bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Las cerámicas con decoración impresa de Alarcos (Ciudad Real)
Authors: García Huerta Mª del Rosario , Rodriguez González David , Soria Combadiera Lucía , Morales Hervás Francisco Javier
Published: January 2020

El objeto de este trabajo es el estudio de un conjunto reducido pero significativo de cerámicas ibéricas, procedentes del oppidum de Alarcos, Ciudad Real (España), que presentan entre sus elementos decorativos motivos impresos o estampillas. Se analizan formas, decoraciones, calidades y contextos y se aportan elementos para la reflexión acerca de una producción cerámica, la decorada con estampillas, cuya presencia minoritaria en relación con otras producciones y su excelente manufactura, puede ser indicativo de un uso asociado a ocasiones especiales de celebración
Development of an autophagy-related gene prognostic signature in lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Jie , Wang Min , Hu Daixing
Published: January 2020

Purpose

There is plenty of evidence showing that autophagy plays an important role in the biological process of cancer. The purpose of this study was to establish a novel autophagy-related prognostic marker for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).

Methods

The mRNA microarray and clinical data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed by using a univariate Cox proportional regression model to select candidate autophagy-related prognostic genes. Bioinformatics analysis of gene function using the Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) platforms was performed. A multivariate Cox proportional regression model helped to develop a prognostic signature from the pool of candidate genes. On the basis of this prognostic signature, we could divide LUAD and LUSC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Further survival analysis demonstrated that high-risk patients had significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS) than low-risk patients. The signature which contains six autophagy-related genes (EIF4EBP1, TP63, BNIP3, ATIC, ERO1A and FADD) showed good performance for predicting the survival of LUAD and LUSC patients by having a better Area Under Curves (AUC) than other clinical parameters. Its efficacy was also validated by data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Conclusion

Collectively, the prognostic signature we proposed is a promising biomarker for monitoring the outcomes of LUAD and LUSC.
EEG alpha activity increased in response to transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation in young healthy subjects but not in the healthy elderly
Authors: Yıldırım Ebru , Güntekin Bahar , Hanoğlu Lütfü , Algun Candan
Published: January 2020

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is used not only in the treatment of pain but also in the examination of sensory functions. With aging, there is decreased sensitivity to somatosensory stimuli. It is essential to examine the effect of TENS application on the sensory functions in the brain by recording the spontaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) activity and the effect of aging on the sensory functions of the brain during the application. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the application of TENS on the brain’s electrical activity and the effect of aging on the sensory functions of the brain during application of TENS. A total of 15 young (24.2 ± 3.59) and 14 elderly (65.64 ± 4.92) subjects were included in the study. Spontaneous EEG was recorded from 32 channels during TENS application. Power spectrum analysis was performed by Fast Fourier Transform in the alpha frequency band (8–13 Hz) for all subjects. Repeated measures of analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis (p< 0.05). Young subjects had increased alpha power during the TENS application and had gradually increased alpha power by increasing the current intensity of TENS (p= 0.035). Young subjects had higher alpha power than elderly subjects in the occipital and parietal locations (p= 0.073). We can, therefore, conclude that TENS indicated increased alpha activity in young subjects. Young subjects had higher alpha activity than elderly subjects in the occipital and somatosensory areas. To our knowledge, the present study is one of the first studies examining the effect of TENS on spontaneous EEG in healthy subjects. Based on the results of the present study, TENS may be used as an objective method for the examination of sensory impairments, and in the evaluative efficiency of the treatment of pain conditions.
Healthcare Expenditure and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Yimer Ali Birhanu , Moracha Ogeto Robert
Published: January 2020

This paper investigated the effect of health expenditure on economic growth in Sub Saharan Africa. The linear dynamic generalized method of moments instrumental variable (GMM-IV) was used on a panel data of 38 Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2000-2016. Findings reveal that health expenditure significantly improves economic growth in Sub Saharan Africa. The separate effects of Public and private health expenditures have also shown a significant positive relationship on economic growth. In addition to health expenditure, other determinants like gross domestic saving, foreign direct investment, and labor force brought a statistically significant improvement on economic growth, whereas official development assistance has a statistically insignificant effect on economic growth. This study concluded that health expenditure is an important element in attaining improved economic growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries as it assured a healthy workforce and the country’s populace. Therefore, increasing the amount of health expenditure allocated to the health sector yields a better economy. More on, revising policies to improve gross domestic savings and foreign direct investment also assure a better economic growth.
Effect of Adding Fermented Restaurant Waste Meal with Different Concentration to Physical Quality of Fish Pellet
Authors: Alex Sandra Meri , Andriani Yuli , Haetami Kiki , Lili Walim , Zidni Irfan , Fatah Wiyatna Muhammad
Published: January 2020

