intrinsic relationship between the uncertainty and quantum coherence is obtained, and it is revealed that the uncertainty's bound is anti‐correlated with the system's quantum coherence. Furthermore, it is illustrated that the systemic mixedness is correlated with the uncertainty to a large extent. Via the information flow theory, various correlations including quantum and classical aspects, which can be used to form a physical explanation on the relationship between the uncertainty and quantum coherence, are also analyzed. Additionally, this investigation is extended to the case of multi‐component measurement, and the applications of the entropic uncertainty relation are illustrated on entanglement criterion and quantum channel capacity. Lastly, it is declared that the measurement uncertainty can be quantitatively suppressed through optimal quantum weak measurement. These investigations might pave an avenue to understand the measurement's uncertainty in the curved space‐time.
Loschmidt Echo and Fidelity Decay Near an Exceptional Point
Authors: Longhi Stefano
Published: June 2019

Non‐Hermitian classical and open quantum systems near an exceptional point (EP) are known to undergo strong deviations in their dynamical behavior under small perturbations or slow cycling of parameters as compared to Hermitian systems. Such a strong sensitivity is at the heart of many interesting phenomena and applications, such as the asymmetric breakdown of the adiabatic theorem, enhanced sensing, non‐Hermitian dynamical quantum phase transitions, and photonic catastrophe. Like for Hermitian systems, the sensitivity to perturbations on the dynamical evolution can be captured by Loschmidt echo and fidelity after imperfect time reversal or quench dynamics. Here, a rather counterintuitive phenomenon in certain non‐Hermitian systems near an EP is disclosed, namely the deceleration (rather than acceleration) of the fidelity decay and improved Loschmidt echo as compared to their Hermitian counterparts, despite large (non‐perturbative) deformation of the energy spectrum introduced by the perturbations. This behavior is illustrated by considering the fidelity decay and Loschmidt echo for the single‐particle hopping dynamics on a tight‐binding lattice under an imaginary gauge field.
Alumina nanocoating of polymer separators for enhanced thermal and electrochemical performance of Li–ion batteries
Authors: Xie Jian‐De , Fu Chun‐Chieh , Liao Chun‐Chieh , Juang Ruey‐Shin , Gandomi Yasser Ashraf
Published: June 2019

A chemical‐wet impregnation method was adopted in this study to synthesize alumina‐coated separators using commercially available alumina nanoparticles and poly (vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoro‐propylene) binder to further improve the safety and performance of lithium–ion batteries (LIBs). Three trilayered polymer separators were uniformly coated with alumina nanoparticles with different densities. It was shown that the alumina‐coated nanolayers significantly improved electrolyte affinity, mass uptake of electrolyte, thermal resistance, and dimensional stability of the separators. The discharge capacity of Li4Ti5O12 anode with alumina‐coated separators was evaluated to be 166 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and 160 mAh g−1 at 1C. The alumina‐coated layers boasted ionic conductivity within the LIB's architecture and reduced internal resistance. The thermal shrinkage of alumina‐coated separators was greatly decreased, compared with the bare (as‐received) membranes because the nanocoating layer served as a robust and protective layer providing a superior thermal insulation without adversely affecting mass transport characteristics within the LIBs' internal architecture.
The one‐inflated positive Poisson mixture model for use in population size estimation
Authors: Godwin Ryan T.
Published: June 2019

The one‐inflated positive Poisson mixture model (OIPPMM) is presented, for use as the truncated count model in Horvitz–Thompson estimation of an unknown population size. The OIPPMM offers a way to address two important features of some capture–recapture data: one‐inflation and unobserved heterogeneity. The OIPPMM provides markedly different results than some other popular estimators, and these other estimators can appear to be quite biased, or utterly fail due to the boundary problem, when the OIPPMM is the true data‐generating process. In addition, the OIPPMM provides a solution to the boundary problem, by labelling any mixture components on the boundary instead as one‐inflation.
Multilevel regression and poststratification as a modeling approach for estimating population quantities in large population health studies: A simulation study
Authors: Downes Marnie , Carlin John B.
Published: June 2019

There are now a growing number of applications of multilevel regression and poststratification (MRP) in population health and epidemiological studies. MRP uses multilevel regression to model individual survey responses as a function of demographic and geographic covariates. Estimated mean outcome values for each demographic–geographic respondent subtype are then weighted by the proportions of each subtype in the population to produce an overall population‐level estimate. We recently reported an extensive case study of a large nationwide survey and found that MRP performed favorably compared to conventional survey sampling weights for the estimation of population descriptive quantities in a highly selected sample. In this study, we aimed to evaluate, by way of a simulation experiment, both the accuracy and precision of MRP versus survey sampling weights in the context of large population health studies. While much of the research into MRP has been focused on U.S. political and social science, we considered an alternative population structure of smaller size and with notably fewer geographic subsets. We explored the impact on MRP performance of sample size, model misspecification, interactions, and the addition of a geographic‐level covariate. MRP was found to achieve generally superior performance in both accuracy and precision at both the national and state levels. Results were generally robust to model misspecification, and MRP performance was further improved by the inclusion of a geographic‐level covariate. These findings offer further evidence that MRP provides a promising analytic approach for addressing participation bias in the estimation of population descriptive quantities from large‐scale health surveys and cohort studies.
Development of Ionic Liquid‐Water‐Based Thermomorphic Solvent (TMS)‐Systems for Biocatalytic Reactions
Authors: Meyer Lars‐Erik , Gummesson Anja , Kragl Udo , von Langermann Jan
Published: June 2019

