bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacotherapy for Reducing the Grieving Process of Romantic Relationship Breakup: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Farnam Alireza , Heidarzadeh Azar , Gojazadeh Morteza , Shafiee-Kandjani Ali Reza , Zamanlu Masume
Published: June 2020

: The breakup of a romantic relationship imposes considerable grief to individuals and is actually a psychological and psychiatric challenge. The current study is a clinical trial of a pharmacologic agent reducing post-relationship grief. 90 female patients with the mean age of 29.55 ± 4.65 years were divided into two groups as an intervention group (n = 45) and the control group (n = 45). All patients were experiencing a diagnosed depression due to a romantic breakup during the last six months. The control group received a standard pharmacotherapy for depression, which was 50 mg sertraline daily. The intervention group received an additional 0.05 mg Clonidine daily. The treatment was continued for 8 weeks, and the visual analog scale evaluated the subjective report of the patients for grief and intensity of love. Comparison of pre-treatment and post-treatment grief and intensity of love were analyzed using ANOVA. Clonidine induced a significant decrease in the post-breakup grief with no significant change in the intensity of love. This pharmacotherapy is suggested for better management of romantic breakup.
Psychometric Properties of Persian Version of Body Image Shame Scale: A Study in Cosmetic Surgery Clinics
Authors: Khanjani Sajad , Gharraee Banafsheh , Ramezani Farani Abbas , Foroughi Aliakbar
Published: June 2020

Background: Body image shame considerably contributes to the development and persistence of eating and body image disorders. Objectives: The current study was done to determine the psychometric properties of the body image shame scale and introduce a suitable measure for researchers and therapists in the field of psychological health. Methods: In this study, 409 (136 men and 273 females) individuals who referred to cosmetic surgery clinics in Tehran were chosen. The construct validity of the body image shame was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and divergent and convergent validity. To assess the divergent and convergent validity of the body compassion scale, appearance anxiety inventory, dysmorphic concern questionnaire and Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale were used. Internal Consistency and test-retest reliability (4 weeks’ interval) were used to evaluate reliability. LISREL V8.80 and SSPS V20 were used for data analysis. Results: The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the two-factor model (internal and external body image shame) fitted the data (RMSEA = 0.07, NFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.92). Body image shame scale had a positive, significant correlation with dysmorphic concern, appearance anxiety, and self-criticism, and a negative, significant correlation with body compassion (P < 0.05). Also, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, for the whole of scale, internal body image shame, and external body image shame were 0.85, 0.79, and 0.82, respectively. Conclusions: Psychometric properties of the persian version of the body image shame scale were confirmed in this study. Therefore, it can be used as a valid instrument in research and clinical works in populations with concerns about body image.
Socioeconomic Status and Child Developmental Delay: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Maharlouei Najmeh , Sarkarinejad Artin , Raeisi Shahraki Hadi , Rezaianzadeh Abbas , Bagheri Lankarani Kamran
Published: June 2020

Background: Children with developmental delays are at higher risk of poor health, and lower educational attainment and wellbeing than the normal ones. Objectives: As previous studies had contradictory results regarding the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and child development, the current study aimed at determining this association at the age of 60 months. Methods: The current prospective cohort study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, from summer 2011 to the end of 2016. The study was conducted on 640 mothers registered in the Fars Birth Cohort study. A checklist comprised of social and economic parts was employed. The children’s communication development was also assessed using the ages and stages questionnaire for 60-month-old children. In addition, SES was determined using 25 variables. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0 and partitioning around medoid (PAM) clustering in R 3.5.0 software; P value < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: The majority of the subjects (79.1%) were categorized as the moderate level of SES; 106 (16.56%) children had a delay in at least one developmental domain. The current study results showed that the education level of parents and the occupational status of mothers were significantly associated with delayed communication skills in children (P < 0.05). Delay in communication skills was significantly more prevalent among children whose parents had a low education level (P < 0.05). After controlling other confounders, the relative risk of delay in communication skills was 3.7 times higher among children in the moderate level of SES and almost 10 times higher among the ones in the low level of SES. Conclusions: Children brought up in families with low SES had the highest level of delay in communication skills, followed by the ones in families with moderate SES. Considering the importance of communication skills in children socialization, more attention should be paid to SES of the families with preschool kids. It seems quite reasonable if health policymakers put more emphasis on the communication skills of preschool children.
Permanecer en la inversión: una vía no platónica de acceso a la materialidad del pensamiento
Authors: Bustos Gajardo Gustavo
Published: June 2020

El objetivo de este ensayo es abrir un conjunto de preguntas en torno a la materialidad del pensamiento, sin que ello signifique, a fin de cuentas, establecer una teoría materialista que actúe en desmedro de las ideas. Tampoco se trata, como observará el lector, de reivindicar una teoría de las ideas contra la materia. Lo que se pretende, considerando una contaminación cruzada entre lo sensible y lo inteligible, es rastrear otra verdad para aquello que ha sido considerado, especialmente por el platonismo en sus diversas configuraciones, como lo inesencial frente al andamiaje trascendental de las ideas. En consecuencia, y a partir de un acercamiento pre-liminar, lo que se busca es permitir que los datos sensibles resuenen al interior de lo inteligible, y que lo hagan, además, de un modo no dialectizable.
PROCESS MODEL OF MONETARY COST AND ENVIRONMENTAL BURDEN FOR HOUSEHOLD SOLID WASTE COLLECTION MANAGEMENT FOR A COMMUNITY OF HIGH ECOLOGICAL VALUE
Authors: OVIEDO CLAUDIA , FELIPE ORREGO CARLOS , SUAZO SCHWENCKE ALVARO , RAMIS LANYON FRANCISCO
Published: June 2020

