bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant effect of Kimchi supplemented with Jeju citrus concentrate and its antiobesity effect on 3T3‐L1 adipocytes
Authors: Yun Ye‐Rang , Park Sung-Hee , Kim In‐Hwan
Published: July 2019

Citrus is cultivated throughout Jeju Island and is thought to possess some medicinal properties. Citrus concentrate is the most extensively utilized form of citrus in the food industry. In this study, antioxidant and antiobesity effects of Kimchi supplemented with citrus concentrate were investigated. Prepared Kimchi was infused with 7% citrus concentrate (CK) and freeze‐dried for analysis. Normal Kimchi (NK) without citrus concentrate was utilized as a control. Total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities were examined. Cytotoxicity, intracellular triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were also measured. Additionally, the inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation were trialed by measuring the oil‐red O (ORO)‐stained cells. TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities of CK were significantly higher than those of NK (p < .05). CK showed less cytotoxicity and attenuated the lipid accumulation at all concentrations by reducing TG and TC levels compared to NK. The inhibitory effect of CK on lipid accumulation was observed via reducing ORO‐stained lipid droplets. Consequently, the antioxidant and antiobesity effects of CK were revealed in vitro. Furthermore, the addition of citrus may provide competitive price due to low production costs as well as health functionality.
Thermal and hydraulic characteristics of a triangular duct using an Al2O3 nanofluid in a turbulent flow regime
Authors: Taamneh Yazan , Kabeel A. E. , Prakash N. , Sathyamurthy Ravishankar , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: July 2019

This paper presents the computational analysis of convective heat transfer characteristics, pressure drop, and entropy generation characteristics of Al2O3/water nanofluids in a noncircular duct (triangular) using a single phase approach under a turbulent flow regime. The thermal and pressure drop characteristics of different concentrations of Al2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) and the analysis were carried out in Fluent software using a k‐ε approach under constant wall heat flux around the boundary. The results show that there is an increase in pressure drop and thereby an increase in friction by 20% for the smooth condition. The total pressure drop between the entry and exit section of the duct is increased to approximately 84.2% and 85.6% for a higher Reynolds number (Re = 10 000) compared with that of base fluid. Similarly, the entropy generation of water is increased by 40% as compared with 0.05% and 0.1% Al2O3 NPs. There is also a decrease in entropy generation identified while there is an increase in the Reynolds number. The convective heat transfer of 0.05% and 0.1% nanofluid has a similar trend with increased Reynolds number. The maximum performance is observed at the Reynolds number (Re = 4000) and found to be 1.29 for 0.1% concentration, whereas, the fluid at 0.05% is observed to be at 1.23. At a higher Reynolds number (Re = 10 000) the performance index decreased to approximately 1.19 and 1.25 for 0.05% and 0.1%, respectively.
Revising Environmental Quality Standards: Lessons Learned
Authors: Korkaric Muris , Junghans Marion , Pasanen-Kase Robert , Werner Inge
Published: July 2019

An environmental quality standard (EQS) is a threshold value applied in regulatory monitoring for retrospective environmental risk assessment. However, an EQS may vary with time and between countries with shared water bodies, challenging coherent risk management. This study aimed to analyze the underlying reasons for changes in EQS values following a revision of previously derived EQSs for 62 substances. Relevant data were retrieved from publicly accessible databases, available literature, registration dossiers, and, in some cases, provided by manufacturers. Ecotoxicological data were assessed regarding reliability and relevance. As in previous studies, EQS derivation followed the European Union guideline. Overall, 61 annual average EQSs (AA-EQS) and 58 maximum acceptable concentration EQSs (MAC-EQS) were derived. Size and completeness of data sets generally increased due to the revision. AA-EQSs increased in 13 cases and decreased in 21 cases. MAC-EQSs increased in 22 cases and decreased in 11 cases. Most EQSs were derived using the deterministic assessment factor (AF) method. The number of substances for which EQSs were derived probabilistically by reference to the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method increased from 2 to 5 AA-EQSs and from 6 to 11 MAC-EQSs. For AA-EQS derivation, AFs were reduced in 14 cases and increased in 6 cases. For MAC-EQS derivation, AFs were reduced in 9 cases and increased in 2 cases. Results demonstrate that the revisions did not generally lead to either lower or higher EQSs. The majority of EQSs (>93%) changed less than 10-fold. Clearly, EQSs based on small or incomplete data sets with large AFs were more prone to considerable changes in their numeric values when revised than EQSs based on SSDs. Thus, revision can reduce uncertainty and increase robustness of an EQS. In this study, however, available data continued to be insufficient to construct SSDs for the majority of substances. This was mostly due to a lack of reliable data. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:1–13. © 2019 SETAC
Interpreting shocks to the relative price of investment with a two‐sector model
Authors: Guerrieri Luca , Henderson Dale , Kim Jinill
Published: July 2019

