bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the success of an invader: Niche shift versus niche conservatism
Authors: Sherpa Stéphanie , Guéguen Maya , Renaud Julien , Blum Michael G. B. , Gaude Thierry , Laporte Frédéric , Akiner Mustafa , Alten Bulent , Aranda Carles , Barre‐Cardi Hélène , Bellini Romeo , Bengoa Paulis Mikel , Chen Xiao‐Guang , Eritja Roger , Flacio Eleonora , Foxi Cipriano , Ishak Intan H. , Kalan Katja , Kasai Shinji , Montarsi Fabrizio , Pajović Igor , Petrić Dušan , Termine Rosa , Turić Nataša , Vazquez‐Prokopec Gonzalo M. , Velo Enkelejda , Vignjević Goran , Zhou Xiaohong , Després Laurence
Published: October 2019

Invasive species can encounter environments different from their source populations, which may trigger rapid adaptive changes after introduction (niche shift hypothesis). To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether postintroduction evolution is correlated with contrasting environmental conditions between the European invasive and source ranges in the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. The comparison of environmental niches occupied in European and source population ranges revealed more than 96% overlap between invasive and source niches, supporting niche conservatism. However, we found evidence for postintroduction genetic evolution by reanalyzing a published ddRADseq genomic dataset from 90 European invasive populations using genotype–environment association (GEA) methods and generalized dissimilarity modeling (GDM). Three loci, among which a putative heat‐shock protein, exhibited significant allelic turnover along the gradient of winter precipitation that could be associated with ongoing range expansion. Wing morphometric traits weakly correlated with environmental gradients within Europe, but wing size differed between invasive and source populations located in different climatic areas. Niche similarities between source and invasive ranges might have facilitated the establishment of populations. Nonetheless, we found evidence for environmental‐induced adaptive changes after introduction. The ability to rapidly evolve observed in invasive populations (genetic shift) together with a large proportion of unfilled potential suitable areas (80%) pave the way to further spread of Ae. albopictus in Europe.
Computational Studies of Photocatalysis with Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Wu Xin‐Ping , Choudhuri Indrani , Truhlar Donald G.
Published: October 2019

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as photocatalysts and photocatalyst supports combine several advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyses, including stability, post‐reaction separation, catalyst reusability, and tunability, and they have been intensively studied for photocatalytic applications. There are several reviews that focus mainly or even entirely on experimental work. The present review is intended to complement those reviews by focusing on computational work that can provide a further understanding of the photocatalytic properties of MOF photocatalysts. We first present a summary of computational methods, including density functional theory, combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical methods, and force fields for MOFs. Then, computational investigations on MOF‐based photocatalysis are briefly discussed. The discussions focus on the electronic structure, photoexcitation, charge mobility, and photoredox catalysis of MOFs, especially the widely studied UiO‐66‐based MOFs.
Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection of Pb(II) by NH2−SiO2/Ru(bpy)32+−UiO66 based Solid‐state ECL Sensor
Authors: Shan Xiaomeng , Pan Tao , Pan Yuting , Wang Wenchang , Chen Xiaohui , Shan Xueling , Chen Zhidong
Published: October 2019

In this study, a novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor for highly sensitive and selective detection of Pb(II) was developed based on Ru(bpy)32+ encapsulated UiO66 metal‐organic‐framework (Ru(bpy)32+−UiO66 MOF) and −NH2 group functionalized silica (NH2−SiO2). The NH2−SiO2 with large surface area provided an excellent platform for the ECL sensor. As numerous exposed carboxyl groups were present on UiO66 backbone, the Ru(bpy)32+−UiO66 could be steadily immobilized to NH2−SiO2 by forming amide bonds. Meanwhile, the introduced UiO66 MOF which used for the encapsulation of Ru(bpy)32+, significantly enhanced the ECL efficiency of the proposed sensor, as it possessed a large specific surface area and porosity for the loading of Ru(bpy)32+. Moreover, a high quenching effect on ECL intensity was obtained in the presence of Pb(II) in the electrolyte. Under the optimal conditions, the quenched ECL intensity showed a good linear relationship within Pb(II) concentration in the range from 1.0×10−6 to 1.0×102 μM, with a detection limit of 1.0×10−7 μM (S/N=3). The proposed sensor for Pb(II) detection was simple in operation, rapid in testing, stable in signal, and showed a good anti‐interference ability to some other metal ions. Besides, its application for detecting Pb(II) in a real sample was also investigated here. This work provides a potential platform for metal ions detection in environmental monitoring field.
Lipophilicity profiling of anthracycline antibiotics by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography–effects on cardiotoxicity and endotheliotoxicity
Authors: Matyjaszczyk‐Gwarda Karolina , Wójcik Tomasz , Łukawska Małgorzata , Chlopicki Stefan , Walczak Maria
Published: October 2019

