bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of microsatellites in Aconitum reclinatum (Ranunculaceae), a rare species endemic to North America
Authors: Zhou Juan , Liu Wanzhen , Kong Hanghui , Gong Wei
Published: June 2018

Premise of the Study

Aconitum reclinatum is the only representative species of Aconitum subg. Lycoctonum in North America, with restricted ranges and endangered populations. Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for A. reclinatum for further investigation of genetic diversity and population structure.

Methods and Results

Using Illumina HiSeq technology, we sequenced a genomic library for identification of simple sequence repeat markers. A total of 12 polymorphic primer pairs were developed and tested on 66 individuals from four populations in North America. The number of alleles ranged from one to seven per locus with an average of 3.48. Levels of observed and expected heterozygosity varied from 0 to 1.000 and 0 to 0.736, respectively, at population level. Three primer pairs were successfully amplified in three of four closely related species.

Conclusions

The microsatellites isolated in this study will be useful in further research on the genetic diversity and conservation genetics of A. reclinatum populations in North America.
Learning and teaching engineering design through modeling and simulation on a CAD platform
Authors: Xie Charles , Schimpf Corey , Chao Jie , Nourian Saeid , Massicotte Joyce
Published: June 2018

This paper provides a theoretical perspective of how modeling and simulation on a CAD platform can be used to teach science concepts and inform design decisions. The paper discusses the educational implications of three recent advancements in CAD technologies: system integration, machine learning, and computational design. The challenges to design energy‐efficient buildings that harness solar energy are used as the engineering examples to illustrate the learning and teaching opportunities created by the modeling, simulation, and data mining capabilities of the Energy3D software, which is a CAD tool developed from scratch along the directions of the three advancements to support engineering research and education. Preliminary results from students in a physics classroom and an online course shed light on the effects of these features on guiding student to design cost‐effective rooftop solar power systems for their own home buildings.
Open source application for mobility measurements on violins
Authors: Torres Jesús A.
Published: June 2018

A spectrum analyzer, called AnELyzer, was developed in Scilab for teaching and researching about acoustics of the violin. Unlike other free analyzers, AnELyzer has the capability of dual‐channel analysis and it is cross‐platform. AnELyzer can safely substitute a commercial device because results calculated in both cases were almost the same.
European Robotics Week to introduce robotics and promote engineering
Authors: Plaza Pedro , Sancristobal Elio , Carro German , Garcia‐Loro Felix , Blazquez Manuel , Castro Manuel
Published: June 2018

We present an activity framed within the European Robotics Week event. Robotics and computational practice are ideal tools for developing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pedagogy. A modular and adaptive hands‐on workshop is described in detail. The workshop is based on multiplatform educational robotics content as a first step into the robotics world. Three educational tools are used to introduce examples of robotics applications. The operational details, materials, and examples of activities for selected modules are presented with the expectation that all teachers can adapt these activities to their classes. Despite the small number of students, the experience delivered results that might be useful for other instructors to promote workshops with similar or identical content to generate further benefits. This study demonstrates that it is important to combine theory and practice and include fun tasks that intertwine the challenges of applying theory to problem solving. Furthermore, the results show how the same content can be deployed using three different robotics education tools.
AIM‐Mobile Learning Platform to enhance the teaching‐learning process using smartphones
Authors: Merayo Noemí , Ruíz Inés , Debrán Jorge , Aguado Juan C. , de Miguel Ignacio , Durán Ramón J. , Fernández Patricia , Lorenzo Rubén M. , Abril Evaristo J.
Published: June 2018

We developed the responsive environment AIM‐Mobile Learning Platform, which permits to assess students using smartphones and to design online educational packets. We carried out a qualitative and quantitative study in Higher Education subjects using the case study and the triangulation data methods. Results demonstrated that the environment promotes a dynamic learning‐teaching process inside class, increasing the motivation, participation, and attention of students and helping them to be more conscious of their self‐learning process.
Computer applications for education on industrial robotic systems
Authors: Fonseca Ferreira Nuno M. , Freitas Elisabete D. C.
Published: June 2018

The paper describes the use of computer applications on education for industrial robotic systems. Robotics evolved as a central issue in teaching for scientific and engineering courses and inherently encompasses a spectrum of sciences and technologies and qualification levels. However, most current teaching approaches, related to robotics, concentrate on individual aspects or small student groups and do not involve dangerous situations. With a mixed‐reality robotics teaching, a true interdisciplinary setup can be reached, this approach has been used in a robotics course at higher education, to prepare students for future activities in industry and also in research. This active learning experience approach in the field of Industrial Robotics was implemented in a Master degree on Electrical Engineering.
Exploring factors for effective use of online information in SPOC within the engineering education
Authors: Nejkovic Valentina , Tosic Milorad
Published: June 2018

