bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verbal Manifestation of Critical Thought: Transversal Study from Age 10 to 18 in France
Authors: Auriac-Slusarczyk Emmanuèle , Fiema Gabriela , Pironom Julie , Belghiti Karima
Published: December 2017

The article studies the verbal manifestation of critical thought in a school context. Four modes of thought - logical,creative, responsible, and metacognitive – accompanied by six epistemological perspectives, are studied from 1,730pupils turns to speak analyzed in eight class groups. The pupils dialog about freedom. Quantitatively and gradually thecollective thought gives the lion's share to the manifestation of logical, followed by creative and then responsiblethought, and very little to that of metacognitive thought. The study reveals a significant developmental effect forlogical and responsible thought – to the advantage of the girls. While each mode of thought evolves following its owndevelopmental path, the epistemological congruence that emerges between the logical and responsible modes ofthought on the one hand and responsible and creative on the other seems perhaps debatable. The results lead to apedagogic proposal which consists in proposing to introduce a cognitive activity of doubt, not spontaneously adoptedby the pupils, to favor the advent of a form of critical thinking more balanced as concerns the modes of thoughts ofwhich it composed.
Long-term patient outcomes from the first year of a robotic surgery program using multi-surgeon implementation
Authors: Montroy Joshua , Elzayat Ehab , Morash Chris , Blew Brian , Lavallée Luke T. , Cagiannos Ilias , Watterson James , Oake Jeffrey S. , FungKeeFung Michael , Thompson Calvin , Weber Robert , Breau Rodney H.
Published: December 2017

Introduction: There is concern that surgical quality initially declines during the learning phase of robotic surgery. At our institution, we used a multi-surgeon programmatic approach to the introduction of robotic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes of patients treated during the first year of our program.Methods: This is a historical cohort of all radical prostatectomy patients during a one-year period. Baseline, perioperative, and long-term followup data were prospectively and retrospectively collected. Treatment failure was a composite of any postoperative radiation, androgen-deprivation, or prostate-specific antigen (PSA)≥0.2. Results: During the study period, 225 radical prostatectomy procedures were performed (104 robotic and 121 open). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (p>0.05). All patients were continent and 74% were potent prior to surgery. Mean estimated blood loss (280 cc vs. 760 cc; p<0.001) and blood transfusion (0% vs. 8.3%; p=0.002) was lower in the robotic cohort. Non-transfusion complications were similar between groups (13% vs. 12%; p=0.7). Mean hospital stay was shorter in the robotic cohort (1.4 vs. 2.5 days). There was no difference in overall positive margin rate (38% vs. 43%; p=0.4) or treatment failure at a median followup of 3.5 years (p=0.4). Robotically treated patients were more often continent (89% vs. 77%; p=0.02) and potent (48% vs. 32%; p=0.02).Conclusions: Using an inclusive multi-surgeon approach, robotic prostatectomy was introduced safely at a Canadian academic institution.
A Study on Effects of Time Pressure Perceived by Users of Airport Duty-free Shop on Impulsive Purchasing Behavior and repurchase Intention
Authors: Lee Kang-Yeol , Choi Yu-Jin , Park Jin-Woo
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this research is to analyze the effects of time pressure perceived by users of the airport duty-free shop on impulsive purchasing behavior, satisfaction, and repurchase intention. For the purpose, we have carried out a questionnaire survey with users of the duty-free shop at the Incheon International Airport who are waiting to get on-board after purchasing duty-free goods at the airport duty-free shop as target. A total of 203 questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling. As a result of the analysis, time pressure turned out to have a significant effect on impulsive purchasing behavior and repurchase intention, and satisfaction turned out to have a positive effect on repurchase intention. On the other hand, the effect of impulsive purchasing behavior on satisfaction and repurchase intention turned out to be insignificant statistically.
Development Level of Brand Management at Banks in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Civic Beriz
Published: December 2017

The paper analyzes the development level of the brand management at the banks operating on the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The aim of the research was to establish to what extent certain elements of brand management are present and whether the brand management decisions are made based on the systematic or the ad hoc approach. The research results indicate that five banks in BiH have a very high level of brand management development. Making brand management related decisions for these banks is based on the systematic approach. It has been established that other banks in BiH have a lower level of brand management development and that for most banks in this group the process of making brand management decisions is characterized by the ad hoc approach.
Job Stress in Journalism: Interaction between Organisational Support and Job Demands–Resources Model
Authors: Muala Imad Al
Published: December 2017

This study aims to analyse the impact of job demands and job resources on job stress among journalists in Jordan. In addition, the moderation effect of organisational support on such relationship is assessed in this research. A questionnaire survey was conducted among journalists working in daily newspapers in Jordan. This study used multiple and hierarchical regression analyses and determined a significant and positive relationship amongst emotional demands, job insecurity, and task significance on job stress. Additionally, organisational support moderated the relationship between task significance and job stress. Results of study revealed that the organisational support moderates the relationship between task significance and job stress. This finding could challenge journalists, newspaper managements and decision-makers in Jordan. When journalists work on sensitive topics and are in conflict areas, they are in need of additional support from newspaper managements to mitigate high job stress and motivate them to produce quality work.
Tauberian theorems for statistical convergence
Authors: Gul Erdal , Albayrak Mehmet
Published: December 2017

