bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunosensing of NT‐proBNP via Cu2+‐based MOFs Biolabeling and in situ Microliter‐droplet Anodic Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: Liu Huan , Chen Yingying , Cheng Yan , Xie Qingji , Liu Rushi , Yang Xiaoping 
Published: April 2020

AbstractImmunoassay of amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) was conducted using Cu2+‐1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid metal‐organic frameworks (HKUST‐1 MOFs) as the secondary antibody label, and in situ microliter‐droplet anodic stripping voltammetry detection of Cu2+ in 0.1 M HNO3+1 M NaCl directly on the glassy carbon immunoelectrode. Electrochemical methods, quartz crystal microbalance, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were employed for material and electrode characterizations. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.33 fg mL−1, and the analysis of NT‐proBNP in clinical serum samples returned good results.
Investigation of a two‐step device implementing magnetophoresis and dielectrophoresis for separation of circulating tumor cells from blood cells
Authors: Shamloo Amir , Yazdani Alireza , Saghafifar Fatemeh 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIdentifying tumor cells from a pool of other cells has always been an appealing topic for different purposes. The objective of this study is to discriminate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood cells for diagnostic purposes in a novel microfluidic device using two active methods: magnetophoresis and dielectrophoresis. The most specific feature of this device is the differentiation of CTCs without labeling them in order to achieve a more reliable and less complicated method. This device was analyzed and evaluated using finite element method. Four cell lines are separated in this device containing red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, and CTCs. Primarily, red blood cells and platelets, which constitute the largest part of a blood sample, are removed in the magnetophoresis section. Remaining cells enter the dielectrophoresis part and based on their inherent dielectric properties and diameters, final separation occurs. In each step, different parameters are examined to obtain the maximum purification. The results demonstrate the potential of different CTCs separation by changing the effective parameters in the designed device based on the inherent properties of the cells.
In situ studies of the degradation mechanisms of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Kundu Soumya , Kelly Timothy L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe last decade has seen an extraordinary rise in the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). State‐of‐the‐art devices now have efficiencies of over 25%, putting them on par with the best silicon solar cells. Yet despite their impressive performance, their longevity lags behind that of conventional silicon technology. Environmental factors like moisture, heat, and light can all adversely affect PSC performance and limit device lifetime. Systematically elucidating and eliminating PSC degradation pathways will be critical to the success of this technology. In situ techniques provide powerful tools to this end, as they allow structural, compositional, morphological, and optoelectronic changes to be tracked in real‐time. Because they follow a single film or device over the course of the degradation process, they can help eliminate the statistical variation that negatively affects many studies. Here we provide an overview of perovskite degradation processes, with an emphasis on in situ studies.image
Design of automatic pressurizing device of hydraulic support initial force
Authors: Cao Lianmin , Xu Guotai , Su Guoxiu , Cui Jiulong , Cai Yong , Cao Huiling 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThis paper brings forth a kind of automatic pressurizing device which can resolve the problem of poor hydraulic support setting load directly without modifying the original hydraulic system excessively. On the basis of the control loop that is designed according to working requirements and conditions to realize automatic pressurization of stand column system, it is divided into pressurizing structure and auxiliary structure. Reserved liquid opening and unit design are used to design the automatic pressurizing device from the principle perspective, and it is also made associated with all units reasonably by improving the details. The automatic pressurizing device combines machinery and hydraulic pressure so that all structural units can finish the expected action and coordinate mutually under the effect of emulsion in order to finally realize the overall function of automatic and fast pressurization. On the basis of the simulated analysis of AMESim hydraulic simulation platform on the control loop and lifting support system loop of support stand column, the working performance of automatic pressurizing device and dynamic characteristics of control loop are simulated. The result after comparing and analyzing the simulation curve and site installation test of underground ZY12000/28/63D support finally shows that the device is able to enhance the setting load to above 30 MPa, which is basically the same with simulation result. It demonstrates that the design of automatic pressurizing device conforms to the expected pressurization requirements and the pressurization effect is significant.
