bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal diagnosis of BACs‐on‐Beads assay in 1520 cases from Fujian Province, China
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Min , Chen Lingji , Huang Hailong , Xu Liangpu
Published: August 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of BACs‐on‐Beads (BoBs™) assay for rapid detection of chromosomal abnormalities for prenatal diagnosis (PND).

Methods

A total of 1520 samples, including seven chorionic villi biopsy samples, 1328 amniotic fluid samples, and 185 umbilical cord samples from pregnant women were collected to detect the chromosomal abnormalities using BoBs™ assay and karyotyping. Furthermore, abnormal specimens were verified by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Results

The results demonstrated that the success rate of karyotyping and BoBs™ assay in PND was 98.09% and 100%, respectively. BoBs™ assay was concordant with karyotyping for Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13, sex chromosomal aneuploidy, Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome, and mosaicism. BoBs™ assay also detected Smith–Magenis syndrome, Williams–Beuren syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, Miller–Dieker syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, Xp22.31 microdeletions, 22q11.2, and 17p11.2 microduplications. However, karyotyping failed to show these chromosomal abnormalities. A case of 8q21.2q23.3 duplication which was found by karyotyping was not detected by BoBs™ assay. Furthermore, all these chromosomal abnormalities were consistent with CMA and FISH verifications. According to the reports, we estimated that the detection rates of karyotyping, BoBs™, and CMA in the present study were 4.28%, 4.93%, and 5%, respectively, which is consistent with the results of a previous study. The respective costs for the three methods were about $135–145, $270–290, and $540–580.

Conclusion

BoBs™ assay is considered a reliable, rapid test for use in PND. A variety of comprehensive technological applications can complement each other in PND, in order to maximize the diagnosis rate and reduce the occurrence of birth defects.
Improving the financial sustainability of nonprofit organizations through tourism‐related activities
Authors: Dadić Lorena , Ribarić Helga Maškarin
Published: August 2020

One of the greatest problems facing nonprofit organizations (NPOs) is the lack of funding, which directly jeopardises their work. NPOs working in tourist destinations have the opportunity of satisfying this need through tourism, by linking the objectives of their own activities to the objectives of tourist destinations. This article aims to establish whether NPOs working in tourism have capitalised on tourism as a means for increasing their own income. In other words, do NPOs that more frequently conduct tourism‐related activities have a higher level of financial sustainability, reflected in a higher share of income from self‐funding activities than from donations and grants? To this end, primary research was conducted using a questionnaire on a sample of 205 NPOs whose activities impact tourism and which operate in one of the four most developed tourist destinations in Croatia with regard to tourist traffic in the past 10 years (Poreč, Rovinj, Dubrovnik and Medulin). Research results indicate that an increase in the frequency of conducting activities directly impacting tourism is paralleled by an increase in the share of income generated by active self‐funding (income from selling products and providing services) and other types of self‐funding (income from memberships fees and assets), with a decrease in the share of income from donations and grants. This study contributes to the existing knowledge by connecting NPOs with the tourism system and by identifying and defining opportunities for NPO self‐funding through tourism as a means of improving NPO financial sustainability.
An Adaptationist Framework for Personality Science
Authors: Lukaszewski Aaron W. , Lewis David M.G. , Durkee Patrick K. , Sell Aaron N. , Sznycer Daniel , Buss David M.
Published: August 2020

The field of personality psychology aspires to construct an overarching theory of human nature and individual differences: one that specifies the psychological mechanisms that underpin both universal and variable aspects of thought, emotion, and behaviour. Here, we argue that the adaptationist toolkit of evolutionary psychology provides a powerful meta–theory for characterizing the psychological mechanisms that give rise to within–person, between–person, and cross–cultural variations. We first outline a mechanism–centred adaptationist framework for personality science, which makes a clear ontological distinction between (i) psychological mechanisms designed to generate behavioural decisions and (ii) heuristic trait concepts that function to perceive, describe, and influence others behaviour and reputation in everyday life. We illustrate the utility of the adaptationist framework by reporting three empirical studies. Each study supports the hypothesis that the anger programme—a putative emotional adaptation—is a behaviour–regulating mechanism whose outputs are described in the parlance of the person description factor called ‘Agreeableness’. We conclude that the most productive way forward is to build theory–based models of specific psychological mechanisms, including their culturally evolved design features, until they constitute a comprehensive depiction of human nature and its multifaceted variations. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
In Situ Two‐Step Activation Strategy Boosting Hierarchical Porous Carbon Cathode for an Aqueous Zn‐Based Hybrid Energy Storage Device with High Capacity and Ultra‐Long Cycling Life
Authors: Zhou Zhiming , Zhou Xiaoyan , Zhang Miao , Mu Sainan , Liu Qirong , Tang Yongbing
Published: August 2020

