bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
As teses narrativistas na linhagem anglo-americana da teoria da história
Authors: Campos Gonçalves Sérgio
Published: August 2018

Com vistas a contribuir para uma maior familiaridade com a linhagem anglófona da teoria da história, este artigo oferece uma exegese do exame narrativista realizado no pensamento historiográfico anglo-americano a partir de meados do século XX, por meio de obras que apresentaram alguns dos questionamentos seminais da filosofia analítica relacionados ao significado dos enunciados e aos esquemas conceituais e lógicos da história. Não se trata, contudo, de propor uma arqueologia da filosofia analítica da história nem de tentar percorrer o itinerário do debate sobre a filosofia da linguagem desde o Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus de Wittgenstein. Busca-se, mais precisamente, oferecer uma apresentação breve de alguns debates teóricos que antecederam o que se convencionou denominar linguistic turn, enumerando as linhas gerais de seus autores e argumentos determinantes, com o objetivo de ajudar a tornar a tradição anglófona do pensamento teórico acerca da história mais familiarizada no Brasil. Para isso, descreve-se o contexto e a distinção da teoria da história de linhagem anglófona e da teoria da história da linhagem francófona, para, em seguida, explicar como a crítica à tese de Carl Gustav Hempel ajudou a promover reflexões que redundaram nas teses narrativistas que precederam as obras de Louis Mink e de Hayden White. Demonstra-se, assim, a existência de um interesse progressivo de filósofos analíticos pela teoria da história e, como resultado da consolidação de tal interesse, o estabelecimento de um contexto propício ao florescimento das teses narrativistas. Palavras-chave: Teoria da História. Filosofia Analítica. Narrativismo. Virada Linguística.
A simple and general method for simultaneously accounting for phylogenetic and species sampling uncertainty via Rubin’s rules in comparative analysis
Authors: Nakagawa Shinichi , de Villemereuil Pierre
Published: August 2018

Phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs), especially ones based on linear models, have played a central role in understanding species’ trait evolution. These methods, however, usually assume that phylogenetic trees are known without error or uncertainty, but this assumption is most likely incorrect. So far, Markov chain Monte Carlo, MCMC-based Bayesian methods have mainly been deployed to account for such ‘phylogenetic uncertainty’ in PCMs. Here, we propose an approach with which phylogenetic uncertainty is incorporated in a simple, readily implementable and reliable manner. Our approach uses Rubin’s rules, which are an integral part of a standard multiple imputation procedure, often employed to recover missing data. We see true phylogenetic trees as missing data under this approach. Further, unmeasured species in comparative data (i.e. missing trait data) can be seen as another source of uncertainty in PCMs because arbitrary sampling of species in a given taxon or ‘species sampling uncertainty’ can affect estimation in PCMs. Using two simulation studies, we show our method can account for phylogenetic uncertainty under many different scenarios (e.g. uncertainty in branching and branch lengths) and, at the same time, it can handle missing trait data (i.e., species sampling uncertainty). A unique property of the multiple imputation procedure is that an index, named ‘relative efficiency’, could be used to quantify the number of trees required for incorporating phylogenetic uncertainty. Thus, by using the relative efficiency, we show the required tree number is surprisingly small (~50 trees). However, the most notable advantage of our method is that it could be combined seamlessly with PCMs that utilize multiple imputation to handle simultaneously phylogenetic uncertainty (i.e. missing true trees) and species sampling uncertainty (i.e., missing trait data) in PCMs.
SHsearch: a method for fast remote homology detection
Authors: Baddar Mohamed
Published: August 2018

Remote homology detection is the problem of detecting homology in cases of low sequence similarity. It is a hard computational problem with no approach that works well in all cases. Methods based on profile hidden Markov models (HMM) often exhibit relatively higher sensitivity for detecting remote homologies than commonly used approaches. However, calculating similarity scores in profile HMM methods is computationally intensive as they use dynamic programming algorithms. In this paper we introduce SHsearch: a new method for remote protein homology detection. Our method is implemented as a modification of HHsearch: a remote protein homology detection method based on comparing two profile HMMs. The motivation for modification was to reduce the run time of HHsearch significantly with minimal sensitivity loss. SHsearch focuses on comparing the important submodels of the query and database HMMs instead of comparing the complete models. Hence, SHsearch achieves a significant speedup over HHsearch with minimal loss in sensitivity. On SCOP 1.63, SHsearch achieved 88X speedup with 8.2% loss in sensitivity with respect to HHsearch at error rate of 10%, which deemed to be an acceptable tradeoff.
Synchronized Ratiometric Codelivery of Metformin and Topotecan through Engineered Nanocarrier Facilitates In Vivo Synergistic Precision Levels at Tumor Site
Authors: Banala Venkatesh Teja , Sharma Shweta , Barnwal Puja , Urandur Sandeep , Shukla Ravi P. , Ahmad Naseer , Mittapelly Naresh , Pandey Gitu , Dwivedi Monika , Kalleti Navodayam , Mitra Kalyan , Rath Srikanta Kumar , Trivedi Ritu , Mishra Prabhat Ranjan
Published: August 2018

