bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond the Museum Walls: Developing Inexpensive Discovery Trunks for k-12
Authors: Robinson Julia
Published: June 2018

Discovery Trunks - specimen-based educational kits - use museum collections and standardized curricula to catalyze critical thinking skills through inquiry learning. Inquiry learning facilitates the development of new knowledge by examining a novel situation in light of past experience - a crucial skill for a child in today’s unpredictable world. Inquiry learning empowers students by making them stronger and more confident in their discovery and synthesis of information.

Discovery Trunks enhance learning opportunities for students, promote the parent institutions, and develop new audiences by taking the institutional mission beyond classroom walls. Such Trunks contain authentic, real world objects and inquiry lessons that align with state educational standards. Discovery Trunks encourage contemplative analytical skills, thoughtful communication, thorough exploration of a topic, and cultivate a citizenry of open-minded problem solvers. Through inquiry-based learning, we see key components of this personal investigation exemplified through student-centered, student-driven activities that connect new knowledge and prior knowledge.

This presentation will deconstruct these multidisciplinary kits and their contents to guide museum professionals to explore effective, high value, low cost materials and methods to produce and advertise educational kits to the community. Offered as an essential outreach component, these educational kits cultivate tomorrow’s thinkers, movers, and laborers in an ever-changing society.
ALERT Lessons From A Biosecurity Disaster
Authors: Brown Gill , Jobson Peter , Milne Josephine , Schönberger Ines
Published: June 2018

The Managers of Australasian Herbarium Collections (MAHC) have been working with the Plant Import Operations Branch of the Australian government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) to align our procedures to significantly reduce the risk of herbarium specimens being destroyed when being imported into Australia. The two groups worked together productively to bring about change and to enable the resumption of the international movement of herbarium specimens after two recent international disasters. These changes include amendments to the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) which contains the Australian government’s import conditions and onshore outcomes for herbarium specimens, changes to procedures at the border (airmail gateway facilities) where biosecurity documentation is assessed and parcels released, and updates to existing herbarium parcel labels, guidelines and supplier declaration templates. We will discuss lessons learned, as well as implications for researchers, collections managers or institutions who may be sending herbarium specimen material to Australia.

This is a presentation on beahlf of the Managers of Australasian Herbarium Collections (MAHC), a network of herbarium Collection Managers in Australia and New Zealand.
Pokémon Day at the Sternberg: Using Pop-Culture to Teach Principles of Evolution
Authors: Shelburne Edward
Published: June 2018

Pop culture has great potential as a tool for communicating science to the public. The Sternberg Museum of Natural History (FHSM) hosted a public, all-ages outreach event utilizing Pokémon to illustrate common principles of evolution and highlighting the confluence of pop-culture and science. Pokémon is a multi-billion dollar multimedia franchise centered on the training and combat of small monsters, called Pokémon, which grow stronger and ‘evolve’ over time as they bond with their trainer. While ‘evolution’ in the Pokémon franchise is more akin to the process of metamorphosis in the real world, with weaker forms transitioning into stronger ones, principles of mutation, adaptation, and descent with modification are regularly evoked within the series. This close association between Pokémon ‘evolution’ and Darwinian evolution provides an invaluable opportunity to use a popular franchise to explain evolutionary principles through basic comparison, as well as clarifying public misperceptions of evolution by drawing attention to inaccuracies portrayed in the franchise.

Tables were placed around the Museum where fossils and illustrated graphics highlighted similarities between Pokémon designs and their extinct counterparts, while teaching the principles of adaptation, descent with modification, and island biogeography. Guests were encouraged to use self-directed learning to interact with Museum staff who explained the evolutionary principles outlined at that table and the inferences that can be made regarding the biology and ecology of the organisms the Pokémon represent. A scavenger hunt was also implemented to encourage exploration of the museum; younger guests were tasked with seeking additional Pokémon hidden throughout the museum. This interactive activity rewarded exploration of both event-specific displays and traditional exhibits with a small bag of candy upon completion. Arts-and-crafts related to Pokémon and evolution were available for very young guests. The event took place over five hours on a Saturday; normal admission fees were required. Principles learned from this Pokémon Day event can be used by the FHSM and other institutions to further refine engaging and informative public outreach events in the future, utilizing different pop-culture franchises to teach scientific principles to the public.
The Walking Dead: Status Report, Data Workflow and Best Practices of the oVert Thematic Collections Network
Authors: Watkins-Colwell Gregory , Love Kevin , Randall Zachary , Boyer Doug , Winchester Julie , Stanley Edward , Blackburn David
Published: June 2018

In 2017 NSF funded “oVert (openVertebrate): Open Exploration of Vertebrate Diversity in 3D,” which is the first Thematic Collections Network devoted entirely to vertebrate morphological specimens. The primary goal of oVert is to generate and serve high-resolution digital three-dimensional data for internal anatomy across vertebrate diversity. oVert will CT-scan >20,000 fluid-preserved specimens representing >80% of the living genera of vertebrates, providing broad coverage for exploration and research on all major groups of vertebrates. Contrast-enhanced scans will be generated to reveal soft tissues and organs for a majority of the living vertebrate families. This collection of digital imagery and three-dimensional volumes will be open for exploration, download, and use. These new media will provide unprecedented global access to valuable morphological data of specimens in US collections.oVert is developing best practices and guidelines for high-throughput CT-scanning, including efficient workflows, preferred resolutions, and archival formats that optimize the variety of downstream applications.