Aqueous Zn‐based hybrid energy storage devices (HESDs) exhibit great potential for large‐scale energy storage applications for the merits of environmental friendliness, low redox potential, and high theoretical capacity of Zn anode. However, they are still subjected to low specific capacities since adsorption‐type cathodes (i.e., activated carbon, hard carbon) have limited capability to accommodate active ions. Herein, a hierarchical porous activated carbon cathode (HPAC) is prepared via an in situ two‐step activation strategy, different from the typical one‐step/postmortem activation of fully carbonized precursors. The strategy endows the HPAC with a high specific surface area and a large mesoporous volume, and thus provides abundant active sites and fast kinetics for accommodating active ions. Consequently, pairing the HPAC with Zn anode yields an aqueous Zn‐based HESD, which delivers a high specific capacity of 231 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and excellent rate performance with a retained capacity of 119 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1, the best result among previously reported lithium‐free HESDs based on carbon cathodes. Further, the aqueous Zn‐based HESD shows ultra‐long cycling stability with a capacity retention of ≈70% after 18 000 cycles at 10 A g−1, indicating great potential for environmentally friendly, low‐cost, and high‐safety energy storage applications.
Space-time Schrödinger symmetries of a post-Galilean particle
Authors: Batlle Carles , Gomis Joaquim
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We study the space-time symmetries of the actions obtained by expanding the action for a massive free relativistic particle around the Galilean action [1]. We obtain all the point space-time symmetries of the post-Galilean actions by working in canonical space. We also construct an infinite collection of generalized Schrödinger algebras parameterized by an integer M, with M = 0 corresponding to the standard Schrödinger algebra. We discuss the Schrödinger equations associated to these algebras, their solutions and projective phases.
An accurate integral equation method for Stokes flow with piecewise smooth boundaries
Authors: Bystricky Lukas , Pålsson Sara , Tornberg Anna-Karin
Published: August 2020

Two-dimensional Stokes flow through a periodic channel is considered. The channel walls need only be Lipschitz continuous, in other words they are allowed to have corners. Boundary integral methods are an attractive tool for numerically solving the Stokes equations, as the partial differential equation can be reformulated into an integral equation that must be solved only over the boundary of the domain. When the boundary is at least $$C^1$$

C
1

smooth, the boundary integral kernel is a compact operator, and traditional Nyström methods can be used to obtain highly accurate solutions. In the case of Lipschitz continuous boundaries, however, obtaining accurate solutions using the standard Nyström method can require high resolution. We adapt a technique known as recursively compressed inverse preconditioning to accurately solve the Stokes equations without requiring any more resolution than is needed to resolve the boundary. Combined with a periodic fast summation method we construct a method that is $$\mathcal {O}(N\log N)$$

O
(
N
log
N
)

where N is the number of quadrature points on the boundary. We demonstrate the robustness of this method by extending an existing boundary integral method for viscous drops to handle the movement of drops near corners.
Indirect somatic embryogenesis and regeneration of Fraxinus mandshurica plants via callus tissue
Authors: Liu Yang , Wei Cheng , Wang Hao , Ma Xiao , Shen Hailong , Yang Ling
Published: August 2020

Somatic embryogenesis ofFraxinus mandshuricahas the problems of low somatic embryo (SE) yield, unsynchronized SE development, and a high percentage of deformed SEs. We aimed to improveF. mandshuricaSE production by synchronizing SE development, improving SE quality, and inducing root formation to obtain complete regenerated plants. Cotyledons of immature zygotic embryos ofF. mandshuricawere induced to form callus and then SEs. The SE induction percentage from explants differed among 32 mother trees, and the one with the highest SE induction percentage (29.8%) was used for further experiments. The highest callus induction percentage was 94.2% on ½-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS½) supplemented with 0.15 mg·L−1naphthalene acetic acid. The highest callus proliferation coefficient (240.5) was obtained on McCown’s Woody Plant Medium containing 0.1 mg·L−16-benzyl adenine and 0.15 mg·L−12, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The highest number of SEs (1020.5 g−1fresh weight) was obtained on MS½ medium supplemented with 1 mg·L−16-benzyladenine. The highest number of cotyledon embryos (397/g fresh weight) was obtained by incubating materials on medium containing 1 mg·L−1abscisic acid and then applying a drying treatment. The cotyledon embryos were milky white, uniformly sized (average length 4.7 mm), and 80% of them were normal. The SE rooting percentage on ½MS medium containing 0.01 mg·L−1NAA was 37.5%. Overall, the germination percentage of SEs was 26.4%, and complete regenerated plants were obtained after transplanting and acclimation. These results provide more possibilities for the preservation and breeding ofF. mandshurica.
Monotheism and Religious Diversity
Authors: Trigg Roger
Published: August 2020

If there is one God, why are there so many religions? Might all be false? Some revert to a relativism that allows different 'truth's' for different people, but this is incoherent. This Element argues that monotheism has provided the basis for a belief in objective truth. Human understanding is fallible and partial, but without the idea of one God, there is no foundation for a belief in one reality or a common human nature. The shadow of monotheism lies over our understanding of science, and of morality.
Right at home: living with dementia and multi-morbidities
Authors: Cunningham Nicola A. , Cowie Julie , Methven Karen
Published: August 2020

