bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoramento de desastres em rios empregando sensoriamento remoto: análise comparativa da turbidez e da reflectância no Rio Doce
Authors: Cazassa Giovana Cabral , Santos Marcella Cunha dos , Oliveira Thaís Gonçalves de , Pereira Pedro Henrique Rodrigues , Gonçalves José Augusto Costa , Vieira Eliane Maria
Published: September 2019

O rompimento da barragem de Fundão em Mariana/MG, foi um dos desastres ambientais mais impactante da história do Brasil até então. Milhões de rejeitos de mineração foram lançados no Rio Doce, ocasionando a mortandade da biodiversidade aquática e da fauna terrestre, além de causar a perda de várias pessoas, a destruição do município de Bento Rodrigues e de desabrigar muitas famílias. Tal evento não é um caso isolado e a detecção e monitoramento do deslocamento destes rejeitos é extremamente importante visto que em muitos casos são necessárias ações preventivas para resguardar a integridade de populações e atividades econômicas que depende da água captada nos rios, contudo este é oneroso em função do deslocamento de equipes que coletam amostras (ou realizam análises In Locu) para a detecção da presença dos rejeitos. Assim, este trabalho se propõe ao desenvolvimento de uma metodologia para o monitoramento de desastres advindos do rompimento de barragens de rejeitos de mineração ao longo dos cursos d’água, por meio de sensoriamento remoto. Foram empregados os dados de Turbidez dos pontos de monitoramento existentes ao longo do Rio Doce, do Instituto Mineiro de Gestão das Águas (IGAM), e do Instituto Estatual do Meio Ambiente do Espirito Santo (IEMA), e cenas do satélite LandSat 8, Sensor OLI. Foi realizada a correção atmosférica das imagens selecionadas. Dos trinta e um pontos avaliados, todos que apresentaram maiores teores de turbidez apresentaram valores de refletância inferiores a 1, o que levou a concluir que quanto maior o valor da turbidez, menor será a Reflectância da água analisada após a adição de rejeitos, da mineração de ferro, em grandes volumes contrariando o esperado.
The Effect of Two Bulk-Fill Resin Composites on Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Teeth
Authors: ÜSTÜN Özlem , GÜÇLÜER Öznur
Published: September 2019

Objectives: The aim of this
study was to compare the effect of two commercially available bulk-fill
restorative materials on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated
human molar teeth.

Materials and methods: A total of 44 mandibular third
molar were divided into four groups: Group
1; 4 mm thick bulk-fill fluid composite (SDR ™, Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany)
was applied to the cavities. The restoration of the proximal walls and the
occlusal region was completed with posterior composite (Valux Plus, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA).
Group 2; 4 mm thick fiber-resin reinforced bulk-fill composite (EverX
Posterior; GC Corp., Japan) was placed in the cavities and the procedure in
Group 1 was repeated.  Group 3 (negative
control group); no restoration was applied to the cavities. Group 4 (positive
control group); comprised intact molar teeth without any treatment. The
root canals were shaped using rotary instruments, irrigated with NaOCl, and
obturated. All samples were incubated
in distilled water at 37˚C for 1 week and then fracture strength test was
performed. The values were recorded in Newton and the data were evaluated using Kruskal Wallis and
Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: No
statistically significant difference (p >0.05 ) was observed between group 1, 2, and the positive
control group. However, the bulk-fill fluid composite material showed higher
fracture resistance than the fiber-resin reinforced composite material (p<0.05). The highest fracture resistance was observed in the
positive control group. The fracture resistance of the negative control group
was statistically lower than the other groups (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Both
of the bulk-fill restorative materials in 
endodontically treated teeth showed similar fracture resistance  to  intact
teeth. In addition, the clinical use of the bulk-fill fluid composites may be
recommended because of their high fracture resistance and ease of application.
O Decálogo do Deuteronômio em comparação com o do Êxodo
Authors: Da Silva Valmor
Published: September 2019

Analisa os acréscimos e modificações principais introduzidos no contexto e no texto do decálogo, pela versão do Deuteronômio (Dt 5,6-21), em comparação com a do Êxodo (Ex 20,2-17). As principais mudanças que cercam os textos do decálogo, com relação ao contexto, referem-se ao lugar geográfico, aos personagens que transmitem os mandamentos, ao contexto literário e às motivações teológicas. Além disso, discutem-se as mudanças relativas a três preceitos específicos. A guarda do sábado, no Deuteronômio, é justificada pela memória da libertação da casa da escravidão do Egito, diferente do Êxodo, que apelava para o descanso divino no sétimo dia da criação. O mandamento que ordena honrar pai e mãe, no Deuteronômio é acompanhado da promessa, “e tudo corra bem par ti”. O último mandamento, no Deuteronômio, distingue dois verbos, não cobiçarás a mulher do próximo e não desejarás os bens, com o acréscimo “nem o seu campo”. Através do método da comparação sinótica entre os dois relatos, o estudo objetiva destacar as mudanças e apresentar suas possíveis explicações.
Práticas de solidariedade e a humanização da sociedade
Authors: Rossi Luiz Alexandre
Published: September 2019

