bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel tumor suppressor SPINK5 targets Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in esophageal cancer
Authors: Wang Qian , Lv Qin , Bian Hua , Yang Lei , Guo Ke‐lei , Ye Song‐shan , Dong Xue‐feng , Tao Ling‐Ling 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEsophageal cancer is one of the most common tumor in the world, and the morbidity rate is as high as 100/100 000 in some parts of China. Therefore, it is important and urgent to explore the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer and find new therapeutic targets for esophageal cancer. In this study, we found that a novel tumor suppressor SPINK5 is significantly reduced in the development of esophageal cancer, and is closely related to the pathological differentiation and lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer via bioinformatics analysis and esophageal cancer tissue array. Further studies have found that SPINK5 is closely related to Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway by bioinformatics analysis and western blot. In esophageal cancer cells, SPINK5 overexpression can inhibit Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Combined with LiCl or MG‐132 treatment, SPINK5 can inhibit GSK3β phosphorylation and promote β‐catenin protein degradation, thus inhibit Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. In vivo study, SPINK5 overexpression can significantly inhibit the growth of esophageal cancer cells. Our study shows that SPINK5 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, and thus plays an important role in the development of esophageal cancer, and may serve as a treatment target of esophageal cancer.
Autonomic regulation of preterm infants is enhanced by Family Nurture Intervention
Authors: Porges Stephen W. , Davila Maria I. , Lewis Gregory F. , Kolacz Jacek , Okonmah‐Obazee Stephanie , Hane Amie Ashley , Kwon Katie Y. , Ludwig Robert J. , Myers Michael M. , Welch Martha G. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPreterm infants have maturational delays in several neurobehavioral systems. This study assesses the impact of the Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the maturation of autonomic regulation of preterm infants. Preterm infants born at 26–34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) were assigned to groups receiving either standard care (SC) or SC plus FNI, using a randomized controlled trial design. At two collection time points, approximately 35 weeks and 41 weeks PMA, electrocardiograms (ECG) were monitored for approximately 1 hour during sleep. Heart rate and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were quantified from the ECG. Across the two time points, the FNI group exhibited greater increases in RSA (Cohen's d = 0.35) and slope between RSA and heart rate, as a measure of vagal efficiency (Cohen's d = 0.62). These results document that FNI resulted in enhanced autonomic regulation consistent with greater maturation of cardiac function. These and previous findings strongly suggest that facilitating early nurturing interactions and emotional connection between preterm infants and their mothers is a practicable and effective means of optimizing postnatal development in preterm infants. Interpretation of these autonomic function results also enriches our understanding of the potential long‐term beneficial outcomes of FNI by drawing upon polyvagal theory, which explains how autonomic state provides a neurophysiological platform for optimal co‐regulation between infant and caregiver, and by drawing upon calming cycle theory, which provides a model for understanding how repeated mother/infant calming interactions positively condition autonomic state and reinforce approach, prosocial behaviors.
Mother–child adrenocortical synchrony: Roles of maternal overcontrol and child developmental phase
Authors: Borelli Jessica L. , Shai Dana , Smiley Patricia A. , Boparai Sameen , Goldstein Alison , Rasmussen Hannah F. , Granger Douglas A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAn increasing amount of empirical attention is focused on adrenocortical synchrony as an index of biobehavioral co‐regulation between parent and child in the context of early child development. Working with an ethnically diverse community sample of children (N = 99, 50.5% male, ages 9–12), we collected saliva samples from mother–child dyads prior to and after a laboratory‐based performance challenge task, and tested whether maternal overcontrol and child age moderated dyadic synchrony in cortisol. Results revealed that cortisol levels between mothers and children were significantly positively correlated at pretask for dyads with mean age and older children only, at 25‐min post‐task for all dyads, and at 45‐min post‐task for all dyads. Higher overcontrol/older child dyads exhibited a unique pattern of cortisol synchrony wherein at pretask, mother–child levels had the strongest positive correlation, whereas at 25 and 45 min, mother–child cortisol levels were significantly inversely correlated. These findings contribute to theory and research on parent–child relationships by examining parenting behavior, developmental stage, and adrenocortical synchrony in tandem.
