bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The lacewingCeraeochrysa caligataas a potential biological agent for controlling the red palm miteRaoiella indica
Authors: Viteri Jumbo Luis O. , Teodoro Adenir V. , Rêgo Adriano S. , Haddi Khalid , Galvão Andréia S. , de Oliveira Eugênio Eduardo
Published: June 2019

Background

Compared to chemical control, the use of naturally occurring biological agents to control invasive pests is less threatening to the environment and human health.

Objectives

Here, we assessed the ability of immature stages of the lacewingCeraeochrysa caligata(Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to prey upon different developmental stages of the red palm miteRaoiella indica(Acari: Tenuipalpidae), one of the most destructive invasive pests of palm trees in Neotropical regions.

Methods

Increasing densities of three stages ofR. indica(eggs, immature stages, and adult females) were offered toC. caligatain coconut leaf arenas. The immature stages ofC. caligatawere less than 24 h old and were starved before being transferring to the arenas. The amount of prey consumed was recorded 6 h after releasing theC. caligata.

Results

Our results indicated that the ability ofC. caligatato feed uponR. indicaincreased with the larval development of the predator. Higher feeding levels and shorter handling times were recorded for the first and second instars ofC. caligatawhen preying upon the eggs and immature stages ofR. indica.Furthermore,C. caligataindividuals of different stages exhibited differential functional responses according to prey type (i.e., eggs, immatures, or adult females ofR. indica).Ceraeochrysa caligatasecond instar individuals exhibited a sigmoid increase in consumption rate with increasing prey availability (i.e., a type III functional response) when preying upon immature stages ofR. indica. However, when preying uponR. indicaadult females,C. caligatasecond instar individuals exhibited a type II functional response (i.e., an increase in consumption rate with increasing prey availability, before reaching a plateau). Predator individuals of the first and third instar stages exhibited a type II functional response for all prey types.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings demonstrate thatC. caligata, especially at the second instar stage, has potential as a tool for ecological management of the red palm mite.
Reference genes for qRT-PCR normalisation in different tissues, developmental stages, and stress conditions of Hypericum perforatum
Authors: Zhou Wen , Wang Shiqiang , Yang Lei , Sun Yan , Zhang Qian , Li Bin , Wang Bin , Li Lin , Wang Donghao , Wang Zhezhi
Published: June 2019

Hypericum perforatum L. is a widely known medicinal herb used mostly as a remedy for depression because it contains high levels of naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols, alkaloids, and some other secondary metabolites. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is an optimized method for the efficient and reliable quantification of gene expression studies. In general, reference genes are used in qRT-PCR analysis because of their known or suspected housekeeping roles. However, their expression level cannot be assumed to remain stable under all possible experimental conditions. Thus, the identification of high quality reference genes is essential for the interpretation of qRT-PCR data. In this study, we investigated the expression of 14 candidate genes, including nine housekeeping genes (HKGs) (ACT2, ACT3, ACT7, CYP1, EF1-α, GAPDH, TUB-α, TUB-β, and UBC2) and five potential candidate genes (GSA, PKS1, PP2A, RPL13, and SAND). Three programs—GeNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper—were applied to evaluate the gene expression stability across four different plant tissues, four developmental stages and a set of abiotic stress and hormonal treatments. Integrating all of the algorithms and evaluations revealed that ACT2 and TUB-β were the most stable combination in different developmental stages samples and all of the experimental samples. ACT2, TUB-β, and EF1-α were identified as the three most applicable reference genes in different tissues and stress-treated samples. The majority of the conventional HKGs performed better than the potential reference genes. The obtained results will aid in improving the credibility of the standardization and quantification of transcription levels in future expression studies on H. perforatum.
Dissecting the Contemporary Clerkship: Theory‐based Educational Trial of Videos Versus Lectures in Medical Student Education
Authors: Yiu Stella H. M. , Spacek Alena M. , Pageau Paul G. , Woo Michael Y. C. , Curtis Lee A. , Frank Jason R.
Published: June 2019

Background

Despite increasing use of the flipped classroom (FC) technique in undergraduate medical education, the benefit in learning outcomes over lectures is inconsistent. Best practices in preclass video design principles are rarely used, and it is unclear if videos can replace lectures in contemporary medical education.

Methods

We conducted a prospective quasi‐experimental controlled educational study comparing theory‐based videos to traditional lectures in a medical student curriculum. Medical students enrolled in an emergency medicine clerkship were randomly assigned to either a lecture group (LG) or a video group (VG). The slide content was identical, and the videos aligned with cognitive load theory‐based multimedia design principles. Students underwent baseline (pretest), week 1 (posttest), and end‐of‐rotation (retention) written knowledge tests and an observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) assessment. We compared scores between both groups and surveyed student attitudes and satisfaction with respect to the two learning methods.

Results

There were 104 students who participated in OSCE assessments (49 LG, 55 VG) and 101 students who participated in knowledge tests (48 LG, 53 VG). The difference in OSCE scores was statistically significant 1.29 (95% confidence interval = 0.23 to 2.35, t(102) = 2.43, p = 0.017), but the actual score difference was small from an educational standpoint (12.61 for LG, 11.32 for VG). All three knowledge test scores for both groups were not significantly different.

