bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conflict and Cooperation in Labour-Management Relations. A Comparative Approach: Canada-Poland
Authors: Wratny Jerzy
Published: March 2019

Until 1980, labour relations in Poland were entirely run by the state. As a result of massive strikes and social negotiations the first independent trade union “Solidarność” was established. The 1989 elections, which lead to the defeat of the Communist government, finally opened the door for legal reform of the Polish industrial relations model. In this article, the author examines the evolution and development of the Polish labour relations system in contrast with the situation and latest trends of labour negotiations in Canada, a democratic country with a market economy.
Avis de négociation prématuré : l’illusion de la souplesse!
Authors: Nadeau Denis
Published: March 2019

Déterminer le moment précis où les parties à une convention collective acquièrent le droit de grève ou de lock-out s’avère, vu les nombreuses conséquences juridiques en découlant, de toute première importance.

La Cour d’appel du Québec a récemment bouleversé les règles applicables en la matière en avalisant la légalité de l’envoi d’avis de négociation prématuré. Ce texte vise à démontrer les faiblesses de ce jugement ainsi que les répercussions significatives qu’il peut entraîner au niveau de l’exercice des moyens de pression au Québec.
Pour en finir avec la Proclamation royale : la décision Côté
Authors: Boivin Richard
Published: March 2019

Dans cet article, l’auteur analyse la décision Côté rendue par la Cour d’appel du Québec. En s’appuyant en outre sur les événements qui ont suivi de peu l’adoption de la Proclamation royale de 1763 et sur la jurisprudence récente, il suggère que le titre ancestral de common law existe toujours au Québec au même titre que dans les autres provinces canadiennes. En se repliant sur les critères élaborés par la Cour suprême en matière de traité, l’auteur conclut que le Traité de Swegatchy n’en est pas un. Finalement, en reprenant le test de justification de l’arrêt Sparrow, il examine la constitutionnalité des règlements contestés.
À quoi oeuvre l’esthétique relationnelle? Une approche transitionnelle du paradigme relationnel en sciences humaines et sociales fondée sur les propositions artistiques de Lygia Clark et Marina Abramović
Authors: Volvey Anne
Published: March 2019

Nicolas Bourriaud a défini l’esthétique relationnelle de l’art actuel, comme une « esthétique de la proximité » qui opère dans la sphère intersubjective. Sur le fondement des oeuvres des artistes Lygia Clark et Marina Abramović, ce texte complète non seulement le corpus de cet auteur, mais la typologie qu’il a initiée par la « figure » du care, pour la mettre au principe des phénomènes et jugements que cette esthétique décrit. En appui théorique sur la psychanalyse transitionnelle, le texte revient sur l’esthétique relationnelle, mais montre aussi comment elle oeuvre et ce qu’elle fait oeuvrer, mettant en évidence la part non seulement intersubjective, mais haptique (sens et émotion) de la relationnalité ainsi que son horizon narcissique identitaire. Il propose alors une définition paradigmatique de l’esthétique relationnelle, pour la mettre en perspective critique des développements relationnels et esthétiques des sciences humaines et sociales contemporaines, notamment de la géographie, et du tournant spatial.
Bim escapes displacement by BH3-mimetic anti-cancer drugs by double-bolt locking both Bcl-XL and Bcl-2
Authors: Liu Qian , Osterlund Elizabeth J , Chi Xiaoke , Pogmore Justin , Leber Brian , Andrews David William
Published: March 2019

Tumor initiation, progression and resistance to chemotherapy rely on cancer cells bypassing programmed cell death by apoptosis. We report that unlike other pro-apoptotic proteins, Bim contains two distinct binding sites for the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-XL and Bcl-2. These include the BH3 sequence shared with other pro-apoptotic proteins and an unexpected sequence located near the Bim carboxyl-terminus (residues 181–192). Using automated Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy - Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FLIM-FRET) we show that the two binding interfaces enable Bim to double-bolt lock Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 in complexes resistant to displacement by BH3-mimetic drugs currently in use or being evaluated for cancer therapy. Quantifying in live cells the contributions of individual amino acids revealed that residue L185 previously thought involved in binding Bim to membranes, instead contributes to binding to anti-apoptotic proteins. This double-bolt lock mechanism has profound implications for the utility of BH3-mimetics as drugs. ​
The impact of measles immunization campaigns in India using a nationally representative sample of 27,000 child deaths
Authors: Wong Benjamin KC , Fadel Shaza A , Awasthi Shally , Khera Ajay , Kumar Rajesh , Menon Geetha , Jha Prabhat
Published: March 2019

India comprises much of the persisting global childhood measles mortality. India implemented a mass second-dose measles immunization campaign in 2010. We used interrupted time series and multilevel regression to quantify the campaign’s impact on measles mortality using the nationally representative Million Death Study (including 27,000 child deaths in 1.3 million households surveyed from 2005 to 2013). 1–59 month measles mortality rates fell more in the campaign states following launch (27%) versus non-campaign states (11%). Declines were steeper in girls than boys and were specific to measles deaths. Measles mortality risk was lower for children living in a campaign district (OR 0.6, 99% CI 0.4–0.8) or born in 2009 or later (OR 0.8, 99% CI 0.7–0.9). The campaign averted up to 41,000–56,000 deaths during 2010–13, or 39–57% of the expected deaths nationally. Elimination of measles deaths in India is feasible.
Kinetochore protein depletion underlies cytokinesis failure and somatic polyploidization in the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Kozgunova Elena , Nishina Momoko , Goshima Gohta
Published: March 2019

