bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatic NF-kB-inducing kinase (NIK) suppresses mouse liver regeneration in acute and chronic liver diseases
Authors: Xiong Yi , Torsoni Adriana Souza , Wu Feihua , Shen Hong , Liu Yan , Zhong Xiao , Canet Mark J , Shah Yatrik M , Omary M Bishr , Liu Yong , Rui Liangyou
Published: August 2018

Reparative hepatocyte replication is impaired in chronic liver disease, contributing to disease progression; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we identify Map3k14 (also known as NIK) and its substrate Chuk (also called IKKα) as unrecognized suppressors of hepatocyte replication. Chronic liver disease is associated with aberrant activation of hepatic NIK pathways. We found that hepatocyte-specific deletion of Map3k14 or Chuk substantially accelerated mouse hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration following partial-hepatectomy. Hepatotoxin treatment or high fat diet feeding inhibited the ability of partial-hepatectomy to stimulate hepatocyte replication; remarkably, inactivation of hepatic NIK markedly increased reparative hepatocyte proliferation under these liver disease conditions. Mechanistically, NIK and IKKα suppressed the mitogenic JAK2/STAT3 pathway, thereby inhibiting cell cycle progression. Our data suggest that hepatic NIK and IKKα act as rheostats for liver regeneration by restraining overgrowth. Pathological activation of hepatic NIK or IKKα likely blocks hepatocyte replication, contributing to liver disease progression.
Peer-reviewer acknowledgments
Authors: Green Bart N.
Published: August 2018

Acknowledgments to the peer reviewers for the journal and those who have participated in contributing scholarly works pertaining to chiropractic education are presented in this editorial.
Ultra‐Low Power Corrosion Sensor Made of Iron Nanowires on Magnetic Tunnel Junctions
Authors: Mashraei Yousof , Amara Selma , Albu Zahra , Ivanov Yurii P. , Kosel Jürgen
Published: August 2018

Corrosion sensors are of critical importance for monitoring the destructive potential of a corrosive environment. Due to their large surface‐to‐volume area, nanowires react with a remarkably high speed, rendering them attractive corrosion‐sensing elements. To avoid the difficulties related to contacting nanowires, the authors present a magnetic approach, exploiting the fast reaction of nanowires to the environment. Iron nanowires have a high magnetization value, which decreases upon nanowire corrosion. Due to shape anisotropy, they also possess a large remnant magnetization, which is detectable by a magnetic tunnel junction sensor. Iron nanowires are fabricated by electrochemical deposition, placed on top of the magnetic tunnel junction and aligned using a magnetic field. The nanowires provide a bias field causing a change of the characteristic curve of the tunnel junction. The corrosion sensor is tested in a saline solution, where the nanowires corroded, leading to a reduction of the bias field and restoration of the original characteristic. Combined, the nanowires and tunnel junction realize a highly integrated sensor concept that enables corrosion sensing with an ultra‐low power consumption of less than 1 nW, a sensitivity of 0.1%/min, a response time of 30 min and a sensor area of only 128 μm2.
Origami/Kirigami‐Guided Morphing of Composite Sheets
Authors: Cui Jianxun , Poblete Felipe R. , Zhu Yong
Published: August 2018

Several strategies are recently exploited to transform 2D sheets into desired 3D structures. For example, soft materials can be morphed into 3D continuously curved structures by inducing nonhomogeneous strain. On the other hand, rigid materials can be folded, often by origami/kirigami‐inspired approaches (i.e., flat sheets are folded along predesigned crease patterns). Here, for the first time, combining the two strategies, composite sheets are fabricated by embedding rigid origami/kirigami skeleton with creases into heat shrinkable polymer sheets to create novel 3D structures. Upon heating, shrinkage of the polymer sheets is constrained by the origami/kirigami patterns, giving rise to laterally nonuniform strain. As a result, Gaussian curvature of the composite sheets is changed, and flat sheets are transformed into 3D curved structures. A series of 3D structures are folded using this approach, including cones and truncated pyramids with different base shapes. Flat origami loops are folded into step structures. Tessellation of origami loops is transformed into 3D checkerboard pattern.
The Relationship between the Relative Solvating Power of Electrolytes and Shuttling Effect of Lithium Polysulfides in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Su Chi‐Cheung , He Meinan , Amine Rachid , Chen Zonghai , Amine Khalil
Published: August 2018

Relative solvating power, that is, the ratio of the coordination ratios between a solvent and the reference solvent, was used to probe the quantitative structure–activity relationship of electrolyte solvents and the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) dissolution in lithium–sulfur batteries. Internally referenced diffusion‐ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (IR‐DOSY) was used to determine the diffusion coefficient and coordination ratio, from which the relative solvating power can be easily measured. The higher the relative solvating power of an ethereal solvent, the more severe will be the LiPS dissolution and the lower the coulombic efficiency of the lithium–sulfur battery. A linear relationship was established between the logarithm of relative solvating power of a solvent and the degree of LiPS dissolution, rendering relative solvating power an important parameter in choosing the electrolyte solvent for lithium–sulfur batteries.
Modified dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) via 2S fraction of soy protein
Authors: Zheng Zhuoyuan , Li Bin
Published: August 2018

