bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the potential use of Sentinel-1 data for monitoring wetland water level changes in China’s Momoge National Nature Reserve
Authors: Chen Yueqing , Qiao Sijia , Zhang Guangxin , Xu Y. Jun , Chen Liwen , Wu Lili
Published: February 2020

Background

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) has become a promising technique for monitoring wetland water levels. However, its capability in monitoring wetland water level changes with Sentine-1 data has not yet been thoroughly investigated.

Methods

In this study, we produced a multitemporal Sentinel-1 C-band VV-polarized SAR backscatter images and generated a total of 28 interferometric coherence maps for marsh wetlands of China’s Momoge National Nature Reserve to investigate the interferometric coherence level of Sentinel-1 C-VV data as a function of perpendicular and temporal baseline, water depth, and SAR backscattering intensity. We also selected six interferogram pairs acquired within 24 days for quantitative analysis of the accuracy of water level changes monitored by Sentinel-1 InSAR. The accuracy of water level changes determined through the Sentinel-1 InSAR technique was calibrated by the values of six field water level loggers.

Results

Our study showed that (1) the coherence was mainly dependent on the temporal baseline and was little affected by the perpendicular baseline for Sentinel-1 C-VV data in marsh wetlands; (2) in the early stage of a growing season, a clear negative correlation was found between Sentinel-1 coherence and water depth; (3) there was an almost linear negative correlation between Sentinel-1 C-VV coherence and backscatter for the marsh wetlands; (4) once the coherence exceeds a threshold of 0.3, the stage during the growing season, rather than the coherence, appeared to be the primary factor determining the quality of the interferogram for the marsh wetlands, even though the quality of the interferogram largely depends on the coherence; (5) the results of water level changes from InSAR processing show no agreement with in-situ measurements during most growth stages. Based on the findings, we can conclude that although the interferometric coherence of the Sentinel-1 C-VV data is high enough, the data is generally unsuitable for monitoring water level changes in marsh wetlands of China’s Momoge National Nature Reserve.
Molecular cloning and expression analysis of tyrosinases (tyr) in four shell-color strains of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum
Authors: Jiang Kunyin , Jiang Liwen , Nie Hongtao , Huo Zhongming , Yan Xiwu
Published: February 2020

The Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) is an economically important molluscan bivalve with variation in pigmentation frequently observed in the shell. In nature, tyrosinase is widely distributed in invertebrates and vertebrates, and plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological activities. In this study, a tyrosinase gene (tyr 9) was cloned and the expression level of tyr genes (tyr 6, tyr 9, tyr 10, and tyr 11) were investigated in different shell colors. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that tyr genes were significantly expressed in the mantle, a shell formation and pigmentation-related tissue. Moreover, the expression pattern of the tyr genes in the mantle of different shell-color strains was different, suggesting that tyrosinases might be involved in different shell-color formation. In addition, the expression profile of tyr 6, tyr 9, tyr 10, and tyr 11 genes were detected at different early developmental stages and the expression level varied with embryonic and larval growth. RNA interference (RNAi) results showed that the expression level of tyr 9 in the RNAi group was significantly down-regulated compared to control and negative control groups, indicating that Rptyr 9 might participate in shell-color formation. Our results indicated that tyr genes were likely to play vital roles in the formation of shell and shell-color in R. philippinarum.
Pattern of Dental Malocclusion in Orthodontic Patients in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, A Retrospective Study
Authors: Hasan Hasan Sabah , Kolemen Ayshan
Published: February 2020

Aim: Aims of this study were to assess the pattern of malocclusion in Erbil City, Kurdistan region- Iraq.

Methods: A retrospective study includes 1212 patients (589 males and 623 females) that attended orthodontic department at the khanzad polyclinic teaching center / Erbil city, Iraq, aged 11-17 years old with a mean age of 13.49 ±1.02 years that randomly selected. The normal occlusion, malocclusion, overjet, overbite, spacing, crowding, cross bite, midline shifting and midline diastema were examined.

Results: Study demonstrated that 309 (25.5%) of patients had normal occlusion. Class I malocclusion was found in 655 (72.5%), class II was found in 176 (19.5%), and class III malocclusion 72 (8.0%) patients of all examined. Crowding and midline shifting were observed more frequently in females, however, normal bite and posterior open bite were observed more frequently in males and normal crossbite more frequently in both genders.

Conclusion: Results of this study showed class I molar relationship was the most prevalent type of occlusion in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region-Iraq area and the most prevalent malocclusion was crowded.
Effect of Salinity on Growth and Some Photosynthetic Pigments of Improved Population in Puccinellia ciliata (Poaceae)
Authors: Yavas Ilkay , Emek Yelda , Unay Aydin
Published: February 2020

Puccinellia (Puccinellia ciliata Bor.) fairly resistant to salinity and used as forage for livestock in China, Australia, and Turkey. In this study, our objective was to determine the effects of salinity on growth and various photosynthetic pigments of an improved population of Puccinellia via recurrent selection. To accomplish this, effects of salinity on seedlings growth of homogenous Puccinellia was examined, one week after emerging of radicle from seeds. Seeds were germinated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 6% agar. Seedling growth was studied under different levels of NaCl salinity (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 μS/cm). Salinity applications were carried out for 6 weeks. Cultures were maintained in growth chambers at 24±2ºC and 16/8 light/dark conditions. Germination was scored during 2 weeks after culture initiation. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Plant growth parameters such as the number of radicle and tillers, maximum radicle and shoot length, plants fresh and dry weights were investigated. Photosynthetic pigments such as total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, b, chlorophyll a/b ratio, total carotenoid, β- carotene, lutein and neoxanthin were examined. The maximum values for tiller number per plant, the maximum length of shoot and chlorophyll b were found in the 20 µs/cm, while the maximum length of the radicle was recorded at 10 µs/cm NaCl treatment. It was concluded that low salinity levels (10-20 μS/cm) increased seedling growth, while high salinity levels (30 and 40 μS/cm) inhibited the growth significantly. These results indicate that P. ciliata is a promising salt-tolerant and can be grown productively under low to moderate saline conditions between 10-20 µs/cm.
Thirty Years of Genome Engineering in Rice: From Gene Addition to Gene Editing
Authors: Meynard Donaldo , Vernet Aurore , Meunier Anne‐Cécile , Mieulet Delphine , Bès Martine , Portefaix Murielle , Breitler Jean‐Christophe , Périn Christophe , Guiderdoni Emmanuel
Published: February 2020

Rice, the staple food for more than half of humankind and the model monocot crop, was the first cereal in which efficient gene transfer procedures were implemented: 30 years ago, the first transgenic rice plant was regenerated following direct gene transfer to cell suspension‐derived protoplasts. Shortly thereafter, transgenic plants were regenerated from zygotic embryo‐derived cells following their subjection to micro‐projectile acceleration andAgrobacterium‐mediated transfection treatments. The high efficiency of transfer deoxyribonucleic acid (T‐DNA) integration in seed embryo‐derived cells of rice has allowed the transfer of genes of agronomical relevance and the generation of large collections of insertion lines and has provided a key contribution to deciphering the function of more than 2000 rice genes. The high efficiency of T‐DNA integration in seed embryo‐derived cells of rice also permitted the first implementation of gene targeting and knock‐in (KI) events, relying on the albeit very low natural frequency of homology‐directed repair (HDR) in the rice genome. In the late 2000s, the advent of site‐directed nucleases (SDNs) that induce either single or double‐strand breaks at a high frequency and their rapid application to rice permitted routine targeted mutagenesis, which can be multiplexed to simultaneously alter several targets or create deletions, and base and gene editing (e.g. correction of amino acids). Currently, the challenge remains to attain a high frequency of KI and replacement of long stretches of DNA for protein domain or coding sequence swapping. We present herein a historical perspective of the advances that have been readily implemented to determine the function of rice genes and to manipulate traits of agronomical relevance. Two main bottlenecks remain to be alleviated in rice genomic engineering: the low frequency of HDR and the genotype dependence of gene transfer efficiency. Alleviation of these bottlenecks is needed to reach the potential of intra‐ and interspecific gene replacement and SDN‐mediated multiplex editing of alleles in elite materials, which will assist in the breeding and deployment of rice cultivars embedded in sustainable and climate‐smart agricultural practices.
A Polyallylamine Anchored Amine‐Rich Laser‐Ablated Graphene Platform for Facile and Highly Selective Electrochemical IgG Biomarker Detection
Authors: Barman Sharat Chandra , Zahed Md. Abu , Sharifuzzaman Md. , Ko Seok Gyu , Yoon Hyosang , Nah Joong San , Xuan Xing , Park Jae Yeong
Published: February 2020

Current immunosensors have an insufficient number of binding sites for the recognition of biomolecules, which leads to false positive or negative results. In this research, a facile, cost‐effective, disposable, and highly selective electrochemical immunosensing platform is developed based on cationic polyelectrolyte polyallylamine (PAAMI) anchored laser‐ablated graphene (LAG). Here, for the first time, PAAMI is introduced to stabilize LAG flakes, while retaining the intrinsic thermal and electronic properties of the substrate by noncovalent π–π interaction and electrostatic physical absorption. The sensing platform offers a suitable number of anchoring sites for the immobilized antibodies by providing NH2 functional groups. The proper grafting of PAAMI is confirmed through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The immunosensing platform is applied to detect immunoglobulin (IgG) biomarkers as a proof of concept. Under optimized conditions, the sensing platform exhibits a linear range of 0.012–15 and 15–352 ng mL−1 with a limit of detection of 6 pg mL−1 for IgG detection with high selectivity. Based on the analysis, the developed immunosensing platform can be used for point‐of‐care detection of IgG in clinical diagnostic centers. Furthermore, the developed strategy is well suited for the detection of other cancer biomarkers after immobilizing the relevant antibodies.
Thermally Induced Flexo‐Type Effects in Nanopatterned Multiferroic Layers
Authors: Cai Ronggang , Antohe Vlad‐Andrei , Nysten Bernard , Piraux Luc , Jonas Alain M.
Published: February 2020

The difficulty to generate and control large strain gradients in materials hinders the investigation and application of flexoelectricity and flexomagnetism. This work demonstrates that thermal expansion can be used to induce very large non‐uniform strains at the nanoscale, resulting in giant strain gradients at moderate temperatures. This is demonstrated in a nanopatterned multiferroic hybrid layer consisting of a regular array of ferromagnetic metallic nanocylinders embedded in a ferroelectric polymer matrix. The thermally‐induced strain gradients can fully depolarize the ferroelectric component, and modify the magnetization of the ferromagnetic component via flexoelectric and flexomagnetic effects, respectively. Finite‐element analysis provides a quantitative view on thermal expansion‐induced strains and strain gradients supporting the experimental findings. This work shows that nanoscale thermal strain engineering provides an additional degree of freedom to control electrical polarization and magnetization, which paves the way for the design and operation of novel functional devices and nanostructures.
Dual‐Guest Functionalized Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8 for 3D Printing White Light‐Emitting Composites
Authors: Chaudhari Abhijeet K. , Tan Jin‐Chong
Published: February 2020

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) stand as a promising chemically active host scaffold for the encapsulation of functional guests, because they could enhance luminescent properties by molecular separation of fluorophores in the nanoscale pores of the MOF crystals. Herein, simultaneous nanoconfinement of two fluorophores is shown, namely, A) fluorescein and B) rhodamine B in the sodalite cages of ZIF‐8, constructed under ambient conditions through a simple one‐pot reaction. A novel Dual‐Guest@MOF system is reported, termed: A+B@ZIF‐8, which overcomes the intrinsic problem of aggregation‐caused quenching in the solid state to gain bright yellow emission under UV irradiation. Subsequently, this yellow emitter is combined with a blue‐emitting photopolymer resin, to yield a 3D printable luminescent composite material. A number of 3D printable composite objects for converting UV into warm white light emission are designed, achieving a high quantum yield of ≈44% in the solid state 3D printed form. This research instigates the bespoke application of a vast range of 3D printable Guest@MOF designer composites targeting energy‐saving lighting devices, smart sensors, and future optoelectronics.
Improving Lead‐Free Double Perovskite Cs2NaBiCl6 Nanocrystal Optical Properties via Ion Doping
Authors: Yao Ming‐Ming , Wang Li , Yao Ji‐Song , Wang Kun‐Hua , Chen Chen , Zhu Bai‐Sheng , Yang Jun‐Nan , Wang Jing‐Jing , Xu Wei‐Ping , Zhang Qun , Yao Hong‐Bin
Published: February 2020

The exploration of lead‐free halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) with intriguing optical properties is highly desirable owing to the toxicity and instability of lead halide perovskite NCs. Here, a new kind of uniform lead‐free double perovskite Cs2NaBiCl6 NCs are reported as versatile hosts to accommodate ionic dopants for improving optical properties especially the photoluminescence (PL). In contrast to the low deep‐blue PL with a quantum yield of only 1.7% of the as‐synthesized pristine Cs2NaBiCl6 NCs, the PL of the Cs2NaBiCl6 NCs can be impressively regulated and enhanced via doping Ag+, Mn2+, or Eu3+ ions in the double perovskite lattices. The femtosecond time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy is adopted to unravel the PL enhancement mechanism of the ion doping in the Cs2NaBiCl6 NCs. For the Ag+‐doping, the excitonic absorption energy of the Cs2NaBiCl6 NCs can be tuned from 3.82 to 3.48 eV with the significant improvement of the PL quantum yield (PLQY) from 1.7% to 20%. The Mn2+‐doped Cs2NaBiCl6 NCs show broad orange–red emission peak centered at 585 nm with a PLQY of 3%, owing to the 4T1→6A1 transition of octahedrally coordinated Mn2+. Eu3+‐doped Cs2NaBiCl6 NCs are endowed with strong Eu3+5D0→7FJ (J = 1, 2) orange–red emission at 591 and 615 nm.
Azobenzene Sulphonic Dye Photoalignment as a Means to Fabricate Liquid Crystalline Conjugated Polymer Chain‐Orientation‐Based Optical Structures
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Ma Lingling , Zhang Qian , Shi Yuping , Fang Yueting , Xia Ruidong , Hu Wei , Bradley Donal D. C.
Published: February 2020

The use of a noncontact photoalignment method to fabricate in‐plane optical structures, defined by the local uniaxial ordering of liquid crystalline conjugated polymer chains, is reported. Molecular orientation is demonstrated for both green‐light‐emitting fluorene‐benzothiadiazole alternating copolymer F8BT and F8BT/red light emitting complex copolymer Red‐F binary blend films deposited on a well‐known azobenzene sulphonic dye photoalignment material SD1. Absorption anisotropy ratios of up to 9.7 are readily achieved for 150 nm thickness F8BT films. Spatial pattern definition, afforded by masking the UV polarized light exposure of the photoalignment layer, allows the fabrication of optical structures with a resolution down to the micron scale. The alignment process is further extended to enable the serial, independent orientation of films deposited on top of each other and to permit the molecular orientation to follow curvilinear patterns. In the former case, this allows F8BT bilayer structures to be fabricated that show even higher absorption anisotropy ratios, up to ≈12, close to the theoretical limit for the previously deduced ≈22° optical transition dipole moment angle relative to the chain axis.
All‐Inorganic Transparent Composite Materials for Optical Limiting
Authors: Feng Xu , Shi Zhuo , Chen Jiejie , Yu Tao , Jiang Xiaofang , Du Guanxin , Qiu Jianrong , Zhou Shifeng
Published: February 2020

Nonlinear optical limiting, which enables dynamic radiation filtration, has important implications for photonics, medicine, and advanced manufacturing. A major challenge is the scalable fabrication of all‐inorganic materials with good stability, high optical quality, and excellent optical limiting performance. Herein, a topological engineering strategy is presented for constructing all‐inorganic composite titanate glass with robust performance in optical radiation control. Notably, the rational control of the topological configuration of highly polarized species and their local organization leads to the considerable enhancement of two‐photon absorption coefficients (≈7 times). Mechanical response can also be improved with an estimated elastic modulus and hardness of 10.5 and 115.4 GPa, respectively. This improvement allows the creation of novel all‐inorganic composite materials with excellent ability for dynamic optical radiation filtration. Results suggest that the proposed topological engineering strategy for constructing titanate glass can be extended to other highly polarized glass systems to develop a new generation of nonlinear photonic materials.
Comparative Study of the Biphasic Behavior of Cyanex301 and Its Two Analogs by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Wang Qin , Xia Miaoren , Liu Ziyi , Song Yu‐Fei , Chai Zhifang , Wang Dongqi
Published: February 2020

Cyanex301 is considered as an important extractant in liquid–liquid extraction, while its dynamics in condensed phase remains unclear. By means of molecular dynamics simulations, the biphasic behavior of Cyanex301 in water–toluene binary solvents is addressed and compared to that of its two analogs, Cyanex272 and Cyanex302. The simulations shows that deprotonated ligands retard the de‐mixing of the binary solvents compared to their neutral counterparts, but display higher surface activity, and assemble in a more orderly manner at the interface. Increasing their concentrations results in the formation of microtubule‐like structures to maximize their contact with aqueous phase, which is not observed for their native states. The presence of counterion Na+ “salts out” ligands and enhances their distribution at the interface. This work complements experimental studies of the ligands with details of their conformations and distributions at the molecular level, and is expected to contribute to the extensive development of their applications in hydrometallurgy.
Li‐Ion Doping as a Strategy to Modulate the Electrical‐Double‐Layer for Improved Memory and Learning Behavior of Synapse Transistor Based on Fully Aqueous‐Solution‐Processed In2O3/AlLiO Film
Authors: Li Jun , Jiang Dongliang , Yang Yaohua , Zhou Youhang , Chen Qi , Zhang Jianhua
Published: February 2020

Neuromorphic computing systems shows great potential for use in artificial intelligence. In this field, the simulation of synaptic behavior by electronic devices is considered as the first step for hardware implementation. However, solid‐state oxide synapse transistors still remain largely unexplored. An environmentally friendly aqueous route is adopted for oxide film fabrication. Li is doped in Al2O3 to promote the formation of electrical double layers (EDLs). An aqueous‐solution‐processed In2O3/AlLiO thin‐film transistor is fabricated and exhibits excellent electrical performance with a μ of 24.53 cm2 V−1 s−1 and a small VTH of 0.63 V. The device shows excellent short‐term memory (STM) and long‐term memory (LTM) characteristic response to electrical stimulus. By modulating the presynaptic pulse, the device exhibits a large change in synaptic weight (the maximum value of Δw is larger than 1000%). Conversion from STM to LTM is successfully stimulated. After repeated stimulation, the excitatory synaptic current (EPSC) can maintain a high‐level state for more than 100 s. Addtionally, high‐pass filtering and dynamic filtering characteristics are achieved and studied. Finally, Pavlov's dog experiments are conducted with this device to emulate the behavior of associative learning.
Terahertz Probing Irreversible Phase Transitions Related to Polar Clusters in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐Based Ferroelectric
Authors: Wu Jiyue , Sun Wenfeng , Meng Nan , Zhang Hangfeng , Koval Vladimir , Zhang Yan , Donnan Robert , Yang Bin , Zhang Dou , Yan Haixue
Published: February 2020

Electric‐field‐induced phase transitions in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐based relaxor ferroelectrics are essential to the control of their electrical properties and consequently in revolutionizing their dielectric and piezoelectric applications. However, fundamental understanding of these transitions is a long‐standing challenge due to their complex crystal structures. Given the structural inhomogeneity at the nanoscale or sub‐nanoscale in these materials, dielectric response characterization based on terahertz (THz) electromagnetic‐probe beam fields is intrinsically coordinated to lattice dynamics during DC‐biased poling cycles. The complex permittivity reveals the field‐induced phase transitions to be irreversible. This profoundly counters the claim of reversibility, the conventional support for which is based upon the peak that is manifest in each of four quadrants of the current–field curves. The mechanism of this irreversibility is solely attributed to polar clusters in the transformed lattices. These represent an extrinsic factor, which is quiescent in the THz spectral domain.
Storage performance of primed bell pepper seeds with 24‐Epibrassinolide
Authors: Barboza da Silva Clíssia , Marcos‐Filho Julio
Published: February 2020

Seed response to priming with 24‐epibrassinolide (24‐EpiBL) has been studied to investigate the effects on speed of germination, often leading to improved stand establishment. However, knowledge about the response of primed seeds treated with 24‐EpiBL during storage remains insufficient. This research was performed to verify the effects of bell pepper seed priming (Capsicum annuum L.) with 24‐EpiBL after storage. Two cultivars (AF‐6 and AF‐7) were used, represented respectively by three and four seed lots of different physiological potential. All lots were stored for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after priming with 24‐EpiBL. Seeds were evaluated for germination and vigor (germination first count; saturated salt accelerated aging, and using the Seed Vigor Imaging System); unprimed seeds represented the control. Priming with 24‐EpiBL promoted positive effects on germination speed, seed tolerance to heat stress, and initial development of seedlings with responses being more evident in lower vigor seed lots. The beneficial effects of priming with 24‐EpiBL in bell pepper seeds is maintained after storage, but may gradually decrease after longer storage period.
Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A variation between female varsity athletes and nonathletes
Authors: Chaney Carlye , Quinn Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Exercise can lead to changes in immune function. To further investigate this relationship, we examined possible differences in salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) secretion rates among female college athletes and nonathlete students. We predicted that athletes would have higher sIgA secretion rates than nonathletes and show greater declines in sIgA during the study period as intensive exercise training continued.

Methods

We recruited 52 female participants aged 18‐22 years (13 swimmers, 20 runners, and 19 nonathletes). We collected two saliva samples from each participant: baseline and a second sample 2 weeks later. Additionally, participants reported minutes of cardiovascular activity performed per week and completed a survey that included a modified Profile of Mood States and the Undergraduate Stress Questionnaire.

Results

We found no significant differences in mean salivary sIgA secretion rates between athletes and nonathletes. Salivary sIgA significantly increased between sample collections for both groups, with nonathletes exhibiting a greater increase in sIgA than athletes. Cardiovascular activity was not associated with sIgA secretion rates. Illness status was a significant positive predictor of sIgA secretion rates.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular activity did not predict salivary sIgA secretion rates in this sample of female college students, and athletes did not show significantly different sIgA secretion rates than nonathletes. Together, these findings suggest that exercise may not be associated with altered immune function in well‐nourished college‐aged women. The increase in secretion rates among both athletes and nonathletes suggests that additional factors shared by both groups may have led to increases.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Heteroarylselenyl Esters from Diheteroaryl Diselenides and Acid Fluorides
Authors: Arisawa Mieko , Suzuki Ren , Ohashi Keiichiro , Yamaguchi Masahiko
Published: February 2020

A rhodium complex catalyzed C−Se bond formation between diheteroaryl diselenides and acid fluorides in the presence of triphenylphosphine to provide heteroarylselenyl esters in good yields. The reaction was applicable to five‐ and six‐membered heteroaryl compounds. The heteroarylselenyl esters can be used as heteroaryselenating reagents in the synthesis of heteroaryl selenides, as shown by a platinum‐catalyzed addition reaction with 1‐octyne.
The “White Card” is grey: Survelliance, endurance and the Cashless Debit Card
Authors: Dalley Cameo
Published: February 2020

Introduced in 2016, the Cashless Debit Card (CDC) is part of a welfare policy trial designed to restrict and direct the expenditure of Aboriginal people receiving a range of government benefits. In this article, I explain that the CDC, also referred to as the “White Card,” appeases the concerns of non‐Aboriginal residents and broader Australia and that government is attempting to ameliorate Aboriginal dysfunction. I offer an account of income management in daily life from the perspective of those living with the Card in the East Kimberley town of Wyndham. I describe it as interconnected to a broader range of suite of government policies and enmeshed in broader social and political relations. Focused on participant observation and interviews undertaken with Wyndham residents in the period immediately after the introduction of the Card, this perspective is informed by longer‐term research in the region since 2013. I show that the Card acts as a quotidian form of disciplining surveillance against Aboriginal people. It is also a site of reinterpretation and rearticulation through the development of subversive practices by Aboriginal people, what I describe as the labour of endurance: Card holders are trying to endure its effects and manage its invasiveness into their lives.
A comparative assessment of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/conducting polymer electrospun nanofiber membranes for biomedical applications
Authors: Sengupta Pavel , Ghosh Aritri , Bose Navonil , Mukherjee Sampad , Roy Chowdhury Amit , Datta Pallab
Published: February 2020

Piezoelectric polymers, especially poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) are increasingly receiving interest as smart biomaterials for tissue engineering, energy harvesting, microfluidic, actuator, and biosensor applications. Despite possessing the greatest piezoelectric coefficients among all piezoelectric polymers, it is often desirable to increase the electrical outputs from PVDF for several of these applications. Blending with intrinsically conducting polymers (CP) in the form of nanofiber membranes is one of the facile methods to achieve the same. However, these polymers and their composites have so far been primarily investigated only for their physical property enhancements and in applications like energy storage while their biomedical applications and comparative assessment of their biocompatibility properties have not been yet explored. In this report, electrospinning of PVDF blends with polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANI), and a modified PANI with l‐glutamic acid (PANI‐LGA/P‐LGA) is performed to obtain different electrically active material membranes. The PVDF:CP composite nanofibers are compared with respect to their nanostructures, β‐phase content, and electrical conductivity. Further, biocompatibility of all the membranes was compared. It was found that incorporation of PPy, PANI, and P‐LGA increased the electrical conductivity of PVDF while the β‐phase content was also substantially enhanced. The highest biocompatibility with a pre‐osteoblast cell line (MC3T3) was exhibited in the order p‐LGA/PVDF > PANI/PVDF > PPy/PVDF, all being significantly higher than PVDF (p < .001). Although P‐LGA/PVDF showed higher electrical conductivity, biocompatibility with MC3T3, it was found to be highly cytotoxic to a HeLa (cancer) cell line. It is concluded that such structure property relations would help in selection of materials for specific biomaterial applications.
Mangosteen peel and seed as antimicrobial and drug delivery in rubber products
Authors: Moopayak Wasan , Tangboriboon Nuchnapa
Published: February 2020

Garcinia mangostana Linn. or mangosteen is a tropical superfruit with an excellent taste. The peel and seed of mangosteen waste can be used in medical, cosmetic, and health‐care applications. Both mangosteen peel and seed have outstanding antibiotic properties and are suitable for use as bio‐fillers in natural rubber latex products such as medical gloves, rubber transdermal patches, rubber toys, and rubber‐health care products. In addition, mangosteen seed composed of griseofulvin polyethylene glycol [(C2H4O2)n]1‐x (C17H17ClO6)x is useful for treating osteoarthritis of the knee, similar to commercial glucosamine (amino sugar). Adding mangosteen peel and mangosteen seed in rubber gloves and rubber patches, respectively, is an alternative form of antimicrobial and drug delivery replacing taking a tablet. This study compared the characteristics and properties of mangosteen peel with silver nitrate (AgNO3) and compared the characteristics and properties of mangosteen seed with commercial glucosamine using the film casting dipping process. The obtained natural rubber latex gloves with added mangosteen peel powder had a good appearance with a high contact angle (resulting in hydrophobicity and low wettability with water equal to 130.67° ± 2.08°), good mechanical properties (high percentage of elongation at break 815.72 ± 54.67%, high tensile strength 64.59 ± 13.54 MPa, good stiffness 296.50 ± 48.32 N/m, and high Young's modulus 29.65 ± 4.83 MPa), and as it was non‐toxic to skin it was suitable for application in medical gloves and transdermal patches. The natural rubber patches added with mangosteen seed had high wettability and good mechanical properties. The Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of mangosteen seed were consistent with the FTIR spectra of commercial glucosamine.
Fault tolerant control for joint structure in PEMS high speed maglev train
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Long Zhiqiang , Li Xiaolong
Published: February 2020

The PEMS high speed maglev train, which features a permanent magnet inside an electromagnet, is a new kind of maglev train for long distance intercity transportation. The joint structure, which consists of two single levitation sub‐systems, is the fundamental levitation unit. Two kinds of faults are considered and corresponding fault tolerant control strategies are proposed. The first fault condition is when a gap sensor that is part of a single levitation system is faulty. For this kind of fault, a fault tolerant control strategy based on signal reconfiguration is proposed. The second fault condition is when the whole of a single levitation sub‐system is faulty. Under this condition, a faulty model is firstly established, then a fault tolerant control strategy is designed. When this kind of fault is detected, a switch from the normal controller to the fault tolerant controller can make the faulty system stable.
Noonan syndrome with multiple Giant cell lesions, management and treatment with surgery and interferon alpha‐2a therapy: Case report
Authors: Rodríguez Fernando Adrián , Castellón Loreto , Moreno Regina , Paez Eduardo , Aracena Álvarez Mariana Inés
Published: February 2020

We report the case of a 14‐year‐old girl that was referred to the maxillo facial surgery unit at age 11 years because she exhibited swelling in the right side of her maxilla and right mandible. After a conservative surgery, she started with interferon alpha‐2a to avoid recurrence. She has remained in treatment with successful results during her follow up. Considerable reduction of both maxilla and mandible lesions and bone fill have been documented. In addition, her clinical history and phenotype were suggestive of Noonan syndrome. She has short stature, broad and short neck; hypertelorism (increased distance between the eyes); downslanting palpebral fissures; sparse eyebrows and eyelashes; posteriorly rotated ears with fleshy lobes; follicular keratosis over the face, and developmental delay. Her karyotype was 46, XX. Molecular analysis of RAS/MAPK pathway genes showed a SOS1 amino acid substitution of arginine to lysine at position 552 (p.R552K). This case presents the infrequent condition of Noonan syndrome with multiple giant cell lesions (NS/MGCL) that would be the first patient as far as we know treated with surgery and interferon alpha‐2a for her giant cell lesions.
Prediabetes is associated with poor functional outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Qiongzhang , Huang Guiqian , Chen Fei , Hu Pinglang , Ren Wenwei , Luan Xiaoqian , Zhou ChengYe , He Jincai
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The association between prediabetes and functional outcome in cerebrovascular diseases is controversial. No study has explored the relationship between prediabetes and functional outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage patients. Our study aimed to explore the association between prediabetes and functional outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage patients 1 month poststroke.

Methods

One hundred and fifty intracerebral hemorrhage patients were consecutively recruited within the first 24 hr after admission and were followed up for 1 month. Patients were divided into a diabetes mellitus group, a prediabetes group, and a nondiabetic group by fasting glucose levels, 2‐hr postprandial blood glucose levels, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Patients with modified Rankin Scale scores >2 at 1 month were defined as having a poor functional outcome.

Results

The prediabetes group had a higher risk of poor functional outcome than the nondiabetic group in intracerebral hemorrhage patients (37.9% vs. 9.8%, χ2 = 11.521, p = .001). According to the logistic regression analyses, prediabetes was associated with a poor functional outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage patients after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio = 6.167, 95% confidence interval = 1.403–27.102, p = .016).

Conclusions

Our findings show that prediabetes is associated with a poor functional outcome in intracerebral hemorrhage patients 1 month poststroke.
Why does eco‐innovation differ in service firms? Some insights from Spain
Authors: Jové‐Llopis Elisenda , Segarra‐Blasco Agustí
Published: February 2020

Although environmental innovation studies have traditionally focused on manufacturing firms, the distinctive features of eco‐innovation activities carried out by service firms require special attention. Using the Spanish Commumity Innovation Survey (CIS), this paper determines which are the main drivers of undertaking eco‐innovation and investigates the similarities and differences between service and manufacturing firms within the five sub‐groups of services (supplier dominated, scale intensive physical networks, scale intensive information networks, science‐based, and others). The results confirm that the main eco‐innovation triggers are similar—technological push factor orientation (internal R&D and persistence) and firm size—while the impact of market pull factors and public environmental legislation differ within the services sub‐groups. In addition, we find a high degree of heterogeneity within service firms. In contrast to traditional service firms, those in the groups involving R&D activities, information networks, and scale‐intensive physical networks exhibit intensive eco‐innovation performance and show a high level of green indicators.
Behavioral health indicators and time‐to‐rearrest in an adult pre‐arrest diversion program
Authors: Kopak Albert M.
Published: February 2020

Several states have recently adopted legislation in support of pre‐arrest diversion programs that give police the authority to refer adults with behavioral health needs to treatment providers instead of placing them under arrest and booking them into local jails. The Adult Civil Citation program has been operating since 2013 to divert adults accused for the first time of a misdemeanor offense to a community behavioral health provider with the primary goal of addressing underlying needs that are likely to be associated with future criminal justice contact. The current study analyzed data from a sample of 1,071 adults who participated in the program to assess the impact of behavioral health indicators on time‐to‐rearrest. Adults who presented greater behavioral health needs were more likely to come into subsequent contact with police, but these indications did not influence the amount of time that lapsed between program participation and rearrest events.
The association between sacral morphology and sacroiliac joint conformity demonstrated on CT‐based bone models
Authors: Ito Kazuya , Morito Tsuyoshi , Gamada Kazuyoshi
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Knowledge of the stress distribution on structures around the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is required to treat or prevent SIJ disorders. The purpose of this study was to reveal the association between sacral morphology and SIJ conformity.

Materials and methods

This cross‐sectional study included 11 adult patients with unilateral SIJ pain who underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging of the pelvis. Bony coordinate systems for the sacrum and innominates were embedded using anatomical landmarks. Local coordinate systems for the auricular surfaces of the sacrum and innominate were also defined. Conformity of the SIJ was quantified by the offset of the coordinate systems between the auricular surfaces of the sacrum and innominate. Repeated measure ANOVA and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analyses.

Results

There were large variations across subjects in sacral morphology and SIJ conformity. There were no differences in any of the six degrees‐of‐freedom positions or orientations of the bilateral sacral and innominate auricular surfaces between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides. The SIJ downward rotation on the asymptomatic and symptomatic sides were 0.0 [−1.0, 1.1]° and 2.1 [1.2, 3.0]°, respectively. Smaller downward rotation of the sacral auricular surface based on the sacral bony coordinate system had significant association with the greater SIJ downward rotation (standard partial regression coefficient: −.44, p = .043).

Conclusions

The results indicate that the morphology of the sacrum is associated with poor SIJ conformity and that separation of the superior portion of the SIJ can be a risk factor for SIJ pain.
LncRNA PCAT6 predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes proliferation through the regulation of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis
Authors: Luo Yue , Lin Junhao , Zhang Yueqi , Dai Guanqi , Li Aimin , Liu Xinhui
Published: February 2020

Long noncoding RNAs have been proved in regulating tumourigenesis, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, up to date, the role of PCAT6 in HCC is rare to be reported. In current study, bioinformatics analysis and quantitative real‐time PCR were applied to examine the expression of PCAT6 in HCC. The role of PCAT6 in cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and metastasis were detected in both gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies by cell biological assays. Bioinformatics analysis was employed to investigate the PCAT6‐related genes and pathways in HCC. And we found that PCAT6 was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and correlated with poor overall survival and disease‐free survival in HCC patients. Furthermore, elevated PCAT6 promoted cell proliferation, inhibited cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis while deficiency of PCAT6 impaired cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest and induced cell apoptosis of HCC. Moreover, as for bioinformatics analysis, a total of 389 PCAT6‐related genes were found in both HCC tissue and cell lines, and these promising target genes were highly enriched in various key pathways, such as Wnt, HIF‐1 signalling pathway, and metabolic pathways. Additionally, among these genes, DCAF13, SNRPB2, RPS8, and FKBP1A were revealed to be overexpressed in HCC and predicted poor prognosis. Taken together, our findings illustrate that PCAT6 contributes to HCC progression and might be a potential target for HCC therapy. Bioinformatics analysis may present a new way for assessing the underlying mechanism of PCAT6 in HCC.

Significance of the Study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and malignant tumours all over the world. In this study, we observed that PCAT6 was upregulated in HCC and correlated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. PCAT6 could promote cell proliferation, inhibit cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis of HCC, suggesting PCAT6 exerts tumorigenic role in HCC. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis revealed a total of 389 PCAT6‐related genes in both HCC tissue and cell lines, and these promising target genes were highly enriched in various key pathways, such as Wnt, HIF‐1 signalling pathway, and metabolic pathways. These finding provided evidence that PACT6 may be identified as a strategy to treat HCC in the future.
First‐in‐human report of MitraClip G4 implantation for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation
Authors: Raghunathan Deepa , Garcia‐Sayan Enrique , Dhoble Abhijeet , Smalling Richard
Published: February 2020

The new MitraClip G4 device (Abbott Vascular) has been recently approved by Food and Drug Administration and is currently in limited release. A patient with a large mitral regurgitation (MR) jet but a relatively small mitral valve area (MVA) was not a surgical repair candidate nor an optimal MitraClip third‐generation device candidate. Therefore, we implanted the new G4 NTW device that resulted in significant MR reduction with a 57% reduction in MVA. To our knowledge, this is the first reported clinical use of the MitraClip G4 NTW device. We find that it may provide better results than a single NTR device and less reduction in MVA than two older generation devices. Further experience is needed to optimize patient selection for the four new G4 devices available.
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of a Liver‐Targeting Acetyl‐CoA Carboxylase Inhibitor (PF‐05221304): A Three‐Part Randomized Phase 1 Study
Authors: Bergman Arthur , Carvajal‐Gonzalez Santos , Tarabar Sanela , Saxena Aditi R. , Esler William P. , Amin Neeta B.
Published: February 2020

PF‐05221304 is a liver‐targeted inhibitor of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, an enzyme that catalyzes the first committed step in de novo lipogenesis (DNL). This first‐in‐human study investigated safety/tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple ascending oral PF‐05221304 doses, and fructose‐stimulated DNL inhibition with repeated oral doses. Healthy subjects (n = 96) received single (1‐240 mg) or repeated (2‐200 mg daily) doses for 14 days or single 100‐mg doses with and without food. PF‐05221304 was well tolerated at all doses. Repeated PF‐05221304 doses inhibited hepatic DNL in a dose‐dependent manner, with near‐complete inhibition seen at higher doses. With doses yielding ≥90% DNL inhibition, asymptomatic increases in fasting/postprandial serum triglyceride levels (≥40 mg/day) and declines in platelet count (≥60 mg/day) occurred; these were not observed at ≤80% DNL inhibition. Steady‐state pharmacokinetics generally increased dose‐proportionally, with a half‐life of 14‐18 hours and a minimal food effect on plasma exposure. The observed safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics support the continued evaluation of PF‐05221304 for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Gender, power, and court‐annexed mediation in Indonesia
Authors: Abdul Syukur Fatahillah , Bagshaw Dale
Published: February 2020

Certification trainings for court‐annexed mediators have been conducted in Indonesia since 2003; however, the curriculum fails to include domestic and family violence and the impacts of gender and the abuse of power on women and children, which are crucial in a patriarchal country such as Indonesia. The authors contend that it is imperative to include these topics in the curriculum to raise mediators' awareness of the influence of patriarchy, on themselves and the disputants and on the process and outcomes for women and children. The authors assess the development and training of court annexed mediators in Indonesia and recommend changes to the current certification training curriculum, the development of national competency standards and a code of ethics and funding for research.
Simple regression models to estimate light interception in wheat crops with Sentinel‐2 and a handheld sensor
Authors: Pellegrini Pedro , Cossani C. Mariano , Bella Carlos M. Di , Piñeiro Gervasio , Sadras Víctor O. , Oesterheld Martín
Published: February 2020

Capture of radiation by crop canopies drives growth rate, grain set, and yield. Since the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by green area (fAPARg) correlates with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), remote sensors have been used to monitor vegetation. With a 10‐m spatial resolution and 5‐d revisiting time, the recently launched Sentinel‐2 satellite is a promising tool for fAPARg monitoring. However, the available algorithm to estimate fAPARg is based on simulations of canopy interception of several vegetation types and was never tested in field crops. Handheld sensors, such as GreenSeeker, are another alternative to estimate fAPARg. Our objectives were (a) to test the ability of indices derived from Sentinel‐2 and GreenSeeker NDVI to capture fAPARg of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops, (b) to compare these sensors’ performance against the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), and (c) to compare our Sentinel‐2 model estimations with the available algorithm. In wheat fields in the southwest Argentinean Pampas, on several sampling dates, we measured fAPARg with a quantum light sensor and NDVI with a GreenSeeker. We regressed fAPARg measurements with vegetation indices from the different sources and selected the best models. Sentinel‐2 and GreenSeeker NDVI precisely estimated fAPARg, with a performance similar to MODIS (p < .05; RMSD = 0.09, 0.11, and 0.08; R2 = .89, .88, and .95, respectively). The available algorithm to estimate fAPARg with Sentinel‐2 yielded biased estimations, mainly in the lower range of fAPARg. These results suggest that simple models may provide fAPARg estimations with Sentinel‐2 and GreenSeeker in wheat crops with an accuracy suitable for agricultural applications.