bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequential detection of Cu2+and cysteine using an imidazole‐based chemosensor in aqueous solution
Authors: Saha Baptu , Saha Pinki , Mandal Abhijit , Naskar Jnan Prakash , Maiti Debasish , Chowdhury Shubhamoy
Published: November 2018

A highly substituted imidazole‐based colorimetric and fluorogenic chemosensor, 2‐methoxy‐4‐(4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)phenol (L), for the detection of Cu2+ion and subsequent colorimetric detection of an amino acid, cysteine, was investigated. L exhibited a distinct color change from colorless to red in the presence of Cu2+in an aqueous medium. The L‐Cu2+complex can also be used to detect cysteine by the naked eye over a series of amino acids. The receptor L behaves as a highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for Cu2+ions at concentrations as low as 4.33 and 2.25 μM, respectively. These values are much less compared to the WHO recommended limit of 30 μM for Cu2+in drinking water. From Job's plot and the ESI‐MS spectrum, a 1:1 stoichiometric complex between L and Cu2+ions can readily be reckoned. This binding was also substantiated by the EPR spectrum and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Additionally, the binding of L with Cu2+ions was also manifested in the detection of B16F10 cells. This was substantiated through fluorescence microscopy. The spectrum of the L‐Cu2+entity was also attempted to reproduce theoretically. The probable structure of this was also propounded through Density Functional Theory.
Engaging with the affiliative system through mindfulness: The impact of the different types of positive affect in psychosis
Authors: Martins M.J. , Marques C. , Barreto Carvalho C. , Macedo A. , Pereira A.T. , Castilho P.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

We aimed to explore associations between positive and negative symptoms, mindfulness, positive affect, and social safeness; and to understand the mediator role of positive emotions in the relationship between mindfulness and social safeness.

Method

Fifty‐six participants with a psychotic disorder were assessed with measures of mindfulness, negative and positive symptoms, positive affect, and social safeness.

Results

All variables were associated with each other except for positive symptoms and active affect. Mindfulness predicted social safeness through safe affect, when controlling for positive and negative symptoms.

Conclusions

This study contributes to knowledge of mechanisms behind social safeness adding the role of mindfulness and activation of positive emotions. The continuing study of mindfulness as an important mechanism for social safeness will allow further improvement of interventions for psychosis.
Prostacyclin: A major prostaglandin in the regulation of adipose tissue development
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Sharifur
Published: November 2018

Prostaglandins (PGs) belong to the group lipid mediators and can act as local hormones. They contain 20 carbon atoms, including a 5‐carbon ring, and are biosynthesized from membrane phospholipid derived arachidonic acid through the arachidonate cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway with the help of various terminal synthase enzymes. Prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2) is one of the major prostanoids produced with the help of prostacyclin synthase (prostaglandin I2 synthase) enzyme and rapidly hydrolyzed into 6‐keto‐PGF1α in biological fluids. Obesity indicates an excess of body adiposity, which is globally considered as one of the major health disasters responsible for developing complex pathological situations in the human body. Adipose tissues can produce various PGs, and thus, the level and the molecular activity of these endogenously synthesized PGs are considered critical for the development of obesity. In this regard, the involvement of prostacyclin in adipogenesis has been studied in the last few decades. The current review, along with the background of other related PGs, presents the several molecular aspects of endogenous prostaglandin I2 in adipose tissue development. Especially, the regulation of life cycle of adipocytes, impact on terminal differentiation, activity through prostacyclin receptor (IP), autocrine‐paracrine manner, thermogenic adipose tissue remodeling and some future experimental aspects of prostacyclin have been focused upon in this study. This discussion might assist to develop new drug molecules acting on the signaling pathways of prostacyclin and devise therapeutic strategies for treating obesity.
Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in sludge extract from resorcinol‐rich wastewater: the removal and inhibitory effect of sludge toxicity
Authors: Chen Xiurong , Zhou Tianjun , Wang Xiaoxiao , Xu Peng , Yang Chenchen , Sun Xiaoli , Lu Quanling , Wang Shanshan
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris present in toxic sludge extract from resorcinol‐rich wastewater was investigated to simultaneously determine the biomass production and toxicity removal.

RESULTS

A comparison of the blank and the toxic sludge extract revealed that the sludge toxicity originating from the degradation of resorcinol was highly correlated to the mass fraction at 5000–10000 Da (R = 0.987, P = 0.013) and led to a decline in biomass (1.49 g L−1 to 1.36 g L−1 in 30 days) along with a reduced utilization rate of organics in the sludge extract, especially in the early stage (0–5 days) of culture. The effects of sludge toxicity were characterized by the downregulation of proteins associated with carbon (C) metabolism and the upregulation of proteins involved in photoreaction by proteomics.

