bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in biosensors for diagnosis of celiac disease: A review
Authors: Gupta Shagun , Kaushal Ankur , Kumar Ashok , Kumar Dinesh
Published: December 2018

Celiac disease (CD) is an intestinal issue activated by the inappropriate immune reaction towards gluten protein of wheat, rye, barley, oats, and autoantigen, tissue transglutaminase. Regardless of the accessibility of immunochemical conventions for research facility analysis of CD, there is as yet a need of speedier, less expensive, and simpler devices for diagnosing CD. This review concentrates on progresses in biosensors for diagnosing CD in perspective of the scaled down hardware, multianalyte discovery and low sample volume necessity. Various recently developed biosensors in this field are presented.
Objective and subjective measures of prior sleep–wake behavior predict functional connectivity in the default mode network during NREM sleep
Authors: Wilson Rebecca S. , Mayhew Stephen D. , Rollings David T. , Goldstone Aimee , Hale Joanne R. , Bagshaw Andrew P.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Prior sleep behavior has been shown to correlate with waking resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) in the default mode network (DMN). However, the impact of sleep history on FC during sleep has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to establish whether there is an association between intersubject variability in habitual sleep behaviors and the strength of FC within the regions of the DMN during non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.

Methods

Wrist actigraphy and sleep questionnaires were used as objective and subjective measures of habitual sleep behavior, and EEG‐functional MRI during NREM sleep was used to quantify sleep.

Results

There was a significant, regionally specific association between the interindividual variability in objective (total sleep time on the night before scanning) and subjective (Insomnia Severity Index) measures of prior sleep–wake behavior and the strength of DMN FC during subsequent wakefulness and NREM sleep. In several cases, FC was related to sleep measures independently of sleep stage, suggesting that previous sleep history effects sleep FC globally across the stages.

Conclusions

This work highlights the need to consider a subject's prior sleep history in studies utilizing FC analysis during wakefulness and sleep, and indicates the complexity of the impact of sleep on the brain both in the short and long term.
ZnO Nanoclusters Supported on Dealuminated Zeolite β as a Novel Catalyst for Direct Dehydrogenation of Propane to Propylene
Authors: Chen Chong , Hu Zhongpan , Ren Jintao , Zhang Shoumin , Wang Zheng , Yuan Zhong‐Yong
Published: December 2018

Small ZnO nanoclusters supported on dealuminated β zeolite were prepared and evaluated for catalyzing direct dehydrogenation of propane to propylene (PDH), exhibiting high catalytic performance. N2 sorption, XRD, TEM, 27Al and 28Si MAS NMR, IR, XRF, DR UV‐vis, XPS, and NH3‐TPD techniques were employed to characterize the physicochemical properties of this novel catalyst system. It is found that the Zn species can be accommodated in the vacant T‐atom sites of dealuminated β zeolite due to the reaction of aqueous zinc acetate solution with silanol groups, and thus, producing massive small ZnO nanoclusters as active phases in PDH. Additionally, dealuminated β zeolite can greatly depress side reactions attributable to the absence of strong acid sites, thereby guaranteeing high catalytic activity, propylene selectivity and stability. As a result, the optimal catalyst of 10 wt% Zn loaded on dealuminated β zeolite exhibits a high initial propane conversion of around 53 % and a superior propylene selectivity of about 93 % at a space velocity of 4000 cm3 gcat−1 h−1, together with the high stability and satisfactory reusability. This study may open a new way to design and synthesize highly active PDH catalysts with high selectivity and stability.
Peculiar Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Porphyrin–Fullerene Akamptisomers
Authors: Stasyuk Antony J. , Stasyuk Olga A. , Solà Miquel , Voityuk Alexander A.
Published: December 2018

Porphyrin–fullerene dyads are promising candidates for organic photovoltaic devices. The electron‐transfer (ET) properties of the molecular devices depend significantly on the mutual position of the donor and acceptor. Recently, a new type of molecular isomerism (akamptisomerism) has been discovered. In the present study, we explore how photoinduced ET can be modulated by passing from one akamptisomer to another. To this aim, four akamptisomers of the quinoxalinoporphyrin–[60]fullerene complex are selected for computational study. The most striking finding is that, depending on the isomer, the porphyrin unit in the dyad can act as either electron donor or electron acceptor. Thus, the stereoisomeric diversity allows one to change the direction of ET between the porphyrin and fullerene moieties. To understand the effect of akamptisomerism on the photoinduced ET processes, a detailed analysis of initial and final states involved in the ET is performed. The computed rate for charge separation is estimated to be in the region of 1–10 ns−1. The formation of a long‐living quinoxalinoporphyrin anion radical species is predicted.
The Origin of the Reproduction of Different Nitrogen Uptakes in Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs)
Authors: Guan Yiran , Li Wenliang , Wang Hailong , Zhang Jingping
Published: December 2018

