bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indigenous Identity through Hybridity and Humor: A Postcolonial Reading of Robert Merritt’s The Cake Man
Authors: Ganjtalab Shad Parvaneh
Published: May 2019

The major thrust in this research has been in the area of postcolonial studies. As one their primary missions, post-colonial works of art relate stories as seen by the oppressed and the colonized. Beginning with Edward Said’s Orientalism, postcolonial figures as diverse as Franz Fanon, Gayatri Spivak, and Homi Bhabha emerged and each targeted an aspect of postcolonial conditions. The present article was undertaken to trace postcolonial elements of “colonial negotiations,” and “hybridity” in an Aboriginal play by Robert Merritt entitled The Cake Man. The central argument of this article is that in its anticolonial stance, this play discusses issues of Aboriginal race and identity. To realize this argument, the play is studies with the background of Edward Said and Homi K. Bhabha’s theories. While these two figures are the leading theoreticians of the research, Aboriginal anticolonial strategies, like Aboriginal humor and figurative emasculation, are also pointed out. In fact, the novelty of the study is in its amalgamation of Western theories and Aboiginal strategies. All through the play, history as seen by the oppressed becomes the focal point, making it eligible to be called postcolonial works. Merritt’s The Cake Man, which is a well-known example of forced conversion, contains a very prominent manifestation of Said and Bhabha’s colonial negotiations. In addition, by creating an anticolonial character in the play, Merritt highlights and criticizes colonial Christianity, colonial otherization, and figurative emasculation of Aboriginal men in Australian society. All these issues, as the play leads the audience to believe, contribute to the realization that colonial discourse has the policy of obliterating Aboriginal traditions.
A Novel Surface Enhanced Raman Catheter for Rapid Detection, Classification, and Grading of Oral Cancer
Authors: Chundayil Madathil Girish , Iyer Subramania , Thankappan Krishnakumar , Gowd G. Siddaramana , Nair Shantikumar , Koyakutty Manzoor
Published: May 2019

Fabrication and testing of a novel nanostructured surface‐enhanced Raman catheter device is reported for rapid detection, classification, and grading of normal, premalignant, and malignant tissues with high sensitivity and accuracy. The sensor part of catheter is formed by a surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate made up of leaf‐like TiO2 nanostructures decorated with 30 nm sized Ag nanoparticles. The device is tested using a total of 37 patient samples wherein SERS signatures of oral tissues consisting of malignant oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), verrucous carcinoma, premalignant leukoplakia, and disease‐free conditions are detected and classified with an accuracy of 97.24% within a short detection‐cum‐processing time of nearly 25–30 min per patient. Neoplastic grade changes detected using this device correlate strongly with conventional pathological data, enabling correct classification of tumors into three grades with an accuracy of 97.84% in OSCC. Thus, the potential of a SERS catheter device as a point‐of‐care pathological tool is shown for the rapid and accurate detection, classification, and grading of solid tumors.
Thickness‐Dependent Electronic Transport in Ultrathin, Single Crystalline Silicon Nanomembranes
Authors: Song Enming , Guo Zhongxun , Li Guodong , Liao Fuyou , Li Gongjin , Du Haina , Schmidt Oliver G. , Kim Minju , Yi Yeonjin , Bao Wenzhong , Mei Yongfeng
Published: May 2019

As distinct from bulk silicon, ultrathin silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) or silicon nanomembranes (Si‐NMs) offer excellent electronic and mechanical properties that are essential to the development of electronic/optoelectronic systems. Ultrathin Si‐NM field effect transistors (FETs) based on p‐doped SOI (100) wafers are investigated. The thickness of the Si‐NMs is controllably reduced from 50 nm to 10 nm through the use of a unique etching process. Based on systematic investigation of Si‐NM FETs with varying thicknesses, both insulating and metallic behaviors are observed, which can be attributed to carrier enhancement by surface‐dipole doping after thickness reduction. Spectroscopy characterization and theoretical simulations reveal that this high surface‐dipole density can be inverted, yielding high‐density electrons regardless of the bulk p‐doped nature of the material, thus significantly enhancing its conductivity. These findings offer a physical understanding of thickness dependence, which is critical to the future development of ultrathin SOI electronics, of relevance to a diverse range of semiconductor applications.
What is the Binding Energy of a Charge Transfer State in an Organic Solar Cell?
Authors: Athanasopoulos Stavros , Schauer Franz , Nádaždy Vojtech , Weiß Mareike , Kahle Frank‐Julian , Scherf Ullrich , Bässler Heinz , Köhler Anna
Published: May 2019

