bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐esteem, cultural identification, and substance use among American Indian youth
Authors: Swaim Randall C. , Stanley Linda R.
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Determine potential mediating and moderating effects of self‐esteem on the relationship between cultural identification and substance use among American Indian (AI) youth.

Methods

Anonymous surveys were administered to middle and high school AI students assessing levels of last month alcohol and marijuana use, cultural identification, and self‐esteem. Structural equation modeling assessed potential mediating and moderating effects of self‐esteem on the relationship between AI and white identification on alcohol and marijuana use.

Results

No mediating effects were found for middle school students. Among high school students, no mediating effects were found for alcohol. Among female high school students, a small mediating effect was found between AI identification and marijuana use, with AI identification protecting against use. Across all students, no moderating effects of self‐esteem were found.

Conclusions

The literature on cultural identification and substance use among minority youth is unclear. It was anticipated that consideration of self‐esteem as a potential mediator or moderator might help clarify some of the confusion. However, no moderating effects were found and mediating effects were limited to female high school students for marijuana. Consideration should be given to assessing other measures of cultural identification and subscales of self‐esteem to confirm that these findings are robust.
Assessing the barriers to cardiac care in carriers of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy
Authors: Eekhoff Lauren , Edwards Janice , Martin Ann , Prijoles Eloise J
Published: August 2019

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DBMD) are X‐linked conditions causing progressive muscle weakness, muscle wasting, and cardiomyopathy in affected males. Two‐thirds of cases of DBMD are inherited from a carrier female while one‐third of cases occur sporadically. Women who are DBMD carriers typically do not manifest noticeable muscular symptoms. However, about 10% may develop cardiomyopathy while up to 60% are at risk for cardiac abnormalities including myocardial damage, fibrosis, and abnormalities detectable by echocardiogram and electrocardiogram (EKG). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that carriers of DBMD receive a complete cardiac evaluation beginning at age 25–30 which includes an echocardiogram and EKG, with re‐evaluation at least every 5 years. As many as 54.5% carriers may not be adhering to the AAP recommendations (Bogue et al., 2016). This study was conducted to define the perceived challenges carriers of DBMD face in obtaining cardiac care. A questionnaire was completed by 60 carriers of DBMD recruited through The Duchenne Registry to determine their current cardiac care practices. The majority of carriers surveyed (71.7%, 43/60) self‐reported obtaining appropriate cardiac care while 28.3% (17/60) of carriers surveyed did not. Eleven semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with a subset of those who completed the questionnaire. Individuals were eligible for telephone interview if they had not: (a) seen a cardiologist in the last 5 years, (b) had an echocardiogram in the last 5 years, or (c) had an EKG in the last 5 years. The primary theme identified from this cohort was a perceived lack of awareness among healthcare providers regarding cardiac risks in carriers (11/11). Increased awareness, health education regarding risks for carriers, and advocacy efforts are needed for healthcare providers and DBMD carriers in order to ensure that this entire population receives the cardiac care they need.
Huge liver tumor in young man
Authors: Shibata Osamu , Kamimura Kenya , Azumi Rie , Shibuya Kei , Shiba Shintaro , Ohno Tatsuya , Terai Shuji
Published: August 2019

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second leading primary hepatic tumors, accounting for 5% of all hepatic tumors. The curability depends on the operability; however, the difficulty of early diagnosis and late clinical presentation account for the poor prognosis. Therefore, development of a novel therapeutic option and a method to determine the viability of the primary tumor, which hinder the assessment of the impact of other therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy are needed. Although FDG–PET has been used to detect distant metastases of ICC, which are present in 20% of patients at the initial diagnosis, little is known about the efficacy of FDG–PET of the primary lesion of ICC. Here, we present the case of a 31‐year‐old male diagnosed with unresectable ICC and successfully treated with carbon‐ion radiation, and present the usefulness of fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography in the determination of the viability of the tumor.
Unexpected detection of 3‐aroylbenzofuran side products in the preparation of 2‐arylbenzofurans: Identification, characterization, and comparison with chalcone's fragmentation patterns using EI/MSn
Authors: Begala Michela , Delogu Giovanna Lucia
Published: August 2019

A gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry study of the intramolecular Wittig reaction revealed, together with the expected 2‐phenylbenzofuran, the formation of an unexpected side product that has not been reported until now. This study reports the identification of the by‐product, ie, the 3‐benzoyl‐2‐phenylbenzofuran, on the base of its mass spectrometric behaviour using a combination of electron ionization, exact mass measurement, multiple stage mass spectrometry, and labelled compounds. This study reports the common fragmentation pathways and discusses possible fragment structures of characteristic ions from a series of 3‐aroyl‐2‐arylbenzofuran derivatives obtained as by‐product under Wittig conditions. Emphasis is laid on the formation and structure investigation of the [M‐H]+ and [M‐OH]+ ions. Our results showed interesting analogies with the mass spectrometric behaviour of chalcones.
Dog as a Model for Osteoarthritis: The FGF4 Retrogene Insertion May Matter
Authors: Tellegen Anna R. , Dessing Aileen J. , Houben Kaat , Riemers Frank M. , Creemers Laura B. , Mastbergen Simon C. , Meij Björn P. , Miranda‐Bedate Alberto , Tryfonidou Marianna A.
Published: August 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease associated with chronic pain and disability in humans and companion animals. The canine species can be subdivided into non‐chondrodystrophic (NCD) and chondrodystrophic (CD) dogs, the latter having disproportionally short limbs due to disturbance in endochondral ossification of long bones. This phenotype is associated with retrogene insertions of the fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) gene, resulting in enhanced fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) signaling. The effect on cartilage is unknown and in experimental studies with dogs, breeds are seemingly employed randomly. The aim of this study was to determine whether CD‐ and NCD‐derived cartilage differs on a structural and biochemical level, and to explore the relationship between FGF4 associated chondrodystrophy and OA. Cartilage explants from CD and NCD dogs were cultured for 21 days. Activation of canonical Wnt signaling was assessed in primary canine chondrocytes. OA and synovitis severity from an experimental OA model were compared between healthy and OA samples from CD and NCD dogs. Release of glycosaminoglycans, DNA content, and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) expression were higher in NCD cartilage explants. Healthy cartilage from NCD dogs displayed higher cartilage degeneration and synovitis scores, which was aggravated by the induction of OA. Dikkopf‐3 gene expression was higher in NCD cartilage. No differences in other Wnt pathway read outs were found. To conclude, chondrodystrophy associated with the FGF4 retrogene seems to render CD dogs less susceptible to the development of OA when compared with NCD dogs. These differences should be considered when choosing a canine model to study the pathobiology and new treatment strategies of OA. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2550–2560, 2019
Provenance studies ofKościuszko banknotes—One of the oldest paper banknotes in Europe—Using Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with other analytical techniques
Authors: Klisińska‐Kopacz Anna , Lech Katarzyna , del Hoyo‐Meléndez Julio M. , Mendys Agata , Jaworucka‐Drath Anda , Łydżba‐Kopczyńska Barbara
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to establish the provenance of materials used in the manufacturing process of theKościuszko banknotes. The applied methodology is mostly based on Raman investigations carried out using portable and benchtop instruments. Raman analysis allowed to identify smalt, an optical brightener typically used in paper production in the Netherlands. This result was also confirmed by X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry. The Raman investigation of ink and dyes was supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The detection of typical local dyes such as reseda (Reseda luteola L.) and madder (Rubia tinctorum L.) suggested that the paper was dyed in Poland. The results also indicate the use of charcoal with an admixture of traces of bone black. Finally, a two‐step manufacturing process was identified. The paper was imported and then dyed and printed in Poland, instead of the original assumption, which was that the paper was manufactured and mass dyed abroad and the banknotes were later printed in Poland.
Bringing Philosophy to Bear on Moral Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Construct Validation: Commentary on Farnsworth (2019)
Authors: Frankfurt Sheila B. , Coady Alanna
Published: August 2019

Farnsworth (2019) proposed that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury (MI) can be differentiated using DSM‐5 PTSD's Criteria D. It was suggested that PTSD cognitions are descriptions about what the world is like whose accuracy can be targeted by cognitive therapies, whereas MI cognitions are prescriptions about what the world should be like, which cannot be assessed for truth or falsehood and so are unsuitable for cognitive therapies. We believe that this appeal to the is/ought distinction distorts the therapeutic challenge, and misconceptualizes moral thinking as manifested only in thin terms such as “ought/should.” In practical usage, it is unlikely that when people express cognitions they are only describing the world and not evaluating it as well. In this commentary, we will critique the prescriptivist view of trauma, suggest the importance of “thick terms,” and reconsider the purported differences between MI and PTSD. MI might be meaningfully different from PTSD, but it is premature to differentiate these constructs based on DSM‐5's Criteria D. A trauma theory that accounts for the interwoven descriptive and evaluative, cognitive as well as affective, elements of traumatic experiences will clarify both the PTSD diagnosis and MI model and improve treatment development and clinical care.
Advancement in the Biomedical Applications of the (Nano)gel Structures Based on Particular Polysaccharides
Authors: Chiriac Aurica P. , Ghilan Alina , Neamtu Iordana , Nita Loredana E. , Rusu Alina G. , Chiriac Vlad Mihai
Published: August 2019

(Nano)gels from macromolecular compounds—natural, synthetic, or a combination thereof, suitable crosslinkers—and conferred characteristics—such as degradability, size, charge, amphiphilicity, responsiveness, and softness—are capable of responding to the challenges imposed by bioengineering applications. Polysaccharide‐based gels have received particular attention in this field. This review addresses recent advancement in the use of (nano)gel structures prepared only from compounds based on gellan gum, heparin, chondroitin sulfate, carrageenan, guar gum, galactose, or agarose, which represent an important part of the special class of natural polymers, the polysaccharides. Also, future trends are taken into discussion regarding the (nano)gels' use in biomedical applications such as biomimetics, biosensors, artificial muscles, and chemical separations in relation with their ability to be used as a vehicle for various biomolecules due to their physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.
Gemcitabine‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition‐like changes sustain chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer cells of mesenchymal‐like phenotype
Authors: El Amrani Mehdi , Corfiotti François , Corvaisier Matthieu , Vasseur Romain , Fulbert Maxence , Skrzypczyk Cécile , Deshorgues Anne‐Claire , Gnemmi Viviane , Tulasne David , Lahdaoui Fatima , Vincent Audrey , Pruvot François‐René , Van Seuningen Isabelle , Huet Guillemette , Truant Stéphanie
Published: August 2019