Security overhead of random linear network coding in multicast relay networks
Authors: Maboudi Behnaz , Pahlevani Peyman 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe relays in random linear network coding (RLNC) approach recode and transmit the coded packets to boost the performance against packet loss. However, this can endanger the system to pollution attacks, which can be eliminated by Homomorphic message authentication code (HMAC). Cache coding limits RLNC by coding only the decoded packets in the relays. In the other words, the relay node in cache coding first decodes the coded packets, then recodes and protects them by a MAC‐based scheme that allows the next hop to discover the pollution in the network. This study provides analytical models for cache coding and RLNC to compare their communication overhead. First, we approximate the number of transmissions in a network consisting several relays. The approximation models are for the cases of a few and large number of relays. Then, we validate our analysis using simulation results and illustrate that cache coding can eliminate the pollution attack issue of RLNC with only a slight increase in the bandwidth usage when there are no malicious nodes in the network. Moreover, we conclude that it is more beneficial to employ the cache coding approach at the presence of malicious nodes in the
network.
Aging mechanisms—A perspective mostly from Drosophila
Authors: Tsurumi Amy , Li Willis X. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA mechanistic understanding of the natural aging process, which is distinct from aging‐related disease mechanisms, is essential for developing interventions to extend lifespan or healthspan. Here, we discuss current trends in aging research and address conceptual and experimental challenges in the field. We examine various molecular markers implicated in aging with an emphasis on the role of heterochromatin and epigenetic changes. Studies in model organisms have been advantageous in elucidating conserved genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and assessing interventions that affect aging. We highlight the use of Drosophila, which allows controlled studies for evaluating genetic and environmental contributors to aging conveniently. Finally, we propose the use of novel methodologies and future strategies using Drosophila in aging research.
The Barts Explanatory Model Inventory for Dementia: An item reduction approach based on responses from South Asian communities
Authors: Kampanellou Eleni , Wilberforce Mark , Worden Angela , Giebel Clarissa , Challis David , Bhui Kamaldeep 
Published: April 2020

BackgroundCultural differences in how the symptoms, causes, consequences, and treatments of dementia are understood and interpreted by South Asian people are a commonly expressed reason for late‐ or nonuse of mental health and care services. However, systematic collection of information on South Asian perceptions of dementia is hindered by a lack of appropriate instrumentation.ObjectivesTo produce a shortened version of the Barts Explanatory Model Inventory for Dementia (BEMI‐D) schedule.MethodsA two stage item reduction approach was employed first using multidimensional scaling categorizing items as core, intermediate, or outlier. Then, item review was undertaken using three criteria: literature importance, clinical face validity, and sub‐group prevalence. The analysis followed a nonmetric multidimensional scaling method based on a two‐way proximity matrix.ResultsThe original BEMI‐D had 197 items allocated to four checklists: symptoms, causes, consequences, and treatments. The two stage item reduction approach resulted in the removal of 75 items. These reductions were achieved across all four checklists in relatively equal proportions. There was no evidence of substantive content loss in the revised schedule. The reduced version of the schedule comprises 122 items.ConclusionsA condensed version of the BEMI‐D is more efficient as an assessment schedule that captures the culturally diverse perceptions of memory problems for South Asians offering a balanced trade‐off between feasibility of use and content validity.
Taxes on unhealthy food and externalities in the parental choice of children's diet
Authors: Kalamov Zarko , Runkel Marco 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThis study examines whether taxes on unhealthy food are suitable for internalizing intergenerational externalities inflicted by parents when they decide on their children's diet. In an overlapping generations (OLG) model with an imperfectly altruistic parent, the optimal steady‐state tax rate on unhealthy food is strictly positive. However, it is only second‐best because, in addition to reducing unhealthy consumption by the child, it distorts the parent's unhealthy consumption. Surprisingly, the optimal tax may underinternalize or overinternalize the marginal damage.