Dementia is recognised as the biggest health crisis of our time in terms of high personal and social costs and wider impact on health and social care systems. Increases in people living with dementia and multi-morbidities presents critical challenges for home care worldwide. Health-care systems struggle to provide adequate home-care services, delivering limited care restricted to a single-condition focus. This study explored the experiences and expectations of home care from the multiple perspectives of people living with dementia and multi-morbidities and home-care workers providing support. Findings draw from qualititative semi-structured interviews with people with dementia (N = 2), their partners (N = 2), other partners or family carers (N = 6) and home-care workers (N = 26). Three themes are identified: (a) the preference for and value of home; (b) inadequate home-care provision and enhanced care burden; and (c) limited training and education. Despite continued calls for home-care investment, the focus on reduction in costs hides key questions and further dialogue is required exploring how people with dementia can be supported to live independently and flourish at home. This study considers these complex experiences and care requirements through the prism of disability and human rights frameworks. This paper concludes with consideration of more recent human social rights debate. We discuss critically what this may mean for people living with dementia and consider the implications for co-requisite policy development to optimise available home-care support.
Can multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) be implemented into real-world drug decision-making processes? A Canadian provincial experience
Authors: Laba Tracey-Lea , Jiwani Bashir , Crossland Robert , Mitton Craig
Published: August 2020

Objective

To describe the implementation of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) into a Canadian public drug reimbursement decision-making process, identifying the aspects of the MCDA approach, and the context that promoted uptake.

Methods

Narrative summary of case study describing the how, when, and why of implementing MCDA.

Results

Faced with a fixed budget, a pipeline of expensive but potentially valuable drugs, and potential delays to drug decision making, the Ministry of Health (i.e., decision makers) and its independent expert advisory committee (IAB) sought alternative values-based decision processes. MCDA was considered highly compatible with current processes, but the ability as a stand-alone intervention to address issues of opportunity cost was unclear. The IAB nevertheless collaboratively voted to implement an externally developed MCDA with support from decision makers. After several months of engagement and piloting, implementation was rapid and leveraged strong pre-existing formal and informal communication networks. The IAB as a whole rates new submissions which serves as an input into the deliberative process.

Conclusions

MCDA can be a highly adaptable approach that can be implemented into a functioning drug reimbursement setting when facilitated by (i) a truly limited budget; (ii) a shared vision for change by end-users and decision makers; (iii) using pre-existing deliberative processes; and (iv) viewing the approach as a decision framework rather than the decision (when appropriate). Given the current limitations of MCDA, implementing an academically imperfect tool first and evaluating later reflects a practical solution to real-time fiscal constraints and impending delays to drug approvals that may be faced by decision makers.
The city as a national work of art: modernity and nation building in fin-de-siècle Lviv
Authors: Łupienko Aleksander
Published: August 2020

Historic monuments were one of the vehicles of modern nation building in the nineteenth century. Their role could turn out to be even more exposed in an ethnically mixed territory of central and central-eastern Europe. For the turn of the twentieth-century Polish inhabitants of the capital of the Austrian crown land of Galicia, urban secular historic architecture proved to be such a key tool. The Old Town of Lviv, in itself witness of a centuries-old multi-ethnic and multi-cultural tradition, became the basis for a modern nation-building project, in which local and regional Polish character administrative bodies and social institutions were involved. The project relied on the strengthening of national identity among Lviv's inhabitants by means of securing the ‘Polish character’ of the Old Town, which amounted to reinventing it anew.
The Art of Remediating Age-Related Cognitive Decline: Art Therapy Enhances Cognition and Increases Cortical Thickness in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Yu Junhong , Rawtaer Iris , Goh Lee Gan , Kumar Alan Prem , Feng Lei , Kua Ee Heok , Mahendran Rathi
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Previous research on art therapy (AT) in cognitive aging has been lacking. AT can potentially engender significant cognitive gains, due to its rigorous cognitive involvement, making it useful to tackle age-related cognitive decline. Along with these cognitive gains, associated neuroplastic changes are hypothesized to arise from AT as well. The current intervention examined the effects of an AT intervention on cognitive outcomes and cortical thickness (CT) among participants with mild cognitive impairment.

Method:

Participants were assigned to AT (n = 22) and an active control group (n = 27). In both, weekly 45-min sessions were carried out across 3 months. Cognitive assessments and structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were carried out at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Whole brain analyses on CT were carried out. Cognitive outcomes were analyzed using hierarchical linear models.

Results:

Significant gains in immediate memory and working memory span were observed in the AT group, relative to the control group. Significantly increased CT in the AT group, relative to controls, was observed in a right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) cluster. Furthermore, CT changes in this cluster were significantly and positively correlated with changes in immediate memory.