A model to manage the process of household solid waste collection (HSWC) was developed for a Chilean rural community within a Biosphere Reserve. The model determines monetary costs and environmental burden in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emissions
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, La aurora en Copacabana (una comedia sobre el Perú). Edición crítica de José Elías Gutiérrez Meza
Authors: Aszyk Urszula
Published: June 2020

Reseña/review
Effectiveness of topical antibiotics in treating corals affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease
Authors: Neely Karen L. , Macaulay Kevin A. , Hower Emily K. , Dobler Michelle A.
Published: June 2020

Since 2014, Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has led to mass mortality of the majority of hard coral species on the Florida Reef Tract. Following the successful treatment of SCTLD lesions on laboratory corals using water dosed with antibiotics, two topical pastes were developed as vehicles to directly apply antibiotic treatments to wild corals. These pastes were tested as placebos and with additions of amoxicillin on active SCTLD lesions on multiple coral species. The effectiveness of the pastes without antibiotics (placebo treatments) was 4% and 9%, no different from untreated controls. Adding amoxicillin to both pastes significantly increased effectiveness to 70% and 84%. Effectiveness with this method was seen across five different coral species, with success rates of the more effective paste ranging from 67% (Colpophyllia natans) to 90% (Orbicella faveolata and Montastraea cavernosa). Topical antibiotic application is a viable and effective tool for halting disease lesions on corals affected by SCTLD.
SMRT sequencing of the full-length transcriptome of the white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera
Authors: Chen Jing , Yu Yaya , Kang Kui , Zhang Daowei
Published: June 2020

The white-backed planthopper Sogatella furcifera is an economically important rice pest distributed throughout Asia. It damages rice crops by sucking phloem sap, resulting in stunted growth and plant virus transmission. We aimed to obtain the full-length transcriptome data of S. furcifera using PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. Total RNA extracted from S. furcifera at various developmental stages (egg, larval, and adult stages) was mixed and used to generate a full-length transcriptome for SMRT sequencing. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) identification, full-length coding sequence prediction, full-length non-chimeric (FLNC) read detection, simple sequence repeat (SSR) analysis, transcription factor detection, and transcript functional annotation were performed. A total of 12,514,449 subreads (15.64 Gbp, clean reads) were generated, including 630,447 circular consensus sequences and 388,348 FLNC reads. Transcript cluster analysis of the FLNC reads revealed 251,109 consensus reads including 29,700 high-quality reads. Additionally, 100,360 SSRs and 121,395 coding sequences were identified using SSR analysis and ANGEL software, respectively. Furthermore, 44,324 lncRNAs were annotated using four tools and 1,288 transcription factors were identified. In total, 95,495 transcripts were functionally annotated based on searches of seven different databases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the full-length transcriptome of the white-backed planthopper obtained using SMRT sequencing. The acquired transcriptome data can facilitate further studies on the ecological and viral-host interactions of this agricultural pest.
Design and Development of Solar-biogas Hybrid Dryer for Onion Drying
Authors: Rupnar A. K. , Jain Sudhir , Panwar N. L. , Jain S. K.
Published: June 2020

A solar-biogas hybrid dryer was designed, developed and tested for onion drying with a capacity of 8 kg/batch. Solar energy was utilized as primary energy for onion drying in a greenhouse type drying chamber (direct solar) and biogas powered air heater used as a supplementary heat source for continuous operation. The hybrid dryer consists of greenhouse type drying chamber, concentric pipe air heater and biogas burner. The greenhouse type drying chamber has floor area of 1300 mm×900 mm and collector area of 3 m2. The dryer was operated as a solar dryer during normal sunny day and hybrid mode whenever sunlight is insufficient to maintain desired 60°C inside the drying chamber. The results indicated that the moisture content of onion slices reduced from 80.06% (wb) to 9.88% (wb) in 12 hours in hybrid mode drying. A biogas powered air heater operated for 3 hours in a day with effectiveness of 0.87 and biogas burner efficiency of 47.59%. The dryer was techno-economically feasible with a benefit cost ratio of 1.12 and payback period of 2.1 years.
Plug Cell Volume, Main Temperature and the Synthetic Cytokinin 6, Benzyl Aminopurine (BAP) Spray on Lettuce Biomass Accumulation during Nursery at Ambient Temperatures
Authors: Chertok J. , Carnelos D. , Miglioli J. Lozano , Fujinuma P. , Giardina E. , Benedetto A. Di
Published: June 2020

Although nursery lettuce information is plentiful, the use of exogenous cytokinin (6, benzyl amino purine, BAP) as a plant growth regulator, which would increase vegetable nursery yield has only recent suggested. On the other hand, biomass relationships between plug cell volumes, BAP uses and main temperature during nursery is quite scarce. Our results showed that the growth response of lettuce seedlings during nursery is firstly related to mean air temperature, independently the environmental characteristics of the cultivar tested. From the view of a nursery grower, yield can be optimize when higher plug cell number per tray was used or a BAP spray was applied to limited plug trays (128- or 288-cells). One of the novelty result of this work reside in the objective protocol proposed (the marginal root dry weight accumulation rate) to decide the time to transplant. Finally, our results showed that plug purchaser would be change their visual criteria when they buy BAP-treated lettuce for increased field yield.
Nonlocal Adjectival Modification
Authors: Schwarz Bernhard
Published: June 2020