Accurate profiling of the lipophilicity of amphoteric compounds might be complex and laborious. In the present work the lipophilicity of 12 anthracycline antibiotics–four parent drugs: doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epidoxorubicin, and epidaunorubicin and eight novel formamidyne derivatives with attached morpholine, hexamethylenoimine or piperidine rings–was determined based on novel approach using MEEKC. In the second stage, lipophilicity was correlated with anthracycline toxicity towards two cell lines. In rat cardiomyoblast cell line (h9c2) a significant correlation between the logP and toxicity was found. The anthracycline lipophilicity was not correlated with toxicity towards the endothelial hybrid cell line (EAhy.926). In conclusion, the lipophilicity of anthracyclines seems to determine their toxicity towards cardiomyoblasts but not on endothelial cells, suggesting a different mechanism of anthracyclines intercellular transport or extrusion in cardiomyoblast and endothelial cells.
Four solutions to U.S. higher education threats
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: October 2019

In an interview with the Brookings Institute, Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, stated the following about higher education in the United States: “I have seen too often our educational systems failing learners by clinging to outmoded philosophies and structures, forsaking capable learners to sustain exclusive reputations, and shunning educational technology as a subpar learning fad.”
Engage international grad students, alumni to support recruitment goals
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: October 2019

TORONTO — International students can be a vital part of your graduate enrollment management plan. To convince them your institution is right for them, enlist your current international students and alumni in your recruitment efforts. Katie Beczak, Assistant Director of International Outreach and Admissions at the Rochester Institute of Technology, explained how she uses international graduate students at all stages of the student life cycle in recruitment efforts at a session at the NAGAP, The Association of Graduate Enrollment Management annual conference.
Conceptual design of a new thermal‐electric conversion device in lightweight concentrating solar thermal power system
Authors: Rui Xi , Zheng Fei , Zheng Tao , Ji Xiang , Wu Tian
Published: October 2019

Concentrating solar thermal power (CSTP) technology has become a hot issue in the present research because of its high conversion efficiency. However, traditional schemes cannot be widely applied due to their complex structure, low power density, and high cost. In view of this, based on a new type of lightweight cable mesh reflector structure and the Rankine cycle, a new conceptual design of thermal‐electric conversion device in CSTP system is proposed. The process of thermal‐electric conversion is actualized through smart and lightweight structural design; the performance estimation of the device is carried out through focusing performance analysis and thermodynamic analysis; the cycling feasibility is verified through multifield coupling simulation analysis. Compared with the existing thermal‐electric conversion devices, the device proposed in this paper has higher power‐to‐weight ratio. And the power generation system that combines the proposed device with the flexible cable net reflector has the characteristics of lightweight, portability, and small land area, which has a great significance for the popularization and application of distributed layout CSTP system.
Self‐ and informant‐reported cognitive functioning and awareness in subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and very mild Alzheimer disease
Authors: Ryu Seon Young , Kim Ahro , Kim SangYun , Park Kyung Won , Park Kee Hyung , Youn Young Chul , Lee Dong Woo , Lee Jun‐Young , Lee Jun Hong , Jeong Jee Hyang , Choi Seong Hye , Han Hyun Jeong , Kim Semi , Na Seunghee , Park Misun , Yim Hyeon Woo , Yang Dong Won
Published: October 2019

Objectives

The present study examined self‐reports and informant reports of cognitive function and discrepancies between the two reporting methods in healthy controls (HC), subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and very mild Alzheimer disease (AD) using three questionnaires.

Methods

The study included a total of 300 individuals (mean age: 74.4 ± 5.7 y), including 130 HC, 70 SCD, 51 MCI, and 49 very mild AD patients. Self‐ratings and informant ratings of cognitive function were assessed using the Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaire‐Cognition (KDSQ‐C), AD8, and Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (SMCQ). Awareness of cognitive functioning was measured on the basis of the discrepancy scores between self‐reports and informant reports.

Results

Group comparisons on questionnaire scores adjusting for age, education, and depressive symptoms showed that self‐reports were lowest in HC than other groups, with no differences between SCD and MCI groups. Informant reports were lower in SCD than in MCI, while discrepancy scores were higher in SCD than in MCI (P < .001 for KDSQ‐C and SMCQ; P = .076 for AD8). There were no differences in self‐reports, informant reports, and discrepancy scores between MCI and AD groups.

Conclusions

These results support the usefulness of informant‐reported cognitive functioning to classify MCI among elderly with subjective cognitive complaints. In addition, discrepancies between self‐reports and informant reports demonstrate that overestimation and underestimation of cognitive function may serve as a clinical indicator of SCD and MCI across the cognitive continuum, respectively.
Interpreting nested storm event suspended sediment‐discharge hysteresis relationships at large catchment scales
Authors: Vale Simon S. , Dymond John R.
Published: October 2019

