bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpreting in the Libyan Uprising: A Study of Interpreting Strategies from Arabic to English
Authors: Ghassemi Rouhollah , Alkhaldy Muman
Published: March 2020

This article presents an account of the interpreting process and its strategies in warzones, and most importantly during the Arab Spring, specifically in Libya. The data used is divided into two categories, Mummar Algaddafi speech during the Arab Spring, and press conferences of Libyan officials and two interviews on CNN. The article will present the significant issues interpreters deal with during live interpreting session whether on Live TV or during a conference. The first category to be discussed is omission and the loss of meaning during interpreting. The article will also discuss the way interpreters sometimes tend to add information for explaining purposes or emphasis. Lastly, the importance of creativity and approximating the meaning, as in using metaphors in the TT to interpret ST metaphors. It is evident through the discussion that (1): interpreters deliberately use particular strategies during conflict zones and they are mainly: omission, addition and approximating. This is either to emphasis a particular narrative or shape the audience views. (2) Undoubtedly, interpreters play a major role in rendering the message to the world, as they use different strategies while interpreting some to emphasis a certain narrative, while others simply to clarify the text.
English Language Teaching through Communicative Approach: A Qualitative Study of Public Sector Colleges of Hyderabad, Sindh
Authors: Abrejo Barira , Sartaj Shabana , Memon Sadia
Published: March 2020

Language is a complex phenomenon whether it counts in speaking or writing. Teaching and learning English language is much demanded in today’s globalization era. The increasing need of English language learning has demanded English language teaching around the globe. Therefore, the demand for language learning needs a tremendous quality in language teaching materials and resources. In current years, language learning has been perceived from a special perspective; it can be viewed as the communication between users and the learner of the language. The aim of the study is to determine the factors that deter teachers to implement communicative approach in their teaching. Researchers and practitioners have considered communicative competence as an ideal teaching approach (Berns, 1990). However, public sector colleges in Pakistan rely on Grammar Translation Method (GTM). Though students have good understanding of the language skills such as vocabulary, grammar and reading but research still have shown low proficiency when their speaking skills are tested. Therefore, in order to overcome this default in language proficiency, many teachers are supposed to adopt communicative language teaching methodology in their teaching. The study findings shed light on the factors which always deter teachers in the implementation of CLT and it is believed by the teachers that CLT should be followed at public sector colleges since it is one of the most effective methods of language teaching and learning. English language teaching and learning can be learnt meaningfully, if the aspects like phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics will be instilled or implemented properly.
Enhancing Thai Students’ Oral Language Experience using the CEFR –PBA through the Technique of Oral Presentation
Authors: Worawong Kanoknate , Charttrakul Kanjana , Damnet Anamai
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ experiences of communicating orally and non-verbally. The participants were forty-four students in their third year of English education at a Thai Rajabhat University. Nine students were purposively selected as the student-presenters. The research methods applied were action research and case study. Data collection gained was from two sets of video recordings of students’ oral presentations. The data analysis employed speaking strategies analysis from Charttrakul (2009) as a guideline, and grounded theory (Strauss & Cobin, 1990). Findings revealed that students employed five speaking strategies in their oral presentation, particularly speaking from memory (100%). Also, the results show that five NVC strategies were employed as a parallel communication tool in all student-presenters’ oral presentation; and the most commonly NVC used was hand gesture (100%). This paper recommends using an oral presentation technique to promote Thai students’ oral skill relating verbal and non-verbal communication.
The impact of leopards (Panthera pardus) on livestock losses and human injuries in a human-use landscape in Maharashtra, India
Authors: Athreya Vidya , Isvaran Kavita , Odden Morten , Linnell John D.C. , Kshettry Aritra , Krishnaswamy Jagdish , Karanth Ullas K.
Published: March 2020

There are many ways in which large carnivores and humans interact in shared spaces. In this study we provide insights into human-leopard relationships in an entirely modified, human-dominated landscape inhabited by dense populations of humans (266 per km2), their livestock (162 per km2) and relatively high densities of large predators (10 per 100 km2). No human deaths were recorded, and livestock losses to leopards numbered only 0.45 per km2per year (averaged over three years) despite the almost complete dependency of leopards on domestic animals as prey. Predation was not the major cause of livestock mortality as diseases and natural causes caused higher losses (80% of self-reported losses). We also found that ineffective night time livestock protection and the presence of domestic dogs increased the probability of a farmer facing leopard attacks on livestock. Resident farmers faced much lower livestock losses to leopard predation in contrast to the migratory shepherds who reported much higher losses, but rarely availed of the government compensation schemes. We recommend that local wildlife managers continue to shift from reactive measures such as leopard captures after livestock attacks to proactive measures such as focusing on effective livestock protection and informing the affected communities about safety measures to be taken where leopards occur in rural landscapes. The natural causes of livestock deaths due do diseases may be better prevented by involving animal husbandry department for timely vaccinations and treatment.
Association of Intermittent and Constant Knee Pain Patterns With Knee Pain Severity and With Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis Duration and Severity
Authors: Carlesso Lisa C. , Hawker Gillian A. , Torner James , Lewis Cora E. , Nevitt Michael , Neogi Tuhina ,   for the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study Group
Published: March 2020

Objective

To examine the relation of knee pain patterns to pain severity and to radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) severity and duration.