The combination of metabolic modulators with chemotherapy holds vast promise for effective inhibition of tumor progression and invasion. Herein, a ratiometric codelivery platform is developed for metformin (MET), a known metabolic modulator and topotecan (TPT), a chemotherapeutic drug, by engineering lipid bilayer–camouflaged mesoporous silica nanoparticles (LB‐MSNs). In an attempt to deliver and maintain high tumor site concentrations of MET and TPT, a novel ion pairing–assisted loading procedure is developed using pamoic acid (PA) as an in situ trapping agent. PA, a hydrophobic counterion, increases the hydrophobicity of MET and TPT and facilitates MSNs with exceptionally high payload capacity (>40 and 32 wt%, respectively) and controlled release profile. Further, the synergy between MET and TPT determined by a modeling approach helps to afford synchronized delivery of both the drugs. Coloaded MET and TPT LB‐MSNs present synergistic cytotoxicity against MDA‐MB‐231/4T1 cells and effectively promote apoptosis via mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cell cycle arrest. Extended pharmacokinetic profiles in preclinical models with fourfold to sevenfold longer circulation half‐life and 7.5–100 times higher tumor site concentrations correspond to a significant increase in pharmacodynamic efficacy. Taken together, the developed codelivery approach effectively addresses the challenges in the chemotherapeutic efficacy of MET and TPT collectively.
Plasmonic Nanogaps: From Fabrications to Optical Applications
Authors: Gu Panpan , Zhang Wei , Zhang Gang
Published: August 2018

Metallic nanostructures with nanogap features are proved to be highly effective building blocks for plasmonic systems, as they can provide ultrastrong electromagnetic (EM) fields and controllable optical properties. A wide range of fields, including surface enhanced spectroscopy, sensing, imaging, nonlinear optics, optical trapping, and metamaterials, are benefited from these enhanced EM fields. This review outlines the latest development of the fabrication methods for nanogap structures (metal nanoparticle assembly, nanosphere lithography, electron beam lithography (EBL), focused ion beam (FIB) lithography, oblique angle shadow evaporation, edge lithography, and so on), followed by a summary of their optical applications. The present review will inspire more ingenious designs and fabrications of plasmonic nanogap structures with lithography‐free fabrication techniques, and promote their applications in optics and electronics.
Directional Droplet Spreading Transport Controlled on Tilt‐Angle Pillar Arrays
Authors: Lin Yucai , Hu Ziying , Gao Chunlei , Guo Zhenyu , Li Chang , Zheng Yongmei
Published: August 2018

The controllable unidirectional spreading of droplet on tilt‐angle pillar arrays (TPAs) composed of epoxy resin (TDE‐85) and polyethylene glycol is presented. TPAs are fabricated via soft lithography with multimolding steps that coupled with a directional heat‐pressing and temperature controlling process, in which tilt‐angle structures are generated by using temperature‐responsive shape memory polymers and then act as mold. TPAs with different tilt angles (e.g., unidirection and opposite directions) are thereby obtained. It is found that the TPAs propel the droplet directional spreading or droplet contrasting spreading effectively. On the wettability‐optimized TPAs, the droplet can achieve the strong anisotropy with high length/width ratios (i.e., 11/1). Furthermore, unique TPAs with contrasting tilt angles can achieve the two droplets to form the contrasting spreading so as to gather together as a microreactor. It is revealed that such controlled spreading ability of TPAs is attributed to the cooperation of gradient surface energy resulted from the effect of tilt angles and the controllable surface wettability. The findings offer insights into the design of novel fluid‐controlling surfaces, which can be extended to some realms, e.g., microfluidics or microreactors.
Carbotrifluoromethylation of Allylic Alcohols via 1,2‐Aryl Migration Promoted by Visible‐Light‐Induced Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Cai Shunyou , Tian Yu , Zhang Jinwang , Liu Zhiji , Lu Maojian , Weng Wen , Huang Mingqiang
Published: August 2018

Visible‐light‐enabled photocatalytic carbotrifluoro‐methylations of allylic alcohols and sodium triflinate were explored through 1,2‐migration of an aryl group, affording an efficient method for synthesis of β‐trifluoromethyl‐α‐substituted carbonyl compounds under mild reaction conditions. This catalyst system is well tolerant of various synthetically useful functional groups.

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Elemental Sulfur‐Promoted Aerobic Cyclization of Ketones and Aliphatic Amines for Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Imidazoles
Authors: Chen Xiangui , Wang Zhen , Huang Huawen , Deng Guo‐Jun
Published: August 2018

Elemental sulfur‐promoted cyclization for the one‐pot synthesis of tetra‐substituted imidazoles from benzylamines and ketones is described. Elemental sulfur combined with molecular oxygen as the benign co‐oxidant was found to be the key for the high efficiency of this transformation under metal‐free conditions. A range of tetrasubstituted imidazoles were synthesized from simple ketones and amines with good functional group tolerance.