A construção de uma sociedade sadia acontece preferencialmente a partir de medidas de proteção daqueles que vivem na periferia e estão, em razão disso, sem possibilidade de proteção externa ou de autoproteção exatamente porque se constituem seja como pessoas ou grupos fracos e/ou enfraquecidos e empobrecidos. No artigo se objetiva abordar apenas duas situações de proteção dos mais vulneráveis – Dt 24,14-15 e 17-18 – e a maneira pela qual eles são protegidos pelo legislador deuteronômico.
Randomized routing of virtual machines in IaaS data centers
Authors: Khani Hadi , Khanmirza Hamed
Published: September 2019

Cloud computing technology has been a game changer in recent years. Cloud computing providers promise cost-effective and on-demand resource computing for their users. Cloud computing providers are running the workloads of users as virtual machines (VMs) in a large-scale data center consisting a few thousands physical servers. Cloud data centers face highly dynamic workloads varying over time and many short tasks that demand quick resource management decisions. These data centers are large scale and the behavior of workload is unpredictable. The incoming VM must be assigned onto the proper physical machine (PM) in order to keep a balance between power consumption and quality of service. The scale and agility of cloud computing data centers are unprecedented so the previous approaches are fruitless. We suggest an analytical model for cloud computing data centers when the number of PMs in the data center is large. In particular, we focus on the assignment of VM onto PMs regardless of their current load. For exponential VM arrival with general distribution sojourn time, the mean power consumption is calculated. Then, we show the minimum power consumption under quality of service constraint will be achieved with randomize assignment of incoming VMs onto PMs. Extensive simulation supports the validity of our analytical model.
Revealing biases in the sampling of ecological interaction networks
Authors: de Aguiar Marcus A.M. , Newman Erica A. , Pires Mathias M. , Yeakel Justin D. , Boettiger Carl , Burkle Laura A. , Gravel Dominique , Guimarães Paulo R. , O’Donnell James L. , Poisot Timothée , Fortin Marie-Josée , Hembry David H.
Published: September 2019

The structure of ecological interactions is commonly understood through analyses of interaction networks. However, these analyses may be sensitive to sampling biases with respect to both the interactors (the nodes of the network) and interactions (the links between nodes), because the detectability of species and their interactions is highly heterogeneous. These ecological and statistical issues directly affect ecologists’ abilities to accurately construct ecological networks. However, statistical biases introduced by sampling are difficult to quantify in the absence of full knowledge of the underlying ecological network’s structure. To explore properties of large-scale ecological networks, we developed the software EcoNetGen, which constructs and samples networks with predetermined topologies. These networks may represent a wide variety of communities that vary in size and types of ecological interactions. We sampled these networks with different mathematical sampling designs that correspond to methods used in field observations. The observed networks generated by each sampling process were then analyzed with respect to the number of components, size of components and other network metrics. We show that the sampling effort needed to estimate underlying network properties depends strongly both on the sampling design and on the underlying network topology. In particular, networks with random or scale-free modules require more complete sampling to reveal their structure, compared to networks whose modules are nested or bipartite. Overall, modules with nested structure were the easiest to detect, regardless of the sampling design used. Sampling a network starting with any species that had a high degree (e.g., abundant generalist species) was consistently found to be the most accurate strategy to estimate network structure. Because high-degree species tend to be generalists, abundant in natural communities relative to specialists, and connected to each other, sampling by degree may therefore be common but unintentional in empirical sampling of networks. Conversely, sampling according to module (representing different interaction types or taxa) results in a rather complete view of certain modules, but fails to provide a complete picture of the underlying network. To reduce biases introduced by sampling methods, we recommend that these findings be incorporated into field design considerations for projects aiming to characterize large species interaction networks.
Effect of Capital Structure on Financial Performance of Listed Banks in Nigeria
Authors: Adeoye Sunday David , Olojede Samson Olusola
Published: September 2019

Corporate entities all over the world are faced with the problem of determining appropriate finance that will boost the value of the entity and maximize the wealth of shareholders. However, for overall wealth of shareholders to be met and consistent increase in value of Banks to be achievable, capital either debt in form of customers deposit or equity capital raised from investors is inevitable. This study therefore examined the effect of capital structure on the performance of some selected banks in Nigeria. The objectives were to examine the relationship that exists between capital structure and financial performance and to investigate the effect of capital structure on the financial performance of quoted deposit money banks in Nigeria.

To achieve these, a cross sectional time series secondary data covering the period of seven years (2012-2018) was extracted from the audited financial statement of ten (10) banks listed on the floor of stock exchange. The descriptive statistics, Pearson moment correlation and multiple linear regressions were used.

The correlation results showed that capital structure is negatively correlated with financial performance (ROA and ROE). Result from panel regression revealed that debt to equity though significant, impacted negatively on return on assets and return on equity , asset tangibility significantly impacted return on asset but insignificantly impacted return on shareholder’s equity  and also Age have a significant impact on return on asset and insignificant effect on return on equity .