Growing body of evidence suggests that epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process in tumor progression and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer (PC). The aim of this study was to analyze the role of EMT‐like changes in acquisition of resistance to gemcitabine in pancreatic cells of the mesenchymal or epithelial phenotype. Therefore, chemoresistant BxPC‐3, Capan‐2, Panc‐1, and MiaPaca‐2 cells were selected by chronic exposure to increasing concentrations of gemcitabine. We show that gemcitabine‐resistant Panc‐1 and MiaPaca‐2 cells of mesenchymal‐like phenotype undergo further EMT‐like molecular changes mediated by ERK‐ZEB‐1 pathway, and that inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation or ZEB‐1 expression resulted in a decrease in chemoresistance. Conversely, gemcitabine‐resistant BxPC‐3 and Capan‐2 cells of epithelial‐like phenotype did not show such typical EMT‐like molecular changes although the expression of the tight junction marker occludin could be found decreased. In pancreatic cancer patients, high ZEB‐1 expression was associated with tumor invasion and tumor budding. In addition, tumor budding was essentially observed in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These findings support the notion that gemcitabine treatment induces EMT‐like changes that sustain invasion and chemoresistance in PC cells.
Serum miR‐182 is a predictive biomarker for dichotomization of risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats
Authors: Livingstone Merricka C. , Johnson Natalie M. , Roebuck Bill D. , Kensler Thomas W. , Groopman John D.
Published: August 2019

Exploration of animal models leads to discoveries that can reveal candidate biomarkers for translation to human populations. Herein, a model of hepatocarcinogenesis and protection was used in which rats treated with aflatoxin (AFB1) daily for 28 days (200 µg/kg BW) developed tumors compared with rats completely protected from tumors by concurrent administration of the chemoprotective agent, 1‐[2‐cyano‐3‐,12‐dioxooleana‐1,9(11)‐dien‐28‐oyl]imidazole (CDDO‐Im). Differential expression of miRNAs in tumors (AFB1) and nontumor (AFB1 + CDDO‐Im) bearing livers and their levels in sera over the life‐course of the animals was determined. miRNA transcriptome analysis identified 17 miRNAs significantly upregulated at greater than five‐fold in the tumors. The ten most dysregulated miRNAs judged by fold‐change and biological significance were selected for further study, including liver‐specific miR‐122‐5p. Validation of sequencing results by real‐time PCR confirmed the upregulation of the majority of these miRNAs in tumors, including miR‐182, as well as miR‐224‐5p as the most dysregulated of these miRNAs (over 400‐fold). The longitudinal analysis of levels of miR‐182 in sera demonstrated significant and persistent increases (5.13‐fold; 95% CI: 4.59‐5.70). The increase in miR‐182 was detected months before any clinical symptoms were present in the animals. By the terminal time point of the study, in addition to elevated levels of serum miR‐182, serum miR‐122‐5p was also found to be increased (>1.5‐fold) in animals that developed hepatocarcinomas. Thus, using the data from an unbiased discovery approach of the tissue findings, serum miR‐182 was found to track across the complex, multistage process of hepatocarcinogenesis opening an opportunity for translation to human populations.
Identification of key candidate targets and pathways for the targeted treatment of leukemia stem cells of chronic myelogenous leukemia using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Li Huayao , Liu Lijuan , Zhuang Jing , Liu Cun , Zhou Chao , Yang Jing , Gao Chundi , Liu Gongxi , Sun Changgang
Published: August 2019

Background

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that arises from the acquisition of constitutively active BCR‐ABL tyrosine kinase in hematopoietic stem cells. The persistence of bone marrow leukemia stem cells (LSCs) is the main cause of TKI resistance and CML relapse. Therefore, finding a key target or pathway to selectively target LSCs is of great significance for the thorough treatment of CML.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to identify key microRNAs, microRNA targets and pathways for the treatment of CML LSCs by integrating analyses of three microarray data profiles. We identified 51 differentially expressed microRNAs through integrated analysis of GSE90773 and performed functional gene predictions for microRNAs. Then, GSE11889 and GSE11675 were integrated to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and the overlapping DEGs were used as models to identify predictive functional genes. Finally, we identified 116 predictive functional genes. Clustering and significant enrichment analysis of 116 genes was based on function and signaling pathways. Subsequently, a protein interaction network was constructed, and module analysis and topology analysis were performed on the network.

Results

A total of 11 key candidate targets and 33 corresponding microRNAs were identified. The key pathways were mainly concentrated on the PI3K/AKT, Ras, JAK/STAT, FoxO and Notch signaling pathways. We also found that LSCs negatively regulated endogenous and exogenous apoptotic pathways to escape from apoptosis.