In order to quantitatively examine the activation level for covalent‐organic frameworks (COFs) on gas adsorption, the effect of impurities on nitrogen uptakes in a series of boron‐based COFs was investigated by grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation (GCMC), based on accurate force fields derived from high‐level B2PLYP‐D3/def2‐TZVPP calculation. The conformations and the type of impurities were found to have little effect on the gas uptakes, but the quantity of impurities plays a crucial role on N2 loadings. More important, the terms of “activation mass ratio” and “activation volume ratio” were defined to estimate the realistic pore volume ratio for DBA‐COFs (DBA=π‐conjugated dehydro‐benzoannulene), and predict the potential of gas uptakes in DBA‐COFs. Our approach for DBA‐COFs materials could also be adopted for high‐throughput screening of a much vaster number of porous materials, to evaluate their impurities content and predict their adsorption potential.
Strength in Numbers: Development of a Fluorescence Sensor Array for Secondary Structures of DNA
Authors: Zuffo Michela , Xie Xiao , Granzhan Anton
Published: December 2018

The high‐throughput assessment of the secondary structures adopted by DNA oligonucleotides is currently hampered by the lack of suitable biophysical methods. Fluorescent sensors hold great potential in this respect; however, the moderate selectivity that they display for one DNA conformation over the others constitutes a major drawback to the development of accurate assays. Moreover, the use of single sensors impedes a comprehensive classification of the tested sequences. Herein, we propose to overcome these limitations through the development of a fluorescence sensor array constituted by easily accessible, commercial dyes. Multivariate analysis of the emission data matrix produced by the array allows the conformational preferences of DNA sequences of interest to be explored, either by calculating the probability of group membership in the six predefined structural categories (three G‐quadruplex groups, double‐stranded, and two groups of single‐stranded forms) or by revealing their particular structural features. The assay enables rapid screening of synthetic DNA oligonucleotides in a 96‐well plate format.
Multivalent Thiosialosides and Their Synergistic Interaction with Pathogenic Sialidases
Authors: Brissonnet Yoan , Assailly Coralie , Saumonneau Amélie , Bouckaert Julie , Maillasson Mike , Petitot Clémence , Roubinet Benoit , Didak Blanka , Landemarre Ludovic , Bridot Clarisse , Blossey Ralf , Deniaud David , Yan Xibo , Bernard Julien , Tellier Charles , Grandjean Cyrille , Daligault Franck , Gouin Sébastien G.
Published: December 2018

Sialidases (SAs) hydrolyze sialyl residues from glycoconjugates of the eukaryotic cell surface and are virulence factors expressed by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The catalytic domains of SAs are often flanked with carbohydrate‐binding module(s) previously shown to bind sialosides and to enhance enzymatic catalytic efficiency. Herein, non‐hydrolyzable multivalent thiosialosides were designed as probes and inhibitors of V. cholerae, T. cruzi, and S. pneumoniae (NanA) sialidases. NanA was truncated from the catalytic and lectinic domains (NanA‐L and NanA‐C) to probe their respective roles upon interacting with sialylated surfaces and the synthetically designed di‐ and polymeric thiosialosides. The NanA‐L domain was shown to fully drive NanA binding, improving affinity for the thiosialylated surface and compounds by more than two orders of magnitude. Importantly, each thiosialoside grafted onto the polymer was also shown to reduce NanA and NanA‐C catalytic activity with efficiency that was 3000‐fold higher than that of the monovalent thiosialoside reference. These results extend the concept of multivalency for designing potent bacterial and parasitic sialidase inhibitors.
Stereoselective Insertion of Benzynes into Lawsones: Synthesis of Biologically Important Benzannulated Bicyclo[3.3.0]octanes
Authors: Kumar A. Suresh , Thirupathi Guguloth , Reddy G. Surendra , Ramachary Dhevalapally B.
Published: December 2018

An ideal stereoselective insertion of in situ generated benzynes into lawsones through domino formal [2+2]‐cycloaddition followed by rearrangement is disclosed. The reaction allowed for the preparation of biologically important benzannulated bicyclo[3.3.0]octanes in good yields and with excellent selectivities by using simple substrates and conditions.
Combination of chemical and biological processes to enhance the treatment of hardly biodegradable matter in industrial wastewater: Selection parameters and performances
Authors: Minière Marine , Boutin Olivier , Soric Audrey
Published: December 2018

The increasing complexity of industrial effluents, combined with the increase in discharge constraints, leads to the necessity to improve processes treatment. Apart from new processes, the combination and optimization of existing processes could be the answer to these questions. Regarding coupling processes, the purifying potential has been demonstrated for a large range of processes, pollutants, and effluents. However, there has been a lack of studies integrating a biological process, although this has increased since 2000. The objective of this review is to focus on the combination of chemical and biological treatments for industrial applications and to provide recommendations based on different examples from the literature.
Levels and patterns of self‐reported and objectively‐measured free‐living physical activity among prostate cancer survivors: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Smith Lee , Lee Jung Ae , Mun Junbae , Pakpahan Ratna , Imm Kellie R. , Izadi Sonya , Kibel Adam S. , Colditz Graham A. , Grubb Robert L. , Wolin Kathleen Y. , Sutcliffe Siobhan , Yang Lin
Published: December 2018

Background

No prior study has measured or compared self‐reported and objectively measured physical activity trajectories in prostate cancer survivors before and after treatment.

