bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extinction risk and conservation of marine bony shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Linardich Christi , Ralph Gina M. , Robertson David Ross , Harwell Heather , Polidoro Beth A. , Lindeman Kenyon C. , Carpenter Kent E.
Published: September 2018

Understanding the conservation status of species is important for prioritizing the allocation of resources to redress or reduce biodiversity loss. Regional organizations that manage threats to the marine biodiversity of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico seek to delineate conservation priorities.

This process can be usefully informed by extinction risk assessments conducted under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria: a widely used, objective method to communicate species‐specific conservation needs. Prior to the recent Red List initiatives summarized in this study, the conservation status was known for just one‐quarter of the 1360 Greater Caribbean marine bony shorefishes. During 10 Red List workshops, experts applied data on species' distributions, populations, habitats, and threats in order to assign an extinction risk category to nearly 1000 shorefishes that range in the Greater Caribbean. As conservation is mostly implemented at national and local levels, two more workshops assessed the Gulf of Mexico populations of 940 shorefishes using the regional Red List guidelines.

About 5% of these shorefishes are globally or regionally threatened, including 6% of Greater Caribbean endemics and 26% of Gulf endemics. About 9% of the species are Data Deficient. Species‐richness analyses show that the highest numbers of threatened species endemic to the Greater Caribbean are found in Belize, Panama, and the Cayman Islands. The most pervasive threats to the threatened and Near Threatened species are overexploitation, habitat degradation, and predation by the invasive lionfish. Half of the threatened species are experiencing multiple threats that are likely to amplify extinction risk.

Recommended actions, in addition to conducting diversity surveys in lesser explored areas, include improving fishery management, reducing habitat degradation, and controlling lionfish populations.
BODIES R US: Ethical Views on the Commercialization of the Dead in Medical Education and Research
Authors: Champney Thomas H. , Hildebrandt Sabine , Gareth Jones D. , Winkelmann Andreas
Published: September 2018

With the ongoing and expanding use of willed bodies in medical

education and research, there has been a concomitant rise in the need for willed

bodies and an increase in the means of supplying these bodies. A relatively

recent development to enlarge this supply has been the growth of for‐

profit willed body companies (“body brokers”) in the United States.

These companies advertise for donors, cover all cremation and other fees for the

donor, distribute the bodies or body parts nationally and internationally, and

charge their users for access to the body or body parts. In doing so, they

generate substantial profits. This review examines the historical development of

willed body programs, the legal and economic aspects of willed body programs, and

then provides an ethical framework for the use of willed bodies. The ethical

principles described include detailed informed consent from the donors,

comprehensive and transparent information about the process from the body

donation organizations, and societal input on the proper and legal handling of

willed bodies. Based on the ethical principles outlined, it is recommended that

there be no commercialization or commodification of willed bodies, and that

programs that use willed bodies should not generate profit.
Application of mini‐clinical evaluation exercise for assessing the integrated‐based learning during physical diagnostic course
Authors: Da Jingjing , Ran Yan , Pi Mingjing , Wu Jing , Dong Rong , Li Qian , Zhang Qian , Zhang Xiangyan , Zha Yan
Published: September 2018

Medical education paradigm has been questioned for the requirements of improving the quality and quantity of medical students. This study was to explore the efficiency of integrated‐based learning (IBL) used mini‐clinical evaluation exercise (mini‐CEX) during physical diagnostics course. One hundred and eleven volunteered students were randomly divided into three groups: lecture‐based learning (LBL), case‐based learning (CBL), and IBL. Nephrotic syndrome was the teaching content. In the IBL group, students were provided the guideline and additional interpretation from the instructor about the basic knowledge related to disease as vertical integration curriculum. Their performance was evaluated by mini‐CEX and theoretical examination, respectively. All subjects have completed the study. The difference of five factors (medical interview, physical examination, clinical judgment, organizational effectiveness, and competence) in mini‐CEX between IBL, CBL, and LBL were statistically significant (p <0.05). Sample sizes of below, meets, and above the expectations of mini‐CEX in different instructional groups were statistically significant (X2 =17.842, p =0.001). The final exam scores in IBL group and the CBL group were significantly higher than that of LBL group (F =41.553, p =0.000). And the relationship of final exam score only in the IBL group was positive existed with medical interview (R =0.466, p =0.004), physical examination (R =0.328, p =0.048), professional attitude (R =0.366, p =0.026), and communication skill (R =0.412, p =0.011). Therefore, our study revealed the effect of IBL on the medical students’ skills. It highlights IBL could improve the physical examination, organizational effectiveness, and competence and the application of basic knowledge. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):417–423, 2018.
Effects of Centella asiatica extract on antioxidant status and liver metabolome of rotenone‐treated rats using GC–MS
Authors: Intararuchikul Thidarat , Teerapattarakan Narudol , Rodsiri Ratchanee , Tantisira Mayuree , Wohlgemuth Gert , Fiehn Oliver , Tansawat Rossarin
Published: September 2018