Using the Integrated Digitized Biocollections (iDigBio) API, we have developed a workflow where people uploading media files to MorphoSource can search for and import metadata for specimens directly from iDigBio. Via a Rich Site Summary (RSS) feed from MorphoSource, Audubon Core data describing media files for a given scientific collection can be retrieved and integrated into institutional IPT and databases. Such data migration of large files requires attention to detail and the development of data workflows that ensure correct specimen mapping at all steps. The RSS feed from MorphoSource will also consolidate usage information for media files from specimens in each scientific collection for reporting. Additional goals of the project are to provide information vital to the creation of collection best practices for imaging permissions/copyright. A status report and update on best practices will be presented.
Cretaceous World TCN: Digitizing the Western Interior Seaway at the Yale Peabody Museum
Authors: Martin Elissa , Butts Susan , Elder Leanne , Gall Lawrence , Lutz Christina , Norris Christopher , Utrup Jessica
Published: June 2018

Yale Peabody Museum (YPM) is a partner in the Western Interior Seaway Thematic Collections Network (TCN), along with the University of Kansas (lead) and seven other institutions (National Science Foundation Award # DBI-1601884). This project seeks to digitize the fossil organisms of the Western Interior Seaway, a shallow sea that covered inland North America from 100 to 65 million years ago. The resultant data will be a resource for K-16 education and will enable scientists to answer fundamental questions about the changing environment of a marine ecosystem during a key time in the history of life. The data generated will be ideal for use with an assortment of modern quantitative tools like paleoecological niche modeling (PaleoENM) and will help improve paleoclimate and paleoceanographic models.

Less than two years into this three-year project, the YPM has digitized nearly 70,000 Cretaceous fossils from the seaway. Specimens are georeferenced and most have multiple images. To achieve project goals, we have overcome obstacles of digitizing multi-specimen concretions and foraminifera microslides by developing high-throughput digitization workflows that incorporate the open-source Inselect program and scripts to streamline image naming, image formatting, and uploading to our Axiell EMu collection management system.

To facilitate use of the data in K-16 environments, an easy to use collections interface has been built using the iDigPaleo platform (idigpaleo.org). Cretaceous World (cretaceousworld.org) pulls data from iDigBio for all Cretaceous World TCN providers. Students can browse specimens using filters, rather than entering specific search terms. Navigation is simplified using common names harvested from the Encyclopedia of Life. Specimens are displayed as images accompanied by collection and locality data and plotted on a map. Registration provides access to tools supporting annotation, measurement, specimen record commenting, and social media sharing. Images can be curated as galleries and used for education. This includes sharing of galleries between students and teachers and PDF or PowerPoint exports.

Fifty-eight 3D models of vertebrates and invertebrates have been placed on morphosource.org and will be made available via a 3D embedded viewer on cretaceousworld.org for use in K-16 education. Undergraduate students from Dartmouth, Oberlin, Southern Connecticut State University, and Yale, have participated in the project and served as mentors for high school interns. These interns, recruited from the Peabody EVOLUTIONS afterschool program, gained first-hand experience in collections-based research, digitization, and imaging techniques, while learning about the science of paleontology and the process of curating museum collections, and researching and reconstructing food webs in this fascinating ancient ecosystem.
Storing, Maintaining and Mobilizing Botswana National Museum’s Entomology Digital Collections: The GBIF/BID Approach
Authors: Rapalai Boikhutso Lerato
Published: June 2018

The Botswana National Museum is mandated to protect, preserve and promote Botswana’s cultural and natural heritage for sustainable utilization thereof by collecting, researching, conserving and exhibiting for public education and appreciation. The Entomology Section of the museum is aiming towards becoming the national center for entomology collections as well as contributing to the monitoring and enhancement of natural heritage sites in Botswana. The Botswana National Museum entomology collection was assembled over more than three decades by a succession of collectors, curators and technical officers. Specimens are carefully prepared and preserved, labelled with field data, sorted and safely stored. The collection is preserved as wet (ethanol preserved) or as dry pinned specimens in drawers. This collection is invaluable for reference, research, baseline data and educational purposes.

As a way of mobilizing insect biodiversity data and making it available online for conservation efforts and decision making processes, in 2016 the Botswana National Museum collaborated with five other African states to implement the Biodiversity Information for Development (BID) and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) funded African Insect Atlas’ Project (https://www.gbif.org/project/82632/african-insect-atlas). This collaborative project was initiated to move biodiversity knowledge out of select insect collections into the hands of a new generation of global biodiversity researchers interested in direct outcomes. To date, the Botswana National Museum has been instrumental through the efforts of this project in storing, maintaining and mobilizing insect digital collections and making the data available online through the GBIF Platform.
Turning a Recently-Donated Mineral Collection into a Multifaceted Learning Experience
Authors: Miller-Camp Jess
Published: June 2018

The Schultz Collection is a group of over 1500 display-quality minerals which was donated to the University of California, Riverside Earth Sciences Museum last year. The collector was very systematic in assembling it, emphasizing a breadth of taxonomy, crystal forms, and uniqueness. A broad sample of mineral classes are present. Mineral species with a wide variety of forms, such as calcite, are represented by numerous diverse samples. Some of the species and gem forms, such as charoite, are only found in one location worldwide. In strictly monetary terms, it has been appraised at over $113,000 (USD; $155,000 NZD). But the true value of this collection lies in the excellent learning opportunities it has proven to hold for students, professionals, and visitors alike.