Today's Small Private Online Course (SPOC) environments are mashing different services from public, private, or hybrid clouds, different equipment, different tools, platforms, and learning pedagogies. The aim of this paper is to provide designers, developers, and educators with insights for implementation and utilization of such complex and heterogeneous SPOC frameworks. Factors that impact effective use of online information of designed digital content for engineering courses and successfulness of such systems are examined using SPOC platform at university course. First outcome of this study is fact that learners have used and accepted SPOC platform positively, which is examined using questionnaire. Second, this study as a result identified following important drivers for SPOC platform successfulness: the high quality of information and useful learning contents, easy for use, and social presence support. These drivers lead to learners feel usefulness of the platform and to enjoy in using it. Study also shown that SPOC platform quality is strong related to learners’ perceptions with the system and perceived easy of use.
The effects of merging student emotion recognition with learning management systems on learners’ motivation and academic achievements
Authors: Bulut Özek Müzeyyen
Published: June 2018

Technology diverts engineering education into learning management system for distance education activities. Learning management system facilitates the management of education and training process, including instructor‐student, student‐student, and student‐content communication. Nevertheless, distance education has some disadvantages of not being able to establish active communication with students as in traditional education. This research offers a system which merges student emotion recognition with learning management system. This study aims to investigate the effects of merging student emotion recognition with learning management systems on learners’ motivation and academic achievements. In this research, the quasi‐experimental design adopted 103 engineering students who were divided into three groups: the control group (participates in face‐to‐face education), the experimental group I (uses a system that merges emotion recognition with learning management system), and the experimental group II (uses learning management system). As a result of the research, it was found that the academic achievement and motivation of the experimental group I was significantly better than performance of the experimental II and the control group.
LABVIRTUAL—A platform for the teaching of chemical engineering: The use of interactive videos
Authors: Granjo José F.O. , Rasteiro Maria G.
Published: June 2018

This article focus on the pedagogical tools in LABVIRTUAL (http://labvirtual.eq.uc.pt), a broad scope virtual platform intended to support the learning at the undergraduate level of Chemical Engineering courses, mainly in Portuguese‐speaking countries. The platform contains fundamentals, case studies, simulators, virtual laboratories, and, recently, interactive videos for the teaching of chemical processes. The significance and impact of LABVIRTUAL are illustrated with an interactive video regarding the characterization of nanoparticles by dynamic light scattering, developed for long‐distance learning and used in the discipline of Technology of Disperse Systems. Furthermore, two questionnaires were prepared to assess the students’ response to the interactive video and the use of LABVIRTUAL in general. The results show that the interactive video is effective to prepare the laboratory work and guide the students’ self‐regulated study, but needs to be complemented with other pedagogical methods to enhance the learning outcomes. LABVIRTUAL is generally viewed as a valuable learning tool by the students of Separation Processes and Project Design, 3rd and 5th year courses, respectively, of the Masters’ degree in Chemical Engineering of the University of Coimbra, due to the synergy of pedagogical tools that complement well the face‐to‐face classroom lectures. This fact also justifies the high number of monthly visits, including from companies that use the platform as a life‐long learning tool.
VRCDEA‐TCS: 3D virtual reality cooperative drawing educational application with textual chatting system
Authors: Darabkh Khalid A. , Alturk Farah H. , Sweidan Saadeh Z.
Published: June 2018

Virtual reality (VR) products have noticeably improved in terms of quality and price in the last few years which made them more popular than ever. A number of wearable VR glasses are commercially available like Google cardboard. Moreover, leap motion is a small sensor that is connected to a USB port of a personal computer (PC) and allows the user to draw three dimensional (3D) shapes by tracking the movements of hands and fingers. On the other hand, Unity is a game engine which can be used to build 3D Games and VR applications using Java or C# programming languages. In this work, we present a novel 3D Virtual Reality Cooperative Drawing Educational Application with Textual Chatting System (VRCDEA‐TCS), which is a drawing application (app) that allows engineering students to interact together via text messages in addition to the ability to draw 3D models either individually or cooperatively whereas each student is capable of working remotely in a common 3D drawing area with the options of adding or removing parts to the design. Interestingly, the proposed app uses Google cardboard and leap motion sensor to create a VR drawing area and works on both windows PCs and Android smart phones. To this end, the app has shown a reliable and solid performance after being used by a large number of students of the school of engineering at the University of Jordan in which their responses were very positive and encouraging toward the features and characteristics included in our work.
A novel teaching platform design with CAI for EM education
Authors: Liu Xianfeng , Sun Kai , Yang Deqiang , Pan Jin , Zhang Zhijun
Published: June 2018

