bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomic regulation of preterm infants is enhanced by Family Nurture Intervention
Authors: Porges Stephen W. , Davila Maria I. , Lewis Gregory F. , Kolacz Jacek , Okonmah‐Obazee Stephanie , Hane Amie Ashley , Kwon Katie Y. , Ludwig Robert J. , Myers Michael M. , Welch Martha G.
Published: March 2019

Preterm infants have maturational delays in several neurobehavioral systems. This study assesses the impact of the Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the maturation of autonomic regulation of preterm infants. Preterm infants born at 26–34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) were assigned to groups receiving either standard care (SC) or SC plus FNI, using a randomized controlled trial design. At two collection time points, approximately 35 weeks and 41 weeks PMA, electrocardiograms (ECG) were monitored for approximately 1 hour during sleep. Heart rate and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were quantified from the ECG. Across the two time points, the FNI group exhibited greater increases in RSA (Cohen's d = 0.35) and slope between RSA and heart rate, as a measure of vagal efficiency (Cohen's d = 0.62). These results document that FNI resulted in enhanced autonomic regulation consistent with greater maturation of cardiac function. These and previous findings strongly suggest that facilitating early nurturing interactions and emotional connection between preterm infants and their mothers is a practicable and effective means of optimizing postnatal development in preterm infants. Interpretation of these autonomic function results also enriches our understanding of the potential long‐term beneficial outcomes of FNI by drawing upon polyvagal theory, which explains how autonomic state provides a neurophysiological platform for optimal co‐regulation between infant and caregiver, and by drawing upon calming cycle theory, which provides a model for understanding how repeated mother/infant calming interactions positively condition autonomic state and reinforce approach, prosocial behaviors.
Mother–child adrenocortical synchrony: Roles of maternal overcontrol and child developmental phase
Authors: Borelli Jessica L. , Shai Dana , Smiley Patricia A. , Boparai Sameen , Goldstein Alison , Rasmussen Hannah F. , Granger Douglas A.
Published: March 2019

An increasing amount of empirical attention is focused on adrenocortical synchrony as an index of biobehavioral co‐regulation between parent and child in the context of early child development. Working with an ethnically diverse community sample of children (N = 99, 50.5% male, ages 9–12), we collected saliva samples from mother–child dyads prior to and after a laboratory‐based performance challenge task, and tested whether maternal overcontrol and child age moderated dyadic synchrony in cortisol. Results revealed that cortisol levels between mothers and children were significantly positively correlated at pretask for dyads with mean age and older children only, at 25‐min post‐task for all dyads, and at 45‐min post‐task for all dyads. Higher overcontrol/older child dyads exhibited a unique pattern of cortisol synchrony wherein at pretask, mother–child levels had the strongest positive correlation, whereas at 25 and 45 min, mother–child cortisol levels were significantly inversely correlated. These findings contribute to theory and research on parent–child relationships by examining parenting behavior, developmental stage, and adrenocortical synchrony in tandem.
LC−MS/MS assay for the determination of a novel anti‐fibrotic candidate mefunidone in monkey plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetics study
Authors: Han Xuhua , Wen Zhou , Fan Zhihong , Ma Yuehui , Wang Lei , Cheng Zeneng
Published: March 2019

Mefunidone (MFD) is a promising anti‐fibrotic candidate molecule with greater anti‐fibrotic activity than pirfenidone (PFD). However, there has been no report on the methodology used for the quantification of MFD or on any investigation of its pharmacokinetics. In this study, an efficient and reliable liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed to assay MFD in monkey plasma. This assay method was validated and applied to a pharmacokinetics study in monkeys. The lower limit of quantification of this assay was 0.1 μg·mL−1, and the linear calibration curve was acquired with R2 > 0.99 between 0.1 and 60 μg·mL−1. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision were evaluated with coefficient of variations of 1.5%–5.8%, whereas the mean accuracy ranged from 91.7% to 106.9%. A negligible matrix effect and good recovery were obtained using this assay, with average extraction recoveries of MFD and the internal standard (IS) in the range of 85.5%–124.8% and 84.1%–94.0%, respectively. The precision of the absolute matrix effect of MFD and the IS was 1.2–3.0% and 1.2–7.3%, respectively. The samples were stable under all experimental conditions. Linear pharmacokinetics were observed for MFD in monkeys, where the exposures of MFD increased proportionally with increasing MFD doses at the range of 10–90 mg·kg−1. Moderate elimination of MFD from the body was observed, with t1/2 of 5–7 h, and the elimination rate of MFD was stable during multiple dosing. In conclusion, this method provides an reliable analytical approach for quantification of MFD in plasma and was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study in monkeys.
Evaluation of the Impact of the Linac MLC and Gantry Sag in volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Milan Thomas , Grogan Garry , Ebert Martin A. , Rowshanfarzad Pejman
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Mechanical sag in the radiotherapy linear accelerator gantry and multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) carriage effectively causes systematic deviations in the isocenter with respect to gantry angle. To minimize the impact of this error on treatment, a tolerance value of a 1‐mm mechanical isocenter shift is commonly accepted for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy quality assurance (QA). However, this tolerance value has not been firmly established for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments. The purpose of this study is therefore to evaluate the impact of gantry and MLC carriage sag on VMAT clinical performance.

