bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A computational method for solving two‐dimensional nonlinear variable‐order fractional optimal control problems
Authors: Heydari Mohammad Hossein , Avazzadeh Zakieh
Published: December 2018

In this paper, a new class of two‐dimensional nonlinear variable‐order fractional optimal control problems (V‐OFOCPs) is introduced where the variable‐order fractional derivative is defined in the Caputo type. The general procedure for solving theses systems is expanding the state variable and the control variable based on the Legendre cardinal functions in the matrix form. Hence, we derive their operational matrix of derivative (OMD) and operational matrix of variable‐order fractional derivative (OMV‐OFD). More significantly, some properties of these basis functions are proved to be exploited in our approach. Using these achieved results, we simply expand the matrix form of the nonlinear performance index in terms of the Legendre cardinal functions and subsequently convert it to an algebraic equation. We emphasize that it is a valuable advantage of applying cardinal functions in approximation theory. Then, we implement the OMD and the OMV‐OFD of the Legendre cardinal functions to transform the variable‐order fractional dynamical system to a system of algebraic equations. Next, the method of constrained extremum is applied to adjoin the constraint equations including the given dynamical system and the initial‐boundary conditions to the performance index by a set of undetermined Lagrange multipliers. Finally, the necessary conditions of the optimality are derived as a system of nonlinear algebraic equations including the unknown coefficients of the state variable, the control variable and the Lagrange multipliers. The applicability and efficiency of the proposed approach are investigated through the various types of test problems.
Submarine exposure guideline recommendations for carbon dioxide based on the prenatal developmental effects of exposure in rats
Authors: Howard William R. , Wong Brian , Yeager Kimberly S. B. , Stump Donald G. , Edwards Tammye , Arden James Richard , Goodwin Michelle R. , Gargas Michael L.
Published: December 2018

Background

To protect crewmember health, the U.S. Navy sets exposure limits for more than 200 components of submarine atmospheres. The addition of females to nuclear submarines required a reevaluation of these exposure limits, originally established for all‐male crews. In the case of carbon dioxide (CO2), the only available data suitable for deriving an exposure limit were from a 2010 study sponsored by the British Royal Navy that reported a debatable interpretation casting doubt on whether current U.S. Navy exposure limits served to protect fetal developmental health.

Methods

About 120 time‐mated female Sprague–Dawley rats (Crl: CD[SD]) were exposed to CO2 at levels of 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0% from gestation days 6 to 20. Dams were euthanized and fetuses were examined.

Results

Findings with implications for exposure limits for CO2 during pregnancy were an increased mean litter proportion of early resorptions and a lower mean litter proportion of viable fetuses in the 3.0% CO2 group.

Conclusion

The results yield a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 2.5% and a Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) of 3.0%. The results reasonably allow a point of departure of 2.5% CO2 for deriving an exposure recommendation. An interspecies uncertainty factor was applied to derive a recommended 90‐day continuous exposure limit (CEL) of 0.8% for CO2. As reproductive endpoints that are developmental in nature must be assumed to result from a single exposure at a critical point during gestation, it is further recommended that the 24‐hr emergency exposure limit (EEL) also be 0.8%.
Spatially resolved abundances of antibiotic resistance genes and intI1 in wastewater treatment biofilms
Authors: Petrovich Morgan L. , Rosenthal Alex F. , Griffin James S. , Wells George F.
Published: December 2018

Attached growth bioprocesses that use biofilms to remove organic matter or nutrients from wastewater are known to harbor antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Biofilms in these processes are spatially heterogeneous, but little is known about depth stratification of ARGs in complex, mixed culture biofilms. To address this knowledge gap, we used an experimental approach combining cryosectioning and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to quantify the spatial distribution of three ARGs (sul1, ermB, and qnrS) and the class 1 integron‐integrase gene intI1 in biofilms from a lab‐scale rotating annular reactor fed with synthetic wastewater. We also used high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing to characterize community structure with depth in biofilms. The ARG sul1 and the integron‐integrase gene intI1 were found in higher abundances in upper layers of biofilm near the fluid‐biofilm interface than in lower layers and exhibited significant correlations between the distance from substratum and gene abundances. The genes ermB and qnrS were present in comparatively low relative abundances. Microbial community structure varied significantly by date of sampling and distance from the substratum. These findings highlight the genetic and taxonomic heterogeneity with distance from substratum in wastewater treatment biofilms and show that sul1 and intI1 are particularly abundant near fluid‐biofilm interfaces where cells are most likely to detach and flow into downstream portions of treatment systems and can ultimately be released into the environment through effluent.
Meropenem and ciprofloxacin in complicated gastric surgery for cancer patients: A simple SPE–UHPLC–PDA method for their determination in human plasma
Authors: Ferrone Vincenzo , Cotellese Roberto , Cichella Annadomenica , Raimondi Paolo , Carlucci Maura , Palumbo Paola , Carlucci Giuseppe
Published: December 2018