This study therefore concluded that capital structure have a negative effect on the financial performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria and recommended that appropriate proportion of capital should be tailored towards viable investment opportunities for maximum return of shareholders wealth and increase in value of the firm. More so, while finance manager is alert to the movement in the stock market, banks should take precautionary measures for mitigating credit risk associated with lending and borrowing.
Variation of Growth and Yield of Boro Rice Influenced by Transplanting Method and Gypsum Rate in the Salinity Affected Area of Noakhali in Bangladesh
Authors: Alim S. M. A. , Kader M. A. , Islam M. A. , Akram S. , Rouf M. A. , Rana M. S.
Published: September 2019

Field experiment was carried out in Moddhochar Jabbar of Noakhali, Bangladesh during Boro season (December-April) 2018 to investigate the ameliorative effect of application of gypsum and transplanting method on the yield of BRRI dhan28 (V1) and BINAdhan-10 (V2)under salinity stress. The experiment comprised 3 factors; Transplanting method, Variety and Gypsum. This variety was evaluated under two transplanting methods i.e., Furrow transplanting (T1) and Conventional transplanting (T2) and four levels of gypsum with control G0: control, G1: 50 kg ha-1,G2: 100 kg ha-1 and G3: 150 kg ha-1 .The experiment was laid out in a Latin Square Design (LSD) with three replications. Salinity level had significant negative effect on plant characters and yield of rice.  Gypsum (@ 150 kg/ha) exerted positive significant effect on most of the plant parameters except number of non-effective tillers. Furrow transplanting method (T1) had positive significant effect on most of the plant parameters except panicle length and harvest index. Binadhan-10 shows better performance than BRRI dhan28 in case of yield and all yield contributing characters in the prevailing condition. The highest grain yield (6.63 t ha-1) found from T1V2G3 (combination of furrow transplanting method, Binadhan-10 and gypsum @ 150 kg/ha) and lowest (4.26 t ha-1) inT2V1G0 (combination of conventional transplanting method, BRRI dhan28 and gypsum @ 0 kg ha-1). It was calculated that the straw yield highest (8.14 t ha-1) in T1V2G2 (combination of furrow transplanting method, Binadhan-10 and gypsum @ 100 kg/ha) and lowest (5.61 t ha-1) in T2V1G0 (combination of conventional transplanting method, BRRI dhan28 and gypsum @ 0 kg/ha).
Enhancing Adult Student Outcomes and Employability With Prior Learning Assessment
Authors: Delleville Valerie A.
Published: September 2019

This chapter will define and illustrate the sustainable cycle of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) benefits for both employees and employers in the U.S. workforce. Employer and student benefits of PLA will be reviewed, and program completion outcomes will be examined.
Thermal Stability of an Mg–Nd Alloy Processed by High‐Pressure Torsion
Authors: Tighiouaret Samia , Lachhab Rabeb , Hanna Abdelkader , Azzeddine Hiba , Huang Yi , Baudin Thierry , Helbert Anne-Laure , Brisset François , Bradai Djamel , Langdon Terence G.
Published: September 2019

The evolution of microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of an Mg–1.43Nd (wt%) alloy is investigated after processing by high‐pressure torsion at room temperature through five turns and isochronal annealing for 1 h at 150, 250, 350, and 450 °C using electron backscatter diffraction and Vickers microhardness. The alloy exhibits a good thermal stability up to annealing at 250 °C, with mean grain size of ≈0.65 μm. The microhardness shows an initial hardening after annealing at 150 °C and then a subsequent softening. The deformation texture, a basal texture shifted 60° away from the shear direction (SD), is retained during annealing up to 250 °C. In contrast, a basal texture with symmetrical splitting toward SD is developed after annealing at 350 °C. The precipitation sequence and their pinning effects are responsible for the age‐hardening, stabilization of grain size, and the texture modification. The kinetics of grain growth in the Mg–1.43Nd alloy follows two stages depending on the temperature annealing range, with an activation energy of ≈26 kJ mol−1 in the low temperature range of 150–250 °C and ≈147 kJ mol−1 in the high temperature range of 250–450 °C.
Simultaneously Boosting the Ionic Conductivity and Mechanical Strength of Polymer Gel Electrolyte Membranes by Confining Ionic Liquids into Hollow Silica Nanocavities
Authors: Thapaliya Bishnu P. , Do‐Thanh Chi‐Linh , Jafta Charl J. , Tao Runming , Lyu Hailong , Borisevich Albina Y. , Yang Shi‐ze , Sun Xiao‐Guang , Dai Sheng
Published: September 2019

A central problem of solid polymer electrolytes is their inability to achieve robust mechanical strength with fast ionic conductivities required for commercialization of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). At present, state‐of‐the‐art offers superiority of one at the expense of the other. Here, this dilemma has been solved by fabricating mechanically robust solid composite polymer electrolytes (SCPEs) with superior ionic conductivity (0.5 mS cm−1 at 20 °C) by confining ionic liquids (ILs) in the hollow scaffold offered by hollow silica (HS) nanospheres with unique architecture. Mechanical robustness was verified by the performance of a Li||Li symmetric cell cycling for extended hours without short‐circuiting. In addition, SCPEs with HS have higher thermal and electrochemical stabilities than those without HS, due to strong interaction and coordination of HS nanoparticles with polymer and ionic liquids. Electrode compatibility and flexibility of the membrane could advance the LMBs technology.
A Phenomenological Investigation of Wellness Within Counselor Education Programs
Authors: Gleason Brett K. , Hays Danica G.
Published: September 2019

