bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lusting, learning and lasting in school: sexual debut, school performance and dropout among adolescents in primary schools in Karonga district, northern Malawi
Authors: Sunny Bindu S. , DeStavola Bianca , Dube Albert , Price Alison , Kaonga Allan M. , Kondowe Scotch , Crampin Amelia C. , Glynn Judith R.
Published: April 2019

Age at sexual debut is known to have implications for future sexual behaviours and health outcomes, including HIV infection, early pregnancy and maternal mortality, but may also influence educational outcomes. Longitudinal data on schooling and sexual behaviour from a demographic surveillance site in Karonga district, northern Malawi, were analysed for 3153 respondents between the ages of 12 and 25 years to examine the association between sexual debut and primary school dropout, and the role of prior school performance. Time to dropout was modelled using the Fine and Gray survival model to account for the competing event of primary school completion. To deal with the time-varying nature of age at sexual debut and school performance, models were fitted using landmark analyses. Sexual debut was found to be associated with a five-fold increase in rate of subsequent dropout for girls and a two-fold increase in dropout rate for boys (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] of 5.27, CI 4.22–6.57, and 2.19, CI 1.77–2.7, respectively). For girls who were sexually active by age 16, only 16% ultimately completed primary schooling, compared with 70% aged 18 or older at sexual debut. Prior to sexual debut, girls had primary completion levels similar to those of boys. The association between sexual debut and school dropout could not be explained by prior poor school performance: the effect of sexual debut on dropout was as strong among those who were not behind in school as among those who were overage for their school grade. Girls who were sexually active were more likely to repeat a grade, with no effect being seen for boys. Pathways to dropout are complex and may differ for boys and girls. Interventions are needed to improve school progression so children complete primary school before sexual debut, and to improve sex education and contraception provision.
Intergenerational Occupational Mobility across Three Continents
Authors: Pérez Santiago
Published: April 2019

I compare rates of intergenerational occupational mobility across four countries in the late nineteenth century: 1869–1895 Argentina, 1850–1880 United States, 1851–1881 Britain, and 1865–1900 Norway. Argentina and the United States had similar levels of intergenerational mobility, and these levels were above those of Britain and Norway. These findings suggest that the higher mobility of nineteenth-century United States relative to Britain might not have been a reflection of “American exceptionalism,” but rather a manifestation of more widespread differences between settler economies of the New World and Europe.
USING LEXICAL FEATURES TO INVESTIGATE SECOND LANGUAGE LEXICAL DECISION PERFORMANCE
Authors: Berger Cynthia , Crossley Scott , Skalicky Stephen
Published: April 2019

A large dataset of word recognition behavior from nonnative speakers (NNS) of English was collected using an online crowdsourced lexical decision task. Lexical features were used to predict NNS lexical decision latencies and accuracies. Predictors of NNS latencies and accuracy included contextual diversity, age of acquisition, and contextual distinctiveness, while length moderated the impact of contextual diversity and neighborhood size on accuracy. Results have implications for second language word recognition and demonstrate that NNS behavioral data collected through large crowdsourcing projects can afford a rich source for SLA research.
Use of Shock Index to Identify Mild Hemorrhage: An Observational Study in Military Blood Donors
Authors: Pasquier Pierre , Duron Sandrine , Pouget Thomas , Carbonnel Anne-Charlotte , Boutonnet Mathieu , Malgras Brice , Barbier Olivier , de Saint Maurice Guillaume , Sailliol Anne , Ausset Sylvain , Martinaud Christophe
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death in combat, although early recognition of hemorrhage is still challenging on the battlefield.

Hypothesis/Problem:

The objective of this study was to describe the shock index (SI) in a healthy military population, and to measure its variation during a controlled blood loss, simulated by blood donation.

Methods:

A prospective observational study that enrolled military subjects, volunteers for blood donation, was conducted. Demographic and clinical information, concerning both the patient and the blood collection, were recorded. Baseline vital signs were measured, before and after donation, in a 45° supine position. Statistical analysis was performed after calculation of SI.

Results:

A total of 483 participants were included in the study. The mean blood donation volume was 473mL (SD = 44mL). The median pre- and post-blood donation SI were significantly different: 0.54 (IQR = 0.48-0.63) and 0.57 (IQR = 0.49-0.66), respectively (P = .002). Changes in pre-/post-donation blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) also reached statistical difference but represented a clinically poor relevance. The multivariate analysis showed no significant associations between SI variations and age, sex, body mass index (BMI), sport activities, blood donation volume, and enteral volume replacement (EVR).

Conclusion:

In this model of mild hemorrhage, SI exhibited significant variations but failed to reach clinical relevance. Further studies are needed to prove the benefit of SI calculation as a possible parameter for early recognition of hemorrhage in combat casualties at the point of injury.