Computers and multimedia technology can greatly facilitate the visualization of abstract concepts and intangible objects such as electromagnetic waves. An educational design platform is proposed to assist undergraduate students in understanding these waves. At present, most electromagnetics courses still use traditional teaching design ideas, from mathematics to reason, and spend much time on formula deduction. Educational design overturns this idea thoroughly to learn with problems and solve experiments related to uncertain concepts; this design will help undergraduate students learn the basic characters of electromagnetic waves intuitively and more easily. Through the experiment‐simulation method, students can experimentally sample data and process data real‐time using simulation software. In this way, students can grasp the physical meaning of abstract concepts more accurately through experiments; furthermore, computer simulations can show the relationships between parameters more intuitively. Thus, the original intention of teaching aided design is exactly reflected: “see knowledge and learn knowledge.”
ARHGAP42 promotes cell migration and invasion involving PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Hu Qian , Lin Xiao , Ding Linxiaoxiao , Zeng Yinduo , Pang Danmei , Ouyang Nengtai , Xiang Yanqun , Yao Herui
Published: June 2018

Rho GTPase‐activating protein 42 was identified as an inhibitor of RhoA to maintain normal blood pressure homeostasis. However, the effect of ARHGAP42 in promoting cell malignancy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is demonstrated in this study. Microarray and real‐time quantitative PCR were used for a mRNA profiling of ARHGAP42 in nasopharyngeal primary and metastatic carcinoma tissues. Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used for detecting the expression of ARHGAP42 protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and cell lines. The overexpression and silence experiments of ARHGAP42 were performed in NPC cell lines using siRNA and expressive plasmid for evaluating cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro. Real‐time quantitative PCR, western blot, and transwell test were employed for with the function of ARHGAP42 and its antisense lncRNA uc010rul. We confirmed the elevated expression of ARHGAP42 in metastatic NPC tissues of mRNA and protein for the first time. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that NPC patients with highly ARHGAP42 expression were significantly associated with shorter metastasis‐free survival. Knockdown of ARHGAP42 resulted in significant inhibition of nasopharyngeal cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro, and the overexpression of ARHGAP42 showed the opposite effects. In addition, the silence of uc010rul resulted in ARHGAP42 expression decrease and significant inhibition of nasopharyngeal cancer cell migration and invasion. High expression of ARHGAP42 is associated with poor metastasis‐free survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. ARHGAP42 promotes migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in vitro; the antisense lncRNA may be involved in this effect.
Mild phenotypes associated with an unbalanced X‐autosome translocation, 46,X,der(X)t(X;8)(q28;q13)
Authors: Watanabe Takafumi , Ishibashi Makiho , Suganuma Ryota , Ohara Miki , Soeda Shu , Komiya Hiromi , Fujimori Keiya
Published: June 2018

Key Clinical Message

Unbalanced X‐autosome translocation can result in various phenotypic manifestations. We present the first case of 46,X,der(X)t(X;8)(q28;q13) in a 34‐year‐old female with relatively mild manifestations, including congenital heart disease, epicanthal fold, mild intellectual disability, and menstrual irregularity. Our findings expand the known spectrum of unbalanced X‐autosome translocations, for improved clinical management.
An Ionic Liquid‐Surface Functionalized Polystyrene Spheres Hybrid Electrolyte for Rechargeable Zinc/Conductive Polymer Batteries
Authors: Liu Zhen , Prowald Alexandra , Höfft Oliver , Li Guozhu , Lahiri Abhishek , Endres Frank
Published: June 2018

A rechargeable zinc/poly(p‐phenylene) (PPP) battery has been fabricated using Zn metal as the anode and electrochemically synthesized PPP as the cathode, with ionic liquid (IL)‐surface functionalized polystyrene (PS) spheres as the electrolyte. The PS spheres were treated with oxygen‐plasma to introduce polar groups (e. g., carbonyl and carbonate) that interact with the components of the IL, enabling the fast movement of the Zn2+ ions upon polarization. The wettability, ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance are thus largely enhanced. The confinement of the IL electrolyte in the PS sphere framework allows the formation of porous and dendrite‐free zinc deposits upon charge/discharge cycling. The voltage profiles are largely improved. The Zn/PPP rechargeable battery exhibits long‐term cycling stability over at least 300 cycles with a Coulombic efficiency of more than 96 %.
Delaying Anticancer Drug Delivery by Self‐Assembly and Branching Effects of Minimalist Dendron–Drug Conjugates
Authors: Correard Florian , Roy Myriam , Terrasson Vincent , Braguer Diane , Estève Marie‐Anne , Gingras Marc
Published: June 2018

