bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post‐formation Copper‐Nitrogen Species on Carbon Black: Their Chemical Structures and Active Sites for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Xie Xin , Liu Jingjun , Li Tuanfeng , Song Ye , Wang Feng
Published: May 2018

The 3d transition metal and nitrogen co‐doped carbon materials (TM‐N‐C) are considered as the most promising next‐generation electrocatalysts, as alternatives to precious Pt, for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we have fabricated a Cu‐N‐C catalyst through directly grafting copper‐nitrogen complexes, composed by cuprous chloride and ammonia water, onto the surface of carbon black at 500 °C. In an alkaline environment, the synthesized catalyst exhibits excellent ORR catalytic activity, which is comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C catalyst, but far exceeding that obtained by the original carbon. Moreover, the catalyst displays much better stability than Pt/C. The enhanced ORR performance is proven to originate from the post‐formation CuI−N2 and CuII−N4 sites at the carbon surface, as evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The possible ORR process catalyzed by these Cu−Nx species is discussed at the atomic level. This work provides a simple and fast synthesis strategy for efficient TM‐N‐C catalysts on a large scale for energy storage and conversion systems.
Alkyl Radical Generation by an Intramolecular Homolytic Substitution Reaction between Iron(II) and Trialkylsulfonium Groups
Authors: Jungen Stefan , Chen Peter
Published: May 2018

Intramolecular, homolytic substitution reactions between iron(II) species and various trialkylsulfonium groups were directly observed in the gas phase upon collision‐induced dissociation. In spite of the notoriously low reduction potential of trialkylsulfonium species and the mismatched oxidation potential of iron(II), the reactions proceed at moderate collision energies, forming an alkyl radical as well as a thioether coordinated to the iron. In contrast to classical homolytic substitutions, the attacking radical is a “metalloradical”, namely iron(II) that is oxidized to iron(III) during the reaction. With this process we demonstrate that the conceptually analogous, putative radical generation step in radical S‐adenosyl methionine (SAM) enzymes is possible and plausible. Further, we show that this kind of reaction only occurs in constrained systems with a defined geometry. Combining experimental measurements with DFT studies and NBO analyses allowed us to gain insights into the reactivity and transition states of these systems. Based on our findings, we challenge the notion of a collinear transition state in the radical generation step of radical SAM enzymes and propose it to be bent instead.
Micellized Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium Catalysts Affording Preparative Amounts of Hydrated Electrons with a Green Light‐Emitting Diode
Authors: Naumann Robert , Lehmann Florian , Goez Martin
Published: May 2018

We have explored alkyl substitution of the ligands as a means to improve the performance of the title complexes in photoredox catalytic systems that produce synthetically useable amounts of hydrated electrons through photon pooling. Despite generating a super‐reductant, these electron sources only consume the bioavailable ascorbate and are driven by a green light‐emitting diode (LED). The substitutions influence the catalyst activity through the interplay of the quenching parameters, the recombination rate of the reduced catalyst OER and the ascorbyl radical across the micelle‐water interface, and the quantum yield of OER photoionization. Laser flash photolysis yields comprehensive information on all these processes and allows quantitative predictions of the activity observed in LED kinetics, but the latter method provides the only access to the catalyst stability under illumination on the timescale of the syntheses. The homoleptic complex with dimethylbipyridine ligands emerges as the optimum that combines an activity twice as high with an undiminished stability in relation to the parent compound. With this complex, we have effected dehalogenations of alkyl and aryl chlorides and fluorides, hydrogenations of carbon–carbon double bonds, and self‐ as well as cross‐coupling reactions. All the substrates employed are impervious to ordinary photoredox catalysts but present no problems to the hydrated electron as a super‐reductant. A particularly attractive application is selective deuteration with high isotopic purity, which is achieved simply by using heavy water as the solvent.
Aza‐Macrocyclic Triphenylamine Ligands for G‐Quadruplex Recognition
Authors: Pont Isabel , González‐García Jorge , Inclán Mario , Reynolds Matthew , Delgado‐Pinar Estefanía , Albelda M. Teresa , Vilar Ramon , García‐España Enrique
Published: May 2018

A new series of triphenylamine‐based ligands with one (TPA1PY), two (TPA2PY) or three pendant aza‐macrocycle(s) (TPA3PY) has been synthesised and studied by means of pH‐metric titrations, UV/Vis spectroscopy and fluorescence experiments. The affinity of these ligands for G‐quadruplex (G4) DNA and the selectivity they show for G4s over duplex DNA were investigated by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting assays, fluorimetric titrations and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Interestingly, the interactions of the bi‐ and especially the tri‐branched ligands with G4s lead to a very intense redshifted fluorescence emission band that may be associated with intermolecular aggregation between the molecule and DNA. This light‐up effect allows the application of the ligands as fluorescence probes to selectively detect G4s.
Drug photoallergy
Authors: Tokura Yoshiki
Published: May 2018

