bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching competences in Italian universities: an attempt of classification to inform professional development processes
Authors: Serbati Anna , Felisatti Ettore , Aquario Debora , Clerici Renata , Da Re Lorenza , Paccagnella Omar
Published: June 2017

How we can improve the quality of teaching in the university degree courses? What are the professors’ practices and the beliefs about their role in the students’ learning process? A group of spokespersons of seven Italian Universities has carried out an integrate sources study to answer those questions and to define a programme of activities for developing didactic skills of the teachers. This paper aims to illustrate the design and the results of a research project which involved 4,289 university professors (59% of the target population), who were teaching courses at bachelor and master level during the academic year 2014/15. The data were directly gathered by a CAWI questionnaire which was distributed to the whole teaching staff; the survey results were linked to administrative data related to the educational offer and students’ evaluation of teaching in the same academic year. The results were summarized using some indicators, which showed the diffusion of good practices of teaching, support needs, beliefs, interest and availability of the respondents. We verified the reliability of these indicators and, by means of them, we identified sub-groups of areas of expertise and needs to involve teachers in appropriate different and integrated activities, directed to develop teachers’ professional competences.
Teamwork: Assessment of teamwork competence in higher education
Authors: Navarro Jose , Josep Lluis Bosch , María Palacín , Solé Marina , Berger Rita , Leiva David , Ceppi Francesca , Castellano Júlia
Published: June 2017

Teamwork is a competence highly demanded among workers and an academic field with an extensive specialized literature. Based on this knowledge that comes from the study of organizational behavior, this communication presents a model to understand teamwork in higher education settings. The theoretical model considers structural components (i.e., task interdependence and task uncertainty), processes (i.e., team development and team climate for learning) and results (i.e., team effectiveness). Moreover, an assessment tool (and attitude questionnaire with 42 items-Likert scale with a range from 1 to 7) is also presented to measure these critical components that can allow us to distinguish between effective and ineffective teams in higher education. First results of the application of these tools to 18 team students show good consistency values of the tools being able to distinguish among teams. Additionally, we propose a procedure to obtain aggregated measures per group from the members’ responses considering the degree of agreement among members.
Practise makes perfect: developing critical thinking and writing skills in undergraduate science students
Authors: Hall Sarah
Published: June 2017

Successful undergraduate students are required to demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills in their final year dissertation, but the early years of some science degrees may not fully prepare them for this challenge.  This study investigated the value of earlier engagement with scientific literacy skills by assessing the impact of rehersing critical thinking and extended writing skills earlier in the degree programme.  This paper reports a small-scale study of a single cohort of students on BSc (Hons.) Biomedical Sciences degree schemes at a research-intensive university and describes quantitative analysis of students' performance in two research-driven writing tasks at different stages of the degree: a literature review in Year 2 and a research dissertation in the final year.  The results of this study support the comcept that earlier exposure to extended writing tasks requiring scientific literacy skills is beneficial to students whose final year project has similar literature-based format; the experience of completing the literature review appears particularly valuable in improving the academic performance of weaker students.
Differences in Research Literacy in Educational Science Depending on Study Program and University
Authors: Groß Ophoff Jana , Schladitz Sandra , Wirtz Markus
Published: June 2017

The ability to purposefully access, reflect on, and use evidence from educational research (Educational Research Literacy, ERL) are key competencies of future professionals in educational practice. Based on the conceptual framework presented in this paper, a test instrument was developed to assess ERL, consisting of the competence facets Information Literacy, Statistical Literacy, and Evidence-based Reasoning. This contribution aims to delve deeper into the question of whether Educational Science students differ in their overall ERL proficiency depending on their study program and university. This comparison is based on a large-scale study of 1,213 Educational Science students (Teacher Training and Educational Studies) at six German universities in the winter semester of 2012/13 and in the summer semester of 2013. The results indicate that students seem to profit from their studies at the different universities. Moreover, the ERL competence facets differentiate to some extent between universities and degree programs, which can serve as the starting point for curricular quality development measures. Subsequently, the results are critically discussed, and the desiderata for future research are stated, e.g., the identification of predictors that cause the reported differences.
Conceptualizing a Theoretical Framework: Embodied Narrative Knowing
Authors: Overton Michael Duncan
Published: June 2017

The dominant Western epistemological and ontological perspective marginalizes “other ways of knowing” (Taylor, 1997) that adult learners use to make meaning of their experiences (Crossley, 2007; and Michelson, 1998). Other ways of knowing have also been called non-Western perspectives and are defined as having their “roots in cultures and...traditions that pre-date Western colonization, modernization, and Western-driven globalization (Merriam, 2007, p. 173). The aim of this work is to explore a theoretical framework, informed by three established paradigms, to conceptualize non-Western and other ways of knowing. This work outlines the three paradigms that are utilized: Social Constructivism, Embodied Knowing, and Narrative Knowing, to provide the values and guiding principles that this framework is based on. This work proposes the exploration of the experiences of adult learners who practice the martial arts (a traditionally non-Western practice) in order to offer preliminary validation of embodied narrative knowing as a theoretical framework for understanding non-Western ways of knowing.
Graduate programs in education, exploring its meaning and significance of training
Authors: Miranda María del Rosario Landín , Hernández Diana Ramírez , Olvera Félix Eduardo Núñez
Published: June 2017

