bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical impact of digital cholangioscopy in management of indeterminate biliary strictures and complex biliary stones: a single-center study
Authors: Yan Stephanie , Tejaswi Sooraj
Published: June 2019

Aims:

Endoscopic management of indeterminate strictures and complex stones remains a challenge, for which the latest generation single-operator digital cholangioscope (SpyGlass DS) has shown promising results. We aimed to study the clinical impact of single-operator digital cholangioscope at our tertiary academic center.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed all digital cholangioscopies performed from June 2015 to May 2018. Patient characteristics, procedure characteristics, and post-procedural patient outcomes were recorded.

Results:

A total of 50 patients (26 men, average age 61.4 years) underwent 67 procedures. Indications were biliary stones (21/50, 42%), strictures and primary sclerosing cholangitis surveillance (22/50, 46%), and miscellaneous (7/50, 14%). The average procedure time was 82 ± 29 min (99.5 min for stones and 74.2 min for strictures). Stone clearance was achieved in 19/21 (90.47%) cases, with electrohydraulic lithotripsy employed in 16/21 and repeat cholangioscopy necessary in 9/21. Malignant strictures (10) were differentiated from benign (12) in all cases both in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (9) and in those without (13), based on visual cholangioscopic features (sensitivity and specificity 100%), single-operator digital cholangioscope–directed biopsies (sensitivity 60% and specificity 100%), and brush cytology (sensitivity 37.5% and specificity 100%). Complications included one post-sphincterotomy bleeding and one post-procedural cholangitis despite antibiotic prophylaxis, but no procedure-related mortality.

Conclusion:

Single-operator digital cholangioscope had a high success rate and a low rate of complications for management of indeterminate strictures and difficult biliary stones. Visual cholangioscopic features of biliary strictures had excellent diagnostic accuracy, and targeted biopsies outperformed brush cytology. Early implementation of cholangioscopy for select indications leads to successful patient outcomes and reduces diagnostic delays, cost, and risks of repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies.
A fast equivalent source method for airborne gravity gradient data
Authors: Jirigalatu Jörg , Ebbing
Published: June 2019

Airborne gravity gradiometry measures several gravity gradient components unlike conventional gravimetry taking only the vertical gravity component into account. However, processing of multicomponent airborne gravity gradient (AGG) data without corrupting their internal consistency is often challenging. Therefore, we have developed an equivalent source technique to tackle this challenge. With a combination of Gauss-fast Fourier transform and the Landweber iteration, we have developed an efficient way to compute equivalent sources for AGG data. This method can handle two components simultaneously. We first examined its viability by applying this approach to a synthetic example. Afterward, we applied our method to real AGG data collected in the area of Karasjok, Norway. Our result is almost the same as the results that meet the industry standard but with great efficiency.
A novel semiairborne frequency-domain controlled-source electromagnetic system: Three-dimensional inversion of semiairborne data from the flight experiment over an ancient mining area near Schleiz, Germany
Authors: Smirnova Maria V. , Becken Michael , Nittinger Christian , Yogeshwar Pritam , Mörbe Wiebke , Rochlitz Raphael , Steuer Annika , Costabel Stephan , Smirnov Maxim Y. ,   the DESMEX Working Group
Published: June 2019

We have developed a novel semiairborne frequency-domain electromagnetic (EM) system and successfully tested it within the DESMEX project. The semiairborne approach relies on the fact that part of the system is positioned on the ground and the rest is airborne. This allows us to take advantage of ground and airborne techniques. In particular, a high-moment transmitter can be installed on the earth’s surface, which enables us to inject and induce strong EM fields in the subsurface. Moreover, galvanic coupling is possible, which is an advantage if additional ground stations are deployed. The airborne receivers allow easier, significantly faster, and more uniform spatial coverage of the study area than the ground receivers. In our implementation, transmitters and electric field receivers are installed on the ground. Magnetic field sensors, such as commercially available fluxgate, total field magnetometers, and newly developed induction coils, are installed on a helicopter-towed bird. First, we describe the results of a semiairborne survey performed in a selected area with ancient mining located in the Saxothuringian zone near Schleiz, Germany. A 3D semiairborne inversion model represents several conductive anomalies, which agree well with the outcrop of alum shale formations at the surface. In addition, the shallow parts of the semiairborne model are compared with the result of an independent helicopter-borne survey, which consists of stepwise 1D models.
On low frequencies emitted by air guns at very shallow depths — An experimental study
Authors: Wehner Daniel , Landrø Martin , Amundsen Lasse
Published: June 2019