Drugs are one of the representative exogenous agents that cause photosensitive dermatitis. Both phototoxic and photoallergic mechanisms exist in photosensitivity to exogenous agents. While the phototoxic reaction is mediated mainly by reactive oxygen species, the photoallergic reaction is induced and elicited by immunological consequences. Two hypotheses have been put forward to explain the formation of photoallergen: prohapten and photohapten. The vast majority of clinically photoallergic drugs are photohapten rather than prohapten. Clinically, photocontact dermatitis and drug photosensitivity are the two major disorders caused by topical and systemic exogenous photosensitizers, respectively. The main cause of photocontact dermatitis is nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. In drug photosensitivity, various causative agents have been reported and are recently represented by hydrochlorothiazide, quinolones, piroxicam, and flutamide. Orally administered drugs diffuse from the blood to the epidermis, and keratinocytes are photoderivatized with a given drug upon ultraviolet (UV) A irradiation, leading to photoantigen formation and cytokine production. In parallel, dendritic cells become photohapten‐bearing, T‐cell–sensitizing cells. Considering the mechanisms of photoallergy to chemicals, several in vitro assessments have been proposed to detect the photoallergenicity. Finally, a recent observation with newly marketed drugs has demonstrated that drugs may function as immunomodulators and induce photosensitivity as typically seen in anti‐CCR4 antibody.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Isothiazole Based 1,2,4‐Trizaole Derivatives
Authors: Chen Lai , Wu Qifan , Fan Zhijin , Li Hongpeng , Li Jiwei , Hu Wenhao , Liu Xiumei , Belskaya Nataliya P , Glukhareva Tatiana , Zhao Bin
Published: May 2018

A series of novel 3,4‐dichloroisothiazole based 1,2,4‐triazole derivatives were rationally designed and synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS or elemental analysis; the typical crystal structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction for validation. All target compounds were evaluated for their in vitro fungicidal and in vivo anti‐TMV activities. The bioassay results indicated that compound 6b, namely 1‐(3,4‐dichloroisothiazol‐5‐yl)‐1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)ethanol, exhibited excellent growth inhibition against B. cinerea, C. arachidicola and P. piricola with median effective concentrations (EC50) of 6.98, 2.73 and 3.07 μg/mL, respectively, and good in vivo anti‐TMV activity of over 60% of inactivation and induction activity at 100 μg/mL. These data demonstrate that compound 6b is both a fungicide and an anti‐TMV lead, deserving further studies.
Access to gynecologic oncology care and the network adequacy standard
Authors: Shalowitz David I. , Huh Warner K.
Published: May 2018

Federal regulations do not require insurance plans to cover gynecologic oncologists in network; consequently, women enrolled in 27% of plans nationwide lack access to high‐quality gynecologic cancer care. This gap in coverage must be closed.

See also pages 2680‐3.
Pharmacokinetics and Target Attainment of Ceftobiprole in Asian and Non‐Asian Subjects
Authors: Muller A. E. , Punt N. , Engelhardt M. , Schmitt‐Hoffmann A. H. , Mouton J. W.
Published: May 2018

Ceftobiprole is a broad‐spectrum cephalosporin. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the pharmacokinetics (PK) and exposure of ceftobiprole in Asian subjects are similar to those in non‐Asian subjects. Three approaches were followed. The first compared the individual PK estimates between the 2 subgroups derived from a population PK model previously built. Next, it was determined whether “Asian subject” was a significant covariate. Finally, a pharmacodynamic analysis was performed by comparing measures of exposure and target attainment. No significant differences were found between PK parameter estimates for Asian and non‐Asian subjects, with median values (range) for clearance of 4.82 L/h (2.12–10.47) and 4.97 L/h (0.493–20.6), respectively (P = .736). “Asian subject” was not a significant covariate in the population PK model. There were no significant differences between the measures of exposure. The geometric mean ratio for the fAUC was 1.022 (90%CI, 0.91–1.15), indicating bioequivalence. Taking a target of 60% coverage of the dose interval, more than 90% of the population in both subgroups was adequately exposed. This analysis demonstrated that there are no PK or pharmacodynamic differences between Asian and non‐Asian subjects for a ceftobiprole dose of 500 mg every 8 hours as a 2‐hour infusion.
Adaptive changes in pancreas post Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass induced weight loss
Authors: Lautenbach A. , Wernecke M. , Riedel N. , Veigel J. , Yamamura J. , Keller S. , Jung R. , Busch P. , Mann O. , Knop F.K. , Holst J.J. , Meier J.J. , Aberle J.
Published: May 2018

Background

Obesity has been shown to trigger adaptive increases in pancreas parenchymal and fat volume. Consecutively, pancreatic steatosis may lead to beta‐cell dysfunction. However, it is not known whether the pancreatic tissue components decrease with weight loss and pancreatic steatosis is reversible following Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the effects of RYGB‐induced weight loss on pancreatic volume and glucose homeostasis.

Methods

Eleven patients were recruited in the Obesity Centre of the University Medical Centre Hamburg‐Eppendorf. Before and 6 months after RYGB, total GLP‐1 levels were measured during oral glucose tolerance test. To assess changes in visceral adipose tissue and pancreatic volume, MRI was performed. Measures of glucose homeostasis and insulin indices were assessed. Fractional beta‐cell area was estimated by correlation with the C‐peptide‐to‐glucose ratio; beta‐cell mass was calculated by the product of beta‐cell area and pancreas parenchymal weight.

Results

Pancreas volume decreased from 83.8 (75.7‐92.0) to 70.5 (58.8‐82.3) cm3 (mean [95% CI], P = .001). The decrease in total volume was associated with a significant decrease in fat volume. Fasting insulin and C‐peptide were lower post RYGB. HOMA‐IR levels decreased, whereas insulin sensitivity increased (P = .03). This was consistent with a reduction in the estimated beta‐cell area and mass.

