bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The meaning of caring for nursing students in a baccalaureate nursing program: An arts-based inquiry
Authors: Parsons Karen , Porr Caroline , Pike April , Kelly Paula
Published: August 2019

Objective: To determine the meaning of caring for nursing students in order to inform development of a caring curriculum for a four-year Bachelor of Nursing Program.Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological method was employed to explore the meaning students ascribed to caring in nursing. Students drew from their own experiences within the context of nursing education. Arts-based inquiry was used as the medium to elicit students’ reflections of the meaning of caring. Seven nursing students participated in the study. Each student was asked to paint a picture capturing the meaning of caring in nursing, followed by one semi-structured audio-recorded interview. Data analysis followed the seven-step method of contextual analysis described by Diekelmann, Allan and Tanner (1989), and incorportated the methods of van Manen (1990).Results: Four themes emerged from the interview data: a) caring comes from within, b) caring is being the best you can be, c) caring is providing holistic care, and d) caring cannot be taught.Conclusions: Arts-based inquiry and the phenomenological method enabled in-depth exploration of the meaning of caring in nursing for seven nursing students. Arts-based inquiry can serve as an effective educational strategy for facilitating and fostering nurse caring among nursing students. The findings from this study have important implications for designing and implementing a caring curriculum in a baccalaureate nursing program including ensuring a caring learning environment is established for nursing students. A caring curriculum will advance student caring, and, ultimately, promote higher quality nursing care delivery.
Principles of Indifference
Authors: Eva Benjamin ,   Journal of Philosophy Inc.
Published: August 2019

The principle of indifference (PI) states that in the absence of any relevant evidence, a rational agent will distribute their credence equally among all the possible outcomes under consideration. Despite its intuitive plausibility, PI famously falls prey to paradox, and so is widely rejected as a principle of ideal rationality. In this article, I present a novel rehabilitation of PI in terms of the epistemology of comparative confidence judgments. In particular, I consider two natural comparative reformulations of PI and argue that while one of them prescribes the adoption of patently irrational epistemic states, the other (which is only available when we drop the standard but controversial “Opinionation” assumption from the comparative confidence framework) provides a consistent formulation of PI that overcomes the most salient limitations of existing formulations.
Molecular docking study of oligonucleotides with D-mannitol
Authors: Shchodryi V. , Lozhko D. , Tkachuk Z.
Published: August 2019

Aim. Complex of yeast RNA and D-mannitol has a specific antiviral activity. This complex inhibits the neuraminidase and hemagglutinin activity of viruses such as influenza, parainfluenza and thus it blocks virus entry into the cell and his replication. So, nowadays, study of the interaction of this compound is an important task. Study interaction of the oligoribonucleotides and oligodesoxynucleotides with D mannitol molecule. Methods. Molecular modeling structure of oligoribonucleotides and oligodesoxynucleotides were done by using «Hyperchem» software package. The AutoDock program was used to perform accuracy molecular docking. Results. Were obtained binding energies of D-mannitol molecule with oligoribonucleotides and oligodesoxynucleotides. We have shown the possible connections between atoms of oligonucleotides and D-mannitol molecule. Conclusions. The modeling results should give more detailed information about nature of the oligonucleotides binding with a shugar alcohol D-mannitol.Keywords: molecular docking, oligonucleotides, D-mannitol, binding energies.
New interactions of invadopodia scaffold protein TKS5 with proteins that take part in actin cytoskeleton reorganization, endo-/exocytosis and membrane remodeling
Authors: Nemesh Y. M. , Kropyvko S. V.
Published: August 2019

Aim. TKS5 is a key scaffold protein of invadopodia. In its absence, the cells completely lose the ability to form invadopodia. This fact makes TKS5 a potential target for cancer cure and one of the central proteins in the investigation of cancer cell invasion. Additionally, the question remains about the function of TKS5 in normal cells. Therefore, in order to extend knowledge about TKS5 role in healthy and invasive cells, we tested the TKS5 interaction with the proteins involved in signal transduction: PLCγ1, SRC, CRK, CSK; the proteins involved in plasma membrane remodeling: AMPH1, BIN1, CIN85, ITSN1, ITSN2; the protein involved in the actin cytoskeleton rearrangement: CTTN. Methods. We used the GST Pull-down assay to identify the protein-protein interaction. Results. We revealed that TKS5 SH3 domains interact with CIN85. There were identified TKS5 interactions with SH3 domains of CTTN, ITSN1, ITSN2, AMPH1 and BIN1. Conclusions. TKS5 interacts with CIN85, CTTN, ITSN1, ITSN2, AMPH1 and BIN1, which take part in membrane remodeling, endo-/exocytosis and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. Keywords: TKS5, scaffold proteins, actin cytoskeleton, plasma membrane.
Late Spinal Implant Infection caused by Cutibacterium acnes
Authors: Gisler Valentin , Benneker Lorin , Sendi Parham
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Cutibacterium spp. have been frequently associated with foreign-body material infections. The vast majority of these infections occur via the exogenous route. Rarely, haematogenous infections occur, possibly seeding from pilosebaceous glands. A late spinal implant-associated infection is presented in this case report, and the possible sources of haematogenous seeding are discussed.
Les archives manuscrites avouent ! Papier d’écriture en Nouvelle-France au XVIIe siècle : usages, usagers et catégories de documents
Authors: Gendron Céline
Published: August 2019