In this research, we present an analysis carried out in the city of Poza Rica, state of Veracruz, Mexico on the meaning and significance of education that students attribute to the master programs related to education. We base this work from the Theory of Social Representations of Serge Moscovici (1961) and the Method of Symbolic Interactionism of Herbert Blumer (1969), this research is consistent with the educational policies in the training of professionals, due that from an inductive study with a cualitative perspective, we can do an analysis with more relevance on the impact that the offer of postgraduate has on the training of current professionals. Two study contexts were taken: masters in education offered in the public sector and masters in education offered in the private sector. As well, the agencies that shape the policies for the evaluation of postgraduate programs in Mexico, particularly with emphasis on the CONACYT framework.
A case-based tool to assess college students’ perceptions about ethical competence
Authors: Gonzalez-Cuevas Gustavo , Lopez del Hierro Marta , Martinez Nieves , Hernando Maria Asuncion
Published: June 2017

The main objective of this study was to design a new tool to explore the perception of professionally-related ethical values in Health Sciences undergraduate students. For this purpose, 24 conversational interviews, as well as an extensive literature review, were initially employed. Then, five ethical values were selected: respect for the patient, altruism, empathy, responsibility for my actions, and lifelong learning. Next, twenty cases with ethical dilemmas were created with protagonists pertaining to four degrees in the Health Sciences: Nursing, Dentistry, Physical Therapy, and Medicine. These cases were examined by professionals from these fields and presented to a sample of students to analyze their functioning. Our results indicate that the cases are easy to understand as most cases were identified correctly. Interestingly, students reported “respect for the patient” as the most important ethical value. The least important value was “altruism.” This new tool adds a practical perspective based on clinical cases with real-life dilemmas. Further studies are needed to continue exploring this topic.
Are pre-service Primary School teachers prepared to teach science by inquiry?
Authors: Tuzon Paula , Montero-Pau Javier , Tierno Sandra P.
Published: June 2017

Inquiry-based science education (IBSE) focuses on the development of science process skills. This teaching methodology has been shown to be especially effective during Primary School as it allows children to explore and confront their own ideas about Nature. Also, a methodology based on process skills is coherent with the main purpose of this educational stage where children need to learn to do things. In order to implement a methodology based on science process skills Primary teachers need to know to use science process skills, and how to teach them. In this paper we address if Spanish pre-service teachers are able to implement IBSE. We focus on pre-service Primary School teachers and compare our results with in-service teachers and a random sample of non-teachers. We explore their level of knowledge about science process skills and if pre-service teachers know how to develop an inquiry-based learning sequence. An overview of the situation of science education and teaching of scientific skills among the degrees on Primary Education in Spain is also presented. Our results show that pre-service teachers have a lack of knowledge on science process skills and fail when they attempting to build a learning sequence based on inquiry.
Implementing a Freshman Engineering Design Experience at the University of Washington
Authors: Fabien Brian C , Vereen Keon L
Published: June 2017

A project-oriented introductory engineering design course has been developed within the University of Washington’s College of Engineering to enhance the first-year student experience. The role of engineering was de-mystified, explaining the difference between trade specialists and engineers. The students learned that the “art of engineering” is in solving complex problems. Throughout the course, students learned about programming, computer-aided design, and 3D printer technology to assist in the development of team projects. As each new prototype was unveiled, teams learned important lessons about the transition from conception to implementation. One of the biggest outcomes of the course was learning to work effectively in teams. At the end of the course, each team was assessed not only on quality of design project but also team efficacy. The students developed their professional socialization skills while preparing technical reports and oral (PowerPoint and poster) presentations. On the closing day of the program, students presented their group projects in front of campus and industry partners.
Teaching Agile Development with DevOps in a Software Engineering and Database Technologies Practicum
Authors: Mason Robert Thomas , Masters William , Stark Alan
Published: June 2017

DevOps is a new concept for Software Engineering.  Teaching DevOps can be challenging with the limited resources that are available at many universities.  This paper exams how to teach of an Agile Development Methodology using a DevOps approach for the Regis University (RU) M.S. in Software Engineering and Database Technologies Practicum.  With faculty support, heavy stakeholder involvement and RU Information Technology Services (Operations Support) mentoring, students were able to successfully follow the Agile Development methodology to create an application that was incoporated into the RU Web-site infrastructure.
Desenvolvimento psicomotor de meninos e meninas com 8 anos de idade
Authors: Pereira Ester , Alvarenga Fernanda , Dantas Renata
Published: June 2017

