bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parkinsonism due to A53E α‐synuclein gene mutation: Clinical, genetic, epigenetic, and biochemical features
Authors: Picillo Marina , Lizarraga Karlo J. , Friesen Erik L. , Chau Hien , Zhang Ming , Sato Christine , Rooke Grace , Munhoz Renato P. , Rogaeva Ekaterina , Fraser Paul E. , Kalia Suneil K. , Kalia Lorraine V.
Published: November 2018

Background

SNCA mutations cause autosomal dominant parkinsonism and inform our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of synucleinopathies. The most recently identified mutation, p.Ala53Glu (A53E), has only been observed in Finland. The objectives of this study were to examine clinical, genetic, epigenetic, and biochemical features of the first family outside Finland with A53E.

Methods

We examined a Canadian family with parkinsonism because of A53E using haplotype and DNA methylation analyses. We assessed aggregation properties of A53E α‐synuclein in vitro.

Results

Family members with parkinsonism shared a common haplotype distinct from Finnish patients with A53E. Increased acceleration of DNA methylation age was accompanied by earlier age at onset in the family members. We demonstrate that A53E α‐synuclein has a propensity to form oligomers and phosphorylation promotes fibrillation.

Conclusions

A53E as a cause of parkinsonism is not restricted to Finnish individuals. DNA methylation may contribute to disease age at onset. A53E enriches α‐synuclein oligomers and fibrils dependent on the phosphorylation state. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Therapeutic strategies involving survivin inhibition in cancer
Authors: Martínez‐García David , Manero‐Rupérez Noemí , Quesada Roberto , Korrodi‐Gregório Luís , Soto‐Cerrato Vanessa
Published: November 2018

Survivin is a small protein that belongs to the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. It is abundantly expressed in tumors compared with adult differentiated tissues, being associated with poor prognosis in many human neoplasms. This apoptotic inhibitor has a relevant role in both the promotion of cancer cell survival and in the inhibition of cell death. Consequently, aberrant survivin expression stimulates tumor progression and confers resistance to several therapeutic strategies in a variety of tumors. In fact, efficient survivin downregulation or inhibition results in spontaneous apoptosis or sensitization to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore, all these features make survivin an attractive therapeutic target to treat cancer. Currently, there are several survivin inhibitors under clinical evaluation, although more specific and efficient survivin inhibitors are being developed. Moreover, novel combination regimens targeting survivin together with other therapeutic approaches are currently being designed and assessed. In this review, recent progress in the therapeutic options targeting survivin for cancer treatment is analyzed. Direct survivin inhibitors and their current development status are explored. Besides, the major signaling pathways implicated in survivin regulation are described and different therapeutic approaches involving survivin indirect inhibition are evaluated. Finally, promising novel inhibitors under preclinical or clinical evaluation as well as challenges of developing survivin inhibitors as a new therapy for cancer treatment are discussed.
Current state and future applications of radiological image guidance for particle therapy
Authors: Landry Guillaume , Hua Chia‐ho
Published: November 2018

In this review paper, we first give a short overview of radiological image guidance in photon radiotherapy, placing emphasis on the fact that linac based radiotherapy has outpaced particle therapy in the adoption of volumetric image guidance. While cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been an established technique in linac treatment rooms for almost two decades, the widespread adoption of volumetric image guidance in particle therapy, whether by means of CBCT or in‐room CT imaging, is recent. This lag may be attributable to the bespoke nature and lower number of particle therapy installations, as well as the differences in geometry between those installations and linac treatment rooms. In addition, for particle therapy the so called shift invariance of the dose distribution rarely applies. An overview of the different volumetric image guidance solutions found at modern particle therapy facilities is provided, covering gantry, nozzle, C‐arm, and couch‐mounted CBCT as well different in‐room CT configurations. A summary of the use of in‐room volumetric imaging data beyond anatomy‐based positioning is also presented as well as the necessary corrections to CBCT images for accurate water equivalent thickness calculation. Finally, the use of non‐ionizing imaging modalities is discussed.
Correcting image blur in spiral, retraced in/out (RIO) acquisitions using a maximized energy objective
Authors: Allen Steven P. , Feng Xue , Fielden Samuel W. , Meyer Craig H.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Images acquired with spiral k‐space trajectories can suffer from off‐resonance image blur. Previous work showed that averaging 2 images acquired with a retraced, in/out (RIO) trajectory self‐corrects image blur so long as off‐resonant spins accrue less than 1 half‐cycle of relative phase over the readout. Practical scenarios frequently exceed this threshold. Here, we derive and characterize a more‐robust off‐resonance image blur correction method for RIO acquisitions.

Methods

Phantom and human volunteer data were acquired using a RIO trajectory with readout durations ranging from 4 to 60 ms. The resulting images were deblurred using 3 candidate methods: conventional linear correction of the component images; semiautomatic deblurring of the component images using an established minimized phase objective function; and semiautomatic deblurring of the average of the component images using a maximized energy objective function, derived below. Deblurring errors were estimated relative to images acquired with 4 ms readouts.

Results

All 3 methods converged to similar solutions in cases where less than 2 and 4 cycles of phase accrued over the readout in in vivo and phantom images, respectively (<13 ms readout at 3T). Above this threshold, the linear and minimized phase methods introduced several errors. The maximized energy function provided accurate deblurring so long as less than 6 and 10 cycles of phase accrued over the readout in in vivo and phantom images, respectively (<34 ms readout at 3T).