In this phenomenological investigation, the authors explored doctoral‐level counselor trainees’ (N = 12) perceptions of wellness promotion in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Using semistructured interviews, the research team identified 3 structural themes (components of wellness, program culture, and recommendations) and 13 textural themes. Findings highlight the need for training regarding boundaries and self‐awareness.
Counseling Students’ Emotions During Cultural Immersion: Impact on Reactance
Authors: King Kelly , Borders L. DiAnne , Jones Connie
Published: September 2019

Counselor trainees’ multicultural development is a process that engenders strong emotions. The authors inventoried students’ emotions in cultural immersion activities and assessed their impact on course reactance. Findings indicated that reactance was shaped by both negative and positive emotions and that cultural immersion can be universally challenging for students.
Lifetime of Parahydrogen in Aqueous Solutions and Human Blood
Authors: Schmidt Andreas B. , Wörner Jakob , Pravdivtsev Andrey , Knecht Stephan , Scherer Harald , Weber Stefan , Hennig Jürgen , von Elverfeldt Dominik , Hövener Jan‐Bernd
Published: September 2019

Molecular hydrogen has unique nuclear spin properties. Its nuclear spin isomer, parahydrogen (pH2), was instrumental in the early days of quantum mechanics and allows to boost the NMR signal by several orders of magnitude. pH2‐induced polarization (PHIP) is based on the survival of pH2 spin order in solution, yet its lifetime has not been investigated in aqueous or biological media required for in vivo applications. Herein, we report longitudinal relaxation times (T1) and lifetimes of pH2 (
) in methanol and water, with or without O2, NaCl, rhodium‐catalyst or human blood. Furthermore, we present a relaxation model that uses T1 and
for more precise theoretical predictions of the H2 spin state in PHIP experiments. All measured T1 values were in the range of 1.4–2 s and
values were of the order of 10–300 minutes. These relatively long lifetimes hold great promise for emerging in vivo implementations and applications of PHIP.
Using climate projections to assess ecosystem vulnerability at scales relevant to managers
Authors: Triepke F. Jack , Muldavin Esteban H. , Wahlberg Maximillian M.
Published: September 2019

Land managers require information about the ongoing and potential effects of future climate to coordinate responses for ecosystems, species, and human communities at scales that are operationally meaningful. Our study focused on the vulnerability for all upland ecosystem types of Arizona and New Mexico in the southwestern United States. Local vulnerability across the two‐state area was represented by the level of departure for late 21st‐century climate from the characteristic pre‐1990 climate envelope of the ecosystem type at each given location, resulting in a probability surface of climate impacts for the two‐state area and an uncertainty assessment based on agreement in results among multiple global climate models. Though the results varied from one ecosystem type to the next, the majority of lands were forecast as high vulnerability and low uncertainty, reflecting significant agreement among climate model projections for the southwestern United States. We then tested our results in relation to ongoing ecological processes that have both regional and global change implications and discovered significant relationships with wildfire severity, upward tree species recruitment, and the encroachment of scrub into semidesert grassland. The testing helped determine the efficacy of the vulnerability surface, as a product of relatively high spatial and thematic resolution, in supporting local planning and management decisions. Most important, this study links climate and changes in vegetation by ecosystem processes that are already ongoing. The results affirm the value of climate model downscaling and show that this portable approach to correlative modeling has value in determining the location and magnitude of potential climate‐related impacts.
Association between beta‐blocker use and mortality/morbidity in older patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. A propensity score‐matched analysis from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry
Authors: Stolfo Davide , Uijl Alicia , Benson Lina , Schrage Benedikt , Fudim Marat , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Koudstaal Stefan , Sinagra Gianfranco , Dahlström Ulf , Rosano Giuseppe , Savarese Gianluigi
Published: September 2019

Background

Beta‐blockers reduce mortality and morbidity in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, patients older than 80 years are poorly represented in randomized controlled trials. We assessed the association between beta‐blocker use and outcomes in HFrEF patients aged ≥80 years.

Methods and results

We included patients with an ejection fraction <40% and aged ≥80 years from the Swedish HF Registry. The association between beta‐blocker use, all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular (CV) mortality/HF hospitalization was assessed by Cox proportional hazard models in a 1:1 propensity score‐matched cohort. To assess consistency, the same analyses were performed in a positive control cohort with age <80 years. A negative control outcome analysis was run using hospitalization for cancer as endpoint. Of 6562 patients aged ≥80 years, 5640 (86%) received beta‐blockers. In the matched cohort including 1732 patients, beta‐blocker use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–0.99]. Reduction in CV mortality/HF hospitalization was not significant (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.85–1.05) due to the lack of association with HF hospitalization, whereas CV death was significantly reduced. After adjustment rather than matching for the propensity score in the overall cohort, beta‐blocker use was associated with reduced risk of all outcomes. In patients aged <80 years, use of beta‐blockers was associated with reduced risk of all‐cause death (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68–0.92) and of the composite outcome (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.77–0.99).

