bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advantageous Use of Ionic Liquids for the Synthesis of Pharmaceutically Relevant Quinolones
Authors: Cannalire Rolando , Tiecco Matteo , Cecchetti Violetta , Germani Raimondo , Manfroni Giuseppe
Published: April 2018

The advantageous use of ionic liquids (ILs) as alternatives to common DMF as solvent in the Grohe cycloaracylation for the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant quinolones is reported. ILs showed in many cases shorter reaction times and higher yields, complete conversions of the reactants and easy work‐up procedures compared with DMF. Of the ILs screened, tributylmethylammonium methanesulfonate ([TBMA][MsO]) was selected as the most suitable for further studies. Interestingly, a wide substrate scope was observed and the IL was recycled by a green process. A further step forward in the use of [TBMA][MsO] for quinolone synthesis was the preparation by a one‐pot/three‐step procedure of the representative 3‐carboxy‐4‐quinolone acid 16, which was obtained in high yield in a short time. The greener properties of ILs in comparison with DMF and their non‐volatility appoint this method as a potentially efficient and alternative approach to the industrial production of quinolones.
TBHP as Methyl Source under Metal‐Free Aerobic Conditions To Synthesize Quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones and Quinazolines by Oxidative Amination of C(sp3)–H Bond
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sushobhan , Barak Dinesh S. , Batra Sanjay
Published: April 2018

tert‐Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) served as the methyl source under metal‐free aerobic conditions in the oxidative amination of the C(sp3)–H bond to synthesize quinazolin‐4(3H)‐ones and quinazolines from 2‐aminobenzamides and 2‐carbonyl‐substituted anilines, respectively.
In Vivo Recording of Ascorbate and Neural Excitability in Medial Vestibular Nucleus and Hippocampus Following Ice Water Vestibular Stimulation in Rats
Authors: Xin Ying , Song Yu , Xiao Tongfang , Zhang Yinghong , Li Lijuan , Li Tao , Zhang Ke , Liu Junxiu , Ma Furong , Mao Lanqun
Published: April 2018

Vertigo is a common clinical symptom; however, the chemical and electrophysiological processes involved in the pathological mechanism of vertigo remain to be fully understood. In this study, we used an online electrochemical system (OECS) and electrophysiological system to record the dynamics of ascorbate and the change in the neural excitability in medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and hippocampus of rats following vertigo induced by vestibular ice water stimulation. The OECS employed for recording the dynamics of ascorbate consists of in vivo microdialysis and online selective electrochemical detection. We observed that the level of ascorbate in MVN increased to 155±14 % of the basal level after ice water vestibular stimulation. Whereas, the level of ascorbate in hippocampus decreased to 55±12 % of the basal level after ice water vestibular stimulation. To explore the neural excitability of MVN and hippocampus, we used an electrophysiological recording system and analyzed spontaneous firing rate (SFR) of the neuronal discharges in both nucleus. We found that, in MVN, the neural excitability began to increase during vestibular ice stimulation, remained to be elevated until 1 hour after stimulation. Whereas, in hippocampus, the neural excitability decreased soon after vestibular ice stimulation and recovered 1 hour after stimulation. Dynamics of ascorbate recorded with the OECS correlate with the change in the neural excitability, which may suggest the function of ascorbate as an antioxidant and possibly as a neuromodulator for glutamate‐mediated neurotransmission. The involvement of MVN and hippocampus for the dynamics of ascorbate observed here may be related to the vestibular compensation of vertigo.
A new method for microwave assisted ethanolic extraction of Mentha rotundifolia bioactive terpenoids
Authors: García‐Sarrió María Jesús , Sanz María Luz , Sanz Jesús , González‐Coloma Azucena , Cristina Soria Ana
Published: April 2018

A new microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) method using ethanol as solvent has been optimized by means of a Box‐Behnken experimental design for the enhanced extraction of bioactive terpenoids from Mentha rotundifolia leaves; 100°C, 5 min, 1.125 g dry sample: 10 mL solvent and a single extraction cycle were selected as optimal conditions. Improved performance of MAE method in terms of extraction yield and/or reproducibility over conventional solid‐liquid extraction and ultrasound assisted extraction was also previously assessed. A comprehensive characterization of MAE extracts was carried out by GC‐MS. A total of 46 compounds, mostly terpenoids, were identified; piperitenone oxide and piperitenone were the major compounds determined. Several neophytadiene isomers were also detected for the first time in MAE extracts. Different procedures (solid‐phase extraction and activated charcoal (AC) treatment) were also evaluated for clean‐up of MAE extracts, with AC providing the highest enrichment in bioactive terpenoids. Finally, the MAE method here developed is shown as a green, fast, efficient and reproducible liquid extraction methodology to obtain M. rotundifolia bioactive extracts for further application, among others, as food preservatives.
Epigenetic modifications preserve the hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens from Ni geno‐toxicity
Authors: Gullì Mariolina , Marchi Laura , Fragni Rosaria , Buschini Annamaria , Visioli Giovanna
Published: April 2018