Soy protein, as a naturally available resource, has been widely studied as a functional material. Major 7S and 11S fractions of soy protein have drawn the most attention. In contrast, the 2S fraction, a component with low molecular weight, has rarely been explored in material applications. This study investigated the 2S fraction of soy protein as a functional modifier to tune the dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). It is found that 2S protein could efficiently modify the crystallinity and crystal phases of PVDF, depending on the concentration of 2S protein. The variation of crystal structures and hydrophobic PVDF–2S interaction led to remarkably altered dielectric properties of PVDF/2S films, evaluated by both ferroelectric hysteresis and impedance analyses. Dielectric polarization of PVDF/2S films was enhanced as the concentration of 2S protein increased; meanwhile, high 2S protein content led to high hysteresis loss, which should be related to the increased electrical conductivity of PVDF/2S films. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46882.
Preparation and evaluation of anti‐renal fibrosis activity of novel truncated TGF‐β receptor type II
Authors: Liu Haifeng , Zhang Zhongmin , Li Yuting , Wang Xiaoli , Zhang Yufei , Chu Yanhui , Yuan Xiaohuan , Wang Xiaohua
Published: August 2018

Production of excessive transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) with elevated TGF‐β1 activity has been implicated in renal fibrosis via renal epithelial cells activation and collagen deposition. As such, attenuating the binding of TGF‐β1 to its receptor TGF‐beta receptor type II (TGF‐βRII) in TGF‐β1‐dependent signaling is an attractive target for the control of renal fibrosis. Here, we verified the interaction between novel truncated human TGF‐βRII (thTβRII, Thr23‐Gln166) and TGF‐β1, prepared thTβRII in Escherichia coli, and assessed the effects of thTβRII on TGF‐β1‐induced human kidney epithelial cells (HK‐2) and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model of renal fibrosis. Our data showed that thTβRII accounted for up to 20% of the total protein and 40% of the inclusion bodies of whole cell lysates under the optimal conditions (0.8 mM IPTG and 25°C for 6 H). Most of the expressed protein in inclusion body was refolded by dialysis refolding procedures and purified by Ni2+‐IDA affinity chromatography. Furthermore, thTβRII decreased type I collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin protein expression in TGF‐β1‐induced HK‐2 cells, and ameliorated kidney morphology and fibrotic responses in fibrosis animal. These findings indicate that thTβRII holds great promise for developing new treatments for renal fibrosis.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Run Deep: Toxic Early Life Stress, Telomeres, and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number, the Biological Markers of Cumulative Stress
Authors: Ridout Kathryn K. , Khan Mariam , Ridout Samuel J.
Published: August 2018

This manuscript reviews recent evidence supporting the utility of telomeres and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) in detecting the biological impacts of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and outlines mechanisms that may mediate the connection between early stress and poor physical and mental health. Critical to interrupting the health sequelae of ACEs such as abuse, neglect, and neighborhood disorder, is the discovery of biomarkers of risk and resilience. The molecular markers of chronic stress exposure, telomere length and mtDNAcn, represent critical biological links between ACEs and poor health outcomes. We examine how telomeres and mtDNAcn may exacerbate health disparities and contribute to the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Finally, we explore how these molecular markers of early stress exposure may help define the role of resilience and develop effective interventions to moderate ACE health risk impact.
Overexpression, immunodetection, and site‐directed mutagenesis of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 flavodoxin: A comprehensive laboratory practice on molecular biology
Authors: González Andrés , Fillat María F.
Published: August 2018

Recombinant protein expression and site‐directed mutagenesis of target genes have demonstrated an increasing importance in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, and medicine. By using the flavodoxin of the model cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 as a laboratory tool, we designed a comprehensive laboratory practice encompassing several well‐established molecular biology techniques and procedures in order to fulfill two main objectives: (1) overexpression and immunodetection of Anabaena flavodoxin in recombinant Escherichia coli cell extracts, and (2) site‐directed mutagenesis of the Anabaena flavodoxin gene isiB. This lab practice provides undergraduate students the possibility to perform by themselves several essential techniques in the field. With the aid of professors, students are stimulated to think, to interpret, and to discuss the results based on what they had learned in previous theoretical courses. © 2018 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):493–501, 2018.
Charging a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier System with H2/CO2 Gas Mixtures
Authors: Jorschick Holger , Bösmann Andreas , Preuster Patrick , Wasserscheid Peter
Published: August 2018

Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) systems have attracted growing attention in recent years as efficient way to store and transport hydrogen in the existing infrastructures for liquid fuels. This contribution highlights the additional feature that hydrogenation of the LOHC compound dibenzyltoluene with technical relevant H2/CO2 gas mixtures (up to 30 % CO2) gives access to hydrogen purification and hydrogen storage in one single process step. Alumina supported Rh and Pd catalysts proved to be especially suitable for this task. The rhodium catalysts enabled efficient aromatics hydrogenation in the temperature range of 120 °C to 150 °C with moderate methane formation (CH4/CO2<0.1 at 150 °C). The palladium catalyst showed the lowest selectivity to methane formation (CH4/CO2<0.1 at 270 °C) and promising hydrogenation activity at temperatures above 200 °C even in the presence of CO and CO2.
The BIM pilot project Köstendorf – Salzburg
Authors: Kohlböck Bernhard , Griesser Ewald , Hillisch Stefan , Birgmann Harald , Fasching Alfred
Published: August 2018