Pasquier P, Duron S, Pouget T, Carbonnel AC, Boutonnet M, Malgras B, Barbier O, de Saint Maurice G, Sailliol A, Ausset S, Martinaud C. Use of shock index to identify mild hemorrhage: an observational study in military blood donors. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(3):303–307.
A new approach for textual feature selection based on N-composite isolated labels
Authors: Elloumi Samir
Published: April 2019

Textual Feature Selection (TFS) aims to extract relevant parts or segments from text as being the most relevant ones w.r.t. the information it expresses. The selected features are useful for automatic indexing, summarization, document categorization, knowledge discovery, so on. Regarding the huge amount of electronic textual data daily published, many challenges related to the semantic aspect as well as the processing efficiency are addressed. In this paper, we propose a new approach for TFS based on Formal Concept Analysis background. Mainly, we propose to extract textual features by exploring the regularities in a formal context where isolated points exist. We introduce the notion ofN-composite isolated points as a set ofNwords to be considered as a unique textual feature. We show that a reduced value ofN(between 1 and 3) allows extracting significant textual features compared with existing approaches even for non-completely covering an initial formal context.
Poor Sleep Quality and Compromised Visual Working Memory Capacity
Authors: Xie Weizhen , Berry Anne , Lustig Cindy , Deldin Patricia , Zhang Weiwei
Published: April 2019

Objectives:Reduction in the amount of information (storage capacity) retained in working memory (WM) has been associated with sleep loss. The present study examined whether reduced WM capacity is also related to poor everyday sleep quality and, more importantly, whether the effects of sleep quality could be dissociated from the effects of depressed mood and age on WM.Methods:In two studies, WM was assessed using a short-term recall task, producing behavioral measures for both the amount of retained WM information (capacity) and how precise the retained WM representations were (precision). Self-report measures of sleep quality and depressed mood were obtained using questionnaires.Results:In a sample of college students, Study 1 found that poor sleep quality and depressed mood could independently predict reduced WM capacity, but not WM precision. Study 2 generalized these sleep- and mood-related WM capacity effects to a community sample (aged 21–77 years) and further showed that age was associated with reduced WM precision.Conclusions:Together, these findings demonstrate dissociable effects of three health-related factors (sleep, mood, and age) on WM representations and highlighte the importance of assessing different aspects of WM representations (e.g., capacity and precision) in future neuropsychological research.
A multifactorial analysis of contact-induced change in speech reporting in written White South African English (WSAfE)
Authors: KRUGER HAIDEE , VAN ROOY BERTUS
Published: April 2019

This article presents a corpus analysis of changes over a period of two centuries in speech-reporting constructions in written White South African English (WSAfE), a native variety of English that has been in contact with Afrikaans throughout its history. The analysis is based on register-differentiated comparable diachronic corpora of WSAfE, its parent variety, British English (BrE), and the contact language, Afrikaans. Three related reported-speech constructions are analysed, focusing on changes in the relative frequencies of variants of each construction. These constructions show ongoing change, with similar trajectories of change for WSAfE and BrE in some cases, but divergent trajectories in others. In the latter case, WSAfE and Afrikaans converge on similar frequency distributions, which follow from an accelerated rate of change or a slowing down of the rate of change for particular features in WSAfE in comparison to BrE. Descriptive findings are supported by conditional inference tree modelling. The effect of frequency on reinforcing similar patterns of change in WSAfE and Afrikaans, as well as simplification through the levelling of register differences in WSAfE and Afrikaans are proposed as explanations. The study highlights the importance of converging norms in a multilingual publication industry as a site of contact.
‘Courses for Horses’: designing, adapting and implementing self practice/self-reflection programmes
Authors: Freeston Mark H. , Thwaites Richard , Bennett-Levy James
Published: April 2019

Self-Practice/Self-Reflection (SP/SR) has been proposed both as an adjunct to therapy training programmes, and also as a means for therapist development among experienced therapists. Research suggests it develops aspects of knowledge and skill that may not be addressed through other training methods. With increasing interest in SP/SR, a growing evidence base regarding both participant benefits and potential risks from SP/SR, and the development of SP/SR programmes across a range of therapeutic modalities, we argue it is timely to identify a set of principles that can guide the design, adaptation and implementation of SP/SR programmes. At this stage, there is little empirical evidence to guide trainers wishing to implement SP/SR in different contexts. Accordingly, these principles have been derived from reflection on developing, testing and implementing SP/SR programmes as well as on other training and supervisory experience. The first set of principles detailed in Section 1 draw on various theories of learning and development and frame the processes involved, the next principles speak to the content of SP/SR programmes, and the final principles address structure. Within Section 2, the principles are then considered for their practical implications. In Section 3, the sharing of what are initially private self-reflections is then considered together with some implications for SP/SR programmes, especially when there is assessment involved. We argue that SP/SR will continue to progress with well-designed standard programmes, careful implementation, thoughtful adaptation, ongoing innovation, and especially more evaluation.

Key learning aims

(1)

To understand the principles for designing, adapting and implementing SP/SR programmes that are drawn from theory and from the authors’ experience of developing and implementing SP/SR programmes over the last 20 years.

(2)

To understand the possible factors that guide the processes, content and structure of SP/SR programmes.