Reducing soil erosion and sediment delivery into rivers is a major aim for land management in New Zealand. Therefore, it is important to identify areas of sediment generation and their relationship to in‐stream suspended sediment concentrations and water quality attributes. It is possible to infer and assess sediment sources and dynamics using storm event suspended sediment concentration‐discharge hysteresis shape and loop direction. Research in small catchments has achieved some success; however, research in larger (>103 km2) catchments has shown the inherent difficulty of interpreting hysteresis patterns at larger scales. In this paper, we use a nested, long‐term suspended sediment monitoring program across a large catchment (3,903 km2: Manawatū in New Zealand) to address these challenges. We evaluate the hysteresis patterns of five major tributaries (subcatchment areas 329–1,298 km2) of the Manawatū River together with the hysteresis patterns at the gauged catchment outlet. Hysteresis patterns of the Manawatū subcatchments can be characterized as predominantly clockwise, that is, high hysteresis index (HI) value. Larger storms (discharge >2 × 107 m3) increase the likelihood of clockwise hysteresis directions, whereas smaller storms (discharge <2 × 107 m3) are more likely to be anticlockwise. The link between suspended sediment concentration‐discharge hysteresis and subcatchment sediment sources becomes increasingly attenuated within the larger subcatchments. High antecedent discharge negatively correlates to HI values, suggesting conditions immediately before the storm have an influence on whether the catchment is “primed” or “exhausted” with available sediment. The different storm categories indicate that within this catchment, whereas hysteresis patterns vary due to the spatial origin of discharge and sediment to some extent, storm magnitude has a stronger impact on hysteresis dynamics than spatial origin.
Prenatal diagnosis of parasitic conjoined twins using three‐dimensional ultrasound: A case report
Authors: Pang Houqing , Zang Jing , Qiu Li
Published: October 2019

A three‐dimensional ultrasound (3D) clearly identified parasitic twins in utero and contributed towards a diagnosis.
Getting Better at Getting Better: Lessons From the National Writing Project
Authors: Eidman‐Aadahl Elyse
Published: October 2019

This department focuses on literacy leaders, including school and instructional leaders, teachers, and external partners, who are working to improve outcomes for adolescent and adult learners in a wide range of education settings. Columns investigate the challenges and complexities inherent in such work and share lessons learned, impactful strategies and approaches, and promising pathways forward.
Skeletal muscle mTORC1 regulates neuromuscular junction stability
Authors: Baraldo Martina , Geremia Alessia , Pirazzini Marco , Nogara Leonardo , Solagna Francesca , Türk Clara , Nolte Hendrik , Romanello Vanina , Megighian Aram , Boncompagni Simona , Kruger Marcus , Sandri Marco , Blaauw Bert
Published: October 2019

Background

Skeletal muscle is a plastic tissue that can adapt to different stimuli. It is well established that Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling is a key modulator in mediating increases in skeletal muscle mass and function. However, the role of mTORC1 signalling in adult skeletal muscle homeostasis is still not well defined.

Methods

Inducible, muscle‐specific Raptor and mTOR k.o. mice were generated. Muscles at 1 and 7 months after deletion were analysed to assess muscle histology and muscle force.

Results

We found no change in muscle size or contractile properties 1 month after deletion. Prolonging deletion of Raptor to 7 months, however, leads to a very marked phenotype characterized by weakness, muscle regeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagy impairment. Unexpectedly, reduced mTOR signalling in muscle fibres is accompanied by the appearance of markers of fibre denervation, like the increased expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). Both muscle‐specific deletion of mTOR or Raptor, or the use of rapamycin, was sufficient to induce 3–8% of NCAM‐positive fibres (P < 0.01), muscle fibrillation, and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) fragmentation in 24% of examined fibres (P < 0.001). Mechanistically, reactivation of autophagy with the small peptide Tat‐beclin1 is sufficient to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and the appearance of NCAM‐positive fibres in Raptor k.o. muscles.

Conclusions

Our study shows that mTOR signalling in skeletal muscle fibres is critical for maintaining proper fibre innervation, preserving the NMJ structure in both the muscle fibre and the motor neuron. In addition, considering the beneficial effects of exercise in most pathologies affecting the NMJ, our findings suggest that part of these beneficial effects of exercise are through the well‐established activation of mTORC1 in skeletal muscle during and after exercise.
A simple MALDI target plate with channel design to improve detection sensitivity and reproducibility for quantitative analysis of biomolecules
Authors: Liu Zhen , Zhang Peng , Kästner Lars , Volmer Dietrich A.
Published: October 2019

Overcoming the detrimental effects of sweet spots during crystallization is an important step to improve the quantitative abilities of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. In this study, we introduce MALDI targets, which exhibit a channel design to reduce sweet spot phenomena and improve reproducibility. The size of the channels was 3.0 mm in length, 0.35 mm in depth, and 0.40 mm in width, adjusted to the width of the implemented laser beam. For sample deposition, the matrix/sample mixture was homogenously deposited into the channels using capillary action. To demonstrate the proof‐of‐principle, the novel plates were used for the quantification of acetyl‐L‐carnitine in human blood plasma using a combined standard addition and isotope dilution method. The results showed that the reproducibility of acetyl‐L‐carnitine detection was highly improved over a conventional MALDI‐MS assay, with RSD values of less than 5.9% in comparison with 15.6% using the regular MALDI method. The limits of quantification using the new plates were lowered approximately two‐fold in comparison with a standard rastering approach on a smooth stainless‐steel plate. Matrix effects were also assessed and shown to be negligible. The new assay was subsequently applied to the quantification of acetyl‐L‐carnitine in human plasma samples.
Anomalous winter moisture transport associated with the recent surface warming over the Barents–Kara seas region since the mid‐2000s
Authors: Wang Sai , Chen Wen , Chen Shangfeng , Nath Debashis , Wang Lin
Published: October 2019