Methods

The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study is a longitudinal cohort of older adults with or at risk of knee OA. Participants’ Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) scores were characterized as 1) no intermittent or constant pain, 2) intermittent pain only, 3) constant pain only, and 4) a combination of constant and intermittent pain. Knee pain severity was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale and a visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographic knee OA (ROA) severity was defined as Kellgren/Lawrence grade ≥2, and ROA duration was defined according to the clinic visit at which ROA was first noted. We assessed the relation of ICOAP pain patterns to knee pain severity, ROA severity, and ROA duration using regression models with generalized estimating equations.

Results

There were 2,322 participants (mean age 68.8 years, body mass index 31.0 kg/m2, 60% female). Higher ICOAP pain patterns, i.e., a mix of constant and intermittent pain, were associated with greater WOMAC pain severity compared with those patients without either pain pattern (odds ratio [OR] 43.2 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 26.4–61.3]). Results were similar for the VAS (OR 71.2 [95% CI 45.7–110.9]). Those patients with more severe and longer duration of ROA were more likely to have a mix of constant and intermittent pain compared with those without either pain (OR 3.7 [95% CI 3.1–4.6] and OR 2.9 [95% CI 2.5–3.5], respectively).

Conclusion

Knee pain patterns are associated with radiographic disease stage and duration, as well as pain severity, highlighting the fact that pain patterns are important for understanding symptomatic disease progression.
Impulsive control and stability analysis of biped robot based on virtual constraint and adaptive optimization
Authors: Wang Helin , Zhang Hao , Wang Zhuping , Chen Qijun
Published: March 2020

This article is concerned with the problem of asymptotically stable periodic walking for a five‐link underactuated biped robot. Because of instantaneous change of two legs and complex dynamics during the walking process, the robot can be regarded as a nonlinear impulsive system. In order to make impulsive control of the robotic system, it is modeled as a rigid kinematic chain with Lagrange equations, which is strong coupling and hybrid. A novel state feedback controller is proposed to generate a closed‐loop periodic walking gait and track the desired trajectory of each joint. This controller is designed based on virtual constraint and hybrid zero dynamics. When the holonomic constraint of each actuator is zeroed by the controller, it can be regarded as an output. By using this method, the computation of the standard 5 degree of freedom (DOF) robot model can be reduced to 1 DOF. In addition, an adaptive optimization scheme is further investigated, which solves the problem of model parameter uncertainty. Finally, simulations are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Spaced Education Through e‐Learning for Ongoing Professional Development
Authors: Hirsch Alexander W. , Nagler Joshua
Published: March 2020

Background

The practice of emergency medicine has become increasingly complex. Constant advances in clinical practice, innovative technologies, patient safety and quality initiatives, and local and national policy changes continue to add to the cognitive load on providers. New and innovative professional development approaches are needed to help providers remain current despite busy and disparate clinician schedules.

Methods

We used a Web‐based, spaced education platform, to distribute questions to faculty and fellows within the Division of Emergency Medicine. Included content was prioritized within four subject areas: clinical practice, quality improvement, division and institution policies, and educational efforts. All questions were scenario‐based (clinical or administrative), with multiple‐choice responses. The platform provided real‐time feedback on correct response, with explanations including integrated learning materials. Invited faculty developed the questions internally using standardized resources followed by peer review. Questions were delivered weekly. Metrics regarding engagement and performance were followed, including an anonymized leaderboard. Participants were also surveyed regarding perceptions of individual questions and the overall initiative.

Results

Every faculty member (n = 55) and fellow (n = 18) engaged in the program at some point. Ninety‐two percent of participants completed all the questions. The overall correct response rate on first attempt was 65%. For the three most challenging questions, first attempt responses were correct 41% of the time, which increased to 90% on repeat testing. Qualitative analysis of survey comments revealed the following themes: enjoying the e‐learning approach, the appreciation for the relevance of the content, and the value and quality of the explanations with integrated educational materials.

Conclusions

We outline the use of a Web‐based, spaced education curriculum for ongoing professional development in a large emergency medicine division. This initiative effectively engaged faculty members and trainees and was perceived to be of high value. The intervention successfully utilized the principles of spaced learning, test‐enhanced learning, and gaming theory within a flexible and innovative professional development curriculum.
Population genomics of the widespread African savannah treesAfzelia africanaandAfzelia quanzensisreveals no significant past fragmentation of their distribution ranges
Authors: Donkpegan Armel S. L. , Piñeiro Rosalía , Heuertz Myriam , Duminil Jérôme , Daïnou Kasso , Doucet Jean‐Louis , Hardy Olivier J.
Published: March 2020

Premise

Few studies have addressed the evolutionary history of tree species from African savannahs.Afzeliacontains economically important timber species, including two species widely distributed in African savannahs:A. africanain the Sudanian region andA. quanzensisin the Zambezian region. We aimed to infer whether these species underwent range fragmentation and/or demographic changes, possibly reflecting how savannahs responded to Quaternary climate changes.

Methods

We characterized the genetic diversity and structure of these species across their distribution ranges using nuclear microsatellites (SSRs) and genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) markers. SixSSRloci were genotyped in 241A. africanaand 113A. quanzensisindividuals, while 2800 high‐quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in 30A. africanaindividuals.