Unlike nearly all collections assembled by enthusiasts, Henry Schultz made sure his collection was both well-labelled and catalogued, with locality information available for nearly all. Coupled with the various needs it requires and the small number of specimens compared to other collections already in our possession, this makes it an ideal source of many student projects. No institution in the Inland Empire of Southern California has a formal museum studies program that includes natural history. The creation of a volunteer program in the museum and an interdepartmental Natural History Museum Club in the Natural History Collections Care Network (NHCCN) are steps towards rectifying this.

Projects run the gamut across most museum studies activities. Curation and registrar-work includes: handwriting new University of California, Riverside (UCR)-specific labels with archival ink as a group activity during club meetings; turning Schultz’s spreadsheet into a relational database and filling in information gaps when possible; and rehousing all specimens in acid-free trays. An additional outcome is the creation of a time-saving relational database of the Dana classification system (shareable upon request). Conservation and preparation include: cleaning dust and packing material off of specimens; attempting to halt the pyrite disease in one specimen; and discussing the special care needs for certain minerals. Exhibit design and fabrication include: brainstorming exhibit sections; selecting specimens for display; and exhibit installation. Exhibit sections will in part be used to give a behind-the-scenes peek, educating the public on museum studies, with one section devoted to care of minerals and another discussing how much work students and staff have put into fully processing the collection. Education and outreach include progress updates on social media, which have a reach comparable to those discussing departmental research.
The structural validity and measurement invariance across gender of the Brief Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument
Authors: Steyn Renier , De Bruin G. P.
Published: June 2018

Background: Corporate entrepreneurial activity and innovation are presented as essential elements of organisational success, and gender diversity is often seen as an important variable in this context. The efficient measurement of these variables is essential to the management thereof. It is within this context that the Brief Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (BCEAI) was developed. Shorter instruments seem to be favoured by researchers and practitioners alike. However, little is known about the psychometric properties of the BCEAI, particularly regarding measurement invariance. Aim: This study seeks to address the structural validity and measurement invariance for the BCEAI applied for men and women. The objective was to establish the utility of the instrument within the South African context, with specific emphasis on cross-gender comparisons. Setting: Medium to large South African organisations, with more than 60 employees, were targeted for inclusion in the study. Once organisations indicated their willingness to participate, 60 employees per organisation were randomly selected to participate in the study. Methods: Data on the BCEAI were captured and pairwise multi-group confirmatory factor analyses with robust maximum likelihood estimation were used to examine four levels of measurement invariance, as well as the equivalence of latent means pertaining to male and female respondents. Results: Data were collected from 3180 employees representing 52 SouthAfrican organisations. The results support the structural validity of the BCEAI and demonstrate strict measurement invariance for the BCEAI across gender. Equivalence of latent means across gender was also supported. Conclusion: These results reveal that the BCEAI mirrors the structure of the original instrument in the South African context and that BCEAI yields psychometrically equivalent scores among employees of both genders. Researchers and practitioners can therefore use the BCEAI with the knowledge that its theoretical structure is sound and can apply it with confidence when comparing male and female employees in the workplace.
Contextual factors and the experience of unemployment: A review of qualitative studies
Authors: Du Toit Melinda , De Witte Hans , Rothmann Sebastiaan , Van den Broeck Anja
Published: June 2018

This study aimed to review qualitative studies on the contextual factors affecting the experience of unemployed individuals. From the analysis of the findings of 13 qualitative studies, the conclusion was reached that the contextual factors, namely the broader society, the surrounding community, and the individual as actor or agent, had a direct impact on the unemployment experience of individuals. It was recommended that unemployed individuals be organised into community subgroups, constructed to participate in projects aimed at empowering the community to improve cohesion, equality among members, and a collaborative attitude. Social scientists ought to make an effort to advocate a marked improvement in society’s tolerance for, and understanding of, the realities faced by the unemployed person. One such reality was that a well-paying job that would take an individual out of financial hardship could be well out of reach of some individuals, which would mean a life of surviving without any regular income.
Data Dictionary for Quantities Used in Cyber Physical Systems
Authors:   AS-4UCS Unmanned Systems Control Segment Architecture
Published: June 2018

This data dictionary provides definitions for quantities, measurement units, reference systems, measurands, measurements and quantity modalities commonly used on the command and control of cyber physical systems. A cyber physical system as an engineered system that is built from, and depends upon, the seamless integration of computational algorithms and physical components. Cyber physical systems are often interconnected via data links and networks. The term encompasses intelligent vehicles and devices that operate in any environment, including robotic and autonomous systems.
Industry Review of xEV Battery Size Standards
Authors:   Battery Cell Size Standardization Committee
Published: June 2018