Methods

A published dataset of Elekta and Varian sag measurements served as a starting point for the investigation. Typical sag profiles were chosen and modeled as continuous isocenter deviations in three dimensions. The data were then incorporated into existing Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine protocol, extended for radiotherapy plans via a “beam‐splitting” algorithm. Three treatment sites were investigated in parallel: head and neck, prostate, and prostate with surrounding lymph nodes. Monte Carlo‐simulated dose distributions were obtained for varying magnifications of the modeled sag. The resulting dose distributions, including that for no error, were compared qualitatively and quantitatively, against multiple metrics.

Results

The dose‐volume histograms (DVHs) for all plans exhibited a decrease in planning target volume (PTV) dose uniformity with increasing sag magnification, whereas dose to organs at risk exhibited no coherent trend. The prostate plan was shown to be the most vulnerable to mechanical sag across all considered metrics. However, all plans with peak isocenter deviation less than 1 mm were well within typical cutoff points for each metric.

Conclusions

All avenues of investigation presented substantiate the commonly accepted tolerance value of a 1‐mm peak isocenter shift in annual linac QA.
Pre‐discard estimation of radioactivated materials in positron emission tomography cyclotron systems and concrete walls of a cyclotron vault
Authors: Wagatsuma Kei , Ishiwata Kiichi , Nobuhara Fumiyoshi , Koumura Iwane , Kunugi Masayuki , Oda Keiichi , Miwa Kenta , Toyohara Jun , Ishii Kenji
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The concrete vault, cyclotron body, and peripheral equipment in a cyclotron room become radioactivated by neutrons generated by operating an unshielded cyclotron. Radionuclides and the amounts of radioactivated materials must be identified before discarding a cyclotron system. The present study aimed to reduce the amounts of concrete from cyclotron vaults, as well as cyclotron components and peripheral equipment, that will be disposed of as radioactivated waste by clarifying the nature and quantity of radioactivated materials remaining in facilities after cyclotron operations have ceased.

Methods

Cylindrical concrete cores were bored into all four walls, ceiling, and floor of a room where a Cypris 370 cyclotron had been operated for 22.8 yr and then cooled for 40 months. The accelerated particles comprised protons and deuterons with constant energy of 18 and 10 MeV, respectively. The types and amounts of radionuclides in these cores, in 38 components of the cyclotron including the yoke, and in 13 pieces of equipment in the room, were determined by γ‐ray spectrometry. Concentrations of radioactivity were also calculated using an updated version of Particle and Heavy Ion Transport System and DCHAIN‐SP. Amounts of materials with both measured and calculated total radioactivity concentration (ΣD) of <0.1 Bq/g were identified as being nonradioactivated.

Results

The major radionuclides in the concrete were 60Co and 152Eu. The radioactivated concrete was distributed to a depth of <38 cm. Most cyclotron components and equipment were radioactivated by neutrons. The major radionuclides in cyclotron components and equipment were 54Mn, 60Co, and 65Zn. A 33% volume of the yoke was regarded as nonradioactivated.

Conclusions

The estimated amount of radioactivated waste in the concrete was about 70,000 kg (12.5% of the total concrete). Most components of the cyclotron except for the 33% volume of the yoke (20% of the cyclotron body), as well as most peripheral equipment in the room, were radioactivated. Part‐by‐part assessments of radioactive materials using measurements and calculations could distinguish nonradioactive from radioactive materials before they are discarded.
Effects of low‐head dams on fish assemblages in subtropical streams: Context dependence on species category and data type
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Youren , Zhu Qing , Li Yuru , Kang Bin , Chu Ling , Yan Yunzhi
Published: March 2019

Anthropogenic disturbances may cause cosmopolitan species to replace endemic species, which will alter both the within‐community diversities and between‐community similarities of stream fish assemblages. In this study, we used data collected from headwater streams within the Xin'an basin, China, to evaluate the effects of low‐head dams on the alpha diversity and community similarity of fish assemblages. Our aims were to determine whether the changes in fish diversities and similarities related to dam‐associated disturbance are dependent on the species category (i.e., indigenous vs. native‐invasive species) or data type (i.e., occurrence‐based vs. abundance‐based indices). We found that low‐head dams significantly decreased the alpha diversity of the indigenous species in the impoundments but increased that of the native‐invasive species. However, the magnitude of this change was weakened if the two categories of fishes were not distinguished. Additionally, low‐head dams significantly decreased the occurrence‐based similarities of the indigenous fishes but increased those of the native‐invasive fishes. Despite the positive correlation between the occurrence‐based and abundance‐based indices, the former significantly overestimated the community similarities. Although most pairs of communities showed the same direction of changes for the two indices, some cases presented contrasting outcomes, including “perceived homogenization” (i.e., occurrence‐based differentiation but abundance‐based homogenization) and “perceived differentiation.” Our results suggest the importance of distinguishing indigenous and native‐invasive species and considering both occurrence‐based and abundance‐based indices in future research on how anthropogenic activities affect fish diversities and similarities in streams.
Writer's Checklist: A Procedural Support for Struggling Writers
Authors: Jagaiah Thilagha , Howard Deborah , Olinghouse Natalie
Published: March 2019