CONCLUSION

The sludge toxicity directly caused a decline in biomass production of C. vulgaris resulting from the downregulation of C metabolism. However, the promotion of biomass for heterotrophism was more significant than the inhibitory effect in the toxic sludge extract when compared with BG11 medium. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Fast free of acrylamide clearing tissue (FACT) for clearing, immunolabelling and three‐dimensional imaging of partridge tissues
Authors: Mohammad Rezazadeh Farzad , Saedi Saman , Rahmanifar Farhad , Namavar Mohammad Reza , Dianatpour Mehdi , Tanideh Nader , Akhlaghi Amir , Niazi Ali , Arabi Monfared Ali , Tsutsui Kazuyoshi , Jafarzadeh Shirazi Mohammad Reza , Tamadon Amin
Published: November 2018

Fast free of acrylamide clearing tissue (FACT) is a modified sodium dodecyl sulfate‐based clearing protocol for the chemical clearing of lipids that completely preserves fluorescent signals in the cleared tissues. The FACT protocol was optimized to image translucent immunostained brain and non‐nervous tissues. For this purpose adult male Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) was used as a model. After clearing the tissues, 1 or 2 mm‐thickness sections of tissues were immunolabeled. The paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus (2‐mm section) was cleared with FACT, and then was stained with gonadotropin‐inhibitory hormone (GnIH) antibody and Hoechst. Simultaneously, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of cryosectioned brain (30 μm) was done by GnIH‐antibody. The FACT protocol and staining of cell nuclei of nine other tissues were done by a z‐stack motorized fluorescent microscope. GnIH‐immunoreactive neurons were found by FACT and IHC during the breeding season in male partridges. Deep imaging of the kidney, duodenum, jejunum, lung, pancreas, esophagus, skeletal muscle, trachea, and testis were also done. The FACT protocol can be used for the three‐dimensional imaging of various tissues and immunostained evaluation of protein markers.

Research highlight

The FACT is a simple and cheap method for whole tissue clearing.

The FACT‐cleared tissues can be imaged with simple fluorescent microscopes.

For the first time, using the FACT, three‐dimensional imaging of various tissues was done.
Accuracy and precision of proton density fat fraction measurement across field strengths and scan intervals: A phantom and human study
Authors: Kim Hye Jin , Cho Hyo Jung , Kim Bohyun , You Myung‐Won , Lee Jei Hee , Huh Jimi , Kim Jai Keun
Published: November 2018

Background

Complex‐based chemical shift imaging‐based magnetic resonance imaging (CSE‐MRI) is emerging as a preferred method for noninvasively quantifying proton density fat fraction (PDFF), a promising quantitative imaging biomarker (QIB) for longitudinal hepatic steatosis measurement.

Purpose

To determine linearity, bias, repeatability, and reproducibility of the PDFF measurement using CSE‐MRI (CSE‐PDFF) across scan intervals, MR field strengths, and readers in phantom and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.

Study Type

Institutional Review Board (IRB)‐approved prospective.

Subjects

Fat‐water phantom and 20 adult patients.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 T and 3.0 T MR systems and a commercially available CSE‐MRI sequence (IDEAL‐IQ).

Assessment

Two independent readers measured CSE‐PDFF of fat‐water phantom and NAFLD patients across two field strengths and scan intervals (same‐day and 2‐week) each and in a combination of both. MR spectroscopy‐based PDFF (MRS‐PDFF) was used as the reference standard for phantom PDFF.

Statistical Tests

Linearity and bias of measurement were evaluated by linear regression analysis and Bland–Altman plots, respectively. Repeatability and reproducibility were assessed by coefficient of variance and repeatability / reproducibility coefficients (RC). The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to validate intra‐ and interobserver agreements.

Results

CSE‐PDFF showed high linearity and small bias (–0.6–0.4 PDFF%) with 95% limits of agreement within ±2.9 PDFF% across field strengths, 2‐week interscan period, and readers in the clinical scans. CSE‐PDFF was highly repeatable and reproducible both in phantom and clinical scans, with the largest observed RC across field strengths and 2‐week interscan period being 3 PDFF%.

Data Conclusion

CSE‐PDFF is a robust QIB with high linearity, small bias, and excellent repeatability/reproducibility. A change of more than 3 PDFF% across field strengths within 2 weeks of scan interval likely reflects a true change, which is well within the clinically acceptable range.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:305–314.
Revealing the regional distribution of soybean lunasin content in China and the effects of climate factors by sampling extensively
Authors: Zhu Yingying , Song Wenwen , Everaert Nadia , Shi Zhenxing , Han Tianfu , Ren Guixing
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Lunasin is a novel therapeutic peptide that was initially isolated from soybean. In this study, we quantified the variations in lunasin content in a total of 413 soybean samples that were collected from four major regions in China and harvested in 2014 and 2015 to reveal the regional distribution of soybean lunasin content in China and the effects of climate factors.

RESULTS

The results showed that the cultivar Changmidou 30 collected from Jilin province and harvested in 2015 had the highest lunasin content (3.25 g kg−1 dry seeds). The data from both 2014 and 2015 showed that the lunasin content in soybean collected from northern China was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that from south China. There was a positive correlation (P < 0.01) between lunasin content and hours of sunshine (HS) as well as diurnal temperature range (DTR); however, there was a negative correlation (P < 0.01) between lunasin content and rainfall (RF). In addition, combined analysis of data from 2014 and 2015 demonstrated that DTR was the dominant factor that affected lunasin content with a direct path‐coefficient of 0.301.