Based on inferences they support, modifying adjectives have been divided into groups with labels such asintersective,subsective, andprivative. Accessing noun phrase‐external content, adjectives innonlocalmodification structures likeoccasional sailor,wrong number, orpossible candidateelude this classical typology. This chapter proposes a general diagnostic for nonlocal modification in terms of inferences that it fails to support, and applies it to a selection of known instances of nonlocality. The chapter then argues that nonlocality of modification has at least two distinct grammatical sources, one being syntactic intrusion of noun phrase‐external content into the scope of the modifier by way of ellipsis. Based on a review of nonlocal modification bypossibleandright/wrong, the argument is that in those two cases the sources of nonlocality are distinct.
Facial expression monitoring system for predicting patient’s sudden movement during radiotherapy using deep learning
Authors: Kim Kwang Hyeon , Park Kyeongyun , Kim Haksoo , Jo Byungdu , Ahn Sang Hee , Kim Chankyu , Kim Myeongsoo , Kim Tae Ho , Lee Se Byeong , Shin Dongho , Lim Young Kyung , Jeong Jong Hwi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Imaging, breath‐holding/gating, and fixation devices have been developed to minimize setup errors so that the prescribed dose can be exactly delivered to the target volume in radiotherapy. Despite these efforts, additional patient monitoring devices have been installed in the treatment room to view patients’ whole‐body movement. We developed a facial expression recognition system using deep learning with a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict patients’ advanced movement, enhancing the stability of the radiation treatment by giving warning signs to radiation therapists.

Materials and methods

Convolutional neural network model and extended Cohn‐Kanade datasets with 447 facial expressions of source images for training were used. Additionally, a user interface that can be used in the treatment control room was developed to monitor real‐time patient's facial expression in the treatment room, and the entire system was constructed by installing a camera in the treatment room. To predict the possibility of patients' sudden movement, we categorized facial expressions into two groups: (a) uncomfortable expressions and (b) comfortable expressions. We assumed that the warning sign about the sudden movement was given when the uncomfortable expression was recognized.

Results

We have constructed the facial expression monitoring system, and the training and test accuracy were 100% and 85.6%, respectively. In 10 patients, their emotions were recognized based on their comfortable and uncomfortable expressions with 100% detection rate. The detected various emotions were represented by a heatmap and motion prediction accuracy was analyzed for each patient.

Conclusion

We developed a system that monitors the patient's facial expressions and predicts patient's advanced movement during the treatment. It was confirmed that our patient monitoring system can be complementarily used with the existing monitoring system. This system will help in maintaining the initial setup and improving the accuracy of radiotherapy for the patients using deep learning in radiotherapy.
The impact of evidence lineups on fingerprint expert decisions
Authors: Kukucka Jeff , Dror Itiel E. , Yu Melissa , Hall Lisa , Morgan Ruth M.
Published: June 2020

Forensic examiners routinely compare a crime‐relevant mark of unknown origin against a single suspect's sample, which may create an expectation that the two will match. We tested how embedding the suspect's sample among known‐innocent fillers (i.e., an evidence lineup) affects expert decision‐making. Experienced fingerprint examiners (N = 43) compared crime‐relevant marks against either individual suspect fingerprints (i.e., the standard procedure) or arrays of fingerprints (i.e., evidence lineups), with a matching fingerprint either present or absent. Evidence lineups promoted conservative decision‐making, as evidenced by fewer correct IDs and a higher rate of inconclusive judgments. Though errors were rare, evidence lineups also occasionally revealed errors that would have otherwise gone undetected. Our findings thus support arguments that evidence lineups can expose fraud, identify flawed methodologies, and curb overconfidence. The potential benefits and challenges of implementing evidence lineups in forensic laboratories are discussed.
Example‐based learning: New theoretical perspectives and use‐inspired advances to a contemporary instructional approach
Authors: Hoogerheide Vincent , Roelle Julian
Published: June 2020

Decades of research has shown that example‐based learning is an effective instructional strategy for learning new skills. The field of learning from examples is seeing a shift in focus towards more innovative and use‐inspired research, in part because the use of examples for informal and formal learning purposes has mushroomed. This special issue comprises a set of eight papers in which students learned a procedural skill from worked examples or modeling examples. Each study characterizes a recent development towards more innovative example‐based learning research. These developments are: (a) the integration of social‐cognitive and cognitive example research, (b) the integration of example‐based learning and analogical reasoning research, (c) the extension of traditional Cognitive Load Theory effects, (d) a greater focus on learning from (productive) errors, and (e) more research on individual differences. This special issue concludes with insightful commentary articles written by Prof. Dr. Katharina Scheiter and Prof. Dr. Richard Mayer.
Polarization‐Independent Indium Phosphide Nanowire Photodetectors
Authors: Luo Ming‐Cheng , Ren Fang‐Fang , Gagrani Nikita , Qiu Kai , Wang Qianjin , Yu Le , Ye Jiandong , Yan Feng , Zhang Rong , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati , Ji Xiaoli
Published: June 2020