Writer's checklists are evidence‐based procedural facilitators that prompt students to actively engage in the writing process. Students with diverse learning needs experience problems when composing texts because of the complex steps involved. To write effectively, students must focus on understanding prompts; setting goals; generating, organizing, and translating ideas; revising content; and editing for conventions. This lengthy process often negatively affects struggling writers’ working memory and ability to self‐regulate the writing process. A writer's checklist, an explicit step‐by‐step action plan, can be used to scaffold struggling writers’ progress and minimize challenges. Writers’ checklists serve not only as concrete reminders of the steps needed to accomplish writing tasks but also as self‐checks to keep students focused and promote self‐regulation. In this teaching tip, the authors recommend using a writer's checklist at the initial stages of the writing process, namely planning and drafting, before implementing it at the revising and editing stages.
Set example, develop personal relationships for effective leadership
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2019

Tiffany Robinson's favorite parts of being a registrar are that she learns something new every day and that she can look at her office strategically to discover ways to make navigating the university easier for students, faculty, and staff.
Ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics investigations on the excited carriers in condensed matter systems
Authors: Zheng Qijing , Chu Weibin , Zhao Chuanyu , Zhang Lili , Guo Hongli , Wang Yanan , Jiang Xiang , Zhao Jin
Published: March 2019

The ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited charge carriers in condensed matter systems play an important role in optoelectronics and solar energy conversion. Yet it is challenging to understand such multidimensional dynamics at the atomic scale. Combining the real‐time time‐dependent density functional theory with fewest‐switches surface hopping scheme, we develop time‐dependent ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) code Hefei‐NAMD to simulate the excited carrier dynamics in condensed matter systems. Using this method, we have investigated the interfacial charge transfer dynamics, the electron–hole recombination dynamics, and the excited spin‐polarized hole dynamics in different condensed matter systems. The time‐dependent dynamics of excited carriers are studied in energy, real and momentum spaces. In addition, the coupling of the excited carriers with phonons, defects and molecular adsorptions are investigated. The state‐of‐art NAMD studies provide unique insights to understand the ultrafast dynamics of the excited carriers in different condensed matter systems at the atomic scale.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Dynamics and Monte‐Carlo Methods

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Software > Simulation Methods
Performance improvement of a compound helicopter rotor head by aerodynamic design optimisation of a blade-sleeve fairing
Authors: Pölzlbauer P. , Breitsamter C. , Desvigne D.
Published: March 2019

Within the present publication, the rotor head of a compound helicopter known as Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft (RACER) is investigated. In particular, the aerodynamic design optimisation of the RACER blade-sleeve fairings (BSFs) is conducted. For this purpose, an isolated rotor head is generated featuring a full-fairing beanie, the BSF and a truncated rotor blade (RB). Moreover, a single RB is investigated at two different azimuthal rotor positions, which correspond to the advancing and the retreating RB case. For this purpose, an averaged circumferential velocity is determined in the blade-sleeve region and superposed with the RACER cruise speed in order to estimate the prevailing flow conditions. The automated aerodynamic design optimisation is performed by means of a previously developed optimisation tool chain. A global multi-objective genetic optimisation algorithm is applied for the given problem. During preliminary work, a 2D aerodynamic design optimisation of selected blade-sleeve sections was conducted. These optimised aerofoils represent the design variables for the current optimisation problem. The shape modification of the 3D fairing is realised by exchanging specific aerofoils at certain spanwise sections.
Global well-posedness and large time behaviour of the viscous liquid-gas two-phase flow model in ℝ3
Authors: Wu Guochun , Zhang Yinghui
Published: March 2019

We investigate the Cauchy problem of the viscous liquid-gas two-phase flow model in ℝ3. Under the assumption that the initial data is close to the constant equilibrium state in the framework of Sobolev space H2(ℝ3), the Cauchy problem is shown to be globally well-posed by an energy method. If additionally, for 1 ⩽ p < 6/5, Lp-norm of the initial perturbation is bounded, the optimal convergence rates of the solutions in Lq-norm with 2 ⩽ q ⩽ 6 and optimal convergence rates of their spatial derivatives in L2-norm are also obtained by combining spectral analysis with energy methods.
Toward a Strategy to Involve Patients in Health Technology Assessment in Spain
Authors: Toledo-Chávarri Ana , Alvarez-Perez Yolanda , Triñanes Yolanda , Perestelo-Pérez Lilisbeth , Espallargues Mireia , Palma Matilde , Serrano-Aguilar Pedro
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop a feasible and effective strategy to involve patients in the Spanish Network of Agencies of Health Technology Assessment (RedETS).