CONCLUSIONS

These results were anticipated to contribute to guiding the cultivation of soybean with high lunasin content. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Relation of High‐Density Lipoprotein Charge Heterogeneity, Cholesterol Efflux Capacity, and the Expression of High‐Density Lipoprotein‐Related Genes in Mononuclear Cells to the HDL‐Cholesterol Level
Authors: Dergunov Alexander D. , Litvinov Dmitry Y. , Bazaeva Ekaterina V. , Dmitrieva Veronika G. , Nosova Elena V. , Rozhkova Alexandra V. , Dergunova Liudmila V.
Published: November 2018

The heterogeneity and content of human plasma high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) related to their atheroprotective properties determined by various molecular and cellular mechanisms still remain to be completely clarified. For 29 atherosclerosis‐free male subjects, we studied the relationship of plasma lipid levels and the content of apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I)‐containing HDL with preβ‐electrophoretic mobility, the efficiency of BODIPY‐cholesterol efflux from RAW 264.7 macrophages to apolipoprotein B (apoB)‐deficient plasma, and the expression level of 22 genes related to HDL metabolism in mononuclear cells. A significant decrease in the absolute content of apoA‐I in preβ‐HDL was found in subjects with hypoalphalipoproteinemia compared with the subjects with hyperalphalipoproteinemia. The preβ‐to‐α‐ratio of the apoA‐I content was constant within the HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) range 0.59 to 2.24 mM. However, this ratio was significantly increased with an increase in the plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) content from 0.59 to 3.42 mM. A correlation of the level of preβ‐HDL with the basal and ABCA1‐mediated efflux of cholesterol is shown. The transcript levels for six HDL‐metabolizing genes (LDLR, LCAT, ABCA1, SCARB1, ZDHHC8, and BMP1) were decreased, while the transcript level of APOA1 gene was increased in mononuclear cells of subjects with hyperalphalipoproteinemia as compared with subjects with hypoalphalipoproteinemia. A reduction of the intracellular cholesterol level and inhibition of the expression of cholesterol transporters by nascent HDL in mononuclear cells from subjects with hyperalphalipoproteinemia are suggested. Hyperalphalipoproteinemia can be a driving force of the decreased flux of cholesteryl ester to the liver and the increased TAG hydrolysis. The atheroprotective effect of preβ‐HDL in hypertriglyceridemia is proposed.
Construction of Bovine Serum Albumin/AIE‐Based Quaternary Complexes for Efficient Gene Transfection
Authors: Liu De‐E , An Jinxia , Pang Chengcai , Yan Xiangjie , Li Wei , Ma Jianbiao , Gao Hui
Published: November 2018

High transfection efficiency and superior cell imaging are required for cationic polymers‐based gene delivery system to afford high therapeutic effect but its high toxicity and unstable cell imaging are easily ignored. In this study, cationic amino poly(glycerol methacrylate) derivative (PGMA‐EDA) is used to incorporate bovine serum albumin (BSA) and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecular (tetraphenylethylene derivatives, TPE) as an efficient carrier for gene transfection and intracellular imaging. The obtained polymer/pDNA‐TPE/BSA (PDTB) quaternary nanoparticles (NPs) not only exhibit efficient gene transfection but also show excellent biocompatibility. After inclusion of TPE/BSA (TB) NPs, BSA promoted dissociation of the complexes upon being protonated and the lipophilic TPE‐reduced endosomal membrane stability, which enhanced endosomal escape of pDNA payload, finally resulting in an excellent gene transfection. On the other hand, less positive surface charge of PDTB NPs than that of the binary PD complexes, as well as the addition of biocompatible BSA, both factors contribute to the improved cell viability. Moreover, the AIE feature of TPE compared to aggregation‐caused quenching character of conventional fluorophores enables the complex with stably tracking the delivery of pDNA into cancer cells. Therefore, the newly developed PDTB complexes may be a promising candidate vector for traceable, safe, and effective gene delivery.
Progressively disrupted somatodendritic morphology in dopamine neurons in a mouse Parkinson's model
Authors: Lynch William B. , Tschumi Christopher W. , Sharpe Amanda L. , Branch Sarah Y. , Chen Cang , Ge Guo , Li Senlin , Beckstead Michael J.
Published: November 2018

Background

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to severe motor deficits. Although the disease likely begins to develop years before observable motor symptoms, the specific morphological and functional alterations involved are poorly understood.

Objectives

MitoPark mice lack the gene coding for mitochondrial transcription factor A specifically in dopamine neurons, which over time produces a progressive decline of neuronal function and related behavior that phenotypically mirrors human parkinsonism. Our previous work identified a progressive decrease in cell capacitance in dopamine neurons from MitoPark mice, possibly suggesting reduced membrane surface area. We therefore sought to identify and quantify somatodendritic parameters in this model across age.

Methods

We used whole‐cell patch clamp and fluorescent labeling to quantify somatodendritic morphology of single, neurobiotin‐filled dopamine neurons in acutely isolated brain slices from MitoPark mice.

Results

We found that MitoPark mice exhibit an adult‐onset, age‐dependent reduction of neuritic branching and soma size in dopamine neurons. This decline proceeds similarly in MitoPark mice of both sexes, but does not begin until after the age that early decrements in ion channel physiology and behavior have previously been observed.

Conclusions

A progressive and severe decline in somatodendritic morphology occurs prior to cell death, but is not responsible for the subtle decrements observable in the earliest stages of neurodegeneration. This work could help identify the ideal time window for specific treatments to halt disease progression and avert debilitating motor deficits in Parkinson's patients. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Robust visualization of middle cerebral artery main trunk by enhanced acceleration‐selective arterial spin labeling (eAccASL) for intracranial MRA
Authors: Akamine Yuta , Obara Makoto , Togao Osamu , Shibukawa Shuhei , Yoneyama Masami , Okuaki Tomoyuki , Van Cauteren Marc
Published: November 2018

Purpose

A new sequence for intracranial MRA is developed, named enhanced acceleration‐selective arterial spin labeling (eAccASL), to improve main artery visualization at middle cerebral artery (MCA). The aim of this study is to assess the visualization improvement using eAccASL, compared with the previously developed AccASL.