En dépit de l’absence de production papetière en Nouvelle-France au XVIIesiècle, plusieurs sources révèlent le nombre important de documents produits sur place. Notre recherche doctorale a mis en évidence la provenance du papier d’écriture utilisé à cette époque, comme venant principalement des provinces françaises de l’Angoumois et de l’Auvergne. Notre recherche a aussi mis en évidence trois aspects interreliés au papier d’écriture, à savoir les usages auxquels il est destiné, les usagers qui le consomment ainsi que les diverses catégories de documents qui naissent de son utilisation. Ce papier d’écriture trouve ses usages dans la transcription de toute une série d’activités propres à la colonie naissante. Des usagers multiples – compagnies, administrations ou individus – soutenus par leur ambition personnelle ou le « bien d’autrui » sont engagés dans des activités diverses pour la construction d’une nouvelle colonie. Parmi l’ensemble des activités qui sous-tendent des liens étroits entre le monde atlantique français et le papier au XVIIe siècle, sept retiennent notre attention : la gestion administrative de la métropole et sa colonie nord-américaine ; l’utilisation sous-jacente du papier comme support aux efforts missionnaires ; les procédés utilisés par la classe marchande pour conduire ses affaires ; le nécessaire qui accompagne les explorateurs, les voyageurs et les militaires en déplacement et/ou en poste dans la colonie ; l’administration des communautés religieuses ; les actes notariés qui ponctuent la vie quotidienne ; et la correspondance entre individus. Notre article illustre les caractéristiques professionnelles des personnes engagées dans ces activités, leur rapport avec les usages du papier d’écriture et les catégories de documents ainsi produits. Nos exemples sont choisis à partir du corpus de documents d’archives manuscrites provenant de centres d’archives publics et privés ainsi que des documents manuscrits de la Collection Baby de l’Université de Montréal.
Sortir de la Grande Noirceur grâce aux documents d’archives
Authors: Rouillard Jacques
Published: August 2019

L’objectif de ce texte est de montrer l’importance de l’acquisition, de la conservation et du classement des documents d’archives pour cerner notre histoire et éviter que le récit historique devienne une construction mythique sans fondement véritable. Les bibliothécaires et les archivistes sont en quelque sorte les gardiens de la mémoire d’une société. Il appartient aux historiens de consulter ces documents pour comprendre et interpréter le passé. Malheureusement, ce n’est pas ce cheminement qui s’est imposé dans la représentation de l’histoire du Québec contemporain qui domine encore notre mémoire collective, selon laquelle le Québec francophone d’avant 1960 est une société monolithique et ultraconservatrice, qui serait entrée de plain-pied dans la modernité à l’occasion de la Révolution tranquille. Cette vision du passé, portée par des intellectuels impatients d’en finir avec le régime de Maurice Duplessis et influencée par une lecture de l’histoire du Québec mise de l’avant par plusieurs sociologues, repose sur une recherche historique très sommaire. Elle est remise en question à partir des années 1970 par des historiens intéressés à l’histoire du Québec récent, dont la formation et la méthodologie les portent à accorder une importance primordiale à la consultation de fonds d’archives. Leurs travaux apportent un nouvel éclairage sur l’histoire du Québec depuis la Confédération. Loin d’être une société figée où règne l’unanimité sociale, il apparaît que le pouvoir clérical est contrebalancé par d’autres forces venant des milieux politiques et syndicaux. Il en ressort l’image d’une société, sans doute distincte, mais aussi diversifiée. C’est ce que l’auteur montre à partir de travaux qu’il a réalisés depuis plus de quarante ans portant sur divers aspects de l’histoire du Québec. La représentation misérabiliste du passé sous le signe de la Grande Noirceur et de l’impuissance est un mythe qui affecte la psychologie collective des Québécois et Québécoises, les porte à rejeter une large portion de leur passé et contribue à ternir leur sens d’identité.
DISCo-microbe: Design of an identifiable synthetic community of microbes
Authors: Carper Dana L , Lawrence Travis J , Carrell Alyssa A , Pelletier Dale A , Weston David J
Published: August 2019

Background

Microbiomes are extremely important for their host organisms, providing many vital functions and extending their hosts’ phenotypes. Natural studies of host-associated microbiomes can be difficult to interpret due to the high complexity of microbial communities, which hinders our ability to track and identify individual members along with the many factors that structure or perturb those communities. For this reason, researchers have turned to synthetic or constructed communities in which the identities of all members are known. However, due to the lack of tracking methods and the difficulty of creating a more diverse and identifiable community that can be distinguished through next-generation sequencing, most such in vivo studies have used only a few strains.

