bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbe‐Dependent Exacerbated Alveolar Bone Destruction in Heterozygous Cherubism Mice
Authors: Kittaka Mizuho , Yoshimoto Tetsuya , Schlosser Collin , Kajiya Mikihito , Kurihara Hidemi , Reichenberger Ernst J , Ueki Yasuyoshi
Published: February 2020

Cherubism (OMIM#118400) is a craniofacial disorder characterized by destructive jaw expansion. Gain‐of‐function mutations in SH3‐domain binding protein 2 (SH3BP2) are responsible for this rare disorder. We have previously shown that homozygous knock‐in (KI) mice (Sh3bp2
KI/KI) recapitulate human cherubism by developing inflammatory lesions in the jaw. However, it remains unknown why heterozygous KI mice (Sh3bp2
KI/+) do not recapitulate the excessive jawbone destruction in human cherubism, even though all mutations are heterozygous in humans. We hypothesized that Sh3bp2
KI/+ mice need to be challenged for developing exacerbated jawbone destruction and that bacterial stimulation in the oral cavity may be involved in the mechanism. In this study, we applied a ligature‐induced periodontitis model to Sh3bp2
KI/+ mice to induce inflammatory alveolar bone destruction. Ligature placement induced alveolar bone resorption with gingival inflammation. Quantification of alveolar bone volume revealed that Sh3bp2
KI/+ mice developed more severe bone loss (male: 43.0% ± 10.6%, female: 42.6% ± 10.4%) compared with Sh3bp2
+/+ mice (male: 25.8% ± 4.0%, female: 30.9% ± 6.5%). Measurement of bone loss by the cement‐enamel junction–alveolar bone crest distance showed no difference between Sh3bp2
KI/+ and Sh3bp2
+/+ mice. The number of osteoclasts on the alveolar bone surface was higher in male Sh3bp2
KI/+ mice, but not in females, compared with Sh3bp2
+/+ mice. In contrast, inflammatory cytokine levels in gingiva were comparable between Sh3bp2
KI/+ and Sh3bp2
+/+ mice with ligatures. Genetic deletion of the spleen tyrosine kinase in myeloid cells and antibiotic treatment suppressed alveolar bone loss in Sh3bp2
KI/+ mice, suggesting that increased osteoclast differentiation and function mediated by SYK and accumulation of oral bacteria are responsible for the increased alveolar bone loss in Sh3bp2
KI/+ mice with ligature‐induced periodontitis. High amounts of oral bacterial load caused by insufficient oral hygiene could be a trigger for the initiation of jawbone destruction in human cherubism. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
ALKBH5 gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor risk in Chinese children: A five‐center case‐control study
Authors: Hua Rui‐Xi , Liu Jiabin , Fu Wen , Zhu Jinhong , Zhang Jiao , Cheng Jiwen , Li Suhong , Zhou Haixia , Xia Huimin , He Jing , Zhuo Zhenjian
Published: February 2020

Background

Wilms tumor is a frequently diagnosed renal cancer among children with unclear genetic causes. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification genes play critical roles in tumorigenesis. However, whether genetic variations of m6A modification genes predispose to Wilms tumor remain unclear. ALKBH5 (AlkB homolog 5), a crucial member of m6A modification genes, encodes a demethylase that functions to reverse m6A RNA methylation.

Methods

Herein, we evaluated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the m6A modification gene ALKBH5 and Wilms tumor susceptibility in a large multi‐center case‐control study. A total of 414 Wilms tumor cases and 1199 healthy controls were genotyped for ALKBH5 rs1378602 and rs8400 polymorphisms by TaqMan.

Results

No significant association was detected between these two polymorphisms and Wilms tumor risk. Moreover, 1, 2, and 1‐2 protective genotypes (rs1378602 AG/AA or rs8400 GG) did not significantly reduce Wilms tumor risk, compared with risk genotypes only. Stratification analysis revealed a significant relationship between rs1378602 AG/AA genotypes and decreased Wilms tumor risk in children in clinical stage I diseases [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32‐0.98, P = .042]. The presence of 1‐2 protective genotypes was correlated with decreased Wilms tumor risk in subgroups of age > 18 months, when compared to the absence of protective genotypes (adjusted OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.56‐0.98, P = .035).

Conclusion

Collectively, our results demonstrate that ALKBH5 SNPs may exert a weak influence on susceptibility to Wilms tumor. This finding increases the understanding of the role of the m6A gene in tumorigenesis of Wilms tumor.
Total sulfur analysis of fine particulate mass on nylon filters by ICP–OES
Authors: Dombek Tracy , Poitras Eric , Hand Jenny , Schichtel Bret , Harrington James M. , Levine Keith E.
Published: February 2020

