bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of granulosa cell microRNAs, AVEN and ATRX are associated with human blastocyst development
Authors: O’Doherty Alan M. , O’Brien Yvonne M. , Browne John A. , Wingfield Mary , O’Shea Lynne C. 
Published: April 2018

A greater understanding of the key molecules associated with embryo development during human‐assisted reproduction is imperative for the development of advanced diagnostics. Previous studies have shown that follicular microRNAs (miRNAs) are reliable markers of the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Leveraging the utility of miRNAs in PCOS, the aim of this study was to identify miRNAs in human granulosa cells that may be indicative of blastocyst development. Granulosa cells and oocytes were collected from the first follicle aspirated from patients undergoing oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The development of isolated oocytes was recorded, and granulosa cell samples in this study were separated as follows. Group 1—BLAST: granulosa cells from follicles containing an oocyte that fertilized and developed into a blastocyst, and Group 2—FERT: granulosa cells from oocytes that fertilized but failed to reach blastocyst. A panel of 84 miRNAs, related to development and cellular differentiation, was assessed between the two groups using a miScript PCR array. Fourteen miRNAs and one snoRNA were differentially expressed between the groups. In addition, two downstream candidate protein biomarkers, ATRX and AVEN, were also found to be differentially expressed between the groups. The findings of this pilot study reveal follicular abnormalities on a molecular level, which may affect oocyte competence and its potential to develop successfully as an embryo. We encourage additional studies to confirm and expand on our findings and to determine the usefulness of granulosa‐borne miRNAs, ATRX, and AVEN as biomarkers.
Multilevel approaches for FSAI preconditioning
Authors: Magri Victor A. P. , Franceschini Andrea , Ferronato Massimiliano , Janna Carlo 
Published: April 2018

SummaryFactorized sparse approximate inverse (FSAI) preconditioners are robust algorithms for symmetric positive matrices, which are particularly attractive in a parallel computational environment because of their inherent and almost perfect scalability. Their parallel degree is even redundant with respect to the actual capabilities of the current computational architectures. In this work, we present two new approaches for FSAI preconditioners with the aim of improving the algorithm effectiveness by adding some sequentiality to the native formulation. The first one, denoted as block tridiagonal FSAI, is based on a block tridiagonal factorization strategy, whereas the second one, domain decomposition FSAI, is built by reordering the matrix graph according to a multilevel k‐way partitioning method followed by a bandwidth minimization algorithm. We test these preconditioners by solving a set of symmetric positive definite problems arising from different engineering applications. The results are evaluated in terms of performance, scalability, and robustness, showing that both strategies lead to faster convergent schemes regarding the number of iterations and total computational time in comparison with the native FSAI with no significant loss in the algorithmic parallel degree.
Evaluation of boost irradiation in patients with intermediate‐risk stage III Wilms tumour with positive lymph nodes only: Results from the SIOP‐WT‐2001 Registry
Authors: Dávila Fajardo Raquel , Oldenburger Eva , Rübe Christian , López‐Yurda Marta , Pritchard‐Jones Kathy , Bergeron Christophe , Graf Norbert , van Grotel Martine , van Tinteren Harm , Saunders Daniel , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink Marry M. , Janssens Geert O. , Oldenburger Foppe 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the value of radiotherapy boost omission in patients with intermediate‐risk, stage III Wilms tumours (WT) with positive lymph nodes (LN).Methods and materialsAll patients with intermediate‐risk, stage III (LN positive) WT consecutively registered in the SIOP‐WT‐2001 study were included in this analysis. Endpoints were 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS), loco‐regional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS).ResultsBetween June 2001 and May 2015, 2,569 patients with stage I to III WT after preoperative chemotherapy were registered in the SIOP‐WT‐2001 study. Five hundred and twenty‐three (20%) had stage III disease, of which 113 patients had stage III due to positive LN only. Of those, 101 (89%) received radiotherapy, 36 of which (36%) received, apart from flank irradiation, a boost dose to the LN positive area. Four patients (4%) did not receive any adjuvant radiotherapy. In eight patients information on radiotherapy was not available.With a median follow‐up of 71 months, no difference in 5‐year EFS (84% vs. 83%, P = 0.77) and LRC (96% vs. 97%, P = 0.91) was observed between patients receiving a radiotherapy boost and those without boost, respectively. Five‐year OS, including salvage therapy, was excellent (boost vs. no boost: 97% vs. 95%, P = 0.58).ConclusionsOutcome data demonstrate that omission of the radiotherapy boost to the loco‐regional positive lymph nodes in patients with intermediate‐risk, stage III WT who receive preoperative chemotherapy and postoperative flank irradiation (14.4 Gy) can be considered a safe approach for future SIOP protocols.