This Technical Information Report (TIR) will review the global industry battery size standards for xEV vehicles to provide guidance on available cell sizes for engineers developing battery powered vehicles. The TIR will include a review of the sizes and standards that are currently being developed or used for cylindrical cells, pouch (or polymer) cells, and for prismatic can cells. The lithium-ion cell will be the focus of this survey, but module and pack level size standards, where available, will also be included.
Los primeros cincuenta años del Hospital General de Mallorca: desde la fundación hasta la promulgación de las Ordenaciones (1456-1514)
Authors: Cassanyes Roig Albert
Published: June 2018

El presente artículo analiza el período inicial del establecimiento del Hospital General de Mallorca, desde su fundación en 1456 hasta la promulgación de las Ordenaciones en 1514. Para ello, se usan algunas fuentes que, a pesar de ser conocidas, no han sido utilizadas de forma sistemática en las investigaciones precedentes, aunque también se aportan algunos documentos inéditos. El Hospital General de Mallorca fue el resultado de la fusión de los pequeños centros preexistentes. Este procedimiento no era nuevo, sino que se venía practicando en la Corona de Aragón desde la creación del Hospital de la Santa Cruz de Barcelona en 1401. Las autoridades municipales se hicieron con el control de la institución, mientras la Iglesia quedaba relegada de las funciones administrativas. Durante sus primeros años, el Hospital General tuvo que buscar las fuentes de financiación necesarias para ejercer sus funciones hospitalarias y construir un edificio adecuado para atender enfermos y niños expósitos. Las Ordenaciones de 1514 supusieron que la institución se dotase de su primer reglamento. En definitiva, la fundación del Hospital General de Mallorca se tiene que enmarcar en los procesos de unificación de hospitales y de laicización de la asistencia, característicos de los años centrales del siglo XV.
El episcopado de don García Miguel de Ayerbe y el conflictivo período de las tutorías de Alfonso XI para la catedral de León (1318-1332)
Authors: Ordás Díaz Pablo
Published: June 2018

Entre 1318 y 1332 la diócesis de León estuvo regida por don García Miguel de Ayerbe, una figura oscura a la que la historiografía sobre la Iglesia de León había prestado poca atención, cuyos orígenes y vinculación con la política castellanoleonesa del momento eran escasamente conocidos. El objetivo del presente artículo es revisar las escasas informaciones sobre su biografía y qué papel jugó la Iglesia de León durante el turbulento período de las tutorías de Alfonso XI, momento en el que los diferentes bandos pugnaron por hacerse con el control de la ciudad y la recién concluida catedral gótica se convirtió de forma improvisada en baluarte defensivo, con consecuencias directas en la construcción del claustro, que, por aquellos años de la segunda década del siglo XIV, se estaba renovando completamente.
Mary Beard, "Mujeres y poder. Un manifiesto", Planeta, Barcelona, 2018, 111 páginas, ISBN 978-84-17067-65-6
Authors: Medina-Vicent Maria
Published: June 2018

La obra de Mary Beard llega en un momento de gran efervescencia feminista en el campo político y social, y sin duda merece ser tenida en cuenta en este nuevo escenario debido a su carga crítica hacia las bases culturales del sexismo occidental. Su reflexión sobre el lugar de las mujeres en las diferentes dimensiones del poder rastrea los orígenes grecoromanos de los discursos que silencian las voces femeninas en la vida pública. Mujeres y poder. Un manifiesto se divide en dos partes principales tituladas “La voz pública de las mujeres” (pp. 13-52) y “Mujeres en el ejercicio del poder” (pp. 53-92), que se corresponden con la reescritura de dos conferencias que impartió Beard en los años 2014 y 2017. A continuación se tratará de identificar las ideas principales que expone la autora en este breve pero crucial escrito.
Extremity War Injuries XII: Homeland Defense as a Translation of War Lessons Learned
Authors: Stinner LTC Daniel J. , Schmidt Andrew H.
Published: June 2018

The 12th Extremity War Injuries Symposium focused on issues related to the transitions in medical care that are occurring as the focus of the war on terror changes. The symposium highlighted the results of Department of Defense–funded research in musculoskeletal injury, the evolution of combat casualty care, and the readiness of the fighting force. Presentations and discussions focused on force readiness of both troops and their medical support as well as the maintenance of the combat care expertise that has been developed during the previous decade of conflict.
Utilizing the QRI as a Diagnostic Assessment and Intervention Instruction: A Case of a Thai Learner
Authors: Sitthitikul Pragasit
Published: June 2018