Methods

Clinically localized prostate cancer patients treated with radical prostatectomy were recruited between 2011 and 2014. Of the 350 participants enrolled at the main site, 310 provided self‐reported physical activity at baseline before radical prostatectomy, and 5 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after radical prostatectomy. A subset of participants (n = 81) provided objectively measured physical activity at all study time points by wearing an accelerometer for 7 days each. Changes in activity over time were compared using Friedman’s test. Agreement between self‐reported and objective measures was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Results

Self‐reported moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity was high at baseline (median, 32.1 min/day), followed by a decline at 5 weeks (median, 15.0 min/day) and a recovery at 6 and 12 months (median, 32.1‐47.1 min/day). In contrast, objectively measured moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity was low at all 4 time points (median, 0.0‐5.2 min/day), with no overall change across study assessments (global P = .29). Self‐reported moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity tended to be more closely related to objectively measured light‐intensity physical activity (ρ = 0.29‐0.42) than to objectively measured moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (ρ = 0.07‐0.27, P = .009‐.32).

Conclusions

In our population of prostate cancer survivors with critically low moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity levels, self‐reported measures greatly overestimated moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity and may have been more reflective of light‐intensity physical activity. Because cancer survivor guidelines are derived from self‐reported data, our findings may imply that intensities of physical activity below moderate, such as light intensity, still have health benefits.
A study on the construction of evaluative system of Smart City based on entropy‐weighted matter‐element model method
Authors: Yong Xiang , Yan Cui , Weiyao  , Qiang Xu
Published: December 2018

Since our country has started to build the pilot project of a smart city in 2013, its effect has already appeared tentatively promoted by policies. However, its evaluation system is not yet mature. Therefore, this technical paper first considered the construction of evaluation index system according to the concept and construction situation of Smart City, adopted the five‐year statistics of Sichuan Province as empirical data, and this paper applied modeling calculation to draw the objective state of current Smart City construction. It also included the construction of evaluation index system with the introduction of a matter‐element extension method and entropy method to assign the weights, discussed the changes in the maximum relational degree of the six rule hierarchy indicators, and analyzed the key index that influences its development in the soft urban environment and information service to point out the direction for the next phase of the development.
In Situ Synthesis of Dicarboxylic Acid Functionalized Upconversion Nanoparticles for Bioimaging Applications
Authors: Wang Meifeng , Zhang Tao , Hu Yongjun , Qin Yiru , Wei Wei
Published: December 2018

We report a one‐step strategy to synthesize, in situ, highly water‐dispersible NaYF4 : Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) by employing dicarboxylic acids. The dicarboxylic acids serve as a type of dual‐purpose surface ligand for both controlling the growth and enabling the water dispersibility of the NaYF4 : Yb/Er UCNPs. It is found that the carbon chain length of the dicarboxylic acids has a marked effect on the size and morphology of the UCNPs. Among the dicarboxylic acids studied, adipic acid shows a superior performance. The UCNPs functionalized with adipic acid exhibit comparatively uniform size and morphology, as well as excellent water dispersibility. Our results also demonstrate their minimal toxicity and great potential for bioimaging applications.
Pharmacogenetics of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the route toward tailored medicine
Authors: Mannino Gaia Chiara , Andreozzi Francesco , Sesti Giorgio
Published: December 2018

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that has reached the levels of a global epidemic. In order to achieve optimal glucose control, it is often necessary to rely on combination therapy of multiple drugs or insulin because uncontrolled glucose levels result in T2DM progression and enhanced risk of complications and mortality. Several antihyperglycemic agents have been developed over time, and T2DM pharmacotherapy should be prescribed based on suitability for the individual patient's characteristics. Pharmacogenetics is the branch of genetics that investigates how our genome influences individual responses to drugs, therapeutic outcomes, and incidence of adverse effects. In this review, we evaluated the pharmacogenetic evidences currently available in the literature, and we identified the top informative genetic variants associated with response to the most common anti‐diabetic drugs: metformin, DPP‐4 inhibitors/GLP1R agonists, thiazolidinediones, and sulfonylureas/meglitinides. Overall, we found 40 polymorphisms for each drug class in a total of 71 loci, and we examined the possibility of encouraging genetic screening of these variants/loci in order to critically implement decision‐making about the therapeutic approach through precision medicine strategies. It is possible then to anticipate that when the clinical practice will take advantage of the genetic information of the diabetic patients, this will provide a useful resource for the prevention of T2DM progression, enabling the identification of the precise drug that is most likely to be effective and safe for each patient and the reduction of the economic impact on a global scale.
Semiarid ecosystem sensitivity to precipitation extremes: weak evidence for vegetation constraints
Authors: Felton Andrew J. , Zavislan‐Pullaro Sam , Smith Melinda D.
Published: December 2018