(3)

To understand how best to maximize effective engagement and learning (and limit harm) when planning or implementing an SP/SR programme.
Cancer Patients' Mental Health Distress and Suicidality
Authors: Granek Leeat , Nakash Ora , Ariad Samuel , Shapira Shahar , Ben-David Merav
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Background: A substantial number of people with cancer endorse suicidality when compared with the general population. Thus, oncology healthcare workers may experience the death of a patient to suicide over their careers. Aims: To explore the impact of patients' mental health distress and suicidality on oncology personnel with a secondary aim of exploring how personnel cope with these types of events. Method: We interviewed 61 healthcare professionals (HCPs) at two cancer centers. The grounded theory method (GT) was used. Results: The impact of patients' mental health distress and suicidal ideation on oncology HCPs included sadness, depression, worry and concern, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. The impact of patient suicide on HCPs included trauma, guilt, and surprise. Oncology personnel reported a change in practice, including communication style, being attuned to patient cues, and changing the physical environment. Coping strategies included colleague support, seeking professional help, and setting boundaries between their work and home life. Limitations: It is likely that HCPs who participated in the study represent those who are more willing to discuss issues related to suicide. Thus, the impact of patient suicide on healthcare providers may be even more pronounced among the general oncology HCP community. Conclusion: Given the higher risk of suicide among cancer patients, it is necessary to increase awareness about the impact these events may have on HCPs. Professional guidelines can highlight the need for a balance between ensuring the availability of informal support and more formal methods of help.
Financial Strain, Suicidal Thoughts, and Suicidal Behavior Among US Military Personnel in the National Guard
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Bryan AnnaBelle O.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Background: Although financial strain is an identified risk factor for suicide among US military personnel, research is limited regarding the specific dimensions of financial strain that confer the greatest risk. Aims: The present study examined the associations among multiple indicators of financial strain, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts in a sample of US National Guard personnel, a high-risk subgroup of the US military. Method: National Guard personnel from Utah and Idaho ( n = 997) completed an anonymous online self-report survey. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to test hypothesized associations. Results: Lifetime history of suicide ideation was significantly more common among participants reporting recent income decrease, credit problems, and difficulty making ends meet, even when adjusting for other covariates. Lifetime history of suicide attempt was significantly associated with recent foreclosure or loan default, credit problems, and difficulty making ends meet, but only in univariate analyses. Recent credit problems were the only financial strain indicator that significantly predicted a history of suicide attempt among participants with a history of suicide ideation. Limitations: The present study includes self-report methodology and cross-sectional design. Conclusion: Although multiple indicators of financial strain are associated with increased risk for suicidal thinking among National Guard military personnel, credit problems had the strongest association with suicide attempts.
Power Law Size Distributions in Geoscience Revisited
Authors: Corral Álvaro , González Álvaro
Published: April 2019

The size or energy of diverse structures or phenomena in geoscience appears to follow power law distributions. A rigorous statistical analysis of such observations is tricky, though. Observables can span several orders of magnitude, but the range for which the power law may be valid is typically truncated, usually because the smallest events are too tiny to be detected and the largest ones are limited by the system size. We revisit several examples of proposed power law distributions dealing with potentially damaging natural phenomena. Adequate fits of the distributions of sizes are especially important in these cases, given that they may be used to assess long‐term hazard. After reviewing the theoretical background for power law distributions, we improve an objective statistical fitting method and apply it to diverse data sets. The method is described in full detail, and it is easy to implement. Our analysis elucidates the range of validity of the power law fit and the corresponding exponent and whether a power law tail is improved by a truncated lognormal. We confirm that impact fireballs and Californian earthquakes show untruncated power law behavior, whereas global earthquakes follow a double power law. Rain precipitation over space and time and tropical cyclones show a truncated power law regime. Karst sinkholes and wildfires, in contrast, are better described by truncated lognormals, although wildfires also may show power law regimes. Our conclusions only apply to the analyzed data sets but show the potential of applying this robust statistical technique in the future.
A Simplified Model for the Baroclinic and Barotropic Ocean Response to Moving Tropical Cyclones: 1. Satellite Observations
Authors: Kudryavtsev Vladimir , Monzikova Anna , Combot Clément , Chapron Bertrand , Reul Nicolas , Quilfen Yves
Published: April 2019

Changes of sea surface temperature and height, derived from 20‐day passive microwave and altimeter measurements for three tropical cyclones (TCs), Jimena, Ignacio and Kilo, during the 2015 Pacific hurricane season, sampling different stages of intensification, wind speeds, radii, Coriolis parameter, translation velocities, and ocean stratification conditions, are reported and analyzed. As triggered along the path of moving TCs, very large interior ocean displacements can occur to leave prominent sea surface height (SSH) anomalies in the TC wake. Resulting surface depressions can reach 0.3–0.5 m, depending upon size, translation speed, and ocean stratification conditions. These signatures can be quite persistent, that is, more than few weeks, to possibly be intercepted with satellite altimeters. To interpret sea surface temperature (SST) and SSH anomalies, a semiempirical framework is adopted, based on the heat and momentum conservations laws for the upper wind driven mixed layer. As interpreted, SSH anomalies provide direct estimates to evaluate the upwelling impact, that is, the upwelling amplification on the SST wake. For the reported cases, the influence of the upwelling is found rather moderate, of order 10–40%. More promising, the proposed bottom‐up approach can help document the resulting wind forcing and practical drag coefficient under extreme TC conditions. As found for these three TCs, a marked drag reduction for wind speed higher than 35 m/s is inferred to ensure consistency with the measured SSH and SST anomalies.
The Impact of Mesoscale Gravity Waves on Homogeneous Ice Nucleation in Cirrus Clouds
Authors: Kärcher B. , Jensen E. J. , Lohmann U.
Published: April 2019