Self‐assembly of a covalently‐bound lipophilic drug to a dendronic scaffold for making organic nanoparticles is reported as a proof of concept in nanovectorization. A minimalist structural approach with a small PEG‐dendron conjugated to paclitaxel (PTX), incorporating safe succinic and gallic acids, is efficient to provide the expected anticancer bioactivity, but also significantly retards and targets intracellular delivery of PTX in 2D and 3D lung cancer cell cultures. A branching effect of dendrons is crucial, when compared to linear PTX conjugates. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light‐scattering (DLS) studies indicate the formation of stable, low‐disperse nanoparticles at 10−5 m in H20, which could also be responsible for the biological effects. An ultrasensitive LC‐MS/MS method was used for the determination of intracellular PTX concentration over time, along with the survival rates of cancer cells. Similarly, cell survival assays were successfully correlated to a 3D cell culture with spheroids for mimicking tumors, when treated with PTX conjugates. Our work opens the way to a full evaluation program required for new chemical entities.
Added‐Value Surfactants
Authors: Polarz Sebastian , Kunkel Marius , Donner Adrian , Schlötter Moritz
Published: June 2018

Surfactants are ubiquitous in cellular membranes, detergents or as emulsification agents. Due to their amphiphilic properties, they cannot only mediate between two domains of very different solvent compatibility like water and organic but also show fascinating self‐assembly features resulting in micelles, vesicles, or lyotropic liquid crystals. The current review article highlights some approaches towards the next generation surfactants, for example, those with catalytically active heads. Furthermore, it is shown that amphiphilic properties can be obtained beyond the classical hydrophobic–hydrophilic interplay, for instance with surfactants containing one molecular block with a special shape. Whereas, classical surfactants are static, researchers have become more interested in species that are able to change their properties depending on external triggers. The article discusses examples for surfactants sensitive to chemical (e.g., pH value) or physical triggers (temperature, electric and magnetic fields).
Synthesis of Benzannulated Medium‐ring Lactams via a Tandem Oxidative Dearomatization‐Ring Expansion Reaction
Authors: Guney Tezcan , Wenderski Todd A. , Boudreau Matthew W. , Tan Derek S.
Published: June 2018

Medium‐ring natural products exhibit diverse biological activities but such scaffolds are underrepresented in probe and drug discovery efforts due to the limitations of classical macrocyclization reactions. We report herein a tandem oxidative dearomatization‐ring‐expanding rearomatization (ODRE) reaction that generates benzannulated medium‐ring lactams directly from simple bicyclic substrates. The reaction accommodates diverse aryl substrates (haloarenes, aryl ethers, aryl amides, heterocycles) and strategic incorporation of a bridgehead alcohol generates a versatile ketone moiety in the products amenable to downstream modifications. Cheminformatic analysis indicates that these medium rings access regions of chemical space that overlap with related natural products and are distinct from synthetic drugs, setting the stage for their use in discovery screening against novel biological targets.
Slotted‐waveguide array radio frequency coil for ultra‐high‐field magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ilić Milan M. , Notaroš Branislav M.
Published: June 2018

A novel radio frequency (RF) coil for ultra‐high‐field MRI in the form of a slotted waveguide array (SWGA) filled with a low‐loss high‐permittivity dielectric is proposed, evaluated, and demonstrated. A comprehensive computational electromagnetics study, along with basic RF measurements, to characterize the SWGA RF coil at 7T is presented. Slotted waveguides are robust structures capable of handling high powers. They are inherently narrow‐band and have well defined linear polarization. When arranged in an array, they effectively generate high‐quality field with strong and extremely low and components. With added dielectric lenses, the observed transmit efficiencies exceed in the human head model phantom, which is much higher than all results reported in literature. Moreover, we show that the proposed exciter, as an array with well‐decoupled elements (measured isolation between elements is 33 dB or higher), can effectively be used for RF shimming. The novel coil generates RF magnetic field with excellent circular polarization, good uniformity, and negligible axial z‐component, and it provides arbitrarily large or small field of view and excellent transmit efficiency, with and without dielectric lenses. It features well‐defined narrowband operation, excellent isolation between ports/channels, and inherent possibilities for field optimizations via RF shimming and parallel imaging.
Child and maternal attachment predict school‐aged children’s psychobiological convergence
Authors: Sichko Stassja , Borelli Jessica L. , Smiley Patricia A. , Goldstein Alison , Rasmussen Hannah F.
Published: June 2018

Psychobiological convergence—the alignment of task‐related changes in children's self‐reported and physiological indices of reactivity—has recently emerged as a powerful correlate of children's attachment representations, but has not been explored for its association with children's self‐reported attachment, with parents’ attachment, or with respect to cardiovascular reactivity. The present study found that, within a diverse community sample of mothers and school‐aged children (N = 104, Mage = 10.31), the positive link between cardiovascular (respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]) and subjective reactivity to a stressor was only significant among children with high levels of security and children of mothers with low levels of attachment avoidance and anxiety. The convergence of children's subjective and physiological experience is discussed as a key developmental competence that may lay the groundwork for effective coping.
Maternal report of infant negative affect predicts attenuated brain response to own infant
Authors: Kuzava Sierra , Bernard Kristin
Published: June 2018