This study aims to evaluate the physical quality of fish feed pellets formulated with different concentration of fermented restaurant waste meal (FRWM). The treatments given consisted of treatment A (control, without adding FRWM), treatment B (adding FRWM 10%), treatment C (adding FRWM 20%), treatment D (adding FRWM 30%) and treatment E (adding FRWM 40%). The study was conducted from July to October 2019 at the Aquaculture Laboratory and Hatchery in Ciparanje of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran. The parameters observed include the breaking rate test, sinking rate test, durability test, and stability test. Results showed that the use of FRWM given significant difference (p<0.05) for breaking rate and stability value. However, result showed that the sinking rate and durability value generally did not show significant difference (p>0.05). The FRWM can be used up to a concentration of 30% which gives effect to the sinking rate of the fish pellet which is similar to the control fish pellet namely 0.38 cm/s while the concentration of the meal of the FRWM gives the closest value of breaking rate and stability control as much as treatment B (adding FRWM 10%) with a break rate for 19.93 hours and stability in water for 10 minutes by 91.66%, 30 minutes by 87.60%, and for 60 minutes by 75.26%. The different adding concerntration of FRWM gives effect to the quality of fish pellet while more than 10% can decrease its quality. The difference were show in all treatment in some parameters observed.
On Generalized Moment Exponential Distribution and Power Series Distribution
Authors: Iqbal Zafar , Ali Noreen , Razaq Abdur , Hussain Tassaddaq , Salman Muhammad
Published: January 2020

In this research paper, a new life time family is introduced. Sadaf [1] proposed a moment exponential power series (MEPS) distribution. Generalized moment exponential power series (GMEPS) distribution is a general form of MEPS distribution. It is characterized by compounding GME distribution and power series (PS) distribution. This new family has some new sub models such as GME geometric distribution, GME Poisson (GMEP) distribution, GME logarithmic (GMEL) distribution and GME binomial (GMEB) distribution. We provide statistical properties of GMEPS family of distributions. We find here expression of quantile function based on Lambert W function, the density function of rth order statistic and moments of GMEPS distribution. Descriptive expressions of Shannon entropy and Rényi entropy of new general model are found. We provide special sub-models of the GMEPS family of distributions. The maximum likelihood (ML) estimation method is used to find estimates of the parameters of GMEPS distribution. Simulation study is carried out to check the convergence of new estimators. We apply GMEPS family of distributions on two sets of real data.
Novel Approaches to Modelling Flammability Characteristics of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) via Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines and Random Forest Methods
Authors: Okoe Alhassan Mohammed , Boakye Osei Michael
Published: January 2020

Soft-computing techniques for fire safety parameter predictions in flammability studies are essential for describing a material fire behaviour. This study proposed, two novel Artificial Intelligence developed models, Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) and Random Forest (RF) methods, to model and predict peak heat release rate (pHRR) of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) from Microscale Combustion Calorimetry (MCC) experiment. From the statistical analysis, MARS presented the highest coefficient of determination (R2) values of (0.9998) and (0.9996) for training and testing respectively, with low MAD, MAPE and RMSE values. Comparatively, MARS outperformed RF in the predictions of pHRR, through its model algorithms that generated optimized equations for pHRR predictions, covering all non-linearity points of the experimental data. Amongst the input variables (sample mass, THR, HRC, pTemp and pTime), heating rate (β), highly influenced pHRR outcome predictions from MARS and RF models. However, to validate the performance and applicability of the proposed models. Results of MARS and RF were benchmarked with that from Artificial Neural Network (ANN) methods. The MARS and RF models observed the least error deviation when compared with pHRR results for PMMA from the ANN models. This study therefore, recommends the adoption of MARS and RF in the predictions of flammability characteristics of polymeric materials.
Case Report: When Exercise Went Wrong
Authors: Shee Kim Heng
Published: January 2020

Background: Exercise stress test (EST) is recommended as the first-line investigation in major guidelines. It believed as a safe procedure. However, there is unignorable complications include hospitalisation, acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death.

Case Presentation: We describe a case of a 56-year-old male who underwent exercise stress test and complicated with hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia. He was resuscitated and diagnosed with acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Subsequent coronary angiogram showed severe two vessels disease.

Conclusion: This illustrates the importance to identify a cohort of high-risk patient pre-EST, along with proper supervision and well-staffed exercise stress test lab in order to provide appropriate lifesaving treatment.
Solvent Extraction of Copper (II) Ions Using Unmodified and Aromatic Amine Modified Red Onion Skin Extract
Authors: John Chukwu Uche , Manizabayo Gervais
Published: January 2020

