bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saúde bucal
Authors: Ribeiro Vanessa dos Santos , Eduardo Aline Helena Appoloni , Zamarioli Cristina Mara , Guilherme Caroline , Carvalho Emilia Campos
Published: July 2018

Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de una intervención educativa en base al empleo de un video, en el grado de auto satisfacción con la salud bucal, en el impacto de la condición bucal sobre el desempeño de las actividades diarias y en el conocimiento sobre la salud bucal, en estudiantes de enfermería. Método: estudio cuasi-experimental utilizando un video como intervención educativa. Las medidas empleadas fueron la Escala de Autosatisfacción con la Salud Bucal, el Oral Impacts on Daily Performance y un instrumento para la evaluación cognitiva y procedimental sobre el tema. Estudio aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación de la Institución (CAAE 12850613.8.00.00.5393). Resultados: participaron 60 estudiantes. Al comparar los dos momentos del estudio se observó que la intervención educativa promovió aumento de la autosatisfacción con la salud bucal, en la percepción de impactos de las condiciones bucales en las actividades diarias, en el conocimiento cognitivo sobre la salud bucal y en la ejecución de la técnica de higienización. Conclusión: el video demostró tener efecto educativo sobre la auto sensibilidad, en la percepción de impactos de la condición bucal, sobre el conocimiento cognitivo y procedimental con relación a la salud bucal de estudiantes de enfermería.
Time to get our four priorities right: an 8-year prospective investigation of 1326 player-seasons to identify the frequency, nature, and burden of time-loss injuries in elite Gaelic football
Authors: Roe Mark , Murphy John C. , Gissane Conor , Blake Catherine
Published: July 2018

Managing injury risk requires an understanding of how and when athletes sustain certain injuries. Such information guides organisations in establishing evidence-based priorities and expectations for managing injury risk. In order to minimise the impact of sports injuries, attention should be directed towards injuries that occur frequently, induce substantial time-loss, and elevate future risk. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate the rate at which elite Gaelic football players sustain different time-loss injuries during match-play and training activities. Datasets (n = 38) from elite Gaelic football teams (n = 17) were received by the National Gaelic Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Database from 2008 to 2016. A total of 1,614 time-loss injuries were analysed. Each season teams sustained 24.0 (interquartile ranges) (IQR 16.0–32.0) and 15.0 (IQR 10.0–19.0) match-play and training injuries, respectively. When exposure was standardised to 1,000 h, greater rates of injury (12.9, 95% CI [11.7–14.3]) and time-loss days (13.4, 95% CI [12.3–14.9]) were sustained in match-play than in training. Acute injury rates were 3.1-times (95% CI [2.7–3.4]) greater than chronic/overuse injuries. Similarly, non-contact injury rates were 2.8-times (95% CI [2.5–3.2]) greater than contact injuries. A total of 71% of injuries in elite Gaelic football affected five lower limb sites. Four lower limb-related clinical entities accounted for 40% of all time-loss injuries (hamstring, 23%; ankle sprain, 7%; adductor-related, 6%; quadriceps strain, 5%). Thus, most risk management and rehabilitation strategies need to be centred around five lower limb sites—and just four clinical entities. Beyond these, it may be highly unlikely that reductions in injury susceptibility can be attributed to specific team interventions. Thus, compliance with national databases is necessary to monitor injury-related metrics and future endeavours to minimise injury risk.
Advertisement call ofBrachycephalus albolineatus(Anura: Brachycephalidae)
Authors: Bornschein Marcos R. , Ribeiro Luiz Fernando , Rollo Mario M. , Confetti André E. , Pie Marcio R.
Published: July 2018

Background

Brachycephalusare among the smallest terrestrial vertebrates in the world. The genus encompasses 34 species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, occurring mostly in montane forests, with many species showing microendemic distributions to single mountaintops. It includes diurnal species living in the leaf litter and calling during the day, mainly during the warmer months of the year. The natural history of the vast majority of the species is unknown, such as their advertisement call, which has been described only for seven species of the genus. In the present study, we describe the advertisement call ofBrachycephalus albolineatus, a recently described microendemic species from Santa Catarina, southern Brazil.

Methods

We analyzed 34 advertisement calls from 20 individuals ofB. albolineatus, recorded between 5 and 6 February 2016 in the type locality of the species, Morro Boa Vista, on the border between the municipalities of Jaraguá do Sul and Massaranduba, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. We collected five individuals as vouchers (they are from the type series of the species). We used the note-centered approach to describe the advertisement calls of the species.

Results

B. albolineatushave a long advertisement call of 40–191 s (mean of 88 s) composed of 8–29 notes (mean of 17 notes) emitted at a rate of 6–18 notes per minute (mean of 11 notes per minute) and at a note dominant frequency of five to seven kHz (mean of six kHz). Advertisement calls are composed of isolated notes and note groups (two notes involved in each particular note group); the former is composed by one to three pulses (mean of 2.0) and the note groups by two or three pulses in each note (mean of 2.7). Most advertisement calls present both isolated notes and note groups, with a few cases showing only the former. Note groups are emitted invariably in the last third of the advertisement call. Most isolated notes escalate their number of pulses along the advertisement call (1–2, 1–3 or 2–3). Note duration of isolated notes varies from 0.002 to 0.037 s (mean of 0.020 s) and duration of note group vary from 0.360 to 0.578 s (mean of 0.465 s).