Conclusions

Following RYGB, pancreatic volume and steatosis adaptively decreased to “normal” levels with accompanying improvement in glucose homeostasis. Moreover, obesity‐driven beta‐cell expansion seems to be reversible; however, future studies must define a method to more accurately estimate functional beta‐cell mass to increase our understanding of glucose homeostasis after RYGB.
A biogeographical profile of the sand cockroach Arenivaga floridensis and its bearing on origin hypotheses for Florida scrub biota
Authors: Lamb Trip , Justice Teresa C. , Brewer Michael S. , Moler Paul E. , Hopkins Heidi , Bond Jason E.
Published: May 2018

Florida scrub is a xeric ecosystem associated with the peninsula's sand ridges, whose intermittent Pliocene–Pleistocene isolation is considered key to scrub endemism. One scrub origin hypothesis posits endemics were sourced by the Pliocene dispersal of arid‐adapted taxa from southwestern North America; a second invokes Pleistocene migration within eastern North America. Only one study to date has explicitly tested these competing hypotheses, supporting an eastern origin for certain scrub angiosperms. For further perspective, we conducted a genetic analysis of an endemic arthropod, the Florida sand cockroach (Arenivaga floridensis), with two aims: (1) to reconstruct the peninsular colonization and residence history of A. floridensis and (2) determine whether its biogeographic profile favors either origin hypothesis. We sequenced the cox2 mitochondrial gene for 237 specimens (65 populations) as well as additional loci (cox1, nuclear H3) for a subset of Florida roaches and congeners. Using Network and Bayesian inference methods, we identified three major lineages whose genetic differentiation and phylogeographical structure correspond with late Pliocene peninsula insularization, indicating Arenivaga was present and broadly distributed in Florida at that time. Stem and crown divergence estimates (6.36 Ma; 2.78 Ma) between A. floridensis and western sister taxa span a period of extensive dispersal by western biota along an arid Gulf Coast corridor. These phylogeographical and phylogenetic results yield a biogeographic profile consistent with the western origin hypothesis. Moreover, age estimates for the roach's peninsular residence complement those of several other endemics, favoring a Pliocene (or earlier) inception of the scrub ecosystem. We argue that eastern versus western hypotheses are not mutually exclusive; rather, a composite history of colonization involving disparate biotas better explains the diverse endemism of Florida scrub.
Electrostatic energy dependence of intensity ratio between nitrogen spectral lines of monovalent ion and neutral atom in electrostatic spark discharge in air
Authors: Miura Takashi
Published: May 2018

For the development of a practical method to estimate the energy of electrostatic air discharge without electrical measurements, the dependence of spectral characteristics of light emission from the spark discharge on electrostatic energy was investigated. It was found that the relative light intensity emitted from a monovalent positive ion of nitrogen (N II) to a nitrogen atom (N I) increased with the electrostatic energy from 0.02 mJ to 20 mJ. In the same electrostatic energy, the intensity ratio, that is the intensity of N II divided by that of N I, increased with the decrease of applied voltage. This implied that the ratio becomes large when increasing the electrostatic energy divided by the breakdown gap length. Separating the measurements into similar voltage groups, the relation between the ratio and the electrostatic energy became clear.
Regulation of the Ba/Sr Ratio of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 and Nanorod Build‐Up through a Topochemical Synthesis Method Using BaTi2O5 as the Template
Authors: Fu Jing , Hou Yudong , Zheng Mupeng , Zhu Mankang
Published: May 2018

One‐dimensional (1D) nano‐ferroelectrics have important applications in the electronics industry, and their high‐quality synthesis has attracted a great deal of interest in the field of the chemistry of materials. In this work, single‐crystal perovskite (Ba0.5,Sr0.5)TiO3 nanorods have been prepared by a topochemical molten‐salt synthesis (TMSS) method. The conversion process and the topochemical mechanism have been investigated, on the basis of XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses. The TMSS method contains two main steps. In the first step, 1D BaTi2O5 nanocrystals are synthesized in a molten environment. In the second step, using these BaTi2O5 monoclinic nanorods as templates, (Ba0.5,Sr0.5)TiO3 perovskite nanorods are constructed through a topochemical reaction. The results reveal that the 1D morphology of (Ba0.5,Sr0.5)TiO3 can be maintained over a wide temperature range, between 800 °C and 1000 °C. Using the 1D BaTi2O5 as a template, the 1D morphology of (Bax,Sr1–x)TiO3 (x = 0.5–1) can be obtained at 900 °C, and the 1D morphology is almost independent of the Ba/Sr ratio. In addition, changing the combination of the A‐site complex ions significantly affects the morphology of the product. For (Ba,Ca)TiO3, the product is assembled in a 1D direction by nanoparticles, not regular nanorods. This TMSS method is facile and can be developed to construct other orientated functional materials.
Study on Catalytic Performance and Deactivation Behavior of HZSM‐5 in Aromatization of Glycerol
Authors: Wang Fei , Chu Xiaozhong , Zhu Fengxia , Li Qiaoqi , Wu Feiyue , Liu Binghua
Published: May 2018

