bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spiritual and religious coping and depression among family caregivers of pediatric cancer patients in Latin America
Authors: Vitorino Luciano Magalhães , Lopes‐Júnior Luís Carlos , de Oliveira Gabriela Hernandes , Tenaglia Mariane , Brunheroto Andressa , Cortez Paulo José Oliveira , Lucchetti Giancarlo
Published: April 2018

Objective

Several studies have shown that spiritual/religious beliefs are associated with mental health and quality of life. However, so far, no study assessed the relationship between spiritual/religious coping (SRC) and depressive symptoms in family caregivers (FCs) of pediatric cancer patients, particularly in Latin America. This study aimed to investigate whether Positive and Negative SRC strategies are associated with depressive symptoms in FCs of pediatric cancer patients in Brazil.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study comprising 77 FCs of pediatric cancer patients from one Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Institute. Spiritual/religious coping was assessed using the Brief SRC scale, and depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory. Multiple regression models were performed to identify factors associated with SRC of FCs and their depressive symptoms.

Results

In the unadjusted linear regression models, depressive symptoms were positively associated with Negative SRC (B = 0.401; P < .001; Adjusted R2 = 16.1%) but not with Positive SRC (B = 0.111; P = .334). After adjusting for socio‐demographics, religious practice/faith, and health, Negative SRC remained associated with depressive symptoms (B = 3.56; P = .01; Adjusted R2 = 37.8%). In the logistic regression models, depressive symptoms were positively associated with Negative SRC (OR = 3.68; 95% CI, 1.46‐9.25; P = .006), but not with Positive SRC (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, .69‐3.22; P = .309). After adjustments, Negative SRC remained significant (OR = 4.01; 95% CI, 1.21‐13.33; P = .023).

Conclusions

Negative SRC was associated with depressive symptoms in FCs of pediatric cancer patients. Health professionals must be aware of the use of Negative SRC strategies in oncology care.
The essential and multifunctional TFIIH complex
Authors: Rimel Jenna K. , Taatjes Dylan J.
Published: April 2018

TFIIH is a 10‐subunit complex that regulates RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription but also serves other important biological roles. Although much remains unknown about TFIIH function in eukaryotic cells, much progress has been made even in just the past few years, due in part to technological advances (e.g. cryoEM and single molecule methods) and the development of chemical inhibitors of TFIIH enzymes. This review focuses on the major cellular roles for TFIIH, with an emphasis on TFIIH function as a regulator of pol II transcription. We describe the structure of TFIIH and its roles in pol II initiation, promoter‐proximal pausing, elongation, and termination. We also discuss cellular roles for TFIIH beyond transcription (e.g. DNA repair, cell cycle regulation) and summarize small molecule inhibitors of TFIIH and diseases associated with defects in TFIIH structure and function.
The receptor for advanced glycation endproducts is a mediator of toxicity by IAPP and other proteotoxic aggregates: Establishing and exploiting common ground for novel amyloidosis therapies
Authors: Abedini Andisheh , Derk Julia , Schmidt Ann Marie
Published: April 2018

Proteotoxicity plays a key role in many devastating human disorders, including Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases; type 2 diabetes; systemic amyloidosis; and cardiac dysfunction, to name a few. The cellular mechanisms of proteotoxicity in these disorders have been the focus of considerable research, but their role in prevalent and morbid disorders, such as diabetes, is less appreciated. There is a large body of literature on the impact of glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity on insulin‐producing pancreatic β‐cells, and there is increasing recognition that proteotoxicty plays a key role. Pancreatic islet amyloidosis by the hormone IAPP, the production of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE), and insulin misprocessing into cytotoxic aggregates are all sources of β‐cell proteotoxicity in diabetes. AGE, produced by the reaction of reducing sugars with proteins and lipids are ligands for the receptor for AGE (RAGE), as are the toxic pre‐fibrillar aggregates of IAPP produced during amyloid formation. The mechanisms of amyloid formation by IAPP in vivo or in vitro are not well understood, and the cellular mechanisms of IAPP‐induced β‐cell death are not fully defined. Here, we review recent findings that illuminate the factors and mechanisms involved in β‐cell proteotoxicity in diabetes. Together, these new insights have far‐reaching implications for the establishment of unifying mechanisms by which pathological amyloidoses imbue their injurious effects in vivo.
Survival benefit of local versus no local treatment for metastatic prostate cancer—Impact of baseline PSA and metastatic substages
Authors: Pompe Raisa S. , Tilki Derya , Preisser Felix , Leyh‐Bannurah Sami‐Ramzi , Bandini Marco , Marchioni Michele , Gild Philipp , Tian Zhe , Fossati Nicola , Cindolo Luca , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Huland Hartwig , Graefen Markus , Briganti Alberto , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: April 2018

Background

To test whether local treatment (LT), namely radical prostatectomy (RP) or brachytherapy (BT) still confers a survival benefit versus no local treatment (NLT), when adjusted for baseline PSA (bPSA). To further examine whether the effect of LT might be modulated according to bPSA and M1 substages.

Methods

Of 13 906 mPCa patients within the SEER (2004‐2014), 375 underwent RP, 175 BT, and 13 356 NLT. Multivariable competing risks regression (MVA CRR) analyses after 1:2 propensity score matching assessed the impact of LT versus NLT on cancer specific mortality (CSM). Interaction analyses tested the association between treatment type and bPSA within different M1 substages.

