bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The construction of the cultural niche: A biocultural model
Authors: Dressler William W.
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Objective of the study is to develop a more precise model of culture as an evolutionary niche for the human species. Culture is encoded in cultural models and can be decomposed into three basic components: shared knowledge and understanding, referred to as cultural competence; alternate configurations of shared understanding, referred to as residual agreement; and social practice, referred to as cultural consonance. Individuals are thus located in a cultural Euclidean space of shared understanding, patterned divergence from that understanding, and social practice.

Methods

A follow‐up sample (n = 64) of a larger survey sample was interviewed to collect data on cultural competence, residual agreement, and cultural consonance in five cultural domains. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used to examine dimensional structure. Cluster analysis was used to group respondents along these dimensions. The association of cluster membership with depression was examined using dummy variable regression analysis.

Results

Multidimensional scaling was consistent with a three‐dimensional structure. Based on measures of cultural competence, residual agreement, and cultural consonance, respondents clustered into three groups: the culturally proficient, the culturally knowledgeable, and the culturally distal. Individuals in the culturally proficient and knowledgeable groups reported fewer depressive symptoms than the culturally distal.

Conclusions

These results suggest a three‐dimensional Euclidean structure of culture in which knowledge is shared, contested, and acted upon. Such a cultural niche likely emerged early in human evolution because of the enhanced survival value of shared and contested knowledge, verifiable through practice.
Divided zygoma in Holocene human populations from Northern China
Authors: Zhang Qun , Zhang Quanchao , Yang Shiyu , Dechow Paul C. , Zhu Hong , Yeh Hui‐Yuan , Wang Qian
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Divided zygoma (DZ) occurs in contemporaneous human populations, with the highest incidences in people from East Asia and Southern Africa. The present study examines the prevalence and variation of this condition in the Holocene populations of Northern China for the first time.

Methods

In this study, 1145 skulls from various human populations living in Northern China from the Neolithic Age to recent dynasties (5000‐300 years BP) were examined. Specifically, cranial measurements and a CT scan were conducted to quantify craniofacial morphology.

Results

Fifteen skulls were identified with DZ, revealing an overall prevalence of 1.3% in the collection, while it was determined to be higher in North Asian and Northeast Asian regional groups. In skulls with unilateral DZ, the superior division of the zygoma was generally slender, while the inferior division of the zygoma was more robust. In skulls with bilateral DZ, the maxillae were generally more laterally extended. Moreover, unilateral DZ skulls displayed differences in cortical bone thickness between two sides of the facial skeleton.

Discussion

In context, the distribution pattern within these data points toward a greater prevalence of the DZ phenotype in North and Northeast Asian regional groups, suggesting a hypothesis that the DZ trait is more frequent in populations characterized by flat and broad faces. Accordingly, further studies into the DZ condition will deepen our understanding of developments in plasticity, variation, and recent evolution of the human cranium.
Chronic Dengue Virus Panencephalitis in a Patient with Progressive Dementia with Extrapyramidal Features
Authors: Johnson Tory P. , Larman H. Benjamin , Lee Myoung‐Hwa , Whitehead Stephen S. , Kowalak Jeffrey , Toro Camilo , Lau C. Christopher , Kim Juyun , Johnson Kory R. , Reoma Lauren B. , Faustin Arline , Pardo Carlos A. , Kottapalli Sanjay , Howard Jonathan , Monaco Daniel , Weisfeld‐Adams James , Blackstone Craig , Galetta Steven , Snuderl Matija , Gahl William A. , Kister Ilya , Nath Avindra
Published: August 2019

Objective

To determine the underlying etiology in a patient with progressive dementia with extrapyramidal signs and chronic inflammation referred to the National Institutes of Health Undiagnosed Diseases Program.

Methods

Extensive investigations included metabolic profile, autoantibody panel, infectious etiologies, genetic screening, whole exome sequencing, and the phage‐display assay, VirScan, for viral immune responses. An etiological diagnosis was established postmortem.

Results

Using VirScan, enrichment of dengue viral antibodies was detected in cerebrospinal fluid as compared to serum. No virus was detected in serum or cerebrospinal fluid, but postmortem analysis confirmed dengue virus in the brain by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing. Dengue virus was also detectable by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing from brain biopsy tissue collected 33 months antemortem, confirming a chronic infection despite a robust immune response directed against the virus. Immunoprofiling and whole exome sequencing of the patient did not reveal any immunodeficiency, and sequencing of the virus demonstrated wild‐type dengue virus in the central nervous system.

