bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Roles of L1 and Lexical Aspect in the Acquisition of Tense-Aspect by Thai Learners of English
Authors: Chiravate Boonjeera
Published: July 2018

Investigating the L2 temporality, most previous studies within the Aspect Hypothesis framework focused on the basic meanings or prototypical uses of past morphology. The present study, however, including other less prototypical uses of past morphology, addresses 2 questions: (i) how the uses of simple past and past progressive morphology change as learners become more proficient in their target language; (ii) to what extent lexical aspectual class and L1 influence the uses of simple past and past progressive morphology. Using a cloze test as an elicitation task, this study analyzes data from 5 groups of Thai EFL learners at different proficiency levels. Results show that learners use past morphology more accurately as their L2 proficiency levels increase. The tense-aspect marking was, however, affected by lexical aspectual class. Learners first use simple past form on telic verbs, eventually extending its use to atelic verbs. The progressive form, on other hand, begins with atelic verbs and then extends to telic verbs. All learner groups, however, exhibit a higher rate of appropriate use of past morphology in the more prototypical uses than in the less prototypical uses. Additionally, L1 plays an important role in the tense-aspect marking. Learners at different proficiency levels, however, use different L1-influenced forms, suggesting that L1 influence is constrained by L2 development. Contributing to the body of research on L2 tense-aspect, this study shed light on the nature of difficulty learners experience in developing L2 tense-aspect system.
The Making and Remaking of China’s “Red Classics"
Authors: Roberts Rosemary
Published: July 2018

This book brings together research on China’s “red classics” across the entire Maoist period through to their re-emergence in the reform era. It critically investigates the changing nature and significance of China’s “red classics” at each point of their (re/)emergence in three key areas: their socio-political and ideological import, their aesthetic significance and their function as a mass cultural phenomenon. The book is organised in two parts in chronological order covering the Maoist period and post-Cultural Revolution respectively, and includes a representative range of genres including novels, short stories, films, TV series, picture books (lianhuanhua), animation and traditional style paintings (guohua). The book illuminates important questions such as: What determined what could and could not become a “red classic”? How was the real revolutionary experience of authors shaped by the regime to create “red classic” works? How were traditional forms incorporated or transformed? How did authors and artist negotiate the treacherous waters of changing political demands? And how did the “red classics adapt to a new political environment and a new readership in new millennium China? While most of the chapters focus primarily on one of the two periods under consideration many also follow the fate of their subject through both periods, creating overall a highly coherent overview of the changing phenomenon of the “red classics” over the seventy-five years since the Yan’an Forum and in the process simultaneously tracing the changing dynamic between the CCP and these classic narratives of the communist revolution.
Integrative description of Macrobiotus canaricus sp. nov. with notes on M. recens (Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae)
Authors: Stec Daniel , Krzywański Łukasz , Michalczyk Łukasz
Published: July 2018

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus canaricus sp. nov., a new tardigrade species of the Macrobiotus hufelandi group from the Canary Islands. Moreover, with the use of DNA sequencing, we confirm that Macrobiotus recens Cuénot, 1932 represents the hufelandi group, even though eggs laid by this species do not exhibit the typical hufelandi group morphology. Our study is based on both classical taxonomic methods that include morphological and morphometric analyses conducted with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, and on the analysis of nucleotide sequences of four molecular markers (three nuclear: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2, and one mitochondrial: COI). Our analyses revealed that M. canaricus sp. nov. is most similar to Macrobiotus almadai Fontoura et al., 2008 from the Archipelago of the Azores, from which it differs by the absence of granulation patches on the external and internal surfaces of legs I–III as well as by the absence of a cuticular pore in the centre of the external patch on legs I–III. Molecular sequences allowed us to pinpoint the phylogenetic positions of M. canaricus sp. nov. and M. recens within the M. hufelandi group.
The Diagnosis of Pleural Tumors Other Than Mesothelioma
Authors: Attanoos Richard Luther , Pugh Matthew Richard
Published: July 2018

Context.—

Pleural pathology has been dominated by discussions relating to the diagnosis, prognosis, etiology, and management of malignant mesothelioma. However, there exists a diverse group of other neoplasms that involve the pleura; the most common by far is metastatic carcinoma, usually of pulmonary origin. Other metastatic tumors of varied histogenesis do occur but are less common. Primary pleural neoplasms other than diffuse malignant mesothelioma are either uncommon or rare and have received less attention.

Objective.—

To provide a review of those diverse tumors that can involve the pleura other than mesothelioma in order to facilitate their accurate diagnosis.

Data Sources.—

Review of relevant literature published via PubMed and other search engines.

Conclusions.—

A wide variety of tumors can involve the pleura. In most cases, the approach of considering the morphologic features with appropriate immunohistochemistry, in the correct clinical context, allows for a confident diagnosis. For a number of those soft tissue tumors that are well recognized in the pleura, such as solitary fibrous tumor, desmoid-type fibromatosis, synovial sarcoma, and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, novel markers now exist based on an understanding of the individual tumors' molecular characteristics. Primary pleural lymphomas are rare with poor prognosis. They represent localized specific diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, with either post–germinal center B-cell or plasma cell lineage, arising in the context of either immunodeficiency or immune sequestration and with viral infection.
Marijuana Use by Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gupta Sheila , Fellows Kelly , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Hagemeier Jesper , Zivadinov Robert , Ramanathan Murali
Published: July 2018

Background:

With social attitudes about marijuana changing and patients sometimes seeking nonmainstream treatment options, the main goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, marijuana use by patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

Adult patients with MS (n = 521) and controls (n = 279) from a study of clinical, neuroimaging, genetic, and environmental factors in MS progression were included. Patients with MS stated whether they had ever used marijuana before MS diagnosis, after MS diagnosis, and in the preceding 3 months as part of an in-person questionnaire. The control group stated whether they had ever used marijuana and in the preceding 3 months.