A simple and rapid ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) for the simultaneous determination of meropenem and ciprofloxacin in human plasma was developed and validated. All of the analytes were separated in <5 min. A solid‐phase extraction method was applied from sample preparation. Analytical separation was performed on a Poroshell SB C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 2.7 μm particle size) with photodiode array (PDA) detection. Meropenem and ciprofloxacin were determined at wavelengths of 300 and 277 nm, respectively. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile–10 mm ammonium acetate–methanol in gradient elution. The method has been validated for both drugs in gastric surgery for cancer patients. The method showed good linearity with correlation coefficients, r2 = 0.994 for the two drugs, as well as high precision (RSD < 10.5% in each case); accuracy ranged from −5.8 to +6.0%. The limit of quantitation of the two drugs was established at 0.02 and 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. Meropenem, ciprofloxacin and the internal standard were extracted from human plasma with a mean recovery ranging from 92.5 to 98.6%. The method was applied to quantify the drugs dosage in complicated gastric surgery patients.
Efficacy and perceptions of assessment digitization within a large‐enrollment mechanical and aerospace engineering course
Authors: Tian Tian , DeMara Ronald F. , Gao Su
Published: December 2018

Engineering's design‐oriented and problem‐solving emphases pose considerable challenges to the use of multiple choice assessments, and thus the use of digitized forms of assessment within Engineering curricula warrants a substantive evaluation of their validity. To address this research need, novel computer‐based assessment infrastructures and delivery protocols were launched via a crossover study as defined below. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of proctored digitized examination that was delivered using a secure or “lockdown” internet browser interface. Measures tracked in the study included test score validity, learning achievement, and student perceptions within a large‐size undergraduate Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering course. Using a crossover‐based study design, the class was divided into two cohorts. Half of each cohort's formative assessments were delivered in a computer‐based testing center via and the other half of the assessments were delivered on paper. Within each cohort, the intervention of computerized delivery was interchanged with paper‐based delivery during successive topic modules on a mutually‐exclusive basis. An identical paper‐based final exam was delivered to all students. The data collected was analyzed and de‐correlated to investigate the topic‐specific learning outcomes of digitized assessment. Test score validity and learning outcomes were studied using independent sample t‐test statistical analysis. Results indicate that well‐formed digitized exams can determine scores differing as little as 0.6% from paper‐based assessment. Moreover, when the labor hours of the grader which were freed up were reallocated to tutoring and remediation of formative assessments, the as much as 16.9% higher learning outcomes were obtained during summative assessment as compared to paper‐based delivery.
Metal‐free Semiconductor Photocatalysis for sp2 C−H Functionalization with Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Zheng Meifang , Ghosh Indrajit , König Burkhard , Wang Xinchen
Published: December 2018

Designing metal‐free catalysts for solar energy conversion is a long‐standing challenge in semiconductor photoredox catalysis (SPC). With visible‐light‐responsive hexagonal boron carbon nitride (h‐BCN) as a non‐metal photocatalyst, this system affords C−H/N−H coupling products with broad substitution tolerance and high efficiency with molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The catalyst exhibits remarkable performance for the selective C−H functionalization of electron‐rich arenes to C−N products (yields up to 95 %) and good stability (6 recycles). Both nitrogen heteroarenes and amine salts are competent coupling nucleophiles. Mechanically, the reactive oxygen species are superoxide anion radical (O2−.) and H2O2, which are proved by electron spin resonance (ESR) data, KI‐starch, and control experiments. In addition, kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiments indicate that C−H bond cleavage is not involved in the rate limiting step. This semiconductor‐based photoredox system allows for C−H amination free of any metals, ligands, strong oxidants, and additives. It provides a complementary avenue to C−H functionalizations and enables synthetic applications efficiently in a sustainable manner.
Synthesis, Structures, and Thermal Properties of Symmetric and Janus “Lantern Cage” Siloxanes
Authors: Uchida Taishi , Egawa Yasunobu , Adachi Takuto , Oguri Naoki , Kobayashi Masato , Kudo Takako , Takeda Nobuhiro , Unno Masafumi , Tanaka Ryoji
Published: December 2018

Symmetric and asymmetric (Janus‐type) new “lantern cage” siloxanes (PhSiO1.5)4(Me2SiO)4(RSiO1.5)4 (R=Ph or iBu) were synthesized through reaction of all‐cis‐[PhSi(OSiMe2Br)O]4 with all‐cis‐[RSi(OH)O]4 (R=Ph or iBu). These precursors were obtained by facile two or three‐step reactions from commercially available compounds. The spectroscopic properties of the resulting products were fully characterized and they showed high thermal stability and sublimation without decomposition. The crystal structures clearly indicated that the internal vacancy volumes of the lantern cages are considerably larger than that of octaphenylsilsesquioxane (PhSiO1.5)8. DFT calculations of the lantern cage showed a distinctly different electronic state from that of octasilsesquioxane. These results suggest that lantern cage siloxanes have a characteristic “field” in the molecule.
Synthesis of Functionalized Monoaryl‐λ3‐iodanes through Chemo‐ and Site‐Selective ipso‐Substitution Reactions
Authors: Komami Narumi , Matsuoka Keitaro , Nakano Ayako , Kojima Masahiro , Yoshino Tatsuhiko , Matsunaga Shigeki
Published: December 2018