Centella asiatica has been used as a culinary vegetable or medicinal herb. In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of the standardized extract of C. asiatica (ECa233) in rotenone‐treated rats was examined using a GC–MS‐based metabolomic approach. ECa233 contains >80% triterpenoids with a ratio of madecassoside to asiaticoside of 1.5(±0.5):1. Rats were randomly divided into three groups (with six rats/group): sham negative control, rotenone positive control and the ECa233 test group. Rats in the ECa233 group received 10 mg/kg ECa233 orally for 20 days, followed by 2.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal rotenone injection to induce toxicity before being sacrificed. Metabolomic analysis showed that supplementation of ECa233 protected rat liver against rotenone toxicity. Pipecolinic acid was one of the most important metabolites; its level was decreased in the rotenone group as compared with the control. Supplementation with ECa233 before administration of rotenone raised pipecolinic acid to levels intermediate between controls and rotenone alone. The metabolomics approach also helped discover a possible new genuine epimetabolite in the present work. Antioxidant tests revealed that ECa233 inhibited lipid peroxidation and increased catalase activities in liver tissue.
The impact of Environmental Protection Agency penalties on financial performance
Authors: Romero Jorge A. , Freedman Martin , O'Connor Neale G.
Published: September 2018

This study examines the impact of penalties assessed to publicly traded firms by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifically, we look at whether there is an impact on earnings for firms that were fined by the EPA. There are two competing predictions regarding the impact of environmental penalties on earnings. Either there is no negative impact because firms allocate allowances for regulatory breaches or there is a negative impact because investors and stockholders have a preference to invest in efficient firms. This study contributes to the extant literature examining improvements in the business decision making related to corporate environmental management.
Accurate and Rapid Protein Concentration Measurement of In‐Process, High Concentration Protein Pools
Authors: McKechnie William S. , Tugcu Nihal , Kandula Sunitha
Published: September 2018

Protein concentration is a critical product quality attribute and required for any therapeutic protein. Many commercial and investigational new biologics are now formulated at high concentrations (>100 mg/ml) to achieve successful subcutaneous administration. Assaying protein concentration in high concentration formulations poses a challenge, as traditional absorption spectroscopy and UPLC/HPLC (ultra/high performance liquid chromatography) assays cannot accurately measure such high concentrations without further solution manipulation. However, recent advances in UV/vis technology have led to the creation of instruments that measure samples at relatively short (<1 cm) path lengths, which would allow them to accurately measure high concentration protein samples in accordance with Beer Lambert Law principles. In this research, samples of five different proteins at concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 242 mg/ml (corresponding to OD280 vales of 0.15–315 AU) were measured on two different instruments employing different techniques of low path length UV/vis measurements. In order for the techniques to meet MSD's acceptance criteria for release assays, measurements were required to be accurate to within 10% of a reference measurement (performed on a traditional UV/vis spectrophotometer) and to be precise within 5% CV. The results show that using a technique known as slope spectroscopy, it is possible to measure OD280 from 0.5 to 315 AU with <7% error relative to the reference measurement. If instead measurements are taken using an instrument utilizing a single, small path length, it is possible to measure absorbances from 0.2 to ~75 AU with <7% error. This article concludes that the slope spectroscopy technique performed within the acceptance criteria across the full range of measured absorbances and that the single, short path length measurement performed within the acceptance criteria up to 75 AU.
The reform of computer experiment teaching based on O2O model
Authors: Wei Xisan , Gu Qiong , Luo Ying , Chen Geping
Published: September 2018

In this work, through integrate that teaching management system, the learn mode of the O2O is used to build a learner‐centered frame of the teaching reformation. This frame is supported by the O2O learning platform, with themed practical teaching and O2O model as the main body, and the “Thousand questions plan” and “Teachers guiding” system as two guarantee supports. In order to achieve high quality results, specific implementation plan, including management system and implementation measures has been formulated in teaching reform of O2O platform. The questionnaire shows that this system has mobilized the enthusiasm of teachers and students. By comparing the practice results of the experimental class and the control class, the effectiveness of the O2O teaching framework is verified, and the teaching reform is successful. Finally, this paper provides teaching inspiration and future research direction for educators and researchers.
Learn how to balance due process with safety
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: September 2018

When a student engages in disruptive behavior on campus, higher ed administrators need to carefully find a balance between protecting due process rights while also protecting the safety of the students, staff, and faculty involved in the student conduct process.
Evaluation of the prognostic value of CD3, CD8, and FOXP3 mRNA expression in early‐stage breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline‐based adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Tsiatas Marinos , Kalogeras Konstantine T. , Manousou Kyriaki , Wirtz Ralph M. , Gogas Helen , Veltrup Elke , Zagouri Flora , Lazaridis Georgios , Koutras Angelos , Christodoulou Christos , Pentheroudakis George , Petraki Constantina , Bafaloukos Dimitrios , Pectasides Dimitrios , Kosmidis Paris , Samantas Epaminontas , Karanikiotis Charisios , Papakostas Pavlos , Dimopoulos Meletios‐Athanassios , Fountzilas George
Published: September 2018

Background

Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been shown to be of prognostic value in several cancer types. In early breast cancer, TILs have a prognostic utility, as well, especially in HER2‐positive and triple‐negative breast cancer. TILs presence is broadly associated with improved survival; however, there is controversy regarding TILs subpopulations.