Effects of a spectrum of mesoscale gravity waves on homogeneous aerosol freezing in midlatitude cirrus are studied by means of parcel model simulations that are driven by random vertical wind speeds constrained by balloon measurements. Stochastic wave forcing with mean updraft speeds of 5–20 cm/s leads to substantial nucleated ice crystal number concentrations (ICNC) of 0.1–1 cm−3 in situations with slow large‐scale cooling, which by itself would generate fewer ice crystals. The stochastic nature of wave‐driven air parcel temperatures enhances ICNC even further, but the times required to reach freezing conditions unsupported by large‐scale cooling may vary widely. In the presence of wave forcing, ice crystals with low ICNC (<1–10 L−1) are also generated by homogeneous freezing, albeit only rarely. Comparisons with aircraft measurements suggest significant influences of heterogeneous ice‐nucleating particles and ice crystal sedimentation on ICNC, but quantifying their individual contributions remains elusive.
Long‐Term Support of an Active Subglacial Hydrologic System in Southeast Greenland by Firn Aquifers
Authors: Poinar Kristin , Dow Christine F. , Andrews Lauren C.
Published: April 2019

The state of the subglacial hydrologic system, which can modify ice motion, is sensitive to the volume and rate of meltwater reaching it. Bare‐ice regions rapidly transport meltwater to the bed via moulins, while in certain accumulation zone regions, meltwater first flows through firn aquifers, which can introduce a substantial delay. We use a subglacial hydrological model forced with idealized meltwater input scenarios to test the effect of this delay on subglacial hydrology. We find that addition of firn‐aquifer water to the subglacial system elevates the inland subglacial water pressure while reducing water pressure and enhancing subglacial channelization near the terminus. This effect dampens seasonal variations in subglacial water pressure and may explain regionally anomalous ice velocity patterns observed in Southeast Greenland. As surface melt rates increase and firn aquifers expand inland, it is crucial to understand how inland drainage of meltwater affects the evolution of the subglacial hydrologic system.
A Food Secure New Zealand
Authors: Graham Rebekah , Stolte Ottilie , Hodgetts Darrin , Chamberlain Kerry
Published: April 2019

Currently not all New Zealand citizens are able to access sufficient food to meet their dietary needs for an active healthy life. Taking a community psychology orientation broadens the focus beyond individual experiences of insufficient food to the wider social context, including the reorganizing of resources in a more equitable manner. Based on our research we recommend a Universal Fresh Food Supply as a bold and innovative solution to food insecurity that is congruent with both community psychology values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero hunger.
Characterisation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in dialysis patients and its reduced prognostic significance in the elderly
Authors: Sato Yuji , Ishizaki Yuri , Aso Kumiko , Minakwa Akihiro , Toida Tatsunori , Nishizono Ryuzoh , Kikuchi Masao , Inagaki Hiroko , Fujimoto Shouichi
Published: April 2019

Characterisation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in chronic haemodialysis patients and its prognostic significance in age stratification have not been addressed. A prospective cohort study with cross-sectional analyses at baseline was performed. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, non-malignancy-related mortality, and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. NT-proBNP was significantly higher in elderly, female, and low dry weight patients. Study patients were divided into two groups: Group-O (≥75 years) and Group-Y (<75 years). The 7-year follow-up receiver operating curve analysis showed that NT-proBNP significantly predicted all outcomes. All-cause mortality cut-off points were significantly different among the groups (total cohort, 5375 pg/mL; Group-Y, 3682 pg/mL; Group-O, 11750 pg/mL). Cox regression analysis showed risks for all outcomes by tertile NT-proBNP significantly higher in the total cohort and Group-Y as adjusted by potential confounders. For all-cause mortality, hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were T2 1.70 (0.89 to 3.25), p = 0.11, T3 2.95 (1.54 to 5.67), p < 0.01 in Group-Y; and T2 1.00 (0.64 to 1.58), p = 1.00; T3 1.50 (0.94 to 2.40), p = 0.09 in Group-O. In conclusion, NT-proBNP was significantly higher in elderly, female, and low dry weight chronic dialysis patients. NT-proBNP was significantly associated with all outcomes. However, this association was reduced in elderly patients.
Theoretical study of C-arylations with aryl halides to determine the reaction mechanism, the effect of substituents and heteroatoms
Authors: Durán Rocío , Núñez-Navarro Nicolás , Zacconi Flavia C. , Herrera Barbara
Published: April 2019

A set of Ullman-like reaction mechanisms are reported using DFT wB97XD/6-311D.
Carbon capture and conversion using metal–organic frameworks and MOF-based materials
Authors: Ding Meili , Flaig Robinson W. , Jiang Hai-Long , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: April 2019

This review summarizes recent advances and highlights the structure–property relationship on metal–organic framework-based materials for carbon dioxide capture and conversion.
Harnessing diverse transcriptional regulators for natural product discovery in fungi
Authors: Lyu Hai-Ning , Liu Hong-Wei , Keller Nancy P. , Yin Wen-Bing
Published: April 2019