Interpretation

Dengue virus is the most common arbovirus worldwide and represents a significant public health concern. Infections with dengue virus are usually self‐limiting, and chronic dengue infections have not been previously reported. Our findings suggest that dengue virus infections may persist in the central nervous system causing a panencephalitis and should be considered in patients with progressive dementia with extrapyramidal features in endemic regions or with relevant travel history. Furthermore, this work highlights the utility of comprehensive antibody profiling assays to aid in the diagnosis of encephalitis of unknown etiology. ANN NEUROL 2019;86:695–703
Novel Cr (III), Fe (III) and Ru (III) Vanillin Based Metallo‐Pharmaceuticals for Cancer and Inflammation Treatment: Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman Laila H. , El‐Khatib Rafat M. , Abdel‐Fatah Shimaa M. , Moustafa H. , Alsalme Ali M. , Nafady Ayman
Published: August 2019

In this study, three novel complexes comprising trivalent Cr (III), Fe (III) and Ru (III) with imine ligand derived from 2‐amino‐3‐hydroxypyridine and o‐vanillin (H2L) have been synthesized and characterized via wide range of spectroscopic and analytical tools such as 1H NMR and 13C NMR, infrared (IR) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry, conductivity and magnetic measurements. The obtained results along with DFT data confirmed a 1:1 (metal: ligand) stoichiometry with non‐planner geometries for the three complexes. The binding action and the docking study of the prepared metal‐complexes to calf thymus DNA was also studied by absorption spectra and viscosity technique, which revealed that the three complexes interact strongly with DNA through intercalative binding mode. Significantly, these metal‐imine complexes showed strong and efficient anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activities against various gram‐positive (Microccus luteus), gram‐negative (Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescence) bacteria, and three strains of fungus. Moreover, all complexes exhibited more potent cytotoxicity effect on the outgrowth of different types of carcinoma cells, including human colon (HCT‐116 cell line), breast (MCF‐7 cell line), and hepatic cellular (HepG‐2), than the clinically‐proven Vinblastine standard.
Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using Allium noeanum Reut. ex Regel leaves aqueous extract; characterization and analysis of their cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties
Authors: Shahriari Marjan , Hemmati Saba , Zangeneh Akram , Zangeneh Mohammad Mahdi
Published: August 2019

Gold nanoparticles have unique and excellent medical and nonmedical properties and application compared with other metallic nanoparticles. Recently, they have been used for the prevention, control, and treatment of bacterial and fungal diseases. In the recent study, fresh and clean leaves of Allium noeanum Reut. ex Regel leaves have been used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Also, we evaluated the cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of HAuCl4, A. noeanum, and the synthesized nanoparticles (Au NPs). These nanoparticles were analyzed by FT‐IR, UV, XRD, EDS, FE‐SEM, and TEM tests. FTIR results offered antioxidant compounds in the plant were the sources of reducing power, reducing gold ions to Au NPs. In TEM images revealed an average diameter of 10‐30 nm. At the beginning of biological experiments, DPPH free radical scavenging test was carried out to examine the antioxidant property. Also, in the bacterial part of this study, the concentration of HAuCl4, A. noeanum, and AuNPs with minimum dilution and no turbidity was considered MIC. To determine MBC, 60 μL of MIC and three preceding chambers were cultured on Muller Hinton Agar. The minimum concentration with no bacterial growth was considered MBC. Au NPs revealed excellent antioxidant potential against DPPH, non‐toxicity property against human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and antibacterial activities against Streptococcus pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. These findings show that the inclusion of A. noeanum extract improves the solubility of Au NPs, which led to a notable enhancement in the antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Soy Fatty Acid Ester Estolides as Bioplasticizers in Poly(Vinyl Chloride)
Authors: Stolp Lucas J. , Joseph Eugene , Kodali Dharma R.
Published: August 2019

Plasticizers are nonvolatile organic liquids that impart flexibility to polymers. Due to environmental, health, and safety reasons, the industry is looking for bioplasticizers to replace petroleum‐derived phthalates. To fulfill this need, soy fatty acid ester estolides were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated as phthalate replacements. Soybean oil was transesterified with methanol or glycerol to form lower molecular weight fatty acid esters that were epoxidized and ring opened with acetic acid and acetylated to give the final products. Ring opening and acetylation of the epoxidized oleic acid esters gave acyclic acetate fatty acid ester estolides, whereas the polyunsaturated fatty acid esters, linoleate, and linolenate gave cyclic tetrahydrofuran derivatives and cross‐linked higher molecular weight materials. The cyclization mechanism to form the tetrahydrofuran derivatives was postulated. Soy fatty acid ester estolides were compounded with formulated poly(vinyl chloride), (PVC) and tested for their functional properties. The physical and functional properties of the new bioplasticizers were compared with commercial plasticizers. The elasticity of PVC compounded with experimental plasticizers and commercial phthalates was comparable. PVC compounded with fatty acid methyl ester estolide showed lower glass transition temperature and similar tensile properties compared to PVC compounded with the commercial phthalate. PVC compounded with the glyceryl fatty acid ester estolide showed a higher glass transition temperature, higher tensile properties compared to PVC compounded with the commercial phthalate.
Structure–property relationships of silica/silane formulations in natural rubber, isoprene rubber and styrene–butadiene rubber composites
Authors: Lockhorn David , Klüppel Manfred
Published: August 2019