Patients and methods

Early‐stage breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline‐based chemotherapy within two randomized trials were included in the study. We evaluated, by qRT‐PCR, 826 tumor tissue samples for mRNA expression of CD3, CD8, and FOXP3 for potential prognostic significance in terms of disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

After a median follow‐up of 133.0 months, 255 patients (30.9%) had died and 314 (38.0%) had disease progression. In the univariate analysis, high CD3 and CD8 mRNA expression was found to be of favorable prognostic value for DFS (P = 0.007 and P = 0.016, respectively). In multivariate analyses, the association of high CD8 mRNA expression with increased DFS was retained (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.60‐0.998, Wald's P = 0.048), whereas that of high CD3 mRNA expression was of marginal statistical significance (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.59‐1.01, P = 0.059). Moreover, a significant interaction was observed between HER2 status and CD3 mRNA expression with respect to DFS (interaction P = 0.032). In the HER2‐positive subgroup, the hazard ratio associated with high CD3 mRNA expression was of greater magnitude (HR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.30‐0.76, P = 0.002) compared with the hazard ratio presented above, for the entire cohort. No significant findings were observed for FOXP3 in terms of DFS, while none of the studied markers were of prognostic value for OS.

Conclusions

High CD3 and CD8 mRNA expression in early‐stage breast cancer patients is of prognostic value for decreased risk of relapse and, in the future, could potentially be of importance in deciding the most appropriate therapeutic strategy in light of the recent immune‐related treatment developments.
Morphophysiological and Phytochemical Variability in Some Wild Populations of Ducrosia anethifolia from Iran
Authors: Arbabi Mina , Badi Hassanali Naghdi , Labbafi Mohammadreza , Mehrafarin Ali , Saboki Ebrahim
Published: September 2018

In order to determine the morphophysiological and phytochemical properties of various Ducrosia anethifolia populations, the plant samples were collected from 20 locations in native regions. Current study indicated significant differences in the morphophysiological and phytochemical characteristics of D. anethifolia populations collected from 20 locations in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. The highest value of plant height and the number of lateral stems, node per plant, umbellate per umbel, seeds per umbellate and the roots fresh and dry weight were related to the location with relatively high rainfall (130–161 mm) and low altitude (up to 1165 m) compared with others. Based on the essential oil components, D. anethifolia populations were divided into five different chemotypes. Chemotypes I, II and III were characterized by high amounts of methyl chavicol, chrysanthenyl acetate and decanal, respectively. Moreover, the populations with high amounts of decanal, anethole and dodecanal were placed in chemotype IV. Chemotype V was attributed to the Naserabad population with 1‐decanol as the major compound.
Antifungal Activities of Isoflavonoids from Uromyces striatus Infected Alfalfa
Authors: Li Ya , Li Guangda , Yu Haitao , Jiao Xingzhi , Gao Kun
Published: September 2018

Fungal pathogens constitute a severe yield‐limiting factor for the pasture crop alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Eleven phenolic compounds, including a new isoflavane, were isolated from the Uromyces striatus Schroet. infected alfalfa. The effect of infection with U. striatus Schroet. on the phytochemical profile of alfalfa was investigated using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and the antifungal properties of isolated compounds against a range of pathogens were tested. It was found that the contents of most of the isolated compounds in U. striatus infected alfalfa were higher than those in healthy alfalfa. Compounds 1–5 exhibited a moderate inhibitory activity against Curvularia lunata with 40.14±1.63 %, 48.03±1.22 %, 57.54±1.18 %, 50.10±1.56 %, and 61.54±2.14 % inhibition ratio at the concentration of 50 μg/mL. Compounds 3 and 5 showed a weak inhibitory activity against Fusarium graminearum with the EC50 values of 104.2±2.66 and 123.0±1.23 μg/mL, and a moderate inhibitory activity against Bipolaris sorokinianum with the EC50 values of 39.1±2.05 and 95.0±1.01 μg/mL, respectively. In pot experiments with wheat, compounds 1–5 possessed desirable protective efficacy of over 80 % and curative effectiveness of over 50 % against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL
Cavitation in Diesel Fuel Injector Nozzles and its Influence on Atomization and Spray
Authors: Sun Yubiao , Guan Zhiqiang , Hooman Kamel
Published: September 2018

In combustors, high‐pressure fuel injector nozzles are employed for liquid atomization and spray generation. The internal flow within nozzles, especially cavitation, plays an important role in promoting the breakup of liquid jets. The formation mechanism and evolvement of cavitation are reviewed and described. Different cavitation regimes were characterized experimentally and the positive effect of cavitation on liquid atomization was confirmed. Different empirical formulas correlating the discharge coefficient with fluid‐dynamical parameters are summarized. The applicability, advantages, and disadvantages of two popular computational models for flow modeling, i.e., the interface tracking model and the homogeneous equilibrium model, are reviewed. The effects of cavitation on the generated spray are discussed.
SO2 Removal from Gas Streams by Ammonia Scrubbing: Process Optimization by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Hashemi Seyed M. H. , Mehrabani-Zeinabad Arjomand , Zare Masoud Habibi , Shirazian Saeed
Published: September 2018