In marine seismic acquisition, the enhancement of frequency amplitudes below 5 Hz is of special interest because it improves imaging of the subsurface. The frequency content of the air gun, the most commonly used marine seismic source, is mainly controlled by its depth and the volume. Although the depth dependency on frequencies greater than 5 Hz has been thoroughly investigated, for frequencies less than 5 Hz it is less understood. However, recent results suggest that sources fired very close to the sea surface might enhance these very low frequencies. Therefore, we conduct dedicated tank experiments to investigate the changes of the source signal for very shallow sources in more detail. A small-volume air gun is fired at different distances from the water-air interface, including depths for which the air bubble bursts directly into the surrounding air. The variations of the oscillating bubble and surface disturbances, which can cause changes of the reflected signal from the sea surface, are explored to determine whether an increased frequency signal below 5 Hz can be achieved from very shallow air guns. The results are compared with field measurements of a large-volume air gun fired close to the sea surface. The results reveal an increased signal for frequencies below 5 Hz of up to 10 and 20 dB for the tank and field experiments, respectively, for the source depth at which the air gun bubble bursts directly into the surrounding air. For large-volume air guns, an increased low-frequency signal might also be achieved for sources that are slightly deeper than this bursting depth. From these observations, new design considerations in the geometry of air-gun arrays in marine seismic acquisition are suggested.
The RNA-Binding Protein ELAVL1 Regulates GnRH Receptor Expression and the Response to GnRH
Authors: Terasaka Tomohiro , Kim Taeshin , Dave Hiral , Gangapurkar Bhakti , Nicholas Dequina A , Muñoz Oscar , Terasaka Eri , Li Danmei , Lawson Mark A
Published: June 2019

Gonadotropin secretion, which is elicited by GnRH stimulation of the anterior pituitary gonadotropes, is a critical feature of reproductive control and the maintenance of fertility. In addition, activation of the GnRH receptor (GnRHR) regulates transcription and translation of multiple factors that regulate the signaling response and synthesis of gonadotropins. GnRH stimulation results in a broad redistribution of mRNA between active and inactive polyribosomes within the cell, but the mechanism of redistribution is not known. The RNA-binding protein embryonic lethal, abnormal vision, Drosophila-like 1 (ELAVL1) binds to AU-rich elements in mRNA and is one of the most abundant mRNA-binding proteins in eukaryotic cells. It is known to serve as a core component of RNA-binding complexes that direct the fate of mRNA. In LβT2 gonadotropes, we showed that ELAVL1 binds to multiple mRNAs encoding factors that are crucial for gonadotropin synthesis and release. Association with some mRNAs is GnRH sensitive but does not correlate with abundance of binding. We also showed MAPK-dependent changes in intracellular localization of ELAVL1 in response to GnRH stimulation. Knockdown of ELAVL1 gene expression resulted in reduced Lhb and Gnrhr mRNA levels, reduced cell surface expression of GnRHR, and reduced LH secretion in response to GnRH stimulation. Overall, these observations not only support the role of ELAVL1 in GnRHR-mediated regulation of gene expression and LH secretion but also indicate that other factors may contribute to the precise fate of mRNA in response to GnRH stimulation of gonadotropes.
Effect of Prebiotic on Microbiota, Intestinal Permeability, and Glycemic Control in Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Ho Josephine , Nicolucci Alissa C , Virtanen Heidi , Schick Alana , Meddings Jon , Reimer Raylene A , Huang Carol
Published: June 2019

Context

Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have lower microbiota diversity and distinct gut microbial profiles that have been linked to changes in intestinal permeability. Prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that alter gut microbiota and could potentially improve glycemic control and reduce intestinal permeability and thereby insulin sensitivity.

Objective

To determine the effect of prebiotics on glycemic control, gut microbiota, and intestinal permeability in children with T1D.

Design

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in children 8 to 17 years of age with T1D using placebo or prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin for 12 weeks. Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessments included HbA1c, C-peptide, gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and severe hypoglycemia.

Results

Forty-three subjects were randomized and 38 completed the study. The groups were similar at baseline: prebiotic (N = 17), age 12.5 years (SD of 2.8), HbA1c 8.02% (SD of 0.82); placebo (N = 21), age 12.0 years (SD of 2.6), HbA1c 8.08% (SD of 0.91). No significant differences were found in the frequency of DKA or severe hypoglycemia. At 3-months, C-peptide was significantly higher (P = 0.029) in the group who received prebiotics, which was accompanied by a modest improvement in intestinal permeability (P = 0.076). There was a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium within the prebiotic group at 3 months that was no longer present after the 3-month washout. The placebo group had significantly higher relative abundance of Streptococcus, Roseburia inulinivorans, Terrisporobacter, and Faecalitalea compared with the prebiotic group at 3 months.