Results

MVA CRR analyses revealed lower CSM rates for LT (RP [HR: 0.55, CI: 0.44‐0.70, P < 0.001] and BT [HR: 0.63, CI: 0.49‐0.83, P < 0.001]) compared to NLT. A significant interaction existed between bPSA and treatment type, in M1b patients only. Here, LT conferred a survival benefit when bPSA was <60 ng/mL with maximum benefit when bPSA was <40 ng/mL. No survival benefit existed for M1b patients above the 60 ng/mL bPSA threshold and for M1c patients, regardless of bPSA. For M1a patients, LT conferred a survival benefit compared to NLT. However, dose‐response according to bPSA could not be tested, due to insufficient sample size.

Conclusions

Our observations provide new insight regarding the pivotal effect of bPSA and M1 substages on CSM, when LT is contemplated. While M1a patients benefited from LT, the survival benefit was modulated by bPSA in M1b patients and no survival benefit existed in M1c patients.
Under one roof? Left‐behind children's perspectives in negotiating relationships with absent and return‐migrant parents
Authors: Lam Theodora , Yeoh Brenda S.A.
Published: April 2018

Children—whether left behind or as migrants—have remained largely invisible in Southeast Asian migration scholarship. Their experiences and perspectives on migration, as well as how they demonstrate agency within the limits of culturally/socially constructed childhoods influenced by a “hybridisation” of global and local conditions, are often overlooked in favour of adults'. This article addresses this research lacuna by focusing attention on how left‐behind Indonesian and Filipino children between 9 and 11 years of age engage and react to the changes in their everyday lives brought about by both parental migration and parental return. Using both quantitative and qualitative data collected from a larger study on child health and migrant parents in Southeast Asia with return‐migrants, left‐behind carers, and children, this article highlights the experiences of left‐behind children by revealing their agency and creativity in managing changes in their daily lives due to the frequent and transient comings and goings of one or both parents.
Strategic actions of transnational migrant parents regarding birth registration for stay‐behind children in Lombok, Indonesia
Authors: Butt Leslie , Ball Jessica
Published: April 2018

Challenges to birth registration for children whose parents migrate transnationally for work have been inadequately investigated. Often a prerequisite to accessing state resources such as education and child protection, birth registration may meaningfully indicate a family's capacities to provide for children's well‐being. A multimethod qualitative study in 4 high‐migration communities in East Lombok, Indonesia, explored the strategic actions migrant parents take regarding birth registration. Families register children based on priorities, capacities, understanding of entitlements, and labyrinthine application processes. Three case studies describe the strategic actions families take with regards to registration to allow some measure of control over their children's well‐being: prioritising documents for adult migration; strictly conforming to registration requirements; and relying on false documentation. Findings suggest that parents' strategic actions result in limited family success in the context of weak state initiatives to link birth registration to valued resources for children and families.
Electron Scattering from Disordered Grain Boundaries in Degenerate Polycrystalline Al‐Doped ZnO Thin Films
Authors: Minami Tadatsugu , Miyata Toshihiro , Tokunaga Hiroki
Published: April 2018

This paper describes the influence of electron scattering from disordered grain boundaries on the carrier transport in polycrystalline Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) thin films prepared with electron concentrations on the order of 1020 cm−3. It is found that in degenerate AZO thin films prepared on glass substrates by various magnetron sputtering depositions, the mobility–carrier concentration (µHall–nHall) relationship with a positive slope (µHall increases as nHall increases) is always obtained when measured by changing the sputter gas pressure and the substrate temperature, the location on the substrate surface, and the exposure time in a moisture‐resistance test. The main scattering mechanism, which limits the carrier transport in AZO thin films, is attributed to grain boundary scattering caused by the reflection of electrons from the potential barrier at the grain boundary between crystallites. The measured µHall–nHall relationship demonstrates fair agreement with the relationship calculated using the Mayadas and Shatzkes (MS) theory. However, conceptual and other difficulties to apply the semi‐classical MS theory to degenerate semiconductors must be considered. The results of this quantum theory‐based investigation show that the positively sloped µHall–nHall relationship attributes to Anderson localization, induced by electron grain boundary scattering from disordered successive grains.
Double‐Polarity Selective‐Area Growth of GaN by Metal‐Organic Vapor‐Phase Epitaxy Using Narrow‐Pitch Patterns
Authors: Yagi Hirotaka , Osumi Noriyuki , Inoue Yoku , Nakano Takayuki
Published: April 2018