Sulfur (S) and sulfate (SO42−) in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are monitored by the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network at remote and rural sites across the United States. Within the IMPROVE network, S is determined from X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy from a Teflon filter, and SO42− is determined via ion chromatography (IC) from a nylon filter. Differences in S and SO42− estimates may indicate the presence of organosulfur (OS) species or biases between sampling and analytical methods. To reduce potential biases, an inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) method was developed to allow for analysis of SO42− and S from a single filter extract. Sulfur (ICP–OES) and SO42− (IC) estimates from 2016 IMPROVE filters correlated strongly, suggesting that, on average, ICP–OES accurately estimated S. However, observed differences between slopes suggested the presence of water‐soluble OS species, especially during summer. Organosulfur species are important indicators of secondary organic aerosols formed through reactions of biogenic and anthropogenic pollutants and can be quantified through laboratory techniques such as reverse‐phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) or hydrophilic liquid interaction chromatography (HILIC) coupled to electrospray ionization–high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (RPLC/ESI‐HR–MS/MS and HILIC/ESI–HR–MS/MS, respectively), and field techniques using Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS). However, these methods are costly and introduce relatively large uncertainties when scaled for large networks such as IMPROVE. The method described in this report provides an inexpensive complement to XRF, which measures total S (insoluble and water‐soluble S) to estimate water‐soluble S and OS concentrations in PM.
Practices in synagogues regarding Jewish genetic disease education
Authors: Thomsen Allison J. , Matthews Anne L. , Mitchell Anna L. , Cohen Leslie
Published: February 2020

Approximately one in three Ashkenazi Jews are carriers for an autosomal recessive Jewish genetic disease (JGD). However, studies indicate that most Jews are uneducated on this topic and obstetricians do not routinely offer carrier screening to Jewish patients. Both the Reform and Conservative movements of Judaism call for JGD education to take place within the synagogue; however, little is known about the extent of this education occurring today. An online survey was created for Reform and Conservative rabbis to assess the types of JGD education taking place within the synagogue. Additionally, the survey included questions to assess JGD knowledge and possible factors that could predict counseling activity and knowledge level. Of the 94 participants, 91% had provided education about JGDs to congregants, with 98.8% providing this education during premarital counseling sessions. For most respondents, explaining recessive inheritance pattern and carrier screening was the extent of the discussion. Additionally, the majority of rabbis scored below 50% on the knowledge portion of the survey, with an average score of 1.9/4. There were no statistically significant differences between JGD education in Reform vs. Conservative synagogues, and there were no statistically significant predictors of knowledge score or JGD education frequency. In conclusion, while the number of rabbis discussing this topic is encouraging, discussion topics were found to be limited and their knowledge of JGDs was found to be poor.
Application of metal free aromatization to total synthesis of perlolyrin, flazin, eudistomin U and harmane
Authors: Santhanam Srinath , Ramu Abinaya , Baburaj Baskar , Kalpatu Kuppusamy Balasubramanian
Published: February 2020

Application of our recently reported metal free reaction conditions to the total synthesis of the four different and selective biologically interesting β‐carboline natural products is reported. Using this simple methodology, flazin, perlolyrine, eudistomin U and harmane containing heteroaryl and alkyl substituents at C1 position were synthesized in good yields.

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Inflammatory cytokine and catabolic enzyme expression in a goat model of intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Zhang Chenghao , Gullbrand Sarah E. , Schaer Thomas P. , Lau Yian Khai , Jiang Zhirui , Dodge George R. , Elliott Dawn M. , Mauck Robert L. , Malhotra Neil R. , Smith Lachlan J.
Published: February 2020

Intervertebral disc degeneration is implicated as a leading cause of low back pain. Persistent, local inflammation within the disc nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) is an important mediator of disc degeneration and negatively impacts the performance of therapeutic stem cells. There is a lack of validated large animal models of disc degeneration that recapitulate clinically relevant local inflammation. We recently described a goat model of disc degeneration in which increasing doses of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) were used to reproducibly induce a spectrum of degenerative changes. The objective of this study was to extend the clinical relevance of this model by establishing whether these degenerative changes are associated with the local expression of inflammatory cytokines and catabolic enzymes. Degeneration was induced in goat lumbar discs using ChABC at different doses. After 12 weeks, degeneration severity was determined histologically and using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], interleukin‐1β [IL‐1β], and IL‐6) and catabolic enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases‐1 [MMPs‐1] and 13, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type‐1 motifs‐4 [ADAMTS‐4]) were assessed as the percentage of immunopositive cells in the NP and AF. With the exception of MMP‐1, cytokine, and enzyme expression levels were significantly elevated in ChABC‐treated discs in the NP and AF. Expression levels of TNF‐α, IL1‐β, and ADAMTS‐4 were positively correlated with histological grade, while all cytokines and ADAMTS‐4 were negatively correlated with MRI T2 and T1ρ scores. These results demonstrate that degenerate goat discs exhibit elevated expression of clinically relevant inflammatory mediators, and further validate this animal model as a platform for evaluating new therapeutic approaches for disc degeneration.
Waist circumference increases risk of coronary heart disease: Evidence from a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Qinchang , Li Lingling , Yi Junzhe , Huang Kai , Shen Runnan , Wu Ridong , Yao Chen
Published: February 2020

Background

This study investigated whether expanding waist circumference (WC) is causally associated with an elevated risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), using a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study through integrating summarized data from genome‐wide association study.