Results

Both species appeared to be mainly outcrossing. The kinship between individuals decayed with the logarithm of the distance at similar rates across species and markers, leading to relatively smallSpstatistics (0.0056 forSSRand 0.0054 forSNPinA. africana, 0.0075 forSSRinA. quanzensis). The patterns were consistent with isolation by distance expectations in the absence of large‐scale geographic gradients. Bayesian clustering ofSSRgenotypes did not detect genetic clusters within species. In contrast,SNPdata resolved intraspecific genetic clusters inA. africana, illustrating the higher resolving power ofGBS. However, these clusters revealed low levels of differentiation and no clear geographical entities, so that they were interpreted as resulting from the isolation by distance pattern rather than from past population fragmentation.

Conclusions

These results suggest that populations have remained connected throughout the large, continuous savannah landscapes. The absence of clear phylogeographic discontinuities, also found in a few other African savannah trees, indicates that their distribution ranges have not been significantly fragmented during the climatic oscillations of the Pleistocene, in contrast to patterns commonly found in African rainforest trees.
NKX2‐6 related congenital heart disease: Biallelic homeodomain‐disrupting variants and truncus arteriosus
Authors: Ritter Alyssa , Werner Petra , Latney Brande , Krock Bryon L. , Santani Avni , Bedoukian Emma , Skraban Cara M. , Deardorff Matthew A. , Goldmuntz Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common birth defect and are both clinically and genetically heterogeneous. Truncus arteriosus (TA), characterized by a single arterial vessel arising from both ventricles giving rise to the coronary, pulmonary and systemic arteries, is rare and only responsible for 1% of all CHD. Two consanguineous families with TA were previously identified to have homozygous nonsense variants within the gene NKX2‐6. NKX2‐6 is a known downstream target of TBX1, an important transcriptional regulator implicated in the cardiac phenotype of 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome. Herein, we report two siblings with TA presumably caused by compound heterozygous NKX2‐6 variants without a history of consanguinity. Two in‐house cohorts with conotruncal defects (CTD) were sequenced for variants in NKX2‐6 and no additional cases of biallelic NKX2‐6 variants were identified. The similar phenotype of these cases, and the clustering of variants that likely result in a truncated protein that disrupts the homeobox domain, suggest that biallelic loss of function for NKX2‐6 is a rare genetic etiology for TA in particular, and possibly other types of CHD.
MAST1 variant causes mega‐corpus‐callosum syndrome with cortical malformations but without cerebellar hypoplasia
Authors: Rodríguez‐García María Elena , Cotrina‐Vinagre Francisco Javier , Gómez‐Cano María de los Ángeles , Martínez de Aragón Ana , Martín‐Hernández Elena , Martínez‐Azorín Francisco
Published: March 2020

We report the case of a Caucasian Spanish origin female who showed severe psychomotor developmental delay, hypotonia, strabismus, epilepsy, short stature, and poor verbal language development. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans showed thickened corpus callosum, cortical malformations, and dilated and abnormal configuration of the lateral ventricles without hydrocephalus. Whole‐exome sequence uncovered a de novo variant in the microtubule associated serine/threonine kinase 1 gene (MAST1; NM_014975.3:c.1565G>A:p.(Gly522Glu)) that encodes for the MAST1. Only 12 patients have been identified worldwide with 10 different variants in this gene: six patients with mega‐corpus‐callosum syndrome with cerebellar hypoplasia and cortical malformations; two patients with microcephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia; two patients with autism, one patient with diplegia, and one patient with microcephaly and dysmorphism. Our patient shows a new phenotypic subtype defined by mega‐corpus‐callosum syndrome with cortical malformations without cerebellar hypoplasia. In conclusion, our data expand the phenotypic spectrum associated to MAST1 gene variants.
Induction of diabetes in cynomolgus monkey with one shot of analytical grade streptozotocin
Authors: Liu Zhengzhao , Lu Ying , Hu Wenbao , Hara Hidetaka , Dai Yifan , Cai Zhiming , Mou Lisha
Published: March 2020

Backgrounds

Streptozotocin (STZ)‐ induced diabetic monkey is a wide used preclinical animal model for the investigation of diabetes such as islet transplantation and development of diabetic drugs. There are serious side effects of this method, including nausea, emesis, weight loss, liver damage, renal failure, and metabolic acidosis. In order to reduce the side effects, diabetic monkeys were induced using clinical‐grade STZ. However, clinical‐grade STZ is not available in China. Here, we establised a method by using 100 mg/kg analytical‐grade STZ to induce complete diabetes in cynomolgus monkey without generating adverse effects to liver and renal.

Methods

Three cynomolgus monkeys were used in this study. 100 mg/kg STZ dissolved in normal saline and infused through vein line in 5 minutes after indwelling catheter in the carotid artery and jugular vein. After the STZ administration, blood glucose levels were examined every 1 or 2 hours in the first 48 hours. Then, blood glucose levels were examined twice per day during the first week after the STZ injection. Insulin and C‐peptide levels were measured by ELISA. Blood chemistry of hepatic and renal function tests were performed. Insulin and glucagon expression in the islet of diabetic monkey and normal monkey were examined by immunohistochemistry assays.