Results

To address this issue, we developed DISCo-microbe, a program for the design of an identifiable synthetic community of microbes for use in in vivo experimentation. The program is composed of two modules; (1) create, which allows the user to generate a highly diverse community list from an input DNA sequence alignment using a custom nucleotide distance algorithm, and (2) subsample, which subsamples the community list to either represent a number of grouping variables, including taxonomic proportions, or to reach a user-specified maximum number of community members. As an example, we demonstrate the generation of a synthetic microbial community that can be distinguished through amplicon sequencing. The synthetic microbial community in this example consisted of 2340 members from a starting DNA sequence alignment of 10,000 16S rRNA sequences from the Ribosomal Database Project. We then subsampled the community list using taxonomic proportions to mimic a natural plant host–associated microbiome, ultimately yielding a diverse community of 853 members.

Conclusions

DISCo-microbe can create a highly diverse community list of microbes that can be distinguished through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and has the ability to subsample (i.e., design) the community for the desired number of members and taxonomic proportions. Although developed for bacteria, the program allows for any alignment input from any taxonomic group, making it broadly applicable. The software and data are freely available from GitHub (https://github.com/dlcarper/DISCo-microbe) and Python Package Index (PYPI).
Pollen report: quantitative review of pollen crude protein concentrations offered by bee pollinated flowers in agricultural and non-agricultural landscapes
Authors: Pamminger Tobias , Becker Roland , Himmelreich Sophie , Schneider Christof W. , Bergtold Matthias
Published: August 2019

To ease nutritional stress on managed as well as native bee populations in agricultural habitats, agro-environmental protection schemes aim to provide alternative nutritional resources for bee populations during times of need. However, such efforts have so far focused on quantity (supply of flowering plants) and timing (flower-scarce periods) while ignoring the quality of the two main bee relevant flower-derived resources (pollen and nectar). As a first step to address this issue we have compiled one geographically explicit dataset focusing on pollen crude protein concentration, one measurement traditionally associated with pollen quality for bees. We attempt to provide a robust baseline for protein levels bees can collect in- (crop and weed species) and off-field (wild plants) in agricultural habitats around the globe. Using this dataset we identify crops which provide sub-optimal pollen resources in terms of crude protein concentration for bees and suggest potential plant genera that could serve as alternative resources for protein. This information could be used by scientists, regulators, bee keepers, NGOs and farmers to compare the pollen quality currently offered in alternative foraging habitats and identify opportunities to improve them. In the long run, we hope that additional markers of pollen quality will be added to the database in order to get a more complete picture of flower resources offered to bees and foster a data-informed discussion about pollinator conservation in modern agricultural landscapes.
The effects of detraining and retraining periods on fat-mass and fat-free mass in elite male soccer players
Authors: Suarez-Arrones Luis , Lara-Lopez Pilar , Maldonado Rafael , Torreno Nacho , De Hoyo Moises , Nakamura Fabio Yuzo , Di Salvo Valter , Mendez-Villanueva Alberto
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of a detraining period (DTP) (i.e., off-season) with an individually prescribed training program, and a retraining period (RTP) (i.e., pre-season) combining soccer and flywheel-based strength training on fat-free mass (FFM) and fat-mass (FM) in 10 elite professional male soccer players. The present study used a controlled repeated-measures research design to investigate the changes in FFM and FM using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Whole body %FM increased (effect size (ES) = 0.87 ± 0.46) and FFM reduced after DTP (ES = −0.30 ± 0.19), returning to values comparable to the end of the previous season after RTP. At regional levels, arms, legs, and trunk %FM increased (ES = from 0.42 to 1.29) while trunk-FFM was reduced (ES = −0.40 ± 0.26) after DTP, returning to the values observed at the end of the previous season after RTP. Legs-FFM did not change after DTP, with a substantial increase after RTP in comparison with pre-season values (ES = 0.34 ± 0.29 and 0.53 ± 0.36 for the right and left leg, respectively). Despite the small sample size of the present study, the findings indicate that elite soccer players can be allowed 2 weeks of rest during a five-week DTP, since the changes in %FM and FFM were relatively small, and FM and FFM returned to the optimal initial values for competition after the proposed RTP during the pre-season.
The effect of mangrove restoration on avian assemblages of a coastal lagoon in southern Mexico
Authors: Canales-Delgadillo Julio Cesar , Perez-Ceballos Rosela , Zaldivar-Jimenez Mario Arturo , Merino-Ibarra Martin , Cardoza Gabriela , Cardoso-Mohedano Jose-Gilberto
Published: August 2019

Background

Mangrove forests provide many ecosystem services, including the provision of habitat that supports avian biodiversity. However, hurricanes can knock down trees, alter hydrologic connectivity, and affect avian habitat. In 1995, Hurricanes Opal and Roxanne destroyed approximately 1,700 ha of mangrove forest in Laguna de Términos, Mexico. Since then, hydrological restoration has been implemented to protect the mangrove forest and its biodiversity.

Methods

Since avian communities are often considered biological indicators of ecosystem quality, avian diversity and species relative abundance were evaluated as indicators of mangrove restoration success by comparing undisturbed mangrove patches with those affected by the hurricanes. Using bird surveys, similarity analyses, and generalized linear models, we evaluated the effects of water quality variables and forest structure on the relative abundance and diversity of the avian community in disturbed, restored, and undisturbed mangrove patches.

