bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reverse engineering approach for improving the quality of mobile applications
Authors: Elsayed Eman K. , ElDahshan Kamal A. , El-Sharawy Enas E. , Ghannam Naglaa E.
Published: April 2019

Background: Portable applications (Android applications) are becoming increasingly complicated by mind-boggling programming frameworks. Applications must be produced rapidly and advance persistently in order to fit new client requirements and execution settings. However, catering to these imperatives may bring about poor outline decisions on design choices, known as anti-patterns, which may possibly corrupt programming quality and execution. Thus, the automatic detection of anti-patterns is a vital process that facilitates both maintenance and evolution tasks. Additionally, it guides developers to refactor their applications and consequently enhance their quality.

Methods: We propose a reverse-engineering approach to analyze Android applications and detect the anti-patterns from mobile apps. We validate the effectiveness of our approach on a set of popular mobile apps such as YouTube, Whats App, Play Store and Twitter. The result of our approach produced an Android app with fewer anti-patterns, leading the way for perfect long-time apps and ensuring that these applications are purely valid.

Results: The proposed method is a general detection method. It detected a set of semantic and structural design anti-patterns which have appeared 1262 times in mobile apps. The results showed that there was a correlation between the anti-patterns detected by an ontology editor and OntoUML editor. The results also showed that using ontology increases the detection percentage approximately 11.3%, guarantees consistency and decreases accuracy of anti-patterns in the new ontology.
Improving rule based classification using harmony search
Authors: Hasanpour Hesam , Ghavamizadeh Meibodi Ramak , Navi Keivan
Published: April 2019

Classification and associative rule mining are two substantial areas in data mining. Some scientists attempt to integrate these two field called rule-based classifiers. Rule-based classifiers can play a very important role in applications such as fraud detection, medical diagnosis, and etc. Numerous previous studies have shown that this type of classifiers achieves high classification accuracy than traditional classification algorithms. However, they still suffer from a fundamental limitation. Many rule-based classifiers used various greedy techniques to prune the redundant rules that lead to missing some important rules. Another challenge that must be considered is related to the enormous set of mined rules that result in high processing overhead. The result of these approaches is that the final selected rules may not be the global best rules. These algorithms are not successful at exploiting search space effectively in order to select the best subset of candidate rules. We merged the Apriori algorithm, harmony search, and classification based association rules (CBA) algorithm for building a rule-based classifier. We applied a modified version of the Apriori algorithm with multiple minimum support for extracting useful rules for each class in the dataset. Instead of using a large number of candidate rules, binary harmony search was utilized for selecting the best subset of rules that appropriate for building a classification model. We applied the proposed method on seventeen benchmark dataset and compared its result with traditional association rule classification algorithms. The statistical results show that our proposed method outperformed other rule-based approaches.
Blood biopsy profiles circulating tumour cells which hold clues to cancer treatment
Authors: Ng Wenfa
Published: April 2019

Tumours shed cells over the course of its development and these cells migrate to the bloodstream after overcoming multiple barriers at the cellular and tissue level. Such cells are known as circulating tumour cells (CTCs). Thus, opportunities exist for using a simple blood draw to help isolate the circulating tumour cells that could inform cancer treatment. Specifically, circulating tumour cells could be isolated from the blood, concentrated and sent for DNA sequencing to identify the mutational signature of the cells. If circulating tumour cells are sequenced at the population rather than single cell level, the information obtained would inform the oncologist about the aggregate mutational pattern of a cancer in a patient. If circulating tumour cells are from a multitude of cancers in a patient whose disease has metastasized, the aggregate profile would remain useful in identifying the mutations present and possible drugs that could be used. On the other hand, if single cell DNA sequencing is used, circulating tumour cells could illuminate, through phylogenetic clustering, the cancer of origin in cases where multiple types of cancer are present in a patient with metastasized cancer. Such information would reveal the clonal origin of a cancer and the most aggressive tumour type amongst a mix of tumour types. Knowledge such as these could potentially revolutionize cancer treatment in identifying the most aggressive cancer to tackle where significant clinical benefit could be obtained. Thus, blood biopsy holds important utility as a tool for informing the cancer types present through DNA sequencing of isolated circulating tumour cells. Such information could emanate from single cell sequencing or pooled processing of a population of cells. Specifically, pooled population informs the aggregate mutational signature useful for chemotherapeutic drug selection, while single cell sequencing identifies particular mutational profile in each cancer type in a patient with metastasized cancer. But, a future beholds where single cell RNA-sequencing is applied to circulating tumour cells at the clinical level, which could potentially yield differential gene expression information that could identify active molecular targets in need of inactivation by chemotherapeutic drugs such as inhibitors.
Light-based tuning of ligand half-life supports kinetic proofreading model of T cell signaling
Authors: Tischer Doug K , Weiner Orion David
Published: April 2019