This review covers diverse transcriptional regulators for the activation of secondary metabolism and novel natural product discovery in fungi.
Colorimetric sensor arrays for the detection and identification of antibiotics
Authors: Abedalwafa Mohammed Awad , Li Yan , Ni Chunfang , Wang Lu
Published: April 2019

The colorimetric sensor array has become a good candidate for the detection of antibiotics due to its ease of use, convenience and low cost.
Silane catecholates: versatile tools for self-assembled dynamic covalent bond chemistry
Authors: Kawakami Yoshiteru , Ogishima Tsuyoshi , Kawara Tomoki , Yamauchi Shota , Okamoto Kazuhiko , Nikaido Singo , Souma Daiki , Jin Ren-Hua , Kabe Yoshio
Published: April 2019

Shape-persistent macrocycles and 3D nanocages have been prepared in one-pot under MeCN-promoted dynamic covalent bond conditions starting from silane catecholates, whose structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallography.
Crystallization and lamellar nanosheet formation of an aromatic dipeptoid
Authors: Castelletto Valeria , Chippindale Ann M. , Hamley Ian W. , Barnett Sarah , Hasan Abshar , Lau King Hang Aaron
Published: April 2019

An aromatic peptoid analogue of the diphenylalanine dipeptide self-assembles in aqueous solution and the first crystal structure was obtained for this class of compound.
Photoredox-catalyzed hydrosulfonylation reaction of electron-deficient alkenes with substituted Hantzsch esters and sulfur dioxide
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Yang Min , Xie Wenlin , Fan Xiaona , Wu Jie
Published: April 2019

A sulfonylation reaction of 4-substituted Hantzsch esters, DABCO·(SO2)2, and electron-deficient alkenes at room temperature in the presence of photoredox catalysis under visible light irradiation is described.
J-Aggregates of zinc tetraphenylporphyrin: a new pathway to excellent electrochemiluminescence emitters
Authors: Yang Zhaofan , Pu Guiqiang , Ning Xingming , Wu Yali , Zhang Zhen , Shan Duoliang , Lu Xiaoquan
Published: April 2019

This work provides a novel strategy for developing ECL emitters via exploring the electrochemiluminescence of H- and J-aggregates for the first time.
Understanding the size effects on the electronic structure of ThO2nanoparticles
Authors: Amidani Lucia , Plakhova Tatiana V. , Romanchuk Anna Yu. , Gerber Evgeny , Weiss Stephan , Efimenko Anna , Sahle Christoph J. , Butorin Sergei M. , Kalmykov Stepan N. , Kvashnina Kristina O.
Published: April 2019

High-resolution XANES spectra of small ThO2nanoparticles show the signature of the more exposed Th atoms at the surface.
Non-equilibrium adatom thermal state enables rapid additive nanomanufacturing
Authors: Henry Matthew R. , Kim Songkil , Fedorov Andrei G.
Published: April 2019

A new state of radical thermal non-equilibrium in surface adsorbed molecules is discovered that enables rapid surface diffusion of energized adatoms with a negligible effect on the substrate surface temperature.
First-principles study of thermal transport properties in the two- and three-dimensional forms of Bi2O2Se
Authors: Zhu Xue-Liang , Liu Peng-Fei , Xie Guofeng , Wang Bao-Tian
Published: April 2019

The intralayer opposite phonon vibrations in the monolayer Bi2O2Se greatly suppress the thermal transport and lead to lower lattice thermal conductivity than its bilayer and bulk forms.
Correction: 20.7% highly reproducible inverted planar perovskite solar cells with enhanced fill factor and eliminated hysteresis
Authors: Liu Xixia , Cheng Yuanhang , Liu Chao , Zhang Tianxiang , Zhang Nengduo , Zhang Siwen , Chen Jingshen , Xu Qinghua , Ouyang Jianyong , Gong Hao
Published: April 2019

Correction for ‘20.7% highly reproducible inverted planar perovskite solar cells with enhanced fill factor and eliminated hysteresis’ by Xixia Liu et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9ee00872a.
IFN-γ-induced signal-on fluorescence aptasensors: from hybridization chain reaction amplification to 3D optical fiber sensing interface towards a deployable device for cytokine sensing
Authors: Zhang Fuyuan , Deng Fei , Liu Guo-Jun , Middleton Ryan , Inglis David W. , Anwer Ayad , Wang Shuo , Liu Guozhen
Published: April 2019

IFN-γ-induced fluorescence aptasensing strategies through hybridization chain reaction amplification and signal-on 3D optical fiber sensing interface.
Fractal pattern mediated superhydrophobic glass and metallic surfaces using PTFE particles: a generalized simple approach
Authors: Saxena Nainsi , Paria Santanu
Published: April 2019

Superhydrophobic surfaces are practically important for several real-life applications such as self-cleaning, anti-corrosion and drag reducing surfaces, non-wetting cloths, oil–water separation, water-repellent surfaces and microfluidic devices,etc.
Synthesis and characterization of macroporous europium-doped Ca12Al14O33 (C12A7:Eu3+) and its application in metal ion detection
Authors: Yang Hui , Wang Rui , Wang Yaozu , Jiang Jianzhong , Guo Xingzhong
Published: April 2019