Conclusion

We identified key candidate targets and pathways for CML LSCs through bioinformatics methods, which improves our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of CML LSCs. These candidate genes and pathways may be therapeutic targets for CML LSCs.
Investigation of Factors Affecting the Performance of in silico Volume Distribution QSAR Models for Human, Rat, Mouse, Dog & Monkey
Authors: Simeon Saw , Montanari Dino , Gleeson Matthew Paul
Published: August 2019

Volume of distribution (Vdss) is a measure of how effectively a drug molecule is distributed throughout the body. Along with the clearance, it determines the half‐life and therefore the drug dosing interval. A number of different pre‐clinical approaches are available to predict the Vdss in human including quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models. Vdss QSAR models have been reported for human and rat, but not important pre‐clinical species including dog, mouse and monkey. In this study, we have generated Vdss QSAR model on the human and commonly used pre‐clinical species, each of which differs in terms of size, chemical diversity and data quality. We discuss the model performance by species, assess the effect the domain of applicability and the relative merits of building chemical series‐specific models. In addition, we compare the intrinsic variability of the experimental logVdss data (∼1.2 fold error) to in‐vivo interspecies differences (∼2 fold error) and in silico based models (∼3 fold error). This prompted us to explore whether one species could be used to predict another, particularly where little data for that species is available. i. e. does the expansion in domain of applicability prove beneficial over and above any deterioration due to the use of response values from an alternative species.
Epigallocatechin‐3‐Gallate Attenuates Microglial Inflammation and Neurotoxicity by Suppressing the Activation of Canonical and Noncanonical Inflammasome via TLR4/NF‐κB Pathway
Authors: Zhong Xin , Liu Mingyan , Yao Weifan , Du Ke , He Miao , Jin Xin , Jiao Linchi , Ma Guowei , Wei Binbin , Wei Minjie
Published: August 2019

Scope

In this study, it has been investigated whether the neuroprotective efficacy of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) is mediated by inhibition of canonical and noncanonical inflammasome activation via toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF‐κB pathway both in LPS+Aβ‐induced microglia in vitro and in APP/PS1 mice in vivo.

Methods and results

In BV2 cells, EGCG inhibits the expressions of Iba‐1, cleaved IL‐1β, and cleaved IL‐18 induced by LPS+Aβ. Then, the supernatants are used to treat SH‐SY5Y cells, and EGCG treatment significantly recovers the neurotoxicity from LPS+Aβ‐induced microglial conditioned media. Subsequently, it has been found that EGCG reduces the microglial expressions of caspase‐1 p20, NLRP3, and caspase‐11 p26. Furthermore, the expression levels of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), p‐IKK/IKK, and p‐NF‐κB/NF‐κB were decreased after EGCG treatment. As expected, when a caspase‐1 specific inhibitor Z‐YVAD‐FMK, and an IKK and caspase‐11 inhibitor wedelolactone are used for blocking, Z‐YVAD‐FMK and wedelolactone exacerbate the inhibitory efficacy than using EGCG alone. Finally, consistent with the results obtained in BV2 cells, EGCG treatment reduces microglial inflammation and neurotoxicity by suppressing the activation of canonical NLRP3 and noncanonical caspase‐11‐dependent inflammasome via TLR4/NF‐κB pathway in LPS+Aβ‐induced rat primary microglia and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice.

Conclusion

EGCG attenuates microglial inflammation and neurotoxicity by inhibition of canonical NLRP3 and noncanonical caspase‐11‐dependent inflammasome activation via TLR4/NF‐κB pathway.
The Cxadr–Adam10 complex plays pivotal roles in tight junction integrity and early trophoblast development in mice
Authors: Jeong Yelin , Ock Sun‐A , Yoo Jae Gyu , Yu Dae‐Yeul , Choi Inchul
Published: August 2019

Understanding preimplantation embryo development has important implications for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) after the introduction of in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer because most embryonic losses occur during pre/peri‐implantation. Recent studies have shown that tight junctions (TJs) are important components for embryos to develop to the blastocyst stage. However, their biological function after cavitation has not been extensively studied. We examined TJ assembly focusing on coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (Cxadr) and A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (Adam10) using siRNA and/or an Adam10‐specific inhibitor (GI254023X). TJ‐associated genes, including occludin and tight junction protein 1 (Tjp1), were downregulated in the Cxadr knockdown (KD) embryos but were unaltered in Adam10 KD embryos. However, Adam10 KD or chemical inhibition affected subcellular localisation of Adam10, Cxadr, and Tjp1, leading to disrupted TJ assembly. Furthermore, Cxadr KD or GI254023X‐treated blastocysts showed a relatively smaller outgrowth area and aberrant expression of transcription factor AP‐2γ, a trophoblast‐specific marker in the in vitro embryo outgrowth assay. In summary, we demonstrated that the Cxadr–Adam10 complex might moderate TJ integrity/stability and play pivotal roles during early embryonic development. Collectively, understanding the establishment of the TJ complex and its integrity will provide insight into translational research for predicting and selecting developmental competency for ART.
MRI Gibbs‐ringing artifact reduction by means of machine learning using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Ruan Guohui , Yang Wei , Liu Yilong , Zhao Kaixuan , Feng Qianjin , Chen Wufan , Wu Ed X. , Feng Yanqiu
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To develop a machine learning approach using convolutional neural network for reducing MRI Gibbs‐ringing artifact.