The present exploration aimed to assess a reading level of a young Thai student by using the Qualitative Reading Inventory (QRI), and to plan reading intervention instruction targeted on the identified needs based on the assessment results. In this study, a single case study approach was employed. A seven-year old Thai learner was the focal participant. The research questions are threefold as follows: (1) What was the student’s diagnostic assessment result measured by the Qualitative Reading Inventory?, (2) Did the designed QRI-based reading intervention instruction lead to student’s literacy growth?, and (3) What was the student’ attitude towards the self as a reader, reading, and school before the diagnostic assessment took place, and after the reading intervention? The research instruments used in this study included the QRI tests, semi-structured interviews and observations. The diagnostic assessment results revealed that the student’s instructional reading level was at the pre-primer, and the QRI-based intervention instruction proved to assist the student in literacy growth. Moreover, the results from the interviews and observations showed that the student had a better attitude towards reading.
Un modèle de risque comme outil de gestion d’une aire marine protégée : l’exemple du parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent
Authors: Lemaire Nicolas , Pelletier Émilien
Published: June 2018

Dans les aires marines protégées, la biodiversité et la complexité des écosystèmes sont souvent menacées par les activités humaines et leurs multiples effets. Afin de soutenir les gestionnaires dans leurs efforts de conservation et de protection, un modèle du risque relatif a été développé comme outil pour localiser les zones cumulant le plus de risques environnementaux, identifier les sources anthropiques de stress et évaluer des approches permettant de réduire les risques et d’augmenter le niveau général de protection dans une aire marine de conservation. Une interface informatique permet une utilisation simplifiée du modèle de risque par l’équipe scientifique et les gestionnaires. À titre d’exemple, l’application du modèle au parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent (PMSSL) a permis de cartographier les zones les plus à risque en période estivale, alors que les activités anthropiques sont les plus intenses et les sources de risques sont les plus nombreuses. Les résultats montrent que l’embouchure du fjord du Saguenay et la zone côtière des Bergeronnes sont les secteurs les plus à risque du PMSSL. La grande flexibilité du modèle permet de travailler avec des simulations (augmentation ou diminution d’une ou plusieurs sources de stress) et de déterminer la portée relative d’une activité de conservation.
Tenectin recruits integrin to stabilize bouton architecture and regulate vesicle release at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction
Authors: Wang Qi , Han Tae Hee , Nguyen Peter , Jarnik Michal , Serpe Mihaela
Published: June 2018

Assembly, maintenance and function of synaptic junctions depend on extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and their receptors. Here we report that Tenectin (Tnc), a Mucin-type protein with RGD motifs, is an ECM component required for the structural and functional integrity of synaptic specializations at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Drosophila. Using genetics, biochemistry, electrophysiology, histology and electron microscopy, we show that Tnc is secreted from motor neurons and striated muscles and accumulates in the synaptic cleft. Tnc selectively recruits αPS2/βPS integrin at synaptic terminals, but only the cis Tnc/integrin complexes appear to be biologically active. These complexes have distinct pre- and postsynaptic functions, mediated at least in part through the local engagement of the spectrin-based membrane skeleton: the presynaptic complexes control neurotransmitter release, while postsynaptic complexes ensure the size and architectural integrity of synaptic boutons. Our study reveals an unprecedented role for integrin in the synaptic recruitment of spectrin-based membrane skeleton.
Growth of ornamental sunflowers in two growing seasons under semiarid conditions
Authors: Da Silva Sheila Daniella Pereira , Cavalcante Márkilla Zunete Beckmann- , Silva de Oliveira, Raylla da Rocha Lima Gracielle Peixoto de Souza, Thais , Chaves Agnaldo Rodrigues de Melo
Published: June 2018

Sunflower is considered a temperate zone crop but it can perform well under varying climate conditions. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of ornamental sunflower cultivars for cutting in two growing seasons in semiarid conditions. Sunflowers cultivars were sown in a randomized complete design in a split plot system, with four blocks. Six cultivars were evaluated (‘Bonito de outono sortido’, ‘Sol noturno’, ‘Sol vermelho’, ‘Jardim amarelo alto’, ‘Sunflower F1 sunbright supreme’ and ‘Sunflower F1 vincents choice’) in the main plots and two growing seasons in the subplots (GS1 – hot weather and GS2 – mild weather). Plant emergence percentage, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and internal inflorescence diameter were significant affected both by sunflowers cultivars and growing seasons.  Emergence speed index and external inflorescence diameter were significantly affected by the interaction of cultivars and growing seasons. The obtained results indicated ‘Sol vermelho’ for cultivation in growing seasons with mild temperatures (GS2) and 'Sunflower F1 vincents choice' recommended for both growing seasons with mild climatic (GS2) and in warmer conditions (GS1). Although all other cultivars studied have not been indicated immediately, they may be considered for cultivation, but more studies are necessary for better acclimatization.
Determination of pesticides residues in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) using QuEChERS and LC-MS/MS
Authors: Vilca Franz Zirena , Moura Andrade Graziela Cristina Rossi , Zamalloa Cuba Walter Alejandro. , Tornisielo Valdemar Luiz.
Published: June 2018