Methods

eAccASL and AccASL were performed in 8 healthy volunteers and images were compared between the 2 sequences. One patient with Moyamoya disease was evaluated by eAccASL and time of flight. For the volunteer images, vessel visualization was assessed by measuring the contrast‐to‐noise ratio between MCA M1 to M4 and white matter and by counting the peripheral arteries. Venous artifact level was assessed by measuring the contrast‐to‐noise ratio between the confluence of the sinuses and white matter and by evaluating cortical vein visualization. For the patient images, qualitative assessment of peripheral and collateral vessel visualization was conducted.

Results

In the MCA main trunk, higher arterial signal intensity, with reduced flow void, was observed in eAccASL compared with AccASL. Contrast‐to‐noise ratios of M1 to M3 for eAccASL were significantly higher than those of AccASL. There was no significant difference between AccASL and eAccASL for venous artifact.

Conclusion

eAccASL could produce better MCA main trunk visualization compared with AccASL, while maintaining good venous signal suppression.
A systematic review on reporting outcomes and outcome measures in trials on synthetic mesh procedures for pelvic organ prolapse: Urgent action is needed to improve quality of research
Authors: de Mattos Lourenco Thais R. , Pergialiotis Vasilis , Duffy James M. N. , Durnea Constantin , Elfituri Abdullatif , Haddad Jorge M. , Betschart Cornelia , Falconi Gabriele , Doumouchtsis Stergios K. ,   CHORUS: An International Collaboration for Harmonizing Outcomes, Research and Standards in Urogynaecology and Women's Health
Published: November 2018

The use of synthetic mesh in pelvic organ prolapse surgery is being closely scrutinized because of serious concerns regarding life‐changing complications such as erosion, pain, infection, bleeding, dyspareunia, organ perforation, and urinary problems. Randomized trials and their syntheses in meta‐analysis offer a unique opportunity to assess efficacy and safety. However, outcomes and outcome measures need to be consistently selected, collected, and reported across randomized trials to be effectively combined in systematic reviews.

Aims

We evaluated outcome and outcome measure reporting across randomized controlled trials on surgical interventions using synthetic mesh for pelvic organ prolapse.

Methods

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials using synthetic mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. The selected studies were evaluated using Jadad and MOMENT criteria. Outcomes and outcome measures were systematically identified and categorized.

Results

Seventy‐one randomized trials were included. Twenty‐four different types of mesh were identified. Included trials reported 110 different outcomes and 60 outcome measures. Erosion (40 trials, 78%), pain (29 trials, 56%), bleeding (31 trials, 61%), and dyspareunia (25 trials, 49%) were the most frequently reported outcomes. The longest follow up was 74 months.

Conclusions

Most randomized trials evaluating surgical interventions using synthetic mesh for pelvic organ prolapse failed to report on clinically important outcomes and to evaluate efficacy and safety over the medium‐ and long‐term. Developing and implementing a minimum data set, known as a core outcome set, in future vaginal prolapse trials could help address these issues.
MRI evaluation of vulvar squamous‐cell carcinoma in fresh radical local excision specimens for cancer localization and prediction of surgical tumor‐free margins
Authors: Heidkamp Jan , Zusterzeel Petra L.M. , van Engen‐van Grunsven Adriana C.H. , Overduin Christiaan G. , Veltien Andor , Maat Arie , Rovers Maroeska M. , Fütterer Jurgen J.
Published: November 2018

In the surgical treatment of vulvar squamous‐cell carcinoma (VSCC), tumor‐free margins of 8 mm or more are considered adequate. However, limited perioperative information on the tumor‐free margins other than the surgeon's own estimation is available. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the feasibility of ex vivo MRI in localizing VSCC and to assess the surgical tumor‐free margins in fresh radical local excision (RLE) specimens to guide the surgeon during resections. Nine patients with biopsy‐proven VSCC scheduled for RLE were prospectively included. Intact fresh specimens were scanned using a 7 T preclinical MR‐scanner. Whole mount H&E‐stained slides were obtained every 3 mm and correlated with ex vivo MRI. A pathologist annotated VSCC and minimal tumor‐free margins (3 o'clock, 9 o'clock, basal) on the digitalized histological slides. An observer with knowledge of histology (the non‐blinded annotation) and a radiologist blinded to histology (the blinded annotation) separately performed annotation of the same features on ex vivo MRI. Linear correlation and agreement of the ex vivo MRI measurements with histology were assessed. Diagnostic performance for VSCC localization and identification of margins less than 8 mm was expressed as positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV). In 153 matched ex vivo MRI slices, the observer correctly identified 79/91 margins as less than 8 mm (PPV 87%) and 110/124 margins as 8 mm or greater (NPV 89%). The radiologist correctly annotated absence of VSCC in 73/81 (NPV 90%) and presence in 65/72 (PPV 90%) slices. Sixty‐four of 90 margins were correctly identified as less than 8 mm (PPV 71%) and 83/102 margins as 8 mm or greater (NPV 81%). Both non‐blinded and blinded annotations were linearly correlated and demonstrated good agreement with histology. Accurate localization of VSCC and measurements of the surgical tumor‐free margins in fresh RLE specimens using ex vivo MRI seems feasible. High diagnostic performance in VSCC localization and identification of margins less than 8 mm suggest ex vivo MRI to be clinically applicable.
Phosphorylated polyacrylonitrile‐based electrospun nanofibers for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution
Authors: Hu Yong , Wu XiaoYong , He Xuling , Xing Diying
Published: November 2018