Observational evidences have shown that the increased water vapour and accompanying enhancement of downward infrared radiation (IR) can explain the abrupt warming of surface air temperature (SAT) over the Barents–Kara Seas during boreal winter. This study investigates anomalous moisture transport associated with the abrupt change of SAT since the mid‐2000s over the Barents–Kara Seas, since moisture transport contributes to the anomalous water vapour and downward IR. Results show that anomalous stationary moisture flux induces anomalous moisture convergence over the Barents–Kara Seas region, whereas the anomalous transient flux opposes the anomalous moisture convergence there. Hence, the anomalous stationary moisture transport is suggested to be responsible to the increased water vapour over the Barents–Kara Seas region. Further decomposition of the stationary moisture flux indicates that the anomalous moisture convergence associated with the change in atmospheric mean flow plays an important role in the increased water vapour on both interannual and decadal time scales. In addition, decrease in the synoptic‐scale eddy activity observed over northern Siberia may contribute to generation of the anomalous atmospheric mean flow via eddy feedback processes.
Nitrate, ammonium, and phosphorus drive seasonal nutrient limitation of chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, and diatoms in a hyper‐eutrophic reservoir
Authors: Andersen Isabelle M. , Williamson Tanner J. , González Maria J. , Vanni Michael J.
Published: October 2019

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs influence algal community structure and function. The rates and ratios of N and P supply, and different N forms (e.g., NO3 and NH4), from external loading and internal cycling can be highly seasonal. However, the interaction between seasonality in nutrient supply and algal nutrient limitation remains poorly understood. We examined seasonal variation in nutrient limitation and response to N form in a hyper‐eutrophic reservoir that experiences elevated, but seasonal, nutrient inputs and ratios. External N and P loading is high in spring and declines in summer, when internal loading because more important, reducing loading N:P ratios. Watershed NO3 dominates spring N supply, but internal NH4 supply becomes important during summer. We quantified how phytoplankton groups (diatoms, chlorophytes, and cyanobacteria) are limited by N or P, and their N form preference (NH4 vs. NO3), with weekly experiments (May–October). Phytoplankton were P‐limited in spring, transitioned to N limitation or colimitation (primary N) in summer, and returned to P limitation following fall turnover. Under N limitation (or colimitation), chlorophytes and cyanobacteria were more strongly stimulated by NH4 whereas diatoms were often equally, or more strongly, stimulated by NO3 addition. Cyanobacteria heterocyte development followed the onset of N‐limiting conditions, with a several week lag time, but heterocyte production did not fully alleviate N‐limitation. We show that phytoplankton groups vary seasonally in limiting nutrient and N form preference, suggesting that dual nutrient management strategies incorporating both N and P, and N form are needed to manage eutrophication.
Recent advances in the development of nanoparticles for multimodality imaging and therapy of cancer
Authors: Liu Mei , Anderson Redmond‐Craig , Lan Xiaoli , Conti Peter S. , Chen Kai
Published: October 2019

This review explores recent work directed toward the development of nanoparticles (NPs) for multimodality cancer imaging and targeted cancer therapy. In the growing era of precision medicine, theranostics, or the combined use of targeted molecular probes in diagnosing and treating diseases is playing a particularly powerful role. There is a growing interest, particularly over the past few decades, in the use of NPs as theranostic tools due to their excellent performance in receptor target specificity and reduction in off‐target effects when used as therapeutic agents. This review discusses recent advances, as well as the advantages and challenges of the application of NPs in cancer imaging and therapy.
Quantification of Polymer Fouling on Heat Transfer Surfaces During Synthesis
Authors: Hohlen Annika , Augustin Wolfgang , Scholl Stephan
Published: October 2019

During the synthesis and processing of polymers, a significant amount of polymer may be deposited on the heat transfer surfaces. This deposit is unwanted and is usually named fouling. This study deals with the fouling behavior of a vinyl acetate/vinyl ester copolymer during emulsion polymerization and compares this to fouling of an already reacted vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer dispersion. Besides the state of polymerization, also the influence of the wall temperature is investigated. The experiments are performed on cooled and heated surfaces. The deposition process is quantified by the mass‐based fouling resistance, the height of the fouling layer, and the surface coverage using a digital microscope. It is found that the state of polymerization and the temperature gradient between wall and bulk exert a strong influence on the fouling behavior, especially on the structure of the fouling layer.
Validation and noise robustness assessment of microscopic anisotropy estimation with clinically feasible double diffusion encoding MRI
Authors: Kerkelä Leevi , Henriques Rafael Neto , Hall Matt G. , Clark Chris A. , Shemesh Noam
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Double diffusion encoding (DDE) MRI enables the estimation of microscopic diffusion anisotropy, yielding valuable information on tissue microstructure. A recent study proposed that the acquisition of rotationally invariant DDE metrics, typically obtained using a spherical “5‐design,” could be greatly simplified by assuming Gaussian diffusion, facilitating reduced acquisition times that are more compatible with clinical settings. Here, we aim to validate the new minimal acquisition scheme against the standard DDE 5‐design, and to quantify the proposed method's noise robustness to facilitate future clinical use.