Results:

The percentage of patients with MS reporting ever use of marijuana was 39.9%, compared with 32.7% of controls. Marijuana use in the preceding 3 months was significantly more prevalent among patients with MS (9.4%) compared with controls (0.4%) (P < .001). Marijuana use was most prevalent in male patients with MS (P = .004) and in patients with MS who used complementary and alternative medicine (P = .045). Cigarette smoking was associated with marijuana use in patients with MS (P < .001) and controls (P = .001). Increasing age was associated with decreasing prevalence of marijuana use in the patients with MS (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Patients with MS are more likely to report recent marijuana use than are people without MS. Owing to potential adverse effects, marijuana use by patients with MS may warrant vigilance by MS caregivers, given shifting social attitudes and the trend towards legalization of marijuana in the United States.
Hip muscular strength balance is associated with running economy in recreationally-trained endurance runners
Authors: Silva Wallace A. , de Lira Claudio Andre B. , Vancini Rodrigo L. , Andrade Marilia S.
Published: July 2018

Background

The percentage of sustained maximal oxygen uptake and the running economy are important factors that determine the running success of endurance athletes. Running economy is defined as the oxygen uptake required to run at a given speed and depends on metabolic, cardiorespiratory, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and anthropometric factors. With regard to anthropometric characteristics, total body mass seems to be a crucial factor for the running economy. Moreover, neuromuscular components, especially knee muscular strength and the strength balance ratio, also seem to be critical for the running economy. In addition to knee muscle strength, hip muscle strength is also an important contributor to running performance on level or hilly ground. However, the relationship between running economy and the hip muscles is unknown. Thus the aim of the present study was to verify whether hip flexor and extensor isokinetic peak torque, the isokinetic strength balance ratio, total body mass and fat free mass were associated with running economy in both sexes and to compare sex differences in physical fitness and isokinetic strength characteristics.

Methods

A total of 24 male (31.0 ± 7.7 years, 176.2 ± 7.3 cm, and 70.4 ± 8.4 kg) and 15 female (31.3 ± 6.7 years, 162.9 ± 3.9 cm, and 56.0 ± 5.3 kg) recreationally-trained endurance runners were recruited. Maximal oxygen uptake, running economy, conventional (concentric flexors-to-concentric extensors) and functional (concentric flexors-to-eccentric extensors) hip isokinetic strength balance ratios, peak torque of the hip flexor and extensor muscles, total body mass, and fat-free mass were measured. Running economy was assessed on two separate days by means of the energy running cost (Ec) using a motorized treadmill at 10.0 and 12.0 km h−1 (3% gradient) and 11.0 and 14.0 km h−1 (1% gradient).

Results

The functional balance ratio was significantly and negatively associated with Ec at 11.0 (r =  − 0.43, P = 0.04) and 12.0 km h−1 (r =  − 0.65, P = 0.04) when using a 3% gradient in male runners. Considering muscular strength, male runners only showed a significant relationship between Ec (assessed at 12 km h−1 and a 3% gradient) and peak torque for extensor muscle eccentric action (r = 0.72, P = 0.04). For female runners, only peak torque relative to total body mass for extensor muscles (180° s−1) was positively associated with Ec when assessed at 10 km h−1 using a 3% gradient (r = 0.59, P = 0.03). No significant relationships were found between Ec and total body mass or fat-free mass.

Discussion

Given that the functional balance ratio was associated with a better Ec, coaches and athletes should consider implementing a specific strengthening program for hip flexor muscles to increase the functional ratio.
Hepatic autotaxin overexpression in infants with biliary atresia
Authors: Udomsinprasert Wanvisa , Vejchapipat Paisarn , Klaikeaw Naruemon , Chongsrisawat Voranush , Poovorawan Yong , Honsawek Sittisak
Published: July 2018

Background

Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted glycoprotein that is involved in the development of hepatic fibrogenesis via the enzymatic production of lysophosphatidic acid. The aim of this study was to investigate hepatic expression of ATX in biliary atresia (BA) compared with non-BA liver controls and to examine the association between ATX expression and clinical outcome in BA.

Methods

Liver specimens from BA infants (n = 20) were compared with samples from infants who underwent liver biopsy for reasons other than BA (n = 14) and served as controls. Relative mRNA and protein expression of ATX were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Masson’s Trichrome staining was performed to determine the degree of liver fibrosis.

Results

Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated overexpression of ATX mRNA in BA livers. In immunohistochemical evaluation, ATX was positively stained on the hepatic parenchyma and the biliary epithelium in BA patients, as compared to non-BA controls. The immunostaining score of ATX in BA livers was also significantly higher than that observed in non-BA livers (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that ATX expression in the patients with poor outcomes was significantly greater than in those with good outcomes (P = 0.03). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between hepatic ATX expression and Metavir fibrosis stage in BA livers (r = 0.79, P < 0.001).