The Tauberian theorems for statistical limitable method are proved by both Fridy and Khan \cite{3} and M\'oricz \cite{28}. Here we generalize these theorems to (C; i) statistical limitable method.
ANALYSIS OF BALLISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF 16th CENTURY ARQUEBUSES USED IN BATTLE OF PAVIA
Authors: Magier Mariusz , Nowak Adrian , Merda Tomasz , Żochowski Paweł
Published: December 2017

The paper presents simulation of flight path of a lead ball fired with an arquebus and its penetration process through an armor of heavy cavalry knights of the beginning of the 16th century used during the Battle of Pavia on 24 February, 1525. The mass use of firearms by the footmen against the cavalry decided the result of the battle and started a large deployment of infantry formations armed in firearms. The basic ballistic characteristics of 16th century arquebus necessary for the simulation process are based on historical information. The numerical calculations were used to identify the flying characteristics of the lead ball at the distances securing the penetration of that time horseman’s armour. Penetration capacity of the lead ball through the 16th age horseman armour was estimated by using the finite element method (AUTODYN).
Determination of Monensin in Bovine Tissues: A Bridging Study Comparing the Bioautographic Method (FSIS CLG-MON) with a Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method (OMA 2011.24)
Authors: Mizinga Kemmy M , Burnett Thomas J , Brunelle Sharon L , Wallace Michael A , Coleman Mark R
Published: December 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service regulatory method for monensin, Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook CLG-MON, is a semiquantitative bioautographic method adopted in 1991. Official Method of AnalysisSM (OMA) 2011.24, a modern quantitative and confirmatory LC-tandem MS method, uses no chlorinated solvents and has several advantages, including ease of use, ready availability of reagents and materials, shorter run-time, and higher throughput than CLG-MON. Therefore, a bridging study was conducted to support the replacement of method CLG-MON with OMA 2011.24 for regulatory use. Using fortified bovine tissue samples, CLG-MON yielded accuracies of 80–120% in 44 of the 56 samples tested (one sample had no result, six samples had accuracies of >120%, and five samples had accuracies of 40–160%), but the semiquantitative nature of CLG-MON prevented assessment of precision, whereas OMA 2011.24 had accuracies of 88–110% and RSDr of 0.00–15.6%. Incurred residue results corroborated these results, demonstrating improved accuracy (83.3–114%) and good precision (RSDr of 2.6–20.5%) for OMA 2011.24 compared with CLG-MON (accuracy generally within 80–150%, with exceptions). Furthermore, χ2 analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between the two methods. Thus, the microbiological activity of monensin correlated with the determination of monensin A in bovine tissues, and OMA 2011.24 provided improved accuracy and precision over CLG-MON.
O PÓDIO É DELAS: AQUI A MULHER TEM VOZ E ESPAÇO NO ESPORTE
Authors: Maidana Andreia Sena , Medina Renata Marinho , Finardi Tamara , Flores Caroline Siqueira
Published: December 2017

O projeto O Pódio É Delas, que vem sendo veiculado em formato de programa radiofônico, apresenta como proposta um modelo alternativo de programação de jornalismo, este direcionado para as mulheres no esporte. Busca-se por meio do programa dar voz as mulheres de uma maneira plural, com produção totalmente local. O modelo é proposto a partir do debate de Gênero e representação feita pela mídia tradicional acerca da imagem das mulheres no esporte. Desta forma, o programa abre espaço para empoderar as mulheres e demonstrar que lugar de Mulher é no esporte e onde ela quiser estar. Por isso, O Pódio É Delas é um programa no qual as vozes de mulheres ligadas ao mundo esportivo têm espaço, para que suas lutas e conquistas finalmente possam ser ouvidas. A programação contempla neste modelo programas com temáticas esportivas variadas, justamente para atender a este objetivo.
The Anglicization of Cuban Spanish: Lexico-Semantic Variations and Patterns
Authors: Sánchez Fajardo José Antonio
Published: December 2017

The impact of English on Cuban Spanish has represented the embodiment of a profound process of acculturation on the island. This empirical study is intended to examine the anglicization of Cuban Spanish by determining anglicizing patterns or strategies in the phonological, morphological, lexical and semantic levels. Thus, the article demonstrates the variability of word-building mechanisms and semantic transparency dia-synchronically. The normative and descriptive analysis is also accompanied by brief contrastive commentaries on divergent and common aspects between Cuban Spanish and European Spanish, illustrated with examples extracted from prior corpora and dictionary revision. The research has shed more light on the universality of certain morpho-phonological patterns in Spanish, as well as the correlation between pragmatic or extralinguistic aspects with lexico-semantic variation, revealing significant changes in sociolects and attitudes.
The syntax and semantics of nominal modifiers in Spanish: interpretations, types and ordering facts
Authors: Fábregas Antonio
Published: December 2017