Methods

The data included in this analysis were mainly from the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT), Consortium and Coronary Artery Disease Genome wide Replication, and Meta‐analysis plus the Coronary Artery Disease (C4D) Genetics (CARDIoGRAMplusC4D) Consortium. Three statistical approaches, inverse‐variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR‐Egger regression method were conducted to assess the casual relationship. The exposure was WC, measured by 46 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms from GIANT and the outcome was the risk of CHD. Then, we used the genetic data from Neale Lab and TAG to infer whether WC causally affected the established risk factors of CHD.

Results

The IVW method presented that genetically predicted WC was positively casually associated with CHD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.57, 95% CI = 1.33–1.84; p = 4.81e‐08), which was consistent with the result of weighted median and MR‐Egger regression. MR‐Egger regression indicated that there was no directional horizontal pleiotropy to violate the MR assumption. Additionally, expanded WC was also associated with higher risk of hypertension and diabetes, higher cholesterol, more smoking intensity, and decreased frequency of physical activity.

Conclusion

Our analysis provided strong evidence to indicate a causal relationship between WC and increased risk of CHD.
Critical consideration of assessment methods for clinically significant changes of mental distress after psycho‐oncological interventions
Authors: Vaganian Lusine , Bussmann Sonja , Gerlach Alexander L. , Kusch Michael , Labouvie Hildegard , Cwik Jan C.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Considering the heterogeneity of cancer entities and the associated disease progression, personalized care of patients is increasingly emphasized in psycho‐oncology. This individualization makes the use of measurements of individual clinically significant change important when studying the efficacy and effectiveness of psycho‐oncological care. Two conceptualizations for the measurement of clinical significance are critically contrasted in this study: the Reliable Change Index (RCI) and the Minimal Important Difference (MID) method.

Methods

In total, 2,121 cancer patients participated in the study and a subsample of 708 patients was reassessed about 4 months later. Psychological distress was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. We evaluated two measures of clinical significance (RCI, MID) by comparing the respective numbers of improved, unimproved, and deteriorated patients.

Results

Individually significant changes were observed with both methods; however, determined rates of improvement differed substantially: MID (66.67%) and RCI (48.23%). Most importantly, according to MID, 17.93% of patients were identified as being improved, although their respective improvements were not statistically significant and thus unreliable.

Conclusions

The benefits of RCI outweigh MID, and therefore, the RCI is recommended as a measure to assess change.
Traffic classification at the radio spectrum level using deep learning models trained with synthetic data
Authors: De Schepper Tom , Camelo Miguel , Famaey Jeroen , Latré Steven
Published: February 2020

Traffic recognition is commonly done using deep packet inspection or packet‐based approaches. However, these methods require the listening device to be part of the network and raise privacy concerns. Traffic recognition models that operate directly at the spectrum level could, for instance, be used for smart spectrum management. To this extent, we present such an approach using deep learning methods. In particular, we present a convolutional neural network architecture that forms the basis for prediction models to recognize different transport protocols, burst traffic with different duty cycles, and different transmission rates. These models are trained with pure synthetic data to lighten the burden of data collection. As such, we validate recent successes in the area of robotics in the context of wireless networks. We compare the performance of two different datasets that contain spectrum images in either time or time‐frequency domain. Our evaluation shows that using time domain data results in an accuracy of at least 96% across all models. Time‐frequency information improves this accuracy even further. Furthermore, a validation with real‐life data shows that it is still possible to discriminate between different transmission rates with an accuracy of around 87%, while the detection of duty cycles and transport protocols takes place with accuracies of, respectively, around 73% and 78%. Finally, we also present a small‐scale real‐life prototype.
Considerations on a phase‐field model for adhesive fracture
Authors: Ghaffari Motlagh Yousef , de Borst René
Published: February 2020

A recently proposed phase‐field model for cohesive fracture is examined. Previous investigations have shown stress oscillations to occur when using unstructured meshes. It is now shown that the use of nonuniform rational B‐splines (NURBS) as basis functions rather than traditional Lagrange polynomials significantly reduces this oscillatory behavior. Moreover, there is no effect on the global structural behavior, as evidenced through load‐displacement curves. The phase‐field model imposes restrictions on the interpolation order of the NURBS used for the three different fields: displacement, phase field, and crack opening. This holds within the Bézier element, but also at the boundaries, where a reduction to ‐continuity yields optimal results. Application to a range of cases, including debonding of a hard fiber embedded in a soft matrix, illustrates the potential of the cohesive phase‐field model.
Altered Interactions Among Resting‐State Networks in Individuals with Obesity
Authors: Ding Yueyan , Ji Gang , Li Guanya , Zhang Wenchao , Hu Yang , Liu Lei , Wang Yuanyuan , Hu Chunxin , von Deneen Karen M. , Han Yu , Cui Guangbin , Wang Huaning , Wiers Corinde E. , Manza Peter , Tomasi Dardo , Volkow Nora D. , Nie Yongzhan , Wang Gene‐Jack , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in functional connectivity (FC) within and interactions between resting‐state networks involved in salience, executive control, and interoception in participants with obesity (OB).

Methods

Using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging with independent component analysis and FC, alterations within and interactions between resting‐state networks in 35 OB and 35 normal‐weight controls (NW) were investigated.