Discussion

This study found that mRNA and protein expression of ATX were increased in BA livers. High hepatic ATX expression at the time of Kasai operation was associated with liver fibrosis and outcome in BA, suggesting that ATX may serve a role as a promising biomarker of the prognosis in biliary atresia.
Effect ofBurkholderia tropicaandHerbaspirillum frisingensestrains on sorghum growth is plant genotype dependent
Authors: Schlemper Thiago R. , Dimitrov Maurício R. , Silva Gutierrez Federico A.O. , van Veen Johannes A. , Silveira Adriana P.D. , Kuramae Eiko E.
Published: July 2018

Sorghum is a multipurpose crop that is cultivated worldwide. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have important roles in enhancing sorghum biomass and nutrient uptake and suppressing plant pathogens. The aim of this research was to test the effects of the endophytic bacterial speciesKosakonia radicincitansstrain IAC/BECa 99,Enterobacter asburiaestrain IAC/BECa 128,Pseudomonas fluorescensstrain IAC/BECa 141,Burkholderia tropicastrain IAC/BECa 135 andHerbaspirillum frisingensestrain IAC/BECa 152 on the growth and root architecture of four sorghum cultivars (SRN-39, Shanqui-Red, BRS330, BRS509), with different uses and strigolactone profiles. We hypothesized that the different bacterial species would trigger different growth plant responses in different sorghum cultivars.Burkholderia tropicaandH. frisingensesignificantly increased the plant biomass of cultivars SRN-39 and BRS330. Moreover, cultivar BRS330 inoculated with either strain displayed isolates significant decrease in average root diameter. This study shows thatBurkholderia tropicastrain IAC/BECa 135 andH. frisingensestrain IAC/BECa 152 are promising PGPB strains for use as inocula for sustainable sorghum cultivation.
Identidades Sexuais e de Gênero no Contexto Periférico Mineiro: discursos em uma experimentação audiovisual
Authors: Rodrigues Higidio Aleone , Gomes Barbosa Karina
Published: July 2018

A proposta deste trabalho é discutir identidades sexuais e de gênero no contexto periférico da cidade histórica de Mariana, interior do estado de Minas Gerais - Brasil. A investigação parte da observação do cotidiano de gays e lésbicas do bairro Santo Antônio, também conhecido como “Prainha”. Esse cotidiano foi registrado em Diários de Bordo e, ainda, em linguagem audiovisual, no formato documentário, como parte de trabalho de conclusão de curso de Jornalismo da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP). Nesse sentido, é interesse desse texto pensar como as identidades sociais, especificamente as sexuais e de gênero, são reguladas pelo espaço periférico e como a invisibilidade das discussões de diferença e diversidade se tornam determinantes para a construção das mesmas. As discussões partem, principalmente, de uma perspectiva queer, tendo como referências Judith Butler (2003), Richard Miskolci (202), Guacira Lopes Louro (2010); além da visão antropológica da sexualidade como uma construção social discutida por Richard Parker (2010); e questões sobre ordem do discurso de Michel Foucault (2009).
Raça, Interseccionalidade e Violência: corpos e processos de subjetivação em mulheres negras e lésbicas
Authors: Lima Fátima
Published: July 2018

Partindo da raça enquanto categoria política em diálogo com a perspectiva interseccional, este texto tem como objetivo provocar uma reflexão crítica sobre os modos de vidas, os desafios e os enfrentamentos vivenciados por mulheres negras e lésbicas em contextos brasileiros. As lésbicas negras têm seu corpo-subjetivação atravessado por três eixos de opressão que atuam com muita força: raça, gênero e sexualidade, marcando uma tripla opressão que, ao ser coadunada com outros marcadores categoriais como classe, geração, território, entre outros, intensifica os processos de exclusão. As reflexões desenvolvidas configuram-se em oposição às tentativas de apagamento e silenciamento das questões raciais, principalmente de lésbicas negras e/ou racializadas, seja no movimento negro, no movimento LGBTT e na produção de reflexões acadêmicas tanto no campo das Ciências Humanas e Sociais como nos campos das teorias feministas, dos direitos humanos e das políticas públicas.
Teorias lésbicas contemporâneas e a arte como ativismo e potência de resistência e visibilidade
Authors: Souza Simone Brandão
Published: July 2018

O artigo busca, a partir da aproximação com diferentes teóricas do pensamento lésbico contemporâneo, discutir a importância da promoção da visibilidade lésbica, em especial de lésbicas com vidas precárias, a exemplo de mulheres negras em situação de encarceramento que se relacionam afetiva e sexualmente com mulheres. Reflete, assim, sobre a necessidade de investimento em uma produção teórica brasileira interseccional sobre lesbianidade, a partir das próprias experiências lésbicas e sugere a arte como expressão e possibilidade de militância feminista lésbica com potência para promover a visibilidade, sendo, ainda, resistência e produção de conhecimento sobre si.
Nanoparticle‐mediated HMGA1 Silencing Promotes Lymphocyte Infiltration and Boosts Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy for Cancer
Authors: Wang Ying , Song Wantong , Hu Mengying , An Sai , Xu Ligeng , Li Jingjing , Kinghorn Karina A. , Liu Rihe , Huang Leaf
Published: July 2018