Monoaryl‐λ3‐iodanes are potentially attractive arylating agents. They are generally synthesized from aryl iodides via oxidation, which can cause functional group incompatibility, especially when polyfunctionalized derivatives are desired. This work describes the direct synthesis of monoaryl‐λ3‐iodanes through a chemoselective ipso‐substitution reaction of arylgermanes and arylstannanes with iodine tris(trifluoroacetate). The generated iodanes were converted to iodonium ylides or used for further transformations in one pot. The presented method enables the preparation of polyfunctionalized monoaryl‐λ3‐iodanes.
Exosomes and diabetes
Authors: Castaño Carlos , Novials Anna , Párrizas Marcelina
Published: December 2018

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that drive the development of life‐threatening complications. Diabetes results from a situation of insufficient insulin action, either by deficient production of the hormone by the pancreas, or by the development of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues such as liver, muscle, or the adipose depots. Communication between organs is thus central to the maintenance of glucose homoeostasis. Recently, several studies are evidencing that small vesicles called exosomes released by, amongst other, the adipose tissue can regulate gene expression in other tissues, hence modulating interorgan crosstalk. Therefore, exosomes participate in the development of diabetes and its associated complications. Their study holds the potential of providing us with novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis and stratification of patients at risk of developing diabetes, hence allowing the timely implementation of more personalized therapies. On the other hand, the molecular dissection of the pathways initiated by exosomes under situations of metabolic stress could help to gain a deeper knowledge of the pathophysiology of diabetes and its associated metabolic diseases.
Metabolic effects of breastfeed in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ma Shujuan , Hu Shimin , Liang Huiling , Xiao Yanni , Tan Hongzhuan
Published: December 2018

This study was undertaken to provide comprehensive analyses of current research developments in the field of breastfeed (BF) and metabolic‐related outcomes among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Database PubMed, Embase, BIOSIS Previews, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched through December 3, 2017. Odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled by random‐effects model using Stata version 12.0. Twenty‐three observational studies were included in quantitative synthesis. Reduced possibility of progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; OR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.68‐0.92) and pre‐DM (OR = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51‐0.86) were found among women with longer BF of any intensity after GDM pregnancy. The positive effect of longer BF on progression to T2DM gradually became prominent with the extension of follow‐up period. Compared with women with shorter BF, those with longer BF manifested more favourable metabolic parameters, including significant lower body mass index, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and higher insulin sensitivity index. The findings support that BF may play an important role in protection against the development of T2DM‐related outcomes in midlife of women with prior GDM. However, further studies are needed to reveal the etiological mechanism.
Motion control of underactuated linkage robot based on gymnastic skill
Authors: Henmi Tomohiro , Akiyama Masaki , Yamamoto Toru
Published: December 2018

In this paper, a reproduction of a swing‐up and a giant swing motion of underactuated robots based on technique of the horizontal bar gymnast is discussed with focusing on an equivalent center of mass (ECM) of underactuated robots and the gymnast. At first, the behaviors of the ECM of the gymnast (ECMG) are analyzed by using a motion capturing technique and an efficient motion of the ECMG for the swing‐up and for the giant swing motion are identified from analysis results, respectively. Next, a partial linearization method, which can realize that the ECM of the Acrobot (ECMA) replicates this efficient motion, is designed and reproduces the underactuated robots the swing‐up and giant swing motion like the gymnast. Finally, an effectiveness of the proposed controller is shown by numerical simulations.
Catalytic Oxidation of Alcohols Using a 2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐hydroxyammonium Cation
Authors: Miller Shelli A. , Bisset Kathryn A. , Leadbeater Nicholas E. , Eddy Nicholas A.
Published: December 2018

The oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids is reported using 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐4‐acetamido‐hydroxyammonium tetrafluoroborate as a catalyst in conjunction with sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate as a terminal oxidant. The reaction is generally complete within 30–120 min using an acetonitrile/water mix as the solvent, and no additives are required. Product yields are good to excellent and of particular note is that the methodology can be used to access aryl α‐trifluoromethyl ketones.
Quantitative display of the redox status of proteins with maleimide‐polyethylene glycol tagging
Authors: Lee Yu‐Jung , Chang Geen‐Dong
Published: December 2018

Cysteine oxidation, either biologically reversible or irreversible, is the main posttranslational modification associated with redox signaling and oxidative stress. Maleimide‐polyethylene glycol (m‐PEG) has been used to detect reversibly oxidized proteins by reacting to the reduced cysteine residues leading to mobility shift in immunoblots; a method called PEG‐switch. With PEG‐switch, both reduced and oxidized proteins can be observed on the same immunoblot simultaneously, providing a simple quantitative measurement for protein thiol modifications. In this report, we optimized the assay conditions and exploited the applications of PEG‐switch in quantitation of the extent of protein thiol oxidation in cells in response to H2O2 and insulin. In addition, we have proposed a redox scoring system for measuring the redox status of any given protein from the m‐PEG immunoblot. Our results provided quantitative data showing that two cysteine residues of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B are prone to oxidation following insulin treatment in cultured HeLa cells.
A volume‐agglomeration multirate time advancing for high Reynolds number flow simulation
Authors: Itam Emmanuelle , Wornom Stephen , Koobus Bruno , Dervieux Alain
Published: December 2018