We have investigated both the catalytic performance and deactivation behavior of HZSM‐5 under aromatization of glycerol condition which represents an alternative aromatics manufacturing route for using “green” fuel sources to replace the traditional fossil fuels. The effects of solvents, glycerol contents, reaction temperature and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) on product distribution and coking process over HZSM‐5 were studied. Three stages could be clearly distinguished in HZSM‐5 catalyzed glycerol to aromatics (GTA) process: induction stage, auto‐catalytic stage and rapid deactivation stage. The synergetic effect between methanol and glycerol promoted the conversion of glycerol dehydrated products into aromatic hydrocarbons, resulting in higher yields of aromatics and lower coking rate. More glycerol content in the feed would result in more low temperature coke originated from aldehydes/ketones and less high temperature coke derived from polyaromatics. Under the selected optimum reaction conditions of 450 °C, WHSV=0.71 mL ⋅ g−1 ⋅ h−1 with an methanol/glycerol ratio of 40/60 over HZSM‐5 catalyst, the aromatics yields reached 42.1 % and the catalyst lifetime was 14.5 h. Higher temperature and lower WHSV benefited the production of harder coke while lower temperature and higher WHSV enhances the formation of softer coke.
Balancing QoS and power consumption in programmable 5G infrastructures
Authors: Carrega Alessandro , Portomauro Giancarlo , Repetto Matteo , Robino Giorgio
Published: May 2018

The advent of fifth generation is promising to push far more intelligence than today to the network boundary, hence boosting novel computing models based on fog/edge paradigms. The need for proximity in computation, coupled with various forms of mobility, will be responsible for dynamic shifting of workload within the system, with large fluctuations in resource usage. This eventually turns into poor energy efficiency of the whole infrastructure. However, improving efficiency usually deteriorates quality of service, hence the dilemma about how to balance these two contrasting aspects.

In this paper, we propose a framework that leverages the increasing programmability of ICT infrastructures to pursue a linear relationship between power consumption and workload, while safeguarding quality of service. Our approach is based on workload consolidation and extensions to existing cloud management software. We collected both real measurements from an experimental testbed and performance analysis from simulations to evaluate the consolidation strategy in more complex environments.
Do community‐dwelling Māori and Pacific peoples present with dementia at a younger age and at a later stage compared with NZ Europeans?
Authors: Cullum Sarah , Mullin Katherine , Zeng Irene , Yates Susan , Payman Vahid , Fisher Mark , Cheung Gary
Published: May 2018

Objective

Ethnicity may affect presentation to clinical services in people with dementia; however, no studies have examined this in Māori or Pacific peoples in New Zealand (NZ). Our objective was to examine the routinely collected clinical data from a memory assessment service in South Auckland to examine the presentation of dementia in the major NZ ethnic groups.

Methods

A total of 360 patients presenting to a memory service with a new diagnosis of dementia were included in this study. Demographic data (age, sex, and ethnicity) and dementia sub‐type and severity were analyzed.

Results

There were 142 NZ European (mean age: 79.2, SD 7.4), 43 Māori (mean age: 70.2, SD 7.6), 126 Pacific (mean age: 74.3, SD 7.6), and 49 other ethnicities (mean age: 78.0, SD 8.5) presenting with a new diagnosis of dementia. After adjustment for gender and dementia subtype, Māori and Pacific patients were 8.5 and 5.3 years younger than NZ European patients (P < 0.0001). Pacific peoples tended to present with more advanced dementia (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 0.98–2.70, P = 0.06) after adjustment for age and gender. There was little difference in the subtypes of dementia between ethnic groups.

Conclusions

Māori and Pacific peoples with dementia presented to an NZ memory service at a younger age than NZ Europeans, and Pacific peoples presented with more advanced dementia. A population‐based epidemiological study is critical to determine whether Māori and Pacific peoples have indeed a higher risk of developing dementia at a younger age.
A sociotechnical systems approach to understand complex urban systems: A global transdisciplinary perspective
Authors: Patorniti Nicholas P. , Stevens Nicholas J. , Salmon Paul M.
Published: May 2018

Current approaches for the urban planning and design of our cities and towns are challenged by the inherent complexity of urban systems. Sociotechnical systems thinking is explored here to better understand this complexity and therein assist the service industries involved in urban planning and design practice. Subject matter expert knowledge and insights have been used to inform the development of a work domain analysis model, the first phase of cognitive work analysis. Work domain analysis allows for the constraints, boundaries, and interdependencies within a sociotechnical system to be identified and explored. This analysis describes and models an archetype complex urban system, providing new ways to understand urban complexity and inform urban planning and design practice. Further, the different discipline viewpoints (object worlds) of urban systems are identified within the work domain analysis. The results demonstrate the wide‐ranging and transdisciplinary perspectives on complex urban systems, while also suggesting that cognitive work analysis is a suitable method to better understand their complexity.
Modelling blue and green water availability under climate change in the Beninese Basin of the Niger River Basin, West Africa
Authors: Badou Djigbo Félicien , Diekkrüger Bernd , Kapangaziwiri Evison , Mbaye Mamadou L. , Yira Yacouba , Lawin Emmanuel A. , Oyerinde Ganiyu T. , Afouda Abel
Published: May 2018