The new approx. 21 km long section between Köstendorf and Salzburg is one of the last major milestones in the upgrading of the Salzburg–Vienna rail corridor to four tracks. The section comprises a multitude of different civil engineering structures, posing high demands on the interdisciplinary design team. The open sections of the alignment require many over‐ and underpasses and road diversions. In addition, the majority of the section runs underground through the Flachgau Tunnel, which has the particular feature of a tunnel bridge. The aim of the BIM project is to provide a software‐independent, integrated model of the whole project. All parties involved in the project collaborate to define the LOD for the terrain, existing building, land use and geological models, as well as the models for the proposed new infrastructure for the open section, tunnels, ventilation control building, bridges, civil structures and drainage. The LoD are defined in parallel with the AIA according to the KISTE infrastructure identification system used by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways). At the same time, the BIM execution plans are generated by the team and adapted to the new BIM processes. The opportunities provided by the element‐based display and evaluation are anticipated to lead to considerable improvements in the field of interdisciplinary design and visualisation studies. The present article describes the current state of work and provides a preview of future developments.
Understanding Trends in 27Al Chemical Shifts and Quadrupolar Coupling Constants in Chloroalkyl Aluminum [AlClx(Me)3 − x]n = 1 or 2 Compounds
Authors: Lam Erwin , Copéret Christophe
Published: August 2018

The usage of alkyl aluminum compounds and related structures as co‐catalyst finds a broad range of application in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. While understanding the nature of the aluminum species in solution or in solids can be a challenge, 27Al solid state NMR is a powerful tool to understand the structures of Al species, but their assignment remains mostly empirical, typically by comparing chemical shifts with known compounds. In this work, the observed trends in 27Al‐NMR parameters – chemical shift and quadrupolar coupling constant – of chloroalkyl aluminum compounds, a prototypical class of important Lewis activators, are traced back to their frontier orbitals and electron polarization through a natural localized molecular orbital analysis. This study thus provides guidelines to understand the nature of chemical shift and thereby assignment of possible structure.
Safe Schools Policy for LGBTQ Students and commentaries
Authors: Russell Stephen T. , Horn Stacey , Kosciw Joseph , Saewyc Elizabeth
Published: August 2018

Two proposed U.S. federal laws would provide explicit protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) students in public schools. These federal laws follow actions by many states and school districts to define and implement laws or policies to protect the safety of LGBTQ students in schools. Research during the past decade has shown that LGBTQ youth are a vulnerable population, and that the negative school experiences of LGBTQ students often contribute to their vulnerability. This Social Policy Report reviews research relevant to these federal, state, and local laws and policies. Research on sexual orientation/identity development is reviewed, with attention to the growing numbers of youth that “come out” or disclose their LGBTQ identities to others during their school‐age years. Schools are often hostile environments for LGBTQ students; this evidence is considered along with research on the consequences for compromised achievement and emotional and behavioral health. We then review strategies in education policy and practice that are associated with well‐being for LGBTQ (and all) students.
Interleukin-34, a comprehensive review
Authors: Baghdadi Muhammad , Umeyama Yui , Hama Naoki , Kobayashi Takuto , Han Nanumi , Wada Haruka , Seino Ken-ichiro
Published: August 2018

IL-34 is a novel cytokine that was identified in 2008 in a comprehensive proteomic analysis as a tissue-specific ligand of CSF-1 receptor (CSF-1R). IL-34 exists in all vertebrates including fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals, showing high conservation among species. Structurally, IL-34 belongs to the short-chain helical hematopoietic cytokine family but shows no apparent consensus structural domains, motifs, or sequence homology with other cytokines. IL-34 is synthesized as a secreted homodimeric glycoprotein that binds to the extracellular domains of CSF-1R and receptor-type protein-tyrosine phosphatase-zeta (PTP-ζ) in addition to the chondroitin sulfate chains of syndecan-1. These interactions result in activating several signaling pathways that regulate major cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, survival, metabolism, and cytokine/chemokine expression in addition to cellular adhesion and migration. In the steady state, IL-34 contributes to the development and maintenance of specific myeloid cell subsets in a tissue-specific manner: Langerhans cells in the skin and microglia in the brain. In pathological conditions, changes in IL-34 expression—increased or decreased—are involved in disease pathogenesis and correlate with progression, severity, and chronicity. One decade after its discovery, IL-34 has been introduced as a newcomer to the big family of interleukins with specific physiological functions, critical pathological roles, and promising clinical applications in disease diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of IL-34 discovery, introducing its biological characteristics, and discussing the importance of IL-34 signaling network in health and disease.