This article provides an overview of the main facts and theories regarding nominal modifiers, with attention to the internal division of the low DP-structure (gender, number and N). The article presents first the notion of modification seen from the perspectives of semantics and syntax (§1); adjective classes are discussed in §2. §3 discusses the contrasts between prenominal and postnominal adjectives; §4 discusses the ordering of adjectives in sequences; §5 reviews the main theories that account for the facts discussed in §3 and §4. §6 moves to prepositional modifiers, presenting facts and theories about them. §7 presents the conclusions.
Benefits of open access articles for industry
Authors: Bach Tita Alissa , Ray-Sannerud Bobbie
Published: December 2017

In this short article, benefits of open access articles for industry are discussed from the point of view of the industry as both the authors and readers of open access articles. Open access articles unlock the barrier to share knowledge and experiences and building collaboration – all of which are crucial for an industry that wishes to make a global impact for a sustainable future.
Unanticipated discovery of two rare gastropod molluscs from recently located hydrothermally influenced areas in the Okinawa Trough
Authors: Chen Chong , Watanabe Hiromi Kayama , Miyazaki Junichi , Kawagucci Shinsuke
Published: December 2017

Background

The deep-sea hydrothermal vent is one of the most ‘extreme’ environments in the marine realm. Few species are capable of inhabiting such ecosystems, despite extremely high productivity there supported by microbial chemosynthesis, leading to high biomass and low species richness. Although gastropod molluscs are one of the main constituents of megafaunal communities at vent ecosystems, most species belong to several typical families (e.g., Provannidae, Peltospiridae, Lepetodrilidae) specialised and adapted to life at vents.

Methods

During recent surveys of Okinawa Trough hydrothermal vent systems, two snails atypical of vent ecosystems were unexpectedly found in newly discovered hydrothermally influenced areas. Shell and radular characteristics were used to identify the gastropods morphologically.

Results

One species was a vetigastropod, the calliostomatidTristichotrochus ikukoae(Sakurai, 1994); and the other was a caenogastropod, the muricidAbyssotrophon soyoae(Okutani, 1959). Both gastropods were previously only known from regular non-chemosynthetic deep-sea and very rare—only two definitive published records exist forT. ikukoaeand three forA. soyoae. The radula formula ofTristichotrochus ikukoaeis accurately reported for the first time and based on that it is returned to genusOtukaia. For both species, barcode sequences of the cytochromecoxidase I (COI) gene were obtained and deposited for future references.

Discussion

These new records represent the second record of calliostomatids from vents (third from chemosynthetic ecosystems) and the third record of muricids from vents (tenth from chemosynthetic ecosystems), and extend the distribution of both species to the southwest. Neither family has been recorded at chemosynthetic ecosystems in the western Pacific. Both were from weakly diffuse flow areas not subject to high temperature venting but were nevertheless associated with typical vent-reliant taxa such asLamellibrachiatubeworms andBathymodiolusmussels. These new records show that these species are capable of tolerating environmental stress associated with weak hydrothermally influenced areas, despite not being vent endemic species, adding to the list of known vent/non-vent species intersections. This signifies that such weakly influenced areas may provide key habitats for them, and that such areas may play a role in the evolution of biological adaptations to ‘extreme’ chemosynthetic ecosystems.
Heterologe Expression, Biosynthese und ökologische Funktion des selektiven Gq‐Signaltransduktionsinhibitors FR900359
Authors: Crüsemann Max , Reher Raphael , Schamari Isabella , Brachmann Alexander O. , Ohbayashi Tsubasa , Kuschak Markus , Malfacini Davide , Seidinger Alexander , Pinto‐Carbó Marta , Richarz René , Reuter Tatjana , Kehraus Stefan , Hallab Asis , Attwood Misty , Schiöth Helgi B. , Mergaert Peter , Kikuchi Yoshitomo , Schäberle Till F. , Kostenis Evi , Wenzel Daniela , Müller Christa E. , Piel Jörn , Carlier Aurélien , Eberl Leo , König Gabriele M.
Published: December 2017

Das cyclische Depsipeptid FR900359 (FR), isoliert aus der tropischen Pflanze Ardisia crenata, zeigt starke und selektive Inhibierung von Gq‐Proteinen. Dadurch ist es sowohl für die Erforschung Gq‐abhängiger Prozesse interessant als auch ein vielversprechender Arzneimittelkandidat. Gq‐Inhibierung ist ein neuer Wirkmechanismus für Abwehrstoffe und entscheidend für die ökologische Funktion von FR, wie durch In‐vivo‐Experimente an Mäusen, Affinität zu Gq‐Proteinen von Insekten und Toxizitätsstudien an Insekten gezeigt wurde. Die Sequenzierung des unkultivierten Endosymbionten von A. crenata führte zur Entdeckung des nichtribosomalen Peptidsynthetasegenclusters von FR (frs). Wir präsentieren hier ein Modell der Biosynthese von FR, unterstützt durch bioinformatische und In‐vitro‐Enzymstudien und das neue Derivat AC‐1, welches Flexibilität der Starter‐Kondensierungsdomänen von FR beweist. Expression der frs‐Gene in E. coli führte erstmals zu heterologen Produktion von FR in einem kultivierbaren bakteriellen Wirt.
Chitosan/MCM‐41 nanocomposites for efficient beryllium separation
Authors: Morsi Rania E. , Elsherief Mohamed A. , Shabaan M. , Elsabee M. Z.
Published: December 2017