In semiarid regions, vegetation constraints on plant growth responses to precipitation (PPT) are hypothesized to place an upper limit on net primary productivity (NPP), leading to predictions of future shifts from currently defined linear to saturating NPP–PPT relationships as increases in both dry and wet PPT extremes occur. We experimentally tested this prediction by imposing a replicated gradient of growing season PPT (GSP, n = 11 levels, n = 4 replicates), ranging from the driest to wettest conditions in the 75‐yr climate record, within a semiarid grassland. We focused on responses of two key ecosystem processes: aboveground NPP (ANPP) and soil respiration (Rs). ANPP and Rs both exhibited greater relative responses to wet vs. dry GSP extremes, with a linear relationship consistently best explaining the response of both processes to GSP. However, this responsiveness to GSP peaked at moderate levels of extremity for both processes, and declined at the most extreme GSP levels, suggesting that greater sensitivity of ANPP and Rs to wet vs. dry conditions may diminish under increased magnitudes of GSP extremes. Underlying these responses was rapid plant compositional change driven by increased forb production and cover as GSP transitioned to extreme wet conditions. This compositional shift increased the magnitude of ANPP responses to wet GSP extremes, as well as the slope and variability explained in the ANPP–GSP relationship. Our findings suggest that rapid plant compositional change may act as a mediator of semiarid ecosystem responses to predicted changes in GSP extremes.
Temporal clustering of extreme climate events drives a regime shift in rocky intertidal biofilms
Authors: Dal Bello Martina , Rindi Luca , Benedetti‐Cecchi Lisandro
Published: December 2018

Research on regime shifts has focused primarily on how changes in the intensity and duration of press disturbances precipitate natural systems into undesirable, alternative states. By contrast, the role of recurrent pulse perturbations, such as extreme climatic events, has been largely neglected, hindering our understanding of how historical processes regulate the onset of a regime shift. We performed field manipulations to evaluate whether combinations of extreme events of temperature and sediment deposition that differed in their degree of temporal clustering generated alternative states in rocky intertidal epilithic microphytobenthos (biofilms) on rocky shores. The likelihood of biofilms to shift from a vegetated to a bare state depended on the degree of temporal clustering of events, with biofilm biomass showing both states under a regime of non‐clustered (60 d apart) perturbations while collapsing in the clustered (15 d apart) scenario. Our results indicate that time since the last perturbation can be an important predictor of collapse in systems exhibiting alternative states and that consideration of historical effects in studies of regime shifts may largely improve our understanding of ecosystem dynamics under climate change.
Nano‐sensor Based on MoS2 Nanosheet mixed with Au quantum dot: Role of Layer Number and Temperature
Authors: Lou Xue , Zhang Li‐quan , Liu Qing‐hui , Wang Ying‐hui , Yao Lian‐Fei , Wang Yan‐ting , Kang Zhi‐hui , Zhou Qiang , Zhang Han‐Zhuang
Published: December 2018

The performance of nano‐sensor based on MoS2 nanosheet mixed with Au particle is tested based electrochemical test involving cyclic voltammogram and impedance spectroscopy, where the FeIII(CN)63−/FeII(CN)64− and dopamine (DA) are chosen as research object to verify the role of layer number of MoS2 nanosheet and the temperature. The electrochemical test shows the Au nanoparticle would improve the electron exchange reaction occurring on the electrode. In the solution of FeIII(CN)63−/FeII(CN)64−, the electrode reaction follows
, where increasing the layer number of MoS2 nanosheet would restrict the reaction. In the DA system, the reaction of
occurs on the electrode and increasing the layer number of MoS2 nanosheet would facilitate the reaction. The difference as mentioned above is assigned to the energy level shift originated from variance of layer number of MoS2 nanosheet and the changing of reaction mechanism. In addition, temperature would mainly facilitate the kinetics of electron exchange reaction, which is assigned to the diffusion acceleration of DA molecule. Simultaneously, the desorption process of reactant in the electrolyte would enhance. The role of layer number of MoS2 nanosheet and the temperature is clarified with the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of electron exchange reaction based on MoS2 nanosheet, which would improve the understanding of nano‐sensor based on MoS2 nanosheet.
Electrochemical Sensing Platform Based on Nano‐Perovskite/Glycine/Carbon Composite for Amlodipine and Ascorbic Acid Drugs
Authors: Atta Nada F. , El‐Ads Ekram H. , Galal Ahmed , Galal Aya E.
Published: December 2018

People suffered from essential hypertension have increased oxidative stress. Thus, adding vitamin C to their medical therapy resulted in decreasing the oxidative stress and increasing the antioxidant status. This may prevent further vascular damage due to the oxidative stress, leading to a better diagnosis in critical hypertension patients. A novel sensor was fabricated based on NdFeO3nano‐perovskite/glycine/carbon nanotubes modified carbon paste electrode in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate; GLNFCNTCP‐SDS for electrochemical sensing and simultaneous determination of antihypertensive and antioxidant drugs, Amlodipine (AML) and ascorbic acid. The developed nanocomposite showed interactive characteristics of all the modifiers as high conductivity, enhanced surface area, surface fouling resistance and stability. This leads to accelerated electron transfer rate and increased current response of electro‐oxidation of AML by 8.3 folds compared to unmodified electrode. The method validity was investigated successfully by the quantitative analysis of AML in human urine samples and Norvasc tablets with acceptable recovery results. The featured merits of the proposed composite in the analysis of AML in human urine samples were; wide concentration range of 0.003 μmol L−1to 200 μmol L−1, sensitivity of 113.2 μA/μmol L−1, detection limit of 0.704 nmol L−1, and quantification limit of 2.35 nmol L−1.
Construction and Electrochemical Property Studies of DNA Duplexes Tethered to Gold Electrode via Au−C Bond
Authors: Zhang Meng , Chen Jia , Pi Xiaomei , Deng Chunyan , Xiang Juan
Published: December 2018