Lagging chromosome is a hallmark of aneuploidy arising from errors in the kinetochore–spindle attachment in animal cells. However, kinetochore components and cellular phenotypes associated with kinetochore dysfunction are much less explored in plants. Here, we carried out a comprehensive characterization of conserved kinetochore components in the moss Physcomitrella patens and uncovered a distinct scenario in plant cells regarding both the localization and cellular impact of the kinetochore proteins. Most surprisingly, knock-down of several kinetochore proteins led to polyploidy, not aneuploidy, through cytokinesis failure in >90% of the cells that exhibited lagging chromosomes for several minutes or longer. The resultant cells, containing two or more nuclei, proceeded to the next cell cycle and eventually developed into polyploid plants. As lagging chromosomes have been observed in various plant species in the wild, our observation raised a possibility that they could be one of the natural pathways to polyploidy in plants.
An atlas of polygenic risk score associations to highlight putative causal relationships across the human phenome
Authors: Richardson Tom G , Harrison Sean , Hemani Gibran , Davey Smith George
Published: March 2019

The age of large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has provided us with an unprecedented opportunity to evaluate the genetic liability of complex disease using polygenic risk scores (PRS). In this study, we have analysed 162 PRS (p<5×10−05) derived from GWAS and 551 heritable traits from the UK Biobank study (N = 334,398). Findings can be investigated using a web application (http:‌//‌mrcieu.‌mrsoftware.org/‌PRS‌_atlas/), which we envisage will help uncover both known and novel mechanisms which contribute towards disease susceptibility. To demonstrate this, we have investigated the results from a phenome-wide evaluation of schizophrenia genetic liability. Amongst findings were inverse associations with measures of cognitive function which extensive follow-up analyses using Mendelian randomization (MR) provided evidence of a causal relationship. We have also investigated the effect of multiple risk factors on disease using mediation and multivariable MR frameworks. Our atlas provides a resource for future endeavours seeking to unravel the causal determinants of complex disease.
Minimal cells, maximal knowledge
Authors: Lachance Jean-Christophe , Rodrigue Sébastien , Palsson Bernhard O
Published: March 2019

Modeling all the chemical reactions that take place in a minimal cell will help us understand the fundamental interactions that power life.
Identifying a nuclear passport for HIV
Authors: Zuliani-Alvarez Lorena , Towers Greg J
Published: March 2019

Identification of a protein that pulls HIV into the nucleus explains a key step in HIV infection.
Serial monogamy benefits both sexes in the biparental convict cichlid
Authors: Snekser Jennifer L. , Itzkowitz Murray
Published: March 2019

Monogamy can be either long-term or serial, with new pairs formed with each breeding bout. Costs and benefits are associated with each strategy. Because biparental convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) typically switch mates, exhibiting serial monogamy, we tested for the costs associated with forcing individuals to remain with the same mate. Convict cichlids were observed over two successive breeding bouts, either with the same or a new, equally experienced, mate. Parental behavior did not differ between breeding bouts, nor did brood size. Surprisingly, fish that remained with their original partner for a second bout took significantly longer to produce a brood compared to fish that paired with new partners. New partners were also more likely to successfully produce a second brood than re-mated partners. This is in contrast to the majority of bird studies that show many benefits to staying with the same partner for multiple broods. In convict cichlids, there seems to be no benefit associated with remaining with the same partner and switching mates reduces duration between broods for both males and females, potentially increasing overall reproductive success.
Effect of the flavonoid baicalin on the proliferative capacity of bovine mammary cells and their ability to regulate oxidative stress
Authors: Perruchot Marie-Hélène , Gondret Florence , Robert Fabrice , Dupuis Emilien , Quesnel Hélène , Dessauge Frédéric
Published: March 2019

Background

High-yielding dairy cows are prone to oxidative stress due to the high metabolic needs of homeostasis and milk production. Oxidative stress and inflammation are tightly linked; therefore, anti-inflammatory and/or natural antioxidant compounds may help improve mammary cell health. Baicalin, one of the major flavonoids in Scutellaria baicalensis, has natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in various cell types, but its effects on bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) have not been investigated.

Methods

Explants from bovine mammary glands were collected by biopsy at the peak of lactation (approximately 60 days after the start of lactation) (n = three animals) to isolate BMECs corresponding to mature secretory cells. Cell viability, apoptosis, proliferative capacity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by BMECs were measured after increasing doses of baicalin were added to the culture media in the absence or presence of H2O2, which was used as an in vitro model of oxidative stress.

Results

Low doses of baicalin (1–10 µg/mL) had no or only slightly positive effects on the proliferation and viability of BMECs, whereas higher doses (100 or 200 µg/mL) markedly decreased BMEC proliferation. Baicalin decreased apoptosis rate at low concentrations (10 µg/mL) but increased apoptosis at higher doses. ROS production was decreased in BMECs treated with increasing doses of baicalin compared with untreated cells, and this decreased production was associated with increased intracellular concentrations of catalase and NRF-2. Irrespective of the dose, baicalin pretreatment attenuated H2O2-induced ROS production.