This study investigated the use of unmodified red onion skin extract (UROSE), aniline modified red onion skin extract (AmROSE) and 2-aminophenol modified red onion skin extract (APmROSE) for the extraction of copper (II) ions from aqueous media. The effect of pH, agitation time, ligand concentration and metal ion concentration on the percentage extraction were explored. The stoichiometric coefficients of the metal ions and the ligands (UROSE, AmROSE and APmROSE) in each extraction experiment were determined using slope analysis. The results revealed that the percentage extraction of copper (II) ions increased with increasing ligand concentration and agitation time and decreased with increasing initial concentration of copper (II) ions. The optimum pH for the extraction of copper (II) was found to be 6.77, 6.10 and 2.57 for UROSE, AmROSE and APmROSE respectively, while slope analysis showed that UROSE, AmROSE, and APmROSE ligands reacted with the metal ion in 1:1 molar ratio.
Diversity, Life Forms, Chorology and Uses of Spontaneous Medicinal Plants in Niamey and Tillabéri Regions, Niger Republic
Authors: J. Mamadou A. , Douma S. , M. Inoussa M. , Moussa S. , Mahamane A. , Saadou M.
Published: January 2020

Plants are the pharmacy of people in rural and urban areas in West African. However, few studies assessed the ecology and diversity of medicinal plants mostly rural and urban areas. This study assessed the taxonomic composition, life form, chorology and uses of the different organs of the spontaneous medicinal plants in Niamey and Tillabéri regions in Niger. The questionnaire survey consisted of individual interview on 168 traditional healers in two regions. A total of 181 species belonging to 60 families were recorded in Niamey and Tillabéri regions where Fabaceae (19 species) was the dominate family in two regions. The woody species presented 56.59% of the total recorded flora while the herbaceous species were 43.41%. The biological spectrum showed that phanerophytes (57%) were the dominant followed by therophytes (24%) in both regions. This indicates the use of trees, shrubs and annual plants in the traditional medicines in two regions. It also indicates about the tropical habitat. Chorological analysis results revealed that most of the taxa are Sudano-Zambezian (38%) at African scale. Whereas at global level African species (62%) were the dominant chorotype. Leaves (36%) were the most used parts followed by the bark (20%). These different proportions of uses show that the pharmacopoeia of the study area is based on African savannah trees and shrubs. Given the diversity of plant used traditional medicines recorded in two regions, the study recommends successful integration of the use of medicinal plants into a public health framework for biodiversity conservation in both regions. It is important to strengthen conservation strategies to protect this heritage.
Analyses of integrated EPID images for on‐treatment quality assurance to account for interfractional variations in volumetric modulated arc therapy
Authors: Matsushita Norimasa , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Sasaki Makoto , Yano Shinsuke , Yoshimura Michio , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To investigate the effects of interfractional variation, such as anatomical changes and setup errors, on dose delivery during treatment for prostate cancer (PC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) by courses of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) aided by on‐treatment electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images.

Methods

Seven patients with PC and 20 patients with HNC who had received VMAT participated in this study. After obtaining photon fluence at the position of the EPID for each treatment arc from on‐treatment integrated EPID images, we calculated the differences between the fluence for the first fraction and each subsequent fraction for each arc. The passing rates were investigated based on a tolerance level of 3% of the maximum fluence during the treatment courses and the correlations between the passing rates and anatomical changes.

Results

In PC, the median and lowest passing rates were 99.8% and 95.2%, respectively. No correlations between passing rates and interfractional variation were found. In HNC, the median passing rate of all fractions was 93.0%, and the lowest passing rate was 79.6% during the 35th fraction. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the passing rates and changes in weight or neck volume were − 0.77 and − 0.74, respectively.

Conclusions

Analyses of the on‐treatment EPID images facilitates estimates of the interfractional anatomical variation in HNC patients during VMAT and thus improves assessments of the need for re‐planning or adaptive strategies and the timing thereof.
Incidence Trends and Mortality of Giant Cell Arteritis in Southern Norway
Authors: Andersen Jintana B. , Myklebust Geirmund , Haugeberg Glenn , Pripp Are H. , Diamantopoulos Andreas P.
Published: January 2020

Objective

Southern Norway consists of a homogeneous population of nearly 300,000 inhabitants and is an ideal epidemiologic setting. We aimed to explore potential changes in incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in Southern Norway from 2000–2013, with comparisons of previous reports from the same population cohort from 1987–1994 and 1992–1996, and to investigate the mortality rates of GCA over a period of 14 years.

Methods

All patients diagnosed with GCA during January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2013 were identified through the electronic health records and biopsy findings databases at our clinic. The diagnosis of GCA and information about death was confirmed by reviewing the patients’ hospital records. Inclusion criteria were: 1) fulfillment of the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for GCA, or 2) histologically proven GCA, or 3) confirmed arteritis of the large or medium‐sized vessels by imaging.