Reduction of the SO2 content by ammonia scrubbing in the incinerator of the Isfahan Refinery complex was investigated. An experimental continuous setup was designed to study the underlying process parameters affecting SO2 capture from air. The effects of various parameters was analyzed by a systematic experimental design based on response surface methodology with central composite design. The developed response surface model was found to be useful and robust to predict the degree of desulfurization of ammonia wet flow gas disulfurization reactors. The ammonia concentration had the most significant influence on the efficiency of the desulfurization process. The square of temperature affected the efficiency more than the temperature, whereas the gas flow rate had a minor influence on the separation efficiency.
Polydopamine Functionalized Cu Nanowires for Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction Towards Methane
Authors: Liu Hui , Xiang Kaisong , Liu Yucheng , Zhu Fangfang , Zou Mi , Yan Xu , Chai Liyuan
Published: September 2018

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 provides an ideal approach to convert the greenhouse gas into fuels under mild conditions. Copper electrodes are capable of producing significant amounts of hydrocarbons, but the selectivity to convert CO2 into methane (CH4) remains low. Here, we prepared functionalized Cu nanowire electrodes by coating polymers (polydopamine, PDA) and experimentally verified that the functionalized CuNWs indeed shows 2.3 times higher CH4 selectivity compared with that of CuNWs. The PDA functionalized CuNWs catalyst remains catalytically stable for in excess of 14 hours. We experimentally reveal that the amino groups could be responsible for the capture and delivery of protons for the hydronation of CO* intermediates and phenolic hydroxyl groups for the stabilization of CO* intermediates. The results provide us insights into a new approach to optimize the electrochemical methanation of CO2 by polymers that contain abundant functional groups.
Enhancement of Bromine Reversibility using Chemically Modified Electrodes and their Applications in Zinc Bromine Hybrid Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Suresh Subramanian , Ulaganathan Mani , Aswathy Raghunandanan , Ragupathy Pitchai
Published: September 2018

One of the significant issues that play a vital role in the determination of the performance of Zinc‐Bromine Redox Flow Battery system is the reversibility of bromine/bromide redox couple. In this work, surface modified carbon paper is used to improve the reversibility of bromine/bromide redox couple and successfully demonstrated in Zinc‐Bromine Redox Flow Battery as a positive electrode. It is evidenced that the flow cell fabricated using surface modified carbon paper showed better reaction kinetics than that of pristine carbon paper based flow cell. Further, the samples are subjected to various electrochemical and physical characterization techniques to evidence the improvement in the cell function. From the obtained cell characteristics, it is noted that the cell fabricated using surface modified carbon delivered better efficiency in terms of Coulombic (95 %), voltaic (86 %), and energy (78 %) at a current density of 20 mA/cm2. Thus, the improved effective reversibility of bromine/bromide redox couple of functionalized carbon electrode material can be a potential candidate for Zinc‐Bromine Redox Flow Battery applications.
Reconstruction of vocal tract geometries from biomechanical simulations
Authors: Dabbaghchian Saeed , Arnela Marc , Engwall Olov , Guasch Oriol
Published: September 2018

Medical imaging techniques are usually utilized to acquire the vocal tract geometry in 3D, which may then be used, eg, for acoustic/fluid simulation. As an alternative, such a geometry may also be acquired from a biomechanical simulation, which allows to alter the anatomy and/or articulation to study a variety of configurations. In a biomechanical model, each physical structure is described by its geometry and its properties (such as mass, stiffness, and muscles). In such a model, the vocal tract itself does not have an explicit representation, since it is a cavity rather than a physical structure. Instead, its geometry is defined implicitly by all the structures surrounding the cavity, and such an implicit representation may not be suitable for visualization or for acoustic/fluid simulation. In this work, we propose a method to reconstruct the vocal tract geometry at each time step during the biomechanical simulation. Complexity of the problem, which arises from model alignment artifacts, is addressed by the proposed method. In addition to the main cavity, other small cavities, including the piriform fossa, the sublingual cavity, and the interdental space, can be reconstructed. These cavities may appear or disappear by the position of the larynx, the mandible, and the tongue. To illustrate our method, various static and temporal geometries of the vocal tract are reconstructed and visualized. As a proof of concept, the reconstructed geometries of three cardinal vowels are further used in an acoustic simulation, and the corresponding transfer functions are derived.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of CSL112 (Apolipoprotein A‐I [Human]) in Adults With Moderate Renal Impairment and Normal Renal Function
Authors: Tortorici Michael A. , Duffy Danielle , Evans Rebecca , Feaster John , Gille Andreas , Mant Timothy G. K. , Wright Samuel D. , D'Andrea Denise
Published: September 2018