GaN films are prepared via double‐polarity selective‐area growth (DP‐SAG) using metal‐organic vapor‐phase epitaxy. Here, we demonstrate an improved DP‐SAG process using a carbon mask and an initial Ga‐polar GaN layer to fabricate a GaN film consisting of periodic Ga‐polar and N‐polar domains. The GaN films with periodically poled structures (alternating Ga‐polar and N‐polar regions) can serve as quasi‐phase‐matching (QPM) crystals in second‐harmonic generation (SHG) devices for ultraviolet laser applications. Deposition of the initial Ga‐polar GaN layer allows the employment of a wider range of growth conditions (e.g., growth rate), while preventing the lateral overgrowth of N‐polar GaN domains on the Ga‐polar GaN ones. The pitch of the pattern is successfully decreased from 120 μm used previously by our group to a narrower one of 20 μm, as confirmed by scanning probe microscopy. Moreover, thick Ga‐polar GaN layers with sharp hetero‐interfaces and a surface potential difference of ≈100 mV can be achieved using a 20‐μm‐pitch pattern. The method proposed in this report is useful for the fabrication of a QPM crystal for UV SHG devices with sharp hetero‐interfaces.
Clinical outcomes of current medical approaches for Middle East respiratory syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Morra Mostafa Ebraheem , Van Thanh Le , Kamel Mohamed Gomaa , Ghazy Ahmed Abdelmotaleb , Altibi Ahmed M.A. , Dat Lu Minh , Thy Tran Ngoc Xuan , Vuong Nguyen Lam , Mostafa Mostafa Reda , Ahmed Sarah Ibrahim , Elabd Sahar Samy , Fathima Samreen , Le Huy Vu Tran , Omrani Ali S. , Memish Ziad A. , Hirayama Kenji , Huy Nguyen Tien
Published: April 2018

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory disease caused by MERS coronavirus. Because of lack of vaccination, various studies investigated the therapeutic efficacy of antiviral drugs and supportive remedies. A systematic literature search from 10 databases was conducted and screened for relevant articles. Studies reporting information about the treatment of MERS coronavirus infection were extracted and analyzed. Despite receiving treatment with ribavirin plus IFN, the case fatality rate was as high as 71% in the IFN‐treatment group and exactly the same in patients who received supportive treatment only. Having chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension increased the risk of mortality (P < .05), and chronic renal disease is the best parameter to predict the mortality. The mean of survival days from onset of illness to death was 46.6 (95% CI, 30.5‐62.6) for the IFN group compared with 18.8 (95% CI, 10.3‐27.4) for the supportive‐only group (P = .001). Delay in starting treatment, older age group, and preexisting comorbidities are associated with worse outcomes. In conclusion, there is no difference between IFN treatment and supportive treatment for MERS patients in terms of mortality. However, ribavirin and IFN combination might have efficacious effects with timely administration and monitoring of adverse events. Large‐scale prospective randomized studies are required to assess the role of antiviral drugs for the treatment of this high mortality infection.
Continuous sliding‐mode control for singular systems
Authors: Hernández D. , Fridman L. , Golkani M.
Published: April 2018

Singular systems with matched Lipschitz perturbations and uncertainties are considered in this paper. Since continuous solutions of an impulse‐free singular system require continuous input signals, a two‐step continuous sliding‐mode control strategy to compensate matched Lipschitz perturbations and uncertainties in singular systems is proposed. Our suggested methodology is tested in a singular representation of a DC motor pendulum of relative degree two. The performance of the proposed strategy is assessed by comparing the accuracy, in both cases, with and without considering small noise in the output, obtained through other continuous sliding‐mode control, and reconstruction/compensation of perturbations and uncertainties techniques.
Distributed event‐triggered fixed‐time consensus for leader‐follower multiagent systems with nonlinear dynamics and uncertain disturbances
Authors: Liu Jian , Yu Yao , Sun Jia , Sun Changyin
Published: April 2018

This paper focuses on the distributed event‐triggered fixed‐time consensus control problem of leader‐follower multiagent systems with nonlinear dynamics and uncertain disturbances. Two distributed fixed‐time consensus protocols are proposed based on distributed event‐triggered strategies, which can substantially reduce energy consumption and the frequency of the controller updates. It is proved that under the proposed distributed event‐triggered consensus tracking control strategies, the Zeno behavior is avoided. Compared with the finite‐time consensus tracking, the fixed‐time consensus tracking can be achieved within a settling time regardless of the initial conditions. Finally, 2 examples are performed to validate the effectiveness of the distributed event‐triggered fixed‐time consensus tracking controllers.
Balanced containment control and cooperative timing of a multiagent system over random communication graphs
Authors: Kan Z. , Mehta S. S. , Shea J. M. , Curtis J. W. , Dixon W. E.
Published: April 2018

A multiagent system is considered, which is tasked with the objective of approaching a predetermined target from a desired region to minimize detection and then simultaneously converge at the target. The considered cooperative timing problem consists of 2 stages: navigation and simultaneous arrival. During the navigation stage, the agents are driven from a distant starting point toward the target while restricting their motion within a desired area. Only a few agents (ie, leaders) are equipped with the desired bearing information to the target, whereas the remaining agents (ie, followers) may only have local feedback with neighboring agents to coordinate their headings. No range information to the target and no absolute or other relative position information among agents are available. The arrival stage begins when agents enter a neighborhood of the target (ie, range information becomes available during the arrival stage), and agents coordinate their motion to perform simultaneous arrival. The agents could experience random loss of communication with immediate neighbors, which results in a stochastic communication network. On the basis of the random communication network, balanced containment control is developed, which almost surely restricts the motion of the group within a desired region while equally spacing the agents. An almost sure consensus algorithm is designed for agents to coordinate the simultaneous arrival time by achieving a consensus on informed agents during the arrival stage. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the developed approach.
Effects of projected climate on the hydrodynamic and sediment transport regime of the lower Athabasca River in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Dibike Y. , Shakibaeinia A. , Eum H.‐Il , Prowse T. , Droppo I.
Published: April 2018