The applicability of ionic liquid‐water‐based thermomorphic solvent (TMS)‐systems with an upper critical solution temperature for homogeneous biocatalysis is investigated. Cholinium‐ and imidazolium‐based ionic liquids are used to facilitate a temperature‐dependent phase change, which can be easily fine‐tuned by adding salts or polar organic solvents. Within the TMS‐system, a high enzymatic activity and subsequent full conversion is achieved in the intermittent monophasic reaction system of the TMS‐system. Therefore, the biocatalyst can be easily recycled after separating the phases at lower temperatures.
Long noncoding RNA PXN‐AS1‐L promotes the malignancy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via upregulation of SAPCD2
Authors: Jia Xiaodong , Niu Po , Xie Cuncun , Liu Hongjian
Published: June 2019

Accumulating evidences highlight the critical roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in a variety of cancers. LncRNA PXN‐AS1‐L was previously shown to exert oncogenic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the expression, role, and molecular mechanism of PXN‐AS1‐L in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) malignancy remain unknown. Here, we determined that PXN‐AS1‐L is upregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. Increased expression of PXN‐AS1‐L predicts worse prognosis of NPC patients. PXN‐AS1‐L overexpression promotes NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and NPC tumor growth in vivo. PXN‐AS1‐L silencing suppresses NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Mechanistically, PXN‐AS1‐L directly interacts with SAPCD2 mRNA 3′‐untranslated region, prevents the binding of microRNAs‐AGO silencing complex to SAPCD2 mRNA, and upregulates the mRNA and protein level of SAPCD2. SAPCD2 is also increased in NPC tissues. The expression of SAPCD2 is significantly positively associated with that of PXN‐AS1‐L in NPC tissues. Gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function experiments demonstrated that SAPCD2 also promotes NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, depletion of SAPCD2 significantly reverses the roles of PXN‐AS1‐L in promoting NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and NPC tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, lncRNA PXN‐AS1‐L is upregulated in NPC and promoted NPC malignancy by upregulating SAPCD2 via direct RNA‐RNA interaction.
Is hyperdiploidy a favorable cytogenetics in adults with B‐lymphoblastic leukemia?
Authors: Chen Zhining , Sun Yi , Xie Wei , Wang Sa A. , Hu Shimin , Li Shaoying , Tang Zhenya , Toruner Gokce , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Tang Guilin
Published: June 2019

Hyperdiploidy (chromosomal number 51‐65) is a common cytogenetic abnormality in pediatric patients with B‐lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) and belongs to the favorable cytogenetic subgroup. Hyperdiploidy in adult B‐ALL is much less common and its clinical significance has not been well studied. Among the 1205 patients with B‐ALL (1018 adults and 187 children) from our institution, 78 had a hyperdiploid karyotype, including 45 (4.4%) adults and 33 (17.6%) children (P < 0.0001). Among the patients with hyperdiploid B‐ALL, the adult group had a significantly inferior survival (similar to the patients with a normal karyotype) compared with the pediatric group (median survival: 42 months vs undefined, P = 0.0029). Hyperdiploidy in adults B‐ALL tended to more frequently harbor structural abnormalities (two or more) than children (53% vs 33%). Two or more structural abnormalities in a hyperdiploidy correlated with an adverse survival in adult patients (33 months vs undefined, P = 0.0008), similar to the survival of patients with a complex karyotype. We conclude that hyperdiploidy in adults with B‐ALL is less favorable and more commonly contains structural abnormalities comparing to pediatric patients. We suggest that hyperdiploidy with two or more structural abnormalities are best considered as a complex karyotype in adults with B‐ALL.
Solitary fibrous tumor in the subcutaneous soft tissues of the left abdominal wall: A case report
Authors: Wang Shuanhu , Guan Jiajia , Liu Mulin , Li Shiqing , Jiang Congqiao
Published: June 2019

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) derived from the abdominal wall is rare. We report a case of SFT in the abdominal wall. When abdominal computed tomography reveals soft‐tissue mass and analysis of preoperative needle biopsy reveals spindle cell tumor, the possibility of SFT should be considered.
Identity, Campus Climate, and Burnout Among Undergraduate Women in STEM Fields
Authors: Jensen Laura E. , Deemer Eric D.
Published: June 2019

Women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and these male‐dominated fields are often described as “chilly” and unwelcoming to women. This study examined the potential moderating effect of chilly climate on woman–scientist identity interference and academic burnout among 363 female undergraduate STEM students. Results indicated that identity interference related to greater emotional exhaustion, greater cynicism, and lower academic efficacy. A chillier climate related to more emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Furthermore, a positive relation was found between woman–scientist interference and cynicism when chilly climate was low or moderate. When interference was high, chilly climate did not have a relation with cynicism. When women experienced many threats (i.e., high chilly climate, high interference), they reached a threshold where additional emotional cost did not matter. Results highlight the importance of improving the campus climate for female scientists, as well as the need to assist female scientists in identity development.
Creative Use of the Career Construction Interview
Authors: Barclay Susan R.
Published: June 2019

