bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overcoming Challenges of Incorporating Higher Tier Data in Ecological Risk Assessments and Risk Management of Pesticides in the United States: Findings and Recommendations from the 2017 Workshop on Regulation and Innovation in Agriculture
Authors: Levine Steven L , Giddings Jeffrey , Valenti Theodore , Cobb George P , Carley Danesha Seth , McConnell Laura L
Published: May 2019

Pesticide regulation requires regulatory authorities to assess the potential ecological risk of pesticides submitted for registration, and most risk assessment schemes use a tiered testing and assessment approach. Standardized ecotoxicity tests, environmental fate studies, and exposure models are used at lower tiers and follow well-defined methods for assessing risk. If a lower tier assessment indicates that the pesticide may pose an ecological risk, higher tier studies using more environmentally realistic conditions or assumptions can be performed to refine the risk assessment and inform risk management options. However, there is limited guidance in the United States on options to refine an assessment and how the data will be incorporated into the risk assessment and risk management processes. To overcome challenges to incorporation of higher tier data into ecological risk assessments and risk management of pesticides, a workshop was held in Raleigh, North Carolina. Attendees included representatives from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, universities, commodity groups, consultants, nonprofit organizations, and the crop protection industry. Key recommendations emphasized the need for 1) more effective, timely, open communication among registrants, risk assessors, and risk managers earlier in the registration process to identify specific protection goals, address areas of potential concern where higher tier studies or assessments may be required, and if a higher tier study is necessary that there is agreement on study design; 2) minimizing the complexity of study designs while retaining high value to the risk assessment and risk management process; 3) greater transparency regarding critical factors utilized in risk management decisions with clearly defined protection goals that are operational; and 4) retrospective analyses of success–failure learnings on the acceptability of higher tier studies to help inform registrants on how to improve the application of such studies to risk assessments and the risk management process. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:714–725. © 2019 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Retracted: PRC1 gene silencing inhibits proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells through the inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Liao Yu‐Jun , Yin Xiao‐Long , Deng Yan , Peng Xiao‐Wei
Published: May 2019

Retinoblastoma is an ocular malignancy occurring in childhood. The current study evaluates the ability of silenced PRC1 on retinoblastoma cell proliferation, and angiogenesis via the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. A total of 36 cases of retinoblastoma tissues (n = 36) and normal retinal tissues (n = 10) were selected in the current study. Retinoblastoma cells presenting with the high PRC1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were selected among the WERI‐Rb‐1, HXO‐RB44, Y79, SO‐Rb50, and SO‐Rb70 cells lines, and were transfected with siRNA‐PRC1 and LiCl (the activator of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway). The expressions of PRC1, VEGF, Wnt1, β‐catenin, CyclinD1, extent of β‐catenin, and GSK‐3β phosphorylation were evaluated. Cell proliferation, cell‐cycle distribution, and cell invasion of retinoblastoma cells were evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. The angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells was detected by tube formation assay. HXO‐RB44 and WERI‐Rb‐1 cells were selected owing to the highest PRC1 mRNA expression. Meanwhile, PRC2 gene silencing presented lower expression levels of PRC1, VEGF, Wnt1, β‐catenin, CyclinD1, extent of β‐catenin and GSK‐3β phosphorylation, decreased proliferation and invasion abilities, extended G0/G1 phase, and shortened S and G2/M phases of HXO‐RB44 and WERI‐Rb‐1 cells, suggesting the silenced PRC2 inactivated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, so as to further restrain the retinoblastoma cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis. These results support the view that PRC1 gene silencing could suppress the proliferation, and angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells by repressing the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.
Recombinant human growth hormone treatment of mice suppresses inflammation and apoptosis caused by skin flap ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Liu Ben , Xu Qingjia , Wang Juntao , Lin Junhao , Pei Yantao , Cui Yidong , Wang Gang , Zhu Lei
Published: May 2019

Background

This study was to investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGh) on ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury of mouse flaps.

Methods

Healthy mice were randomly divided into four groups as follows: sham group, the IR group, the sham+rhGH group and the IR+rhGH group, with 12 mice in each group. Skin pathology was tested by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The flap survival of each group was measured after 7 days. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using corresponding kit. The levels of interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in serum and flap were respectively measured by performing enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real‐time (qRT)‐PCR. The expressions of cleaved caspase‐3, B cell lymphoma/leukemia‐2 (Bcl‐2), Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), MnSOD, toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), and galectin‐3 and (p)‐p65 were analyzed by RT‐PCR or/and Western blot.

Results

Prophylactic systemic application of recombinant human GH reduced the pathological damage of skin IR and significantly improved the flap survival of IR in mice, accompanied by elevation of VEGF. After administration of recombinant human GH, the activity of SOD/MnSOD in the flap was significantly increased, while the content of MDA was decreased. Cleaved caspase‐3 and Bax were downregulated and Bcl‐2 was upregulated in IR+rhGH group, compared to IR group. The levels of TLR4, Galectin‐3 and p‐p65 were decreased by rhGH.