Discussion

These results indicate that baicalin exerts protective antioxidant effects on bovine mammary cells. This finding suggests that baicalin could be used to prevent oxidative metabolic disorders in dairy cows.
Study on Different Methods of Weed Management in Onion (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Barla Sheela , Upasani R. R.
Published: March 2019

A weed management study on onion (Allium cepa L.) was conducted at Birsa Agricultural University, Jharkhand, India during winter season of 2016-17 and 2017-18 in a randomized block design comprised of nine weed control treatments consisting plastic mulch, available weeds mulch, straw mulch, cover crops (Fenugreek), oxyfluorfen 0.5 kg/ha pre-emergent (PE), pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha PE, mechanical weeding by Dutch hoe, hand weeding at 20, 40, 60 days after transplanting (DAT) and weedy check. Hand weeding at 20, 40 and 60 DAT was most effective in reducing weed dry matter however it was similar to plastic mulch at all the growth stages of crop during 2016-17, 2017-18 as well as in pooled except at 60 DAT in 2016-17. Hand weeding reduced weed dry matter to the extent of 75.83 and 84.83 percent during 2016-17, 100 and 89.21 percent during 2017-18, 98.64 and 88.62 percent under pooled data at 30 and 60 DAT respectively and the corresponding reduction in weed dry matter due to application of plastic mulch was 70.73 and 40.32 percent during 2016-17, 100 and 93.64 percent during 2017-18, 98.37 and 86.52 percent under pooled data at 30 and 60 DAT respectively, compared to weedy check. Application of plastic mulch recorded 300 and 38 percent higher onion yield during 2016-17, 1959 and 117 percent during 2017-18, 576 and 70 percent higher under pooled data compared to weedy check and hand weeding respectively. Plastic mulch also recorded maximum net return 364136, 380185 and 372160 /ha during 2016-17, 2017-18 and under pooled data similar to net return with application of oxyfluorfen 0.25 kg/ha PE, pendimethalin 1 kg/ha PE and hand weeding during 2016-17 while under pooled data maximum B:C ratio was with plastic mulch and was similar to oxyfluorfen 0.25 kg/ha PE, pendimethalin 1 kg/ha PE and hand weeding.
Phenomics: Approaches and Application in Crop Improvement
Authors: Roshni P. , Prajwala K. A.
Published: March 2019

Phenotype is the combination of genotype and environment where the plant grows. Phenomics is a way of speeding up phenotyping with the help of high-tech imaging systems and computing power. It has been a practice in plant breeding for selecting the best genotype after studying phenotypic expression in different environmental conditions and also using them in hybridization programs, to develop new improved genotypes. Phenomics share the advantages of faster evaluation, facilitating a more dynamic whole-of-lifecycle measurement with improved precision, being less dependent on periodic destructive assays and with reduced need for replication in the field. Phenomics aids to obtain high-dimensional phenotypic data on an organism at large scale with the various tools involved. Phenomics, however is more than just data collection paired with data mining. It is a comprehensive approach that combines systems biology and statistical correlation. Data mining techniques and big data approaches have the power to create knowledge that cannot be created otherwise with accurate precision manually.
The Sacred to the Secular: Using Mindfulness and Meditation as Instructional Methods in Academia
Authors: Gupta Kalpana
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the chapter is to explore the sacred and secular tensions of incorporating mindfulness and meditation practices in secular university settings.
Scalable Fabrication of Highly Crystalline Organic Semiconductor Thin Film by Channel‐Restricted Screen Printing toward the Low‐Cost Fabrication of High‐Performance Transistor Arrays
Authors: Duan Shuming , Gao Xiong , Wang Yu , Yang Fangxu , Chen Mingxi , Zhang Xiaotao , Ren Xiaochen , Hu Wenping
Published: March 2019

Control over the morphology and crystallinity of small‐molecule organic semiconductor (OSC) films is of key importance to enable high‐performance organic optoelectronic devices. However, such control remains particularly challenging for solution‐processed OSC devices because of the complex crystallization kinetics of small‐molecule OSC materials in the dynamic flow of inks. Here, a simple yet effective channel‐restricted screen‐printing method is reported, which uses small‐molecule OSCs/insulating polymer to yield large‐grained small‐molecule OSC thin‐film arrays with good crystallization and preferred orientation. The use of cross‐linked organic polymer banks produces a confinement effect to trigger the outward convective flow at two sides of the channel by the fast solvent evaporation, which imparts the transport of small‐molecule OSC solutes and promotes the growth of small‐molecule OSC crystals parallel to the channel. The small‐molecule OSC thin‐film array produced by screen printing exhibits excellent performance characteristics with an average mobility of 7.94 cm2 V−1 s−1 and a maximum mobility of 12.10 cm2 V−1 s−1, which are on par with its single crystal. Finally, screen printing can be carried out using a flexible substrate, with good performance. These demonstrations bring this robust screen‐printing method closer to industrial application and expand its applicability to various flexible electronics.
Following Nature: Bioinspired Mediation Strategy for Gram‐Positive Bacterial Cells
Authors: Pankratova Galina , Pankratov Dmitry , Milton Ross D. , Minteer Shelley D. , Gorton Lo
Published: March 2019