Sabe-se que o desenvolvimento motor do ser humano é um assunto muito estudado, inúmeras são as pesquisas realizadas com a finalidade de avaliar as fases motoras evolutivas correspondentes a sua maturação biológica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o nível de desenvolvimento motor e fazer uma comparação entre os sexos de crianças de um colégio em Brasília-DF. Aplicou-se o teste KorperkoordinationstestfurKinder (KTK), para avaliar o desenvolvimento motor das crianças de oito anos de idade e de ambos os sexos, que praticam aulas de educação física. O teste foi constituído de quatro tarefas: Trave de equilíbrio, saltos monopedais, saltos laterais e transferência sobre plataformas. Os resultados apontaram diferença significativa entre os sexos quanto á habilidade equilíbrio (p = 0,002). Conclui-se que, analisando por sexo que não houve diferença significativa nos aspectos motores quanto á força, velocidade e lateralidade (p = 0,756; p = 1,000 e p = 1,000 respectivamente).
Development and validation of a CCD-laser aerosol detective system for measuring the ambient aerosol phase function
Authors: Bian Yuxuan , Zhao Chunsheng , Xu Wanyun , Zhao Gang , Tao Jiangchuan , Kuang Ye
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Aerosol phase function represents the angular scattering property of aerosols, which is crucial for understanding the climate effects of aerosols that have been identified as one of the largest uncertainties in the evaluation of radiative forcing. So far, there is a lack of instruments with which to measure the aerosol phase function directly and accurately in laboratory studies and in situ measurements. A portable instrument with high angular range and resolution has been developed for the measurement of the phase function of ambient aerosols in this study. The charge-coupled device-laser aerosol detective system (CCD-LADS) measures the aerosol phase function both across a relatively wide angular range of 10–170° and at a high resolution of 0.1°. The system includes a continuous laser, two charge-coupled device cameras and the corresponding fisheye lenses. The CCD-LADS was validated by both a laboratory study and a field measurement. The comparison between the aerosol phase function retrieved from CCD-LADS and Mie-scattering model shows good agreement. Compared with the TSI polar nephelometer, CCD-LADS has the advantages of wider detection range and better stability.
Glacial-Interglacial changes and Holocene variations in Arabian Sea denitrification
Authors: Gaye Birgit , Böll Anna , Segschneider Joachim , Burdanowitz Nicole , Emeis Kay-Christian , Ramaswamy Venkitasubramani , Lahajnar Niko , Lückge Andreas , Rixen Tim
Published: June 2017

Abstract. At present the Arabian Sea has a permanent oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) at water depths between about 100 m and 1200 m. Active denitrification in this OMZ is recorded by enhanced δ15N values in the sediments. Sediment cores show a δ15N increase from early to late Holocene which is contrary to the trend in other regions of water column denitrification. We calculated composite sea surface temperature (SST) and δ15N in time slices of 1000 years of the last 25 ka to better understand the reasons for the establishment of the Arabian Sea OMZ and its response to changes in the Asian monsoon system. Pleistocene stadial δ15N values of 4–6 ‰ suggest that denitrification was inactive or weak. During interstadials (IS) and the entire Holocene, δ15N values of > 7 ‰ indicate enhanced denitrification and a stronger OMZ. This coincides with active monsoonal upwelling along the western margins of the basin as indicated by low SST. Stronger ventilation of the OMZ in the early to mid-Holocene period during the most intense southwest monsoon and vigorous upwelling is reflected in lower δ15N compared to the late Holocene. The displacement of the core of the OMZ from the region of maximum productivity in the western Arabian Sea to its present position in the northeast was established during the last 4–5 ka. This was probably caused by (i) rising oxygen consumption due to enhanced northeast monsoon driven biological productivity, in combination with (ii) reduced ventilation due to a longer residence time of OMZ waters.
Modeling regional air quality and climate: improving organic aerosol and aerosol activation processes in WRF/Chem version 3.7.1
Authors: Yahya Khairunnisa , Glotfelty Timothy , Wang Kai , Zhang Yang , Nenes Athanasios
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Air quality and climate influence each other through the uncertain processes of aerosol formation and cloud droplet activation. In this study, both processes are improved in the Weather, Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) version 3.7.1. The existing Volatility Basis Set (VBS) treatments for organic aerosol (OA) formation in WRF/Chem are improved by considering the following: the secondary OA (SOA) formation from semi-volatile primary organic aerosol (POA), a semi-empirical formulation for the enthalpy of vaporization of SOA, and functionalization and fragmentation reactions for multiple generations of products from the oxidation of VOCs. Over the continental US, 2-month-long simulations (May to June 2010) are conducted and results are evaluated against surface and aircraft observations during the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change (CalNex) campaign. Among all the configurations considered, the best performance is found for the simulation with the 2005 Carbon Bond mechanism (CB05) and the VBS SOA module with semivolatile POA treatment, 25 % fragmentation, and the emissions of semi-volatile and intermediate volatile organic compounds being 3 times the original POA emissions. Among the three gas-phase mechanisms (CB05, CB6, and SAPRC07) used, CB05 gives the best performance for surface ozone and PM2. 5 concentrations. Differences in SOA predictions are larger for the simulations with different VBS treatments (e.g., nonvolatile POA versus semivolatile POA) compared to the simulations with different gas-phase mechanisms. Compared to the simulation with CB05 and the default SOA module, the simulations with the VBS treatment improve cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) predictions (normalized mean biases from −40.8 % to a range of −34.6 to −27.7 %), with large differences between CB05–CB6 and SAPRC07 due to large differences in their OH and HO2 predictions. An advanced aerosol activation parameterization based on the Fountoukis and Nenes (2005) series reduces the large negative CDNC bias associated with the default Abdul Razzak and Ghan (2000) parameterization from −35.4 % to a range of −0.8 to 7.1 %. However, it increases the errors due to overpredictions of CDNC, mainly over the northeastern US. This work indicates a need to improve other aerosol–cloud–radiation processes in the model, such as the spatial distribution of aerosol optical depth and cloud condensation nuclei, in order to further improve CDNC predictions.
Residual biomass potential in olive tree cultivation and olive oil industry in Spain: valorization proposal in a biorefinery context
Authors: Manzanares Paloma , Ruiz Encarnación , Ballesteros Mercedes , Negro María J. , Gallego Francisco J. , López-Linares Juan C. , Castro Eulogio
Published: June 2017