LC−MS/MS assay for the determination of a novel anti‐fibrotic candidate mefunidone in monkey plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetics study
Authors: Han Xuhua , Wen Zhou , Fan Zhihong , Ma Yuehui , Wang Lei , Cheng Zeneng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMefunidone (MFD) is a promising anti‐fibrotic candidate molecule with greater anti‐fibrotic activity than pirfenidone (PFD). However, there has been no report on the methodology used for the quantification of MFD or on any investigation of its pharmacokinetics. In this study, an efficient and reliable liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed to assay MFD in monkey plasma. This assay method was validated and applied to a pharmacokinetics study in monkeys. The lower limit of quantification of this assay was 0.1 μg·mL−1, and the linear calibration curve was acquired with R2 > 0.99 between 0.1 and 60 μg·mL−1. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision were evaluated with coefficient of variations of 1.5%–5.8%, whereas the mean accuracy ranged from 91.7% to 106.9%. A negligible matrix effect and good recovery were obtained using this assay, with average extraction recoveries of MFD and the internal standard (IS) in the range of 85.5%–124.8% and 84.1%–94.0%, respectively. The precision of the absolute matrix effect of MFD and the IS was 1.2–3.0% and 1.2–7.3%, respectively. The samples were stable under all experimental conditions. Linear pharmacokinetics were observed for MFD in monkeys, where the exposures of MFD increased proportionally with increasing MFD doses at the range of 10–90 mg·kg−1. Moderate elimination of MFD from the body was observed, with t1/2 of 5–7 h, and the elimination rate of MFD was stable during multiple dosing. In conclusion, this method provides an reliable analytical approach for quantification of MFD in plasma and was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study in monkeys.
Evaluation of the Impact of the Linac MLC and Gantry Sag in volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Milan Thomas , Grogan Garry , Ebert Martin A. , Rowshanfarzad Pejman 
Published: March 2019

PurposeMechanical sag in the radiotherapy linear accelerator gantry and multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) carriage effectively causes systematic deviations in the isocenter with respect to gantry angle. To minimize the impact of this error on treatment, a tolerance value of a 1‐mm mechanical isocenter shift is commonly accepted for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy quality assurance (QA). However, this tolerance value has not been firmly established for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments. The purpose of this study is therefore to evaluate the impact of gantry and MLC carriage sag on VMAT clinical performance.MethodsA published dataset of Elekta and Varian sag measurements served as a starting point for the investigation. Typical sag profiles were chosen and modeled as continuous isocenter deviations in three dimensions. The data were then incorporated into existing Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine protocol, extended for radiotherapy plans via a “beam‐splitting” algorithm. Three treatment sites were investigated in parallel: head and neck, prostate, and prostate with surrounding lymph nodes. Monte Carlo‐simulated dose distributions were obtained for varying magnifications of the modeled sag. The resulting dose distributions, including that for no error, were compared qualitatively and quantitatively, against multiple metrics.ResultsThe dose‐volume histograms (DVHs) for all plans exhibited a decrease in planning target volume (PTV) dose uniformity with increasing sag magnification, whereas dose to organs at risk exhibited no coherent trend. The prostate plan was shown to be the most vulnerable to mechanical sag across all considered metrics. However, all plans with peak isocenter deviation less than 1 mm were well within typical cutoff points for each metric.ConclusionsAll avenues of investigation presented substantiate the commonly accepted tolerance value of a 1‐mm peak isocenter shift in annual linac QA.