Discussion

Individuals increase the complexity of their calls as they proceed, incorporating note groups and pulses per note. Intra-individual variation analysis also demonstrated that less structured advertisement calls (i.e., with notes with fewer pulses) are not stereotyped. It is possible that isolated notes and note groups could have distinct functions, perhaps territorial defense and mating, respectively. We argue that using a note-centered approach facilitates comparisons with calls of congeners, as well as underscores the considerable differences in call structure between species in a single group and among species groups.
The influence of different deep-sea coral habitats on sediment macrofaunal community structure and function
Authors: Bourque Jill R. , Demopoulos Amanda W.J.
Published: July 2018

Deep-sea corals can create a highly complex, three-dimensional structure that facilitates sediment accumulation and influences adjacent sediment environments through altered hydrodynamic regimes. Infaunal communities adjacent to different coral types, including reef-building scleractinian corals and individual colonies of octocorals, are known to exhibit higher macrofaunal densities and distinct community structure when compared to non-coral soft-sediment communities. However, the coral types have different morphologies, which may modify the adjacent sediment communities in discrete ways. Here we address: (1) how infaunal communities and their associated sediment geochemistry compare among deep-sea coral types (Lophelia pertusa, Madrepora oculata, and octocorals) and (2) do infaunal communities adjacent to coral habitats exhibit typical regional and depth-related patterns observed in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Sediment push cores were collected to assess diversity, composition, numerical abundance, and functional traits of macrofauna (>300 µm) across 450 kilometers in the GOM at depths ranging from 263–1,095 m. Macrofaunal density was highest in L. pertusa habitats, but similar between M. oculata and octocorals habitats. Density overall exhibited a unimodal relationship with depth, with maximum densities between 600 and 800 m. Diversity and evenness were highest in octocoral habitats; however, there was no relationship between diversity and depth. Infaunal assemblages and functional traits differed among coral habitats, with L. pertusa habitats the most distinct from both M. oculata and octocorals. These patterns could relate to differences in sediment geochemistry as L. pertusa habitats contained high organic carbon content but low proportions of mud compared to both M. oculata and octocoral habitats. Distance-based linear modeling revealed depth, mud content, and organic carbon as the primary factors in driving coral infaunal community structure, while geographic location (longitude) was the primary factor in functional trait composition, highlighting both the location and ecological differences of L. pertusa habitats from other coral habitats. Enhanced habitat structural complexity associated with L. pertusa and differences in localized hydrodynamic flow may contribute to the dissimilarities in the communities found among the coral types. Our results suggest a decoupling for infaunal coral communities from the typical depth-related density and diversity patterns present throughout soft-sediment habitats in the GOM, highlighting the importance of deep-sea corals in structuring unique communities in the nearby benthos.
MTA1 drives malignant progression and bone metastasis in prostate cancer
Authors: Kumar Avinash , Dhar Swati , Campanelli Gisella , Butt Nasir A. , Schallheim Jason M. , Gomez Christian R. , Levenson Anait S.
Published: July 2018

Prostate cancer often metastasizes to the bone, leading to morbidity and mortality. While metastasis‐associated protein 1 (MTA1) is highly overexpressed in metastatic tumors and bone metastatic lesions, its exact role in the development of metastasis is unknown. Here, we report the role of MTA1 in prostate cancer progression and bone metastasis in vitro and in vivo. We found that MTA1 silencing diminished formation of bone metastases and impaired tumor growth in intracardiac and subcutaneous prostate cancer xenografts, respectively. This was attributed to reduced colony formation, invasion, and migration capabilities of MTA1 knockdown cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that MTA1 silencing led to a significant decrease in the expression of cathepsin B (CTSB), a cysteine protease critical for bone metastasis, with an expected increase in the levels of E‐cadherin in both cells and xenograft tumors. Moreover, meta‐analysis of clinical samples indicated a positive correlation between MTA1 and CTSB. Together, these results demonstrate the critical role of MTA1 as an upstream regulator of CTSB‐mediated events associated with cell invasiveness and raise the possibility that targeting MTA1/CTSB signaling in the tumor may prevent the development of bone metastasis in prostate cancer.
Structural and interaction analysis of the Rrp5 C‐terminal region
Authors: Pérébaskine Natacha , Thore Stéphane , Fribourg Sébastien
Published: July 2018

Rrp5 is an essential factor during the ribosome biogenesis process. The protein contains a series of 12 S1 RNA‐binding domains followed by a TetratricoPeptide Repeat (TPR) domain. In the past, several studies aiming at defining the function of the TPR domain have used nonequivalent Rrp5 constructs, as these protein fragments include not only the TPR module, but also three or four S1 domains. We solved the structure of the Rrp5 TPR module and demonstrated in vitro that the TPR region alone does not bind RNA, while the three S1 domains preceding the TPR module can associate with homopolymeric RNA. Finally, we tested the association of our Rrp5 constructs with several proposed interactors, in support of cryo‐EM‐based models.