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Applications of Plasma in Energy Conversion and Storage Materials
Authors: Liang Hanfeng , Ming Fangwang , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: August 2018

Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro hold the promise to meet the huge energy demands of the future at no environmental cost. Harvesting and utilization of these energies require efficient and low cost energy conversion and storage devices, whose performance essentially depends on the properties of the electrode materials. The properties of materials are greatly affected by synthesis methods and can be tuned by chemical modifications. Many approaches have therefore been developed toward this end. Among them, plasma has attracted increasing attention because of its great efficacy in producing and modifying materials under mild conditions. Herein, recent developments in plasma‐assisted synthesis (e.g., plasma conversion, milling, deposition, and exfoliation) and plasma‐assisted modification (e.g., plasma etching, doping, and other surface treatments) of energy conversion and storage materials are highlighted. Challenges and future opportunities in this field are also discussed. This review aims to provide a better understanding of how plasma can be utilized to synthesize and modify a variety of materials including transition metal phosphides, nitrides, chalcogenides, oxides as well as carbon materials, and to promote their additional applications in energy conversion and storage.
A novel patient‐oriented numerical procedure for glaucoma drainage devices
Authors: Mauro Alessandro , Massarotti Nicola , Mohamed Salahudeen , Uña Ignacio Rodríguez , Romano Mario R. , Romano Vito
Published: August 2018

The present work analyses the performance of four glaucoma drainage devices, by means of a novel patient‐oriented numerical procedure. The procedure is based on the three‐dimensional geometry reconstruction from the stacks of tomographic images of a human eye, at different angles, on meshing and on thermo‐fluid dynamics modelling activities, carried out on the reconstructed computational domain. The current three‐dimensional eye model considers anterior chamber (AC), trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal, and collector channels, making use of generalised porous medium approach for modelling ocular porous tissue and cavities. The intraocular pressure (IOP) management inside AC of human eye is analysed, by comparing the results obtained for four drainage devices implanted in a human eye for glaucoma treatment, ie, ExPRESS shunt, iStent inject, SOLX gold micro shunt, and the novel silicon shunt device. The numerical results allow predicting the effects of the installation of these implants on human eyes, in terms of IOP decrease, aqueous humour velocity, pressure, friction coefficient, and local Nusselt number, pointing out the clear distinction between pre‐operative and post‐operative eye conditions for different glaucoma surgical techniques.
Aptamer‐Decorated DNAsome for Targeted Cancer Therapy
Authors: Golla Murali , Thaddi Sai Praveen , Perumal Devanathan , Atchimnaidu Siriki , Varghese Reji
Published: August 2018

Drug delivery using a nanocarrier is one promising approach for cancer therapy. However, the design of nanocarriers that allow the targeted delivery of drugs at the desired location upon demand remains a foremost challenge in cancer therapy. Herein, the design of a DNA based vesicle (DNAsome) as a nanocarrier from the self‐assembly of a DNA amphiphile is reported. The salient features of DNAsome include excellent biocompatibility, high drug encapsulation ability and DNA‐based surface addressability. The surface decoration of the DNAsome with highly information‐rich ssDNA is explored for the integration of cancer cell targeting aptamer through sequence specific DNA hybridization. Selective delivery of anticancer drug into a cancerous cell line is demonstrated using the aptamer decorated DNAsome in an efficient manner. Our results unequivocally show the potential of DNAsome for targeted cancer therapy, and hence could be a promising candidate as a nanocarrier for drug delivery applications.
6‐Chloropurine Ribonucleosides from Chloropyrimidines: One‐Pot Synthesis
Authors: Zelli Renaud , Zeinyeh Waël , Décout Jean‐Luc
Published: August 2018

A one‐pot glycosylation and cyclization procedure is described for the synthesis of 6‐chloropurine ribonucleosides from chloropyrimidines. From such a procedure and modification of the obtained chloropurine ribonucleosides, many drug candidates or molecular tools for biological study designed from their similarity to naturally occurring nucleosides could be obtained. The synthesis begins by preparation of several amidinoaminochloropyrimidines as precursors for the one‐pot procedure. Then, by adding trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) to a mixture of a pyrimidine and 1‐O‐acetyl‐2,3,5‐tri‐O‐benzoyl‐β‐D‐ribose, different 6‐chloropurine ribonucleosides are obtained. This methodology allows the straightforward introduction of an alkyl substituent at position 8 of purine ribonucleosides, which then can be functionalized at positions 2 and 6. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A feasibility study of a 2‐week self‐compassionate letter‐writing intervention for nontreatment seeking individuals with typical and atypical anorexia nervosa
Authors: Kelly Allison C. , Waring Sydney V.
Published: August 2018

Objective

Most individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) do not seek treatment and shame is a common barrier. This study sought to determine whether a brief intervention designed to foster self‐compassion would reduce shame and increase treatment motivation among nontreatment seeking individuals with AN.

Method

Forty nontreatment seeking females with AN (75%) and atypical AN were randomly assigned to 2 weeks of a daily self‐compassionate letter‐writing intervention or a waitlist control condition. All participants completed pre, mid, and post questionnaires, and were weighed pre and post.

Results

The intervention yielded respectable credibility ratings and compliance and retained 95% of participants. Compared to the control condition, it produced greater increases in self‐compassion and greater decreases in shame and fears of self‐compassion. BMI and readiness to get help for one's eating decreased in the control condition but did not change significantly in the intervention condition, though the motivation for treatment showed a trend toward increasing. Changes in eating pathology and readiness to get help for one's weight did not differ between conditions.