Conclusion

rhGH had protective effects on flap IR injury, and can be used as a drug intervention target for the treatment of skin flap IR injury.
Biosynthesis of Fe3O4‐magnetic nanoparticles using clover leaf aqueous extract: Green synthesis of 1,3‐benzoxazole derivatives
Authors: Shafaei Faezeh , Babaei Seyyed Ebrahim , Shahvelayati Ashraf Sadat , Honarmand Janatabadi Fatemeh
Published: May 2019

In this research, magnetic Fe3O4‐NP nanoparticles were synthesized employing a green biosynthetic procedure by reduction of ferric chloride solution with clover leaf water extract. The nanoparticles prepared via this biosynthesis method can potentially be valuable for different purposes such as organic synthesis. In this research, 1,3‐benzoxazole derivatives were generated via a multicomponent reaction of α‐bromo ketones, isothiocyanate, and propiolate in the presence of a catalytic amount of bio‐Fe3O4 MNPs and sodium hydride in water at 50°C in good yields. The catalyst was reused five times with a minor decrease in its catalytic activity.
Microbial‐induced synthesis of mineralization products based on the capture of carbon dioxide: Characteristics, reaction kinetics, interfacial adhesion properties, and mechanism of action
Authors: Yi Haihe , Zhan Qiwei , Qian Chunxiang
Published: May 2019

As a new type of green environment‐friendly cementitious material, microbial‐induced mineralization products have garnered more and more attention. In this paper, the synthesis of mineralization products under microbial inducement was conducted. The composition and microstructure of mineralization products were studied using energy‐dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results showed that mineralization products were calcite, while the shape was similar to globular type, and particle size was about 5 μm. The effect of microbial culture solution, secretion solution, and concentration on the conductivity of the solution was compared and analyzed. During the formation of mineralization products, bacterial bodies not only played the role of nucleation sites but also accelerated the deposition of mineralization products. Thus, it could be seen that the bacterial bodies had a certain influence on the reaction kinetics. The adhesion force of mineralization products was evaluated by the interfacial adhesion properties between the mineralization products and glass slides. The results of the sonication test and scratch test indicated that the interfacial adhesion strength between mineralization products and glass slides was closely related to the mass of mineralization products deposited. The larger the mass of mineralization products deposited, the greater the interfacial adhesion strength. Based on the above research and analysis, the reaction process and mechanism model of microbial‐induced mineralization were defined.
Orthogonal factor‐pair Latin squares of prime‐power order
Authors: Hammer James , Lorch John
Published: May 2019

We introduce a linear method for constructing factor‐pair Latin squares of prime‐power order and we identify criteria for determining whether two factor‐pair Latin squares constructed using this linear method are orthogonal. Then we show that families of pairwise mutually orthogonal diagonal factor‐pair Latin squares exist in all prime‐power orders.
Toll‐like receptors: A pathway alluding to cancer control
Authors: Ayala‐Cuellar Ana Patricia , Cho Jaejin , Choi Kyung‐Chul
Published: May 2019

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are usually expressed on immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, as well as on eosinophils and some epithelial cells. They play a central role in the recognition of harmful molecules that belong to invading microorganisms or internal damaged tissues, which lead to inflammation. Among the hallmarks of cancer, there is immune evasion and inflammation. Summing this with the discovery that a majority of cancers also seem to express TLRs, made researchers realize these receptors might also be linked with cancer progression. This review will cover some of the effects of TLR engagement in cancer cells that might induce the promotion or inhibition of cancer with mechanisms involved. The differences of TLR expression in cancer progression and its possible relation with patient prognosis, TLR genetic disorders found in cancer, and new strategies to cancer therapy will be discussed to target TLRs in cancer cells.
TNF‐α‐induced exosomal miR‐146a mediates mesenchymal stem cell‐dependent suppression of urethral stricture
Authors: Liang Ying‐Chun , Wu Yu‐Peng , Li Xiao‐Dong , Chen Shao‐Hao , Ye Xiao‐Jian , Xue Xue‐Yi , Xu Ning
Published: May 2019