The high efficiencies reported for organic solar cells and an almost negligible thermal activation measured for the photogeneration of charge carriers have called into question whether photoinduced interfacial charge transfer states are bound by a significant coulomb attraction, and how this can be reconciled with very low activation energies. Here, this question is addressed in a combined experimental and theoretical approach. The interfacial binding energy of a charge‐transfer state in a blend of MeLPPP:PCBM is determined by using energy resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and is found to be about 0.5 eV. Temperature‐dependent photocurrent measurements on the same films, however, give an activation energy that is about one order of magnitude lower. Using analytical calculations and Monte Carlo simulation the authors illustrate how i) interfacial energetics and ii) transport topology reduce the activation energy required to separate the interfacial electron–hole pair, with about equal contributions from both effects. The activation energy, however, is not reduced by entropy, although entropy increases the overall photodissociation yield.
Genome‐wide analyses of psychological resilience in U.S. Army soldiers
Authors: Stein Murray B. , Choi Karmel W. , Jain Sonia , Campbell‐Sills Laura , Chen Chia‐Yen , Gelernter Joel , He Feng , Heeringa Steven G. , Maihofer Adam X. , Nievergelt Caroline , Nock Matthew K. , Ripke Stephan , Sun Xiaoying , Kessler Ronald C. , Smoller Jordan W. , Ursano Robert J.
Published: May 2019

Though a growing body of preclinical and translational research is illuminating a biological basis for resilience to stress, little is known about the genetic basis of psychological resilience in humans. We conducted genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) of self‐assessed (by questionnaire) and outcome‐based (incident mental disorders from predeployment to postdeployment) resilience among European (EUR) ancestry soldiers in the Army study to assess risk and resilience in servicemembers. Self‐assessed resilience (N = 11,492) was found to have significant common‐variant heritability (h2 = 0.162, se = 0.050, p = 5.37 × 10−4), and to be significantly negatively genetically correlated with neuroticism (rg = −0.388, p = .0092). GWAS results from the EUR soldiers revealed a genome‐wide significant locus on an intergenic region on Chr 4 upstream from doublecortin‐like kinase 2 (DCLK2) (four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LD; top SNP: rs4260523 [p = 5.65 × 10−9] is an eQTL in frontal cortex), a member of the doublecortin family of kinases that promote survival and regeneration of injured neurons. A second gene, kelch‐like family member 36 (KLHL36) was detected at gene‐wise genome‐wide significance [p = 1.89 × 10−6]. A polygenic risk score derived from the self‐assessed resilience GWAS was not significantly associated with outcome‐based resilience. In very preliminary results, genome‐wide significant association with outcome‐based resilience was found for one locus (top SNP: rs12580015 [p = 2.37 × 10−8]) on Chr 12 downstream from solute carrier family 15 member 5 (SLC15A5) in subjects (N = 581) exposed to the highest level of deployment stress. The further study of genetic determinants of resilience has the potential to illuminate the molecular bases of stress‐related psychopathology and point to new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Small to modest impact of social group on the gut microbiome of wild Costa Rican capuchins in a seasonal forest
Authors: Orkin Joseph Daniel , Webb Shasta Ellen , Melin Amanda Dawn
Published: May 2019

The horizontal transmission of pathogenic and beneficial microbes has implications for health and development of socially living animals. Social group is repeatedly implicated as an important predictor of gut microbiome structure among primates, with individuals in neighboring social groups exhibiting distinct microbiomes. Here we examine whether group membership is a predictor of gut microbiome structure and diversity across three groups of white‐faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus imitator) inhabiting a seasonal Costa Rican forest. We collected 62 fecal samples from 18 adult females during four sampling bouts. Sampling bouts spanned the dry‐to‐wet‐to‐dry seasonal transitions. To investigate gut microbial composition, we sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. We used the DADA2 pipeline to assign amplicon sequence variants and the RDP database to classify taxa. Our findings are: 1) gut microbiomes of capuchins clustered by social group in the late dry season, but this pattern was less evident in other sampling bouts; 2) social group was a significant variable in a PERMANOVA test of beta diversity, but it accounted for less variation than season; 3) social group was not an important predictor of abundance for the ten most abundant microbial taxa in capuchins; 4) when examining log2‐fold abundances of microbes between social groups, there were significant differences in some pairwise comparisons. While this is suggestive of group‐wide differences, individual variation may have a strong impact and should be assessed in future studies. Overall, we found a minor impact of social group membership on the gut microbiota of wild white‐faced capuchins. Future research including home range overlap and resource use, as well as fine‐scale investigation of individual variation, will further elucidate patterns of socially structured microbes.
Synthesis of Nitrile‐Bearing Quaternary Centers by an Equilibrium‐Driven Transnitrilation and Anion‐Relay Strategy
Authors: Alazet Sébastien , West Michael S. , Patel Purvish , Rousseaux Sophie A. L.
Published: May 2019

The efficient preparation of nitrile‐containing building blocks is of interest due to their utility as synthetic intermediates and their prevalence in pharmaceuticals. As a result, significant efforts have been made to develop methods to access these motifs which rely on safer and non‐toxic sources of CN. Herein, we report that 2‐methyl‐2‐phenylpropanenitrile is an efficient, non‐toxic, electrophilic CN source for the synthesis of nitrile‐bearing quaternary centers by a thermodynamic transnitrilation and anion‐relay strategy. This one‐pot process leads to nitrile products resulting from the gem‐difunctionalization of alkyl lithium reagents.
Stabilized Gallylene in a Pincer‐Type Ligand: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of PGaIP‐Ir Complexes
Authors: Saito Narumasa , Takaya Jun , Iwasawa Nobuharu
Published: May 2019