Results

Higher bird species richness and relative abundances were found in disturbed and restored sites compared to the undisturbed site. After restoration, values of frequency of flooding, water temperature, tree density, and the number of tree species were more similar to that of the undisturbed site than to the values of the disturbed one. Such variables influenced the relative abundance of bird guilds in the different habitat conditions. Furthermore, some insectivorous bird species, such as the Yellow Warbler and Tropical Kingbird, were found to be similarly abundant in both undisturbed and restored sites, but absent or very low in occurrence at the disturbed site.

Conclusions

Collectively, our results strongly suggest that hydrologic restoration helps to enhance niche availability for different bird guilds, including water and canopy bird species. Our work can help inform management strategies that benefit avian communities in mangrove forests and wetland systems.
Effect of Selected Oils on Antioxidant and Physicochemical Properties of Breakfast Sausage
Authors: Oshibanjo D. O. , Olusola O. O. , Luka J. S. , Adesope A. I. , Abegunde Lawrence , Gbeffe K. A. , Adeniyi A. K. , Akwashiki M. A.
Published: August 2019

Aims: The process of degradation converts fatty acid esters of oils into free fatty acids, by reaction with air, moisture and/or other materials. The main cause of rancidity of lipids is the oxidative deterioration of unsaturated fatty acids through a free-radical chain mechanism called lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study seek to evaluate the effect of selected oils on antioxidant and physicochemical properties of breakfast sausage.

Methodology: Breakfast sausage was prepared (g/100 g: beef 65.0, corn flour 10.0, oil 10.0, others 13.0). Lard, was replaced with shea butter, olive oil or groundnut oil in a completely randomized design. Prepared sausages were subjected to iodine values, acid values, saponification values, physicochemical evaluation and oxidative rancidity. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05.

Results: The iodine value was higher in olive oil-based sausages and lowest in lard-based sausages. The acid value was significantly higher in lard-based sausages, having the highest acid value of with least value in no oil-based sausage. The saponification values were higher in the groundnut oil-based breakfast sausage while the least saponification value was recorded in treatment A.  Groundnut oil-based breakfast sausage had the highest dimensional shrinkage of 18.52% while olive oil-based breakfast sausages had the least dimensional shrinkage of 8.53%. Breakfast sausages prepared with groundnut oil had the highest cooking loss of 33.22% while the breakfast sausages prepared with olive oil had the lowest cooking loss of 15.69%. The result obtained from this study shows that no oil-based sausages had the highest pH (6.26) while olive oil based sausage had the lowest pH (6.09). The oxidative rancidity was higher in lard-based sausage but lower in olive oil-based sausage.

Conclusion: Lard can be replaced in breakfast sausages with olive oil due to its high antioxidant and physicochemical properties.
The Big Bang or the Conductivity of the Interstellar Space
Authors: Neumann Libor
Published: August 2019

Based on the non-zero conductivity hypothesis of the interstellar space, an alternative cosmological model called “Knowledge spherocone“ is formulated. Its significant feature is the ultimate size of a scientifically recognizable universe. It also formulated the hypothesis of ageing light in interstellar space, and calculated the approximate value of skin depth of light in interstellar space. Part of the article is a discussion of the consistency of the formulated cosmological model with experimentally verified physical laws.The text is complemented by analyses of the Big Bang theory conflict with experimentally verified physical laws and internal inconsistencies of Big Bang theory.
Effects of Exchange Rate on Foreign Direct Investment Inflow in Nigeria
Authors: Chikwue Chukwurah, Josephine
Published: August 2019

Aims: This study examined the place of exchange rate in determining foreign direct investment inflow into the Nigerian economy using time series data from 1980 to 2017.

Study Design:  Historical research design method was adopted for the study, it uses secondary sources and a variety of primary documentary evidence.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of economics, faculty of social sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, between September 2010 and May 2018.

Methodology: The method adopted for this study was the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation approach and error correction mechanism within the framework of dynamic OLS (DOLS) estimation. The analysis began with a verification of the unit root properties of the variables. The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Philips-Perron (PP) unit root procedures were employed and both tests indicate that the variables were integrated of either order I(0) or order I(1). This warranted the use of Bounds testing approach in determining the cointegration among the variables in the various equations in the selected countries. Analysis using the Bounds testing approach to cointegration confirmed the existence of long run relation among the variables of the models. In determining the impact of exchange rate on foreign direct investment inflow in Nigeria, we estimated an ARDL model.

Results: The results indicate that exchange rate affects FDI in both the long and short run. The result also reveals that the impact of exchange rate on FDI in the short run continuous up to three periods after the initial disturbance.