The aim of this study was to quantify climate change impact on future blue water (BW) and green water (GW) resources as well as the associated uncertainties for 4 subbasins of the Beninese part of the Niger River Basin. The outputs of 3 regional climate models (HIRHAM5, RCSM, and RCA4) under 2 emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) were downscaled for the historical period (1976–2005) and for the future (2021–2050) using the Statistical DownScaling Model (SDSM). Comparison of climate variables between these 2 periods suggests that rainfall will increase (1.7% to 23.4%) for HIRHAM5 and RCSM under both RCPs but shows mixed trends (−8.5% to 17.3%) for RCA4. Mean temperature will also increase up to 0.48 °C for HIRHAM5 and RCSM but decrease for RCA4 up to −0.37 °C. Driven by the downscaled climate data, future BW and GW were evaluated with hydrological models validated with streamflow and soil moisture, respectively. The results indicate that GW will increase in all the 4 investigated subbasins, whereas BW will only increase in one subbasin. The overall uncertainty associated with the evaluation of the future BW and GW was quantified through the computation of the interquartile range of the total number of model realizations (combinations of regional climate models and selected hydrological models) for each subbasin. The results show larger uncertainty for the quantification of BW than GW. To cope with the projected decrease in BW that could adversely impact the livelihoods and food security of the local population, recommendations for the development of adequate adaptation strategies are briefly discussed.
A general solution for tide‐induced groundwater fluctuation in an estuarine‐coastal confined and unconfined aquifer system
Authors: Fang Hsi‐Ting , Tan Yih‐Chi , Chuang Mo‐Hsiung , Ke Kai‐Yuan , Chen Po‐Chia
Published: May 2018

This paper presents an analytical solution to tide‐induced head fluctuations in a two‐dimensional estuarine‐coastal aquifer system that consists of an unconfined aquifer and a heterogeneous confined aquifer extending under a tidal river with a semipermeable layer between them. This study considers the joint effects of tidal‐river leakage, inland leakage, dimensionless transmissivity between the tidal‐river and inland confined aquifer, and transmissivity anisotropic ratios. The analytical solution for this model is obtained via the separation of variables method. Three existing solutions related to head fluctuation in one‐ or two‐dimensional leaky confined aquifers are considered as special cases in the present solution. This study shows that there is a threshold of tidal‐river confined aquifer length. When the tidal‐river length is greater than the threshold length, the inland head fluctuations remain sensitive to the leakage effect but become insensitive to the tidal‐river width and dimensionless transmissivity. Considering leakage and transmissivity anisotropy, this study also demonstrates that at a location farther from the river–inland boundary, head fluctuations increase with increasing leakage and transmissivity anisotropy; the maximum head fluctuation occurs when leakage and transmissivity anisotropy are both at their maximum values. The combined action of the 3 effects of loading, tidal‐river aquifer leakage, and inland aquifer leakage differs significantly according to various aquifer parameters. The analytical solution in this paper can be applied to demonstrate the behaviours of the head fluctuations of an estuarine‐coastal aquifer system, and the head fluctuations can be clearly described when the tidal and hydrogeological parameters are derived from field measurement data or hypothetical cases.
LESSONS LEARNED AND NEXT STEPS FOR BUILDING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT TRIBAL MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD HOME VISITING
Authors: Whitmore Corrie B. , Sarche Michelle , Ferron Cathy , Moritsugu John , Sanchez Jenae G.
Published: May 2018

Authors in this Special Issue of the Infant Mental Health Journal shared the work of the first three cohorts of Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) grantees funded by the Administration for Children and Families. Since 2010, Tribal MIECHV grantees have served families and children prenatally to kindergarten entry in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities across the lower 48 United States and Alaska. Articles highlighted challenges and opportunities that arose as grantees adapted, enhanced, implemented, and evaluated their home‐visiting models. This article summarizes nine lessons learned across the articles in this Special Issue. Lessons learned address the importance of strengths‐based approaches, relationship‐building, tribal community stakeholder involvement, capacity‐building, alignment of resources and expectations, tribal values, adaptation to increase cultural and contextual attunement, indigenous ways of knowing, community voice, and sustainability. Next steps in Tribal MIECHV are discussed in light of these lessons learned.
APPROACHES TO THE EVALUATION OF CULTURAL ADAPTATIONS OF HOME VISITING IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
Authors: Meyer Aleta , Geary Erin , Heath Debra , Hiratsuka Vanessa , Salvador Melina , Sanchez Jenae , Whitesell Nancy
Published: May 2018

The research that underlies evidence‐based practices is often based on relatively homogenous study samples, thus limiting our ability to understand how the study findings apply in new situations as well as our understanding of what might need to be adapted. In a preliminary effort to address those gaps, the requirements for the Tribal Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) included the expectation that grantees design and implement rigorous evaluations to address local priorities and to help build the knowledge base regarding the use of evidence‐based home‐visiting programs in tribal communities. A priority that emerged across many Tribal MIECHV grantees was to determine the added benefit of the cultural adaptations that they were making to their home‐visiting programs. While there is literature to describe recommended processes for making cultural adaptations to evidence‐based programs themselves, there are very few guidelines for evaluating these adaptations. In this article, we review the varied evaluation approaches utilized by Tribal MIECHV grantees and provide three case examples of how evaluators and tribal communities worked together to articulate evaluation questions and choose appropriate and feasible evaluation designs. The lessons derived from these Tribal MIECHV evaluation experiences have implications for the role of the evaluator in diverse communities across the country evaluating home visiting and other evidence‐based practices in settings characterized by unique cultural contexts.
Establishment and validation of microsampling techniques in wild rodents for ecotoxicological research
Authors: Imholt Christian , Abdulla Tariq , Stevens Alexander , Edwards Peter , Jacob Jens , Woods David , Rogers Elaine , Aarons Leon , Segelcke Daniel
Published: May 2018