Conclusions

Videos based on cognitive load theory produced similar results and could replace traditional lectures for medical students. Educators contemplating a FC approach should devote their valuable classroom time to active learning methods.
Experimental validation of indirect conduction theory and effect of particle roughness on wall‐to‐particle heat transfer
Authors: Mishra Ipsita , Lattanzi Aaron M. , LaMarche Casey Q. , Morris Aaron B. , Hrenya Christine M.
Published: June 2019

Conduction between a flat wall and solid particles is important to heat transfer in various industrial unit operations. Predicting heat transfer in such systems requires theories for the two relevant modes of heat transfer: conduction through the particle‐wall contact area (direct conduction), and conduction through the interstitial fluid surrounding the particles in the near‐wall region (indirect conduction). While the former mechanism is well understood, experimental exploration of the latter is lacking. Here, experimental heat transfer coefficients for packed‐beds of glass and steel particles are compared to computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method simulations, which include an existing theory for indirect conduction. Reasonable agreement is found when the particle Biot number (Bi) is much less than unity (steel), but significant differences occur for Bi ~ 1 (glass). Additionally, the surface morphology of the glass particles is modified to experimentally elucidate the effects of roughness on particle‐wall heat transfer.
Enhanced Charge Transport by Incorporating Formamidinium and Cesium Cations into Two‐Dimensional Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Gao Liguo , Zhang Fei , Chen Xihan , Xiao Chuanxiao , Larson Bryon W. , Dunfield Sean P. , Berry Joseph J. , Zhu Kai
Published: June 2019

Organic‐inorganic hybrid two‐dimensional (2D) perovskites (n≤5) have recently attracted significant attention because of their promising stability and optoelectronic properties. Normally, 2D perovskites contain a monocation [e.g., methylammonium (MA+) or formamidinium (FA+)]. Reported here for the first time is the fabrication of 2D perovskites (n=5) with mixed cations of MA+, FA+, and cesium (Cs+). The use of these triple cations leads to the formation of a smooth, compact surface morphology with larger grain size and fewer grain boundaries compared to the conventional MA‐based counterpart. The resulting perovskite also exhibits longer carrier lifetime and higher conductivity in triple cation 2D perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2D PSCs with triple cations was enhanced by more than 80 % (from 7.80 to 14.23 %) compared to PSCs fabricated with a monocation. The PCE is also higher than that of PSCs based on binary cation (MA+‐FA+ or MA+‐Cs+) 2D structures.
Efficient and Selective Carboligation with Whole‐Cell Biocatalysts in Pickering Emulsion
Authors: Röllig Robert , Plikat Christoph , Ansorge‐Schumacher Marion B.
Published: June 2019

Pickering emulsions (PEs) are particle‐stabilized multiphase systems with promising features for synthetic applications. Described here is a novel, simplified set‐up employing catalytically active whole cells for simultaneous emulsion stabilization and synthetic reaction. In the stereoselective carboligation of benzaldehyde to (R)‐benzoin catalyzed by a benzaldehyde lyase in E. coli, the set‐up yielded maximum substrate conversion within very short time, while economizing material demand and waste. Formation and activity of freshly produced PEs were enhanced when the catalytic whole cells were covered with hydrophobic silicone prior to PE formation. Benchmarked against other easy‐to‐handle whole‐cell biocatalysts in pure organic solvent, neat substrate, an aqueous emulsion in substrate, and a micro‐aquatic system, respectively, the cell‐stabilized PE outperformed all other systems by far.
Knockdown of β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase gene disrupts molting process in Heortia vitessoides Moore
Authors: Lyu Zihao , Chen Jingxiang , Li Zhixing , Cheng Jie , Wang Chunyan , Lin Tong
Published: June 2019

β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) is a key enzyme in insect chitin metabolism and plays an important role in many physiological activities of insects. The HvNAG1 gene was identified from the Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) cDNA library and its expression patterns were determined using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that HvNAG1 mRNA levels were high in the midgut and before molting, and 20E could induce its expression. Subsequently, the HvNAG1 gene was knocked down via RNA interference to identify its functions. We found that 3 μg of dsNAG1 resulted in optimal interference at 48 and 72 hr after injection, causing a decrease in NAG1 protein content, which resulted in abnormal or lethal phenotypes, and a sharp decrease in the survival rate. These results indicate that HvNAG1 plays a key role in the molting process of H. vitessoides. However, the silencing of HvNAG1 had no significant effect on the chitin metabolism‐related genes tested in this study. Our present study provides a reference for further research on the utility of key genes involved in the chitin metabolic pathway in the insect molting process.
Factors that affect asker's pay intention in trilateral payment‐based social Q&A platforms: From a benefit and cost perspective
Authors: Zhao Yuxiang (Chris) , Peng Xixian , Liu Zhouying , Song Shijie , Hansen Preben
Published: June 2019