Olive crop and olive oil industry generates several residues, i.e., olive tree pruning biomass (OTPB), extracted olive pomace (EOP) and olive leaves (OL) that could be used to produce high-added value products in an integrated biorefinery. OTPB is generated in the field as a result of pruning operation to remove old branches; EOP is the main residue of the pomace olive oil extracting industry after extraction with hexane of residual oil contained in olive pomace; and OL comes from the olive cleaning process carried out at olive mills, where small branches and leaves are separated by density. In this work, an analysis of the potential of OTPB, EOP and OL residues was addressed by estimating the production volumes at national level and the spatial distribution of these residues using geographic information system software. Information provided by public institutions and personal surveys to the industries was evaluated. Moreover, chemical analysis of the residues was undertaken and the results used to make a first assessment of valorization into biofuels such as bioethanol and bio based chemicals. Results show that close to 4.2 million tons/year of EOP, OL and OTPB derived from olive oil industry and olive tree cultivation in Spain could be available as a raw material for biorefineries in Spain. The analysis of the chemical characteristics indicates the relevant potential of these feedstocks for the production of bioethanol and other compounds such as phenols based on suitable processing and conversion routes, although techno-economic evaluations must be tackled to refine this approach.
Evaluation of the Effect of Platelet Mediators to Increase the Skin's Collagen; A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Afarsiabian Hamidollah , Nourbakhsh Mitra , Sadeghizadeh Majid
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma mediators on the reconstruction of facial skin collagen by a platelet cream. Additionally, the cream was composited with plasma and some herbal compounds, which carried those factors through the skin. This method as a non-invasive skin will help the skin rejuvenation.MATERIALS & METHODS: This study is a randomized clinical trial; patients referred to the clinic with positive cases from skin wrinkles along with 20 MHz frequency ultrasound images of their skin faces. All individual enrolled in the study were randomly divided into two groups.Group A 70cc cream including 60cc basic cream (emulsion of Lecithin and Eucerin) in addition of 5cc platelet-rich plasma and 5ccherbal extracted (Herdahelix, Musk and Genestein) to take a month received. Consequently, instructions for use of this cream is that 2.3g of the cream every night to be affected.Group B (controls) received 70cc of the cream involving 6cc basic cream (emulsion of Lecithin and Eucerin) along with 10cc placebo (glycerin) that every night 2.3g of the cream to be applied on the face.After a month increased the amount of facial skin collagen in each group was calculated and compared by ultrasound 20 MHz. In this project compare numerically and in terms of the amount of reflected energy (RE) was performed. In addition, the idea of using plant extracts and platelet mediators to penetrate into the skin was derived from Iranian traditional medicine.FINDINGS: Statistical analysis of the data collection was done by SPSS 18 software. Further, demographic characteristics including age, sex, occupation, socioeconomic status and education level had no effect on the response to treatment (P=0.221), but demographic indicator of age on response to treatment was effective (P=0.021).Respond to the treatment (increase the amount of collagen in the skin) in group A and group B equal to 72.91%   and 12.5% respectively. In group A with group B were significant differences in response to treatment, P = 0.000. The only side effect occurred in group A was mild irritation including redness and mild itching, which happened in 2 patients.CONCLUSION: Employee non-invasive method of platelet cream rebuilds collagen in the skin effectively.
Respiratory System Involvement in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Kacprzak Aneta , Szturmowicz Monika , Kuś Jan
Published: July 2017

Inflammatory bowel diseases are systemic disorders that can manifest in any location. The problem of respiratory system involvement is very important form clinical point of view. In the article we try to systematize the current knowledge on this topic.
Case Report: Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome in an Adolescent with Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Kariv Sarah , Bateman Kathleen
Published: June 2017