The mechanical performance of natural rubber (NR), synthetic poly‐isoprene rubber (IR), and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) composites filled with various silica/silane systems is investigated. The results are analyzed by referring to micro‐mechanical material parameters, which quantify the morphological and structural properties of the polymer and filler network. These are obtained from fits with the dynamic flocculation model (DFM) describing the strongly nonlinear quasi‐static stress–strain response of filler‐reinforced elastomers as found from multihysteresis measurements of the investigated compounds. We focus on the reinforcement mechanisms of silica compounds with coupling and covering silane, respectively. The fitted material parameters give hints that the coupling silane provides a strong chemical polymer–filler coupling, which is accompanied by improved strength of filler–filler bonds for all three rubbers types. This may result also from the chemical coupling of short chains bridging adjacent silica particles. It implies larger stress values for the coupling silane and, in the case of NR and IR, a more pronounced “Payne effect” compared to the covering silane. In contrast, for SBR, the coupling silane delivers a lower Payne effect, which is explained by differences in the compatibility between rubber type and silane‐grafted silica surface. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48435.
Sequential parallel comparison design for “gold standard” noninferiority trials with a prespecified margin
Authors: Homma Gosuke , Daimon Takashi
Published: August 2019

Three‐arm noninferiority trials (involving an experimental treatment, a reference treatment, and a placebo)—called the “gold standard” noninferiority trials—are conducted in patients with mental disorders whenever feasible, but often fail to show superiority of the experimental treatment and/or the reference treatment over the placebo. One possible reason is that some of the patients receiving the placebo show apparent improvement in the clinical condition. An approach to addressing this problem is the use of the sequential parallel comparison design (SPCD). Nonetheless, the SPCD has not yet been discussed in relation to gold standard noninferiority trials. In this article, our aim was to develop a hypothesis‐testing method and its corresponding sample size calculation method for gold standard noninferiority trials with the SPCD. In a simulation, we show that the proposed hypothesis‐testing method achieves the nominal type I error rate and power and that the proposed sample size calculation method has adequate power accuracy.
Hybrid images as part of the primary school chemistry class instruction: Mastering the concepts of amino acids and proteins
Authors: Rončević Tamara N. , Sedlar Agneš , Rodić Dušica D. , Segedinac Mirjana D.
Published: August 2019

In this study, a set of hybrid images was designed as a new and up‐to‐date unexamined type of external visual representations in the chemistry classroom. One challenging teaching theme was chosen (“Amino acids and proteins”), and the hybrid images were used among novices—primary school students. For the purpose of the study, two groups were formed: experimental and control. The experimental group was taught using the hybrid images, while the control group was subjected to a traditional approach. After conducting the experiment, no statistically significant difference in the average performances between the two groups was found. However, the experimental group outperformed the control group in several test items. Additionally, misconceptions appeared within the C group. The results showed that several hybrid images with a potentially good methodological design might help students to develop conceptual understanding of some important concepts of amino acids and proteins (e.g., formation of peptide bonds). © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(6):644–655, 2019.
One‐stop‐shop totally percutaneous approach for severe aortic and mitral regurgitation in cardiogenic shock
Authors: Pagnotta Paolo A. , Sanz‐Sánchez Jorge , Regazzoli Damiano , Ferrante Giuseppe
Published: August 2019

Patients presenting with cardiogenic shock and severe combined aortic and mitral regurgitation represent a major clinical challenge. Therapeutic options are limited in this setting as they are often deemed inoperable due to prohibitive risk for surgery, while mechanical circulatory support is usually contraindicated or technically challenging. Medical therapy, on the other hand, is associated with high‐mortality rates. Therefore, percutaneous therapies may represent an appealing alternative. Here, we present a “one‐stop‐shop” totally percutaneous approach for severe aortic and mitral regurgitation in a patient with cardiogenic shock.
MoP/Co2P Hybrid Nanostructure Anchored on Carbon Fiber Paper as an Effective Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zhou Panpan , Zhang Yaqi , Ye Bo , Qin Shan , Zhang Rongrong , Chen Tianyun , Xu Huajian , Zheng Lei , Yang Qinghua
Published: August 2019

Developing low‐cost and effective electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to replace Pt‐group metals is a continuous challenge. Recently, transition metal phosphides have received increasing attention owing to their high intrinsic activity in catalyzing HER in acidic media. Herein, we reported a novel hybrid nanostructure MoP/Co2P anchored on carbon fiber paper (CFP) (MoP/Co2P/CFP) which was achieved by a facile hydrothermal approach to obtain Co(CO3)0.35Cl0.20(OH)1.10 nanowires array (NA)/CFP, followed by deposition of MoO2 nanoparticles via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in the presence of MoO3 and a subsequent in situ phosphorization process. It was worth noting that the catalyst exhibited higher catalytic activity for HER in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution, which afforded an overpotential of 140 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 80 mV dec−1, an exchange current density of 0.153 mA cm−2 and a high electrochemical double‐layer capacitance (Cdl) of 48.2 mF cm−2. Moreover, it also exhibited superior stability and durability in long‐term durability test.
Integrated Industrial Water Management – Challenges, Solutions, and Future Priorities
Authors: Becker Dennis , Jungfer Christina , Track Thomas
Published: August 2019