Although semiconductor nanowire (NW) photodetectors are promising building blocks for nanoscale on‐chip optoelectronic integration applications, poor absorption, and strong light polarization dependence due to their inherent anisotropic geometry remain an issue. Here, a polarization‐insensitive photodetector is designed and experimentally demonstrated, which consists of an InP NW embedded in a dual‐split bull's eye (DSBE) plasmonic antenna. The resultant photodetector exhibits a low noise equivalent power of 0.97 pW and a photoresponsivity of 0.96 A W‐1 at 740 nm with an external quantum efficiency of 163%. Importantly, the device exhibits an ultralow polarization dependence characteristic with a polarization degree significantly reduced from 91% down to 6%. The improved performance stems from the intrinsic symmetry of the orthogonal DSBE and the strong surface plasmon coupling, which significantly boosts the optical concentration abilities at all polarization angles as compared to the bare NW photodetector. This NW photodetector‐antenna design provides a pathway for the development of high‐performance nanoscale photodetectors for applications in advanced sensing, imaging, and quantum communications.
Machine Learning Glove Using Self‐Powered Conductive Superhydrophobic Triboelectric Textile for Gesture Recognition in VR/AR Applications
Authors: Wen Feng , Sun Zhongda , He Tianyiyi , Shi Qiongfeng , Zhu Minglu , Zhang Zixuan , Li Lianhui , Zhang Ting , Lee Chengkuo
Published: June 2020

The rapid progress of Internet of things (IoT) technology raises an imperative demand on human machine interfaces (HMIs) which provide a critical linkage between human and machines. Using a glove as an intuitive and low‐cost HMI can expediently track the motions of human fingers, resulting in a straightforward communication media of human–machine interactions. When combining several triboelectric textile sensors and proper machine learning technique, it has great potential to realize complex gesture recognition with the minimalist‐designed glove for the comprehensive control in both real and virtual space. However, humidity or sweat may negatively affect the triboelectric output as well as the textile itself. Hence, in this work, a facile carbon nanotubes/thermoplastic elastomer (CNTs/TPE) coating approach is investigated in detail to achieve superhydrophobicity of the triboelectric textile for performance improvement. With great energy harvesting and human motion sensing capabilities, the glove using the superhydrophobic textile realizes a low‐cost and self‐powered interface for gesture recognition. By leveraging machine learning technology, various gesture recognition tasks are done in real time by using gestures to achieve highly accurate virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) controls including gun shooting, baseball pitching, and flower arrangement, with minimized effect from sweat during operation.
A new analytical modeling for the determination of thermodynamic quantities of refrigerants
Authors: Ghandili Ali , Moeini Vahid
Published: June 2020

A new analytical fundamental equation of state (EOS) is presented for fluids. The equation is explicit in the effective molecular potentials and allows calculation of all thermodynamic properties over the whole fluid surface (gas, liquid, supercritical and gas–liquid phase transition). Outside the critical area (± 0.05Tc), it is valid in a vast range of temperature and pressure (0.8Tc to 7.5Tc and up to 120Pc,). The EOS is applicable for a variety of refrigerants such as C3H2F4 (HFO‐1234ze (E)), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) including C3F8 (R218), C3H2F6 (R236ea), C3H2F6 (R236fa), C3H3F5 (R245ca), C3HF7, C4F8 (RC318), C4F10, C5F12, natural refrigerants including NH3, CO2, hydrocarbons, monatomic gases and some other fluids. Calculations of second derivatives properties of fluids are sensitive tests of EOS behavior. Therefore, estimation of the thermodynamic properties including Joule‐Thomson coefficient, μJT, and speed of sound, w, has been considered.
Associations between a safety prequalification survey and worker safety experiences on commercial construction sites
Authors: Dennerlein Jack T. , Weinstein Daniel , Huynh Whitney , Tessler Jamie , Bigger Lauren , Murphy Lauren , Manjourides Justin
Published: June 2020

Background

While assessment of subcontractors' safety performance during project bidding processes are common in commercial construction, the validation of organizational surveys used in these processes is largely absent.

Methods

As part of a larger research project called Assessment of Contractor Safety (ACES), we designed and tested through a cross‐sectional study, a 63‐item organizational survey assessing subcontractors' leading indicators of safety performance. We administered the ACES Survey to 43 subcontractors on 24 construction sites. Concurrently, we captured the safety climate of 1426 workers on these sites through worker surveys, as well as injury rates, for the duration of the project.

Results

At the worksite level, higher average ACES scores were associated with higher worker safety climate scores (P < .01) and lower rates of injury involving days away (P < .001). Within subcontracting companies, no associations were observed between ACES and worker safety climate scores and injuries.