Employment of redox polymers as mediators is a promising concept to facilitate electron transfer (ET) and improve operational performance of bioelectrochemical systems. Materials science offers a broad range of mediation possibilities; however, their employment so far relies on a trial‐and‐error approach, since there is no comprehensive understanding of the nature of the ET between bacterial cells and redox polymers. In the current work, the polymer–cell interaction is investigated in detail and clear experimental evidence that a redox polymer containing quinone moieties mimicking the natural bacterial charge carriers can be incorporated into the respiratory chain of Gram‐positive Enterococcus faecalis cells and outperform monomeric mediator in ET features is reported. The presented findings disclose the main principles to overcome incompatibilities between abiotic charge carriers and microbial metabolism and provide essential knowledge for further development of mediated microbial bioelectrocatalysis.
Cysteinselektive phosphonamidatbasierte Elektrophile für modulare Biokonjugationen
Authors: Kasper Marc‐André , Glanz Maria , Stengl Andreas , Penkert Martin , Klenk Simon , Sauer Tom , Schumacher Dominik , Helma Jonas , Krause Eberhard , Cardoso M. Cristina , Leonhardt Heinrich , Hackenberger Christian P. R.
Published: March 2019

Wir beschreiben eine neue Methode zur Proteinsynthese, die das bestehende Repertoire an Möglichkeiten zur Proteinmodifikation erweitert: Eine chemoselektive Reaktion induziert Reaktivität für eine nachfolgende Biokonjugation. Hierbei reagiert ein azidmodifizierter Baustein zunächst mit einem Ethinylphosphonit in einer Staudinger‐Phosphonit‐Reaktion (SPhR) zu einem Ethinylphosphonamidat. Die so entstehende elektronenarme Dreifachbindung modifiziert anschließend in einer cysteinselektiven Reaktion Proteine und Antikörper. Wir zeigen, dass Ethinylphosphonamidate eine herausragende Selektivität für Cysteine aufweisen, gepaart mit einer überragenden Stabilität der Thiol‐Addukte im Vergleich zu klassischen Maleimid‐Konjugaten. Diese Erkenntnis macht unsere Technik zu einer vielseitigen und leistungsstarken Methode für die mühelose Herstellung von stabilen, funktionalen Proteinkonjugaten.
Stable Conversion Chemistry‐Based Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Hierarchical Multifunctional Polymer Electrolytes with Near‐Single Ion Conduction
Authors: Zhou Dong , Tkacheva Anastasia , Tang Xiao , Sun Bing , Shanmukaraj Devaraj , Li Peng , Zhang Fan , Armand Michel , Wang Guoxiu
Published: March 2019

The low Coulombic efficiency and serious safety issues resulting from uncontrollable dendrite growth have severely impeded the practical applications of lithium (Li) metal anodes. Herein we report a stable quasi‐solid‐state Li metal battery by employing a hierarchical multifunctional polymer electrolyte (HMPE). This hybrid electrolyte was fabricated via in situ copolymerizing lithium 1‐[3‐(methacryloyloxy)propylsulfonyl]‐1‐(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiMTFSI) and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETEA) monomers in traditional liquid electrolyte, which is absorbed in a poly(3,3‐dimethylacrylic acid lithium) (PDAALi)‐coated glass fiber membrane. The well‐designed HMPE simultaneously exhibits high ionic conductivity (2.24×10−3 S cm−1 at 25 °C), near‐single ion conducting behavior (Li ion transference number of 0.75), good mechanical strength and remarkable suppression for Li dendrite growth. More intriguingly, the cation permselective HMPE efficiently prevents the migration of negatively charged iodine (I) species, which provides the as‐developed Li‐I batteries with high capacity and long cycling stability.
Biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extract: Catalytic and antimicrobial effects
Authors: Ajitha B. , Reddy Y. Ashok Kumar , Lee Yonghee , Kim Min Jun , Ahn Chi Won
Published: March 2019

In the current work, we followed a green chemistry route to prepare and characterize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extract at room temperature. Suitably, the clove extract acted as a reducing agent as well as a capping agent, and these reactions occurred rapidly. The formation of the AgNPs was confirmed by the observation of the distinct absorption peak at a wavelength of 418 nm using ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, and a morphological study confirmed the uniform distribution of the optimally spherical nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicated the methoxy and allyl functional groups of eugenol of the clove extract to be responsible for the bioreduction of silver ions and for the stabilization of the resulting nanoparticles (flavonoids). We also found the AgNPs to be effective catalysts of the degradation of three pollutant organic dyes viz., 4‐nitrophenol, methylene blue and rhodamine B, in the presence of excess NaBH4. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the bio‐synthesized AgNPs were also explored. Overall, the results suggested the potential use of clove extract as a resource for the synthesis of AgNPs having a broad range of possible commercial and biomedical applications.
PBAT/TPS‐nanowhiskers blends preparation and application as food packaging
Authors: da Silva Jania Betania Alves , Santana Jamille Santos , de Almeida Lucas Alessandra , Passador Fabio Roberto , de Sousa Costa Larissa Alves , Pereira Fabiano Vargas , Druzian Janice Izabel
Published: March 2019