For most cancer types, only a minority of cancer patients respond to checkpoint inhibition therapy. T lymphocyte infiltration is critically important for checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. High expression of high mobility group protein A1 (HMGA1) is observed in rapidly proliferating neoplastic cells, and is reported to contribute to the immunosuppressive microenvironment in the tumor. Herein, whether the silencing of HMGA1 using a nanoparticle (NP) approach could promote T lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor, and sensitize tumors to checkpoint inhibitor therapy in several orthotopic murine cancer models, which has high levels of HMGA1 but little T lymphocyte infiltration, is investigated. Selectively silencing HMGA1 using a lipid‐protamine‐hyaluronic acid‐siHMGA1 (LPH‐siHMGA1) NP system greatly enhances the lymphocyte infiltration in the tumor. Furthermore, the combination of LPH‐siHMGA1 and a locally expressed PD‐L1 inhibitor system, a lipid‐protamine‐DNA NP loaded with plasmid encoding the PD‐L1 trap fusion protein, significantly inhibits the tumor growth and prolonged survival. LPH‐siHMGA1 also decreased the content of stem cells in the tumor. These findings highlight the potential of targeting HMGA1, especially using a nano approach, in the combination with cancer immunotherapy, and provide a strategy for broadening the application and enhancing the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors.
Direct Reduction of Allylic Alcohols Using Isopropanol as Reductant
Authors: Sai Masahiro
Published: July 2018

The lithium cation‐catalyzed direct reduction of allylic alcohols to alkenes using isopropanol as a hydride donor was developed. The hydride transfer of the in situ‐generated lithium isopropoxide to an allylic cation is the key process in this transformation. The reaction generates only water and acetone as byproducts, which highlights the synthetic utility of this method.

magnified image
Non‐Covalent Substrate Directed Enantioselective Heck Desymmetrization of cis‐Cyclohex‐4‐ene‐1,2‐diol: Synthesis of all cis Chiral 5‐Aryl‐cyclohex‐3‐ene‐1,2‐diols and Mechanistic Investigation
Authors: Angnes Ricardo A. , Thompson Lee M. , Mashuta Mark S. , Correia Carlos R. D. , Hammond Gerald B.
Published: July 2018

Enantioselective substrate directed Heck reactions are desirable for the stereoselective synthesis of complex molecules. However, due to the coordination requirements of both chiral ligands and directing groups, such methodologies are underdeveloped. We report herein the desymmetrization of meso (1R,2S)‐cyclohex‐4‐ene‐1,2‐diol in an enantioselective and substrate directed fashion. The method provides all cis substituted highly functionalized chiral allylic alcohols in a complementary fashion to other Heck protocols.The products were obtained in high enantioselectivities (higher than 95% ee) and moderate to high yields (38–87%). The noncovalent interactions responsible for the directing effect were elucidated through computational examination of relevant minima and transition structures.

magnified image
Optimal selection of time resolution for batch data analysis. Part I: Predictive modeling
Authors: Rato Tiago J. , Reis Marco S.
Published: July 2018

Soft sensors based on multiway partial least squares (MW‐PLS) are often used to estimate, in useful time, the end quality of batch processes, due to their ability to deal with high dimensional and noisy data. However, PLS and its variants only bring parsimony to the variables' mode. The time mode, which is the main source of complexity in MW‐PLS, remains unchanged. Parsimony on the time dimension can be achieved by manipulating the variables' resolution or granularity. In this article, we address the optimal selection of resolution for each individual batch variable, as an additional degree of freedom for maximizing the predictive performance of industrial soft sensors. The proposed methodology will conduct, simultaneously, the optimal selection of (1) variables, (2) resolutions, and (3) stages. At the end, a multiresolution PLS model (MR‐PLS) will be obtained, that optimally predicts the batch‐end quality within the class of all MW‐PLS approaches. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3923–3933, 2018
Genome‐wide association study of cognitive flexibility assessed by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
Authors: Zhang Huiping , Zhou Hang , Lencz Todd , Farrer Lindsay A. , Kranzler Henry R. , Gelernter Joel
Published: July 2018

Cognitive flexibility is a critical component of executive function and is strongly influenced by genetic factors. We conducted a genome‐wide association study of cognitive flexibility (as measured by perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) in two sets of African American (AA) and European American (EA) subjects (Yale‐Penn‐1: 1,411 AAs/949 EAs; Yale‐Penn‐2: 1,178 AAs/1,335 EAs). We examined the association of cognitive flexibility with genotyped or imputed SNPs across the genome. In AAs, two correlated common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7165213/rs35633795) in the downstream region of the noncoding geneLOC101927286on chromosome 15 showed genome‐wide significant (GWS) associations with cognitive flexibility (Yale‐Penn‐1:p = 6.0 × 10−9/1.3 × 10−8; Yale‐Penn‐2:p = .029/.010; meta‐analysis:p = 4.2 × 10−7/1.0 × 10−7) in the same effect direction. In EAs, no GWS associations were observed. Enriched gene sets identified by Data‐driven Expression‐Prioritized Integration for Complex Traits (DEPICT) analysis of the top SNPs (pmeta‐analysis < 10−5) included the signalosome and ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 9, X‐linked (USP9X) subnetwork in AAs, and abnormal frontal and occipital bone morphology in EAs. We also performed polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis to examine the genetic correlation of cognition‐proxy phenotypes (general cognitive function, education attainment, childhood intelligence, and infant head circumference) and cognitive flexibility in EAs. The PRS derived from general cognitive function‐associated SNPs was significantly associated with cognitive flexibility. Nongenetic factors (age, education, sex, and tobacco recency) also exerted significant effects on cognitive flexibility. Our study demonstrates that both genetic and nongenetic factors impact cognitive flexibility, and variants in genes involved in protein degradation and brain development may contribute to population variation in cognitive function.
Chromosome 17q12 duplications: Further delineation of the range of psychiatric and clinical phenotypes
Authors: Kamath Arveen , Linden Stefanie C. , Evans Ffion M. , Hall Jeremy , Jose Sian F. , Spillane Sally A. , Hardie Alan D. R. , Morgan Sian M. , Pilz Daniela T.
Published: July 2018