Consumption and investment comove over the business cycle in response to shocks that permanently move the price of investment. The interpretation of these shocks has relied on standard one‐sector models or on models with two or more sectors that can be aggregated. We show that the same interpretation can also be motivated with a model that captures key features of the US Input–Output Tables and cannot be aggregated into a standard one‐sector model. Our alternative model yields a closer match to the empirical evidence of positive comovement for consumption and investment subject shocks that permanently move the price of investment.
Deep learning‐based color holographic microscopy
Authors: Liu Tairan , Wei Zhensong , Rivenson Yair , de Haan Kevin , Zhang Yibo , Wu Yichen , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: July 2019

We report a framework based on a generative adversarial network that performs high‐fidelity color image reconstruction using a single hologram of a sample that is illuminated simultaneously by light at three different wavelengths. The trained network learns to eliminate missing‐phase‐related artifacts, and generates an accurate color transformation for the reconstructed image. Our framework is experimentally demonstrated using lung and prostate tissue sections that are labeled with different histological stains. This framework is envisaged to be applicable to point‐of‐care histopathology and presents a significant improvement in the throughput of coherent microscopy systems given that only a single hologram of the specimen is required for accurate color imaging.
Association Between Abdominal Aortic Calcification, Bone Mineral Density, and Fracture in Older Women
Authors: Lewis Joshua R , Eggermont Celeste J , Schousboe John T , Lim Wai H , Wong Germaine , Khoo Ben , Sim Marc , Yu MingXiang , Ueland Thor , Bollerslev Jens , Hodgson Jonathan M , Zhu Kun , Wilson Kevin E , Kiel Douglas P , Prince Richard L
Published: July 2019

Although a relationship between vascular disease and osteoporosis has been recognized, its clinical importance for fracture risk evaluation remains uncertain. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), a recognized measure of vascular disease detected on single-energy images performed for vertebral fracture assessment, may also identify increased osteoporosis risk. In a prospective 10-year study of 1024 older predominantly white women (mean age 75.0 ± 2.6 years) from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging cohort, we evaluated the association between AAC, skeletal structure, and fractures. AAC and spine fracture were assessed at the time of hip densitometry and heel quantitative ultrasound. AAC was scored 0 to 24 (AAC24) and categorized into low AAC (score 0 and 1, n = 459), moderate AAC (score 2 to 5, n = 373), and severe AAC (score text-decoration:underline6, n = 192). Prevalent vertebral fractures were calculated using the Genant semiquantitative method. AAC24 scores were inversely related to hip BMD ( rs = –0.077, p = 0.013), heel broadband ultrasound attenuation ( rs = –0.074, p = 0.020), and the Stiffness Index ( rs = –0.073, p = 0.022). In cross-sectional analyses, women with moderate to severe AAC were more likely to have prevalent fracture and lumbar spine imaging-detected lumbar spine fractures, but not thoracic spine fractures (Mantel-Haenszel test of trend p < 0.05). For 10-year incident clinical fractures and fracture-related hospitalizations, women with moderate to severe AAC (AAC24 score >1) had increased fracture risk (HR 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.91; p = 0.002; HR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.99; p = 0.019, respectively) compared with women with low AAC. This relationship remained significant after adjusting for age and hip BMD for clinical fractures (HR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.81; p = 0.010), but was attenuated for fracture-related hospitalizations (HR 1.33; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.83; p = 0.073). In conclusion, older women with more marked AAC are at higher risk of fracture, not completely captured by bone structural predictors. These findings further support the concept that vascular calcification and bone pathology may share similar mechanisms of causation that remain to be fully elucidated © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
The protective effect of cycloastragenol on aging mouse circadian rhythmic disorder induced by d‐galactose
Authors: Liu Jing , Gao Dongxiao , Dan Juhua , Liu Dan , Peng Lei , Zhou Ruoyu , Luo Ying
Published: July 2019

Aging process in mammals is associated with a decline in amplitude and a long period of circadian behaviors which are regulated by a central circadian regulator in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and local oscillators in peripheral tissues. It is unclear whether enhancing clock function can retard aging. Using fibroblasts expressing per2::lucSV and senescent cells, we revealed cycloastragenol (CAG), a natural aglycone derivative from astragaloside IV, as a clock amplitude enhancing small molecule. CAG could activate telomerase to antiaging, but no reports focused on its effects on circadian rhythm disorders in aging mice. Here we analyze the potential effects of CAG on d‐galactose‐induced aging mice on the circadian behavior and expression of clock genes. For this purpose, CAG (20 mg/kg orally), was administered daily to d‐galactose (150 mg/kg, subcutaneous) mice model of aging for 6 weeks. An actogram analysis of free‐running activity of these mice showed that CAG significantly enhances the locomotor activity. We further found that CAG increase expressions of per2 and bmal1 genes in liver and kidney of aging mouse. Furthermore, CAG enhanced clock protein BMAL1 and PER2 levels in aging mouse liver and SCN. Our results indicated that the CAG could restore the behavior of circadian rhythm in aging mice induced by d‐galactose. These data of present study suggested that CAG could be used as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of age‐related circadian rhythm disruption.
Complementation of dopaminergic signaling by Pitx3–GDNF synergy induces dopamine secretion by multipotent Ntera2 cells
Authors: Eskandarian Boroujeni Mahdi , Aliaghaei Abbas , Maghsoudi Nader , Gardaneh Mossa
Published: July 2019