The phosphorylated polyacrylonitrile‐based (P‐PAN) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning technique and used for removal of Cu2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, and Ag+ from aqueous solution. The morphological and structural properties of P‐PAN nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope and Fourie transform infrared spectra. The P‐PAN nanofibers were evaluated for the adsorption capacity at various pH, contact time, and reaction temperature in a batch system. The reusability of P‐PAN nanofibers for the removal of heavy metal ions was also determined. Adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics were also used to examine the fundamental adsorption properties. It is found that the P‐PAN nanofibers show high efficiency, and the maximal adsorption capacities of metal ions as calculated from the Langmuir model were 92.1, 68.3, 14.8, and 51.7 mg/g, respectively. The kinetics of the heavy metal ions adsorption were found to follow pseudo‐second‐order rate equation, suggesting chemical adsorption can be regarded as the major factor in the adsorption process. Sorption/desorption results reveal that the obtained P‐PAN nanofibers can remain high removal efficiency after four cycles.
Preparation, Performance, and Kinetics of Poly(Lactic‐Acid)/Amidated Benzoic Acid Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides Nanocomposites by Reactive Extrusion Process
Authors: Geng Zhongxing , Zhen Weijun
Published: November 2018

Poly(lactic acid)/amidated benzoic acid intercalated layered double hydroxides (PLA/AB‐LDH) nanocomposites were synthesized by reactive extrusion process using zinc acetate, L‐lactide, and AB‐LDH, in which the zinc acetate was severed as catalyst, L‐lactide as raw material and AB‐LDH as nucleating agent. The prepared PLA/AB‐LDH nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and so on. The test results showed that PLA/AB‐LDH nanocomposites had α‐crystal structure. The analysis results of mechanical test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and polarized optical microscopy (POM) demonstrated that the toughness, crystallinity, crystallization rate, and nucleation density of PLA/AB‐LDH nanocomposites had been significantly enhanced. In addition, the thermal degradation kinetics further indicated that AB‐LDH could improve the thermal stability of PLA significantly. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2668–2680, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Does school satisfaction predict coping? A short‐term longitudinal examination in early adolescents
Authors: Jiang Xu , Fang Lue , Lyons Michael D.
Published: November 2018

We tested the hypothesis of school satisfaction being an antecedent to social coping behaviors in early adolescents (N = 892) using a two‐wave cross‐lagged panel design. We also explored the possible bidirectional relations between school satisfaction and social coping behaviors. Four types of social coping behaviors in peer conflict contexts included social support seeking, self‐reliance, internalizing behaviors, and externalizing behaviors. The findings showed that school satisfaction significantly predicted three of the four coping behaviors (social support seeking, self‐reliance, and externalizing behaviors) in the expected directions. Among all the social coping behaviors, only social support seeking significantly predicted school satisfaction over time. Taken together, the results suggest that school satisfaction may be an antecedent that predicts most social coping behaviors in early adolescents. Furthermore, the relations between social support seeking coping and school satisfaction appeared to be reciprocal. Implications, especially the importance of monitoring students’ school satisfaction, are discussed.
Relations between sociocultural pressures and weight control behavior among early adolescent boys
Authors: Chu Tsz Lun (Alan) , Martin Scott B. , Petrie Trent A. , Greenleaf Christy
Published: November 2018

Guided by the biopsychosocial model, we examined (a) the prevalence of weight control behaviors (WCBs; i.e., trying to stay the same weight, lose weight, gain weight, or do nothing about weight) among early adolescent boys by race/ethnicity and grade level, and (b) how the boys’ perceptions of sociocultural pressures (from parents, peers, and media) to lose weight, gain weight, exercise, and diet predicted their WCBs while accounting for body composition and grade level. Early adolescent boys (
n = 508) in middle schools completed survey measures of WCB and sociocultural pressures and objective assessment of body mass index as body composition. Multinomial logistic regressions revealed that sixth graders were more likely than seventh and eighth graders to be trying to lose weight. Moreover, greater pressure to gain weight and lower pressure to exercise predicted a greater likelihood of trying to gain weight. The significant roles of grade levels and different sociocultural pressures in predicting WCBs suggest that health professionals and school staff should consider these factors when intervening with early adolescent boys.
Consistently inconsistent: An examination of the variability in the identification of emotional disturbance
Authors: Scardamalia Kristin , Bentley‐Edwards Keisha L. , Grasty Kairys
Published: November 2018