T cells are thought to discriminate self from foreign peptides by converting small differences in ligand binding half-life into large changes in cell signaling. Such a kinetic proofreading model has been difficult to test directly, as existing methods of altering ligand binding half-life also change other potentially important biophysical parameters, most notably the mechanical stability of the receptor-ligand interaction. Here we develop an optogenetic approach to specifically tune the binding half-life of a chimeric antigen receptor without changing other binding parameters and provide direct evidence of kinetic proofreading in T cell signaling. This half-life discrimination is executed in the proximal signaling pathway, downstream of ZAP70 recruitment and upstream of diacylglycerol accumulation. Our methods represent a general tool for temporal and spatial control of T cell signaling and extend the reach of optogenetics to probe pathways where the individual molecular kinetics, rather than the ensemble average, gates downstream signaling.
Genetic dissection of the different roles of hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons in regulating female reproduction
Authors: Wang Luhong , Vanacker Charlotte , Burger Laura L , Barnes Tammy , Shah Yatrik M , Myers Martin G , Moenter Suzanne M
Published: April 2019

The brain regulates fertility through gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Estradiol induces negative feedback on pulsatile GnRH/luteinizing hormone (LH) release and positive feedback generating preovulatory GnRH/LH surges. Negative and positive feedbacks are postulated to be mediated by kisspeptin neurons in arcuate and anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nuclei, respectively. Kisspeptin-specific ERα knockout mice exhibit disrupted LH pulses and surges. This knockout approach is neither location-specific nor temporally controlled. We utilized CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt ERα in adulthood. Mice with ERα disruption in AVPV kisspeptin neurons have typical reproductive cycles but blunted LH surges, associated with decreased excitability of these neurons. Mice with ERα knocked down in arcuate kisspeptin neurons showed disrupted cyclicity, associated with increased glutamatergic transmission to these neurons. These observations suggest that activational effects of estradiol regulate surge generation and maintain cyclicity through AVPV and arcuate kisspeptin neurons, respectively, independent from its role in the development of hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons or puberty onset.
Teachers’ professional development and an open classroom climate
Authors: Hu Aihua , Huang Lihong
Published: April 2019

This article examines teachers’ professional development (PD) in terms of content knowledge and teaching methods, their sense of preparedness in teaching, and their teaching practice of civic and citizenship education (CCE) in lower secondary schools in Norway, Sweden, South Korea, and Taiwan, and how these variables influence students’ experience of classroom climate. We use data from the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS 2016) initiated by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). ICCS 2016 data from these four places contain responses from teachers (N=7,159), and students (N=16, 089; average age =14.4 years) from 558 schools. We find that the more PD training on CCE topics and teaching methods teachers receive, the higher their sense of preparedness in teaching CCE in all four education systems. We also find that students of different cultures have different experiences about open classroom climates despite that teacher’s in the four places have utilized the same teaching approaches.
Multi-gene phylogeny and divergence estimations for Evaniidae (Hymenoptera)
Authors: Sharanowski Barbara J. , Peixoto Leanne , Dal Molin Anamaria , Deans Andrew R.
Published: April 2019

Ensign wasps (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae) develop as predators of cockroach eggs (Blattodea), have a wide distribution and exhibit numerous interesting biological phenomena. The taxonomy of this lineage has been the subject of several recent, intensive efforts, but the lineage lacked a robust phylogeny. In this paper we present a new phylogeny, based on increased taxonomic sampling and data from six molecular markers (mitochondrial16SandCOI, and nuclear markers28S,RPS23,CAD, andAM2), the latter used for the first time in phylogenetic reconstruction. Our intent is to provide a robust phylogeny that will stabilize and facilitate revision of the higher-level classification. We also show the continued utility of molecular motifs, especially the presence of an intron in theRPS23fragments of certain taxa, to diagnose evaniid clades and assist with taxonomic classification. Furthermore, we estimate divergence times among evaniid lineages for the first time, using multiple fossil calibrations. Evaniidae radiated primarily in the Early Cretaceous (134.1–141.1 Mya), with and most extant genera diverging near the K-T boundary. The estimated phylogeny reveals a more robust topology than previous efforts, with the recovery of more monophyletic taxa and better higher-level resolution. The results facilitate a change in ensign wasp taxonomy, withParevania, andPapatuka,syn. nov.becoming junior synonyms ofZeuxevania, andAcanthinevania,syn. nov.being designated as junior synonym ofSzepligetella. We transfer 30 species toZeuxevania, either reestablishing past combinations or as new combinations. We also transfer 20 species fromAcanthinevaniatoSzepligetellaas new combinations.
The Topp Leone Generalized Inverted Kumaraswamy Distribution: Properties and Applications
Authors: Reyad Hesham , Jamal Farrukh , Othman Soha , Yahia Nagla
Published: April 2019

We propose a new four parameters continuous model called the Topp Leone generalized inverted Kumaraswamy distribution which extends the generalized inverted Kumaraswamy distribution. Basic mathematical properties of the new distribution are invstigated such as; quantile function, raw and incomplete moments, generating functions, probability weighted moments, order statistics, Rényi entropy, stochastic ordering and stress strength model. The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the model parameters of the new distribution. A Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to examine the behavior of the parameter estimates. The applicability of the new model is demonstrated by means of two real applications.
Evaluation of the Ornamental Potential of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)
Authors: De Melo Gérsia Gonçalves , Costa Djayran Sobral , Loges Vivian , Lira Silva Simone Santos , Sanglard Demerson Arruda , Melo Filho Péricles De Albuquerque
Published: April 2019

Aims: To evaluate the ornamental potential of two safflower genotypes (Carthamus tinctorius L.): ICA 73, ICA 193, grown under protected environment.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agronomy of Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, between March and May 2017.