The Ni hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens has adapted to live in a naturally stressed environment, evolving a complex pattern of traits to cope with adverse conditions. Evidence is accumulating regarding the important role of epigenetic modifications in regulating plant responses to stress. In this study, we present data from the natural “open‐field” adaptation of the Ni hyperaccumulator N. caerulescens to serpentine soil and provide the first evidence of the involvement of epigenetic changes in response to the high Ni content present in plant leaves. The alkaline comet assay revealed the integrity of the nuclei of leaf cells of N. caerulescens grown in a Ni‐rich environment, while in the non‐tolerant Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to Ni, the nuclei were severely damaged. DNA of N. caerulescens plants grown in situ were considerably hyper‐methylated compared to A. thaliana plants exposed to Ni. In addition, qRT‐PCR revealed that N. caerulescens MET1, DRM2, and HDA8 genes involved in epigenetic DNA and histone modification were up‐regulated in the presence of high Ni content in leaves. Such epigenetic modifications may constitute a defense strategy that prevents genome instability and direct damage to the DNA structure by Ni ion, enabling plants to survive in an extreme environment. Further studies will be necessary to analyze in detail the involvement of DNA methylation and other epigenetic mechanisms in the complex process of metal hyperaccumulation and plants’ adaptive response. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:464–475, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial regression with an informatively missing covariate: Application to mapping fine particulate matter
Authors: Grantham Neal S. , Reich Brian J. , Liu Yang , Chang Howard H.
Published: April 2018

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has established a large network of stations to monitor fine particulate matter of <2.5 µm (PM2.5) that is known to be harmful to human health. Unfortunately, the network has limited spatial coverage, and stations often only measure PM2.5 every few days. Satellite‐measured aerosol optical depth (AOD) is a low‐cost surrogate with greater spatiotemporal coverage, and spatial regression models have established that including AOD as a covariate improves the spatial interpolation of PM2.5. However, AOD is often missing, and our analysis reveals that the conditions that lead to missing AOD are also conducive to high AOD. Therefore, naïve interpolation that ignores informative missingness may lead to bias. We propose a joint hierarchical model for PM2.5 and AOD that accounts for informatively missing AOD. We conduct a simulation study of the effects of ignoring informative missingness in the covariate and evaluate the performance of the proposed model. We apply the method to map daily PM2.5 in the Southeastern United States. Our analysis reveals statistically significant informative missingness and relationships between PM2.5 and AOD in many seasons after accounting for meteorological and land‐use variables.
Real‐time hybrid simulation for an RC bridge pier subjected to both horizontal and vertical ground motions
Authors: Chae Yunbyeong , Lee Jinhaeng , Park Minseok , Kim Chul‐Young
Published: April 2018

It is well known that real‐time hybrid simulation (RTHS) is an effective and viable dynamic testing method. Numerous studies have been conducted for RTHS during the last 2 decades; however, the application of RTHS toward practical civil infrastructure is fairly limited. One of the major technical barriers preventing RTHS from being widely accepted in the testing community is the difficulty of accurate displacement control for axially stiff members. For such structures, a servo‐hydraulic actuator can generate a large force error due to the stiff oil column in the actuator even if there is a small axial displacement error. This difficulty significantly restricts the implementation of RTHS for structures such as columns, walls, bridge piers, and base isolators. Recently, a flexible loading frame system was developed, enabling a large‐capacity real‐time axial force application to axially stiff members. With the aid of the flexible loading frame system, this paper demonstrates an RTHS for a bridge structure with an experimental reinforced concrete pier, which is subjected to both horizontal and vertical ground motions. This type of RTHS has been a challenging task due to the lack of knowledge for satisfying the time‐varying axial force boundary condition, but the newly developed technology for real‐time force control and its incorporation into RTHS enabled a successful implementation of the RTHS for the reinforced concrete pier of this study.
A comprehensive review on beneficial dietary phytochemicals in common traditional Southern African leafy vegetables
Authors: Sivakumar Dharini , Chen Lingyun , Sultanbawa Yasmina
Published: April 2018

Regular intake of sufficient amounts of certain dietary phytochemicals was proven to reduce the incidence of noncommunicable chronic diseases and certain infectious diseases. In addition, dietary phytochemicals were also reported to reduce the incidence of metabolic disorders such as obesity in children and adults. However, limited information is available, especially on dietary phytochemicals in the commonly available traditional leafy vegetables. Primarily, the review summarizes information on the major phytochemicals and the impact of geographical location, genotype, agronomy practices, postharvest storage, and processing of common traditional leafy vegetables. The review also briefly discusses the bioavailability and accessibility of major phytochemicals, common antinutritive compounds of the selected vegetables, and recently developed traditional leafy vegetable‐based food products for dietary diversification to improve the balanced diet for the consumers. The potential exists for better use of traditional leafy vegetables to sustain food security and to improve the health and well‐being of humans.
Application of Metal Foam as a Flow Field for PEM Fuel Cell Stack
Authors: Kim M. , Kim C. , Sohn Y.
Published: April 2018