Chitosan nanoparticles (Ch NPs) with individual particles 10–30 nm in size and average aggregate sizes of 240 nm were prepared via ionic gelation. Ordered mesoporous Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41 (MCM‐41) with a surface area of 1590 m2/g was prepared via a sol–gel method. The nanocomposites were prepared via the in situ dispersion of MCM‐41 in chitosan followed by ionic gelation with a multivalent anion to produce MCM‐41‐impregnated Ch NPs or via the mixture of dispersed MCM‐41 with preprepared Ch NPs to produce Ch NPs supported on MCM‐41. The beryllium‐uptake efficiency was studied with different pH values, contact times, and initial Be(II) concentrations. The maximum achieved uptake efficiencies of the nanocomposites (95% and 96%) were superior to that of MCM‐41 (38%) and higher than that of Ch NPs (90%). The nanocomposite formulas facilitated post‐treatment separation while maintaining a high beryllium‐uptake efficiency. The Be(II)‐uptake process for all of the materials followed the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46040.
Development and use of a piggyBac‐based jumpstarter system in Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Chu Fu‐Chyun , Klobasa William , Grubbs Nathaniel , Lorenzen Marcé D.
Published: December 2017

Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive pest that primarily attacks fresh, soft‐skinned fruit. Although others have reported successful integration of marked piggyBac elements into the D. suzukii genome, with a very respectable transgenesis rate of ∼16%, here we take this work a step further by creating D. suzukii jumpstarter strains. These were generated through integration of a fluorescent‐marked Minos element carrying a heat shock protein 70‐driven piggyBac transposase gene. We demonstrate that there is a dramatic increase in transformation rates when germline transformation is performed in a transposase‐expressing background. For example, we achieved transformation rates as high as 80% when microinjecting piggyBac‐based plasmids into embryos derived from one of these D. suzukii jumpstarter strains. We also investigate the effect of insert size on transformation efficiency by testing the ability of the most efficient jumpstarter strain to catalyze integration of differently‐sized piggyBac elements. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of a jumpstarter strain to remobilize an already‐integrated piggyBac element to a new location, demonstrating that our jumpstarter strains could be used in conjunction with a piggyBac‐based donor strain for genome‐wide mutagenesis of D. suzukii.
Student teachers’ positionalities as knowers in school subject departments
Authors: Puttick Steven
Published: December 2017

Student teachers in England, mainly on one‐year courses, spend the majority of their time in schools. Secondary schools are primarily organised around subject departments, and these subgroups within schools have been shown to be significant for student outcomes and teachers’ experiences. However, research on school subject departments themselves is relatively limited, and developing better understandings of school subject departments is important for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and educational research more broadly. This paper draws on an ethnographic study of three secondary school geography departments to analyse student teachers’ positionalities as knowers within departments. Opportunities for professional discussions within departments are limited, and are often dominated by immediate practical concerns. A social‐realist concept of knowledge–knower structures is used to explore the kinds of knowers accepted as legitimate in these departments. A dichotomous view of teachers as knowers was found, being positioned as knowing or not‐knowing particular areas of subject knowledge. This binary view is argued to be related to the language of the Teachers’ Standards in England. Suggestions are made for improving student teachers’ positions as knowers within departments by planning opportunities to contribute their expertise, and for developing more expansive discourses around subject knowledge to enable all to maximise opportunities to learn from the rich mines of expertise held across ITE partnerships.
Estimating the DINA model parameters using the No‐U‐Turn Sampler
Authors: da Silva Marcelo A. , de Oliveira Eduardo S. B. , von Davier Alina A. , Bazán Jorge L.
Published: December 2017

The deterministic inputs, noisy, “and” gate (DINA) model is a popular cognitive diagnosis model (CDM) in psychology and psychometrics used to identify test takers' profiles with respect to a set of latent attributes or skills. In this work, we propose an estimation method for the DINA model with the No‐U‐Turn Sampler (NUTS) algorithm, an extension to Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) method. We conduct a simulation study in order to evaluate the parameter recovery and efficiency of this new Markov chain Monte Carlo method and to compare it with two other Bayesian methods, the Metropolis Hastings and Gibbs sampling algorithms, and with a frequentist method, using the Expectation–Maximization (EM) algorithm. The results indicated that NUTS algorithm employed in the DINA model properly recovers all parameters and is accurate for all simulated scenarios. We apply this methodology in the mental health area in order to develop a new method of classification for respondents to the Beck Depression Inventory. The implementation of this method for the DINA model applied to other psychological tests has the potential to improve the medical diagnostic process.
Coffee‐Waste Templating of Metal Ion‐Substituted Cobalt Oxides for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yu Mingquan , Chan Candace K. , Tüysüz Harun
Published: December 2017