Human teratocarcinoma cell line Ntera2 (NT2) expresses dopamine signals and has shown its safe profile for clinical applications. Attempts to restore complete dopaminergic (DAergic) phenotype enabling these cells to secrete dopamine have not been fully successful so far. We applied a blend of gene transfer techniques and a defined medium to convert NT2 cells to fully DAergic. The cells were primarily engineered to overexpress the Pitx3 gene product and then cultured in a growth medium supplemented with knockout serum and retinoic acid to form embroid bodies (EBs). Trypsinization of EB colonies produced single cells ready for differentiation. Neuronal/DAergic induction was promoted by applying conditioned medium taken from engineered human astrocytomas over‐secreting glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Immunocytochemistry, reverse‐transcription and real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed significantly induced expression of molecules involved in dopamine signaling and metabolism including tyrosine hydroxylase, Nurr1, dopamine transporter, and aromatic acid decarboxylase. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated release of dopamine only from a class of fully differentiated cells expressing Pitx3 and exposed to GDNF. In addition, Pitx3 and GDNF additively promoted in vitro neuroprotection against Parkinsonian toxin. One month after transplantation to the striatum of 6‐OHDA‐leasioned rats, differentiated NT2 cells survived and induced significant increase in striatal volume. Besides, cell implantation improved motor coordination in Parkinson's disease (PD) rat models. Our findings highlight the importance of Pitx3–GDNF interplay in dopamine signaling and indicate that our strategy might be useful for the restoration of DAergic fate of NT2 cells to make them clinically applicable toward cell replacement therapy of PD.
Overexpressed IGFBP5 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of nucleus pulposus derived from rats with disc degeneration through inactivating the ERK/MAPK axis
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Chun‐Ju , Tian Shuang , Song Hai‐Bo
Published: July 2019

It is previously suggested that insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) potentially share an association with disc degeneration (DD) that causes back pain. This study aimed at exploring the functional relevance of IGFBP5 in DD by establishing a rat model of DD. The nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were transduced with IGFBP5‐shRNA or IGFBP5 overexpression to determine the cellular processes (proliferation, apoptosis, as well as colony formation). The protein levels of apoptosis‐related proteins were evaluated. Furthermore, NP cells were treated with the extracellular signal‐regulated kinases/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathway inhibitor (PD98059) followed by measurement of ERK protein level and ERK phosphorylation content. The NP cells showed suppressed proliferation and colony formation ability, yet promoted apoptosis after transfection with IGFBP5‐shRNA. It was found that silencing of IGFBP5 could lead to the ERK/MAPK axis activation, as indicated by an elevated ERK protein level and ERK phosphorylation content. However, overexpression of IGFBP5 could reverse all the reaction induced by silenced IGFBP5. These key findings demonstrate that overexpressed IGFBP5 inactivates the ERK/MAPK axis to stimulate the proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of NP cells in a rat model of DD.
Codon usage of human hepatitis C virus clearance genes in relation to its expression
Authors: Singh Pratichi , Venkatesan Arthi , Padmanabhan Parasuraman , Gulyas Balazs , Dass J Febin Prabhu
Published: July 2019

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is among the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis globally, with a high economic burden. The disease progression is well established, but less is known about the spontaneous HCV infection clearance. This study tries to establish the relationship between codon biasness and expression of HCV clearance candidate genes in normal and HCV infected liver tissues. A total of 112 coding sequences comprising 151 679 codons were subjected to the computation of codon indices, namely relative synonymous codon usage, an effective number of codon (Nc), frequency of optimal codon, codon adaptation index, codon bias index, and base compositions. Codon indices report of GC3s, GC12, hydropathicity, and aromaticity implicates both mutational and translational selection in the candidate gene set. This was further correlated with the differentially expressed genes among the selected genes using BioGPS. A significant correlation is observed between the gene expression of normal liver and cancerous liver tissues with codon bias (Nc). Gene expression is also correlated with relative codon bias values, indicating that CCL5, APOA2, CD28, IFITM1, and TNFSF4 genes have higher expression. These results are quite encouraging in selecting the high responsive genes in HCV clearance. However, there could be additional genes which could also orchestrate the clearance role with the above mentioned first line of defensive genes.
Using block designs in crossing number bounds
Authors: Asplund John , Clark Gregory , Cochran Garner , Czabarka Éva , Hamm Arran , Spencer Gwen , Székely László , Taylor Libby , Wang Zhiyu
Published: July 2019

The crossing number of a graph is the smallest number of edge crossings over all drawings of in the plane. For any , the ‐planar crossing number of , is defined as the minimum of over all graphs with . Pach et al [Comput. Geom.: Theory Appl. 68 (2018), pp. 2–6] showed that for every , we have and that this bound does not remain true if we replace the constant by any number smaller than . We improve the upper bound to as . For the class of bipartite graphs, we show that the best constant is exactly for every . The results extend to the rectilinear variant of the ‐planar crossing number.
RETRACTED: microRNA‐95 knockdown inhibits epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell phenotype in gastric cancer cells through MAPK pathway by upregulating DUSP5
Authors: Du Mei  , Zhuang Yuan , Tan Peng , Yu Zongbu , Zhang Xiutian , Wang Aihua
Published: July 2019