Designed as part of an individual career construction and life design counseling intervention, the Career Construction Interview (CCI) and My Career Story (MCS) workbook aid career counselors and other career service providers in helping clients construct, deconstruct, and reauthor their career stories. Recently, some career counselors have developed ways of using the CCI and the MCS in group settings. In this article, the author offers 3 additional ways to use the CCI and, thereby, add creativity to the career counseling process. These 3 ways include use of written exercises, career collages, and career portfolios. The article concludes with a call for career practitioners to continue to think creatively in using the CCI with clients.
Switchable Enzymatic Accessibility for Precision Cell‐Selective Surface Glycan Remodeling
Authors: Zhang Peiwen , Li Yiran , Yu Xiaofei , Ju Huangxian , Ding Lin
Published: June 2019

Precision cell‐selective surface glycan remodeling is of vital importance for modulation of cell surface dynamics, tissue‐specific imaging, and immunotherapy, but remains an unsolved challenge. Herein, we report a switchable enzymatic accessibility (SEA) strategy for highly specific editing of carbohydrate moieties of interest on the target cell surface. We demonstrate the blocking of enzyme in the inaccessible state with a metal‐organic framework (MOF) cage and instantaneous switching to the accessible state through disassembly of MOF. We further show that this level of SEA regulation enables initial guided enzyme delivery to the target cell surface for subsequent cell‐specific glycan remodeling, thus providing a temporally and spatially controlled tool for tuning the glycosylation architectures. Terminal galactose/N‐acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc) remodeling and terminal sialic acid (Sia) desialylation have been precisely achieved on target cells even with other cell lines in close spatial proximity. The SEA protocol features a modular and generically adaptable design, a very short protocol duration (ca. 30 min or shorter), and a very high spatial resolving power (ability to differentiate immediately neighboring cell lines).
Lower socioeconomic status is associated with increased long‐term mortality after sudden cardiac arrest
Authors: Medhekar Ankit N. , Adhikari Shubash , Abdul‐Al Ahmed S. , Matinrazm Sayna , Kancharla Krishna , Bhonsale Aditya , Jain Sandeep K. , Saba Samir
Published: June 2019

Background

Determinants of long‐term survival after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) are not fully elucidated. We investigated the impact of patients' socioeconomic status (SES) on long‐term mortality in SCA survivors.

Objective

To investigate the association between SES, as estimated by median household income by zip code of residence, and long‐term survival after SCA.

Methods

We analyzed the electronic medical records of patients who presented to our institution with SCA between 2000 and 2012 and were discharged alive. Patients were stratified into quartiles by median household income of their home zip code. Baseline characteristics of patients were compared by income quartiles. The impact of SES on mortality was assessed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model incorporating all unbalanced covariates.

Results

Our cohort consisted of 1420 patients (mean age of 62 years; 41% men; 82% white). Over a 3.6‐year median follow‐up, 47% of patients died. After adjusting for unbalanced baseline covariates, patients in the poorest income quartile had a 25% increase in their risk of death compared to other SCA survivors (hazard ratios = 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.00‐1.56, P = .046).

Conclusion

In conclusion, lower SES is an independent predictor of long‐term mortality in survivors of SCA. Designing interventions to improve survival after SCA requires attention to patients' social and economic factors.
Reduced Exposure to Piperaquine, Compared to Adults, in Young Children Receiving Dihydroartemisinin‐Piperaquine as Malaria Chemoprevention
Authors: Whalen Meghan E. , Kajubi Richard , Chamankhah Nona , Huang Liusheng , Orukan Francis , Wallender Erika , Kamya Moses R. , Dorsey Grant , Jagannathan Prasanna , Rosenthal Philip J. , Mwebaza Norah , Aweeka Francesca T.
Published: June 2019

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA)‐piperaquine is being evaluated as intermittent preventive therapy for malaria, but dosing has not been optimized for children. We assessed exposure to DHA and piperaquine in Ugandan children at two ages during infancy. Intensive sampling was performed in 32 children at 32 weeks of age, 31 children at 104 weeks, and 30 female adult controls. Compared with adults, DHA area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC0–8 hr) was 52% higher at 32 weeks and comparable at 104 weeks. Compared with adults, piperaquine AUC0–21 d was 35% lower at 32 weeks and 53% lower at 104 weeks. Terminal piperaquine concentrations on days 7, 14, and 21 were lower in children compared with adults and lower at 104 compared with 32 weeks. Piperaquine exposure was lower in young children compared with adults, and lower at 104 compared with 32 weeks of age, suggesting a need for age‐based DHA‐piperaquine dose optimization for chemoprevention.
A Novel Automatic Digital Algorithm that Accurately Quantifies Steatosis in NAFLD on Histopathological Whole‐Slide Images
Authors: Munsterman Isabelle D. , van Erp Merijn , Weijers Gert , Bronkhorst Carolien , de Korte Chris L. , Drenth Joost P. H. , van der Laak Jeroen A. W. M. , Tjwa Eric T. T. L.
Published: June 2019