Copy number variants at chromosome 17q12 have been associated with a spectrum of phenotypes. Deletions of 17q12 are well described and associated with maturity onset diabetes of the young type 5 (MODY5) and cystic renal disease (HNF1β) as well as cognitive impairment and seizures. Duplication of 17q12 is emerging as a new genetic syndrome, associated with learning disability, seizures, and behavioral problems. The duplication is often inherited from an apparently unaffected parent. Here, we describe a three‐generation family with multiple individuals carrying a17q12 microduplication with varying clinical features, consistent with variable penetrance. The proband who inherited a 1.8 Mb interstitial 17q12 duplication from his mother presented with developmental delay, behavioral problems, and mild dysmorphism. One of his sisters, his maternal uncle, and his maternal grandmother also carry the 17q12 microduplication. Clinical features of the carriers include renal problems, diabetes mellitus, learning difficulties, epilepsy and mental illness. Cognitive abilities range from normal function to moderate impairment (full‐scale IQ range: 52‐99). In light of recent reports of association of this locus with schizophrenia, we performed a detailed psychiatric assessment and confirmed that one family member has symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and another has a prodromal syndrome with attenuated positive symptoms of psychosis. This report extends the clinical phenotype associated with the 17q12 microduplication and highlights the phenotypic variability.
Microwave‐Assisted and Base‐Promoted Domino Reaction of Cyclic N‐Sulfonyl Ketimines with α,β‐Disubstituted Nitroalkenes: A Green Access to 2‐Hydroxyarylpyridines
Authors: Guin Soumitra , Majee Debashis , Biswas Soumen , Samanta Sampak
Published: July 2018

Microwave‐assisted and organobase‐promoted eco‐friendly one‐pot protocol has been developed to construct an interesting class of pyridyl‐substituted phenols/α‐naphthols containing a carboxylate or aroyl group at C2 position on the pyridine ring. A series of N‐sulfonyl ketimines and different kinds of bielectrophiles, such as MBH acetates of nitroalkenes/α‐arylacetylenyl‐β‐arylnitroolefins, were involved in this cyclization process, which delivers good to high yields of aforementioned heterocycles and excels with several compatible functionalities.
Gold‐Catalyzed Transformations of Propargyl Alcohols and Propargyl Amines
Authors: Zhang Bing , Wang Tao
Published: July 2018

Propargyl alcohols and propargyl amines are useful building blocks for the synthesis of heterocycles and complex molecules. The development of homogeneous gold catalysis has greatly benefited organic synthesis. This Focus Review presents an overview of the gold‐catalyzed transformations of propargyl alcohols and amines.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of (±)‐9‐Hydroxy‐5‐oxo‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐benzo[b]azepine‐2‐carboxamide: An Active Component of Juglans regia
Authors: Marepu Nagaraju , Yeturu Sunandamma , Pal Manojit
Published: July 2018

A total synthesis of a benzazepine natural product was achieved via an alternative strategy using a Strecker‐type synthesis/Heck coupling process to construct the core ring. A comparison of spectral data of the target molecule with the previously reported one suggested the need for structure revision. The compound described herein also showed cytotoxic properties.
3‐Cyano Imidazopyridine Acceptor‐based Bipolar andn‐type Host Materials for Phosphorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Kothavale Shantaram , Lee Kyung Hyung , Lee Jun Yeob
Published: July 2018

Two host materials named 8‐(3‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐3‐carbonitrile (mCzImPy) and 8,8′‐(1,3‐phenylene)bis(2‐phenylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐3‐carbonitrile) (mBisImPy) were synthesized as a bipolar host and a n‐type host, respectively, from the herocyclic imidazopyridine unit through its 3‐position CN modification. They worked as the hosts of yellow phosphorescent emitter and the mCzImPy host achieved high quantum efficiency of 18.2% in the yellow phosphorescent devices. Therefore, the 3‐cyanoimidazopyridine showed potential as an electron transport unit of host design.
Numerical investigation on sealing behaviors of an extremely high‐speed two‐stage impellers structure in cryogenic rockets
Authors: Ma Yuan , Li Yanzhong , Xie Fushou , Wang Lei , Zhu Kang
Published: July 2018