Results

Compared with NW, OB showed reduced FC strength in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus within the default‐mode network, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex within the salience network (SN), bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex‐angular gyrus within the frontoparietal network (FPN), and increased FC strength in the insula (INS) (Pfamilywise error < 0.0125). The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex FC strength was negatively correlated with craving for food cues, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex FC strength was negatively correlated with Yale Food Addiction Scale scores, and right INS FC strength was positively correlated with craving for high‐calorie food cues. Compared with NW, OB also showed increased FC between the SN and FPN driven by altered FC of bilateral INS and anterior cingulate cortex‐angular gyrus.

Conclusions

Alterations in FC within and interactions between the SN, default‐mode network, and FPN might contribute to the high incentive value of food (craving), lack of control of overeating (compulsive overeating), and increased awareness of hunger (impaired interoception) in OB.
Comparison of Body Size, Morphomics, and Kidney Function as Covariates of High‐Dose Methotrexate Clearance in Obese Adults with Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Authors: Pai Manjunath P. , Debacker Kenneth C. , Derstine Brian , Sullivan June , Su Grace L. , Wang Stewart C.
Published: February 2020

Background

High‐dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX) is used to treat primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), but potential differences in MTX clearance (CL) due to obesity have not been studied. We characterized the relationship between HD‐MTX CL and computed tomography (CT)‐generated body composition (morphomic), body size descriptors, and laboratory measurements in a cohort of obese and non‐obese patients with PCNSL.

Methods

Medical records from adult patients with PCNSL treated with HD‐MTX over a 10‐year period were queried. Individuals with CT data within 30 days of the first cycle of treatment were included. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a 2‐compartment base structural model. We specifically compared body surface area (BSA) to standard body size, morphomic, and renal function estimation methods as covariates of HD‐MTX CL.

Results

The final data set consisted of non‐obese (n=45) and obese (n=28) patients with 291 observations (3–7 samples per patient) with a mean (standard deviation) weight of 69.8 (11.6) kg and 104 (14.9) kg, respectively (p=0.0001). Vertebral body height was more informative than BSA of MTX CL. Similarly, a CL model incorporating age, albumin, and serum creatinine was more informative than kidney function equations and body size. The final model of MTX CL was based on age, albumin, serum creatinine, and vertebral body height.

Conclusions

Common clinical variables coupled with vertebral body height are more predictive of first cycle MTX CL than BSA, alternate body size descriptors, and commonly used kidney function equations.
Octahedral to Cuboctahedral Shape Transition in 6 nm Pt3Ni Nanocrystals for Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysis
Authors: Zysler Melina , Zitoun David
Published: February 2020

Pt3Ni stands as one of the most active electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The activity varies with the morphology of the nanocrystals with a high activity observed for the octahedral shape where only the high density {111} crystallographic planes are exposed. Herein, the synthesis of 6 nm Pt3Ni octahedral nanocrystals with a Pt enriched shell or cuboctahedral nanocrystals with a Ni enriched shell is described. Interestingly, the cuboctahedral nanocrystals display a six‐pointed star/skeleton of platinum, which features a very uncommon atomic distribution. In the synthesis, a decrease in the oxygen partial pressure induces the transition from octahedral to cuboctahedral morphology. The octahedral and cuboctahedral nanocrystals both demonstrate high ORR activity (1.1 mA cm−2Pt and 1.2 A mg−1Pt at 0.9 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) are the highest values obtained for PtNi‐20 and PtNi‐15, respectively). After exposure to oxidative conditions in the acidic electrolyte, the cuboctahedral nanoparticles with a pristine Ni‐rich skin show a Pt skin and retain their cuboctahedral morphology.
Crystal structure of Alr1298, a pentapeptide repeat protein from the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120, determined at 2.1 Å resolution
Authors: Zhang Ruojing , Ni Shuisong , Kennedy Michael A.
Published: February 2020

Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 are filamentous cyanobacteria capable of both oxygenic photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, with the latter taking place in specialized cells known as heterocysts that terminally differentiate from vegetative cells under conditions of nitrogen starvation. Cyanobacteria have existed on earth for more than 2 billion years and are thought to be responsible for oxygenation of the earth's atmosphere. Filamentous cyanobacteria such as Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 may also represent the oldest multicellular organisms on earth that undergo cell differentiation. Pentapeptide repeat proteins (PRPs), which occur most abundantly in cyanobacteria, adopt a right‐handed quadrilateral β‐helical structure, also referred to as a repeat five residue (Rfr) fold, with four‐consecutive pentapeptide repeats constituting a single coil in the β‐helical structure. PRPs are predicted to exist in all compartments within cyanobacteria including the thylakoid and cell‐wall membranes as well as the cytoplasm and thylakoid periplasmic space. Despite their intriguing structure and importance to understanding ancient cyanobacteria, the biochemical function of PRPs in cyanobacteria remains largely unknown. Here we report the crystal structure of Alr1298, a PRP from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 predicted to reside in the cytoplasm. The structure displays the typical right‐handed quadrilateral β‐helical structure and includes a four‐α‐helix cluster capping the N‐terminus and a single α‐helix capping the C‐terminus. A gene cluster analysis indicated that Alr1298 may belong to an operon linked to cell proliferation and/or thylakoid biogenesis. Elevated alr1298 gene expression following nitrogen starvation indicates that Alr1298 may play a role in response to nitrogen starvation and/or heterocyst differentiation.
D‐optimal experimental design for production models in nonstandard experiments
Authors: Özdemir Akın
Published: February 2020