Rare germline genetic variants and risk of aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Nguyen‐Dumont Tú , MacInnis Robert J. , Steen Jason A. , Theys Derrick , Tsimiklis Helen , Hammet Fleur , Mahmoodi Maryam , Pope Bernard J. , Park Daniel J. , Mahmood Khalid , Severi Gianluca , Bolton Damien , Milne Roger L. , Giles Graham G. , Southey Melissa C. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFew genetic risk factors have been demonstrated to be specifically associated with aggressive prostate cancer (PrCa). Here, we report a case‐case study of PrCa comparing the prevalence of germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) genetic variants in 787 men with aggressive disease and 769 with nonaggressive disease. Overall, we observed P/LP variants in 11.4% of men with aggressive PrCa and 9.8% of men with nonaggressive PrCa (two‐tailed Fisher's exact tests, P = .28). The proportion of BRCA2 and ATM P/LP variant carriers in men with aggressive PrCa exceeded that observed in men with nonaggressive PrCa; 18/787 carriers (2.3%) and 4/769 carriers (0.5%), P = .004, and 14/787 carriers (0.02%) and 5/769 carriers (0.01%), P = .06, respectively. Our findings contribute to the extensive international effort to interpret the genetic variation identified in genes included on gene‐panel tests, for which there is currently an insufficient evidence‐base for clinical translation in the context of PrCa risk.
Phase III randomized, double‐blind study of paclitaxel with and without everolimus in patients with advanced gastric or esophagogastric junction carcinoma who have progressed after therapy with a fluoropyrimidine/platinum‐containing regimen (RADPAC)
Authors: Lorenzen Sylvie , Knorrenschild Jorge Riera , Pauligk Claudia , Hegewisch‐Becker Susanna , Seraphin Jörg , Thuss‐Patience Peter , Kopp Hans‐Georg , Dechow Tobias , Vogel Arndt , Luley Kim Barbara , Pink Daniel , Stahl Michael , Kullmann Frank , Hebart Holger , Siveke Jens , Egger Matthias , Homann Nils , Probst Stephan , Goetze Thorsten Oliver , Al‐Batran Salah‐Eddin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe RADPAC trial evaluated paclitaxel with everolimus in patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer (GEC) who have progressed after therapy with a fluoropyrimidine/platinum‐containing regimen. Patients were randomly assigned to receive paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) on day 1, 8 and 15 plus everolimus (10 mg daily, arm B) d1‐d28 or placebo (arm A), repeated every 28 days. Primary end point was overall survival (OS). Efficacy was assessed in the intention‐to‐treat population and safety in all patients who received at least one dose of treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01248403. Between October 2011 and September 2015, 300 patients (median age: 62 years; median lines prior therapy: 2; 47.7% of patients had prior taxane therapy) were randomly assigned (arm A, 150, arm B, 150). In the intention to treat population, there was no significant difference in progression‐free survival (PFS; everolimus, 2.2 vs placebo, 2.07 months, HR 0.88, P = .3) or OS (everolimus, 6.1 vs placebo, 5.0 months, HR 0.93, P = .54). For patients with prior taxane use, everolimus improved PFS (everolimus, 2.7 vs placebo 1.8 months, HR 0.69, P = .03) and OS (everolimus, 5.8 vs placebo 3.9 months, HR 0.73, P = .07). Combination of paclitaxel and everolimus was associated with significantly more grade 3‐5 mucositis (13.3% vs 0.7%; P < .001). The addition of everolimus to paclitaxel did not improve outcomes in pretreated metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Activity was seen in the taxane pretreated group. Additional biomarker studies are planned to look for subgroups that may have a benefit.