Background

Accurate assessment of hepatic steatosis is a key to grade disease severity in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

We developed a digital automated quantification of steatosis on whole‐slide images (WSIs) of liver tissue and performed a validation study. Hematoxylin–eosin stained liver tissue slides were digitally scanned, and steatotic areas were manually annotated. We identified thresholds for size and roundness parameters by logistic regression to discriminate steatosis from surrounding liver tissue. The resulting algorithm produces a steatosis proportionate area (SPA; ratio of steatotic area to total tissue area described as percentage). The software can be implemented as a Java plug‐in in FIJI, in which digital WSI can be processed automatically using the Pathomation extension.

Results

We obtained liver tissue specimens from 61 NAFLD patients and 18 controls. The area under the curve of correctly classified steatosis by the algorithm was 0.970 (95% CI 0.968–0.973), P < 0.001. Accuracy of the algorithm was 91.9%, with a classification error of 8.1%. SPA correlated significantly with steatosis grade (Rs = 0.845, CI: 0.749–0.902, P < 0.001) and increased significantly with each individual steatosis grade, except between Grade 2 and 3.

Conclusions

We have developed a novel digital analysis algorithm that accurately quantifies steatosis on WSIs of liver tissue. This algorithm can be incorporated when quantification of steatosis is warranted, such as in clinical trials studying efficacy of new therapeutic interventions in NAFLD. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part B: Clinical Cytometry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Clinical Cytometry Society.
A game‐theoretic model for users' participation in ephemeral social vehicular networks
Authors: Esmaeilyfard Rasool , Hendessi Faramarz , Manshaei Mohammad Hossein , Grossklags Jens
Published: June 2019

Ephemeral social vehicular networks allow for short‐lived communications between occupants. While such transient interactions may provide important usage benefits such as traffic warnings, the reality of short‐lived interactions also poses challenges for deciding to participate in such social networks. In this paper, we develop a game‐theoretic model to understand the role of occupants' incentives to contribute to these ephemeral social networks. We rigorously study the properties of the model and resulting equilibrium outcomes. A further key objective of our work is to evaluate the robustness of our model to different notions of intrinsic motivation for network participation. As a baseline case, we assume that users are homogeneous regarding their motivation. Next, we investigate the impact of different motivational distributions and explore their impact on users' behaviors in a comprehensive simulation setup. We identify the circumstances under which ephemeral social networks are viable and can successfully sustain an increased level of network participation.
Study of trust‐based mechanism and its component model in MANET: Current research state, issues, and future recommendation
Authors: Khanna Nitin , Sachdeva Monika
Published: June 2019

Security against routing attacks in MANET is most critical issue and traditional concepts of cryptography, authentication, or Watchdog are not that significant in mitigation of these attacks. In recent years, trust‐based approach provides a reputation system that compose of different components to provide security against routing attacks. In this paper, we provide an in‐depth analysis of various components that are used in trust‐based mechanism and techniques deployed in effective and efficient execution of task by the components. Trust‐based mechanisms generally have five components: monitoring and information gathering, trust calculation and evaluation unit, trust recommendation unit, decision‐making and dissemination of detection unit. All or some of these units cooperate together to provide a reliable communication environment with the aim to prevent routing attacks from participating in route formation process and detect attacking nodes simultaneously. Different routing attacks and measures in trust‐based mechanism along with some published work are discussed to understand the implementation of this type of mechanism. Various related issues are explored, discussed, and recommendations are pointed out for future research work in this field.
Cytological findings of monophasic synovial sarcoma presenting as a lung mass: report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Dermawan Josephine K. T. , Policarpio‐Nicolas Maria Luisa C.
Published: June 2019

Synovial sarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors that can arise from any anatomic site. Although they are often located at the paraarticular region of the extremities, the incidence of synovial sarcomas in the lungs is rare, with only a few cytology case reports to date. We report a case of synovial sarcoma presenting as a lung mass diagnosed on fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. The patient is a 38‐year‐old chronic smoker who presented with cough, worsening dyspnea, and weight loss. Computerized tomography of his chest revealed an 8‐cm left lower lobe pleural‐based mass. An FNA of the lung mass showed cellular smears composed of monotonous population of singly scattered to sheets of bland spindle cells with elongated nuclei, fine chromatin pattern, and scant to moderate amount of delicate cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical stains performed on the cell block showed that the tumor cells were positive for calretinin and focally positive for pancytokeratin, CAM5.2, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain. The tumor cells were negative for S‐100, podoplanin, and CD34. Fluorescence in situ hybridization performed on the cell block demonstrated the presence of SYT (18q11) translocation, supporting the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma.
Clinician and patient characteristics and cognitions that influence weighing practice in cognitive‐behavioral therapy for eating disorders
Authors: Daglish Amy , Waller Glenn
Published: June 2019

Objective

Clinicians commonly fail to weigh patients appropriately in cognitive‐behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT‐ED), despite guidelines stressing the need to do so. This study considered the possible patient‐ and clinician‐based reasons why this element of treatment is omitted.

