bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silent left ventricular apical ballooning and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in an Australian intensive care unit
Authors: Rowell Alexandra C. , Stedman Wade G. , Janin Pierre F. , Diel Naomi , Ward Michael R. , Kay Sharon M. , Delaney Anthony , Figtree Gemma A.
Published: September 2019

Aims

Recent reports have shown a high incidence of silent left ventricular apical ballooning (LVAB) in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting with potential implications for safe use of inotropes and vasopressors. We examined the incidence, predictors, and associated outcomes of LVAB in patients in a contemporary tertiary Australian ICU.

Methods and results

In a prospective cohort study, patients were screened within 24 h of admission to the ICU and enrolled if they were deemed critically unwell based on mechanical ventilation, administration of >5 mg/min of noradrenaline, or need for renal replacement therapy. Exclusion criteria were a primary diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, admission to ICU after cardiac surgery, or with acute myocardial infarction or heart failure. Echocardiography was performed, and the presence/absence of LVAB was documented. A total of 116 patients were enrolled of whom four had LVAB (3.5%, 95% confidence interval 0.9–8.6%). Female sex was the only baseline demographic or clinical characteristic associated with incident LVAB. Medical history, ICU admission indication, and choice of inotropes were not associated with increased risk. Patients with LVAB had no deaths and had similar lengths of ICU and hospital stay compared with patients with no LVAB.

Conclusions

The incidence of silent LVAB suggestive of TC was substantially lower in this study than recently reported in other international ICU settings. We did not observe a suggestion of worse outcomes. A larger, multi‐centre study, prospectively screening for LVAB may help understand any variation between centres and regions, with important implications for ICU management.
Looking into the Black Box of Solid‐State Synthesis
Authors: Kohlmann Holger
Published: September 2019

The rational planning of solid‐state synthesis is hampered by the fact that in general little is known on reaction processes and thus they cannot be utilized in an efficient way. This is in stark contrast to molecular chemistry, where retrosynthesis is a very powerful tool for the development of new compounds. Time‐dependent in situ studies of solid‐state synthesis reactions by thermal analysis, diffraction and spectroscopy techniques can unravel reaction pathways. Examples for the synthesis of metal hydrides, nitrides, oxides, by solid gas, electrochemical and ball‐milling methods show that the identification and characterization of reaction intermediates is often key to reaction control. Knowledge of their behavior helps avoiding dead ends in synthesis reactions, minimize unwanted side products and optimize synthesis protocols. This is especially true for metastable compounds, where in situ studies can be of particular impact. Additionally, in situ studies on chemical reactions provide a wealth of information on the structure and dynamics of solids under varying external conditions like temperature, gas atmosphere, and many other external parameters. This knowledge also fosters understanding of function and failure of functional materials. The progress in the area of rational solid‐state synthesis planning will probably gain even more importance in the near future due to the high potential of in situ studies on chemical reactions in the solid.
Statin Use and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Goh Myung Ji , Sinn Dong Hyun , Kim Seonwoo , Woo Sook Young , Cho Hyun , Kang Wonseok , Gwak Geum‐Youn , Paik Yong‐Han , Choi Moon Seok , Lee Joon Hyeok , Koh Kwang Cheol , Paik Seung Woon
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims

Statins have pleiotropic effects that may include chemoprevention. Several observational studies have suggested that statins may prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but they have not yet been fully studied in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections.

Approach and Results

A hospital‐based retrospective cohort of 7,713 chronic HBV‐infected individuals between January 2008 and December 2012 were analyzed. The primary outcome was the development of HCC. Patients who used statins for at least 28 cumulative defined daily doses during the follow‐up period were defined as statin users (n = 713). The association between the use of statin and the incidence of HCC was analyzed using the multivariable Cox regression model with time‐dependent covariates. During a median follow‐up of 7.2 years (min‐max: 0.5‐9.9), HCC newly developed in 702 patients (9.1%). Statin use was associated with a lower risk of HCC (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.19‐0.68, adjusted for age, sex, cirrhosis, diabetes, hypertension, serum alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, HBV DNA level, antiviral treatment, and antiplatelet therapy). The observed benefit of the statin use was dose‐dependent (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.63 [0.31‐1.29]; 0.51 [0.21‐1.25]; 0.32 [0.07,1.36]; and 0.17 [0.06, 0.48] for patients with statin use of 28‐365, 366‐730, 731‐1095, and more than 1,095 cumulative defined daily doses, respectively). In subgroup analysis, the association between statin use and reduced risk of HCC was observed in all prespecified subgroups analyzed.