Methodology: The methodology addressed evaluated the performance of the two genotypes, through three experiments. The first experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, being evaluated: plant height; stem diameter; leaf dentin; spinescent margin of the leaves; number of branches; number of flower buds; spinescent margin of the bracts; flowering, and flower production. The second one was conducted in a randomized complete block design in a factorial scheme, and the following variables were evaluated: plant height; stem diameter; number of branches; number of flower buds; and flower production. Finally, the third experiment used a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme and evaluated the variables: Number of flowers; number of flower buds and post-harvest durability. The analysis of variance was performed using the F test at 5% of probability and, afterwards, the regression or comparison analysis of averages by the Tukey test at 5% of probability.

Results: The ICA 73 access showed plants with high flower production and the ICA 193 exhibited plants with weak or moderate spinescent margin of the leaves and bracts, besides good uniformity of the anthesis of the flowers.

Conclusion: Both accesses showed ornamental potential, demonstrating precocity, beauty and durability of the flowers. The density of one plant was the most favorable for pot plant and cut flower. The semi-open flowers harvest point was the best for maintaining the stem quality.
Informal Financial Institution and Sustainable Development Goal of Poverty Reduction in Kogi State, Nigeria
Authors: Temidayo Oluwoyo, J. , Peter Audu
Published: April 2019

Among the various SDGs, Poverty reduction which is the foremost goal is fundamental, strategic and crucial to the achievement of the other goals in which can be achieved among other ways with an efficient, effective, diverse, indigenous and innovative financial market. With a dualised financial market inherent in Nigerian economy as obtainable in most developing countries, the study seeks to study the role of the informal financial institution on the sustainable goal of poverty reduction in Nigeria with particular reference to Kogi State using the Moneylender theory as its theoretical Framework. The study sampled 600 respondents using stratified sampling technique carried out by dividing the population into 3 subsets based on the senatorial districts ( East, West, Central) 4 local government areas are randomly selected from each of the senatorial districts, 10 wards were selected from each of the local government area to give a total of 120 stratum. 10 respondents were selected from each of the wards  concluded whose response was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least square hence the result showed that Non financial institution is a potential voyage toward the actualization of the Sustainable goal of poverty reduction in Kogi state, Nigeria and recommended that  Institutional and legal framework be structured to enable non financial institution to perform the role of money lender while serving as intermediary between the complex financial institution and the unorganised low income earners alias the  masses and those in the social recesses of the society.
Linear Chimeric Triblock Molecules Self‐Assembled Micelles with Controllably Transformable Property to Enhance Tumor Retention for Chemo‐Photodynamic Therapy of Breast Cancer
Authors: Liu Rui , Yu Meinan , Yang Xiaotong , Umeshappa Channakeshava S. , Hu Chuan , Yu Wenqi , Qin Lin , Huang Yuan , Gao Huile
Published: April 2019

Although nanoparticles are expected to revolutionize cancer treatment, their low efficacy remains the greatest limiting factor. Recent investigations found that nanoparticles' golden principle, the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, is limited by the complicated tumor microenvironment. Herein, novel transformable nanomaterials are designed to utilize the EPR effect more effectively. By tandem conjugation of the hydrophobic head (chlorin e6 (Ce6) or bilirubin (BR)), peptide to form hydrogen bond (Phe‐Phe‐Val‐Leu‐Lys (FFVLK)), and hydrophilic tail (polyethylene glycol (PEG)), chimeric molecules that can form micelles (Ce6/BR‐FFVLK‐PEG) in aqueous solution are synthesized. Notably, the spherical micelles retain shape transformability. After circulation and distribution, they respond to 650 nm laser irradiation, and morphologically change into nanofibers so as to facilitate their retention markedly inside the tumor. Upon loading a reactive oxygen species‐responsive paclitaxel dimer with thioketal linker (PTX2‐TK), the resultant PTX2‐TK@Ce6/BR‐FFVLK‐PEG nanomedicine serves as a potent chemo‐photodynamic therapeutic for cancer treatment. Evaluations at both cell level and animal level reveal that PTX2‐TK@Ce6/BR‐FFVLK‐PEG exhibits superior biocompatibility and biodistribution, and suppresses 82.6% of in vitro cell growth and 61.8% of in vivo tumor growth at a common dose of intravenous injection (10 mg kg−1 PTX and 3.3 mg kg−1 Ce6), becoming a novel nanomedicine with extraordinary potential in cancer therapy.
Antiferromagnetic Piezospintronics
Authors: Liu Zhiqi , Feng Zexin , Yan Han , Wang Xiaoning , Zhou Xiaorong , Qin Peixin , Guo Huixin , Yu Ronghai , Jiang Chengbao
Published: April 2019

Antiferromagnets naturally exhibit three obvious advantages over ferromagnets for memory device applications: insensitivity to external magnetic fields, much faster spin dynamics (≈THz), and higher packing density due to the absence of any stray field. Recently, antiferromagnetic spintronics has emerged as a cutting‐edge field in the magnetism community. The key mission of this rapidly rising field is to steer the spins or spin axes of antiferromagnets via external stimuli and then realize advanced devices based on their physical property changes. Herein, the state‐of‐the‐art of antiferromagnetic spintronics is presented. Subsequently, the history of ferromagnetic/ferroelectric multiferroic composites is briefly revisited. Finally, an ultralow‐power, long‐range, and magnetic‐field‐insensitive approach for harnessing antiferromagnetic spins based on recent experimental progress, i.e., piezoelectric strain control, is introduced. Relevant theoretical and experimental studies have formed an attractive new branch in antiferromagnetic spintronics, which is dubbed “antiferromagnetic piezospintronics.”
Risk factors for early postoperative complications after D3 dissection for stage II or III colon cancer: Supplementary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial in Japan (JCOG0404)
Authors: Nishizawa Yusuke , Akagi Tomonori , Inomata Masafumi , Katayama Hiroshi , Mizusawa Junki , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Ito Masaaki , Masaki Tadahiko , Watanabe Masahiko , Shimada Yasuhiro , Kitano Seigo
Published: April 2019

Objective

To determine risk factors for early postoperative complications after D3 dissection for stage II/III colon cancer.