Method

Seventy‐four CBT‐ED clinicians were presented with vignettes that varied in patient diagnosis and distress levels, to determine whether those characteristics influenced different clinician weighing practices. Clinicians' own attitudes to weighing and their anxiety levels were also assessed to determine whether they were related to weighing intentions.

Results

Clinicians were more likely to weigh patients with anorexia nervosa than patients with bulimia nervosa, probably due to focusing on physical risk. However, they were less likely to weigh patients who were distressed at the prospect, despite that course of action being particularly clinically indicated. Clinicians were more likely to weigh patients if they had positive beliefs about the value of doing so, and if they were not prone to making unsupported exceptions in delivering this technique.

Discussion

This study provides evidence that clinicians use weighing differently according to the patient's presentation and their own beliefs, rather than working within guidelines. Education, training, and supervision are suggested to help clinicians address this failure to weigh patients in the most therapeutic way.
Variation in snow cover drives differences in soil properties and microbial biomass of BSCs in the Gurbantunggut Desert—3 years of snow manipulations
Authors: Hui Rong , Liu Lichao , Xie Min , Yang Haotian
Published: June 2019

Variations in snow cover (as specific precipitation) can have an important effect on development of biological soil crusts (BSCs) in arid and semiarid regions, where water is the principal limiting factor for microorganisms. However, there is still limited knowledge available regarding the effects of snowfall on soil properties and microbial biomass in BSCs. To examine these effects of snow cover, three types of BSCs (cyanobacteria‐dominated, lichen‐dominated, and moss‐dominated crusts) were collected and exposed to five snow depths for 3 years. The results indicated that most of the soil properties and soil microbial biomass were significantly (p < .05) affected by 3 years of snow manipulation in three types of BSCs. In BSCs, the values of most soil properties and microbial biomass were higher in the increased snow depth treatments relative the snow removal treatments. Moreover, there were variations in soil properties and microbial biomass among BSC types. In short, increases/decreases in snow cover had different effects on three types of BSCs after 3 years of manipulation. Moreover, increases in snow cover had a positive influence on soil properties and microbial biomass, but negative effects were observed in all BSCs following snow removal and snow reduction. Thus, variations in snow cover can drive differences in soil properties and microbial biomass of BSCs, which may further affect development and succession of BSCs in arid and semiarid regions.
Synthesis and Reactivity of 3′,5′‐Dichloro‐1H‐spiro(quinazoline‐2,4′‐[1,2,6]thiadiazin)‐4(3H)‐ones
Authors: Kalogirou Andreas S. , Kourtellaris Andreas , Koutentis Panayiotis A.
Published: June 2019

A three‐step synthesis of 3′,5′‐dichloro‐1H‐spiro(quinazo‐line‐2,4′‐[1,2,6]thiadiazin)‐4(3H)‐ones starting from 3,4,4,5‐tetra‐chloro‐4H‐1,2,6‐thiadiazine is presented. The latter reacts with 2‐aminobenzonitriles to give 2‐[(3,5‐dichloro‐4H‐1,2,6‐thiadiazin‐4‐ylid‐ene)amino]benzonitriles, which affords, after hydration, the respective benzamides. Upon heating at reflux in EtOH or HFIP, the benzamides intramolecularly cyclize onto the thiadiazine C4 position to give 3′,5′‐dichloro‐1H‐spiro(quinazoline‐2,4′‐[1,2,6]thiadiazin)‐4(3H)‐ones. Single crystal X‐ray crystallography supports the structure of two analogues. The chloride displacement of these new spiroquinazolinones was demonstrated by Stille coupling, and by reaction with methoxide to afford both the mono and bis‐methoxy derivatives.
Binding and Beyond: What Else Can G‐Quadruplex Ligands Do?
Authors: O'Hagan Michael P. , Morales Juan C. , Galan M. Carmen
Published: June 2019

G‐quadruplexes (G4) are four‐stranded structures formed from guanine‐rich oligonucleotides. Their defined 3D structures and polymorphic nature set them apart from classical nucleic acid morphology and suggest a range of potential applications in the development of functional materials. Meanwhile, the occurrence of G4 across the genomes of animals, plants and pathogens suggests roles for these structures in biology that may be exploited for therapeutic effect. Hundreds of G4 ligands are reported to bind these sequences with high specificity and affinity, but such ligands can also be engineered to do more than simply associate with G4 in a straightforward host‐guest fashion. Ligands have been developed that can switch G4 topology, direct the selective covalent modification of nucleic acid structures, or respond to external stimuli to permit spatiotemporal control of their activity. Herein we survey the main themes of such “value‐added” G4 ligands and consider the opportunities and challenges of their potential applications.
A facile isoelectric focusing of myoglobin and hemoglobin used as markers for screening of chicken meat quality in China
Authors: Saud Shah , Li Guoqing , Sun Yingjie , Khan Muhammad Idrees , Ur Rehman Ashfaq , Uzzaman Asad , Liu Weiwen , Ding Chan , Xiao Hua , Wang Yuxing , Cao Chengxi
Published: June 2019