This study investigated the role of microRNA‐95 (miR‐95) in gastric cancer (GC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Initially, bioinformatic prediction was used to predict the differentially expressed genes and related miRNAs in GC. miR‐95 and DUSP5 expression was altered in GC cell line (MGC803) to evaluate their respective effects on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, cellular processes (cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and apoptosis), cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype, as well as tumor growth ability. It was further predicted in bioinformatic prediction and verified in GC tissue and cell line experiments that miR‐95 was highly expressed in GC. miR‐95 negatively regulated DUSP5, which resulted in the MAPK pathway activation. Inhibited miR‐95 or overexpressed DUSP5 was observed to inhibit the levels of CSC markers (CD133, CD44, ALDH1, and Lgr5), highlighting the inhibitory role in the CSC phenotype. More important, evidence was obtained demonstrating that miR‐95 knockdown or DUSP5 upregulation exerted an inhibitory effect on the EMT process, cellular processes, and tumor growth. Together these results, miR‐95 knockdown inhibited GC development via DUSP5‐dependent MAPK pathway.
Biological and clinical relevance of metastasis‐associated long noncoding RNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review
Authors: Talebi Atefeh , Masoodi Mohsen , Mirzaei Alireza , Mehrad‐Majd Hassan , Azizpour Mazaher , Akbari Abolfazl
Published: July 2019

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a foremost cancer‐related death worldwide owing to rapid metastasis and poor prognosis. Metastasis, as the most important reason for death, is biologically a multifaceted process involving a range of cell signaling pathways. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), as transcriptional regulators, can regulate numerous genomic processes and cellular processes such as cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. LncRNAs have also been shown to involve in/regulate the cancer metastasis‐related signaling pathways. Hence, they have increasingly been brought to international attention in molecular oncology research. A number of researchers have attempted to reveal the biological and clinical relevance of lncRNAs in ESCC tumourigenesis and metastasis. The aberrant expression of these molecules in ESCC has regularly been reported to involve in various cellular processes and clinical features, including diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic responses. Here, we especially consider the pathways in which lncRNAs act as metastasis‐mediated effectors, mainly by interacting with epithelial–mesenchymal transition‐associated factors. We review the biological roles of lncRNAs through involving in ESCC metastasis as well as the clinical significance of the metastasis‐related lncRNAs in cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
O‐Mannosylation Affords a Glycopeptide Hydrogel with Inherent Antibacterial Activities against E. coli via Multivalent Interactions between Lectins and Supramolecular Assemblies
Authors: Li Jing , Liang Shufeng , Yan Yufei , Tian Xin , Li Xinming
Published: July 2019

Multivalent carbohydrate–lectin interactions play a crucial role in bacterial infection. Biomimicry of multivalent glycosystems represents a major strategy in the repression of bacterial growth. In this study, a new kind of glycopeptide (Naphthyl‐Phe‐Phe‐Ser‐Tyr, NMY) scaffold with mannose modification is designed and synthesized, which is able to perform supramolecular self‐assembly with the assistance of catalytic enzyme, and present multiple mannose ligands on its self‐assembled structure to target mannose‐binding proteins. Relying on multivalent carbohydrate–lectin interactions, the glycopeptide hydrogel is able to bind Escherichia coli (E. coli) in high specificity, and result in bacterial adhesion, membrane disruption and subsequent cell death. In vivo wound healing assays reveal that this glycopeptide hydrogel exhibits considerable potentials for promoting wound healing and preventing E. coli infection in a full‐thickness skin defect mouse model. Therefore, through a specific mannose–lectin interaction, a biocompatible hydrogel with inherent antibacterial activity against E. coli is achieved without the need to resort to antibiotic or antimicrobial agent treatment, highlighting the potential role of sugar‐coated nanomaterials in wound healing and control of bacterial pathogenesis.
Microstructure, corrosion behavior, and surface mechanical properties of Fe oxide coatings on biomedical ZK60 Mg alloy
Authors: Zheng Yang , Ma Yinglei , Zang Libin , Chen Yong
Published: July 2019

The Mg‐5.5Zn‐0.6Zr (in wt%, ZK60) alloy has been surface modified by dual Fe&O ion implantation and deposition (II&D) under different O2 fluxes from 0 to 40 sccm. The microstructure is investigated by glancing angle X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscope, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the modified layers, with a gradient microstructure of outer deposition region and inner implantation region, are composed of α‐Fe + Fe&Mg mixture, FeO/Fe‐rich oxide + Fe&Mg mixture, and α‐Fe2O3/Fe‐rich oxide + Fe&Mg mixture for 0, 10, and 40 sccm O2 fluxes, respectively. The electrochemical and immersion tests in 37°C Hank's solution indicate an improvement in corrosion behavior under 0 and 10 sccm O2 fluxes, but a deterioration in corrosion resistance under 40 sccm O2 flux. In addition, the nanoindentation tests suggest that the dual Fe&O II&D simultaneously enhances the surface hardness and elastic modulus due to the formation of Fe and its oxide coatings.
Characteristics of the random transients caused by clustered pitting corrosion for Al–Mg microelectrode
Authors: Guan Lei , Cai Jianmin , Li Yu
Published: July 2019