Discussion

Self‐compassionate letter‐writing may be an acceptable and feasible intervention for nontreatment seeking individuals with AN and might reduce certain barriers to help‐seeking while improving psychological functioning.
Photodegradation accelerates ecosystem N cycling in a simulated California grassland
Authors: Asao Shinichi , Parton William J. , Chen Maosi , Gao Wei
Published: August 2018

Photodegradation accelerates litter decay in arid grasslands where plant growth and litter decay are strongly controlled by precipitation and evapotranspiration. However, the effects of photodegradation on ecosystem C and N dynamics are not well understood. We examined the effects using an ecosystem biogeochemical model DayCent‐UV with photodegradation explicitly represented and validated. The model was parameterized for a California grassland where photodegradation was documented to release CO2 from litter. The model was parameterized with an inverse modeling approach using an extensive data set of six years of daily observed carbon and water gas exchange (gross primary production, ecosystem respiration, and evapotranspiration), soil temperature, and soil moisture. DayCent‐UV correctly simulated the seasonal patterns of the observed gas exchange and closely simulated the inter‐annual variation in the gas exchange and biomass production rates. The simulations suggested that the inter‐annual variation is driven more by actual evapotranspiration than by precipitation because a large portion of precipitation is lost as runoff during wet years. Photodegradation in DayCent‐UV accelerated C and N cycling, decreasing system C and N by 9.2% and 9.5% and C and N residence times by 9.4% and 18.2%. Accelerated N cycling made a greater fraction of system N available for plants, increasing net N mineralization and plant production for a given amount of system N. Increased net N mineralization was due to decreased immobilization by microbes in the aboveground organic matter. Photodegradation did not alter the control on plant production by evapotranspiration. These results suggest that at the ecosystem level, the central effect of photodegradation is to suppress microbial activity. We conclude that photodegradation accelerates N cycling at the expense of microbes in this grassland, making it more efficient in supporting plant growth for a given amount of N in the system.
Single and interactive effects of Varroa destructor, Nosema spp., and imidacloprid on honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera)
Authors: van Dooremalen Coby , Cornelissen Bram , Poleij‐Hok‐Ahin Chula , Blacquière Tjeerd
Published: August 2018

High losses of honey bee colonies in recent decades are of great societal and economical concern and experienced as a sign of the vulnerability of the environment, including the service of crop pollination, and of the beekeeping sector. There is no single cause for the colony losses, but many contributing stressors may act in concert. Varroa destructor infestation is acknowledged as an important cause of these losses. The roles of infestation by Nosema ceranae or exposure to insecticides are controversial. Interactions between exposure to pesticides and V. destructor or Nosema spp. have previously been implicated. In two years of field experiments, we studied the effects of and possible interactions between the stressors V. destructor infestation, Nosema spp. infestation, and chronic sublethal exposure to a field‐realistic dose of the insecticide imidacloprid on the performance and survival of honey bee colonies. Colonies highly infested by V. destructor were 13% smaller in size and were 59.1 times more likely to die than colonies infested with low levels of V. destructor. Infestation with high levels of Nosema sp. led to 2% decrease in size and 1.4 times higher likelihood to die compared to colonies with low levels of Nosema sp. No effects of chronic sublethal exposure to imidacloprid on colony size or survival were found in this study. Exposure to V. destructor and imidacloprid led to a slightly higher fraction of bees infested with Nosema sp., but in contrast to the expectations, no resulting interactions were found for colony size or survival. Colonies as a superorganism may well be able to compensate at the colony level for sublethal negative effects of stressors on their individuals. In our experimental study under field‐realistic exposure to stressors, V. destructor was by far the most lethal one for honey bee colonies.
Using conservation behavior to manage ecological traps for a threatened freshwater fish
Authors: Hale Robin , Coleman Rhys , Sievers Michael , Brown Timothy R. , Swearer Stephen E.
Published: August 2018

Urban stormwater treatment wetlands are constructed to treat stormwater runoff before it enters waterways, but are often inhabited by animals that can suffer impairments. Such effects will be exacerbated if animals mistakenly prefer sites where their fitness is reduced, and are caught in ecological traps. Traps can compromise the persistence of threatened species in urban landscapes, so assessing how animals respond to stormwater wetlands, and whether their fitness varies between stormwater and natural wetlands, can guide management efforts. We examined the habitat selection behavior of dwarf galaxias (Galaxiella pusilla), a threatened freshwater fish inhabiting wetlands and streams around Melbourne, Australia. We tested whether fish respond to cues that could indicate habitat quality, and whether they can differentiate between water from stormwater and non‐stormwater wetlands. We also tested whether fitness (e.g., survival, development) was lower at stormwater wetlands. Fish responded weakly to cues and did not avoid stormwater wetlands. Survival was lower at stormwater wetlands, and fish suffered delayed ovarian maturation, potentially due to a lack of food. Thus, stormwater wetlands can be equal‐preference ecological traps for G. pusilla, a key finding with direct implications for conservation. For highly dispersive species that are not selective about habitats, managing ecological traps requires a whole‐of‐landscape approach, with consideration given to where wetlands are constructed. Given the investment required to remediate existing ecological traps, this approach can also identify priority wetlands for intervention. We discuss our results in the context of how insights from animal behavior can inform threatened species conservation in fragmented urban landscapes.
NSR Enforcement Litigation: What You Need to Know
Authors: Jaber Makram B. , Barnes Felicia
Published: August 2018