Methods

The framework for patient involvement (PI) in the assessment activities and processes of RedETS were developed through a research project that included: (i) a systematic search of the international literature describing a strategy and/or a methodology linking health technology assessment (HTA) and PI; (ii) a qualitative study through interviews with RedETS members to analyze the perceptions of PI among HTA managers in the Spanish context; (iii) a Delphi consultation with three large platforms of patients, carers and consumer organizations in Spain about their perspectives of PI; (iv) a consensus process with the members of the RedETS Governing Council to define the final strategy.

Results

Three main themes were identified in the literature and Web site review: (i) PI methods for the different HTA phases; (ii) Participant definition and selection; (iii) Resources needed. A three-step implementation strategy was proposed: (i) short-term actions: piloting and testing patient participation in HTA and building patients' capacity; (ii) medium-term actions: broadening the participation of patients, and building internal capacity; (iii) long-term actions: consolidating and mainstreaming patient involvement

Conclusions

Patient participation can be incorporated into almost all the HTA phases and products with greater or lesser degrees of difficulty. However, a progressive implementation strategy is suggested for a feasible PI process.
The development of vocabulary and grammar: a longitudinal study of European Portuguese-speaking toddlers
Authors: CADIME Irene , MOREIRA Célia S. , SANTOS Ana Lúcia , SILVA Carla , RIBEIRO Iolanda , VIANA Fernanda Leopoldina
Published: March 2019

The goals of this study were to analyze the growth and stability of vocabulary, mean length of the three longest utterances (MLLUw), and sentence complexity in European Portuguese-speaking children aged 1;4–2;6, to explore differences in growth as a function of personal and family-related variables, and to investigate the inter-relationships among the three language dimensions. Fifty-one European Portuguese-speaking toddlers were longitudinally assessed at 1;4, 1;9, 2;1, and 2;6, through parent reports. Exponential growth models best described acquisition patterns during this period, but the vocabulary growth accelerated across the full age-range, whereas the growth of grammar dimensions accelerated mainly after 1;9. High variability was observed in the scores, but the toddlers’ relative positions were mostly stable over time. Gender approached significance as a predictor of vocabulary growth. Maternal educational level did not predict the growth of any of the three language dimensions. Both vocabulary and MLLUw predicted sentence complexity.
Tolerance of Sweetpotato to Herbicides Applied in Plant Propagation Beds
Authors: Smith Stephen C. , Jennings Katherine M. , Monks David W. , Schultheis Jonathan R. , Reberg-Horton S. Chris
Published: March 2019

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 to determine sweetpotato tolerance to herbicides applied to plant propagation beds. Herbicide treatments included PRE application of flumioxazin (107 g ai ha−1),S-metolachlor (800 g ai ha−1), fomesafen (280 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin plusS-metolachlor (107 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), fomesafen plusS-metolachlor (280 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), fluridone (1,120 or 2,240 g ai ha−1), fluridone plusS-metolachlor (1,120 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), napropamide (1,120 g ai ha−1), clomazone (420 g ai ha−1), linuron (560 g ai ha−1), linuron plusS-metolachlor (560 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), bicyclopyrone (38 or 49.7 g ai ha−1), pyroxasulfone (149 g ai ha−1), pre-mix of flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone (81.8 g ai ha−1+ 104.2 g ai ha−1), or metribuzin (294 g ai ha−1). Paraquat plus non-ionic surfactant (280 g ai ha−1+ 0.25% v/v) POST was also included. After plants in the propagation bed were cut and sweetpotato slip number, length, and weight had been determined, the slips were then transplanted to containers and placed either in the greenhouse or on an outdoor pad to determine any effects from the herbicide treatments on initial sweetpotato growth. Sweetpotato slip number, length, and/or weight were affected by flumioxazin with or withoutS-metolachlor,S-metolachlor with or without fomesafen, clomazone, and all fluridone treatments. In the greenhouse studies, initial root growth of plants after transplanting was inhibited by fluridone (1,120 g ai ha−1) and fluridone plusS-metolachlor. However, by 5 wk after transplanting few differences were observed between treatments. Fomesafen, linuron with or withoutS-metolachlor, bicyclopyrone (38 or 49.7 g ai ha−1), pyroxasulfone with or without flumioxazin, metribuzin, and paraquat did not cause injury to sweetpotato slips in any of the studies conducted.
Integrating cultivation using a tine weeder with herbicides in conventional peanut production
Authors: Johnson W. Carroll , Luo Xuelin
Published: March 2019