Results

A total of 206 patients were included, and 147 (72%) were females. The annual incidence rate of GCA per 100,000 inhabitants age ≥50 years was 16.8 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 14.6–19.2), 24.5 for females (95% CI 19.2–26.5), and 10.2 for males (95% CI 7.9–13.2). Forty‐six patients (22%) died (24 women, 22 men). The overall standardized mortality ratio was 1.05 (95% CI 0.77–1.38), 0.92 for females (95% CI 0.61–1.35), and 1.38 for males (95% CI 0.88–2.05). Overall survival rate was significantly higher in females compared to males (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

GCA incidence is not increasing. We did not find excess mortality; however, males seem to have a worse survival rate compared to females.
Patterns of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor (TNFi) Biosimilar Use Across United States Rheumatology Practices
Authors: Bansback Nick , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Huang Jie , He Zeling , Evans Michael , Johansson Tracy , Michaud Kaleb , Schmajuk Gabriela , Liao Katherine P.
Published: January 2020

Objective

It is unclear if biosimilars of biologics for inflammatory arthritis are realizing their promise to increase competition and improve accessibility. This study evaluates biosimilar tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) utilization across rheumatology practices in the United States and compares whether patients initiating biosimilars remain on these treatments at least as long as new initiators of bio‐originators.

Methods

We identified a cohort of patients initiating a TNFi biosimilar between January 2017 and September 2018 from an electronic health record registry containing data from 218 rheumatology practices and over 1 million rheumatology patients in the United States. We also identified a cohort of patients who initiated the bio‐originator TNFi during the same period. We calculated the proportion of biosimilar prescriptions compared with other TNFi's and compared persistence on these therapies, adjusting for age, sex, diagnoses codes, and insurance type.

Results

We identified 909 patients prescribed the biosimilar infliximab‐dyyb, the only biosimilar prescribed, and 4413 patients with a new prescription for the bio‐originator infliximab. Biosimilar patients tended to be older, have a diagnosis code for rheumatoid arthritis, and covered by Medicare insurance. Over the study period, biosimilar prescriptions reached a maximum of 3.5% of all TNFi prescriptions. Patients persisted on the biosimilar at least as long as the bio‐originator infliximab (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83, P = 0.07).

Conclusion

The uptake of biosimilars in the United States remains low despite persistence on infliximab‐dyyb being similar to the infliximab bio‐originator. These results add to clinical studies that should provide greater confidence to patients and physicians regarding biosimilar use.
Foliar applied zinc increases yield, zinc concentration, and germination in wheat genotypes
Authors: Shariatipour Nikwan , Alavikia Seyed‐Siamak , Vahed Mohammad Moghaddam , Velu Govindan , Heidari Bahram
Published: January 2020

Human malnutrition associated with zinc (Zn) deficiency is a growing problem in many areas. This study was conducted to assess wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypic variation of grain Zn concentration, grain germination, and grain yield in response to foliar application of Zn. Twenty‐four wheat genotypes, including several recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and commercial cultivars, were assessed in two separate experiments; one experiment sprayed with ZnSO4·7H2O dissolved in water at wheat heading growth stage and one without applying Zn foliar treatment. The range for grain (25.1–63.1) and endosperm (1.2–61.6 mg kg−1) Zn concentrations were different between the two Zn treatments. Significant (p = .05) genotype × Zn treatment interactions showed that some genotypes were more responsive to Zn applications than others. The application of Zn increased the Zn concentration in the endosperm in 18 out of the 24 genotypes. For grain, Zn application increased the concentration in the grain in 21 out of the 24 genotypes. Grain yield and germination were increased in the Zn treated cultivars compared with non‐treated. In conclusion, foliar application of Zn improved traits in wheat, and identified genetic variation lays the foundation for genotype selection with respect to higher Zn concentration.
Molecular Design of Non‐doped OLEDs Based on a Twisted Heptagonal Acceptor: A Delicate Balance between Rigidity and Rotatability
Authors: Huang Zhenmei , Bin Zhengyang , Su Rongchuan , Yang Feng , Lan Jingbo , You Jingsong
Published: January 2020

The development of efficient non‐doped organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) is highly desired but very challenging because of a severe aggregation‐caused quenching effect. Herein, we present a heptagonal diimide acceptor (BPI), which can restrict excessive intramolecular rotation and inhibit close intermolecular π–π stacking due to well‐balanced rigidity and rotatability of heptagonal structure. The BPI‐based luminogen (DMAC‐BPI) shows significant aggregation‐induced delayed florescence with an extremely high photoluminescence quantum yield (95.8 %) of the neat film, and the corresponding non‐doped OLEDs exhibit outstanding electroluminescence performance with maximum external quantum efficiency as high as 24.7 % and remarkably low efficiency roll‐off as low as 1.0 % at 1000 cd m−2, which represents the state‐of‐the‐art performance for non‐doped OLEDs. In addition, the synthetic route to DMAC‐BPI is greatly streamlined and simplified through oxidative Ar−H/Ar−H homo‐coupling reaction.
Site‐Selective 1,2‐Dicarbofunctionalization of Vinyl Boronates through Dual Catalysis
Authors: Sun Shang‐Zheng , Duan Yaya , Mega Riccardo S. , Somerville Rosie J. , Martin Ruben
Published: January 2020