Conclusion

Statin use was associated with a reduced risk of HCC development in chronic HBV‐infected patients, suggesting that statins may have a chemopreventive role in this population. These findings warrant a prospective evaluation.
MicroRNA‐10a Impairs Liver Metabolism in Hepatitis C Virus‐Related Cirrhosis Through Deregulation of the Circadian Clock Gene Brain and Muscle Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator‐Like 1
Authors: Horii Rika , Honda Masao , Shirasaki Takayoshi , Shimakami Tetsuro , Shimizu Ryogo , Yamanaka Souma , Murai Kazuhisa , Kawaguchi Kazunori , Arai Kuniaki , Yamashita Tatsuya , Sakai Yoshio , Yamashita Taro , Okada Hikari , Nakamura Mikiko , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: September 2019

The circadian rhythm of the liver plays an important role in maintaining its metabolic homeostasis. We performed comprehensive expression analysis of microRNAs (miRNAs) using TaqMan polymerase chain reaction of liver biopsy tissues to identify the miRNAs that are significantly up‐regulated in advanced chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We found miR‐10a regulated various liver metabolism genes and was markedly up‐regulated by hepatitis C virus infection and poor nutritional conditions. The expression of miR‐10a was rhythmic and down‐regulated the expression of the circadian rhythm gene brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator‐like 1 (Bmal1) by directly suppressing the expression of RA receptor‐related orphan receptor alpha (RORA). Overexpression of miR‐10a in hepatocytes blunted circadian rhythm of Bmal1 and inhibited the expression of lipid synthesis genes (sterol regulatory element binding protein [SREBP]1, fatty acid synthase [FASN], and SREBP2), gluconeogenesis (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha [PGC1α]), protein synthesis (mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR] and ribosomal protein S6 kinase [S6K]) and bile acid synthesis (liver receptor homolog 1 [LRH1]). The expression of Bmal1 was significantly correlated with the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis‐related genes and reduced Bmal1 was associated with increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels and progression of liver fibrosis in CHC. Thus, impaired circadian rhythm expression of Bmal1 by miR‐10a disturbs metabolic adaptations, leading to liver damage, and is closely associated with the exacerbation of abnormal liver metabolism in patients with advanced CHC. In patients with hepatitis C‐related liver cirrhosis, liver tissue miR‐10a levels were significantly associated with hepatic reserve, fibrosis markers, esophageal varix complications, and hepatitis C‐related hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence. Conclusion: MiRNA‐10a is involved in abnormal liver metabolism in cirrhotic liver through down‐regulation of the expression of the circadian rhythm gene Bmal1. Therefore, miR‐10a is a possible useful biomarker for estimating the prognosis of liver cirrhosis.
ATP1B3 cooperates with BST‐2 to promote hepatitis B virus restriction
Authors: Zheng Baisong , Zhang Jun , Zheng Tianhang , Wang Hong , Li Zhaolong , Huan Chen , Ning Shanshan , Wang Yingchao , Zhang Wenyan
Published: September 2019

Increasing evidence indicates ATP1B3, one of the regulatory subunits of Na+/K+‐ATPase, is involved in numerous viral propagations, such as HIV and EV71. However, the function and mechanism of ATP1B3 on hepatitis B virus (HBV) propagation is unknown. Here, we demonstrated that ATP1B3 overexpression reduced the quantity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in supernatants of HBV expression plasmids cotransfected HepG2 cells. Correspondingly, small interfering RNA and short hairpin RNA mediated ATP1B3 silencing promoted HBsAg and HBeAg expression in the supernatants of HBV expression plasmids transfected HepG2 cells. Mechanically, we reported that ATP1B3 expression could activate nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway by inducing the expression, phosphorylation, and nuclear import of P65 for the first time. And NF‐κB inhibitor (Bay11) impaired the restraint of ATP1B3 on HBV replication. This counteraction effect of Bay11 proved that ATP1B3‐induced NF‐κB activation was crucial for HBV restriction. Accordingly, we observed that anti‐HBV factors interferon‐α (IFN‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production were increased in HepG2 cells after the NF‐κB activation. It suggested that ATP1B3 suppressed HBsAg and HBeAg by NF‐κB/IFN‐α and NF‐κB/IL‐6 axis. Further experiments proved that ATP1B3 overexpression induced anti‐HBV factor BST‐2 expression by NF‐κB/IFN‐α axis in HepG2 cells but not HEK293T cells, and ATP1B3 silencing downregulated BST‐2 messenger RNA level in HepG2 cells. As an HBV restriction factor, BST‐2 cooperated with ATP1B3 to antagonize HBsAg but not HBeAg in HepG2 cells. Our work identified ATP1B3 as a novel candidate of HBV restrictor with unrevealed mechanism and we highlighted it might serve as a potential therapeutic molecule for HBV infection.
Probing the degradation mechanism of forsythiaside A and simultaneous determination of three forsythiasides in Forsythia preparations by a single marker
Authors: Qi Minghui , Zhao Shiyi , Zhou Bin , Zhang Min , Zhang Hongyang , Wang Yuerong , Hu Ping
Published: September 2019