Results

The stimulated C‐peptide level (Intravenous glucose tolerance test) which is less than 0.5 ng/mL, the triphasic blood glucose response and the destroyed β cell suggested the complete induction of diabetes model. No apparent adverse effects were observed including no signs of vomiting and toxicity after STZ injection.

Conclusion

In summary, we established a safe and reproducible STZ‐induced diabetic cynomolgus monkey model for islet transplantation which will be used to develop novel approaches for the treatment of diabetes.
Enantiodifferentiating Photodimerization of a 2,6‐Disubstituted Anthracene Assisted by Supramolecular Double‐Helix Formation with Chiral Amines
Authors: Urushima Akio , Taura Daisuke , Tanaka Makoto , Horimoto Naomichi , Tanabe Junki , Ousaka Naoki , Mori Tadashi , Yashima Eiji
Published: March 2020

A novel 2,6‐anthrylene‐linked bis(m‐terphenylcarboxylic acid) strand (1) self‐associates into a racemic double‐helix. In the presence of chiral mono‐ and diamines, either a right‐ or left‐handed double‐helix was predominantly induced by chiral amines sandwiched between the carboxylic acid strands with accompanying stacking of the two prochiral anthracene linker units in an enantiotopic face‐selective way, as revealed by circular dichroism and NMR spectral analyses. The photoirradiation of the optically active double helices complexed with chiral amines proceeded in a diastereo‐ (anti or syn) and enantiodifferentiating way to afford the chiral anti‐photodimer with up to 98 % enantiomeric excess when (R)‐phenylethylamine was used as a chiral double‐helix inducer. The resulting optically active anti‐photodimer can recognize the chirality of amines and diastereoselectively complex with chiral amines.
Selective Electroenzymatic Oxyfunctionalization by Alkane Monooxygenase in a Biofuel Cell
Authors: Yuan Mengwei , Abdellaoui Sofiene , Chen Hui , Kummer Matthew J. , Malapit Christian A. , You Chun , Minteer Shelley D.
Published: March 2020

Aliphatic synthetic intermediates with high added value are generally produced from alkane sources (e.g., petroleum) by inert carbon–hydrogen (C−H) bond activation using classical chemical methods (i.e. high temperature, rare metals). As an alternative approach for these reactions, alkane monooxygenase from Pseudomonas putida (alkB) is able to catalyze the difficult terminal oxyfunctionalization of alkanes selectively and under mild conditions. Herein, we report an electrosynthetic system using an alkB biocathode which produces alcohols, epoxides, and sulfoxides through bioelectrochemical hydroxylation, epoxidation, sulfoxidation, and demethylation. The capacity of the alkB binding pocket to protect internal functional groups is also demonstrated. By coupling our alkB biocathode with a hydrogenase bioanode and using H2 as a clean fuel source, we have developed and characterized a series of enzymatic fuel cells capable of oxyfunctionalization while simultaneously producing electricity.
Chemical Deprenylation of N6‐Isopentenyladenosine (i6A) RNA
Authors: Cheng Hou‐Ping , Yang Xiao‐Hui , Lan Ling , Xie Li‐Jun , Chen Chuan , Liu Cuimei , Chu Jinfang , Li Zhi‐Yan , Liu Li , Zhang Tian‐Qi , Luo Du‐Qiang , Cheng Liang
Published: March 2020

N6‐isopentenyladenosine (i6A) is an RNA modification found in cytokinins, which regulate plant growth/differentiation, and a subset of tRNAs, where it improves the efficiency and accuracy of translation. The installation and removal of this modification is mediated by prenyltransferases and cytokinin oxidases, and a chemical approach to selective deprenylation of i6A has not been developed. We show that a selected group of oxoammonium cations function as artificial deprenylases to promote highly selective deprenylation of i6A in nucleosides, oligonucleotides, and live cells. Importantly, other epigenetic modifications, amino acid residues, and natural products were not affected. Moreover, a significant phenotype difference in the Arabidopsis thaliana shoot and root development was observed with incubation of the cation. These results establish these small organic molecules as direct chemical regulators/artificial deprenylases of i6A.
Chiral Macrocycle‐Enabled Counteranion Trapping for Boosting Highly Efficient and Enantioselective Catalysis
Authors: Ning Rui , Zhou Hao , Nie Shi‐Xin , Ao Yu‐Fei , Wang De‐Xian , Wang Qi‐Qiang
Published: March 2020

The tight binding enabled by tailor‐made macrocycles can be manipulated for tuning the catalysis process. In parallel to well‐developed crown ether‐based cation‐binding catalysis, a macrocycle‐enabled counteranion trapping strategy is presented for boosting highly efficient and enantioselective catalysis. A set of bis‐diarylthiourea macrocycles containing two BINOL moieties were designed and synthesized. They possess a well‐confined chiral cavity and strong binding affinities towards disulfonate anions. Caused by the tight binding, just 1 mol % macrocycle in combination with 1 mol % ethanedisulfonic acid can promote excellent conversion and up to 99 % ee in the Friedel–Crafts reaction of indoles with imines. The acid or the macrocycle alone do not afford any reactivity. The high catalytic efficiency and excellent stereocontrol was ascribed to large, complexation‐induced acidity enhancement and tight ion‐pairing facilitated by cave‐like macrocyclic cavity.
A Kinetic‐Thermodynamic Study of the Effect of the Cultivar/Total Phenols on the Oxidative Stability of Olive Oils
Authors: Veloso Ana C.A. , Rodrigues Nuno , Ouarouer Yosra , Zaghdoudi Khalil , Pereira José A. , Peres António M.
Published: March 2020