Pre‐discard estimation of radioactivated materials in positron emission tomography cyclotron systems and concrete walls of a cyclotron vault
Authors: Wagatsuma Kei , Ishiwata Kiichi , Nobuhara Fumiyoshi , Koumura Iwane , Kunugi Masayuki , Oda Keiichi , Miwa Kenta , Toyohara Jun , Ishii Kenji 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe concrete vault, cyclotron body, and peripheral equipment in a cyclotron room become radioactivated by neutrons generated by operating an unshielded cyclotron. Radionuclides and the amounts of radioactivated materials must be identified before discarding a cyclotron system. The present study aimed to reduce the amounts of concrete from cyclotron vaults, as well as cyclotron components and peripheral equipment, that will be disposed of as radioactivated waste by clarifying the nature and quantity of radioactivated materials remaining in facilities after cyclotron operations have ceased.MethodsCylindrical concrete cores were bored into all four walls, ceiling, and floor of a room where a Cypris 370 cyclotron had been operated for 22.8 yr and then cooled for 40 months. The accelerated particles comprised protons and deuterons with constant energy of 18 and 10 MeV, respectively. The types and amounts of radionuclides in these cores, in 38 components of the cyclotron including the yoke, and in 13 pieces of equipment in the room, were determined by γ‐ray spectrometry. Concentrations of radioactivity were also calculated using an updated version of Particle and Heavy Ion Transport System and DCHAIN‐SP. Amounts of materials with both measured and calculated total radioactivity concentration (ΣD) of <0.1 Bq/g were identified as being nonradioactivated.ResultsThe major radionuclides in the concrete were 60Co and 152Eu. The radioactivated concrete was distributed to a depth of <38 cm. Most cyclotron components and equipment were radioactivated by neutrons. The major radionuclides in cyclotron components and equipment were 54Mn, 60Co, and 65Zn. A 33% volume of the yoke was regarded as nonradioactivated.ConclusionsThe estimated amount of radioactivated waste in the concrete was about 70,000 kg (12.5% of the total concrete). Most components of the cyclotron except for the 33% volume of the yoke (20% of the cyclotron body), as well as most peripheral equipment in the room, were radioactivated. Part‐by‐part assessments of radioactive materials using measurements and calculations could distinguish nonradioactive from radioactive materials before they are discarded.
Effects of low‐head dams on fish assemblages in subtropical streams: Context dependence on species category and data type
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Youren , Zhu Qing , Li Yuru , Kang Bin , Chu Ling , Yan Yunzhi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAnthropogenic disturbances may cause cosmopolitan species to replace endemic species, which will alter both the within‐community diversities and between‐community similarities of stream fish assemblages. In this study, we used data collected from headwater streams within the Xin'an basin, China, to evaluate the effects of low‐head dams on the alpha diversity and community similarity of fish assemblages. Our aims were to determine whether the changes in fish diversities and similarities related to dam‐associated disturbance are dependent on the species category (i.e., indigenous vs. native‐invasive species) or data type (i.e., occurrence‐based vs. abundance‐based indices). We found that low‐head dams significantly decreased the alpha diversity of the indigenous species in the impoundments but increased that of the native‐invasive species. However, the magnitude of this change was weakened if the two categories of fishes were not distinguished. Additionally, low‐head dams significantly decreased the occurrence‐based similarities of the indigenous fishes but increased those of the native‐invasive fishes. Despite the positive correlation between the occurrence‐based and abundance‐based indices, the former significantly overestimated the community similarities. Although most pairs of communities showed the same direction of changes for the two indices, some cases presented contrasting outcomes, including “perceived homogenization” (i.e., occurrence‐based differentiation but abundance‐based homogenization) and “perceived differentiation.” Our results suggest the importance of distinguishing indigenous and native‐invasive species and considering both occurrence‐based and abundance‐based indices in future research on how anthropogenic activities affect fish diversities and similarities in streams.
Writer's Checklist: A Procedural Support for Struggling Writers
Authors: Jagaiah Thilagha , Howard Deborah , Olinghouse Natalie 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWriter's checklists are evidence‐based procedural facilitators that prompt students to actively engage in the writing process. Students with diverse learning needs experience problems when composing texts because of the complex steps involved. To write effectively, students must focus on understanding prompts; setting goals; generating, organizing, and translating ideas; revising content; and editing for conventions. This lengthy process often negatively affects struggling writers’ working memory and ability to self‐regulate the writing process. A writer's checklist, an explicit step‐by‐step action plan, can be used to scaffold struggling writers’ progress and minimize challenges. Writers’ checklists serve not only as concrete reminders of the steps needed to accomplish writing tasks but also as self‐checks to keep students focused and promote self‐regulation. In this teaching tip, the authors recommend using a writer's checklist at the initial stages of the writing process, namely planning and drafting, before implementing it at the revising and editing stages.
Ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics investigations on the excited carriers in condensed matter systems
Authors: Zheng Qijing , Chu Weibin , Zhao Chuanyu , Zhang Lili , Guo Hongli , Wang Yanan , Jiang Xiang , Zhao Jin 
Published: March 2019

The ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited charge carriers in condensed matter systems play an important role in optoelectronics and solar energy conversion. Yet it is challenging to understand such multidimensional dynamics at the atomic scale. Combining the real‐time time‐dependent density functional theory with fewest‐switches surface hopping scheme, we develop time‐dependent ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) code Hefei‐NAMD to simulate the excited carrier dynamics in condensed matter systems. Using this method, we have investigated the interfacial charge transfer dynamics, the electron–hole recombination dynamics, and the excited spin‐polarized hole dynamics in different condensed matter systems. The time‐dependent dynamics of excited carriers are studied in energy, real and momentum spaces. In addition, the coupling of the excited carriers with phonons, defects and molecular adsorptions are investigated. The state‐of‐art NAMD studies provide unique insights to understand the ultrafast dynamics of the excited carriers in different condensed matter systems at the atomic scale.This article is categorized under:
Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Dynamics and Monte‐Carlo Methods
Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods
Software > Simulation Methods
Performance improvement of a compound helicopter rotor head by aerodynamic design optimisation of a blade-sleeve fairing
Authors: Pölzlbauer P. , Breitsamter C. , Desvigne D. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTWithin the present publication, the rotor head of a compound helicopter known as Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft (RACER) is investigated. In particular, the aerodynamic design optimisation of the RACER blade-sleeve fairings (BSFs) is conducted. For this purpose, an isolated rotor head is generated featuring a full-fairing beanie, the BSF and a truncated rotor blade (RB). Moreover, a single RB is investigated at two different azimuthal rotor positions, which correspond to the advancing and the retreating RB case. For this purpose, an averaged circumferential velocity is determined in the blade-sleeve region and superposed with the RACER cruise speed in order to estimate the prevailing flow conditions. The automated aerodynamic design optimisation is performed by means of a previously developed optimisation tool chain. A global multi-objective genetic optimisation algorithm is applied for the given problem. During preliminary work, a 2D aerodynamic design optimisation of selected blade-sleeve sections was conducted. These optimised aerofoils represent the design variables for the current optimisation problem. The shape modification of the 3D fairing is realised by exchanging specific aerofoils at certain spanwise sections.
Global well-posedness and large time behaviour of the viscous liquid-gas two-phase flow model in ℝ3
Authors: Wu Guochun , Zhang Yinghui 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe investigate the Cauchy problem of the viscous liquid-gas two-phase flow model in ℝ3. Under the assumption that the initial data is close to the constant equilibrium state in the framework of Sobolev space H2(ℝ3), the Cauchy problem is shown to be globally well-posed by an energy method. If additionally, for 1 ⩽ p < 6/5, Lp-norm of the initial perturbation is bounded, the optimal convergence rates of the solutions in Lq-norm with 2 ⩽ q ⩽ 6 and optimal convergence rates of their spatial derivatives in L2-norm are also obtained by combining spectral analysis with energy methods.