Research from the 1980s reported sweep cultivation being a cost-effective component in an integrated system to manage weeds in peanut. Previous weed management research conducted on organic peanut indicated that repeated cultivation with a tine weeder was an effective component in that production system. Studies were conducted in Tifton, GA, from 2014 through 2017 to determine whether tine weeding can be integrated with herbicides in conventional peanut production to supplement herbicides. Experiments evaluated a factorial arrangement of eight herbicide combinations and two levels of cultivation using a tine weeder. Herbicides were labeled rates of ethalfluralin PRE, S-metolachlor PRE, imazapic POST, ethalfluralin PRE + S-metolachlor PRE, ethalfluralin PRE + imazapic POST, S-metolachlor PRE + imazapic POST, ethalfluralin PRE + S-metolachlor PRE + imazapic POST, and a nontreated control. The herbicides chosen were based on knowledge of the weed species composition at the research sites and their common use in peanut. Cultivation regimes were cultivation with a tine weeder (six times at weekly intervals) and a noncultivated control. Benefits of tine weeding supplementing control from herbicides varied according to herbicide and weed species. For example, annual grasses were effectively controlled (88% to 97%) by ethalfluralin or S-metolachlor and did not need cultivation to supplement control provided by the herbicides. However, imazapic alone did not effectively control (54% to 75%) annual grasses and needed supplemental control from cultivation with the tine weeder. Similarly, imazapic effectively controlled (84% to 93%) smallflower morningglory and did not require cultivation to supplement control from the herbicide. However, cultivation with the tine weeder improved smallflower morningglory control (76% to 95%) when supplementing ethalfluralin or S-metolachlor. Peanut yields did not respond to any of the herbicide combinations integrated with cultivation using the tine weeder. During the time period when peanut was cultivated, there was greater total rainfall and more days of rainfall events in 2014 and 2017 compared with the other years. Rainfall and wet soils reduced the performance and weed control benefits of the tine weeder. This highlights the risk of depending on cultivation for weed control.
Mantle Degassing Through Continental Crust Triggered by Active Faults: The Case of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Batista Cruz Ramón Yosvanis , Rizzo Andrea Luca , Grassa Fausto , Bernard Romero Rubén , González Fernández Antonio , Kretzschmar Thomas Gunter , Gómez‐Arias Efraín
Published: March 2019

In this work, we report new chemical and isotopic data (3He/4He, δ13CCO2, δ13CCH4, and δDCH4) from poorly or previously unstudied hydrothermal and magmatic gases that are emitted along the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula (BCP). High 3He/4He values (up to ~7 Ra) characterize the magmatic gases, while lower ratios (≤1.6 Ra) characterize hydrothermal springs. We infer that the mantle beneath the BCP could be Mid‐ocean‐ridge basalt (MORB)‐likes, as in the rift within the Gulf of California, or it may reflect contamination from C‐rich sediment during paleo‐subduction of the Farallon plate. During their ascent, through the crust, mantle/magmatic gases mix with CO2‐ and 4He‐rich fluids, thus forming CO2‐rich hydrothermal gases. These hydrothermal gases undergo partial dissolution of CO2 in shallow waters under different temperature and pH conditions, which further modifies their composition. Thermogenic and possibly abiogenic sources of methane are present only in magmatic gases from the BCP. Secondary methane oxidation (microbial/inorganic) processes are proposed for some hydrothermal gases, which are extremely enriched in heavy isotopes. Finally, we argue that the hydrothermal gases that are emitted from the BCP have variable percentages of mantle contribution, indicating the presence of lithospheric faults enhancing the rise of mantle fluids also in areas where volcanism is absent.
The associations between smoking and obesity in northeast China: a quantile regression analysis
Authors: Sun Mengzi , Jiang Yan , Sun Chong , Li Jiagen , Guo Xin , Lv Yaogai , Yu Yaqin , Yao Yan , Jin Lina
Published: March 2019

Obesity is a risk factors of chronic diseases, and smoking is associated with both chronic diseases and obesity. There were some controversies about the associations between smoking and obesity. Thus, our study aimed to explore the associations of smoking with obesity, using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as obesity indices in northeast China. We enrolled a sample of 16,412 participants in Jilin province aged 18–79 in this study, which were derived from a cross-sectional survey in 2012. We used quantile regression (QR) models to identify the associations of smoking with obesity in different quantiles of BMI (or WC) by genders. The differences of BMI and WC by genders were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, compared with current non-smokers, current smokers had lower BMI but higher WC. As increasing of WC, the association of WC with smoking was getting stronger, especially in females.
Differential potentials of neural progenitors for the generation of neurons and non-neuronal cells in the developing amniote brain
Authors: Hashimoto Yuki , Gotoh Hitoshi , Ono Katsuhiko , Nomura Tadashi
Published: March 2019