Coordinates

Atomic coordinates and structure factors have been deposited to the Protein Data Bank under the accession number 5NLG.
Electricity Generation through Light‐Responsive Diving–Surfacing Locomotion of a Functionally Cooperating Smart Device
Authors: Yang Xiao , Cheng Mengjiao , Zhang Lina , Zhang Shu , Liu Xiaolin , Shi Feng
Published: July 2018

Mini‐generators converting other forms of energy into electric energy are ideal power supplies for widely used microelectronic devices because they need only a low power supply in the range of µW to mW. Among various creative strategies to fabricate mini‐generators, recently developed functionally integrated systems combining self‐propulsion of small objects and the application of Faraday's law show advantages such as facile, noncontact, low resistance, and durability. However, wide application of such functionally integrated systems is currently restricted by artificial energy inputs, such as chemical fuels or mechanical work, and harvesting energy available in the environment or nature is urgently required. Herein, a light‐responsive functionally cooperating smart device is developed as a mini‐generator that can directly harvest naturally available light energy for diving–surfacing motions, thus converting mechanical energy into electricity through Faraday's law. The mini‐generator generates a maximum voltage of 1.72 V with an energy conversion efficiency of 2.44 × 10−3% to power LEDs and shows a lifetime of at least 30 000 s. By using environmental energy, the study may promote the concept of a functionally cooperating system as an economic and facile power supply for microelectronics, reducing their dependence on batteries.
A Non‐Volatile Chalcogenide Switchable Hyperbolic Metamaterial
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Harish N. S. , Gholipour Behrad , Zheludev Nikolay I. , Soci Cesare
Published: July 2018

Phase change materials have enabled the realization of dynamic nanophotonic devices with various functionalities. Reconfigurable hyperbolic metamaterials integrated with such elements have been demonstrated in the past but the volatile nature of their optical properties is a limitation, particularly for applications that require the device to be preserved in a specified state. Here, a proof‐of‐concept demonstration of a non‐volatile, switchable hyperbolic metamaterial based on a chalcogenide glass is reported. By using the Ge2Sb2Te5 alloy as one of the components of a multilayered nanocomposite structure and exploiting its phase change property, a hyperbolic metamaterial in which the type‐I hyperbolic dispersion (ε⊥ < 0, ε|| > 0) and negative refraction can be switched from the near‐infrared to the visible region is demonstrated. This opens up new opportunities for reconfigurable device applications, such as imaging, optical data storage, and sensing.
Inorganic p‐Type Semiconductors as Hole Conductor Building Blocks for Robust Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Cetin Cagdas , Chen Peng , Hao Mengmeng , He Dongxu , Bai Yang , Lyu Miaoqiang , Yun Jung‐Ho , Wang Lianzhou
Published: July 2018

Organic–inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable scientific and industrial interest because of their high efficiency and solution processability. As a key component, hole transport materials (HTMs) are critically important for achieving efficient hole extraction and thus high performance. However, the commonly employed organic HTMs such as 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9′‐spiro‐bifuorene and poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) are quite expensive due to their complicated synthesis procedures and high purity requirements. Moreover, the instability of these organic compounds further hinders the large‐scale commercialization of PSCs. To address these issues, various inorganic p‐type semiconductors featuring excellent chemical stability, high hole mobility, and suitable energy levels are investigated as promising alternatives to their organic counterparts. Herein, recent advances of inorganic hole conductors for PSCs with a focus on low‐cost fabrication and enhanced long‐term stability are reviewed. A series of unexplored inorganic p‐type semiconductors with desirable optoelectronic properties are also highlighted as promising candidates. In addition, the current challenges and potential strategies are presented to reveal the future opportunities in this research field.
Reactivity and Selectivity of Iminium Organocatalysis Improved by a Protein Host
Authors: Nödling Alexander R. , Świderek Katarzyna , Castillo Raquel , Hall Jonathan W. , Angelastro Antonio , Morrill Louis C. , Jin Yi , Tsai Yu‐Hsuan , Moliner Vicent , Luk Louis Y. P.
Published: July 2018

There has been growing interest in performing organocatalysis within a supramolecular system as a means of controlling reaction reactivity and stereoselectivity. Here, a protein is used as a host for iminium catalysis. A pyrrolidine moiety is covalently linked to biotin and introduced to the protein host streptavidin for organocatalytic activity. Whereas in traditional systems stereoselectivity is largely controlled by the substituents added to the organocatalyst, enantiomeric enrichment by the reported supramolecular system is completely controlled by the host. Also, the yield of the model reaction increases over 10‐fold when streptavidin is included. A 1.1 Å crystal structure of the protein–catalyst complex and molecular simulations of a key intermediate reveal the chiral scaffold surrounding the organocatalytic reaction site. This work illustrates that proteins can be an excellent supramolecular host for driving stereoselective secondary amine organocatalysis.
A novel Pt/C‐catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reaction of p‐benzoquinone to produce p‐hydroquinone using cyclohexanone as an unexpectedly effective hydrogen source
Authors: Wang Fang , Xu Lin , Sun Cheng , Yu Lei , Xu Qing
Published: July 2018