A novel analytical protocol was developed for general quality screening of chicken meat based on IEF and protein extraction. To demonstrate the developed protocol, 24 chickens were divided into three groups; each had eight chickens. The chickens in Group 1 were slaughtered by exsanguination, Group 2 asphyxiated in water, and that in Group 3 were infected by new castle disease virus. Proteins were extracted from the meat samples by using pure water as an extractant, separated by IEF, verified by western blot, and quantified via imaging analysis. The relevant experiments demonstrated that two myoglobin (Mb) bands were detected at pI 6.8 and 7.04 for all samples of Groups 1, 2, and 3, but there were additional hemoglobin (Hb) bands at pI 7.09 and 7.13 (P < 0.05) for the samples of Groups 2 and 3. The results implied that Hb bands might be a potential biomarker for the screening of chicken meat quality. The RSD values of two Mb bands (pI 6.8 and 7.04) in Group 1 were respectively 4.08 and 3.63%, the ones of two Hb bands (pI 7.09 and 7.13) in Group 2 were 3.66 and 2.10%, and those in Group 3 were 2.17% and 2.77%, respectively. All the RSD values indicated high stability and reliability of the developed protocol. Additionally, the protocol had a direct readout of protein bands in IEF without staining. However, it was time‐consuming and had high cost. Even so, the relevant general method and finding have potential for screening of chicken meat quality.
A data‐driven approach to detecting change points in linear regression models
Authors: Lyubchich Vyacheslav , Lebedeva Tatiana V. , Testa Jeremy M.
Published: June 2019

Change points appear in various types of environmental data—from univariate time series to multivariate data structures—and need to be accounted for in proper analysis and inference. The analysis of change points is challenging when no exact information about their number and locations is available, and statistical tests developed under such conditions often have low power identifying the change points. This paper provides a powerful, data‐driven procedure for detecting at‐most‐m change points in linear regression models by adapting a sieve bootstrap approach for a modified cumulative sum statistic. The new procedure does not assume a particular dependence structure nor a particular distribution of regression residuals. It employs a data‐driven selection of the order of an autoregressive model and a robust estimation of the model coefficients. Our simulation studies show a competitive performance of the new bootstrap‐based procedure compared with its asymptotic counterpart. We apply the new testing procedure to address an important environmental problem in Chesapeake Bay—severe oxygen depletion—and detect two change points in the relationship between the volume of low‐oxygen waters and nutrient inputs to the bay during 1985–2017.
Breakage features of coal treated by cyclic single pulse electrical disintegration
Authors: Zhang Xiangliang , Lin Baiquan , Li Yanjun , Zhu Chuanjie , Li Yong
Published: June 2019

High‐voltage electrical pulse (HVEP) technology, a potential method for degassing coal seam in the future, has made great progress in field application. However, the previous studies mainly concentrated on the coal‐crushing effect of the action of single pulse, ignoring the influence of cyclic single pulse on the fracture structure of coal. In this paper, Huaibei anthracite coal and Inner Mongolia bituminous coal were taken as the experimental objects to study the effect of cyclic single pulse on the fracture structure of coal. The results show that the uneven distribution of electric field in the coal causes the crack to break along the interface between the mineral and the coal. Besides, the characteristics of cracks and functional groups of coal before and after electrical breakdown were investigated through scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results suggest that the relative contents of oxygen‐containing functional groups are reduced after electrical breakdown, which promotes the gas desorption from the surfaces of coal samples. Moreover, changes in CH4 adsorption capacity of HVEP‐treated coal were studied through a high‐pressure adsorption instrument, with the adsorption temperature set from 40 to 120°C. The results show that the adsorption amount of electrically broken coal is smaller than that of raw coal, which proves that temperature and current exert similar influences on the adsorption capacity of coal sample. Additionally, current waveforms indicate that the peak current increases with the number of cycle, whereas the breakdown time decreases with it. However, the peak current and breakdown time will eventually become stable as the number of cycles grows, demonstrating that electrical properties of coal are changed in the process of breakdown, which thus affects the next discharge.
The origin of smectite in the soil of the Kruger 2 archaeological site, Brompton (Québec), Canada
Authors: Courchesne François , Chapdelaine Claude , Munro Lara
Published: June 2019

Kruger 2 is unique among Late Paleoindian sites of eastern Canada because of the presence of a potential hearth (feature #1) characterized by a concentration of blackened fire‐cracked rock and burnt bone embedded in a thick Ae horizon. Comparative mineralogical analysis (X‐ray diffraction) of Ae samples collected inside and outside the feature reveal the absence of calcite and apatite, two minerals commonly found in ashes, and the presence of smectite in the Ae inside feature #1. Smectite genesis is attributed to the weathering of mica and chlorite under geochemical conditions (high base cations, Si and pH; low Al) that are unique in time and space. We hypothesize that these conditions were created by the dissolution, 10,000 years ago, of a layer of hearth ashes resting on an incipient soil. Results confirm the intense weathering of mica and chlorite. We also show that ash dissolution could generate the conditions for smectite formation in the presence of altered mica and chlorite, allowing the development of a chronology explaining this finding. The data largely support our hypothesis and constitute a strong basis for future investigations on the links between hearth ash weathering and smectite genesis in acidic soils.
Methods for public health economic evaluation: A Delphi survey of decision makers in English and Welsh local government
Authors: Frew Emma , Breheny Katie
Published: June 2019