A 17-year-old girl presented with intractable vomiting due to area postrema involvement in the first presentation of seronegative neuromyelitis optica (NMO). During the course of her illness, she developed mild hyponatremia, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormalities consistent with the co-occurrence of osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS). This combination of imaging features is novel, and this case expands the spectrum of brain abnormalities seen in NMO and NMO spectrum disorders. It was suspected that NMO may predispose to ODS by causing astrocyte dysfunction involving aquaporin 4 water channels, which are implicated in both conditions.
Thrombocytopenia and Spontaneous Intracranial Hemorrhage After Olanzapine Therapy
Authors: Cruz Maricel Dela , Danoff Robert
Published: June 2017

The use of atypical antipsychotics in the United States has increased over the past decade, since atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine and clozapine were introduced. Of the adverse effects associated with olanzapine, bone marrow suppression is one of the most common, but spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage secondary to thrombocytopenia is rare. The present case report describes an 88-year-old man who presented with an intracranial hemorrhage after taking olanzapine for 2 weeks. This case emphasizes the importance of monitoring the potential adverse effects associated with olanzapine and other antipsychotics, especially in elderly patients.
Dimerization facilitates the conformational transitions for bacterial phosphotransferase enzyme I autophosphorylation in an allosteric manner
Authors: Lee Ko On , Yun Young‐Joo , Kim Iktae , Suh Jeong‐Yong
Published: June 2017

The bacterial phosphotransferase system is central to sugar uptake and phosphorylation. Enzyme I (EI), the first enzyme of the system, autophosphorylates as a dimer using phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), but it is not clearly understood how dimerization activates the enzyme activity. Here, we show that EI dimerization is important for proper conformational transitions and the domain association required for the autophosphorylation. EI(G356S) with reduced dimerization affinity and lower autophosphorylation activity revealed that significantly hindered conformational transitions are required for the phosphoryl transfer reaction. The G356S mutation does not change the binding affinity for PEP, but perturbs the domain association accompanying large interdomain motions that bring the active site His189 close to PEP. The interface for the domain association is separate from the dimerization interface, demonstrating that dimerization can prime the conformational change in an allosteric manner.
Intercultural Empathy
Authors: Broome Benjamin J.
Published: June 2017

Empathy allows us to step outside the boundaries of our own awareness and imaginatively enter the world of another person. It makes possible meaningful human interaction, and it allows us to engage in tasks that require coordination and consensus. In intercultural situations, empathy is more complex and more difficult, but it is a key competency for effective intercultural communication. In intercultural empathy, understanding is not viewed as a product, but as an ongoing process occurring between communicators. It is created during interaction, emerging as we listen to one another respectfully and engage in a mutual process of exploring and learning together. Intercultural empathy requires shifting our focus away from our own outlooks and toward the experiences of the other, striving for a synthesis of perspectives that allows us to overcome the differences that otherwise separate us from one another.
Cultural Discourse Analysis
Authors: Carbaugh Donal , Cerulli Tovar
Published: June 2017

Cultural discourse analysis (CuDA) is an approach to communication which explores culturally distinctive communication practices as these occur in their everyday contexts, the meanings participants activate in those practices, as well as cross‐cultural analyses of those everyday practices and their meanings. The theory is based upon the premise that communication involves localized means of expression with these means housing a rich process of meaning‐making. That process is investigated through five discursive hubs focused on meanings about identity, action, relations, feeling, and dwelling in nature. The research methodology deriving from the theory includes four distinct yet complementary modes of analysis: descriptive, interpretive, comparative, and critical study. The empirical, field‐based literature has produced insights about intercultural interactions and cultural philosophies of communication around the globe. Particular implications have focused on several concerns, such as identity politics, pedagogical practice, social justice, humanitarian aid, and environmental issues to intercultural dialogue.
An Engineered Human Fc‐Mannose‐Binding‐Lectin Captures Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Kang Joo H. , Driscoll Harry , Mammoto Akiko , Watters Alexander L. , Melakeberhan Bissrat , Diaz Alexander , Super Michael , Ingber Donald E.
Published: June 2017

Tumor cells circulating throughout the body have shown great potential for providing new diagnostic or therapeutic strategies for treating cancer patients. However, isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is still challenging due to the lack of broad spectrum reagents that bind specifically to these cells. This study shows that an engineered human blood opsonin that mimics the innate immune mechanism for opsonizing complex mannan carbohydrates, Fc‐mannose binding lectin (FcMBL), exhibits a broad spectrum of CTC binding activity. Using FcMBL‐coated magnetic beads, this study is able to specifically capture and isolate a broad range of tumor cells spiked into buffer or blood. FcMBL is bound preferentially to human and mouse breast cancer cells relative to normal breast epithelium, and this study demonstrates the capture of seven different types of cancer cells with greater than 90% capture efficiency, whereas two of these same cancer cells bound poorly to anti epithelial cell adhesion molecule antibodies. It is also confirmed that FcMBL‐coated magnetic beads can be used to capture CTCs from the blood of mice bearing metastatic tumors. The FcMBL capture technology may therefore provide a new tool for harvesting a broad range of CTCs with high efficiency as it targets tumor cell specific surface markers that are expressed across diverse cell types and retained throughout the metastatic process.
Resource intensification and osteoarthritis patterns: changes in activity in the prehistoric Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta region
Authors: Cheverko Colleen M. , Bartelink Eric J.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Ethnohistoric accounts and archaeological research from Central California document a shift from the use of lower‐cost, high‐ranked resources (e.g., large game) toward the greater use of higher‐cost, low‐ranked resources (e.g., acorns and small seeds) during the Late Holocene (4500–200 BP). The subsistence transition from higher consumption of large game toward an increased reliance on acorns was likely associated with increases in levels of logistical mobility and physical activity. This study predicts that mobility and overall workload patterns changed during this transition to accommodate new food procurement strategies and incorporate new dietary resources during the Late Holocene in Central California.