The clustered pitting corrosion process has been investigated by electrochemical noise measurement using two nominally identical Al–Mg microelectrodes in aerated 3.5 wt% NaCl solution (pH 3.5). Current transients associated with the metastable pitting were detected and the pits were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. The results show that two types of clustered pits can be characterized by current transients separately. Pit interaction is confirmed by one transient with multiple peaks. Considering the nonFaradic current and cathodic current of H2 evolution inside the pit, the average volume determined from an integrated charge associated with individual single peak current transient is lower than that of actual pits, while the single peak transient count is more than that from SEM observation. It thus implies that reactivation of one metastable pit occurs and the relevant millisecond transient demonstrates only a single peak associated with nanopit for each reactivation. The results from this work shed insight into the use of statistical analysis of current transients to forecast the corresponding pit morphology.
Delay multiply and sum beamforming method applied to enhance linear‐array passive acoustic mapping of ultrasound cavitation
Authors: Lu Shukuan , Li Renyan , Yu Xianbo , Wang Diya , Wan Mingxi
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Passive acoustic mapping (PAM) has been proposed as a means of monitoring ultrasound therapy, particularly nonthermal cavitation‐mediated applications. In PAM, the most common beamforming algorithm is a delay, sum, and integrate (DSAI) approach. However, using DSAI leads to low‐quality images for the case where a narrow‐aperture receiving array such as a standard B‐mode linear array is used. This study aims to propose an enhanced linear‐array PAM algorithm based on delay, multiply, sum, and integrate (DMSAI).

Methods

In the proposed algorithm, before summation, the delayed signals are combinatorially coupled and multiplied, which means that the beamformed output of the proposed algorithm is the spatial coherence of received acoustic emissions. We tested the performance of the proposed DMSAI using both simulated and experimental data and compared it with DSAI. The reconstructed cavitation images were evaluated quantitatively by using source location errors between the two algorithms, full width at half maximum (FWHM), size of point spread function (A50 area), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and computational time.

Results

The results of simulations and experiments for single cavitation source show that, by introducing DMSAI, the FWHM and the A50 area are reduced and the SNR is improved compared with those obtained by DSAI. The simulation results for two symmetric or nonsymmetric cavitation sources and multiple cavitation sources show that DMSAI can significantly reduce the A50 area and improve the SNR, therefore improving the detectability of multiple cavitation sources.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the proposed DMSAI algorithm outperforms the conventionally used DSAI algorithm. This work may have the potential of providing an appropriate method for ultrasound therapy monitoring.
Technical Note: Assessment of scatter originating from the x‐ray tube collimator assembly of modern angiography systems
Authors: Tao Ashley T. , Miller Daniel , Hindal Mark , Fetterly Kenneth A.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

While scatter from the patient is assumed to be the primary source of occupational radiation dose associated with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures, the potential contribution of scatter from the x‐ray collimator assembly is unknown. The purpose of this work was to survey clinical x‐ray angiography systems to assess the potential contribution of collimator assembly scatter on occupational radiation dose.

Methods

Experimental methods were designed to measure the relative contributions of scatter originating from within the collimator assembly of the x‐ray tube to total scatter, which included scatter from a patient‐simulating phantom. Measurements were acquired as a function of lateral distance from the x‐ray beam center using a posterior anterior (PA) projection and at a fixed location for variable right anterior oblique to left anterior oblique projections in the range −90º to 90º. For one system, the collimator assembly was partially disassembled to assess the scatter contribution of individual components. For two systems, 0.5 mm Pb was added to the inner surface of the collimator assembly cover and tested for efficacy to block collimator assembly scatter.

Results

Considering all x‐ray systems and only the PA projection, collimator assembly scatter contributed 20–50% to total scatter. For x‐ray projection angles of −90º to 90º, the relative contribution of collimator assembly to total scatter was dependent on projection angle and ranged from 5% to 56%. X‐ray systems with kerma‐area product meters demonstrated higher collimator assembly scatter than those without. Considering all projection angles, the addition of 0.5 mm Pb to the inside of the collimator assembly cover reduced collimator assembly scatter from 28% to 16% of total scatter for both systems.

Conclusion

Findings from this work suggest that contemporary radiation safety practices and guidelines should be revised to account for scatter originating from the collimator assembly of angiographic x‐ray tubes.
Challenges and facilitators of professional socialization: A systematic review
Authors: Salisu Waliu Jawula , Dehghan Nayeri Nahid , Yakubu Ibrahim , Ebrahimpour Fatemeh
Published: July 2019

Aims

This current study aimed to present a review of the challenges and facilitators of professional socialization among undergraduate nursing students.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus in April and May 2018 for studies published in the English language. Four thousand three hundred fifty‐two articles were retrieved. We conducted further screening for full‐text articles after discarding duplicates and irrelevant studies. Finally, eight studies were included. The Joanna Briggs appraisal tools were used to appraise and evaluate study quality. The PRISMA guidelines were followed and a narrative synthesis used for data analysis.