Background

Identification of risk factors for postoperative complications is essential in patients surgically treated for colon cancer. The Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) conducted a randomized controlled trial, JCOG0404, to confirm the non‐inferiority of laparoscopic surgery (LAP) to open surgery (OP) with D3 dissection for stage II/III colon cancer. This supplementary analysis was made to assess risk factors for surgery requiring D3 dissection using data from JCOG0404.

Methods

Proportion of postoperative complications of any grade (CTCAE ver. 3.0) until first discharge and risk factors for the most frequent complications were analyzed by univariable and multivariable analysis.

Results

Among 1057 randomized patients treated between October 2004 and March 2009, 520 patients with OP and 525 patients with LAP were analyzed. Overall postoperative complications of all grades occurred in 190 patients (18.2%). Multivariable analysis showed that the risk factors for overall early postoperative complications were OP itself (odds ratio [OR] 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38‐2.91, P = 0.0003) and operation time of >240 minutes (OR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.24‐3.02, P = 0.0036). The most frequent adverse event was wound complication (50/1045, 4.8%). In the univariable analysis, reconstruction, greater blood loss, OP, and higher body mass index were significantly associated with wound complication.

Conclusion

Open surgery and longer operation time of >240 minutes were significant risk factors for postoperative complications. LAP surgery and shorter operation time could contribute to fewer postoperative complications in patients undergoing colectomy with D3 dissection. (Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG 0404: NCT00147134/UMIN‐CTR: C000000105.)
When, Where and Whether: The Confusing Law of Third‐Party Evidence
Authors: Eichel Benjamin J. , Adler Matthew H.
Published: April 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court has demonstrated with increasing frequency over the past 20 years a particular fascination with arbitration. There have been at least 20 Scotus cases in the past decade on arbitration, including three cases in the current term—two in the first week in October.
Late‐Stage Functionalization of Peptides and Cyclopeptides Using Organozinc Reagents
Authors: Leroux Marcel , Vorherr Thomas , Lewis Ian , Schaefer Michael , Koch Guido , Karaghiosoff Konstantin , Knochel Paul
Published: April 2019

We report a new late‐stage functionalization of small peptides and cyclopeptides relying on the Negishi cross‐coupling of readily prepared iodotyrosine‐ or iodophenylalanine‐containing peptides with aryl‐, heteroaryl‐, and alkylzinc pivalates or halides. In silico and in vitro determinations of membrane permeability parameters of the modified cyclopeptides showed that in most cases, the solubility was improved by the introduction of polar pyridyl units while the cell‐membrane permeability was maintained.
Reversal of the effects of clonidine using naloxone
Authors: Swift A. , Wilson M.
Published: April 2019

An 18‐year‐old man underwent surgery for correction of idiopathic scoliosis. Due to the requirement for intra‐operative spinal cord monitoring, propofol and remifentanil total intravenous anaesthesia was chosen as the anaesthetic technique. Clonidine was given intra‐operatively as part of his analgesic regimen. No long‐acting opioids were administered. There was delayed emergence after switching off total intravenous anaesthesia and he remained sedated with a bispectral index of approximately 60 for 90 min. The common causes of delayed emergence were excluded. Shortly after administering naloxone, there was an increase in bispectral index and emergence from anaesthesia. We describe the successful use of naloxone to reverse the sedation effects of clonidine.
Antimicrobial materials based on poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) and silver acetate produced by reactive extrusion
Authors: Paillot Pierrick , Farhat Wissam , Becquart Frédéric , Vera Ruben , Jegat Corinne , Taha Mohamed
Published: April 2019

The use of silver as an antimicrobial agent has exhibited great interest in recent years. In this research, poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH)–silver acetate‐based antimicrobial materials were prepared at high temperature by reactive extrusion. Silver acetates were used without pretreatment. The thermal reaction of silver acetates in the material and their effect on the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer were investigated as a function of their concentration. The dispersed silver acetate salts within the EVOH matrix have displayed a significant thermal reaction. This reaction of metallic salts was partial when the extrusion temperature was fixed at 190 °C and completed at 230 °C. The antimicrobial agents also had significant effects on the properties of the matrix. Reductions of glass temperature and storage modulus were observed by the analyses. All the variations were dependent on both the concentration of silver acetate and the extrusion parameters. The antimicrobial activity was studied and demonstrated a promising potential to create an antimicrobial material in a one‐step solvent free extrusion method. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47799.
Robust hydrogel of regenerated cellulose by chemical crosslinking coupled with polyacrylamide network
Authors: Yang Biao , Hua Wen‐Qiang , Li Lei , Zhou Zi‐Han , Xu Ling , Bian Feng‐Gang , Ji Xu , Zhong Gan‐Ji , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: April 2019