IL-34, a newcomer to the big family of interleukins with specific physiological functions and critical pathological roles.
Phosphorus bioavailability of sewage sludge‐based recycled fertilizers in an organically managed field experiment
Authors: Wollmann Iris , Möller Kurt
Published: August 2018

Recycled phosphorus (P) fertilizers from sewage sludge can contribute to the ongoing effort of closing the P cycle. Five recycled P fertilizers (Struvite SSL, Struvite AirPrex®, P‐RoC®, Pyrolysis coal, and Na‐SSA) were tested for their P availability in a two‐year field experiment with maize. The experiment was conducted on an organic certified research station at soil pH 6.5. Other P fertilizer treatments included: phosphate rock (PR), compost, and an unfertilized control. In addition, the rhizobacteria strain Bacillus sp. Proradix (Proradix®) was applied to test its ability to increase P bioavailability. Each year, shoot DM and P offtake of maize was measured and P use efficiency of the tested fertilizers was calculated. No significant differences in shoot DM were found among fertilized treatments and the unfertilized control in both years of experiment. Fertilization with recycled fertilizers increased P offtake by between 0% (Na‐SSA) and 27.5% (Struvite SSL) compared to the unfertilized control. Rhizobacteria application led to an increase in P offtake of maize from 25.9 to 38.7 kg P ha−1 when combined with PR fertilization in the year of fertilizer application, while no significant effect was found for the recycled fertilizers. Some of the tested recycled fertilizers from urban waste water can be considered as effective fertilizers for their use in organic agriculture.
Evaluation and modelling of osmotic pre‐treatment of peach using alternative agents in a multiple‐component solution
Authors: Dermesonlouoglou Efimia K , Giannakourou Maria C
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Peach is a perishable fruit of great importance for the Greek food export market which is prone to rapid deterioration after harvesting. Its short shelf life can be substantially prolonged by applying an appropriate osmotic dehydration (OD) pre‐treatment, which is a mild, non‐thermal procedure. The aim of this study was to describe mass transfer and quality retention induced by the OD process.

RESULTS

Peach pieces were immersed in tertiary solutions of glycerol, erythritol, steviol glucosides and mineral salts at pre‐selected OD conditions (25–45 °C for 3–240 min, wfruit/wsolution = 1:5). Water loss (WL), solid gain (SG), water activity (aw) as well as representative quality indices (colour, texture) were measured during OD, showing that osmotically dehydrated peach presented significant aw reduction (from 0.97 to 0.88) combined with quality retention.

CONCLUSION

This research showed that OD can be an effective pre‐processing step in the production of intermediate moisture novel products. A second‐degree polynomial model was developed describing adequately the effect of OD time and temperature and glycerol concentration on WL, SG, aw, colour and texture of osmotically dehydrated peach, and analysis of variance was applied to identify those factors that significantly affect the aforementioned parameters. It was concluded that OD using alternative osmotic agents is an efficient method with respect to product colour and texture retention, allowing for the production of novel products with extended shelf life. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of initial fertilizer treatment on the 10‐year growth of mixed woodland on compacted surface‐coal‐mine spoils, S. Wales
Authors: Haigh Martin John , Reed Heather , D'Aucourt Margaret , Flege Alison , Cullis Mike , Davis Simon , Farrugia Frances , Gentcheva‐Kostadinova Svetla , Zheleva Elena , Hatton Elizabeth , Plamping Keith , Powell Susan , Panhuis Willemina , Sansom Benedict , Sawyer Sharon , Wilding Gill , Woodruffe Pat
Published: August 2018

The degradation of land formerly reclaimed after surface‐coal‐mining (opencast) is a widespread problem in upland Wales (UK). This community‐based project aims to support the voluntary sector in land reclamation by investigating the means of reversing land degradation. It explores ways of encouraging trees to ameliorate the severely compacted, infertile, mine‐soils typical of former opencast sites. This study evaluates the benefits of a single initial application of 2‐year slow release fertilizer (SRF), both with and without additional supplements, through a 10‐year controlled experiment in a mixed planting of common Alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn), Oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus robur L. and hybrids) supplemented with Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris, L.); Silver Birch (Betula pendula, Roth); Goat Willow (Salix caprea, L.) and Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia, L.). After 10 years, SRF treatment resulted in a small, marginally significant, decrease in survival (85% vs. 83%) across all species, except Oak, but SRF‐treated trees were significantly larger than those given no‐SRF at planting (421 cm vs. 368 cm). By contrast, in Year 5 data, only SRF‐treated Alders are marginally significantly larger, whereas in Years 1–3 across all six species, significantly more records show greater mean growth in trees with no‐SRF than those given SRF at planting. Probably, this delayed response to SRF treatment resulted from the slow development of the larger soil ecosystem. Treatment with additional supplements (double SRF, remineralization agent and superphosphate) tended to have negative impacts on growth but double SRF and to a lesser degree remineralization had a positive effect on survival.
Multi‐functionality of nature‐based and other urban sustainability solutions: New York City study
Authors: Engström Rebecka , Howells Mark , Mörtberg Ulla , Destouni Georgia
Published: August 2018

In an increasingly urban world, developing sustainable cities is crucial for global sustainability. Urban nature‐based solutions (NBS), such as green infrastructure, are often promoted for their potential to provide several urban services. These include stormwater mitigation, improving energy efficiency of buildings, and carbon emissions mitigation, but few studies have compared the multifunctionality of NBS to conventional urban solutions providing similar services. Fewer yet have acknowledged the indirect resource (specifically climate, land, energy, water [CLEW] nexus) impacts that these solutions may have. This paper analyzes these aspects, employing a simple CLEW nexus accounting framework, and attempts a consistent comparison across different resource systems. The comparison includes direct and indirect impacts of a set of stylized—and diverse—solutions, each with different primary objectives: green roofs, representing a multifunctional urban NBS; permeable pavements targeting mitigation of stormwater flows; window retrofits targeting energy efficiency; and rooftop PV installations targeting CO2 emissions mitigation. The results highlight both the direct and total (CLEW nexus) impacts of green roofs on stormwater retention, energy use, and CO2 emissions. However, also for the studied conventional solutions with primarily a single direct function, CLEW nexus impacts spread across all measured dimensions (energy, water, and CO2) to varying degrees. Although the numerical results are indicative and uncertainty needs to be further assessed, we suggest that the development of this type of multifunctional, multisystem assessment can assist urban sustainability planning, with comprehensive and consistent comparison of diverse (NBS and conventional) solutions.
Links between Nordic and Arctic hydroclimate and vegetation changes: Contribution to possible landscape‐scale nature‐based solutions
Authors: Groß Elisabeth , Mård Johanna , Kalantari Zahra , Bring Arvid
Published: August 2018