The QuEChERS method was optimized and validated for the determination of 40 pesticides in 37 samples of quinoa from the harvest 2010-2011 in Puno - Peru. The method involves extraction with 1% acetic acid acetonitrile with CH3COONa anhydrous and MgSO4 followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction with PSA and C18. Analyses were performed with LC-MS/MS using C18 column 150 mm x 2.1 x 3.5 µm, water and acetonitrile 0.1% formic acid used as mobile phase. Spiked quinoa blank at 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg-1 was employed to evaluate recovery ranging from the 31.6 and 125.1% with RSD ≤ 23. The method showed linearity r2 ≥ 0.99 and limits of quantification ranged from 0.001 and 0.01 mg kg-1, and was not observed a matrix effects.  No pesticides residues were observed in the analyzed samples.
Fatty acid profile comparison and hygienic quality of cow and camel (Camelus dromedarius) milk in Algeria
Authors: Meribai Amel , Meklati Fawzi Rostane , Kouidri Amel , Nouani Abdelouahab
Published: June 2018

The objective of this work was to investigate the fatty acid composition and assess hygienic quality of the Algerian camel milk from Targui breed, then to compare obtained results with cow milk in local rearing conditions. Sampling was performed over three months at a rate of one sample per month. The physicochemical analyzes carried out revealed that the Targui camel milk had averages values of 6.33 ± 0.15 for the pH, acidity equal to 18.50 ± 0.02 °D, and 1030.40 ± 1.08 for density. The total dry extract and the fat levels were lower than those of cow milk. In addition, results of fatty acid profile analysis from camel milk revealed a relatively low level of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) compared to cow milk, palmitic acid (C16:0) being the predominant fatty acid in both milks. The content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) was signiﬁcantly higher in camel milk fat compared with cow milk, with higher total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) rate in camel milk. Oleic acid (C18:1 n9) was in the same proportions, and the most abundant unsaturated fatty acid in both species. However, no significantly difference was observed between PUFAs levels of camel and cow milk. Linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) was the most represented polyunsaturated fatty acid in both milks with similar proportions. In contrast, the content of α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n3) was significantly (p<0.001) higher in cow milk than in camel one.
Prognostic, predictive, and pharmacogenomic assessments of CDX2 refine stratification of colorectal cancer
Authors: Bruun Jarle , Sveen Anita , Barros Rita , Eide Peter W. , Eilertsen Ina , Kolberg Matthias , Pellinen Teijo , David Leonor , Svindland Aud , Kallioniemi Olli , Guren Marianne G. , Nesbakken Arild , Almeida Raquel , Lothe Ragnhild A.
Published: June 2018

We aimed to refine the value of CDX2 as an independent prognostic and predictive biomarker in colorectal cancer (CRC) according to disease stage and chemotherapy sensitivity in preclinical models. CDX2 expression was evaluated in 1045 stage I–IV primary CRCs by gene expression (n = 403) or immunohistochemistry (n = 642) and in relation to 5‐year relapse‐free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and chemotherapy. Pharmacogenomic associations between CDX2 expression and 69 chemotherapeutics were assessed by drug screening of 35 CRC cell lines. CDX2 expression was lost in 11.6% of cases and showed independent poor prognostic value in multivariable models. For individual stages, CDX2 was prognostic only in stage IV, independent of chemotherapy. Among stage I–III patients not treated in an adjuvant setting, CDX2 loss was associated with a particularly poor survival in the BRAF‐mutated subgroup, but prognostic value was independent of microsatellite instability status and the consensus molecular subtypes. In stage III, the 5‐year RFS rate was higher among patients with loss of CDX2 who received adjuvant chemotherapy than among patients who did not. The CDX2‐negative cell lines were significantly more sensitive to chemotherapeutics than CDX2‐positive cells, and the multidrug resistance genes MDR1 and CFTR were significantly downregulated both in CDX2‐negative cells and in patient tumors. Loss of CDX2 in CRC is an adverse prognostic biomarker only in stage IV disease and appears to be associated with benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III. Early‐stage patients not qualifying for chemotherapy might be reconsidered for such treatment if their tumor has loss of CDX2 and mutated BRAF.
Validation of MLC‐based linac radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Stevens M. Tynan R. , Lobb Eric C. , Yenice Kamil M.
Published: June 2018

This study details a validation process for linear accelerator‐based treatment of trigeminal neuralgia using HD‐MLC field collimation. Nine trigeminal neuralgia treatment plans utilizing HD‐MLC were selected for absolute dose measurement at isocenter using a commercial scintillating detector in an anthropomorphic phantom. Four plans were chosen for film dosimetry measurements in each of the three principal planes to assess spatial dose distribution agreement with the treatment planning system. Additionally, trajectory log analysis for each treatment field in the nine cases was performed to assess mechanical positioning accuracy of the MLC system during delivery. Scintillator and film measurements both revealed mean dose agreement at isocenter of better than 3% while FWHM of the 2D dose distribution in each plane showed agreement between plan and measurement within 0.2 mm. Analysis of log files revealed a maximum MLC leaf positioning error of 0.04 mm across 178 treatment fields. In conjunction with a quality‐controlled treatment delivery methodology, an appropriately commissioned treatment planning system can be used for accurate and clinically appropriate design of trigeminal neuralgia treatment plans utilizing HD‐MLC.
Hydrogen Peroxide‐Treated Carbon Dot Phosphor with a Bathochromic‐Shifted, Aggregation‐Enhanced Emission for Light‐Emitting Devices and Visible Light Communication
Authors: Zhou Zhengjie , Tian Pengfei , Liu Xiaoyan , Mei Shiliang , Zhou Ding , Li Di , Jing Pengtao , Zhang Wanlu , Guo Ruiqian , Qu Songnan , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: June 2018