Conclusions

These results suggest the overall and collective importance of the construction project and its worksite in mediating worker experiences, perhaps somewhat independent of the individual subcontractor level.
Early learning in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): Behavior in the family group is related to preadolescent cognitive performance
Authors: Ash Hayley , Ziegler Toni E. , Colman Ricki J.
Published: June 2020

Early environment can have a major impact on development, with family life known to play an important role. Longitudinal studies can therefore help increase our understanding of variance in cognitive abilities in young animals, as well as over time. We followed 22 marmosets (11 male and 11 female) from infancy through to early adolescence. At 3 months old, the marmosets were trained to reliably touch a rewarded stimulus. At 5 months, behavior was observed within the natal group. At 9 months, the marmosets were given a visual discrimination task to assess learning ability. Mann–Whitney U tests found no sex or family size differences in number of errors at 3 or 9 months. While no significant relationships were found between behavior in the family and learning at 3 months, significant negative correlations were found between duration spent in locomotion and learning errors (p = .05), as well as between frequency of calm vocalizations and learning errors (p = .001) at 9 months. A U‐shape curve was found between amount of social play and learning at 9 months. Positive family interactions, including moderate amounts of play, as well as calm individual behavior, may therefore be important in learning. This study sheds light on cognitive development in much younger marmosets than previously studied, and helps increase understanding of how individual differences in learning may arise.
SCN3A‐Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder: A Spectrum of Epilepsy and Brain Malformation
Authors: Zaman Tariq , Helbig Katherine L. , Clatot Jérôme , Thompson Christopher H. , Kang Seok Kyu , Stouffs Katrien , Jansen Anna E. , Verstraete Lieve , Jacquinet Adeline , Parrini Elena , Guerrini Renzo , Fujiwara Yuh , Miyatake Satoko , Ben‐Zeev Bruria , Bassan Haim , Reish Orit , Marom Daphna , Hauser Natalie , Vu Thuy‐Anh , Ackermann Sally , Spencer Careni E. , Lippa Natalie , Srinivasan Shraddha , Charzewska Agnieszka , Hoffman‐Zacharska Dorota , Fitzpatrick David , Harrison Victoria , Vasudevan Pradeep , Joss Shelagh , Pilz Daniela T. , Fawcett Katherine A. , Helbig Ingo , Matsumoto Naomichi , Kearney Jennifer A. , Fry Andrew E. , Goldberg Ethan M.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Pathogenic variants in SCN3A, encoding the voltage‐gated sodium channel subunit Nav1.3, cause severe childhood onset epilepsy and malformation of cortical development. Here, we define the spectrum of clinical, genetic, and neuroimaging features of SCN3A‐related neurodevelopmental disorder.

Methods

Patients were ascertained via an international collaborative network. We compared sodium channels containing wild‐type versus variant Nav1.3 subunits coexpressed with β1 and β2 subunits using whole‐cell voltage clamp electrophysiological recordings in a heterologous mammalian system (HEK‐293T cells).

Results

Of 22 patients with pathogenic SCN3A variants, most had treatment‐resistant epilepsy beginning in the first year of life (16/21, 76%; median onset, 2 weeks), with severe or profound developmental delay (15/20, 75%). Many, but not all (15/19, 79%), exhibited malformations of cortical development. Pathogenic variants clustered in transmembrane segments 4 to 6 of domains II to IV. Most pathogenic missense variants tested (10/11, 91%) displayed gain of channel function, with increased persistent current and/or a leftward shift in the voltage dependence of activation, and all variants associated with malformation of cortical development exhibited gain of channel function. One variant (p.Ile1468Arg) exhibited mixed effects, with gain and partial loss of function. Two variants demonstrated loss of channel function.

Interpretation

Our study defines SCN3A‐related neurodevelopmental disorder along a spectrum of severity, but typically including epilepsy and severe or profound developmental delay/intellectual disability. Malformations of cortical development are a characteristic feature of this unusual channelopathy syndrome, present in >75% of affected individuals. Gain of function at the channel level in developing neurons is likely an important mechanism of disease pathogenesis. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:348–362
Short but Weak: The Z‐DNA Lone‐Pair⋅⋅⋅π Conundrum Challenges Standard Carbon Van der Waals Radii
Authors: Kruse Holger , Mrazikova Klaudia , D'Ascenzo Luigi , Sponer Jiri , Auffinger Pascal
Published: June 2020

Current interest in lone‐pair⋅⋅⋅π (lp⋅⋅⋅π) interactions is gaining momentum in biochemistry and (supramolecular) chemistry. However, the physicochemical origin of the exceptionally short (ca. 2.8 Å) oxygen‐to‐nucleobase plane distances observed in prototypical Z‐DNA CpG steps remains unclear. High‐level quantum mechanical calculations, including SAPT2+3 interaction energy decompositions, demonstrate that lp⋅⋅⋅π contacts do not result from n→π* orbital overlaps but from weak dispersion and electrostatic interactions combined with stereochemical effects imposed by the locally strained structural context. They also suggest that the carbon van der Waals (vdW) radii, originally derived for sp3 carbons, should not be used for smaller sp2 carbons attached to electron‐withdrawing groups. Using a more adapted carbon vdW radius results in these lp⋅⋅⋅π contacts being no longer of the sub‐vdW type. These findings challenge the whole lp⋅⋅⋅π concept that refers to elusive orbital interactions that fail to explain short interatomic contact distances.
Family Therapy and COVID‐19: International Reflections during the Pandemic from Systemic Therapists across the Globe
Authors: Amorin‐Woods Deisy , Fraenkel Peter , Mosconi Andrea , Nisse Martine , Munoz Susana
Published: June 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has convulsed human communities across the globe like no previous event in history. Family therapists, paradoxically, given the core of their work is with systems, are also experiencing upheaval in professional and personal lives, trying to work amidst a society in chaos. This paper offers a collection of reflections by systemic and family therapists from diverse cultures and contexts penned in the midst of the pandemic. The main intention in distilling these narratives is to preserve the ‘cultural diversity’ and ‘ecological position’ of the contributors, guided by phenomenology, cultural ecology, and systemic worldviews of ‘experiencing.’ The second intention is to ‘unite’ promoting solidarity in this isolating situation by bringing each story together, creating its own metaphor of a family: united, connected, stronger. As a cross‐cultural family practitioner, with a strong mission for collaboration, the lead author acknowledges the importance of Context – the nation and location of the experience; Culture – the manner in which culture impacts on experience; Collaboration – enhancing partnership, enriching knowledge, and mapping the journey’s direction; and Connectedness – combating isolation while enhancing unity. Since the key transmission of culture is through language, raw reflections were sought initially in the practitioners’ own language, which were translated for an English‐speaking readership. These narratives are honest and rich descriptions of the authors’ lived experiences, diverse and distinctive. The contributors trust colleagues will find these reflections helpful, validating and acknowledging the challenges of this unique period in history.
The reaction mechanism of photoelectrocatalysis on the surface of TiO2 nanotube array electrode
Authors: Li Linzhi
Published: June 2020