Mature mammalian brains consist of variety of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types, which are progressively generated from embryonic neural progenitors through the embryonic and postnatal periods. However, it remains unknown whether all embryonic progenitors equivalently contribute to multiple cell types, or individual neural progenitors have variable potentials to generate specific cell types in a stochastic manner. Here, we performed population-level tracing of mouse embryonic neural progenitors by using Tol2-mediated genome integration vectors. We identified that neural progenitors in early embryonic stages predominantly contribute to cortical or subcortical neurons than astrocytes, ependymal cells, and neuroblasts in the postnatal brain. Notably, neurons and astrocytes were cumulatively labeled by the increase of total labeled cells, suggesting constant neurogenic and gliogenic potentials of individual neural progenitors. On the contrary, numbers of labeled ependymal cell are more fluctuated, implicating intrinsic variability of progenitor potentials for ependymal cell generation. Differential progenitor potentials that contribute to neurons, astrocytes, and ependymal cells were also detected in the developing avian pallium. Our data suggest evolutionary conservations of coherent and variable potentials of neural progenitors that generate multiple cell types in the developing amniote brain.
Comprehensive analysis of the GATA transcription factor gene family in breast carcinoma using gene microarrays, online databases and integrated bioinformatics
Authors: Yu Shan , Jiang Xuepeng , Li Juan , Li Chao , Guo Mian , Ye Fei , Zhang Maomao , Jiao Yufei , Guo Baoliang
Published: March 2019

Integrated studies of accumulated data can be performed to obtain more reliable information and more feasible measures for investigating the potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of breast cancer and exploring related molecular mechanisms. Our study aimed to explore the GATA family members involved in breast cancer by integrating data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and other online databases. We performed an integrated analysis of published studies from GEO and analyzed clinical data from TCGA and GTEx to evaluate the clinical significance and prognosis values of the GATA family in breast cancer. GATA3 was found to be upregulated and exhibited a favorable value in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. Through this study, we identified possible GATA3-correlated genes and core pathways that play an important role, which requires further investigation in breast cancer.
Six novel immunoglobulin genes as biomarkers for better prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer by gene co-expression network analysis
Authors: Hsu Huan-Ming , Chu Chi-Ming , Chang Yu-Jia , Yu Jyh-Cherng , Chen Chien-Ting , Jian Chen-En , Lee Chia-Yi , Chiang Yueh-Tao , Chang Chi-Wen , Chang Yu-Tien
Published: March 2019

Gene co-expression network analysis (GCNA) can detect alterations in regulatory activities in case/control comparisons. We propose a framework to detect novel genes and networks for predicting breast cancer recurrence. Thirty-four prognosis candidate genes were selected based on a literature review. Four Gene Expression Omnibus Series (GSE) microarray datasets (n = 920) were used to create gene co-expression networks based on these candidates. We applied the framework to four comparison groups according to node (+/−) and recurrence (+/−). We identified a sub-network containing two candidate genes (LST1 and IGHM) and six novel genes (IGHA1, IGHD, IGHG1, IGHG3, IGLC2, and IGLJ3) related to B cell-specific immunoglobulin. These novel genes were correlated with recurrence under the control of node status and were found to function as tumor suppressors; higher mRNA expression indicated a lower risk of recurrence (hazard ratio, HR = 0.87, p = 0.001). We created an immune index score by performing principle component analysis and divided the genes into low and high groups. This discrete index significantly predicted relapse-free survival (RFS) (high: HR = 0.77, p = 0.019; low: control). Public tool KM Plotter and TCGA-BRCA gene expression data were used to validate. We confirmed these genes are correlated with RFS and distal metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and general breast cancer.
Ecological processes underpinning microbial community structure during exposure to subinhibitory level of triclosan
Authors: Oh Seungdae , Choi Donggeon , Cha Chang-Jun
Published: March 2019

Ecological processes shaping the structure and diversity of microbial communities are of practical importance for managing the function and resilience of engineered biological ecosystems such as activated sludge processes. This study systematically evaluated the ecological processes acting during continuous exposure to a subinhibitory level of antimicrobial triclosan (TCS) as an environmental stressor. 16S rRNA gene-based community profiling revealed significant perturbations on the community structure and dramatic reduction (by 20–30%) in species diversity/richness compared to those under the control conditions. In addition, community profiling determined the prevalence of the deterministic processes overwhelming the ecological stochasticity. Analysis of both community composition and phenotypes in the TCS-exposed communities suggested the detailed deterministic mechanism: selection of TCS degrading (Sphingopyxis) and resistant (Pseudoxanthomonas) bacterial populations. The analysis also revealed a significant reduction of core activated sludge members, Chitinophagaceae (e.g., Ferruginibacter) and Comamonadaceae (e.g., Acidovorax), potentially affecting ecosystem functions (e.g., floc formation and nutrient removal) directly associated with system performance (i.e., wastewater treatment efficiency and effluent quality). Overall, our study provides new findings that inform the mechanisms underlying the community structure and diversity of activated sludge, which not only advances the current understanding of microbial ecology in activated sludge, but also has practical implications for the design and operation of environmental bioprocesses for treatment of antimicrobial-bearing waste streams.
Layered Ni-rich Cathode Materials
Authors: Myung Seung-Taek , Jo Chang-Heum , Konarov Aishuak
Published: March 2019