It is demonstrated that treatment of blue‐emissive carbon dots (CDs) with aqueous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) results in the green emissive solid state CD phosphor with photoluminescence quantum yield of 25% and short luminescence lifetime of 6 ns. The bathochromic‐shifted, enhanced green emission of H2O2‐treated CDs in the powder is ascribed to surface state changes occurring in the aggregated material. Using the green emissive H2O2‐treated CD phosphor, down‐conversion white‐light‐emitting devices with cool, pure, and warm white light are fabricated. Moreover, using the green emissive CD phosphor as a color converter, a laser‐based white‐light source is realized, and visible light communication with a high modulation bandwidth of up to 285 MHz and data transmission rate of ≈435 Mbps is demonstrated.
Oxide Layer Enhances Photocurrent Gain of the Planar MAPbI3 Photodetector
Authors: Gegevičius Rokas , Treideris Marius , Pakštas Vidas , Franckevičius Marius , Gulbinas Vidmantas
Published: June 2018

Even though the current development of hybrid perovskite photodetectors makes them competitive with their inorganic analogs, a detailed fundamental understanding of their operating principles is still lacking. Here, the performance of planar polycrystalline perovskite photodetectors fabricated on interdigitated comb electrodes made from various metals is studied. It is demonstrated that the oxide layer on Cr and Pt electrodes increases the photo current gain by an order of magnitude. It is suggested that the gain enhancement originates from the hindered extraction of photogenerated holes and the migration of ions, which creates additional hole‐traps at interfaces. These effects reduce the barrier for electron injection and enable the passage of a larger number of electrons during the prolonged lifetime of photogenerated holes.
Predictions of flow instabilities in the shear‐thickening regime with an improved bautista–manero–puig model
Authors: Puig J. E. , Bautista F. , Hernández E. , López‐Serrano F.
Published: June 2018

The trajectories of chaotic fluctuations in dilute micellar solutions, which typically occur during the creation and destruction of shear‐induced structures in the flow inception of a 0.4 wt % cetyltrimethylammonium tosilate aqueous solution and an aqueous solution of 3 mM cetyyltrimethylammonium bromide‐sodium salicylate, are predicted here with an improved Bautista–Manero–Puig model. To determine the constancy of the model parameters with time, we applied successfully an integro‐differential approach. This methodology revealed that all the model parameters, but the elastic modulus is constant. The nature of the predicted fluctuations was analyzed by employing the exponent of Lyapunov. This analysis demonstrates that the fluctuations are chaotic deterministic in Regimes I and IV, whereas they are random in Region II. We found that the predictions of the modified model follow the experimental data and reveal that these fluctuations are related to the creation of elastic structures at the inception of shear flow. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3735–3745, 2018
Lung disease associated with occupational styrene exposure
Authors: Meyer Keith C. , Sharma Basant , Kaufmann Brent , Kupper Amanda , Hodgson Michael
Published: June 2018

Despite reports of pulmonary toxicity due to styrene, guidelines on acceptable styrene exposure levels have been based on risk of cancer and central nervous system and liver toxicity and not on respiratory effects. Many reports have linked exposure to styrene vapor in occupational settings to various forms of non‐malignant pulmonary disorders including bronchiolitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and occupational asthma. We report two cases in which the same tasks performed in a single workplace resulted in exposure to styrene vapor with subsequent development of acute respiratory symptoms associated with impaired gas exchange and imaging and histopathologic findings consistent with bronchiolitis and organizing pneumonia. Both patients gradually recovered once their workplace exposure to styrene was terminated. Clinicians, employers, and insurers should be aware of the potential for pulmonary toxicity from exposure to styrene.
The Symmetrical Foundation of Measure, Probability, and Quantum Theories
Authors: Skilling John , Knuth Kevin H.
Published: June 2018

Quantification starts with sum and product rules that express combination and partition. These rules rest on elementary symmetries that have wide applicability, which explains why arithmetical adding up and splitting into proportions are ubiquitous. Specifically, measure theory formalizes addition, and probability theory formalizes inference in terms of proportions. Quantum theory rests on the same simple symmetries, but is formalized in two dimensions, not just one, in order to track an object through its binary interactions with other objects. The symmetries still require sum and product rules (here known as the Feynman rules), but they apply to complex numbers instead of real scalars, with observable probabilities being modulus squared (known as the Born rule). The standard quantum formalism follows. There is no mystery or weirdness, just ordinary probabilistic inference.
Nonlinear Airy Light Bullets in a 3D Self‐Defocusing Medium
Authors: Zhong Wei‐Ping , Belić Milivoj , Yang Zhengping
Published: June 2018