Regenerated cellulose/polyacrylamide (RC/PAAm) double network (DN) hydrogels are composed of cellulose crosslinked by epichlorohydrin (ECH) and chemical‐crosslinked PAAm. The prepared RC/PAAm DN hydrogels present enhanced strength, good shape recovery property, excellent energy dissipation properties, decreased equilibrium water content, and low equilibrium swelling ratio (SR). The compressive strength and modulus of RC/PAAm hydrogel are about 4.3 and 11.5 times compared to that of RC hydrogel, respectively. Intriguingly, the chemical crosslinking between ECH and cellulose chains could increase the distance between cellulose chains. Consequently, the increasing molar ratio of ECH to glucose leads to larger SRs and decreased mechanical strength of the hydrogels. Additionally, higher PAAm contents lead to more densely crosslinked networks, and thus decreasing the SRs and improving the mechanical strength of the hydrogels. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47811.
Host plant defenses of black (Solanum nigrum L.) and red nightshade (Solanum villosum Mill.) against specialist Solanaceae herbivore Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)
Authors: Ben‐Abdallah Saoussen , Cáceres Luis A. , Wang Zhiling , Renaud B. Justin , Lachâal Mokhtar , Karray‐Bouraoui Najoua , Hannoufa Abdelali , Scott Ian M.
Published: April 2019

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum, S. nigrum L.) and red nightshade (
Solanum villosum, S. villosum Mill.) are medicinal plants from the
Solanaceae family that synthesize glycoalkaloids and other secondary metabolites. To recognize the potential insecticide activity of these compounds, leaf extracts (containing glycoalkaloid and methanol fractions) were tested for enzyme inhibition, antifeedant activity and toxicity. For in‐vitro glutathione S‐transferase (GST) inhibition activity, we used insecticide‐resistant Colorado potato beetle,
Leptinotarsa decemlineata (
L. decemlineata; Say) midgut and fat‐body homogenate. In‐vivo toxicity and the antifeedant activity were performed using larval bioassays. The methanol extracts had greater GST inhibitory activity compared to the glycoalkaloids, as well as greater 2nd instar larvae mortality and antifeedant activity. Furthermore, the green leaf volatile compound, cis‐hex‐3‐enyl acetate, at the concentration of 5 ppm, caused 50% mortality of 2nd instar larvae. Our findings suggest the potential usefulness of
S. nigrum and
S. villosum extracts to control
L. decemlineata.
Exploring isoxazoles and pyrrolidinones decorated with the 4,6‐dimethoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine unit as human farnesyltransferase inhibitors
Authors: Lucescu Liliana , Ghinet Alina , Shova Sergiu , Magnez Romain , Thuru Xavier , Farce Amaury , Rigo Benoît , Belei Dalila , Dubois Joëlle , Bîcu Elena
Published: April 2019

Unprecedented triazinyl‐isoxazoles were afforded via an effective cycloaddition reaction between nitrile oxides and the scarcely described 2‐ethynyl‐4,6‐dimethoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine as dipolarophile. The biological evaluation of the newly synthesized compounds showed that the inhibition of human farnesyltransferase by zinc complexation could be improved with triazine‐isoxazole moieties. The replacement of the isoxazole unit by a pyrrolidin‐2‐one was detrimental to the inhibitory activity while the pyrrolidin‐2‐thione derivatives conserved the biological potential. The potential of selected compounds to disrupt protein farnesylation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with pEGFP‐CAAX was also evaluated.
Perceived Benefits of Anatomy Coursework Prior to Medical and Dental School
Authors: Robertson Ellen M. , Thompson Kenneth L. , Notebaert Andrew J.
Published: April 2019

Student struggles in gross anatomy coursework at the professional level can result in hours of remediation along with a need to allot time and other resources by both the student and the faculty. Since this course typically occurs in the first semester of the first year, programs can turn to admissions data to try to determine which of these students may struggle. This study looked at two years of medical (n = 280) and dental (n = 78) students to determine if there is a relationship between pre‐admissions anatomy coursework and performance in gross anatomy at the professional school level. Students provided data regarding their past anatomy coursework and final grades in professional school gross anatomy courses were obtained. In addition, students responded to questions regarding their feelings of preparation and how they valued the prior anatomy coursework as it related to the professional course. Statistical analysis showed no difference in final course grade between students with and without prior anatomy in either program. Counter to the numerical data, 96.6% of the students in the study recommended an anatomy course prior to pursuing a health science degree. The primary reasons given for this recommendation were the benefits of repeated content exposure, knowledge of the anatomy terminology, and decreased stress regarding the course. The results from this study suggest that the benefits of prior anatomy may be seen more in the students’ stress and quality of life rather in the numerical performance of course grades.
Calibration of a magnetometer array using motion capture equipment
Authors: Chesneau Charles‐Ivan , Robin Rémi , Meier Hendrik , Hillion Mathieu , Prieur Christophe
Published: April 2019