Effective linkage of DNA onto metal surfaces plays a crucial role in the applications of DNA as electrochemical recognition, signal output and amplification devices for gene and protein detections, specific analyte recognitions, catalysis, and so on. Here we report a promising and operationally simple approach for the construction of double‐stranded DNA‐linked Au interface via Au−C bond (RdsDNA‐C−Au), upon efficient in situ cleavage of trimethylsilyl end group of 4‐[(trimethylsilyl) ethynyl] benzoic acid and subsequent dehydration condensation between NH2‐modified DNA and benzoic acid. Due to the introduction of large conjugated π group (4‐carboxyphenylethynyl) as the “bridge bond”, the conductivity of the RdsDNA‐C−Au interface is greatly improved. As a result, under commonly used DNA packing density (>0.5 pmol cm−2), the surface‐confined electron transfer at the interface is simply mediated by the stacked‐bases of dsDNA, independent of the orientation of dsDNA (tethered to the electrode at 5′‐ or 3′‐end). Also, compared to the traditional RdsDNA‐S−Au interface via alkanethiol linker, the RdsDNA‐C−Au interface displays more sensitive electrochemical response and excellent stability. Due to the better stability, conductivity and simple electron transfer mechanism, the RdsDNA‐C−Au interface is anticipated to be widely used in electrochemistry‐involved molecular recognitions, gene and protein detections with higher sensitivity and accuracy.
An Amorphous MnO2/Lithiated NiO Nanosheet Array as an Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Iron Molten Air Batteries
Authors: Liu Shuzhi , Gao Shengyao , Cui Baochen , Xiang Wei , Liu Xianjun , Han Wei , Zhang Jianhua
Published: December 2018

Iron molten air battery is considered one of the promising batteries in next‐generation energy storage due to high theoretical specific energy density, cost efficiency, and environment‐friendly merits. Herein, an amorphous MnO2/lithiated NiO nanosheet array is grown directly on a highly conductive nickel foam substrate to use as a bifunctional electrocatalyst in iron molten air batteries. The advantages of the nanosheet array structure are having more highly exposed active sites for electrochemical reactions, as well as a conductive stable 3D framework for allowing barrier‐free diffusion and transport of ions and oxygen gas. As a result, the amorphous MnO2/lithiated NiO nanosheet array exhibits a promising catalytic activity for oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction with a voltage gap of only 0.29 V. The as‐assembled iron molten air battery shows an impressive rechargeability with the highest coulombic efficiency of nearly 100% through 200 cycles with an average discharge potential of ≈1.14 V at 500 °C. Moreover, the cell has a high rate response up to 6.7 C with a discharge voltage of above 0.9 V. The study achieves critical advances for iron molten air batteries without the use of precious metals in contrast with previous results using the Pd‐based catalyst.
The Role of Regulatory Agencies in Framing Public Problems: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Guaschino Edoardo
Published: December 2018

This paper sheds light on the role of regulatory agencies in framing public problems. It is well acknowledged that regulatory agencies are becoming key actors in the policy process. To this extent, a common understanding regarding the delegation of regulatory agencies relates to the fact that they solve problems rather than define them. Although the literature on framing and regulatory agencies is abundant, studies questioning the combination of these two phenomena are scarce. In this paper, a specific “framing index” is developed to measure the involvement of 36 regulators in framing issues in two sectors, namely food safety and environmental protection. This measurement is applied to a cross‐national and cross‐sectorial fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The main results indicate that when agencies are highly involved in framing, they are old, they have a low number of staff members, and the risk of venue shifting is low.
Examining the Applications and Opinions of the TOEFL ITP® Assessment Series Test Scores in Three Countries
Authors: Golubovich Juliya , Tolentino Florencia , Papageorgiou Spiros
Published: December 2018

In this study, 249 users of the TOEFL ITP® assessment series (e.g., admissions officers, English‐language teachers, academic staff) in Japan, Mexico, and Indonesia were surveyed about their uses and opinions of TOEFL ITP scores, followed by in‐depth interviews with 21 of these users. Overall, the most common use of the test was as an exit requirement from English‐language programs to demonstrate proficiency in English listening and reading. The majority of participants saw TOEFL ITP scores as very useful indicators of students' English‐language proficiency. Interviews helped clarify the user needs met by this assessment and how test scores were actually applied. Study participants indicated that they need a relatively inexpensive and practical English‐language assessment that also provides them with enough information to make decisions about test takers' proficiency in all relevant skill areas. Some of the ways interviewees talked about using TOEFL ITP scores were consistent with the recommendations of Educational Testing Service (ETS), while other uses (e.g., for workplace applications) were more questionable, as they might imply potentially higher stakes than were intended for this test. The results of the study highlight areas where TOEFL ITP users might need additional informational support with regard to score interpretation and use.
Domain Description: Validating the Interpretation of the TOEFL iBT® Speaking Scores for International Teaching Assistant Screening and Certification Purposes
Authors: Cotos Elena , Chung Yoo‐Ree
Published: December 2018