Theory and Methods

DDE MRI experiments were performed on both ex vivo and in vivo rat brains at 9.4 T using the 5‐design and the proposed minimal design and taking into account the difference in the number of acquisitions. The ensuing microscopic fractional anisotropy (μFA) maps were compared over a range of b‐values up to 5000 s/mm2. Noise robustness was studied using analytical calculations and numerical simulations.

Results

The minimal protocol quantified μFA at an accuracy comparable to the estimates obtained by means of the more theoretically robust DDE 5‐design. μFA's sensitivity to noise was found to strongly depend on compartment anisotropy and tensor magnitude in a nonlinear manner. When μFA < 0.75 or when mean diffusivity is particularly low, very high signal‐to‐noise ratio is required for precise quantification of µFA.

Conclusion

Our work supports using DDE for quantifying microscopic diffusion anisotropy in clinical settings but raises hitherto overlooked precision issues when measuring μFA with DDE and typical clinical signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Membrane property changes in most distal motor axons in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Amino Hiroshi , Shibuya Kazumoto , Misawa Sonoko , Sekiguchi Yukari , Beppu Minako , Suichi Tomoki , Suzuki Yo‐ichi , Tsuneyama Atsuko , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Distal nerve terminals, where the blood‐nerve barrier is anatomically deficient, are preferentially affected in immune‐mediated neuropathies. Excitability alterations near the motor nerve terminals may be more prominent than the nerve trunk in typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Methods

In 20 patients with typical CIDP, motor nerve excitability testing was performed at the motor point and wrist of the ulnar nerve, and results were compared with those in 20 healthy persons.

Results

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy patients showed greater threshold changes in hyperpolarizing threshold electrotonus at the motor point (P < .05) but not at the wrist. Strength‐duration time constant did not show significant differences between CIDP and controls at both sites.

Discussion

Axonal property changes in CIDP are more prominent in distal portions of axons compared with the nerve trunk, presumably due to salient demyelination near the distal nerve terminals. Motor point excitability measurements could elucidate underlying pathophysiology in immune‐mediated neuropathies.
Response to treatment in pediatric ocular myasthenia gravis
Authors: Xu Lori , Castro Diana , Reisch Joan S. , Iannaccone Susan T.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG), a pediatric autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder, includes generalized (GMG), and ocular (OMG) variants. We sought to determine whether differences existed between OMG and GMG children regarding demographics or treatment response.

Methods

We performed retrospective analysis of 60 children with JMG seen between 1990 and 2018. Osserman scores were used to define OMG and GMG. The myasthenia scale of Millichap and Dodge was used to assess treatment responses.

Results

There were no differences between GMG and OMG regarding time interval from disease onset to prednisone initiation (P = .42), or treatment response according to Millichap and Dodge (P = .12). Compared with GMG, OMG children showed younger age of disease onset and better outcomes after treatment. No OMG patients progressed to generalized disease during the follow‐up period.

Discussion

Compared with GMG, OMG patients had earlier disease onset and improved outcomes after treatment.
p38‐regulated FOXC1 stability is required for colorectal cancer metastasis
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liao Yan , Chen Chaoyi , Sun Wenjie , Sun Xiaohui , Liu Yuan , Xu Enping , Lai Maode , Zhang Honghe
Published: October 2019

Aberrant expression of forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) promotes tumor metastasis in multiple human malignant tumors. However, the upstream modulating mode and downstream molecular mechanism of FOXC1 in metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear. Herein we describe a systematic analysis of FOXC1 expression and prognosis in CRC performed on our clinical data and public databases, which indicated that FOXC1 upregulation in CRC samples was significantly associated with poor prognosis. FOXC1 knockdown inhibited migration and invasion, whereas FOXC1 overexpression caused the opposite phenotype in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, MMP10, SOX4 and SOX13 were verified as the target genes of FOXC1 for promoting CRC metastasis. MMP10 was demonstrated as the direct target and mediator of FOXC1. Interestingly, Ser241 and Ser272 of FOXC1 were identified as the key sites to interact with p38 and phosphorylation, which were critically required for maintaining the stability of FOXC1 protein. Moreover, FOXC1 was dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A and phosphorylated by p38, which maintained FOXC1 protein stability through inhibiting ubiquitination. Expression of p38 was correlated with FOXC1 and MMP10 expression, indirectly indicating that FOXC1 was regulated by p38 MAPK. Therefore, FOXC1 is strongly suggested as a pro‐metastatic gene in CRC by transcriptionally activating MMP10, SOX4 and SOX13; p38 interacts with and phosphorylates the Ser241 and ser272 sites of FOXC1 to maintain its stability by inhibiting ubiquitination and degradation. In conclusion, the protein stability of FOXC1 mediated by p38 contributes to the metastatic effect in CRC. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of the Photocrosslinking of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Terpolymer Under UV Irradiation
Authors: Jégo Lucas , Milési Daniel , Robin Jean‐Jacques , Joly‐Duhamel Christine
Published: October 2019