This paper studies the problem of calibrating an array of single‐axis magnetometers in an unknown static inhomogeneous magnetic field using motion capture equipment. A proof of identifiability is given, practical identifiability of calibration parameters is established in simulation, and real world experiments are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. Unlike many state of the art techniques, the proposed solution does not require a homogeneous field, as in fact, we demonstrate that an inhomogeneous field enlarges the set of identifiable parameters. Under the above‐mentioned assumptions, this approach may be used to extend self‐calibration techniques of visual‐inertial setups to magnetic sensor arrays in indoor environments.
Optical precursors to X‐ray binary outbursts
Authors: Russell David M. , Bramich Daniel M. , Lewis Fraser , AlMannaei Aisha , Al Qaissieh Thabet , Al Qasim Ahlam , Al Yazeedi Aisha , Baglio Maria Cristina , Bernardini Federico , Elgalad Nour , Gabuya Aldrin , Lasota Jean‐Pierre , Palado Alejandro , Roche Paul , Shivkumar Hinna , Udrescu Silviu‐Marian , Zhang Guobao
Published: April 2019

Disc instability models predict that for X‐ray binaries in quiescence, there should be a brightening of the optical flux prior to an X‐ray outburst. Tracking the X‐ray variations of X‐ray binaries in quiescence is generally not possible, so optical monitoring provides the best means to measure the mass accretion rate variability between outbursts, and to identify the beginning stages of new outbursts. With our regular Faulkes Telescope/Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) monitoring we are routinely detecting the optical rise of new X‐ray binary outbursts before they are detected by X‐ray all‐sky monitors. We present examples of detections of an optical rise in X‐ray binaries prior to X‐ray detection. We also present initial optical monitoring of the new black hole transient MAXI J1820+070 (ASASSN‐18ey) with the Faulkes, LCO telescopes, and Al Sadeem Observatory in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Finally, we introduce our new real‐time data analysis pipeline, the “X‐ray Binary New Early Warning System (XB‐NEWS)” which aims to detect and announce new X‐ray binary outbursts within a day of first optical detection. This will allow us to trigger X‐ray and multiwavelength campaigns during the very early stages of outbursts, to constrain the outburst triggering mechanism.
The vast potential of exoplanet satellites for high‐energy astrophysics
Authors: Smith K. L.
Published: April 2019

The photometric precision, monitoring baselines, and rapid, even sampling rates required by modern satellites designed for detecting the signal of transiting exoplanets are ideally suited to a large number of applications in high‐energy astrophysics. I will exemplify this by discussing the results for active galactic nuclei from Kepler and summarizing other high‐energy results from Kepler/K2. These precision instruments are currently underutilized for high‐energy applications despite their great potential, due in part to complex systematics affecting the data. I will summarize these effects and mitigation approaches, and conclude by discussing how the recently launched Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission will differ from Kepler/K2 in ways significant to the high‐energy community.
Scalable Manufacturing of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Vertical‐Wheel Bioreactor System: An Experimental and Economic Approach
Authors: de Sousa Pinto Diogo , Bandeiras Cátia , de Almeida Fuzeta Miguel , Rodrigues Carlos A. V. , Jung Sunghoon , Hashimura Yas , Tseng Rong‐Jeng , Milligan William , Lee Brian , Ferreira Frederico Castelo , Lobato da Silva Cláudia , Cabral Joaquim M. S.
Published: April 2019

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) hold great promise for tissue engineering applications and cell‐based therapies. Large cell doses (>1 × 106 cells kg−1) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)‐compliant processes are however required for clinical purposes. Here, a serum‐ and xenogeneic‐free (S/XF) microcarrier‐based culture system is established for the expansion of human umbilical cord matrix (UCM)‐ and adipose tissue (AT)‐derived MSC using the Vertical‐Wheel system (PBS‐0.1 MAG; PBS Biotech). UCM and AT MSC are expanded to maximum cell densities of 5.3 ± 0.4 × 105 cell mL−1 (n = 3) and 3.6 ± 0.7 × 105 cell mL−1 (n = 3), respectively, after 7 days of culture, while maintaining their identity, according to standard criteria. An economic evaluation of the process transfer from T‐flasks to PBS‐0.1 MAG shows a reduction in the costs associated with the production of a dose for an average 70 kg adult patient (i.e., 70 million cells). Costs decrease from $17.0 K to $11.1 K for UCM MSC and from $21.5 K to $11.1 K for AT MSC, proving that the transition to Vertical‐Wheel reactors provides a cost‐effective alternative for MSC expansion. The present work reports the establishment of a scalable and cost‐effective culture platform for the manufacturing of UCM and AT MSC in a S/XF microcarrier‐based system.
Interfascicular septum of the calcaneal tunnel and its relationship with the plantar nerves: A cadaveric study
Authors: Cho Tae‐Hyeon , Kim Shin Hyung , Won Sung‐Yoon , O Jehoon , Kwon Hyun‐Jin , Won Ji Yeon , Yang Hun‐Mu
Published: April 2019