Forsythiaside A is the major component of Forsythia suspensa. This study investigated the degradation mechanism of forsythiaside A. Eight degraded components including forsythiaside I, forsythiaside H, forsythiaside E, caffeic acid, suspensaside A, β‐hydroxy forsythiaside I, β‐hydroxy forsythiaside H, and β‐hydroxy forsythiaside A were identified by using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Then, the quantitative analysis of multi‐components by a single‐marker was performed with ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography to simultaneously determine forsythiaside A, forsythiaside H, and forsythiaside I in Forsythia suspensa preparations. The result showed good linear relationships within 2.871–287.1, 0.231–23.1, and 0.983–98.3 μg/mL (r > 0.9998), with average recoveries of 97.7, 95.7, and 95.8% and relative standard deviations of 1.4, 2.4, and 1.8%, respectively. Using forsythiaside A as an internal reference, the relative retention values of forsythiaside H and forsythiaside I to forsythiaside A were calculated to be 0.89 and 0.61, respectively, and the relative correction factors were 0.816 and 0.799, respectively. The method for quantitative analysis of multi‐components by a single‐marker was applied to evaluate the overall quality of forsythia preparations. There was no significant difference in the measurement results of the method developed and the method of external standard.
Analysis of the Acid/Base Profile of Natural Products from Different Sources
Authors: Santibáñez‐Morán Marisa G. , Medina‐Franco José L.
Published: September 2019

For many years drug discovery and other areas in chemistry have successfully relied on natural products. Recent advances in computational methods have made possible to study the chemical space of natural products from different sources. Ionizable acidic and basic functional groups heavily influence physicochemical properties and thus a molecule's absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity characteristics as well as their affinity for biological targets. This work reports the generation and critical comparison of the acid/base profiles of ten chemical databases including seven natural products sets from different origins, a set of semisynthetic compounds, a collection of approved drugs, and a compendium of food chemicals. Similarities were found in the proportion of the main charge state categories among the natural products databases with few differences in their pKa distributions. Clear differences were observed between natural products and the approved drugs and semi‐synthetic natural products databases, whereas natural products share some trends with the food chemical database. We noted that the natural products collections comprise around 45 % of neutral compounds. The proportion of single acids was approximately twice that found for FDA drugs, and they demonstrated a similar distribution of pKa values. In contrast to drugs, only 5 % of compounds among the natural products sets had a single basic group. Likewise, simple ampholytes were less prevalent in the natural products databases relative to drugs.
A culturomics approach to quantifying the salience of species on the global internet
Authors: Ladle Richard J. , Jepson Paul , Correia Ricardo A. , Malhado Ana C. M.
Published: September 2019

Conservation will only be successful over the long term if people support conservation goals. While many factors may influence the level of such support, it is clear that people are more willing to conserve species and places that they are familiar with and which provide them with something they value.

Until now this dimension has been largely lacking from conservation decision‐making and its underlying scientific evidence base. This is understandable given conservation scientists' historic focus on population and community ecology and the practical difficulties associated with assessing the cultural prominence of species or places at anything more than local scale.

This latter challenge is rapidly being addressed through a new generation of culturomic metrics that takes advantage of publicly available digital content.

Here, we suggest that one such metric, estimated frequency of webpages that mention the scientific names of a species, broadly reflects the relative prominence of a species in global culture.

Using all extant bird species as a case study, we demonstrate that species that are mentioned at high frequency on the global internet: (a) were scientifically described earlier, (b) have wide geographic ranges that overlap with technologically advanced societies, (c) are phenotypically conspicuous and (d) are strongly associated with direct human interactions (e.g. hunting).

These results support the use of estimates of scientific name frequency on the internet as a proxy of a species' cultural salience, especially with respect to urban populations in technologically advanced societies.

We conclude by discussing how a new generation of digital tools might be developed to support conservation monitoring and communication.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Swallowing patterns after adenotonsillectomy in children
Authors: de Oliveira Branco Anete Antunes , de Castro Corrêa Camila , de Souza Neves Daniela , Huehara Tais , Theresa Weber Silke Anna
Published: September 2019

Importance

Hypertrophy of the pharyngeal and palatine tonsils can interfere with breathing, physical and cognitive development, and quality of life, including sleep quality. There are important relationships between the muscles of the airways, the anatomy, and the pattern of breathing and swallowing.

Objective

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the swallowing process in children after adenotonsillectomy undertaken to treat obstructive breathing disorders.

Methods

Subjects were 85 children or adolescents who underwent adenotonsillectomy in a reference hospital between 2003 and 2007. For the clinical evaluation of swallowing, the protocol of orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores (OMES) was used, videofluoroscopy of deglutition was performed, and the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) and Classification for Severity of Dysphagia to Videofluoroscopy Scale were applied for analysis.

Results

Out of the 85 evaluated children, 43 were male (50.59%), the average age at evaluation was 12.11 years, the average age at the time of surgery was 6.73 years, and post‐surgery time was 3.00–8.00 years. In the clinical evaluation of swallowing, half the sample (50.59%) recorded the poorest score for lip and tongue behavior. A score of 1 was observed in 67.06% of subjects for other behaviors, and in 15.30% of subjects for efficiency of swallowing. Videofluoroscopic analysis demonstrated that the most frequent swallowing alterations were labial sealing (50.59%), residue in vallecula (51.76%), and use of compensatory maneuvers (61.18%). Analysis of DOSS showed that normal swallowing was attributed to 48.31% of subjects at level 7, 44.95% at level 6, and 6.74% at level 5. For the Classification for Severity of Dysphagia to Videofluoroscopy, 75.28% were classified as having mild dysphagia.