A modular, site‐selective 1,2‐dicarbofunctionalization of vinyl boronates with organic halides through dual catalysis is described. This reaction proceeds under mild conditions and is characterized by excellent chemo‐ and regioselectivity. It thus represents a complementary new technique for preparing densely functionalized alkyl boron architectures from simple and accessible precursors.
Efficient dehydration of primary amides to nitriles catalyzed by phosphorus‐chalcogen chelated iron hydrides
Authors: Li Kai , Sun Hongjian , Yang Wenjing , Wang Yajie , Xie Shangqing , Li Xiaoyan , Fuhr Olaf , Fenske Dieter
Published: January 2020

A series of phosphorus‐chalcogen chelated hydrido iron (II) complexes 1–7, (o‐(R'2P)‐p‐R‐C6H4Y)FeH (PMe3)3 (1: R = H, R' = Ph, Y = O; 2: R = Me, R' = Ph, Y = O; 3: R = H, R' = iPr, Y = O; 4: R = Me, R' = iPr, Y = O; 5: R = H, R' = Ph, Y = S; 6: R = Me, R' = Ph, Y = S; 7: R = H, R' = Ph, Y = Se), were synthesized. The catalytic performances of 1–7 for dehydration of amides to nitriles were explored by comparing three factors: (1) different chalcogen coordination atoms Y; (2) R' group of the phosphine moiety; (3) R substituent group at the phenyl ring. It is confirmed that 5 with S as coordination atom has the best catalytic activity and 7 with Se as coordination atom has the poorest catalytic activity among complexes 1, 5 and 7. Electron‐rich complex 4 is the best catalyst among the seven complexes and the dehydration reaction was completed by using 2 mol% catalyst loading at 60 °C with 24 hr in the presence of (EtO)3SiH in THF. Catalyst 4 has good tolerance to many functional groups. Among the seven iron complexes, new complexes 3 and 4 were obtained via the O‐H bond activation of the preligands o‐iPr2P(C6H4)OH and o‐iPr2P‐p‐Me‐(C6H4)OH by Fe(PMe3)4. Both 3 and 4 were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic mechanism was experimentally studied and also proposed.
Optimization of operating conditions in desulfurization of petroleum coke using induction heating
Authors: Pourabdollah Kobra , Zakaria Masoud Samadian , Najafizadeh Seyed Mohammad Mir
Published: January 2020

The matrix structure and properties of petcoke samples can be impressed by uniform and in situ thermal treatment. In this work, a novel hyphenated thermal approach was applied to investigate the ferromagnetic‐based desulfurization of petcoke samples and the effect of controlling parameters. Induction heating furnace and capillary gas chromatography (CGC) were designed and assembled to study the thermal desulfurization of ferromagnetic petcoke, which was prepared by penetration of some metallic elements (e.g., Fe, Cr, and Ni) into the coke framework. Based upon a design of experiment algorithm, the petcoke matrix, the evolved gases and the residue coke breeze were monitored by energy‐dispersive X–ray spectroscopy mapping, CGC, and electrical resistivity measurements. The results revealed that during petcoke formation, ferromagnetic metals were diffused and distributed throughout the coke matrix leading to the acceleration of the induction heating in the second stage of thermal treatment. Moreover, the evolved gas analysis showed the role and the rank of drainage rate, particle size, desulfurization temperature, induction frequency, and feed humidity parameters on the yield of desulfurization process. The effect of magnetic desulfurization on the specific electrical resistivity of coke breeze was identified as an industrial opportunity to be used in the cathodic protection systems.
Bicomponent nanofibers from core–shell nozzle in gas jet spinning process
Authors: Niknezhad Sepideh , Jana Sadhan C.
Published: January 2020

This work evaluates the use of a core–shell nozzle assembly in conjunction with gas jet spinning technique for production of bicomponent nanofibers from an immiscible polymer pair of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with three morphological forms—interpenetrating network (IPN), core–shell, and bilobal structurers—by varying the sets of miscible solvents offering different affinity for the polymers. Such fiber structures have strong potential in drug delivery and wound dressing applications. Solutions of PVP and PVAc in respective single solvents metered through a core–shell nozzle assembly meet at the exit of the nozzle and a liquid jet is initiated upon contact with a turbulent gas jet. The gas jet stretches the liquid jet into nanofibers. The results indicate that miscible solvent pairs with low affinity for one of the polymer component yield core–shell morphology with distinct polymer interfaces, while the miscible solvent pairs with high affinity for both polymers produce IPN morphology. Also, interchanging core and shell solutions does not alter the IPN morphology. Finally, bilobal nanofiber structures result from spinning of polymer solutions in miscible solvents with low affinity for the second polymer using a nonconcentric core–shell nozzle assembly. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48901.
Tribological and corrosion behaviors of fluorocarbon coating reinforced with sodium iron titanate platelets and whiskers
Authors: Li Chang , Hu Yalong , Zhang Jiazhi , Shen Liming , Bao Ningzhong
Published: January 2020