Conclusion:

These findings highlighted the role of MFG neuroplasticity in enhancing certain cognitive functions in AT. AT is a neuroplastic intervention capable of engendering significant cognitive gains and associated cortical changes in the context of age-related cognitive decline, even when executed as a low-intensity intervention across 3 months. Given the preliminary nature of these findings, future larger sampled studies are needed.
Petromagnetic Characteristics of Serpentinization and Magnetite Formation at the Zedang Ophiolite in Southern Tibet
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Moskowitz Bruce M. , Zheng Jianping , Xiong Qing , Zhou Xiang , Yang Jingsui , Zhang Yuwen , Liu Qingsheng
Published: August 2020

Variably serpentinized peridotites from the Zedang ophiolite in southern Tibet were magnetically and petrologically examined to understand the serpentinization process and evaluate the origin of magnetic anomalies in ultramafic‐hosted tectonic settings. Magnetite occurs in the serpentine and brucite veins and is identified as the dominant magnetic carrier by thermomagnetic and petrological analyses. The magnetic susceptibility increases rapidly from <0.001 to ~0.02 SI for the <50% serpentinized samples followed by nearly constant values of 0.02–0.03 SI above 50% serpentinization. This transition corresponds with the formation of Fe‐poor serpentine mesh (2–3 wt% FeO) and magnetite in the early stages and the replacement of mesh center olivine by Fe‐rich serpentine (4–5 wt% FeO) without magnetite in the late stages. Brucite veins occur in the 50–70% serpentinized samples and indicate serpentinization temperatures from ~250 to <100°C. The serpentinization may initiate at an oceanic spreading ridge center under high temperatures (>250–300°C) to produce magnetite and subsequently continue at lower temperatures (<200–250°C) in near‐seafloor settings and limit the magnetite formation, possibly associated with ophiolite emplacement. These serpentinized peridotites have higher magnetization intensities (average 2.26 Am−1) than dolerite dykes and basaltic volcanics (mostly <1 A m−1) in the area and should be the major source of aeromagnetic highs in the south Tibetan ophiolite belt.
Stress Effects on Flow and Transport in Three‐Dimensional Fracture Networks
Authors: Sweeney M. R. , Hyman J. D.
Published: August 2020

We investigate the effects of various external stress regimes on fracture apertures, fluid flow, and solute transport in three‐dimensional fracture networks. We use well‐established geomechanics equations coupled with discrete fracture network modeling to characterize changes in primary flow paths within a complex network as a function of stress magnitude and orientation. These changes manifest in the alterations of the fluid flow field and are measured in terms of Eulerian and Lagrangian flow observables including solute transport, which is a key problem in many hydrologic applications. Changes in primary flow paths affect the solute transport in the network by promoting anomalously early arrival or long tailing behavior. However, early time arrival is not ubiquitous in anisotropically stressed networks and in most cases there is a delayed arrival of solute, which is attributed to (i) the presence of low‐velocity zones normal to the flow direction, (ii) the angle between flow direction and major compressive principal stress directions, and (iii) changes in the primary flow paths (i.e., increases in tortuosity and active network structure). Overall, flows become more channelized in anisotropically stressed fracture networks than in unstressed and isotropically stressed networks.
Indicator Patterns of Forced Change Learned by an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Barnes Elizabeth A. , Toms Benjamin , Hurrell James W. , Ebert‐Uphoff Imme , Anderson Chuck , Anderson David
Published: August 2020

Many problems in climate science require the identification of signals obscured by both the “noise” of internal climate variability and differences across models. Following previous work, we train an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the year of a given map of annual‐mean temperature (or precipitation) from forced climate model simulations. This prediction task requires the ANN to learn forced patterns of change amidst a background of climate noise and model differences. We then apply a neural network visualization technique (layerwise relevance propagation) to visualize the spatial patterns that lead the ANN to successfully predict the year. These spatial patterns thus serve as “reliable indicators” of the forced change. The architecture of the ANN is chosen such that these indicators vary in time, thus capturing the evolving nature of regional signals of change. Results are compared to those of more standard approaches like signal‐to‐noise ratios and multilinear regression in order to gain intuition about the reliable indicators identified by the ANN. We then apply an additional visualization tool (backward optimization) to highlight where disagreements in simulated and observed patterns of change are most important for the prediction of the year. This work demonstrates that ANNs and their visualization tools make a powerful pair for extracting climate patterns of forced change.
Circular RNA cIARS regulates ferroptosis in HCC cells through interacting with RNA binding protein ALKBH5
Authors: Liu Zhiqian , Wang Qi , Wang Xin , Xu Zongzhen , Wei Xiaoqing , Li Jie
Published: August 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel and unique class of noncoding RNAs that are back-spliced from pre-mRNAs. It has been confirmed that circRNAs are involved in various malignant behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of circRNA in the regulation of ferroptosis and the underlying mechanism remain unknown. Here, cIARS (hsa_circ_0008367) was found to be the most highly expressed circRNA after sorafenib (SF) treatment in HCC cells. Small interfering RNA against cIARS (si-cIARS) significantly suppressed the cellular sensitivity to SF or Erastin through inactivating ferroptosis, which may be partially attributed to the inhibition of autophagy and ferritinophagy. Prediction analysis and mechanistic identification revealed that cIARS physically interacted with RNA binding protein (RBP) ALKBH5, which was a negative regulator of autophagic flux in HCC. The dissociation of BCL-2/BECN1 complex, mediated by ALKBH5 silencing was effectively blocked by si-cIARS. Furthermore, the inhibition of ferroptotic events, autophagic flux and ferritinophagy resulted from si-cIARS, were significantly rescued by ALKBH5 downregulation. Overall, cIARS may be an important circRNA, positively regulating SF-induced ferroptosis through suppressing the ALKBH5-mediated autophagy inhibition.
Dissipation-induced bistability in the two-photon Dicke model
Authors: Garbe Louis , Wade Peregrine , Minganti Fabrizio , Shammah Nathan , Felicetti Simone , Nori Franco
Published: August 2020