The potential effects of climate change on the hydrodynamic and sediment transport regime of the lower Athabasca River (LAR) in Alberta, Canada, is investigated. Future climate projections for the region suggest a potential increase in mean air temperature and precipitation by about 2.8–7.1 °C and 8–25%, respectively, by the end of this century. Implications of these climatic changes on the hydrologic regime of the LAR are found to be significant with spring flows expected to increase by about 11–62% and 26–71% by the end of the century for a moderate and high emissions scenarios respectively with corresponding decreases in summer flows. The effects of such changes are examined using the MIKE‐11 hydrodynamic and sediment transport modelling system with inflow boundary conditions corresponding to the changing hydro‐climatic regime. The results suggest that there will be an overall increase in flow velocity, water level, and suspended sediment concentration and transport for most seasons except in the summer months when there may be some decreases. The projected changes in suspended sediment concentration will result in an overall increase in mean annual sediment load in the LAR and to the Peace Athabasca Delta by over 50% towards the latter part of this century (2080s) compared with the 1980s base‐line period. Implications of such potential changes in the transport characteristics of the river system to the mobilization and transport of various chemical constituents and their effects on the region's aquatic ecosystems are subjects of other ongoing investigations.
Concise Review: Rational Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Ward Michael R. , Abadeh Armin , Connelly Kim A.
Published: April 2018

The capacity of stem and progenitor cells to stimulate cardiac regeneration has been studied for almost 20 years, with very promising preclinical data and mixed clinical results. Several cell types have been studied, identified by their cell surface markers, differentiation capacity and their secreted growth factors. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been found to have potent regenerative capacity, through multiple mechanisms, including mesoderm lineage differentiation, immunomodulation, and paracrine stimulation. MSCs also secrete exosomes and microvesicles, which themselves contain potent angiogenic cytokines or mRNA molecules with effects on their local milieu. This concise review summarizes the mechanisms of MSC-based cardiac regeneration and highlighting results from molecular and preclinical studies. We also discuss clinical trial results to date, and ongoing studies. Furthermore, we discuss novel approaches for the enhancement of MSC based cardiac regeneration, such as genetic modification.
Comment on “Intensity modulation of the Shirley background of the Cr3p spectra with photon energies around the Cr2p edge”, by A Herrera‐Gomez, D Cabrera‐German, A D Dutol et al, Surface Interface Anal, 2018;50:246‐252
Authors: Bavand R. , Chen L. , França R. , Loran S. , Yang D.‐Q. , Yelon A. , Zhang G.‐X. , Sacher E.
Published: April 2018

We show that, while the Shirley background lacks a theoretical basis, its use satisfies the condition for the proper modeling of all these backgrounds when properly applied. We present these four conditions of applicability, discuss their use, and indicate where their lack of use gives misleading results.
Depth analysis of Al/ZrC interfaces using SIMS and x‐ray reflectivity
Authors: Modi Mohammed H. , Sinha Mangalika , Bose Aniruddha , Singh Amol , Jonnard Philippe
Published: April 2018

Al/ZrC/Al/W multilayer structure is suitable for waveguide applications in the hard X‐ray region in order to confine the wave field in a nanometer‐thick layer. Intermixing of Al at the interfaces is a serious problem to achieve the expected performances from an experimentally grown multilayer. In the present study, the effect of a carbon capping layer in a C/Al/ZrC/Al/W waveguide structure is determined using time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and soft X‐ray reflectivity techniques. Structural parameters i.e., density, thickness, and roughness of the layers are determined using soft X‐ray reflectivity data. SIMS results indicate that the Al diffusion towards the top of the stack is responsible for the formation of a wide and asymmetric interfaces in the waveguide structure.
Contactless Stimulation and Control of Biomimetic Nanotubes by Calcium Ion Gradients
Authors: Kirejev Vladimir , Ali Doosti Baharan , Shaali Mehrnaz , Jeffries Gavin D. M. , Lobovkina Tatsiana
Published: April 2018

Membrane tubular structures are important communication pathways between cells and cellular compartments. Studying these structures in their native environment is challenging, due to the complexity of membranes and varying chemical conditions within and outside of the cells. This work demonstrates that a calcium ion gradient, applied to a synthetic lipid nanotube, triggers lipid flow directed toward the application site, resulting in the formation of a bulge aggregate. This bulge can be translated in a contactless manner by moving a calcium ion source along the lipid nanotube. Furthermore, entrapment of polystyrene nanobeads within the bulge does not tamper the bulge movement and allows transporting of the nanoparticle cargo along the lipid nanotube. In addition to the synthetic lipid nanotubes, the response of cell plasma membrane tethers to local calcium ion stimulation is investigated. The directed membrane transport in these tethers is observed, but with slower kinetics in comparison to the synthetic lipid nanotubes. The findings of this work demonstrate a novel and contactless mode of transport in lipid nanotubes, guided by local exposure to calcium ions. The observed lipid nanotube behavior can advance the current understanding of the cell membrane tubular structures, which are constantly reshaped during dynamic cellular processes.
Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots Exfoliated From Carbon Fibers by Microwave Irradiation: Two Photoluminescence Centers and Self‐Assembly Behavior
Authors: Yuan Jian‐Min , Zhao Rui , Wu Zhen‐Jun , Li Wei , Yang Xin‐Guo
Published: April 2018

Graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) attract great attention for their unique properties and promising application potential. The difficulty in the formation of a confined structure, and the numerous and diverse oxygen‐containing functional groups results in a low emission yield to GOQDs. Here, GOQDs with a size of about 5 nm, exfoliated from carbon fibers by microwave irradiation, are detected and analyzed. The exfoliated GOQDs are deeply oxidized and induce large numbers of epoxy groups and ether bonds, but only a small amount of carbonyl groups and hydroxyl groups. The subdomains of sp2 clusters, involving epoxy groups and ether bonds, are responsible for the two strong photoluminescence emissions of GOQDs under different excitation wavelengths. Moreover, GOQDs tend to self‐assemble at the edges of their planes to form self‐assembly films (SAFs) with the evaporation of water. SAFs can further assemble into different 3D patterns with unique microstructures such as sponge bulk, sponge ball, microsheet, sisal, and schistose coral, which are what applications such as supercapacitors, cells, catalysts, and electrochemical sensors need. This method for preparation of GOQDs is easy, quick, and environmentally friendly, and this work may open up new research interests about GOQDs.
Stabilizing Lithium–Sulfur Batteries through Control of Sulfur Aggregation and Polysulfide Dissolution
Authors: Liu Qian , Zhang Jianhua , He Shu‐Ang , Zou Rujia , Xu Chaoting , Cui Zhe , Huang Xiaojuan , Guan Guoqiang , Zhang Wenlong , Xu Kaibing , Hu Junqing
Published: April 2018

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are investigated intensively as a promising large‐scale energy storage system owing to their high theoretical energy density. However, the application of Li–S batteries is prevented by a series of primary problems, including low electronic conductivity, volumetric fluctuation, poor loading of sulfur, and shuttle effect caused by soluble lithium polysulfides. Here, a novel composite structure of sulfur nanoparticles attached to porous‐carbon nanotube (p‐CNT) encapsulated by hollow MnO2 nanoflakes film to form p‐CNT@Void@MnO2/S composite structures is reported. Benefiting from p‐CNTs and sponge‐like MnO2 nanoflake film, p‐CNT@Void@MnO2/S provides highly efficient pathways for the fast electron/ion transfer, fixes sulfur and Li2S aggregation efficiently, and prevents polysulfide dissolution during cycling. Besides, the additional void inside p‐CNT@Void@MnO2/S composite structure provides sufficient free space for the expansion of encapsulated sulfur nanoparticles. The special material composition and structural design of p‐CNT@Void@MnO2/S composite structure with a high sulfur content endow the composite high capacity, high Coulombic efficiency, and an excellent cycling stability. The capacity of p‐CNT@Void@MnO2/S electrode is ≈599.1 mA h g−1 for the fourth cycle and ≈526.1 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles, corresponding to a capacity retention of ≈87.8% at a high current density of 1.0 C.
Co9S8 Nanoparticles‐Embedded N/S‐Codoped Carbon Nanofibers Derived from Metal–Organic Framework‐Wrapped CdS Nanowires for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wu Lan‐Lan , Wang Qi‐Shun , Li Jian , Long Yan , Liu Yu , Song Shu‐Yan , Zhang Hong‐Jie
Published: April 2018

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with tunable compositions and morphologies are recognized as efficient self‐sacrificial templates to achieve function‐oriented nanostructured materials. Moreover, it is urgently needed to develop highly efficient noble metal‐free oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts to accelerate the development of overall water splitting green energy conversion systems. Herein, a facile and cost‐efficient strategy to synthesize Co9S8 nanoparticles‐embedded N/S‐codoped carbon nanofibers (Co9S8/NSCNFs) as highly active OER catalyst is developed. The hybrid precursor of core–shell ZIF‐wrapped CdS nanowires is first prepared and then leads to the formation of uniformly dispersed Co9S8/N, S‐codoped carbon nanocomposites through a one‐step calcination reaction. The optimal Co9S8/NSCNFs‐850 is demonstrated to possess excellent electrocatalytic performance for OER in 1.0 m KOH solution, affording a low overpotential of 302 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 54 mV dec−1, and superior long‐term stability for 1000 cyclic voltammetry cycles. The favorable results raise a concept of exploring more MOF‐based nanohybrids as precursors to induce the synthesis of novel porous nanomaterials as non‐noble‐metal electrocatalysts for sustainable energy conversion.
Encapsulation and Release of Functional Nanodroplets Entrapped in Nanofibers
Authors: Thongchaivetcharat Kusuma , Jenjob Ratchapol , Crespy Daniel
Published: April 2018