Compounds and products in the biocide and plant protection sector can only be registered after formal risk assessment to ensure safety for users and the environment. In bird and mammal risk assessment, this is routinely done using generic focal species as models, which are of particular exposure risk. Such a species is the common vole (Microtus arvalis) due to its high food intake relative to the low body weight. For wild species, biological samples, data and hence realistic exposure estimations are particularly difficult to obtain. In recent years, advances have been made in the techniques related to serial microsampling of laboratory mice and rats that allow for a reduction in sampling volumes. Similar progress in wild species sampling is missing. This study presents a proof of concept to dose wild rodents with relevant compounds and to draw serial, low volume blood samples suitable for state‐of‐the art toxicokinetic analyses. For the first time, the jugular vein of common voles was used to administer compounds (two frequently used fungicidal components). This procedure and the following microsampling of blood (2 × 10 μl six times within 24 hours) from the lateral tail vein did not affect body weight and mortality of voles. Samples were sufficient to detect dissipation patterns of the compounds from blood in toxicokinetic analysis. These results suggest that microsampling can be well translated from laboratory mice to wild rodent species and help to obtain realistic exposure estimates in wild rodents for ecotoxicological studies as well as to promote the 3R concept in studies with wild rodent species.
Photonic crystal enhanced fluorescence immunoassay on diatom biosilica
Authors: Squire Kenneth , Kong Xianming , LeDuff Paul , Rorrer Gregory L. , Wang Alan X.
Published: May 2018

Fluorescence biosensing is one of the most established biosensing methods, particularly fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. These are two highly sensitive techniques but require high‐grade electronics and optics to achieve the desired sensitivity. Efforts have been made to implement these methods using consumer grade electronics and simple optical setups for applications such as point‐of‐care diagnostics, but the sensitivity inherently suffers. Sensing substrates, capable of enhancing fluorescence are thus needed to achieve high sensitivity for such applications. In this paper, we demonstrate a photonic crystal‐enhanced fluorescence immunoassay biosensor using diatom biosilica, which consists of silica frustules with sub‐100 nm periodic pores. Utilizing the enhanced local optical field, the Purcell effect and increased surface area from the diatom photonic crystals, we create ultrasensitive immunoassay biosensors that can significantly enhance fluorescence spectroscopy as well as fluorescence imaging. Using standard antibody‐antigen‐labeled antibody immunoassay protocol, we experimentally achieved 100× and 10× better detection limit with fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging respectively. The limit of detection of the mouse IgG goes down to 10−16 M (14 fg/mL) and 10−15 M (140 fg/mL) for the two respective detection modalities, virtually sensing a single mouse IgG molecule on each diatom frustule. The effectively enhanced fluorescence imaging in conjunction with the simple hot‐spot counting analysis method used in this paper proves the great potential of diatom fluorescence immunoassay for point‐of‐care biosensing.
CuAg nanoparticles formed in situ on electrochemically pre‐anodized screen‐printed carbon electrodes for the detection of nitrate and nitrite anions
Authors: Lo Nai‐Chang , Sun I‐Wen , Chen Po‐Yu
Published: May 2018

CuAg nanoparticles (CuAgNPs) were electrochemically formed in situ on pre‐anodized, screen‐printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) that possessed many oxygen‐containing functional groups capable of adsorbing metal ions, namely Cu2+ and Ag+. Pre‐anodization was achieved using continuous cyclic voltammetry in the range of potential 0.3–2.0 V under a scan rate of 50 mV/s. Cu2+ and Ag+ ions were adsorbed on the pre‐anodized SPCE by immersing the electrode in solutions containing both metal ions, and then CuAgNPs were formed in situ via electrochemical reduction in a deaerated, neat NaClO4 solution after the electrode was ultrasonicated to remove physically adsorbed metal ions. Although CuNPs showed higher activity than AgNPs toward both nitrate (NO3−) and nitrite (NO2−) ions, the instability of CuNPs hindered the application, so CuAgNPs were employed to achieve a compromise between sensitivity and stability. The SPCE/anodized/CuAgNP electrodes showed activity toward the electrochemical reduction of NO3− and NO2−, respectively, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 15.6 μM (0.97 ppm) and 11.1 μM (0.51 ppm), which is sufficient to fit the allowed values (50 and 3 ppm, respectively) in drinking water as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The effect of culture conditions on the accumulation and activity of F0F1 ATP synthase in thermophilic bacteria BacillusPS3
Authors: Lu Hao , Yuan Wenqiao
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

The proton‐translocating protein F0F1 ATP synthase is a transmembrane protein that catalyzes ATP synthesis and is important in artificial photosynthesis and other life science studies. The objective of this study was to understand the accumulation and ATPase activity of F0F1 ATP synthase in the thermophilic bacteria Bacillus PS3 affected by culture conditions, including the type of nitrogen source and the concentrations of polypeptone and sodium chloride in the culture medium, as well as medium pH and aeration rate.