Macroporous europium-doped Ca12Al14O33 (C12A7:Eu3+) was prepared via a sol–gel method followed by heat-treatment, and the resultant macroporous C12A7:Eu3+ shows potential for practical application in metal ion detection and has a good response to Pb2+ ions.
InSe: a two-dimensional semiconductor with superior flexibility
Authors: Zhao Qinghua , Frisenda Riccardo , Wang Tao , Castellanos-Gomez Andres
Published: April 2019

The Young's modulus of thin InSe flakes was determined experimentally to be 23 GPa, one of the lowest values reported to date for a crystalline two-dimensional material.
Direct visualization of the ouzo zone through aggregation-induced dye emission for the synthesis of highly monodispersed polymeric nanoparticles
Authors: Middha Eshu , Manghnani Purnima Naresh , Ng Denise Zi Ling , Chen Huan , Khan Saif A. , Liu Bin
Published: April 2019

We report a new enhanced solvent displacement method for the synthesis of highly monodisperse nanoparticles with direct visualization of the ouzo zone.
Electron microscopy and its role in advanced lithium-ion battery research
Authors: Wu Jimmy , Fenech Michael , Webster Richard F. , Tilley Richard D. , Sharma Neeraj
Published: April 2019

Electron microscopy (EM), specifically in situ, is a powerful analytical and characterisation technique that is widely used to study electrode materials for battery applications.
CO2 reduction by a Mn electrocatalyst in the presence of a Lewis acid: a DFT study on the reaction mechanism
Authors: Isegawa Miho , Sharma Akhilesh K.
Published: April 2019

The addition of a Lewis acid (Mg2+) has been shown to improve the efficiency of CO2 reduction by homogeneous electrocatalysts.
Glycolic acid attenuates UVB-induced aquaporin-3, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, and collagen degradation in keratinocytes and mouse skin
Authors: Tang Sheau-Chung , Tang Lee-Chun , Liu Chin-Hung , Liao Pei-Yun , Lai Ji-Ching , Yang Jen-Hung
Published: April 2019

Ultraviolet-B exposure causes an inflammatory response, photoaged skin, and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins including collagen and elastin. The regulation of these genes was suggested as an important mechanism to attenuate skin aging. Glycolic acid (GA) is commonly present in fruits and recently used to treat dermatological diseases. We reported that GA slows down cell inflammation and aging caused by UVB. Little is known about GA retarding the skin premature senescence or how to impede these events. To investigate the potential of GA to regulate the expression of MMPs and collagen, GA was topically applied onto human keratinocytes and the C57BL/6J mice dorsal skin. In the present study, we demonstrated that GA reduced UVB-induced type-I procollagen expression and secretory collagen levels. GA reverted and dose-dependently increased the level of aquaporin-3 (AQP3), the expression of which was down-regulated by UVB. The UV-induced MMP-9 level and activity were reduced by GA pre-treatment. Concomitantly, GA reverted mitogen-activated protein kinase (MMP-9) activation and inhibited the extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation (p38, pERK) triggered by UVB. The animal model also presented that GA attenuated the wrinkles caused by UVB on the mouse dorsal skin. Finally, GA triggers the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV-1) channel to initiate the anti-photoaging mechanism in keratinocytes. These findings clearly indicated that the mechanisms of GA promote skin protection against UVB-induced photoaging and wrinkle formation. GA might be an important reagent and more widely used to prevent UVB-induced skin aging.
Slc25a36 modulates pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells by regulating mitochondrial function and glutathione level
Authors: Xin Yanli , Wang Yanliang , Zhong Liang , Shi Bingbo , Liang Hui , Han Jianyong
Published: April 2019

Mitochondria play a central role in the maintenance of the naive state of embryonic stem cells. Many details of the mechanism remain to be fully elucidated. Solute carrier family 25 member 36 (Slc25a36) might regulate mitochondrial function through transporting pyrimidine nucleotides for mtDNA/RNA synthesis. Its physical role in this process remains unknown; however, Slc25a36 was recently found to be highly expressed in naive mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Here, the function of Slc25a36 was characterized as a maintenance factor of mESCs pluripotency. Slc25a36 deficiency (via knockdown) has been demonstrated to result in mitochondrial dysfunction, which induces the differentiation of mESCs. The expression of key pluripotency markers (Pou5f1, Sox2, Nanog, and Utf1) decreased, while that of key TE genes (Cdx2, Gata3, and Hand1) increased. Cdx2-positive cells emerged in Slc25a36-deficient colonies under trophoblast stem cell culture conditions. As a result of Slc25a36 deficiency, mtDNA of knockdown cells declined, leading to impaired mitochondria with swollen morphology, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and low numbers. The key transcription regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis also decreased. These results indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction leads to an inability to support the pluripotency maintenance. Moreover, down-regulated glutathione metabolism and up-regulated focal adhesion reinforced and stabilized the process of differentiation by separately enhancing OCT4 degradation and promoting cell spread. This study improves the understanding of the function of Slc25a36, as well as the relationship of mitochondrial function with naive pluripotency maintenance and stem cell fate decision.
Differential expression and bioinformatics analysis of circRNA in osteosarcoma
Authors: Xi Yizhe , Fowdur Mitra , Liu Yun , Wu Hao , He Maolin , Zhao Jinmin
Published: April 2019

Aim: This research aims to investigate the expression profile of circRNA in osteosarcoma and to identify the underlying pathogenesis core genes of osteosarcoma.