Aiming at a high‐speed‐impeller mechanical seal structure that plays a significant role in the oxidant turbopump of cryogenic rocket systems, the computational fluid dynamic approach is introduced to analyze its working performance, including the phase distribution in the flow channel, the cooling effect of the frictional element, and the sealing function as well as the power consumptions of the impellers. The established periodic 3D model, which could simultaneously account for the turbulent flow, coupled heat transfer, cavitation, and evaporation, as well as the change of thermophysical properties, was successfully verified by the experimental data. The results show that the sealing ability of a totally liquid‐filled impeller would increase with increasing rotational speed, blade size, and density of the working fluid. After the rotational speed increasing over a certain value (14,000 r/min in this case), a dynamically steady gas–liquid interface would be maintained at the Impeller II's blades, which indicates the completely effective sealing of liquid. Meanwhile, the friction surface could be effectively cooled by this two‐stage leakage cooling scheme, and its maximum temperature could be stably controlled at the rated speed. Based on the good sealing performance and effective cooling, this high‐speed‐impeller seal structure was proved to be feasible and available for cryogenic rocket systems.
Adaptive tilting angles to achieve high‐precision scanning of a dual probes AFM
Authors: Wu Jim‐Wei , Lo Yu‐Ting , Liu Wei‐Chih , Liu Da‐Wei , Chang Kuang‐Yao , Fu Li‐Chen
Published: July 2018

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful measurement tool, widely used in microfabricated structure inspection. However, since it is typical that the fixed tilting angle of a probe is employed in traditional AFM, the corner and sidewall image of the scanned sample would be distorted. To overcome the problem, a so‐called adaptive tilting angle algorithm (ATAA) applied to a self‐designed dual‐probe AFM system is presented to achieve on‐line sidewall estimation during scanning of general samples. Through the use of the proposed ATAA, the tilting angles of dual probes for each scan line can be self‐adjusted to the optimal ones. Overall, a probe tilt mechanism is designed, which allows the AFM system to change the tilting angles of the probes during the scanning process such that the dual‐probe structure AFM can acquire a complete high precision image with just a single scan. The experimental results show the performance of sidewall measurement and the high‐precision image obtained by the proposed method.
A CRISPR‐Cpf1‐Assisted Non‐Homologous End Joining Genome Editing System of Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Sun Bingbing , Yang Junjie , Yang Sheng , Ye Richard D. , Chen Daijie , Jiang Yu
Published: July 2018

Mycobacterium smegmatis is an important model strain of Mycobacterium for scientific study because it is non‐pathogenic and grows rapidly. However, research is limited by the low efficiency and time‐consuming nature of existing genome editing tools. Although the Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR‐Cas9 system is widely used in bacterial genome editing, it cannot be introduced into M. smegmatis because of its toxicity. The authors test 14 different Cas effector proteins in M. smegmatis. Cas9 (TdCas9_m) from Treponema denticola, Cas9 (NmCas9) from Neisseria meningitidis, and Corynebacterium glutamicum codon‐optimized Cpf1 (FnCpf1_cg) from Francisella tularensis do not affect cell growth. The numbers of transformant plasmids expressing TdCas9_m, NmCas9, or FnCpf1_cg, and guide RNAs (gRNA) targeting ku(MSMEG_5580), ligD(MSMEG_6301), pta(MSMEG_0783), or ackA(MSMEG_0784) decreases by about 10‐, 10‐, or 100‐fold, respectively, compared with plasmids expressing only the Cas effector proteins. Non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) is detected only in the CRISPR‐FnCpf1_cg system. The one‐plasmid‐based, CRISPR‐FnCpf1‐assisted NHEJ system enables N iterative rounds of genome editing in 7N + 2 days, with an editing efficiency up to 70%; thus, this system should greatly reduce the necessary genome manipulation time for M. smegmatis.
Mechanism of Nucleophilic Fluorination Facilitated by a Pyrene‐tagged Ionic Liquids: Synergistic Effects of Pyrene–Metal Cation π‐Interactions
Authors: Min Byeong Ki , Lee Sung‐Sik , Kang Seok Min , Kim Jiyeon , Kim Dong Wook , Lee Sungyul
Published: July 2018

We examine the mechanism of SN2 fluorination promoted by a pyrene‐tagged ionic liquid (PIL). Comparison is made for contact ion‐pair (CIP) vs. solvent‐separated ion‐pair (SSIP) mechanism by calculating the Gibbs free energies of pre‐reaction complexes and Gibbs free energies of activation G‡ for both processes. We find that the CIP mechanism is preferred for [PIL + MF + C3H7OMs] (M = Cs, K) system. SN2 fluorination of the [1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (bmim)‐CsF] system is also studied in order to estimate the efficacy of PIL vs. more conventional ionic liquid [bmim][OMs]. The better promotion of the reaction by PIL is attributed to π interactions between the metal cation and pyrene, giving G‡ that is smaller (by approximately 1.3 kcal/mol) than that for the [bmim‐CsF] system, in excellent agreement with experimental observations.
Transcription of Unnatural Fluorescent Nucleotides and their Application with Graphene Oxide for the Simple and Direct Detection of miRNA
Authors: Le Binh Huy , Seo Young Jun
Published: July 2018

In this study we synthesized two differently sized fluorescent RNA nucleotides, rUthioTP and rUpyrTP, and examined their transcription ability using T7 RNA polymerase. The smaller rUthioTP could be incorporated and extended to produce a corresponding RNA sequence, but rUpyrTP could not. We then used this rUthioTP‐containing fluorogenic transcription system, in conjunction with graphene oxide(GO), for the detection of miRNA 146a with high sensitivity and selectivity. This combination of a transcribed RNA product and GO is a simple in situ probing system for the detection of miRNA 146a—one that is less time consuming and more cost‐effective.
Functional and anatomical connectivity‐based parcellation of human cingulate cortex
Authors: Jin Fei , Zheng Pengpeng , Liu Huaigui , Guo Hui , Sun Zhihua
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Human cingulate cortex (CC) has been implicated in many functions, which is highly suggestive of the existence of functional subregions.