The photocrosslinking of thick samples of 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene–ethylene propylene diene monomer (ENB‐EPDM) under air at room temperature was investigated. First, a model study was carried out on low‐molecular weight oligomers: squalene, 1,2‐polybutadiene, and 1,4‐polybutadiene. Several crosslinking agents (meth(acrylics), bismaleimide, and thiol) combined with various photoinitiators were tested to improve the reactivity of these oligomers under UV irradiation. Gel contents, crosslinking densities, viscosities, and viscoelastic properties were measured in order to characterize the extent of crosslinking. Acrylate‐based crosslinking agents appeared to be the most reactive species and these results were then applied to a low‐molecular weight EPDM. Several photoinitiators were tested and benzophenone turned out to be the most efficient photoinitiator when combined with trimethylolpropane triacrylate. Finally, a commercial EPDM was subsequently photocrosslinked and high gel content and crosslinking density were obtained after only 2 min of irradiation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:95–103, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cost‐utility of individual internet‐based and face‐to‐face Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy compared with treatment as usual in reducing psychological distress in cancer patients
Authors: Compen Félix , Adang Eddy , Bisseling Else , van der Lee Marije , Speckens Anne
Published: October 2019

Objective

It was previously determined that group‐based face‐to‐face Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and individual internet‐based MBCT (eMBCT) are equally efficacious compared with treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing psychological distress. In this study, the incremental cost‐utility of both interventions compared with TAU was assessed.

Methods

This cost‐utility study included 245 self‐referred heterogeneous cancer patients with psychological distress who were randomized to MBCT, eMBCT or TAU. Healthcare costs and (informal) work‐related productivity losses were assessed by interview. Outcomes were expressed in EuroQol‐5D‐3L utility scores and quality‐adjusted life years (QALY). An economic evaluation with a time‐horizon of 3 months was conducted from the societal perspective in the intention‐to‐treat sample. In addition, secondary explorative analyses of costs and quality of life during the 9‐month follow‐up were conducted based on linear extrapolation of TAU.

Results

Paid work‐related productivity losses and societal costs were lower in both intervention conditions compared with TAU during the 3‐month intervention period. Moreover, quality of life (utility scores) improved in eMBCT versus TAU (Cohen's d: .54) and MBCT versus TAU (.53). At a willingness to pay of €20000 per QALY, the mean incremental net monetary benefit was €1916 (SD=€783) in eMBCT and €2365 (SD=€796) in MBCT versus TAU. Exploration of costs demonstrated an equal pattern of eMBCT and MBCT being superior to TAU. Quality of life at 9‐month follow‐up remained improved in both interventions.

Conclusions

Results indicate that eMBCT and MBCT are cost‐saving treatments whilst simultaneously improving quality of life for distressed cancer patients.
A Facile and Efficient Route for the Synthesis of Thiopyranoquinolines‐Fused Indole Moiety Using 2‐Chloroquinoline‐3‐carbaldehydes
Authors: Moghaddam Firouz Matloubi , Moafi Atiyeh , Ziadkhani Ainaz , Daneshfar Maryam , Razaghdoost Narges
Published: October 2019

The reaction of 2‐chloroquinoline‐3‐carbaldehydes with indoline‐2‐thione in ethanol provides a series of novel indolo[3′,2′:5,6]thiopyrano[2,3‐b]quinoline derivatives. The desired products were obtained in short reaction time and high yields (69‐93%) under mild reaction conditions.
A Self‐Assembled 2D Thermofunctional Material for Radiative Cooling
Authors: Jaramillo‐Fernandez Juliana , Whitworth Guy L. , Pariente Jose Angel , Blanco Alvaro , Garcia Pedro D. , Lopez Cefe , Sotomayor‐Torres Clivia M.
Published: October 2019

The regulation of temperature is a major energy‐consuming process of humankind. Today, around 15% of the global‐energy consumption is dedicated to refrigeration and this figure is predicted to triple by 2050, thus linking global warming and cooling needs in a worrying negative feedback‐loop. Here, an inexpensive solution is proposed to this challenge based on a single layer of silica microspheres self‐assembled on a soda‐lime glass. This 2D crystal acts as a visibly translucent thermal‐blackbody for above‐ambient radiative cooling and can be used to improve the thermal performance of devices that undergo critical heating during operation. The temperature of a silicon wafer is found to be 14 K lower during daytime when covered with the thermal emitter, reaching an average temperature difference of 19 K when the structure is backed with a silver layer. In comparison, the soda‐lime glass reference used in the measurements lowers the temperature of the silicon by just 5 K. The cooling power of this simple radiative cooler under direct sunlight is found to be 350 W m−2 when applied to hot surfaces with relative temperatures of 50 K above the ambient. This is crucial to radiatively cool down devices, i.e., solar cells, where an increase in temperature has drastic effects on performance.
Does FERPA preempt states’ right‐to‐know laws?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: October 2019