RESULTS

The highest yield and ATPase activity of purified enzymes were obtained when adding polypeptone as the nitrogen source at higher concentrations. Medium pH and aeration rate showed significant effects on the accumulation and activity of F0F1 ATP synthase. Contrarily, sodium chloride concentration had little effect on the growth of PS3 or F0F1 ATP synthase accumulation. The highest yield and specific activity of purified F0F1 ATP synthase achieved were 1.631 g L−1 and 7.99 µmol min−1 mg−1, under the culture conditions of pH 7, aeration of 3 L min−1 and 0.3% NaCl and 1.2% (w/w) polypeptone concentrations. The F0F1 ATP synthase purified was characterized by SDS‐PAGE and contained all expected subunits.

CONCLUSION

All of the studied culture conditions except for NaCl concentration significantly affected Bacillus PS3 cell growth and ATP synthase accumulation and reactivity. Polypeptone at higher concentrations in the culture medium along with neutral pH and greater aeration rates were desirable. Cell growth and ATPase activity of F0F1 ATP synthase were highly positively associated. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
DNA aggregation induced by Mg2+ ions under different conditions
Authors: Bui Van‐Chien , Nguyen Thi‐Huong
Published: May 2018

Cations‐induced DNA aggregation can modify the local structure of oligonucleotides and has potential applications in medicine and biotechnology. Here, we used atomic force microscopy to investigate λ‐DNA aggregation on Mg2+‐treated glass (Mg2+/glass) and in Mg2+ solution. Atomic force microscopy topography images showed that some DNA fragments were slightly stacked together on 10 mM Mg2+/glass and stacked stronger on ≥50 mM Mg2+/glass. They also showed that DNA aggregated stronger in Mg2+ solution than on Mg2+/glass, ie, DNAs are strongly stacked and twisted at 10 mM Mg2+, rolled together at 50 mM Mg2+, and slightly aggregated to form small particles at 100 mM Mg2+. At a specific condition, ie, heating λ‐DNA to 92°C, cooling down to 75°C, adding Mg2+, and vortexing the resulting solution, DNA strongly aggregated and formed pancake‐like shapes at 10 and 50 mM or a large aggregate at 100 mM Mg2+ solutions. Our results may be helpful for medical applications and gene therapy using cation‐DNA technology.
Fabrication of pinhole/micro‐lens array for improving resolution of integral imaging 3‐D display
Authors: Peng Yuyan , Zhou Xiongtu , Zhang Yongai , Guo Tailiang
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we present a new fabrication of micro‐lens array (MLA) with pinhole array—pinhole/micro‐lens array (P/MLA) for integral imaging 3‐D display (II), which combine lithography and ink‐jet printing. A black circular groove array (BCGA) is used as pinhole array, and laser 3‐D microscope and a homemade setup have been used for the characterization of P/MLA. The results show that high‐precision P/MLA can be obtained using BCGA as templates. By controlling the driving voltage at different steps, the distance between nozzle and substrate, as well as the number of liquid droplets, P/MLA with smooth morphology, different sizes, good repeatability of geometry parameters, great uniformity of focusing, and good converging performance can be achieved. For demonstration, P/MLA with curvature, focal length, numerical aperture, and F‐number of 815.8 μm, 1.60 mm, 0.1311, and 3.8 are applied for the reconstruction in II, exhibiting good reconstruction performance with high resolution, and BCGA reduces the influence of stray light on II and improves the quality of the reconstructed image.
Struvite recovered from various types of wastewaters: Characteristics, soil leaching behaviour, and plant growth
Authors: Ahmed Naveed , Shim Soomin , Won Seunggun , Ra Changsix
Published: May 2018

Phosphorus (P) is a nonrenewable resource that can be recycled from high nutrient (N and P)‐containing wastewaters as struvite that has 5.7% N and 12.5% P, has lower heavy metal content, is sparingly soluble in water, is highly soluble in organic acids, is devoid of pathogens, is non‐toxic, and can leach nutrients very slowly for longer periods compared with highly soluble mineral fertilizers that leach nutrients very quickly. Leaching of nutrients from struvite can be enhanced by soil nitrification rates, powdered form, and mixing with soil, whereas leaching can be decreased by application on soil surface and granulation. Several plants such as maize, lettuce, ryegrass, and wheat were successfully grown using struvite with higher, comparable, or lesser growth and P uptake compared with commercial fertilizers. High growth and P uptake was synergistically complemented due to high Mg concentrations. As a whole, struvite can be a sustainable and renewable alternative to the mineral fertilizers.
Farmers' perceptions and adaptation behaviours concerning land degradation: A theoretical framework and a case‐study in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of China
Authors: Liu Kai , Huisingh Donald , Zhu Junming , Ma Yan , O'Connor David , Hou Deyi
Published: May 2018