Parent–infant interaction is known to be influenced bidirectionally by parent and infant characteristics. However, it is unclear whether infant temperament affects parents’ neural responses to infant stimuli. 85 infants (6–12 months) were filmed in distress‐eliciting tasks, which were coded for infants’ negative affect. Mothers’ reported infant affect was obtained from the Infant Behavior Questionnaire Very Short Form‐Revised. Mothers’ EEG activity was recorded while passively viewing photos of own, familiarized, and unfamiliar infants. Multiple regression indicated that mothers who reported greater infant negative affect showed a smaller difference in the late positive potential (LPP) response to own infant versus familiarized infant, controlling for researcher‐coded infant negative affect. The findings suggest that parents’ perceptions of their infant's temperament, but not independent measures of infant temperament, are related to electrocortical indices of emotional attention.
Sexual cannibalism and population viability
Authors: Fisher Adam M. , Cornell Stephen J. , Holwell Gregory I. , Price Tom A. R.
Published: June 2018

Some behaviours that typically increase fitness at the individual level may reduce population persistence, particularly in the face of environmental changes. Sexual cannibalism is an extreme mating behaviour which typically involves a male being devoured by the female immediately before, during or after copulation, and is widespread amongst predatory invertebrates. Although the individual‐level effects of sexual cannibalism are reasonably well understood, very little is known about the population‐level effects. We constructed both a mathematical model and an individual‐based model to predict how sexual cannibalism might affect population growth rate and extinction risk. We found that in the absence of any cannibalism‐derived fecundity benefit, sexual cannibalism is always detrimental to population growth rate and leads to a higher population extinction risk. Increasing the fecundity benefits of sexual cannibalism leads to a consistently higher population growth rate and likely a lower extinction risk. However, even if cannibalism‐derived fecundity benefits are large, very high rates of sexual cannibalism (>70%) can still drive the population to negative growth and potential extinction. Pre‐copulatory cannibalism was particularly damaging for population growth rates and was the main predictor of growth declining below the replacement rate. Surprisingly, post‐copulatory cannibalism had a largely positive effect on population growth rate when fecundity benefits were present. This study is the first to formally estimate the population‐level effects of sexual cannibalism. We highlight the detrimental effect sexual cannibalism may have on population viability if (1) cannibalism rates become high, and/or (2) cannibalism‐derived fecundity benefits become low. Decreased food availability could plausibly both increase the frequency of cannibalism, and reduce the fecundity benefit of cannibalism, suggesting that sexual cannibalism may increase the risk of population collapse in the face of environmental change.
Comparison of pharmacological treatment alone vs. treatment combined with implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy in patients older than 75 years
Authors: Cortés Marcelino , Palfy Julia Anna , Lopez Marta , Martínez Juan , Rivero Ana Lucia , Devesa Ana , Franco‐Peláez Juan Antonio , Briongos Sem , Taibo‐Urquia Mikel , Benezet Juan , Rubio Jose‐Manuel
Published: June 2018

Aims

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) reduces mortality in selected patients. However, its role in patients older than 75 years is not well established.

Methods and results

We performed a retrospective, non‐randomized study using a historical cohort from a single centre. Between January 2008 and July 2014, we assessed patients aged ≥75 years with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%, identifying 385 patients with a Class I or IIa recommendation for ICD implantation. At the decision of the patient or attending cardiologists, 92 patients received an ICD. To avoid potential confounding factors, we used propensity‐score matching. Finally, 126 patients were included (63 with ICD). The mean age was 79.1 ± 3.1 years (86.5% male). As compared with the medical therapy group, the ICD patients had a lower percentage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19.0% vs. 38.1%, P < 0.05) and more frequent use of beta‐blockers (BBs) (85.7 vs. 70.0%, P < 0.05). Other treatments were otherwise similar in both groups. There were no differences related to age, aetiology, or other co‐morbidities. During follow‐up (39.2 ± 22.4 months), total mortality was 46.0% and cardiovascular events (death or hospitalization) occurred in 66.7% of the patients. A multivariate analysis revealed that only BB therapy was shown to be an independent protective variable with respect to mortality [hazard ratio 0.4 (0.2–0.7)]. ICD therapy did not reduce overall mortality or the rate of cardiovascular events.