Iridium complexes having a pincer‐type gallylene ligand were successfully synthesized utilizing bis(phosphino)terpyridine as an efficient scaffold for the Ir−GaI bond. The stabilization of the gallylene moiety by the pincer‐type structure enabled various reactions at Ir with keeping the gallylene ligand intact, leading to unique structures and reactivities of PGaIP−Ir complexes.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Aromatization Reaction
Authors: Liu Xi‐Jia , Zheng Chao , Yang Yi‐Han , Jin Shicheng , You Shu‐Li
Published: May 2019

Described herein is an asymmetric allylic aromatization (AAAr) strategy that employs readily accessible equivalents of benzylic nucleophiles in iridium‐catalyzed allylic substitution reactions with the concomitant formation of aromatic rings by aromatization. The optimized reaction conditions involving a catalyst derived from a commercially available iridium precursor and the Carreira ligand are compatible with equivalents of benzylic nucleophiles derived from 4‐ or 5‐methyloxazoles, 5‐methylthiazoles, 4‐ or 5‐methylfurans, 2‐ or 3‐methylbenzofurans, 3‐methylbenzothiophene, 3‐methylindole, 1‐methylnaphthalene, and methylbenzene. This strategy provides straightforward accesses to valuable heterocyclic aromatic compounds, bearing a homobenzylic stereogenic center, in an enantiopure form and would be difficult to access otherwise. The versatility of the reaction was showcased by the further elaboration of the products into useful building blocks and a drug analogue.
Emergency department utilization and monetary charges in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and a population comparison group
Authors: Hand Brittany N. , Boan Andrea D. , Bradley Catherine C. , Charles Jane M. , Carpenter Laura Arnstein
Published: May 2019

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) may utilize the emergency department (ED) more frequently than individuals in the general population. This study compared ED utilization and charges during adolescence among four groups of individuals: ASD‐only, ASD + ID, ID‐only, and a population comparison (PC) group. ED visits occurring during age 12–17 years were examined to identify non, low, and high utilizers. Logistic regression was used to compare groups on the odds of having at least one ED visit during adolescence. Generalized linear models were used to compare groups on number of ED visits and total charges, stratified by low and high ED utilization. Descriptive examination of presenting diagnoses was performed. Individuals with ID, with or without co‐occurring ASD, were significantly more likely to have at least one ED visit during adolescence. Among high ED utilizers, the ID‐only group had the most frequent ED visits but had significantly lower charges than the ASD‐only group. Individuals with ASD‐only and ASD + ID differed from the ID‐only and PC groups in presenting diagnoses. No differences between groups in number of ED visits or charges were observed among low utilizers. ID, with or without ASD, increased the odds of visiting the ED during adolescence. Adolescents with ID‐only had the most frequent ED visits, but individuals with ASD‐only had the highest ED charges and tended to be seen for psychiatric concerns. Further research is warranted to better characterize and meet the healthcare needs of individuals with ASD and/or ID during adolescence. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1129–1138. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Frequent emergency department (ED) visits strain medical resources and are costlier than primary and urgent care. Our findings show that adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) may use the ED frequently for nonurgent conditions. Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, without ID, use the ED less frequently but incur higher charges. Further research is needed to understand how to meet the unique needs of these populations in primary care to prevent overuse of the ED.
Bioluminescence properties of Thelepus japonicus (Annelida: Terebelliformia)
Authors: Kin Ikuhiko , Jimi Naoto , Oba Yuichi
Published: May 2019

Terebelliformia is a benthic group of marine annelid worms. The bioluminescence of several species has been reported in taxonomical and histological literature, but very little information is known about the biochemical aspects of this phenomenon. In this study, we examined the basic properties of the luminescence system using an extract of the Japanese terebelliform worm, Thelepus japonicus. The bioluminescence extract was soluble in water, and emitted blue‐green light at λmax 508 nm following the addition of divalent cations. This triggering action was highly specific to Fe2+ and addition of ATP, H2O2 or coelenterazine did not enhance activity. The bioluminescence was inactivated by heat treatment and organic solvents, indicating the involvement of a protein component. These results suggested that Thelepus worm produces light using a novel system that differs from that in other known luminescent annelids.
DNA‐Mediated Self‐Assembly and Metallization of Semiconductor Nanorods for the Fabrication of Nanoelectronic Interfaces
Authors: Weichelt Richard , Ye Jingjing , Banin Uri , Eychmüller Alexander , Seidel Ralf
Published: May 2019

DNA nanostructures provide a powerful platform for the programmable assembly of nanomaterials. Here, this approach is extended to semiconductor nanorods that possess interesting electrical properties and could be utilized for the bottom‐up fabrication of nanoelectronic building blocks. The assembly scheme is based on an efficient DNA functionalization of the nanorods. A complete coverage of the rod surface with DNA ensures a high colloidal stability while maintaining the rod size and shape. It furthermore supports the assembly of the nanorods at defined docking positions of a DNA origami platform with binding efficiencies of up to 90 % as well as the formation of nanorod dimers with defined relative orientations. By incorporating orthogonal binding sites for gold nanoparticles, defined metal‐semiconductor heterostructures can be fabricated. Subsequent application of a seeded growth procedure onto the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) allows for to establish a direct metal‐semiconductor interface as a crucial basis for the integration of semiconductors in self‐assembled nanoelectronic devices.
On‐Surface Synthesis of One‐Dimensional Carbon‐Based Nanostructures via C−X and C−H Activation Reactions
Authors: Kang Faming , Xu Wei
Published: May 2019