Results

Challenges and facilitators of professional socialization were identified and categorized into two major themes. Under each theme, results were grouped into three sub‐themes: professional, personal and educational challenges/facilitators.
Applying the Index of Care to the Mississippian period: A case study of treponematosis, physical impairment, and probable health‐related caregiving from the Holliston Mills site, TN
Authors: Zuckerman Molly K. , Kamnikar Kelly R. , Osterholtz Anna J. , Herrmann Nicholas P. , Franklin Jay D.
Published: July 2019

Bioarchaeologists and palaeopathologists have recently turned their attention towards one critical aspect of the study of the history of disease: health‐related caregiving. In response, an approach, the bioarchaeology of care, and, within it, the web‐based Index of Care (IoC) have been developed to enable the identification and interpretation of past caregiving. Here, we apply the IoC to Burial 86, a young adult (18–25 years) female from the late Mississippian period, Dallas cultural phase Holliston Mills site (40HW11; ca. ad 1348–1535), TN. Burial 86 exhibits pathologies specific to treponematosis. They also exhibit a suite of pathologies indicative of physical impairment, including a varus angular deformity in the right tibia that is potentially the result of a malaligned pathological fracture. Following the IoC, we determine that Burial 86 probably experienced moderate clinical impacts on several domains (e.g., musculoskeletal system) with various functional impacts on essential activities of daily living. This means that Burial 86 likely had a disability and likely received caregiving, though it is impossible to determine if the care was efficacious. That care was provided likely reflected the community of Holliston Mills' more egalitarian socio‐political structure, which was unusual for the late Mississippian. It may also reflect Burial 86's agency, the presence of adequate resources at the site, as indicated by high frequencies of high status mortuary artifacts, or a combination of these factors. The mortuary program for Burial 86 does not indicate that they were marked as being different—in status or other social categories—than other community members. This study highlights how bioarchaeological evidence can be used to explore the downstream effects of chronic infections, such as treponematosis, throughout the body and across the life course, and the opportunities for health‐related caregiving in past societies that these processes can potentially create.
Ortho‐Quinone Methide Driven Synthesis of New O,N‐ or N,N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Szatmári István , Belasri Khadija , Heydenreich Matthias , Koch Andreas , Kleinpeter Erich , Fülöp Ferenc
Published: July 2019

To synthesize functionalized Mannich bases that can serve two different types of ortho‐quinone methide (o‐QM) intermediates, 2‐naphthol and 6‐hydroxyquinoline were reacted with salicylic aldehyde in the presence of morpholine. The Mannich bases that can form o‐QM and aza‐o‐QM were also synthesized by mixing 2‐naphthol, 2‐nitrobenzaldehyde, and morpholine followed by reduction of the nitro group. The highly functionalized aminonaphthol derivatives were then tested in [4+2] cycloaddition with different cyclic imines. The reaction proved to be both regio‐ and diastereoselective. In all cases, only one reaction product was obtained. Detailed structural analyses of the new polyheterocycles as well as conformational studies including DFT modelling were performed. The relative stability of o‐QMs/aza‐o‐QM were also calculated, and the regioselectivity of the reactions could be explained only when the cycloaddition started from aminodiol 4. It was summarized that starting from diaminonaphthol 25, the regioselectivity of the reaction is driven by the higher nucleophilicity of the amino group compared with the hydroxy group. 12H‐benzo[a]xanthen‐12‐one (11), formed via o‐QM formation, was isolated as a side product. The proton NMR spectrum of 11 proved to be very unique from NMR point of view. The reason for the extreme low‐field position of proton H‐1 could be accounted for by theoretical calculation of structure and spatial magnetic properties of the compound in combination of ring current effects of the aromatic moieties and steric compression within the heavily hindered H(1)‐C(1)‐C(12b)‐C(12a)‐C(12)=O structural fragment.
Predictors of neuropsychological late effects and white matter correlates in children treated for a brain tumor without radiation therapy
Authors: Peterson Rachel K. , Tabori Uri , Bouffet Eric , Laughlin Suzanne , Liu Fang , Scantlebury Nadia , Mabbott Donald
Published: July 2019

Background

Little is known about cognition and predictors of neuropsychological outcomes in pediatric low‐grade glioma (PLGG) survivors treated without radiation therapy. This research expands upon our previous work by further identifying the cognitive profile of PLGG patients treated without radiation therapy, investigating the specific medical and demographic variables that predict functioning, and examining white matter structure and its relationship to neuropsychological performance.

Procedure

Nineteen PLGG patients (11‐19 years) were administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and subtests from the Woodcock‐Johnson Tests of Cognition (visual matching, rapid picture naming, and pair cancellation) and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (pattern recognition memory, delayed matching to sample, intra‐extra dimensional set shift, motor screening task, rapid visual information processing, and spatial span).

Results

The sample had normative weaknesses in verbal working memory, brief attention/vigilance, psychomotor speeded output, visual perception and matching, overall cognition, working memory, and processing speed. Increased surgeries or subtotal resections, hydrocephalus, shunting procedures, chemotherapy, NF1, and supratentorial location were predictive of cognitive deficits. Broad white matter involvement of the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes as well as the cerebellum, as inferred from diffusion tensor imaging indices of decreased fiber orientation and increased water diffusion, was related to many cognitive difficulties.