About 85–90% of the market for new materials in biodegradable packaging is served by various blends and composites containing starch in some portion. In an attempt to satisfy the increasing consumer demand, innovative materials are being developed. This includes the concept of active packaging, which, in addition to protecting, interacts with the packaged product. In this context, flexible films have been prepared from blends of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate), thermoplastic starch (TPS), and cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) at different concentrations (0–3.0 wt %) and with distinct compatibilizing agents (glycerol, stearic acid, and citric acid) by flat extrusion. Palm oil was packaged in the films, and was stored under accelerated oxidation conditions as a model system. The films were also used for packing lettuce. The TPS increased the rate of water vapor permeability of the blends. The micrographs showed the films with very porous surface as a function of the CNW concentration. In addition to the antimicrobial action pronounced within 10 days (fungi—molds and yeasts; bacteria—mesophilic and psychrotrophic), the film showed a prooxidant action, indicating its suitability for fruit and vegetable packaging. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47699.
The social informatics of knowledge
Authors: Meyer Eric T. , Shankar Kalpana , Willis Matthew , Sharma Sarika , Sawyer Steve
Published: March 2019

In the Introduction to this special issue on the Social Informatics of Knowledge, the editors of the issue reflect on the history of the term “social informatics” and how the articles in this issue both reflect and depart from the original concept. We examine how social informatics researchers have studied knowledge, computerization, and the workplace, and how all of those have evolved over time. We describe the process by which articles were included, how they help us understand the field of social informatics scholarship today, and reflect briefly on what the future of the field holds.
Engineered Targeted Hyaluronic Acid–Glutathione‐Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters/Graphene Oxide–5‐Fluorouracil as a Smart Theranostic Platform for Stimulus‐Controlled Fluorescence Imaging‐Assisted Synergetic Chemo/Phototherapy
Authors: Yang Ying , Wang Shuxin , Wang Chen , Tian Chen , Shen Yuhua , Zhu Manzhou
Published: March 2019

A theranostic platform with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functions as well as specific targeted and controlled combination therapy to enhance treatment efficacy is of great importance for a wide range of biomedical applications. Here, we first attempted to develop biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA)–glutathione (GSH) conjugate stabilized gold nanoclusters (GNCs) combined with graphene oxide (GO), accompanied by loading 5‐fluorouracil (5FU), as a novel theranostic platform (HG‐GNCs/GO‐5FU, HG refers to HA‐GSH). Multifunctional HG‐GNCs possessed excellent fluorescence, photosensitivity and specific targeting ability to the cancer cells while their fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation could be strongly inhibited by GO and then effectively restored by lysosomal hyaluronidase in tumor cells. The sustained and complete release of 5FU from HG‐GNCs/GO could also be stimulated successively by enzymatic degradation of HA and light‐induced heat effect of GO under laser irradiation so that turn‐on cell imaging‐assisted synergistic therapeutic strategies associated with triple enzyme/light‐controlled chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy could be achieved at the same time, reducing greatly the side effects of materials to normal cells. Our study presents a novel strategy to combine targeting and bioimaging with triple therapies to enhance the antitumor effect.
Fixed frequency sliding mode control of renewable energy resources in DC micro grid
Authors: Yasin Abdul Rehman , Ashraf Muhammad , Bhatti Aamer Iqbal , Uppal Ali Arshad
Published: March 2019

The rising cost of fossil fuels, their high depleting rate and issues regarding environmental pollution have brought the attention of the researchers towards renewable energy technologies. Different renewable energy resources like wind turbines, fuel cells and solar cells are connected to DC micro grid through controllable power electronic converters. In presence of these diverse generation units, robust controllers are required to ensure good power quality and to regulate grid voltage. This paper presents a sliding mode control based methodology to address the above mentioned challenges. The proposed technique keeps the switching frequency constant so that electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues can be solved with conventional filter design. Parallel operation of converter in DC micro gird is considered. Chattering reduction and power quality improvement by harmonic cancellation is proposed. A scaled down hardware for unregulated 11.5 V to 17.5 V input and 24V output is designed and tested. The experimental results show good performance of the controller under different loads and uncertain input voltage conditions. Moreover, the results show the robustness of the closed loop system to sudden variations in load conditions. Furthermore, a significant improvement in power quality is achieved by harmonic cancellation of chattering in the output of the converters.
Myrciaria dubia “camu camu” flour as a magnetoprotector in male mouse infertility
Authors: Torres Lizeth , Guevara Bladimir , Cruz Víctor , Valdivia Martha
Published: March 2019

Possible adverse effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MF) are linked to a decrease of antioxidant defenses and the production of free radicals. The increase of free radicals affects the mitochondrial functionality inducing apoptosis, which affects the phosphorylation and generation of key ATP in fertilization. Myrciaria dubia, known as “camu camu,” is a fruit with high levels of ascorbic acid, which exerts an important antioxidant function in the prevention of premature cell damage. In this study, the effect of Myrciaria dubia flour on oxidative damage produced by ELF‐MF (610 μT) was evaluated by detecting the activity of endogenous mitochondrial oxidoreductase enzymes in a complete sperm cycle of mice. We found that the MF caused a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in sperm quality, whereas the groups supplied with Myrciaria dubia flour (50 and 75 mg/kg of body mass) in ELF‐MF exposure showed a significant recovery (P < 0.05) in parameters of viability, percentage of plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity, and index of epidymal sperm. This suggests that Myrciaria dubia flour would have an antioxidant activity that counteracts the damaging effects of ELF‐MF in spermatogenesis and could be used as a natural ELF‐MF protector. Bioelectromagnetics. 40:91–103, 2019. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society
Development of a quantum dot molecularly imprinted polymer sensor for fluorescence detection of atrazine
Authors: Nsibande Sifiso A. , Forbes Patricia B.C.
Published: March 2019