Conclusion

Prebiotics are a potentially novel, inexpensive, low-risk treatment addition for T1D that may improve glycemic control. Further larger-scale trials are needed.
Coral Empire
Authors: Elias Ann
Published: June 2019

From vividly colored underwater photographs of Australia's Great Barrier Reef to life-size dioramas re-creating coral reefs and the bounty of life they sustained, the work of early twentieth-century explorers and photographers fed the public's fascination with reefs. In the 1920s John Ernest Williamson in the Bahamas and Frank Hurley in Australia produced mass-circulated and often highly staged photographs and films that cast corals as industrious, colonizing creatures, and the undersea as a virgin, unexplored, and fantastical territory. In Coral Empire Ann Elias traces the visual and social history of Williamson and Hurley and how their modern media spectacles yoked the tropics and coral reefs to colonialism, racism, and the human domination of nature. Using the labor and knowledge of indigenous peoples while exoticizing and racializing them as inferior Others, Williamson and Hurley sustained colonial fantasies about people of color and the environment as endless resources to be plundered. As Elias demonstrates, their reckless treatment of the sea prefigured attitudes that caused the environmental crises that the oceans and reefs now face.
The maternal-to-zygotic transition revisited
Authors: Vastenhouw Nadine L. , Cao Wen Xi , Lipshitz Howard D.
Published: June 2019

The development of animal embryos is initially directed by maternal gene products. Then, during the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), developmental control is handed to the zygotic genome. Extensive research in both vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms has revealed that the MZT can be subdivided into two phases, during which very different modes of gene regulation are implemented: initially, regulation is exclusively post-transcriptional and post-translational, following which gradual activation of the zygotic genome leads to predominance of transcriptional regulation. These changes in the gene expression program of embryos are precisely controlled and highly interconnected. Here, we review current understanding of the mechanisms that underlie handover of developmental control during the MZT.
Destruction complex dynamics: Wnt/β-catenin signaling alters Axin-GSK3β interactions inin vivo
Authors: Lybrand Daniel B. , Naiman Misha , Laumann Jessie May , Boardman Mitzi , Petshow Samuel , Hansen Kevin , Scott Gregory , Wehrli Marcel
Published: June 2019

The central regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is the Axin/APC/GSK3β destruction complex (DC), which in unstimulated conditions targets cytoplasmic β-catenin for degradation. How Wnt activation inhibits the DC to permit β-catenin-dependent signaling remains controversial, in part because the DC and its regulation have never been observed in vivo. Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) methods, we have now analyzed the activity of the DC under near-physiological conditions in Drosophila. By focusing on well-established patterns of Wnt/Wg signaling in the developing Drosophila wing, we have defined the sequence of events by which activated Wnt receptors induce a conformational change within the DC, resulting in modified Axin-GSK3β interactions that prevent β-catenin degradation. Surprisingly, the nucleus is surrounded by active DCs, which principally control β-catenin's degradation and thereby nuclear access. These DCs are inactivated and removed upon Wnt signal transduction. These results suggest a novel mechanistic model for dynamic Wnt signaling transduction in vivo.
Development of Atroposelective Antibodies by Immunization with a Racemic Mixture of Binaphthyl Derivatives
Authors: Adachi Takuma , Harada Akira , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu
Published: June 2019

The design and creation of chiral recognition elements are important for the synthesis, separation, and detection of chiral molecules. We prepare monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which are chemically homogeneous antibodies, as tailored chiral recognition elements by immunizing mice with a racemic mixture of a binaphthyl derivative (BN (rac)) conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Immunization with BN (rac) induces an immunoresponse that is as strong as that with enantiomerically pure antigens and yields mAbs for each enantiomer of BN, simultaneously. Notably, one of the mAbs prepared by immunization with BN (rac) recognizes the axial chirality of the BN enantiomer with a 14000-fold difference in affinity. These findings provide a strategy to obtain atroposelective antibodies for each enantiomer of BN with a single immunization. mAbs also recognize the axial chirality of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol (BINOL) and 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl hydrogen phosphate (BNPA), which are an important chiral building block and a chiral organic catalyst, respectively. The cross reactivity of mAbs for the partial structure of BN is significantly low. Therefore, mAbs recognize the axial chirality of BN, BINOL, and BNPA by binding their binaphthyl moiety.
Recent advances in endometrial cancer: a review of key clinical trials from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Charo Lindsey M. , Plaxe Steven C.
Published: June 2019

In the past few years, we have seen several important advances in understanding of and therapy for endometrial cancer. This review highlights key recent abstracts and publications in endometrial cancer from 2015 to 2019. We focus on clinical trials in surgical staging and the utility of sentinel lymph node mapping, adjuvant treatment for high-risk disease and HER2/neu-positive serous tumors, combination therapy for recurrent disease, molecular biology, and immunotherapy.
Measuring bias, burden and conservatism in research funding processes
Authors: Guthrie Susan , Rodriguez Rincon Daniela , McInroy Gordon , Ioppolo Becky , Gunashekar Salil
Published: June 2019

Background: Grant funding allocation is a complex process that in most cases relies on peer review. A recent study identified a number of challenges associated with the use of peer review in the evaluation of grant proposals. Three important issues identified were bias, burden, and conservatism, and the work concluded that further experimentation and measurement is needed to assess the performance of funding processes.

Methods: We have conducted a review of international practice in the evaluation and improvement of grant funding processes in relation to bias, burden and conservatism, based on a rapid evidence assessment and interviews with research funding agencies.