Conclusion

The maximized energy objective function can accurately deblur RIO acquisitions over a wide spectrum of off resonance frequencies.
Cartesian MR fingerprinting in the eye at 7T using compressed sensing and matrix completion‐based reconstructions
Authors: Koolstra Kirsten , Beenakker Jan‐Willem Maria , Koken Peter , Webb Andrew , Börnert Peter
Published: November 2018

Purpose

To explore the feasibility of MR Fingerprinting (MRF) to rapidly quantify relaxation times in the human eye at 7T, and to provide a data acquisition and processing framework for future tissue characterization in eye tumor patients.

Methods

In this single‐element receive coil MRF approach with Cartesian sampling, undersampling is used to shorten scan time and, therefore, to reduce the degree of motion artifacts. For reconstruction, approaches based on compressed sensing (CS) and matrix completion (MC) were used, while their effects on the quality of the MRF parameter maps were studied in simulations and experiments. Average relaxation times in the eye were measured in 6 healthy volunteers. One uveal melanoma patient was included to show the feasibility of MRF in a clinical context.

Results

Simulation results showed that an MC‐based reconstruction enables large undersampling factors and also results in more accurate parameter maps compared with using CS. Experiments in 6 healthy volunteers used a reduction in scan time from 7:02 to 1:16 min, producing images without visible loss of detail in the parameter maps when using the MC‐based reconstruction. Relaxation times from 6 healthy volunteers are in agreement with values obtained from fully sampled scans and values in literature, and parameter maps in a uveal melanoma patient show clear difference in relaxation times between tumor and healthy tissue.

Conclusion

Cartesian‐based MRF is feasible in the eye at 7T. High undersampling factors can be achieved by means of MC, significantly shortening scan time and increasing patient comfort, while also mitigating the risk of motion artifacts.
Analysis of Nutrition Support in Very Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants With Extrauterine Growth Restriction
Authors: Hu Fangwen , Tang Qingya , Wang Ying , Wu Jiang , Ruan Huijuan , Lu Lina , Tao Yijing , Cai Wei
Published: November 2018

Objective

To assess the incidence of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in very low‐birth‐weight infants (VLBWIs) and evaluate the nutrition factors in VLBWIs associated with inadequate nutrient intakes during hospitalization.

Methods

A total of 128 VLBWIs were divided into an EUGR group (n = 87) and a non‐EUGR group (n = 41). Growth and parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) practices were analyzed. Actual energy and protein intakes were subtracted from recommended energy (120 kcal/kg/d) and protein (3.75 g/kg/d) intakes, and nutrition deficits were calculated.

Results

Growth restriction was 21.9% at birth and 68.0% at discharge. Compared with established guidelines, PN was started late, and the maximum amino acid intake was low in both groups. EN interruption rate was higher in the EUGR group. The average energy intake in the first day after PN termination was lower in the EUGR group. There were significant differences in actual energy and protein intakes in the 2 groups for several weeks during hospitalization. The cumulative energy and protein deficits were significantly higher in the first 8 weeks and during the third to seventh weeks in the EUGR group, respectively. Step regression analysis showed that there was a significant negative correlation between the cumulative deficit of energy and changes of weight z‐scores (r = −0.001, P < .05): as the energy deficit loss increased by 100 kcal, the weight z‐scores dropped by 0.1 SD.

Conclusion

Inadequate nutrition intake aggravated the occurrence of EUGR in VLBWIs, especially the energy intake.
Prospective Evaluation of Internalized Weight Bias and Weight Change Among Successful Weight‐Loss Maintainers
Authors: Olson KayLoni L. , Lillis Jason , Graham Thomas J. , Wing Rena R.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Internalized weight bias (IWB) has been associated with weight regain after intentional weight loss, but reliance on cross‐sectional data limits the understanding of this relationship. This study prospectively evaluated IWB as a predictor of weight change in a longitudinal observational study of successful weight‐loss maintainers.

Methods

National Weight Control Registry participants (maintained 13.6‐kg weight loss for ≥ 1 y) were asked to complete an online questionnaire including current weight and Weight Bias Internalization Scale‐Modified (WBIS‐M) at baseline and 12 months.

Results

At baseline, 1,250 of 1,643 eligible individuals completed the baseline assessment (71% female; 94% white; mean age ± SD: 52 y ± 13.1; BMI: 27 ± 5.5). The average WBIS‐M score was 3.0 (± 1.3). Study completers (n = 862) reported 2.2% (± 7.8%) weight gain. Higher baseline IWB predicted weight gain among men (n = 254; t = −2.28; P = 0.02) but not women (n = 608; t = 1.22; P = 0.22). A one‐point reduction in WBIS‐M score at follow‐up was associated with a 3.0% weight loss.