Standard reference case methods recommended for health technology appraisals do not translate well to a public health setting. This paper reports on a Delphi survey designed to elicit views of public health decision makers in England and Wales, about different methodological elements of economic evaluation. This is important as methods should align with the objective function of decision makers. The Delphi survey comprised two rounds, with round 1 allowing open‐ended recommendations in addition to 5‐point Likert scale responses. The final survey comprised 36 questions, and levels and strength of agreement were assessed using median values and mean absolute deviation of the median. The Delphi panel (n = 66) achieved high levels of agreement for costs, health, well‐being, and productivity impact to be important elements within an economic evaluation. The panel agreed that evaluations should be relevant to the local context and include costs and consequences over a lifetime horizon. There was a call for the transparent reporting of costs and effects for different population subgroups, and for different sectors. Overall, the panel revealed a preference for a flexible approach, understanding that economic evidence fits within a dynamic process of decision making. These results provide empirical evidence to inform guidelines for public health economic evaluation.
Associations of pregnancy‐related factors and birth characteristics with risk of endometrial cancer: A Nordic population‐based case–control study
Authors: Trabert Britton , Troisi Rebecca , Grotmol Tom , Ekbom Anders , Engeland Anders , Gissler Mika , Glimelius Ingrid , Madanat‐Harjuoja Laura , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Tretli Steinar , Gulbech Ording Anne , Bjørge Tone
Published: June 2019

Many pregnancy‐related factors are associated with reduced endometrial cancer risk. However, it remains unclear whether pregnancy‐related complications (e.g., hypertensive conditions) are associated with risk and whether these associations vary by endometrial cancer subtype. Thus, we evaluated the risk of endometrial cancer, overall and by subtype, in relation to pregnancy‐related factors, pregnancy complications and birth characteristics. Utilizing population‐based register data from four Nordic countries, we conducted a nested case–control analysis of endometrial cancer risk. We included 10,924 endometrial cancer cases and up to 10 matched controls per case. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived from unconditional logistic regression models. We further evaluated associations by individual histology (i.e., endometrioid, serous, etc.) or, for rare exposures (e.g., pregnancy complications), by dualistic type (Type I [n = 10,343] and Type II [n = 581]). Preexisting and pregnancy‐related hypertensive conditions were associated with increased endometrial cancer risk (OR [95% CI]: preexisting hypertension 1.88 [1.39–2.55]; gestational hypertension 1.47 [1.33–1.63]; preeclampsia 1.43 [1.30–1.58]), with consistent associations across dualistic type. Increasing number of pregnancies (≥4 vs. 1 birth: 0.64 [0.59–0.69]) and shorter time since last birth (<10 vs. ≥30 years: 0.34 [0.29–0.40]) were associated with reduced endometrial cancer risk, with consistent associations across most subtypes. Our findings support the role for both hormonal exposures and cell clearance as well as immunologic/inflammatory etiologies for endometrial cancer. This research supports studying endometrial hyperplasia, a precursor condition of endometrial cancer, in the context of pregnancy‐related exposures, as this may provide insight into the mechanisms by which pregnancy affects subsequent cancer risk.
Hsp105α suppresses Adriamycin‐induced cell death via nuclear localization signal‐dependent nuclear accumulation
Authors: Yamane Teppei , Saito Youhei , Teshima Hiroko , Hagino Mari , Kakihana Ayana , Sato Saki , Shimada Masashi , Kato Yoshiho , Kuga Takahisa , Yamagishi Nobuyuki , Nakayama Yuji
Published: June 2019

Heat shock protein 105 (Hsp105) is a molecular chaperone, and the isoforms Hsp105α and Hsp105β exhibit distinct functions with different subcellular localizations. Hsp105β localizes in the nucleus and induces the expression of the major heat shock protein Hsp70, whereas cytoplasmic Hsp105α is less effective in inducing Hsp70 expression. Hsp105 shuttles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus; the subcellular localization is governed by the relative activities of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) and nuclear export signal (NES). Here, we show that nuclear accumulation of Hsp105α but not Hsp105β is involved in Adriamycin (ADR) sensitivity. Knockdown of Hsp105α induces cell death at low ADR concentration, at which ADR is less effective in inducing cell death in the presence of Hsp105α. Of note, Hsp105 is localized in the nucleus under these conditions, even though Hsp105β is not expressed, indicating that Hsp105α accumulates in the nucleus in response to ADR treatment. The exogenously expressed Hsp105α but not its NLS mutant localizes in the nucleus of ADR‐treated cells. In addition, the expression level of the nuclear export protein chromosomal maintenance 1 (CRM1) was decreased by ADR treatment of cells, and CRM1 knockdown caused nuclear accumulation of Hsp105α both in the presence and absence of ADR. These results indicating that Hsp105α accumulates in the nucleus in a manner dependent on the NLS activity via the suppression of nuclear export. Our findings suggest a role of nuclear Hsp105α in the sensitivity against DNA‐damaging agents in tumor cells.
Green synthesized‐zinc oxide nanoparticles, the strong apoptosis inducer as an exclusive antitumor agent in murine breast tumor model and human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7)
Authors: Mahdizadeh Roya , Homayouni‐Tabrizi Masoud , Neamati Ali , Seyedi Seyed Mohammad Reza , Tavakkol Afshari Haleh Sadat
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In the present study, we aimed to synthesize and investigate the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONPs) on both human and murine breast cancer cell lines and define their untoxic concentrations (IC50) to clarify their apoptotic properties and introduce them as the anticancer agents.