Interpretation

Alterations in the dynamics of swallowing are common in children who have undergone surgery of the tonsils, even at late follow‐up.
Fe‐Diluted Magnetic Alloys REIn3−xFex (RE = Pr, Nd, Gd, Ho)
Authors: Yang Shuowang , Guo Yongquan , Wang Cong
Published: September 2019

The phase evolution and magnetic properties of Fe doping into REIn3 (RE = Pr, Nd, Gd, Ho) are systematically studied using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrum, and magnetic measurements. Fe doping into REIn3 induces the magnetic phase transition from paramagnetic to ferromagnetic associated with minor In separation from the cubic phase with AuCu3‐type structure at room temperature. The structural stability of cubic phase is related to size effect RA and electro‐negativity difference ΔX. Cubic REIn3–xFex could be stabilized in the range of 1.0602–1.0963 Å for RA and 0.380–0.420 for ΔX. Ferromagnetism of REIn3–xFex might be explained as the 3d–3d interactions between Fe atoms and 3d–s–4f indirect interactions between Fe and rare earth atoms mediated by the conducting s electrons. The increase of magnetic moment for REIn3–xFex could result from the partial substitution of nonmagnetic element In by magnetic element Fe in the host material through dilute doping of Fe, and thus a net moment is produced.
Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)/ZrO2 Reinforced Polyimide Nanocomposite Aerogels with Enhanced Properties: A Synergistic Effect of the Nanofillers
Authors: Wu Yushuang , Zhang Xin , Guo Yi , Wang Xinbo
Published: September 2019

In this paper, linear‐structured polyimide (PI) nanocomposite aerogels were fabricated with incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) and nano‐sized zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) via a freeze‐drying route. SEM images indicate GO and ZrO2 dispersed well in PI network skeletons after imidization. GO and ZrO2 can improve physical properties not only separately but also synergistically, generating excellent performances of the nanocomposite aerogels with the density of 70 mg cm−3, porosity of 95%, shrinkage of 19% and thermal conductivity of 0.0266 W m−1 k−1. This facile route using rational physical incorporation of nanofillers instead of expensive multi‐functional monomers distinctly improves overall performances of the prepared PI nanocomposite aerogels.
First‐Principles Study of Interaction of Bismuthene with Small Gas Molecules
Authors: Khadiullin Salavat Kh. , Kistanov Andrey A. , Ustiuzhanina Svetlana V. , Davletshin Artur R. , Zhou Kun , Dmitriev Sergey V. , Korznikova Elena A.
Published: September 2019

Recently emerging two‐dimensional (2D) bismuth, bismuthene, has excited the world scientific community. It has been successfully synthesized to show high structural stability. Bismuthene possesses enhanced interaction with gas molecules due to its large surface area, which is a characteristic feature of 2D materials. This work performs a systematic first‐principles study on the effects of the environmental gas molecules (CO, NO, NO2, H2, and NH3) on the electronic structure and chemical activity of bismuthene. It is found that CO, NO, and NO2 serve as charge acceptors. Furthermore, the adsorption of NO and NO2 can produce noticeable modifications in the band structure of bismuthene. H2 and NH3 act as charge donors to bismuthene. Importantly, there is a large amount of transferred charge and a low adsorption energy of H2 on bismuthene. Thereby, our study suggests bismuthene as a promising material for gas sensing applications and production of hydrogen storage devices.
Growth of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Different Chirality on Same Solid Cobalt Catalysts at Low Temperature
Authors: Zhang Shuchen , Lin Dewu , Liu Weiming , Yu Yue , Zhang Jin
Published: September 2019

Currently, designing solid catalysts at high temperature is the main strategy to realize single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with specific chirality, meaning it is very hard and challenging to create new catalysts or faces to fit new chirality. However, low temperatures make most catalysts solid, and developing solid catalysts at low temperature is desired to realize chirality control of SWNTs. A rational approach to grow SWNTs array with different chiralities on same solid Co catalysts at low temperature (650 °C) is herein put forward. Using solid Co catalysts, near‐armchair (10, 9) tubes horizontal array with ≈75% selectivity and (12, 6) tubes array with ≈82% are realized by adopting a small amount of ethanol and large amount of CO respectively. (10, 9) tubes are enriched for thermodynamic stability and (12, 6) tubes for kinetics growth rate. Both kinds of tubes show a similar symmetry to the Co (1 1 1) face with threefold symmetry for the symmetry matching nucleation mechanism proposed earlier. This method provides a new strategy to study the nucleation mechanism and more possibilities for preparing new solid catalysts to control the structure of SWNTs.
Influence of Graphite Nodules on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hollow Ductile Iron Pipe after Austempering Treatment
Authors: Wang Xiaolong , Du Yuzhou , Gao Xiangqian , Ge Yanfeng , Jiang Bailing
Published: September 2019