The Dicke model is a paradigmatic quantum-optical model describing the interaction of a collection of two-level systems with a single bosonic mode. Effective implementations of this model made it possible to observe the emergence of superradiance, i.e., cooperative phenomena arising from the collective nature of light-matter interactions. Via reservoir engineering and analogue quantum simulation techniques, current experimental platforms allow us not only to implement the Dicke model but also to design more exotic interactions, such as the two-photon Dicke model. In the Hamiltonian case, this model presents an interesting phase diagram characterized by two quantum criticalities: a superradiant phase transition and a spectral collapse, that is, the coalescence of discrete energy levels into a continuous band. Here, we investigate the effects of both qubit and photon dissipation on the phase transition and on the instability induced by the spectral collapse. Using a mean-field decoupling approximation, we analytically obtain the steady-state expectation values of the observables signaling a symmetry breaking, identifying a first-order phase transition from the normal to the superradiant phase. Our stability analysis unveils a very rich phase diagram, which features stable, bistable, and unstable phases depending on the dissipation rate.
Construction of gateway-compatible baculovirus expression vectors for high-throughput protein expression and in vivo microcrystal screening
Authors: Tang Yanyang , Saul Justin , Nagaratnam Nirupa , Martin-Garcia Jose M. , Fromme Petra , Qiu Ji , LaBaer Joshua
Published: August 2020

Baculovirus mediated-insect cell expression systems have been widely used for producing heterogeneous proteins. However, to date, there is still the lack of an easy-to-manipulate system that enables the high-throughput protein characterization in insect cells by taking advantage of large existing Gateway clone libraries. To resolve this limitation, we have constructed a suite of Gateway-compatible pIEx-derived baculovirus expression vectors that allow the rapid and cost-effective construction of expression clones for mass parallel protein expression in insect cells. This vector collection also supports the attachment of a variety of fusion tags to target proteins to meet the needs for different research applications. We first demonstrated the utility of these vectors for protein expression and purification using a set of 40 target proteins of various sizes, cellular localizations and host organisms. We then established a scalable pipeline coupled with the SONICC and TEM techniques to screen for microcrystal formation within living insect cells. Using this pipeline, we successfully identified microcrystals for ~ 16% of the tested protein set, which can be potentially used for structure elucidation by X-ray crystallography. In summary, we have established a versatile pipeline enabling parallel gene cloning, protein expression and purification, and in vivo microcrystal screening for structural studies.
Provincial-level outcomes of China’s ‘Reducing maternal mortality and eliminating neonatal tetanus’ program
Authors: Chen Peiran , Li Mingrong , Zhu Jun , Wang Yanping , Mu Yi , Li Qi , Dai Li , Liu Zheng , Liang Juan , Liu Hanming
Published: August 2020

To determine whether the nationwide program ‘Reducing maternal mortality and eliminating neonatal tetanus’ contributed to the rapid decline in China’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and neonatal tetanus elimination by enhancing hospital delivery, we compared MMR and neonatal tetanus incidence rate (NTR) reductions by province from 2000 to 2013. The difference-in-difference method was used to analyze the program effect. Long-term effects were analyzed relative to MMR and NTR in 2000 and 2002, respectively, while short-term effects in a given year were analyzed relative to MMR and NTR in the preceding year. The national program was associated with a faster decline in MMR in the long term. The rate of decline showed an inverse ‘U’ shape from 2000 to 2013, peaking in 2009. The program had a short-term effect in MMR reduction in 2005, 2007, and 2009. The program was also associated with faster decline in NTR in the short term at some time points, but this association was not consistent and was not found in the long term. In conclusion, the program accelerated decline of MMR from 2000 to 2013 but did not clearly reduce NTR at the province level. Therefore, this targeted program worked efficiently in resource-poor areas.
Plasmid DNA gene therapy of the Niemann-Pick C1 mouse with transferrin receptor-targeted Trojan horse liposomes
Authors: Jiang Dahai , Lee Hungyen , Pardridge William M.
Published: August 2020

Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) is a lysosomal cholesterol storage disorder, that severely affects the brain, and is caused by mutations in the NPC1 gene, which encodes an intracellular membrane transporter of non-esterified cholesterol. Therapeutic options for NPC1 are few, and classical enzyme replacement therapy with the recombinant protein is not possible as the NPC1 gene product is an insoluble membrane protein, which increases the need for development of gene therapy for NPC1. While viral based gene therapy is under development, it is important to investigate alternative approaches to brain gene therapy without viral vectors. The present work develops a plasmid DNA approach to gene therapy of NPC1 using Trojan horse liposomes (THLs), wherein the plasmid DNA is encapsulated in 100 nm pegylated liposomes, which are targeted to organs with a monoclonal antibody against the mouse transferrin receptor. THLs were encapsulated with a 8.0 kb plasmid DNA encoding the 3.9 kb human NPC1 open reading frame, under the influence of a 1.5 kb platelet derived growth factor B (PDGFB) promoter. THLs were administered weekly beginning at 6–7 weeks in the NPC1−/− null mouse, and delivery of the plasmid DNA, and NPC1 mRNA expression in brain, spleen, and liver were confirmed by quantitative PCR. THL treatment reduced tissue inclusion bodies in brain, and peripheral organs, but did not prolong lifespan in these mice. The work suggests that early treatment after birth may be required to reverse this disease model with NPC1 gene replacement therapy.
Two antimicrobial genes from Aegilops tauschii Cosson identified by the Bacillus subtilis expression system
Authors: Fu Tingting , Islam Md. Samiul , Ali Mohsin , Wu Jia , Dong Wubei
Published: August 2020

Antimicrobial genes play an important role as a primary defense mechanism in all multicellular organisms. We chose Bacillus subtilis as a target pathogen indicator and transferred the Aegilops tauschii Cosson cDNA library into B. subtilis cells. Expression of the candidate antimicrobial gene can inhibit B. subtilis cell growth. Using this strategy, we screened six genes that have an internal effect on the indicator bacteria. Then, the secreted proteins were extracted and tested; two genes, AtR100 and AtR472, were found to have strong external antimicrobial activities with broad-spectrum resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, Clavibacter fangii, and Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, thermal stability tests indicated that the antimicrobial activities of both proteins were thermostable. Furthermore, these two proteins exhibited no significant hemolytic activities. To test the feasibility of application at the industrial level, liquid fermentation and spray drying of these two proteins were conducted. Powder dilutions were shown to have significant inhibitory effects on B. cinerea. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry results showed that the purified protein impaired and targeted the cell membranes. This study revealed that these two antimicrobial peptides could potentially be used for replacing antibiotics, which would provide the chance to reduce the emergence of drug resistance.
The effect of steam on maximizing light olefin production by cracking of ethanol and oleic acid over mesoporous ZSM-5 catalysts
Authors: Li Zhixia , Li Fuwei , Zhao Tingting , Yu Hongchang , Ding Shilei , He Wen , Song Caifeng , Zhang Yansong , Lin Hongfei
Published: August 2020

Steam cracking significantly improved light olefin selectivity: mainly ethylene was obtained from ethanol and propylene from oleic acid.
Inner egg shell membrane based bio-compatible capacitive and piezoelectric function dominant self-powered pressure sensor array for smart electronic applications
Authors: Saqib Qazi Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Umair , Bae Jinho
Published: August 2020

Inner egg shell membrane based bio-compatible capacitive and self-powered piezoelectric pressure sensor array is proposed, with capacitive sensitivity of 37.54 ± 1.488 MPa−1 (0 ≤ P ≤ 0.05 MPa) and piezoelectric pressure sensitivity of 16.93 V MPa−1 (0 ≤ P ≤ 0.098 MPa).
Novel pH-sensitive and biodegradable micelles for the combined delivery of doxorubicin and conferone to induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line
Authors: Rahmani Akram , Zavvar Mousavi Hassan , Salehi Roya , Bagheri Ahmad
Published: August 2020

pH-sensitive micelles are desirable for co-drug delivery in cancer chemotherapy.
Topographical and compositional engineering of core–shell Ni@Pt ORR electro-catalysts
Authors: Leteba Gerard M. , Mitchell David R. G. , Levecque Pieter B. J. , van Steen Eric , Lang Candace I.
Published: August 2020

Complex faceted geometries and compositional anisotropy in alloy nanoparticles (NPs) can enhance catalytic performance.
Understanding fluorometric interactions in ion-responsive sustainable polymer nanocomposite scaffolds
Authors: Janghela Shriram , Devi Sudeepa , Kambo Neelu , Roy Debmalya , Eswara Prasad N.
Published: August 2020

Variation in the fluorescence intensity of sustainable porous scaffolds by interaction with analytes to remotely monitor the decontamination efficiency.
Water transport in polymer composites through swelling-induced networks of hydrogel particles
Authors: Eiler Johannes , Simonsen Søren Bredmose , Hansen Daniel , Bingöl Bahar , Hansen Kristoffer , Thormann Esben
Published: August 2020

Upon hydration, the swelling of particles can lead to network formation within polymer composites and thus provide a pathway for water transport.
A heterogeneous interface on NiS@Ni3S2/NiMoO4 heterostructures for efficient urea electrolysis
Authors: Sha Linna , Liu Tianfu , Ye Ke , Zhu Kai , Yan Jun , Yin Jinling , Wang Guiling , Cao Dianxue
Published: August 2020

A NiS@Ni3S2/NiMoO4 heterostructure serves as a bifunctional catalyst for highly efficient and durable overall urea electrolysis.
Biphasic ceramic biomaterials with tunable spatiotemporal evolution for highly efficient alveolar bone repair
Authors: Lei Lihong , Han Jiayin , Wen Jiahui , Yu Yuanyuan , Ke Ting , Wu Yanmin , Yang Xianyan , Chen Lili , Gou Zhongru
Published: August 2020

Yolk–shell biphasic granules characterized by tunable ion release and interconnected channel evolution mediate efficient alveolar bone repair.
The Duality of Patterning in Language and Its Relationship to Reading in Children With Hearing Loss
Authors: Nittrouer Susan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Duality of patterning has long been recognized as a unique design feature of human language and refers to the distinct bilevel structure in which words comprise one level (semantic) and word-internal, phonetic elements comprise the other level (phonological). This report describes this design feature and offers a perspective on why and how it should help shape reading interventions for children with hearing loss.