The past decades have witnessed the emergence of low‐dimensional carbon‐based nanostructures owing to their unique properties and various subsequent applications. It is of fundamental importance to explore ways to achieve atomically precise fabrication of these interesting structures. The newly developed on‐surface synthesis approach provides an efficient strategy for this challenging issue, demonstrating the potential of atomically precise preparation of low‐dimensional nanostructures. Up to now, the formation of various surface nanostructures, especially carbon‐based ones, such as graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), kinds of organic (organometallic) chains and films, have been achieved via on‐surface synthesis strategy, in which in‐depth understanding of the reaction mechanism has also been explored. This review article will provide a general overview on the formation of one‐dimensional carbon‐based nanostructures via on‐surface synthesis method. In this review, only a part of the on‐surface chemical reactions (specifically, C−X (X=Cl, Br, I) and C−H activation reactions) under ultra‐high vacuum conditions will be covered.
Lipid‐Based Quaternary Ammonium Sophorolipid Amphiphiles with Antimicrobial and Transfection Activities
Authors: Delbeke Elisabeth I. P. , Everaert Jonas , Lozach Olivier , Le Gall Tony , Berchel Mathieu , Montier Tristan , Jaffrès Paul‐Alain , Rigole Petra , Coenye Tom , Brennich Martha , Baccile Niki , Roelants Sophie L. K. W. , Soetaert Wim , Van Bogaert Inge N. A. , Van Geem Kevin M. , Stevens Christian V.
Published: May 2019

Twelve new quaternary ammonium sophorolipids with long alkyl chains on the nitrogen atom were synthesized starting from oleic and petroselinic acid‐based sophorolipids. These novel derivatives were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against selected Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria and their transfection efficacies on three different eukaryotic cell lines in vitro as good activities were demonstrated for previously synthesized derivatives. Self‐assembly properties were also evaluated. All compounds proved to possess antimicrobial and transfection properties, and trends could be observed based on the length of the nitrogen substituent and the total length of the sophorolipid tail. Moreover, all long‐chain quaternary ammonium sophorolipids form micelles, which proved to be a prerequisite to induce antimicrobial activity and transfection capacity. These results are promising for future healthcare applications of long‐chained quaternary ammonium sophorolipids.
Label‐Free Identification of White Blood Cells Using Machine Learning
Authors: Nassar Mariam , Doan Minh , Filby Andrew , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Fogg Darin K. , Piasecka Justyna , Thornton Catherine A. , Carpenter Anne E. , Summers Huw D. , Rees Paul , Hennig Holger
Published: May 2019

White blood cell (WBC) differential counting is an established clinical routine to assess patient immune system status. Fluorescent markers and a flow cytometer are required for the current state‐of‐the‐art method for determining WBC differential counts. However, this process requires several sample preparation steps and may adversely disturb the cells. We present a novel label‐free approach using an imaging flow cytometer and machine learning algorithms, where live, unstained WBCs were classified. It achieved an average F1‐score of 97% and two subtypes of WBCs, B and T lymphocytes, were distinguished from each other with an average F1‐score of 78%, a task previously considered impossible for unlabeled samples. We provide an open‐source workflow to carry out the procedure. We validated the WBC analysis with unstained samples from 85 donors. The presented method enables robust and highly accurate identification of WBCs, minimizing the disturbance to the cells and leaving marker channels free to answer other biological questions. It also opens the door to employing machine learning for liquid biopsy, here, using the rich information in cell morphology for a wide range of diagnostics of primary blood. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Vangl2 coordinates cell rearrangements during gut elongation
Authors: Dush Michael K. , Nascone‐Yoder Nanette M.
Published: May 2019

Background

The embryonic gut tube undergoes extensive lengthening to generate the surface area required for nutrient absorption across the digestive epithelium. In Xenopus, narrowing and elongation of the tube is driven by radial rearrangements of its core of endoderm cells, a process that concomitantly opens the gut lumen and facilitates epithelial morphogenesis. How endoderm rearrangements are properly oriented and coordinated to achieve this complex morphogenetic outcome is unknown.

Results

We find that, prior to gut elongation, the core Wnt/PCP component Vangl2 becomes enriched at both the anterior and apical aspects of individual endoderm cells. In Vangl2‐depleted guts, the cells remain unpolarized, down‐regulate cell‐cell adhesion proteins, and, consequently, fail to rearrange, leading to a short gut with an occluded lumen and undifferentiated epithelium. In contrast, endoderm cells with ectopic Vangl2 protein acquire abnormal polarity and adhesive contacts. As a result, endoderm cells also fail to rearrange properly and undergo ectopic differentiation, resulting in guts with multiple torturous lumens, irregular epithelial architecture, and variable intestinal topologies.