A new method for the production of p‐hydroquinone via a Pt/C‐catalyzed reduction of p‐benzoquinone is developed. Different from the conventional transfer hydrogenation reactions that usually use secondary alcohols such as isopropanol as the hydrogen source, in this work, it is unexpectedly found that cyclohexanone is a more effective hydrogen source than secondary alcohols, even cyclohexanol. This reaction affords acceptable yields of p‐hydroquinone with very high turnover number (1109) of the Pt/C catalyst. A mechanism of this interesting reaction is proposed on the basis of the results of a series of control experiments, GC–MS analysis as well as dynamic studies.
Synthesis of tetracyanoethylene‐substituted ferrocene and its device properties
Authors: Kivrak Arif , Zobi Cengiz , Torlak Yasemin , Çamlısoy Yeşim , Kuş Mahmut , Kivrak Hilal
Published: July 2018

Small organic molecules are promising candidates for cheaper, flexible and good‐performance sources for organic solar cells (OSCs) due to their easy fabrication, low cost and slightly cheaper processing. However, the lower power conversion efficiency of OSCs is the main problem for their applications. Ferrocene structures could be the best candidates for the active layers of OSCs due to their unique properties such as thermal and chemical stability. The electrochemical, electro‐optical and solar cell performances of 2,5‐dicyano‐3‐ferrocenyl‐4‐ferrocenylethynylhexa‐2,4‐dienedinitrile (DiCN‐Fc) structures were investigated. First, the electrochemical and electro‐optical properties were examined for finding the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital values and bandgap of DiCN‐Fc. The best photovoltaic performance was obtained with 7 wt% of DiCN‐Fc loading, with a power conversion efficiency of about 4.27%. In the light of our investigations, ferrocenyl‐substituted small organic molecules could contribute to the development of organic photovoltaic devices.
Bifurcation Analysis and Stability Criterion for the Nonlinear Fractional‐Order Three‐Dimensional Financial System with Delay
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zhang Jing , Cheng Fanyong , Xu Yuebing
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we study the dynamic characteristics of fractional‐order nonlinear financial systems, including bifurcation and local asymptotic stability. Among them, we select the elasticity of demand of commercial (EDC) as the bifurcation point to discuss the state of the system. By calculating, the lowest order bifurcation point is obtained. Furthermore, the impulse control gains that follow a fractional‐order control law are applied to make the fractional‐order nonlinear financial system stable. In addition, some numerical simulation examples are provided to verify the effectiveness and the benefit of the proposed state form of the system near the bifurcation point and the states of the system when the impulse control is used or not.
Unified FDI and FTC Scheme for Air Path Actuators of a Diesel Engine Using ISM Extended with Adaptive Part
Authors: Murtaza Ghulam , Bhatti Aamir Iqbal , Butt Yasir Awais
Published: July 2018

A unified fault detection and isolation (FDI) and fault tolerant control (FTC) strategy for the diesel engine's air management system has been formulated. Diesel engines need to comply with the strict emission requirements for which they are equipped with specialized sub‐systems for the purpose, such as the variable geometry turbo (VGT) charger and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Hardware‐based controls tend to make the system more complex and prone to structured and unstructured faults. This calls for an advanced FTC technique that can ensure desired level of emissions even in the presence of minor system malfunctions. The scheme proposed in this paper detects, isolates and estimates the structured faults and minimizes their effects by re‐positioning the actuators using integral sliding mode (ISM) control. Estimating the magnitude of structured faults help to reduce the ISM controller gains, eventually reducing the chattering. The stability of the system is analyzed using Lyapunov stability criterion. Simulations have been performed using fully validated industrial scale model of a diesel engine to elucidate the effectiveness of our scheme.
Observer‐Based Multiple Faults Diagnosis Scheme for Satellite Attitude Control System
Authors: Gao Sheng , Zhang Wei , He Xu
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes a multiple fault diagnosis (MFD) scheme based on an observer method for satellite attitude control systems (ACSs) subject to nonlinearity and external disturbances of the system. The essential idea is to develop a fault diagnosis scheme and design the corresponding observers for satellite ACSs. The nonlinearity, space external disturbances, sensor uncertainties, and multiple faults problem of the satellite ACS are all taken into account. The proposed MFD scheme is developed at two different levels. First, at the system level, two nonlinear observers based on analytical redundancy are designed for the MFD of the satellite ACS; this level roughly reveals the fault source. Then, at the component level, a bank of sliding mode observers activated by the results of the previous diagnosis is designed to precisely diagnose multiple faults of actuators in the satellite ACS; this level further precisely reveals the fault source. Both the nonlinear observers and the sliding mode observers are confirmed to be asymptotically stable via Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, numerical simulations of a satellite ACS are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed MFD scheme.
Project‐based teaching in Calculus courses: Estimation of the surface and perimeter of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Caridade Cristina M. R. , Encinas Ascensión H. , Martín‐Vaquero Jesús , Queiruga‐Dios Araceli , Rasteiro Deolinda M. L. D.
Published: July 2018