Method

Three components comprise this report. The first main section offers an overview of duality of patterning. The second main section reviews results from a longitudinal study illustrating how children with and without hearing loss acquire each level of linguistic structure and how each level contributes to reading acquisition for each group differently. The third main section of this report provides suggestions for how to incorporate this information into interventions for children with hearing loss.

Results

Outcomes presented illustrate that semantic structure begins to take form first, with phonological structure following. Semantic structure is related to reading comprehension, and phonological structure is related to word recognition, at least for alphabetic orthographies. Children with hearing loss acquire a less differentiated linguistic system, with structure at the phonological level only partly or coarsely acquired and with a lack of clear distinction from the semantic level of structure. Consequently, the roles of each level of structure in reading acquisition are less clearly defined for children with hearing loss.

Conclusion

For children with normal hearing, learning to read is compartmentalized: Emerging sensitivity to phonological structure supports development of word recognition, and semantic-level skills support reading comprehension. Hearing loss diminishes language skills overall, but especially phonological sensitivity. Children with hearing loss, especially those with cochlear implants, must rely on all language skills to learn to read, including both word recognition and reading comprehension, which creates a highly inefficient processing strategy.
Opportunities to Learn Transgender Voice and Communication Therapy in Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Education: Preliminary E-Survey Findings
Authors: Jakomin Jordan R. , Ziegler Aaron , Rio Cassie , Suddarth Rachael
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Clear guidelines are needed for the inclusion of transgender voice and communication services in speech-language pathology graduate curriculum. Standardized training on how to support gender diverse individuals' communication appears to be lacking in graduate curriculum. To better understand current trends in transgender voice and communication training in speech-language pathology graduate programs across the United States, this cross-sequential e-survey study assessed experience with, attitudes toward, and student learning opportunities in transgender voice and communication services among voice instructors and clinic directors.

Method

An open online survey distributed in 2015 was completed by 24 voice instructors and 13 clinic directors. The same survey was completed by 15 voice instructors in 2018.

Results

Based on 2015 findings, a majority of voice instructors and clinic directors in speech-language pathology graduate programs reported that services for transgender voice and communication were not addressed in their graduate education curriculum. Findings from 2018 were similar to results in 2015. Almost all voice instructors included transgender voice and communication therapy in their graduate voice course. There is unanimous agreement that transgender voice and communication services should be part of SLPs' scope of practice.

Conclusions

Findings from 2015 to 2018 suggested an improvement in instruction time spent on transgender voice and communication. Yet, some voice instructors continued to report that the topic was not covered in their coursework. A need exists to adjust guidelines on voice and communication services for gender diverse individuals and offer learning opportunities for this area in graduate speech-language pathology curriculum.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12640409
An overview of methodologies for real-time detection, characterisation and tracking of traveling ionospheric disturbances developed in the TechTIDE project
Authors: Belehaki Anna , Tsagouri Ioanna , Altadill David , Blanch Estefania , Borries Claudia , Buresova Dalia , Chum Jaroslav , Galkin Ivan , Juan José Miguel , Segarra Antoni , Timoté Cristhian Camilo , Tziotziou Kostas , Verhulst Tobias G. W. , Watermann Jurgen
Published: August 2020

The main objective of the TechTIDE project (warning and mitigation technologies for travelling ionospheric disturbances effects) is the development of an identification and tracking system for travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) which will issue warnings of electron density perturbations over large world regions. The TechTIDE project has put in operation a real-time warning system that provides the results of complementary TID detection methodologies and many potential drivers to help users assess the risks and develop mitigation techniques tailored to their applications. The TechTIDE methodologies are able to detect in real time activity caused by both large-scale and medium-scale TIDs and characterize background conditions and external drivers, as an additional information required by the users to assess the criticality of the ongoing disturbances in real time. TechTIDE methodologies are based on the exploitation of data collected in real time from Digisondes, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and Continuous Doppler Sounding System (CDSS) networks. The results are obtained and provided to users in real time. The paper presents the achievements of the project and discusses the challenges faced in the development of the final TechTIDE warning system.
Herpetic whitlow – Eine vernachlässigte Diagnose
Authors: Georg Paul , Claudi Carolin , Ganser Joachim , Holzbach Thomas
Published: August 2020