The channel/rib structure, commonly used in proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), has disadvantages of uneven pressure distribution, gas supply, and produced‐water management under “rib” portion. In recent years, porous metal foam has been studied as an alternative flow field. We determined that the application of porous metal foams improved the PEMFC performance by compensating for the drawback of the channel/rib‐type flow field owing to the unique properties of metal foams (e.g., high conductivity, high porosity, and ease‐of‐deformation). Thus, this study confirmed the difference in the PEMFC performance with metal foams depending on cell configurations. Furthermore, the actual 500 W class PEMFC stack was fabricated to confirm the possibility of the metal foam application in the stack scale.
Fired Bricks: CO2 Emission and Food Insecurity
Authors: Nath Arun Jyoti , Lal Rattan , Das Ashesh Kumar
Published: April 2018

Fired bricks are used for construction purposes over the millennia, going back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The traditional brick‐making process involves removal of agriculturally productive topsoil rich in clay and soil organic matter contents. In addition to the removal of the fertile topsoil and accelerated degradation by other processes, the traditional clay brick making process also emits CO2 and other gases into the atmosphere. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the impact of brick making in India on: (i) the magnitude of annual CO2 emission and (ii) the loss of agricultural production. Currently, 0.7 Mha (million hectare) of agricultural land is under brick kilns that produce ≈250 billion bricks annually. It is estimated that soil organic carbon lost through the firing process of 250 billion bricks is 5.58–6.12 Tg (teragram) (20.48–22.46 Tg CO2), and in conjunction with clay burning and coal combustion the process releases 40.65–42.64 Tg CO2 into the atmosphere per annum. Brick kiln also impacts quality of the exposed subsoil, and may also reduce 60–90% agronomic yield. Therefore, brick making from topsoil exacerbates food and nutritional insecurity by degrading soil quality, and increases risks of climate change through increase in gaseous emissions.
Geoarchaeology and chronostratigraphy of the Lac du Puy intraurban protohistoric wetland, Corent, France
Authors: Mayoral Alfredo , Peiry Jean‐Luc , Berger Jean‐François , Ledger Paul M. , Depreux Bruno , Simon François‐Xavier , Milcent Pierre‐Yves , Poux Matthieu , Vautier Franck , Miras Yannick
Published: April 2018

This paper presents the first results of the geoarchaeological study of an unusual hilltop wetland, located within the protohistoric proto‐urban site of Corent in the French Massif Central. This small depression offers an exceptionally local sedimentary record that provided valuable data on long‐term human–environment interactions, as well as proto‐urbanization of the first millennium B.C.E. Field survey revealed a major archaeological discovery: a large ensemble of 114 Iron Age storage pits excavated in clayey deposits. The geoarchaeological analysis of stratigraphic logs and cross‐sections completed by geophysical survey and radiocarbon dating allowed us to refine the chronology of these structures. Here, we suggest these structures are probably contemporary with the Hallstatt occupation of the site (600–425 B.C.E.), consistent with the emergence at Corent of a short‐lived proto‐urban environment during this period. These investigations also allowed us to characterize the main evolution phases of the basin and the diversity of human impacts from first disturbance in the Early Neolithic to its final destruction in the Roman period. These findings highlight the nonlinear nature of the socio‐environmental interactions and the definitive shift to an “anthroposystem” as a consequence of major disturbance in the first Iron Age, centuries before the development of urban settlements in the oppida period.
Rock mass‐scale factors with an influence on tool wear in the mechanised tunnelling process in hard rock
Authors: Plinninger Ralf J. , Alber Michael , Düllmann Jan
Published: April 2018

Wear to the tools used for excavate the rock mass has a significant relevance for the cost and performance of tunnel drives in hard rock. This applies in particular to mechanised tunnelling processes, where the effect of wear is an important factor for system availability. At the moment, laboratory tests and derived abrasiveness indices like the Cerchar Abrasiveness Index (CAI) or the Rock Abrasivity Index (RAI) provide the basis for evaluation of tool wear. It should however be noted that such index values can only take into account influential factors on the scale of the intact rock. Influential factors on the scale of the rock mass, for example mixed‐face conditions, unstable face conditions, blockiness or the primary and secondary stress states at the face, can also be significant for the tool wear that is actually experienced. The possible consequences of such disadvantageous effects, which for example can cause catastrophic failure of tools, can represent many times the abrasiveness of the intact rock.
Does the in‐situ stress state have an effect on tool wear in deep TBM tunnelling?
Authors: Rauch Roman , Goliasch Robert , Käsling Heiko , Thuro Kurosch
Published: April 2018

Analysis of wear data from a TBM tunnelling project under high overburden shows diverging wear rates on the disc cutters depending on their position in the cutterhead. The disc cutters at inner and middle positions in the cutterhead reach about twice the running distances compared with cutters fitted at pre‐gauge positions. This work shows that the construction of the cutterhead has an impact on the degree of abrasive wear, especially for the gauge positions. Moreover, the analysis shows that the in‐situ stress state correlates significantly with disc cutter wear.