In the past 2 decades, there has been an increasing tendency to use scores from the TOEFL iBT® Speaking test for decisions regarding the certification of international graduate students as teaching assistants at North American universities. To obtain validity evidence in support of the usefulness of the speaking scores for this secondary use of the test, this study adopted the argument‐based approach to validation. Focusing on the domain description inference in the TOEFL interpretive argument, the study investigated whether the language functions elicited by TOEFL iBT Speaking tasks can be identified in authentic discourse produced by international teaching assistants (ITAs) with different instructional roles. We compiled and analyzed 2 corpora—a TOEFL iBT speech corpus and an ITA speech corpus. The TOEFL corpus contained 2,738 responses to integrated and independent tasks. The ITA corpus of 119 spoken texts included multiple disciplines and 3 instructional genres: lab, recitation, and lecture. The 2 corpora were manually annotated using the knowledge framework (Mohan, 1986), which is a heuristic in systemic functional linguistics (SFL) used to identify knowledge structures (KSs) and language functions based on how linguistic choices function in the discourse. Then, the following types of data were quantitatively analyzed: discourse units annotated per KS category, discourse units annotated per language function, KS categories occurring in each text, language functions occurring in each text, and KSs and functions from each component of the spoken corpora. The corpus data revealed how the language functions were realized and how they varied. Overall, the results indicated that TOEFL iBT Speaking tasks elicit most of the language functions identified in ITA discourse, suggesting that this test accounts for the functional language ability necessary for effective instructional performance as a teaching assistant in the target domain of language use. The discrepancy detected in the use of some functions pertaining to 2 KSs warrants further examination of the extent to which it may impact secondary test use and score interpretation.
The overlooked impact of rising glyphosate use on phosphorus loading in agricultural watersheds
Authors: Hébert Marie‐Pier , Fugère Vincent , Gonzalez Andrew
Published: December 2018

Glyphosate is the most extensively used pesticide worldwide. In addition to raising ecotoxicological concerns, the use of glyphosate adds phosphorus (P) to agricultural landscapes, influencing the accumulation and cycling of P in soil and nearby surface waters. Yet pesticides have been largely ignored when monitoring anthropogenic sources of P in agricultural watersheds. Estimating the supply of P derived from glyphosate use, both globally and in the US alone, we show that trends have markedly increased over the past two decades. Across the US, mean inputs of glyphosate‐derived P increased from 1.6 kg P km−2 in 1993 to 9.4 kg P km−2 in 2014, with values frequently exceeding 20 kg P km−2 in areas planted with glyphosate‐resistant crops. Although still a minor source of P relative to fertilizers, P inputs from glyphosate use have now reached levels comparable to those from sources for which P regulations were initiated in the past. We thus argue for greater recognition of glyphosate's influence on P flow in watershed research and management.
Automated Solid‐Phase Microextraction GC‐MS/MS Method for Quantification of Volatile Limonene Oxidation Products in Encapsulated Orange Oil
Authors: Emberger Matthew E. , Lin Jianming , Pika Jana , Christ Ingo , Eigenbrodt Bryan
Published: December 2018

Limonene, widely present in consumer products, is prone to oxidation and leads to the formation of undesirable reaction products. A solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) GC‐MS/MS method was developed for the quantification of volatile limonene oxidation products, in encapsulated oil samples, by the optimization of MS parameters and SPME sampling conditions including fibre coating, temperature and time. The detection limit of the method reached 10 to 15 ppb for the limonene oxides, and less than 5 ppb for carvone and carveol isomers. Standard addition calibration was utilized to compensate for matrix effects of the encapsulation, flavouring, and to optimize the accuracy and versatility of this method. Sample throughput and precision of the method were improved through in‐line automated SPME sample preparation. The popularity of limonene as a flavouring compound in many consumer products, allows this method to be adapted to quantify different levels of volatile limonene oxidation products in encapsulated matrices.
Effect of ice water pretreatment on the quality of Pacific White Shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Authors: Xu Nan , Shi Wenzheng , Wang Xichang , Wang Zhihe
Published: December 2018

Pacific White Shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) are an aquaculture species with global importance. For the purpose of this paper, the quality shelling process of Pacific White Shrimps, freshly harvested from farms and stored in a mixture ice water up to 24 hr, was investigated. Both the differences and correlations between the indexes such as peeling time, shrimp yield, chromatic aberration, texture, K value, TBA value, and microstructure were compared and analyzed. The optimal shell peeling time of Pacific White Shrimps was determined by ice water treatment for 8 hr. The shell peeling time was 1.77 min, the elasticity of the shrimp was 0.51 mm, the hardness was 2,124.58 g, K value was 1.33%, and TBA value was 0.004 mg/100 g. Both the smell and color of the shelled shrimp were normal. This study aims to endorse the mechanical shelling of Pacific White Shrimps.
Nd and Sr isotopic composition of ancient iron‐made artifacts and ores from northwest Russia
Authors: Felitsyn Sergey B. , Alfimova Nadezhda A. , Bogomolov Eugene
Published: December 2018