Herein, the microstructure and mechanical properties of ductile iron with different numbers of graphite nodules before and after austempering treatment are systematically investigated. The results show that the amounts of graphite nodules affect the microstructure and resulting mechanical properties of ductile iron. The ferrite fraction in an as‐cast matrix decreases with the increase in graphite nodules; this outcome is mainly attributed to the cooling rate. The matrix of ductile iron after austempering treatment is composed of acicular ferrite and retained austenite. The acicular ferrite is refined with the increase in graphite nodules, because the increase in interface between graphite/austenite provides more nucleation sites during austempering treatment. Meanwhile, the formation of ferrite causes carbon atoms to diffuse into the surrounding matrix, giving rise to the increase in carbon concentration of untransformed austenite and further stabilizing the retained austenite. Hence, the volume fraction of retained austenite and the carbon content in it both increase with the increase in graphite nodules. The amounts in graphite nodules affect the mechanical properties significantly after austempering treatment; this outcome is related to the phase constituents of ductile iron after austempering treatment. Herein, the detailed mechanisms are discussed.
Global occurrence and impact of small-to-medium magnitude earthquakes: a statistical analysis
Authors: Nievas Cecilia I. , Bommer Julian J. , Crowley Helen , van Elk Jan
Published: September 2019

Despite their much smaller individual contribution to the global counts of casualties and damage than their larger counterparts, earthquakes with moment magnitudes Mwin the range 4.0–5.5 may dominate seismic hazard and risk in areas of low overall seismicity, a statement that is particularly true for regions where anthropogenically-induced earthquakes are predominant. With the risk posed by these earthquakes causing increasing alarm in certain areas of the globe, it is of interest to determine what proportion of earthquakes in this magnitude range that occur sufficiently close to population or the built environment do actually result in damage and/or casualties. For this purpose, a global catalogue of potentially damaging events—that is, earthquakes deemed as potentially capable of causing damage or casualties based on a series of pre-defined criteria—has been generated and contrasted against a database of reportedly damaging small-to-medium earthquakes compiled in parallel to this work. This paper discusses the criteria and methodology followed to define such a set of potentially damaging events, from the issues inherent to earthquake catalogue compilation to the definition of criteria to establish how much potential exposure is sufficient to consider each earthquake a threat. The resulting statistics show that, on average, around 2% of all potentially-damaging shocks were actually reported as damaging, though the proportion varies significantly in time as a consequence of the impact of accessibility to data on damage and seismicity in general. Inspection of the years believed to be more complete suggests that a value of around 4–5% might be a more realistic figure.
Carbon microspheres decorated with iron sulfide nanoparticles for mercury(II) removal from water
Authors: Pasinszki Tibor , Krebsz Melinda , Chand Deepak , Kótai László , Homonnay Zoltán , Sajó István E. , Váczi Tamás
Published: September 2019

A new and simple method is developed to synthesize carbon microspheres decorated with iron sulfide nanoparticles for mercury ion removal from water. The synthesis is based on carbonizing polystyrene–divinylbenzene-based and iron(III) sulfate-loaded cation exchange resins between 500 and 1000 °C. The phase composition, surface area, and morphology of these materials are characterized by various spectroscopic and diffraction techniques, including Mössbauer spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman and scanning electron microscopy, and BET analysis. Pyrrhotite is found to be the dominant iron-containing phase. The adsorption performance of microspheres for mercury ion removal from water is studied as a function of adsorbent load and contact time at pH 6.5 using a solution of 40 mg dm−3mercury ion. Pyrrhotite nanoparticles played a key role in mercury ion removal amounting to 70–90% of the extracted amount. A high adsorption capacity of 104 mg of mercury/g of adsorbent at an adsorbent load of 0.33 g dm−3is achieved, and the removal kinetics could be well fitted with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemical sorption. The synthetic method is easy to scale up for large-scale production and materials are easy to handle, which is significant for large-scale environmental applications.
Nucleating agents based on graphene and graphene oxide for crystallization of the β-form of isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Broda Jan , Baczek Marcin , Fabia Janusz , Binias Dorota , Fryczkowski Ryszard
Published: September 2019

During the investigations, functionalization of graphene oxide synthesized using modified Hummers’ method and its reduced form was performed. Mixtures of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide with pimelic acid and calcium hydroxide were prepared for functionalization. During the reaction, the molecules of pimelic acid were attached to the surface of graphene sheets. By forming links between the carboxylic groups of pimelic acid and graphene oxide, the durable connection was achieved. The functionalized graphene oxide and the reduced graphene oxide were used as additives in isotactic polypropylene crystallization. The influence of additives on crystallisation in non-isothermal conditions was examined using polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of the additives on the polypropylene structure was analysed using wide-angle X-ray scattering. For both functionalized compounds, the nucleating ability towards β-form of polypropylene was detected. Both additives showed the increase in the nucleation rate and promotion of growth of the β-form crystals. Nucleation efficiency similar to other nucleating agents used in the crystallization of the β-form of polypropylene was revealed.
Identification of the designer benzodiazepine 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine (flualprazolam) in an anesthesia robbery case
Authors: Qian Zhenhua , Liu Cuimei , Huang Jian , Deng Qingqing , Hua Zhendong
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This publication reports analytical properties of the designer benzodiazepine 8-chloro-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine (flualprazolam) seized in an anesthesia robbery case.

