bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Double‐stranded RNA targeting calmodulin reveals a potential target for pest management of Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Wang Weixia , Wan Pinjun , Lai Fengxiang , Zhu Tingheng , Fu Qiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDCalmodulin (CaM) is an essential protein in cellular activity and plays important roles in many processes in insect development. RNA interference (RNAi) has been hypothesized to be a promising method for pest control. CaM is a good candidate for RNAi target. However, the sequence and function of CaM in Nilaparvata lugens are unknown. Furthermore, the double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) target to CaM gene in pest control is still unavailable.RESULTSIn the present study, two alternatively spliced variants of CaM transcripts, designated NlCaM1 and NlCaM2, were cloned from N. lugens. The two cDNA sequences exhibited 100% identity to each other in the open reading frame (ORF), and only differed in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR). NlCaM including NlCaM1 and NlCaM2 mRNA was detectable in all developmental stages and tissues of N. lugens, with significantly increased expression in the salivary glands. Knockdown of NlCaM expression by RNAi with different dsRNAs led to an inability to molt properly, increased mortality, which ranged from 49.7 to 92.5%, impacted development of the ovaries and led to female infertility. There were no significant reductions in the transcript levels of vitellogenin and its receptor or in the total vitellogenin protein level relative to the control group. However, a significant reduction in vitellogenin protein was detected in ovaries injected with dsNlCaM. In addition, a specific dsRNA of NlCaM for control of N. lugens was designed and tested.CONCLUSIONNlCaM plays important roles mainly in nymph development and uptake of vitellogenin by ovaries in vitellogenesis in N. lugens. dsRNA derived from the less conserved 3′‐UTR of NlCaM shows great potential for RNAi‐based N. lugens management. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Concentration‐Gradient‐Method for sulphur and strontium isotope ratio determination by quadrupole‐based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in gypsum
Authors: Dronov Michail , Schmidt Torsten C. , Schram Jürgen 
Published: January 2018

RationaleThe concentration‐gradient‐method (CGM) was previously introduced as a precise and accurate method for isotope ratio determination by quadrupole‐based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐QMS). The investigation of its potential and advantages in the analysis of analytes with a poor signal‐noise ratio (S/N) is important to establish routine isotope ratio analysis industrial applications on these widely used instruments.MethodsThe CGM was applied on isotope measurements of Sr near its limit of quantification (LOQ) and of sulphur where there was a massively interfered 32S isotope signal in gypsum samples of different origin, in order to demonstrate the advantages of the CGM over the commonly used measurement and evaluation approach. The comparison between the CGM and the classical measurement and evaluation approach was performed with high and low concentration Sr standard solutions, to prove the robustness of the isotope ratio determination.ResultsIn both cases the CGM reached a recovery rate of approximately 103 %, whereas the classical approach became increasingly inaccurate at lower S/N (recovery of 123 %). In the case of sulphur isotope ratio determination only the CGM enabled a differentiation between geogenic and flue gas desulphurisation plant‐originated gypsum samples.ConclusionsThe robustness of the CGM approach was illustrated for gypsum samples with trace strontium concentration and its general applicability to the determination of sulphur isotope ratios by means of quadrupole‐based ICP‐MS was demonstrated using the example of sulphur in gypsum.
Morning surge in blood pressure using a random‐effects multiple‐component cosinor model
Authors: Madden J.M. , Browne L.D. , Li X. , Kearney P.M. , Fitzgerald A.P. 