Conclusions

Among weight‐loss maintainers, IWB may be a risk factor for weight gain among men. Weight loss at follow‐up was associated with reduced IWB in both men and women. Reliance on female‐only samples may limit our understanding of IWB and its implications for weight control.
Increases in controlled‐release oxycodone utilisation following the subsidy of oxycodone with naloxone formulations: An Australian population‐based study
Authors: Schaffer Andrea L. , Karanges Emily A. , Buckley Nicholas A. , Wilson Andrew , Degenhardt Louisa , Larance Briony , Pearson Sallie‐Anne
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Despite increasing use of oxycodone/naloxone controlled‐release (CR) in Australia, little is known about how it has affected the overall oxycodone CR market since its subsidy in 2011.

Methods

We used Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme dispensing claims (2006‐2016) and interrupted time series analysis to examine changes in the quarterly rates of dispensing of oral oxycodone CR formulations (oxycodone/naloxone CR and single‐ingredient oxycodone CR) and new oxycodone CR treatment episodes. We also performed a retrospective cohort study in a sample of people initiating a new oxycodone CR treatment episode in 2009, 2012/2013, and 2016 to compare opioid utilisation patterns over time.

Results

The subsidy of oxycodone/naloxone CR was associated with a 1.6‐fold increase in the growth rate of oxycodone CR dispensing, resulting from rapid uptake of low strength (≤5 mg) oxycodone/naloxone CR. In our cohort of initiators, the number of new oxycodone CR treatment episodes increased 2.1‐fold between 2009 and 2016; in 2016, 91.4% of new treatment episodes involved oxycodone/naloxone CR. Comparing 2016 with 2009, we observed an increase in people initiating with a tablet strength less than or equal to 5‐mg (risk difference [RD] = 21.1%, 95% CI, 19.9%‐22.4%) in people initiating with no other opioid dispensing 90 days prior to initiation (RD = 5.2%, 3.8%‐6.6%) and with no further opioid dispensing 90 days after initiation (RD = 8.8%, 7.4%‐10.2%).

Conclusions

After its subsidy, the uptake of low‐dose oxycodone/naloxone CR was greater than expected if it were substituting the single‐ingredient oxycodone CR, resulting in an expansion of the oxycodone CR market.
Numerical simulation of suction blow molding process for producing curved ducts
Authors: Kabanemi Kalonji K. , Marcotte Jean‐Philippe
Published: November 2018

During suction blow molding process, the extruded parison undergoes twisting deformation within the mold cavity, as the air drawing flow around the deforming parison exerts non‐uniform shear stresses on its surface. Such twisting deformation can compromise the specific radial and circumferential variations in parison thickness that are intentionally generated during extrusion. This research is devoted in developing a fluid–structure interaction model for predicting parison deformation during suction blow molding process, with a specific emphasis on the suction stage. A fluid flow model, based on Hele‐Shaw approximations, is formulated to simulate the air drag force exerted on the parison surface. The rheology of the material of the parison is assumed to obey the viscoelastic K‐BKZ model. As the suction process also involves the sliding of the parison within the mold cavity, a modified Coulomb's law of dry friction is used to simulate the frictional contact between parison and mold. The numerical results of this study allowed identifying a clear correlation between the twisting deformation undergone by the parison during the suction stage, also observed experimentally and the design parameters, namely, the air drawing speed, the geometry of the duct mold cavity, and the parison/mold eccentricity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:418–434, 2019. © 2018 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada
Relationship status and quality of the partner relationship in parents of long‐term childhood cancer survivors: The Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study‐Parents
Authors: Mader Luzius , Roser Katharina , Baenziger Julia , Vetsch Janine , Winther Jeanette Falck , Scheinemann Katrin , Michel Gisela
Published: November 2018

Objective

The intensive and long‐lasting experience of childhood cancer is a tremendous stressor for the parental relationship. We aimed to (1) compare civil status and partner relationship of parents of long‐term childhood cancer survivors with population‐based comparisons, (2) identify cancer‐related characteristics associated with not being married, and (3) evaluate the quality of the partner relationship.

Methods

We sent questionnaires to parents of survivors aged ≤16 years at diagnosis and ≥20 years at study. Population‐based comparisons were derived from a random sample of the general population (≥1 child aged ≥20 years) and standardized by sociodemographic characteristics of survivor parents. We used logistic regression to identify cancer‐related characteristics associated with not being married. The quality of the partner relationship was evaluated using the relationship‐specific attachment scale for adults assessing the dimensions security (secure‐fearful) and dependency (dependent‐independent).

Results

A total of 784 parents (58.9% mothers) of 512 survivors (response rate: 44.0%) and 471 comparison parents completed the questionnaire. Parents of survivors were less often divorced/separated (9.0% vs 17.5%, P < 0.001) and more often in a partner relationship (89.9% vs 85.0%, P = 0.010) than comparisons. Not being married was not associated with cancer‐related characteristics. Parents of survivors reported similar security (P = 0.444) but higher dependency (P = 0.032) within the partner relationship than comparisons. In both populations, fathers indicated higher security and dependency than mothers.