Characterization of Pre‐Dissociative Structures of the E6AP Trimer by All‐atom Unbiased Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Chaturvedi Navaneet , Nachliel Esther , Gutman Menachem 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe activity of the E6AP protein, a member of the ubiquitin transfer system, is regulated through the association‐dissociation of its homo‐trimeric structure. Under physiologic conditions, this protein is in a mixture of mono, di and tri‐mere complexes, where the D543A mutation further destabilize the complex. These featured render this protein as an excellent model for a study of pre‐dissociation events that can be detected by applying a cluster analysis of the ∼200 ns long trajectories. The analysis of the WT complex revealed inherent divergence of the subunits, each exhibiting multiplicity of configurations that differ in their energy. Surprisingly, the trimer is more stable than the subunits. The D543A mutation caused the trimer complex to assume many equi‐potential configurations, rendering it more flexible than the subunits. The trimeric destabilization is not observed in a mutant that affects only the structure of the active site. We propose that the pre‐dissociation configurations can be identified much earlier than the structural disintegration of a proteinous complex.
Literacy Coaching With Teachers of Adolescent English Learners: Agency, Sustainability, and Transformation for Equity
Authors: Reichenberg Jennifer Sharples 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAs literacy coaching grows in popularity and schools grow in diversity, it is important to explore approaches to support sustainable and transformative teacher learning in complex settings. This seven‐month case study of the author’s coaching with two teachers of English learners (ELs) in an urban high school illustrates the use of a reflective framework with video to support agentive, sustainable, transformative literacy coaching. The reflective framework, developed by the author, begins with teachers’ own perplexity about literacy teaching and learning. Dialogue from coaching sessions shows how the framework capitalized on differing expertise of the EL teacher and literacy coach, providing key entry points for both professionals into the reflective conversation. Although one teacher chose to explore a perceived strength and the other teacher chose to explore a perceived weakness, coaching with the framework led to agency, sustainability, and transformation in both teachers, including thinking and practices that empowered ELs to take ownership of their literacy learning.
Change point estimation in panel data with time‐varying individual effects
Authors: Boldea Otilia , Drepper Bettina , Gan Zhuojiong 
Published: April 2020

SummaryExisting panel data methods remove unobserved individual effects before change point estimation through data transformations such as first‐differencing. In this paper, we show that multiple change points can be consistently estimated in short panels via ordinary least squares. Since no data variation is removed before change point estimation, our method has better small‐sample properties compared to first‐differencing methods. We also propose two tests that identify whether the change points found by our method originate in the slope parameters or in the covariance of the regressors with individual effects. We illustrate our method via modeling the environmental Kuznets curve and the US house price expectations after the financial crisis.
Changes in soil cadmium concentrations with time following cessation of phosphorus fertilizer inputs
Authors: Gray Colin William , McDowell Richard William , Condron Leo Murtagh , McLenaghen Roger David 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCadmium (Cd) can accumulate in soil from the application of phosphorus fertilizer. However, there is little information on what happens to soil Cd concentrations when Cd inputs stop. This study used soil and pasture samples collected from a long‐term field trial to measure changes in Cd concentrations in soil for 22 yr after Cd inputs from fertilizer had stopped and assessed whether the application of nitrogen (N) (50 kg ha−1 yr−1) could increase plant uptake of Cd and reduce soil Cd concentrations. It was found that there was no significant change in total or labile soil Cd (1 M CaCl2 extractable) concentrations after Cd inputs stopped. The application of N did not significantly (P < .05) increase dry matter yield or increase Cd solubility. As a result, N did not enhance plant uptake of Cd. A mass balance that included Cd loss via plant uptake and Cd leaching confirmed they were insufficient to result in a detectable decrease in soil Cd concentration over the 22‐yr interval of the trial. It appears that even an acid soil with low amounts of carbon (2.67%), iron/aluminum oxides, and clay can still strongly retain Cd, preventing Cd depletion from the soil, despite stopping Cd inputs and trying to enhance plant uptake of Cd from the application of N fertilizer.