The effective treatment of urethral stricture remains a medical problem. The use of proinflammatory cytokines as stimuli to improve the reparative efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards damaged tissues represents an evolving field of investigation. However, the therapeutic benefits of this strategy in the treatment of urethral stricture remain unknown. Here, we enriched exosomes derived from human umbilical cord‐derived MSCs pretreated with or without tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) to evaluate their therapeutic effects in an in vivo model of TGFβ1‐induced urethral stricture. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats received sham (saline) or TGFβ1 injections to urethral tissues followed by incisions in the urethra. Animals in the TGFβ1 injection (urethral fibrosis) cohort were subsequently injected with vehicle control, or with exosomes derived from MSCs cultured with or without TNF‐α. After 4 weeks, rats underwent ultrasound evaluation and, following euthanasia, urethral tissues were harvested for histological and molecular analysis. In vitro, the effects of MSC‐derived exosomes on fibroblast secretion of collagen and cytokines were studied by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and western blot analysis. Exosomes derived from MSCs pretreated with TNF‐α were more effective in suppressing urethral fibrosis and stricture than exosomes from untreated MSCs. We found that miR‐146a, an anti‐inflammatory miRNA, was strongly upregulated in TNF‐α‐stimulated MSCs and was selectively packaged into exosomes. Moreover, miR‐146a‐containing exosomes were taken up by fibroblasts and inhibited fibroblast activation and associated inflammatory responses, a finding that may underlie the therapeutic mechanism for suppression of urethral stricture. Inhibition of miR‐146a in TNF‐α‐treated MSCs partially reduced antifibrotic effects and increased the release of proinflammatory factors of exosomes derived from these cells. Together these findings demonstrate that exosomes derived from TNF‐α‐treated MSCs are of therapeutic benefit in urethral fibrosis, suggesting that this strategy may have utility as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of urethral stricture diseases.
An Evaluation of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Speech/Language Variant
Authors: Whitwell Jennifer L. , Stevens Chase A. , Duffy Joseph R. , Clark Heather M. , Machulda Mary M. , Strand Edythe A. , Martin Peter R. , Utianski Rene L. , Botha Hugo , Spychalla Anthony J. , Senjem Matthew L. , Schwarz Christopher G. , Jack Clifford R. , Ali Farwa , Hassan Anhar , Josephs Keith A.
Published: May 2019

Background

The Movement Disorder Society clinical criteria for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) provide a framework for assessing the presence/severity of clinical symptoms and define a speech/language variant of PSP.

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical criteria in a cohort of speech/language patients with longitudinal follow‐up.

Methods

A total of 52 patients presenting with progressive apraxia of speech and/or agrammatic aphasia were followed longitudinally for up to 6 visits with clinical assessments and magnetic resonance imaging. We assessed oculomotor, postural instability, and akinesia diagnostic levels and determined whether patients met criteria for possible PSP‐speech/language or probable PSP at each visit. Kaplan‐Meier curves assessed time‐to‐event probabilities according to age. Statistical parametric mapping and midbrain volume were assessed according to disease progression.

Results

Few PSP symptoms were observed early in the disease, with oculomotor abnormalities and falls first observed 2 years after onset. Falls were more common than vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. Bradykinesia and rigidity commonly developed but axial was rarely greater than appendicular rigidity. During follow‐up, 54% met criteria for possible PSP‐speech/language, 38% for probable PSP‐Richardson's syndrome, and 38% for probable PSP‐parkinsonism, most commonly 6 to 6.9 years after onset. The probability of developing PSP was greater when onset was at an age older than 70 years. Patients who progressed to probable PSP had more parkinsonism and oculomotor impairment at baseline and greater midbrain atrophy when compared with those who did not develop probable PSP.

Conclusions

Symptoms typical of PSP commonly develop in patients presenting with a progressive speech/language disorder. Older age appears to be an important prognostic factor in these patients.
Influence of common SCN1A promoter variants on the severity of SCN1A‐related phenotypes
Authors: de Lange Iris M. , Weuring Wout , van ‘t Slot Ruben , Gunning Boudewijn , Sonsma Anja C. M. , McCormack Mark , de Kovel Carolien , van Gemert Lisette J. J. M. , Mulder Flip , van Kempen Marjan J. A. , Knoers Nine V. A. M. , Brilstra Eva H. , Koeleman Bobby P. C.
Published: May 2019

Background

Pathogenic variants in SCN1A cause variable epilepsy disorders with different disease severities. We here investigate whether common variation in the promoter region of the unaffected SCN1A allele could reduce normal expression, leading to a decreased residual function of Nav1.1, and therefore to more severe clinical outcomes in patients affected by pathogenic SCN1A variants.

Methods

Five different SCN1A promoter‐haplotypes were functionally assessed in SH‐SY5Y cells using Firefly and Renilla luciferase assays. The SCN1A promoter region was analyzed in a cohort of 143 participants with SCN1A pathogenic variants. Differences in clinical features and outcomes between participants with and without common variants in the SCN1A promoter‐region of their unaffected allele were investigated.

Results

All non‐wildtype haplotypes showed a significant reduction in luciferase expression, compared to the wildtype promoter‐region (65%–80%, p = 0.039–0.0023). No statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes were observed between patients with and without common promoter variants. However, patients with a wildtype promoter‐haplotype on their unaffected SCN1A allele showed a nonsignificant trend for milder phenotypes.

Conclusion

The nonsignificant observed trends in our study warrant replication studies in larger cohorts to explore the potential modifying role of these common SCN1A promoter‐haplotypes.
Circular RNA expression profiles and bioinformatics analysis in ovarian endometriosis
Authors: Wang Dandan , Luo Yajuan , Wang Guangwei , Yang Qing
Published: May 2019

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) with miRNA response elements (MREs) could function as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in regulating gene expression, thus playing vital roles in pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. However, the function of circRNAs in endometriosis remains unknown. This study was carried to profile the expression patterns of circRNAs in ovarian endometriosis.