Impact of different assumptions on estimates of childhood diseases obtained from health care data: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Osokogu Osemeke U. , Pacurariu Alexandra , Mosseveld Mees , Rijnbeek Peter , Weibel Daniel , Verhamme Katia , Sturkenboom Miriam C.J.M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeAccurate estimates of disease incidence in children are required to support pediatric drug development. Analysis of electronic health care records (EHR) may yield such estimates but pediatric‐specific methods are lacking. We aimed to understand the impact of assumptions regarding duration of disease episode and length of run‐in period on incidence estimates from EHRs.MethodsChildren aged 0 to 17 years (5–17 years for asthma) registered in the Integrated Primary Care Information database between 2002 and 2014 were studied. We tested the impact of the following: maximum duration of disease episode (0, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days) on recurrent diseases (acute otitis media [common] and acute pyelonephritis [rare]); and database run‐in period on chronic diseases—asthma (common) and type 1 diabetes (DM) (rare). We calculated incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals and stratified using 1‐year age categories.ResultsAltogether, 503 495 children were registered. The incidence of acute otitis media was highest in <2‐year‐old children; using 30 days disease duration as reference, the rate increased with 8% if the duration was 14 days and decreased with 8% when extended to 60 days. Disease duration did not impact acute pyelonephritis (rare). No run‐in (to exclude prevalent cases) versus 24‐month run‐in period overestimated the incidence rate for asthma and DM by a factor of 2.ConclusionsAnalysis of EHR allows for estimation of disease incidence in children, but assumptions regarding episode length and run‐in period impact the incidence estimates. Such assumptions may be routinely explored.
Waterlogging affects plant morphology and the expression of key genes in tef (Eragrostis tef)
Authors: Cannarozzi Gina , Weichert Annett , Schnell Mirjam , Ruiz Celia , Bossard Svenja , Blösch Regula , Plaza‐Wüthrich Sonia , Chanyalew Solomon , Assefa Kebebew , Tadele Zerihun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter], an allotetraploid cereal that is a staple food to over 60 million people in the Horn of Africa, has a high nutritional content and is resistant to many biotic and abiotic stresses such as waterlogging and drought. Three tef genotypes, Alba, Tsedey, and Quncho, were subjected to waterlogging conditions and their growth, physiology, and change in transcript expression were measured with the goal of identifying targets for breeding cultivars with improved waterlogging tolerance. Root and shoot growth and dry weight were observed over 22 days. Stomatal conductance and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were quantified. Microscopy was used to monitor changes in the stem cross sections. Illumina RNA sequencing was used to obtain the expression profiles of tef under flooding and control conditions and was verified using qPCR. Results indicated differences in growth between the three genotypes. Waterlogged Tsedey plants grew higher and had more root biomass than normally watered Tsedey plants. Quncho and Alba genotypes were more susceptible to the excess moisture stress. The effects of these changes were observed on the plant physiology. Among the three tested tef genotypes, Tsedey formed more aerenchyma than Alba and had accelerated growth under waterlogging. Tsedey and Quncho had constitutive aerenchyma. Genes affecting carbohydrate metabolism, cell growth, response to reactive oxygen species, transport, signaling, and stress responses were found to change under excess moisture stress. In general, these results show the presence of substantial anatomical and physiological differences among tef genotypes when waterlogged during the early growth stage.