Conclusions

Asymmetrical enrichment of Vangl2 in individual gut endoderm cells orients polarity and adhesion during radial rearrangements, coordinating digestive epithelial morphogenesis and lumen formation with gut tube elongation.
Species insurance trumps spatial insurance in stabilizing biomass of a marine macroalgal metacommunity
Authors: Lamy Thomas , Wang Shaopeng , Renard Delphine , Lafferty Kevin D. , Reed Daniel C. , Miller Robert J.
Published: May 2019

Because natural ecosystems are complex, it is difficult to predict how their variability scales across space and levels of organization. The species‐insurance hypothesis predicts that asynchronous dynamics among species should reduce variability when biomass is aggregated either from local species populations to local multispecies communities, or from metapopulations to metacommunities. Similarly, the spatial‐insurance hypothesis predicts that asynchronous spatial dynamics among either local populations or local communities should stabilize metapopulation biomass and metacommunity biomass, respectively. In combination, both species and spatial insurance reduce variation in metacommunity biomass over time, yet these insurances are rarely considered together in natural systems. We partitioned the extent that species insurance and spatial insurance reduced the annual variation in macroalgal biomass in a southern California kelp forest. We quantified variability and synchrony at two levels of organization (population and community) and two spatial scales (local plots and region) and quantified the strength of species and spatial insurance by comparing observed variability and synchrony in aggregate biomass to null models of independent species or spatial dynamics based on cyclic‐shift permutation. Spatial insurance was weak, presumably because large‐scale oceanographic processes in the study region led to high spatial synchrony at both population‐ and community‐level biomass. Species insurance was stronger due to asynchronous dynamics among the metapopulations of a few common species. In particular, a regional decline in the dominant understory kelp species Pterygophora californica was compensated for by the rise of three subdominant species. These compensatory dynamics were associated with positive values of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, indicating that differential species tolerances to warmer temperature and nutrient‐poor conditions may underlie species insurance in this system. Our results illustrate how species insurance can stabilize aggregate community properties in natural ecosystems where environmental conditions vary over broad spatial scales.
Proposal of a single‐phase synchronous inverter with noninterference performance for power system stability enhancement and emergent microgrid operation
Authors: Sekizaki Shinya , Yorino Naoto , Sasaki Yutaka , Matsuo Kosuke , Nakamura Yuki , Zoka Yoshifumi , Shimizu Toshihisa , Nishizaki Ichiro
Published: May 2019

A novel design of a single‐phase synchronous inverter (SSI) having noninterference core dynamic performance is proposed, referred to as noninterference core SSI (NIC‐SSI) in this paper. The proposed inverter consists of “core” and “shell.” This novel design is advantageous for a flexible setting of the core controller to enhance power system stability, which is supported by the shell function for keeping robust synchronizing operation of inverters including microgrid operation. The novel points in this paper are summarized as: (a) the proposed controller enables SSIs to implement directly a desired dynamic characteristic such as a synchronous machine; (b) it can connect any single‐phase systems as well as three‐phase systems; (c) an islanded single‐phase microgrid without rotating machines can be stabilized by multiple SSIs. The proposed controller makes it possible to enhance system stability against increasing uncontrollable renewable energy sources (RESs) and static power conversion devices. The developed SSI realizes flexible use in the demand side operations under normal/faulted grid conditions. Hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) testbed including the proposed digital controller and the real‐time simulator validates the effectiveness of the proposed controller in the experimental conditions.
Stakes in Testing: Not a Simple Dichotomy but a Profile of Consequences That Guides Needed Evidence of Measurement Quality
Authors: Tannenbaum Richard J. , Kane Michael T.
Published: May 2019

Testing programs are often classified as high or low stakes to indicate how stringently they need to be evaluated. However, in practice, this classification falls short. A high‐stakes label is taken to imply that all indicators of measurement quality must meet high standards; whereas a low‐stakes label is taken to imply the opposite. This approach can result in inappropriate allocation of resources and inadequate attention to needed evidence. We argue that “stakes” are better thought of as a profile of consequences. We suggest generalizable criteria for evaluating and responding to stakes in testing, with applications to licensure, employment, and K–12 accountability testing.
Fronto‐parietal and temporal brain dysfunction in depression: A fMRI investigation of auditory mismatch processing
Authors: Zweerings Jana , Zvyagintsev Mikhail , Turetsky Bruce I. , Klasen Martin , König Andrea A. , Roecher Erik , Gaebler Arnim J. , Mathiak Klaus
Published: May 2019

Mismatch responses reflect neural mechanisms of early cognitive processing in the auditory domain. Disturbances of these mechanisms on multiple levels of neural processing may contribute to clinical symptoms in major depression (MD). A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was conducted to identify neurobiological foundations of altered mismatch processing in MD. Twenty‐five patients with major depression and 25 matched healthy individuals completed an auditory mismatch paradigm optimized for fMRI. Brain activity during mismatch processing was compared between groups. Moreover, seed‐based connectivity analyses investigated depression‐specific brain networks. In patients, mismatch processing was associated with reduced activation in the right auditory cortex as well as in a fronto‐parietal attention network. Moreover, functional coupling between the right auditory cortex and frontal areas was reduced in patients. Seed‐to voxel analysis on the whole‐brain level revealed reduced connectivity between the auditory cortex and the thalamus as well as posterior cingulate. The present study indicates deficits in sensory processing on the level of the auditory cortex in depression. Hyposensitivity in a fronto‐parietal network presumably reflects altered attention mechanisms in depression. The observed impairments may contribute to psychopathology by reducing the ability of the affected individuals to orient attention toward important environmental cues.
7‐Deoxynarciclasine shows promising antitumor efficacy by targeting Akt against hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yin Shuangshuang , Qiu Yuling , Jin Chengyun , Wang Rui , Wu Song , Liu Hongwei , Koo Sangho , Han Lifeng , Zhang Yi , Gao Xiumei , Pang Xu , Wang Tao , Yu Haiyang
Published: May 2019