The New Source Review (NSR) program of the Clean Air Act requires major stationary sources to go through an extensive, time‐consuming, and expensive review and permitting process prior to construction. Among other requirements, such sources are required to install the best available control technologies (BACT) to reduce levels of specific regulated pollutants. The NSR program also applies to existing facilities if they are modified in substantial ways and if, as a result, emissions increase by significant amounts (these are known as “major modifications”).
New Approach for Modeling Start‐up, Shutdown, and Malfunction Emissions
Authors: Warren Christopher , Paine Robert
Published: August 2018

The ability to account for unplanned high‐emission spikes or events is not readily available through the use of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) guideline models, such as AERMOD.
Macrophage‐Specific Hypoxia‐Inducible Factor‐1α Contributes to Impaired Autophagic Flux in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , de Carvalho Ribeiro Marcelle , Iracheta‐Vellve Arvin , Lowe Patrick , Ambade Aditya , Satishchandran Abhishek , Bukong Terence , Catalano Donna , Kodys Karen , Szabo Gyongyi
Published: August 2018

Inflammatory cell activation drives diverse cellular programming during hepatic diseases. Hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIFs) have recently been identified as important regulators of immunity and inflammation. In nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), HIF‐1α is upregulated in hepatocytes, where it induces steatosis; however, the role of HIF‐1α in macrophages under metabolic stress has not been explored. In this study, we found increased HIF‐1α levels in hepatic macrophages in methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diet‐fed mice and in macrophages of patients with NASH compared with controls. The HIF‐1α increase was concomitant with elevated levels of autophagy markers BNIP3, Beclin‐1, LC3‐II, and p62 in both mouse and human macrophages. LysMCre HIFdPAfl/fl mice, which have HIF‐1α levels stabilized in macrophages, showed higher steatosis and liver inflammation compared with HIFdPAfl/fl mice on MCD diet. In vitro and ex vivo experiments reveal that saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid (PA), both induces HIF‐1α and impairs autophagic flux in macrophages. Using small interfering RNA–mediated knock‐down and overexpression of HIF‐1α in macrophages, we demonstrated that PA impairs autophagy via HIF‐1α. We found that HIF‐1α mediates NF‐κB activation and MCP‐1 production and that HIF‐1α—mediated impairment of macrophage autophagy increases IL‐1β production, contributing to MCD diet‐induced NASH. Conclusion: Palmitic acid impairs autophagy via HIF‐1α activation in macrophages. HIF‐1α and impaired autophagy are present in NASH in vivo in mouse macrophages and in human blood monocytes. We identified that HIF‐1α activation and decreased autophagic flux stimulate inflammation in macrophages through upregulation of NF‐κB activation. These results suggest that macrophage activation in NASH involves a complex interplay between HIF‐1α and autophagy as these pathways promote proinflammatory overactivation in MCD diet‐induced NASH.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus with one‐step or two‐step approaches and associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Hosseini Elham , Janghorbani Mohsen
Published: August 2018

Background

There is an ongoing discussion about the optimal diagnostic strategy for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Objective

To assess the magnitude of the association between GDM diagnosed with the one‐step (International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria) or two‐step (Carpenter and Coustan criteria) approach and selected adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Search strategy

Five electronic databases were searched up to October 2017 using Medical Subject Headings for each adverse outcome combined with the term “gestational diabetes.”

Selection criteria

Observational studies assessing the one‐step versus the two‐step diagnostic approach in GDM.

Data collection and analysis

Relative risks were extracted and random‐effects models were used to estimate pooled relative risks (RRs).

Main results

A total of 41 663 participants from nine studies were included. Gestational diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with pre‐eclampsia (RR 1.68 vs RR 1.77), cesarean delivery (RR 1.28 vs RR 1.33), and large for gestational age (RR 1.44 vs RR 1.68) when diagnosed with the one‐step versus the two‐step approach. A one‐step diagnosis also increased the risks of neonatal intensive care unit admission and gestational hypertension, whereas a two‐step diagnosis increased the incidence of macrosomia.

Conclusions

Women with GDM diagnosed with either the one‐step or the two‐step approach were at increased risk for selected adverse pregnancy outcomes. The associations with the two‐step method were slightly stronger.
Design, Synthesis and SAR Study of Novel Spiro [Pyrimido[5,4‐b]Quinoline‐10,5′‐Pyrrolo[2,3‐d]Pyrimidine] Derivatives as Promising Anticancer Agents
Authors: Chate Asha V. , Kamdi Sagar P. , Bhagat Amruta N. , Jadhav Chetan K. , Nipte Amol , Sarkate Aniket P. , Tiwari Shailee V. , Gill Charansingh H.
Published: August 2018

Novel spiro [pyrimido[5,4‐b]quinoline‐10,5′‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine] derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their chemical structures were confirmed by IR, NMR, elemental analysis, and mass spectral analysis. The anticancer activities of the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro against four human cancer cell lines including A431, PC‐3, MCF‐7, and MCF‐10A by MTT assay. The screening results showed that three compounds (4m, 4q, and 4s) exhibited potent cytotoxic activities with IC50 values between 7.82 and 9.88 μM against human breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7). Further in vitro studies revealed that inhibition of Sunitinib could be the possible mechanism of action of these molecules.
Long‐term studies and reproducibility: Lessons from whole‐lake experiments
Authors: Pace M. L. , Carpenter S. R. , Wilkinson G. M.
Published: August 2018