A method is presented for preserving the structural integrity of nanodroplets produced by emulsification. Droplets of different hydrophobic liquids such as essential oils or monomers are produced by the miniemulsion process. The miniemulsions are then electrospun to yield dextran nanofibers entrapping the hydrophobic nanodroplets. The nanodroplets are then successfully redispersed by dissolving the nanofibers in water. Furthermore, it is shown that nanofibers can be used to store a monomer and a catalyst as healing agents for ring‐opening metathesis polymerization. After dissolution, the healing agents are released and a self‐healing reaction takes place. Embedding, storage, and release of emulsion nanodroplets is a promising method that avoids potential destabilization of droplets by coalescence or Ostwald ripening.
Double‐Targeting Explosible Nanofirework for Tumor Ignition to Guide Tumor‐Depth Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Zhang Ming‐Kang , Wang Xiao‐Gang , Zhu Jing‐Yi , Liu Miao‐Deng , Li Chu‐Xin , Feng Jun , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: April 2018

This study reports a double‐targeting “nanofirework” for tumor‐ignited imaging to guide effective tumor‐depth photothermal therapy (PTT). Typically, ≈30 nm upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) are enveloped with a hybrid corona composed of ≈4 nm CuS tethered hyaluronic acid (CuS‐HA). The HA corona provides active tumor‐targeted functionality together with excellent stability and improved biocompatibility. The dimension of UCNP@CuS‐HA is specifically set within the optimal size window for passive tumor‐targeting effect, demonstrating significant contributions to both the in vivo prolonged circulation duration and the enhanced size‐dependent tumor accumulation compared with ultrasmall CuS nanoparticles. The tumors featuring hyaluronidase (HAase) overexpression could induce the escape of CuS away from UCNP@CuS‐HA due to HAase‐catalyzed HA degradation, in turn activating the recovery of initially CuS‐quenched luminescence of UCNP and also driving the tumor‐depth infiltration of ultrasmall CuS for effective PTT. This in vivo transition has proven to be highly dependent on tumor occurrence like a tumor‐ignited explosible firework. Together with the double‐targeting functionality, the pathology‐selective tumor ignition permits precise tumor detection and imaging‐guided spatiotemporal control over PTT operation, leading to complete tumor ablation under near infrared (NIR) irradiation. This study offers a new paradigm of utilizing pathological characteristics to design nanotheranostics for precise detection and personalized therapy of tumors.
Electronic Structure Control of Tungsten Oxide Activated by Ni for Ultrahigh‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Meng Tian , Kou Zongkui , Amiinu Ibrahim Saana , Hong Xufeng , Li Qingwei , Tang Yongfu , Zhao Yufeng , Liu Shaojun , Mai Liqiang , Mu Shichun
Published: April 2018

Tuning the electron structure is of vital importance for designing high active electrode materials. Here, for boosting the capacitive performance of tungsten oxide, an atomic scale engineering approach to optimize the electronic structure of tungsten oxide by Ni doping is reported. Density functional theory calculations disclose that through Ni doping, the density of state at Fermi level for tungsten oxide can be enhanced, thus promoting its electron transfer. When used as electrode of supercapacitors, the obtained Ni‐doped tungsten oxide with 4.21 at% Ni exhibits an ultrahigh mass‐specific capacitance of 557 F g−1 at the current density of 1 A g−1 and preferable durability in a long‐term cycle test. To the best of knowledge, this is the highest supercapacitor performance reported so far in tungsten oxide and its composites. The present strategy demonstrates the validity of the electronic structure control in tungsten oxide via introducing Ni atoms for pseudocapacitors, which can be extended to other related fields as well.
Timely Visualization of the Collaterals Formed during Acute Ischemic Stroke with Fe3O4 Nanoparticle‐based MR Imaging Probe
Authors: Wang Ting , Hou Yi , Bu Bo , Wang Wenxin , Ma Tiancong , Liu Chunyan , Lin Lan , Ma Lin , Lou Xin , Gao Mingyuan
Published: April 2018

Ischemic stroke is one of the major leading causes for long‐term disability and mortality. Collateral vessels provide an alternative pathway to protect the brain against ischemic injury after arterial occlusion. Aiming at visualizing the collaterals occurring during acute ischemic stroke, an integrin αvβ3‐specific Fe3O4–Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) nanoprobe is prepared for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the collaterals. Rat models are constructed by occluding the middle cerebral artery for imaging studies of cerebral ischemia and ischemia–reperfusion on 7.0 Tesla MRI using susceptibility‐weighted imaging sequence. To show the binding specificity to the collaterals, the imaging results acquired with the Fe3O4–RGD nanoprobe and the Fe3O4 mother nanoparticles, respectively, are carefully compared. In addition, an RGD blocking experiment is also carried out to support the excellent binding specificity of the Fe3O4–RGD nanoprobe. Following the above experiments, cerebral ischemia–reperfusion studies show the collateral dynamics upon reperfusion, which is very important for the prognosis of various revascularization therapies in the clinic. The current study has, for the first time, enabled the direct observation of collaterals in a quasi‐real time fashion and further disclosed that the antegrade flow upon reperfusion dominates the blood supply of primary ischemic tissue during the early stage of infarction, which is significantly meaningful for clinical treatment of stroke.
Clone refactoring inspection by summarizing clone refactorings and detecting inconsistent changes during software evolution
Authors: Chen Zhiyuan , Kwon Young‐Woo , Song Myoungkyu
Published: April 2018