A series of sodium iron titanate (NFTO)–fluorocarbon composite coatings have been prepared with the liquid‐phase blending method. The effects of two types of NFTO, NFTO platelets, and NFTO whiskers, on the tribological and corrosion behaviors of the composite coatings, are systematically studied. The results show that the addition of NFTO can significantly enhance the friction‐reducing and wear resistance performances of the fluorocarbon coating. Under dry sliding, the minimum specific wear rate is 1.67 × 10−4 mm3/Nm for the platelet‐filled composite coatings and 1.15 × 10−4 mm3/Nm for the whisker‐filled composite coatings, respectively, showing a decrease of 83.5 and 88.6% than that of pure coating. Under a simulated seawater environment, the minimum specific wear rate is 5.44 × 10−5 mm3/Nm for the platelet‐filled composite coatings and 0.84 × 10−5 mm3/Nm for the whisker‐filled composite coatings, respectively, showing a decrease of 90.5 and 98.5% than that of pure coating. The morphologies of worn surfaces, wear debris, and transfer films are analyzed, and the corresponding wear resistance mechanisms are discussed. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy certifies a remarkably improved corrosion resistance of the composite coatings which have been immersed in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution for 30 days. The composite coating reinforced with 7.5 wt % platelets shows the highest resistance of 256.3 × 106 Ω·cm2, approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that of pure coating. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48936.
A brachiopod biotope associated with rocky bottoms at the shelf break in the central Mediterranean Sea: Geobiological traits and conservation aspects
Authors: Angeletti Lorenzo , Canese Simonepietro , Cardone Frine , Castellan Giorgio , Foglini Federica , Taviani Marco
Published: January 2020

In the Recent, brachiopods only seldom occur in benthic communities. A biotope dominated by Megerlia truncata was identified in 2013 by exploration of the south‐easternmost Adriatic margin by Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Emerging rocky substrates next to the shelf break at approximately 120 m appear intensively exploited by this eurybathic rhynchonelliformean brachiopod, attaining a population of more than 300 individuals per m2.

Calcareous red algae are almost ubiquitous at this site and preferentially encrust sectors of the substrate where brachiopods are minimal.

This Megerlia biotope is a novel finding for this part of the Mediterranean Sea, similar to a situation previously observed in the Western Basin, off the Mediterranean French coast.

It is proposed that this remarkable brachiopod biotope and the adjacent rhodolith bed are considered important for conservation management.
The skin structures and their role in the thermoregulation of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis)
Authors: da Silva Ana Paula , Machado Alex S. D. , Le Bas Alfredo E. , Silva Rodrigo G. , dos Anjos Silva Elizangela , Hernandez‐Blazquez Francisco J.
Published: January 2020

The skin of the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) is important for animal thermoregulation in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Skin tissue samples were collected from A. australis for microscopic analysis and were related to anatomical references. The aim of this study was to describe the skin morphology, as well as to suggest the major anatomical regions and skin components involved in the thermoregulation of this species. Using light microscopy, the skin of six animals was examined based on histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical criteria. Hair follicle morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The skin was classified as either thick or thin based on its epidermal thickness. The thin epidermis regions had more abundant hair follicles, as well as high pigmentation, whereas the thick epidermis regions had very pigmented epidermal layers. Pigmentation of hair and skin is fundamental for protection against ultraviolet rays; moreover, hair is important in preventing abrasion, and provides an insulating layer against the external environment, which can be much colder than body temperature. Furthermore, the dermis is well vascularized, especially the superficial dermis. All regions of the skin have adaptations for maintaining the animal's condition in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Among the studied regions, the interdigital region from hindflipper showed important morphological characteristics related to thermoregulation, such as having an epidermis of intermediate thickness, a dermis with a small number of hairs, a large amount of blood vessels, and sweat glands with large lumens, indicating that heat exchange in this region may be faster.
Cultural astronomy and educational opportunities
Authors: Gullberg Steven R.
Published: January 2020

What can be learned from astronomy in culture is examined and the importance of including such research as a part of certain studies is emphasized. A primary goal is to help scholars to learn more about the research of astronomy in culture with the objective of increasing the numbers of those engaged with this in strong research and publication. An important aspect of research is the potential use of astronomy in the examination of any culture. Educational opportunities are presented that can enable scholars to add related research knowledge that will enable them to augment their studies in this pursuit. Such educational initiatives will greatly strengthen this research in the future and will facilitate significant advancements in what we know about the astronomy of ancient and indigenous cultures worldwide.
Plasmin inhibitor deficiency: A case report
Authors: Aissaoui Ouissal , Cherkab Rachid , Barrou Lahoucine
Published: January 2020

Plasmin inhibitor deficiency is an overlooked cause of hemorrhage. It is a rare disease. Delayed post‐traumatic occurrence of bleeding is an essential feature. The specific dosage must be performed to diagnose cases of severe, persistent bleeding, contrasting with normal usual tests of hemostasis.
An enlarging scaly plaque localized on the previous keloid of the chest
Authors: Ehsani Amir Houshang , Kamyab‐Hesari Kambiz , Noormohammadpour Pedram , Mahmoudi Hamidreza , Razavi Zahra
Published: January 2020