Conclusions

This study comprehensively examines cognitive functioning in PLGG patients treated without radiation therapy, predictors of cognition, and its relation to white matter structure. Our findings indicate that medical and demographic variables other than radiation therapy can lead to cognitive late effects with diffuse white matter involvement.
Personality Maturation during the Transition to Working Life: Associations with Commitment as A Possible Indicator of Social Investment
Authors: den Boer Liselotte , Klimstra Theo A. , Branje Susan J.T. , Meeus Wim H.J. , Denissen Jaap J.A.
Published: July 2019

The social investment theory (SIT) proposes that personality maturation is triggered by transitions into age–graded roles and psychological commitment to these roles. The present study examines the predictions of SIT by focusing on the transition from student life to working life. We analysed three–wave longitudinal data and compared participants who made the transition into working life ( N = 226), participants who combined education with work ( N = 387), and participants who did not make the transition at all ( N = 287). In contrast to the predictions of SIT, we found no differences in personality maturation between individuals who made the transition into working life and those who did this only partly or not at all. Psychological commitment to work did not explain individual differences in personality maturation for those who made the transition (partly) into working life after controlling for multiple testing. Therefore, the present study did not support the predictions of SIT. © 2019 The Authors European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology
Personality traits across the psychosis spectrum: A Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology conceptualization of clinical symptomatology
Authors: Longenecker Julia M. , Krueger Robert F. , Sponheim Scott R.
Published: July 2019

Psychotic disorders have varied clinical presentations, diagnostic stability is poor and other mental disorders often co‐occur with the conditions. To improve the clinical and pathophysiological utility of classification systems for psychosis, it is necessary to consider how symptoms may reflect dimensions of psychopathology that extend beyond the boundaries of traditional diagnostic classifications. We examined personality deviation as a means for explaining symptom variation across individuals with serious mental illness. Participants (N = 312) with psychosis, first‐degree biological relatives and healthy controls underwent comprehensive clinical evaluations that included symptom ratings and Diagnostic Statistical Manual consensus diagnoses. They completed the Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (PID‐5), which provides multidimensional assessment of personality disturbances and characterizes psychosis‐relevant phenomena, and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), a widely accepted measure of schizotypal traits. PID‐5 was comparable with SPQ in differentiating between participants with and without psychosis. Greater psychotic symptomatology and higher scores on the SPQ Cognitive–perceptual dimension were associated with higher scores on PID‐5 Psychoticism. Facet‐level traits showed diverse associations with existing clinical syndromes, suggesting they have utility for quantifying separable symptom dimensions that cut across existing disorders. Yet the patient groups were similar across four of the five PID‐5 personality trait domains, indicating shared patterns of personality expression that challenge existing categorical delineations. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personality traits as an organizing framework for personality pathology
Authors: Watson David , Clark Lee Anna
Published: July 2019

We review evidence establishing important parallels between the general structure of psychopathology, the more specific structure of personality pathology and the structure of normal‐range personality. We then present data to explicate the nature of associations between the alternative model of personality disorder (AMPD)—as operationalized by the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5—and the domains and facets subsumed within the five‐factor model of personality. Our data demonstrate substantial links between four of the five domains within these models but also indicate that the AMPD could be realigned to enhance its convergence with the five‐factor model of personality. Based on our data, we tentatively propose an expanded four‐facet model of AMPD Negative Affectivity (Anxiousness, Depressivity, Hostility and Emotional Lability); an alternative bipolar scheme for Detachment that includes two positively keyed (Withdrawal and Anhedonia) and two negatively keyed (Risk Taking and Attention Seeking) facets; a broader five‐facet model of Antagonism (Deceitfulness, Manipulativeness, Callousness, Grandiosity and Suspiciousness); and a reduced two‐facet model of Disinhibition (Irresponsibility and Impulsivity). These alternative scores generally showed superior convergent and discriminant validity when compared with current measures of the AMPD domains but also raise other issues. Our findings highlight the strong overlap between normal and pathological personality and clarify the nature of the associations between them. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Practical Method to Evaluate the Afterburning Energy of Aluminized Explosives Based on a Simple Sleeve‐Slider Apparatus and Detonation Test
Authors: Li Gen , Li Xiangyu , Jiang Banghai , Lu Fangyun
Published: July 2019

Evaluation of the afterburning energy of aluminized explosives is challenging. An experimental method based on a simple sleeve‐slider apparatus and detonation test is proposed in the present work by which the afterburning energy and its releasing rate can be calculated indirectly. When a little charge of aluminized explosive is detonated in a sleeve, the slider will be propelled rapidly by the detonation products inside the sleeve. Only the displacement history of the slider needs to be recorded by high speed photography, and the pressure and the specific volume of the aluminized explosive detonation products with time can be derived. Assuming the slider is rigid enough and the pressure is uniform in the sleeve, the afterburning energy can be evaluated practically. Before actual experiments are conducted, numerical simulations are used to validate the assumptions of the method; then, the experimental apparatus is designed, and several detonation tests are conducted. For comparison purposes, pure TNT and aluminized explosives are used in the experiments, and the results reveal that pure TNT does not release afterburning energy, which is expected, while aluminized explosive products release a large amount of afterburning energy, which makes the pressure decay more slowly. The afterburning energy rate is also obtained.
Effect of Thickness of CeF3 Layer on Electroluminescence Spectra of n‐Si/Diamond/CeF3/ITO Composite Films
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Zhang Qingyuan , Wang Lijun , Yang Xin-Wei
Published: July 2019