Abstract

An important tenet of science is establishing the reproducibility of findings. While long‐term studies may seem ill‐suited to this goal, here we provide an example of reproducible results from repeated nutrient additions to a lake. We added nitrogen and phosphorus to Peter Lake in 9 yr of a 33‐yr study. For seven of these nine additions, phytoplankton biomass, as measured by seasonal mean chlorophyll a, increased in proportion to the rate of nutrient loading. Additionally, for these seven additions, similar nutrient loading rates resulted in mean Chl a concentrations within a roughly twofold range—an outcome within expectation given uncontrolled sources of variation in a whole‐lake manipulation. However, for two of the nine nutrient additions, Chl a concentrations were well below expected concentrations. The low chlorophyll responses co‐occurred with years having the highest water color (absorbance of light at 440 nm). The number of years of nutrient additions was too limited to strongly test the influence of color at the scale of seasonal mean values. We, therefore, tested for the effect of phosphorus load and color, on Chl a using time series models of weekly data. At the weekly scale, there was a strong negative effect of color on chlorophyll concentration. Overall, the repeated nutrient additions provided a confirmation of existing models at the whole‐lake scale and demonstrated an interesting exception to these models. Including repeated manipulations as part of long‐term studies is an important way to test generalizations and to identify unexpected outcomes that raise new questions.
Fitting NTCP models to SBRT dose and carotid blowout syndrome data
Authors: Mavroidis Panayiotis , Grimm Jimm , Cengiz Mustafa , Das Shiva , Tan Xianming , Yazici Gozde , Ozyigit Gokhan
Published: August 2018

Purpose

To estimate the radiobiological parameters of three popular NTCP models, which describe the dose–response relations of carotid blowout syndrome (CBOS) after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). To evaluate the goodness‐of‐fit and the correlation of those models with CBOS.

Methods

The study included 61 patients with inoperable locally recurrent head and neck cancer treated with SBRT using CyberKnife (Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA) at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey between June 2007 and March 2011. The dose‐volume histograms of the internal carotid were exported from the plans of all the patients. The follow‐up results regarding the end point of carotid blowout syndrome were collected retrospectively. Initially, univariable analyses (Wilcoxon rank‐sum or Chi‐square tests) and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed between the outcome data and a list of clinical and treatment factors to identify significant correlations. Additionally, the Lyman–Kutcher–Burman (LKB), Relative Seriality (RS), and Logit NTCP models were used to fit the clinical data. The fitting of the different models was assessed through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Odds Ratio methods.

Results

The clinical/treatment factors that were found to have a significant or close to significant correlations with acute CBOS were Age at the time of CK (P‐value = 0.03), Maximum carotid dose (P‐value = 0.06), and CK prescription dose (P‐value = 0.08). Using Dmax, physical DVH, and EQD2 Gy‐DVH as the dosimetric metrics in the NTCP models, the derived LKB model parameters were: (a) D50 = 45.8 Gy, m = 0.24, n = n/a; (b) D50 = 44.8 Gy, m = 0.28, n = 0.01; and (c) D50 = 115.8 Gy, m = 0.45, n = 0.01, respectively. The AUC values for the dosimetric metrics were 0.70, 0.68, and 0.61, respectively. The differences in AIC between the different models were less than 2 and ranged within ±0.9.

Conclusion

The maximum dose to the internal carotid less than 34 Gy appears to significantly reduce the risk for CBOS. Age at the time of CK, Maximum carotid dose, and CK prescription dose were also found to correlate with CBOS. The values of the parameters of three NTCP models were determined for this endpoint. A threshold of gEUD <34.5 Gy appears to be significantly associated with lower risks of CBOS.
Feedback regulation by trehalose 6‐phosphate slows down starch mobilization below the rate that would exhaust starch reserves at dawn in Arabidopsis leaves
Authors: dos Anjos Letícia , Pandey Prashant Kumar , Moraes Thiago Alexandre , Feil Regina , Lunn John E. , Stitt Mark
Published: August 2018

Trehalose 6‐phosphate (Tre6P), a sucrose signaling metabolite, inhibits transitory starch breakdown in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves and potentially links starch turnover to leaf sucrose status and demand from sink organs (Plant Physiology, 163, 2013, 1142). To investigate this relationship further, we compared diel patterns of starch turnover in ethanol‐inducible Tre6P synthase (iTPS) lines, which have high Tre6P and low sucrose after induction, with those in sweet11;12 sucrose export mutants, which accumulate sucrose in their leaves and were predicted to have high Tre6P. Short‐term changes in irradiance were used to investigate whether the strength of inhibition by Tre6P depends on starch levels. sweet11;12 mutants had twofold higher levels of Tre6P and restricted starch mobilization. The relationship between Tre6P and starch mobilization was recapitulated in iTPS lines, pointing to a dominant role for Tre6P in feedback regulation of starch mobilization. Tre6P restricted mobilization across a wide range of conditions. However, there was no correlation between the level of Tre6P and the absolute rate of starch mobilization. Rather, Tre6P depressed the rate of mobilization below that required to exhaust starch at dawn, leading to incomplete use of starch. It is discussed how Tre6P interacts with the clock to set the rate of starch mobilization.
Failure prediction with reporting delay
Authors: Kann Lennart , Sobotta Benjamin , Göb Rainer
Published: August 2018