CSL112 (Apolipoprotein A‐I [human]) is an intravenous preparation of apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I), formulated with phosphatidylcholine (PC) and stabilized with sucrose, in development to prevent early recurrent cardiovascular events following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This phase 1 study was designed to determine if moderate renal impairment (RI) influenced the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of CSL112. Thirty‐two subjects, 16 with moderate RI (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 30 and < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 16 age‐, sex‐, and weight‐matched subjects with normal renal function (eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2) were randomized 3:1 to receive a single infusion of CSL112 2 g (n = 6) or placebo (n = 2), or CSL112 6 g (n = 6) or placebo (n = 2). PK sampling was at prespecified times from 48 hours prior to 144 hours following infusions, with final safety assessments at 90 days. Renal and hepatic safety, and adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the study. Plasma apoA‐I and PC PK profiles were similar between renal function cohorts at both doses. For CSL112 6 g mean ± SD apoA‐I AUC0‐last was 7670 ± 1900 and 9170 ± 2910 mg·h/dL in normal renal function and moderate RI subjects, respectively. Renal apoA‐I clearance was <1% of CSL112 dose. In moderate RI, sucrose clearance was slower; however, approximately 70% was excreted within 48 hours in both renal function cohorts. No CSL112‐related serious AEs or clinically significant renal or hepatic safety changes were observed. Dose adjustment of CSL112 is not required in subjects with moderate RI, supporting its further investigation in AMI patients with moderate RI.
Balancing parallelization and asynchronization in event‐driven programs with OpenMP
Authors: Fan Xing , Sinnen Oliver , Giacaman Nasser
Published: September 2018

OpenMP is a popular multiprocessing interface to parallelize different domains of applications. A previously proposed extension has made it possible for OpenMP to speedup event‐driven programs. There, a virtual target model extension is used to incrementally introduce asynchronous execution into an OpenMP program. At the same time it allows a mixture of nested parallelism with asynchronous processing. This new possibility raises the question how to use available processors/threads, for parallelism or for asynchronous execution? To investigate the best combination of asynchronization and parallelization, a performance model for measuring parallel event‐driven systems is proposed. Based on queue theory, the theoretical analysis discovers some interesting facts in an event‐driven system. Then, experiments are conducted to study the best practice of improving event‐driven programs and how to balance parallelism and asynchronous execution. By comparing it with the OpenMP tasking model, the evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the virtual target model, which is able to achieve significantly better parallel event‐driven performance.
A safety simulation analysis algorithm for Altarica language
Authors: Wang Wenru , Shi Xiaohua , Lu Xinghai
Published: September 2018

Altarica is a modeling language for safety analysis and supports simulation analysis. Although Altarica is widely used in the industry, research studies on simulation algorithm are rarely found. Therefore, we design and implement a simulation algorithm. We first briefly introduce the syntax and characteristics of Altarica, and then describe the design and implementation of the algorithm in detail, and finally accurately simulate the most probable sequence of events. We use Reverse Polish Notation to deal with complex event triggered conditions, and support three kinds of synchronization, including Synchronization, Broadcasting and Common Cause Failure, and support multiple probability distribution types. At the end of this paper, through case study and comparison with SIMFIA, the correctness of the algorithm is proved.
A deadlock‐free lock‐based synchronization for GPUs
Authors: Anand Anshu S , Srivastava Akash , Shyamasundar R.K.
Published: September 2018

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have evolved from pure graphics applications toward general purpose applications, often referred to as GPGPU computing. However, its scope is still limited to data‐parallel applications that require little synchronization. As synchronization on GPUs is quite costly, synchronization requirements in GPUs are usually realized using existing synchronization primitives like atomic operations and barriers. These approaches either incur significant overhead or place certain restrictions in their usage, affecting the scalability/scope of such applications. The lack of adequate support for fine‐grained synchronization has restricted the realization of irregular algorithms on GPUs, wherein control flow and memory access patterns are data‐dependent and unpredictable. Recently, there has been an interest in building relationship between lock‐step semantics and interleaving semantics and to develop lock‐based synchronization mechanism for GPUs to overcome these issues. GPUs follow SIMD, and hence, when adapted for general purpose computing, new distinct deadlock scenarios arise. In this paper, we discuss various deadlock scenarios that can happen in GPUs, and present a modeling of deadlocks in GPUs. We shall first illustrate such deadlock scenarios in GPU applications, and then describe a novel lock‐based deadlock‐free, fine‐grained synchronization mechanism for GPU architectures that overcomes deadlocks without a significant overhead. We further establish the correctness of our methods and discuss the performance overheads.
Studying Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis in Mice
Authors: Blease Andrew , Das Neves Borges Patricia , Curtinha Marcia , Javaheri Behzad , von Loga Isabell S. , Parisi Ida , Zarebska Jadwiga , Pitsillides Andrew , Vincent Tonia L. , Potter Paul K.
Published: September 2018