We have been working, for some years, in the application of mathematics to different engineering problems with the main goal of improving our students’ motivation and make possible for them to connect and apply what they learn in Calculus classes to other engineering subjects. We describe a case study with students of Electrotechnical Engineering from the Coimbra Institute of Engineering (ISEC) and from Biologist and Geological Engineering degrees students from the University of Salamanca (USAL) in a Calculus course. The study involves the application of mathematical software in the calculus of a real situation: the estimation of the surface and length of an irregular figure: the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, we include the results of a pre‐ and post‐test control group study, before and after using that application in the classroom. The results indicate that those experiences were very enriching for the students in different degrees and in both countries. We tested at different centers from two different countries with similar results.
Comparison of bench‐scale decortication devices to fractionate bran from sorghum
Authors: Hums Megan E. , Moreau Robert A. , Yadav Madhav P. , Powell Michael J. , Simon Stefanie
Published: July 2018

Background and objectives

Decortication of sorghum grain separates its pericarp (bran) from the endosperm which could have beneficial impacts on ethanol production while producing value‐added coproducts. The goal of this study was to compare three bench‐scale devices (barley pearler, scarifier, and rice polisher) to decorticate sorghum grain and analyze the composition of each fraction.

Findings

The scarifier and barley pearler produced bran with similar contents of protein (~10%), starch (~40%), and total dietary fiber (~40%). In a single batch to produce 10% (w/w) bran, the scarifier processed more sorghum to produce more bran (12 g/150 g) than the barley pearler (7 g/75 g). The rice polisher produced bran (43 g/500 g) with higher content of oil (~12%), protein (~11%), ash (~6%), and starch (~47%), but total dietary fiber was lower (~29%). The scarifier bran had the highest wax content (1.9%), while the rice polisher and barley pearler brans had similar lower wax content (1.6%).

Conclusions

The composition of bran from the rice polisher indicated that more germ and some endosperm were removed during decortication as compared to the other devices.

Significance and novelty

There is a need for producing bran between laboratory‐ and pilot‐scale with efficient separation of the pericarp from the endosperm. This research is the first to compare the composition of all sorghum fractions, including a wax analysis, from three types of bench‐scale decortication devices.
Denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography and principal component analysis for identification of DNA point mutations in breast cancer and lymphoma samples
Authors: Perfecto‐Avalos Yocanxóchitl , Cuevas‐Díaz Durán Raquel , Villela Luis , Garcia‐Gonzalez Alejandro , Díaz‐Domínguez Ricardo Javier , Loyo Tania , Gutiérrez‐Monreal Miguel Ángel , Esparza‐Treviño Juan Manuel , Rocha‐Inclán Carlos , Rojo Rocío , Cárdenas‐Cantú Eduardo , Pantaléon‐García Jezreel , Scott Sean‐Patrick
Published: July 2018

DNA mutations are identified by techniques that use the knowledge of the wild‐type DNA sequence and its mutated variant. The involved analytic methods must be accurate, rapid, and sustainable, if a clinical application is pursued. High‐performance liquid chromatography under denaturing conditions is a useful technique to screen mutations. Denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography resultant chromatograms are suitable for feature extraction analysis with multivariate methods such as principal component analysis. In this work, principal component analysis was applied to analyze the chromatograms from 3 different genes. Fragments with verified wild‐type sequence were used as reference and samples with sequence unknown were tested. A statistical characterization based on Tukey's boxplot equation of principal component scores allowed us to analyze the distance distribution between reference and sample clusters to establish a classification criterion: an outlier could represent a mutated sample, and a typical value could be a wild‐type sample. Identified outliers were further analyzed by sequencing and proved to carry a mutation. From 72 datasets with a total of 4258 injections, we successfully assessed the classification criterion, identifying mutated samples in lymphoma and breast cancer patients with ratio of prediction Gmean = [0.89, 1.00]. Compared with sequencing analysis, this procedure reduced time and costs.
Model‐based and data‐driven with multiscale sum of squares double EWMA control chart for fault detection in biological systems
Authors: Mansouri Majdi , Harkat Mohamed Faouzi , Teh Sin Yin , Al‐khazraji Ayman , Nounou Hazem , Nounou Mohamed
Published: July 2018

The objectives of this paper will be sought. First, an enhanced technique that can accurately model biological processes will be developed. To deal with scenarios where a process model is available, the particle filter method will be developed to better handle the nonlinear and high‐dimensional state estimation problem. Second, a multiscale sum of squares double exponentially weighted moving average (MS‐SS‐DEWMA) chart will be applied to the monitored residuals in order to enhance the fault detection abilities. The advantage of MS‐SS‐DEWMA chart is twofold: (1) The SS‐DEWMA chart uses the sum of squares statistics; it simultaneously monitors the process mean and variance in a single chart. It has presented better performance than the classical EWMA‐based charts. (2) The multiscale data representation can be used as an effective tool for reducing noise from a signal's time series. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated using a synthetic and simulated Cad system in Escherichia coli (CSEC) data. When the simulated CSEC model is used, the developed approach is applied for monitoring some of the key variables involved in the CSEC model. The proposed strategy is also applied to detect diseases using genomic copy number data through better detection of aberrations in the genetic information of patients, which can help medical doctors make more accurate diagnosis of diseases.
Multimodal Microscopy Distinguishes Extracellular Aggregation and Cellular Uptake of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanohorns
Authors: Devereux Stephen J. , Cheung Shane , Daly Harrison C. , O'Shea Donal F. , Quinn Susan J.
Published: July 2018