We consider a parametric framework for predicting the future number of failures based on censored and right truncated field data. This type of data regularly occurs in industrial field data with reporting delays. This article presents methods to account for the truncation in this prediction problem. Our simulations show the influence of truncation on the coverage of the resulting prediction interval. The coverage properties of the introduced methods are evaluated. The adjusted prediction intervals show improved coverage properties compared with the unmodified prediction interval based on the truncated data.
When Immunity Means Impunity: Lessons for Canada from Recent Cases on State Immunity from Execution
Authors: ROSE KELSEY A.
Published: August 2018

This article reviews recent cases from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States involving state immunity from execution and suggests the burden on creditors to disprove this immunity is excessively onerous. While the problem is much belaboured, few solutions have been explored or implemented. This article proposes that in the Canadian context, adjusting the evidentiary burden on parties to an execution immunity dispute would improve the ability of creditors to obtain fair payment from debtor states, without infringing state sovereignty.
DO OPEN-POLLINATED MAIZE VARIETIES PERFORM BETTER THAN HYBRIDS IN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS?
Authors: NDOLI ALAIN , BAUDRON FRÉDÉRIC , SIDA TESFAYE SHIFERAW , SCHUT ANTONIUS G. T. , VAN HEERWAARDEN J. , GILLER KEN E.
Published: August 2018

A large body of evidence demonstrates the agronomic superiority of maize hybrids over open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) in intensive monoculture. However, comparisons of the performance of hybrids and OPVs in agroforestry systems are scarce. In this study, the performance of four maize hybrids and four OPVs is compared in sole crop and under mature trees. Experiments were conducted on-farm during four seasons in Bugesera, Rwanda and two seasons in Meki, Ethiopia. Two tree species were selected in Bugesera (Grevillea robusta and Senna spectabilis) and one in Meki (Acacia tortilis), and three farms were selected for each tree species, each including two plots with almost identical trees in their centre and two plots without tree. In Bugusera, grain yield was higher for hybrids (2 Mg ha−1) than for OPVs (1.5 Mg ha−1), and the presence of trees reduced the harvest index more in OPVs than in hybrids. In this region, the estimated reduction in grain yield due to the presence of trees was 0.9 and 1.1 Mg ha−1 in hybrids and OPVs, respectively, while estimated reduction in biomass was 1.5 and 1.7 Mg ha−1, respectively. In Meki, the grain yield of OPVs (2.08 Mg ha−1) and hybrids (2.04 Mg ha−1) did not differ and the presence of trees reduced their grain yields in the same manner. Our results showed that hybrids yielded more than OPVs under G. robusta and S. spectabilis in Bugesera but performed equally well under A. tortilis in Meki. We conclude that agroforestry farmers could benefit from growing hybrids in the equatorial savannahs of Rwanda, but that the choice between hybrid and OPV in equatorial savannahs of Ethiopia can simply be based on other factors such as seed costs and availability.
CONSIDERING THE FARM WORKFORCE AS PART OF FARMERS' INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOUR: A KEY FACTOR IN INCLUSIVE ON-FARM PROCESSES OF TECHNOLOGY AND PRACTICE ADOPTION
Authors: COFRE-BRAVO GABRIELA , ENGLER ALEJANDRA , KLERKX LAURENS , LEIVA-BIANCHI MARCELO , ADASME-BERRIOS CRISTIAN , CACERES CRISTIAN
Published: August 2018

The literature identifies multiple factors that can affect the adoption of new technologies and practices in agriculture to support farm innovation, such as farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and the characteristics of the promoted technology, among others. It has, however, scarcely contemplated the role of the farm workforce in technology and practice adoption. The objective of this study is (i) to describe innovative behaviour and its relation with farmers’ ability to collaborate with the workforce in the adoption process; and (ii) to associate this description with the level of adoption of certain technologies and practices. Structural equation modelling (bifactor model) was used to identify the components of innovative behaviour, and correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between these components and adoption level. The results show that relevant components of innovative behaviour are farmers’ ability to generate and implement new ideas, to extend their networks and to involve the workforce in the adoption process. Worker involvement proved to be a key factor within the definition of farmers’ innovative behaviour, which additionally shows a positive and significant correlation with the level of adoption of technologies and practices. A main theoretical implication is that research on technology and practice adoption needs to move beyond looking at single owner-managers of (family) farms and incorporate workers into the unit of analysis. The practical and policy implications are that innovation support programmes should give more attention to workforce management, training and skills of owner-managers as transformative and inclusive leaders, as these are essential for technology and practice adoption, and more broadly for innovation capacity.
Potential of using synthesized nano-zeolite for ammonium and phosphate immobilization in dairy wastewater
Authors: Gao Fei , Xiao Liwen , Zhang Hongzhou
Published: August 2018