Methods

High throughput RNA‐Seq was performed in six paired ectopic and eutopic endometrium tissues (ecEM vs. euEM), followed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) in 30 paired samples. Through bioinformatics prediction, we constructed a circRNA‐miRNA ‐mRNA network and elucidated circRNAs functions by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses.

Results

A total of 146 upregulated and 148 downregulated circRNAs were identified, binding with 2,495 MREs. The qRT‐PCR validation results of four upregulated circRNAs matched the RNA‐Seq data. The ceRNA network included 48 miRNAs and 296 mRNAs. Functional analysis revealed several important pathways such as MAPK signaling pathway, and PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway, which might be associated with the pathogenesis and development of endometriosis.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that circRNAs are differentially expressed in endometriosis, which might be candidate factors for pathogenesis of this disease and be considered as promising therapeutic targets in the future.
Dietary Cocoa Prevents Aortic Remodeling and Vascular Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Álvarez‐Cilleros David , López‐Oliva Maria Elvira , Morales‐Cano Daniel , Barreira Bianca , Pérez‐Vizcaíno Francisco , Goya Luis , Ramos Sonia , Martín María Ángeles
Published: May 2019

Scope

The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential protective effect of a cocoa‐rich diet on functional and structural vascular alterations in diabetes and the mechanism involved.

Methods and results

Male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats are fed on a standard (ZDF‐C) or cocoa‐rich diet (ZDF‐Co) from week 10 to 20 of life. Diabetic ZDF‐C rats showed increased blood pressure and enhanced aortic stiffness, as demonstrated by the increased pulse pressure and the augmented aortic medial thickness with loss and disruption of elastic fibres. Interestingly, cocoa intake strongly avoided all these adverse effects and reduced aortic oxidative stress. Mechanistically, cocoa diet prevented sirtuin‐1 (SIRT‐1) depletion and increased NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and reactive oxygen species production as well as reduced active nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and their antioxidant products.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate for the first time that a cocoa‐rich diet strongly prevents aortic stiffening and remodeling in diabetic animals and avoids aortic oxidative stress. It is suggested that this effect could be mediated via its effects on SIRT‐1, NOXs, and Nrf2.
Improper study design precludes valid effect estimates in important suicide prevention research
Authors: Thorell Lars‐Håkan , Wahlin Karl , Ranstam Jonas
Published: May 2019

The observational study design for estimating accuracy of diagnostic tests for suicide risk in clinical work is not ideal, due to the effects of directed suicide prevention to the high‐risk group. This is an example of the confounding by indication and protopathic bias, which lead to misinterpretation of the accuracy terms sensitivity and specificity. The simple arithmetic mechanism presented here, forces the conclusion that the accuracy estimates sensitivity and specificity, applied in open prospective trials of surmised diagnostic tests for suicide risk, cannot be normally interpreted as accuracy estimators. Further, the related concept “prediction of suicide” is shown to be fundamentally illogical and should not be used in the present context. All these statements reveal a far‐reaching problem within the suicide prevention research: Conclusions regarding the usefulness of diagnostic tests of suicide risk in the vast previous research since decades deserve reinterpretation. Diagnostic tests per se, can possess highly qualitative properties in estimating important suicidological aspects regarding a patient, but, when studied in an open design study, it cannot be demonstrated. This problem concerns rating scales and any biological and psychological tests in medicine, when confounding factors, for example, suicide prevention, influence the outcome because of the test result per se.
Postpositivist critical multiplism: Its value for nursing research
Authors: Tanlaka Eric F. , Ewashen Carol , King‐Shier Kathryn
Published: May 2019

Aim

Following persistent criticisms of logical positivism, postpositivism emerged as a philosophy of science for developing nursing knowledge. Here, we offer a discussion of postpositivist critical multiplism and its value to nursing research.

Design

Discussion paper.

Methods

We searched relevant literature published between 1978–2018, indexed in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed or PsychINFO. Findings are discussed in the context of stroke nursing research.

Results

Postpositivist critical multiplism acknowledges the importance of human influence on knowledge development and enables nurse researchers to use multiple approaches to address complex human phenomena. In doing so, the unique perspectives of stakeholder groups including patients, family members, knowledge users can be respected. There are certain steps that can be used by critical multiplist investigators to approach stroke nursing research. Using these steps and the critical multiplist approach may minimize preconceptions or biases associated with using one research method over another and maximize confidence in resultant research knowledge.
Artificial intelligence in digital pathology: a roadmap to routine use in clinical practice
Authors: Colling Richard , Pitman Helen , Oien Karin , Rajpoot Nasir , Macklin Philip ,   CM‐Path AI in Histopathology Working Group, Snead David , Sackville Tony , Verrill Clare
Published: May 2019

The use of artificial intelligence will transform clinical practice over the next decade and the early impact of this will likely be the integration of image analysis and machine learning into routine histopathology. In the UK and around the world, a digital revolution is transforming the reporting practice of diagnostic histopathology and this has sparked a proliferation of image analysis software tools. While this is an exciting development that could discover novel predictive clinical information and potentially address international pathology workforce shortages, there is a clear need for a robust and evidence‐based framework in which to develop these new tools in a collaborative manner that meets regulatory approval. With these issues in mind, the NCRI Cellular Molecular Pathology (CM‐Path) initiative and the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA) have set out a roadmap to help academia, industry, and clinicians develop new software tools to the point of approved clinical use. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Norm status, rather than norm type or blameworthiness, results in the side‐effect effect
Authors: Lin Zhumei , Yu Jing , Zhu Liqi
Published: May 2019

This study aimed to determine whether the “side‐effect effect” existed for both moral and conventional norms in a group of Chinese college students, and whether the norm type (moral or conventional) or the norm status (violating or conforming) resulted in this effect. The experiment used a 2 × 2 between‐subjects design with Norm Type and Norm Status as between‐group factors and with the Blame/Praise Ratings and Intentionality Judgments as dependent variables. Results indicated that the side‐effect effect existed not only in situations involving moral norms, but also in those involving conventional norms. Norm Status was correlated with Intentionality Judgment in both situations involving moral and conventional norms, whereas Blame/Praise Rating was only correlated with the judgments in the moral situation. It turned out that the blame–praise asymmetry could not explain the phenomenon of the “Knobe effect.” Regression analysis showed that norm status, rather than norm type, had a unique predictive effect on people's intentionality judgments. These results support the normative‐reasons explanation, which proposes that foreseeing a harmful effect but not caring about it is the explanatory factor of the Knobe effect.
Tearing and reliability of photovoltaic module backsheets
Authors: Yuen Pak Yan , Moffitt Stephanie L. , Novoa Fernando D. , Schelhas Laura T. , Dauskardt Reinhold H.
Published: May 2019

The backsheet in photovoltaic modules belongs to an important class of layered materials where the tearing behavior of the individual layers does not necessarily represent the tearing behavior of the entire backsheet. Such characteristic arises from the interaction between the individual layers during the tearing process, where one layer of the backsheet is mechanically constrained by its neighboring layers and the layers may debond from each other. The mechanical constraint and debonding change the amount of energy dissipated during tearing and affect the overall tearing energy. In this work, we exposed a wide selection of backsheets with polymers including ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) to damp heat (85°C/85%RH) for up to 2000 hours. We report on the effect of damp heat on the tearing energy as a function of damp heat exposure. We developed a model that describes the tearing energy of a layered structure by accounting for the tearing of the individual layers in the backsheet, the effect of mechanical constraint, and the adhesive debonding between the layers. Additionally, we explore the relationship between the microstructural change in the polymers which resulted from the damp heat exposure and the mechanical properties using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), small and wide angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS), and tensile testing.
Guard cell photosynthesis is crucial in abscisic acid‐induced stomatal closure
Authors: Iwai Sumio , Ogata Sho , Yamada Naotaka , Onjo Michio , Sonoike Kintake , Shimazaki Ken‐ichiro
Published: May 2019

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are ubiquitous signaling molecules involved in diverse physiological processes, including stomatal closure. Photosynthetic electron transport (PET) is the main source of ROS generation in plants, but whether it functions in guard cell signaling remains unclear. Here, we assessed whether PET functions in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling in guard cells. ABA‐elicited ROS were localized to guard cell chloroplasts in Arabidopsis thaliana, Commelina benghalensis, and Vicia faba in the light and abolished by the PET inhibitors 3‐(3, 4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1, 1‐dimethylurea and 2, 5‐dibromo‐3‐methyl‐6‐isopropyl‐p‐benzoquinone. These inhibitors reduced ABA‐induced stomatal closure in all three species, as well as in the NADPH oxidase‐lacking mutant atrboh D/F. However, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor did not fully eliminate ABA‐induced ROS in the chloroplasts, and ABA‐induced ROS were still observed in the guard cell chloroplasts of atrboh D/F. This study demonstrates that ROS generated through PET act as signaling molecules in ABA‐induced stomatal closure and that this occurs in concert with ROS derived through NADPH oxidase.
On improved monitoring of linear profiles under modified successive sampling
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Mahmood Tahir , Abbas Nasir , Abbasi Saddam Akber
Published: May 2019

Control charts are often used for the monitoring of quality characteristics of interest. There may exist some other characteristics that are associated with the main quality characteristic. A model that quantifies the relationship between them is termed as a profile, for instance, the relation between charge and capacitance. The monitoring of the main variable that is linearly related with an associated explanatory variable is termed as simple linear profiles' monitoring. It is a common practice to use simple random sampling (SRS) for profile monitoring. This study intends to enhance profile monitoring by considering modified successive sampling (MSS) approach. The performance of the existing and the proposed schemes are evaluated using the well‐known metrics average run length. The comparative analysis revealed that the proposed structure outperforms the existing ones in terms of efficiency. A real application from electrical engineering is used to show the implementation of our proposal in practice.
Identification of new trace related impurities in adenosine products using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Shen Yeming , Zhai Peilu , Xi Pengxuan , Chen Chen , Mou Fangjing , Li Fuxin , Zhang Jianye
Published: May 2019

Rationale

Adenosine can induce various physiopathological effects and has been adopted as a drug to treat certain forms of supraventricular tachycardia. Adenosine is predominantly produced via fermentation that may generate many other bioactive compounds with similar structures at trace levels. Thus, it is necessary to identify these trace structurally related impurities. A new method using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (QTOF‐MS/MS) is proposed to separate complex components at trace amounts; to obtain accurate mass measurements providing the elemental composition of unknown compounds; and MS/MS spectra for elucidation of structures.

Methods

A UHPLC/QTOF‐MS method was developed to separate and detect trace related impurities with structures similar to adenosine in formation samples. MS and MS/MS spectra of the impurities detected in real samples were acquired and used to propose their structures. Available reference standards were used to confirm the identification of some of the impurities detected.

Results

Nine trace impurities of adenosine were separated and characterized. Of these nine, five were confirmed as 5'‐adenylic acid, hypoxanthine, inosine, adenine, and 2'‐deoxyadenosine by comparison with their available reference standards. The remaining four were proposed to be ADP‐ribose, two S‐epimers of 5'‐deoxy‐5'‐methylsulfinyl adenosine, and 3'‐α‐glucosyl adenosine based on their MS and MS/MS spectra, and available literature. Additionally, the MS/MS fingerprints of the monosaccharide glycosyl groups were discovered and discussed.

Conclusions

A UHPLC/QTOF‐MS method was established and used for the separation and characterization of nine trace related impurities of adenosine. Their structures were identified based on the MS and MS/MS spectra and retention times. In addition, the specific MS/MS fingerprints of the monosaccharide glycosyl moieties of the adenosine impurity analogs were summarized.
Temperature Dependence and Formation Mechanism of Surface Decarburization Behavior in 35CrMo Steel
Authors: Duan Xiaoni , Yu Hao , Lu Jun , Huang Zhang
Published: May 2019

Herein, the temperature dependence and formation mechanism of surface decarburization behavior are researched for 35CrMo steel in the temperature range of 710–950 °C. In view of the three transformation temperatures A1, A3, and TG (the A3 temperature for pure iron), the decarburized microstructural characteristics can be divided into four types: nondecarburization, complete decarburization, complete and partial decarburizations, and partial decarburization. The absolute thickness of the total decarburization layer is the sum of the thicknesses of oxide layer, complete decarburization layer, and partial decarburization layer, and it follows an exponential relationship with the temperature. The absolute thickness of complete decarburization layer, including the thicknesses of the oxide layer and the visible complete decarburization layer, decreases with increasing temperature. In the temperature range of A1–A3, the complete decarburization rate is primarily controlled by the austenitization degree and the diffusivity of carbon in ferrite and austenite, whereas in the temperature range of A3–TG, it can be jointly controlled by the decarburized incubation time in single‐phase austenite and the duration holding in the α + γ phase field.
The evolutionary and systematic significance of hybridization between taxa ofSpiranthes(Orchidaceae) in the California Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range
Authors: Pace Matthew C. , Cameron Kenneth M.
Published: May 2019

The morphologically overlapping and frequently syntopic species ofSpiranthes(Orchidaceae) found in the Sierra Nevada of California and Cascade Range of Oregon—S.porrifolia,S.romanzoffiana, andS.stellata—have long been a source of taxonomic confusion. Much of this confusion is attributed to hypothesized hybridization between species, and a lack of agreement concerning the distinctiveness ofS.stellatafromS.romanzoffiana. We used molecular phylogenetics incorporating low‐copy nuclear, nuclear ribosomal, and chloroplast DNA sources, in addition to morphological data, to clarify the evolutionary relationships of this complex. Our results indicate that contrary to long‐held hypotheses, hybridization betweenS.porrifoliaandS.romanzoffianaappears to be rare or absent. Furthermore, a realignment of taxon status is necessary forS.stellatasubsp.stellataandS.stellatasubsp.perexilis, with subsp.perexiliselevated to full non‐hybrid species rank asS. perexiliscomb. & stat. nov., and subsp.stellatachanged toS. ×stellata, indicating its likely recurrent allopolyploid origin between the sister speciesS.perexilisandS.romanzoffiana. We also describeS. ×sierraenothosp. nov., representing rare allopolyploid hybrids betweenS.perexilisandS.porrifolia, and provide the first pollinator records forS.perexilisandS. ×stellata.
Ground‐state energy of uranium diatomic quasimolecules with one and two electrons
Authors: Kotov Artem A. , Glazov Dmitry A. , Malyshev Aleksei V. , Vladimirova Anastasia V. , Shabaev Vladimir M. , Plunien Günter
Published: May 2019

Ground‐state energies of the one‐ and two‐electron uranium dimers are calculated for internuclear distances in the range D=40–1,000 fm and compared with the previous calculations. The generalization of the dual‐kinetic‐balance approach for axially symmetric systems is employed to solve the two‐center Dirac equation without the partial‐wave expansion for the potential of two nuclei. The one‐electron one‐loop QED contributions (self‐energy and vacuum polarization) to the ground‐state energy are evaluated using the monopole approximation for the two‐center potential. Interelectronic interaction of the first and second order is taken into account for the two‐electron quasimolecule. Within the QED approach, one‐photon‐exchange contribution is calculated in the two‐center potential, whereas the two‐photon‐exchange contribution is treated in the monopole approximation.
XI International Mycological Congress: report of Congress action on nomenclature proposals relating to fungi
Authors: May Tom W. , Redhead Scott A. , Lombard Lorenzo , Rossman Amy Y.
Published: May 2019

Procedures, appointments and outcomes of the Fungal Nomenclature Session (FNS) of the 11th International Mycological Congress (IMC11) are summarized, including the composition of the Fungal Nomenclature Bureau and the Nominating Committee of the IMC. Nearly 150 mycologists attended the FNS, at which formal proposals to amend Chapter F of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) were debated. The 18 proposals considered included 10 “from the floor”. Four proposals were withdrawn, two were sent to the Editorial Committee, five were sent to two Special-purpose Committees, four were rejected, and three were accepted (concerning: using the identifier in place of the author citation; mis-citation of identifiers; and indication of sanctioning). Proposals to amend Division III of the ICN were deemed out of scope of the FNS because they did not relate to Chapter F. The two Special-purpose Committees authorized were: “DNA Sequences as Types for Fungi” and “Names of Fungi with the Same Epithet”. Appointments made by the FNS included the Secretary of the Fungal Nomenclature Bureau for IMC12, and officers and members of the Permanent Nomenclature Committee for Fungi. Decisions and appointments of the FNS were ratified in a resolution accepted by the plenary session of the Congress.
Proposals for consideration at IMC11 to modify provisions related solely to fungi in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants
Authors: Parra Luis A. , Zamora Juan C. , Hawksworth David L. , Hibbett David S. , Kirk Paul M. , Lücking Robert , Rambold Gerhard , Bensch Konstanze , Yao Yi-Jian , Robert Vincent , Triebel Dagmar
Published: May 2019

Seven proposals to modify the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) at the 11th International Mycological Congress (IMC11) in July 2018 had been received by the proscribed date of 1 March 2018. These proposals are formally presented together here. The topics addressed relate to the clarification of the meaning of “original material” in relation to the typification of sanctioned names, the indication of the nomenclatural status of sanctioned names in author citations, the use of DNA sequences as nomenclatural types, and the possibility of including repository identifiers as an alternative to author citations. A synopsis of the proposals will be provided during April, and the mycological community will be invited to provide a guiding vote up to 10 June 2018. Final decisions on these proposals are to be made following debate at the Fungal Nomenclature Session of IMC11.
Two-loop master integrals for the mixed QCD-electroweak corrections for H → $$ b\overline{b} $$ through a $$ Ht\overline{t} $$-coupling
Authors: Chaubey Ekta , Weinzierl Stefan
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We present the two-loop master integrals relevant to the$$ \mathcal{O} $$O(ααs)-corrections to the decayH→$$ b\overline{b} $$bb¯through a$$ Ht\overline{t} $$Htt¯-coupling. We keep the full dependence on the heavy particle masses, but neglect theb-quark mass. The occurring square roots can be rationalised and the result is expressed in terms of multiple polylogarithms.
The spinful large charge sector of non-relativistic CFTs: from phonons to vortex crystals
Authors: Kravec S. M. , Pal Sridip
Published: May 2019

Abstract

We study operators in Schrödinger invariant field theories (non-relativistic conformal field theories or NRCFTs) with large charge (particle number) and spin. Via the state-operator correspondence for NRCFTs, such operators correspond to states of a superfluid in a harmonic trap with phonons or vortices. Using the effective field theory of the Goldstone mode, we compute the dimensions of operators to leading order in the angular momentumLand chargeQ. We find a diverse set of scaling behaviors for NRCFTs in bothd= 2 andd= 3 spatial dimensions. These results apply to theories with a superfluid phase, such as unitary fermions or critical anyon systems.
A PROOF OF ANDREWS’ CONJECTURE ON PARTITIONS WITH NO SHORT SEQUENCES
Authors: KANE DANIEL M. , RHOADES ROBERT C.
Published: May 2019

Our main result establishes Andrews’ conjecture for the asymptotic of the generating function for the number of integer partitions of$n$without$k$consecutive parts. The methods we develop are applicable in obtaining asymptotics for stochastic processes that avoid patterns; as a result they yield asymptotics for the number of partitions that avoid patterns.

Holroyd, Liggett, and Romik, in connection with certain bootstrap percolation models, introduced the study of partitions without$k$consecutive parts. Andrews showed that when$k=2$, the generating function for these partitions is a mixed-mock modular form and, thus, has modularity properties which can be utilized in the study of this generating function. For$k>2$, the asymptotic properties of the generating functions have proved more difficult to obtain. Using$q$-series identities and the$k=2$case as evidence, Andrews stated a conjecture for the asymptotic behavior. Extensive computational evidence for the conjecture in the case$k=3$was given by Zagier.

This paper improved upon early approaches to this problem by identifying and overcoming two sources of error. Since the writing of this paper, a more precise asymptotic result was established by Bringmann, Kane, Parry, and Rhoades. That approach uses very different methods.
Stability of lubricated viscous gravity currents. Part 1. Internal and frontal analyses and stabilisation by horizontal shear
Authors: Kowal Katarzyna N. , Worster M. Grae
Published: May 2019

A novel viscous fingering instability, involving a less viscous fluid intruding underneath a current of more viscous fluid, was recently observed in the experiments of Kowal & Worster (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 766, 2015, pp. 626–655). We examine the origin of the instability by asking whether the instability is an internal instability, arising from internal dynamics, or a frontal instability, arising from viscous intrusion. We find it is the latter and characterise the instability criterion in terms of viscosity difference or, equivalently, the jump in hydrostatic pressure gradient at the intrusion front. The mechanism of this instability is similar to, but contrasts with, the Saffman–Taylor instability, which occurs as a result of a jump in dynamic pressure gradient across the intrusion front. We focus on the limit in which the two viscous fluids are of equal density, in which a frontal singularity, arising at the intrusion, or lubrication, front, becomes a jump discontinuity, and perform a local analysis in an inner region near the lubrication front, which we match asymptotically to the far field. We also investigate the large-wavenumber stabilisation by transverse shear stresses in two dynamical regimes: a regime in which the wavelength of the perturbations is much smaller than the thickness of both layers of fluid, in which case the flow of the perturbations is resisted dominantly by horizontal shear stresses; and an intermediate regime, in which both vertical and horizontal shear stresses are important.
A Note on Dropping Experimental Subjects who Fail a Manipulation Check
Authors: Aronow Peter M. , Baron Jonathon , Pinson Lauren
Published: May 2019

Dropping subjects based on the results of a manipulation check following treatment assignment is common practice across the social sciences, presumably to restrict estimates to a subpopulation of subjects who understand the experimental prompt. We show that this practice can lead to serious bias and argue for a focus on what is revealed without discarding subjects. Generalizing results developed in Zhang and Rubin (2003) and Lee (2009) to the case of multiple treatments, we provide sharp bounds for potential outcomes among those who would pass a manipulation check regardless of treatment assignment. These bounds may have large or infinite width, implying that this inferential target is often out of reach. As an application, we replicate Press, Sagan, and Valentino (2013) with a design that does not drop subjects that failed the manipulation check and show that the findings are likely stronger than originally reported. We conclude with suggestions for practice, namely alterations to the experimental design.
The Flow in S-shaped Ducts
Authors: Bansod P , Bradshaw P
Published: May 2019

Measurements are presented of total pressure, static pressure, surface shear stress and yaw angle in the flow through several S-shaped ducts, each with a thin turbulent boundary layer at entry. The results show that the region of low total pressure in the exit plane, found by previous workers, is due to expulsion of boundary-layer fluid by a pair of contra-totating vortices in the boundary layer. The generation of these vortices is explained: similarly-produced vortices, with similar effects, occur in some types of wind-tunnel contraction and possibly in other three-dimensional flows.
Mean Flow and Pressure in a Straight Suction Duct with Deflected Inflow
Authors: Burrows F M
Published: May 2019

The momentum analysis of the mean flow of an incompressible fluid in a straight suction duct with porous walls dealt with in a previous paper is extended to account for deflection of the inflow towards a direction parallel with the axis of the duct. Ducts with a continuous distribution of porosity and ducts with a relatively small number of rather large ports are considered and the results are applicable to regions where the velocity and pressure can be assumed to be distributed uniformly across planes normal to the mean flow inside them. Some measurements made with a one-quarter full-size scale model of the straight and more or less regularly obstructed suction duct used in the boundary layer control system of a high-lift research aircraft show that at least part of the theory permits a reasonable prediction of pressures.
The Pressure on Flat and Anhedral Delta Wings with Attached Shock Waves
Authors: Pike J
Published: May 2019

An expression is derived which relates the pressure on a wing in a supersonic free stream to the pressure on a thin wing with the same surface shape. The expression is used to find the pressure distribution for caret wings and flat delta wings with attached flow at their leading edges. The compression surface pressure distributions found are in good agreement with existing experimental and theoretical results, except when large pressure changes occur in the flow behind the attached shock wave. Some expansion surface results are also obtained for wings with an isentropic expansion at the leading edge. The effects of flow and geometry changes on the pressure distribution are investigated. It is found that a small improvement in the lift/drag ratio of a caret wing can be obtained by halving the anhedral required for the plane shock wave condition.
Finite Amplitude Waves on Aircraft Trailing Vortices
Authors: Moore D W
Published: May 2019

Numerical methods are used to study the growth of waves of finite amplitude on a pair of parallel infinite vortices. The vortices are treated as lines except in so far as the detailed structure of the core is needed to remove consistently the singularity in the line integrals for the velocities of the vortices. It is shown that the vortices eventually touch and the shape of the wave at this instant is calculated. The wave is quite distorted at this instant, but it is shown that its gross properties are given roughly by linear theory.