Mit einer akuten Paronychie werden Chirurg und Handchirurg regelmäßig konfrontiert. Zumeist erfolgt die Behandlung konservativ-antibiotisch, eine Abszedierung wird hingegen inzidiert. Gleichartig wird mit einem kutanen Panaritium verfahren. Im Abstrich findet man Staphylokokken, seltener Streptokokken und andere Keime. Die Routine verleitet schnell, in der Anamnese auf einen kurzen Fragenkatalog zu verzichten. Beginn, Symptomatik, Verlauf, sonstiger Körperbefall, Rückfall, Nebenerkrankungen, Familie, Beruf und Haustiere sollten kurz abgefragt werden. Eine solche Anamnese hätte unseren Fall vereinfacht.
Botany of the family Apiaceae.
Authors: Reduron Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2020

The Apiaceae family is a complex group of plants in which many species are similar and difficult to identify. Once the species is identified, it is often still quite complex at the infraspecific level because of many existing variations (habit, leaf, umbel organization, sexuality of flowers). This chapter gives the main features of Apiaceae morphology, anatomy, biology (vegetative and flowering stages), caryology and fruit dispersal, useful for identification checking, reproductive biology, cultivation, interest about wild relatives and biodiversity conservation.
Apiaceae seed production.
Authors: Spurr Cameron J. , Lucas Amy M.
Published: August 2020

This chapter describes the principles and practices of Apiaceae seed production. While much of the information presented relates directly to carrot seed production, it is also relevant to production of most other Apiaceae seed crops. Where possible, information and examples from other crops have been included. Discussions focus on reproductive biology, open-pollinated and hybrid seed production, production locations and methods, site selection, preparation and planting, crop nutrition, irrigation, weed control, rogueing, management of flowering and pollination, pests and diseases, seed development, timing of harvest, and seed treatments.
Apiaceae, a family of species rich in secondary metabolites: aromatic compounds and medicinal attributes.
Authors: Pollastro Federica , Gaeta Simone
Published: August 2020

Members of Apiaceae are an important trait of the global diet as exemplified by their use as species in cuisines around the world due to their content of essential oil and non-volatile compounds. Nevertheless, the value of Apiaceae plants extends to traditional medicine too with application against several disorders, and this popularity has fostered the isolation of their secondary metabolites and detection of the biological activities including toxicity when it occurs. This family is a producer of various phytochemicals such as terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, polyacetylenes and alkaloids with potential implications for drug discovery and industrial use which endows these plants a relevance that goes beyond the simply alimentary association. This chapter describes the essential oil and non-volatile organic composition of Apiaceae species. The phytochemical diversity of Apiaceae members is yet to be explored adequately but the distinctive secondary metabolites already discovered classify this family as an incredibly rich source for industrial application, essential micronutrients and drug discovery. However, those very same edible plants are not lacking in toxicity resulting from their inappropriate use and destination.
Genetic diversity and main carrot types.
Authors: Geoffriau Emmanuel
Published: August 2020

This chapter provides information on the domestication and evolution, genetic diversity and types of carrots (Daucus carota). The importance of carrot wild relatives for studies on evolutionary genetics, breeding, genetic improvement and taxonomy are also discussed.
Carrot growth and development.
Authors: Villeneuve François
Published: August 2020

The cultivated carrot is a biennial plant: in the first year, it produces a rosette of leaves and carbon reserves located in the storage root; in the second year, it uses these reserves after vernalization to produce a floral stem. In that year, the plant can reach a height of up to 1.5 m. This chapter describes the first phases of development, morphology of the root at harvest time, evolution of root biochemical composition, flower induction and vernalization, bolting, flowering, floral biology, seed characteristics and emergence of carrot.
Carrot disease management.
Authors: le Clerc Valérie , Briard Mathilde
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on the various diseases affecting carrot production and their causal pathogens, such as Alternaria dauci, Xanthomonas hortorum pv. carotae, Cercospora carotae, Pythium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Rhizoctonia solani and Alternaria radicina, among others. Information on the symptoms of these diseases and the efficacy of various methods used in their control are also presented.
Cold storage of carrots.
Authors: McDonald Mary Ruth
Published: August 2020

This chapter provides information on long-term storage, optimum storage conditions, storage facilities, storage life, plant pathogenic fungi, methods for storage improvement, and factors affecting storage quality of carrots.
Organic carrot production.
Authors: Colley Micaela
Published: August 2020

This chapter provides information on weed control, insect and nematode control, plant disease management, soil fertility, fertilizer application, seed production, and plant breeding in an organic carrot production.
Celeriac.
Authors: Lemiere Simon , Geoffriau Emmanuel
Published: August 2020

This chapter focuses on the importance of celeriac (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum) as a vegetable. Information on its various growing areas, plant development, cultivars, adaptability, cropping systems, storage and postharvest systems and marketing are also presented.
Dill.
Authors: Passam Harold C.
Published: August 2020

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is cultivated worldwide as a fresh or dried herb and for essential oil. Indian dill, formerly classified as Anethum sowa, is a botanical variety of A. graveolens that predominates in India and South-east Asia. Dill is believed to have originated in the eastern Mediterranean. By the 17th century, it was cultivated throughout Europe and had been introduced to North America. This chapter discusses the history, importance, growing areas, etymology, morphology, constituents, cropping system (including soil preparation, sowing, irrigation and fertilizer requirements, weed, pest and disease management, and harvesting), postharvest treatment and product valorization of dill.