A frequent configuration in computational fluid mechanics combines an explicit time advancing scheme for accuracy purposes and a computational grid with a very small portion of much smaller elements than in the remaining mesh. Two examples of such situations are the travel of a discontinuity followed by a moving mesh, and the large eddy simulation of high Reynolds number flows around bluff bodies where together very thin boundary layers and vortices of much more important size need to be captured. For such configurations, multistage explicit time advancing schemes with global time stepping are very accurate but very CPU consuming. In order to reduce this problem, the multirate (MR) time stepping approach represents an interesting improvement. The objective of such schemes, which allow to use different time steps in the computational domain, is to avoid penalizing the computational cost of the time advancement of unsteady solutions that would become large due to the use of small global time steps imposed by the smallest elements such as those constituting the boundary layers. In the present work, a new MR scheme based on control volume agglomeration is proposed for the solution of the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations equipped with turbulence models. The method relies on a prediction step where large time steps are performed with an evaluation of the fluxes on macrocells for the smaller elements for stability purpose and a correction step in which small time steps are employed. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are evaluated on several benchmarks flows: the problem of a moving contact discontinuity (inviscid flow), the computation with a hybrid turbulence model of flows around bluff bodies like a flow around a space probe model at Reynolds number 106, a circular cylinder at Reynolds number 8.4 × 106, and two tandem cylinders at Reynolds number 1.66 × 105 and 1.4 × 105.
Aberrant visual pathway development in albinism: From retina to cortex
Authors: Ather Sarim , Proudlock Frank Anthony , Welton Thomas , Morgan Paul S. , Sheth Viral , Gottlob Irene , Dineen Rob A.
Published: December 2018

Albinism refers to a group of genetic abnormalities in melanogenesis that are associated neuronal misrouting through the optic chiasm. We perform quantitative assessment of visual pathway structure and function in 23 persons with albinism (PWA) and 20 matched controls using optical coherence tomography (OCT), volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging and visual evoked potentials (VEP). PWA had a higher streamline decussation index (percentage of total tractography streamlines decussating at the chiasm) compared with controls (Z = −2.24, p = .025), and streamline decussation index correlated weakly with inter‐hemispheric asymmetry measured using VEP (r = .484, p = .042). For PWA, a significant correlation was found between foveal development index and total number of streamlines (r = .662, p < .001). Significant positive correlations were found between peri‐papillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and optic nerve (r = .642, p < .001) and tract (r = .663, p < .001) width. Occipital pole cortical thickness was 6.88% higher (Z = −4.10, p < .001) in PWA and was related to anterior visual pathway structures including foveal retinal pigment epithelium complex thickness (r = −.579, p = .005), optic disc (r = .478, p = .021) and rim areas (r = .597, p = .003). We were unable to demonstrate a significant relationship between OCT‐derived foveal or optic nerve measures and MRI‐derived chiasm size or streamline decussation index. Our novel tractographic demonstration of altered chiasmatic decussation in PWA corresponds to VEP measured cortical asymmetry and is consistent with chiasmatic misrouting in albinism. We also demonstrate a significant relationship between retinal pigment epithelium and visual cortex thickness indicating that retinal pigmentation defects in albinism lead to downstream structural reorganisation of the visual cortex.
Hydraulics of overland flow influenced by litter incorporation under extreme rainfall
Authors: Wang Lunjiang , Zhang Guanghui , Wang Xue , Li Xiaoyan
Published: December 2018

Water erosion on hillslopes is a worldwide environmental problem, which is a rainfall‐induced process, especially extreme rainfall. The great intensity of extreme rainfall strongly enhances the power of overland flow to detach soil and transport sediment. Plant litter is one of the most important constituents of ecosystems that often covers the soil surface and can be incorporated into topsoil. However, little attention has been paid to its effect on flow hydraulics owing to the veiled nature. This study aimed to examine the effects of incorporated litter on the hydraulic properties under extreme rainfall condition. To reach this goal, six litter rates of 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.35, and 0.50 kg m−2 and four litter types collected from deciduous trees, coniferous trees, shrubs, and herbs were incorporated into topsoil. Then, simulated rainfall experiments were performed on five slope gradients (5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, and 25°) with an extreme rainfall intensity of 80 mm h−1. The results showed that Froude number and flow velocity of the overland flow decreased, whereas flow resistance increased exponentially with litter incorporation rate. Litter type had an influence on flow hydraulics, which can mainly be attributed to the variations in surface coverage of the exposed litter and the litter morphology. Flow velocity and Darcy–Weisbach coefficient increased markedly with slope gradient. However, the variation of slope gradient did not modify the relationships between flow hydraulics and incorporated litter rate. The random roughness, resulting from heterogeneous erosion due to the uneven protection of surface exposed litter, increased linearly with litter incorporated rate. As rainfall proceeded, flow hydraulics varied with incorporated litter rate and slope gradient complicatedly due to the increases in flow rate and coverage of the exposed litter and the modification of soil surface roughness.
Lung cancer risk by geologic coal deposits: A case–control study of female never‐smokers from Xuanwei and Fuyuan, China
Authors: Wong Jason Y.Y. , Downward George S. , Hu Wei , Portengen Lützen , Seow Wei Jie , Silverman Debra T. , Bassig Bryan A. , Zhang Jinming , Xu Jun , Ji Bu‐Tian , Li Jihua , He Jun , Yang Kaiyun , Tian Linwei , Shen Min , Huang Yunchao , Vermeulen Roel , Rothman Nathaniel , Lan Qing
Published: December 2018