Synthesis of D‐π‐A‐π type benzodithiophene‐quinoxaline copolymers by direct arylation and their application in organic solar cells
Authors: Zimmermann Diana , Sprau Christian , Schröder Jonas , Gregoriou Vasilis G. , Avgeropoulos Apostolos , Chochos Christos L. , Colsmann Alexander , Janietz Silvia , Krüger Hartmut 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTConjugated copolymers based on benzodithiophene (BDT) derivatives and thiophene‐quinoxaline‐thiophene (TQT) segments represent an efficient class of light harvesting materials for organic photovoltaic (OPV) applications. Commonly, BDT‐TQT copolymers are synthesized by Stille cross‐coupling polymerization. In this study, alkoxy and thienyl functionalized alternating BDT‐alt‐TQT copolymers are synthesized by direct arylation polymerization (DArP), using Ozawa conditions. An extensive optimization of the reaction conditions such as the catalytic system, solvent, temperature, base, and the concentration of the catalyst is accomplished. The optical and electrochemical properties of the copolymers obtained by DArP are compared to the reference polymers synthesized by Stille cross‐coupling polymerization. Finally, the optimized BDT‐alt‐TQT copolymers are incorporated into organic solar cells as electron donors. The solar cells of the DArP copolymers exhibit power conversion efficiencies up to 80% (rel.) of their Stille cross coupling analogues. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1457–1467
Basel III capital regulations and bank profitability
Authors: Swamy Vighneswara 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study models the impact of new capital regulations proposed under Basel III framework on bank profitability in India by constructing a stylized representative bank's financial statement. It shows that, with an increase in the capital ratio in the context of new capital regulations, the banks tend to experience a rise in interest income. The results indicate that in the case of scheduled commercial banks, assuming that RWAs are unchanged, for 1‐percentage point increase in capital ratio, interest income would rise by 17 percentage points and would go up to an extent of 62 percentage points for six‐percentage‐point increase assuming that the risk‐weighted assets are unchanged. It also provides the estimations for different groups of banks and the scenarios of changes in the risk‐weighted assets, and changes in the capital ratios.
Challenges for sustainable development in Brazilian Amazonia
Authors: Fearnside Philip M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMost economic initiatives and infrastructure projects in Brazilian Amazonia have social benefits that are small and ephemeral, while their socioenvironmental impacts are severe. More sustainable forms of development are inhibited by barriers such as a decision‐making system with heavy influence (including corruption) from actors with interests in nonsustainable activities. These interests have driven a recent surge of legislative threats to environmental licensing. Better alternatives exist for many destructive forms of “development” projects. Examples include transport using rivers (rather than building highways) and electricity generation from Brazil's vast solar and wind resources (rather than hydroelectric dams). Traditional rural populations could receive support from programs that tap the value of the Amazon forest's environmental services, but institutional mechanisms are in their infancy, among challenges that include differing political interests of countries providing environmental services and those that might pay for them, lack of data and a “theoretical battlefield” regarding accounting for benefits.
Investigating long‐term lifestyle changes: A methodological proposal based on a statistical model
Authors: Le Gallic Thomas , Assoumou Edi , Maïzi Nadia 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLifestyles are both a broad and complex object of thought and a key determinant of the sustainability of our societies. A qualitative analysis of future lifestyles offers great freedom to imagine dramatic societal changes and explore paradigm shifts. Performing a quantitative analysis is less straightforward and more conceptually questionable. In this paper we introduce a statistical model that we developed for France to specifically address long‐term lifestyle changes and their consequences for the consumption of goods and services, housing demand and demand for mobility, which are key determinants of resource use and emissions. We use national social surveys to identify significant patterns. The model enables us to assess explorative scenarios if lifestyle changes are not too disruptive. In providing an explicit representation of lifestyles at a macroscopic level, it can inform us of the interrelated desirability and sustainability debate.