Physicochemical parameters, total phenols contents (TPC), and oxidative stabilities at 120–160 °C were evaluated for two monovarietal (Arbequina and Cobrançosa cultivars, cvs.) and one blend extra‐virgin olive oil, confirming the label quality grade and allowing grouping them according to the different TPC (TPC = 88 ± 7, 112 ± 6 and 144 ± 4 mg CAE/kg, for cv. Arbequina, blend and cv. Cobrançosa oils, respectively). The lipid oxidation rate increased with the decrease of the TPC, being Cobrançosa oils (higher TPC) more thermally stable. Kinetic‐thermodynamic parameters were determined using the activated complex/transition‐state theory and the values did not significantly differ for Cobrançosa and blend oils, which had the highest TPC, suggesting a hypothetically threshold saturation of the beneficial effect. Cobrançosa oils had a significant more negative temperature coefficient, higher temperature acceleration factor, greater activation energy and frequency factor, higher positive enthalpy of activation, lower negative entropy of activation, and greater positive Gibbs free energy of activation, probably due to the higher TPC. The results confirmed that lipid oxidation was a nonspontaneous, endothermic, and endergonic process with activated formed complexes structurally more ordered than the reactants. A negative deviation from the Arrhenius behavior was observed for all oils being the super‐Arrhenius behavior more marked for Arbequina oils that had the lowest TPC. Finally, the kinetic‐thermodynamic parameters allowed classifying oils according to the binomial olive cultivar/total phenols level, being the temperature acceleration factor and the Gibbs free energy of activation at 160 °C the most powerful discriminating parameters.
Improving the flame retardant properties of polyester‐cotton blend fabrics by introducing an intumescent coating via layer by layer assembly
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Meng Xiaowei , Sun Jun , Tang Wufei , Chen Shou , Peng Xiaohua , Gu Xiaoyu , Fei Bin , Bourbigot Serge , Zhang Sheng
Published: March 2020

Layer by layer (LBL) assembly technique was used to deposit multilayer coating containing phosphorus‐nitrogen onto the surface of fibers to improve the flame retardancy of polyester‐cotton (PET‐COT) blended fabric. Ellipsometer results confirmed that polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH), melamine (MEL), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) grew linearly on silicon wafer during the LbL process. The LOI value of coated PET‐COT fabric was increased from 20.8% of pristine fabric to 28.4% by the presence of about 9 wt% coating. Besides, this intumescent nanocoated PET‐COT fabric was self‐distinguished during the vertical burning test. Thermogravimetric analysis under both nitrogen and air atmosphere revealed that the initial degradation temperature of the coated sample was decreased and the char residue amount was significantly improved during combustion. The flame resistance performance evaluation by pyrolysis combustion flow calorimeter indicated that this coating effectively reduced the peak heat release rate of PET‐COT matrix. The scanning electron micrographs of char residue demonstrated that the char formation in the condensed phase and free radical caption in the gas phase was responsible for the improved flame retardancy. It is suggested this unique facile coating technology with low cycles and high efficiency has great potential to produce commercially available flame retardant polymeric‐cotton blend fabrics.
Gluten free edible film based on rice flour reinforced by guabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa) pulp
Authors: Silva‐Rodrigues Helen C. , Silveira Maíra P. , Helm Cristiane V. , de Matos Jorge Luiz M. , Jorge Regina M. M.
Published: March 2020

Films based on rice flour were optimized using varying concentrations of guabiroba pulp (0–20%). After production using casting techniques, the films were subsequently characterized and compared to the control film. It was observed that the addition of guabiroba pulp enhanced the mechanical, optical, and water vapor barrier properties of the obtained films. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy tests indicated a good dispersion and interaction of the guabiroba pulp with the rice flour polymer matrix. Guabiroba pulp can therefore be used as a reinforcing additive in edible food packaging, among other purposes.
Chemical modification of apricot kernel shell waste and its effect on phenolic novolac epoxy composites
Authors: Kocaman Suheyla
Published: March 2020

Apricot kernel is one of the most abundant types of agro‐waste in the eastern Anatolia regions of Turkey. In this study, apricot kernel shells (AKShs) were chemically modified using levulinic acid (LA) for the first time, and their potential for developing biobased composites was evaluated. Phenol novolac epoxy resin was used as matrix owing to its high thermal and superior adhesion properties. Shell treatments to improve interfacial bonding were carried out using alkali, acetic acid, and LA. These treatments were aimed at improving the mechanical properties, wettability, and bonding of the composites. Moreover, these treatments could prevent the deterioration of the fiber/matrix interface (hydrophilic and hydrophobic effect) and mitigate damage to the fiber during production, which is one of the main reasons for the reduced strength of the composites. The thermal characteristics, crystallinity index, chemical composition, and surface morphology of the untreated and chemically modified AKShs and composites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. In addition, the composites were analyzed in detail using mechanical tests and contact angle measurements. The chemical treatment using LA resulted in composites with superior mechanical behavior.
On the evidence of orographical modulation of regional fine scale precipitation change signals: The Carpathians
Authors: Torma Csaba , Giorgi Filippo
Published: March 2020