Robust design is an effective Quality by Design method to reduce product variation by selecting levels of design factors. For a number of situations, a nonstandard design region with linearly limited resources is needed to conduct an experiment. In the literature, little attention has been given to the development of robust design models for the nonstandard design region with a combination of linearly limited resources and a limited number of design points. In this paper, a selection scheme of D‐optimal experimental design points is proposed to generate design points using the modified exchange algorithm for the nonstandard design region while specifying linearly limited resources and the limited number of design points. The modified exchange algorithm is able to generate global design points with less time complexity than the improved Fedorov algorithm. In addition, robust design models linking a D‐optimal experimental design with quality considerations are proposed in order to obtain optimum settings of design factors for the product. Comparative studies are also presented. Finally, a real‐life experimental study shows that the proposed models with the desirability function and the sequential quadratic programming technique achieve greater variance reduction than the traditional counterparts.
Are elderly patients at high risk for postoperative complications after robotic ventral hernia repair? A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Kudsi Omar Yusef , Gokcal Fahri , La Grange Sara , Bou‐Ayash Naseem , Chang Karen
Published: February 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the elderly (≥65 years) and non‐elderly groups regarding perioperative outcomes after robotic ventral hernia repair (RVHR).

Methods

A one‐to‐one propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted to obtain balanced groups. Postoperative complications including surgical site events (SSEs) (surgical site infections [SSIs], surgical site occurrences [SSOs], and surgical site occurrence procedural interventions [SSOPIs]) were compared.

Results

The unmatched sample included 521 patients. Of these, 139 patients were elderly (range 65‐94 years). After PSM, 98 patients were assigned to each group. Intraoperative variables were similar. The non‐elderly and elderly groups experienced similar complication rates during the first 90 days. SSEs (SSIs, SSOs, and SSOPIs) did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusion

RVHR is safe and efficacious for patients aged 65 and over. Age alone need not be a prohibitive factor in determining patient selection for RVHR; however, it would be more beneficial to take into consideration other patient‐related factors as well.
Improved stability and instability theorems for stochastic nonlinear systems
Authors: Yao Liqiang , Zhang Weihai
Published: February 2020

This paper focuses on sufficient conditions which make stochastic nonlinear systems stable and unstable. A series of new stability (instability) criteria, which admit the infinitesimal operator of Lyapunov (Lyapunov‐like or Chetaev) functions to be indefinite, are proposed using the uniformly asymptotically stable function. The obtained stability and instability theorems weaken the constraints on Lyapunov and Lyapunov‐like (or Chetaev) functions, respectively. Many existing classical stability and instability criteria can be regarded as special cases of the stability and instability results in this paper. Finally, the presented theoretical results are illustrated by some simulation examples.
Robust adaptive backstepping tracking control of stochastic nonlinear systems with unknown input saturation: A command filter approach
Authors: Homayoun Behrouz , Arefi Mohammad Mehdi , Vafamand Navid
Published: February 2020

This paper studies the problem of adaptive observer‐based radial basis function neural network tracking control for a class of strict‐feedback stochastic nonlinear systems comprising an unknown input saturation, uncertainties, and unknown disturbances. To handle the issue of a non‐smooth saturation input signal, a smooth function is chosen to approximate the saturation function and the state observer is used to estimate unmeasured states. By the so‐called command filter method in the controller design procedure, the implementation complexity is reduced in the proposed backstepping method. Moreover, a radial basis function neural network is deployed to reconstruct the unknown nonlinear functions. In addition, the gains of all radial basis function neural networks are updated through one updating law leading to a minimal learning parameter which is independent of the number of neural nodes and the order of the system. Comparing with the existing results, the proposed approach can stabilize a constrained stochastic system more effectively and with less computational burden. Finally, a practical example shows the performance of the proposed controller design.
A robust Bayesian mixed effects approach for zero inflated and highly skewed longitudinal count data emanating from the zero inflated discrete Weibull distribution
Authors: Burger Divan Aristo , Schall Robert , Ferreira Johannes Theodorus , Chen Ding‐Geng
Published: February 2020

This article proposes a Bayesian mixed effects zero inflated discrete Weibull (ZIDW) regression model for zero inflated and highly skewed longitudinal count data, as an alternative to mixed effects regression models that are based on the negative binomial, zero inflated negative binomial, and conventional discrete Weibull (DW) distributions. The mixed effects ZIDW regression model is an extension of a recently introduced model based on the DW distribution and uses the log‐link function to specify the relationship between the linear predictors and the median counts. The ZIDW approach offers a more robust characteristic of central tendency, compared to the mean count, when there is skewness in the data. A matrix generalized half‐t(MGH‐t) prior distribution is specified for the random effects covariance matrix as an alternative to the widely used Wishart prior distribution. The methodology is applied to a longitudinal dataset from an epilepsy clinical trial. In a data contamination simulation study, we show that the mixed effect ZIDW regression model is more robust than the competing mixed effects regression models when the data contain excess zeros or outliers. The performance of the ZIDW regression model is also assessed in a simulation study under the specification of, respectively, the MGH‐tand Wishart prior distributions for the random effects covariance matrix. It turns out that the highest posterior density intervals under the MGH‐tprior for the fixed effects maintain nominal coverage when the true variability between random slopes over time is small, whereas those under the Wishart prior are generally conservative.
Porous ZIF‐8 Thin Layer Coating on ZnO Hollow Nanofibers for Enhanced Acetone Sensing
Authors: Tian Lei , Sun Yuxiu , Huang Hongliang , Guo Xiangyu , Qiao Zhihua , Meng Jianqiang , Zhong Chongli
Published: February 2020