Water is used intensively by various sectors such as agriculture, industry, and the public. Increasing global water demand and the effects of climate change are leading to overuse of water resources in many regions. One strategy to meet these challenges is to implement an integrated industrial water management, e.g., by water reuse or the use of alternative water resources. The development of new concepts and technical, digital, and nontechnical innovations together with priorities will continue to set the course for future integrated water management, particularly in the industrial environment.
The Application of Biomaterials in the Treatment of Platinum‐Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Levy Arkene , Leynes Carolina , Baig Mirza , Chew Sue Anne
Published: August 2019

More than 70 % of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced‐stage disease, which is initially treated with cytoreductive surgery, and combination chemotherapy with platinum‐based compounds. Most patients initially respond to platinum‐based therapy, but eventually up to 80 % of this responsive cohort becomes refractory due to the development of platinum resistance. This review discusses current and potential therapeutic approaches that exploit biomaterial‐based applications to combat platinum resistance either by enhancing the delivery of platinum‐based drugs or prodrugs, delivering other toxic non‐platinum‐based bioactive factors (by themselves or in combination with platinum‐based drugs) or by delivering other bioactive factors that re‐sensitize resistant ovarian cancer cells to these drugs. The types of materials that are used, the bioactive factors applied (i.e., drug or gene delivery), and the specific agents that are employed to target these types of cancer cells are discussed. We conclude that the unique attributes of biomaterial‐based applications can be further explored toward overcoming platinum‐resistant ovarian cancer as monotherapy, or in combination with other treatment strategies.
Enumeration of Fetal Red Blood Cells, Hemoglobin‐Specific RBC Cells, and F Reticulocytes in Human Blood
Authors: Davis Bruce H.
Published: August 2019

Recent advances in analytical cytometry have improved diagnostic tools for the study of erythropoiesis in anemic patients and resolution of differential diagnosis in diseases of the erythron. This article presents three applications of red blood cell (RBC) analysis—quantitation of fetal red cells, F‐cell enumeration, and F‐reticulocyte analysis—which improve diagnostic precision, sensitivity, and specificity, and provide better laboratory indicators of therapeutic efficacy in a variety of hematologic and obstetric disorders. Such advances also include the measurement and quantitation of RBC hemoglobins and their relative ribonucleic acid levels. These advances not only promise to improve diagnostic accuracy and laboratory precision over techniques such as the traditional manual reticulocyte counting method and the Kleihauer‐Betke stain method for evaluating fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), but also serve as tools for newer assays of anemia diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes. In addition to the primary methods, supporting techniques for preparing spiked controls, automating data analysis, setting up a fetal hemoglobin acquisition protocol, and assaying reticulocytes using thiazole orange are also presented. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
G Protein–Coupled Estrogen Receptor Production Using an Escherichia coli Cell‐Free Expression System
Authors: Souza Samson A. , Kurohara Dane T. , Dabalos Chester L. , Ng Ho Leung
Published: August 2019

Heterologous expression of the G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) comes with a suite of challenges intrinsic to membrane proteins. This receptor's low expression levels and tendency to form insoluble aggregates in Escherichia coli and yeast make it a difficult receptor‐target to study. In this unit, we detail steps to produce monomeric GPER using a precipitation‐based cell‐free system. We provide information on the DNA construct for expression, the pipetting scheme for the reaction supplements to generate a master mix, and the cell‐free reaction setup. In the last portion of this unit, we outline steps for solubilization and purification, and we provide a viable method for qualitatively observing functionality by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry detection. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
SDN‐DMM for intelligent mobility management in heterogeneous mobile IP networks
Authors: Cordova Rodrygo Torres , Gondim Paulo R. L. , Llerena Yarisley P. , Lloret Jaime
Published: August 2019

Mobility management applied to the traditional architecture of the Internet has become a great challenge because of the exponential growth in the number of devices that can connect to the network. This article proposes a Software‐Defined Networking (SDN)‐based architecture, called SDN‐DMM (SDN‐Distributed Mobility Management), that deals with the distributed mode of mobility management in heterogeneous access networks in a simplified and efficient way, ensuring mainly the continuity of IP sessions. Intent‐based mobility management with an IP mapping schema for mobile node identification offers optimized routing without tunneling techniques, hence, an efficient use of the network infrastructure. The simplified mobility control API reduces both signaling and handover latency costs and provides a better scalability and performance in comparison with traditional and SDN‐based DMM approaches. An analytical evaluation of such costs demonstrated the better performance of SDN‐DMM, and a proof of concept of the proposal was implemented in a real environment.
Secret key rates of free‐space optical continuous‐variable quantum key distribution
Authors: Gyongyosi Laszlo , Imre Sandor
Published: August 2019

In this letter, we derive the maximal achievable secret key rates for continuous‐variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) over free‐space optical (FSO) quantum channels. We provide a channel decomposition for FSO‐CVQKD quantum channels and study the SNR (signal‐to‐noise ratio) characteristics. The analytical derivations focus particularly on the low‐SNR scenarios. The results are convenient for wireless quantum key distribution and for the quantum Internet.
Evolution of uracil based thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors, SAR and electronic correlation: revisit
Authors: Dorababu Atukuri
Published: August 2019