Methods

The target compound was identified by liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF-MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Results

We could obtain detailed analytical data of flualprazolam—a new designer benzodiazepine available on the designer drug market.

Conclusions

More designer benzodiazepines have been detected and seized on the illegal drug scene as new psychoactive substances during the last 5 years. In this study, we presented analytical data of flualprazolam to assist forensic laboratories that encounter these newly emerging compounds in casework. This is the first report on this compound in illegal products.
Analysis of Wheel Squeal and Flanging on Curved Railway Tracks
Authors: Kim Jae Chul , Yun Yang Soo , Noh Hee-Min
Published: September 2019

When a railway vehicle moves over a sharply curved section of track, intense high-frequency noises sometimes occur. These are potentially a source of annoyance to those living adjacent to railway tracks. To efficiently identify measures appropriate to reduce curve squeal, it is important to determine the dominant noise type. However, it is difficult to analyze the various noises made over curved sections of railway using general noise measurements. In this study, we analyzed squealing and flange noises using various experimental approaches. We first investigated the noise characteristics of the railway vehicle via structural analysis of the wheel. It was confirmed that a wheel has various natural frequencies and eigenmodes in the high frequency range, i.e. over 1000 Hz. A roller rig test was performed to measure and investigate the characteristics of the noise generated when an actual wheel and the curved section of the railway track come in contact with each other. In this experiment the squeal and the flange noises, in particular, were reproduced by adjustments made to the lateral angle and vertical force, respectively. Results confirmed that the squealing noise occurs in the high frequency region and the flange noise occurs in various modes. A study was also conducted to measure and analyze the noise in the actual curved section of an urban railway. By comparing the frequency analysis and the natural frequency analysis of the noise that was actually measured, the mode by which the wheel caused the squealing noise was confirmed. Furthermore, the influence of the noise generated inside and outside the curved section of the track was investigated based on velocity, and the influence of the former on the noise generated was also examined. This study provides information on the squeal and flange noises generated when a railway vehicle moves over a curved section of a railway using various experimental approaches.
Critical historical inquiry: The intersection of ideological clarity and pedagogical content knowledge
Authors: Blevins Brooke , Magill Kevin , Salinas Cinthia
Published: September 2019

This paper presents the relationship between pedagogical content knowledge and political/ideological clarity as a framework for understanding the nuanced interpretations and applications of critical social studies pedagogy and practice. Using a qualitative case study research design, this study explores the decision-making process of two novice social studies teachers as they decide if and how to utilize critical historical inquiry within their classrooms. Findings indicate that teachers’ use of critical historical inquiry is informed by their subject area consciousness and political and ideological clarity which is cultivated through personal, schooling, and communal experiences. However, we also find that a teacher's pedagogy is significantly strengthened when political and ideological clarity are coupled with pedagogical content knowledge to ensure a more developed enactment of critical historical inquiry is reached within the social studies classroom.
VALUE PATTERNS OF MULTIPLICATIVE FUNCTIONS AND RELATED SEQUENCES
Authors: TAO TERENCE , TERÄVÄINEN JONI
Published: September 2019

We study the existence of various sign and value patterns in sequences defined by multiplicative functions or related objects. For any set$A$whose indicator function is ‘approximately multiplicative’ and uniformly distributed on short intervals in a suitable sense, we show that the density of the pattern$n+1\in A$,$n+2\in A$,$n+3\in A$is positive as long as$A$has density greater than$\frac{1}{3}$. Using an inverse theorem for sumsets and some tools from ergodic theory, we also provide a theorem that deals with the critical case of$A$having density exactly$\frac{1}{3}$, below which one would need nontrivial information on the local distribution of$A$in Bohr sets to proceed. We apply our results first to answer in a stronger form a question of Erdős and Pomerance on the relative orderings of the largest prime factors$P^{+}(n)$,$P^{+}(n+1),P^{+}(n+2)$of three consecutive integers. Second, we show that the tuple$(\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}(n+1),\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}(n+2),\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}(n+3))~(\text{mod}~3)$takes all the$27$possible patterns in$(\mathbb{Z}/3\mathbb{Z})^{3}$with positive lower density, with$\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}(n)$being the number of distinct prime divisors. We also prove a theorem concerning longer patterns$n+i\in A_{i}$,$i=1,\ldots ,k$in approximately multiplicative sets$A_{i}$having large enough densities, generalizing some results of Hildebrand on his ‘stable sets conjecture’. Finally, we consider the sign patterns of the Liouville function$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}$and show that there are at least$24$patterns of length$5$that occur with positive upper density. In all the proofs, we make extensive use of recent ideas concerning correlations of multiplicative functions.
What oral historians and historians of science can learn from each other
Authors: MERCHANT PAUL
Published: September 2019

This paper is concerned with the use of interviews with scientists by members of two disciplinary communities: oral historians and historians of science. It examines the disparity between the way in which historians of science approach autobiographies and biographies of scientists on the one hand, and the way in which they approach interviews with scientists on the other. It also examines the tension in the work of oral historians between a long-standing ambition to record forms of past experience and more recent concerns with narrative and personal ‘composure’. Drawing on extended life story interviews with scientists, recorded by National Life Stories at the British Library between 2011 and 2016, it points to two ways in which the communities might learn from each other. First, engagement with certain theoretical innovations in the discipline of oral history from the 1980s might encourage historians of science to extend their already well-developed critical analysis of written autobiography and biography to interviews with scientists. Second, the keen interest of historians of science in using interviews to reconstruct details of past events and experience might encourage oral historians to continue to value this use of oral history even after their theoretical turn.
Association analysis of SSTR2 copy number variation with cattle stature and its expression analysis in Chinese beef cattle
Authors: Cheng J. , Jiang R. , Cao X. K. , Liu M. , Huang Y. Z. , Lan X. Y. , Cao H. , Lei C. Z. , Chen H.
Published: September 2019

Copy number variations (CNVs), as an important source of genetic variation, can affect a wide range of phenotypes by diverse mechanisms. The somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) gene plays important roles in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recently, this gene was mapped to a CNV region, which encompasses quantitative trait loci of cattle economic traits including body weight, marbling score, etc. Therefore,SSTR2CNV may exhibit phenotypic effects on cattle growth traits. In the current study, distribution ofSSTR2gene CNVs was investigated in six Chinese cattle breeds (XN, QC, NY, JA, LX and PN), and the results showed higher CNV polymorphisms in XN, QC and NY cattle. Next, association analysis between growth traits andSSTR2CNV was performed for XN, QC and NY cattle. In NY, individuals with fewer copies showed better performance than those with more copies. Further, the effects ofSSTR2CNV on theSSTR2mRNA level were also investigated, but revealed no significant correlation in either muscle or adipose tissue of adult NY cattle. The results suggested the potential for use ofSSTR2CNV as a marker for the molecular breeding of NY cattle.
Morphological and genetic variation of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae in carriers in Thailand, Lao PDR and Myanmar: evaluation using Giemsa-stained thick blood films
Authors: Jongthawin J. , Intapan P.M. , Thanchomnang T. , Sadaow L. , Laymanivong S. , Maleewong W. , Sanpool O.
Published: September 2019

There is geographical variation in the morphology and genetics of Wuchereria bancrofti, the major cause of human lymphatic filariasis. This study aims to compare morphological and genetic variation of W. bancrofti microfilariae recovered from carriers in Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand. Six morphological parameters (body length, cephalic space length and width, length of head to nerve ring, body width at nerve ring, Innenkȍrper length and number of column nuclei between the cephalic space and nerve ring) were evaluated from microfilariae in Giemsa-stained thick blood films. A portion of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene of mitochondrial DNA was sequenced and analysed. Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae showed a wide variation in their morphology and morphometry among three countries. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all microfilariae belonged to W. bancrofti. Higher mutation frequencies were observed in samples from Myanmar, relative to Thailand and Lao PDR. This study highlights the morphological disparities of microfilariae and genetic variability within W. bancrofti among three geographical locations. We found that reported morphometric differences between localities were less clear-cut than previously thought. Further studies are needed to determine the microfilarial periodicity in Lao PDR.
Biodiversity and spatio-temporal changes of benthic and demersal assemblages of circalittoral soft bottoms of the Bay of Málaga (northern Alboran Sea)
Authors: Moya-Urbano Elena , Urra Javier , Marina Pablo , Gallardo-núñez Marina , García Raso J. Enrique , Bárcenas Patricia , Serna Quintero José M. , Giráldez Ana , García Teresa , Baro Jorge , Rueda José L.
Published: September 2019

The Bay of Málaga is located in a high biodiversity and productivity area that harbours a wide variety of commercial species exploited by different fishing fleets. Benthic and demersal fauna from circalittoral soft bottoms have been studied using a benthic dredge (BD) (8 sampling stations) and an otter trawl (OT) (8 sampling stations on a seasonal basis). Some sediment and water column variables, as well as the trawling activity, have also been studied and used for analysing their linkage with the fauna. A total of 287 species have been found in these bottoms and fish, molluscs and crustaceans represented the most diverse and abundant faunistic groups. A new record of the decapod Hippolyte leptometrae for Spanish waters is also included in this study. Some multivariate analyses using BD samples indicated the presence of three assemblages, but these seem to represent different facies of a single benthic community due to the absence of acute sediment changes and significant differences in the fauna. OT samples only displayed differences related to seasons but not to sediment types or depth. These seasonal differences seem to be linked to biological and ecological features of both dominant and/or commercial species. Mud and organic matter contents (%OM) in sediment, as well as the temperature, were the main variables linked to the spatial distribution of the benthic community identified with BD, whereas medium and coarse sand as well as gravel contents were the main variables linked to the changes of the epibenthic and demersal assemblage resulting from OT samples. The information of this study is of importance for improving the knowledge on the biodiversity of circalittoral soft bottoms of the Mediterranean and Alboran Sea as well as for the potential creation of a Marine Fisheries Reserve in the Bay of Málaga.
The temporal aspects of mobility intentions: older people's reflections on present and future support arrangements
Authors: Barken Rachel
Published: September 2019