Atrazine is a common agricultural pesticide which has been reported to occur widely in surface drinking water, making it an environmental pollutant of concern. In the quest for developing sensitive detection methods for pesticides, the use of quantum dots (QDs) as sensitive fluorescence probes has gained momentum in recent years. QDs have attractive and unique optical properties whilst coupling of QDs to molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) has been shown to offer excellent selectivity. Thus, the development of QD@MIPs based fluorescence sensors could provide an alternative for monitoring herbicides like atrazine in water. In this work, highly fluorescent CdSeTe/ZnS QDs were fabricated using the conventional organometallic synthesis approach and were then encapsulated with MIPs. The CdSeTe/ZnS@MIP sensor was characterized and applied for selective detection of atrazine. The sensor showed a fast response time (5 min) upon interaction with atrazine and the fluorescence intensity was linearly quenched within the 2–20 mol L−1 atrazine range. The detection limit of 0.80 × 10−7 mol L−1 is comparable to reported environmental levels. Lastly, the sensor was applied in real water samples and showed satisfactory recoveries (92–118%) in spiked samples, hence it is a promising candidate for use in water monitoring.
Multicentre study of multidisciplinary team assessment of pancreatic cancer resectability and treatment allocation
Authors: Kirkegård J , Aahlin E K , Al-Saiddi M , Bratlie S O , Coolsen M , de Haas R J , den Dulk M , Fristrup C , Harrison E M , Mortensen M B , Nijkamp M W , Persson J , Søreide J A , Wigmore S J , Wik T , Mortensen F V
Published: March 2019

Background

Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings have been adopted widely to ensure optimal treatment for patients with cancer. Agreements in tumour staging, resectability assessments and treatment allocation between different MDTs were assessed.

Methods

Of all patients referred to one hospital, 19 patients considered to have non-metastatic pancreatic cancer for evaluation were selected randomly for a multicentre study of MDT decisions in seven units across Northern Europe. Anonymized clinical information and radiological images were disseminated to the MDTs. All patients were reviewed by the MDTs for radiological T, N and M category, resectability assessment and treatment allocation. Each MDT was blinded to the decisions of other teams. Agreements were expressed as raw percentages and Krippendorff's α values, both with 95 per cent confidence intervals.

Results

A total of 132 evaluations in 19 patients were carried out by the seven MDTs (1 evaluation was excluded owing to technical problems). The level of agreement for T, N and M categories ranged from moderate to near perfect (46·8, 61·1 and 82·8 per cent respectively), but there was substantial variation in assessment of resectability; seven patients were considered to be resectable by one MDT but unresectable by another. The MDTs all agreed on either a curative or palliative strategy in less than half of the patients (9 of 19). Only fair agreement in treatment allocation was observed (Krippendorff's α 0·31, 95 per cent c.i. 0·16 to 0·45). There was a high level of agreement in treatment allocation where resectability assessments were concordant.

Conclusion

Considerable disparities in MDT evaluations of patients with pancreatic cancer exist, including substantial variation in resectability assessments.
Colossal left ventricular apical thrombus
Authors: Luu Judy , Boston‐Griffiths Edney , Zhu Antonia , Jassal Davinder S. , Minhas Kunal
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical Message

Left ventricular apical thrombus is a known complication following an anterior ST‐elevation myocardial infarction. Although left ventriculography may suggest an apical thrombus in the presence of a filling defect, additional imaging with echocardiography and/or cardiac magnetic resonance is strongly recommended to further characterize the thrombus post myocardial infarction.
Is thrombotic event a side effect of oral buprenorphine abuse? Two case reports
Authors: Alirezaei Toktam , Hajimoradi Behzad
Published: March 2019

Key Clinical Message

Buprenorphine is used to treat opioid addiction. The spectrum of complications of oral buprenorphine is not well known. We describe two cases and based on a hypothesis is proposed which suggests that the use of oral buprenorphine could be relevant to the increase of thrombotic risk.
When exposure is subject to nondifferential misclassification, are validation data helpful in testing for an exposure–disease association?
Authors: Gustafson Paul , Karim Mohammad Ehsanul
Published: March 2019

Consider assessing the evidence for an exposure variable and a disease variable being associated, when the true exposure variable is more costly to obtain than an error‐prone but nondifferential surrogate exposure variable. From a study design perspective, there are choices regarding the best use of limited resources. Should one acquire the true exposure status for fewer subjects or the surrogate exposure status for more subjects? The issue of validation is also central, i.e., should we simultaneously measure the true and surrogate exposure variables on a subset of study subjects? Using large‐sample theory, we provide a framework for quantifying the power of testing for an exposure–disease association as a function of study cost. This enables us to present comparisons of different study designs under different suppositions about both the relative cost and the performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the surrogate variable. We present simulations to show the applicability of our theoretical framework, and we provide a case‐study comparing results from an actual study to what could have been seen had true exposure status been ascertained for a different proportion of study subjects. We also describe an extension of our ideas to a more complex situation involving covariates. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 47: 222–237; 2019 © 2019 Statistical Society of Canada
Controllable Hydrolysis Performance of MgLi Alloys and Their Hydrides
Authors: Jiang Jun , Ouyang Liuzhang , Wang Hui , Liu Jiangwen , Shao Huaiyu , Zhu Min
Published: March 2019