In Nordic and Arctic regions, the rapidly warming climate sustains hydroclimatic and vegetation changes in the landscape. There is evidence for an increase in vegetation density in some regions, a trend that is expected as a response to increasing temperature and precipitation. If the hydroclimatic changes are linked to vegetation response, it could be viewed as a landscape‐scale nature‐based solution (NBS) that could moderate the runoff response, as denser vegetation should lead to increased evapotranspiration and lower runoff. In this paper, we investigate and compare hydroclimatic changes over a set of basins in the Nordic region and northwest America and compare with changes in vegetation density, analyzed using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for three time periods: 1973–1978, 1993–1998, and 2013–2016.

Over the period of the 1970s to 1990s, the hydroclimate became warmer and wetter and vegetation density increased, but over a later period from the 1990s to 2010s, vegetation density decreased, despite a continuing warming and wetting of the climate. Although there was a tendency for runoff to decrease in basins where vegetation density increased, the relation between precipitation and runoff was much stronger. Overall, we found weak evidence for vegetation density changes, driven by hydroclimate, to act as NBS on the landscape scale over the studied regions. However, as hydroclimatic changes interact with vegetation changes and their ensuing hydrological responses in complex ways, more detailed investigations are needed to determine the potential NBS effect on the landscape scale across Nordic and Arctic regions.
Antimicrobial and Anti‐Biofilm Activities of Surface Engineered Polycationic Albumin Nanoparticles with Reduced Hemolytic Activity
Authors: Obuobi Sybil , Wang Ying , Khara Jasmeet Singh , Riegger Andreas , Kuan Seah Ling , Ee Pui Lai Rachel
Published: August 2018

Protein‐based polymeric polyelectrolytes are emerging as alternative synthetic nanoparticles owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, potential in vivo toxicity remains a significant challenge. Herein an array of protein polyelectrolytes generated from cationic human serum albumin (cHSA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are synthesized via synthetic customization as antimicrobials for the treatment of systemic infections. By varying PEG molecular weight and chain length, in vitro hemolytic activity can be fine‐tuned without significantly affecting antimicrobial potency. The optimal hybrid material, PEG (2000)18‐cHSA, with potent antimicrobial character, low hemolytic activity, and in vitro biofilm disruptive properties is identified. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) evaluation demonstrates significantly higher binding activity of the protein nanoparticles to bacteria cell wall components and microfluidic live‐cell imaging indicates that the nanoparticles act through a membranolytic mechanism. Given their low susceptibility to drug resistance and potent activity against resistant bacteria strains, these findings establish the PEGylated albumin nanoparticles as a potent weaponry against drug resistance and biofilm‐related infection.
A deep learning‐based prediction model for gamma evaluation in patient‐specific quality assurance
Authors: Tomori Seiji , Kadoya Noriyuki , Takayama Yoshiki , Kajikawa Tomohiro , Shima Katsumi , Narazaki Kakutarou , Jingu Keiichi
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) measurement is conducted to confirm the accuracy of dose delivery. However, measurement is time‐consuming and places a heavy workload on the medical physicists and radiological technologists. In this study, we proposed a prediction model for gamma evaluation, based on deep learning. We applied the model to a QA measurement dataset of prostate cancer cases to evaluate its practicality.

Methods

Sixty pretreatment verification plans from prostate cancer patients treated using intensity modulated radiation therapy were collected. Fifteen‐layer convolutional neural networks (CNN) were developed to learn the sagittal planar dose distributions from a RT‐3000 QA phantom (R‐TECH.INC., Tokyo, Japan). The percentage gamma passing rate (GPR) was measured using GAFCHROMIC EBT3 film (Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Covington, USA). The input training data also included the volume of the PTV (planning target volume), rectum, and overlapping region, measured in cm3, and the monitor unit values for each field. The network produced predicted GPR values at four criteria: 2%(global)/2 mm, 3%(global)/2 mm, 2%(global)/3 mm, and 3%(global)/3 mm. Adam, an algorithm for first‐order gradient‐based optimization of stochastic objective functions, was used for learning and for optimizing the CNN‐based model. Fivefold cross‐validation was applied to validate the performance of the proposed method. Forty cases were used for training and validation set in fivefold cross‐validation, and the remaining 20 cases were used for the test set. The predicted and measured GPR values were compared.