Published: January 2018

Blood pressure (BP) fluctuates throughout the day. The pattern it follows represents one of the most important circadian rhythms in the human body. For example, morning BP surge has been suggested as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular events occurring in the morning, but the accurate quantification of this phenomenon remains a challenge. Here, we outline a novel method to quantify morning surge. We demonstrate how the most commonly used method to model 24‐hour BP, the single cosinor approach, can be extended to a multiple‐component cosinor random‐effects model. We outline how this model can be used to obtain a measure of morning BP surge by obtaining derivatives of the model fit. The model is compared with a functional principal component analysis that determines the main components of variability in the data. Data from the Mitchelstown Study, a population‐based study of Irish adults (n = 2047), were used where a subsample (1207) underwent 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. We demonstrate that our 2‐component model provided a significant improvement in fit compared with a single model and a similar fit to a more complex model captured by b‐splines using functional principal component analysis. The estimate of the average maximum slope was 2.857 mmHg/30 min (bootstrap estimates; 95% CI: 2.855‐2.858 mmHg/30 min). Simulation results allowed us to quantify the between‐individual SD in maximum slopes, which was 1.02 mmHg/30 min. By obtaining derivatives we have demonstrated a novel approach to quantify morning BP surge and its variation between individuals. This is the first demonstration of cosinor approach to obtain a measure of morning surge.
Computational Unravelling of the Role of Alkyl Groups on the Host‐Guest Complexation of Pillar[5]arenes with Neutral Dihalobutanes
Authors: Panneerselvam Murugesan , Kumar Madhu Deepan , Jaccob Madhavan , Solomon Rajadurai Vijay 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDensity Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out to understand the electronic structure and non‐covalent interactions within host‐guest complexes between 1,4‐dihalobutanes (DHBs) and alkylated pillar[5]arenes (P5 A). Binding energies show that the propyl substituted P5 A are found to have greater binding abilities than that of P5 A with smaller alkyl chains. Among the halogens, dibromobutane is found to have higher binding energy compared to difluoro and dichloro butanes respectively. Contribution of different molecular units towards the frontier molecular orbitals has been studied to gain insights into the role of each segment at the molecular level. Electrostatic potential maps are examined to draw clues on the nature of active sites for the inclusion phenomena. Non‐covalent interactions (NCI) present in these host‐guest complexes are addressed from NCI analysis based reduced density gradient method. In order to characterize these weak interactions, Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms In Molecules (QTAIM) analysis is utilized. Our results reveal that though the hydrogen bonding patterns in P5 A inclusion complexes are collapsed upon alkylation, a new set of X–H−C interactions stabilize these DHBs along with other C−H—π interactions in the alkylated P5 A inclusion complexes. Overall, the present study sheds light on the importance of the alkyl chain and handling non‐covalent interactions carefully to tune the binding ability of P5 A.
Reactions to psychological contract breaches and organizational citizenship behaviours: An experimental manipulation of severity
Authors: Atkinson Theresa P. , Matthews Russell A. , Henderson Alexandra A. , Spitzmueller Christiane 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGrounded in affective events theory, we investigated the effects of experimentally manipulated psychological contract breaches on participants' feelings of violation, subsequent perceptions of psychological contract strength, and organizational citizenship behaviours in a sample of working adults. Results support previous findings that pre‐existing relational psychological contract strength interacts with severity of unmet promises or expectations. Specifically, individuals with high relational contracts who experience low severity of unmet promises/expectations have the lowest breach perceptions, whereas individuals with high relational contracts who experience more severe levels unmet promises/expectations experience the highest level of breach perceptions. Results also support the concept of a breach spiral in that prior perceptions of breach led to an increased likelihood of subsequent perceptions of breach following the experimental manipulation. Furthermore, consistent with affective events theory, results support the argument that a psychological contract breach's effect on specific organizational citizenship behaviours is mediated by feelings of violation and the reassessment of relational contracts. These effects were present even after controlling for the direct effects of the manipulated severity of unmet promises/expectations.