More and more social Q&A platforms are launching a new business model to monetize online knowledge. This monetizing process introduces a more complicated cost and benefit tradeoff to users, especially for askers' concerns. Much of the previous research was conducted in the context of free‐based Q&A platform, which hardly explains the triggers that motivate askers' pay intention. Based on the theories of social exchange and social capital, this study aims to identify and examine the antecedents of askers' pay intention from the perspective of benefit and cost. We empirically test our predictions based on survey data collected from 322 actual askers in a well‐known trilateral payment‐based social Q&A platform in China. The results by partial least squares (PLS) analysis indicate that besides noneconomic benefits including self‐enhancement, social support, and entertainment, financial factors such as cost and benefit have significant influences on the perceived value of using trilateral payment‐based Q&A platforms. More important, we further identify that the effect of financial benefit is moderated by perceived reciprocity belief, and the effect of perceived value is moderated by perceived trust in answerers. Our findings contribute to the previous literature by proposing a theoretical model that explains askers' behavioral intention, and the practical implications for payment‐based Q&A service providers and participants.
Do Hertzsprung‐gap stars show any chemical anomaly?
Authors: Takeda Yoichi , Jeong Gwanghui , Han Inwoo
Published: June 2019

With the aim of investigating how the surface abundances of intermediate‐mass stars off the main sequence (evolving toward the red‐giant stage) are affected by the evolution‐induced envelope mixing, we spectroscopically determined the abundances of Li, C, N, O, and Na for selected 62 late A through G subgiants, giants, and supergiants, which are often called “Hertzsprung‐gap stars,” by applying the synthetic spectrum‐fitting technique to Lii6708, Ci5380, Ni7460, Oi6156–8, and Na i6161 lines. A substantially large star‐to‐star dispersion (≳2dex) was confirmed for the Li abundances, indicating that this vulnerable element can either suffer significant depletion before the red‐giant stage or almost retain the primordial composition. Regarding C, N, O, and Na possibly altered by dredge‐up of nuclear‐processed products, their abundances turned out to show considerable scatter. This suggests that these abundance results are likely to suffer appreciable uncertainties, the reason for which is not clear but might be due to some kind of inadequate modeling for the atmospheric structure. Yet, paying attention to the fact that the relative abundance ratios between C, N, and O should be more reliable (because systematic errors may be canceled as lines of similar properties are used for these species), we could confirm a positive correlation between [O/C] (ranging from ∼0 to ∼+0.5 dex) and [N/C] (showing a larger spread from ∼0 to ∼+1 dex), which is reasonably consistent with the theoretical prediction. This observational detection of C deficiency as well as N enrichment in our program stars manifestly indicates that the dredge‐up of H‐burning product can take place before entering the red‐giant stage, with its extent differing from star to star.
Rapid Detection of Senescent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells by a Fluorescent Probe
Authors: Ang Joshur , Lee Yong‐An , Raghothaman Deepak , Jayaraman Premkumar , Teo Kim L. , Khan Fahima J. , Reuveny Shaul , Chang Young‐Tae , Kang Nam‐Young , Oh Steve
Published: June 2019

Despite intense interest in human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), monitoring of the progressive occurrence of senescence has been hindered by the lack of efficient detection tools. Here, the discovery of a novel MSC senescence‐specific fluorescent probe (CyBC9) identified by a high‐throughput screen is reported. Compared with the prototypical senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) staining, the CyBC9 assay is rapid (2 h) and nontoxic and can thus be applied to live cells. It is shown that CyBC9 is able to stain early and late senescent populations both in monolayer‐ and in microcarrier‐based cultures. Finally, to investigate the mechanism of CyBC9, colocalization assays are performed and it is found that CyBC9 is accumulated in the mitochondria of senescent MSCs presumably due to the loss of membrane potential. Taken together, it is expected that CyBC9 will be a useful tool to ameliorate cell therapy through rapid and early screening of senescent phenotypes in clinically relevant MSCs.
Measuring corporate governance performance beyond the financial metrics: A study based on deposit money banks in Nigeria
Authors: Onwuka Ifeanyi Onuka , Okoro Blessing Chinemere , Onodugo Vincent A.
Published: June 2019

Studies on corporate governance and firm performance have traditionally used financial metrics such as return on investment, return on assets, return on equity, profitable after tax, earnings per share, firm value (Tobin's q), and other quantifiable matrices. These performance measurement indicators, however, do not fully account for the social and environmental benefits derivable from corporate activities. This study differed from this approach by measuring corporate performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria using the sustainability reporting and triple bottom line (TBL) framework. Two TBL‐compliance metrics were developed that tracks the performance of banks along the TBL parameters, which is more robust than the usual financial indicators. Six banks were selected for the study and were assigned scores based on their relative achievement in the adoption process of 17 identified metrics in the TBL framework. The results showed that Nigerian banks lacked behind in corporate governance performance based on TBL framework. On the aggregate, the level of spending on corporate social activities as a percentage of profit after tax was less than 1% for the 10‐year period reviewed (2013–2017). The study showed that all the sampled banks had put in place policy framework that is in tandem with the TBL template, but there is still a mix match between the policy enunciation and concrete investments needed to be fully TBL complaint. The study recommended that Nigerian banks should devote more resources towards meeting the increasing social, environmental, and ecological demands on them in line with global best practices.
Examining economic and technology‐related barriers of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises internationalisation: An emerging economy context
Authors: Rahman Mahfuzur , Akter Mansura , Odunukan Kenny , Haque Shamim Ehsanul
Published: June 2019