A facile and scalable method using coffee waste grounds as a hard template has been developed to fabricate nanostructured Co3O4 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Co3O4 incorporating metals with different valences (M/Co=1:4; M=Cu, Ni, Fe, Cr, and W) were also prepared with similar sheet‐like structures comprising nanosized crystallites. After detailed characterization by X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and nitrogen sorption, the oxides were employed as OER electrocatalysts. Substitution of octahedral and tetrahedral sites of the spinel structure with divalent and trivalent transition metals (Cu, Ni, Fe, and Cr) increased the activity of Co3O4 for the OER, whereas incorporation of hexavalent W led to formation of a second crystal phase and significantly higher electrocatalytic performance. Furthermore, this method is easily scaled up for mass production of Co3O4 with the same nanostructure, which is highly desirable for large‐scale application.
A Flexible Synthetic Approach to Phosphatidylglycerols
Authors: Gagnon Marie‐Claude , Dautrey Sébastien , Bertrand Xavier , Auger Michèle , Paquin Jean‐Francois
Published: December 2017

We report a 5‐step sequence for the synthesis of phosphatidylglycerols (PG) bearing different or identical chains at positions sn‐1 and sn‐2 starting from phenyl dichlorophosphate and using (S)‐glycidol as the chiral source. Overall, this new approach is more convergent that the previously reported syntheses as the PG derivatives are constructed around the phosphorus center. Hence, this method is more convenient for the incorporation of expensive or complex acyl chains at the sn‐2 position.
Biomechanical effects of trees in an old‐growth temperate forest
Authors: Šamonil Pavel , Daněk Pavel , Senecká Anna , Adam Dušan , Phillips Jonathan D.
Published: December 2017

The role of biomechanical effects of trees (BETs) in ecosystem and landscape dynamics is poorly understood. In this study, we aim to (i) describe a widely applicable methodology for quantifying the main BETs in soil, and (ii) analyze the actual frequencies, areas and soil volumes associated with these effects in a mountain temperate old‐growth forest.

The research took place in the Boubínský Primeval Forest in the Czech Republic; this forest reserve, predominated byFagus sylvaticaL. andPicea abies(L.) Karst., is among the oldest protected areas in Europe. We evaluated the effects of 4000 standing and lying trees in an area of 10.2 ha from the viewpoint of the following features: tree uprooting, root mounding, bioprotection, trunk baumsteins (rock fragments displaced by trunk growth), root baumsteins, stump hole infilling, trunk and root systems displacements, depressions formed after trunk fall, stemwash, and trunkwash.

BETs were recorded in 59% of standing and 51% of lying dead trees (excluding the pervasive soil displacement by thickening trunks and roots and the infilling of decayed stumps). Approximately one tenth of the trees showed simultaneous bioprotective and bioerosion effects. Different tree species and size categories exhibited significantly different biomechanical effects.

A bioprotective function was the most frequent phenomenon observed, while treethrows prevailed from the viewpoint of areas and soil volumes affected. The total area influenced by the BETs was 342 m2 ha−1. An additional 774 m2 ha−1were occupied by older treethrow pit‐mounds with already decayed uprooted trunks. The total volume of soil associated with the studied phenomena was 322 m3 ha−1, and apart from treethrows, volumes of the living and decaying root systems and bioprotective functions predominated. Other processes were not so frequent but still significant for biogeomorphology. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Currency derivatives for hedging: New evidence on determinants, firm risk, and performance
Authors: Bae Sung C. , Kim Hyeon Sook , Kwon Taek Ho
Published: December 2017

Employing firm‐level data for Korean firms, we find that firms with more export, more foreign currency debt, and higher exchange rate exposures are likely to use more currency derivatives for hedging. 2SLS regressions reveal that as more currency derivatives use does not lead to lower firm risk, such transactions, especially sell transactions, bring in higher firm values. Further, currency derivatives use by firms with high exposures is associated with lower firm risk but lower firm values as well. These findings suggest that currency derivatives work in hedging risk and protecting values for firms with low and manageable exposures.
Mineralogical characteristic of ductile–brittle shear zone in the Baguamiao gold deposit, Shaanxi Province: Implication for gold mineralization
Authors: Xie Xing , Fu Yuzhen , Liu Jiajun
Published: December 2017

The Baguamiao gold deposit in Fengxian County of Shaanxi Province is located in Fengtai polymetallic ore concentration area in the orogenic belt of West Qinling Mountain. It is a typical gold deposit under the control of brittle–ductile shear zone. The progressive deformation of brittle–ductile shear zone has been found to be closely associated with gold enrichment: the gold‐bearing sulphides pyrrhotite and pyrite are distributed along blastobedding S0 in the undeformed area, they are developed along phyllitic foliation S1 (//S0) in the slightly deformed area, along mylonitic foliation (S2#S0), or S–C foliation in the highly deformed area, and they are enriched along rheological quartz vein (S2–L) and joint quartz vein (S3) in the highly deformed and the tectonic fluid area. Researches based on electron microprobe analysis and mineral–structure–geochemistry indicate that the characteristic metamorphic mineral assemblage of the brittle–ductile shear zone is albite–biotite–sericite–chlorite–quartz–ankerite, with diagenetic and metallogenic temperatures and pressures spanning from 350 to 450 °C and from 0.12 to 0.31 GPa, respectively. In addition, greenschist facies in intermediate temperature and intermediate and low‐pressure environment is the metamorphic facies of shear zone in main period. A reconstruction of the palaeotemperature history, based on the biotite and chlorite compositional geothermometer, revealed an intermediate‐temperature phase, a high‐temperature phase, and a high‐temperature critical phase. Biotitization tends to develop towards an oxidation phase, while chloritization is characterized by development towards a reduction phase, indicating large‐scale gold enrichment and mineralization were accompanied by strong redox reactions in the ore‐forming fluid.
Nanocurcumin restores aberrant miRNA expression profile in multiple sclerosis, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Dolati Sanam , Aghebati‐Maleki Leili , Ahmadi Majid , Marofi Faroogh , Babaloo Zohreh , Ayramloo Hormoz , Jafarisavari Zahra , Oskouei Hamid , Afkham Amir , Younesi Vahid , Nouri Mohammad , Yousefi Mehdi
Published: December 2017