Land degradation through environmental pollution represents a serious threat to vulnerable populations in rural China. To better understand farmers' perceptions of land degradation and their corresponding adaptation behaviour, this paper presents a theoretical framework to explain the interactions among awareness, perception, mitigation, and adaptation, and tests the framework using a case‐study. A case‐study was conducted in Qinghai, where historical environmental pollution from a chemical plant had caused the contamination of soil, groundwater, and river water, which had negatively impacted the livelihood of local farmers. A questionnaire survey was conducted (n = 277), and the results were used to test the theoretical framework using structural equation modelling. Results indicated strong structural relationships between awareness and perceptions (r = .75, p < .01), a relatively strong relationship between mitigation and adaptation (r = .63, p = .02), and a weak relationship between perception and mitigation (r = .20, p = .54). The study results suggested that farmers were well aware of land degradation issues, but they lacked in‐depth knowledge about the situation and about sophisticated adaptation methods; therefore, they had chosen the easiest adaptation strategy‐ to avoid the degraded land. The farmers were less willing to bear significant financial costs in adaptation; however, the proportion of respondents adopting ‘moving’ as an adaptation strategy was relatively high, suggesting that farmland degradation in combination with employment opportunities in urban areas may be causing environmental displacement and accelerating urbanization. The authors of this paper recommend that policymakers should consider more than just technical factors in addressing China's environmental pollution and land degradation problems. The socio‐economic status of farmers should be a critical component in the equation, and bottom‐up empowerment adaptation behaviour should be used in combination with top‐down mitigation.
Transcriptome Analysis of Potential miRNA Involved in Adipogenic Differentiation of C2C12 Myoblasts
Authors: Hou Ye , Fu Liangliang , Li Jingjin , Li Jingxuan , Zhao Yunxia , Luan Yu , Liu An , Liu Huiying , Li Xinyun , Zhao Shuhong , Li Changchun
Published: May 2018

>Emerging evidence indicates that microRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in adipogenesis and disease pathogenesis. To investigate the miRNA involved in regulating different periods of adipogenesis, we performed a comprehensive study on microRNAome during the stimulation of adipogenesis by an adipogenic differentiation cocktail in C2C12 myoblasts at 0, 2, 4, and 7 days using the Solexa sequencing technology. In this study, we identified 52 differentially expressed (DE) miRNA. Functional annotation indicated that the target genes of DE miRNA were mostly enriched in adipogenic transdifferentiation and fat metabolism‐related pathways, including Wnt, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and insulin signaling. The insulin signaling pathway was further analyzed for its close connections to Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways as well as for the containing of thymoma viral proto‐oncogene‐3 (Akt3) and glycogen synthase kinase‐3 beta (Gsk3b), which were both target genes predicted by most DE miRNA. CLIP‐seq (crosslinking‐immunprecipitation and high‐throughput sequencing) data showed that Akt3 was targeted by seven DE miRNA, including five upregulated (miR‐203‐3p, miR‐181c‐5p, miR‐322‐5p, miR‐351‐5p, and miR‐181a‐5p) and two downregulated (miR‐15b‐5p and miR‐17‐5p) ones. Likewise, Gsk3b was targeted by six DE miRNA, including four upregulated (miR‐199a‐3p, miR‐126‐5p, miR‐26a‐5p, and miR‐101a‐3p) and two downregulated (miR‐150‐5p and miR‐140‐3p) ones. Moreover, Akt3 could regulate the key transcription factor (TF) Foxo1, targeted by two downregulated miRNA (miR‐96‐5p and miR‐183‐5p). The expression levels of Akt3 and Gsk3b were downregulated, and TF Foxo1, which worked on the transcription axis of Pgc1a–Pparα–Rxrg–Pparγ to regulate adipogenesis, was upregulated. In conclusion, DE miRNA stimulated the adipogenesis of C2C12 myoblasts through the targeted insulin signaling pathway involving the genes Akt3, Gsk3b, and TF Foxo1.
(Pseudo)digraphs and Leibniz algebra isomorphisms
Authors: Ceballos Manuel , Núñez Juan , Tenorio Ángel F.
Published: May 2018

This paper studies the link between isomorphic digraphs and isomorphic Leibniz algebras, determining in detail this fact when using (psuedo)digraphs of 2 and 3 vertices associated with Leibniz algebras according to their isomorphism classes. Moreover, we give the complete list with all the combinatorial structures of 3 vertices associated with Leibniz algebras, studying their isomorphism classes. We also compare our results with the current classifications of 2‐ and 3‐dimensional Leibniz algebras. Finally, we introduce and implement the algorithmic procedure used for our goals and devoted to decide if a given combinatorial structure is associated or not with a Leibniz algebra.
Raw material preferences for scapular tools: Evaluating water buffalo age bias in the earlyHemudu culture,China
Authors: Xie L. , Stiner M.C.
Published: May 2018

Our research on scapular earth‐working implements from the early Hemudu culture (7000–6000bp) in China reveals prehistoric raw material selection in bone tool manufacture, specifically in regard to animal age. Although the scapula normally would not be considered for distinguishing among adult age classes, the maturity and thickness of the bone were an important consideration for its technological performance.

Statistical analysis of the width and rugosity level of the scapular neck show that scapulae from older adult wild buffalo was strongly preferred for crafting earth‐working implements. This raw material was less commonly available to tool makers in comparison with the bones of younger animals. In order to conserve the scapulae of old buffalo for tool production, the Hemudu people likely took these heavy bones from kill sites. They seldom transported scapulae from younger animals; such raw material was rarely used, and presumably only when the desirable material was unavailable.

Our approaches for reconstructing buffalo mortality patterns are based on the development of the scapular bone. In addition to water buffalo and cattle, the approach is applicable to other ungulate scapulae that have been transformed into artefacts (tools and oracle bones) in prehistoric and historic cultures. This attempt at testing for age bias in scapular raw material selection can further stimulate methodological development to reveal activities surrounding bone acquisition in preindustrial societies.