In today's global marketplace, small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly looking at internationalisation strategies to boost growth, profitability, and competitiveness. However, challenges, such as, sociocultural differences, political institutions, limited resources, competitive challenges, market threats, and economic and technological barriers all hinder SMEs from entering and competing favourably in the international markets. Considering the important link between lack of resources and internationalisation of SMEs, this study examined economic and technology‐related barriers of SMEs internationalisation from a neglected yet emerging market context in Bangladesh. To compare the relative importance of these two particular categories of barriers, this study developed and validated a partial least square‐based structural equation model (PLS‐SEM) with primary data gathered from questionnaires from 212 Bangladeshi SMEs. The findings of the paper suggest that technology‐related barriers seem slightly more influential than economic barriers. As the difference is very low, importance should be given to both types of barriers as found. Conceptually, this study extends this area of research by reframing economic and technology‐related barriers of internationalisation as a hierarchical reflective model within an emerging economy context. Empirically, it confirms that PLS‐SEM can be used to compare the relative importance of these two types of barriers. Practically, policy makers can give slightly more priorities on the technology‐related barriers where it is not possible to give equal importance to both because of limited resource and research neglect on developing economies.
Eco‐innovation and firm growth in the circular economy: Evidence from European small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Demirel Pelin , Danisman Gamze Ozturk
Published: June 2019

As the circular economy (CE) concept gains growing popularity among consumers and producers, small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly look for ways to reorganize their offering and operations to integrate into the CE. This study examines the impact of (a) circular eco‐innovations and (b) external funding available for CE activities on the growth of European SMEs using a data set of 5,100 SMEs across 28 European countries in 2016. Findings reveal that a significant threshold investment (i.e., higher than 10% of revenues) into circular eco‐innovations is required for SMEs to benefit from investing into the CE. Moreover, the majority of circular eco‐innovations fail to boost the growth rates of SMEs, with the exception of investments into eco‐design innovations. Although traditional forms of debt and grant finance targeted to CE activities are found to have no or negative impact on the growth of SMEs, equity finance (i.e., angel and venture capital investments) contributes positively to their growth. The study offers insights into the lower levels of SME engagement in the CE as well as policy implications for improving engagement.
Optical Control of the GTP Affinity of K‐Ras(G12C) by a Photoswitchable Inhibitor
Authors: Ge Zhihua , Yang Zhuojin , Liang Jingshi , Dong Duoling , Zhu Mingyan
Published: June 2019

Photocontrol of protein activity is an emerging field in biomedicine. For optical control of a mutant small GTPase K‐Ras(G12C), we developed small‐molecule inhibitors with photoswitchable efficacy, where one configuration binds the target protein and exert different pharmacological effects upon light irradiation. The compound design was based on the structure feature of a previously identified allosteric pocket of K‐Ras(G12C) and the chemical structure of covalent inhibitors, and resulted in the synthesis and characterization of two representative azobenzene‐containing compounds. Nucleotide exchange assays demonstrated the different efficacy to control the GTP affinity by photoswitching of one potent compound PS‐C2, which would be a useful tool to probe the conformation of mutational K‐Ras. Our study demonstrated the feasibility of designing photoswitchable modulators from allosteric covalent inhibitor of small GTPases.
Just‐in‐time learning–multiple subspace support vector data description used for non‐Gaussian dynamic batch process monitoring
Authors: Lv Zhaomin , Yan Xuefeng , Jiang Qingchao , Li Ning
Published: June 2019

Batch process data are time‐varying dynamic and non‐Gaussian distributed. In addition, for multivariate statistical process monitoring, their variability can be overwhelmed when considering local variability behavior. To address the abovementioned issues, an improved batch process monitoring approach is presented that integrates just‐in‐time learning and multiple subspace support vector data description (JITL‐MSSVDD). A new multiple subspace segmentation method is proposed that classifies a contribution array that is calculated on the mixing matrix of independent component analysis (ICA). Offline, the variable subspace segmentation rule can be obtained from the proposed method. The subspace monitoring models can reduce the risk of the variability being overwhelmed. Online, local modeling samples are collected through JITL, which can reduce the impact of the time‐varying dynamic on modeling accuracy. Then, in accordance with the variable subspace segmentation rule, which is obtained offline, MSSVDD models are constructed to solve non‐Gaussian problems. The advantage of the proposed JITL‐MSSVDD is demonstrated through the standard test model fed‐batch penicillin fermentation process.
Simulation of 1/fα noise for analytical measurements
Authors: Driscoll Stephen , Dowd Michael , Wentzell Peter D.
Published: June 2019