Conclusions

Long after the diagnosis of cancer in their child, parents' relationship appears similar as in parents of the general population. The increased dependency reported by parents of survivors suggests that they managed their child's disease as a team.
Auxeticity in Metals and Periodic Metallic Porous Structures Induced by Elastic Instabilities
Authors: Ho Duc Tam , Nguyen Cao Thang , Kwon Soon‐Yong , Kim Sung Youb
Published: November 2018

Materials with a negative Poisson's ratio (auxetics) are counter intuitive because their mechanical response is unusual. On the other hand, instabilities are usually regarded as deleterious phenomena and thus their prevention is needed. Here, numerical and theoretical evidences have been provided to show that two different elastic instabilities are, rather than deleterious, useful phenomena that cause auxeticity. It has been shown that a negative Poisson's ratio can be found in some face‐centered cubic (FCC) single crystals at a finite strain as they are under uniaxial stress along the [100]‐direction. The auxeticity is associated with a phase transformation induced by the Born–Hill's elastic instability, i.e., an elastic material instability. In addition, it has been found that periodic metallic porous structures can also show a negative Poisson's ratio at finite compressive strain. In this case, buckling of the micro‐structure of the porous structures, which is an elastic and geometric instability, is respondent for the auxeticity.
The Debye Temperature of a Single Crystal Thorium–Uranium Dioxide Alloy
Authors: Dugan Christina L. , Young Christopher , Carmona Rodney , Schneider Mitchell , Petrosky James C. , Mann& James , Hunt Eric , McClory John W.
Published: November 2018

The effective Debye temperature () of the surface of a single crystal of U0.71Th0.79O2 alloy prepared by hydrothermal synthesis is obtained from temperature‐dependent X‐ray photoemission in the temperature range of 300–623 K. The effective average Debye temperature is determined to be 217 ± 24 K. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy confirms the crystal's composition as U0.71Th0.79O2. Photoemission spectroscopy reveals both thorium and uranium 4f states, which includes uranium and thorium in 4+ oxidation states. The Debye temperature of the single crystal U0.71Th0.79O2 alloy, as measured via photoemission, is lower than urania or thoria literature values, indicating either higher defect scattering or the presence of added vibrational modes within the alloyed sample.
Matrix‐assisted ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry for the analysis of lipids
Authors: Liyanage Rohana , Gidden Jennifer , Wilkins Charles L. , Lay Jackson O.
Published: November 2018

Rationale

Assessing the utility of vacuum matrix‐assisted ionization (MAI) for the direct and rapid analysis of lipids in complex samples with emphasis on bacterial taxonomy.

Methods

Matrix‐assisted ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry (MAI‐FTMS) was used to characterize polar and non‐polar lipids in mixtures.

Results

For non‐polar lipid triacylglycerols (TAGs), MAI‐FTMS produced lipid‐specific ions for eight different edible oils and allowed these oils to be identified based on their MAI‐FTMS profiles. For polar lipids from bacteria, MAI‐FTMS of crude lipid extracts allowed taxonomic identification of eight blind‐coded samples based on taxonomy‐specific phospholipid profiles. MAI produced results comparable and complementary to benchmark MALDI and ESI methods currently used for characterization of polar and non‐polar lipids in the same mixtures.

Conclusions

The newly developed MAI technique is a rapid, simple and complementary method for the characterization of polar and non‐polar lipids in complex mixtures.
Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis presenting peripheral ground‐glass opacities
Authors: Sugino Keishi , Ando Masahiro , Mori Kiyoshi , Tsuboi Eiyasu
Published: November 2018

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of peripheral ground‐glass opacities.
ComPAS: A Bayesian drug combination platform trial design with adaptive shrinkage
Authors: Tang Rui , Shen Jing , Yuan Ying
Published: November 2018

Combining different treatment regimens provides an effective approach to induce a synergistic treatment effect and overcome resistance to monotherapy. The challenge is that, given the large number of existing monotherapies, the number of possible combinations is huge and new potentially more efficacious compounds may become available any time during drug development. To address this challenge, we propose a flexible Bayesian drug combination platform design with adaptive shrinkage (ComPAS), which allows for dropping futile combinations, graduating effective combinations, and adding new combinations during the course of the trial. A new adaptive shrinkage method is developed to adaptively borrow information across combinations and efficiently identify the efficacious combinations based on Bayesian model selection and hierarchical models. Simulation studies show that ComPAS identifies the effective combinations with higher probability than some existing designs. ComPAS provides an efficient and flexible platform to accelerate drug development in a seamless and timely fashion.
A correlated Bayesian rank likelihood approach to multiple ROC curves for endometriosis
Authors: Chen Zhen , Hwang Beom Seuk , Kim Sungduk
Published: November 2018

In analysis of diagnostic data with multiple tests, it is often the case that these tests are correlated. Modeling the correlation explicitly not only produces valid inference results but also enables borrowing of information. Motivated by the Physician Reliability Study (PRS) that investigated the diagnostic performance of physicians in diagnosing endometriosis, we construct a correlated modeling framework to estimate ROC curves and the associated area under the curves. This correlated approach is quite appealing for the PRS data set that suffers from the problem of small sample sizes, as it enables information borrowing between physician groups and sessions. Given that the test scores appear to be non‐normal even after logarithm transformation, we use the ranks of the data to conduct likelihood estimation and inference. We use the deviance information criterion to select competing models and conduct simulation studies to assess model performances. In application to the PRS data set, we found that the physicians are not significantly different in their diagnostic performance between groups; however, they are different between the sessions. This suggests that clinical information may play a more important role in physicians' diagnostic performance than their experiences. Our empirical evidence also demonstrates that when using both woman‐ and physician‐specific random effects, the model parameter estimates are much smoother.
Nitinol Modified by In Situ Generated Diazonium Salts as Adhesion Promoters for Photopolymerized Pyrrole
Authors: Jacques Amory , Saad Ali , Chehimi Mohamed M. , Poleunis Claude , Delcorte Arnaud , Delhalle Joseph , Mekhalif Zineb
Published: November 2018