Materials and Methods

The in vitro study was initiated by ZnONPs green synthesizing process applying the Cucumis melo inodorus rough shell extract, and verified by the transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. In following, the human (Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 [MCF7]) and murine (TUBO) breast cancer cell lines were cultured for taking the time and dose‐dependent treatment planes by ZnONPs. Also, MCF7 cell cultures were treated by three different doses of ZnoNPs (8, 4, and 2 µg/mL) separately and prepared for genes expression (Cas‐3 and Cas‐8) analysis using real‐time quantitative PCR method. The in vivo initiated by providing the 39 murine breast cancer models, then they were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of ZnONPs (75, 50, and 25 mg/kg) treatments. Then their collected biopsies were stained by hematoxylin and eosin to evaluate their breast cancer tissue morphology and compare with Tamoxifen anticancer properties.

Results

The in vitro study results demonstrate a significant correlation among the expression of Cas‐3 and Cas‐8 genes with increasing ZnONPs concentrations. The results of 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazole‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assays for the treated cancer cell lines (MCF7 and TUBO) detected a significant negative correlation among the ZnONPs concentrations and the viability of the cells.

Conclusion

Unlike the majority of resent studies, we found the ZnONPs as a powerful apoptosis inducer in the human cell line (MCF7) and murine (TUBO cell line and cancer model).
GalaxyTongDock: Symmetric and asymmetric ab initio protein–protein docking web server with improved energy parameters
Authors: Park Taeyong , Baek Minkyung , Lee Hasup , Seok Chaok
Published: June 2019

Protein–protein docking methods are spotlighted for their roles in providing insights into protein–protein interactions in the absence of full structural information by experiment. GalaxyTongDock is an ab initio protein–protein docking web server that performs rigid‐body docking just like ZDOCK but with improved energy parameters. The energy parameters were trained by iterative docking and parameter search so that more native‐like structures are selected as top rankers. GalaxyTongDock performs asymmetric docking of two different proteins (GalaxyTongDock_A) and symmetric docking of homo‐oligomeric proteins with Cn and Dn symmetries (GalaxyTongDock_C and GalaxyTongDock_D). Performance tests on an unbound docking benchmark set for asymmetric docking and a model docking benchmark set for symmetric docking showed that GalaxyTongDock is better or comparable to other state‐of‐the‐art methods. Experimental and/or evolutionary information on binding interfaces can be easily incorporated by using block and interface options. GalaxyTongDock web server is freely available at http://galaxy.seoklab.org/tongdock. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sirt3 modulate renal ischemia‐reperfusion injury through enhancing mitochondrial fusion and activating the ERK‐OPA1 signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Qiang , Xu Junnan , Li Xiaoli , Liu Zhijia , Han Yong , Xu Xiaoguang , Li Xiubin , Tang Yuzhe , Liu Yubao , Yu Tao , Li Xiang
Published: June 2019

Mitochondrial fusion is linked to heart and liver ischemia‐reperfusion (IR) insult. Unfortunately, there is no report to elucidate the detailed influence of mitochondrial fusion in renal IR injury. This study principally investigated the mechanism by which mitochondrial fusion protected kidney against IR injury. Our results indicated that sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) was inhibited after renal IR injury in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of Sirt3 improved kidney function, modulated oxidative injury, repressed inflammatory damage, and reduced tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. The molecular investigation found that Sirt3 overexpression attenuated IR‐induced mitochondrial damage in renal tubular epithelial cells, as evidenced by decreased reactive oxygen species production, increased antioxidants sustained mitochondrial membrane potential, and inactivated mitochondria‐initiated death signaling. In addition, our information also illuminated that Sirt3 maintained mitochondrial homeostasis against IR injury by enhancing optic atrophy 1 (OPA1)‐triggered fusion of mitochondrion. Inhibition of OPA1‐induced fusion repressed Sirt3 overexpression‐induced kidney protection, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Further, our study illustrated that OPA1‐induced fusion could be affected through ERK; inhibition of ERK abolished the regulatory impacts of Sirt3 on OPA1 expression and mitochondrial fusion, leading to mitochondrial damage and tubular epithelial cell apoptosis. Altogether, our results suggest that renal IR injury is closely associated with Sirt3 downregulation and mitochondrial fusion inhibition. Regaining Sirt3 and/or activating mitochondrial fission by modifying the ERK‐OPA1 cascade may represent new therapeutic modalities for renal IR injury.