Thymidine phosphorylase (TPase), a dimeric proteinaceous enzyme is responsible for elevation of drug resistance and cell apoptosis. Increased TPase levels lead to angiogenesis which is a major culprit for the metastasis and cancer in the body. Hence, an efficient approach for anticancer drug discovery is based up on inhibition of thymidine phosphorylase enzyme. Solving of the crystal structure of TPase made the drug discovery easier. Legion of drugs was designed and synthesized having a wide variety of structural moieties and different functionalities such as phosphonic acid, amines, arylamines, acetamides, benzoyl, esters, amides, and so forth. Among the structural designs and models engineered, uracil is one of the structural motifs utilized for drug design. In this review, uracil is chosen where in structural unit with its structural modifications were summarized. Uracil unit could be structurally modified at its N1, N3, C5, and C6 positions to afford innumerable uracil derivatives. In general consensus, N1‐ and N3‐substituted uracil derivatives resulted in diminished/lower inhibitory activities which might be attributed to reduced acidic character. Whereas, substitution at 5‐ and 6‐positions have yielded fruitful results and excellent thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors prevailed. Furthermore, uracil possessing nucleoside uridine/deoxyuridine was also derivatized to afford potential TPase inhibitors. 3′‐ & 5′‐Hydroxyl groups of uridine/deoxyuridine were also exploited for derivative preparation and some of them were found to be potent TPase inhibitors.
Exploring taxonomic diversity and biogeography of the family Nemacheilinae (Cypriniformes)
Authors: Chen Weitao , Yang Jiping , Li Yuefei , Li Xinhui
Published: August 2019

Nemacheilidae, in the superfamily Cobitoidea, is comprised of many of morphologically similar fish species that occur in Eurasian water bodies. This large group shows inconsistencies between traditional morphological taxonomy and molecular phylogenetic data. We used mitochondrial genomes, recombinase‐activating gene proteins 1 (RAG1) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) to study the phylogenetic relationships among Nemacheilidae species using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood approaches. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitogenomes provided support for two clades (I and II). The mitogenomes, RAG1, and COI results indicated that several species and genera were not consistent with the traditional morphological subdivisions. The two clades inferred from mitogenomes showed clear geographical patterns. The Tibetan Plateau, Hengduan Mountains, and the Iran Plateau may act as a barrier dividing the clades. The estimated timing of clades separation (36.05 million years ago) coincides with the first uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. We conclude that the geological history of the Tibetan Plateau played a role in the diversification and distribution of the Nemacheilidae taxa. These results provided a phylogenetic framework for future studies of this complex group.
Non‐Glovebox Ethenolysis of Ethyl Oleate and FAME at Larger Scale Utilizing a Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene Ruthenium Catalyst
Authors: Kajetanowicz Anna , Chwalba Michał , Gawin Anna , Tracz Andrzej , Grela Karol
Published: August 2019

A ruthenium metathesis catalyst Ru1 bearing a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) ligand is used in the ethenolysis reaction of biosourced 90% pure undistilled ethyl oleate or technical fatty acid methyl esters mixture with grade 3 ethylene, to yield 1‐decene and valuable terminal unsaturated 9‐decenoic acid ester. Under optimized conditions (25 ppm of catalyst Ru1, 20 bar, 50 °C, 2 h, use of metal scavenger/quenching agent, SnatchCat), the title reaction proceeds with high productivity (up to 70% conversion) and selectivity, and is tested in scale up to 1 L, with the exclusion of a glovebox or Schlenk techniques usage, and the ethenolysis products are isolated by fractional distillation. In addition, a large‐scale synthesis of Ru1 is presented.

Practical Applications: Decreasing availability of fossil organic feedstock and current policies of the European Union drives scientists to look for alternative sustainable sources of fine chemicals. In this context, olefin metathesis based ethenolysis of transesterified seed oils studied herein shows a significant potential as a sustainable way to obtain valuable products, such as 1‐decene and valuable terminal unsaturated 9‐decenoic acid ester. Unlike other published studies on ethenolysis, in the present work, the focus is on optimizing this reaction under industrially practical conditions, thus utilizing an air‐stable catalyst, technical grade oleic substrates, grade 3 ethylene, and excluding the use of a glovebox or Schlenk techniques.
Investigation and implementation of compressed air powered motorbike engines
Authors: Nabil Tamer
Published: August 2019

Over the last decades, fossil fuel resources have become very limited due to their tremendous use. Our dependence on fossil fuels has brought many environmental complications, but vehicles using compressed air as a fuel are still considered a dream. The compressed air engine (CAE) is receiving attention worldwide because it has the advantage of being renewable and has zero exhaust emissions. Motorbike engines have the highest percentage emissions of any fuel operated engines. Currently, in Egypt, there are more than 3 million motorcycles (motorbikes and covered three‐wheeled motorbikes called tuktuk) powered by fossil fuels. This paper provides an overview of air power engine for motorcycles, called air bikes. The objective is to modify the four stroke petrol engine into a CAE by replacing the spark plug by solenoid valve and using the infrared modules for piston timing. A prototype of an air powered motorbike engine is implemented by modification of an 150 cm3 Dayun petrol engine. The modified CAE speed is 300 rpm at 8 bar air pressure with 7.8 Nm torque and 245 watt power. The efficiency of the CAE reaches 9.6%. Yet, due to low‐pressure value utilization, the performance of the investigated CAE is still so poor that it clearly has a minor impact in motive power and hinders its commercialization.
Design, economic, and environmental assessments of linear Fresnel solar power plants
Authors: Mihoub Sofiane
Published: August 2019