Change in perceived stress and 2‐year change in cognitive function among older adults: The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing
Authors: Feeney J. , O'Sullivan M. , Kenny R.A. , Robertson I.H. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractProlonged or severe stress can adversely affect older adults' cognitive function, but population‐based studies investigating this relationship over time are rare. Previous studies have largely focused on stress either evaluated at a single time point or linked to specific life events. This study aimed to investigate whether a change in perceived stress over 2 years predicts a change in cognitive performance over the same time period in a population‐based sample of older adults. Data from the first 2 waves of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing were analyzed. Five thousand and seventy adults aged 50 and older completed the 4‐item Perceived Stress Scale and measures of verbal fluency, immediate and delayed word recall 2 years apart. A first differences regression model revealed that the change in stress over 2 years was inversely associated with a change in immediate word recall performance, even after adjustment for change in possible confounders (B = −0.030, 95% CI [−.056, −.004], p < .05). No association was observed for delayed recall or verbal fluency performance. Change in perceived stress is inversely correlated with change in immediate recall, even over a short period. Stress modifying interventions could potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline associated with ageing.
Type D personality is associated with increased desire for alcohol in response to acute stress
Authors: Williams Lynn , Bruce Gillian , Knapton Cindy 
Published: January 2018

AbstractType D personality (the combination of negative affectivity and social inhibition) is associated with high levels of alcohol consumption. We examined if Type D was associated with higher levels of alcohol use, and if Type D was associated with desire for alcohol in response to a social stressor. In an experimental study, participants (n = 138) completed measures of Type D, stress, and alcohol use. They also took part in a stress‐inducing public speaking task and provided measures of desire for alcohol at baseline, stressor, and recovery. Type D was associated with higher levels of alcohol use, stress, and desire for alcohol at stressor and recovery. Mixed measures analysis of variance demonstrated that there was a significant group effect of Type D (F(1, 136) = 6.86, p < .05) and a significant time × Type D interaction (F(1.50, 204.49) = 3.44, p < .05) on desire for alcohol. Type D individuals exhibited significantly higher levels of desire for alcohol during the stressor and recovery phases, compared to non‐Type D individuals suggesting that Type D individuals may be motivated to consume alcohol in order to cope with stressful situations.
Synthesis and Photocatalytic Application of Stable Lead‐Free Cs2AgBiBr6 Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Zhou Lei , Xu Yang‐Fan , Chen Bai‐Xue , Kuang Dai‐Bin , Su Cheng‐Yong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have demonstrated great potential as appealing candidates for advanced optoelectronic applications. However, the toxicity of lead and the intrinsic instability toward moisture hinder their mass production and commercialization. Herein, to solve such thorny problems, novel lead‐free Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite NCs fabricated via a simple hot‐injection method are reported, which exhibit impressive stability in moisture, light, and temperature. Such materials are then applied into photocatalytic CO2 reduction, achieving a total electron consumption of 105 µmol g−1 under AM 1.5G illumination for 6 h. This study offers a reliable avenue for Cs2AgBiBr6 perovskite nanocrystals preparation, which holds a great potential in the further photochemical applications.
Reference tissue models in the assessment of 11C‐DTBZ binding to the VMAT2 in rat striatum: A test‐retest reproducibility study
Authors: Avendaño‐Estrada Arturo , Ávila‐Rodríguez Miguel Angel 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDopaminergic PET imaging is a useful tool to assess the dopaminergic integrity and to follow‐up longitudinal studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of different reference tissue‐based methods to determine the non‐displaceable binding potential (BPND) as a quantitative measure of 11C‐DTBZ binding to the VMAT2 in rat striatum using cerebellum as reference region. Eight healthy Wistar rats underwent two microPET scans at the age of 12 (test) and 20 weeks (retest). BPND was determined using the simplified reference tissue model, Logan reference tissue model, and multilinear reference tissue models (MRTMo and MRTM2). Additionally, a striatal‐to‐cerebellar‐ratio (SCR) analysis was performed. The reproducibility between the two scans was assessed using the interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the variability index. Repeatability indices showed acceptable ICC = 0.66 (SCR) to excellent ICC = 0.98 (MRTM2) reliability for this study and a variability ranging from 12.26% (SCR) to 3.28% (MRTM2). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on longitudinal studies for 11C‐DTBZ in rats using reference tissue methods. Excellent intersubject and intrasubject reproducibility was obtained with the multilinear reference MRTM2, suggesting this as the best method to compare longitudinal studies, whereas the SCR method had poor reliability. Logan method, however, is a method simple to compute that shows accurate reproducibility with a reasonable level of inter‐ and intra‐subject variability allowing crossover studies to follow‐up the uptake of 11C‐DTBZ in rat striatum.