Materials and Methods

Osteoarthritis prevalence was scored in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee of adult individuals (n = 256) from seven archaeological sites in the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta region. Comparisons were made between osteoarthritis prevalence, sex, age‐at‐death, and time period using ANCOVAs.

Results

The results of this study indicate significant increases in osteoarthritis prevalence in the hip of adult males and females during the Late Period (1200–200 BP), even after correcting for the cumulative effects of age. No differences were observed between the sexes or between time periods for the shoulder, elbow, and knee joints.

Discussion

The temporal increase in hip osteoarthritis supports the hypothesis that there was an increasing need for greater logistical mobility over time to procure key resources away from the village sites. Additionally, the lack of sex differences in osteoarthritis prevalence may suggest that females and males likely performed similar levels of activity during these periods.
Exploiting the Evolutionary Relationship between Malarial Parasites and Plants To Develop New Herbicides
Authors: Corral Maxime G. , Leroux Julie , Tresch Stefan , Newton Trevor , Stubbs Keith A. , Mylne Joshua S.
Published: June 2017

Herbicide resistance is driving a need to develop new herbicides. The evolutionary relationship between apicomplexan parasites, such as those causing malaria, and plants is close enough that many antimalarial drugs are herbicidal and so represent novel scaffolds for herbicide development. Using a compound library from the Medicines for Malaria Venture, the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, and a physicochemical database of known herbicides, a compound was discovered that showed post‐emergence herbicidal activity equal to commercial herbicides. Using structure–activity analysis, important points for its potency were found. The compound was also tested and found to be active against common crop weeds. Physiological profiling suggested the compound was a photosystem II inhibitor, representing a new scaffold for herbicide development. Overall this approach demonstrates the viability of using antimalarial compounds as lead compounds for the development of much needed new herbicides.
An adjustable multi‐scale single beam acoustic tweezers based on ultrahigh frequency ultrasonic transducer
Authors: Chen Xiaoyang , Lam Kwok Ho , Chen Ruimin , Chen Zeyu , Yu Ping , Chen Zhongping , Shung K. Kirk , Zhou Qifa
Published: June 2017

This paper reports the fabrication, characterization, and microparticle manipulation capability of an adjustable multi‐scale single beam acoustic tweezers (SBAT) that is capable of flexibly changing the size of “tweezers” like ordinary metal tweezers with a single‐element ultrahigh frequency (UHF) ultrasonic transducer. The measured resonant frequency of the developed transducer at 526 MHz is the highest frequency of piezoelectric single crystal based ultrasonic transducers ever reported. This focused UHF ultrasonic transducer exhibits a wide bandwidth (95.5% at −10 dB) due to high attenuation of high‐frequency ultrasound wave, which allows the SBAT effectively excite with a wide range of excitation frequency from 150 to 400 MHz by using the “piezoelectric actuator” model. Through controlling the excitation frequency, the wavelength of ultrasound emitted from the SBAT can be changed to selectively manipulate a single microparticle of different sizes (3–100 μm) by using only one transducer. This concept of flexibly changing “tweezers” size is firstly introduced into the study of SBAT. At the same time, it was found that this incident ultrasound wavelength play an important role in lateral trapping and manipulation for microparticle of different sizes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2637–2647. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cortical thickness and subcortical structure volume abnormalities in patients with major depression with and without anxious symptoms
Authors: Zhao Ke , Liu Haiyan , Yan Rui , Hua Lingling , Chen Yu , Shi Jiabo , Lu Qing , Yao Zhijian
Published: June 2017

Background

Anxious depression is one of the common subtypes of major depressive disorder (MDD). Clinically, patients with anxious depression exhibit more severe depressive symptoms than patients with nonanxious depression. The aim of the present study was to explore the common and differing cortical and subcortical structural changes between patients with anxious and nonanxious depression.

Methods

Patients were placed into one of three groups: the anxious depression group (MDDpatients with high levels of anxiety symptoms,n = 23), the nonanxious depression group (n = 22), and healthy controls (n = 43) that were matched for age, sex, and education level. All participants underwent T1‐weightedMRI. The Freesurfer, which uses a set of automated sequences to analyze the abnormal changes of cortical thickness, cortical and subcortical structures, was used to process the T1 images.