Conclusion: This study concluded that exchange rate appreciation will lead to increases in foreign direct investment inflow. The study therefore recommended, amongst others, that government should apply exchange rate regime that is competitive at the international market so as to attract more FDI inflow to the Nigeria economy.
Reliability of Redundant Fault‐Tolerant Systems
Authors: Somani Arun K.
Published: August 2019

Computer systems are now prevalent due to the progress in the fabrication processes and the development of respective technologies. This progress brings interesting challenges in terms of possible faults occurrence, as the technology produces smaller (geometries) and faster transistors (smaller transition times). A report by NASA, in September 2009, indicates that cosmic ray intensities have increased by 19% above the previously estimated level of intensities. This is due to variation in the solar activity. Recent studies suggest that single‐event upsets and single‐event transients may occur at the ground level. The future architectures thus require built‐in fault tolerance. In this article, we review traditional as well as recent methods to achieve full computing potential of small‐scale technologies effectively. We explore substantial breadth and depth of most foundational concepts, using a variety of illustrations, scenario‐based examples, mathematical analyses and discussions. We envision that future systems will integrate hardware and software mechanisms with minimal performance impact and overhead to manage computations dynamically. We believe future researchers doing both innovative and applied work in these areas will find this article useful.
Load‐modulated Balanced Amplifier
Authors: Quaglia Roberto , Collins David , Powell Jeffrey
Published: August 2019

The load‐modulated balanced amplifier (LMBA) is an amplifier architecture that effectively exploits the load‐modulation concept. Other load‐modulated architectures have been used before for the design of power amplifiers (PAs), such as the Doherty amplifier. In particular, in those cases, the load modulation has been used as an efficiency‐enhancement technique in the presence of modulated signals with large amplitude dynamic. The LMBA is a more recent invention and addresses some important limitations of the Doherty amplifiers, above all the limited bandwidth, thanks to the balanced structure that can be intrinsically broadband. This article describes the theoretical basis of the LMBA and identifies the clear differences compared to the Doherty solution when used to improve back‐off efficiency. A guide for the design with real transistors is also provided, and real examples are given. Finally, other possible uses of the LMBA and suggestions for further research are provided.
Reflectionless Filter Topologies
Authors: Morgan Matthew
Published: August 2019

Reflectionless filters are a class of lumped‐element circuits and transmission‐line topologies which, insofar as the elements are ideal, have identically zero reflection coefficients at all ports and at all frequencies from DC to infinity. Developed in the mid 2010's, they differ from previous first‐ and second‐order constant‐resistance implementations in that complex filter responses of arbitrarily high order may be realized without any excess flat loss in the pass‐band. Such filters find considerable use in systems applications where adjoining components may be sensitive to reactive terminations out‐of‐band. While most components are characterized in the lab with broadband, matched terminations (e.g., ) on all of their ports, this is not always representative of the embedding impedances they will see in real systems. Reflectionless filters provide a means of reproducing the laboratory impedance environment for sensitive components while filtering the frequency spectrum and limiting out‐of‐band interactions between functional blocks. Whereas conventional filters can only block unwanted signals from passing, reflectionless filters remove them from the system by dissipation.
miR‐367 as a therapeutic target in stem‐like cells from embryonal central nervous system tumors
Authors: Kaid Carolini , Jordan Dione , Bueno Heloisa Maria de Siqueira , Araujo Bruno Henrique Silva , Assoni Amanda , Okamoto Oswaldo Keith
Published: August 2019

Aberrant expression of the pluripotency factor OCT4A in embryonal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) is a key factor that contributes to tumor aggressiveness and correlates with poor patient survival. OCT4A overexpression has been shown to up‐regulate miR‐367, a microRNA (miRNA) that regulates pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and stem‐like aggressive traits in cancer cells. Here, we show that (a) miR‐367 is carried in microvesicles derived from embryonal CNS tumor cells expressing OCT4A; and (b) inhibition of miR‐367 in these cells attenuates their aggressive traits. miR‐367 silencing in OCT4A‐overexpressing tumor cells significantly reduced their proliferative and invasive behavior, clonogenic activity, and tumorsphere generation capability. In vivo, targeting of miR‐367 through direct injections of a specific inhibitor into the cerebrospinal fluid of Balb/C nude mice bearing OCT4A‐overexpressing tumor xenografts inhibited tumor development and improved overall survival. miR‐367 was also shown to target SUZ12, one of the core components of the polycomb repressive complex 2 known to be involved in epigenetic silencing of pluripotency‐related genes, including POU5F1, which encodes OCT4A. Our findings reveal possible clinical applications of a cancer stemness pathway, highlighting miR‐367 as a putative liquid biopsy biomarker that could be further explored to improve early diagnosis and prognosis prediction, and potentially serve as a therapeutic target in aggressive embryonal CNS tumors.
Software Reliability
Authors: Kuo Lynn , Chiang I. Robert
Published: August 2019

The demand for complex software systems has increased more rapidly than the ability to design, implement, test, and maintain them, and the reliability of software systems has become a major concern for our modern society. Many major disruptions in the financial, transportation, and other industry sectors were due to computer software failures. This article focuses on the modeling, measurements, and recent trends of software testing and reliability.
James–Stein Estimator: Introduction
Authors: Baer Benjamin R. , Wells Martin T. , Casella George
Published: August 2019