Methods

In this study, we used resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to parcellate the human cingulate cortex (CC) based on resting‐state functional connectivity (rsFC) patterns and anatomical connectivity (AC) patterns, to analyze the rsFC patterns and the AC patterns of different subregions, and to recognize whether the parcellation results obtained by the two different methods were consistent.

Results

The CC was divided into six functional subregions, including the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsal anterior midcingulate cortex, ventral anterior midcingulate cortex, posterior midcingulate cortex, dorsal posterior cingulate cortex, and ventral posterior cingulate cortex. The CC was also divided into ten anatomical subregions, termed Subregion 1 (S1) to Subregion 10 (S10). Each subregion showed specific connectivity patterns, although the functional subregions and the anatomical subregions were internally consistent.

Conclusions

Using different model MRI images, we established a parcellation scheme, which is internally consistent for the human CC, which may provide an in vivo guide for subregion‐level studies and improve our understanding of this brain area at subregional levels.
A multi‐GPU finite element computation and hybrid collision handling process framework for brain deformation simulation
Authors: Tian Ye , Hu Yong , Shen Xukun
Published: July 2018

This paper offers a fast multi‐graphics processing unit (GPU) parallel simulation framework to the problem of real‐time and nonlinear finite element computation of brain deformation. A load balancing strategy is proposed to ensure the efficient distribution of nonlinear finite element computation on multi‐GPU. A data storage structure is designed to minimize the amount of data transfer and make full use of the overlay technique of GPU to reduce the transferring latency between multi‐GPUs. We further present a fast central processing unit (CPU)–GPU parallel continuous collision detection and response method, which not only can deal with the collision between the brain and skull but also can handle the self‐collision of the brain. Our method can make full use of CPU and GPU to implement a parallel computation about deformation and collision detection. Our experimental results show that our method is able to handle a brain geometric model with high detail gyrus composed of more than 40,000 tetrahedron elements. This can facilitate the fidelity of the current virtual brain surgery simulator. We evaluate our approach qualitatively and quantitatively and compare it with related works.
Shunt Quantification by Mathematical Analysis of Indicator Dilution Curves
Authors: Billings R. Gail , Clark Justin S. , Veasy L. George , Cutler Christopher A.
Published: July 2018

Mathematical models are presented for describing and analyzing indicator dilution curves recorded in patients with intracardiac and great vessel shunts. The models treat individual segments of the circulation as linear system blocks, each having, at its output, a characteristic time response to a rapid injection of indicator at its input. These blocks are combined in feedback and feed‐forward configurations to simulate left‐to‐right, right‐to‐left, and bidirectional shunts. A shunt analysis algorithm, using discrete analogs of the linear system models, was implemented in a computer program and used to analyze thermodilution curves recorded in patients with congenital heart defects. Results are presented comparing shunt fractions obtained from thermodilution curve analyses with oximetrically determined values in 20 patients. Comparing left‐to‐right shunts measured by the two methods, the mean systematic difference was 0.7% of pulmonary flow and the standard deviation was 7.6% of pulmonary flow. Statistical validation of the bidirectional shunt method will require acquisition and analysis of more data; however, reasonable shunt fractions were computed in five cases studied and good agreement with oximetric determinations was obtained in two cases where complete oximetric data were available.
Congenital Coronary Arteriovenous Fistula: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: MacMillan Robert M. , Meister Steven G. , Frankl William S.
Published: July 2018

This report describes a case of coronary arteriovenous (A‐V) fistula involving both the right and the left coronary arteries. The venous component of the two circulations combines into a single channel that empties into the left ventricle just below the mitral valve.
“Zero Reference” During Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Waldman J.D. , Loeffler T.S. , Turner S.W. , Pappelbaum S.J.
Published: July 2018

Hemodynamic pressure measurements obtained during cardiac catheterization studies are calibrated to an arbitrary level where the pressure is considered zero. Despite the fundamental nature of the zero reference level, there is no standardized method for determination of “zero reference.”

A horizontal metal rod has been constructed to be level with the pressure transducer domes. With lateral radiographic viewing, the metal rod is adjusted to be level with the junction of the inferior vena cava and the right atrium. The technique is rapid, reliable, without risk and allows accurate comparison of hemodynamic data between patients and in the same patient longitudinally.
Trade‐off between seed yield components and seed composition traits in sea level quinoa in response to sowing dates
Authors: Curti Ramiro N. , Sanahuja María del Carmen , Vidueiros Silvina M. , Pallaro Anabel N. , Bertero Héctor Daniel
Published: July 2018

Background and objectives

The relative influences of genetic and environmental factors on seed composition traits as well as the interrelations among these attributes and seed yield are largely unknown in quinoa. These aspects are approached here through experiments conducted at a low elevation temperate environment with four quinoa genotypes sown at three dates and the hypothesis that variation in seed composition traits can be explained by the relative embryo size was tested.