Recent lithium-ion battery (LIB) technologies power electric vehicles (EVs) to run approximately 220 miles in a single charge, and further effort to increase the energy density of LIBs is being made to run LIB-mounted EVs up to 300 miles in the next few years. Among several important components of LIBs, cathode materials play a significant role in contributing to cost, safety issues, and more importantly energy density. For this concern, Ni-rich cathode materials are indispensable because of their high capacity, reaching over 200 mAh g−1. To commercialize Ni-rich cathode material, tremendous work has been carried out to stabilize the crystal structure and minimize the side reaction with electrolytes, namely, doping, surface modification from nano- to microscale, densification of secondary particles, morphological alternation of primary particles in a secondary particle, and so on. The approaches that have pursued will be discussed in this chapter followed by a perspective.
Modification of Layered Oxide Cathode Materials
Authors: Dong J. , Hietaniemi M. , Välikangas J. , Hu T. , Lassi U.
Published: March 2019

Layer-structured cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries are considered. These materials, such as LCO, NCM, NCA, lithium rich cathode oxides and blended cathodes are well-known for the intercalation mechanism. Future of lithium-ion batteries is also strongly based on these cathode chemistries, but to overcome some drawbacks and challenges, the improved materials are needed. In this chapter, modification of layer-structured cathode materials by doping and coating are discussed. Especially, coating materials and doping methods are considered.
Battery Storage for Grid Connected PV Applications
Authors: Vetter M. , Lux S. , Wüllner J.
Published: March 2019

With the increasing share of fluctuating renewables in power grids the need for, but also the value of, electrical energy storage is identified. Particularly advanced battery systems such as lithium ion offer various opportunities: they can be designed to be highly modular and are therefore flexible in usage and they offer comparably high efficiency as well as long calendar and cycle life times. Typical examples of such grid connected stationary applications are described in this chapter. These include small residential as well as commercial battery storage for increased self-consumption and self-sufficiency. The principles of system design and the integration of the key components such as inverter and energy management are described for such applications. Furthermore, test results of market available products show the achievements but also the remaining optimization potential, which has to be addressed in future developments. In particular, in the field of commercial and industrial applications, bankability and insurability are key for mass market dissemination. Therefore critical topics such as safety, reliability as well as performance are discussed in this chapter.
Emerging Market of Household Batteries
Authors: Parra D.
Published: March 2019

Household batteries are becoming an important solution for improving the amount of solar photovoltaics (PV) electricity generation that is used on-site in dwellings rather than being exported to the grid. Meeting local electricity demand increases the value of PV electricity generation substantially across many geographies where electricity prices are high for consumers, but household batteries are not economically attractive yet. In this chapter, the author reviews household batteries, including various technologies as well as alternative applications for household batteries to increase their value. The concept of community energy storage is also presented as a solution to improve the economic attractiveness of battery storage embedded in consumption centres and provide technical benefits for the distribution network or area. Finally, some environmental and policy notes on the implementation of household batteries are also discussed, together with the implications for various stakeholders such as consumers, utility companies and policy makes.
Polymorphism as an additional functionality of materials for technological applications at surfaces and interfaces
Authors: Gentili Denis , Gazzano Massimo , Melucci Manuela , Jones Derek , Cavallini Massimiliano
Published: March 2019

This tutorial aims to divulge to the chemistry community the information that polymorphism can be directly exploited as a property in a variety of technological applications.
Regulating vibrational modes to improve quantum efficiency: insights from theoretical calculations on iridium(iii) complexes bearing tridentate NCN and NNC chelates
Authors: Lei Yuanqing , Guo Hao , Wang Jian , Jia Ran
Published: March 2019

Rational modification of a ligand can boost phosphorescence quantum efficiency.
Microbial electrosynthesis system with dual biocathode arrangement for simultaneous acetogenesis, solventogenesis and carbon chain elongation
Authors: Vassilev Igor , Kracke Frauke , Freguia Stefano , Keller Jürg , Krömer Jens O. , Ledezma Pablo , Virdis Bernardino
Published: March 2019

A microbial electrosynthesis cell comprising two biological cathode chambers sharing the same anode compartment is used to promote the production of C2–C4 carboxylic acids and alcohols from carbon dioxide.
On the crystal structures of Pr7W6.25M0.75O30 (M = Zn, Co) and so-called MPr2W2O10 (M = Co, Mn, Cd)
Authors: Lacorre Philippe
Published: March 2019

Previously evidenced as exhibiting large relative permittivity, CoPr2W2O10 is shown here to be Pr7W6.25Co0.75O30 with a columnar perovskite structure.
High‐selectivity bandpass filter using six pairs of quarter‐wavelength coupled lines
Authors: Zhang Fengyu , Xu Kai‐Da
Published: March 2019

A novel high‐selectivity bandpass filter (BPF) with multiple transmission poles (TPs) and transmission zeros (TZs) using six pairs of quarter‐wavelength coupled lines has been presented. By employing two pairs of side‐coupled lines and four pairs of open/shorted coupled lines, high roll‐off skirt characteristic, and good stopband rejection can be achieved with five TPs and six TZs. Theoretical analysis is explained and simulated results are illustrated for this high‐performance filter. Finally, a BPF example with a centre frequency of 1.9 GHz and a 3 dB fractional bandwidth of 9% is designed, fabricated, and measured. It is shown that the measured lower and upper stopband rejections are better than 38 and 16 dB, respectively. Good agreement between the simulations and measurements validates the design method.
The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey
Authors: Britavskiy N. , Lennon D. J. , Patrick L. R. , Evans C. J. , Herrero A. , Langer N. , van Loon J. Th. , Clark J. S. , Schneider F. R. N. , Almeida L. A. , Sana H. , de Koter A. , Taylor W. D.
Published: March 2019

Aims. We estimate physical parameters for the late-type massive stars observed as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS) in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).