Methods: Illumina HiSeq was used to screen differentially expressed circRNAs between the tumour tissues and paracancerous tissues of three osteosarcoma patients. Bioinformatics analysis was used to analyse their potential functions. Five differentially expressed circRNAs were selected to detect the relative expression level in tumour and paracancerous tissues of ten osteosarcoma patients by real-time PCR. The databases such as DisGeNET and miRWalk were used to collect related genes or miRNAs.

Results: A total of 259 differentially expressed circRNAs were evaluated in patients with osteosarcoma, of which 132 were up-regulated and 127 were down-regulated. Compared with that in paracancerous tissues, circ_32279 and circ_24831 were significantly down-regulated while circ_2137 and circ_20403 were significantly up-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues. The differential expression of circRNA is closely linked to biological processes and molecular functions. The difference in circRNA was mainly linked to the ‘phosphatidylinositol signalling system’ signal pathway and the ‘inositol phosphate metabolism’ signal pathway.

Conclusion: The present study identified a profile of abnormal regulation of circRNA in osteosarcoma. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that the deregulated circRNAs may be related to the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma.
Benefits and Shortcomings of Direct-to-Consumer Hearing Devices: Analysis of Large Secondary Data Generated From Amazon Customer Reviews
Authors: Manchaiah Vinaya , Amlani Amyn M. , Bricker Christina M. , Whitfield Clayton T. , Ratinaud Pierre
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The current study was aimed at understanding the benefits and shortcomings of direct-to-consumer hearing devices (DCHDs) by analyzing the large text corpus of secondary data generated from Amazon customer reviews.

Method

Secondary data were generated manually by gathering user feedback for 62 different DCHDs (cost range: $9.95–$635) on the
Amazon.com
website, which included 11,258 unique Amazon-verified customer reviews. The data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative analyses methods.

Results

The cluster analysis of large data corpus resulted in 7 unique clusters, which were labeled as (a)
Issues related to fit and comfort
(15%), (b)
Friends and family recommendations
(11.8%), (c)
Issues related to sound quality
(11.9%), (d)
Listening and conversation
(16.1%), (e)
Positive customer service
(12.1%), (f)
General usage and customer service
(14.7%), and (g)
Cost and affordability
(17.3%). Exploratory analysis also revealed an association between customer ratings and cost in relation to these clusters (i.e., customer reviews). For example, customer reviews about cheaper DCHDs are related to issues about sound quality, whereas reviews about expensive DCHDs are related to cost and affordability of the device. The qualitative content analysis resulted in 8 main themes, which include (a) intrinsic factors, (b) extrinsic factors, (c) supplemental items, (d) ease of use, (e) interaction with support services, (f) reasons for purchase, (g) experiences, and (h) general information.

Conclusions

The study using the text mining techniques highlights the benefits and shortcomings of DCHDs that are currently available in the U.S. market. Our findings relate well to the published study results of electroacoustic analysis on similar products, which provide clinicians with knowledge related to DCHDs that they can convey to consumers during clinical consultations. The findings may also be of interest to the hearing instrument industry from the perspective of developing products based on user feedback.
Photometric redshift galaxies as tracers of the filamentary network
Authors: Kruuse M. , Tempel E. , Kipper R. , Stoica R. S.
Published: April 2019

Context.Galaxy filaments are the dominant feature in the overall structure of the cosmic web. The study of the filamentary web is an important aspect in understanding galaxy evolution and the evolution of matter in the Universe. A map of the filamentary structure is an adequate probe of the web.

Aims.We propose that photometric redshift galaxies are significantly positively associated with the filamentary structure detected from the spatial distribution of spectroscopic redshift galaxies. The long-term aim is to use the photometric galaxies in addition to spectroscopic galaxies to create a more detailed and far-reaching map of the filamentary structure.

Methods.The catalogues of spectroscopic and photometric galaxies are seen as point-process realisations in a sphere, and the catalogue of filamentary spines is proposed to be a realisation of a random set in a sphere. The positive association between these sets was studied using a bivariateJ-function, which is a summary statistics studying clustering. A quotientDwas built to estimate the distance distribution of the filamentary spine to galaxies in comparison to the distance distribution of the filamentary spine to random points in 3-dimensional Euclidean space. This measure also gives a physical distance scale to the distances between filamentary spines and the studied sets of galaxies. In the 3-dimensional case, galaxies and random points are described as line of sights following through their positions on the sphere.

Results.The bivariateJ-function shows a statistically significant clustering effect in between filamentary spines and photometric redshift galaxies. The quotientDconfirms the previous result that smaller distances exist with higher probability between the photometric galaxies and filaments. The trend of smaller distances between the objects grows stronger at higher redshift. Additionally, the quotientDfor photometric galaxies gives a rough estimate for the filamentary spine width of about 1 Mpc.