The federal definition of emotional disturbance (ED) has been heavily criticized as vaguely defined and poorly operationalized yet there has not been a formal analysis of the reliability of the ED criteria. This study examined the reliability of the federal criteria for a special education designation of ED. A total of 179 school psychologists reviewed a mock special education report, made an eligibility determination, and provided information about their eligibility decision. In all, 56 participants found the student met ED eligibility criteria using 16 different combinations of the five criteria. Krippendorff’s α, a statistic preferred for content analysis, was calculated as a measure of criterion reliability. Results indicated extremely poor reliability (α = 0.2011). These findings demonstrate the importance of redefining the existing criteria.
A chromosome‐scale assembly of the model desiccation tolerant grass Oropetium thomaeum
Authors: VanBuren Robert , Wai Ching Man , Keilwagen Jens , Pardo Jeremy
Published: November 2018

Oropetium thomaeum is an emerging model for desiccation tolerance and genome size evolution in grasses. A draft genome of Oropetium was recently sequenced, but the lack of a chromosome‐scale assembly has hindered comparative analyses and downstream functional genomics. Here, we reassembled Oropetium, and anchored the genome into 10 chromosomes using high‐throughput chromatin conformation capture (Hi‐C) based chromatin interactions. A combination of high‐resolution RNAseq data and homology‐based gene prediction identified thousands of new, conserved gene models that were absent from the V1 assembly. This includes thousands of new genes with high expression across a desiccation timecourse. Comparison between the Sorghum and Oropetium genomes revealed a surprising degree of chromosome‐level collinearity, and several chromosome pairs have near perfect synteny. Other chromosomes are collinear in the gene rich chromosome arms but have experienced pericentric translocations. Together, these resources will be useful for the grass‐comparative genomic community and further establish Oropetium as a model resurrection plant.
Isotopic evidence for Holocene January air temperature variability on the East Chukotka Peninsula
Authors: Vasil'chuk Yurij K. , Budantseva Nadine A. , Farquharson Louise M. , Maslakov Alexey A. , Vasil'chuk Alla C. , Chizhova Julia N.
Published: November 2018

Ice‐wedge ice can provide a valuable record of past winter climate variability at high latitudes yet to date this proxy has been applied only sparsely across the Chukotka region of Siberia. Here we present data from eight ice‐wedges at four sites across a 600‐km transect in Eastern Chukotka which we use to reconstruct regional Holocene winter paleotemperature. The Holocene age of ice‐wedges was established by radiocarbon dating of peat surrounding individual ice‐wedges. Our suite of radiocarbon ages suggests that the studied ice‐wedges formed between 12.9–11.8 and 3–2.5 cal ka BP. δ18O and δ2H values from ice‐wedge ice indicate that in coastal areas of Eastern Chukotka mean January air temperatures in the first half of the Holocene were on average 2–3°С lower than modern values, a finding that corresponds well with winter climate reconstructions for the other areas of Beringia. The variability of reconstructed mean January air temperatures in the study area did not exceed 2–4°C during the early to mid‐Holocene.
Use of a Reverberation Technique to Determine Grüneisen Parameter of Unreacted Plastic bonded Explosive
Authors: Qin Shuang , Zhang Xu , Liu Jun Ming , Yu Zheng , Zhao Feng , Zhang Rong , Zhong Bin
Published: November 2018

Grüneisen parameter plays an important role in describing states of materials, especially for highly condition‐depended detonation process. Herein, this key empirical parameter of unreacted plastic bonded explosive (PBX) is determined by a multiple shock‐reverberated technique. The explosive sample is sandwiched between copper plates, within which, shock waves reverberate and compress explosive continuously. This rapid dynamic process is verified by the stepped pressures measured by embedded PVDF stress gauges. The Mie‐Grüneisen equation of state is utilized to calculate the off Hugoniot reverberated states, which have a better agreement with experiments compared to the impedance match method. Five shots of such explosive produce enough experimental data to fit the most reliable Grüneisen parameter. This work demonstrates the accuracy of the shock‐reverberated technique applied to insensitive explosive to determine Grüneisen parameter and provides reference for further study on unreacted JB‐9014.
γ‐Cyclodextrin Nitrate/CL‐20 Complex: Preparation and Properties
Authors: Maksimowski Paweł , Grzegorczyk Agnieszka , Cieślak Katarzyna , Gołofit Tomasz , Chmielarek Michał , Tomaszewski Waldemar , Pawłowski Wojciech
Published: November 2018

Gamma‐cyclodextrin/CL‐20 (γ‐CD/CL‐20) inclusion complex was prepared and characterized by infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The study findings point to a weak interaction of CL‐20 protons with H3 and H5 protons, however relatively intense interactions with OH groups in a γ‐CD molecule, which allows to conclude that a CL‐20 molecule does not penetrate completely the toroid cavity formed by γ‐CD. The resulting complex was subject to nitration with 100 % nitric acid. Analysis of the 1H NMR spectrum demonstrated that an average of 21.6 OH groups in the starting γ‐CD underwent esterification. The nitrated complex is characterized by a higher density (1.81 g/cm3), and the sensitivity to impact (5 J) and friction (200 N) comparable to the starting complex. Thermogravimetric analysis of the nitrated γ‐Cyclodextrin/CL‐20 complex pointed to a two‐phase decomposition at 194 and 339 °C with a total significant exothermic effect amounting to 3230 J/g.
Loss of CCAAT‐enhancer‐binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is linked to poor prognosis in PTEN deleted and TMPRSS2:ERG fusion type prostate cancers
Authors: Minner Sarah , Lutz Jannes , Hube‐Magg Claudia , Kluth Martina , Simon Ronald , Höflmayer Doris , Burandt Eike , Tsourlakis Maria Christina , Sauter Guido , Büscheck Franziska , Wilczak Waldemar , Steurer Stefan , Schlomm Thorsten , Huland Hartwig , Graefen Markus , Haese Alexander , Heinzer Hans , Jacobsen Frank , Hinsch Andrea , Poos Alexandra , Oswald Marcus , Rippe Karsten , König Rainer , Schroeder Cornelia
Published: November 2018

Background

The transcription factor CCAAT‐enhancer‐binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is a crucial regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation. Expression levels of CEBPA have been suggested to be prognostic in various tumor types.