Theory and Methods

Gibbs‐ringing artifact in MR images is caused by insufficient sampling of the high frequency data. Existing methods exploit smooth constraints to reduce intensity oscillations near sharp edges at the cost of blurring details. In this work, we developed a machine learning approach for removing the Gibbs‐ringing artifact from MR images. The ringing artifact was extracted from the original image using a deep convolutional neural network and then subtracted from the original image to obtain the artifact‐free image. Finally, its low‐frequency k‐space data were replaced with measured counterparts to enforce data fidelity further. We trained the convolutional neural network using 17,532 T2‐weighted (T2W) normal brain images and evaluated its performance on T2W images of normal and tumor brains, diffusion‐weighted brain images, and T2W knee images.

Results

The proposed method effectively removed the ringing artifact without noticeable smoothing in T2W and diffusion‐weighted images. Quantitatively, images produced by the proposed method were closer to the fully‐sampled reference images in terms of the root‐mean‐square error, peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, and structural similarity index, compared with current state‐of‐the‐art methods.

Conclusion

The proposed method presents a novel and effective approach for Gibbs‐ringing reduction in MRI. The convolutional neural network‐based approach is simple, computationally efficient, and highly applicable in routine clinical MRI.
High‐fidelity, high‐isotropic‐resolution diffusion imaging through gSlider acquisition with and T1 corrections and integrated ΔB0/Rx shim array
Authors: Liao Congyu , Stockmann Jason , Tian Qiyuan , Bilgic Berkin , Arango Nicolas S. , Manhard Mary Kate , Huang Susie Y. , Grissom William A. , Wald Lawrence L. , Setsompop Kawin
Published: August 2019

Purpose

and T1 corrections and dynamic multicoil shimming approaches were proposed to improve the fidelity of high‐isotropic‐resolution generalized slice‐dithered enhanced resolution (gSlider) diffusion imaging.

Methods

An extended reconstruction incorporating inhomogeneity and T1 recovery information was developed to mitigate slab‐boundary artifacts in short‐repetition time (TR) gSlider acquisitions. Slab‐by‐slab dynamic B0 shimming using a multicoil integrated ΔB0/Rx shim array and high in‐plane acceleration (Rinplane = 4) achieved with virtual‐coil GRAPPA were also incorporated into a 1‐mm isotropic resolution gSlider acquisition/reconstruction framework to achieve a significant reduction in geometric distortion compared to single‐shot echo planar imaging (EPI).

Results

The slab‐boundary artifacts were alleviated by the proposed and T1 corrections compared to the standard gSlider reconstruction pipeline for short‐TR acquisitions. Dynamic shimming provided >50% reduction in geometric distortion compared to conventional global second‐order shimming. One‐millimeter isotropic resolution diffusion data show that the typically problematic temporal and frontal lobes of the brain can be imaged with high geometric fidelity using dynamic shimming.

Conclusions

The proposed and T1 corrections and local‐field control substantially improved the fidelity of high‐isotropic‐resolution diffusion imaging, with reduced slab‐boundary artifacts and geometric distortion compared to conventional gSlider acquisition and reconstruction. This enabled high‐fidelity whole‐brain 1‐mm isotropic diffusion imaging with 64 diffusion directions in 20 min using a 3T clinical scanner.
Effects of Local Coating on Strengthening and Crack Suppression of Notched PBX Beams
Authors: Wang Shengnan , Lan Lingang , Liu Yangyang , Tang Mingfeng , Wen Maoping
Published: August 2019

Notched polymer‐bonded explosive (PBX) structure is a mechanically weak link of a weapon system. In addition to the inherent brittleness and low strength of the PBX material, local stress concentration induced by a notch also threats the structural and functional integrity of a weapon system. In this study, a convenient strengthening method of local coating is newly adopted to the notched region of PBX beams. In virtue of a three‐point bending test and digital image correlation measurement, the effects of local coating on strengthening and crack suppression of the beams are explored. Results demonstrate that, while relieving the stress concentration and improving the load‐carrying capability of the notched beams, the locally applied polymer coating can restrain the crack propagation in the PBX matrix, thus preventing the brittle fracture of the integral structure effectively. These explorations may provide significant inspiration for the potential application of local coating, and at the same time, lay foundation to the performance optimisation of energetic materials.
Solid+Solid=Liquid: An ON‐Switch for Sensitivity in Deep Eutectic Solvents?
Authors: Ahmed Yonis , Quintana Ashlee , Warmoth Gregory , Deplazes Stephan , Brand Adam , Mills Jeffrey , Schneider Stefan
Published: August 2019

Deep Eutectic Solvents show the low volatility/toxicity of “classical” Ionic Liquids. The formation of a Deep Eutectic Solvent from two solids is the result of intermolecular bonds being weakened or broken and rearranged in completely new networks. The effect of these new bonding arrangements on physical properties like melting point, thermal stability, density, viscosity, and impact sensitivity of some binary mixtures of energetic nitrate salt and nitrogen containing ligands was investigated. With some exceptions the liquids showed increased sensitivity compared to their solid ingredients, which suggest that this might provide an ON‐switch for sensitivity. Furthermore, applying the Deep Eutectic Solvent concept to propellant and explosive development may allow incorporation of established energetic solids into liquid applications.
Degradation studies of dimethachlor in soils and water by UHPLC‐HRMS: putative elucidation of unknown metabolites
Authors: López‐Ruiz Rosalía , Romero‐González Roberto , Ortega‐Carrasco Elisabeth , Martínez Vidal José L , Garrido Frenich Antonia
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

The analytical control of the presence of dimethachlor and its metabolites in environmental samples, such as water and soils, is a main concern. Degradation of this pesticide has been evaluated in two types of soils and two different water conditions at two concentration levels. For that purpose, a new liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry method has been developed and putative identification of new metabolites has been performed.