It has been broadly assumed that removing code clones by refactorings would solve the problems of code duplication. Despite recent empirical studies on the benefit of refactorings, contradicting evidence shows that it is often difficult or impossible to remove clones by using standard refactoring techniques. Developers cannot easily determine which clones can be refactored or how they should be maintained scattered throughout a large code base in evolving systems. We propose pattern‐based clone refactoring inspection (PRI), a technique for managing clone refactorings. PRI summarizes refactorings of clones and detects clones that are not consistently refactored. To help developers refactor these anomalies, PRI also visualizes clone evolution and refactorings and fixes refactoring anomalies to prevent the clone group from being left in an inconsistent state. We evaluated PRI on 6 open‐source projects and showed that it identifies clone refactorings with 94.1% accuracy and detects inconsistent refactorings with 98.4% accuracy, tracking clone change histories. In a study with 10 student developers, the participants reported that flexible PRI's summarization and detection features can be valuable for novice developers to learn about refactorings to clones. These results show that PRI should improve developer productivity in inspecting clone refactorings distributed across multiple files in evolving systems.
Empirical study of software process improvement in Malaysian small and medium enterprises: The human aspects
Authors: Almomani Malek Ahmad , Basri Shuib , Gilal Abdul Rehman
Published: April 2018

Software Process Improvement (SPI) aims to achieve quality software products in software companies. Ignoring human factors can cause several types of damage in the software development process. Because, Software development is not a purely technical task, but rather it is a relationship between technical and human factors that interact with each other constantly. Currently, Small Medium Enterprises' (SMEs) software development companies in Malaysia still struggle to implement SPI successfully. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the empirical evidence based on the human factor perspective for helping Malaysian SMEs' software development companies to implement SPI strategies. A questionnaire‐based survey method was used for gathering information from 79 practitioners. The results indicate that 9 factors (employee awareness, leadership involvement, employee involvement, customer involvement, senior management support, staff experience, staff learning, staff skills, and client support) are considered important for implementing SPI in Malaysian SME software development companies. The involvement of both leadership and employees, and getting support from management are the most important human factors that should be considered during the design process of SPI strategies.
A microservice‐based architecture for (customisable) analyses of Docker images
Authors: Brogi Antonio , Neri Davide , Soldani Jacopo
Published: April 2018

We introduce DockerAnalyser, a microservice‐based tool that permits building customised analysers of Docker images. The architecture of DockerAnalyser is designed to crawl Docker images from a remote Docker registry, to analyse each image by running an analysis function, and to store the results into a local database. Users can build their own image analysers by instantiating DockerAnalyser with a custom analysis function and by configuring the architecture. More precisely, the steps needed to obtain new analysers are (1) replacing the analysis function used to analyse crawled Docker images, (2) setting the policy for crawling Docker images, and (3) setting the scalability options for obtaining a scalable architecture. In this paper, we also present 2 different use cases, ie, 2 different analysers of Docker images created by instantiating DockerAnalyser with 2 different analysis functions and configuration options. The 2 use cases show that DockerAnalyser decreases the effort required to obtain new analysers versus building them from scratch.
Optimal load distribution for multiple classes of applications on heterogeneous servers with variable speeds
Authors: Li Keqin
Published: April 2018

Performance and power are 2 significant issues in cloud computing. It is a critical issue on how to provide the best quality of service by consuming certain available power resource. For a given application environment and a given group of servers, optimal load distribution and optimal server speed setting can be an effective way to deal with the power‐performance tradeoff. The technique of variable and task‐type–dependent server speed management can be explored to optimize the server performance and to minimize the power consumption of a server with mixed applications. In this paper, we consider the problem of optimal load distribution for multiple classes of applications on heterogeneous servers with variable speeds. Given several classes of applications characterized by their arrival rates and expected execution requirements, several heterogeneous servers characterized by their power consumption parameters, and certain power supply, our problem is formulated as a multivariable optimization problem, ie, finding an optimal load distribution and an optimal server speed setting, such that the average task response time is minimized. To study the problem analytically, each server is treated as an M/G/1 queueing system with mixed classes of tasks such that both the average response time and the average power consumption can be calculated analytically. We define a power constrained performance optimization problem and develop a numerical algorithm to solve our optimization problem by solving a system of nonlinear equations. We also demonstrate numerical examples to show the effectiveness of our model and method. To the best of our knowledge, such analytical study of optimal load distribution and optimal server speed setting for multiple classes of applications on heterogeneous servers with variable speeds has not been available in the existing literature.
Application of Generalised Beam Theory to curved members with circular axis
Authors: Gonçalves Rodrigo , Camotim Dinar , Peres Nuno
Published: April 2018

Dedicated to Prof. Dr.‐Ing. habil. Joachim Lindner on the occasion of his 80th birthday

This paper reports the latest developments concerning the application of Generalised Beam Theory (GBT) to thin‐walled members with deformable cross‐section and whose undeformed axis is a circular arc, with no pre‐twist. Initially, the fundamental equations and relations are presented, leading to the first‐order equilibrium equations and associated boundary conditions, which can be written in terms of GBT modal matrices or stress resultants. Then, the procedure to obtain the cross‐section deformation modes is explained. Arbitrary (open, closed or ”mixed“) flat‐walled cross‐sections are covered, even though the kinematic constraints employed to subdivide the modes are much more complex than for prismatic members – in particular, the mode shapes become dependent on the curvature of the beam axis. Using a displacement‐based GBT finite element, a set of illustrative examples is presented, involving complex local‐distortional‐global deformation. These examples show that very accurate results are obtained with the proposed GBT formulation and that the modal solution provides in‐depth insight into the structural behaviour of naturally curved members.
Designing Liquid‐Crystalline Oligomers to Exhibit Twist‐Bend Modulated Nematic Phases
Authors: Mandle Richard J.
Published: April 2018