In the present work, the design‐environmental and economic (D2E) comparative study of seven different configurations of Linear Fresnel solar thermal power plants using two‐generation modes (direct and indirect steam generation) with nine various working fluids, with and without integrated thermal energy storage or/and backup fuel system is presented, with minimum levelized cost of energy (LCOE) as objective. This study is based on a power plant of capacity of 50 MW. A sensitivity analysis is developed to optimize the solar multiple of the solar field, Fossil fuel fraction of backup system (BS), and TES hours capacity, using System Advisor Model software. The results show that the wrong choice of plant's components and inexact performance optimization lead to the increasing cost of electricity generated due to operating costs and additional investments. The BS was the most significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions at all sites, contributing over 90% of total emissions, due to its relative contribution (95 kg/MWh). Finally, the combination of the storage and BSs in molten salt mode makes it more competitive under Algerian climates, which confirms that molten salt linear Fresnel solar plant with 25% of a BS and 6 hr of the storage system is the best and optimum solution.
Twenty‐five years of the Northwest Forest Plan: what have we learned?
Authors: Spies Thomas A , Long Jonathan W , Charnley Susan , Hessburg Paul F , Marcot Bruce G , Reeves Gordon H , Lesmeister Damon B , Reilly Matthew J , Cerveny Lee K , Stine Peter A , Raphael Martin G
Published: August 2019

The Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) has guided the management of 17 federal forests in theUSPacific Northwest for the past 25 years. The existing management plans for these national forests – which were amended by theNWFP– are now being evaluated for revision under theUSForest Service's 2012 planning rule. To help inform federal land managers, we reviewed the scientific literature published since the inception of theNWFPand report several key findings: (1) conservation of at‐risk species within national forests is challenging in the face of threats that are beyond the control of federal managers, (2) management efforts to promote resilience to wildfire and climate change include restoring dynamics and structure at multiple scales and revisiting reserve design, (3) forest restoration can have an ecological and socioeconomic win–win outcome, (4) human communities benefit from many ecosystem services beyond the supply of timber, (5) collaboration among multiple stakeholders is essential for achieving ecological and socioeconomic goals, and (6) monitoring and adaptive management are crucial to learning about and addressing uncertainty.
The impact of task difficulty on the lateralization of processing in the human auditory cortex
Authors: Brechmann André , Angenstein Nicole
Published: August 2019

Perception of complex auditory stimuli like speech requires the simultaneous processing of different fundamental acoustic parameters. The contribution of left and right auditory cortex (AC) in the processing of these parameters differs. In addition, activity within the AC can vary positively or negatively with task performance depending on the type of task. This might affect the allocation of processing to the left and right AC. Here we studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging the impact of task difficulty on the degree of involvement of the left and right AC in two tasks that have previously been shown to differ in hemispheric involvement: categorization and sequential comparison of the direction of frequency modulations (FM). Task difficulty was manipulated by changing the speed of modulation and by that the frequency range covered by the FM. To study the impact of task‐difficulty despite covarying the stimulus parameters, we utilized the contralateral noise procedure that allows comparing AC activation unconfounded by bottom‐up driven activity. The easiest conditions confirmed the known right AC involvement during the categorization task and the left AC involvement during the comparison task. The involvement of the right AC increased with increasing task difficulty for both tasks presumably due to the common task component of categorizing FM direction. The involvement of left AC varied with task difficulty depending on the task. Thus, task difficulty has a strong impact on lateralized processing in AC. This connection must be taken into account when interpreting future results on lateralized processing in the AC.
Multi‐institutional analysis of outcomes following transoral surgery for HPV‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in elderly patients
Authors: Jackson Ryan S. , Chen Stephanie , Last Aisling , Khan Amish , Kallogjeri Dorina , Van Abel Kathryn M. , Moore Eric J. , Pipkorn Patrik
Published: August 2019

Background

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is rising, even in elderly patients. The outcomes of transoral surgery (TOS) in this population are not entirely known.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed at two institutions from October 2003 to September 2016 on patients 70 years or older with HPV‐related OPSCC treated with TOS.

Results

A total of 75 patients were included with a mean age of 74 years (70‐87 years). At a median follow‐up of 35.7 months, 3‐year overall survival was 81.5% and disease‐specific survival was 94.3%. Advanced cT stage (odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.13‐6.64) negatively impacted OS. Conjunctive consolidation was performed to create a staging system with patients older than 80 years, severe comorbidity, and cT3‐4 having worse survival.