A simple procedure is described that can be used to generate 1/fα noise, also known as power law noise, in simulated analytical measurement vectors. Certain types of power law noise, such as pink noise (α=1), dominate many types of analytical signals, so its simulation is important in optimizing data processing strategies. In this work, simulated 1/fα error sequences are created directly from white noise via the theoretical measurement error covariance matrix (ECM) by rotation and scaling. The 1/fα ECM is obtained from the coefficients of a finite impulse response filter and is easily adapted to generate multiplicative 1/fα noise that is probably more common for analytical systems exhibiting proportional noise characteristics. Simulating 1/fα noise directly from the ECM offers two main advantages. First, 1/fα noise can be easily simulated in the presence of other common analytical measurement errors by additive combination of the ECMs. Second, the theoretical ECM can be used to model real experimental measurement noise. It is shown that the power spectral density function of measurement error sequences generated by the proposed method closely approximates the theoretical behaviour of 1/fα noise. To demonstrate the utility of this method in evaluating data processing methods, simulated data exhibiting 1/f (pink) noise is analyzed by maximum likelihood principal component analysis (MLPCA) that takes measurement error structure into account, and baseline noise is simulated using brown noise to test baseline fitting by asymmetric least squares (AsLS).
Treatment of the real boiler cleaning wastewater in an anaerobic fluidized bed microbial fuel cell: Organic matter degradation, bioelectrochemistry, and kinetics
Authors: Wang Jiating , Liu Xinmin
Published: June 2019

A single chambered air cathode anaerobic fluidized bed microbial fuel cell (AFB‐MFC) was simultaneously used to dispose of the real boiler cleaning wastewater (BCW) containing a high concentration of citric acid and to generate renewable energy. At the temperature of 40 °C and flow rate of 5.22 mL/s, the removal efficiency and power density were improved in AFB‐MFC with the abiotic cathode of the Pt/C modified carbon cloth. With the real boiler cleaning wastewater fed as substrate, the maximal removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in AFB‐MFC was up to 90 %, which was higher than the corresponding value of 84 % obtained in the anaerobic biological fluidized bed reactor (ABFBR). The maximum voltage and the maximum power density were 424.6 mV and 18.68 mW/m2, respectively, when the external resistance was 5000 Ω. Furthermore, the Haldane inhibition model was well fitted with experiment data (R2 = 0.97–0.98) in AFB‐MFC/ABFBR. The inhibition of citric acid degradation in ABFBR was stronger than that of AFB‐MFC. The bioelectrochemical system of AFB‐MFC not only improved the charge transfer and but also accelerated the reaction rate of citric acid. The reduction of the ferric ion and oxidation of ferrous ion in AFB‐MFC played important roles in the degradation reaction of critic acid.
On Bartlett correction of empirical likelihood for regularly spaced spatial data
Authors: Chen Kun , Chan Ngai H. , Wang Man , Yau Chun Y.
Published: June 2019

Bartlett correction constitutes one of the attractive features of empirical likelihood because it enables the construction of confidence regions for parameters with improved coverage probabilities. We study the Bartlett correction of spatial frequency domain empirical likelihood (SFDEL) based on general spectral estimating functions for regularly spaced spatial data. This general formulation can be applied to testing and estimation problems in spatial analysis, for example testing covariance isotropy, testing covariance separability as well as estimating the parameters of spatial covariance models. We show that the SFDEL is Bartlett correctable. In particular, the improvement in coverage accuracies of the Bartlett‐corrected confidence regions depends on the underlying spatial structures.The Canadian Journal of Statistics47: 455–472; 2019 © 2019 Statistical Society of Canada
Persistence of friendly and submissive interpersonal styles among those with binge‐eating disorder: Comparisons with matched controls and outcomes after group therapy
Authors: Brugnera Agostino , Carlucci Samantha , Compare Angelo , Tasca Giorgio A.
Published: June 2019

Interpersonal problems play a prominent role in the development of binge‐eating disorder (BED), so reducing their intensity may be a key focus of many psychological interventions. In recent years, several interpersonal treatments for BED were developed, which posit that binge eating arises to manage relational problems. However, few studies have evaluated the prototypical interpersonal problems, and no studies evaluated the longitudinal changes in interpersonal functioning after treatment within this population. We investigated the severity and prototypicality of interpersonal problems of 101 overweight women with BED from pre‐group psychodynamic–interpersonal psychotherapy (GPIP) to 12 months post‐GPIP. At baseline, we compared patients' interpersonal problems with two groups of matched controls (46 overweight and 49 normal weight women without a diagnosis of BED) and examined circular correlations between relational problems, depressive symptoms, and binge‐eating frequency. Results showed that participants with BED had significantly higher levels of interpersonal problems compared with the matched control samples, with predominantly nonassertive and exploitable styles. Depressive symptoms were related to the presence of friendly–submissive interpersonal problems only among those with BED. Although the intensity of nonassertive interpersonal problems of patients with BED decreased post‐group treatment, their profiles remained prototypically nonassertive and exploitable across all time points. Women with BED experience higher levels of interpersonal difficulties exemplified by an exploitable/nonassertive style that significantly improve but continue to prevail even after treatment. Clinicians might modify interventions to focus on increasing interpersonal skills and decreasing interpersonal dysfunctions among those with BED.
The assessment of cognitive‐behavioral therapy skills in patients diagnosed with health anxiety: Development and pilot study on an observer‐based rating scale
Authors: Ay Destina Sevde , Kühne Franziska , Weck Florian
Published: June 2019