Results: The evidence gathered suggests that efforts so far to measure these characteristics systematically by funders have been limited. However, there are some examples of measures and approaches which could be developed and more widely applied.

Conclusions: The majority of the literature focuses primarily on the application and assessment process, whereas burden, bias and conservatism can emerge as challenges at many wider stages in the development and implementation of a grant funding scheme. In response to this we set out a wider conceptualisation of the ways in which this could emerge across the funding process.
The Insatiate Countess, William Barksted’s Hiren, the Fair Greek, and the Children of the King’s Revels
Authors: Cathcart Charles
Published: June 2019

This essay examines the activity through which the appropriations of William Barksted’s Hiren, the Fair Greek entered the dialogue of The Insatiate Countess. The essay argues that Hiren is a more substantial source for The Insatiate Countess than has been supposed, that The Dumb Knight and The Turk also draw from Hiren, and that Barksted’s narrative verse displays a tendency to use phrases previously deployed by John Marston. The essay considers the implications of these claims and suggests that one explanation for the striking verse register of The Insatiate Countess is that it features Marstonian diction shorn of Marstonian self-consciousness.
Daisy Murray. Twins in Early Modern English Drama and Shakespeare. London and New York: Routledge, 2017. Pp 201. Hardback USD $150.00. ISBN: 9781138679368.
Authors: Hamlet Jess
Published: June 2019

This review considers Twins in Early Modern English Drama and Shakespeare.
Demarcation of Levees in Irrigated Rice Fields: Laser Technology vs. GNSS-RTK
Authors: Bueno Marcos Valle , de Campos Alexssandra Dayane Soares , da Silva Jaqueline Trombetta , Faria Lessandro Coll , Terra Fabrício da Silva , Parfitt Jose Maria Barbat
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Levees are small land dikes made every rice-cultivation season that allow for flood irrigation in rice fields. Currently, levees are demarcated by utilizing a laser technology (LT) system. However, with current technological advances, the demarcation of levees with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and real-time kinematics (RTK) correction has been highlighted in rice production systems in southern Brazil. The objective of this study was to compare the performance between LT and GNSS-RTK systems applied in the demarcation of levees that are used in flooded rice fields. To this end, an experimental area of approximately 27 ha located in Jaguarão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was used. From a digital elevation model, the area was subdivided into three subareas according to the mean slope: flat (0.16%), intermediate (0.36%), and gently undulated (1.3%). The total length of the levees for the three subareas was 8 km. The relative performances of both demarcation systems were evaluated by analyzing the vertical and horizontal behavior of the levees and the water layer spatial distribution. The results indicated that the demarcation of levees by GNSS-RTK systems is more accurate than that by the LT system, especially in flat areas. In these areas, the GNSS-RTK demarcation system permits a reduction in the total number of levees, as well as an increase in the vertical equidistance between levees and/or an increase in the height of the levee itself. The length of the levee is shorter than in a demarcation using the GNSS-RTK system. Keywords: Contour line, Irrigation, Lowlands, Precision agriculture.
Evaluation of the Performance of a Newly Developed Wireless Temperature and Moisture Sensor for Rice under Various Levels of Temperature, Moisture Content, and Dockage
Authors: Luthra Kaushik , Shafiekhani Soraya , Stephens Brandon , Sadaka Sammy , Atungulu Griffiths G
Published: June 2019

Abstract.

Monitoring on-farm, in-bin natural air drying process of rice is critical to achieve optimum milled rice quality, milling yields, and maximize profits to growers and processors. Engineering tools such as temperature/humidity cables with sensors for grain condition monitoring, and mobile applications have emerged to provide significant improvements in quality control and automation of the drying process. This research seeks to improve the performance of a recently developed, novel wireless probe for sensing temperature and moisture content of rice. The specific objective is to test the accuracy and precision of the measurements over a wide range of rice temperature (20°C to 60°C), moisture content (13% to 25% wet basis), and dockage levels (0 to 10% by weight). Wireless probes designed and built in collaboration with Deacon Technologies LLC were used in this study. The probes were calibrated against thermocouple readings for temperature measurements and standard oven method measurements for moisture content. Experiments were performed in triplicates using three different probes and three metal containers with rice samples to check the accuracy of the probes and to determine the variability amongst different probes. The probes were accurate due to the strong regressions found between the measured and true values of temperature and moisture content. The ANOVA analysis showed that there was no significant difference within different probes both for temperature (p = 0.17) and moisture content (p = 0.48) measurements. Calibration equations were developed to further reduce the variance in the probe measurements. Both for temperature and moisture content measurements, the calibration equation coefficients were statistically significant with positive slopes and small standard errors (less than 0.5). Thus, these probes could be handy for on-farm in-bin rice temperature and moisture monitoring; with the merits of portability, easy set-up and tear down, low initial and maintenance cost, and precise and accurate measurements. Keywords: Calibration, Dockage, Moisture content, On-farm in-bin drying, Rough rice, Temperature, Wireless probe.
Physical and Thermal Properties of Chia, Kañiwa, Triticale, and Farro Seeds as a Function of Moisture Content
Authors: Suleiman Rashid , Xie Kun , Rosentrater Kurt A.
Published: June 2019

Abstract.