Discourses on later-life housing and care are polarised. Ageing in place – typically in one's long-term dwelling – is often presented as the most desirable living arrangement, while moving to a congregate environment tends to be regarded as a last resort. Such polarised discourses obscure older people's experiences as they contemplate needs for housing, health and social care. To expand current understandings of mobility intentions, this paper examines ‘time work’ – or actions undertaken to exert some agency over time – as older people with chronic health conditions and disabilities navigate present and future support arrangements. Based on an interpretive analysis of qualitative interviews with 22 older persons receiving home care in Ontario, Canada, I identify three themes that highlight the temporal aspects of mobility intentions: (a) maintaining continuity with the past and present, (b) constructing alternative futures and (c) facing precarity. Focusing on time work shows how people make sense of ageing in place and/or relocating not only in relation to their physical, social and psychological capacities, but also in relation to perceptions of the past, present and future. Time work, moreover, has implications for feelings of security in the present and a sense of control over the future. Based on these findings, I make suggestions for developing a comprehensive continuum of supports, so all older people can make meaningful choices concerning housing and care.
Exposure of humans to the zoonotic nematode Dirofilaria immitis in Northern Portugal
Authors: Fontes-Sousa A. P. , Silvestre-Ferreira A. C. , Carretón E. , Esteves-Guimarães J. , Maia-Rocha C. , Oliveira P. , Lobo L. , Morchón R. , Araújo F. , Simón F. , Montoya-Alonso J. A.
Published: September 2019

Dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) is a zoonosis, considered an endemic disease of dogs and cats in several countries of Western Europe, including Portugal. This study assesses the levels of D. immitis exposure in humans from Northern Portugal, to which end, 668 inhabitants of several districts belonging to two different climate areas (Csa: Bragança, Vila Real and Csb: Aveiro, Braga, Porto, Viseu) were tested for anti-D. immitis and anti-Wolbachia surface proteins (WSP) antibodies. The overall prevalence of seropositivity to both anti-D. immitis and WSP antibodies was 6.1%, which demonstrated the risk of infection with D. immitis in humans living in Northern Portugal. This study, carried out in a Western European country, contributes to the characterisation of the risk of infection with D. immitis among human population in this region of the continent. From a One Health point of view, the results of the current work also support the close relationship between dogs and people as a risk factor for human infection
Blue Emitting BaAl2O4:Ce3+ Nanophosphors with High Color Purity and Brightness for White LEDs
Authors: Chatterjee Rituparna , Saha Subhajit , Panigrahi Karamjyoti , Ghorai Uttam Kumar , Das Gopes Chandra , Chattopadhyay Kalyan Kumar
Published: September 2019

In this work, strongly blue emitting Ce3+-activated BaAl2O4 nanophosphors were successfully synthesized by a sol–gel technique. The crystal structure, morphology, and microstructure of the nanophosphors have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The photoluminescence spectra show the impact of concentration variation of Ce3+ on the photoluminescence emission of the phosphor. These nanophosphors display intense blue emission peaking at 422 nm generated by the Ce3+ 5d → 4f transition under 350 nm excitation. Our results reveal that this nanophosphor has the capability to take part in the emergent domain of solid-state lighting and field-emission display devices.
Atlantic Circulation Consistently Tied to Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Shultz David
Published: September 2019

Past ocean surface conditions suggest that over the past 800,000 years, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels typically rose on millennial timescales when Atlantic overturning was weaker and vice versa.
Grim Report on Climate Change Impacts on Oceans and Cryosphere
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: September 2019

A new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that bold actions can prevent significantly worse impacts.
PAX5-induced upregulation of IDH1-AS1 promotes tumor growth in prostate cancer by regulating ATG5-mediated autophagy
Authors: Zhang Nan , Li Zhongyi , Bai Fuding , Zhang Shigeng
Published: September 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the major malignancies affecting males’ health around the world. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of long transcripts, has been reported as essential regulators in tumorigenesis. IDH1 antisense RNA 1 (IDH1-AS1) is an lncRNA which can interact with genes to regulate the Warburg effect. However, function and mechanism of it in tumorigenesis of PCa remains unclear. Therefore, our current study focused on exploring the role of IDH1-AS1 in PCa tumor growth. At first, the expression of IDH1-AS1 was identified to be upregulated in PCa samples and cell lines. Mechanism associated with the upregulation of IDH1-AS1 was analyzed and demonstrated by mechanism experiments. The result suggested that PAX5 is the transcriptional activator of IDH1-AS1. Functionally, loss-of function assays revealed that silencing of IDH1-AS1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Through microarray analysis and Gene ontology (GO) analysis, we determined that IDH1-AS1 can affect PCa cell autophagy by upregulating ATG5 expression. Mechanism investigation further validated that IDH1-AS1 posttranscriptionally regulated ATG5 expression by enhancing the mRNA stability of ATG5 or upregulating ATG5 by sequestering miR-216b-5p. Consequently, rescue assays demonstrated that IDH1-AS1 promoted proliferation and apoptosis in PCa via ATG5-induced autophagy. Taken together, our study elucidated the function and regulatory mechanism of IDH1-AS1, thus providing a novel biomarker for PCa.