Conclusions

Elderly patients with HPV‐related OPSCC treated with TOS have excellent survival and therefore should not be excluded from such therapy based on age alone.
Plasma circular RNA panel to diagnose hepatitis B virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma: A large‐scale, multicenter study
Authors: Yu Jian , Ding Wen‐bing , Wang Meng‐chao , Guo Xing‐gang , Xu Jian , Xu Qing‐guo , Yang Yuan , Sun Shu‐han , Liu Jing‐feng , Qin Lun‐xiu , Liu Hui , Yang Fu , Zhou Wei‐ping
Published: August 2019

To explore whether plasma circular RNAs (circRNAs) can diagnose hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), microarray and qPCR were used to identify plasma circRNAs that were increased in HBV‐related HCC patients compared to controls (including healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B and HBV‐related liver cirrhosis). A logistic regression model was constructed using a training set (n = 313) and then validated using another two independent sets (n = 306 and 526, respectively). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. We identified a plasma circRNA panel (CircPanel) containing three circRNAs (hsa_circ_0000976, hsa_circ_0007750 and hsa_circ_0139897) that could detect HCC. CircPanel showed a higher accuracy than AFP (alpha‐fetoprotein) to distinguish individuals with HCC from controls in all three sets (AUC, 0.863 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.819–0.907] vs. 0.790 [0.738–0.842], p = 0.036 in training set; 0.843 [0.796–0.890] vs. 0.747 [0.691–0.804], p = 0.011 in validation set 1 and 0.864 [0.830–0.898] vs. 0.769 [0.728–0.810], p < 0.001 in validation set 2). CircPanel also performed well in detecting Small‐HCC (solitary, ≤3 cm), AFP‐negative HCC and AFP‐negative Small‐HCC.
Conversion of tropical forests to agriculture alters the accrual, stoichiometry, nutrient limitation, and taxonomic composition of stream periphyton
Authors: Tromboni Flavia , Lourenço‐Amorim Christine , Neres‐Lima Vinicius , Thomas Steven A. , Silva‐Araújo Monalisa , Feijó‐Lima Rafael , Silva‐Júnior Eduardo F. , Heatherly Thomas , Moulton Timothy P. , Zandonà Eugenia
Published: August 2019

The conversion of forests to agriculture in tropical areas profoundly changes adjacent streams by modifying hydrological conditions, altering light regimes, and increasing nutrient concentrations. In this study, we used an integrative approach to examine how transformations of intact forests affected the physical, chemical, and biological properties of periphyton, in three Brazilian Atlantic rainforest streams. We found that riparian land use change affected the stream periphyton in a variety of ways that were linked to the availability of light and nutrients. Periphyton standing stocks and accrual rates of new periphyton biomass on tiles were higher in deforested reaches than forested reaches. Linear mixed‐model analyses showed that the increase of chlorophyll‐a in the periphyton was explained by the increase in deforestation and soluble reactive phosphorus concentration. Deforestation also altered periphyton stoichiometry as deforested streams exhibited lower C:P, whereas C:N ratios decreased with increasing NH4+ concentration that was higher in some deforested reaches. Periphyton productivity appeared to be limited by light in forested reaches and by nutrients in deforested reaches. There was differential availability of nitrogen and phosphorus in the deforested reaches, depending on land use type, and this resulted in different nutrient limitation. Periphyton community structure shifted from taxa less tolerant to high nutrients and light found in forested sites, to species tolerant to these conditions dominating periphyton assemblages in deforested sites. The loss of canopy cover was the strongest predictor of community composition for all sites, whereas phosphorus concentration was the best predictor of algal abundance in deforested reaches. This study highlights the complex effects of forest clearing on stream periphyton, ranging from changes to biomass accrual, nutrient limitation, stoichiometry, and community structure. We show the importance of using a comprehensive approach to help determine and predict how deforestation impacts stream ecosystems.
Introduction of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection and skill acquisition in a regional hospital
Authors: Fujiwara Junichi , Matsumoto Satohiro , Yamanaka Kenichi , Sekine Masanari , Ishii Takehiro , Ajimine Takuma , Mashima Hirosato
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is standard treatment for early gastric cancer. With aging of the population in Japan being more pronounced in rural areas, the availability of ESD at regional hospitals is becoming important. Here, we assessed the learning curve of one physician for skill acquisition in gastric ESD.

Methods

The subjects were 34 patients (38 lesions) who underwent gastric ESD at a regional hospital between October 2014 and March 2017 and 15 patients (15 lesions) who underwent the procedure at a university hospital between April 2017 and April 2018. The resection periods of the first 19 lesions and subsequent 19 lesions at the regional hospital were defined as the first and seconds periods, and the resection period of 15 lesions at the university hospital was defined as the third period. The learning curve across the three periods was assessed using the cumulative sum analysis method.

Results

The resection speed in the first, second, and third periods were 6.4 ± 4.1, 6.9 ± 3.4, and 9.4 ± 5.4 mm2/min, respectively (not significant). The slope of the learning curve began to increase at the 30th patient. The en bloc resection and curative resection rates did not differ significantly among the three periods. There were no serious procedure‐related complications.