Coal types vary around the world because of geochemical differences in their source deposits; however, the influence of coal emissions from different deposits on human health remains unexplored. To address this issue, we conducted the first study of the relationship between coal use from various deposits and lung cancer risk in Xuanwei and Fuyuan, counties in China where lung cancer rates are among the highest in the world among female never‐smokers due to use of bituminous (“smoky”) coal for heating and cooking. We conducted a population‐based case–control study of 1031 lung cancer cases and 493 controls among never‐smoking women in Xuanwei and Fuyuan. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between coal use from various deposits across the lifecourse and lung cancer risk. There was substantial heterogeneity in risks by coal deposit (p = 7.8E‐05). Compared to non‐smoky coal users, risks by smoky coal deposit ranged from OR = 7.49 (95% CI: 3.43–16.38) to OR = 33.40 (95% CI: 13.07–85.34). Further, women born into homes that used smoky coal and subsequently changed to non‐smoky coal had a higher risk (OR = 10.83 (95% CI: 4.61–25.46)) than women born into homes that used non‐smoky coal and changed to smoky coal (OR = 4.74 (95% CI: 2.03–11.04, pdifference = 0.04)). Our study demonstrates that various sources of coal have considerably different impact on lung cancer in this population and suggests that early‐life exposure to carcinogenic emissions may exert substantial influence on health risks later in life. These factors should be considered when evaluating the health risks posed by exposure to coal combustion emissions.
Denoising and segmentation of MR images using fourth order non‐linear adaptive PDE and new convergent clustering
Authors: Kollem Sreedhar , Reddy Katta Rama Linga , Rao Duggirala Srinivasa
Published: December 2018

At present, digital image processing plays a vital role in medical imaging areas and specifically in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain images such as axial and coronal sections. This article mainly focused on the MRI brain images. The existing methods such as total variation (MC), parallel MRI, modified pyramidal dual‐tree direction filter, adaptive dictionary selection algorithm, classifier methods, and fuzzy clustering techniques are poor in image eminence and precision. Thus, this article presents a novel approach consisting of denoising followed by segmentation. The objective of these proposed methods was visual eminence improvement of medical images to examine tumor extent using an adaptive partial differential equation (APDE)‐based analysis with soft threshold function in denoising. The fourth order, nonlinear APDE was used to denoise the image depending on gradient and Laplacian operators associated with the new adaptive Haar‐type wavelet transform. A second approach was the new convergent K‐means clustering for segmentation. The convergent K‐means procedure diminishes the summation of the squared deviations of structures in a cluster from the center. The significance of these proposed methods was to compute their performances in terms of mean squared error, peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, structure similarity, segmentation accuracy, false hit, missed‐term, and elapsed time. The results were analyzed with the MATLAB software.
Sibling spillover effects in school achievement
Authors: Nicoletti Cheti , Rabe Birgitta
Published: December 2018

This paper provides empirical evidence on sibling spillover effects in school achievement using administrative data on 230,000 siblings in England. We extend previous strategies to identify peer effects by exploiting the variation in school test scores across subjects observed at ages 11 and 16 as well as variation in peer quality between siblings. We find a statistically significant positive spillover effect from the older to the younger sibling. Sibling spillovers account for a non‐negligible proportion of the attainment gap between low‐ and higher income pupils in England.
Overexpression of GAS5 inhibits abnormal activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in myocardial tissues of rats with coronary artery disease
Authors: Li Xuexiang , Hou Linlin , Cheng Ziping , Zhou Shu , Qi Jinwei , Cheng Jinglin
Published: December 2018

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical value of long noncoding RNA growth arrest‐specific transcript 5 (LncRNA GAS5) in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its protective effect on myocardial injury in rats with CAD.

Methods

Patients with CAD and healthy controls were selected to measure the expression of GAS5, and further to perform the correlation analysis and ROC curve. In addition, the rat models of CAD were also established to observe the effect of GAS5 on hyperlipidemia, myocardial injury, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory injury of rats with CAD, and the effect of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway was also determined.