Climate change projections and extremes for Costa Rica using tailored predictors from CORDEX model output through statistical downscaling with artificial neural networks
Authors: Quesada‐Chacón Dánnell , Barfus Klemens , Bernhofer Christian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDespite intense research on climate change (CC), regional studies for Central America, which is considered a CC hot spot, remain scarce. The information provided by general circulation models (GCMs) is too coarse to accurately reproduce local‐scale climatic features, which are needed for impact assessment. Thus, downscaling techniques are employed to address this scale mismatch. Costa Rica is the present case study, for which suitable predictors were tailored for downscaling related to regional climatic characteristics, such as the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone, El Niño Southern Oscillation, the Caribbean Low‐Level Jet, and the Mid‐Summer Drought. Statistical downscaling models were calibrated for precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature, using the perfect prognosis methodology by means of station data, ERA‐INTERIM reanalysis and artificial neural networks, yielding satisfactory results. As found in several studies, the temperature models replicated more accurately the statistics of the observed datasets. However, here, through the implemented approach and the tailored predictors, the precipitation models conveyed an improvement compared to standard methods. Projected daily climate was obtained employing CORDEX data under the RCP8.5 scenario for the central region of the country. Overall, the changes in climate estimated by the end of the 21st century agree with coarser‐scale projections. Finally, projected climate extremes indices were calculated and rendered further details on the intensity of future CC by the end of the century.
Distinct temperature behavior of the local structure of (1‐x)PbTiO3‐xBiNi0.5Ti0.5O3 at the morphotropic phase boundary
Authors: Margaritescu Irina , Datta Kaustuv , Chen Jun , Mihailova Boriana 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTemperature‐dependent Raman spectroscopy was used to study the composition‐ and temperature‐driven structural transformations in the (1‐x)PbTiO3‐xBiNi0.5Ti0.5O3 solid solution, exhibiting a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) at xMPB∼0.55 and a relatively high Curie temperature (TC∼680 K at xMPB). The analyses were carried out on ceramic samples, covering a wide temperature range across TC (100–1100 K) and several compositions across xMPB (0–0.70). The results reveal the presence of local ferroic distortions in the paraelectric phase of all compounds and strong composition‐induced enhancement of the order‐disorder phenomena across the para‐to‐ferroelelctric phase transition. The MPB compound is distinct by the absence of any temperature dependence of the wavenumber of the lowest‐energy A‐cation vibrational mode as well as by an equal dynamical weight of BO6 octahedral distortions and tilts below TC. The former indicates that at the MPB, the local‐scale structural polarity associated with the A site is purely composition‐driven, while the latter reveals competing local‐scale polar and antiferodistortive orders related to the B‐site sublattice in the ferroelectric state, which do not vanish but become energetically indistinguishable in the paraelectric state.
Size development of tomatoes growing in trusses: linking time of fruit set to diameter
Authors: Tijskens L M M , van Mourik S , Dieleman J A , Schouten R E 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDSize of fruit is an important issue in determining yield at harvest. Even under controlled conditions, variation between fruit and trusses can be considerable. As an easy to measure indication of size, the diameter of tomatoes growing in trusses was assessed in three experiments with different number of tomatoes per truss, as well as cultivars, and also by varying the level of ions in the recirculated drain water.RESULTSBy applying the von Bertalanffy growth model, more than 99% of the variation present could be explained by the time of fruit set for all tomatoes growing anywhere in the trusses. A linear relationship between time of fruit set and the biological shift factor, an indication of developmental age, was observed. Integrating this linear relationship in the analysis of the diameter data removed one stochastic variable (biological shift factor), effectively halving the number of parameters to be estimated.CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study indicate that the major part of the variation present in the diameter of tomatoes growing in trusses is the result of variation in the time of fruit set of individual fruits. The position within the greenhouse (i.e. local differences in assimilates supply) exerted only a minor effect on diameter development. Accordingly, the time of fruit set largely determines fruit size. Likely, growing conditions before fruit set are crucial for final fruit size. The time of fruit set of each tomato in the truss and the local growing conditions within the greenhouse that affect assimilate supply need to be assessed accurately for a reliable size prediction.