Conclusions

In HFrEF patients ≥80 years of age, use of beta‐blockers was high and was associated with improved all‐cause and CV survival.
Life Cycle Analysis of Decentralized Preprocessing Systems for Fast Pyrolysis Biorefineries with Blended Feedstocks in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Lan Kai , Ou Longwen , Park Sunkyu , Kelley Stephen S. , Yao Yuan
Published: September 2019

Blending biomass feedstock is a promising approach to mitigate supply chain risks that are common challenges for large‐scale biomass utilization. Understanding the potential environmental benefits of biofuels produced from blended biomass and identifying driving parameters are critical for the supply chain design. Herein, a cradle‐to‐gate life cycle analysis model for fast pyrolysis biorefineries converting blended feedstocks (pine residues and switchgrass) with traditional centralized and alternative decentralized preprocessing sites, so‐called depots, is explained. Different scenarios are developed to investigate the impacts of parameters such as feedstock blending ratios, biorefinery and depot capacities, preprocessing technologies, and allocation methods. The life‐cycle energy consumption and global warming potential (GWP) of biofuel production with depots vary between 0.7–1.1 MJ MJ−1 and 43.2–76.6 g CO2 eq. MJ−1, respectively. The results are driven by biorefinery processes and depot preprocesses. A decentralized design reduces the energy consumption of the biorefinery but increases the overall life‐cycle energy and GWP. Such increases can be significantly mitigated by increasing switchgrass content as the energy consumption at the depot is driven largely by the higher moisture content of pine feedstocks. Allocation methods also have a large impact on the results but do not change the major trends and overall conclusions.
On the emission reduction through the application of an electrically heated catalyst to a diesel vehicle
Authors: Gao Jianbing , Tian Guohong , Sorniotti Aldo
Published: September 2019

Exhaust emissions from diesel engine powered vehicles are considerably high during cold start and warm‐up, because of the poor catalyst performance due to the insufficient catalyst temperature. The controlled heat injection allowed by electrically heated catalysts can effectively reduce the catalyst light‐off time with relatively moderate fuel penalty. This paper compares the exhaust temperature and emissions of a case study diesel vehicle in cold and warm start conditions, and proposes two electrically heated catalyst control strategies, which are evaluated in terms of emission reduction and energy consumption with different target temperature settings. In addition, a new performance indicator, that is, the specific emission reduction, is used to evaluate the after‐treatment system and associated thermal management. For the worldwide harmonized light vehicle test cycle, the results without electrically heated catalyst show that from both cold and warm start conditions a large amount of operating points of the engine is located in the region of partial catalyst light off. Moreover, emissions, especially in terms of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon, significantly decrease with the electrically heated catalyst implementation, for example, by at least 50% from cold start; however, they still tend to be rather substantial when the fuel is re‐injected after the engine cutoff phases. The exhaust temperature is lower than the target values in the sections of the driving cycle in which the electrically heated catalyst power is saturated according to the maximum level allowed by the device. The carbon dioxide penalty brought by the electrically heated catalyst ranges from 3.93% to 6.65% and from 6.49% to 9.35% for warm and cold start conditions, respectively.
Reactivity of B‐Xanthyl N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Boranes
Authors: Vallet Anne‐Laure , Telitel Sofia , Lalevée Jacques , Lacôte Emmanuel
Published: September 2019

The synthesis and reactivity of mono‐ and bis‐S‐xanthyl NHC‐boranes is reported. The new NHC‐boranes are prepared through nucleophilic exchange at boron from either mono‐ or bis‐triflyl NHC‐boranes, themselves obtained by protolysis of the NHC‐BH3 starting compounds. The B−H bond of the S‐xanthyl NHC‐boranes can be cleaved both homolytically and heterolytically, albeit the latter is more synthetically useful. The S‐xanthyl NHC‐boranes can reduce both aldehydes and imines. The B−S bond can also be cleaved homolytically. Under UV irradiation, the S‐xanthyl NHC‐boranes generate NHC‐boryl radicals that can initiate radical polymerizations of acrylates.
Differential reinforcement‐of‐low‐rate procedures: A systematic replication with students with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Piper Allison , Borrero John C. , Becraft Jessica L.
Published: September 2019

Becraft, Borrero, Davis, Mendres‐Smith, and Castillo (2018) studied the effects of two different types of DRL schedules (full session and spaced responding) under 2 sets of stimulus conditions (with and without signals). Reduced rates of responding maintained under both types of DRL schedules, when signals were included. The present study represents a replication of procedures by Becraft et al. involving learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The results replicated those of Becraft et al. in that responding in both full‐session and spaced‐responding DRL schedules was low, but not eliminated. These results provide preliminary evidence to suggest that children with ASD are responsive to signals in DRL arrangements, which may set the stage for evaluation of signaled DRL arrangements for socially significant response forms.
RNA therapeutics: Identification of novel targets leading to drug discovery
Authors: Qadir Muhammad Imran , Bukhat Sherien , Rasul Sumaira , Manzoor Hamid , Manzoor Majid
Published: September 2019