Results

Overexpression of GAS5 in CAD rats determines improvement of hyperlipidemia, attenuation of myocardial injury, inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammatory injury, and abnormal activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in myocardial tissues.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that downregulation of GAS5 is found in CAD, and overexpression of GAS5 inhibits abnormal activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in myocardial tissues of CAD rats.
Investigation of mineral content of root canal dentin after the application of various antibiotic paste using energy‐dispersive X‐ray detector
Authors: Simsek H. , Coruh M. , Cakici F. , Fundaoglu Kucukekenci F. , Gurbuz T. , Cakici E. B.
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate mineral content of root canal dentin after treatment with different antibiotic pastes including the mixture of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, cefaclor, amoxicillin, or minocycline. Fifty extracted maxillary canine teeth were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 teeth for each group). Root canals were prepared Reciproc rotary files. Canals were irrigated using 5 ml 5% NaOCl and 1 ml 15% EDTA. Each tooth in all groups were longitudinally splitted into two pieces as a control and experimental samples. Each experimental group received following antibiotic paste; double antibiotic paste (DAP) and triple antibiotic paste with doxycycline (TAPd), TAP with cefaclor (TAPc), TAP with amoxicillin (TAPa), and TAP with minocycline (TAPm) for 21 days. The Ca, P, Mg, Ca, and K levels, and the Ca/P ratio was analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped using a Bruker energy‐dispersive X‐Ray (EDX) detector. Data were analyzed with independent samples t‐test, one‐way anova, and Duncan tests. Ca and Ca/P ratio showed a statistically significant increase TAP with amoxicillin and cefaclor (p < .05). DAP, TAPd, and TAPm did not change the mineral levels (p > .05). TAPa and TAPc with increased the Ca level and Ca/P ratio of the root canal dentin which consequently positively influences the revascularization process.
Root growth compensates for molar wear in adult goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)
Authors: Ackermans Nicole L. , Clauss Marcus , Winkler Daniela E. , Schulz‐Kornas Ellen , Kaiser Thomas M. , Müller Dennis W. H. , Kircher Patrick R. , Hummel Jürgen , Hatt Jean‐Michel
Published: December 2018

One reason for the mammalian clade’s success is the evolutionary diversity of their teeth. In herbivores, this is represented by high‐crowned teeth evolved to compensate for wear caused by dietary abrasives like phytoliths and grit. Exactly how dietary abrasives wear teeth is still not understood completely. We fed four different pelleted diets of increasing abrasiveness (L: Lucerne; G: grass; GR: grass and rice husks; GRS: grass, rice husks, and sand) to four groups of a total of 28 adult goats, all with completely erupted third molars, over a six‐month period. Tooth morphology was captured by medical computed tomography scans at the beginning and end of the controlled feeding experiment, and separation lines between the crown and root segments were defined in the upper right second molar (M2), to gauge absolute wear. Using bootstrapping, significant differences in volume loss between diets L/G and GR/GRS were detected. A small but nevertheless consistent volume gain was noted in the roots, and there was a significant, positive correlation between crown volume loss and root volume gain. This growth could possibly be attributed to the well‐known process of cementum deposition and its relation with a putative feedback mechanism, in place to attenuate wear caused by abrasive diets.
Facile Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of 5‐Amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐thieno[3,2‐c]pyrazole‐6‐carbonitrile and Their Derivatives
Authors: Regal Mohsen K. A. , Shaban Safa S. , El‐Metwally Souad A.
Published: December 2018

5‐Amino‐thieno[3,2‐c]pyrazole derivative 2 was prepared by Gewald reaction in a one‐pot procedure. The amino group of compound 2 like primary aromatic amine formed the diazonium salt when treated with NaNO2/HCl, followed by coupling with different nucleophiles to yield the azo coupling products 3a–d. The reactivity of 5‐amino‐thienopyrazole 2 has been investigated towards different electrophilic reagents such as aromatic aldehydes, alkyl halide, acid chloride, acid anhydride, phenyl isothiocyanate, carbon disulfide, ethyl glycinate, and thioacetamide, which afforded the reaction products 4–14, respectively.
Convergent, Discriminant, and Incremental Validities of Person–Environment Fit Scale for Creativity in Predicting Innovative Behavior
Authors: Duan Wenjie , Li Yumei
Published: December 2018

This study examined the validity of a 14‐item two‐factor person–environment fit scale for creativity (PEFSC) to measure the personal and environmental components of creativity. A sample of 2,475 participants completed the PEFSC for evaluating the factor structure. For convergent, discriminant, and incremental validities, a subsample (N = 362) completed the creative self‐efficacy scale, support for innovation subscale of the team climate inventory, and innovative behavior measure. Results indicated the two‐factor correlated model showed a better goodness of fit than the one‐factor model. Measurement invariance of PEFSC was observed across different genders and educational groups. Internal consistency reliabilities were satisfactory (α  ≥  .87). The personal dimension indicated stronger associations with creative self‐efficacy than with support for innovation, whereas the environmental dimension was related more closely to support for innovation than to creative self‐efficacy. Incremental validity was confirmed by significant and additional explanations from PEFSC in predicting innovative behavior. These results consolidated the application of person–environment fit theoretical framework in creativity research.
Exploring Negative Career Thoughts Between STEM‐Declared and STEM‐Interested Students
Authors: Prescod Diandra J. , Daire Andrew P. , Young Cynthia , Dagley Melissa , Georgiopoulos Michael
Published: December 2018