This study investigates the greenhouse gas‐induced winter and summer precipitation change signals over the Carpathian region with special focus on topographical effects and underlying processes. Six high‐resolution (~12 km grid spacing) regional climate model projections are analyzed for the future period 2070–2099 with respect to the reference period 1976–2005 under the RCP8.5 scenarios. We find that the topographically induced fine scale modulation of the precipitation change signal is mostly of dynamical nature in winter (due to the precipitation shadowing effect), and thermodynamical in summer (associated with high elevation convection) over the region of interest. Additionally, elevation, size, and orientation of mountains play key roles in such processes. Our results draw attention to the fact that the high‐resolution representation of topography in climate models is crucial for the provision of fine scale precipitation projections in mountainous regions.
Highly fluorescent carbon dots from wheat bran as a novel drug delivery system for bacterial inhibition
Authors: John Titto Sunil , Yadav Pradeep Kumar , Kumar Devendra , Singh Sushil Kumar , Hasan Syed Hadi
Published: March 2020

In this study, we prepared carbon dots (CDs) from wheat bran via hydrothermal treatment at 180°C for 3 h. The prepared CDs showed blue‐green fluorescence under UV light. The fluorescence emission study of the CDs revealed that they showed maximum fluorescence emission at 500 nm. The prepared CDs showed a high quantum yield of 33.23%. Solvent‐dependent fluorescence emission analysis of the CDs was performed to study the variation in fluorescence emission characteristics with solvent polarity. The prepared CDs were conjugated with amoxicillin (AMX) to explore its potential for use as a drug delivery agent for AMX. The drug release profile of the CD–AMX conjugates was analyzed at different pH (5.0, 6.8 and 7.2) to study drug release kinetics. CD–AMX conjugates showed notable bacterial inhibition against Gram‐positive (S. aureus) and Gram‐negative (E. coli) strains with minimal cytotoxic effects, indicating its potential as a promising antibacterial drug delivery system.
Adapting gamified learning systems using educational data mining techniques
Authors: Daghestani Lamya F. , Ibrahim Lamiaa F. , Al‐Towirgi Reem S. , Salman Hesham A.
Published: March 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) provides opportunities to improve the effectiveness of e‐learning by increasing students' engagement. Adaptive e‐learning uses AI to support individual learners by responding to their different learning needs which can be determined by analyzing their navigation history of e‐learning systems using data mining methods. Educational data mining (EDM) discovers new patterns of learning and teaching to facilitate the process of decision‐making to serve education improvement. Gamification is another way of increasing students' engagement by using game elements in a nongame context. In this paper, the gamification technique and EDM methods were used in combination with adaptive learning to increase the students' engagement and learning performance. An adaptive gamified learning system (AGLS) was developed which combines gamification, classification, and adaptation techniques to increase the effectiveness of e‐learning. This paper studies the impact of gamification and adaptive gamification on the effectiveness of e‐learning through increasing students' engagement and learning performance. AGLS was applied to the data structure course. Results showed that adaptive gamification has a positive effect on students' engagement and learning performance compared to just gamification.
Sex differences in 1‐year clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention with COMBO stents: From the COMBO collaboration
Authors: Chandrasekhar Jaya , Kerkmeijer Laura S. , Kalkman Deborah N. , Sartori Samantha , Aquino Melissa B. , Woudstra Pier , Beijk Marcel A. , Tijssen Jan G. , Koch Karel T. , Hájek Petr , Atzev Borislav , Hudec Martin , Ong Tiong K. , Mates Martin , Borisov Borislav , Warda Hazem M. , den Heijer Peter , Wojcik Jaroslaw , Iñiguez Andres , Coufal Zdeněk , Khashaba Ahmed , Munawar Muhammad , Gerber Robert T. , Yan Bryan P. , Lee Michael , Baber Usman , Dangas George D. , Colombo Antonio , de Winter Robbert J. , Mehran Roxana ,   the MASCOT and REMEDEE investigators (full list of collaborators shown in the Appendix)
Published: March 2020

Background

The COMBO drug eluting stent is a novel device with luminal endothelial progenitor cell capture technology for rapid homogeneous endothelialization.

Methods and results

We examined for sex differences in 1‐year outcomes after COMBO stenting from the COMBO collaboration, a pooled patient‐level dataset from the MASCOT and REMEDEE multicenter registries. The primary endpoint was 1‐year target lesion failure (TLF), composite of cardiac death, target vessel‐myocardial infarction (TV‐MI), or clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD‐TLR). Secondary outcomes included stent thrombosis (ST). Adjusted outcomes were assessed using Cox regression methods. The study included 861 (23.8%) women and 2,753 (76.2%) men. Women were older with higher prevalence of several comorbidities including diabetes mellitus. Risk of 1‐year TLF was similar in both sexes (3.8% vs. 3.9%, HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.59–1.42, p = .70), without sex differences in the incidence of cardiac death (1.6% vs. 1.5%, p = .78), TV‐MI (1.5% vs. 1.1%, p = .32), or CD‐TLR (2.0% vs. 2.2%, p = .67). Definite or probable ST occurred in 0.4% women and 1.0% men (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.06–1.11, p = .069).