The established concept that RNA works only for protein synthesis has been changed over the past few decades and shifted towards therapeutic purposes. Almost 98% of mammalian genome is transcribed into nonprotein coding RNA termed as noncoding RNA (ncRNA) which plays regulatory role in molecular and cellular functions as controlling gene expression. These ncRNAs are classified as long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), short noncoding RNA (sncRNA), and translational/structural RNA which possess diverse functions. These ncRNAs regulate expression of normal gene and modulate disease development and progression. The characterization of ncRNA genes and their mechanisms can aid in disease diagnosis, examining its development and direct specific therapies in different disease treatments. Due to their unique modes of action, they are designated as novel class of targets leading to drug discovery. The modulation in these ncRNAs can enhance therapeutic treatments against different diseases by targeting mRNA for its cleavage via antisense olionucleotides (ASOs)/DNA duplex, RNA alternative splicing/editing, chromatin modification, transcriptional/translational interference, RNA masking, small interfering RNA/microRNA‐based gene silencing and by inducing immunity via RNA‐based vaccination. Here in this review, we tried to summarize the emerging fields of ncRNA, their role in different diseases, their modes of action, and their potential in target identification and therapeutic drug development.
SRSF1‐dependent alternative splicing attenuates BIN1 expression in non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Jiali , Liu Tianxu , Wang Mengjie , Lv Wei , Wang Yu , Jia Yunlong , Zhang Rong , Liu Lihua
Published: September 2019

Decreased bridging integrator 1 (BIN1) expression has great significance in promoting the progression of malignant tumors. Reduced messenger RNA expression is partly due to aberrant alternative splicing (AS). However, the AS status of BIN1 and its correlation with BIN1 inactivation in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poorly defined. Here we reported that BIN1 inactivation was not related to DNA methylation in NSCLC. Importantly, BIN1 with exon 12A inclusion (BIN1+12A isoform), the most frequent aberrant splicing variant in tumors was also observed in NSCLC, and might be accounted for BIN1 inactivation. Furthermore, we showed that the aberrant splicing of BIN1 was under the control of serine and arginine‐rich factor 1 (SRSF1) in NSCLC. In addition, colony formation assay showed that BIN1+12A isoform could abolish the tumor‐inhibiting ability of BIN1 in NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, transwell, wound healing and apoptosis experiments demonstrated that the occurrence of BIN1+12A could abrogate the invasion suppressing activity and proapoptotic property of BIN1 in NSCLC. Significantly, we also found that BIN1+12A isoform neutralized the tumor‐suppressing functions of BIN1 via affecting its subcellular localization. Altogether, these data revealed an aberrant splicing phenomenon which abated the expression and tumor‐inhibiting activity of BIN1 in NSCLC, and the related mechanisms were associated with SRSF1.
PCAT‐1 contributes to cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer through epigenetically silencing PTEN via recruiting EZH2
Authors: Li Hui , Ma Xuhui , Yang Desheng , Suo Zhimin , Dai Rujiang , Liu Chunhong
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the functional role and the underlying molecular mechanism of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) prostate cancer–associated transcript 1 (PCAT‐1) in cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer (GC). Our results indicated that PCAT‐1 was overexpressed in CDDP‐resistant GC tumor tissues and cell lines. High expression of PCAT‐1 was closely correlated with short overall survival in patients with GC. Downregulation of PCAT‐1 resensitized CDDP‐resistant GC cells to cisplatin. In addition, PCAT‐1 epigenetically silenced PTEN through binding to the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), thus increasing H3K27me3. More importantly, PTEN silencing counteracted PCAT‐1 knockdown–mediated enhancement in cisplatin sensitivity of CDDP‐resistant GC cells. In summary, PCAT‐1 led to cisplatin resistance in GC cells through epigenetically suppressing PTEN expression, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for GC patients with chemoresistance.
Successful modulation of atrial fibrillation drivers anchoring to fibrotic tissue after box isolation using an online real‐time phase mapping system: ExTRa Mapping
Authors: Nakamura Toshihiro , Kiuchi Kunihiko , Fukuzawa Koji , Takami Mitsuru , Akita Tomomi , Suehiro Hideya , Takemoto Makoto , Sakai Jun , Yatomi Atsusuke , Sonoda Yusuke , Takahara Hiroyuki , Nakasone Kazutaka , Yamamoto Kyoko , Hirata Ken‐ichi , Ashihara Takashi
Published: September 2019

A 41‐year‐old man with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation using an online real‐time phase mapping system: ExTRa Mapping. Box isolation could not terminate AF. Subsequently, RF applications on nonpassively activated areas (NPAs), where rotational activations were frequently observed, at the posterior bottom of left atrium outside of box lesion could convert AF to common atrial flutter. Of interest, the NPA near the posterior bottom were located on the patchy fibrotic tissue area assessed by the late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging. This indicated the possibility of the critical AF rotor meandering through the fibrotic tissue area.
Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions of Feeding Tube Practices for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Across 4 International Radiation Oncology Departments
Authors: Hazzard Emily , Walton Karen , McMahon Anne‐Therese , Milosavljevic Marianna , Tapsell Linda
Published: September 2019

Background

Malnutrition is common and debilitating among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). A feeding tube (FT) can help to minimize this. However, there is debate on FT use, including whether a reactive nasogastric tube (NGT) or prophylactic gastrostomy tube (PGT) approach is best. This study aimed to explore interdisciplinary healthcare professionals’ perspectives of FT practices for patients with HNC, across 4 radiation departments in Australia and the United States.