A series of n‐Si/diamond/CeF3/ITO composite film electroluminescence (EL) devices are made, and it is found that their EL spectra and EL intensities vary with the thickness of the CeF3 layer. For EL devices with a CeF3 layer thickness less than 500 nm, the EL spectrum is mainly concentrated in the blue and red areas. When the thickness of CeF3 exceeds 500 nm, the EL spectra of devices are primarily focused on the green and red areas. As the thickness of the CeF3 film increases (from 100 to 220 nm), the brightness of the EL device increases to the maximum (9 cd m−2, approximately pure blue luminescence); meanwhile, the intensity ratio between the blue peak and red peak also increases from 1.67 to 3.57 (maximum). As the thickness of CeF3 continues to grow (from 220 to 500 nm), the brightness of EL devices decreases gradually, and the intensity ratio between the blue peak and red peak decreases from 3.57 to 0.37. When the thickness of CeF3 increases to 700 nm, the corresponding brightness of the EL device reduces to 5 cd m−2 (minimum). Meanwhile, the blue peak (440 nm) shifts to the green area (524 nm).
A 800 V β‐Ga2O3 Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistor with High‐Power Figure of Merit of Over 86.3 MW cm−2
Authors: Feng Zhaoqing , Cai Yuncong , Yan Guangshuo , Hu Zhuangzhuang , Dang Kui , Zhang Yanni , Lu Zhijun , Cheng Hongjuan , Lian Xiaozheng , Xu Yongkuan , Zhang Chunfu , Feng Qian , Zhou Hong , Zhang Jincheng , Hao Yue
Published: July 2019

Herein, a high‐performance β‐gallium oxide (β‐Ga2O3) metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFET) on sapphire substrate with a high breakdown voltage of more than 800 V and a high‐power figure of merit of more than 86.3 MV cm−2 is demonstrated. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) image and Raman peaks that are first characterized to ensure a nanomembrane with high quality are used for the device fabrication. A saturation drain current of 231.8 mA mm−1, an RON,sp of 7.41 mΩ cm2, an ON/OFF ratio of 108, and a subthreshold swing of 86 mV dec−1 are obtained at a channel doping concentration of 4.47 × 1017 cm−3 and a source‐to‐drain distance of 11.4 μm. Furthermore, a high breakdown voltage over 800 V is also achieved, corresponding to a record‐high direct current (DC) power figure of merit of 86.3 MW cm−2. Technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulation is also performed to extract the distribution of the electric field along the β‐Ga2O3 channel surface.
Investigations on the Electronic Excitations through Spectroscopic Measures for Resistive Switching Character of Manganite Thin Films
Authors: Rathod Kunalsinh N. , Gadani Keval , Dhruv Davit , Boricha Hetal , Zankat Alpa , Joshi Ashvini D. , Singh Jitendra P. , Chae Keun H. , Asokan Kandasami , Solanki Piyush S. , Shah Nikesh A.
Published: July 2019

Herein, an enhancement in the resistive switching of Y0.95Sr0.05MnO3 (YSMO) films by swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation‐induced electronic excitations is shown. YSMO films are prepared by pulsed laser deposition on a single‐crystalline Si substrate. For electronic excitations, Ag15+ ions with 200 MeV energy are used with ion fluences of 1 × 1011 (YS1), 1 × 1012 (YS2), and 1 × 1013 (YS3) ions per cm2. X‐ray diffraction shows increase in tensile strain up to YS2 film followed by strain relaxation in YS3 film. Red shifting of Raman active modes signifies the phonon softening due to tensile strain in pristine (YSP) to YS2 films. Atomic force micrographs show that the number and size of defects are increased, indicating the irradiation‐induced defect formation, which is suppressed for the YS3 film. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry demonstrates decreased oxygen peak intensities for YS1 and YS2 films, denoting increased oxygen vacancies. Near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure displays a reduction in Mn valence state from Mn4+ to Mn3+, signifying the formation of oxygen vacancies for films up to YS2. The enhancement of resistive switching is governed by tuning the SHI‐induced oxygen vacancies. The present study demonstrates that YSMO films are suitable as emerging candidates in memory device applications.
Insight from data analytics with an automotive aftermarket SME
Authors: Smith Wayne S. , Coleman Shirley , Bacardit Jaume , Coxon Syd
Published: July 2019

There is enormous general interest in the automotive sector, and there are many sets of informative data openly available to the public. Companies involved in the automotive aftermarket sector have access to further masses of data, and this can be analysed to provide valuable insights to complement those obtainable from the internet and popular press, discovering hidden knowledge and financial benefit within the data by using statistical analysis, big data analytics, and data science. This article gives examples of insight derived from data giving great value to stakeholders in the sector. The examples are followed by a discussion of the issues involved in applying data science and ensuring that solutions are implemented and are sustainable within the business partner companies.