The (3+1)‐dimensional [(3+1)D] nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation is investigated, describing the propagation of nonlinear spatiotemporal wave packets in a self‐defocusing medium, and a new type of Airy spatiotemporal solutions is presented. By using the reductive perturbation method, the (3+1)D NLS equation is reduced to the spherical Kortewegde Vries (SKdV) equation. Based on the Hirota's bilinear method, the bilinear form of the SKdV equation is constructed and Airy light bullet (LB) solutions of different orders are obtained, which depend on the sets of two free constants associated with the amplitude and initial phase. The results show that these Airy LBs can exist in the self‐defocusing medium and their intensities can be controlled by selecting the suitable free parameters along the propagation distance. As examples, three types of low‐order approximate LB solutions are presented and their intensity profiles numerically discussed. The obtained results are helpful in exploring nonlinear phenomena in a self‐defocusing medium and providing a new approach for possible experimental verification of LBs.
Supramolekulare Pillar[n]aren‐Aggregate und ihre Anwendungen
Authors: Ogoshi Tomoki , Kakuta Takahiro , Yamagishi Tada‐aki
Published: June 2018

Makrocyclen sind wichtige Komponenten der supramolekularen Chemie. 2008 wurde eine neue Klasse von Makrocyclen, die so genannten Pillar[n]arene, entdeckt. Die Forschungsaktivitäten im Bereich der Pillar[n]arene haben zur Aufklärung ihrer wichtigen Eigenschaften, wie ihrer Form, Reaktionsmechanismen, Wirt‐Gast‐Eigenschaften und vielseitigen Funktionalität, beigetragen, wodurch die Entwicklung der Pillar[n]aren‐Chemie und die Anwendung von Pillar[n]arenen in verschiedenen Gebieten vorangetrieben wurden. Dieser Kurzaufsatz beschreibt, wie supramolekulare Pillar[n]aren‐Aggregate für die supramolekulare Gelbildung, chemische Reaktionen, Lichtsammelsysteme, Wirkstofftransportsysteme, biochemische Anwendungen, Trenn‐ und Speichermaterialien sowie die Oberflächenchemie verwendet werden können.
Target‐Induced Catalytic Assembly of Y‐Shaped DNA and Its Application for In Situ Imaging of MicroRNAs
Authors: Xue Chang , Zhang Shu‐Xin , Ouyang Chang‐He , Chang Dingran , Salena Bruno J. , Li Yingfu , Wu Zai‐Sheng
Published: June 2018

DNA is a highly programmable material that can be configured into unique high‐order structures, such as DNA branched junctions containing multiple helical arms converging at a center. Herein we show that DNA programmability can deliver in situ growth of a 3‐way junction‐based DNA structure (denoted Y‐shaped DNA) with the use of three hairpin‐shaped DNA molecules as precursors, a specific microRNA target as a recyclable trigger, and a DNA polymerase as a driver. We demonstrate that the Y‐shaped configuration comes with the benefit of restricted freedom of movement in confined cellular environment, which makes the approach ideally suited for in situ imaging of small RNA targets, such as microRNAs. Comparative analysis illustrates that the proposed imaging technique is superior to both the classic fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method and an analogous amplified imaging method via programmed growth of a double‐stranded DNA (rather than Y‐shaped DNA) product.
Synthesis, structure and catalytic properties of bis[2‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]silanediol
Authors: Hurkes Natascha , Belaj Ferdinand , Koe Julian R. , Pietschnig Rudolf
Published: June 2018

A novel trifluoromethylaryl‐substituted disilanol, bis[(2‐trifluoromethyl)phenyl] silanediol, was prepared by hydrolysis of the precursor dichloride and fully characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates doubly linked hydrogen bonded dimers and also hydrogen bonding to tetrahydrofuran solvent. The acidity of the silanol functions is enhanced by the presence of the trifluoromethyl groups and the compound is found to be active in promoting a standard Diels–Alder reaction, increasing yields by a factor of three.
Effects of Seed Coat on Oxidative Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Kernel Oil at Different Roasting Temperatures
Authors: Zhou Bo , Sun Yajuan , Li Jingbo , Long Qizhi , Zhong Haiyan
Published: June 2018

Apricot kernels were roasted at various temperatures (120–180 °C) for 10 min and changes in the fatty‐acid profiles, oxidative stability, and antioxidant activity, as well as the total phenolic contents (TPC) of the oils and skin (seed coat), were monitored. Roasting has no obvious influence on profiles and contents of fatty acid, induction period (IP), browning index, TPC, and antioxidant activity (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid), (ABTS) and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of oils obtained from apricot naked‐kernel, but increases IP, TPC, and oxidative stability in oils obtained from apricot kernel with skin. All results in the present work demonstrated that thermal treatment accelerated the production and transference of alcohol‐soluble phenolics into the oil, and improved the oil oxidative stability. It is not Maillard reaction products but alcohol‐soluble phenolic compounds in skins that play a role in improving the oxidative stability and antioxidant activity of oils, and inhibition for primary peroxide production was more effective than secondary peroxide production at a low roasting temperature and a short roasting time. The present findings can advance knowledge on the conditions used for utilization of coproducts (skin) of apricot kernel and facilitate large‐scale production of stable oil against oxidation.