Methods

Healthcare professionals involved in the clinical care of patients undergoing radiotherapy for HNC were recruited from 2 radiation‐oncology departments in Australia and 2 in the United States. Individual interviews were recorded and analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

Results

Seventeen radiation oncologists, 12 nurses, 11 dietitians, and 6 speech pathologists participated. “Perspectives of FTs for patients with HNC” comprised 4 categories: a valued support, more individualized, no universal practice, and PGT vs NGT. “Placement considerations” comprised 6 patient categories (planned treatment, tumor characteristics, nutrition and swallow status, tube‐dependence risk, psychosocial status, and patient preferences) and 4 service‐structure categories (dietetic access, speech‐pathology access, interdisciplinary collaboration, and nutrition‐support infrastructure).

Conclusion

Although the targeted use of FTs was valued by healthcare professionals, several patient and service‐structure factors may influence whether the PGT or reactive NGT approach is perceived to be more efficacious. Further research is needed to explore patient preferences, tube dependence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and department infrastructure to promote consistent evidence‐based and patient‐centered FT practices.
Applications of omics and nanotechnology to improve pig embryo production in vitro
Authors: Lucas Caroline G. , Chen Paula R. , Seixas Fabiana K. , Prather Randall S. , Collares Tiago
Published: September 2019

An appropriate environment to optimize porcine preimplantation embryo production in vitro is required as genetically modified pigs have become indispensable for biomedical research and agriculture. To provide suitable culture conditions, omics technologies have been applied to elucidate which metabolic substrates and pathways are involved during early developmental processes. Metabolomic profiling and transcriptional analysis comparing in vivo‐ and in vitro‐derived embryos have demonstrated the important role of amino acids during preimplantation development. Transcriptional profiling studies have been helpful in assessing epigenetic reprogramming agents to allow for the correction of gene expression during the cloning process. Along with this, nanotechnology, which is a highly promising field, has allowed for the use of engineered nanoplatforms in reproductive biology. A growing number of studies have explored the use of nanoengineered materials for sorting, labeling, and targeting purposes; which demonstrates their potential to become one of the solutions for precise delivery of molecules into gametes and embryos. Considering the contributions of omics and the recent progress in nanoscience, in this review, we focused on their emerging applications for current in vitro pig embryo production systems to optimize the generation of genetically modified animals.
Can water level stations be used for thermal assessment in aquatic ecosystem?
Authors: Georges Blandine , Brostaux Yves , Claessens Hugues , Degré Aurore , Huylenbroeck Leo , Lejeune Philippe , Piégay Hervé , Michez Adrien
Published: September 2019

Many studies focus on stream water temperature (WT) because it is considered a key ecological factor. However, few of them have investigated the use of WT data from water level monitoring networks, which often measure WT as ancillary data. Our study was conducted in southern Belgium at a high temporal resolution with continuous data recorded at intervals of 10 min between 2012 and 2016 and large spatial scale greater than 16,000 km2. This study aimed to assess whether a regional water level network (140 stations) is reliable for continuous WT monitoring based on a Bland–Altman analysis with WT collected through a European monitoring network (Water Framework Directive). This study also investigates whether WT data acquired by water level stations can be used to perform both state‐of‐the‐art visualization of thermal regimes and spatio‐temporal queries for specific ecological monitoring.

We found that the water level stations were reliable tools in recording continuous WT in the streams of the study area. The temperature difference between the two WT monitoring networks was −0.57°C on average. Our positive results promote the use of WT from water level stations in order to globally characterize the thermal regime of streams as well as to provide spatial or temporal information on this regime at high frequencies. As an example, our data showed the effectiveness for brown trout (Salmo trutta fario L.) in spatializing thermal risk areas related to the thermal requirement of this fish species; in 2015, 19% of stations located in brown trout fish zone recorded temperatures above 25°C.
Palladium/Copper Alloy Hollow Nanocubes Supported on Sulfur‐doped Graphene as Highly Efficient Catalyst for Ethylene Glycol Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Qing , Han Wenjie , Huang Rumeng , Bai Zhengyu , Yang Lin , Jiang Kai , Qiao Jinli
Published: September 2019

To control and regulate both the shape and size of metal nanoparticles is essential for the design and preparation of active and stable catalysts for fuel cell reactions such as the ethylene glycol (EG) electrooxidation reaction, which is highly sensitive to the structure of the catalysts. We report the synthetic strategy of PdCu alloy hollow nanocube supported on sulfur‐doped graphene (H‐PdCu/SG) catalyst through a self‐assembled hydrothermal process for ethylene glycol (EG) electrooxidation reaction. The as‐prepared hollow PdCu alloy nanocubes are well distributed on the SG surface with a relatively small particle size distribution. Additionally, the H‐PdCu/SG catalyst shows a superior electrocatalytic activity and stability toward EG oxidation.
Rapid determination of ferulic acid in three kinds of Chinese herbs by direct analysis in real‐time mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Zhongping , Huang Xiaoli , Liu Huijun , Wang Lili , Fan Yilei , Liu Charles , Ren Yiping
Published: September 2019