Conclusion

This study showed that the introduction of gastric ESD at a regional hospital is possible, and that a certain skill level was acquired by the 30th patient. Furthermore, with careful patient selection, favorable results can be obtained and procedural safety ensured.
Utility of Benzoxazin‐4‐one and 3‐Aminoquinazolin‐4‐one Derivatives as Precursors for Construction of Potent Insecticidal Heterocycles
Authors: Youssef Youssef M. , El‐Sayed Amira A. , Azab Mohammad E.
Published: August 2019

In demanding to develop new insecticidal agents, both of 2‐pentylbenzoxazin‐4‐one 1 and 3‐amino‐2‐pentylquinazolin‐4‐one 6 derivatives were subjected to react with different nucleophilic agents, for example, ammonia, o‐phenylenediamine, hydrazine hydrate, and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and sulfur nucleophile, for example, phosphorous pentasulfide, to construct different heterocyclic systems. The structural elucidations of the synthesized compounds were ascertained from the elemental analyses and the spectral data. Assessment of the biological potency for some of the synthesized compounds as insecticidal agents was evaluated against two different insects named Mythimna separata and Nilaparvata lugens.
Synthesis and In Vitro Anticancer Evaluation of Some Benzimidazolium Salts
Authors: Akkoç Senem , Kayser Veysel , İlhan İlhan Özer
Published: August 2019

A series of benzimidazolium salts having 2‐cyanobenzyl (2–6), 2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethyl (7–10), (1,3‐dioxoisoindolin‐2‐yl)butyl (11–17) or N‐methylphthalimide (18–22) substitution were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of these salts was tested against human colon cancer (DLD‐1), human breast cancer (MDA‐MB‐231), and normal human noncancerous embryonic kidney (HEK‐293T) cell lines using the MTT assay method. The viability rates of the cells were determined by confocal microscopy. The majority of the newly synthesized compounds, with the exception of compounds 2, 3, 8, 11, 12, and 17, displayed high cytotoxic activity against cancerous cells. In fact, compounds 6 and 7 exhibited better results than the positive control drugs, cisplatin and busulfan, against the MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Therefore, compounds 6 and 7 could be considered as anticancer drug candidates for further development.
Proving coexistence of ice‐like and quartz‐like structure in localized liquid water by stimulated Raman scattering
Authors: Wang Shenghan , Fang Wenhui , Li Fabing , Wang Ying , Yang Bo , Lang Hongzhi , Cao Xianwen , Li Zhanlong , Sun Chenglin , Men Zhiwei
Published: August 2019

Liquid water is a complex system consisting of ice‐like and quartz‐like structure based on the classic two‐state model. Although lots of theoretical work have been developed about this model, the experimental evidences are still needed. Herein, a 355‐nm pulse laser is employed to excite stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) of liquid water both in bulk and on surface, with the generation of shockwave‐induced dynamic high pressure. Two characteristic features Raman peaks of both spontaneous Raman and SRS indicate the coexistence of two structures in localized water area. The ice‐like structure corresponds to ice Ih phase under the presented conditions, because the pressure dependence behavior of Raman shift agree well with the anomaly of diffusion coefficient of ice Ih phase, when the shock wave‐induced dynamic high pressure forms. Two structures show different pressure‐dependent behaviors based on the SRS results; meanwhile, the distribution of two structures is different in bulk and on surface water.
Approaches to delineate greater sage‐grouse winter concentration areas
Authors: Smith Kurt T. , Dinkins Jonathan B. , Beck Jeffrey L.
Published: August 2019

The usefulness of protected areas as regulatory mechanisms to conserve wildlife populations relies on their ability to contain all seasonal habitats necessary for species persistence. Efficient conservation practices require understanding behavior and habitat needs of individual species and populations rather than simply relying on reserves of approximate size and configuration. Priority Areas of Conservation (PACs) have been delineated as protected areas based on known breeding habitat for greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐grouse) throughout their range. These PACs include Core Areas designated in the Wyoming Sage‐grouse Executive Order; however, this order also indicated the need to identify winter concentration areas (WCAs; flocks ≥50 individuals) based on habitat features using validated resource selection functions (RSFs). We used aerial infrared videography to identify locations of wintering sage‐grouse in south‐central and southwest Wyoming, USA, to evaluate winter sage‐grouse habitat selection with individual‐based RSFs, RSFs based on WCAs, and relative flock size. We located 4,859 individuals comprising 132 flocks across our study area. Flocks occurred in Core Areas more than expected, but a biologically meaningful number of sage‐grouse flocks were located outside of Core Areas. Individual‐based RSFs contained useful predictors that were consistent with previous sage‐grouse winter habitat selection studies. Flock size and WCA models produced similar predictions to individual‐based RSF models. Individual‐based and WCA‐based RSF model predictions had a high degree of similarity, suggesting that identifying important winter habitats with individual‐based RSF modeling is useful for locating potential WCAs when information on flock sizes is not available. Our results and survey technique provide a potential framework for identifying sage‐grouse WCAs with implications for improving PAC protection of all seasonal habitats for sage‐grouse conservation. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.