The low toxicity, high surface area, and ease of functionalisation of carbon nanohorns (CNH) makes them attractive systems for cellular imaging, diagnostics and therapeutics. However, challenges remain for the biomedical translation of these and other nanomaterials. A significant task is tuning the surface chemistry to achieve optimal cellular interactions. Herein, we combine real‐time fluorescent imaging of nanoparticle cellular uptake and real‐time differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging of extracellular media to monitor a) nanoparticle/nanoparticle and b) nanoparticle/cell interactions for CNHs covalently modified with an OFF/ON near‐IR dye, the fluorescence of which is switched OFF in extracellular environments and triggered upon cellular internalisation. CHN samples modified with different loadings of the hydrophobic dye are taken as a simple model of drug‐loaded nanoparticle systems. The punctate fluorescence suggests the CNHs are delivered to lysosomes and other vesicles of the endocytic pathway. DIC imaging highlights the competition that exists for many particle types, between extracellular aggregation and cellular internalization, the efficiency of which would be dependent upon the amount of fluorophore loading. The results of this study illustrate how complementary real‐time imaging methods together with physicochemical characterisation can be used to address the challenges involved in optimising nanoparticle/cell interactions for biomedical applications.
Protein–Metal‐Ion Networks: A Unique Approach toward Metal Sulfide Nanoparticles Embedded In Situ in Nanocomposites
Authors: Wang Liqiang , Deng Liu , Liu You‐Nian
Published: July 2018

Nanoscale metal sulfides are of tremendous potential in biomedicine. Generally, the properties and performances of metal sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) are highly related to their structures, sizes and morphologies. Recently, a strategy of using sulfur‐containing protein–metal‐ion networks for preparing metal sulfide embedded nanocomposites was proposed. Within the networks, proteins can play multiple roles to drive the transformation of these networks into protein‐encapsulated metal sulfide NPs with ultrasmall size and defined structure (as both a template and a sulfur provider) or metal sulfide NP–protein hydrogels with injecting and self‐healing properties (as a template, a sulfur provider, and a gelator) in a controlled manner. In this Concept, the synthesis strategy, the formation mechanism, and the biomedical applications of the gained nanocomposites are presented. Moreover, the challenges and opportunities of using protein–metal ion networks to construct functional materials for biomedical applications are analyzed.
Differentiating Antiproliferative and Chemopreventive Modes of Activity for Electron‐Deficient Aryl Isothiocyanates against Human MCF‐7 Cells
Authors: Anderson Ruthellen H. , Lensing Cody J. , Forred Benjamin J. , Amolins Michael W. , Aegerter Cassandra L. , Vitiello Peter F. , Mays Jared R.
Published: July 2018

The consumption of Brassica vegetables provides beneficial effects through organic isothiocyanates (ITCs), products of the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosinolate secondary metabolites. The ITC l‐sulforaphane (l‐SFN) is the principle agent in broccoli that demonstrates several modes of anticancer action. While the anticancer properties of ITCs like l‐SFN have been extensively studied and l‐SFN has been the subject of multiple human clinical trials, the scope of this work has largely been limited to those derivatives found in nature. Previous studies have demonstrated that structural changes in an ITC can lead to marked differences in a compound's potency to 1) inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and 2) alter cellular transcriptional profiles. This study describes the preparation of a library of non‐natural aryl ITCs and the development of a bifurcated screening approach to evaluate the dose‐ and time‐dependence on antiproliferative and chemopreventive properties against human MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. Antiproliferative effects were evaluated using a commercial MTS cell viability assay. Chemopreventive properties were evaluated using an antioxidant response element (ARE)‐promoted luciferase reporter assay. The results of this study have led to the identification of 1) several key structure–activity relationships and 2) lead ITCs for continued development.
Structural Basis of Substrate Recognition and Covalent Inhibition of Cdu1 from Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Ramirez Yesid A. , Adler Thomas B. , Altmann Eva , Klemm Theresa , Tiesmeyer Christian , Sauer Florian , Kathman Stefan G. , Statsyuk Alexander V. , Sotriffer Christoph , Kisker Caroline
Published: July 2018

Based on the similarity between the active sites of the deubiquitylating and deneddylating enzyme ChlaDub1 (Cdu1) and the evolutionarily related protease adenain, a target‐hopping screening approach on a focused set of adenain inhibitors was investigated. The cyanopyrimidine‐based inhibitors identified represent the first active‐site‐directed small‐molecule inhibitors of Cdu1. High‐resolution crystal structures of Cdu1 in complex with two covalently bound cyanopyrimidines, as well as with its substrate ubiquitin, were obtained. These structural data were complemented by enzymatic assays and covalent docking studies to provide insight into the substrate recognition of Cdu1, active‐site pocket flexibility and potential hotspots for ligand interaction. Combined, these data provide a strong basis for future structure‐guided medicinal chemistry optimization of this cyanopyrimidine scaffold into more potent and selective Cdu1 inhibitors.
A Method to Compare the Activities of Semiconductor Photocatalysts in Liquid−Solid Systems
Authors: Megatif Lena , Dillert Ralf , Bahnemann Detlef W.
Published: July 2018