Methods

Here, we analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of CEBPA in a tissue microarray containing more than 17 000 prostate cancer specimens with annotated clinical and molecular data including for example TMPRSS2:ERG fusion and PTEN deletion status.

Results

Normal prostate glands showed moderate to strong CEBPA staining, while CEBPA expression was frequently reduced (40%) or lost (30%) in prostate cancers. Absence of detectable CEBPA expression was markedly more frequent in ERG negative (45%) as compared to ERG positive cancers (20%, P < 0.0001). Reduced CEBPA expression was linked to unfavorable phenotype (P < 0.0001) and poor prognosis (P = 0.0008). Subgroup analyses revealed, that the prognostic value of CEBPA loss was entirely driven by tumors carrying both TMPRSS2:ERG fusions and PTEN deletions. In this subgroup, CEBPA loss was tightly linked to advanced tumor stage (P < 0.0001), high Gleason grade (P < 0.0001), positive nodal stage (0.0003), and early biochemical recurrence (P = 0.0007), while these associations were absent or markedly diminished in tumors with normal PTEN copy numbers and/or absence of ERG fusion.

Conclusions

CEBPA is down regulated in about one third of prostate cancers, but the clinical impact of CEBPA loss is strictly limited to the subset of about 10% prostate cancers carrying both ERG fusion and deletions of the PTEN tumor suppressor. Our findings challenge the concept that prognostic molecular markers may be generally applicable to all prostate cancers.
Creation of Two‐Dimensional Electron Gas and Role of Surface Donors in III‐N Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor High‐Electron Mobility Transistors
Authors: Gucmann Filip , Ťapajna Milan , Pohorelec Ondrej , Haščík Štefan , Hušeková Kristína , Kuzmík Ján
Published: November 2018

The role of surface donors at the oxide/semiconductor interface of III‐N metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (MOS) high‐electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), by creating a two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) and the device performance, are investigated. Al2O3/GaN/AlGaN/GaN MOS HEMTs show the surface donor density (Nd,surf) of 2.2 × 1013 cm−2, which is increased up to 3.4 × 1013 cm−2 after post‐deposition annealing. In the latter, surface donors fully compensate the surface polarization charge and the HEMT threshold voltage decreases substantially with the oxide thickness. On the other hand, an open‐channel drain current is found to be independent of Nd,surf, while marginal trapping is completely removed when Nd,surf increases with annealing. Consequently, ionized surface donors behave like a fixed charge and are clearly distinguishable from trapping states. Open‐channel 2DEG densities of ≈1.1 × 1013 cm−2 are extracted from capacitance–voltage measurements. Similarly, recent data on enhancement‐mode HfO2/InAlN/AlN/GaN MOS HEMTs are analyzed where Nd,surf is reduced down to 1 × 1013 cm−2 while 2DEG densities reach ≈2.7 × 1013 cm−2. It is suggested that under the open‐channel condition, 2DEG is supplied also by an injecting source contact if Nd,surf is lower than the QW polarization charge. Our charge quantifications are supported by calculating energy‐band diagrams.
Study of the mainstream cigarette smoke aerosols by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry coupled to laser/desorption and electrospray ionization – Additional insights on the heteroaromatic components
Authors: Kamissoko Adama , Carré Vincent , Schramm Sébastien , Aubriet Frédéric
Published: November 2018

Rationale

The chemical composition of the particulate phase of cigarette smoke inhaled by the active smoker is still poorly known in spite of its importance from a health point of view. A non‐targeted approach is applied to cigarette smoke particles collected on a quartz filter to obtain an as complete as possible description of this complex mixture.

Methods

A home‐made smoking machine including devices for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particle sampling was used. The validation of the cigarette smoking and cigarette smoke collection procedures was conducted by the quantification of some compounds by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The particles were investigated by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR‐MS) directly after their collection on quartz filters by laser/desorption ionization (LDI) or after extraction with CH2Cl2 by electrospray ionization (ESI).

Results

The determination of the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (from 2 to 35 μg/cigarette) and nicotine (0.68 ± 0.05 mg/cigarette) validated the used sampling method. The complementarity of the LDI and ESI sources for the cigarette smoke analysis was established. The ESI analyses evidenced polar compounds and components with a pyridine group and LDI ensured the detection of poly‐condensed heteroaromatic species. Finally, this methodology was employed to characterize particles from cigarettes with or without flavoring additives.