For a multivariate normal distribution with independent components, the observed vector is an inadmissible estimator of the mean vector. The James–Stein estimator defines a statistic with lower squared error loss than the observed vector. It has led to research into families of minimax estimators, some of which are summarized.
Generalized Pairwise Comparisons
Authors: Buyse Marc
Published: August 2019

The Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney U‐statistic can be extended to perform generalized pairwise comparisons between two groups of observations. The observations are outcomes captured by a single variable, possibly repeatedly measured, or by several variables of any type (e.g., discrete, continuous, and time‐to‐event). Generalized pairwise comparisons can include an arbitrary number of (possibly prioritized) outcomes and thresholds of clinical relevance. They extend standard nonparametric tests and lead to a general measure of the difference between the groups, the “net benefit,” which is the probability that a patient randomly selected from the treatment group has a better outcome than a patient randomly selected from the control group, minus the probability of the opposite situation.
Copper‐Zinc Superoxide Dismutases in Plants: Evolution, Enzymatic Properties, and Beyond
Authors: Dreyer Bernd H. , Schippers Jos H. M.
Published: August 2019

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a primary antioxidant enzyme that can be found in organisms from all kingdoms of life. Its date of origin indicates a pivotal role in the evolution of life on our planet. The SOD family is subdivided into different classes based upon the metal‐cofactor these enzymes use. In this article, we specifically emphasise the role and appearance of the youngest enzyme, copper‐zinc SOD (CuZnSOD). We discuss the evolution of CuZnSODs and the emergence of COPPER CHAPERONE FOR SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE (CCS) proteins. SODs were initially appreciated for their antioxidant properties and potential to improve plant stress tolerance. However, recent findings indicate a role for SODs in maintaining reactive oxygen species (ROS) gradients to guide plant developmental processes. Moreover, after nearly 50 years of research on SODs, these enzymes still hold many surprises as evidenced by the recent finding that SOD in yeast acts as a transcriptional regulator. In this article, we aim at giving an overview of the current knowledge on SODs in plants and highlight avenues for future research endeavours, as there is still so much to learn.
Monolayer Graphene Coating of Intracortical Probes for Long‐Lasting Neural Activity Monitoring
Authors: Bourrier Antoine , Shkorbatova Polina , Bonizzato Marco , Rey Elodie , Barraud Quentin , Courtine Gregoire , Othmen Riadh , Reita Valerie , Bouchiat Vincent , Delacour Cécile
Published: August 2019

The invasiveness of intracortical interfaces currently used today is responsible for the formation of an intense immunoresponse and inflammatory reaction from neural cells and tissues. This leads to a high concentration of reactive glial cells around the implant site, creating a physical barrier between the neurons and the recording channels. Such a rejection of foreign analog interfaces causes neural signals to fade from recordings which become flooded by background noise after a few weeks. Despite their invasiveness, those devices are required to track single neuron activity and decode fine sensory or motor commands. In particular, such quantitative and long‐lasting recordings of individual neurons are crucial during a long time period (several months) to restore essential functions of the cortex, disrupted after injuries, stroke, or neurodegenerative diseases. To overcome this limitation, graphene and related materials have attracted numerous interests, as they gather in the same material many suitable properties for interfacing living matter, such as an exceptionally high neural affinity, diffusion barrier, and high physical robustness. In this work, the neural affinity of a graphene monolayer with numerous materials commonly used in neuroprostheses is compared, and its impact on the performance and durability of intracortical probes is investigated. For that purpose, an innovative coating method to wrap 3D intracortical probes with a continuous monolayer graphene is developed. Experimental evidence demonstrate the positive impact of graphene on the bioacceptance of conventional intracortical probes, in terms of detection efficiency and tissues responses, allowing real‐time samplings of motor neuron activity during 5 weeks. Since continuous graphene coatings can easily be implemented on a wide range of 3D surfaces, this study further motivates the use of graphene and related materials as it could significantly contribute to reduce the current rejection of neural probes currently used in many research areas, from fundamental neurosciences to medicine and neuroprostheses.
Recent Progress in CVD Growth of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Related Heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yao Yuyu , Sendeku Marshet Getaye , Yin Lei , Zhan Xueying , Wang Feng , Wang Zhenxing , He Jun
Published: August 2019

In recent years, 2D layered materials have received considerable research interest on account of their substantial material systems and unique physicochemical properties. Among them, 2D layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a star family member, have already been explored over the last few years and have exhibited excellent performance in electronics, catalysis, and other related fields. However, to fulfill the requirement for practical application, the batch production of 2D TMDs is essential. Recently, the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique was considered as an elegant alternative for successfully growing 2D TMDs and their heterostructures. The latest research advances in the controllable synthesis of 2D TMDs and related heterostructures/superlattices via the CVD approach are illustrated here. The controlled growth behavior, preparation strategies, and breakthroughs on the synthesis of new 2D TMDs and their heterostructures, as well as their unique physical phenomena, are also discussed. Recent progress on the application of CVD‐grown 2D materials is revealed with particular attention to electronics/optoelectronic devices and catalysts. Finally, the challenges and future prospects are considered regarding the current development of 2D TMDs and related heterostructures.
Visible‐Light‐Induced Self‐Organized Helical Superstructure in Orientationally Ordered Fluids
Authors: Wang Hao , Bisoyi Hari Krishna , McConney Michael E. , Urbas Augustine M. , Bunning Timothy J. , Li Quan
Published: August 2019