Iron‐made artifacts from northwest Russia, including nails, arrowheads, and brackets used in the 13th–19th centuries, have a wide range of Sr and Nd isotopic composition (87Sr/86Sr = 0.710–0.737 and 143Nd/144Nd = 0.5115–0.5124). Authigenic iron ore sites mined in the region from 10th to 19th centuries preserve a similar range of isotopic compositions, suggesting artifacts retain the Sr and Nd signatures of their parent ores. Analyses of the ores also reveal two broad regions distinguished by their isotopic compositions, with the Precambrian Baltic craton in the northern part of the region having very radiogenic Sr and unradiogenic Nd isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sr >0.7177 and 143Nd/144Nd <0.5119) compared with ores from the Paleozoic sedimentary cover of the East European platform to the south. The recognition of distinct geochemical provinces permits identification of the broad regions from which the various ores were mined, and demonstrates the utility of applying radiogenic isotopic analyses to artifacts and their potential geologic sources.
Geotechnical challenges during the construction of the Albabstieg Tunnel in prediction and construction
Authors: Wunderle Maximilian , Abele Matthias
Published: December 2018

The construction of the Albabstieg Tunnel on the Wendlingen–Ulm railway line had to overcome several geotechnical challenges. For the filling of the ground replacement body as a foundation for the slab track from recycled tunnel excavation material, it turned out that the Jurassic limestones are only conditionally suitable as a qualified fill material. The aggregates processed on site can only be used as fill material if cement stabilised. Beside the main issue of karst investigation, above ground by means of geophysical methods and underground using a conventional drilling grid, two longer sections of pipe screens had to be constructed: in the area of an unsealed landfill intersected by the tunnel cross‐section and in the area of shallow overburden in the Lehrer Tal. Tunnelling under a residential area with historic cellars had to be accompanied by an intensive monitoring of blasting due to highly variable rock strength. Low‐emission tunnelling could only be achieved with additional measures of blasting optimization. With the interdisciplinary co‐operation between client, geotechnical consultant, designer and contractor, these special challenges were successfully overcome and the construction works were completed within cost and schedule.
Image‐based discontinuity identification
Authors: Buyer Andreas , Pischinger Gerald , Schubert Wulf
Published: December 2018

Knowledge about the joint network is important in rock engineering. It controls the stability and strength of blocky rock masses. Thus, the joint network is mapped in more or less detail, regarding the specifications. To do so, different methods have evolved over the years. One of these methods is digital mapping, based on the visual and spatial appearance of the distinct joints. This mapping usually is done by an experienced geologist. However, the trend in digital mapping is towards a supervised but mainly autonomous identification of discontinuities. One aspect of this automated process is the recognition of joints in digital outcrop images by their optical attributes. This contribution presents a density based joint plane detection. By the combination of a vector based joint plane detection and a pixel based joint trace detection, not only joints, but also the foliation in the investigated tunnel face could be extracted very accurately. The approach represents the current state of research and further improvements are to be expected.
Smarter Tunnelling
Authors: Füllenbach Christel
Published: December 2018

Safety, time and costs belong to the most important influencing factors in tunnelling. The Smarter Tunnelling concept can positively influence these factors by speeding up work processes, avoiding limited safety zones and saving time and money. Smarter tunnelling not only describes the use of machines that are remotely monitored, but also the integration of an entire intelligent system into a tunnelling project. For this purpose, all machines used have to communicate with each other and with a central data processing unit. To implement this digitization and automation in tunnelling projects, networking with intelligent sensors and actuators as well as special software are used. In order to achieve a trimming of work processes at the same time, it is necessary to streamline data processing through IT solutions. This paper presents the Epiroc solutions, which have been specially developed for the tunnel construction sector.
Selecting appropriate focal species for assessing the risk to birds from newly drilled pesticide-treated winter cereal fields in France
Authors: Bonneris Emmanuelle , Gao Zhenglei , Prosser Amanda , Barfknecht Ralf
Published: December 2018

Identifying focal bird species appropriate to the situation in which a plant protection product is used is important for refined risk assessment (EFSA 2009). We analyzed the results of extensive field observations of newly drilled cereal fields in France in autumn over 2 seasons to determine real bird focal species. In 2011, birds were observed before and after drilling on wheat and barley fields drilled with imidacloprid-treated seeds (i.e., “treatment” fields) or seeds treated with compounds other than imidacloprid (i.e., “alternative treatment” fields). Bird abundance, species richness, and diversity were significantly higher in wheat fields than barley fields; these findings led us to monitor only wheat fields in 2012. Statistical analyses did not show a significant effect of the drilling itself or between the treatment fields and the alternative treatment fields on the number and type of bird species. These results led to the pooling of 2011 data on all fields for focal species determination. Similarly, all bird monitoring data generated in 2012 before and after drilling were pooled and analyzed. Rules for determination of candidate focal species detailed in the EFSA (2009) guidance were followed. Carrion crow, wood pigeon, gray partridge, skylark, common starling, and pied wagtail were the bird species most frequently observed on wheat fields. This list of candidate species was processed to determine the most relevant focal species according to the method of Dietzen et al. (2014); this process resulted in the selection of skylark, gray partridge, wood pigeon, and pied wagtail as focal species to assess risks to birds for pesticides applied during drilling of winter cereals in France (September through November). Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:000–000. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
Retracted: MicroRNA‐21 contributes to high glucose–induced fibrosis in peritoneal mesothelial cells in rat models by activation of the Ras–MAPK signaling pathway via Sprouty‐1
Authors: Gao Qing , Xu Lin , Yang Qian , Guan Tian‐Jun
Published: December 2018