Theoretically, the hydrolysis of MgLi and MgH2−LiH can produce 9.6 and 17.5 wt.% hydrogen (water is not included in the calculation), respectively. The ball‐milling method is commonly used to refine the particle size and thus may improve hydrolysis kinetics. However, Mg and Li will be easily agglomerated, which means that direct ball‐milling could not refine MgLi. In this work, we introduced 10 wt.% expanded graphite into the ball‐milling process to synthesize refined MgLi alloy samples. Further studies showed that MgLi‐10 wt.% expanded graphite can produce 966 mL/g hydrogen within 3 min in 0.5 M MgCl2 solution. The MgLi hydrides were synthesized by reactive ball milling under 3 MPa H2 and their hydrolysis performance was investigated. Moreover, the sawed powder was milled in 3 MPa H2 for 6 h and then hydrogenated in 3 MPa H2 at 380 °C; it can produce 1542 and 1773 mL/g (15.8 wt.%) hydrogen in 5 and 30 min with mild kinetics, respectively, and the activation energy of the hydrolysis reaction is 24.6 kJ/mol in 1 M MgCl2 solution. The findings here open a new avenue to the development of refined MgLi alloys and hydrides for hydrogen generation through a controllable hydrolysis process.
Early childhood educators' knowledge about language and literacy: Associations with practice and children's learning
Authors: Piasta Shayne B. , Park Somin , Farley Kristin S. , Justice Laura M. , O'Connell Ann A.
Published: March 2019

Educators' language and literacy knowledge is considered important for informing classroom practices and thereby supporting children's early language and literacy development. This includes both disciplinary content knowledge (knowledge concerning how oral and written language are structured and map to one another) and knowledge for practice (knowledge of effective strategies and practices for supporting early language and literacy). In this study, we examined the associations among 485 early childhood educators' content knowledge and knowledge for practice, their observed language and literacy practices, and the emergent literacy learning of 2004 children enrolled in their classrooms. We found significant, positive correlations between measures of educators' content knowledge and knowledge for practice and classroom practice, indicating that early childhood educators with greater levels of knowledge tended to exhibit more desirable classroom language and literacy practices. We also found significant, positive associations between educators' knowledge and children's print concept, letter naming, and phonological awareness learning, but not children's oral language learning. The associations between educators' knowledge and children's print concept learning were mediated by classroom practice. Together, these results reiterate the importance of educators' language and literacy knowledge and also provide some support for practice as the mechanism through which knowledge relates to children's learning.
Gene markers for exon capture and phylogenomics in ray‐finned fishes
Authors: Jiang Jiamei , Yuan Hao , Zheng Xin , Wang Qian , Kuang Ting , Li Jingyan , Liu Junning , Song Shuli , Wang Weicai , Cheng Fangyuan , Li Hongjie , Huang Junman , Li Chenhong
Published: March 2019

Gene capture coupled with the next‐generation sequencing has become one of the preferred methods of subsampling genomes for phylogenomic studies. Many exon markers have been developed in plants, sharks, frogs, reptiles, fishes, and others, but no universal exon markers have been tested in ray‐finned fishes. Here, we identified a suite of “single‐copy” protein‐coding sequence (CDS) markers through comparing eight fish genomes, and tested them empirically in 83 species (33 families and nine orders or higher clades: Acipenseriformes, Lepisosteiformes, Elopomorpha, Osteoglossomorpha, Clupeiformes, Cypriniformes, Gobiaria, Carangaria, and Eupercaria; sensu Betancur et al. 2013). Sorting the markers according to their completeness and phylogenetic decisiveness in taxa tested resulted in a selection of 4,434 markers, which were proven to be useful in reconstructing phylogenies of the ray‐finned fishes at different taxonomic levels. We also proposed a strategy of refining baits (probes) design a posteriori based on empirical data. The markers that we have developed may greatly enrich the batteries of exon markers for phylogenomic study in ray‐finned fishes.
Definitions of Pseudocapacitive Materials: A Brief Review
Authors: Jiang Yuqi , Liu Jinping
Published: March 2019

Pseudocapacitive materials generally offer both high capacitance and high rate capability, which has stimulated great efforts in developing the materials system and related energy storage devices. In recent years, however, with the extensive use of nanomaterials in batteries, fast redox kinetics comparable to pseudocapacitive have been achieved in many kinds of battery materials due to the much shortened ion diffusion lengths and highly exposed surface/interface as a result of nanosize effect. Consequently, the terms “pseudocapacitive materials” and “battery materials” are becoming more and more confusing. In this review, different opinions on the definition of pseudocapacitive materials and the evolution of the definitions as well as the resulting confusion will be firstly reviewed. Then, to accurately distinguish pseudocapacitive and battery materials, method with the consideration of both the electrochemical signatures (CVs and GCD) and quantitative kinetics analysis as a supplement is proposed. Finally, we end this review by discussing the possible device configurations of asymmetric supercapacitors and hybrid supercapacitors. The present review will help understanding the differences between pseudocapacitive materials and battery materials, and thus avoiding the definition confusion.
Capillary electrophoretic assay of human acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase 2
Authors: Nguyen Thu H. , Waldrop Grover L. , Gilman S. Douglass
Published: March 2019