The shortage of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals in the United States leaves many available positions unfilled. Students beginning college with declared STEM majors often change majors in college, contributing to retention difficulties. Using the Career Thoughts Inventory (Sampson, Peterson, Lenz, Reardon, & Saunders, 1996a), the authors examined negative career thoughts between undergraduate STEM‐declared students participating in a STEM retention project and STEM‐interested students participating in a National Science Foundation–funded STEM recruitment and retention project. Results indicated significant differences between the 2 groups, with STEM‐interested students reporting greater negative career thoughts.
Digestibility of glycated milk proteins and the peptidomics of their in vitro digests
Authors: Zhao Di , Li Lin , Le Thao T , Larsen Lotte B , Xu Dan , Jiao Wenjuan , Sheng Bulei , Li Bing , Zhang Xia
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Milk proteins are widely used in food production and are often glycated by reducing sugar. Although many studies have reported the digestibility of glycated milk protein, most have focused on measuring degree of hydrolysis (DH), showing sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) image of digests. Detailed information on the changes in peptide composition of digests has seldom been revealed. Therefore, in addition to measuring the DH and showing the SGS‐PAGE images of digests, we also analyzed the peptidomics in digests using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) and Mascot database in this work to further reveal the influence of glycation on protein nutrition.

RESULTS

Compared with β‐lactoglobulin and bovine serum albumin (BSA), DH of β‐casein was suppressed to a lesser extent by glycation in both gastric and intestinal stages. Aggregates of glycated BSA were less sensitive to the action of digestive enzymes throughout gastrointestinal digestion according to SDS‐PAGE images. Changes in the peptide composition of digests induced by glycation were distinctly displayed, showing both absence of peptides and occurrence of new peptides, based on the results obtained from LC‐ESI‐MS/MS.

CONCLUSIONS

Glycation can greatly change the peptide composition in digests of milk protein. The nutritional impact of the change in the peptide composition requires further investigation, and the impact of MRPs in unabsorbed digests on the gut flora should be an interesting field for further studies. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Marine microbial community responses related to wetland carbon mobilization in the coastal zone
Authors: Ward Nicholas D. , Morrison Elise S. , Liu Yina , Rivas‐Ubach Albert , Osborne Todd Z. , Ogram Andrew V. , Bianchi Thomas S.
Published: December 2018

Here, we examine how marine microbial communities respond when dissolved organic matter (DOM) is mobilized from coastal wetlands. Biological transformations of this DOM may increase in the presence of reactive substrates, such as algal‐derived DOM (ADOM) in the coastal zone—a process known as priming. We performed laboratory experiments examining transformations of DOM derived from coastal wetland peat (PDOM) with and without the presence ADOM. Associated shifts in microbial community composition and functional gene abundance were measured to evaluate mechanisms of priming effects. ADOM presence stimulated CO2 production when compared to the seawater control, which was further enhanced in the copresence of PDOM. DOM characterization showed a substantial difference in features present at the end of the incubation when PDOM was present with and without ADOM, while metagenomic sequencing indicated shifts in microbial community composition and identified 23 unique functional genes associated with pathways for the breakdown of aromatic compounds.
Processable Thermally Conductive Polyurethane Composite Fibers
Authors: Farajikhah Syamak , Van Amber Rebecca , Sayyar Sepidar , Shafei Sajjad , Fay Cormac D. , Beirne Stephen , Javadi Mohammad , Wang Xungai , Innis Peter C. , Paull Brett , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: December 2018

The demand for wearable electronics has resulted in an increasing interest in the development of functional fibers, with a specific focus upon the development of electrically conductive fibers incorporable into garments. However, the production of thermally conductive fibers for heat dissipation has been largely neglected. Owing to the very rapid development of miniaturized wearable electronics, there is an increasing need for the development of thermally conductive fibers as heat sinks and thermal management processes. In this study, thermally conductive but electrically insulating boron nitride nanopowder (BNNP) fillers are used to effectively enhance the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of elastomeric polyurethane fibers. Thermal conductivity enhancement of more than 160% is achieved at very low loadings of BNNP (less than 5 wt%) with an improvement in the mechanical properties of the unmodified fiber. These thermally conductive fibers are also incorporated into 3D textile structures as a proof of processability.
Molecular “Building Block” and “Side Chain Engineering”: Approach to Synthesis of Multifunctional and Soluble Poly(pyrrole phenylene)s
Authors: Chan Eddie Wai Chi , Baek Paul , Tan Shi Min , Davidson Samuel J. , Barker David , Travas‐Sejdic Jadranka
Published: December 2018