Peritoneal fibrosis remains to be one of the most severe causes of failure in continuous peritoneal dialysis. The current study cultured peritoneal mesothelial cells in high glucose to stimulate the environment of peritoneal fibrosis model in rats, and investigate whether microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) targeting Sprouty‐1 affects high glucose–induced fibrosis in peritoneal mesothelial cells via the rennin angiotensin system (Ras)–mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, as well as potential mechanisms. Peritoneal tissues in fibrosis rats were collected to extract peritoneal mesothelial cells, which, after in vitro culture, were transfected with a series of mimic or inhibitor of miR‐21, or the small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Sprouty‐1. Reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were performed to determine the levels of related genes or proteins. MTT assay and flow cytometry were conducted to observe the cell viability and cell apoptosis of peritoneal mesothelial cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that Sprouty‐1 is the target gene of miR‐21. Peritoneal fibrosis manifested with elevated miR‐21, extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), c‐Jun NH2‐terminal protein kinase (JNK), RAS and p38MAPK but reduced Sprouty‐1. Cells transfected with miR‐21 mimic exhibited decreased Sprouty‐1 expressions, but increased levels of ERK, JNK, RAS, and p38MAPK. As for cellular process, miR‐21 mimic or siRNA against Sprouty‐1 exposure reduced cell viability, which resulted in more cells arrested at the G1 stage, and induced apoptosis. In contrast, miR‐21 inhibitor exposure was observed to have induced effects on peritoneal mesothelial cells. These key findings provide evidence that miR‐21 inhibits Sprouty‐1 to promote the progression of fibrosis in peritoneal mesothelial cells by activating the Ras–MAPK signaling pathway.
Membrane‐tethered Notch1 exhibits oncogenic property via activation of EGFR–PI3K–AKT pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Yang , Wang Zhao , Xiong Xianbin , Zhong Yi , Zhang Wei , Dong Yibo , Li Jialiang , Zhu Zaiou , Zhang Wei , Wu Heming , Gu Wenyi , Wu Yunong , Wang Xiang , Song Xiaomeng
Published: December 2018

Notch proteins are highly conserved cell surface receptors which play essential roles in cellular differentiation, proliferation, and apoptotic events at all stages of development. Recently, NOTCH1 mutations have been extensively observed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and are hinted to be Notch1‐inactivating mutations. However, little is known about the biological effect of these reported mutations in OSCC. To mimic the inactivation of Notch1 due to inappropriate mutations and to determine the potential mechanisms, we utilized wild‐type Notch1 vectors (Notch1WT) or mutant Notch1 vectors (Notch1V1754L) to transfect into OSCC cell lines. Membrane‐tethered Notch1 induced by mutation was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. γ‐Secretase inhibitor PF‐03084014 was utilized to determine the phenotype in the absence of endogenous Notch1 activation. Here we demonstrated that membrane‐tethered Notch1 inactivated the canonical Notch1 signaling and oncogenic phenotypes were identified by promoting cell proliferation and invasion and by inducing epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in cells. The γ‐secretase inhibitor PF‐03084014 also showed distinct oncogenic property after treatment. Importantly, both membrane‐tethered Notch1 and PF‐03084014 inhibitor activated the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)–protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway, which has been confirmed as an overwhelming modulator in OSCC. This was the first time that we clearly simulated the mutated Notch1 activities and determined the oncogenic phenotypes of membrane‐tethered Notch1. Compared with wild‐type Notch1, membrane‐tethered Notch1 was strongly associated with activated EGFR–PI3K–AKT signaling pathway.
Challenges facing antiangiogenesis therapy: The significant role of hypoxia‐inducible factor and MET in development of resistance to anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor‐targeted therapies
Authors: Mahdi Ali , Darvishi Behrad , Majidzadeh‐A Keivan , Salehi Malihe , Farahmand Leila
Published: December 2018

It is now fully recognized that along with multiple physiological functions, angiogenesis is also involved in the fundamental process and pathobiology of several disorders including cancer. Recent studies have fully established the role of angiogenesis in cancer progression as well as invasion and metastasis. Consequently, many therapeutic agents such as monoclonal antibodies targeting angiogenesis pathway have been introduced in clinic with the hope for improving the outcomes of cancer therapy. Bevacizumab (Avastin®) was the first anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeting monoclonal antibody developed with this purpose and soon received its accelerated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer in 2008. However, the failure to meet expecting results in different follow‐up studies, forced FDA to remove bevacizumab approval for metastatic breast cancer. Investigations have now revealed that while suppressing VEGF pathway initially decreases tumor progression rate and vasculature density, activation of several interrelated pathways and signaling molecules following VEGF blockade compensate the insufficiency of VEGF and initially blocked angiogenesis, explaining in part the failure observed with bevacizumab single therapy. In present review, we introduce some of the main pathways and signaling molecules involved in angiogenesis and then propose how their interconnection may result in development of resistance to bevacizumab.