A method to determine the activity of semiconducting photocatalysts in liquid–solid systems is suggested employing a black body photoreactor. The reaction rates, defined as the converted amount of the probe molecule per unit time (dn/dt), in the presence of nine different photocatalysts, were found to be constant and not affected by the initial concentration of the probe compound dichloroacetic acid (c0), the mass concentration of the photocatalyst (γ), and the suspension volume (when c0 and γ are larger than 5 mM and 1 g L−1, respectively). The method presented here thus seems to be generally applicable to obtain experimental data allowing the comparison of the photocatalytic activities of different semiconductors.
Preparation of Musk‐Smelling Macrocyclic Lactones from Biomass: Looking for the Optimal Substrate Combination
Authors: Sytniczuk Adrian , Leszczyńska Agnieszka , Kajetanowicz Anna , Grela Karol
Published: July 2018

Macrocyclic musk belongs to a well‐known and valued class of the fragrance family. Originally, natural musks were obtained from rectal musk glands which often led to the death of the animals. Recently, a lot of effort was invested to obtain such macrocycles in a synthetic way. This research presents a study on the preparation of macrocyclic lactones with the musk scent by ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) using biomass‐derived starting materials: oleic and 9‐decenoic acid. An experimental rule correlating the C–C double bond substitution pattern in the starting diene and the yield for the RCM macrocyclization was proposed.
Tuning the Amount of Oxygen Vacancies in Sputter‐Deposited SnOx films for Enhancing the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ali Fawad , Pham Ngoc Duy , Bradford H. Jonathan , Khoshsirat Nima , Ostrikov Ken , Bell John M. , Wang Hongxia , Tesfamichael Tuquabo
Published: July 2018

This work demonstrates the effect of oxygen vacancies in SnOx thin films on the performance of perovskite solar cells. Various SnOx films with different amounts of oxygen vacancies were deposited by sputtering at different substrate temperatures (25–300 °C). The transmittance of the films decreased from 82 to 66 % with increasing deposition temperature from 25 to 300 °C. Both X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron‐spin resonance spectroscopy confirmed that a higher density of oxygen vacancies was created within the SnOx film at a high substrate temperature, which caused narrowing of the SnOx bandgap from 4.1 (25 °C) to 3.74 eV (250 °C). Combined ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and UV/Vis spectroscopy showed an excellent conduction band position alignment between the methylammonium lead iodide perovskite layer (3.90 eV) and the SnOx electron transport layer deposited at 250 °C (3.92 eV). As a result, a significant enhancement of the open‐circuit voltage from 0.82 to 1.0 V was achieved, resulting in an increase of the power conversion efficiency of the perovskite solar cells from 11 to 14 %. This research demonstrated a facile approach for controlling the amount of oxygen vacancies in SnOx thin films to achieve a desirable energy alignment with the perovskite absorber layer for enhanced device performance.
Fault diagnosis and its prediction in wireless sensor networks using regressional learning to achieve fault tolerance
Authors: Swain Rakesh Ranjan , Khilar Pabitra Mohan , Dash Tirtharaj
Published: July 2018

Due to the wide range of critical applications and resource constraints, sensor node gives unexpected responses, which leads to various kind of faults in sensor node and failure in wireless sensor networks. Many research studies focus only on fault diagnosis, and comparatively limited studies have been conducted on fault diagnosis along with fault tolerance in sensor networks. This paper reports a complete study on both 2 aspects and presents a fault tolerance approach using regressional learning with fault diagnosis in wireless sensor networks. The proposed method diagnose the different types of faulty nodes such as hard permanent, soft permanent, intermittent, and transient faults with better detection accuracy. The proposed method follows a fault tolerance phase where faulty sensor node values would be predicted by using the data sensed by the fault free neighbors. The experimental evaluation of the fault tolerance module shows promising results with R2 of more than 0.99. For the periodic fault such as intermittent fault, the proposed method also predict the possible occurrence time and its duration of the faulty node, so that fault tolerance can be achieved at that particular time period for better performance of the network.
Genomic mosaicism in the developing and adult brain
Authors: Rohrback Suzanne , Siddoway Benjamin , Liu Christine S. , Chun Jerold
Published: July 2018