There is a growing demand for biomaterials, however their interaction with living tissues requires their modification by protective and biocompatible coatings. In this context, the present work investigates the electrografting of in situ generated aminophenyl diazonium (PD‐NH2) on Nitinol (NiTi). The PD‐NH2 grafting protects the TiO2 surface layer of NiTi and enhances the blocking properties towards Ru(NH3)6Cl3 used as redox probe. Hypotheses on the interfacial bond between NiTi and the grafted PD‐NH2 layer are proposed. Post‐modification is performed by photopolymerization of pyrrole using electrografted PD‐NH2 and PD−Py (4‐pyrrolyphenyldiazonium) as adhesion promoters. These NiTi surface treatments lead to the formation of well adherent silver‐polypyrrole (PPy−Ag) nanocomposite films.
Organometallic Adsorbent for Mitigating Fluoride from Water: An Environment‐Friendly Approach
Authors: Khan Huma , Gupta Anil R. , Sharma Saroj
Published: November 2018

Fluoride‐related health hazards are a serious environmental problem across the globe. Unavailability of an effective therapeutic agent to cure fluorosis creates an exigency to adopt preventive measures to curb excess fluoride intake. Herein, we report a zirconium‐based organometallic adsorbent (ZrVAc) for mitigating fluoride from water. The crosslinked, three dimensional and porous architecture of ZrVAc, composed of zirconyl methacrylate (ZrDMA) and vinyl acetate (VAc) have high porosity and excellent mechanical stability. The experimental factors such as effects of solution pH, coexisting anions, temperature, pHpzc, isotherm models and surface chemistry were investigated to verify the adsorption properties of ZrVAc. The equilibrium data were fitted well with Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The highest fluoride adsorption capacity (qm) was found to be 138 mg/g (at pH 7.0±0.2, initial F− concentration 100 mg/L, adsorbent dose 0.5 g/L for 6 h). The thermodynamic constants ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS were calculated as 45.158 KJ mol−1 (at 303 K), −37.64 KJ mol−1, and −0.161 KJ mol−1. ZrVAc showed efficient adsorption in pH range of pH 6.0‐8.0 which is preferable for field water application. Toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) results suggested the ZrVAc was inert; does not leach out any contaminants (Zr, F−) and delivers safe and potable treated water.
Carbon Dioxide Precipitation Method to Prepare Zinc Oxide
Authors: He Qiu , Wang Qian , Tantai Aying , Hao Qing , Deng Yuchen , Hou Yunchan
Published: November 2018

Carbon dioxide (CO2) was firstly used to precipitate Zn ions with urea to prepare zinc oxide (ZnO). The advantages of this method were small particle size, high yield and low sensitivity to conditions, such as temperature and time, and the decrease of solvent consumption. Further, the influence of carbon dioxide pressure, reaction time and temperature were studied and optimized.
Annealing Induced Oxygen Defects on Green Sonochemically Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Gohain Mukut , Kant Rich , Ntwaeaborwa O. M. , Hari Parameswar , Swart H. C. , Dutta Viresh
Published: November 2018

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared by a green process using a simple sonochemical method. The prepared nanoparticles were annealed at different annealing temperatures in order to determine the role of the annealing temperature on the structural, morphological and optical properties of the prepared material. The defects related photoluminescence properties of the ZnO nanoparticles are discussed in detail. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided the information regarding the presence of the defects in the material. ZnO emission related to defect emission was observed to increase with annealing temperature upto 600°C and then decreased. These defects played a crucial role in the performance of the photo‐electrochemical (PEC) activity. The PEC performance has increased with an increase in the amount of oxygen related defects present in the material due to annealing.
NaN3/NH4Cl‐Promoted Aza‐Cyclization: A Convenient Route for Bio‐Active Diverse Isoindolinone Derivatives
Authors: Ali Sk Asraf , Bhaumik Sanjay , Jana Akash , Manna Susanta Kumar , Ikbal Mohammed , Mandal Arabinda , Bera Anirban , Jana Avijit , Samanta Shubhankar
Published: November 2018

An efficient substrate dependent NaN3/NH4Cl promoted aza‐cyclization was developed via metal free cascade transformation. A wide variety of bicyclic/tricyclic isoindolinone derivative was achieved with excellent diastereoselectivity from achiral reagent system. This protocol also provided synthetic route of dopamine D4 receptor in short way. The bio‐imaging study towards CHO cell line with our isoindolinone embedded new fluorophore was also demonstrated.
Controllable Synthesis of Carbon Dots with Excitation‐Wavelength‐Dependent or Independent Photoluminescence for the Selective and Sensitive Detection of Co2+ Ions
Authors: Wang Lanhui , Lin Kui , Trinchi Adrian , Cole Ivan S. , Tian Fei
Published: November 2018