Working temperatures of disc cutters were also measured and analysed. In general, the measured temperatures are controlled by the transverse velocity of the disc cutters, which depends on the position of the disc cutter in the cutter head. Furthermore, there is a good correlation between the results of the analysis of disc cutter wear and the measured disc cutter temperatures. It is shown that high temperatures and high cutter wear occur at the same positions in the cutterhead.
Tool wear analysis of pressurized face TBM drives in the glacial geology of the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Gwildis Ulf Georg , Sass Ingo
Published: April 2018

For underground construction projects in the United States and Canada it is standard procedure to use a Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) to contractually define subsoil conditions. The GBR sets baselines based on which tunneling contractors develop bids and plan the works. Baseline values for soil abrasiveness are a focus especially where drives with pressurized‐face Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) beneath the groundwater table and in unstable face conditions require changing the cutterhead tools under hyperbaric conditions or in pre‐constructed safe havens.
Several laboratory procedures exist that can be used for providing soil abrasiveness baselines in the context of the GBR. However, none of them cover all the soil characteristics that are relevant in causing tool wear. Also, other factors need to be considered for wear rate prediction. Analyzing the performance of previous TBM drives is a proven way to gain insight into the wear system behavior. This paper presents correlation analyses of geotechnical conditions, TBM operational data, and tool wear measurements from several TBM drives in the metropolitan areas of Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. These drives with earth pressure balance and slurry TBMs include various tool types and were conducted in glacial and interglacial deposits that are considered highly abrasive.
Cutter wear mechanisms in hard rock tunnel boring
Authors: Macias Francisco Javier , Nærland Jarand , Espallargas Nuria
Published: April 2018

Cutter consumption and parameters such as cutter ring wear has a great relevance in the overall excavation time and cost in hard rock tunnel boring machines (TBMs), especially in hard rock conditions. Cutter wear involves a complex tribological system that interacts also with the geologicy of the rock mass. Understanding the processes and failure mechanisms during cutter wear (e.g. modes of contact, wear, load effects) and assessing the influence of temperature on cutter ring wear processes enables new knowledge to be applied to get better cutter consumption predictions and future improvements in cutter ring development. In addition, it might be used to evaluate the suitability of the new rock abrasivity test method (Rolling Indentation Abrasion Test, RIAT) for assessing cutter ring wear.
The significance of the LCPC test as a tool for the specification of homogeneous areas
Authors: Feinendegen Martin , Ziegler Martin
Published: April 2018

With the revision of the German contract conditions VOB in 2015, the previously usual soil and rock classes were replaced by homogeneous areas, into which the ground is to be divided according to the condition of soil and/or rock before excavation. Numerous properties and characteristic values also have to be specified with their determined bandwidths. In the tendering process for many works in specialised civil engineering, earthworks and tunnelling, the abrasiveness now always has to be assessed and, if necessary, tested for soil using the LCPC test according to the French standard NF P18‐579. This test was originally designed to determine the abrasion and crushability of artificial aggregates and is normally carried out under conditions that are in most cases unrepresentative of the behaviour of natural (mixed grained) soils in‐situ. Transfer of the results to the contractually binding ground report required by the VOB is therefore extremely critical, as this article points out based on new investigations with the LCPC test.
Tool wear in TBM hard rock drilling – backgrounds and special phenomena
Authors: Ellecosta Peter , Käsling Heiko , Thuro Kurosch
Published: April 2018

In hard rock TBM drilling, wear issues play a crucial role in the success of a tunnelling project. Thus, excavation tools must be selected carefully and be adapted to ground conditions. Wear‐related changes in the tools that occur over the course of the tools' operating lives must also be taken into account. This paper presents five basic types of macroscopic wear for cutter rings: (1) abrasive/normal wear, (2) tapering, (3) mushrooming, (4) brittle fracture of the cutter ring (special wear type 1) and (5) blockade of the roller bearing (special wear type 2). These basic wear types lead to distinct cutter ring shapes which allow deriving some fundamental characteristics of the interacting rock types. In addition, a microscopic analysis of the surfaces and associated metallographic sections from worn cutter tools has been performed. As a result, the tribological processes under the cutter, leading to tool wear, can be better understood. In summary, the investigations may contribute to a better understanding to make it easier to choose the proper TBM disc cutter for a distinct rock type in order to minimize the risk of tool‐related downtimes.
Kinetics of the reversible reaction of CO2(aq) with taurate in aqueous solution
Authors: Yu Hai , Yang Nan , Maeder Marcel , Feron Paul
Published: April 2018