A new method of direct analysis in real‐time integrated with mass spectrometry was established and applied to the rapid determination of ferulic acid in Chinese herbs. Instrument parameter settings were optimized to obtain the sensitive and accurate determination of ferulic acid. At the sample introduction speed of 0.5 mm/s, high signal intensity of [M‐H]− (m/z 193) for ferulic acid was achieved in the negative ion mode by utilization of high purity helium gas at 350°C. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 5–100 mg/L with the correlation coefficient r = 0.9846 and relative standard deviation (n = 6) in the range of 2.0 to 6.1%. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) and limit of quantitation (S/N = 10) were 0.4 and 1.2 mg/L respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 90.6–114.2%. The results of direct analysis in real time‐mass spectrometry were in agreement with those obtained by high performance liquid chromatography. The proposed direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry method is a simple, rapid and high‐throughput approach for the determination of ferulic acid in Chinese herbs.
New Destinations and the Early Childhood Education of Mexican-Origin Children
Authors: Ackert Elizabeth , Crosnoe Robert , Leventhal Tama
Published: September 2019

This study examined differences in exposure to early childhood education among Mexican-origin children across Latino/a destinations. Early childhood educational enrollment patterns, which are highly sensitive to community resources and foundational components of long-term educational inequalities, can offer a valuable window into how destinations may be shaping incorporation among Mexican-origin families. Integrating data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort with county-level data from the decennial census, multilevel logistic regression models revealed that Mexican-origin, black, and white children had lower odds of enrollment in early childhood education programs if they lived in new Latino/a destinations versus established destinations. The negative association between new destinations and early childhood education enrollment persisted despite controls for household selectivity, state and local early childhood education contexts, Latino/a educational attainment, Latino-white residential segregation, and immigration enforcement agreements. Within the Mexican-origin subgroup, the enrollment gap between new and established destinations was widest among the least-acculturated families, as measured by parental nativity, duration of residence, citizenship status, and English proficiency. These findings highlight how both place and acculturation stratify outcomes within the large and growing Mexican-origin subset of the Latino/a population.
Semantics-based summarisation of ATM information
Authors: Schuetz C. G. , Neumayr B. , Schrefl M. , Gringinger E. , Wilson S.
Published: September 2019

Pilot briefings, in their traditional form, drown pilots in a sea of information. Rather than unfocused swathes of air traffic management (ATM) information, pilots require only the information for their specific flight, preferably with an emphasis on the most important information. In this paper, we introduce the notion of ATM information cubes – in analogy to the well-established concept of Online analytical processing (OLAP) cubes in data warehousing. We propose a framework with merge and abstraction operations for the combination and summarization of the information in ATM information cubes to obtain management summaries of relevant information. To this end, we adopt the concept of semantic data container – a package of data items with a semantic description of the contents. The semantic descriptions then serve to hierarchically organise semantic containers along the dimensions of an ATM information cube. Leveraging this hierarchical organisation, a merge operation combines ATM information from individual semantic containers and collects the data items into composite containers. An abstraction operation summarises the data items within a semantic container, replacing individual data items with more abstract data items with summary information.
MEETING THE ELIMINATIVIST BURDEN
Authors: McCormick Kelly
Published: September 2019

In this essay I identify two burdens for eliminativist accounts of moral responsibility. I first examine an underappreciated logical gap between two features of eliminativism, the gap between descriptive skepticism and full-blown prescriptive eliminativism. Using Ishtiyaque Haji’s luck-based skepticism as an instructive example, I argue that in order to move successfully from descriptive skepticism to prescriptive eliminativism one must first provide a comparative defense of the conflicting principles that motivate the former. In other words, one must fix the skeptical spotlight. I then present and assess a second burden for eliminativists, they must meet what I call the motivational challenge. In order to meet this second burden, eliminativists must motivate their prescriptive account over preservationist competitors, and I assess two potential strategies for doing so. The first is to offer arguments that appeal to the gains and losses of abandoning our responsibility-related attitudes and practices, and the second is to offer direct arguments that we cannot retain these attitudes and practices. I conclude that the adequacy of either strategy remains at best an open question, but that making these burdens explicit might better position eliminativists to meet their competitors on more equal ground.
Correction: LncRNA HCP5A promotes follicular thyroid carcinoma progression via miRNAs sponge
Authors: Liang Leilei , Xu Jingchao , Wang Meng , Xu Gaoran , Zhang Ning , Wang Guangzhi , Zhao Yongfu
Published: September 2019

Following the publication of this article, the authors realized there was an error in Figure 3a wherein the migration panel of pcDNA3.3 was replicated in the invasion panel for HCP5. This error did not impact the conclusions of the article.