Conclusions

According to our results, the use of ICD, as compared with medical therapy, in patients older than 75 years did not demonstrate any benefit. Well‐designed randomized controlled studies in patients older than 75 years are needed to ascertain the value of ICD therapy.
Collocation method for differential variational inequality problems
Authors: Fatemi Seyyedeh Zeinab , Shamsi Mostafa , Razmjooy Navid
Published: June 2018

In this paper, a Jacobi collocation method is presented for solving differential variational inequalities (DVIs). Differential variational inequalities consist of a differential equation and a variational inequality. A type of Jacobi‐Gauss collocation scheme with N knots is applied to the differential part of the problem whereas another type of Jacobi‐Gauss collocation scheme with N + 1 knots is applied to the variational part of it. So the DVI problem turns into a variational inequality problem. Electrical circuits with nonsmooth elements like ideal diodes are an important class of physical systems, which can be modeled as DVI problems. So in the numerical experiments, 1 example with smooth solutions and 4 illustrative examples of simple electrical circuits with ideal diodes are considered. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method but slow convergence for the proposed method for some examples. The reason for slow convergence in this method is that the solutions of these DVIs are nonsmooth.
Distribution of elements in seeds of some wild and cultivated fruits. Nutrition and authenticity aspects
Authors: Krstić Đurđa , Vukojević Vesna , Mutić Jelena , Fotirić Akšić Milica , Ličina Vlado , Milojković‐Opsenica Dušanka , Trifković Jelena
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

The compositional, functional, and nutritional properties of fruits are important for defining their quality. Fruit seeds should be better exploited as they are also considered to be a good source of bioactive components. Twenty macro, micro, and trace elements were identified and quantified in the seeds of 70 genuine wild and cultivated fruit species/cultivars by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Sophisticated chemometric techniques were also used to establish criteria for the classification of the analyzed samples.

RESULTS

Calcium and P were the most abundant elements, followed by K and Na. The content of microelements and trace elements differed among the different cultivars/genotypes. The content of Ba, Pb, and Sr was significantly higher in wild fruits, whereas Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni and Zn content was higher in cultivated fruits.

CONCLUSION

All of the statistical procedures that were used – Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U‐test, and principal component analysis (PCA) – confirm a unique set of parameters that could be used as phytochemical biomarkers to differentiate fruit‐seed samples belonging to different cultivars/genotypes according to their botanical origin. This kind of investigation may contribute to intercultivar/genetic discrimination and may enhance the possibilities of acquiring a valuable authenticity factor. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Staged margin‐controlled excision (SMEX) for lentigo maligna melanoma in situ
Authors: Beveridge Julie , Taher Muba , Zhu Jay , Mahmood Muhammad N. , Salopek Thomas G.
Published: June 2018

Background

No consensus exists regarding the best surgical strategy to achieve clear surgical margins while minimizing tissue excision when definitely excising lentigo maligna melanoma in situ (LM). The staged margin controlled excision (SMEX) technique is a modification of the spaghetti technique that allows surgeons to minimize margins and ensure complete excision of LM.

Objectives

Our objectives were twofold: a) to evaluate the effectiveness of SMEX for treatment of LM and b) detail the SMEX technique.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of adult patients who underwent the SMEX technique for treatment of LM from 2011 to 2016 was conducted.

Results

Twenty‐four patients were identified with predominantly facial lesions. The mean defect size was 12.1 cm2. A mean number of two SMEX procedures, with an average margin of 9 mm, were required to obtain complete excision of the LM. Using SMEX, we achieved 100% clearance of LM over a median follow up period of 18 months, with a range of 1‐63 months.

Conclusions

SMEX offers a reliable surgical excision method that ensures complete excision of LM in a cosmetically sensitive manner. The recurrence outcomes of SMEX are comparable, if not better, than those of alternative excision techniques in the literature.
High levels of serum CA15‐3 and residual invasive tumor size are associated with poor prognosis for breast cancer patients with non‐pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Fujimoto Yukie , Higuchi Tomoko , Nishimukai Arisa , Miyagawa Yoshimasa , Kira Ayako , Ozawa Hiromi , Bun Ayako , Imamura Michiko , Miyoshi Yasuo
Published: June 2018

Background and Objectives

To identify surrogate markers for prognosis of breast cancer patients with non‐pathological complete response (non‐pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), our investigation focused on the serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA15‐3) as well as clinicopathological factors both before and after NAC.

Methods

A total of 185 breast cancer patients treated with NAC were recruited. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen and CA15‐3 were measured at baseline and at completion of NAC.

Results

Among the non‐pCR cancers (n = 142), the disease‐free survival (DFS) of patients with CA15‐3‐low at baseline (3‐year DFS: 0.908, n = 73) was significantly better than of those with CA15‐3‐high (3‐year DFS: 0.681, n = 69, P = .0134). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that baseline CA15‐3 levels (hazard ratio: 3.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.28‐10.23; P = .0122) and residual invasive size (hazard ratio: 4.47, 1.26‐28.39; P = .0171) were significant independent factors for DFS. The combination of these factors proved to be an accurate predictor for DFS regardless of breast cancer subtypes.