Taurate has potential as an absorbent for CO2 capture and is also an effective rate promoter in aqueous NH3‐based absorbents. However, the detailed mechanism involved in the reaction of CO2(aq) with taurate in aqueous solution is not available and the reaction rate and equilibrium constants for some reactions in the mechanism have not yet been determined. This limits our understanding of the role of taurate in the capture process using an NH3/taurate mixture and hinders rigorous rate‐based process simulation. In this work, we studied the reaction of taurate with CO2 in aqueous solution with added acid‐base indicators at 288.0, 298.0, 308.0, and 318.0 K. Stopped‐flow spectrophotometry was used to record absorbance of the solutions, which reflects pH changes via colored acid‐base indicators as a function of time and over the wavelength range from 400.0–700.0 nm. Through global analysis of the kinetic data from the stopped flow reactor, we determined the temperature dependence of the rate and equilibrium constants using a detailed reaction scheme including all reactions in the taurate–CO2–H2O system. We then used stopped‐flow spectrophotometry to investigate the effect of taurate on the reaction of CO2 in the mixed taurate−NH3−CO2−H2O system at 298.0 K. The mechanism for the reaction of the taurate and NH3 mixture with CO2(aq) was found to be a simple combination of two individual systems. Taurate in the mixture can significantly enhance the CO2 absorption rate and NH3 can work as a proton sink making more taurate available for CO2 and the potential reduction of NH3 loss. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of reactor geometry on dissociating CO2 and electrode degradation in a MHCD plasma reactor
Authors: Taylan Onur , Pinero Daniel , Berberoglu Halil
Published: April 2018

This paper reports an experimental study on the effects of reactor geometry for dissociating carbon dioxide using a microhollow cathode discharge (MHCD) reactor, and the associated electrode degradation. A MHCD reactor consists of two hollow metal electrodes that are separated by dielectric material. The geometric reactor parameters studied were the dielectric material thickness and the diameter of the reactor hole. Dielectric thicknesses of 150, 300 and 450 μm and discharge hole diameters of 200, 400 and 515 μm were studied parametrically. The results of each parameter combination were discussed in terms of specific energy input (SEI), CO2 conversion, electrical‐to‐chemical energy conversion efficiency, and degradation rate of the electrodes. Overall, the results showed that, at constant SEI, increasing the dielectric thickness increased CO2 conversion and energy efficiency but decreased the degradation rate. Moreover, at a constant SEI, varying the hole diameter did not affect CO2 conversion or efficiency but the electrode degradation rate decreased with increasing hole diameter. The maximum efficiency observed was about 18.5% for the dielectric thickness of 450 μm, hole diameter of 400 μm, and a SEI of 0.1 eV/mol. With this reactor geometry, the maximum CO2 conversion was 17.3% at a SEI of 3.7 eV/mol. Moreover, the results showed that the rate of electrode degradation increased linearly with time at a rate ranging from 130 to 207 μm2/s, with a reactor lifetime of 13 hours at a SEI of 3.7 eV/mol. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural correlates of Openness and Intellect: Implications for the contribution of personality to creativity
Authors: Vartanian Oshin , Wertz Christopher J. , Flores Ranee A. , Beatty Erin L. , Smith Ingrid , Blackler Kristen , Lam Quan , Jung Rex E.
Published: April 2018

Openness/Intellect (i.e., openness to experience) is the Big Five personality factor most consistently associated with individual differences in creativity. Recent psychometric evidence has demonstrated that this factor consists of two distinct aspects—Intellect and Openness. Whereas Intellect reflects perceived intelligence and intellectual engagement, Openness reflects engagement with fantasy, perception, and aesthetics. We investigated the extent to which Openness and Intellect are associated with variations in brain structure as measured by cortical thickness, area, and volume (N = 185). Our results demonstrated that Openness was correlated inversely with cortical thickness and volume in left middle frontal gyrus (BA 6), middle temporal gyrus (MTG, BA 21), and superior temporal gyrus (BA 41), and exclusively with cortical thickness in left inferior parietal lobule (BA 40), right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG, BA 45), and MTG (BA 37). When age and sex were statistically controlled for, the inverse correlations between Openness and cortical thickness remained statistically significant for all regions except left MTG, whereas the correlations involving cortical volume remained statistically significant only for left middle frontal gyrus. There was no statistically significant correlation between Openness and cortical area, and no statistically significant correlation between Intellect and cortical thickness, area, or volume. Our results demonstrate that individual differences in Openness are correlated with variation in brain structure—particularly as indexed by cortical thickness. Given the involvement of the above regions in processes related to memory and cognitive control, we discuss the implications of our findings for the possible contribution of personality to creative cognition.
Individual differences in stop‐related activity are inflated by the adaptive algorithm in the stop signal task
Authors: D'Alberto Nicholas , Chaarani Bader , Orr Catherine A. , Spechler Philip A. , Albaugh Matthew D. , Allgaier Nicholas , Wonnell Alexander , Banaschewski Tobias , Bokde Arun L.W. , Bromberg Uli , Büchel Christian , Quinlan Erin Burke , Conrod Patricia J. , Desrivières Sylvane , Flor Herta , Fröhner Juliane H. , Frouin Vincent , Gowland Penny , Heinz Andreas , Itterman Bernd , Martinot Jean‐Luc , Paillère Martinot Marie‐Laure , Artiges Eric , Nees Frauke , Papadopoulos Orfanos Dimitri , Poustka Luise , Robbins Trevor W. , Smolka Michael N. , Walter Henrik , Whelan Robert , Schumann Gunter , Potter Alexandra S. , Garavan Hugh
Published: April 2018