Cognitive‐behavioral therapy is a highly effective treatment of health anxiety, but it remains unclear through which mechanisms treatment effects prevail. Some evidence suggests that patients acquire skills—understood as techniques helping them reach therapy goals—through psychotherapy. In the current study, an observer‐based rating scale for the skills assessment of patients with health anxiety (SAPH) was developed and validated in a pilot study. Based on 177 videotapes, four independent raters evaluated the frequency of skills acquired during cognitive and exposure therapy among 66 patients diagnosed with health anxiety with the SAPH. Predictive validity was evaluated by the Yale–Brown Obsessive‐Compulsive Scale for Hypochondriasis. The SAPH demonstrated good interrater reliability (ICC(1,2) = .88, p < .001, 95% CI [.81, .92]) and internal consistency (α = .94). Although patient skills did not significantly increase during three sessions, they significantly predicted a reduction in health anxiety symptoms at the end of treatment (R2 = .35). Patients' skills are highly important within the treatment of health anxiety. By providing external ratings of patients' skills with good psychometric properties, our pilot data suggest that the SAPH may complement current tools for the assessment of skills, specifically in targeting health anxiety.
Perylene Diimide Based Imine Cages for Inclusion of Aromatic Guest Molecules and Visible‐Light Photocatalysis
Authors: Feng Xiying , Liao Peisen , Jiang Jingxing , Shi Jianying , Ke Zhuofeng , Zhang Jianyong
Published: June 2019

A strategy for the development of visible‐light‐sensitive organic cage structures is reported. Enantiomeric imine cages with optical and electrochemical properties are developed employing perylene diimide (PDI) and tetraphenylethene subunits using dynamic covalent imine chemistry. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are encapsulated efficiently in the imine cage, and the guests interact with PDI units via supramolecular π‐π interactions. Visible‐light‐driven Smiles rearrangement of 2‐aryloxybenzoic acids to aryl salicylates is achieved with high efficiency in the presence of the imine cage as the catalyst.
Profiling microorganisms in whole saliva of children with and without dental caries
Authors: Vieira Alexandre R. , Hiller N. Luisa , Powell Evan , Kim Leon Hak‐Jin , Spirk Tracy , Modesto Adriana , Kreft Rachael
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Dental caries is a highly prevalent infectious disease that causes tooth decay. While no single bacterial species is causative of dental caries, the role of the oral microbiome in oral health and caries is gaining interest. The purpose of this study is to compare the major species present in whole saliva samples from caries‐free and caries‐active children using the IBIS Universal Biosensor.

Material and Methods

The abundant microbial species in ninety‐five whole saliva samples from caries‐free and caries‐active subjects were characterized using the IBIS Universal Biosensor.

Results

Twenty‐four genera and sixty‐five species were detected. Candida and Streptococcus were common across samples, and often the dominant genus. While we did not observe a strong association between the most abundant species and oral health, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Rothia mucilaginosa were enriched in children with active caries; while, Staphylococcus epidermidis was enriched in caries‐free children.

Conclusions

These study trends observed suggest that microbial markers in saliva may serve as predictors of oral health and thus aid in diagnosis and treatments for prevention of caries. Consistent with competitive interactions, we also observed negative associations between Streptococcus pneumoniae and other streptococcal species, Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis, Candida and Neisseria, and Saccharomyces and Streptococcus.
A provable and secure mobile user authentication scheme for mobile cloud computing services
Authors: Irshad Azeem , Chaudhry Shehzad Ashraf , Shafiq Muhammad , Usman Muhammad , Asif Muhammad , Ghani Anwar
Published: June 2019

The mobile cloud computing (MCC) has enriched the quality of services that the clients access from remote cloud‐based servers. The growth in the number of wireless users for MCC has further augmented the requirement for a robust and efficient authenticated key agreement mechanism. Formerly, the users would access cloud services from various cloud‐based service providers and authenticate one another only after communicating with the trusted third party (TTP). This requirement for the clients to access the TTP during each mutual authentication session, in earlier schemes, contributes to the redundant latency overheads for the protocol. Recently, Tsai et al have presented a bilinear pairing based multi‐server authentication (MSA) protocol, to bypass the TTP, at least during mutual authentication. The scheme construction works fine, as far as the elimination of TTP involvement for authentication has been concerned. However, Tsai et al scheme has been found vulnerable to server spoofing attack and desynchronization attack, and lacks smart card‐based user verification, which renders the protocol inapt for practical implementation in different access networks. Hence, we have proposed an improved model designed with bilinear pairing operations, countering the identified threats as posed to Tsai scheme. Additionally, the proposed scheme is backed up by performance evaluation and formal security analysis.
A smart integrated environment for vehicular traffic simulation
Authors: Mubasher Mian Muhammad , Jaffry Syed Waqar , Yousaf Muhammad Murtaza , Bajwa Imran Sarwar , Sarwar Shahzad , Aslam Laeeq
Published: June 2019