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common type of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). It may arise rapidly in a scar or keloid, presumably due to a long‐standing proliferative state or autoimmune theory. There should be a low threshold for performing a skin biopsy if unusual lesions develop at those sites.
Recent Advances on Black Phosphorus Based Electrocatalysts for Water‐Splitting
Authors: Shi Fangbing , Huang Keke , Feng Shouhua
Published: January 2020

Hydrogen from electrocatalytic water splitting is a clean and renewable source of sustainable energy. Highly efficient electrocatalyst is of great importance for the low‐cost and large‐scale production of hydrogen. Effective electrocatalysts made of earth abundant elements such as element P have attracted extensive interest. Due to the attractive properties of black phosphorus (BP) including tunable physicochemical characteristics, unique in‐plane anisotropic structure, high charge‐carrier mobility, and large specific surface area, make it stand out from four allotropes. And the breakthrough in BP exfoliation enables it to be a promising 2D platform for designing flexible and versatile BP‐based materials. This review summarizes all these bulk BP, BP nanosheets, BP quantum dots (QDs) as well as BP‐based materials as efficient electrocatalysts in the last several years, with their synthesis methods and electrocatalytic properties for water splitting. Furthermore, some challenges and perspectives for the future development of BP‐based electrocatalysts have been briefly offered.
Photoinitiated Thiol‐ene Reactions of Enoses: A Powerful Tool for Stereoselective Synthesis of Glycomimetics with Challenging Glycosidic Linkages
Authors: Borbás Anikó
Published: January 2020

Thioglycosides and C‐glycosides represent pharmacologically useful classes of glycomimetics that possess a high degree of biological stability. One emerging tool for the stereoselective synthesis of thioglycosides is the photoinitiated addition of thiols to unsaturated sugars. Moreover, thiyl radical‐mediated reactions of exo‐glycals and 1‐substituted endo‐glycals offer facile routes to β‐C‐glycosidic structures. This Concept article summarizes the thiol‐ene coupling strategies developed recently by our group and Somsák's group for the synthesis of several kinds of glycomimetics which are difficult to synthesize by conventional methods. One unusual characteristic of the thiol‐ene reactions of endo‐glycals is that heating inhibits, whereas cooling promotes the reaction. This unique temperature dependence as well as the effects of the enose structures and thiol configurations on the efficacy and stereoselectivity of the reactions are also discussed.
The astrocyte network in the ventral nerve cord neuropil of the Drosophila third‐instar larva
Authors: Hernandez Ernesto , MacNamee Sarah E. , Kaplan Leah R. , Lance Kim , Garcia‐Verdugo Hector D. , Farhadi Dara S. , Deer Christine , Lee Si W. , Oland Lynne A.
Published: January 2020

Understanding neuronal function at the local and circuit level requires understanding astrocyte function. We have provided a detailed analysis of astrocyte morphology and territory in the Drosophila third‐instar ventral nerve cord where there already exists considerable understanding of the neuronal network. Astrocyte shape varies more than previously reported; many have bilaterally symmetrical partners, many have a high percentage of their arborization in adjacent segments, and many have branches that follow structural features. Taken together, our data are consistent with, but not fully explained by, a model of a developmental growth process dominated by competitive or repulsive interactions between astrocytes. Our data suggest that the model should also include cell‐autonomous aspects, as well as the use of structural features for growth. Variation in location of arborization territory for identified astrocytes was great enough that a standardized scheme of neuropil division among the six astrocytes that populate each hemi‐segment is not possible at the third instar. The arborizations of the astrocytes can extend across neuronal functional domains. The ventral astrocyte in particular, whose territory can extend well into the proprioceptive region of the neuropil, has no obvious branching pattern that correlates with domains of particular sensory modalities, suggesting that the astrocyte would respond to neuronal activity in any of the sensory modalities, perhaps integrating across them. This study sets the stage for future studies that will generate a robust, functionally oriented connectome that includes both partners in neuronal circuits—the neurons and the glial cells, providing the foundation necessary for studies to elucidate neuron–glia interactions in this neuropil.
Continuous Flow Synthesis of Bimetallic AuPd Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid
Authors: Cattaneo Stefano , Bonincontro Danilo , Bere Takudzwa , Kiely Christopher J. , Hutchings Graham J. , Dimitratos Nikolaos , Albonetti Stefania
Published: January 2020