Human acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase 2 catalyzes the carboxylation of acetyl coenzyme A to form malonyl coenzyme A, along with the conversion of magnesium‐adenosine triphosphate complex to magnesium‐adenosine diphosphate complex. A simple off‐column capillary electrophoresis assay for human acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase 2 was developed based on the separation of magnesium‐adenosine triphosphate complex, magnesium‐adenosine diphosphate complex, acetyl coenzyme A and malonyl coenzyme A with detection by ultraviolet absorption at 256 nm. When Mg2+ was absent from the separation buffer, the zones due to magnesium‐adenosine triphosphate complex and magnesium‐adenosine diphosphate complex both split and migrated as two separate peaks. With Mg2+ added to the separation buffer, magnesium‐adenosine triphosphate complex and magnesium‐adenosine diphosphate complex produced single peaks, and the reproducibility of peak shape and area improved for human acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase 2 assay components. The final separation buffer used was 30.0 mM HEPES, 3.0 mM MgCl2, 2.5 mM KHCO3, and 2.5 mM potassium citrate at pH 7.50. The same buffer was used for the enzyme‐catalyzed reaction (off‐column). Inhibition of human acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase 2 by CP‐640186, a known inhibitor, was detected using the capillary electrophoresis assay.
The lift force on a charged sphere that translates and rotates in an electrolyte
Authors: Khair Aditya S. , Balu Bhavya
Published: March 2019

The distortion of the charge cloud around a uniformly charged, dielectric, rigid sphere that translates and rotates in an unbounded binary, symmetric electrolyte at zero Reynolds number is examined. The zeta potential of the particle ζ is assumed small relative to the thermal voltage scale. It is assumed that the equilibrium structure of the cloud is slightly distorted, which requires that the Péclet numbers characterizing distortion due to particle translation, , and rotation, , are small compared to unity. Here, a is radius of the particle; D is the ionic diffusion coefficient; and , where U and Ω are the rectilinear and angular velocities of the particle, respectively. Perturbation expansions for small and are employed to calculate the nonequilibrium structure of the cloud, whence the force and torque on the particle are determined. In particular, we predict that the sphere experiences a force orthogonal to its directions of translation and rotation. This “lift” force arises from the nonlinear distortion of the cloud under the combined actions of particle translation and rotation. The lift force is given by . Here, ε is the permittivity of the electrolyte; is the Debye length; and is a negative function that decreases in magnitude with increasing . The lift force implies that an unconstrained particle would follow a curved path; an electrokinetic analog of the inertial Magnus effect. Finally, the implication of the lift force on cross‐streamline migration of an electrophoretic particle in shear flow is discussed.
Lithosphere–asthenosphere interaction and carbonatite metasomatism in the genesis of Mesoproterozoic shoshonitic lamprophyres at Korakkodu, Wajrakarur kimberlite field, Eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India
Authors: Raghuvanshi Sneha , Pandey Ashutosh , Pankaj Praveer , Rao N.V. Chalapathi , Chakrabarti Ramananda , Pandit Dinesh , Pandey Rohit
Published: March 2019

The spatial and temporal association between lamprophyres and kimberlites provides unique opportunities to explore their genetic relationships. This paper explores such a relationship by detailing mineralogical and geochemical aspects of Korakkodu lamprophyre dykes located within the well‐known Mesoproterozoic diamondiferous Wajrakarur Kimberlite field (WKF), towards the south‐western margin of Paleo–Mesoproterozoic Cuddapah Basin, Eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India. Mineralogy reveals that these dykes belong to calc‐alkaline variety of lamprophyres, but their geochemistry display mixed signals of both alkaline and calc‐alkaline lamprophyres. These lamprophyres are highly potassic, and their high Al2O3 and low‐TiO2 content implies a shoshonitic character. Low Mg#, Ni, and Cr concentration highlight their evolved nature. High (La/Yb)N and (Gd/Yb)N content is consistent with their derivation from low degrees of partial melting, whereas highly fractionated nature suggests the presence of garnet in their source. Absence of prominent Nb‐Ta anomaly implies to the dilution of lithospheric mantle source by melts rich in HFSEs and low La/Nb ratio compared to those of the calc‐alkaline island arc volcanics and suggests an asthenospheric overprint on lithospheric mantle source. Carbonatite metasomatism in the source region of these lamprophyres is apparent from conspicuously high‐Zr/Hf ratio, and the HFSE budget of these lamprophyres are principally controlled by the presence of phlogopite veins in their lithospheric source. An extremely heterogeneous and layered lithospheric mantle beneath Eastern Dharwar Craton has been inferred from the divergent genetic history of Mesoproterozoic lamprophyres and kimberlites in the Wajrakarur field.