Research using the Stop Signal Task employing an adaptive algorithm to accommodate individual differences often report inferior performance on the task in individuals with ADHD, OCD, and substance use disorders compared to non‐clinical controls. Furthermore, individuals with deficits in inhibitory control tend to show reduced neural activity in key inhibitory regions during successful stopping. However, the adaptive algorithm systematically introduces performance‐related differences in objective task difficulty that may influence the estimation of individual differences in stop‐related neural activity. This report examines the effect that these algorithm‐related differences have on the measurement of neural activity during the stop signal task. We compared two groups of subjects (n = 210) who differed in inhibitory ability using both a standard fMRI analysis and an analysis that resampled trials to remove the objective task difficulty confound. The results show that objective task difficulty influences the magnitude of between‐group differences and that controlling for difficulty attenuates stop‐related activity differences between superior and poor inhibitors. Specifically, group differences in the right inferior frontal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, and left inferior frontal gyrus are diminished when differences in objective task difficulty are controlled for. Also, when objective task difficulty effects are exaggerated, group differences in stop related activity emerge in other regions of the stopping network. The implications of these effects for how we interpret individual differences in activity levels are discussed.
Altered brain function in persistent postural perceptual dizziness: A study on resting state functional connectivity
Authors: Lee Jin‐Ok , Lee Eek‐Sung , Kim Ji‐Soo , Lee Young‐Beom , Jeong Yong , Choi Byung Se , Kim Jae‐Hyoung , Staab Jeffrey P.
Published: April 2018

This study used resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) to investigate whole brain networks in patients with persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD). We compared rsfMRI data from 38 patients with PPPD and 38 healthy controls using whole brain and region of interest analyses. We examined correlations among connectivity and clinical variables and tested the ability of a machine learning algorithm to classify subjects using rsfMRI results. Patients with PPPD showed: (a) increased connectivity of subcallosal cortex with left superior lateral occipital cortex and left middle frontal gyrus, (b) decreased connectivity of left hippocampus with bilateral central opercular cortices, left posterior opercular cortex, right insular cortex and cerebellum, and (c) decreased connectivity between right nucleus accumbens and anterior left temporal fusiform cortex. After controlling for anxiety and depression as covariates, patients with PPPD still showed decreased connectivity between left hippocampus and right inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral temporal lobes, bilateral insular cortices, bilateral central opercular cortex, left parietal opercular cortex, bilateral occipital lobes and cerebellum (bilateral lobules VI and V, and left I–IV). Dizziness handicap, anxiety, and depression correlated with connectivity in clinically meaningful brain regions. The machine learning algorithm correctly classified patients and controls with a sensitivity of 78.4%, specificity of 76.9%, and area under the curve = 0.88 using 11 connectivity parameters. Patients with PPPD showed reduced connectivity among the areas involved in multisensory vestibular processing and spatial cognition, but increased connectivity in networks linking visual and emotional processing. Connectivity patterns may become an imaging biomarker of PPPD.
Applicability of internet search index for asthma admission forecast using machine learning
Authors: Luo Li , Liao Chengcheng , Zhang Fengyi , Zhang Wei , Li Chunyang , Qiu Zhixin , Huang Debin
Published: April 2018

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether a search index could provide insight into trends in asthma admission in China. An Internet search index is a powerful tool to monitor and predict epidemic outbreaks. However, whether using an internet search index can significantly improve asthma admissions forecasts remains unknown. The long‐term goal is to develop a surveillance system to help early detection and interventions for asthma and to avoid asthma health care resource shortages in advance.

Methods

In this study, we used a search index combined with air pollution data, weather data, and historical admissions data to forecast asthma admissions using machine learning.

Results

Results demonstrated that the best area under the curve in the test set that can be achieved is 0.832, using all predictors mentioned earlier.

Conclusion

A search index is a powerful predictor in asthma admissions forecast, and a recent search index can reflect current asthma admissions with a lag‐effect to a certain extent. The addition of a real‐time, easily accessible search index improves forecasting capabilities and demonstrates the predictive potential of search index.
Assessment of motivation levels and associated factors among the nursing staff of tertiary‐level government hospitals
Authors: Pandey Rahul , Goel Sonu , Koushal Vipin
Published: April 2018

The present study assessed the motivation level of nurses working in 3 highly decorated tertiary‐level government hospitals of India and also underpins the factors attributing to motivation levels. A sequential mixed‐method design was used in this study wherein 400 nurses working in 5 units of nursing care in the hospitals were enrolled based upon proportionate random stratified sampling techniques. A self‐administered questionnaire with Likert scale was developed based upon scale used by Mbindyo et al. The attributes of motivation were then categorized into external and internal attributes. For the qualitative component, participants with varied responses in quantitative data were selected and interviewed. Overall mean motivation score of the nursing staff was found 3.57 ± 0.93, which was higher for extrinsic motivational attributes (3.67 ± 0.88) as compared with intrinsic attributes (3.47 ± 0.98). The intrinsic motivational attribute of organizational commitment was rated highest followed by general motivation, conscientiousness, and self‐efficacy. Personal issues, timeliness, and burnout were prime discouraging attributes among study participants. Sociodemographic characteristics and work profile characteristics showed significant relationship with the attributes of motivation. This study underscores the significance of different attributes of motivation which needs to be considered while framing administrative strategies and policy guidelines by authorities.
Knowing what others know: Linking deception detection, emotion knowledge, and Theory of Mind in preschool
Authors: Nancarrow Alexandra F. , Gilpin Ansley T. , Thibodeau Rachel B. , Farrell Carmen B.
Published: April 2018