In the current study, we aimed to identify nanocurcumin effects on microRNAs (miRNAs) in the peripheral blood of patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). We intended to investigate the expression pattern of these miRNAs in experimental settings in vivo. The expression levels of the selected 27 miRNAs known to be involved in the regulation of immune responses were analyzed in 50 RRMS patients and 35 healthy controls. The miRNA expression profiles were investigated by quantitative PCR (qPCR) at baseline and after 6 months of nanocurcumin therapy. Our data revealed that the expression of a number of microRNAs including miR‐16, miR‐17‐92, miR‐27, miR‐29b, miR‐126, miR‐128, miR‐132, miR‐155, miR‐326, miR‐550, miR‐15a, miR‐19b, miR‐106b, miR‐320a, miR‐363, miR‐31, miR‐150, and miR‐340 is regulated by nanocurcumin. The results of the current work indicate that nanocurcumin is able to restore the expression pattern of dysregulated miRNAs in MS patients. We discovered that some miRNAs are deregulated in untreated patients compared with healthy controls and nanocurcumin‐treated patients. This is a new finding that might represent the potential contribution of these miRNAs to MS pathogenesis. Taken together, these data provide novel insights into miRNA‐dependent regulation of the function of B and T cells in MS disease and enrich our understanding of the effects mediated by a therapeutic approach that targets B and T cells.
Narrower insight to SIRT1 role in cancer: A potential therapeutic target to control epithelial–mesenchymal transition in cancer cells
Authors: Choupani Jalal , Mansoori Derakhshan Sima , Bayat Sahar , Alivand Mohammad Reza , Shekari Khaniani Mahmoud
Published: December 2017

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly networked cellular process which involves cell transition from the immotile epithelial to the motile mesenchymal phenotype, whereby cells lose their cell–cell adhesion and cell polarity. This important process is one of the underlying mechanisms for enabling invasion and metastasis of cancer cells which is considered as malignant phase of tumor progression. However, the molecular mechanisms of this process are not fully clarified. It is reported that Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), a NAD+ dependent class III histone deacetylase is associated with tumor metastasis through positive regulation of EMT in several types of cancers. Recent studies confirmed that up and down regulation of SIRT1 expression remarkably change the migration ability of different cancer cells in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo. Also, according to this fact that carcinomas as the main human solid tumors, originate from different epithelial cell types, SIRT1 role in EMT has received a great attention due to its potential role in tumor development and metastasis. Therefore, SIRT1 has been proposed as a key regulator of cancer metastasis by promoting EMT, although little is known about the cleared effect of SIRT1 in this transition. Our aim in this review is to explain in more detail the role of SIRT1 in various signaling pathways related to carcinogenesis, with the focus on the promoting role of SIRT1 in EMT as a potential therapeutic target to control EMT and to prevent cancer progression.
Enhanced trans‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid production by pH control and glycerol feeding strategies in engineered Pseudomonas chlororaphis GP72
Authors: Yue Sheng‐Jie , Bilal Muhammad , Guo Shu‐Qi , Hu Hong‐Bo , Wang Wei , Zhang Xue‐Hong
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Trans‐2, 3‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid (DHHA) is a valuable metabolic intermediate for the biosynthesis of wide‐ranging benzoic acid derivatives with enormous biological or pharmaceutical activities. Pseudomonas chlororaphis GP72 is a non‐pathogenic biocontrol strain that displays unique capability to produce phenazines. Nevertheless, DHHA production is quite low by the wild type strains, which necessitates yield improvement by constructing engineered strains for large‐scale biotechnological applications.

RESULTS

In this study, two negative regulatory genes namely rsmE and lon were successively deactivated in the DA4 strain. The resulting engineered DA6 strain produced a significantly high titer of DHHA (20.6% higher than that of DA4). The influence of varying pH from 6.2 to 8.2 on DHHA production was studied in a 6‐L benchtop fermenter. A controlled broth pH of 7.2 stimulated maximum DHHA production by the engineered DA6 strain. A DO‐stat based fed‐batch system maintaining a constant DO level (about 20%) accompanied by a glycerol feeding strategy was applied. Highest DHHA production using this approach was recorded to be 10.06 g L‐1, which was 31% higher than with traditional batch cultivation.