Consider this scenario: You are the registrar at a public college or university and in your hands is a request for information pursuant to your state's right‐to‐know law submitted by a certain Jane Doe. She requests that the institution provide her with records showing the names of students who have been found responsible in disciplinary proceedings in the past four years, the dates of the events that led to the proceedings, and whether those students are still enrolled at your institution. Jane Doe does not explain her reasons for the request or what she plans to do with the information. She does not disclose an affiliation to any specific organization.
Switch to zero‐based scheduling for efficient, cancel‐proof courses
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2019

LOS ANGELES — Ensuring that your departments are offering the courses your students need, that those courses are adequately filled, and that your campus has the right space to accommodate those courses is one of the major challenges each registrar's office faces every academic term. For Los Angeles City College, the solution was moving to a zero‐based scheduling system. Outside of higher education, zero‐based scheduling is known as a system to ensure efficiency where all time is accounted for, even if it's time when one should be sleeping. Within the higher education world, it's “a way to provide a schedule with all in‐class course hours planned out based on efficiency metrics [to ensure no courses are canceled],” said Anna Badalyan, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at LACC, at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers annual conference.
Neobalantidium coli: First molecular identification from the Eurasian wild boar, Sus Scrofa in Bushehr Province, Southwestern Iran
Authors: Noorpisheh Ghadimi Shamsi , Abedini Mohammad R. , Sarkari Bahador , Savardashtaki Amir , Mikaeili Fattaneh
Published: October 2019

Balantidium coli is a common parasite of pig and wild boars (Sus scrofa) which can infect humans and several species of mammals. This study aimed to determine the genotype of Balantidium isolated from Eurasian wild boars in Bushehr province, Southwestern Iran. Twenty‐five faecal samples, originating from 25 wild boars captivated in our previous study, were processed. DNA was extracted from the faecal samples and PCR‐amplified, targeting an ITS1–5.8s‐rRNA–ITS2 region of Balantidium genome. PCR product was purified from the gel, and sequenced. BLAST analysis was performed in order to compare our isolates with other previously reported ones. A phylogenetic tree was constructed, using MegaX software, to find out the phylogenetic diversity of the isolates. With PCR it was possible to detect Balantidium DNA in the faecal samples of 13 out of 25 (52%) of the wild boars. BLAST analysis of seven isolates revealed that the isolates belong to the newly introduced genus Neobalantidium coli. Sequences of three isolates were deposited in the GenBank. Moreover, molecular analysis revealed six areas of nucleotide differences within the isolates and nine areas of difference between the sequences obtained in this study and those available in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences of isolates of this study have up to 2.2% dissimilarity from those published in the GenBank. The findings of this study, for the first time, revealed that some of the isolates of Balantidium originating from wild boars in Southwestern Iran belonged to the N. coli.
Little dams, big problems: The legal and policy issues of nonjurisdictional dams
Authors: Brewitt Peter K. , Colwyn Chelsea L. M.
Published: October 2019

Most of the United States' 2.5 million dams are not under the jurisdiction of any public agency. These small (under 6 ft [1.83 m] tall) nonjurisdictional dams, unregulated and not inventoried anywhere, endanger public safety and degrade riparian ecosystems. Their problems are increasing as structures age and storm events become more violent. Property owners can be held liable for problems at dams. Through several policy changes and legal actions, states can vastly improve the situation. States should consider expanded jurisdiction over small dams, a program of inventorying and mapping all dams in state waterways, owner education and outreach, and shared resources to allow for improved public safety and river restoration through best dam management or dam removal practices.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water Governance

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems
Aging of zero‐valent iron‐based nanoparticles in aqueous environment and the consequent effects on their reactivity and toxicity
Authors: Dong Haoran , Li Long , Wang Yaoyao , Ning Qin , Wang Bin , Zeng Guangming
Published: October 2019

A fundamental understanding of the long‐term fate of nanoscale zero‐valent iron (nZVI)‐based particles in aqueous environment and the corresponding impacts on their reactivity and toxicity is essential for the responsible use and management of the nanoparticles in environmental applications. This paper comprehensively reviews the physicochemical transformations of nZVI‐based particles and the consequent effects on the particle's reactivity and toxicity. The corrosions of nZVI in water under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions are summarized. The transformation of contaminant‐bearing nZVI is also discussed. Besides, the factors influencing the transformation of nZVI (i.e., pH, typical anions and cations, natural organic matter, surface stabilizers, bimetal decoration, and sulfidation treatment) are summarized and discussed. In addition, the effects of particle aging on its reactivity and toxicity are discussed. Generally, the aging of nZVI‐based particles would have negative impact on the removal of contaminants, especially for the degradation of organic pollutants. However, the aging process of nZVI‐based particles would cause a significant reduction in their toxicity. It is suggested that the nZVI‐based particles would finally transform to less toxic or benign materials (i.e., iron (oxyhydr)oxides) over time. Finally, future perspectives are proposed to better quantify and predict the transformation of nZVI‐based particles in aqueous environment.