TiO2 nanotube array (TNA) electrode materials can effectively degrade organic compounds by photoelectrocatalysis. In this study, the depletion oxidation reaction in thin‐layer reactor was adopted, and the reaction characteristic and reaction mechanism of photoelectrocatalytic degradation of different types of organic pollutants by TNA electrode prepared by anodizing technology were studied. Moreover, the effective way to improve the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of organic compounds was discussed. Easily degradable glucose and hardly degradable succinic acid and phthalate were taken as the model compounds. The change characteristics of photocurrent reaction time of organic compounds in TNA photocatalysis thin‐layer reactor were analyzed. The I–t curve could reflect the change of reaction rate of organic compounds on TNA electrode surface. The influence of reactor volume and other parameters on the performance of organic photoelectrocatalysis was investigated. With the increase of the thickness of liquid layer in reactor, the reaction time of exhaustion oxidation of organic compounds increases correspondingly. The mechanism of synergetic photocatalysis was researched. In fact, the glucose contained many hydroxyl functional groups. Then, a large number of radicals were formed by photocatalysis, thus promoting the photocatalytic degradation of hardly degradable organic compounds.
Incorporation of silica network and modified graphene oxide into epoxy resin for improving thermal and anticorrosion properties
Authors: Xie Yankun , Liu Weiqu , Liang Liyan , Liu Chunhua , Yang Maiping , Shi Hongyi , Wang Shuo , Zhang Fengyuan
Published: June 2020

In this study, the silica network and functionalized graphene oxide (GO) were incorporated into the epoxy coating systems, which was aimed to improve the thermal property and corrosion resistance of epoxy coatings. First, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) oligomers and epoxy hybrid was fabricated through sol–gel method. Then the (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) modified graphene oxide (FGO) was added into the epoxy hybrid composite to obtain anticorrosion coatings. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectrum, and X‐ray photoelectron spectrum were conducted to evaluate the structural information of GO and APTES modified GO nanosheets. The results indicated that the APTES successfully grafted onto the surface of GO sheets. Besides, TGA curves, electrochemical measurements and salt spray test were also carried out to characterize the thermal performance and corrosion resistance of GO based epoxy coatings. The TGA results revealed that the thermal performance of epoxy coating containing silica network and FGO nanofiller (ES/FGO) was significantly strengthened compared to pure epoxy. The initial degradation temperature of epoxy coating was increased from 300 to 343.7°C after incorporation of silica component and FGO. The EIS measurements demonstrated that the impedance modulus of ES/FGO was significantly higher than neat epoxy, which indicated that the corrosion resistance of epoxy was substantially strengthened after introduction of silica component and FGO. The corrosion rate and inhibition efficiency of epoxy composite coatings were also shifted from 1.237 × 10−7 mm/year and 76.6% (for neat epoxy) to 1.870 × 10−9 mm/year and 99.6% (for ES/FGO), respectively. The salt spray test also revealed that the silica and FGO can improve the corrosion resistance of epoxy coating. Additionally, the dispersion of GO sheets was also enhanced after the modification of APTES siloxane.
Comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed proteins in the male and female Bombyx mori larval instars exposed to thermal stress
Authors: Punyavathi  , Manjunatha H. B.
Published: June 2020

Gender sensitivity to ambient heat, despite well known in insect species, how it manifests during young and late larval instars of Bombyx mori is still unclear. To uncover this cryptic feature, different instars male and female larvae were subjected to varied thermal stress separately and sex‐stage specific expression of proteins was investigated. Interestingly, heat shock proteins (HSPs) 90 and 70 were expressed differently in all the instars and also between male and female larvae as confirmed by immunoblot assay. Besides up‐ and downregulation of few HSPs and other normal proteins, discreet expression of protein was noticed in the two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis of male than female larvae which were identified as HSP70 by mass spectrometry. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction results show 3.98‐ and 4.86‐fold higher levels of Bmhsp70 and Bmhsp90 transcripts in male and female larvae, respectively, as a response to 40°C heat shock (HS) treatment. Conversely, in spite of the massive production of HSPs due to HS at 45°C, all the larvae were found dead, which is a strong proof of concept for autophagy. Comparatively, female larvae HS at 40°C succeed to spin cocoons with increased weight and silk contents than non‐HS larvae. Comprehensively, in the present study, we have noticed a strong correlation for the first time that Bmhsp90 and Bmhsp70 genes expressions due to thermal stress are not only sex specific but also explicit preferential and coordinated action on survivability and biosynthetic potential of the silkworm, B. mori larvae during different instars.
Impact of activated carbon block point‐of‐use filters on chloraminated water quality
Authors: Alfredo Katherine , Lin Jie , Islam Anjuman , Wang Zhi‐Wu
Published: June 2020