CONCLUSION

The production of DHHA in metabolically engineered GP72 was considerably improved by inactivating two negative regulatory genes in a fed‐batch mode. It is concluded that fed‐batch fermentation with intermittent glycerol feeding and pH‐control was an effective approach to improve DHHA production yield. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Bioactive compounds of sweet and sour cherry stems obtained by subcritical water extraction
Authors: Švarc‐Gajić Jaroslava , Cerdà Víctor , Clavijo Sabrina , Suárez Ruth , Mašković Pavle , Cvetanović Aleksandra , Delerue‐Matos Cristina , Carvalho Ana P , Novakov Vesna
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) and sour cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) contain substantial amounts of anthocyanins and polyphenolics, and their stems have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. However, comparative data on the composition of sweet and sour cherry stems using the same analytical methodologies are limited. Moreover, there is no data in terms of biological activity of subcritical water extracts of cherry stems.

RESULTS AND DISSCUSION

Results obtained by using several assays that focused on different mechanisms showed that subcritical water extracts of sour and sweet cherry stems were powerful antiradicals and antioxidants. Anti‐proliferative properties measured by MTT (3‐[4,5‐ dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) test showed prominent cytotoxicity against different tumor cell lines. Inhibitory concentrations obtained were in the range 8.38–11.40 µg mL‐1. GC–MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) analysis showed the presence of alcohols, fatty acids, organic acids and other organic compounds. However, the chemical compositions of the two samples observed were similar, indicating similar chemical composition of sour and sweet cherry stems.

CONCLUSION

Subcritical water extracts of cherry stem demonstrated excellent biological activity and the potential to be used for pharmaceuticals or supplements due to confirmed high antioxidant, antiradical and antitumor activity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of organic loading rate on the performance of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) for malting wastewater treatment and biogas production
Authors: Maleki Esmat , Catalan Lionel JJ , Liao Baoqiang
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Most malting plants discharge their wastewater to the sewer system and have to pay high discharge fees. Malting wastewater is rich in nutrients and contains high soluble COD (mostly sugars and organic acids). Hence, it is suited for anaerobic treatment without nutrients addition and can produce biogas simultaneously. The main objective of this study was to investigate the treatability of malting wastewater in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) and biogas production under mesophilic temperature conditions (36 ± 1 °C) and variable organic loading rates (OLRs).

RESULTS

As the OLR was increased from 1.36 to 3.18 kg COD m‐3 d‐1, the COD removal efficiency decreased from 94.1 ± 2.5% to 90.2 ± 1.4%, the effluent COD increased from 283 ± 121 mg L‐1 to 506 ± 68 mg L‐1, and the biogas production yield decreased from 0.345 ± 0.007 to 0.308 ± 0.025 L g‐1 CODremoved. The BOD5 removal efficiency was consistently above 99%. Methane accounted for 70.9 ± 2.0% of the biogas. Membrane permeability measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectrometry indicated that the membrane fouling that occurred during operation of the SAnMBR could be removed by a series of physical and chemical cleaning steps.

CONCLUSIONS

Malting wastewater was successfully treated using a SAnMBR for the first time. The SAnMBR adapted quickly to both gradual and sudden changes in OLR. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Behavioral variability as avoidance behavior
Authors: Fonseca Júnior Amilcar Rodrigues , Leite Hunziker Maria Helena
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to investigate whether variable patterns of responses can be acquired and maintained by negative reinforcement under an avoidance contingency. Six male Wistar rats were exposed to sessions in which behavioral variability was reinforced according to a Lag contingency: Sequences of three responses on two levers had to differ from one, two or three previous sequences for shocks to be avoided (Lag 1, Lag 2 and Lag 3, respectively). Performance under the Lag conditions was compared with performance on a Yoke condition in which the animals received the same reinforcement frequency and distribution as in the Lag condition but behavioral variability was not required. The results showed that most of the subjects varied their sequences under the Lag contingencies, avoiding shocks with relatively high probability (≥ 0.7). Under the Yoke procedure, responding continued to occur with high probability, but the behavioral variability decreased. These results suggest that behavioral variability can be negatively reinforced.
Routine viral load monitoring in HIV‐infected infants and children in low‐ and middle‐income countries: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Arpadi Stephen M , Shiau Stephanie , De Gusmao Eduarda Pimentel , Violari Avy
Published: December 2017

Introduction

The objective of this commentary is to review considerations for implementing routine viral load (VL) monitoring programmes for HIV‐infected infants and children living in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). Since 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend VL testing as the preferred monitoring approach for all individuals treated with ART in order to assess treatment response, detect treatment failure and determine the need to switch to a second‐line regimen in a timely manner. More recently, WHO guidelines from 2016 identify HIV‐infected infants and children as a priority group for routine VL monitoring.