Results

A linear relationship was found between the measured and predicted values, for each of the four criteria. Spearman rank correlation coefficients in validation set between measured and predicted GPR values at four criteria were 0.73 at 2%/2 mm, 0.72 at 3%/2 mm, 0.74 at 2%/3 mm, and 0.65 at 3%/3 mm, respectively (P < 0.01). The Spearman rank correlation coefficients in the test set were 0.62 (P < 0.01) at 2%/2 mm, 0.56 (P < 0.01) at 3%/2 mm, 0.51 (P = 0.02) at 2%/3 mm, and 0.32 (P = 0.16) at 3%/3 mm. These results demonstrated a strong or moderate correlation between the predicted and measured values.

Conclusions

We developed a CNN‐based prediction model for patient‐specific QA of dose distribution in prostate treatment. Our results suggest that deep learning may provide a useful prediction model for gamma evaluation of patient‐specific QA in prostate treatment planning.
Ice‐wedge polygon dynamics in Svalbard: Lessons from a decade of automated multi‐sensor monitoring
Authors: Matsuoka Norikazu , Christiansen Hanne H. , Watanabe Tatsuya
Published: August 2018

Twelve years of continuous monitoring of diverse ground properties reveals the dynamics of three ice wedges and adjacent ground in a low‐centered polygon area in Svalbard. The monitoring documented ground displacements, the timing of crack generation, ground thermal and moisture conditions from the surface to the top permafrost, and snow conditions. The focus is on seasonal ground deformation in and around ice‐wedge troughs, interannual variability of ice‐wedge activity and thermal thresholds for ice‐wedge cracking. Seasonal ice‐wedge activity is mainly associated with frost heave and thaw settlement, as well as thermal expansion and contraction. In mid‐ to late winter, temporary expansion and cracking of troughs by thermal contraction occurs during rapid cooling periods. Following intensive ground microcracking events, troughs show rapid expansion and in some cases major cracking in the frozen active layer. A common threshold for cracking is identified by a combination of ground surface cooling below −20°C and a thermal gradient steeper than −10°C m−1 in the upper meter of ground, indicating that cracking requires both a brittle frozen layer and rapid ground cooling. Our results highlight that in marginal thermal conditions for ice‐wedge activity, the primary control on ice‐wedge cracking is rapid winter cooling enhanced by minimum snow cover.
Monoterpene Indole Alkaloids from Anthocephalus cadamba Fruits Exhibiting Anticancer Activity in Human Lung Cancer Cell Line H1299
Authors: Mishra Devendra Pratap , Khan Mohsin Ali , Yadav Dinesh Kumar , Rawat Arun Kumar , Singh Rakesh Kumar , Ahamad Tanveer , Hussain Mohd Kamil , Saquib Mohammad , Khan Mohammad Faheem
Published: August 2018

Two new monoterpene indole alkaloids, Vincosamide‐N‐oxide (1) and isodihydroamino cadambine (2) along with seven known alkaloids and triterpenoids vincosamide (3), vallesiachotamine (4), iso‐vallesiachotamine (5), dihydrocadambine (6), cadambine (7), ursolic acid (8) and oleanolic acid (9) were isolated from the fruits of Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb) Miq. (Family: Rubiaceae). The chemical structures of the isolated molecules were determined using a combination of InfraRed (IR) and one dimensional (1D) and two dimensional (2D) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and High Resolution‐Electronspray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (HR‐ESIMS). The molecules were evaluated for their in‐vitro antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cell line H1299. Cytotoxic profile was studied in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line and induction of apoptosis in MCF‐7 cells. Compounds 4 and 5 were found to exhibit potent anticancer activity with IC50 values of 4.24 and 3.79 μM respectively. Both compounds demonstrated significant fragmentation in the chromatin within the nucleus cells as a result of apoptosis. In addition none of the purified compounds showed any toxic effect on normal cells.
In Situ Polymerization of Dopamine on Graphene Framework for Charge Storage Applications
Authors: Liu Tianyuan , Lee Byeongyong , Kim Byoung Gak , Lee Michael J. , Park Jinho , Lee Seung Woo
Published: August 2018

Polydopamine, a functional coating material, is redox active as cathode materials for both Li‐ and Na‐ion batteries or hybrid capacitors. Here, a polydopamine coating onto 3D graphene framework is introduced through a simple hydrothermal process, during which graphene oxide serves not only as an oxidant for assisting the polymerization of dopamine, but also as a template for the conformal growth of polydopamine. High‐density films are fabricated by compressing the polydopamine‐coated graphene aerogels, which can be directly used as free‐standing and flexible cathodes in both Li‐ and Na‐cells. The compact electrodes deliver high capacities of ≈230 mAh g−1 in Li‐cells and ≈211 mAh g−1 in Na‐cells based on the total mass of electrodes. These compact electrodes also exhibit exceptional cycling stability and high rate performance due to the unique structure in which polydopamine is uniformly coated on the 3D structured graphene.
Fabrication of Nanoreaction Clusters with Dual‐Functionalized Protein Cage Nanobuilding Blocks
Authors: Choi Hyukjun , Choi Bongseo , Kim Gwang Joong , Kim Han‐ul , Kim Hansol , Jung Hyun Suk , Kang Sebyung
Published: August 2018