With the increasing availability and complexity of mouse models of disease, either spontaneous or induced, there is a concomitant increase in their use in the analysis of pathogenesis. Among such diseases is osteoarthritis, a debilitating disease with few treatment options. While advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis has advanced through clinical investigations and genome‐wide association studies, there is still a large gap in our knowledge, hindering advances in therapy. Patient samples are available ex vivo, but these are generally in the very late stages of disease. However, with mice, we are able to induce disease at a defined time and track the progression in vivo and ex vivo, from inception to end stage, to delineate the processes involved in disease development. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Morpho‐Functional Characteristics of Bone Marrow Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells after Activation or Inhibition of Epidermal Growth Factor and Toll‐Like Receptors or Treatment with DNA Intercalator Cisplatin
Authors: Golovynska Iuliia , Kalmukova Olesia , Svitina Hanna M. , Kyryk Vitaliy M. , Shablii Volodimir A. , Senchylo Nataliya V. , Ostrovska Galyna V. , Dzerzhinskyi Mykola , Stepanov Yurii V. , Golovynskyi Sergii , Ohulchanskyy Tymish Y. , Liu Liwei , Garmanchuk Liudmila V. , Qu Junle
Published: September 2018

This study is aimed to reveal morphological and functional changes in multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from the rat bone marrow after: (i) activation of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) with teichoic acid (TA), (ii) impact on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors with activator EGF or inhibitor Herceptin, and (iii) treatment with DNA intercalator Cisplatin. According to our results, TA and EGF cause an increase in the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, c‐Myc content, and protein in the MSC cytoplasm. It was observed that the cell population in G0 phase decreased and the cell population in G1 phase increased, when compared with control. At the same time, the cell population with a higher nuclear–cytoplasmic ratio (NCR) in S and G2 phases also increased. This indicates the manifestation of the MSC mesenchymal phenotype, exhibiting indirect metabolic signs of the regenerative potential increase. In other experiments, Herceptin was shown to suppress only the stemness signs of MSCs, while Cisplatin seriously affected cell viability in general, reducing synthetic and proliferative activities and causing cell morphology disturbances. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Flow cytometric assays for identity, safety and potency of cellular therapies
Authors: Campbell John D.M. , Fraser Alasdair R.
Published: September 2018

Cellular therapeutics are a fast‐growing, highly innovative area of medicine. This field encompasses well‐established immune therapies for infection and cancer, as well as newer cell therapies aimed at regenerating diseased tissue. Flow cytometry is arguably the most important tool in the development of advanced cellular therapeutics and plays a role in many aspects of manufacturing. Quality control of raw materials, assessing rates of cellular growth during complex in vitro culture processes, differentiation status, as well as final product characterization, viability, and product stability are all essential data to be collected and documented. This requires robust and validated flow cytometric analysis. In this review, we discuss flow cytometer set up; design and use of assays to maintain quality control in cell processing, and the building of a robust set of release criteria. The use of flow cytometric assays as surrogates of functional assays to allow comparison and release of cellular products for clinical use are reviewed with reference to monocyte‐derived and T cell products.
Development of the other‐race effect in Malaysian‐Chinese infants
Authors: Tham Diana Su Yun , Woo Pei Jun , Bremner J. Gavin
Published: September 2018

Little is known about how infants born and raised in a multiracial environment process own‐ and other‐race faces. We investigated face recognition of 3‐ to 4‐month‐old (N = 36) and 8‐ to 9‐month‐old (N = 38) Chinese infants from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a population that is considered multiracial, using female and male faces that are of infants’ own‐race (Chinese), experienced other‐race (Malay) and less experienced other‐race (Caucasian‐White). Three‐ to 4‐month‐olds recognized own‐race female faces, whereas 8‐ to 9‐month‐olds also recognized experienced other‐race female faces (Malay) in addition to own‐race female faces (Chinese). Furthermore, infants from this population did not show recognition for male faces at any age. This contrasts with 8‐ to 9‐month‐old British‐White infants (Tham, Bremner, & Hay, ), a group that is considered single‐race, who recognized female and male own‐race faces. It appears that for infants born and raised in a multiracial environment, there is a developmental shift from a female‐based own‐race recognition advantage to a female‐based own‐ and experienced other‐race advantage that may relate to infants’ social and caregiving experiences.
Suspect and non‐target screening workflows to investigate the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of the synthetic cannabinoid 5Cl‐THJ‐018
Authors: Vervliet Philippe , Mortelé Olivier , Gys Celine , Degreef Maarten , Lanckmans Katrien , Maudens Kristof , Covaci Adrian , van Nuijs Alexander L.N. , Lai Foon Yin
Published: September 2018