Discussion

There are a number of reasons why HIV‐infected infants and children should be prioritized for routine VL monitoring. Data from national VL monitoring programmes as well as systematic reviews and meta‐analyses from LMIC indicate rates of viral suppression are lower for infants and children compared to adults. The number of antiretroviral drugs and palatable formulations suitable for young children are limited. In addition, emotional and developmental issues particular to children can make daily medication administration difficult and pose a challenge to adherence and achievement of sustained viral suppression. VL monitoring can be instrumental for identifying those in need of additional adherence support, reducing regimen switches and preserving treatment options. The needs of infants and children warrant consideration in all aspects of VL monitoring services. If capacity for paediatric venipuncture is not assured, platforms that accept dried blood spot specimens are necessary in order for infants and children to have equitable access. Healthcare systems also need to prepare to manage the substantial number of infants and children identified with elevated VL, including adherence interventions that are appropriate for children. Establishing robust systems to evaluate processes and outcomes of routine VL monitoring services and to support drug forecasting and supply management is essential to determine best practices for infants and children in LMIC.

Conclusions

The particular concerns of HIV‐infected infants and children warrant attention during all phases of planning and implementation of VL monitoring services. There are a number of key areas, including frequency of monitoring, blood specimen type and adherence challenges, where specific approaches tailored for infants and children may be required.
Intra‐seasonal variability of the South Asian monsoon and its relationship with the Indo–Pacific sea‐surface temperature in the NCEP CFSv2
Authors: Shahi Namendra Kumar , Rai Shailendra , Sahai A. K. , Abhilash S.
Published: December 2017

The capability to predict the leading modes of daily variability for South Asian monsoon in the climate forecast system version 2 (CFSv2) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) is investigated. The CFSv2 model forecast at four pentad leads named as P1–P4 has been used in this study. The multi‐channel singular spectrum analysis (MSSA) on the daily anomalies of precipitation over the South Asian monsoon region for the period of 2001–2014 with a lag window of 61 days has been applied for June–July–August–September (JJAS) for all the four pentad lead forecasts of model and observation. It is encouraging that the space–time structure and propagation characteristics are exactly similar to observation up to P1 lead forecast. The model produces stationary modes and the northwest to southeast tilt significantly reduces from P2 lead onwards. The relationship of oscillatory and persisting modes with Indo–Pacific Ocean SST has been investigated. It is found that the SST over Pacific Ocean is independent of oscillatory mode in the case of P1 and P2 lead forecasts as in the case of observation. The model reproduces the observed correlation of Indian monsoon rainfall (IMR) index for the seasonally persisting mode with SST over Indo–Pacific Ocean up to P3 lead forecast which is a significant improvement. The contribution of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) mode to total anomaly over India is large in Pl lead and it decreases from P2 to P4 lead forecast.
Active in‐cell touch circuit using floating common electrode as sensing pad for the large size in‐plane‐switching liquid crystal displays
Authors: Tai Ya‐Hsiang , Lin Chi‐Hao , Cheu Wei‐Jia
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we propose an in‐cell active touch circuit using the concept of floating common electrode for large size in‐plane‐switching liquid crystal displays. Compared with the conventional passive in‐cell touch circuit, the proposed method can greatly reduce the readout channel numbers by sharing the sensing bus for one column. Because the touch signal is amplified in the pixel, the touch panel can be easily scaled up in size. Simulation results show that the difference between touch and no‐touch signals can be as large as 10 μA even with threshold voltage shift of ±1 V. The possible issues of the proposed method are experimentally verified.
Ultrasonographic Findings of 1385 Adrenal Masses: A Retrospective Study of 1319 Benign and 66 Malignant Masses
Authors: Gong Xia , Yu Yifei , Zhan Weiwei
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the features of adrenal masses on ultrasonography and correlate the findings with the pathologic diagnoses to help distinguish benign from malignant adrenal lesions.

Methods

Ultrasonography was performed in 1363 patients with adrenal lesions. The following ultrasonographic parameters were recorded: size, shape, margin, echogenicity, echo texture, cystic necrosis, calcifications, and blood supply. The sensitivity and specificity of aggressive features for predicting malignancy were calculated.

Results

Of 1385 adrenal lesions, 66 (4.8%) were malignant: 33 malignant pheochromocytomas, 20 adrenal cortical carcinomas, 10 metastases, 2 leiomyosarcomas, and 1 primitive neuroectodermal tumor. The remaining 1319 (95.2%) lesions were benign: 832 adenomas, 182 pheochromocytomas, 153 nodular adrenal hyperplasia, 54 myelolipomas, 42 cysts, 23 ganglioneuromas, 10 schwannomas, 8 cortical tumor eosinophils, 4 teratomas, 4 tuberculosis, 4 primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease, and 3 Castleman disease. Most of the tumors were regular and hypoechoic. The malignant lesions were significantly larger than the benign lesions (mean ± SD, 6.3 ± 2.4 versus 4.6 ± 1.7 cm; P < .01). Significant differences between malignant and benign tumors were observed when comparing the shape, margins, echo texture and vascularization of the analyzed lesions (P < .01). An irregular shape, poor definition of margins, heterogeneous echo texture, and vascularization indicated malignancy, with sensitivity and specificity of 45.5% and 97.0%, 34.8% and 99.2%, 92.4% and 97.3%, and 15.2% and 97.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

Ultrasonography could be an effective diagnostic supplementary tool for adrenal tumors. A large size, irregular shape, poorly defined margins, heterogeneous echo texture, and vascularization of adrenal lesions could be effective indicators of malignancy.