Akt is a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In our study, we have identified that 7‐deoxynarciclasine (7‐DONCS) is a potential inhibitor of Akt, which results in the repression of multiple oncogenic processes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We have found that 7‐DONCS suppresses the growth of HCC by inducing the apoptotic and autophagic capacities, as well as by inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment of cells with specific autophagy inhibitor (Bafilomycin A1) or knockdown of endogenous LC‐3B by siRNA strongly abrogates 7‐DONCS‐regulated apoptosis and EMT. Consequently, we have found that 7‐DONCS selectively inhibits phospho‐Akt (Ser473), and subsequent molecular docking reveals that 7‐DONCS directly binds to the C‐terminal domain of Akt. Overexpressing Akt significantly blocks these effects via 7‐DONCS in HCC cells. Furthermore, 7‐DONCS, by targeting Akt, exhibits a promising therapeutic effect in orthotopic hepatocellular tumors. Finally, higher p‐Akt expression is associated with poor prognosis, and higher level of Akt was positively correlated with the enrichment of both apoptosis and autophagy downregulation, and EMT upregulation in HCC patients. These studies suggest that 7‐DONCS serves as an attractive drug candidate by targeting Akt for future HCC therapy.
Recent Studies on Bifunctional Perovskite Electrocatalysts in Oxygen Evolution, Oxygen Reduction, and Hydrogen Evolution Reactions under Alkaline Electrolyte
Authors: Ramakrishnan Prakash , Im Hyunsik , Baek Seong‐Ho , Sohn Jung Inn
Published: May 2019

The bifunctional electrocatalyst plays a pivotal role in renewable‐energy technologies metal‐air‐batteries and water electrolysis. The advantage of the alkaline environment allows such technologies to utilize several low‐cost and efficient non‐noble transition metal oxides. Particularly, perovskite oxides (POs) of high intrinsic catalytic activity and tunable crystal structures have shown exceptional bifunctionality characteristics in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)/OER in the aforementioned system. This review focuses on the recent advancement of POs electrocatalyst in the fundamental reaction mechanism and the key factors for the catalytic improvement. The recent issues of POs related to the catalytic inhibitor and their future directions have been comprehended.
The effect of concurrent endometriosis on the prognosis of women with ovarian clear cell or endometrioid carcinoma
Authors: Ju U Chul , Kang Woo Dae , Kim Seok Mo
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To evaluate features of ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and endometrioid carcinoma (EC) by presence of endometriosis among women with endometriosis‐associated ovarian cancer (EAOC).

Methods

A retrospective review of the medical records of 578 women diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer at a university hospital in Korea between July 2004 and December 2016. Clinical and prognostic features of ovarian CCC and EC were compared between women with endometriosis and those without.

Results

Ovarian CCC and EC were diagnosed at an earlier FIGO stage for women with endometriosis than for those without (P=0.033). The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 77.6% vs 65.0% (P=0.038) and 80.3% vs 70.9% (P=0.048), respectively. In univariate analysis, advanced stage, higher grade, bilateral tumors, lymph node metastasis, residual tumor greater than 1 cm, and non‐concurrent endometriosis were related to shorter DFS and OS; however, residual tumor greater than 1 cm was the only independent predictor in multivariate analysis (DFS: hazard ratio (HR), 9.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.84–19.93; OS: HR, 5.07; 95% CI, 2.33–11.03). No factors affected survival after stratification by stage.

Conclusion

No association was found between the presence of endometriosis and the prognosis of ovarian CCC or EC.
Defying Expectations: Representations of Youths in Young Adult Literature
Authors: Silva Arsenio F. , Savitz Rachelle S.
Published: May 2019

The authors used a youth lens to interrogate representations of adolescent characters and experiences that reinforce or contradict social constructions of youths across young adult novels commonly read in secondary classrooms. The authors found examples across all 10 examined novels of adolescent characters taking on adult‐like roles, exercising emotional discipline, and/or demonstrating agency and independence in ways that challenge traditional ideas about youths and disrupt socially constructed stereotypes of adolescent/ce. The authors suggest that the youth lens, especially when applied to young adult literature, can foster critical analysis and discussion of dominant discourses about adolescents/ce, and offer their own analytic template as a scaffolding tool for secondary educators to use with students.
Fabrication of alginate modified brushite cement impregnated with antibiotic: Mechanical, thermal, and biological characterizations
Authors: Dabiri S. M. Hossein , Lagazzo Alberto , Aliakbarian Bahar , Mehrjoo Morteza , Finocchio Elisabetta , Pastorino Laura
Published: May 2019