Electromagnetic Shielding Materials in GHz Range
Authors: González Marta , Pozuelo Javier , Baselga Juan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe state‐of‐the art in the design and the manufacture methods of the different electromagnetic shielding materials has been reviewed. This topic has become a mainstream field of research because of the electromagnetic pollution generated by telecommunication technology development. The review is centred in absorbent materials and shows a general overview of how the absorption properties of such composites can be tailored through changes in geometry, composition, morphology, and the filler particles content. Although different types of materials are explained, the text is mainly focused on carbon materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. In this way, the importance of the dispersion of the conductive fillers in different polymer matrices is discussed. In addition, an extensive study on new complex architectures such as foam‐based materials is presented. Finally, the combination of carbon fillers with other constituents such as metallic nanoparticles is mentioned. In all these studies, the efficiency of the composites as absorbent or reflective of electromagnetic radiation is discussed.
Longitudinal changes in vascular function parameters in pregnant women with chronic hypertension and association with adverse outcome: a cohort study
Authors: Webster L. M. , Myers J. E. , Nelson‐Piercy C. , Mills C. , Watt‐Coote I. , Khalil A. , Seed P. T. , Cruickshank J. K. , Chappell L. C. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivesRaised vascular function measures are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in low‐risk pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the association between longitudinal vascular function parameters and adverse outcome in pregnant women with chronic hypertension, and to assess whether these measures vary according to baseline parameters such as black ethnicity.MethodsThis was a nested cohort study of women with chronic hypertension and a singleton pregnancy recruited to the PANDA (Pregnancy And chronic hypertension: NifeDipine vs lAbetalol as antihypertensive treatment) study at one of three UK maternity units. Women had serial pulse‐wave analyses performed using the Arteriograph®, while in a sitting position, from 12 weeks' gestation onwards. Statistical analysis was performed using random‐effects logistic regression models. Longitudinal vascular parameters were compared between women who developed superimposed pre‐eclampsia (SPE) and those who did not, between women who delivered a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infant (birth weight < 10th centile) and those who delivered an infant with birth weight ≥ 10th centile and between women of black ethnicity and those of non‐black ethnicity.ResultsThe cohort included 97 women with chronic hypertension and a singleton pregnancy, of whom 90% (n = 87) were randomized to antihypertensive treatment and 57% (n = 55) were of black ethnicity, with up to six (mean, three) longitudinal vascular function assessments. SPE was diagnosed in 18% (n = 17) of women and 30% (n = 29) of infants were SGA. In women who developed subsequent SPE, compared with those who did not, mean brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) (148 mmHg vs 139 mmHg; P = 0.002), mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (87 mmHg vs 82 mmHg; P = 0.01), mean central aortic pressure (139 mmHg vs 128 mmHg; P = 0.001) and mean augmentation index (AIx‐75) (29% vs 22%; P = 0.01) were significantly higher across gestation. In women who delivered a SGA infant compared to those who delivered an infant with birth weight ≥ 10th centile, mean brachial SBP (146 mmHg vs 138 mmHg; P = 0.001), mean DBP (86 mmHg vs 82 mmHg; P = 0.01), mean central aortic pressure (137 mmHg vs 127 mmHg; P < 0.0001) and mean pulse‐wave velocity (9.1 m/s vs 8.5 m/s; P = 0.02) were higher across gestation. No longitudinal differences were found in vascular function parameters in women of black ethnicity compared with those of non‐black ethnicity.ConclusionThere were persistent differences in vascular function parameters and brachial blood pressure throughout pregnancy in women with chronic hypertension who later developed adverse maternal or perinatal outcome. Further investigation into the possible clinical use of these findings is warranted. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Learning analytics: A glance of evolution, status, and trends according to a proposed taxonomy