Metal oxide semiconductors have been extensively studied in detecting volatile organic compounds due to their low cost, good operability and ease of fabrication. However, sensitivity and selectivity are still huge challenges for commercial metal oxide semiconductor based gas sensor. Herein, nanostructured ZnO hollow fiber coated with porous zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) thin layers was developed as a new sensing platform to improve the performance of semiconductor‐based gas sensor. It is shown that the resulting ZnO@ZIF‐8 hollow nanofiber exhibited significant improvement of acetone sensitivity and selectivity as well as good long‐term stability, owing to the high sensitivity of nanostructured ZnO hollow fibers and the good selectivity of porous ZIF‐8 thin layers. Furthermore, the orientation growth of ZIF‐8 layer on ZnO nanofibers also affected the gas sensing response to acetone. Thus, this study presents a novel way of building semiconductor@metal‐organic frameworks hollow nanostructures to enhance gas response and selectivity of semiconductor‐based gas sensors, and exhibits great potential in fabricating new generation gas sensors.
Terpolymerizations of CO2, Propylene Oxide and DL‐Lactide Catalyzed by Zn‐Fe DMC Catalysts with Quaternary Ammonium Salts
Authors: Liu Ningzhang , Gu Chuanhai , Chen Mengting , Zhang Junan , Yang Wen , Zhan Aihong , Zhang Kewei , Lin Qiang , Zhu Linhua
Published: February 2020

Polymers synthesized from carbon dioxide (CO2) and epoxy compounds are biodegradable materials and therefore are potentially very important in tackling the plastic pollutions. In this work, we synthesized Zn–Fe DMC catalysts with quaternary ammonium salts as a cocatalyst via ball milling. The obtained catalysts showed excellent activity (turn over frequency up to TOF=5.65 g‐polymer/g‐Zn h−1) in the terpolymerizations of CO2, propylene oxide and DL‐Lactide, yielding the biodegradable polymers with average relative molecular mass between 9.8×103 and 1.1×104, and the polydispersity index in the range of 1.7‐2.0. The main advantages of using mechanochemical method for the synthesis of the catalysts lie in the easy adjustment of co‐catalyst loading and its operational simplicity.
Convenient Cr(VI) Removal from Aqueous Samples: Executed by a Promising Clay‐Based Catalytic System, Magnetized by Fe3O4 Nanoparticles and Functionalized with Humic Acid
Authors: Hajizadeh Zoleikha , Valadi Kobra , Taheri‐Ledari Reza , Maleki Ali
Published: February 2020

Here, a nanoscale efficient adsorbent for chromium(VI) ion is presented, which is constructed of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) as a natural basis. On the other hand, to add magnetic property, iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have been incorporated inside and leaded onto the surface of HNTs. As the main component of nanoabsorbent, humic acid (HA) is also loaded onto the surface of HNT/Fe3O4 nanocomposite. Cr(VI) removal process has been carefully monitored in the presence of the fabricated HNT/Fe3O4‐HA nanoabsorbent from aqueous solutions with different concentrations of K2CrO4. The adsorption isotherms are interpreted by Langmuir graphs, and 98% removal efficiency (RE) has been obtained at room temperature, in 15 min contact time. Additionally, all the analyses related to the structure of desired product have been done, and the recyclability of produced nanoabsorbent is precisely investigated, as well.
12‐Tungstosilicic Acid H4[W12SiO40] Over Natural Bentonite as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐Ones
Authors: V Chopda Lakha , Dave Pragnesh N.
Published: February 2020

Regionally available bentonite was modified by using heteropolyacid 12‐tungstosilicic acid H4[W12SiO40] (TSA). The prepared 10–30 % TSA/bent catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, FeSEM and EDS. The catalytic activity of all three samples was studied on classical Biginelli reaction. Among all, 30 % TSA/bent displayed high catalytic activity and reusability. The effect of solvent was also undertaken to find the best media for the reaction. This protocol was extended to various aldehydes for the synthesis of different dihydropyrimidones (DHPMs) in high yields in ethanol.
Three‐Dimensional ZnMn2O4 Nanoparticles/Carbon Cloth Anodes for High‐Performance Flexible Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Dong Liang , Hao Jin , Liu Huiyin , Shi Wenhui , Yang Jialin , Lian Jianshe
Published: February 2020