The studies described in the Research Communication aimed to describe the feasibility of using coal fly ash to synthesize nano-zeolite, and the ammonium and phosphate adsorption efficiencies of the nanomaterial in dairy wastewater. Chemical treatment of coal fly ash was conducted and changes observed. Samples treated with NaOH had an increased cation exchange capacity and P sorption index compared to the initial fly ash, due to particle modification from smooth surface to plate- and rod-shape crystals, referred to as nano-zeolite. Batch experiments were conducted by mixing coal fly ash and nano-zeolite with synthesized wastewater to study the effect of sorption time, pH values and dosage of nano-zeolite on ammonium and phosphate removal efficiency. The adsorption process reached equilibrium in a very short time (less than 60 min), which suggests a potential for fast immobilization of pollutants. The concentration of ammonium decreased from 118 to 35 mg/l (71% removal) while the concentration of phosphate decreased from 52 to 45 mg/l. The removal efficiency of ammonium was 36·6, 51·8 and 70·9% at pH 3, 7 and 10, respectively whilst that of phosphate increased dramatically with decreased slurry pH (92·1, 47·3 and 12·3% at pH 3, 7 and 10, respectively). Nano-zeolite could be a potential absorbent for fast immobilization of ammonium but not phosphate. Surface modification of nano-zeolite could be introduced in order to enhance the pollutants removal efficiency.
Mean field electrodynamics: triumphs and tribulations
Authors: Hughes David W.
Published: August 2018

The theory of mean field electrodynamics, now celebrating its fiftieth birthday, has had a profound influence on our modelling of cosmical dynamos, greatly enhancing our understanding of how such dynamos may operate. Here I discuss some of its undoubted triumphs, but also some of the problems that can arise in a mean field approach to dynamos in fluids (or plasmas) that are both highly turbulent and also extremely good electrical conductors, as found in all astrophysical settings.
THE EFFECT OF GLOSS TYPE ON LEARNERS’ INTAKE OF NEW WORDS DURING READING
Authors: Warren Paul , Boers Frank , Grimshaw Gina , Siyanova-Chanturia Anna
Published: August 2018

A reading experiment combining online and offline data evaluates the effect on second language learners’ reading behaviors and lexical uptake of three gloss types designed to clarify word meaning. These are (a) textual definition, (b) textual definition accompanied by picture, and (c) picture only. We recorded eye movements while intermediate learners of English read a story presented on-screen and containing six glossed pseudowords repeated three times each. Cumulative fixation counts and time spent on the pseudowords predicted posttest performance for form recall and meaning recognition, confirming findings of previous eye-tracking studies of vocabulary acquisition from reading. However, the total visual attention given to pseudowords and glosses was smallest in the condition with picture-only glosses, and yet this condition promoted best retention of word meaning. This suggests that gloss types differentially influence learners’ processing of novel words in ways that may elude the quantitative measures of attention captured by eye-tracking.
Effects of home language input on the vocabulary knowledge of sequential bilingual children
Authors: CHEUNG SHIRLEY , KAN PUI FONG , WINICOUR ELLIE , YANG JERRY
Published: August 2018

The current study examined whether the vocabulary skills of sequential bilingual children who learned Cantonese as a home language (L1) and English as a second language (L2) were predicted by the amount of L1 and L2 used at home. Ninety-two preschool children who learned Cantonese as L1 were recruited from a Head Start program. The amounts of L1 and L2 used at home were measured using parent questionnaires. Mixed patterns of L1 and L2 use were found across family members and home activities. After controlling for time spent in preschool, regression analyses showed that the amount of L1 and L2 used by individual family members, with the exception of older siblings, was not significantly linked to children's vocabulary skills. In contrast, the language used during some home activities such as dinner and book reading significantly predicted children's vocabulary knowledge. Implications for family involvement in facilitating children's vocabulary development are discussed.
Microbial tryptophan catabolites in health and disease
Authors: Roager Henrik M. , Licht Tine R.
Published: August 2018

Accumulating evidence implicates metabolites produced by gut microbes as crucial mediators of diet-induced host-microbial cross-talk. Here, we review emerging data suggesting that microbial tryptophan catabolites resulting from proteolysis are influencing host health. These metabolites are suggested to activate the immune system through binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), enhance the intestinal epithelial barrier, stimulate gastrointestinal motility, as well as secretion of gut hormones, exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative or toxic effects in systemic circulation, and putatively modulate gut microbial composition. Tryptophan catabolites thus affect various physiological processes and may contribute to intestinal and systemic homeostasis in health and disease.
Smooth tracking of visual targets distinguishes lucid REM sleep dreaming and waking perception from imagination
Authors: LaBerge Stephen , Baird Benjamin , Zimbardo Philip G.
Published: August 2018

Humans are typically unable to engage in sustained smooth pursuit for imagined objects. However, it is unknown to what extent smooth tracking occurs for visual imagery during REM sleep dreaming. Here we examine smooth pursuit eye movements during tracking of a slow-moving visual target during lucid dreams in REM sleep. Highly similar smooth pursuit tracking was observed during both waking perception and lucid REM sleep dreaming, in contrast to the characteristically saccadic tracking observed during visuomotor imagination. Our findings suggest that, in this respect, the visual imagery that occurs during REM sleep is more similar to perception than imagination. The data also show that the neural circuitry of smooth pursuit can be driven by a visual percept in the absence of retinal stimulation and that specific voluntary shifts in the direction of experienced gaze within REM sleep dreams are accompanied by corresponding rotations of the physical eyes.