Aesthetic strategies to explore beyond the models of sustainable development: An analysis of Lisa Simpson's Musical Sewing
Authors: Schröder Andressa 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis essay provides a critical reflection about the (lacking) ethical dimension in the conventional models of sustainability through an aesthetic approach. To perform this exercise of reflection, the work of the Brazilian artist Lisa Simpson—Agente Costura is introduced and some “unconventional” aesthetic strategies present in her work, such as embodiment, affect, mindfulness, rhythm and movement, are explored. These aesthetic strategies are demonstrated to have the potential to enhance and improve environmental perception and generate self‐reflection, engagement and responsibility. Furthermore, the processual qualities and transformative potential of sustainability are emphasized through an investigation of the complex temporal dimensions that are combined in Simpson's practice. The work of the Agente Costura enlightens not only possible alternative paths for pragmatic and multisensorial strategies to examine environmental and sustainability ethics, but also the rich role that can be played by artists and artistic practices within the increasingly necessary inter‐ and transdisciplinary collaborations for sustainability.
Microwave‐Expedited Green Synthesis, Photophysical, Computational Studies of Coumarin‐3‐yl‐thiazol‐3‐yl‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐3‐ones and Their Anticancer Activity
Authors: Shaikh Saba Kauser J. , Sannaikar Madivalagouda S. , Kumbar Mahadev N. , Bayannavar Praveen K. , Kamble Ravindra R. , Inamdar Sanjeev R. , Joshi Shrinivas D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMild and efficient synthesis of 5‐methyl‐4‐[(2Z)‐4‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)‐2‐(4‐arylimino)thiazol‐3(2H)‐yl]‐2‐(4‐aryl)‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3(4H)‐ones 7(h–s) has been developed using microwave assisted multicomponent route. The molecular structures of these novel compounds were characterized and the photophysical and thermal properties were investigated elaborately using absorption, fluorescence, fluorescence decay lifetimes and thermo gravimetric analysis. Solvatochromism was studied as a function of polarity of the solvents. The ground and excited states of electronic geometric optimizations were computed using density functional theory (DFT and TD‐DFT). The orientation of atomic orbitals and their energies were supported by HOMO‐LUMO calculations. Electrostatic potential (ESP) maps indicated the electron density predicting the reactive sites. Compounds 7(h–s) were docked into the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase domain which formed a stable complex with good C‐score values. The title compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity against A549, MDA‐MBA‐231, HeLa and K562 cancer cell lines which showed sensitivity against most of the tested compounds.
Influences of Graphene Nanosheets Coating on Selectively Exposed Crystal Facet ZnO
Authors: Zhou Yi , Zhao Dawei , Yang Luyue , Zhao Zhen , Li Dandan , Luo Qinsheng , Zhang Ya , Cao Feng 
Published: April 2018

AbstractGraphene/ZnO composite attracting increasing attention due to great photoelectrochemical performance, however, graphene nanosheets tend to be coated on the one crystal plane of ZnO is rarely investigated. Herein, we synthesized different ZnO micro‐nanoparticles with selectively exposed crystal facet through a hydrothermal process by controlled some parameters such as temperature, concentration of reagents and reaction time, and the corresponding RGO/ZnO composites were obtained. Characterization by SEM and TEM, it was first time demonstrate that graphene nanosheets were tend to be coated on the (100) and (002) crystal facets of ZnO micro‐nanoparticles. We further discover that the largest exposed crystal facet of RGO/ZnO became (101) crystal plane. Regarding their performance in photocatalytic RhB degradation, exposed crystal facets of ZnO were found to impose crucial influence: the sample‘s photoelectrochemical properties are positively related to exposed degree of (101) facet, and it trend follows the order ZnO101 > RGO/ZnO101 > ZnO100 > RGO/ZnO100 > RGO/ZnO002 > ZnO002. Moreover, it can provide a new strategy that the films were coated on suitable crystal facet to change the photoelectrochemical properties of composite.