Conclusions

Some insights into the composition of cigarette smoke inhaled by active smokers have been obtained. The ~1750 observed features revealed the huge complexity of cigarette smoke particles and the diversity of the possible associated health issues. Both heteroaromatic and highly oxygenated compounds produced by combustion and pyrolysis have been highlighted.
High‐order mismatched disturbance rejection control for small‐scale unmanned helicopter via continuous nonsingular terminal sliding‐mode approach
Authors: Fang Xing , Liu Fei
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the problem of finite‐time control for small‐scale unmanned helicopter system with high‐order mismatched disturbance is investigated via continuous nonsingular terminal sliding‐mode control approach. The key idea is to design a novel nonlinear dynamic sliding‐mode surface based on finite‐time disturbance observer. Then, the finite‐time convergence and chattering attenuation capability is guaranteed by the continuous nonsingular terminal sliding‐mode control law. Additionally, rigorous finite‐time stability analysis for the closed‐loop helicopter system is given by means of the Lyapunov theory. Finally, some simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and predominant properties of the proposed control method for the small‐scale unmanned helicopter even in the presence of high‐order mismatched disturbance.
Concrete hyperheuristic framework for test case prioritization
Authors: Bian Yi , Li Zheng , Guo Junxia , Zhao Ruilian
Published: November 2018

Test case prioritization (TCP), which aims to find the optimal test case execution sequences for specific testing objects, has been widely used in regression testing. A wide variety of search methodologies and algorithms have been proposed to optimize test case execution sequences, namely, search‐based TCP. However, different algorithms perform differently and have different implementation costs and specific situations where an algorithm usually performs with high effectiveness and efficiency. When facing a new testing scenario, it is actually difficult to decide which algorithm is suitable. In this paper, to address the algorithm selection problem for different test scenarios, a more generally applicable algorithm based on a hyperheuristic strategy is proposed for search‐based TCP. This includes a range of multiobjective algorithms with a variety of crossover strategies and a learning agent strategy to evaluate and select the appropriate algorithm execution sequence dynamically for different scenarios. The concrete hyperheuristic framework for multiobjective TCP is presented with an algorithm's repository in the low level and the learning agent strategy in the higher level. Experiments show that the proposed learning agent strategy can accurately evaluate algorithms in multiobjective problems and select the appropriate algorithm in each iteration.
A learning algorithm for optimizing continuous integration development and testing practice
Authors: Marijan Dusica , Gotlieb Arnaud , Liaaen Marius
Published: November 2018

Continuous integration, at its core, includes a set of practices that aim to prevent and reduce the cost of software integration issues by merging working software copies often. Regression testing is considered a good practice in software development with continuous integration, which ensures that code changes are not negatively affecting software functionality. As, nowadays, software development is carried out iteratively, with small code increments continuously developed and regression tested, it is of critical importance that continuous regression testing is time efficient. However, in practice, regression testing is often long lasting and faces scalability problems as software grows larger or as software changes are made more frequently. One contributing factor to these issues is test redundancy, which causes the same software functionality being tested multiple times across a test suite. In large‐scale software, especially highly configurable software, redundancy in continuous regression testing can significantly grow the size of test suites and negatively affect the cost effectiveness of continuous integration. This paper presents a practical learning algorithm for optimizing continuous integration testing by reducing ineffective test redundancy in regression suites. The novelty of the algorithm lies in learning and predicting the fault‐detection effectiveness of continuous integration tests using historical test records and combining this information with coverage‐based redundancy metrics. The goal is to identify ineffective redundancy, which is maximally reduced in the resulting regression test suite, thus reducing test time and improving the performance of continuous integration. We apply and evaluate the algorithm in two industrial projects of continuous integration. The results show that the proposed algorithm can improve the efficiency of continuous integration practice in terms of decreasing test execution time by 38% on average compared to the industry practice of our case study and by 40% on average compared to the retest‐all approach. The results further demonstrate no significant reduction in fault‐detection effectiveness of continuous regression testing. This suggests that the proposed algorithm contributes to the state of the practice in the continuous integration development and testing of highly configurable systems.
Boundary theories for dilaton supergravity in 2D
Authors: Cárdenas Marcela , Fuentealba Oscar , González Hernán A. , Grumiller Daniel , Valcárcel Carlos , Vassilevich Dmitri
Published: November 2018

Abstract

The

$$ \mathfrak{o}\mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{p}\left(2,\ \mathbb{N}\right) $$

o
s
p

2
,

ℕ

-BF formulation of dilaton supergravity in two dimensions is considered. We introduce a consistent class of asymptotic conditions preserved by the extended superreparametrization group of the thermal circle at infinity. In the N = 1 and N = 2 cases the phase space foliation in terms of orbits of the super-Virasoro group allows to formulate suitable integrability conditions for the boundary terms that render the variational principle well-defined. Once regularity conditions are imposed, requiring trivial holonomy around the contractible cycle the asymptotic symmetries are broken to some subsets of exact isometries. Different coadjoint orbits of the asymptotic symmetry group yield different types of boundary dynamics; we find that the action principle can be reduced to either the extended super-Schwarzian theory, consistent with the dynamics of a non-vanishing Casimir function, or to superparticle models, compatible with bulk configurations whose Casimir is zero. These results are generalized to

$$ \mathcal{N}\ge 3 $$

N
≥
3

by making use of boundary conditions consistent with the loop group of OSp(2, ℕ). Appropriate integrability conditions permit to reduce the dynamics of dilaton supergravity to a particle moving on the OSp(2, ℕ) group manifold. Generalizations of the boundary dynamics for

$$ \mathcal{N}>2 $$

N
>
2

are obtained once bulk geometries are supplemented with super-AdS2 asymptotics.