Here, the synthesis of a novel poly(pyrrole phenylene) (PpyP) that is both modular in ways of functionalization and soluble in organic solvents is reported, and therefore solution processable. This is achieved through the functionalization of the side‐chain substituents in pyrrole phenylene (PyP) repeating units.
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Butyl acrylate brushes are first grafted through atom transfer radical polymerization from one type of PyP, followed by oxidative chemical co‐polymerization of the grafted PyP with a PyP bearing different side chains—either an azide or a methoxy moiety, resulting in a soluble PpyP where solubility is not dopant‐dependent. Successful post‐polymerization modification through “click” chemistry and post‐polymerization processing via electrospinning are also demonstrated. Additionally, performed computational calculations indicate planarity of the novel polyrrole phenylene monomers and ionisation potentials that favor α–α bond formation during their polymerization.
A miniaturized parallel ring coupling high gain antenna for biomedical applications
Authors: Patel Riki , Upadhyaya Trushit , Desai Arpan
Published: December 2018

In this article, a compact planar antenna having an Olympic rings symbol shaped patch attached with dual arms and 50 Ω feed‐line is proposed for biomedical applications. The proposed antenna has a size of 20 ×20 × 1.6 mm and resonates at 2.45 GHz. The antenna parameters are analyzed and the final design is proposed after carefully optimizing the antenna dimensions. The antenna shows an impedance bandwidth of 2.4‐2.49 GHz with unidirectional radiation pattern. The peak gain of the proposed miniaturized antenna is 6.4 dBi which makes it suitable for its use in the near‐field biomedical applications.
Research on the establishment of chronic stress‐induced premature ovarian failure the rat model and effects of Chinese medicine Muniziqi treatment
Authors: Keremu Abulizi , Yaoliwasi Aziguli , Tuerhong Mayire , Kadeer Nafeisha , Heyi  , Yiming Adilijiang , Yilike Xiamixinuer
Published: December 2018

The purposes of this study were to establish and to explore the biological basis of the chronic stress‐induced premature ovarian failure (POF) model and to explore the therapeutic effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Muniziqi. Sexually matured female Sprague–Dawley rats were fed with spinach and cilantro in cold and wet conditions for about 20 weeks until a chronic stress (CS) model was established. The CS rats were divided into a POF stress model group and a stress model group according to weekly biological characteristics and hormone level detection ( luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], and estrogen [E2]). To investigate the therapeutic effect of Muniziqi, the POF disease stress model group was divided into the high‐, medium‐, and low‐drug intervention groups. The results showed that chronic stresses (special food, cold, damp) can lead to POF disease. The traditional Chinese medicine Muniziqi could not only improve the reproductive hormone level disorder, but also improve the function of the hypothalamus–pituitary–ovarian axis. The underlying mechanism may be a change in the E2, LH, and FSH hormone levels in serum and lower expression of ovarian premature aging‐related protein PFN‐1.
High Solid Acrylic–Melamine Latexes with Tunable Crosslinking Capability
Authors: Córdoba Carlos A. , Ronco Ludmila I. , Barrios Celina E. , Gugliotta Luis M. , Minari Roque J.
Published: December 2018

Miniemulsion polymerization is employed to produce high solid content (50%) acrylic/melamine latexes with varied crosslinking capability, for their potential application as waterborne crosslinkable coatings. This synthesis strategy allows the efficient incorporation of a hydrophobic crosslinker, iso‐butylated melamine (iBMF), into polymer particles, and to obtain latexes with different iBMF concentrations and acrylic polymer with varied content of hydroxylic groups (OH–). The involved crosslinking mechanisms and the physical transformations during film thermosetting of acrylic/iBMF nanocomposite are exhaustively investigated by combining thermal, spectroscopic, and thermo‐mechanical analyses. The influence of reactive groups concentration (iBMF and OH– content in the acrylic polymer) on the rate of curing, the crosslinking degree, and consequently onto the sensitive properties of cured films are discussed here.
Centrifugal Pumps and Variable‐Frequency Drives: A Match Made in Heaven?
Authors: Steger Perry , Pierce David
Published: December 2018

Varying pump speed can deliver huge gains, but there's potential for disaster.
Share Expertise to Help Reduce Water Loss
Authors: Dunnill William F. , Hickerson Kevin
Published: December 2018

There is no one‐size‐fits‐all approach for improving nonrevenue water loss, but utilities can improve their chances for success by sharing knowledge with other utilities facing the same challenges.
The use of volcanic particles in HDPE offers alternative filling material against CaCO3. Part II—scratch properties
Authors: Bora Mustafa Özgür , Çoban Onur , Kutluk Togayhan , Akagündüz Eyüp
Published: December 2018

This article clarifies that the influence of volcanic particles (VPs) and calcium carbonate particles (CaCO3) on the scratch behavior of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE). Melt compounding was carried out using a twin‐screw microcompounder and then injection molding with various VPs and CaCO3 contents such as 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 wt% was performed for preparing test samples. Scratch testing was performed using the testing apparatus and methodology outlined in ASTM D7027–05 with 60 mm/min scratch velocities of 200 μm stainless steel ball bearing scratch tip. Coefficient of friction (COF) and scratch hardness values of various VPs‐ and CaCO3‐filled HDPE composites were determined. Results showed that COF and scratch hardness values were improved with higher inorganic particle concentrations. It was found that VPs was more effective filler for the scratch properties of HDPE than CaCO3. After scratch tests, scratch damage mechanisms were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2564–2572, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers