bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of household income and education with prevalence of hearing impairment in Japan
Authors: Fukui Junpei , Nobutoh Chinatsu , Okada Masahiro , Takagi Daiki , Tanaka Keiko , Senba Hidenori , Teraoka Masato , Yamada Hiroyuki , Matsuura Bunzo , Hato Naohito , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: December 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Epidemiological information regarding the relationship between household income and education and hearing impairment (HI) is limited. The present cross‐sectional study investigated this issue in Japan.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional investigation.

Methods

Study subjects were 371 men and 639 women aged 36 to 84 years. A self‐administered questionnaire was used. Audiological assessment was performed by pure‐tone audiometry. HI was defined as present in subjects who did not respond to a pure‐tone average of >25 dB HL in the better hearing ear according to the World Health Organization standard. Adjustment was made for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and body mass index.

Results

The prevalence of HI was 31.5% in 371 men and 20.8% in 639 women. In men, a slight inverted J‐shaped association was observed between household income and HI, compared with a household income of <3 million yen per year. A household income of 3 to 5 million yen, but not of 5 million yen or more, was independently inversely associated with the prevalence of HI; the prevalence ratio for 3 to 5million yen was 0.73 (95% confidence interval: 0.54‐0.999). After adjustment for confounding factors, no relationship was found between household income and the prevalence of HI in women. There were no associations between educational level and the prevalence of HI in either men or women in the multivariate model.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that medium, but not high, household income may be associated with a lower prevalence of HI only in men.

Level of Evidence

2b

Laryngoscope, 129:2153–2157, 2019
The relationship between allergy and chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Marcus Sonya , Roland Lauren T. , DelGaudio John M. , Wise Sarah K.
Published: December 2018

Objective

To summarize the current evidence regarding a relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and allergy.

Methods

Literature review.

Results

Despite frequent assumption of an association between CRS and allergy the relationship between these entities remains poorly defined. Certain CRS entities, however, have demonstrated a strong association with allergy—namely allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and central compartment atopic disease.

Conclusion

Studies are heterogeneous and largely retrospective in design with inconclusive evidence for an association between CRS and allergy. Knowledge of CRS endotypes is important in order to understand which entities may or may not be associated with allergy.

Level of Evidence: 5
Improved accuracy of optode‐based oxygen consumption measurements by removal of system drift and nonlinear derivation
Authors: Vikström Kevin , Tengberg Anders , Wikner Johan
Published: December 2018

This method evaluation aimed to improve the accuracy and precision of the previously published method to measure oxygen consumption using optodes with integrated temperature and salinity correction in dark incubations. Significant short‐term system drift currently requires a correction to remove the drift, thus reducing the precision of the oxygen consumption rates. Frequent nonlinear declines in oxygen concentration with time also call for improved data analysis and identification of its origin. Optodes in titanium casings (Aanderaa™ model 4330) with low oxygen binding properties showed no significant system drift in autoclaved seawater. Nonlinear oxygen dynamics fitting a quadratic polynomial occurred in 28% of 230 field samples, independent of season and water depth. Polynomial curve fit resulted in 64% higher respiration rates when derived within 1 h of the quality assured incubation, than obtained when using linear fit. Carbon substrate limitation explained the nonlinearity of oxygen decline during dark incubations. Pretreatment of the optode attached to stoppers with 0.3 mol dm−3 hydrochloric acid resulted in the most stable performance of the sensor and simultaneously provided proper cleaning of the equipment. A conservative detection limit of 0.97 μmol O2 dm−3 d−1 was calculated for the titanium optodes, matching other methods for oxygen consumption reported in the literature. Thus, we recommend the use of model 4330 optode pretreated with HCl and the derivation of initial respiration rates by a quadratic polynomial function for best accuracy and precision of oxygen consumption in oxygenated surface waters.
Using segmental isotope analysis of teleost fish vertebrae to estimate trophic discrimination factors of bone collagen
Authors: Matsubayashi Jun , Umezawa Yu , Matsuyama Michiya , Kawabe Ryo , Mei Weiping , Wan Xin , Shimomae Atsushi , Tayasu Ichiro
Published: December 2018

We conducted feeding experiments with sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) and Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) to investigate trophic discrimination factors (TDFs) in bone collagen using retrospective isotope analysis. Sardines and Japanese flounder were fed a single diet for 9 months and 4 months, respectively. At the end of the experiments, we extracted vertebral centra from six sardines and seven Japanese flounder and subdivided them into multiple sections. We extracted bone collagen from each section, and measured the δ13C and δ15N of each vertebral section and food source. In all fish samples, the δ13C and δ15N values of bone collagen increased from the centers of vertebrae to the marginal sections. This trend was consistent with the predicted isotopic shift in the diets of these fishes. The TDFs for sardines were estimated at 5.58 ± 0.25‰ (mean ± SD) for δ13C and −0.70 ± 0.25‰ for δ15N; those for Japanese flounder were 3.89 ± 0.14‰ for δ13C and 1.18 ± 0.35‰ for δ15N. Our results show that segmental analysis of vertebrae can reconstruct δ13C and δ15N values for multiple life‐stages of both fish species and is useful for estimating TDFs and turnover times of fish bone collagen.
An Assessment of an Unsuccessful Restoration Project for Lake Sturgeon Using Three-Dimensional Numerical Modelling
Authors: Baril André-Marcel , Biron Pascale M. , Grant James W. A.
Published: December 2018

Despite a widespread acknowledgment that river restoration projects sometimes fail due to a poor understanding of geomorphology and hydrology, there are relatively few published case studies reporting failures, particularly for nonsalmonid species such as Lake Sturgeon Acipencer fulvescens. We used a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model to retroactively assess a restoration project in the 80-m-wide Ouareau River, Quebec which did not meet its objective of providing additional spawning habitat for Lake Sturgeon. Virtual modifications of the bathymetry allowed for the flow field to be simulated with and without instream structures (boulder weirs) constructed in 2007 for four discharges representing flow conditions during spawning. Simulated velocities and flow depths were used to determine the suitability of the site and to assess the impact of the instream structures. Results revealed that instream structures did not meet the expectation of raising water levels and had no significant impact on river velocity. Furthermore, there was sufficient good quality habitat within the study area before restoration, and artificial spawning sites were placed in locations with nonoptimal velocities for spawning Lake Sturgeon. A comparison with a successful Lake Sturgeon restoration project in the St. Clair–Detroit River system revealed marked differences in restoration strategies, which likely explain the different outcomes of these two projects. These results point to the need for (1) adaptive management protocols that include an iterative decision-making process to allow for adjustments in hypotheses and strategies to improve the management process, (2) multidisciplinary input, including hydrogeomorphology, and (3) a more systematic use of two-dimensional or three-dimensional numerical models prior to the implementation of instream structures in river restoration projects.
Nonprofit organizations in between the nonprofit and market spheres: Shifting goals, governance and management?
Authors: Suykens Ben , De Rynck Filip , Verschuere Bram
Published: December 2018

In spite of the belief instilled by the New Public Management reforms that nonprofit organizations (NPOs) can benefit from more management, more measurement and more market practices, systematic knowledge on the organizational effects of NPOs incorporating business practices in their day‐to‐day functioning remains absent to date. This research note addresses this limitation by reviewing 49 research articles. The focus lies on the redefinition of nonprofits' mission and income streams, changing governance arrangements and shifting management practices. We find that, despite numerous detrimental effects cited in the literature, (a) generating commercial income can contribute to the financial stability of NPOs, and (b) hybridization towards the market domain can strengthen the organizational legitimacy of NPOs, suggesting that imitating for‐profit enterprises might contribute to nonprofit functioning in perception, rather than in practice.
Predictors of Resilience Among Infants at Risk for Rapid Weight Gain
Authors: Ventura Alison K. , Thompson Kristen
Published: December 2018

Objective

The study objective was to investigate factors associated with resilience to rapid weight gain (RWG) among predominantly bottle‐fed infants.

Methods

Data came from 1,353 mothers who participated in the Infant Feeding Practices Study 2. Mothers completed a prenatal questionnaire and monthly surveys of infant feeding and growth between birth and 12 months. Infants were classified as resilient if they were predominantly bottle fed but did not exhibit RWG between birth and the latter half of infancy (≥ +0.67 change in weight‐for‐age z score).

Results

Thirty‐five percent of the sample (n = 467) was predominantly bottle fed but did not exhibit RWG (“Resilient”), 17% (n = 228) was predominantly bottle fed and exhibited RWG (“Not Resilient”), and 49% (n = 658) was not predominantly bottle fed (“Low Risk”). Significant predictors of resilience to RWG were greater gestational age (P = 0.042) and weight (P < 0.001) at birth, lower frequency of adding cereal to the bottle (P = 0.022), lower frequency of infant‐led bottle‐emptying (P = 0.047), and greater frequency of maternal encouragement of bottle‐emptying (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Associations between bottle‐feeding and RWG may be moderated by infant characteristics and maternal feeding practices. The present study highlighted several characteristics of predominantly bottle‐fed infants who were resilient to RWG, but further research is needed to identify a broader array of key targets for future intervention efforts.
Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) Prevents Obesity‐Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice
Authors: Lee Yoojin , Pham Tho X. , Bae Minkyung , Hu Siqi , O’Neill Edward , Chun Ock K. , Han Myung Joo , Koo Sung I. , Park Young‐Ki , Lee Ji‐Young
Published: December 2018

Objective

With increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), effective strategies to prevent NASH are needed. This study investigated whether the consumption of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) can prevent the development of obesity‐induced NASH in vivo.

Methods

Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low‐fat control diet, a low‐fat diet with 6% whole blackcurrant powder, an obesogenic high‐fat/high‐sucrose control diet (HF), or a high‐fat/high‐sucrose diet containing 6% whole blackcurrant powder (HF‐B) for 24 weeks.

Results

HF significantly increased, whereas HF‐B markedly decreased, liver weights and triglyceride. Furthermore, blackcurrant attenuated obesity‐induced infiltration of macrophages in the liver, in particular, the M1 type, and also suppressed the hepatic expression of fibrogenic genes and fibrosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed that HF significantly increased the percentages of monocytes of total splenocytes, which was markedly attenuated by blackcurrant. HF‐B decreased lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated mRNA expression of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α in splenocytes, compared with those from HF controls. Moreover, the levels of circulating and hepatic miR‐122‐5p and miR‐192‐5p, known markers for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, were significantly increased by HF but decreased by HF‐B.

Conclusions

The study’s findings indicate that blackcurrant consumption prevents obesity‐induced steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver.
Oxidized HDL, Adipokines, and Endothelial Dysfunction: A Potential Biomarker Profile for Cardiovascular Risk in Women with Obesity
Authors: Peterson Stephen J. , Shapiro Joseph I. , Thompson Ellen , Singh Shailendra , Liu Lu , Weingarten Jeremy A. , O’Hanlon Kathleen , Bialczak Angelica , Bhesania Siddharth R. , Abraham Nader G.
Published: December 2018

Objective

High BMI predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes and positively correlates with increased levels of adipokines. The relationship among BMI, IL‐6, TNFα, adiponectin, and oxidized high‐density lipoprotein (Ox‐HDL) with circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has not been well studied. Elevated CEC levels have been described in both humans and mice with obesity and diabetes. Ox‐HDL has been shown to be a potent driver of adipogenesis in vivo and in vitro. In this study, elevated BMI was examined in 2 groups of women studied in Brooklyn, New York, and Huntington, West Virginia, respectively.

Methods

Twenty‐six females with obesity and five lean controls without overt cardiovascular disease were enrolled, 13 from Huntington and 13 from Brooklyn. Cytokine levels, EPCs, and CECs were determined.

Results

Females with obesity had elevated levels of leptin, IL‐6, and Ox‐HDL, increased CEC levels, and decreased EPC and adiponectin levels (all P < 0.01). The Ox‐HDL levels were higher in women from Brooklyn versus Huntington (P < 0.01), possibly from higher TNFα levels in Brooklyn or higher adiponectin levels in Huntington. Seventy‐five percent of the variance in Ox‐HDL levels could be predicted in this population (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This study reveals a unique inflammatory biomarker profile in females with obesity.
New wine into old wineskins: PGC‐1α and NF‐κB in obesity and acute pancreatitis
Authors: Diakopoulos Kalliope N , Algül Hana
Published: December 2018

Obesity and acute pancreatitis are both proinflammatory conditions. Importantly, obesity increases severity in acute pancreatitis by enhancing inflammation. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, Pérez and Ruiz‐Pérez et al connected obesity and pancreatitis for the first time, through the transcriptional regulator PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC‐1α). Obesity reduces pancreatic PGC‐1α levels and potentiates not only oxidative but also IL‐6‐mediated inflammatory damage during acute pancreatitis by relieving the binding of PGC‐1α to the NF‐κB subunit p65. Blockade of the IL‐6 receptor subunit gp130 ameliorated tissue injury, substantiating the importance of deregulated PGC‐1α/p65/IL‐6 signaling in obesity and acute pancreatitis. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synergistic effects of multiwalled carbon nanotube/molybdenum disulfide hybrid particles on the mechanical and wear performance of epoxy
Authors: Meng Xiaoyu , Wang Mengliu , Cong Chuanbo , Ye Haimu , Zhou Qiong
Published: December 2018

Three‐dimensional hybrids consisting of one‐dimensional multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and two‐dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) microsheets were fabricated in a hydrothermal environment and designated Hybrid‐HT. Interestingly neither the MWCNTs nor the MoS2 sheets could be suspended in water, whereas the MWCNTs/MoS2 hybrid could be stably suspended. The formation of a MWCNTs/MoS2 aqueous suspension is attributed to repulsive Coulombic interactions between the MWCNTs and MoS2 sheets. Evident synergistic effects of the MWCNTs and MoS2 sheets on the mechanical and wear performance of epoxy are observed in ternary composites containing Hybrid‐HT. The tensile strength and fracture toughness are simultaneously enhanced, as the tensile strength and impact strength are improved by 36% and 53%, respectively. Furthermore, the elongation at break of the ternary composite shows a 127% increase with respect to that of neat epoxy. The friction coefficient and wear rate decreases by 36% and 8%, and the worn surface is extremely smooth and retains almost the entire coating. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1642–E1648, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
A dereplication strategy for identifying triterpene acid analogues in Poria cocos by comparing predicted and acquired UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS/MS data
Authors: Zou Ye‐Ting , Long Fang , Wu Cheng‐Ying , Zhou Jing , Zhang Wei , Xu Jin‐Di , Zhang Ye‐Qing , Li Song‐Lin
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Triterpene acids from the dried sclerotia of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (poria) were recently found to possess anti‐cancer activities. Identification of more triterpene acid analogues in poria is worthwhile for high throughput screening in anti‐cancer drug discovery.

Objective

To establish an efficient dereplication strategy for identifying triterpene acid analogues in poria based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS/MS).

Methodology

The structural characteristics and mass spectrometric data profiles of known triterpene acids previously reported in poria were used to establish a predicted‐analogue database. Then, the quasi‐molecular ions of components in a poria extract were automatically compared with those in the predicted‐analogue database to highlight compounds of potential interest. Tentative structural identification of the compounds of potential interest and discrimination of isomers were achieved by assessing ion fragmentation patterns and chromatographic behaviour prediction based on structure–retention relationship.

Results

A total of 62 triterpene acids were unequivocally or tentatively characterised from poria, among which 17 triterpene acids were tentatively identified for the first time in poria.

Conclusion

This study provided more structure information of triterpene acids in poria for future high throughput screening of anti‐cancer candidates. It is suggested that this semi‐automated approach in which MS data are automatically compared to a predictive database may also be applicable for efficient screening of other herbal medicines for structural analogues of proven bioactives.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of Porana sinensis Hemsl by UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive MS, TLC autographic method and DART‐MS
Authors: Chen Zhiyong , Wang Mengmeng , Yang Yuanyuan , Du Xia , Zhang Zijia , Li Ye
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Erycibe obtusifolia and E. schmidtii are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis. With the reduction of wild E. obtusifolia and E. schmidtii resources, Porana sinensis has been widely used as a substitute. However, few studies have been conducted on the chemical composition and quality control of P. sinensis.

Objective

To clarify the chemical composition and improve the quality control of P. sinensis.

Methodology

We developed an ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation Q‐Exactive Focus tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐ESI‐Q‐Exactive Focus‐MS/MS) method to characterise the chemical constituents of P. sinensis. A strategy based on a combination of high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) and direct analysis in real‐time (DART) ion source was proposed for the identification of alkaloid components in P. sinensis. Thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) autography for 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH˙) and TLC bioautography for xanthine oxidase were used to rapidly screen marker compounds for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) determination of P. sinensis. Based on the selected marker compounds, a HPLC method for the quantitative determination of eight marker compounds in P. sinensis was developed.

Results

Eighteen compounds in P. sinensis were identified by UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive MS. Taken together with the results of TLC autography and TLC bioautography, eight compounds were chosen as marker compounds for HPLC determination of P. sinensis. The alkaloid components in P. sinensis were identified as Baogongteng A and Baogongteng C by DART‐MS.

Conclusion

We systematically clarified the chemical composition of P. sinensis for the first time, and potentially improved its quality control. These results should promote the application of P. sinensis as a new resource for Caulis Erycibes.
Novel amphiphilic block copolymer modifiers based on chain‐extended polyester for improved toughness of epoxy resins
Authors: Schneider Jan‐Pierre , Just Berthold , Döring Manfred
Published: December 2018

Novel amphiphilic block copolymer modifiers based on chain‐extended polyester for improved toughness of epoxy resins were synthesized by attaching polyols having different structures and compatibilities with a dianhydride chain‐extender. Used polyols in this research were polytetrahydrofuran as miscible and hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene as immiscible segment. Generated carboxyl groups will be prepolymerized with an excess of epoxy resin to exclusively form epoxy groups between the polyol spacer. Resulting morphologies in the prepared diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A‐based epoxy thermosets cured with dicyandiamide and urea were strongly dependent on the initial parameters of the block copolymerization process. Changing the dianhydride concentration as well as relation between miscible and immiscible polyol spacer showed various particle sizes including unimodal and bimodal distributions. The best mechanical performance in terms of fracture toughness (K1C) could be achieved with bimodal particle size distributions indicating synergistic effects between the different particle sizes in the range of 0.1–7 μm. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E216–E223, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Melt electrowriting of electroactive poly(vinylidene difluoride) fibers
Authors: Florczak Sammy , Lorson Thomas , Zheng Tian , Mrlik Miroslav , Hutmacher Dietmar W , Higgins Michael J , Luxenhofer Robert , Dalton Paul D
Published: December 2018

Poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) has piezoelectric properties suitable for numerous applications such as flexible electronics, sensing and biomedical materials. In this study, individual fibers with diameters ranging from 17 to 55 µm were processed using melt electrowriting (MEW). Electroactive PVDF fibers can be fabricated via MEW, while the polymer can remain molten for up to 10 h without noticeable changes in the resulting fiber diameter. MEW processing parameters for PVDF were investigated, including applied voltage, pressure and temperature. A rapid fiber characterization methodology for MEW that automatically determines the fiber diameters from camera images taken of microscope slides was developed and validated. The outputs from this approach followed previous MEW processing trends already identified with different polymers, although overestimation of fiber diameters <25 µm was observed. The transformation of the PVDF crystalline phase to the electroactive β phase was confirmed using piezo‐force microscopy and revealed that the PVDF fibers possess piezoelectric responses showing d33 ≈ 19 pm V–1. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A Surface Study of Ultrathin Ceria Nanoparticles Decorated with Transition‐Metal Ions
Authors: Fridman Helena , Diab Mahmud , Volokh Michael , Shames Alexander I. , Kolusheva Sofiya , Mokari Taleb
Published: December 2018

A wide range of nanoparticle properties can be tuned by changing their surface characteristics, especially when dealing with ultrathin nanomaterials. Surface modification with transition‐metal ions may affect a variety of the nanoparticles' properties including the surface charge, the electronic structure, and the electrical and optical characteristics. In this work, a surface study of ceria nanoparticles modified by attachment of various transition‐metal ions to their surface is conducted. Characterization of the decorated particles as well as of the modifying transition‐metal ion is carried out using zeta potential in organic solution, UV–Vis absorption, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements, together with isothermal titration calorimetry, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. All measurements confirm the attachment of the cation to the surface of ceria, both in solid state and in colloidal suspension. It is suggested that the modifying ion‐complex attaches to ceria both via chemical or strong physical interactions and weak physical interactions, demonstrated by a case‐study modification of ceria using a copper‐oleylamine complex. The metalization has a significant effect on the surface charge of the nanoparticles by shifting the zeta potential to more positive values and on the optical properties of the modifying transition‐metal ions by red‐shifting their absorption peak.
Emission Spectroscopy of the Combustion Flame of Aluminium/Copper Oxide Thermite
Authors: Knapp Sebastian , Kelzenberg Stefan , Raab Angelika , Roth Evelin , Weiser Volker
Published: December 2018

The combustion process of stoichiometric aluminium/copper(II)oxide thermite was experimentally investigated in an optical bomb under inert atmosphere (N2) and ambient pressure. The reaction zone was monitored with UV/VIS emission spectroscopy and a colour high‐speed camera. The emission spectra were analysed by modelling of the background radiation and the characteristic emission of all molecular emitters in the reaction of Al/CuO. Based on this, the particles′ surface and gas phase temperature, the emissivity and the radiation of energy was determined by a non‐linear least squares fit between experimental and modelled spectra. This work presents the first modelling of the diatomic band system of Cu2 and CuO. The results obtained can help to understand the underlying processes in thermite combustion and the influence of radiation processes in modelling the combustion of thermite mixtures.
Donor‐acceptor interactions: Transition metal carbonyl group ligand [TM(CO)6]qcomplexes. A case study at correlated level from the topological density point of view
Authors: Bochicchio Roberto C. , Lobayan Rosana M. , del Valle Carlos Pérez
Published: December 2018

The analysis ofd6transition metal (TM)‐ligand (L) interactions between one metallic atom and several carbonyl group ligands complexes[TM(CO)6]q(qnet ionic charge) for the transition metal isoelectronic series,TM = Ti,V,Cr,Mn,Feis presented within the framework of the local and nonlocal topological analysis electron density point of view using its natural decomposition into pairing and unpairing contributions. The driving idea of this analysis is the relationship between the molecular orbitalσ‐,π‐donation for the description of the rearrangement and the existence of complex binding interactions of two or four electron over three centers type, (2e‐3c), (4e‐3c). This study reveals the formation of (4e‐3c) complex patterns for theCO‐TMmoieties which coexists withπ‐donation carried out by theTM.
Vibrational spectroscopic study on the phase transition of water in nanospaces and at interfaces
Authors: Yui Hiroharu , Morisaku Toshinori , Suzuki Akira
Published: December 2018

Phase transition of water confined in nanospaces with charged inner‐surfaces was investigated by vibrational spectroscopy. Aerosol sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles give a series of spherical nanospaces with controlled inner‐radius (Rw) with nanometer‐scale precision. Successive spectroscopic measurements of the confined water with decreasing temperature revealed that the water freezes to metastable cubic ice (Ic) coexisting with super‐cooled water or unstable amorphous ice at the Rw ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 nm. When Rw exceeded 2.0 nm, stable hexagonal ice (Ih) dominated. The drastic change of the dominant ice structure with the increase of 1 nm in Rw shows that the thickness of water layers affected by the inner surface can be estimated to be ~1 nm, where three or four layers of water hydrated to the surface. It is worth noting that the clear phase transition behavior of the confined water vanishes at Rw = 1.2 nm and that the gradual formation of Ic and coexistence of super‐cooled water or glassy state of water are detected. The range of the effective interaction between interfacial water and the charged inner surfaces and the mechanism of the extremely slow phase transition were also discussed.
Cancer Immunotherapy of TLR4 Agonist–Antigen Constructs Enhanced with Pathogen‐Mimicking Magnetite Nanoparticles and Checkpoint Blockade of PD‐L1
Authors: Traini Giordano , Ruiz‐de‐Angulo Ane , Blanco‐Canosa Juan Bautista , Zamacola Bascarán Kepa , Molinaro Antonio , Silipo Alba , Escors David , Mareque‐Rivas Juan C.
Published: December 2018

Despite the tremendous potential of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonists in vaccines, their efficacy as monotherapy to treat cancer has been limited. Only some lipopolysaccharides (LPS) isolated from particular bacterial strains or structures like monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) derived from lipooligosaccharide (LOS), avoid toxic overactivation of innate immune responses while retaining adequate immunogenicity to act as adjuvants. Here, different LOS structures are incorporated into nanoparticle‐filled phospholipid micelles for efficient vaccine delivery and more potent cancer immunotherapy. The structurally unique LOS of the plant pathogen Xcc is incorporated into phospholipid micelles encapsulating iron oxide nanoparticles, producing stable pathogen‐mimicking nanostructures suitable for targeting antigen presenting cells in the lymph nodes. The antigen is conjugated via a hydrazone bond, enabling rapid, easy‐to‐monitor and high‐yield antigen ligation at low concentrations. The protective effect of these constructs is investigated against a highly aggressive model for tumor immunotherapy. The results show that the nanovaccines lead to a higher‐level antigen‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector and memory responses, which when combined with abrogation of the immunosuppressive programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), provide 100% long‐term protection against repeated tumor challenge. This nanovaccine platform in combination with checkpoint inhibition of PD‐L1 represents a promising approach to improve the cancer immunotherapy of TLR4 agonists.
Electro‐Assisted Bioprinting of Low‐Concentration GelMA Microdroplets
Authors: Xie Mingjun , Gao Qing , Zhao Haiming , Nie Jing , Fu Zhenliang , Wang Haoxuan , Chen Lulu , Shao Lei , Fu Jianzhong , Chen Zichen , He Yong
Published: December 2018

Low‐concentration gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) has excellent biocompatibility to cell‐laden structures. However, it is still a big challenge to stably fabricate organoids (even microdroplets) using this material due to its extremely low viscosity. Here, a promising electro‐assisted bioprinting method is developed, which can print low‐concentration pure GelMA microdroplets with low cost, low cell damage, and high efficiency. With the help of electrostatic attraction, uniform GelMA microdroplets measuring about 100 μm are rapidly printed. Due to the application of lower external forces to separate the droplets, cell damage during printing is negligible, which often happens in piezoelectric or thermal inkjet bioprinting. Different printing states and effects of printing parameters (voltages, gas pressure, nozzle size, etc.) on microdroplet diameter are also investigated. The fundamental properties of low‐concentration GelMA microspheres are subsequently studied. The results show that the printed microspheres with 5% w/v GelMA can provide a suitable microenvironment for laden bone marrow stem cells. Finally, it is demonstrated that the printed microdroplets can be used in building microspheroidal organoids, in drug controlled release, and in 3D bioprinting as biobricks. This method shows great potential use in cell therapy, drug delivery, and organoid building.
Generic input template for cloud simulators: A case study of CloudSim
Authors: Jammal Manar , Hawilo Hassan , Kanso Ali , Shami Abdallah
Published: December 2018

Cloud computing and its service models, such as Platform as a Service (PaaS), have changed the way that computing resources are allocated to Information and Communications Technology enterprises and users. Although multiple cloud providers support dynamic service provisioning, it is necessary to facilitate the management of the cloud infrastructure and applications in order to allow the continuous refinement of cloud models. Therefore, issues are raised regarding the cloud orchestration, including the flexible portability and interoperability of cloud applications among multiple cloud providers. Having said that, there is a need for a standardized design and management of the cloud use cases (during the creation of scenarios, application's deployment, and patching) to ensure efficient applications' migration between different providers. This paper proposes an artifact, GITS, a generic input template for CloudSim and other cloud simulators. GITS can be provided by PaaS offering to manage the creation, monitoring, administration, and patching of infrastructure and applications in the cloud. GITS defines the cloud schema that can be used with conforming cloud models and independent cloud providers; thus, portability and interoperability can be enabled in PaaS cloud models. GITS focuses on the architecture‐based modeling for cloud infrastructure and application not only in terms of computational resources but also in terms of high availability properties associated with infrastructure and applications. The main objective of the GITS template is to provide the cloud user with a modular, simple, readable, and reusable model that still supports the essential components and provide them with the ability to control the applications' execution, deployment, and other management needs in addition to the allocation environment. This paper describes GITS usage, specifically as an input template for CloudSim.
Reliability analysis of the pre‐privatization Nigerian electric power distribution systems
Authors: Ajewole Titus O. , Salami Waheed A. , Adeniran Adepitan O. , Omoigui Michael O.
Published: December 2018

Presented in this paper is a study on the reliability of the electric power supply in Nigeria over the period that immediately preceded the nation's shift from a monopolistic to an unbundled power sector. The study provides a baseline for comparison in the assessment of the post‐deregulation performance of Nigerian electric utilities. Ten years of power outage information (from 1998 to 2007) from the seven major distribution systems of the national grid in use at the time are used to compute the systems’ reliability indices using a statistical approach. A sensitivity evaluation is performed to assess how the operational parameters could influence the numerical results. The analysis indicates that the Waterworks Feeder of the Ilorin Distribution System has the lowest System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) sensitivity of 0.0019, whereas the Etete Feeder of the Benin Distribution System has the highest SAIDI sensitivity of 0.5478 due to prolonged customer interruptions on the feeder. The lowest System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) sensitivity of 0.0268 was obtained for the Waterworks Feeder of the Ilorin Distribution System, whereas the 1.0459 SAIFI sensitivity obtained for the Cocoa Feeder of the Ibadan Distribution System was the highest due to frequent interruptions on the feeder. The Waterworks Feeder of the Ilorin Distribution System recorded the lowest Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI) sensitivity of 0.0075, whereas a CAIDI sensitivity of 2.8466, which was the highest, was obtained on the Ikpoba Dam Feeder of the Benin Distribution System. The outcome of this study would provide an informational basis for the reevaluation of the country's distribution systems as the nation approaches a decade of deregulation of its power market. This reevaluation could foster additional strategic planning and improved energy management by the distribution companies and other players currently operating across the national grid.
Cellular and molecular determinants of normal and abnormal kidney development
Authors: Tham Ming S. , Smyth Ian M.
Published: December 2018

Kidneys are bilateral organs required to maintain homeostasis in the body through the regulation of fluid composition and the excretion of metabolic waste products. The initial steps in organ development are characterized by cellular interactions which regulate both the position and number of kidneys formed. Once established, further development is driven by orchestrated interactions between progenitor cell populations which serve to establish both nephrons—the functional unit of the organ which filters the blood—and the complex ramified collecting duct system which transports urine to the bladder. The delicate balance involved in these processes is reflected in the emerging family of genetic or environmental factors which, when perturbed, give rise to defects in organ development or function later in life.

This article is categorized under:

Vertebrate Organogenesis > From a Tubular Primordium: Branched

Birth Defects > Organ Anomalies
Roton-phonon excitations in Chern-Simons matter theory at finite density
Authors: Kumar S. Prem , Roychowdhury Dibakar , Stratiev Stanislav
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We consider SU(N) Chern-Simons theory coupled to a scalar field in the fundamental representation at strictly zero temperature and finite chemical potential for the global U(1)
B
particle number or flavour symmetry. In the semiclassical regime we identify a Bose condensed ground state with a vacuum expectation value (VEV) for the scalar accompanied by noncommuting background gauge field matrix VEVs. These matrices coincide with the droplet ground state of the Abelian quantum Hall matrix model. The ground state spontaneously breaks U(1)
B
and Higgses the gauge group whilst preserving spatial rotations and a colour-flavour locked global U(1) symmetry. We compute the perturbative spectrum of semiclassical fluctuations for the SU(2) theory and show the existence of a single massless state with a linear phonon dispersion relation and a roton minimum (and maximum) determining the Landau critical superfluid velocity. For the massless scalar theory with vanishing self interactions, the semiclassical dispersion relations and location of roton extrema take on universal forms.
The spatial leave-pair-out cross-validation method for reliable AUC estimation of spatial classifiers
Authors: Airola Antti , Pohjankukka Jonne , Torppa Johanna , Middleton Maarit , Nykänen Vesa , Heikkonen Jukka , Pahikkala Tapio
Published: December 2018

Machine learning based classification methods are widely used in geoscience applications, including mineral prospectivity mapping. Typical characteristics of the data, such as small number of positive instances, imbalanced class distributions and lack of verified negative instances make ROC analysis and cross-validation natural choices for classifier evaluation. However, recent literature has identified two sources of bias, that can affect reliability of area under ROC curve estimation via cross-validation on spatial data. The pooling procedure performed by methods such as leave-one-out can introduce a substantial negative bias to results. At the same time, spatial dependencies leading to spatial autocorrelation can result in overoptimistic results, if not corrected for. In this work, we introduce the spatial leave-pair-out cross-validation method, that corrects for both of these biases simultaneously. The methodology is used to benchmark a number of classification methods on mineral prospectivity mapping data from the Central Lapland greenstone belt. The evaluation highlights the dangers of obtaining misleading results on spatial data and demonstrates how these problems can be avoided. Further, the results show the advantages of simple linear models for this classification task.
Climate and human influence on late Holocene fire regimes in the British Virgin Islands
Authors: Mueller Joshua R. , Power Mitchell J. , Long Colin J.
Published: December 2018

Global climate change poses significant threats to the Caribbean islands. Yet, little is known about the long-term disturbance regimes in island ecosystems. This research investigates 2000 yr of natural and anthropogenic fire disturbance through the analysis of a latitudinal transect of sediment records from coastal salt ponds in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The two research objectives in this study are (1) to determine the fire regime history for the BVI over the last 2000 yr and (2) to explore ecological impacts from anthropogenic landscape modification pre- and post-European settlement. The magnitude of anthropogenic landscape modification, including the introduction of agriculture, was investigated through a multiproxy approach using sedimentary records of fossil pollen and charcoal. Our results suggest fire regimes from Belmont Pond, Thatch Island, and Skeleton Pond have been influenced by human activity, particularly during the postsettlement era, from 500 cal yr BP to modern. Our results suggest that fire regimes during the Medieval Climate Anomaly were responding to changes in climate via dominant atmospheric drivers. The presettlement fire regimes from these islands suggest that fires occurred every 90 to 120 yr. This research represents a significant data contribution to a region with little disturbance and vegetation data available.
Feeding behaviour and pre-prandial status affect post-prandial plasma energy metabolites and insulin kinetics in growing pigs fed diets differing in fibre concentration
Authors: Quemeneur Katia , Labussiere Etienne , Le Gall Maud , Lechevestrier Yannick , Montagne Lucile
Published: December 2018

Variations in feeding behaviour between animals result from individual variations in their metabolism as affected by diet composition. The study aimed to link the within-day dynamics of voluntary feed intake and those of blood metabolites and insulin in growing pigs havingad libitumaccess to feed and receiving diets differing in dietary fibre levels and aleurone supplementation. A total of forty pigs (body weight: 35 kg) had access to diets providedad libitum, which differed by fibre content (13 or 18 % neutral-detergent fibre) and aleurone supplementation (0, 2 or 4 g/kg). Feeding behaviour was individually recorded for 1 week. The kinetic of plasma metabolites and insulin was followed for 1 h after a voluntary test meal. Dietary fibre level did not affect the daily feed intake but increased meal size and meal duration. Aleurone supplementation (4 g/kg) decreased the daily feed intake and number of meals. Dietary fibre level only decreased insulin concentration measured 15 min after meal beginning. Aleurone supplementation (4 g/kg) decreased glycaemia in the first hour after the meal and insulinaemia 15 min after the meal. Free access to feed led to high variability in pre-prandial metabolites and insulin concentrations, resulting in different test meal size irrespective of diet composition. Animals were then spread over different profiles combining feeding behaviour and fasted status to explain different profiles of regulation of feed intake. Plasma metabolites and insulin kinetics were affected by diet composition but also by animal characteristics. Individual variability should be considered when diet composition is used to modulate feeding behaviour.
A CLASS OF QUASITRIANGULAR GROUP-COGRADED MULTIPLIER HOPF ALGEBRAS
Authors: YANG TAO , ZHOU XUAN , ZHU HAIXING
Published: December 2018

For a multiplier Hopf algebra pairing 〈A,B〉, we construct a class of group-cograded multiplier Hopf algebras D(A,B), generalizing the classical construction of finite dimensional Hopf algebras introduced by Panaite and Staic Mihai [Isr. J. Math. 158 (2007), 349–365]. Furthermore, if the multiplier Hopf algebra pairing admits a canonical multiplier in M(B⊗A) we show the existence of quasitriangular structure on D(A,B). As an application, some special cases and examples are provided.
Are children with unrecognised psychiatric disorders being excluded from school? A secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys 2004 and 2007
Authors: Parker Claire , Tejerina-Arreal María , Henley William , Goodman Robert , Logan Stuart , Ford Tamsin
Published: December 2018

Background

There is limited research that explores the association between exclusion from school and mental health, but it seems intuitively plausible that the recognition of mental difficulties by key teachers and parents would influence the likelihood of exclusion from school.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health survey 2004, (n = 7997) and the 2007 follow-up (n = 5326) was conducted. Recognition of difficulty was assessed via a derived variable that combined the first item of the Impact supplement of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire which asked parents and teachers if they thought that the child has difficulties with emotions, behaviour and concentration, and the presence/absence of psychiatric disorder measured by the Development and Well-being Assessment.

Results

Adjusted logistic regression models demonstrated that children with recognised difficulties were more likely to be excluded [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5.78, confidence interval 3.45–9.64, p < 0.001], but children with unrecognised difficulties [adjusted OR 3.58 (1.46–8.81) p < 0.005] or recognised subclinical difficulties [adjusted OR 3.42 (2.04–5.73) p < 0.001] were also more likely to be excluded than children with no difficulties. Children with conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were most likely to be excluded compared with other types of disorder.

Conclusion

Exclusion from school may result from a failure to provide timely and effective support rather than a failure to recognise psychopathology.
Public knowledge, attitudes, social distance and reporting contact with people with mental illness 2009–2017
Authors: Robinson Emily J. , Henderson Claire
Published: December 2018

Background

Our aim was to investigate patterns of change in public knowledge, attitudes, desire for social distance and reporting having contact with people with mental health problems in England during the Time to Change (TTC) programme to reduce stigma and discrimination 2009–2017.

Methods

Using data from an annual face-to-face survey of a nationally representative quota sample of adults, we evaluated longitudinal trends of the outcome measures with regression analyses and made assumptions on the basis of a simple random sample. We tested interactions between year and demographic subgroups.

Results

There were improvements in all outcomes in 2017 compared with baseline measures (2008 or 2009). Reported in s.d. units [95% confidence interval (CI)], the improvement for knowledge was 0.17 (0.10–0.23); for attitudes 0.25 (0.18–0.31); and for social distance 0.29 (0.23–0.35). A higher likelihood of reporting contact was also associated with most recent survey year (odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.27–1.71). Statistically significant interactions between year and region of England suggest greatest improvements in attitudes and intended behaviour in London, where both outcomes were significantly worse in the early years of the survey. However, for attitudes, this interaction was only significant among women. Other significant interactions suggest that attitudes improved most in the target age group (25–44).

Conclusions

The results provide support for the effectiveness of TTC across demographic groups. However, other societal changes may influence the results, such as the increasing prevalence of common mental disorder in young women.