The use of synthetic cannabinoids causes similar effects as Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol and long‐term (ab)use can lead to health hazards and fatal intoxications. As most investigated synthetic cannabinoids undergo extensive biotransformation, almost no parent compound can be detected in urine, which hampers forensic investigations. Limited information about the biotransformation products of new synthetic cannabinoids makes the detection of these drugs in various biological matrices challenging. This study aimed to identify the main in vitro biotransformation pathways of 5Cl‐THJ‐018 and to compare these findings with an authentic urine sample of a 5Cl‐THJ‐018 user. The synthetic cannabinoid was incubated with pooled human liver microsomes and cytosol to simulate phase I and phase II biotransformations. Resulting extracts were analyzed with liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF–MS). Three different data analysis workflows were applied to identify biotransformation products. A suspect screening workflow used an in‐house database built from literature data and in silico biotransformation predictions. Two non‐target screening workflows used a commercially available software and an open‐source software for mass spectrometry data processing. A total of 23 in vitro biotransformation products were identified, with hydroxylation, oxidative dechlorination, and dihydrodiol formation pathways as the main phase I reactions. Additionally, five glucuronidated and three sulfated phase II conjugates were identified. The predominant in vivo pathway was through oxidative dechlorination and in total six metabolites of 5Cl‐THJ‐018 were identified. Biotransformation products both in vitro and in vivo were successfully identified using complementary suspect and non‐target screening workflows.
Beyond the phonological deficit: Semantics contributes indirectly to decoding efficiency in children with dyslexia
Authors: van Rijthoven Robin , Kleemans Tijs , Segers Eliane , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: September 2018

The present study explored the direct and indirect contribution of semantic abilities to the levels of phonological and orthographic abilities in children with dyslexia. The semantic abilities of fifty‐five 9‐year‐old Dutch children diagnosed with dyslexia were associated with their phonological abilities (phonological awareness, rapid naming, and verbal working memory) and their word decoding and pseudoword decoding efficiency scores. It was found that children's semantic abilities predicted both word decoding efficiency and pseudoword decoding efficiency indirectly via phonological awareness and rapid naming. These results can be explained in terms of a lexical restructuring account of early reading development; strong semantic abilities provide children with dyslexia with a boost to strengthen their phonological skills and naming skills, which indirectly facilitate their reading development.
Metformin inhibits IgE‐ and aryl hydrocarbon receptor‐mediated mast cell activation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wang Hsueh‐Chun , Huang Shau‐Ku
Published: September 2018

Metformin, an anti‐diabetic drug, possesses anti‐inflammatory property beyond its glucose‐lowering activity, but its regulatory effect on mast cells and allergic responses remains unknown, wherein the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)‐ligand axis is critical in controlling mast cell activation. Herein, we provide evidence supporting the role of metformin in modulating mast cell activation by FcεR1‐, AhR‐mediated signaling or their combination. Metformin at relatively low doses was shown to suppress FcεR1‐mediated degranulation, IL‐13, TNF‐α and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) secretion in murine bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMCs). In contrast, metformin at the same doses potently inhibited all parameters in mast cells stimulated with an AhR ligand, 5,11‐dihydroindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole‐6‐carbaldehyde (FICZ). Further, metformin was shown to inhibit FcεR1‐ and AhR‐mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in vivo, reversible by a S1P receptor 2 antagonist, JTE‐013. Using AhR reporter cells, Huh7‐DRE‐Luc cells, a human mast cell line, HMC‐1, and BMMCs, metformin's inhibitory effect was mediated through the suppression of FICZ‐induced AhR activity, calcium mobilization and ROS generation. Notably, FICZ‐mediated oxidation of S1P lyase (S1PL) and its reduced activity were reversed by metformin, resulting in decreased levels of S1P. Collectively, these results suggested the potential utility of metformin in treating allergic diseases, particularly in cases with comorbid type II diabetes mellitus.
Microwave‐Assisted Facile Synthesis of Red‐Shifted Azobenzene Glycoconjugates
Authors: Poonthiyil Vivek , Reise Franziska , Despras Guillaume , Lindhorst Thisbe K.
Published: September 2018

Azobenzene glycoconjugates are important tools used to study the effect of sugar orientation in molecular recognition. This is possible through the reversible photoinduced trans/cis isomerization of the N=N double bond in the sugar‐presenting azobenzene units. However, all the azobenzene glycoconjugates used so far need ultraviolet light for trans‐to‐cis switching, restricting their use in in vivo applications. Herein, we report the first synthesis of red‐shifted azobenzene glycoconjugates. After tetra‐ortho‐chlorination of the azobenzene moiety, the respective glycoazobenzenes can be switched from the trans to the cis state with visible light. We report scope and limitations of microwave‐assisted late‐stage C–H chlorination to afford tetra‐ortho‐chloroazobenzene glycoconjugates. Furthermore, synthesis of a red‐shifted azobenzene glycoconjugate carrying a thioacetate‐terminated linker is reported to allow for fabrication of red‐shifted photoswitchable glyco‐SAMs on gold surface. The photochromic properties of all red‐shifted azobenzene glycoconjugates are described.
Hetaryl Bromides Bearing the SO2F Group – Versatile Substrates for Palladium‐Catalyzed C–C Coupling Reactions
Authors: Cherepakha Artem Yu. , Stepannikova Kateryna O. , Vashchenko Bohdan V. , Gorichko Marian V. , Tolmachev Andrey A. , Grygorenko Oleksandr O.
Published: September 2018