Globally, urbanization has increased due to the availability of the facilities, jobs, and better standard of living in cities. Increase in urban population has caused increase in urban commute. The increased pressure on urban settlements has made design and optimization of urban civil infrastructure very challenging especially road transport infrastructure. Domain experts such as transportation managers, engineers, scientist, and academics need effective, easy, and readily usable computational modeling and simulation tools to conduct systematic inquiry for design and optimization of the transportation system. Free and open‐source software (FOSS) community has developed many vehicular traffic simulation software that are cost‐effective and extensible, however are difficult to use. Usually, domain experts do not have hands‐on software skills such as XML‐based interfaces, software source versioning, and build management. To bridge this gap, in our work, an integrated development environment (IDE), namely, integrated vehicular traffic simulation environment (ITE), has been developed. ITE is developed on top of an existing FOSS multimodal open‐source vehicular‐traffic simulator (MovSim). ITE includes a scenario building tool for domain experts. It could be used to model road infrastructure and vehicular traffic in an integrated manner. The tool could be used to build and experiment novel traffic infrastructures and policies. Our work helps in reducing learning curve of domain experts by providing a free and open source, easy and readily usable vehicular traffic simulation tool.
Prognostic significance of the presence of epithelial cell clusters in the ascites of patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei
Authors: Ishida Mitsuaki , Mizumoto Akiyoshi , Yonemura Yutaka , Kashu Ippei , Takemura Shizuki , Tsuta Koji
Published: June 2019

Background

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare condition characterized by intraperitoneal accumulation of mucus due to mucinous neoplasia. The characteristic cytological feature of PMP in the ascites is abundant mucus with or without epithelial cell clusters. However, the prognostic significance of the presence of epithelial cell clusters has not been determined. This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of epithelial cell clusters in the ascites of patients with PMP.

Methods

Patients who were clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with PMP and who underwent intraoperative cytological examination of their ascites were included in this study. Cytological characteristics including mucus and epithelial cell clusters, nuclear atypia, and the presence of signet ring cells were investigated. Overall survival was compared based on the presence of epithelial cell clusters or nuclear atypia.

Results

A total of 283 patients (199 women and 84 men) were investigated. The most common original site was the appendix (244 patients). Ninety patients (31.8%) had mucus without epithelial cell clusters (acellular mucin) while 193 (68.2%) had mucus with such clusters; 134 (69.4%) and 44 (22.8%) of these patients showed low‐grade and high‐grade nuclear features, respectively. Signet ring cells were detected in 15 patients (7.8%). The presence of epithelial cell clusters did not influence overall survival (P = .28); however, high‐grade nuclear features and signet ring cell presence were significant negative prognostic factors (P < .001).

Conclusion

The presence of high‐grade nuclear features or of signet ring cells should be carefully investigated in the cytological specimens of patients with PMP.
Detection, pharmacokinetics, and selected pharmacodynamic effects of methamphetamine following a single transmucosal and intravenous administration to exercised Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Knych Heather K. , Arthur Rick M. , Kanarr Kirsten L. , McKemie Dan S. , Kass Philip H.
Published: June 2019

Methamphetamine is a central and peripheral nervous system stimulant. There is only a single study that describes exposure to and disposition of this compound in horses. The potential for abuse and inadvertent exposure in equine athletes along with the limited data available necessitates further study. The objectives of the current study were to describe drug and metabolite concentrations, develop an analytical method that could be used to regulate its use, and describe selected pharmacodynamic effects. In phase 1, six horses were randomized into three transmucosal dose groups (n = 2/group; 0.5, 1.0 or 10 mg). In phase 2, horses received a single 10 mg intravenous dose. In phase 3, the effects of urinary pH on elimination were studied. Blood and urine samples were collected for up to 72 hours post drug administration. Concentrations of methamphetamine were measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Methamphetamine was below the limit of detection (LOD) in blood by 2, 4, and 18 hours following transmucosal administration of 0.5, 1, and 10 mg, respectively. Following intravenous administration, methamphetamine fell below the LOD between 12 and 18 hours. Following urinary acidification, methamphetamine fell below the limit of quantitation (LOQ) by 12 hours. In urine, methamphetamine was no longer detected at 48, 48, and 72 hours in the 0.5, 1, and 10 mg transmucosal groups and 18 hours in the intravenous group. Increased urinary pH resulted in urinary concentrations of methamphetamine falling below detectable levels by 48 hours post transmucosal administration. While the number of animals was small, behavioral, stimulatory, and cardiac effects were minimal.
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry screening method using information‐dependent acquisition of enhanced product ion mass spectra for synthetic cannabinoids including metabolites in urine
Authors: Staeheli Sandra N. , Veloso Veronica P. , Bovens Michael , Bissig Christian , Kraemer Thomas , Poetzsch Michael
Published: June 2019