Conclusions

Despite greater clinical risks at baseline, women treated with COMBO stents had similarly low 1‐year TLF and other ischemic outcomes compared to men.
Diagnosis of exon 12‐positive polycythemia vera rescued by NGS
Authors: Geay Antoine , Aral Bernard , Bourgeois Valentin , Martin Pauline , Airaud Fabrice , Garrec Céline , Bézieau Stéphane , Gardie Betty , Girodon François
Published: March 2020

A JAK2V617F‐negative polycythemia associated with low serum epo needs to be tested for an exon 12 JAK2 mutation. When negative, due to potential serious complications in PV, a next generation sequencing is necessary to rule out false negative results.
Furan Carboxylic Acids Production with High Productivity by Cofactor‐engineered Whole‐cell Biocatalysts
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Ying , Wang Xin , Li Nan‐Wei , Guo Ze‐Wang , Zong Min‐Hua , Li Ning
Published: March 2020

Furan carboxylic acids are useful chemicals in various industries. In this work, biocatalytic production of furan carboxylic acids was reported with high productivities by cofactor‐engineered Escherichia coli cells. NADH oxidase (NOX) was introduced into E. coli harboring aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) to promote intracellular NAD+ regeneration, thus significantly enhancing ALDH‐catalyzed oxidation. These engineered biocatalysts were capable of efficient aerobic oxidation of a variety of aromatic aldehydes. More importantly, they exhibited high substrate tolerance toward toxic furans. E. coli co‐expressing vanillin dehydrogenase and NOX (E. coli_CtVDH1_NOX) enabled efficient oxidation of 250 mM of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA), providing a productivity of 3.7 g/L h. With E. coli_CtVDH2_NOX as catalyst, up to 240 mM of furfural and 5‐methoxymethylfurfural (MMF) could be smoothly oxidized. 2‐Furoic acid (FCA, 227 mM) and 5‐methoxymethyl‐2‐furancarboxylic acid (MMFCA, 287 mM) were produced in fed‐batch synthesis, providing the productivities of 2.0 and 5.6 g/L h, respectively.
Regioselective Hydroformylation of Internal and Terminal Alkenes via Remote Supramolecular Control
Authors: Linnebank Pim R. , Ferreira Stephan Falcão , Kluwer Alexander M. , Reek Joost N. H.
Published: March 2020

Regioselective catalytic transformations using supramolecular directing groups are increasingly popular as it allows for control over challenging reactions that may otherwise be impossible. In most examples the reactive group and the directing group are close to each other and/or the linker between the directing group is very rigid. Achieving control over the regioselectivity using a remote directing group with a flexible linker is significantly more challenging due to the large conformational freedom of such substrates. Herein, we report the redesign of a supramolecular Rh–bisphosphite hydroformylation catalyst containing a neutral carboxylate receptor (DIM pocket) with a larger distance between the phosphite metal binding moieties and the DIM pocket. For the first time regioselective conversion of internal and terminal alkenes containing a remote carboxylate directing group is demonstrated. For carboxylate substrates that possess an internal double bond at the Δ‐9 position regioselectivity is observed. As such, the catalyst was used to hydroformylate natural monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in a regioselective fashion, forming of an excess of the 10‐formyl product (10‐formyl/9‐formyl product ratio of 2.51), which is the first report of a regioselective hydroformylation reaction of such substrates.
Trifluoromethylation of Alkyl Radicals: Breakthrough and Challenges†
Authors: Zhu Lin , Fang Yewen , Li Chaozhong
Published: March 2020

Trifluoromethylation of alkyl radicals is emerging as a powerful tool for C(sp3)–CF3 bond formations. Based on the hypothesis of CF3 group transfer from Cu(II)–CF3 to alkyl radicals, a number of trifluoromethylation reactions have been developed, including trifluoromethylation of alkyl halides, decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of aliphatic carboxylic acids, C(sp3)–H trifluoromethylation, amino‐ and carbo‐trifluoromethylation of alkenes, etc. Challenges in this intriguing field are also discussed.
Post‐mortem tissue donation programs as platforms to accelerate cancer research
Authors: Dankner Matthew , Issa‐Chergui Badia , Bouganim Nathaniel
Published: March 2020

Given recent advances in the treatment of cancer, patients are surviving longer but frequently develop treatment‐resistant and inoperable metastases. Biomedical research has advanced to the stage where in‐depth study of these lesions is feasible, with the goal of further refining our understanding of metastatic dissemination, therapeutic resistance and inoperable tumors. However, there is a lack of tissue specimens derived from multiple metastatic sites within the same patient that would permit the study of these processes. Furthermore, patients with rapidly progressing or metastatic disease are rarely candidates for surgery, making those most in need of innovation and discovery extremely difficult to study. For this reason, post‐mortem tissue donation programs are an approach that is quickly gaining traction in the cancer research community. Herein, we discuss what post‐mortem tissue donation entails, attitudes towards these procedures, and highlight important studies already utilizing these resources. In addition, we propose future directions for use of this tissue that can directly improve clinical management of advanced cancer patients.
Pre‐existing heterologous T‐cell immunity and neoantigen immunogenicity
Authors: Leng Qibin , Tarbe Marion , Long Qi , Wang Feng
Published: March 2020