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) with excitation‐wavelength‐dependent and excitation‐wavelength‐independent emission have been prepared with varying amounts citric acid (CA), ethylenediamin end‐capped polyethylenimine (PEI‐EC) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4), their structure, optical and chemical sensing properties have been also systematically investigated. The varying of NaBH4 and PEI‐EC renders the structure and surface state change as well as photoluminescence (PL) properties. The results indicated that NaBH4 made the CDs sensitive to Co2+ ions, whilst the PEI‐EC served to increase their sensitivity. The synergistic roles that both NaBH4 and PEI‐EC played on the selective and sensitive detection of Co2+ were achieved via a simple adjustment of the mass ratios during synthesis. Furthermore, the PL intensity was gradually recovered until completely restored with the addition of chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the Co2+ quenched CDs solutions. This work provided quantitatively preparation and controllable synthesis of excitation‐wavelength‐dependent or independent CDs for the development of PL based sensors.
Strain‐Induced Martensite and Reverse Transformation in 2304 Lean Duplex Stainless Steel and its Influence on Mechanical Behavior
Authors: Maria Graziele Gianini Braga , Pedroso Carolina Arriel Dias , Rodrigues Daniella Gomes , Santos Dagoberto Brandão
Published: November 2018

Duplex stainless steels (DSS) combine the mechanical properties of ferrite (α) with the corrosion resistance of austenite (γ), and is widely used in industrial applications. The γ can transform into martensite (SIM) during a deformation. When annealed, these types of steel undergo a reverse transformation, namely, SIM reversed to austenite (SIMRT). The aim of this study is to evaluate SIM and SIMRT in 2304 lean DSS (LDSS) as well as its influence on the mechanical properties after a 60% reduction in thickness. The annealing is conducted within a range of 600–900 °C with a soaking time of 1800s. The samples undergo X‐ray diffraction, EBSD, and a tensile test. The results show that, after cold rolling, the amount of α′‐martensite formed is made up 24%. The α′‐martensite collaborates with the enhanced yield strength and reduces the total elongation. The orientation among γ and α′‐martensite, and (111)γ//(110)α [110]γ//[111] Kurdjumov‐Sachs and (111)γ//(110)α [110]γ//[001]α Nishiyama–Wassermann, is observed after deformation and during the reversion process. The EBSD shows a high misorientation inside the γ after the cold rolling. The SIMRT shows diffusional and shear reversion characteristics, at 900 °C, yield strength is 468 MPa, and the elongation is 32%.
Differences in synaptic integration between direct and indirect striatal projection neurons: Role of CaV3 channels
Authors: García‐Vilchis Brisa , Suárez Paola , Serrano‐Reyes Miguel , Arias‐García Mario , Tapia Dagoberto , Duhne Mariana , Bargas José , Galarraga Elvira
Published: November 2018

Different corticostriatal suprathreshold responses in direct and indirect striatal projection neurons (SPNs) of rodents have been reported. Responses consist in prolonged synaptic potentials of polysynaptic and intrinsic origin, in which voltage‐gated Ca2⁺ currents play a role. Recording simultaneous Ca2⁺ imaging and voltage responses at the soma, while activating the corticostriatal pathway, we show that encoding of synaptic responses into trains of action potentials (APs) is different in SPNs: firing of APs in D1‐SPNs increase gradually, in parallel with Ca2⁺ entry, as a function of stimulus intensity. In contrast, D2‐SPNs attain a maximum number of evoked spikes at low stimulus intensities, Ca2⁺ entry is limited, and both remain the same in spite of increasing stimulus strength. Stimulus needs to reach certain intensity, to have propagated Ca2⁺ potentials to the soma plus a sudden step in Ca2⁺ entry, without changing the number of fired APs, phenomena never seen in D1‐SPNs. Constant firing in spite of changing stimulus, suggested the involvement of underlying inactivating potentials. We found that Caᵥ3 currents contribute to Ca2+ entry in both classes of SPNs, but have a more notable effect in D2‐SPNs, where a low‐threshold spike was disclosed. Blockade of CaV3 channels retarded the steep rise in firing in D2‐SPNs. Inhibition block increased the number of spikes fired by D2‐SPNs, without changing firing in D1‐SPNs. These differences in synaptic integration enable a biophysical dissimilarity: dendritic inhibition appears to be more relevant for D2‐SPNs. This may imply distinctions in the set of interneurons affecting each SPN class.
Solving a Mereological Puzzle
Authors: Calosi Claudio ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2018

There is an interesting puzzle about the interaction between mereology, topology, and dependence. It is not only interesting in and on itself, but also reveals subtleties about the aforementioned interaction that have gone unnoticed. The puzzle has it that the following plausible claims are jointly inconsistent: (i) wholes depend on their parts; (ii) boundaries are parts; (iii) boundaries depend on the whole they are part of. In the paper, I first argue that claims (i)–(iii) are not as a matter of fact inconsitent insofar as further assumptions are needed to get the puzzle off the ground. I consider several such assumptions, somemore plausible than others. Though I do not take any definite stance as to whether the plusibility of the assumptions considered trump that of claims (i)–(iii), I set forth a suggestion to replace (iii) with something similar yet interestingly different.
Exposure to cigarette smoke via respiratory system may induce abnormal alterations of reproductive organs in female diabetic rats
Authors: Kim Soo‐Min , Hwang Kyung‐A , Go Ryeo‐Eun , Sung Jae‐Hyuck , Choi Dal‐Woong , Choi Kyung‐Chul
Published: November 2018