The total number of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) – a group of new psychoactive substances (NPS) – is increasing every year. The rapidly changing market demands the latest analytical methods to detect the consumption of SCs in clinical or forensic toxicology. In addition, SC metabolites must also be included in a screening procedure, if detection in urine is asked for. For that purpose, an easy and fast qualitative liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS) urine screening method for the detection of 75 SCs and their metabolites was developed and validated in terms of matrix effects, recovery, and limits of identification for a selection of analytes. SC metabolites were generated using in vitro human liver microsome assays, identified by liquid chromatography−high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC−HRMS/MS) and finally included to the MS/MS spectra in‐house library. Sample preparation was performed using a cheap‐and‐easy salting‐out liquid–liquid extraction (SALLE) after enzymatic hydrolysis. Method validation showed good selectivity, limits of identification down to 0.05 ng/mL, recoveries above 80%, and matrix effects within ±25% for the selected analytes. Applicability of the method was demonstrated by detection of SC metabolites in authentic urine samples.
Generation of conditional ALK F1174L mutant mouse models for the study of neuroblastoma pathogenesis
Authors: Ono Sachie , Saito Takeshi , Terui Keita , Yoshida Hideo , Enomoto Hideki
Published: June 2019

Neuroblastoma, an embryonal tumor arising from the sympathetic ganglia and adrenal medulla, is among the most intractable pediatric cancers. Although a variety of genetic changes have been identified in neuroblastoma, how they contribute to its pathogenesis remains largely unclear. Recent studies have identified alterations of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene in neuroblastoma; ALK F1174L (a phenylalanine‐to‐leucine substitution at codon 1174) represents one of the most frequent of these somatic mutations, and is associated with amplification of the MYCN gene, the most reliable marker for the poor survival. We engineered the mouse Alk locus so that ALK F1174L is expressed by its endogenous promoter and can be induced in a spatiotemporally controlled fashion using Cre‐loxP system. Although expression of ALK F1174L resulted in enhanced proliferation of sympathetic ganglion progenitors and increased the size of the sympathetic ganglia, it was insufficient to cause neuroblastoma. However, lethal neuroblastoma frequently developed in mice co‐expressing ALK F1174L and MYCN, even in a genetic background where MYCN alone does not cause overt tumors. These data reveal that physiological expression of ALK F1174L significantly potentiates the oncogenic ability of MYCN in vivo. Our conditional mutant mice provide a valuable platform for investigating the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma.
Trophodynamics of Southern Ocean pteropods on the southern Kerguelen Plateau
Authors: Weldrick Christine K. , Trebilco Rowan , Davies Diana M. , Swadling Kerrie M.
Published: June 2019

Pteropods are a group of small marine gastropods that are highly sensitive to multiple stressors associated with climate change. Their trophic ecology is not well studied, with most research having focused primarily on the effects of ocean acidification on their fragile, aragonite shells. Stable isotopes analysis coupled with isotope‐based Bayesian niche metrics is useful for characterizing the trophic structure of biological assemblages. These approaches have not been implemented for pteropod assemblages. We used isotope‐based Bayesian niche metrics to investigate the trophic relationships of three co‐occurring pteropod species, with distinct feeding behaviors, sampled from the Southern Kerguelen Plateau area in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean—a biologically and economically important but poorly studied region. Two of these species were gymnosomes (shell‐less pteropods), which are traditionally regarded as specialist predators on other pteropods, and the third species was a thecosome (shelled pteropod), which are typically generalist omnivores. For each species, we aimed to understand (a) variability and overlap among isotopic niches; and (b) whether there was a relationship between body size and trophic position. Observed isotopic niche areas were broadest for gymnosomes, especially Clione limacina antarctica, whose observed isotopic niche area was wider than expected on both δ13C and δ15N value axes. We also found that trophic position significantly increased with increasing body length for Spongiobranchaea australis. We found no indication of a dietary shift toward increased trophic position with increasing body size for Clio pyramidata f. sulcata. Trophic positions ranged from 2.8 to 3.5, revealing an assemblage composed of both primary and secondary consumer behaviors. This study provides a comprehensive comparative analysis on trophodynamics in Southern Ocean pteropod species, and supports previous studies using gut content, fatty acid and stable isotope analyses. Combined, our results illustrate differences in intraspecific trophic behavior that may be attributed to differential feeding strategies at species level.
Assist device in color discrimination using Heilmeier type guest‐host liquid crystal for red‐green color vision defect
Authors: Nakayama Keizo
Published: June 2019

For assist in color discrimination of color vision defects, the method of observing objects through colored filter has been known. If red filter, which absorbs mostly all light except red light, is used, only the red objects can be highly visible. In this paper, a Heilmeier type guest‐host liquid crystal device with magenta dye was applied to a filter type assist device for red‐green color vision defect. This device can easily control transmittance of green light by changing applied voltage, and make green objects perceived to flicker synchronously. The subjective appraisal of the assist device in color discrimination was performed by five participants with normal vision using a constructed experimental system using a video camera and a PC with a vision simulator. For the confusion indices of the Panel D‐15 test, the effect of the device was statistically significant at P < .01. Moreover, a participant with color vision deficiency assessed it and got results without color confusion on the Panel D‐15 test.