RESULTS

An analytical method based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Orbitrap‐MS) was developed to monitor the degradation of dimethachlor in environmental samples (water and soils). The degradation of dimethachlor in soils and groundwater samples has been monitored from 1 to 110 days after application of a plant protection product at two doses. Concentration of the parent compound slowly decreased in both matrices. DT50 values ranged from 40 to 70 days. Some metabolites were detected in the commercial product and in the samples one day after the application of the plant protection product. In addition, three new metabolites were putatively identified during dimethachlor degradation by untargeted analysis.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the degradation of dimethachlor into its metabolites has been studied in soils and water, using a UHPLC‐Orbitrap‐MS validated method. A putative elucidation of new metabolites of dimethachlor has been carried out applying HRMS and software tools. Degradation results allowed for understanding the behavior of dimethachlor in soils and water, and provided information regarding the possible risk of this pesticide and its metabolites to the ecosystem. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
n‐Doped InGaP Nanowire Shells in GaAs/InGaP Core–Shell p–n Junctions
Authors: Liborius Lisa , Bieniek Jan , Nägelein Andreas , Tegude Franz-Josef , Prost Werner , Hannappel Thomas , Poloczek Artur , Weimann Nils
Published: August 2019

Herein, the characterization of n‐doped InGaP:Si shells in coaxial not‐intentionally doped (nid)‐GaAs/n‐InGaP as well as n–p–n core–multishell nanowires grown by metalorganic vapor‐phase epitaxy is reported. The multi‐tip scanning tunneling microscopy technique is used for contact‐independent resistance profiling along the tapered nid‐GaAs/n‐InGaP core–shell nanowires to estimate the established emitter shell doping concentration to ND ≈ 3 · 1018 cm−3. Contacts on these shells are demonstrated and exhibit ohmic current–voltage characteristics after annealing. Application potential is demonstrated by the growth and processing of coaxial p‐GaAs/n‐InGaP junctions in n–p–n core–multishell nanowires, with n‐InGaP being the electron‐supplying emitter material. Current–voltage characteristics and temperature‐dependent electroluminescence measurements substantiate successful doping of the n‐InGaP shell. A tunneling‐assisted contribution to the leakage currents of the investigated p–n junctions is verified by the sub‐bandgap luminescence at low temperatures and is attributed to radiative tunneling processes.
Efficacy of topical Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) extract oil in chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy: A pilot double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Rostami Nematollah , Mosavat Seyed Hamdollah , Heydarirad Ghazaleh , Arbab Tafti Roya , Heydari Mojtaba
Published: August 2019

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common complications in patients with cancer. Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) has been used in traditional Persian medicine as an effective pain relief, especially for neuralgia. We designed a pilot clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical C. colocynthis oil in management of CIPN in breast cancer patients. Thirty‐four cancer patients with CIPN were randomly enrolled in two arms of a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. The patients were treated by topical C. colocynthis oil or placebo, two times per day for 2 months. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group (FACT/GOG)‐Neurotoxicity (Ntx) score was set as the primary outcome measure. No significant improvement was observed in the total score of FACT/GOG‐Ntx scale (2.40 ± 1.90 vs. 1.05 ± 1.36, p = .879) in drug and placebo groups, respectively. There was also no significant improvement in the mean scores of FACT/GOG‐Ntx in the sensory, motor, hearing, and functional domains in the two study groups. According to the results of this preliminary study, topical C. colocynthis oil failed to improve the symptoms of CIPN compared with placebo.
Doubly robust conditional logistic regression
Authors: Zetterqvist Johan , Vermeulen Karel , Vansteelandt Stijn , Sjölander Arvid
Published: August 2019

Epidemiologic research often aims to estimate the association between a binary exposure and a binary outcome, while adjusting for a set of covariates (eg, confounders). When data are clustered, as in, for instance, matched case‐control studies and co‐twin‐control studies, it is common to use conditional logistic regression. In this model, all cluster‐constant covariates are absorbed into a cluster‐specific intercept, whereas cluster‐varying covariates are adjusted for by explicitly adding these as explanatory variables to the model. In this paper, we propose a doubly robust estimator of the exposure‐outcome odds ratio in conditional logistic regression models. This estimator protects against bias in the odds ratio estimator due to misspecification of the part of the model that contains the cluster‐varying covariates. The doubly robust estimator uses two conditional logistic regression models for the odds ratio, one prospective and one retrospective, and is consistent for the exposure‐outcome odds ratio if at least one of these models is correctly specified, not necessarily both. We demonstrate the properties of the proposed method by simulations and by re‐analyzing a publicly available dataset from a matched case‐control study on induced abortion and infertility.
Genetic basis of voluntary water consumption in two divergently selected strains of inbred mice
Authors: Haag Maria , Wells Kevin , Lamberson William
Published: August 2019

Background

Inbred mouse strains with normal renal function show a substantial difference in daily water consumption across strains. This study uses two strains of inbred mice C57BR/CDJ (BR), which are high consumers, and C57BL/10J (BL), which are low consumers, their reciprocal F1 crosses, inter se bred F2s and backcrosses produced by breeding high consuming F2 animals to the low consumer parent strain and low consuming F2 animals to the high consuming parent strain. Consumption was corrected for body weight prior to analysis.