Nanomaterials typically achieve high capacity with their high specific surface area, but they usually aggregate easily due to high surface free energy, which results in capacity rapid deterioration. Herein, ultra‐small ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles with a size of about 25–50 nm were uniformly grown on the surface of a carbon cloth (CC) current collector via a simple solvothermal method. The supporting CC can effectually suppress the agglomeration of nanoparticles, alleviate the volume effect, provide more active sites for electrochemical reactions and increase specific surface area. Moreover, the in‐situ growth of ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles without binders can enhance electrical conductivity and accelerate charge transportation. As expected, the ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles/CC electrode yields a high area capacity of 3.10 mAh cm−2 after 100 cycles at 0.12 mA cm−2 (corresponding to 1366.7 mAh g−1 for the ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles), which is much higher than the ZnMn2O4 powder and CC. Furthermore, at a high current density of 2.4 mA cm−2, the ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles/CC electrode can still maintain a high area capacity of 1.48 mAh cm−2, which indicates that ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles/CC electrodes are promising flexible anode materials for LIBs and have potential applications in wearable devices.
Asymmetric Michael Addition of Unactivated Ketones with β‐Nitrostyrenes Mediated by Bifunctional L‐Prolinamide Organocatalysts
Authors: Rani Dixita , Bhargava Meha , Agarwal Jyoti
Published: February 2020

The catalytic activity of two types of L‐prolinamide organocatalysts was investigated for asymmetric Michael addition reaction of cyclic/acyclic ketones with β‐nitrostyrens. L‐Prolinamides bearing amino groups on phenyl ring worked well, though their catalytic efficiency as well as selectivity was found to be dependent upon the position of amine group to the amide bond. Organocatalyst having –NH2 group ortho to amide bond provided the best results. Substrate scope was also studied by performing the reaction of various β‐nitrostyrenes with ketones to afford the corresponding Michael adducts in excellent yields with very high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities in almost all cases.
Zinc Substitution‐Induced Subtle Lattice Distortion Mediates the Active Center of Cobalt Diselenide Electrocatalysts for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Zhang Kai , Zhang Gong , Qu Jiuhui , Liu Huijuan
Published: February 2020

Doping engineering has been an important approach to boost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, while investigation on the dopant‐induced modification of active sites and reaction kinetics remains incomplete. Herein, taking the cubic CoSe2 as an example, a universal strategy to synergistically achieve active sites and dynamic regulation is developed by incorporating low‐valence Zn. It is revealed that regulation by Zn can facilitate reconstruction of the surface to form active Co oxyhydroxides under OER conditions. By combining theoretical calculations and characterization by various techniques, it is shown that the incorporation of Zn into CoSe2 can cause subtle lattice distortion and strong electronic interactions, thereby contributing to increased active site exposure and improved OER kinetics. Density functional theory simulations demonstrate that Zn incorporation synergistically optimizes the kinetic energy barrier by promoting co‐adsorption of OER intermediates on a Co site and its adjacent Zn site. As a result, the modified CoSe2 NAs electrode shows optimized catalytic activity and excellent stability with the low overpotential of only 286 mV required to drive a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in an alkaline electrolyte.
Rhynchophylline was exported to cerebral spinal fluid and systemic circulation after intracerebroventricular administration to rats detected by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry
Authors: Xu Xiangting , Luo Shaozhong , Li Meihong , Song Jingfeng , Wang Wei
Published: February 2020

An ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to determine rhynchophylline in the rat brain and spinal cord, cerebral spinal fluid, and systemic circulation after a single intracerebroventricular administration. The in vivo dynamics of rhynchophylline in rat central nervous system was described through comparison its distribution in systemic circulation. After administration of 100.9 μg/kg 4 h, rhynchophylline 44.6% stayed in brain and spinal cord of 1.2 g, 7.24% in cerebral spinal fluid of 400 μL, and 43.3% in plasma of 8.5 mL, respectively. The mean linearity coefficient was of 0.9995. Accuracy varied from 98.66 to 101.78%, with precision expressed as RSD from 1.15 to 3.13%. The recoveries ranged from 95.78 to 101.92%. This is the first time to present an efficient and effective quantification method for rhynchophylline in the cerebral spinal fluid, brain and spinal cord of rats, which was supposed to have pharmacological effects in the treatment of brain diseases.
Looking for Literacy in All the Right Spaces: The Laundromat
Authors: Neuman Susan B. , Portillo Maya , Celano Donna C.
Published: February 2020

Underresourced communities often have limited access to print and materials to promote children's early literacy development. Recognizing that the neighborhood is a unit of social change, organizations that engage families in early reading and learning with their children, therefore, have increasingly become part of the community landscape. Recently, efforts to promote early literacy have found families in a less conventional place: the local laundromat. The authors report on a study of six laundromats in low‐income communities, three of which were transformed to include literacy‐related play centers and three of which remained business as usual. Results indicated dramatic increases in literacy‐related activity among young children as compared with control sites, demonstrating the potential of these sites to enhance children's opportunity to learn.
Using Texting to Help Families Build Their Children’s Vocabulary at Home
Authors: Snell Emily K. , Wasik Barbara A. , Hindman Annemarie H.
Published: February 2020