The knowledge of physical and thermal properties in cereals, grains, and oilseeds establishes an essential engineering tool for the design of equipment, storage structures, and processes. The physical properties and thermal properties for Chia, Kañiwa, Farro, and Triticale grains were investigated at three levels of moisture content: 10%, 15%, and 20% (d.b.). Physical properties included 1000-seed weight, dimensions, mean diameters, surface area, volume, sphericity, and aspect ratio. Results indicated 1000-seed weight increased linearly with moisture content from 2.0 to 3.5 g for chia, 2.5 to 4.0 g for kañiwa, 42.7 to 48.3 g for farro, and 51.0 to 53.7 g for triticale. The porosity for farro and triticale increased from 38.71% to 44.1%, 40.37% to 44.65%, respectively, as moisture increased. Angle of repose increased as moisture content increased, as did values of L, a*, and b* for all grains. Thermal properties of kañiwa, farro, and triticale showed high correlation to moisture content. A negative relationship was observed for the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity, while the thermal diffusivity had a positive linear increase trend with moisture content. This study showed that physical and thermal properties varied from grain to grain as a function of moisture content, and these data will be useful for future application development. Keywords: Chia, Farro, Grains, Kañiwa, Moisture, Physical properties, Thermal properties, Triticale.
Sustainable management of freshwater resources: Linking international water law and the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Spijkers Otto
Published: June 2019

Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030 is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015. Sustainable management of freshwater resources happens to be a purpose of international water law as well. This paper explains how
the legal compliance mechanism of international water law and the extralegal compliance mechanism of the SDGs can be jointly harnessed to more compellingly encourage all states in the world to manage their freshwater resources in a sustainable way.This paper demonstrates how the
extralegal compliance mechanism of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular as it is applied to sustainable freshwater management (SDG 6, 12, and 15), complements the legal compliance mechanism of international water law, thereby contributing to the resolution
of one of the most pressing environmental problems in today’s world: the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The SDG targets, commitments, progress indicators, and reporting obligations relating to the sustainable management of freshwater resources are paired with
provisions from the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (UNWC) and the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UNECE Convention). The main idea is that the above-mentioned treaties and the SDGs
can strengthen each other’s compliance pull when paired in this way. The paper zooms in on the SDG targets and international water law provisions relating to 1. the sustainable management of freshwater resources, 2. the prevention of freshwater pollution, and 3. the protection
and restoration of freshwater ecosystems.
Österreichische Universitäten übernehmen Verantwortung: Das Projekt Universitäten und Nachhaltige EntwicklungsZiele (UniNEtZ)
Authors: Stötter Johann , Kromp-Kolb Helga , Körfgen Annemarie , Allerberger Franziska , Lindenthal Thomas , Glatz Ingomar , Lang Reinhold , Fehr Franz , Bohunovsky Lisa
Published: June 2019

Österreichische Universitäten arbeiten interdisziplinär im Projekt Universitäten und Nachhaltige EntwicklungsZiele (UniNEtZ) zusammen. UniNEtZ hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, Optionen darzustellen, wie die Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) der
Vereinten Nationen umgesetzt werden können, wie zu einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung Österreichs beigetragen und wie eine Verankerung von Nachhaltigkeit in Wissenschaft und Bildung gefördert werden kann.
Research for Sustainable Development Goals: Introduction
Authors: Wiesmann Urs , Dayer Océane
Published: June 2019

The 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) marks a breakthrough towards more sustainable development at global, regional, national and local levels. At the same time, it fundamentally challenges societies at all levels to reorient and innovatively
steer development pathways towards the set goals. This thematic focus on research for SDGs reflects and illustrates some of the challenges faced by science and research supporting the transformations required in view of achieving the SDGs.
Monotonicity formulas for coupled elliptic gradient systems with applications
Authors: Fazly Mostafa , Shahgholian Henrik
Published: June 2019

Consider the following coupled elliptic system of equations

$$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle (-{\it\Delta})^s u_i = (u^2_1+\cdots+u^2_m)^{\frac{p-1}{2}} u_i \quad \text{in} ~~ \mathbb{R}^n , \end{array}$$

where 0  1,m≥ 1,u=$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle (u_i)_{i=1}^m \end{array}$andui: ℝn→ ℝ. The qualitative behavior of solutions of the above system has been studied from various perspectives in the literature including the free boundary problems and the classification of solutions. For the case of local scalar equation, that is whenm= 1 ands= 1, Gidas and Spruck in [26] and later Caffarelli, Gidas and Spruck in [6] provided the classification of solutions for Sobolev sub-critical and critical exponents. More recently, for the case of local system of equations that is whenm≥ 1 ands= 1 a similar classification result is given by Druet, Hebey and Vétois in [17] and references therein. In this paper, we derive monotonicity formulae for entire solutions of the above local, whens= 1, 2, and nonlocal, when 0 <s< 1 and 1 <s< 2, system. These monotonicity formulae are of great interests due to the fact that a counterpart of the celebrated monotonicity formula of Alt-Caffarelli-Friedman [1] seems to be challenging to derive for system of equations. Then, we apply these formulae to give a classification of finite Morse index solutions. In the end, we provide an open problem in regards to monotonicity formulae for Lane-Emden systems.
CYP24A1 and SLC34A1 genetic defects associated with idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia: from genotype to phenotype
Authors: De Paolis Elisa , Scaglione Giovanni Luca , De Bonis Maria , Minucci Angelo , Capoluongo Ettore
Published: June 2019