Treatment of postsurgical infections, associated with orthopedic surgeries, has been a major concern for orthopedics. Several strategies including systematic and local administration of antibiotics have been proposed to this regard. The present work focused on fabricating alginate (Alg) modified brushite (Bru) cements, which could address osteogeneration and local antibiotic demands. To find the proper method of drug incorporation, Gentamicin sulfate (Gen) was loaded into the samples in the form of solution or powder. Several characterization tests including compression test, morphology, cytotoxicity, and cell adhesion assays were carried out to determine the proper concentration of Alg as a modifier of the Bru cement. The results indicated that addition of 1 wt% Alg led to superior mechanical and biological properties of the cement. Moreover, Alg addition changed the morphology of the cement from plate and needle‐like structures to petal‐like structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed the successful loading of Gen on the cements, specifically when Gen solution was used, and X‐Ray Diffractometer result indicated that Gen caused a decrease in crystalline size. Furthermore, thermal analysis revealed that Gen‐loaded sample had more stable structure as the transformation temperature slightly shifted to a higher one. The stability study confirmed the chemical stability and adequate mechanical performance of the cements within 1 month of soaking time. Finally, the addition of Alg has a positive impact on the release behavior at low concentration of Gen solution so that 20% decrease within 2 weeks of release experiment was remarkably detected.
Microdamage as a Bone Quality Component: Practical Guidelines for the Two‐Dimensional Analysis of Linear Microcracks in Human Cortical Bone
Authors: Dominguez Victoria M , Agnew Amanda M
Published: May 2019

Microdamage is a component of bone quality believed to play an integral role in bone health. However, comparability between existing studies is fraught with issues due to highly variable methods of sample preparation and poorly defined quantification criteria. To address these issues, this article has two aims. First, detailed methods for preparation and analysis of linear microcracks in human ribs, specifically addressing troubleshooting issues cited in previous studies, are laid out. Second, new, partially validated criteria are proposed in an effort to reduce subjective differences in microcrack counts and measures, ensuring more comparable results between studies. Revised definitions based on current literature in conjunction with a digital atlas to reduce observer inaccuracy and bias are presented. The goal is to provide a practical methodology for bone biologists and biomechanists to collect and analyze linear microcracks for basic science research. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Molecular imaging of the prostate: Comparing total sodium concentration quantification in prostate cancer and normal tissue using dedicated 13C and 23Na endorectal coils
Authors: Barrett Tristan , Riemer Frank , McLean Mary A. , Kaggie Joshua D. , Robb Fraser , Warren Anne Y. , Graves Martin J. , Gallagher Ferdia A.
Published: May 2019

Background

There has been recent interest in nonproton MRI including hyperpolarized carbon‐13 (13C) imaging. Prostate cancer has been shown to have a higher tissue sodium concentration (TSC) than normal tissue. Sodium (23Na) and 13C nuclei have a frequency difference of only 1.66 MHz at 3T, potentially enabling 23Na imaging with a 13C‐tuned coil and maximizing the metabolic information obtained from a single study.

Purpose

To compare TSC measurements from a 13C‐tuned endorectal coil to those quantified with a dedicated 23Na‐tuned coil.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Eight patients with biopsy‐proven, intermediate/high risk prostate cancer imaged prior to prostatectomy.

Sequence

3T MRI with separate dual‐tuned 1H/23Na and 1H/13C endorectal receive coils to quantify TSC.

Assessment

Regions‐of‐interest for TSC quantification were defined for normal peripheral zone (PZ), normal transition zone (TZ), and tumor, with reference to histopathology maps.

Statistical Tests

Two‐sided Wilcoxon rank sum with additional measures of correlation, coefficient of variation, and Bland–Altman plots to assess for between‐test differences.

Results

Mean TSC for normal PZ and TZ were 39.2 and 33.9 mM, respectively, with the 23Na coil and 40.1 and 36.3 mM, respectively, with the 13C coil (P = 0.22 and P = 0.11 for the intercoil comparison, respectively). For tumor tissue, there was no statistical difference between the overall mean tumor TSC measured with the 23Na coil (41.8 mM) and with the 13C coil (46.6 mM; P = 0.38). Bland–Altman plots showed good repeatability for tumor TSC measurements between coils, with a reproducibility coefficient of 9 mM; the coefficient of variation between the coils was 12%. The Pearson correlation coefficient for TSC between coils for all measurements was r = 0.71 (r2 = 0.51), indicating a strong positive linear relationship. The mean TSC within PZ tumors was significantly higher compared with normal PZ for both the 23Na coil (45.4 mM; P = 0.02) and the 13C coil (49.4 mM; P = 0.002).