Practitioner points

The corrosion rates and products of nZVI in water varied much under anaerobic and aerobic conditions.

Typical anions and cations, natural organic matter, and iron types are critical factors influencing the physicochemical transformation of nZVI.

The aging of nZVI would have negative impact its reactivity, especially for the degradation of organic pollutants.

Although the fresh nZVI exhibits obvious toxicity, the aging process would cause a significant reduction in its toxicity.
Recent advancements in two‐dimensional nanomaterials for drug delivery
Authors: Mei Xuan , Hu Tingting , Wang Yingjie , Weng Xisheng , Liang Ruizheng , Wei Min
Published: October 2019

Different from conventional zero‐dimensional (0D) and one‐dimensional (1D) counterparts, two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials show unique properties resulting from their specific structure and morphology. In recent years, broad interest has been focused on the exploration of 2D nanomaterials for drug delivery, which benefits greatly to various disease treatments due to the superior properties of 2D nanomaterials. The fast development of 2D‐based drug delivery systems provides great potential for biomedical studies. In this review, a case‐by‐case analysis was carried out on the state‐of‐the‐art 2D nanomaterials‐based drug delivery systems, which possesses great significance to the further biomedical development of 2D nanomaterials. For the purpose of discussing the special advantages of these novel drug delivery systems, this review is organized according to the different types of the latest 2D nanomaterials and their loading capacity towards various cargos. Special emphasis will be located on the application of these 2D nanomaterials‐based drug delivery systems in chemotherapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Weyl R2 inflation with an emergent Planck scale
Authors: Ghilencea D.M.
Published: October 2019

Abstract

We study inflation in Weyl gravity. The original Weyl quadratic gravity, based on Weyl conformal geometry, is a theory invariant under the Weyl symmetry of gauged scale transformations. In this theory the Planck scale (M) emerges as the scale where this symmetry is broken spontaneously by a geometric Stueckelberg mechanism, to Einstein- Proca action for the Weyl “photon” (of mass near M ). With this action as a “low energy” broken phase of Weyl gravity, century-old criticisms of the latter (due to non-metricity) are avoided. In this context, inflation with field values above M is natural, since this is just a phase transition scale from Weyl gravity (geometry) to Einstein gravity (Riemannian geometry), where the massive Weyl photon decouples. We show that inflation in Weyl gravity coupled to a scalar field has results close to those in Starobinsky model (recovered for vanishing non-minimal coupling), with a mildly smaller tensor-to-scalar ratio (r). Weyl gravity predicts a specific, narrow range 0.00257 ≤ r ≤ 0.00303, for a spectral index ns within experimental bounds at 68%CL and e-folds number N = 60. This range of values will soon be reached by CMB experiments and provides a test of Weyl gravity. Unlike in the Starobinsky model, the prediction for (r, n

s
) is not affected by unknown higher dimensional curvature operators (suppressed by some large mass scale) since these are forbidden by the Weyl gauge symmetry.
The cosmological constant and the electroweak scale
Authors: Andriolo Stefano , Li Shing Yan , Tye S.-H. Henry
Published: October 2019

Abstract

String theory has no parameter except the string scale, so a dynamically compactified solution to 4 dimensional spacetime should determine both the Planck scale and the cosmological constant Λ. In the racetrack Kähler uplift flux compactification model in Type IIB theory, where the string theory landscape is generated by scanning over discrete values of all the flux parameters, a statistical preference for an exponentially small Λ is found to be natural [1]. Within this framework and matching the median Λ value to the observed Λ, a mass scale m ≃ 100 GeV naturally appears. We explain how the electroweak scale can be identified with this mass scale.
Stress analysis in a bone fracture fixed with topology-optimised plates
Authors: Al-Tamimi Abdulsalam Abdulaziz , Quental Carlos , Folgado Joao , Peach Chris , Bartolo Paulo
Published: October 2019

The design of commercially available fixation plates and the materials used for their fabrication lead to the plates being stiffer than bone. Consequently, commercial plates are prone to induce bone stress shielding. In this study, three-dimensional fixation plates are designed using topology optimisation aiming to reduce the risk of bone stress shielding. Fixation plate designs were optimised by minimising the strain energy for three levels of volume reduction (i.e. 25%, 45% and 75%). To evaluate stress shielding, changes in bone stress due to the different fixation plate designs were determined on the fracture plane of an idealised shaft of a long bone under a four-point bending load considering the effect of a patient walking with crutches of a transverse fractured tibia. Topology optimisation is a viable approach to design less stiff plates with adequate mechanical strength considering high volume reductions, which consequently increased the stress transferred to the bone fracture plane minimising bone stress shielding.