Toward a Strategy to Involve Patients in Health Technology Assessment in Spain
Authors: Toledo-Chávarri Ana , Alvarez-Perez Yolanda , Triñanes Yolanda , Perestelo-Pérez Lilisbeth , Espallargues Mireia , Palma Matilde , Serrano-Aguilar Pedro 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop a feasible and effective strategy to involve patients in the Spanish Network of Agencies of Health Technology Assessment (RedETS).MethodsThe framework for patient involvement (PI) in the assessment activities and processes of RedETS were developed through a research project that included: (i) a systematic search of the international literature describing a strategy and/or a methodology linking health technology assessment (HTA) and PI; (ii) a qualitative study through interviews with RedETS members to analyze the perceptions of PI among HTA managers in the Spanish context; (iii) a Delphi consultation with three large platforms of patients, carers and consumer organizations in Spain about their perspectives of PI; (iv) a consensus process with the members of the RedETS Governing Council to define the final strategy.ResultsThree main themes were identified in the literature and Web site review: (i) PI methods for the different HTA phases; (ii) Participant definition and selection; (iii) Resources needed. A three-step implementation strategy was proposed: (i) short-term actions: piloting and testing patient participation in HTA and building patients' capacity; (ii) medium-term actions: broadening the participation of patients, and building internal capacity; (iii) long-term actions: consolidating and mainstreaming patient involvementConclusionsPatient participation can be incorporated into almost all the HTA phases and products with greater or lesser degrees of difficulty. However, a progressive implementation strategy is suggested for a feasible PI process.
The development of vocabulary and grammar: a longitudinal study of European Portuguese-speaking toddlers
Authors: CADIME Irene , MOREIRA Célia S. , SANTOS Ana Lúcia , SILVA Carla , RIBEIRO Iolanda , VIANA Fernanda Leopoldina 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe goals of this study were to analyze the growth and stability of vocabulary, mean length of the three longest utterances (MLLUw), and sentence complexity in European Portuguese-speaking children aged 1;4–2;6, to explore differences in growth as a function of personal and family-related variables, and to investigate the inter-relationships among the three language dimensions. Fifty-one European Portuguese-speaking toddlers were longitudinally assessed at 1;4, 1;9, 2;1, and 2;6, through parent reports. Exponential growth models best described acquisition patterns during this period, but the vocabulary growth accelerated across the full age-range, whereas the growth of grammar dimensions accelerated mainly after 1;9. High variability was observed in the scores, but the toddlers’ relative positions were mostly stable over time. Gender approached significance as a predictor of vocabulary growth. Maternal educational level did not predict the growth of any of the three language dimensions. Both vocabulary and MLLUw predicted sentence complexity.
Tolerance of Sweetpotato to Herbicides Applied in Plant Propagation Beds
Authors: Smith Stephen C. , Jennings Katherine M. , Monks David W. , Schultheis Jonathan R. , Reberg-Horton S. Chris 
Published: March 2019

AbstractField and greenhouse studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 to determine sweetpotato tolerance to herbicides applied to plant propagation beds. Herbicide treatments included PRE application of flumioxazin (107 g ai ha−1),S-metolachlor (800 g ai ha−1), fomesafen (280 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin plusS-metolachlor (107 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), fomesafen plusS-metolachlor (280 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), fluridone (1,120 or 2,240 g ai ha−1), fluridone plusS-metolachlor (1,120 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), napropamide (1,120 g ai ha−1), clomazone (420 g ai ha−1), linuron (560 g ai ha−1), linuron plusS-metolachlor (560 g ai ha−1+ 800 g ai ha−1), bicyclopyrone (38 or 49.7 g ai ha−1), pyroxasulfone (149 g ai ha−1), pre-mix of flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone (81.8 g ai ha−1+ 104.2 g ai ha−1), or metribuzin (294 g ai ha−1). Paraquat plus non-ionic surfactant (280 g ai ha−1+ 0.25% v/v) POST was also included. After plants in the propagation bed were cut and sweetpotato slip number, length, and weight had been determined, the slips were then transplanted to containers and placed either in the greenhouse or on an outdoor pad to determine any effects from the herbicide treatments on initial sweetpotato growth. Sweetpotato slip number, length, and/or weight were affected by flumioxazin with or withoutS-metolachlor,S-metolachlor with or without fomesafen, clomazone, and all fluridone treatments. In the greenhouse studies, initial root growth of plants after transplanting was inhibited by fluridone (1,120 g ai ha−1) and fluridone plusS-metolachlor. However, by 5 wk after transplanting few differences were observed between treatments. Fomesafen, linuron with or withoutS-metolachlor, bicyclopyrone (38 or 49.7 g ai ha−1), pyroxasulfone with or without flumioxazin, metribuzin, and paraquat did not cause injury to sweetpotato slips in any of the studies conducted.