Data Conclusion

We demonstrated the feasibility of using a carbon‐tuned coil to quantify TSC, enabling dual metabolic information from a single coil. This approach could make the acquisition of both 23Na‐MRI and 13C‐MRI feasible in a single clinical imaging session.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:90–97.
Isolation, identification, and characterization of diesel‐oil‐degrading bacterial strains indigenous to Changqing oil field, China
Authors: Sun Wuyang , Ali Imran , Liu Jiwei , Dai Min , Cao Wenrui , Jiang Mingyu , Saren Gaowa , Yu Xinke , Peng Changsheng , Naz Iffat
Published: May 2019

In the present study, 12 indigenous diesel‐oil‐degrading bacteria were isolated from the petroleum‐contaminated soils of the Changqing oil field (Xi’an, China). Measurement of the diesel‐oil degradation rates of these strains by the gravimetric method revealed that they ranged from 42% to 66% within 2 weeks. The highest degradation rates were observed from strains CQ8‐1 (66%), CQ8‐2 (62.6%), and CQ11 (59%), which were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, Ochrobactrum anthropi, and Bordetella bronchialis, respectively, based on their 16S rDNA sequences. Moreover, the physiological and biochemical properties of these three strains were analyzed by Gram staining, catalase, oxidase, and Voges–Proskauer tests. Transmission electron microscopy showed that all three strains were rod shaped with flagella. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometric analyses indicated that medium‐ and long‐chain n‐alkanes in diesel oil (C11–C29) were degraded to different degrees by B. thuringiensis, O. anthropi, and B. bronchialis, and the degradation rates gradually decreased as the carbon numbers increased. Overall, the results of this study indicate strains CQ8‐1, CQ8‐2, and CQ11 might be useful for environmentally friendly and cost‐effective bioremediation of oil‐contaminated soils.
Comparison of the aridity index and its drivers in eight climatic regions in China in recent years and in future projections
Authors: Li Yanzhong , Yu Wenjun , Wang Kaiwen , Ma Xieyao
Published: May 2019

Intense anthropogenic climate changes are expected to increase atmospheric aridity in the 21st century. The aridity index (AI), defined as the ratio of annual precipitation (Pre) to atmospheric evaporation (potential evapotranspiration [PET]), represents an efficient indicator of climatic changes. However, the variations and underlying drivers of AI values have not been comprehensively compared in different climatic regions. Using the AI calculated on the basis of bias‐corrected precipitation and optimized PET over the period of 1999–2017 and two climate model projections for the coming century, we investigated the response of the AI to climate change and quantified the contributions of climatic factors to AI variations in eight climatic regions in China, that is, the northwest (NW), north‐centre (NC), northeast (NE), North China Plain (NCP), east (E), southeast (SE), southwest (SW) and Tibet Plateau (TP). The results indicated that the AI values in seven of the eight climate regions exhibited negative trends from 1999 to 2017, with mean values ranging from −0.0008 in SW to −0.0414 in NC, while the AI values in the TP region showed a significant positive trend, with a value of 0.0124. Pre was the dominant factor for the variations in AI values in all climate regions, with contribution rates from 65 to 308%, followed by decreasing solar radiation in the NW, NC, E, SE and SW regions; deceasing wind speed in NE and NCP; and deceasing actual vapour pressure in the TP. The effect of increasing temperature on the AI trend was offset by other climate factors. By the end of the 21st century, under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 emission scenario, the AI will significantly increase in five of the eight regions to values approximately 16.5% higher than those during 1999–2017, and this increase in the AI will be dominated by increasing PET. Overall, the shift in the dominant AI factor from Pre in recent years to PET in the future indicates that more attention should be given to the response of the AI to global warming. Furthermore, regional differences in climate change and AI values during 2018–2,100 will inevitably influence water availability and urgently require the development of adaptation strategies for different climatic regions.
MSC Therapy for Osteoarthritis: An Unfinished Story
Authors: Barry Frank
Published: May 2019

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have firmly occupied the attention of orthopedic clinicians and scientists for most of the last 25 years. Hundreds of laboratories worldwide have carried out research aimed at unraveling the biological characteristics of these cells and probing the manner in which they potentially contribute to cartilage and bone repair. Clinical trials registries indicate that they are also being tested in patient studies for a wide range of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fracture repair, regeneration of articular cartilage, tendon repair, and for treatment of degenerative disc disease. Despite these efforts, the effectiveness of MSCs as a treatment modality for these conditions is still uncertain and market authorizations have been limited. In addition, critical and clear phenotypic parameters for defining MSCs are uncertain and a coherent biological framework surrounding the therapeutic mechanism of action is not yet available. Added to this, cell manufacturing protocols are complex and costly and present substantial challenges in terms of regulatory oversight and standardization. Despite these obstacles, MSCs still remain at the forefront of efforts in Regenerative Medicine, based on a conviction that this technology can provide an effective treatment paradigm for major diseases where there is still an unmet need. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1229–1235, 2019.
Trends in tricolored blackbird colony size: 2008 through 2017
Authors: Meehan Timothy D. , Arthur Samantha , Michel Nicole L. , Wilsey Chad B. , Langham Gary M.
Published: May 2019

Tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) is a colonial breeder, largely restricted to grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural areas of California, USA. Tricolored blackbird abundance declined considerably during the twentieth century. Recent trends have been less clear, however, hindering efforts to evaluate the conservation needs of the species. We assessed trends in tricolored blackbird colony size using 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2017 Triennial Tricolored Blackbird Statewide Survey, a community‐science effort involving hundreds of volunteer observers. After accounting for variation in observer characteristics and survey effort, we found a clear, statistically significant decrease in average colony size of approximately 5% per year, which translated to a decrease in average colony size of approximately 40% between 2008 and 2017. This decrease in colony size matches the overall decline in abundance reported in another recent study and reinforces the conclusion that tricolored blackbird is in need of protection and recovery efforts. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.