Cigarette smoke (CS) has harmful effects on human fertility, reproduction, and development as well as on patients suffering from metabolic diseases such as diabetes than on healthy individuals. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between CS exposure and histological alterations of reproductive organs in female diabetic rats. We evaluated the histology of uteruses and ovaries obtained from female rats exposed to smoke from standard cigarettes for 4 weeks (28 hours a week). After CS exposure, tissue slides were made from uterine and ovarian samples and examined after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry was used for detection of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and estrogen receptor (ER)α in the uterus and ovary. MMP9 is an inflammatory biomarker that increases during progression to endometriosis. As a chemokine receptor, CXCR4 is involved in development of the inner wall of the uterus and cell adhesion. In the uterus, the occurrence of MMP9, CXCR4, and ERα and the number of endometrial glands were increased by CS exposure, while in the ovary, occurrence of MMP9, CXCR4, ERα, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the number of corpus lutea or cyst follicles were increased by CS exposure. Collectively, this study indicates that CS induced abnormal development of the uterus and ovary under induced diabetes, leading to adverse effects on normal function of reproductive organs in female rats.

Highlights

Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure adversely affected reproductive organs of diabetic female rats.

In the uterus, expression of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), estrogen receptor (ER)α, and the number of endometrial glands were increased by CS exposure,

In the ovary, the expression of MMP9, CXCR4, ERα, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the number of corpus lutea or cyst follicles were increased by CS exposure.

Exposure to CS via the respiratory system exerted a harmful impact on the uterus and ovary in female rats with diabetes.
Complications After Ostomy Surgery: Emergencies and Obese Patients are at Risk—Data from the Berlin OStomy Study (BOSS)
Authors: Braumann Chris , Müller Verena , Knies Moritz , Aufmesser Birgit , Schwenk Wolfgang , Koplin Gerold
Published: November 2018

Background

Complications are common after ostomy surgery. Data from the Berlin OStomy Study were evaluated to determine risk factors for complications.

Patients and methods

Patients with a bowel ostomy were questioned using a questionnaire concerning patients’ characteristics and history as well as the ostomy and its complications. The questionnaire also contained a nine‐fielded abdominal sketch to determine the exact ostomy location.

Results

Over 42 months, 2647 patients completed the questionnaire. Obese patients and patients after emergency surgery were more prone to ostomy‐related complications. This result was independent of the kind of ostomy (small bowel ostomy or colostomy) and of the abdominal location. The overall ostomy complication rate was 55.6%.

Conclusion

Significantly more complications were recorded after emergency surgery and in obese patients than after elective surgery and in non‐obese patients, respectively. There was no preferential abdominal location for avoiding general ostomy complications. The results emphasized the importance of preoperative ostomy site marking by qualified personnel such as ostomy nurses or surgeons to reduce complication rates by respecting individual abdominal configurations. With an increasing prevalence of obesity, ostomy surgery will become even more challenging in the future. A division of the abdominal wall into nine regions might be helpful and more precise for describing and examining ostomy‐related complications in the future.
Release of 14C and 3H from Irradiated Graphite of the Thermal Column of VVR-S Reactor to Solution Phase
Authors: Fugaru Viorel , Postolache Cristian , Bubueanu George , Tuta Catalin
Published: November 2018

Generally, 14C is produced in all types of reactors, mainly through neutron-induced reactions with isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen. These isotopes are present in the fuel, fuel cladding, coolant, moderator, and structural materials of the reactor. Irradiated graphite contains a range of activation products but, from the point of view of geological disposal, another radionuclide which has to be taken into account is tritium (3H or T), produced through the neutron induced reaction Li(n,α)T. In this study we have investigated the release of 14C and 3H into the solution phase from two intact samples of irradiated graphite which have been cut from the thermal column disc located near the VVR-S reactor core. To evaluate 14C and 3H long-term release in solution the graphite samples were submerged in a solution of 0.1 M of sodium hydroxide. The experimental results regarding the release of 14C and 3H from VVR-S irradiated graphite to liquid phase show that a major fraction of the total release occurs in the first months and a slower release on a long time scale. However, these results should be applied cautiously for long time prediction.
What Makes People Worry about the Welfare State? A Three-Country Experiment
Authors: Goerres Achim , Karlsen Rune , Kumlin Staffan
Published: November 2018

Welfare states are exposed to a host of cost-inducing ‘reform pressures’. An experiment implemented in Germany, Norway and Sweden tests how variousreform pressure framesaffect perceptions about the future financial sustainability of the welfare state. Such perceptions have been shown to moderate electoral punishment for welfare reform, but little is known about their origins. Hypotheses are formulated in dialogue with newer research on welfare state change, as well as with older theory expecting more stability in policy and attitudes (the ‘new politics’ framework). Research drawing on ‘deservingness theory’ is also consulted. The results suggest large variations in impact across treatments. The most influential path to effective pressure framing is to ‘zoom in’ on specific economic pressures linked to undeserving groups (above all immigration, but also to some extent low employment). Conversely, a message emphasizing pressure linked to a very deserving group (population aging) had little effect. A second conceivable path to pressure framing entails ‘zooming out’ – making messages span a diverse and more broadly threatening set of challenges. This possibility, however, received weaker support.
CIRIS 265: AN EMENDATION
Authors: Kayachev Boris
Published: November 2018