Children's ability to understand and infer the thoughts and feelings of others influences how they develop a unique view of the world. Examining developmental factors that impact young children's success in both social and cognitive domains has important implications for advancing our current knowledge of social cognition. The purpose of this study was to examine relations among emotion knowledge, deception detection, and Theory of Mind to shed light on the development of social cognition. Specifically, preschoolers' deception detection skills were found to moderate the relationship between emotion knowledge and Theory of Mind. Thus, children's ability to use their emotion knowledge to understand the points of view of others varies as a function of their ability to detect deception. Implications for child development are discussed.

Highlights

The purpose of this study was to examine relations among emotion knowledge, deception detection, and Theory of Mind.

Preschoolers' deception detection skills were found to moderate the relationship between emotion knowledge and Theory of Mind.

Children's ability to use emotion knowledge to understand the points of view of others varies as a function of deception detection.
Unsociability and socio‐emotional functioning in young Chinese children: A short‐term longitudinal study
Authors: Zhu Jingjing , Baldwin Danielle , Li Yan , Xie Qingbin , Coplan Robert J.
Published: April 2018

The goal of this study was to examine longitudinal associations among unsociability and indices of socio‐emotional functioning in a sample of young Chinese children. Participants were N = 360 children (Mage = 4.72 years, SD = .67) recruited from kindergarten classes in an urban area of China. Assessments of unsociability and adjustment were obtained at 2 time points (separated by 1 year) using multiple source assessments (maternal reports, child interviews, teacher ratings). Among the results, unsociability was concurrently (but not longitudinally) associated with teacher‐rated anxiety‐withdrawal at school. Some evidence of gender differences was also evident, with Time 1 peer preference more strongly associated with lower unsociability at Time 2 among girls than among boys. Results are discussed in terms of the meaning and implications of unsociability among young children in China.

Highlights

This study explored associations among young children's unsociability and socio‐emotional functioning in China.

Unsociability was associated with anxiety‐withdrawal at Time 1 but did not predict emotional or social difficulties 1 year later.

Results suggest that unsociable behaviour may not as problematic for young Chinese children.
Women infected with HIV and the impact of associated sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Reda Somaia , Gonçalves Fernanda Aguiar , Mazepa Melissa Mello , De Carvalho Newton Sérgio
Published: April 2018

Objective

To review the relationship between concomitant sexually transmitted infections in women infected with HIV.

Methods

PubMed and Scopus were searched for articles published in English and Portuguese between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2015, using relevant keywords, including AIDS, HIV, female genital diseases, and sexually transmitted infections. Articles that associated sexually transmitted infections with HIV‐infected women were selected for inclusion. Those that only investigated prevalence in pregnant women or focused on social or behavioral aspects were excluded.

Results

Of 108 identified articles, 24 were included. When correlated with HIV, genital herpes demonstrated an increased recurrence rate and increased replication rate for HIV in the mucosa. In HIV‐positive women, syphilis can cause more genital ulcers. Bacterial vaginosis provides a pool of microorganisms that can increase the viral copy levels of genital HIV. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and candidiasis may be more severe and complicated in women infected with HIV.

Conclusions

Screening of HIV‐positive patients who could have other sexually transmitted infections is important to protect women and decrease the risk of transmission.
Access to knowledge and the Global Abortion Policies Database
Authors: Erdman Joanna N. , Johnson Brooke Ronald
Published: April 2018

Research shows that women, healthcare providers, and even policy makers worldwide have limited or inaccurate knowledge of the abortion law and policies in their country. These knowledge gaps sometimes stem from the vague and broad terms of the law, which breed uncertainty and even conflict when unaccompanied by accessible regulation or guidelines. Inconsistency across national law and policy further impedes safe and evidence‐based practice. This lack of transparency creates a crisis of accountability. Those seeking care cannot know their legal entitlements, service providers cannot practice with legal protection, and governments can escape legal responsibility for the adverse effects of their laws. This is the context for the newly launched Global Abortion Policies Database—an open‐access repository that seeks to promote transparency and state accountability by providing clear and comprehensive information about national laws, policies, health standards, and guidelines, and by creating the capacity for comparative analysis and cross‐referencing to health indicators, WHO recommendations, and human rights standards.
Comparative analysis of the toxicity of gold nanoparticles in zebrafish
Authors: Patibandla Srinath , Zhang Yinan , Tohari Ali Mohammad , Gu Peng , Reilly James , Chen Yu , Shu Xinhua
Published: April 2018