Findings

There was an important range of variation for almost all seed composition traits, and the genotype‐by‐sowing date (G × S) interaction effect was significant for yield and its components plus protein and oil concentrations. Variation in fat and protein concentration was associated with embryo and seed size but not with relative embryo size (trait indifferent to environmental and genetic factors). A winter sowing date induced positive associations between fat and carbohydrate concentrations, seed, and embryo weight, but negative associations among almost all of these traits and seed yield and protein content. On the other hand, a mid‐spring sowing date induced positive associations between seed yield and protein content.

Conclusions

Winter sowing dates are suited for obtaining heavier seeds associated with higher fat and carbohydrates concentrations under the explored conditions; whereas under mid‐spring sowings higher seed yield, associated with high protein content but at the expense of smaller seeds are achieved.

Significance and novelty

Variability in the main seed composition traits in sea level quinoa cultivars was explained mostly by G × S interaction. The choice of genotypes and sowing dates that modify the trade‐offs between the main yield and seed composition traits might contribute to obtain a specific quality and higher yields. Variation in protein and fat concentrations was no associated with the relative embryo size.
Atrial fibrillation, an epiphenomenon of acute Stanford type‐A aortic dissection with suspected intimo‐intimal intussusception
Authors: Ciulla Michele M. , Vivona Patrizia , Lemos Alessandro , Sozzi Fabiola , Cioffi Ugo , Testori Alberto
Published: July 2018

Key Clinical Message

Supraventricular arrhythmias can sometimes be “only” epiphenomena appearing during acute hypoxia, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and thrombosis. Indeed, atrial fibrillation is not rare in acute aortic dissection as it is estimated in about one half of patients and may be secondary to a perfusion deficit of the sinoatrial node artery.
Exergy, Exergoeconomic and Enviroeconomic Evaluation of a Biomass Boiler‐Steam Engine Micro‐CHP System
Authors: Açıkkalp Emin , Zeng Thomas , Ortwein Andreas , Burkhardt Holger , Klenk Werner
Published: July 2018

Biomass‐based micro‐combined heat‐and‐power (CHP) systems could play an important role in future renewable energy systems by providing net stability and balance electricity fluctuations from wind and solar systems by demand‐driven and base load operations. A biomass boiler‐steam engine micro‐CHP system was investigated via exergy‐based analysis methods to evaluate the optimization potential concerning exergy, environmental, and economic aspects. It was shown that the system has low exergy efficiency compared to systems from the literature and that the boiler is mainly affected by capital cost. Major improvements in terms of exergy efficiency as well as economics should therefore be focused on the boiler.
Effects of Steam Addition during Calcination on Carbonation Behavior in a Calcination/Carbonation Loop
Authors: Chou Yiang-Chen , Cheng Jui-Yen , Liu Wan-Hsia , Hsu Heng-Wen
Published: July 2018

The effects of steam addition during calcination on the carbonation behavior of calcium‐based sorbents in cyclic calcination/carbonation experiments were investigated. Variations in the CaO conversion rate during carbonation were measured to evaluate the influence of operating conditions and particle size on the carbonation reaction in kinetic‐ and diffusion‐controlled reaction regimes. Surface sintering and particle aggregation during cyclic calcination/carbonation affected the sorbent surface area, pore volume, and possibly the pore size, resulting in less sorbent recyclability and a trigger time retard in the fast kinetic‐controlled carbonation. Steam addition during calcination positively affected the recyclability of the sorbents and altered the carbonation behavior.
Monitoring biological processes using univariate statistical process control
Authors: Mansouri Majdi , Al‐Khazraji Ayman , Yin Teh Sin , Harkat Mohamed‐Faouzi , Nounou Hazem , Nounou Mohamed
Published: July 2018

Biological modelling is a challenging task specifically when state variables are difficult or even impossible to be measured. Consequently, monitoring quality of biological process will be impacted negatively due to the lack of an accurate model capable of reflecting precisely the process dynamics. Moreover, the faults in such systems cannot be detected robustly. The current work proposes a novel approach that combines state estimation with process monitoring techniques. The developed approach, named as particle filter (PF)'based multiscale maximum double exponentially weighted moving average (MS‐M‐DEWMA) chart, includes two main phases. In the first phase, the PF technique is applied to estimate the unknown nonlinear states of the biological processes. In the second phase, the statistical univariate chart, MS‐M‐DEWMA is adopted to address fault detection in biological processes. Therefore, in this work, we propose a monitoring approach capable of detecting shifts in mean and/or variance in biological systems (pre‐defined structure obtained using material and energy balances) where the variables are estimated using state estimation techniques. The detection chart MS‐M‐DEWMA is applied to the residuals computed using the PF. The advantages of PF‐based MS‐M‐DEWMA method are threefold: (i) extract features and decorrelate measurements using dynamical multiscale representation; (ii) estimate the state of nonlinear biological processes using the PF technique; and (iii) enhance monitoring of biological processes through detecting shifts of both variance and mean using MS‐M‐DEWMA chart. The proposed approach is validated using a Cad system in E. coli (CSEC) model.