Carme fears that Scylla is in love with her own father (237–40); Scylla replies that she loves no one she should love, but one of the besiegers—though she can hardly bring herself to utter his name (262–7):
nil amat hic animus, nutrix, quod oportet amari,in quo falsa tamen lateat pietatis imago,sed media ex acie, mediis ex hostibus—eheu,quid dicam quoue aegra malum hoc exordiar ore?        265dicam equidem, quoniam tu nunc non dicere, nutrix,non sinis: extremum hoc munus morientis habeto.265 aegra Baehrens: agam Z: ipsa ρ: ausa Sillig
Use of single-step genome-wide association studies for prospecting genomic regions related to milk production and milk quality of buffalo
Authors: da Costa Barros Camila , de Abreu Santos Daniel Jordan , Aspilcueta-Borquis Rusbel Raul , de Camargo Gregório Miguel Ferreira , de Araújo Neto Francisco Ribeiro , Tonhati Humberto
Published: November 2018

The aim of this research communication was to identify chromosome regions and genes that could be related to milk yield (MY), milk fat (%F) and protein percentage (%P) in Brazilian buffalo cows using information from genotyped and non-genotyped animals. We used the 90 K Axiom® Buffalo Genotyping array. A repeatability model was used. An iterative process was performed to calculate the weights of markers as a function of the squared effects of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and allele frequencies. The 10 SNPs with the largest effects for MY, %F and %P were studied and they explained 7·48, 9·94 and 6·56% of the genetic variance, respectively. These regions harbor genes with biological functions that could be related to the traits analyzed. The identification of such regions and genes will contribute to a better understanding of their influence on milk production and milk quality traits of buffaloes.
Genetic and morphometric categorization ofTaenia ovisfrom Sheep in Iran
Authors: Rostami Sima , Salavati Reza , Beech Robin N. , Babaei Zahra , Sharbatkhori Mitra , Shamsaddini Saeedeh , Nasibi Saeid , Harandi Majid Fasihi
Published: November 2018

Little is known about the genetic and morphological characters ofTaenia ovis. The purpose of the present study was to characterize sheep isolates ofT. ovisusing rostellar hook morphometry as well as mitochondrial genes sequence analysis. Ninety sheep specimens ofCysticercus oviswere collected from 18 slaughterhouses in Iran. The mean ±s.d.for total length of large and small hooks were 174.1 ± 6.4 and 116.7 ± 5.4µm, respectively. CO1 and 12S rRNA sequence analysis showed 11 and nine haplotypes, respectively. The level of pairwise nucleotide variations between individual haplotypes of CO1 and 12S rRNA genes were 0.3–1.1 and 0.2–1.0%, respectively. Level of nucleotide variation in CO1 and 12S rRNA betweenT. ovishaplotypes from present study and eight otherTaeniaspecies was found to be 11.3–17.8 and 5.3–16.3%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis clustered allT. ovisisolates into a single clade comprised of the all CO1 and 12S rRNA haplotypes. CO1 nucleotide difference betweenT. ovis ovisandT. asiaticawas 13.6% that is lesser than the corresponding difference betweenT. ovis ovisandT. ovis krabbei, warranting the designation of two separate species asT. ovisandT. krabbei. Interclass correlation coefficients showed that there was no significant association between rostellar hook length variation and the variability of the mitochondrial genes.
Multidimensional understanding of religiosity/spirituality: relationship to major depression and familial risk
Authors: McClintock Clayton H. , Anderson Micheline , Svob Connie , Wickramaratne Priya , Neugebauer Richard , Miller Lisa , Weissman Myrna M.
Published: November 2018

Background

Previous research has shown prospectively that religiosity/spirituality protects against depression, but these findings are commonly critiqued on two grounds, namely: (1) apparent religiosity/spirituality reflects merely an original absence of depression or elevated mood and (2) religiosity/spirituality too often is measured as a global construct. The current study investigates the relationship between depression and religiosity/spirituality by examining its multidimensional structural integrity.

Method

Confirmatory factor analyses with a previously observed cross-cultural factor structure of religiosity/spirituality variables were conducted on an independent sample, diagnostic and familial risk subgroups from this sample, and a subsample of the original cross-cultural sample. Linear regressions onto a previous diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) 5 years prior to assess the potential attenuating impact of a previous depression was explored.

Results

Across familial risk groups and clinical subgroups, each of the previously validated religiosity/spirituality domains was confirmed, namely: religious/spiritual commitment, contemplative practice, sense of interconnectedness, the experience of love, and altruistic engagement. Previous MDD diagnosis was associated with a lower religious/spiritual commitment among high-risk individuals, higher contemplation among low-risk individuals, and lower importance of religion or spirituality regardless of risk group.

Conclusions

Structural integrity was found across familial risk groups and diagnostic history for a multidimensional structure of religiosity/spirituality. Differential associations between a previous diagnosis of MDD and level of religiosity/spirituality across domains suggest a complex and interactive relation between depression, familial risk, and religiosity/spirituality. Accounting for an empirically valid, multidimensional understanding of religiosity/spirituality may advance research on mechanisms underlying the relationship between religiosity/spirituality and mental health.