Arguably the most active area in liquid crystal research presently, the twist‐bend modulated nematic phase (TB) exhibits a nanoscale helical structure and therefore exhibits bulk chirality despite being formed of typically achiral materials. After a short introduction we address the structure‐property relationship that exists for this unique mesophase before introducing recent advances in strategies employed to prepare oligomeric materials that exhibit this state of matter. These methods afford fine control over the molecular substructure and potentially over the nanostructure of the exhibited mesophases.
From professional knowledge to professional performance: The impact of CK and PCK on teaching quality in explaining situations
Authors: Kulgemeyer Christoph , Riese Josef
Published: April 2018

In recent years, many studies have researched the impact of teachers' professional knowledge on teaching quality. Those findings are still ambiguous providing unclear evidence for supporting teacher education programs that aim at developing professional knowledge. In this study, we followed a new approach and used a “performance test” to take a closer look at the impact of professional knowledge on teaching quality. We simulated one particular teaching situation in a controlled, standardized setting in which student teachers (N = 109) enrolled in physics teacher training courses at five German universities had to explain given phenomena to high‐school students. These high‐school students were trained to behave in a standardized way and to ask standardized questions. Videos of these situations were analyzed using an established model of explaining physics. The validity, reliability, and objectivity of these performance tests for explaining physics were examined in previous studies. In this article, we report on the analysis and interpretation of the results of our study concerning the impact of physics content knowledge (CK), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), and two groups of beliefs (specific aspects of (i) self‐efficacy and (ii) teaching and learning) that mediate the effect of CK and PCK on student teachers' explaining performance. Using path analysis, we can show that student teachers' PCK mediates the influence of their CK on explaining performance in that CK only has a positive influence if PCK has also increased as well. Our findings stress the key role of PCK. For one particular teaching situation, we can show the positive influence of student teachers' CK and their PCK they acquired in academic teacher education on their teaching quality.
The effects of hexachloronaphthalene on selected parameters of heme biosynthesis and systemic toxicity in female wistar rats after 90‐day oral exposure
Authors: Klimczak Michal , Darago Adam , Bruchajzer Elzbieta , Domeradzka‐Gajda Katarzyna , Stepnik Maciej , Kuzajska Katarzyna , Kilanowicz Anna
Published: April 2018

Hexachloronaphthalenes (HxCNs) are the most toxic congeners of polychlorinated naphthalenes, a group of compounds lately included into the list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This study presents the effects of 90‐day intragastric administration of HxCN to female Wistar rats at doses of 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg body weight. The study examined selected parameters of the heme synthesis pathway, oxidative stress, hepatic cytochromes level, and basic hematology indicators. A micronucleus test was also performed. The subchronic exposure of rats to HxCN resulted in disruption of heme biosynthesis, hematological disturbances, and hepatotoxicity. The highest dose of HxCN inhibited aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA‐D) and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO‐D). Accumulation of higher carboxylated porphyrins in the liver and increased excretion of 5‐aminolevulinic acid in the urine was observed after a dose of 0.1 mg/kg body weight. The most sensitive effect of HxCN in rats was very strong induction of hepatic CYP1A1 activity, which was observed after the lowest dose. The highest dose of HxCN induced significant thrombocytopenia, thymic atrophy and hepatotoxicity, expressed as hepatomegaly and hepatic steatosis.
Di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)‐induced testicular toxicity through Nrf2‐mediated Notch1 signaling pathway in Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Tang Xiangliang , Wu Shengde , Shen Lianju , Wei Yi , Cao Xining , Wang Yangcai , Long Chunlan , Zhou Yue , Li Dian , Huang Fangyuan , Liu Bo , Wei Guanghui
Published: April 2018

Di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an environmental endocrine disruptor widely used in China that is harmful to the male reproductive system. Many studies have shown that DEHP causes testicular toxicity through oxidative stress, but the specific mechanism is unknown. Because the Notch pathway is a key mechanism for regulating cell growth and proliferation, we investigated whether Notch is involved in DEHP‐induced testicular toxicity and whether vitamins E and C could rescue testicular impairment in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Compared with the control group, we found that DEHP exposure induced testicular toxicity through oxidative stress injury, and it decreased the testosterone level (P < .01) and upregulated nuclear factor‐erythroid 2 related factor (Nrf2) expression (P < .01). Therefore, because oxidative stress might be the initiating factor of DEHP‐induced testicular toxicity, treatment with the antioxidant vitamins E and C activated the Notch1 signaling pathway in the testis and in Leydig cells. Treatment with vitamins E and C normalized the oxidative stress state after DEHP exposure and restored testicular development to be similar to the control group. In summary, antioxidant vitamins E and C may be used to treat DEHP‐induced testicular toxicity.