Loss of function mutations in the CYP24A1 gene, involved in vitamin D catabolism and in calcium homeostasis, are known to be the genetic drivers of both idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia (IIH) and adult renal stone disease. Recently, also defects in the SLC34A1 gene, encoding for the renal sodium-phosphate transporter NaPi-IIa, were associated with the disease. IIH typically affects infants and pediatric patients with a syndrome characterized by severe hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, suppressed parathyroid hormone level and nephrolithiasis. In SLC34A1 mutated carriers, hypophosphatemia is also a typical biochemical tract. IIH may also persist undiagnosed into adulthood, causing an increased risk of nephrocalcinosis and renal complication. To note, a clinical heterogeneity characterizes IIH manifestation, principally due to the controversial gene-dose effect and, to the strong influence of environmental factors. The present review is aimed to provide an overview of the current molecular findings on the IIH disorder, giving a comprehensive description of the association between genotype and biochemical and clinical phenotype of the affected patients. We also underline that patients may benefit from genetic testing into a targeted diagnostic and therapeutic workflow.
Exertional hematuria: definition, epidemiology, diagnostic and clinical considerations
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Sanchis-Gomar Fabian
Published: June 2019

Exertional hematuria can be considered a subcategory of exercise-induced hematuria, characterized by painless appearance of erythrocytes in urine after recent physical exercise, not directly attributable to external traumatic injuries to the genitourinary system, and spontaneously resolving with rest. Although its frequency has enormous heterogeneity, depending on the athlete population, duration and intensity of exercise, technique used for identifying or quantifying hematuria and relative diagnostic thresholds, what clearly emerges from the scientific literature is that a certain degree of hematuria is commonplace after non-contact sports, especially running. This exertional hematuria, which appears self-limiting, may be attributable to some frequently concomitant causes, involving organs of the genitourinary system, and mostly encompassing bladder or urethral injuries. Renal injuries caused by internal movements, vascular spasm and ischemia are also potential causes of increased glomerular permeability to erythrocytes, whilst the presence of preexisting genitourinary diseases cannot be ruled out, especially when post-exercise hematuria is recurrent or endures. Therefore, whenever hematuria is observed in a random urine specimen, recent sports performance (especially running) should be investigated and urinalyses scheduled for the following days. When no temporal association of hematuria with exercise can be found, when genitourinary traumas have been excluded or hematuria persists for >72 h, specific diagnostic investigations should be planned to identify possible genitourinary diseases.
Dynamic Fiscal Solvency with Consumption and Capital Taxes
Authors: Kudła Janusz , Kopczewska Katarzyna , Kocia Agata , Kruszewski Robert , Walczyk Konrad
Published: June 2019

To finance public expenditure a government needs to raise revenue, which mainly comes from taxes and borrowings. During a financial crisis, however, financing of budget deficit is particularly difficult because of a rise in debt servicing costs that crowd out other expenses and raise the concern for government solvency. In extreme cases, governments are constrained to tax, as borrowing opportunities are strictly limited or unavailable. Still, governments can choose from tax menu options (income and consumption taxes), given the flexibility of the tax mix. This article presents a long-term dynamic model of fiscal solvency that shows the equilibrium the revenue maximising government can obtain with reasonable tax rates when capital income can be shifted and there are constraints on the consumption tax. Specifically, the solution predicts a positive level of bonds in the long-term equilibrium and the tax rates dependent positively on the abundance of the tax bases.
Discussion of some recent literature on hydrogen-embrittlement mechanisms: addressing common misunderstandings
Authors: Lynch Stan
Published: June 2019

There have been several reviews and numerous papers on hydrogen-embrittlement phenomena and mechanisms in the past few years, but long-standing controversies regarding mechanisms of embrittlement (when hydride phases are not involved) are no closer to being resolved despite all the recent research. These controversies have arisen partly because there have been significant misunderstandings of some of the proposed mechanisms, and some misinterpretation of experimental observations. There has also been a lack of consideration of all the evidence, with some researchers ignoring observations that do not fit their favoured hypothesis. Some recent reviews and papers illustrating the above points are discussed in the present paper, although a comprehensive coverage is not attempted. It is concluded that the adsorption-induced dislocation-emission/void-coalescence mechanism predominates for cleavage-like and intergranular fracture modes that exhibit microscale or nanoscale dimples. Hydrogen-enhanced decohesion, hydrogen-enhanced localised plasticity, and vacancy-based mechanisms may play secondary roles for such fracture modes and could be more important in other cases.
Typical changes of ethmocephaly and holoprosencephaly in a fetus at 14 weeks of gestation
Authors: Altmann Reinhard , Allerstorfer Christina , Scharnreitner Iris , Arzt Wolfgang
Published: June 2019

Background

This case report is to show the details of the face of a very rare ethmocephaly at 14 weeks of gestation.