Synthesis of novel five‐ and six‐membered heteroaromatic sulfonyl fluorides bearing bromine atom at various positions of the heterocyclic ring is described. The synthetic utility of these compounds is demonstrated by the Suzuki, Stille, and Negishi cross‐coupling reactions, which proceeded chemoselectively at the aryl bromide moiety with 69–98 % yields. The tolerance of the SO2F group towards the coupling reaction conditions was confirmed in most of the experiments. The proposed method was efficient for either sp2–sp2 or sp2–sp3 C–C couplings. The developed procedure provides rapid access to various substituted heterocyclic sulfonyl fluorides.
Photocatalytic Cycloadditions Enabled by a Lithium Perchlorate/Nitromethane Electrolyte Solution
Authors: Nagahara Shingo , Wakamatsu Hiroki , Okada Yohei , Chiba Kazuhiro
Published: September 2018

Photocatalytic cycloadditions involving carbon–carbon bond formation in the absence of an external sensitizer are described. The use of a lithium perchlorate/nitromethane electrolyte solution exhibiting remarkable Lewis acidity is the key for the successful transformations. According to the UV/Vis measurements, an electron donor–acceptor complex did not form and nitromethane was expected to function as the initial sensitizer for the reactions. Although the mechanisms are still under debate, both electron‐ and energy‐transfer processes could be involved, both of which are triggered by excited nitromethane in combination with molecular oxygen.
Potential application of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLL) immobilized on nonporous polystyrene particles
Authors: Dantas Adriana , Valério Alexsandra , Ninow Jorge Luiz , de Oliveira J. Vladimir , de Oliveira Débora
Published: September 2018

The crescent demand for biocatalyst application, associated with the production costs and the need to reduce the dependence for the fossil fuels combined with waste recovery, which could be used as an alternative to resources, increased the interests for the enzyme immobilization. In this work, low‐cost nonporous polystyrene (PS) particles were studied as a support to Thermomyces Lanuginosus lipase (NS‐40116) immobilization. The results showed that immobilized lipase on PS matrix showed better thermal and pH stability when compared to soluble NS‐40116 lipase, with an increase of 84% in the hydrolytic activity at pH 12. Kinetic constants showed that immobilization process increased enzyme specificity by the substrate. In addition, immobilized lipase on PS matrix was effectively applied in the production of free fatty acids from commercial soybean oil demonstrating operational stability after five reuse cycles as well as potential application in the transesterification and esterification reactions by using abdominal chicken fat as substrate. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 608–613, 2019
Cr(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution and its reactions behavior on the surfaces of granular Fe–Mn binary oxides
Authors: Du Xiaoli , Yu Zhenya , Zhu Yingjie
Published: September 2018

A granular Fe–Mn binary oxide (GFMO) was prepared for Cr(VI) removal and characterized by its Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images of the GFMO showed it had a rough surface and heterogeneous porous structure. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area was 57.64 m2/g. X‐ray photoelectron spectra showed that manganese and iron existed mainly in the +IV and + III oxidation states, respectively. Adsorption of Cr(VI) by the GFMO was investigated. Kinetic data showed that the Cr(VI) adsorption onto the GFMO followed a pseudo‐second‐order model, indicating that the adsorption process was chemisorption. Equilibrium data were analyzed by both the Freundlich and Langmuir models, and the Langmuir isotherm model fitted better with the maximum adsorption capacity of 16.79 mg/g at 318 K. The Cr(VI) adsorption on GFMO was endothermic and nonspontaneous in nature. It was also strongly pH dependent, with higher Cr(VI) removal efficiency occurring under acidic conditions and a sharp decrease in adsorption as the pH increased. Coexisting anions competed with Cr(VI) for adsorption on the GFMO in the order silicate > sulfate > nitrate. Cr(VI) adsorption on the GFMO mainly occurred via anion exchange, surface complexation, and electrostatic attraction.

Novelty or Significance: Combined adsorbent with iron oxides and manganese oxides was usually synthesized for heavy metal removal and showed an excellent adsorption capacity. However, the Fe–Mn binary oxide adsorbent mentioned above were mostly exhibited in particles, limiting its engineering application due to the dispersion state in aqueous solutions. Therefore, novel granular Fe–Mn oxide adsorbents, with good stability and high adsorption capacity, are highly desired. A novel granular Fe–Mn oxide (GFMO) adsorbent with the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the adhesive was synthesized to investigate its adsorption behaviors for Cr(VI) for further used as filler in most water treatment equipment. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: S176–S184, 2019
Comparison of Engine Performance and Exhaust Emission Properties of Diesel and Safflower Biodiesel Using Multi‐Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Karabaş Hülya , Boran Semra
Published: September 2018

An experimental study was conducted on a compressed ignition engine using safflower biodiesel for performance and exhaust emission optimization based on a response surface methodology and desirability function approach. In this study, the effects of different engine speeds and blending levels of biodiesel and diesel fuel on the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine were investigated. The optimized responses (brake power, brake‐specific fuel consumption, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide emissions) of a diesel engine operated using the ratio of safflower biodiesel to diesel fuel blends of 0%, 50%, and 100%, called SB0 (No. 2‐D diesel fuel), SB50, and SB100, respectively, were considered. Two factors affecting the responses based on the desirability function were determined: the type of fuel and engine speed. An engine speed of 1996 rpm and a blend of 36% biodiesel and 64% diesel fuel were found to be optimal values. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13034, 2019