Fabrication of functional nanostructures is a prominent issue in nanotechnology, because they often exhibit unique properties that are different from the individual building blocks. Protein cage nanoparticles are attractive nanobuilding blocks for constructing nanostructures due to their well‐defined symmetric spherical structures, polyvalent nature, and functional plasticity. Here, a lumazine synthase protein cage nanoparticle is genetically modified to be used as a template to generate functional nanobuilding blocks and covalently display enzymes (β‐lactamase) and protein ligands (FKBP12/FRB) on its surface, making dual‐functional nanobuilding blocks. Nanoreaction clusters are subsequently created by ligand‐mediated alternate deposition of two complementary building blocks using layer‐by‐layer (LbL) assemblies. 3D nanoreaction clusters provide enhanced enzymatic activity compared with monolayered building block arrays. The approaches described here may provide new opportunities for fabricating functional nanostructures and nanoreaction clusters, leading to the development of new protein nanoparticle‐based nanostructured biosensor devices.
Finite‐control‐set model predictive control for eight‐switch three‐phase NPC converters
Authors: Wang Longda , Wang Xingcheng
Published: August 2018

In this paper, a simplified finite‐control‐set model predictive control (FCS‐MPC) method with a deadbeat solution is proposed for eight‐switch, three‐phase, neutral‐point‐clamped converters (ESTP‐NPCs). Specifically, in order to improve the computational efficiency, a novel sector distribution scheme is presented by dividing the whole voltage vector space into eight sectors. In the each sector, only three voltage vectors are determined as new candidate finite control sets (FCSs), and then the optimal voltage vector that minimizes the predesigned cost function is selected from the new candidate FCS. Meanwhile, in order to avoid the selection of the weighting factor, a multiobjective optimization strategy based on an average ranking is introduced into the proposed strategy. In addition, the DC‐link capacitor voltage oscillations and deviations are suppressed effectively, and the time delay of control command is compensated. In view of these characteristics, the proposed control strategy (i) has lower computational burden, (ii) has good dynamic performance, (iii) does not need the tuning of weighting factor, and (iv) does not need the modulation method. Finally, compared to the conventional FCS‐MPC, the proposed method is more efficient as demonstrated by simulation results. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Iterative triangular inequality elimination algorithm for codebook search of vector quantization
Authors: Yeh Cheng‐Yu
Published: August 2018

This paper presents an iterative triangular inequality elimination (ITIE) algorithm for vector quantization (VQ) codebook search, which is then applied to the quantization of ISF coefficients in an AMR‐WB+ audio codec. Most of the codewords are ruled out as candidates using the ITIE rejection criterion, leading to considerable computational complexity reduction but with a well‐maintained coding quality. With a full search algorithm as the benchmark, this work gives a reduction in the total number of operations above 74%, a figure far beyond the 60% using the TIE algorithm with a dynamic and an intersection mechanism (DI‐TIE) and 65% using the equal‐average equal‐variance equal‐norm nearest neighbor search (EEENNS) algorithm. Furthermore, this work is expected to meet the energy‐saving requirement when implemented on an AMR‐WB+ audio codec of mobile devices. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overexpression of cytochrome p450 125 in Mycobacterium: a rational strategy in the promotion of phytosterol biotransformation
Authors: Su Liqiu , Shen Yanbing , Xia Menglei , Shang Zhihua , Xu Shuangping , An Xingjuan , Wang Min
Published: August 2018

Androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione (AD) and androst-1, 4-diene-3, 17-dione (ADD) are generally produced by the biotransformation of phytosterols in Mycobacterium. The AD (D) production increases when the strain has high NAD+/NADH ratio. To enhance the AD (D) production in Mycobacterium neoaurum TCCC 11978 (MNR M3), a rational strategy was developed through overexpression of a gene involved in the phytosterol degradation pathway; NAD+ was generated as well. Proteomic analysis of MNR cultured with and without phytosterols showed that the steroid C27-monooxygenase (Cyp125-3), which performs sequential oxidations of the sterol side chain at the C27 position and has the oxidative cofactor of NAD+ generated, played an important role in the phytosterol biotransformation process of MNR M3. To improve the productivity of AD (D), the cyp125-3 gene was overexpressed in MNR M3. The specific activity of Cyp125-3 in the recombinant strain MNR M3C3 was improved by 22% than that in MNR M3. The NAD+/NADH ratio in MNR M3C3 was 131% higher than that in the parent strain. During phytosterol biotransformation, the conversion of sterols increased from 84 to 96%, and the yield of AD (D) by MNR M3C3 was increased by approximately 18% for 96 h fermentation. This rational strain modification strategy may also be applied to develop strains with important application values for efficient production of cofactor-dependent metabolites.
The adoption of automated phenotyping by plant breeders
Authors: Awada Lana , Phillips Peter W. B. , Smyth Stuart J.
Published: August 2018

Phenomics or automated phenotyping (AP) is an emerging approach, identified as a priority for future crop breeding research. This approach promises to provide accurate, precise, fast, large-scale, and accumulated phenotyping data which when integrated with corresponding genomic and environmental data is expected to trigger a great leap forward in plant breeding. However, despite promising applications, AP adoption in plant breeding is still in its infancy. It is unclear to many plant breeders how or if much of the enormous volume, diversity, and velocity of imaging and remote-sensing data generated by AP is going to be usefully integrated into breeding programs. This paper develops an economical model of heterogeneous breeders’ decision-making to examine adoption decisions regarding whether to adopt AP or continue using conventional phenotyping. The results of this model indicate that many interlocking factors, including genetic gain/expected return, variable and sunk costs, subsequent rate of technology improvement, and breeders’ level of aversion to AP, are at work as breeders determine whether to adopt AP. This study also provides a numerical example to show the impact of breeders’ aversion toward the adoption of a new technology (e.g., AP) on the expected return generated from breeding a new wheat variety.
Who Wears the Hijab? Predictors of Veiling in Greater Jakarta
Authors: Utomo Ariane , Reimondos Anna , McDonald Peter , Utomo Iwu , Hull Terence
Published: August 2018

Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population. In contrast to much of the Middle East, veiling in Indonesia is neither a deeply rooted cultural practice, nor it is universally practised among Muslim women. Just 30 years ago it was rare to see an Indonesian woman wearing a hijab or veil. Today, veiling has become a relatively common practice, particularly among middle-class Muslim women living in urban areas. Although statistics on the prevalence of veiling are scant, the fact of growing use of headscarves is widely accepted in the literature. This paper examines sociodemographic correlates of veiling among young women in the capital region of Indonesia. We analyse a representative sample of 1443 Muslim women aged 20–34 in Greater Jakarta in 2010. About 26% of the women surveyed wore the veil. We found a moderately strong association between veiling and other measures of religiosity, including self-reported subjective religiosity and frequency of reading religious texts. Our multivariate analysis suggests a positive association between educational attainment and the likelihood of veiling among young Muslim women. In discussing these findings, we draw upon the qualitative component of our study and the literature on Islam, gender, and modernity in Indonesia. The paper highlights the difficulty encountered examining the practice of veiling as a binary choice, and as a measure of religiosity.
“Ashes to Ashes…”: Could the Recent Evolution of the Cremation Practice in Italy be Interpreted as an Indication of Secularisation?
Authors: Breschi Marco , Ruiu Gabriele , Francini Marco
Published: August 2018

In the second half of the nineteenth century, a massive communication campaign sustaining the practice of cremation was carried out in Italy, leading to the approval of a law in 1888 according to which cremation was allowed. This made Italy the first European country to introduce cremation in its legal system, but at the same time, one of the last to experience a mass diffusion of this practice, which has always been fiercely fought by the Catholic Church up until recent years. Exploiting the fact that the dispersion of ashes is still prohibited by catholic norms, this work explores the possibility of using the recent trend in cremation practice as an indicator of secularisation.
A novel enhanced recovery protocol, combining multimodal analgesia with liposomal bupivacaine and pharmacologic intervention, reduces parenteral opioid use and hospital length of stay after colectomy – A cohort study
Authors: Pricolo Victor E. , Fei Patrick , Crowley Scott , Camisa Virginia , Bonvini Matteo
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACT

Background:

The objective was to evaluate the impact of a focused enhanced recovery protocol (ERP), which included multimodal analgesia with liposomal bupivacaine and targeted pharmacologic intervention with intravenous ketoroloac and metoclopramide, on postoperative parenteral opioids use (PPO) and length of hospital stay (LOS) after elective colectomy.

Methods:

The study was a before-after and non-randomized control trial. 109 consecutive patients undergoing elective colectomy were divided into three cohorts: group 1 (n = 39): patients from surgical team 1 implementing ERP; group 2 (n = 34): time-matched controls from team 2 not using ERP; group 3 (n = 36): historical controls from team 1 before introduction of ERP. Cases for the three groups were reviewed by gender, age, ASA class, diagnosis, right or left colectomy, laparoscopic or open technique.

Results:

Mean overnight PPO use in mg of hydromorphone analgesic equivalents was: 1.78 in group 1, vs 5.15 in group 2 (p < 0.0001), vs 4.36 in group 3 (p = 0.0006). Mean total PPO use was 2.69 in group 1, vs 16.17 in group 2 (p < 0.0001), vs 10.30 in group 3 (p = 0.0017). Mean LOS in days for group 1 was 2.31 (lap = 2.11, open = 2.82), vs 6.32 for group 2 (lap = 4.38, open = 7.52) (p < 0.0001), vs 4.08 for group 3 (lap = 3.38, open = 5.06) (p < 0.0001). There were 2 ileus cases in group 1 (5.3%), 7 in group 2 (20.6%), and 5 in group 3 (13.9%).

Conclusions:

A novel ERP, using long-acting local anesthesia with liposomal bupivacaine and pharmacologic intervention, proved feasible and effective in reducing PPO, ileus and LOS in elective colectomy cases.

Highlights:
The fragility of an independent judiciary: Lessons from Hungary and Poland—and the European Union
Authors: Kovács Kriszta , Scheppele Kim Lane
Published: August 2018

When the European Union was founded, it was assumed that all Member States admitted as consolidated democracies would maintain their constitutional commitments. In recent years, Hungary and Poland have challenged this premise as elected autocratic governments in those countries have captured independent institutions and threatened long-term democracy. The judiciaries of these countries have been hard hit. In this paper, we trace what has happened to the judiciaries in Hungary and Poland, showing how first the constitutional courts and then the ordinary judiciary have been brought under the control of political forces so that there is no longer a separation of law and politics.We also explore why the European Union has so far not been able to stop this process. In the end, the European judiciary, particularly the Court of Justice, is attempting a rescue of national judiciaries, but the results are so far unclear.