Case presentation

After the regular transabdominal two-dimensional (2D) scan for nuchal translucency we could describe the following malformations: holoprosencephaly, proboscis and an abnormal face, omphalocele containing bowel, hyperechoic kidneys and megacystis. In addition, we acquired transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound volume blocks of the fetal head, scanned with different insonation angles and stored them for later analysis. Using the multiplanar mode the volume blocks taken from the front show all details of the face: proboscis, hypotelorism, microphthalmia, cleft palate, accelerated development of the frontal bones and premature closure of the metopic suture. The volume blocks taken through the squamosal suture show all details of the fossa posterior and brain: fused thalami surrounded by the typical monoventricle, normal brain stem, elongation of anterior membranous area. Render mode shows a precise 3D image of the face. To better demonstrate the changes of the fetal face a post-mortem photo of the fetal face is included.

Conclusion

This case report can demonstarte the typical changes of ethmocephaly in the first trimester using transvaginal 3D scan.
Wittgensteins Tagebuchschreiben als Weg der Vervollkommnung und Suche nach Klarheit
Authors: Somavilla Ilse
Published: June 2019

Apart from the coded part of the Notebooks 1914–1916 and a diary of the 1930s (published as Denkbewegungen), there are numerous so called diarian remarks scattered throughout Wittgenstein’s philosophical manuscripts, many of them written in code. Even though my article will focus on the personal diarian entries, I will hint at the tight connection to Wittgenstein’s philosophical remarks – above all with regard to the ethical impulse determining Wittgenstein’s way of life as well as his way of writing philosophy, where an obsessive search for clarity and perfection can be observed.
Preparing an injectable hydrogel with sodium alginate and Type I collagen to create better MSCs growth microenvironment
Authors: Zhou Jiankang , Zhang Kun , Ma Shanshan , Liu Tengfei , Yao Minghao , Li Jingan , Wang Xiaofeng , Guan Fangxia
Published: June 2019

In the past few decades, stem cell transplantation has been generally accepted as an effective method on the treatment of tissue and organ injury. However, the insufficient number of transplanted stem cells and low survival rate that caused by series of negative conditions limit the therapeutic effect. In this contribution, we developed an injectable hydrogel composed of sodium alginate (SA) and Type I collagen (ColI), as the tissue scaffold to create better growth microenvironment for the stem cells. Compared the traditional SA scaffold, the ColI/SA hydrogel inherits its biomimetic properties, and simultaneously has shorter gelation time which means less loss of the transplanted stem cells. The mesenchyma stem cell (MSC) culture experiments indicated that the ColI/SA hydrogel could prevent the MSC apoptosis and contributed to faster MSC proliferation. It is highlighted that this ColI/SA hydrogel may have potential application for tissue regeneration and organ repair as the stem cell scaffold.
Modifications of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) for antimicrobial and wound healing applications
Authors: Alavi Mehran
Published: June 2019

Recently, great attention has been paid to nano-composites of cellulose, due to their unique structure as a most abundant natural polymer with having exceptional properties such as renewable, biodegradable and high specific tensile strength, aspect ratio, and Young’s modulus. Prominent cellulose is naturally present in plant lignocellulosic biomass as a biocomposite made of cellulose, hemi-celluloses, lignin, etc. In addition, it can be extracted from other natural sources including bacteria, algae, and sea animals. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) is an emerging renewable nanomaterial that has various applications, such as food, paper production, industrial and pharmaceutical biomaterials. The surface modification on NCC can improves its disperse ability in different solvents and its utilization in protein immobilization, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and inorganic reaction template. Therefore, based on recent studies, this review illustrated considerable progresses with addressing medicinal properties involving antimicrobial and biocompatibility of nano-cellulose (NC) in the case of wound healing.
Long-term durability antibacterial microcapsules with plant-derived Chinese nutgall and their applications in wound dressing
Authors: Xue Wen , Zhang Mengxing , Zhao Fan , Wang Fujun , Gao Jing , Wang Lu
Published: June 2019