Authors: Peña‐Ayala Alejandro 
Published: January 2018

Before the emergence of computer‐based educational systems (CBES) whose aims of providing teaching and learning experiences to hundreds even thousands of users, an explosion of information (e.g., students' log data) demands sophisticated methods to gather, analyze, and interpret learners' traces to regulate and enhance education. Thus, learning analytics (LA) arises as a knowledge discovery paradigm that provides valuable findings and facilitates stakeholders to understand the learning process and its implications. Therefore, a landscape of the LA nature, its underlying factors, and applications achieved is outlined in this paper according to a suggested LA Taxonomy that classifies the LA duty from a functional perspective. The aim is to provide an idea of the LA toil, its research lines, and trends to inspire the development of novel approaches for improving teaching and learning practices. Furthermore, the scope of this review covers recently published papers in prestigious journals and conferences, where the works dated from 2016 are summarized and those corresponding to 2014–2015 are cited according to the proposed LA taxonomy. A glimpse is sketched of LA, where underlying elements frame the field foundations to ground the approaches. Moreover, LA strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and risks are highlighted to advice how the LA arena could be enhanced and empowered. In addition, this review offers an insight of the recent LA labor, as well as motivates readers to enrich the LA achievements. This work promotes the LA practice giving an account of the job being achieved and reported in literature, as well as a reflection of the state‐of‐the‐art and an acumens vision to inspire future labor.This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Education and Learning
Application Areas > Science and Technology
Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Human Centricity and User Interaction
Cervical Lymph Node Metastases of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, in the Central and Lateral Compartments, in Children and Adolescents: Predictive Factors
Authors: Spinelli C. , Tognetti F. , Strambi S. , Morganti R. , Massimino M. , Collini P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractProblem statementThe aim of our study was to identify predictive factors for lymph node metastases (LNM) in children and adolescents with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and their impact on survival.MethodsThe authors conducted an Italian multicentric retrospective analysis on 132 pediatric patients (0–18 years old) affected by PTC between 2000 and 2014. The investigated variables were demographic characteristics of the patients, clinicopathological features of PTCs, and persistence/recurrence of disease. The female/male ratio was 3.1:1. The median age was 14.3 ± 3.5 years (range 4–18 years). Total thyroidectomy was performed in all the patients, followed by lymph node dissection in 87 patients (65.9%). Metastatic lymph node involvement was confirmed in 73 patients (55.3%): lateral compartment (LC) in 25 patients (34.2%), central compartment (CC) in 17 patients (23.3%), and both compartments in 31 patients (42.5%).ResultsMultifocality (P <. 00), vascular invasion (P =. 04), infiltration of the thyroid capsule (P <. 00), minimal extrathyroidal extension (P <. 00), diffuse sclerosing variant of PTC (P =. 02), and presence of LNM in the LC (P <. 00) were significantly associated with LNM in CC. Infiltration of the thyroid capsule (P <. 00), massive extrathyroidal extension (P =. 03), distant metastases (P =. 02), PTC, not otherwise specified (P <. 00), and presence of LNM in the CC (P <. 00) were significantly associated with LNM in LC. Age, sex and size of PTC were not correlated with the presence of cervical LNM. Moreover, presence of LNM in CC increases the risk of persistence (P <. 01) and recurrence (P <. 02) of PTC in children and adolescents.ConclusionsMost predictors, unfortunately, are only identified post‐operatively by histopathologic examination: Just a small part of them can be pre‐operatively detected with a low‐sensitivity neck ultrasonography. In PTC patients with pre‐operative predictors, we suggest an accurate pre‐ and intra‐operative evaluation of CC and/or LC to find suspicious lymph nodes. The presence of LNM in CC has an impact on disease/progression/relapse‐free survival. We suggest performing RAI therapy and an accurate follow‐up for pediatric patients with only post‐operative predictors.