Light‐induced phenomena occurring in nature and in synthetic materials are fascinating and have been exploited for technological applications. Here visible‐light‐induced formation of a helical superstructure is reported, i.e., a cholesteric liquid crystal phase, in orientationally ordered fluids, i.e., nematic liquid crystals, enabled by a visible‐light‐driven chiral molecular switch. The cyclic‐azobenzene‐based chiral molecular switch exhibits reversible photoisomerization in response to visible light of different wavelengths due to the band separation of n–π* transitions of its trans‐ and cis‐isomers. Green light (530 nm) drives the trans‐to‐cis photoisomerization whereas the cis‐to‐trans isomerization process of the chiral molecular switch can be caused by blue light (440 nm). It is observed that the helical twisting power of this chiral molecular switch increases upon irradiation with green light, which enables reversible induction of helical superstructure in nematic liquid crystals containing a very small quantity of the molecular switch. The occurrence of the light‐induced helical superstructure enables the formation of diffraction gratings in cholesteric films.
Palladium‐Mediated Cleavage of Proteins with Thiazolidine‐Modified Backbone in Live Cells
Authors: Mann Guy , Satish Gandhesiri , Meledin Roman , Vamisetti Ganga B. , Brik Ashraf
Published: August 2019

Chemical protein synthesis and biorthogonal modification chemistries allow production of unique proteins for a range of biological studies. Bond‐forming reactions for site‐selective protein labeling are commonly used in these endeavors. Selective bond‐cleavage reactions, however, are much less explored and still pose a great challenge. In addition, most of studies with modified proteins prepared by either total synthesis or semisynthesis have been applied mainly for in vitro experiments with very limited extension to live cells. Reported here is an approach for studying uniquely modified proteins containing a traceless cell delivery unit and palladium‐based cleavable element for chemical activation, and monitoring the effect of these proteins in live cells. This approach is demonstrated for the synthesis of a caged ubiquitin‐aldehyde, which was decaged for the inhibition of deubiquitinases in live cells.
Andrographolide solid dispersions formulated by Soluplus to enhance interface wetting, dissolution, and absorption
Authors: Song Bing , Wang Jian , Lu Si‐Jing , Shan Li‐Na
Published: August 2019

Andrographolide (ADG) had profound functions as drug health‐care product. To improve ADG application in medical care, solid dispersion technique was introduced. Initially, several polymers were chosen to prepare ADG solid dispersion using hot‐melt extrusion. Working mechanisms of ADG solid dispersion, which include molecular docking and wetting property, were studied. The strongest molecular binding energy of ADG with Soluplus contributed to carrier‐controlled mechanism, leading to its highest drug dissolution. Soluplus as solid dispersion excipient could significantly improve drug absorption. In addition, ADG solid dispersions formulated by Soluplus were prepared and studied, and the ratios of drug to polymer were 1:5, 1:7, 1:9, and 1:12, respectively. It demonstrated that hydrogen bond interactions were formed between ADG and Soluplus based on infrared (IR) spectroscopy analysis. The characteristic peaks of crystal state of ADG at 11.97°, 14.95°, 15.86°, and 9.78° disappeared in ADG solid dispersion, demonstrating that excipient was efficient in transforming drug crystal state to amorphous phase by interacting with ADG. ADG‐Soluplus solid dispersion of 1:7 turned out to be the best with maximum cumulative release amount of more than 80%, whereas other ADG solid dispersions were in the range of 60–70%. The cumulative release amount of pure ADG was below 20%. Comparing with the oral administration of pure ADG, we found that the mean Cmax and AUC values of ADG for ADG‐Soluplus solid dispersion were approximately increased 1.96‐ to 2.53‐fold. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48354.
Enrichment of bread with fruits and vegetables: Trends and strategies to increase functionality
Authors: Betoret Ester , Rosell Cristina M.
Published: August 2019

Background and objectives

Functional foods have become a reality that can complete the nutritional needs of a specific segment of the population. Cereal products have been traditionally the election foodstuff for enrichment campaigns; however, the food matrix and processing can have a significant influence on the bioactivity of the key compounds. The aim of this review is to present an overview on the trends followed during the last years in the enrichment of bread, deepening on the enrichment with fruits and vegetables.

Findings

Ingredient incorporation form has an influence on the water interactions and on the retention of bioactive compounds. The negative effects related to the application of high temperature in baking operation can be minimized by selecting the source of origin, managing the technological properties of the final products, or incorporating ingredients that create protective structures. The incorporation of fruits and vegetables increased significantly the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of enriched breads.

Conclusions

Increasing the knowledge on the effect of process conditions and the interactions established among bioactive compounds can contribute clearly to increase the functionality of enriched bread.