The production of 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from the selective oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a critical step in the production of biopolymers from biomass‐derived materials. In this study, we report the catalytic performance of monometallic Au and Pd, and bimetallic AuPd nanoparticles with different Au : Pd molar ratios synthesised under continuous flow conditions using a millifluidic set‐up and subsequently deposited onto titanium dioxide as the chosen support. This synthetic technique provided a better control over mean particle size and metal alloy composition, that resulted in higher FDCA yield when the catalysts were compared to similar batch‐synthesised materials. A 99% FDCA yield was obtained with the millifluidic‐prepared AuPd/TiO2 catalyst (Au : Pd molar composition of 75 : 25) after being calcined and reduced at 200 °C. The heat treatment caused a partial removal of the protective ligand (polyvinyl alcohol) encapsulating the nanoparticles and so induced stronger metal‐support interactions. The catalyst reusability was also tested, and showed limited particle sintering after five reaction cycles.
Graph‐based tag recommendations using clusters of patients in clinical decision support system
Authors: Hafidi Meriem , Abdelwahed El Hassan , Qassimi Sara
Published: January 2020

To support health professionals in making decisions, CDSS are developed to manage the patients' EHR, improve the way of diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. The process of analyzing EHRs is based on reading free‐text notes. However, it spends time and physicians' efforts. In this case, the most used solution is describing the EHRs with shortcut tags, representing pathologies or diseases, which are well‐defined and meaningful information. Still, this solution remains insufficient. The exploration of the relationship between those tags, the EHRs and their belonging patients will improve the analysis and then the CDSS. In this paper, we present a graph‐based tag recommendation approach that suggests relevant tags (diseases and pathologies) by analyzing the tagged medical images. We use graph analytics to generate graphs of tags, patients, and images by inspecting similar medical images descriptive. We have also created sub‐communities of patients with the same diseases by applying the Louvain clustering method. The tag recommendation aims to enhance the computer‐aided diagnosis in medical imaging. The tag recommendation approach will allow radiologists to detect and interpret invisible diseases of the underlying anatomical structure. It will also help in early revealing and diagnosis. The dataset ChestX‐Ray14 has been conducted to evaluate and test the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed approach. Future perspective will focus on the deployment of our proposal within a Moroccan e‐health project.
Multiple stream job performance optimization with source operator graph transformations
Authors: Dayarathna Miyuru , Suzumura Toyotaro
Published: January 2020

Multiple distributed stream queries, which are executed on stream processing systems, need to be fine‐tuned to the compute cluster in order to harness the full potential of the hardware they run on. In this paper, we describe an automatic technique for conducting such stream query optimization in the presence of multiple stream jobs. During this autotuning process, we identify the structure of each program and conduct automatic program transformation to generate optimized unified streaming jobs. The operators on the unified secondary sample application are grouped into processing elements considering their performance characteristics and the stream graph topology structure to produce high performance stream query network. We implemented this multiple stream query optimization technique on a mechanism called Tahitica. We demonstrate our approach's ability for producing optimized stream query performance by comparing it to naive deployments using two real‐world stream processing applications in the domains of health care and search advertising. Our stream query optimization approach reported 7.1% throughput performance improvement compared to a naive deployment.
How is geography rendered visible as an object of concern in written lesson observation feedback?
Authors: Healy Grace , Walshe Nicola , Dunphy Alison
Published: January 2020

Whilst the significant role mentors play within ITE has been emphasised in English policy context, there appears to be limited consideration of subject‐specificity of mentoring practices within the literature. One key mechanism for trainee teacher development is written lesson observation feedback, but there is a concern that it is often generic in nature. In response to this, our research explores the ways in which geography teacher educators' curricular theorising is rendered visible through written lesson observation feedback. This paper reports on the interplay between teacher, student and content apparent within lesson observation feedback and the ways that geography teachers incorporate a focus upon a subject within their mentoring practices. The project, an interpretive case study, collected data through a lesson observation activity and whole‐group discussion. Results suggest that the interplay between teacher, student and content within written lesson observation feedback often draws on subject‐specific pedagogical approaches and stimulates mentor/trainee dialogue that has the potential to provoke wider curricular thinking around the ‘what and why’ of teaching. However, further research is needed to gain a contextualised understanding of mentoring practices, including the exploration of the role of mentors' own subject expertise, given the significance of this in guiding their professional practice.
Dealing with heritage as curricular content in Spain’s Primary Education
Authors: Martínez Rodríguez Marta , Fontal Merillas Olaia
Published: January 2020

Within the educational system, heritage‐related curriculum design and contents constitute a key factor in the sustainable preservation of heritage since only what is known and valued can be protected and preserved. Whether heritage education involves the inclusion of new materials in the curriculum, or the use of innovative approaches in handling heritage‐related contents that are already present in the several curricular areas in order to facilitate their teaching and promote heritage awareness, the fact remains that the curriculum itself becomes an important player. Our research aims at analysing the way heritage is approached in the 17 Decrees regulating the Primary Education curriculum in the Spanish territory. The results show that the methodological criterion used in the teaching‐learning of heritage is the sensitisation sequence: Knowing, Understanding, Respecting, Valuing, Sensitising, Taking Care, Transmitting, Heritagising and Identising. On the other hand, there are major differences across Spain’s regions regarding heritage awareness and curricular coverage: an issue that should be borne in mind in curriculum revision processes and in the design of academic programmes targeted at future teachers in order to secure the quality of heritage education.