The use of nanoparticles – particles that range in size from 1 to 100 nm – has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, bringing with it a variety of potential toxic effects. Zebrafish embryos were exposed during the 3 day postfertilization period to gold nanospheres (GNSs), gold nanorods (GNRs), GNRs coated with polystyrene sulphate (PSS‐GNRs) and GNRs coated with both PSS and polyallamine hydrochloride (PAH‐PSS‐GNRs). All nanorods were stabilized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. GNSs were the least toxic of the nanoparticles studied, with exposure resulting in no significant changes in mortality, hatching or heart rate. Exposure to GNRs and PSS‐GNRs resulted in significant increases in mortality and significant decreases in hatching and heart rate. Treatment with GNRs caused significant changes in the expression of a variety of oxidative stress genes. The toxic effects of GNRs were ameliorated by coating them with PSS and, to a more marked extent, with a double coating of PSS and polyallamine hydrochloride.
Evaluation of permeability and fluid wicking in woven fiber bone scaffolds
Authors: Gilmore Jordon , Yin Freda , Burg Karen J. L.
Published: April 2018

Research characterizing transport of nutrients and waste in tissue engineering scaffolds has led to the study of scaffold properties that contribute to permeability and porosity of the scaffold. Both permeability and porosity contribute to the transport properties of the scaffold; however, permeability relates to the degree to which pores are interconnected within the scaffold. This work evaluated permeability for woven polymer fiber scaffolds by modulating the following scaffold parameters: material combination, weave configuration, and fiber geometry. Materials tested were poly‐l‐lactide and poly‐l‐lactide‐co‐ɛ‐caprolactone in various combinations. Plain and crowfoot weave configurations were compared, and grooved wicking fibers were compared with round cross‐section fibers to study fiber geometry. A modification of the constant head hydraulic conductivity test was used in combination with a vertical wicking test to determine levels of permeability of the woven scaffolds. Results showed a significant effect on permeability for combinations of weave configuration, fiber geometry, and material combination. However, modulating fiber geometry demonstrated the most significant contribution to permeability. This result suggests the grooved wicking geometry may be used in scaffold development to regulate transport by selectively moving fluid away or toward the area of interest by capillary action. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 306–313, 2019.
The applicability of furfuryl‐gelatin as a novel bioink for tissue engineering applications
Authors: AnilKumar Shweta , Allen Shane C. , Tasnim Nishat , Akter Tahmina , Park Shinhye , Kumar Alok , Chattopadhyay Munmun , Ito Yoshihiro , Suggs Laura J. , Joddar Binata
Published: April 2018

Three‐dimensional bioprinting is an innovative technique in tissue engineering, to create layer‐by‐layer structures, required for mimicking body tissues. However, synthetic bioinks do not generally possess high printability and biocompatibility at the same time. So, there is an urgent need for naturally derived bioinks that can exhibit such optimized properties. We used furfuryl‐gelatin as a novel, visible‐light crosslinkable bioink for fabricating cell‐laden structures with high viability. Hyaluronic acid was added as a viscosity enhancer and either Rose Bengal or Riboflavin was used as a visible‐light crosslinker. Crosslinking was done by exposing the printed structure for 2.5 min to visible light and confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and rheometry. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a highly porous networked structure. Three different cell types were successfully bioprinted within these constructs. Mouse mesenchymal stem cells printed within monolayer and bilayer sheets showed viability, network formation and proliferation (∼5.33 times) within 72 h of culture. C2C12 and STO cells were used to print a double layered structure, which showed evidence of the viability of both cells and heterocellular clusters within the construct. This furfuryl‐gelatin based bioink can be used for tissue engineering of complex tissues and help in understanding how cellular crosstalk happens in vivo during normal or diseased pathology. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 314–323, 2019.
Fiber length and concentration: Synergistic effect on mechanical and cellular response in wet‐laid poly(lactic acid) fibrous scaffolds
Authors: Wood Andrew T. , Everett Dominique , Kumar Sanjay , Mishra Manoj K. , Thomas Vinoy
Published: April 2018

In the area of biomaterials, fibers not only offer increased mechanical response, but also serve as an extracellular matrix mimicking morphology to direct cellular attachment and proliferation. While biologically similar in morphology, soft, and flexible hydrogel materials have low mechanical properties. For applications in tissue engineering, the lack of directional cues and attachment regions within the biogels is undesired as cells require a guide for adequate attachment and organized proliferation. In this work, we have investigated the role of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fiber length and concentration as a reinforcement phase in a gelatin hydrogel matrix and the resultant mechanical and cellular responses. With increasing fiber length and concentration, the ultimate tensile strength, modulus, and toughness increased for the samples. Similarly, for shorter fiber lengths, the loss and storage modulus increased with fiber concentration. After seeding human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) onto the neat fibrous scaffolds it was found that the fabrication process imparted no cytotoxicity. Furthermore, it was the concentrations and lengths of fiber both caused discernable differences in cell viability at the extreme values. Fibers of all lengths, when in a 4.0 wt % concentration, had a decrease in cell viability after 10 days while the 12.7 mm fibers showed a similar response at 2.0 wt %, but all stayed about 90% viability. With increased incubation time, hMSCs became elongated with increased proliferation. These results indicate that the wet‐lay process is a rapid and scalable method by which fibrous 3D‐scaffolds can be produced to reinforce hydrogel matrices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 332–341, 2019.