Neoantigens are tumor‐specific mutated proteins that are exempt from central tolerance and are therefore capable of efficiently eliciting effective T‐cell responses. The identification of immunogenic neoantigens in tumor‐specific mutated proteins has promising clinical implications for cancer immunotherapy. However, the factors that may contribute to neoantigen immunogenicity are not yet fully understood. Through molecular mimicry of antigens arising during cancer progression, the gut microbiota and previously encountered pathogens potentially have profound impacts on T‐cell responses to previously unencountered tumor neoantigens. Here, we review the characteristics of immunogenic neoantigens and how host exposure to microbes may affect T‐cell responses to neoantigens. We address the hypothesis that pre‐existing heterologous memory T‐cell immunity is a major factor that influences neoantigen immunogenicity in individual cancer patients. Accumulating data suggest that differences in individual histories of microbial exposure should be taken into account during the optimisation of algorithms that predict neoantigen immunogenicity.
Comprehensive Phenotyping of Human PB NK Cells by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Del Zotto Genny , Antonini Francesca , Pesce Silvia , Moretta Francesca , Moretta Lorenzo , Marcenaro Emanuela
Published: March 2020

Abstract

The NK cell compartment provides powerful innate defenses against virus‐infected and tumor cells. Specific NK cell receptors control this process and maintain the immune system homeostasis and prevent autoimmunity. A wide variety of NK cell subsets with different functional capabilities exist and this reflects not only the different maturation stages of NK cells but also different microenvironments in which they can operate. In this review, we will give an overview on the various NK cell subsets present in peripheral blood of healthy donors in order to clearly and univocally identify them on the basis of their phenotypic traits using flow cytometry. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Effect of immunomodulation on cardiac remodelling and outcomes in heart failure: a quantitative synthesis of the literature
Authors: Bajaj Navkaranbir S. , Gupta Kartik , Gharpure Nitin , Pate Mike , Chopra Lakshay , Kalra Rajat , Prabhu Sumanth D.
Published: March 2020

Aims

Immunomodulation in heart failure (HF) has been studied in several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with variable effects on cardiac structure, function, and outcomes. We sought to determine the effect of immunomodulation on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end‐diastolic dimension (LVEDD), and all‐cause mortality in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) through meta‐analyses and trial sequential analyses (TSAs) of RCTs.

Methods and results

PubMed, Embase®, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically reviewed to identify RCTs that studied the effects of immunomodulation in patients with HFrEF. The primary endpoint in this analysis was change in LVEF. Secondary outcomes were changes in LVEDD and all‐cause mortality. TSA was used to quantify the statistical reliability of data in the cumulative meta‐analyses. Nineteen RCTs with 1341 HFrEF subjects were eligible for analyses. The aetiology of HF, specific immunomodulation strategy, and treatment duration were variable across trials. Immunomodulation led to a greater improvement in LVEF [mean difference: +5.7% 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.0–8.5%, P < 0.001] and reduction in LVEDD (mean difference: −3.7 mm, 95% CI: −7.0 to −0.4 mm, P = 0.028) than no immunomodulation in meta‐analyses and TSAs. We observed a non‐significant decrease in all‐cause mortality among those on immumomodulation (risk ratio: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.4–1.3, P = 0.234), but the Z‐curve for cumulative treatment effect of immunomodulation in the TSA did not cross the boundary of futility.

Conclusions

Immunomodulation led to improved cardiac structure and function in patients with HFrEF. While these benefits did not translate into a significant improvement in mortality, our analysis suggests that larger studies of targeted immunomodulation are needed to understand the true benefits.
Impaired proteolysis by SPPL2a causes CD74 fragment accumulation that can be recognized by anti‐CD74 autoantibodies in human ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: van Kempen Tessa S. , Leijten Emmerik F.A. , Lindenbergh Marthe F.S. , Nordkamp Michel Olde , Driessen Christoph , Lebbink Robert‐Jan , Baerlecken Niklas , Witte Torsten , Radstake Timothy R.D.J. , Boes Marianne
Published: March 2020

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with autoantibody production to class II MHC‐associated invariant chain peptide, CD74/CLIP. In this study, we considered that anti‐CD74/CLIP autoantibodies present in sera from AS might recognize CD74 degradation products that accumulate upon deficiency of the enzyme signal peptide peptidase‐like 2A (SPPL2a). We analyzed monocytes from healthy controls (n = 42), psoriatic arthritis (n = 25), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 16), and AS patients (n = 15) for SPPL2a enzyme activity and complemented the experiments using SPPL2a‐sufficient and ‐deficient THP‐1 cells. We found defects in SPPL2a function and CD74 processing in a subset of AS patients, which culminated in CD74 and HLA class II display at the cell surface. These findings were verified in SPPL2a‐deficient THP‐1 cells, which showed expedited expression of MHC class II, total CD74 and CD74 N‐terminal degradation products at the plasma membrane upon receipt of an inflammatory trigger. Furthermore, we observed that IgG anti‐CD74/CLIP autoantibodies recognize CD74 N‐terminal degradation products that accumulate upon SPPL2a defect. In conclusion, reduced activity of SPPL2a protease in monocytes from AS predisposes to endosomal accumulation of CD74 and CD74 N‐terminal fragments, which, upon IFN‐γ‐exposure, is deposited at the plasma membrane and can be recognized by anti‐CD74/CLIP autoantibodies.