Washington, District of Columbia, installed activated carbon‐based lead mitigation filters on all water fountains/sinks in break rooms, classrooms, and health suites located in public elementary schools. To investigate the impact of these point‐of‐use filters, 12 water fountains/taps with various filter ages, with and without sediment prefilters, spread across four schools were monitored weekly from July to December 2017, along with two unfiltered sources per school (n = 8). Within the first 100 days postinstallation, filtrate from filters in schools with high influent monochloramine and no prefilter temporarily increased nitrite concentrations, with concentrations of some filters exceeding 0.4 mg/L N. Subsequent decreases in filtrate nitrite for these filters coincided with increases in live cell counts. Microbial community “fingerprints” were determined with flow cytometry. Filtered and unfiltered water fingerprints differed, indicating selective microbial growth on, and release from, the filters into the filtrate.
A Theoretical Analysis of the Effects of Tumor‐Treating Electric Fields on Single Cells
Authors: Li Xing , Yang Fan , Gao Bing , Yu Xiao , Rubinsky Boris
Published: June 2020

Tumor‐treating fields (TTFields) are low‐intensity and intermediate‐frequency alternating electric fields that have been found to inhibit tumor cell growth. While effective, the mechanism by which TTFields affect cell growth is not yet clearly understood. Although numerous mathematical studies on the effects of electromagnetic fields on single cells exist, the effect of TTFields on single cells have been analyzed less frequently. The goal of this study is to explore through a mathematical analysis the effects of TTFields on single cells, with particular emphasis on the thermal effect. We examine herein two single‐cell models, a simplified spheroidal model and a simulation of a U‐87 MG glioblastoma cell model obtained from microscopic images. A finite element method is used to analyze the electric field distribution, electromagnetic loss, and thermal field distribution. The results further prove that the electric field in the cytoplasm is too weak and its thermal damage can be excluded as a mechanism for cell death in TTFields. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:438–446. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Relative energy response of indigenously developed optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters Al2O3:C, LiMgPO4:B and LiCaAlF6:Eu,Y in therapeutic photon and electron beams
Authors: Kumar Pradip , Dhabekar Bhushan , Sharma Sunil Dutt , Mishra Devesh Ramdhar , Rawat Narender Singh , Kadam Sonal , Chaudhari Suresh , Chandola Rakesh Mohan , Agrawal Sadhana
Published: June 2020

The relative energy responses of three indigenously developed optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) phosphors in the disc form were studied in therapeutic photon and electron beams. Calibration in terms of absorbed dose was carried out in the dose range 5–500 cGy in 60Co gamma rays, high energy X‐rays, and electron beams used in radiotherapy. The combined standard uncertainty in the estimation of absorbed dose using these OSL discs (OSLDs) was 3.3%. Dose–response curves of these OSLDs in 60Co gamma rays, 6 and 10 MV (flat and unflat), 15 MV and 6 and 15 MeV electron beams were found to be linear. Furthermore, these OSLDs exhibited a relative energy‐dependent response for both photon and electron beams. The relative energy response correction factor for photon and electron beams were in the range 1.01–1.05 and 1.03–1.06, respectively.
Fe(III) bipyridyl or phenanthroline complexes with oxidase‐like activity for sensitive colorimetric detection of glutathione
Authors: Zhang Liu , Hou Yue , Guo Xiaoyan , Liu Wei , Lv Congcong , Zhang Chunyang , Jin Yan , Li Baoxin
Published: June 2020

In this study, three types of Fe(III) bipyridyl or phenanthroline (Fe(III)‐L3) complex could directly catalyze 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to induce blue chromogenic changes without H2O2. Fe(III)‐L3 complex could induce a colour change in TMB directly after a short incubation time. Due to the high oxidase‐like activity of the Fe(III)‐L3 complexes, superoxide anion radicals (O2•–) were formed in solution. Intermediates radical involving oxo‐iron species were then produced that oxidized TMB to its oxidation products (oxTMB), which had an absorbance maximum at 652 nm. Glutathione (GSH) could inhibit the oxidation reaction of the Fe(III)‐L3 complex–TMB system, a rapidly colorimetric method was established for the specific detection of GSH that had a detection limit of 0.1 μM. Furthermore, Fe(III)‐L3 complexes could catalyze TMB to oxTMB directly without H2O2. This fast and simple colorimetric method may open a new avenue for application in the point‐of‐care diagnosis field using the TMB chromogenic system.
Die besten Biologie‐Talente aus Deutschland am IPN
Authors: Schroeter Burkhard
Published: June 2020