Selective Binding of Inhibitor‐Assisted Surface‐Imprinted Core/Shell Microbeads in Protein Mixtures
Authors: Dinc Mehmet , Basan Hasan , Hummel Tim , Müller Marlen , Sobek Harald , Rapp Ingrid , Diemant Thomas , Behm Rolf Jürgen , Lindén Mika , Mizaikoff Boris 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAn innovative approach for molecularly imprinting proteins, i. e., inhibitor‐assisted imprinting was used for addressing the major challenge of protein purification from biotechnologically relevant media. Pepstatin‐assisted pepsin surface‐imprinted microbeads were synthesized as a selective sorbent for solid phase extraction (SPE). The amino‐functionalized porous core was prepared by co‐condensation and post‐grafting strategies. The immobilized inhibitor pre‐organizes the template pepsin with a defined orientation prior to imprinting ensuring enhanced efficiency of the imprinting process. 3‐aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) was used as a functional monomer establishing organic nanoscale films comprising poly(3‐aminophenylboronic acid) (pAPBA) within the pores of the beads in the presence (MIP) and absence (NIP) of pepsin. Next to a detailed characterization of these advanced functional hybrid materials it was demonstrated that such porous surface‐imprinted core/shell beads feature exquisite selectivity for pepsin during individual protein rebinding studies, and more importantly, during competitive rebinding studies in protein mixtures.
Salt‐Templated Hierarchically Porous Platinum Macrotube Synthesis
Authors: Burpo Fred. J. , Nagelli Enoch A. , Winter Stephen J. , McClure Joshua P. , Bartolucci Stephen F. , Burns Alvin R. , O'Brien Sean F. , Chu Deryn D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHierarchically structured platinum macrotubes with square cross‐section and porous sidewalls composed of fibril textured nanoparticles are synthesized from high aspect ratio insoluble Mangus’ salt needles in a single reduction step. Macrotubes 10’s to 100’s of micrometers long pressed into free‐standing films exhibit a specific capacitance of 18.5 Fg−1 and a solvent accessible specific surface area of 61.7 m2g−1. Insoluble salt templates offer a synthesis route to achieve a range of porous metal structures.
Supporting Elementary Students’ Sourcing of Historical Texts
Authors: Popp Jacquelynn S. , Hoard Jodi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSourcing involves interrogating historical documents, asking questions about their attributes to determine their relation to the historical event or time period under study. In this article, a university researcher and a sixth‐grade teacher describe a set of heuristics that the teacher developed for supporting her students’ sourcing of historical texts. The heuristics derive from findings of a longitudinal case study that the researcher conducted about the teacher's learning to shift to a disciplinary literacy approach in her social studies classroom, as well as the teacher's insights about her own process of learning to scaffold her students’ sourcing. Considering the limited resources for addressing elementary teachers’ sourcing instruction, these heuristics are offered so other teachers can adopt and adapt them to their own teaching contexts to meet the specific, diverse needs of their students.
The early 20th century warming: Anomalies, causes, and consequences
Authors: Hegerl Gabriele C. , Brönnimann Stefan , Schurer Andrew , Cowan Tim 
Published: April 2018

The most pronounced warming in the historical global climate record prior to the recent warming occurred over the first half of the 20th century and is known as the Early Twentieth Century Warming (ETCW). Understanding this period and the subsequent slowdown of warming is key to disentangling the relationship between decadal variability and the response to human influences in the present and future climate. This review discusses the observed changes during the ETCW and hypotheses for the underlying causes and mechanisms. Attribution studies estimate that about a half (40–54%; p > .8) of the global warming from 1901 to 1950 was forced by a combination of increasing greenhouse gases and natural forcing, offset to some extent by aerosols. Natural variability also made a large contribution, particularly to regional anomalies like the Arctic warming in the 1920s and 1930s. The ETCW period also encompassed exceptional events, several of which are touched upon: Indian monsoon failures during the turn of the century, the “Dust Bowl” droughts and extreme heat waves in North America in the 1930s, the World War II period drought in Australia between 1937 and 1945; and the European droughts and heat waves of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Understanding the mechanisms involved in these events, and their links to large scale forcing is an important test for our understanding of modern climate change and for predicting impacts of future change.This article is categorized under:
Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change