Methods

The effective number of genes controlling water consumption was estimated using the Castle–Wright estimator. Additive and dominance genotypic values as well as the degree of dominance were calculated using estimated strain means.

Results

According to Castle–Wright, a minimum of 10 factors were estimated to affect the difference in consumption across the two strains. Between seven and eight are expected to be high effect factors. Using the Zeng adjustment, it was determined that 30–40 factors potentially affect the difference in consumption.

Conclusions

These numbers were surprising but may be related to several sources of variation present in the BR strain. A negative degree of dominance indicated the BL strain has more dominant factors.
Degradation of mixed dye via heterogeneous Fenton process: Studies of calcination, toxicity evaluation, and kinetics
Authors: Kumar Vijyendra , Pandey Neha , Dharmadhikari Sandeep , Ghosh Prabir
Published: August 2019

In this study, the degradation of mixed dye (mixture of Azure B and Congo red) was investigated using iron‐loaded black soil as a catalyst via Fenton process. Iron‐loaded black soil catalyst was prepared by the wet impregnation method, calcined at different temperatures with varying of iron loading on black soil. Their behavior was compared through characterization techniques (FTIR and XRD). Separately, the effect of calcination and aging of catalyst was investigated on the degradation of mixed dye with optimized conditions. Significant degradation (>90% only in 10 min) was observed in optimum conditions. Toxicity measurement was done by a seed germination test which gave significant results. In the kinetic study, it was found that Behnajady–Modirshahla–Ghanbery (BMG) model was the best suited for this process compared to other models. In addition, thermodynamic properties (Gibbs free energy [∆G], activation energy [Ea], activation enthalpy [∆H], and activation entropy [∆S]) were also calculated. The stability of synthesized catalyst was found to be satisfactory.

Practitioner points

Application of Iron‐loaded black soil catalyst

Mixed dye degradation and toxicity measurement

Thermodynamic property studies
tt∗ geometry of modular curves
Authors: Bergamin Riccardo
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Motivated by Vafa’s model, we study the tt
∗ geometry of a degenerate class of fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE) models with an abelian group of symmetry acting transitively on the classical vacua. Despite it is not relevant for the phenomenology of the FQHE, this class of theories has interesting mathematical properties. We find that these models are parametrized by the family of modular curves Y
1(N) = ℍ/Γ1(N), labelled by an integer N ≥ 2. Each point of the space of level N is in correspondence with a one dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 Landau-Ginzburg theory, which is defined on an elliptic curve with N vacua and N poles in the fundamental cell. The modular curve Y (N) = ℍ/Γ(N) is a cover of degree N of Y
1(N) and plays the role of spectral cover for the space of models. The presence of an abelian symmetry allows to diagonalize the Berry’s connection of the vacuum bundle and the tt
∗ equations turn out to be the well known

$$ \hat{A} $$

A
^

N −1 Toda equations. The underlying structure of the modular curves and the connection between geometry and number theory emerge clearly when we study the modular properties and classify the critical limits of these models.
Read atomic transactions with prevention of lost updates: ROLA and its formal analysis
Authors: Liu Si , Ölveczky Peter Csaba , Wang Qi , Gupta Indranil , Meseguer José
Published: August 2019

Designers of distributed database systems face the choice between stronger consistency guarantees and better performance. A number of applications only require
read atomicity
(RA) (either all or none of a transaction’s updates are visible to other transactions) and
prevention of lost updates
(PLU). Existing distributed transaction systems that meet these requirements also provide additional stronger consistency guarantees (such as
causal consistency
), but this comes at the price of lower performance. In this paper we propose a new distributed transaction protocol, ROLA, that targets application scenarios where only RA and PLU are needed. We formally specify ROLA in Maude. We then perform model checking to analyze both the correctness and the performance of ROLA. For correctness, we use standard model checking to analyze ROLA’s satisfaction of RA and PLU. To analyze
performance
we: (a) perform statistical model checking to analyze key performance properties; and (b) compare these performance results with those obtained by also modeling and analyzing in Maude the well-known protocols Walter and Jessy that also guarantee RA and PLU. Our statistical model checking results show that ROLA outperforms both Walter and Jessy.
James Ellroy’s Critical Criminology: Crimes of the Powerful in the Underworld USA Trilogy
Authors: McGregor Rafe
Published: August 2019

This article argues for the criminological value of James Ellroy’s fiction, using hisUnderworld USA Trilogy(the “Trilogy”) as a case study. I present theTrilogyas a critical criminological enterprise, understood in the sense of offering a convincing explanation of the cause(s) of social harm—specifically, those committed by various agencies of the American government from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Ellroy’sTrilogyprovides this explanation in two distinct ways, using literary devices first to establish a counterfactual vision of America during the 1960s and then to represent the lived experience of perpetrators of state-sponsored social harm. In conveying such criminological knowledge, theTrilogyconstitutes an instance of critical criminology and demonstrates the exercise of the criminological imagination.
Topic modeling for anomaly detection in telecommunication networks
Authors: Steinhauer H. Joe , Helldin Tove , Mathiason Gunnar , Karlsson Alexander
Published: August 2019