Conclusions

The combination of residual invasive size and serum CA15‐3 levels at baseline seems to be a significant and independent surrogate marker of poor outcome for patients with non‐pCR. These findings suggest that these markers may be useful for identifying patients with inferior prognosis and candidates for additional adjuvant treatments.
Geminin ablation in vivo enhances tumorigenesis through increased genomic instability
Authors: Champeris Tsaniras Spyridon , Villiou Maria , Giannou Anastassios D , Nikou Sofia , Petropoulos Michalis , Pateras Ioannis S , Tserou Paraskevi , Karousi Foteini , Lalioti Maria‐Eleni , Gorgoulis Vassilis G , Patmanidi Alexandra L , Stathopoulos Georgios T , Bravou Vasiliki , Lygerou Zoi , Taraviras Stavros
Published: June 2018

Geminin, a DNA replication licensing inhibitor, ensures faithful DNA replication in vertebrates. Several studies have shown that geminin depletion in vitro results in rereplication and DNA damage, whereas increased expression of geminin has been observed in human cancers. However, conditional inactivation of geminin during embryogenesis has not revealed any detectable DNA replication defects. In order to examine its role in vivo, we conditionally inactivated geminin in the murine colon and lung, and assessed chemically induced carcinogenesis. We show here that mice lacking geminin develop a significantly higher number of tumors and bear a larger tumor burden than sham‐treated controls in urethane‐induced lung and azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate‐induced colon carcinogenesis. Survival is also significantly reduced in mice lacking geminin during lung carcinogenesis. A significant increase in the total number and grade of lesions (hyperplasias, adenomas, and carcinomas) was also confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, increased genomic aberrations, identified by increased ATR and γH2AX expression, was detected with immunohistochemistry analysis. In addition, we analyzed geminin expression in human colon cancer, and found increased expression, as well as a positive correlation with ATM/ATR levels and a non‐monotonic association with γH2AX. Taken together, our data demonstrate that geminin acts as a tumor suppressor by safeguarding genome stability, whereas its overexpression is also associated with genomic instability. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temporal Analyses of Barley Malting Stages Using Shotgun Proteomics
Authors: Mahalingam Ramamurthy
Published: June 2018

Malt derived from barley malting is an essential raw material for beer brewing. In this study, we performed the first dynamic proteome survey during barley malting using a gel‐free proteomics approach. This entailed in‐solution tryptic digestion of precipitated proteins and analysis of peptides by nanoliquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 1418 proteins were identified from the five malting stages: Steep, 1, 3, 5 days after germination, and end of Kiln. About 900 proteins identified in this analysis were uncharacterized or predicted proteins. Integrating information from Uniprot90, Uniprot50, Pfam, Interpro databases and gene ontologies from EnsemblPlants, 796 of the predicted and uncharacterized proteins were provided functional annotations. Nearly 63% of the identified proteins were present during all the five time points suggesting a coordinated activation of major metabolic pathways during malting. GO enrichment analysis showed over‐representation of proteins associated with translation, carbohydrate metabolism, and stress response. Analysis of variance of the spectral counts of proteins present in all the five malting stages identified 205 proteins with significant differences in their abundance. Proteins associated with carbohydrate metabolism especially enzyme activity regulation provide novel targets for malting barley breeding and for predicting malting quality.
A randomized controlled trial of a supportive expressive group intervention for women with a family history of breast cancer
Authors: Esplen Mary Jane , Leszcz Molyn , Hunter Jonathan , Wong Jiahui , Leung Yvonne W. , Toner Brenda , Messner Sandra , Glendon Gord , Stuckless Noreen , Butler Catherine
Published: June 2018

Objective

Women with a family history of breast cancer (BC) often overestimate their BC risk. Heightened psychological distress may interfere with risk comprehension and screening adherence. The primary purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a 12‐week manual‐based supportive‐expressive (SE) group intervention for this population.

Methods

Using a randomized control trial design, this study compared two interventions: a standard risk‐counseling arm (RC) compared with that plus SE group intervention. The primary study outcome was BC anxiety. Secondary outcomes included psychosocial functioning, risk comprehension, BC knowledge, and screening behaviors.

Results

A total of 161 women with a family history of BC were randomized into SE (N = 108) or RC (N = 53). Participants in both study arms significantly improved on measures of BC anxiety, psychosocial functioning, risk comprehension, and BC knowledge, with no statistical difference between study arms. Benefits were sustained at 1 year. BC screening rates were high in both arms at baseline and follow‐up.