Conclusions.Photometric redshift galaxies are positively associated with filamentary spines detected from the spatial distribution of spectroscopic galaxies. In addition to the spatial distribution of spectroscopic galaxies, the information embedded in the photometric galaxies could contribute greatly to the detection of cosmic web structures.
An extensive grid of DARWIN models for M-type AGB stars
Authors: Bladh S. , Liljegren S. , Höfner S. , Aringer B. , Marigo P.
Published: April 2019

Context. The stellar winds of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars are commonly attributed to radiation pressure on dust grains, formed in the wake of shock waves that arise in the stellar atmospheres. The mass loss due to these outflows is substantial, and modelling the dynamical properties of the winds is essential both for studies of individual stars and for understanding the evolution of stellar populations with low to intermediate mass.

Aims. The purpose of this work is to present an extensive grid of dynamical atmosphere and wind models for M-type AGB stars, covering a wide range of relevant stellar parameters.

Methods. We used the DARWIN code, which includes frequency-dependent radiation-hydrodynamics and a time-dependent description of dust condensation and evaporation, to simulate the dynamical atmosphere. The wind-driving mechanism is photon scattering on submicron-sized Mg2SiO4 grains. The grid consists of ~4000 models, with luminosities from L⋆ = 890 L⊙ to L⋆ = 40 000 L⊙ and effective temperatures from 2200 to 3400 K. For the first time different current stellar masses are explored with M-type DARWIN models, ranging from 0.75 M⊙ to 3 M⊙. The modelling results are radial atmospheric structures, dynamical properties such as mass-loss rates and wind velocities, and dust properties (e.g. grain sizes, dust-to-gas ratios, and degree of condensed Si).

Results. We find that the mass-loss rates of the models correlate strongly with luminosity. They also correlate with the ratio L*∕M*: increasing L*∕M* by an order of magnitude increases the mass-loss rates by about three orders of magnitude, which may naturally create a superwind regime in evolution models. There is, however, no discernible trend of mass-loss rate with effective temperature, in contrast to what is found for C-type AGB stars. We also find that the mass-loss rates level off at luminosities higher than ~14 000 L⊙, and consequently at pulsation periods longer than ~800 days. The final grain radii range from 0.25 to 0.6 μm. The amount of condensed Si is typically between 10 and 40%, with gas-to-dust mass ratios between 500 and 4000.
Strain Ultrasound Elastography of Muscles in Healthy Children and Healthy Adults
Authors: Wenz Helena , Dieckmann Andrea , Lehmann Thomas , Brandl Ulrich , Mentzel Hans-Joachim
Published: April 2019

Purpose Standardized application and evaluation of the strain ultrasound elastography method (USE) by means of a strain color scale (SCS) and a strain ratio analysis. To determine differences in muscle elasticity in healthy children and adults.

Materials and Methods Initially Mm. biceps brachii, Mm. recti femoris and Mm. gastrocnemii of 22 healthy adults were examined before and after exercise. Secondly measurements were obtained at rest in 21 healthy children.

Results There was a difference in muscle elasticity between the upper and lower extremity. Muscle elasticity tends to be higher after exercise in healthy adults. SCS and strain ratio analysis show a similar trend. In comparison to adults, healthy children show lower muscle elasticity at rest using both analysis methods.

Conclusion Strain elastography is an easy to perform, cost-effective, non-invasive method to determine muscle stiffness, if the conditions of standardized measurements are given.

Key Points: 

Citation Format
Babesiosis in Pregnancy: An Imitator of HELLP Syndrome
Authors: Khangura Raminder , Williams Nayo , Cooper Shontreal , Prabulos Anne- Marie
Published: April 2019

HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) is a serious pregnancy complication that can cause significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. There are several conditions that may occur in pregnancy that may imitate the laboratory findings and clinical presentation of HELLP syndrome. Babesiosis is a parasitic imitator of HELLP syndrome that can be spread by the tick, transfusions, or congenitally. Recognition and treatment of this condition is important to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes.
MHD mixed convection and entropy generation of nanofluid in a lid-driven U-shaped cavity with internal heat and partial slip
Authors: Rashad A. M. , Mansour M. A. , Armaghani T. , Chamkha A. J.
Published: April 2019

This contribution simulates the impact of partial slip on entropy generation due to magnetohydrodynamic, mixed convection of nanofluids in a lid-driven U-shaped cavity with discrete heating. The influence of the partial slip effect is proposed along the lid-driven vertical walls. A uniform heat flux source on the bottom wall is proposed; meanwhile, the two portions of the outer-upper horizontal walls are cooled isothermally. The remainder cavity walls are taken adiabatic. The governing equations are solved using the finite volume approach, and the outcomes are successfully validated against previous studies. Simulation results are presented and discussed for several cases with the impacts of the governing parameters on the heat transfer rate. Inspection of the results in mixed convective and entropy generation environments demonstrate that the average Nusselt number increases with the increase in the volume fraction of nanoparticles at AR = 0.1. For all values of D (heat source location), the Nusselt number increases by crossing the heat source and reaches its maximum value at the end of the source. Also, for all values of the aspect ratio, addition of nanoparticles into the base fluid leads to a loss in the thermal performance. Moreover, for all states of movement, addition of nanoparticles into the base fluid leads to an increase in the entropy.