To ensure reliable network performance, anomaly detection is an important part of the telecommunication operators’ work. This includes that operators need to timely intervene with the network, should they encounter indications of network performance degradation. In this paper, we describe the results of an initial experiment for anomaly detection with regard to network performance, using topic modeling on base station run-time variable data collected from live Radio Access Networks (RANs). The results show that topic modeling clusters semantically related data in the same way as human experts would and that the anomalies in our test cases could be identified in latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic models. Our experiment further reveals which information provided by the topic model is particularly usable to support human anomaly detection in this application domain.
Continuity of composition operators in Sobolev spaces
Authors: Bourdaud Gérard , Moussai Madani
Published: August 2019

We prove that all the composition operators

T_{f}(g): = f \circ g

, which take the Adams–Frazier space

W_{p}^{m} \cap \.{W}_{mp}^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{n})

to itself, are continuous mappings from

W_{p}^{m} \cap \.{W}_{mp}^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{n})

to itself, for every integer

m \geq 2

and every real number

1 \leq p < \infty

. The same automatic continuity property holds for Sobolev spaces

W_{p}^{m}(\mathbb{R}^{n})

for

m \geq 2

and

1 \leq p < \infty

.
PROSERPINA IN PIECES: CLAUDIAN ON HER RAPE
Authors: Schottenius Cullhed Sigrid
Published: August 2019

antra procul Scyllaea petit, canibusque reductispars stupefacta silet, pars nondum exterrita latrat.(Claud. Rapt. 3.447f.)
[The torch-light], farther away, reaches the cave of Scylla—her dogs drawn back,one part is silent with amazement, one part barks, still undaunted.
With this climactic scene, the Latin epic poem De raptu Proserpinae by Claudius Claudianus (fl. c.400 AD) ends just as Ceres sets out to search for her lost daughter. The poem relates the myth primarily known from the Homeric Hymn to Demeter with a great deal of variations, the most crucial one being that mother and daughter, Ceres and Proserpina, are still not reunited when the poem comes to a close.
WHAT CAN L2 WRITERS’ PAUSING BEHAVIOR TELL US ABOUT THEIR L2 WRITING PROCESSES?
Authors: Barkaoui Khaled
Published: August 2019

When responding to a writing task, writers spend a significant amount of their time not writing. These periods of physical inactivity, or pauses, during writing provide observable and measurable cues as to when, where, and how long writers halt to plan and/or revise their texts. Consequently, examining writers’ pausing patterns can provide important insights into the cognitive processes that writers employ when composing and the impact of various individual, task, and contextual factors on those processes. This article discusses theory and research on writers’ pausing behavior; how pause analysis can be used to investigate second language (L2) learners’ writing processes; challenges in researching writers’ pausing behavior (e.g., defining pauses); and some strategies to address these challenges. Next, the article illustrates how L2 writers’ pause data can be collected, analyzed, and interpreted, using keystroke logging data from a research project that aimed to examine the effects of task type, L2 proficiency, and keyboarding skills on L2 learners’ writing processes when writing on the computer. The article concludes with a call for more research on L2 writers’ pausing behavior, particularly how L2 writers’ pausing behavior relates to L2 writing outcomes and development across learners, contexts, and time.
Theatre History Studies in Latin America Today: Issues in Common
Authors: VERZERO LORENA
Published: August 2019

David Wiles discusses the state of theatre history and the status of the theatre historian according to the voices of academics working on and in the Western tradition. In this article I intend to briefly contribute to those debates with reflections on how we make theatre history, and what we are working on, in the Latin American academy today.
In Situ Measurements of Lunar Dust at the Chang'E‐3 Landing Site in the Northern Mare Imbrium
Authors: Li Detian , Wang Yi , Zhang He , Zhuang Jianhong , Wang Xiaojun , Wang Yongjun , Yang Shengsheng , Sun Zezhou , Wang Xianrong , Chen Liping , Yao Rijian , Zou Xin , Ma Jinan , Cui Yang , Wang Xilai , Li Cunhui , Zhang Haiyan , Li Xiongyao , Gao Xin , Cui Xinyu , Zhang Biao , Li Wenfeng , Lin Hongyu
Published: August 2019

Lunar dust is regarded as the most crucial environmental problem on the Moon, and related research has crucially important scientific and technological interests. Here, we first reported the in situ measurements of lunar dust at the Chang'E‐3 landing site in the northern Mare Imbrium using temperature‐controlled sticky quartz crystal microbalance. The results showed that a total deposition mass at a height of 190 cm above the lunar surface during 12 lunar daytimes in the northern Mare Imbrium was about 0.0065 mg/cm2, corresponding to an annual deposition rate of ~21.4 μg/cm2, which is comparable with that of Apollo's result to some extent. The present researches are strategically important for future human and robotic lunar expeditions, and can provide a valuable reference for the design of dust protection for onboard payloads long‐term exposure to the lunar environment.