Significance and novelty

The effect of bread processing on bioactive compounds is analyzed emphasizing the effect on the structure and the interactions established in order to identify strategies that could increase the functionality of the final products developed.
Interfacial Reactions of Tetraphenylporphyrin with Cobalt‐Oxide Thin Films
Authors: Wechsler Daniel , Fernández Cynthia C. , Tariq Quratulain , Tsud Nataliya , Prince Kevin C. , Williams Federico J. , Steinrück Hans‐Peter , Lytken Ole
Published: August 2019

We have studied the adsorption and interfacial reactions of 2H‐tetraphenylporphyrin (2HTPP) with cobalt‐terminated Co3O4(111) and oxygen‐terminated CoO(111) thin films using synchrotron‐radiation X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Already at 275 K, we find evidence for the formation of a metalated species, most likely CoTPP, on both surfaces. The degree of self‐metalation increases with temperature on both surfaces until 475 K, where the metalation is almost complete. At 575 K the porphyrin coverage decreases drastically on the reducible cobalt‐terminated Co3O4(111) surface, while higher temperatures are needed on the non‐reducible oxygen‐terminated CoO(111). The low temperature self‐metalation is similar to that observed on MgO(100) surfaces, but drastically different from that observed on TiO2(110), where no self‐metalation is observed at room temperature.
Phase Transformation of Lithium‐rich Oxide Cathode in Full Cell and its Suppression by Solid Electrolyte Interphase on Graphite Anode
Authors: Tu Wenqiang , Wen Yucheng , Ye Changchun , Xing Lidan , Xu Kang , Li Weishan
Published: August 2019

Lithium‐rich oxide is one of the most promising cathodes that meet high energy density requirement for batteries of the future, but its phase transformation from layer to spinel structure caused by the lattice instability presents severe challenge to cycling stability and the actually accessible capacity. The currently available approaches to suppress this undesired irreversible process often resort to limit the high voltages that lithium‐rich oxide is exposed to. However, cycling stability thus improved is at the expense of the eventual energy output. In this work, we identified a new mechanism that is directly responsible for the lithium‐rich oxide phase transformation and established a clear correlation between the successive consumption of Li+ on anode due to incessant interphase repairing and the over‐delithiation of lithium‐rich oxide cathode. This new mechanism enables a simple but effective solution to the cathode degradation, in which an electrolyte additive is used to build a dense and protective interphase on anode with the intention to minimize Li depletion at cathode. The application of this new interphase effectively suppresses both electrolyte decomposition at anode and the phase transformation of lithium‐rich oxide cathode, leading to high capacity and cycling stability.
Use of a Food Web Bioaccumulation Model to Uncover Spatially Integrated Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposures in Detroit River Sport Fish
Authors: Li Jingyuan , Mcleod Anne M. , Bhavsar Satyendra P. , Bohr Joseph , Grgicak-Mannion Alice , Drouillard Ken
Published: August 2019

We applied and tested a bioenergetic-based, steady-state food web bioaccumulation model to predict polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures in sport fish of the Detroit River (USA–Canada), which is a Great Lakes area of concern. The PCB concentrations in the sediment and water of the river were found to exhibit high spatial variation. The previously contained areas of high contamination may have spread to adjacent food webs as a result of fish movements. This process may cause biased predictions in single-compartment bioaccumulation models. We performed multiple simulations and contrasted model predictions against a database of 1152 fish sample records comprising 19 sport fish species. The simulations evaluated 4 spatial scales (river-wide, 2-nation, 4-zone, and 6-zone models) to reveal how the spatial heterogeneity of contamination and species-specific movements contribute to variation in fish PCB exposures. The model testing demonstrated that the 2-nation model provided the most accurate global prediction of fish contamination. However, these improvements were not equally observed across all species. The model was subsequently calibrated for poorly performing species, by allowing cross-zone exposures, demonstrating the importance of accounting for specific ecological factors, such as fish movement, to improve PCB bioaccumulation prediction, especially in highly heterogeneous water systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2771–2784. © 2019 SETAC
Malnutrition evaluation in head and neck cancer patients: Practice patterns among otolaryngologists and radiation oncologists
Authors: Gill Amarbir S. , Kinzinger Michael , Bewley Arnaud F. , Farwell D. Gregory , Moore Michael G.
Published: August 2019

Background

Physician practice patterns regarding diagnosis and management of malnutrition in the head and neck cancer patient population are not well studied.

Methods

A 17‐question survey was distributed to 1392 members of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS). The impact of hospital type, fellowship training, experience, and specialty was assessed.

Results

Among AHNS members, there were 124 total respondents (9% response rate), including both otolaryngologists and radiation oncologists. Respondents strongly agreed (90%) that malnutrition negatively impacts patient outcomes. The majority (63%) felt comfortable screening for malnutrition, but 13% reported no routine assessment of malnutrition; 57% were unfamiliar with relevant guidelines. Barriers to screening included lack of familiarity with screening tools/guidelines, lack of time, and lack of access to dietitian.

Conclusion

Although there was a strong consensus among respondents that the identification and management of malnutrition among head and neck cancer patients is critical, familiarity with relevant guidelines was poor.