Für 45 Schülerinnen und Schüler (Abbildung 1) ging eine ereignisreiche und anstrengende Woche zu Ende. Nachdem beim bundesweiten Auswahlwettbewerb in der ersten Runde der BiologieOlympiade fast 1200 Schülerinnen und Schüler gestartet waren, trafen sich nun die besten 45 Biologie‐Talente in der dritten Auswahlrunde am IPN, dem Leibniz‐Institut für die Pädagogik der Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik in Kiel, um sich eine Woche lang mit ihren Kenntnissen und Fähigkeiten in Biologie zu messen.
Nachrichten des Verbandes Biologie, Biowissenschaften & Biomedizin in Deutschland
Authors:   Arbeitskreis Gesundheit & Biologie
Published: June 2020

Wissenschaft & Gesellschaft

Stellungnahme zur COVID‐19‐Pandemie

Nagoya‐Protokoll

Ausbildung & Karriere

Ars legendi‐Fakultätenpreis Biowissenschaften 2020

AK Gesundheit & Biologie im VBIO

Landesverbände

Berlin‐Brandenburg & Hessen

Veranstaltungen

Summer School
Sustainable development and circular economy: The role of institutional promotion on circular consumption and market competitiveness from a multistakeholder engagement approach
Authors: Alonso‐Almeida María del Mar , Rodríguez‐Antón José Miguel , Bagur‐Femenías Llorenç , Perramon Jordi
Published: June 2020

The transition from a linear economy to a circular economy (CE) is a real challenge to achieve long‐term sustainability. To push CE in the market, institutional promotion could become a key driver to positively impact both circular consumption and the competitiveness of the market. This paper analyzes the influence that soft and hard initiatives have on circular consumption and market competitiveness. Based on a survey of 1,281 respondents from different types of stakeholders, structural equations modeling statistical analysis was run. Results show that soft initiatives support the achievement of both objectives, whereas hard ones only influence greater circular consumption. However, the perception of the different stakeholders considered is very heterogeneous. It is indicative that not all institutional promotion initiatives are effective. Thus, institutions should guide, in an adequate and differentiated manner, their efforts to promote CE and sustainable development depending on the stakeholder they are targeting.
OSW‐1 inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by NFATc2 on triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Ding Xiaorong , Li Yumei , Li Jun , Yin Yongmei
Published: June 2020

OSW‐1 is a natural compound extracted from the bulbs of Ornithogalum saundersiae in 1992. It has been shown strong antitumor activities in various cancer cells. However, the effects of OSW‐1 on tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer are still poorly understood. In our research, we showed that OSW‐1 had a strong anticancer effect on breast cancer cells, but lower toxicity to normal cells. Accordingly, it also revealed significant inhibition of tumor growth by OSW‐1 in xenograft model. In addition, we performed Annexin V/PI‐labeled flow cytometric assay and TUNEL assay and showed that OSW‐1 inhibited tumor growth by inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, we carried out transwell assays and found that OSW‐1 significantly repressed the migratory and invasive capabilities of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells via mediating epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. Besides, OSW‐1 also could inhibit metastasis in an orthotopic model and resulted in a longer survival compared with control group. Finally, we performed RNA‐sequencing and cellular functions to investigate the molecular mechanism of how OSW‐1 inhibits TNBC, and identified NFATc2 may as a pivotal factor for OSW‐1‐mediated effects on cell death, tumor growth, invasion, and migration.
Silence of TPPP3 suppresses cell proliferation, invasion and migration via inactivating NF‐κB/COX2 signal pathway in breast cancer cell
Authors: Ren Qianfeng , Hou Yugui , Li Xiaoying , Fan Xiaoe
Published: June 2020

Malignant phenotypes are leading causes of death in patients with breast cancer (BC). Previously, it has been proved that tubulin polymerization promoting protein 3 (TPPP3) participates in cell progressions in several human cancers. Little is known about the functions of TPPP3 in BC. Herein, we detected the expression of TPPP3 in 54 clinical BC tissues and two BC cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. CCK‐8, wound healing, colony formation and Transwell assays were used to assess cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion and migration of MCF‐7 and T47D cells after transfection with TPPP3 siRNA. Meanwhile, related‐proteins expression was detected using Western blot. TPPP3 was found to be highly expressed in the tissues from the patients with BC. Poor outcomes were associated with the high expression of TPPP3 in all patients with BC. When MCF‐7 and T47D cells receiving TPPP3 siRNA transfection, the capacities of proliferation, clone formation, invasion and migration were suppressed and the expression of MMP‐2/−9 and NF‐κB p65/COX2 was notably reduced. The dual‐luciferase reporter assay indicated that the promoter regions of NF‐κB p65 could combine to TPPP3. Overall, the present study demonstrated that TPPP3 played a significant role in BC, and its inhibition lead to the suppression of NF‐κB/COX‐2 signalling pathway along with the reduction of malignant phenotypes.

Significance of this study

Previously, it has been proved that tubulin polymerization promoting protein 3 (TPPP3) participates in cell progression in several human cancers. Little is known about the function of TPPP3 in BC. Our study was the first direct evidence to support the role of TPPP3 in tumorigenesis and metastasis of BC. Although the underlying mechanism has not been fully delineated, these findings suggested that TPPP3 was an important factor in the tumour progression and metastasis of BC cells and provided a molecular basis for potential therapeutic implications in the treatment of patients with BC.