The relationship between the plantar nerves and internal fascial structure of the calcaneal tunnel is clinically important to alleviate pain of the sole. The study aimed to investigate the three‐dimensional (3D) anatomy of the calcaneal tunnel and its internal fascial septal structure by using microcomputed tomography (mCT) with a phosphotungstic acid preparation, histologic examination, and ultrasound‐guided simulation. Twenty‐one fixed cadavers and three fresh‐frozen cadavers (13 men and 11 women, mean age 82.1 years at death) were used in this study. The 3D images of the calcaneal tunnel harvested by mCT were analyzed in detail. Modified Masson trichrome staining and serial sectional dissection after ultrasound‐guided injection were conducted to verify the 3D anatomy. Within the calcaneal tunnel, the interfascicular septum (IFS) commenced proximal to the malleolar‐calcaneal line and distal to the bifurcation of the tibial nerve into the plantar nerves. The medial and lateral plantar nerves were separated by the IFS, which divided the calcaneal tunnel into two compartments. The plantar nerves were ramified into two or three branches within each compartment. The IFS terminated around the talocalcaneonavicular joint, and the plantar nerves traveled into the sole. Clinical manipulation of the plantar nerves should be performed in consideration of the fact that they are clearly separated by the IFS. Clin. Anat. 32:877–882, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
OCT‐assessment of scaffold resorption: Analysis of strut intensity by a new resorption index for poly‐l‐lactic acid bioresorbable vascular scaffolds
Authors: Blachutzik Florian , Achenbach Stephan , Marwan Mohamed , Tröbs Monique , Boeder Niklas , Doerr Oliver , Weissner Melissa , Bauer Timm , Nef Holger , Hamm Christian , Schlundt Christian
Published: April 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze individual differences in resorption of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BRS) through optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis and to identify factors potentially influencing the resorption process.

Methods

Between April 2016 and July 2017 clinically driven invasive coronary angiography and OCT examinations were performed in 36 patients who had previously been treated with a total of 48 BRS (ABSORB BVS, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA). For each scaffold, a new BRS‐RESORB‐INDEX (BRI) was calculated.

Results

The mean time interval since implantation was 789 ± 321 days. In OCT, BRS struts remained detectable in all 48 BRS. Normalized light intensity as a marker for the resorption of BRS struts increased with time in a linear fashion (Spearman Rho: p < .001, correlation coefficient = .90; R2 [linear] = .91). Multivariable analysis identified diabetes (BRI of patients with diabetes vs. patients without diabetes: 0.34 ± 0.13 vs. 0.58 ± 0.22; p = .002) and presence of Peri‐strut low intensity areas (PSLIA, BRI of 10 patients with PSLIA vs. 26 patients without PSLIA: 0.44 ± 0.21 vs. 0.61 ± 18; p = .027) as independent predictors for a prolonged BRS resorption, whereas the resorption rate in ACS patients (STEMI, NSTEMI, and unstable angina; n = 13) was significantly higher as compared to patients without ACS (0.62 ± 0.17 vs. 0.43 ± 0.24; p = .012).

Conclusion

In humans, BRS resorption rate is significantly influenced by numerous factors. Our data suggest that diabetes and PSLIA are associated with a prolonged resorption process, whereas in ACS patients, BRS resorption appears to be significantly faster.
Ethanol and Higher Alcohols Synthesis from Syngas over CuCoM (M=Fe, Cr, Ga and Al) Nanoplates Derived From Hydrotalcite‐Like Precursors
Authors: Sun Kai , Wu Yingquan , Tan Minghui , Wang Liyan , Yang Guohui , Zhang Min , Zhang Wei , Tan Yisheng
Published: April 2019

A series of CuCoM (M=Fe, Cr, Ga and Al) nanoplates derived from hydrotalcite‐like precursors were synthesized by co‐precipitation method and evaluated for ethanol and higher alcohols (HA) from syngas. The CuCoAl nanoplates demonstrated prominently improved HA selectivity of 54.9 %, and the fraction of ethanol/HA reached up to 55.9 % level. As revealed by XRD and HAADF‐STEM results, the presence of Al species in the CuCoAl nanoplates obviously enhanced the dispersion ability of Cu and Co species. Moreover, the abundance of basic sites (surface hydroxyl groups) on CuCoAl nanoplates resulted in the formation of formate species, which was a significant C1 species for the generation of CHx intermediates. More importantly, a high probability of CO bridge adsorption on metallic Co atoms was found over optimized CuCoAl catalyst, which provided a favorable effect for CO dissociation, leading to the formation of CHx intermediates. Therefore, more CHx intermediates were generated from the formate species and CO bridge adsorption on metallic Co atoms, which provided a beneficial role for C−C chain growth in the higher alcohols production in CO hydrogenation reaction. Furthermore, a moderate ratio of surface Cu/Co was observed over optimized CuCoAl nanoplates, which can exert a synergetic effect between Cu and Co species. Ultimately, the enhanced catalytic performance was attributed to the combination of the Cu and Co species and the basic property of the CuCoAl nanoplates.
Application of Water‐Swollen Thin‐Film Composite Membrane in Flue Gas Purification
Authors: Žitková Andrea , Kárászová Magda , Stanovský Petr , Vejražka Jiři , Izák Pavel
Published: April 2019

A water‐swollen thin‐film composite membrane, which was a reverse osmosis membrane with a thin polyamide layer, was used to separate a model mixture of N2, CO2, and SO2. The polyamide swells with water, and thus, becomes more permeable to polar gases. The flue gas contains water vapor, which must be removed before it is subjected to SO2 removal. Here moisture is employed to keep the membrane swollen. Using the model mixture, the humidified feed stream is brought to the membrane, where it is cooled below the dew point, so that water condenses on the membrane to keep the polyamide swollen. The membrane showed high CO2 and SO2 permeance, but low selectivity, so it could be applied to separate these two gases from N2, and thus, is suitable for flue gas purification.
Tunable Supramolecular Gel Properties by Varying Thermal History
Authors: Debnath Sisir , Roy Sangita , Abul‐Haija Yousef M. , Frederix Pim W. J. M. , Ramalhete Susana M. , Hirst Andrew R. , Javid Nadeem , Hunt Neil T. , Kelly Sharon M. , Angulo Jesús , Khimyak Yaroslav Z. , Ulijn Rein V.
Published: April 2019