Methods. The observational sample comprises 20 candidate red supergiants (RSGs) which are the reddest ((B − V) > 1 mag) and brightest (V < 16 mag) objects in the VFTS. We use optical and near-infrared (near-IR) photometry to estimate their temperatures and luminosities, and introduce the luminosity–age diagram to estimate their ages.

Results. We derive physical parameters for our targets, including temperatures from a new calibration of (J − Ks)0 colour for luminous cool stars in the LMC, luminosities from their J-band magnitudes (thence radii), and ages from comparisons with current evolutionary models. We show that interstellar extinction is a significant factor for our targets, highlighting the need to take it into account in the analysis of the physical parameters of RSGs. We find that some of the candidate RSGs could be massive AGB stars. The apparent ages of the RSGs in the Hodge 301 and SL 639 clusters show a significant spread (12–24 Myr). We also apply our approach to the RSG population of the relatively nearby NGC 2100 cluster, finding a similarly large spread.

Conclusions. We argue that the effects of mass transfer in binaries may lead to more massive and luminous RSGs (which we call “red stragglers”) than expected from single-star evolution, and that the true cluster ages correspond to the upper limit of the estimated RSG ages. In this way, the RSGs can serve as a new and potentially reliable age tracer in young star clusters. The corresponding analysis yields ages of 24−3+5 Myr for Hodge 301, 22−5+6 Myr for SL 639, and 23−2+4 Myr for NGC 2100.
Interferometric observations of SiO thermal emission in the inner wind of M-type AGB stars IK Tauri and IRC+10011
Authors: Verbena J. L. , Bujarrabal V. , Alcolea J. , Gómez-Garrido M. , Castro-Carrizo A.
Published: March 2019

Context. Asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars go through a process of strong mass loss that involves pulsations of the atmosphere, which extends to a region in which the conditions are adequate for dust grains to form. Radiation pressure acts on these grains which, coupled to the gas, drive a massive outflow. The details of this process are not clear, including which molecules are involved in the condensation of dust grains.

Aims. We seek to study the role of the SiO molecule in the process of dust formation and mass loss in M-type AGB stars.

Methods. Using the IRAM NOEMA interferometer we observed the 28SiO and 29SiO J = 3−2, v = 0 emission from the inner circumstellar envelope of the evolved stars IK Tau and IRC+10011. We computed azimuthally averaged emission profiles to compare the observations to models using a molecular excitation and ray-tracing code for SiO thermal emission.

Results. We observe circular symmetry in the emission distribution. We also find that the source diameter varies only marginally with radial velocity, which is not the expected behaviour for envelopes expanding at an almost constant velocity. The adopted density, velocity, and abundance laws, together with the mass-loss rate, which best fit the observations, give us information concerning the chemical behaviour of the SiO molecule and its role in the dust formation process.

Conclusions. The results indicate that there is a strong coupling between the depletion of gas-phase SiO and gas acceleration in the inner envelope. This could be explained by the condensation of SiO into dust grains.
Zitratbasierte Antikoagulation
Authors: Tölle Markus
Published: March 2019

Seit Beginn der Durchführung von extrakorporalen Verfahren stellt sich die Frage nach einer adäquaten Antikoagulation. In Deutschland wird diese im Rahmen der Dialysetherapie überwiegend systemisch mit unfraktionierten oder mit niedermolekularen Heparinen durchgeführt. Es ist zu bedenken, dass viele der Dialysepatienten aufgrund von Komorbiditäten unterschiedliche Antikoagulanzien einnehmen, unter denen bereits das Blutungsrisiko deutlich ansteigt. Darüber hinaus besteht ein breites Nebenwirkungsprofil im Rahmen der Heparintherapie. Eine regionale Antikoagulation ausschließlich im extrakorporalen Kreislauf ohne systemische Beeinflussung des Gerinnungssystems wäre daher wünschenswert. Hier wird die Nutzung von Zitrat im Rahmen kontinuierlicher Nierenersatzverfahren bereits als Standard empfohlen. Im Bereich der intermittierenden Nierenersatzverfahren ist der Stellenwert von Zitrat nicht im gleichen Maße etabliert, was u. a. an der technischen Ausstattung der derzeitigen Dialysemaschinen liegt. Dennoch gibt es verschiedene Möglichkeiten der zitratbasierten regionalen Antikoagulation im extrakorporalen Kreislauf, die in diesem Beitrag zusammenfassend dargestellt werden.