Results

Compared to controls,MDDpatients showed thinner cortical thickness in the left inferior temporal, the right superior temporal, and the right parsorbitalis, and a smaller volume of the left hippocampus. Compared to nonanxious depression, anxious depressive patients showed a cortical thinning of the left superior frontal and right superior temporal, as well as the right lingual, and significantly increased subcortical volume of the bilateral caudate nuclei. Correlation analysis showed that the volumes of the bilateral caudate nuclei were directly proportional to the anxiety/somatization factor score.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that smaller hippocampal volume and atrophic prefrontal and temporal cortices might be a common pattern of cortical and subcortical alterations in patients with depression and/or anxiety. However, the change in the caudate nucleus volume may be indicative of anxious depression and may potentially be used to distinguish anxious from nonanxious depression.
Amylosucrase‐mediated β‐carotene encapsulation in amylose microparticles
Authors: Letona Carlos Andres Morales , Park Cheon‐Seok , Kim Young‐Rok
Published: June 2017

The β‐carotene embedded amylose microparticles (BC‐AmMPs) were prepared in one‐step by utilizing the unique catalytic activity of amylosucrase from Deinococcus geothermalis (DgAS), which synthesizes linear amylose chains using sucrose as the sole substrate. Synthesized amylose chains self‐assembled with β‐carotene to form well‐defined spherical microparticles with an encapsulation yield of 65%. The BC‐AmMPs produced (average diameter ∼8 µm) were bright orange due to the embedded β‐carotene, and this was confirmed by Raman analysis. XRD showed BC‐AmMPs had a B‐type amylose crystal structure with a degree of crystallinity lower than that of AmMPs. This lower crystallinity of AmMP after BC encapsulation was confirmed by DSC analysis. Decreased enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔHgel) of BC‐AmMP implied that molecular order within the amylose microstructure was influenced by the presence of BC. The stability of BC against environmental stresses, such as UV light and oxidative stress, was significantly enhanced by its encapsulation. The authors propose a new approach to the preparation of an amylose based carrier system for active compounds or expensive food ingredients with poor stabilities during storage or processing. Given that amylose is a safe food material, the devised encapsulation system will find wide range of practical applications in the food industry. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1640–1646, 2017
miR‐497 accelerates oxidized low‐density lipoprotein‐induced lipid accumulation in macrophages by repressing the expression of apelin
Authors: Cui Junfeng , Ren Zhong , Zou Wenshuang , Jiang Yanling
Published: June 2017

microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. A previous study has reported that miR‐497 is elevated in advanced atherosclerotic lesions in an apoE‐deficient (apoE‐/‐) mouse model. The purpose of this study is to test whether miR‐497 can modulate macrophage foam cell formation, an initiating event in atherosclerosis. We found that miR‐497 was upregulated in THP‐1 macrophages after treatment with oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Enforced expression of miR‐497 promoted lipid accumulation and decreased cholesterol efflux in oxLDL‐exposed THP‐1 macrophages. In contrast, downregulation of miR‐497 suppressed oxLDL‐induced lipid accumulation in THP‐1 macrophages. Apelin was identified to be a downstream target of miR‐497. Overexpression of miR‐497 significantly reduced the expression of apelin in THP‐1 macrophages. Interestingly, delivery of a miR‐497‐resistant variant of apelin significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and enhanced cholesterol efflux in miR‐497‐overexpressing THP‐1 macrophages in response to oxLDL. In addition, miR‐497 expression was increased and negatively correlated with apelin protein expression in human atherosclerotic lesions. In conclusion, miR‐497 contributes to oxLDL‐induced lipid deposition in macrophages largely via targeting of apelin and thus represents a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
Novel Alkoxy‐Substituted Dipyrrins and Near‐IR BODIPY Dyes—Preparation and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Schoder Stefan , Kord Daoroun Kalai Scheghajeh , Reissig Hans‐Ulrich
Published: June 2017

Starting from 3‐alkoxy‐2‐aryl‐substituted pyrroles and aromatic aldehydes, a collection of new dipyrrins was prepared. Under the standard conditions of Treibs, these were converted into the corresponding boron dipyrrins (BODIPYs). Compounds of this type with alkoxy groups at C‐3 position of both pyrrole subunits are new and hence the photophysical properties of this collection of novel dipyrrins and BODIPY dyes were investigated. The dipyrrins show absorption maxima up to 596 nm and emissions of up to 677 nm. For the BODIPY series a remarkable effect of the alkoxy groups was identified, resulting in red shifts for absorptions and emissions. The compound substituted with two 2‐thien‐2‐yl groups and a meso‐C6F5 substituent shows an absorption maximum at 725 nm and emits at 754 nm and thus is a new representative of a near‐IR BODIPY dye related to certain aza‐BODIPYs. Our results demonstrate the influence of the alkoxy groups on the spectroscopic data and reveal the potential of 3‐alkoxy‐2‐aryl‐substituted pyrroles for the design of new fluorophores.
Synthesis of Copper Oxide/Graphite Composite for High‐Performance Rechargeable Battery Anode
Authors: Cho Sanghun , Ahn Yong‐keon , Yin Zhenxing , You Duck‐Jae , Kim Hyunjin , Piao Yuanzhe , Yoo Jeeyoung , Kim Youn Sang
Published: June 2017