Texting is increasingly used by teachers to communicate with families about classroom logistics and to support learning at home. The authors review the research evidence supporting texting as a tool for increasing family members’ engagement and their children’s learning, including the authors’ own evidence‐based texting program, Text to Talk, which targets students’ vocabulary development. Finally, the authors offer guidelines to teachers regarding effective texting practices to maximize student learning and family engagement. These guidelines might prove useful to teachers beginning to use texting to facilitate students’ word learning specifically and teachers trying to bridge the home–school gap with other content more generally. The authors’ goal is to share these factors with teachers to help support successful home–school connections.
Preparation and characterization of nano δ‐MnO2‐blended cellulose acetate membrane
Authors: Nu Dang Thi To , Duyen Nguyen Thi My , Linh Nguyen Thi Thuy , Van Hoang Cao , Hung Nguyen Phi
Published: February 2020

The ultrafiltration‐adsorption membrane of nano δ‐MnO2‐blended cellulose acetate was synthesized by physical blending technique via the phase inversion method. The MnO2 nanoparticles were loaded into the cellulose acetate polymer matrix for enhancing adsorption. Particularly, dimethyl sulfoxide, a green solvent was used for membrane fabrication. The prepared membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and element mapping, atomic force microscopy (AFM). The contact angle and water flux were measured for filtration performance of obtained membranes.
Lithium storage performance of SnO2@CMK‐3 composites
Authors: Hang Le Thi Thu , Dung Dang Viet Anh
Published: February 2020

SnO2@CMK‐3 composites with different SnO2 contents have been successfully synthesized using incipient wetness technique. Because of a high specific area and porosity, CMK‐3 enables facile penetration of SnCl4 solution inside. Accordingly, SnCl4 clusters confined in the CMK‐3 mesopores easily transform to SnO2 nanoparticles. The obtained SnO2@CMK‐3 composites show a high surface area in a range from 224.8 to 398.1 m2/g and good lithium storage properties. Among the resultant composites, the composite‐70 with 70 % of SnO2 shows the best electrochemical performance. At the rate of C/10, the composite‐70 electrode delivers an average discharge capacity of 678 mAh/g. At high rates such as 5C, and 10C the electrode still achieves a discharge capacity of 270, and 201 mAh/g, respectively. Even after 1000 cycles at the rate of C/2, the electrode maintains 67.8 % of the initial capacity.
Synthesis and characterization of novel poly[4‐phenyl‐3‐(thiophen‐3‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5(4H)‐thione]
Authors: Trung Vu Quoc , Linh Nguyen Ngoc , Duong Tran Thi Thuy , Chinh Nguyen Thuy , Linh Duong Khanh , Hung Ha Manh , Oanh Doan Thi Yen
Published: February 2020

By the oxidative coupling polymerization, a new polythiophene containing 1,2,4‐triazole heterocyclic group was synthesized in chloroform solvent using iron(III) chloride as an oxidant catalyst. Analyses of infrared (IR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV‐Vis) spectra confirmed that the polymerization reaction took place and the absorption band at 469 nm characterized for π–π* transition in the conjugated polymer. Morphology and surface properties of the polymer were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Polymer had relatively uniform size distribution. Based on thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), polymer is without impurities and has an adequate thermal stability in air atmosphere when completely decomposed at 500 oC. The polymer exhibited fluorescence emissions at 596 nm corresponding to the conjugated chain in polymer. Polymer exhibited a good electrical conductivity in the undoped state (around 1.37E–7 S.cm‐1 at 1 MHz).
Field Chemical Immobilization of Andean and Pampas Cats in the High‐Altitude Andes
Authors: Tellaeche Cintia G. , Reppucci Juan I. , Luengos Vidal Estela M. , Clifford Deana L. , Lucherini Mauro
Published: February 2020

Three protocols (Ketamine–Medetomidine, Ketamine–Xylazine and Ketamine–Medetomidine–Midazolam) were used to immobilize 2 sympatric wild cat species, the critically endangered Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita), and the relatively more common Pampas cat (L. colocolo), in the high Andes Mountains of Argentina between September 2011 and May 2016. Based on 8 Andean cat capture events and 9 Pampas cat capture events, we determined that the ketamine–medetomidine combination safely induced 45 minutes of anesthesia at a dosage range of ketamine: 6–9 mg/kg, medetomidine: 0.05–0.08 mg/kg for field immobilization. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation remained within acceptable limits during all captures, but we had cases of hyperthermia in animals captured during the day. There was no evidence of a decline in the health condition of any animals recaptured 148–1,290 days post–initial capture. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Die Rolle des Bergmännischen Verbandes Österreichs
Authors: Mayer Gerhard
Published: February 2020

In der Zeitspanne von 1997–2020, also seit der Übernahme der Geschäftsführung durch den Autor, ist der Bergmännische Verband Österreichs von einer starken Erweiterung seines Tätigkeitsfeldes und steigenden Mitgliederzahlen gekennzeichnet. Die Struktur der Organisation des BVÖ und seine Aktivitäten auf technisch-wissenschaftlichem und wirtschaftlichem Gebiet werden erläutert, die Beziehungen zu nationalen Behörden und Einrichtungen dargestellt. Die Entwicklung des Verbandes geht angesichts der aktuellen Probleme der Sicherung der Mineralstoffgewinnung und -versorgung in Richtung verstärkter Zusammenarbeit mit Universitäten und Institutionen im europäischen Raum und darüber hinaus.