Wound infection is a significant burden on public health. Most present antibacterial agents are typically toxic and devoid of long-term durability. We reported an antimicrobial microcapsule with Chinese nutgall (CN) encapsulated, which was a plant-derived extraction. It is biocompatible and has been used in traditional medicine systems. Sodium alginate (SA) and chitosan worked as shells. The promise of the design is to adopt biocompatible natural polymers and electrostatic attractive chitosan and SA form stable shells to keep long-term release of CN. The results exhibited microcapsules with integrated performance of biocompatibility, long-term durability (inhibition rate of 98.99% against S. aureus after 12 h and 100% after 12 h, 99.61% against E. coli after 6 h and 100% after 12 h), high antibacterial efficacy (with S. aureus inhibition zones of 7.67 mm and E. coli inhibition zones of 5.27 mm) and ease of storage (-20°C for more than 60 h). Their successful fabrication may provide new insights into application of traditional cotton gauze in a sustainable and multifunctional form.
A Modern Standard Contract Terms Law from Reasonable Assent to Enhanced Fairness Control
Authors: Grundmann Stefan
Published: June 2019

This paper gives a birds’ eye view on the ALI Restatement on Consumer Contracts (proposal) and European, and partly also Member State, law of standard contract terms with respect to the environment where these standard contracts and assent to them appears to be particularly fleeting, namely in digital contexts. It does so, however, with a broader scope: It tries to explain why assent rules are not meaningless even in a world where most consumers and customers do not read standard contract terms, and it tries to explain how lessons could be deduced also for a meaningful and more differentiated fairness control. It argues that favouring intervention of control (ie information) intermediaries – such as consumer associations – is key and that the preservation of possibilities for negotiation should be maintained and valued. In these respects, the paper is inspired in good part by company law and capital market law dealing with parallel problems.
Spatial data quality and uncertainty publication patterns and trends by bibliometric analysis
Authors: Bielecka Elżbieta , Burek Elżbieta
Published: June 2019

Using the literature review and quantitative analysis, the research on the quality and uncertainty of spatial data have been compared and analysed according to years of publication, authors, document types, WoS categories, and countries. The paper portrayed the development in the field, studied the state and evolution of the most productive and influential journals, conferences, and research institutions. The results showed that remote sensing, computer science, and geography relate mostly to data imperfection and assessment of its uncertainty. This relation is clearly translated into the most productive journals, and conferences proceedings. The top-ranked countries in this field are United States, China, and the United Kingdom.
Biosynthesis, characterization and anti-microbial activity of silver nanoparticle based gel hand wash
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Muqtader , Fatima Farhat , Anwer Md. Khalid , Alshahrani Saad M. , Alalaiwe Ahmed , Katakam Prakash
Published: June 2019

In the current study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesised by microwave irradiation using Azadirachta indica. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 408 nm at UV-visible spectroscopy due to reduction of silver metal into (AgNPs) and further confirmed its particles in nano range. Nine different smart-gel hand wash were prepared by dispersing (AgNPs) in the HPMC and/or Pluronic F-127 polymers. The prepared smart gel hand wash was optimized based on pH, viscosity, spreadability, foamability, clarity. The optimized hand wash (NH5) had pH (6.6 ± 0.33), viscosity (66 ± 0.77, cp), spreadability (24.34 g-cm/s), foamability (100 mL). The optimized hand wash (NH5) showed a superior efficacy against pathogenic organisms in comparison to germ protection based marketed hand wash.
Volcanic ash as reusable catalyst in the green synthesis of 3H-1,5-benzodiazepines
Authors: Muñoz Mercedes , Pasquale Gustavo , Sathicq Angel Gabriel , Romanelli Gustavo Pablo , Cabello Carmen Inés , Gazzoli Delia
Published: June 2019

The volcanic ash from the Andes mountain range (Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex situated in western South America on the Argentinean-Chilean border) was used as heterogeneous acid catalyst in the suitable synthesis of 3H-1,5-benzodiazepines. The natural ashes were classified according to their particle size to generate the different catalytic materials. The catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), vibrational spectroscopies (FT-IR and Raman), and textural properties were determined by N2 adsorption (SBET). Potentiometric titration with n-butylamine was used to determine the acidic properties of the catalytic materials. Several 3H-1,5-benzodiazepines were obtained by reaction of o-phenylenediamine and substituted 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione in solvent-free conditions, giving good to excellent yields of a variety benzodiazepines. The method was carried out in environmentally friendly conditions and it was operationally simple. The volcanic ash resulted in a safe and recyclable catalyst.
The first in situ synthesis of 1,3-dioxan-5-one derivatives and their direct use in Claisen-Schmidt reactions
Authors: Javad Poursharifi M. , Mojtahedi Mohammad M. , Saeed Abaee M. , Hashemi Mohammad M.
Published: June 2019

A method is developed for in situ generation of 1,3-dioxan-5-one derivatives 2. These compounds are simple precursors for accessing carbohydrate structures and previously had to be produced via stepwise procedures using excessive amounts of reagents. In the present work, three different derivatives of 2 were synthesized via the reaction of trialkoxyalkanes with dihydroxyacetone dimer 1 in the presence of acetic acid as the catalyst. In the same pot, derivatives of 2 were reacted with aromatic aldehydes and 30 mol% of pyrrolidine to obtain high yields of the respective bischalcones 3 within short time periods.