A novel copper oxide/graphite composite (GCuO) anode with high capacity and long cycle stability is proposed. A simple, one‐step synthesis method is used to prepare the GCuO, through heat treatment of the Cu ion complex and pristine graphite. The gases generated during thermal decomposition of the Cu ion complex (H2 and CO2) induce interlayer expansion of the graphite planes, which assists effective ion intercalation. Copper oxide is formed simultaneously as a high‐capacity anode material through thermal reduction of the Cu ion complex. Material analyses reveal the formation of Cu oxide nanoparticles and the expansion of the gaps between the graphite layers from 0.34 to 0.40 nm, which is enough to alleviate layer stress for reversible ion intercalation for Li or Na batteries. The GCuO cell exhibits excellent Li‐ion battery half‐cell performance, with a capacity of 532 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C (C‐rate) and capacity retention of 83 % after 250 cycles. Moreover, the LiFePO4/GCuO full cell is fabricated to verify the high performance of GCuO in practical applications. This cell has a capacity of 70 mAh g−1 and a coulombic efficiency of 99 %. The GCuO composite is therefore a promising candidate for use as an anode material in advanced Li‐ or Na‐ion batteries.
Synthesis of Ultra‐Small Palladium Nanoparticles Deposited on CdS Nanorods by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid: Role of Metal Nanocrystal Size in the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Park Hanbit , Reddy D. Amaranatha , Kim Yujin , Lee Seunghee , Ma Rory , Kim Tae Kyu
Published: June 2017

It is imperative to suppress the rate of recombination of photogenerated carriers to improve the semiconductor‐catalyzed solar‐driven production of hydrogen. To this end, photocatalysts comprising active sunlight‐harvesting photo‐absorbers and stable metal co‐catalysts have attracted significant attention. However, the size, clean surface, and highly dispersed nature of the metal co‐catalysts are crucial factors affecting catalyst performance and reaction rate. Nevertheless, most of the available metal nanocrystals have been synthesized by complex procedures using harmful organic templates and stabilizers, affording high‐purity compounds with difficulty and high cost. To overcome these problems, in this study, the pulsed laser ablation in liquid approach was utilized to generate palladium and bimetallic palladium–platinum nanoparticles with an average size and distribution by adjusting the laser wavelength and fluence. A high rate of evolution of hydrogen of 130.33 mmol g−1 h−1 was obtained by using the optimized CdS‐PdPt catalyst under simulated sunlight irradiation. This value is 51.31 times greater than that observed for bare CdS nanostructures. Furthermore, the amount of hydrogen evolved was significantly better than that obtained by using several other noble‐metal co‐catalysts deposited on CdS. This proposed strategy is thought to open new avenues for the design of advanced photocatalytic materials for efficient solar‐driven production of hydrogen.
Incidence of hematologic malignancy and cause‐specific mortality in the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial of calcium and vitamin D supplementation
Authors: Ammann Eric M. , Drake Matthew T. , Haraldsson Bjarni , Wallace Robert B. , Johnson Karen C. , Desai Pinkal , Lin Emily M. , Link Brian K.
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Prior evidence of a possible link between vitamin D status and hematologic malignancy (HM) in humans comes from observational studies, leaving unresolved the question of whether a true causal relationship exists.

METHODS

The authors performed a secondary analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D (CaD) trial, a large randomized controlled trial of CaD supplementation compared with placebo in older women. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazards survival analysis methods were used to evaluate the relationship between treatment assignment and 1) incident HM and 2) HM‐specific mortality over 10 years following randomization. HMs were classified by cell type (lymphoid, myeloid, or plasma cell) and analyzed as distinct endpoints in secondary analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 34,763 Women's Health Initiative CaD trial participants (median age, 63 years) had complete baseline covariate data and were eligible for analysis. Women assigned to CaD supplementation had a significantly lower risk of incident HM (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.65‐0.99) but not HM‐specific mortality (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.53‐1.11] for the entire cohort; and HR, 1.03 [95% CI, 0.70‐1.51] among incident HM cases after diagnosis). In secondary analyses, protective associations were found to be most robust for lymphoid malignancies, with HRs of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.59‐1.01) and 0.46 (95% CI, 0.24‐0.89), respectively, for cancer incidence and mortality in those assigned to CaD supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

The current post hoc analysis of data from a large and well‐executed randomized controlled trial demonstrates a protective association between modest CaD supplementation and HM risk in older women. Additional research concerning the relationship between vitamin D and HM is warranted. Cancer 2017;123:4168–4177. © 2017 American Cancer Society.