Conclusions

SE group therapy as an added intervention to the risk counseling was well‐received, however, did not demonstrate superiority to RC alone. Future studies on treatment matching are needed to further our understanding of interventions that can support women with a family history of BC to work through residual issues, including loss and grief.
Global continuous robust finite‐time control design for unified power flow controller
Authors: Lei Bangjun , Fei Shumin , Zhang Tao
Published: June 2018

This article proposes a global continuous robust finite‐time control (GCRFTC) for a unified power flow controller (UPFC) to improve the transient stability and oscillation damping of power system. First, by using an appropriate coordinate transformation, the nonlinear system of the UPFC is transformed into a nonlinear port‐controlled dissipative Hamiltonian (PCDH) system. Second, based on the PCDH system, by utilizing the Hamiltonian structural properties and the “energy shaping plus damping injection” technique, a proper form of a Hamiltonian function is obtained for the PCDH system. Third, using the Hamiltonian function method, finite‐time stability criterion and robust control technique, the GCRFTC is designed and theoretically proved, and the chattering phenomena and the high‐order frequencies of the power system are avoided effectively. Lastly, a six‐bus and two power plants power system with a UPFC is used to test the effectiveness and robustness of the GCRFTC. Simulation results show that the speed, overshoot, and settling time of the response and the transient conditions of the GCRFTC are further improved in comparison with that of the robust finite‐time power flow control.
Testing lepton flavour universality in semileptonic Λb → Λ*
c decays
Authors: Böer Philipp , Bordone Marzia , Graverini Elena , Owen Patrick , Rotondo Marcello , van Dyk Danny
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Lepton Flavour Universality tests with semileptonic Λ
b
 → Λ

c

*
decays are important to corroborate the present anomalies in the similar ratios

$$ {R_D}_{{}^{\left(\ast \right)}} $$

R
D

∗

, and can provide complementary constraints on possible origins of these anomalies beyond the Standard Model. In this paper we provide — for the first time — all the necessary theoretical ingredients to perform and interpret measurements of

$$ {R}_{\Lambda_c^{*}} $$

R

Λ
c
*

at the LHCb experiment. For this, we revisit the heavy-quark expansion of the relevant hadronic matrix elements, and provide their expressions to order α

s
and 1/m accuracy. Moreover, we study the sensitivity to the form factor parameters given the projected size and purity of upcoming and future LHCb datasets of

$$ {\Lambda}_b\to {\Lambda}_c^{*}\mu \overline{\nu} $$

Λ
b

→

Λ
c
*

μ

ν
¯

decays. We demonstrate explicitly the need to perform a simultaneous fit to both Λ

c

*
final states. Finally, we provide projections for the uncertainty of

$$ {R}_{\Lambda_c^{*}} $$

R

Λ
c
*

based on the form factors analysis from semimuonic decays and theoretical relations based on the heavy-quark expansion.
Probing fuzzballs with particles, waves and strings
Authors: Bianchi Massimo , Consoli Dario , Morales Jose Francisco
Published: June 2018

Abstract

We probe D1D5 micro-state geometries with massless particles, waves and strings. To this end, we study geodetic motion, Klein-Gordon equation and string scattering in the resulting gravitational background. Due to the reduced rotational symmetry, even in the simple case of a circular fuzzball, the system cannot be integrated elementarily. Yet, for motion in the plane of the string profile or in the orthogonal plane to it, one can compute the deflection angle or the phase shift and identify the critical impact parameter, at which even a massless probe is captured by the fuzzball if its internal momentum is properly tuned. We find agreement among the three approaches, thus giving further support to the fuzzball proposal at the dynamical level.
Metal accumulation by the ultramafic flora of Kosovo
Authors: Salihaj Muharrem , Bani Aida , Shahu Edmira , Benizri Emile , Echevarria Guillaume
Published: June 2018

The largest serpentine outcrops in Europe occur in the Balkan Peninsula. Kosovo, as a part of this region, hosts an ultramafic area of 487 km2 within its territory. This work reports the first systematic biogeochemical survey on the significant and most representative ultramafic massifs of Kosovo. The aim of this study was (i) to detail the geochemical composition of 12 ultramafic pedons obtained from 10 selected sites chosen as representative for Kosovo, (ii) to inventoriate the flora occurring on these sites and (iii) to identify plant species with potential for use in phytostabilization or phytoextraction purposes. Twelve representative pedons from 10 different sites across the country were excavated and 27 horizon samples were collected. Regarding the serpentine flora, a total of 162 plant taxa located at the ultramafic sites were collected. Soils samples were characterized for basic physico‐chemical characteristics and both plant and soil samples were analyzed for chemical composition. The serpentine soils samples displayed a vast array of physico‐chemical characteristics which reflected the geochemistry of the bedrock, the degree of weathering and the horizon characteristics. However there appeared to be a relationship between edaphic properties and the occurrence of several plant species. Although most of the plants’ species did not show metal concentrations above 1000 mg kg−1, Odontarrhena muralis (syn. Alyssum murale Waldst. and Kit). and Noccaea ochroleuca (Boiss and Heldr.) F.K.Mey. (syn. Thlaspi ochroleucum), did, thus meeting the criterion of Ni hyperaccumulating plants. Given the aforementioned, the resilience of these plants to both tolerate and accumulate heavy metals may prove useful for phytostabilization,