Since the discovery of DNA, the normal developing and functioning brain has been assumed to be composed of cells with identical genomes, which remains the dominant view even today. However, this pervasive assumption is incorrect, as proven by increasing numbers of reports within the last 20 years that have identified multiple forms of somatically produced genomic mosaicism (GM), wherein brain cells—especially neurons—from a single individual show diverse alterations in DNA, distinct from the germline. Critically, these changes alter the actual DNA nucleotide sequences—in contrast to epigenetic mechanisms—and almost certainly contribute to the remarkably diverse phenotypes of single brain cells, including single‐cell transcriptomic profiles. Here, we review the history of GM within the normal brain, including its major forms, initiating mechanisms, and possible functions. GM forms include aneuploidies and aneusomies, smaller copy number variations (CNVs), long interspersed nuclear element type 1 (LINE1) repeat elements, and single nucleotide variations (SNVs), as well as DNA content variation (DCV) that reflects all forms of GM with greatest coverage of large, brain cell populations. In addition, technical considerations are examined, along with relationships among GM forms and multiple brain diseases. GM affecting genes and loci within the brain contrast with current neural discovery approaches that rely on sequencing nonbrain DNA (e.g., genome‐wide association studies (GWAS)). Increasing knowledge of neural GM has implications for mechanisms of development, diversity, and function, as well as understanding diseases, particularly considering the overwhelming prevalence of sporadic brain diseases that are unlinked to germline mutations. © 2018 The Authors. Developmental Neurobiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2018
Transplantation of Ears Provides Insights into Inner Ear Afferent Pathfinding Properties
Authors: Gordy Clayton , Straka Hans , Houston Douglas W. , Fritzsch Bernd , Elliott Karen L.
Published: July 2018

Numerous tissue transplantations have demonstrated that otocysts can develop into normal ears in any location in all vertebrates tested thus far, though the pattern of innervation of these transplanted ears has largely been understudied. Here, expanding on previous findings that transplanted ears demonstrate capability of local brainstem innervation and can also be innervated themselves by efferents, we show that inner ear afferents grow toward the spinal cord mostly along existing afferent and efferent fibers and preferentially enter the dorsal spinal cord. Once in the dorsal funiculus of the spinal cord, they can grow toward the hindbrain and can diverge into vestibular nuclei. Inner ear afferents can also project along lateral line afferents. Likewise, lateral line afferents can navigate along inner ear afferents to reach hair cells in the ear. In addition, transplanted ears near the heart show growth of inner ear afferents along epibranchial placode‐derived vagus afferents. Our data indicate that inner ear afferents can navigate in foreign locations, likely devoid of any local ear‐specific guidance cues, along existing nerves, possibly using the nerve‐associated Schwann cells as substrate to grow along. However, within the spinal cord and hindbrain, inner ear afferents can navigate to vestibular targets, likely using gradients of diffusible factors that define the dorso‐ventral axis to guide them. Finally, afferents of transplanted ears functionally connect to native hindbrain vestibular circuitry, indicated by eliciting a startle behavior response, and providing excitatory input to specific sets of extraocular motoneurons.
The Role of Axon Transport in Neuroprotection and Regeneration
Authors: Shah Sahil H. , Goldberg Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2018

Retinal ganglion cells and other central nervous system neurons fail to regenerate after injury. Understanding the obstacles to survival and regeneration, and overcoming them, is key to preserving and restoring function. While comparisons in the cellular changes seen in these non‐regenerative cells with those that do have intrinsic regenerative ability has yielded many candidate genes for regenerative therapies, complete visual recovery has not yet been achieved. Insights gained from neurodegenerative diseases, like glaucoma, underscore the importance of axonal transport of organelles, mRNA, and effector proteins in injury and disease. Targeting molecular motor networks, and their cargoes, may be necessary for realizing complete axonal regeneration and vision restoration.
Genetic structuring in a Neotropical palm analyzed through an Andean orogenesis‐scenario
Authors: Escobar Sebastián , Pintaud Jean‐Christophe , Balslev Henrik , Bernal Rodrigo , Moraes Ramírez Mónica , Millán Betty , Montúfar Rommel
Published: July 2018

Andean orogenesis has driven the development of very high plant diversity in the Neotropics through its impact on landscape evolution and climate. The analysis of the intraspecific patterns of genetic structure in plants would permit inferring the effects of Andean uplift on the evolution and diversification of Neotropical flora. In this study, using microsatellite markers and Bayesian clustering analyses, we report the presence of four genetic clusters for the palmOenocarpus batauavar.batauawhich are located within four biogeographic regions in northwestern South America: (a) Chocó rain forest, (b) Amotape‐Huancabamba Zone, (c) northwestern Amazonian rain forest, and (d) southwestern Amazonian rain forest. We hypothesize that these clusters developed following three genetic diversification events mainly promoted by Andean orogenic events. Additionally, the distinct current climate dynamics among northwestern and southwestern Amazonia may maintain the genetic diversification detected in the western Amazon basin. Genetic exchange was identified between the clusters, including across the Andes region, discarding the possibility of any cluster to diversify as a distinct intraspecific variety. We identified a hot spot of genetic diversity in the northern Peruvian Amazon around the locality of Iquitos. We also detected a decrease in diversity with distance from this area in westward and southward direction within the Amazon basin and the eastern Andean foothills. Additionally, we confirmed the existence and divergence ofO. batauavar.batauafrom var.oligocarpusin northern South America, possibly expanding the distributional range of the latter variety beyond eastern Venezuela, to the central and eastern Andean cordilleras of Colombia. Based on our results, we suggest that Andean orogenesis is the main driver of genetic structuring and diversification inO. batauawithin northwestern South America.