The possibility of using differential pre‐heating prior to supramolecular gelation to control the balance between hydrogen‐bonding and aromatic stacking interactions in supramolecular gels and obtain consequent systematic regulation of structure and properties is demonstrated. Using a model aromatic peptide amphiphile, Fmoc‐tyrosyl‐leucine (Fmoc‐YL) and a combination of fluorescence, infrared, circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy, it is shown that the balance of these interactions can be adjusted by temporary exposure to elevated temperatures in the range 313–365 K, followed by supramolecular locking in the gel state by cooling to room temperature. Distinct regimes can be identified regarding the balance between H‐bonding and aromatic stacking interactions, with a transition point at 333 K. Consequently, gels can be obtained with customizable properties, including supramolecular chirality and gel stiffness. The differential supramolecular structures also result in changes in proteolytic stability, highlighting the possibility of obtaining a range of supramolecular architectures from a single molecular structure by simply controlling the pre‐assembly temperature.
An Aromatic Dyad Motif in Dye Decolourising Peroxidases Has Implications for Free Radical Formation and Catalysis
Authors: Chaplin Amanda K. , Chicano Tadeo Moreno , Hampshire Bethany V. , Wilson Michael T. , Hough Michael A. , Svistunenko Dimitri A. , Worrall Jonathan A. R.
Published: April 2019

Dye decolouring peroxidases (DyPs) are the most recent class of heme peroxidase to be discovered. On reacting with H2O2, DyPs form a high‐valent iron(IV)‐oxo species and a porphyrin radical (Compound I) followed by stepwise oxidation of an organic substrate. In the absence of substrate, the ferryl species decays to form transient protein‐bound radicals on redox active amino acids. Identification of radical sites in DyPs has implications for their oxidative mechanism with substrate. Using a DyP from Streptomyces lividans, referred to as DtpA, which displays low reactivity towards synthetic dyes, activation with H2O2 was explored. A Compound I EPR spectrum was detected, which in the absence of substrate decays to a protein‐bound radical EPR signal. Using a newly developed version of the Tyrosyl Radical Spectra Simulation Algorithm, the radical EPR signal was shown to arise from a pristine tyrosyl radical and not a mixed Trp/Tyr radical that has been widely reported in DyP members exhibiting high activity with synthetic dyes. The radical site was identified as Tyr374, with kinetic studies inferring that although Tyr374 is not on the electron‐transfer pathway from the dye RB19, its replacement with a Phe does severely compromise activity with other organic substrates. These findings hint at the possibility that alternative electron‐transfer pathways for substrate oxidation are operative within the DyP family. In this context, a role for a highly conserved aromatic dyad motif is discussed.
Facile Preparation of Snowflake‐Like MnO2@NiCo2O4 Composites for Highly Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Wei Shuang , Wang Xiaoxia , Zheng Yiwei , Chen Tao , Zhou Congli , Chen Shougang , Liu Jingquan
Published: April 2019

Snowflake‐like MnO2@NiCo2O4 composites were successfully fabricated by employing crossed snowflake‐like MnO2 nanorods as cores and one‐dimensional (1D) NiCo2O4 nanoneedles as shells. Impressively, the MnO2@NiCo2O4 composites exhibited a highly efficient electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing capability, and the minimum reflection loss (RL) value reached −58.4 dB at 6.8 GHz for a thickness of 4.0 mm. The reasons for the improved EMW absorption capability of snowflake‐like MnO2@NiCo2O4 composites were analyzed. The unique core–shell structure, good impedance matching, and high dielectric loss were all found to be important contributors. Moreover, the interfacial polarization mainly stemmed from the heterostructure, a microcurrent generated from the 1D MnO2 nanorods and NiCo2O4 nanoneedles under alternating electromagnetic fields, and the synergistic effect from the different components were all beneficial to improve the EMW absorption performance. These results demonstrated that snowflake‐like MnO2@NiCo2O4 composites could be utilized as promising materials for practical EMW absorbing applications.
New Polyfluorinated Cyanine Dyes for Selective NIR Staining of Mitochondria
Authors: Braun Alexander B. , Wehl Ilona , Kölmel Dominik K. , Schepers Ute , Bräse Stefan
Published: April 2019

In this communication, the synthesis of three unknown polyfluorinated cyanine dyes and their application as selective markers for mitochondria are presented. By incorporating fluorous side chains into cyanine dyes, their remarkable photophysical properties were enhanced. To investigate their biological application, several different cell lines were incubated with the synthesized cyanine dyes. It was discovered that the presented dyes can be utilized for selective near‐infrared‐light (NIR) staining of mitochondria, with very low cytotoxicity determined by MTT assay. This is the first time that polyfluorinated cyanine fluorophores are presented as selective markers for mitochondria. Due to the versatile applications of polyfluorinated fluorophores in bioimaging and materials science, it is expected that the presented fluorophores will be stimulating for the scientific community.