bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUSTAINABILITY OF PUBLIC DEBT AND INEQUALITY IN A GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM MODEL
Authors: Maebayashi Noritaka , Konishi Kunihiko
Published: June 2019

This study investigates the relationship between the sustainability of public debt and inequality in an endogenous growth model with heterogeneous agents. We show that the threshold for the sustainability of public debt is related to not only the relative size of public debt but also inequality. In addition, this study examines the effects of budget deficit and redistributive policies on the sustainability of public debt and inequality. We show that an increase in the deficit ratio or the redistributive tax makes public debt less sustainable. If the economy falls into the unsustainable region as a result of the policy change, both public debt and inequality continue to increase.
Nutrition transition, overweight and obesity among rural-to-urban migrant women in Kenya
Authors: Peters Remco , Amugsi Dickson A , Mberu Blessing , Ensor Tim , Hill Andrew J , Newell James N , Elsey Helen
Published: June 2019

Objective:

To assess the effect of rural-to-urban migration on nutrition transition and overweight/obesity risk among women in Kenya.

Design:

Secondary analysis of data from nationally representative cross-sectional samples. Outcome variables were women’s BMI and nutrition transition. Nutrition transition was based on fifteen different household food groups and was adjusted for socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Stepwise backward multiple ordinal regression analysis was applied.

Setting:

Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014.

Participants:

Rural non-migrant, rural-to-urban migrant and urban non-migrant women aged 15–49 years (n 6171).

Results:

Crude data analysis showed rural-to-urban migration to be associated with overweight/obesity risk and nutrition transition. After adjustment for household wealth, no significant differences between rural non-migrants and rural-to-urban migrants for overweight/obesity risk and household consumption of several food groups characteristic of nutrition transition (animal-source, fats and sweets) were observed. Regardless of wealth, migrants were less likely to consume main staples and legumes, and more likely to consume fruits and vegetables. Identified predictive factors of overweight/obesity among migrant women were age, duration of residence in urban area, marital status and household wealth.

Conclusions:

Our analysis showed that nutrition transition and overweight/obesity risk among rural-to-urban migrants is apparent with increasing wealth in urban areas. Several predictive factors were identified characterising migrant women being at risk for overweight/obesity. Future research is needed which investigates in depth the association between rural-to-urban migration and wealth to address inequalities in diet and overweight/obesity in Kenya.
Meat avoidance: motives, alternative proteins and diet quality in a sample of Swiss consumers
Authors: Hagmann Désirée , Siegrist Michael , Hartmann Christina
Published: June 2019

Objective:

Diets lower in meat are considered both highly beneficial for human health and more environmentally friendly. The present study compared consumer groups with different self-declared diet styles regarding meat (vegetarians/vegans, pescatarians, low- and regular meat consumers) in terms of their motives, protein consumption, diet quality and weight status.

Design:

Cross-sectional data from the Swiss Food Panel 2.0 (survey 2017).

Setting:

Switzerland, Europe.

Participants:

Data of 4213 Swiss adults (47·4 % females) from a nationally representative sample living in the German- and French-speaking regions of Switzerland (mean age 55·4 years).

Results:

For vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians, ethical concerns about animal welfare and environmental friendliness, as well as taste preferences are stronger reasons to avoid meat consumption. Female low-meat consumers are more likely to be motivated by weight regulation. Only 18 % of the sample and 26 % of self-declared low-meat consumers met the official dietary recommendations for meat intake. Concerns about animal welfare and taste preferences predicted lower meat intake, whereas perceived difficulty of practising a low-meat diet and weight-loss motives were associated with higher meat consumption in consumers who reported eating little or no meat.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates that there can be large discrepancies between consumers’ self-perception and their actual meat consumption. This has to be taken into account when designing public health interventions. Addressing ethical concerns about animal welfare (e.g. through awareness campaigns), further improving the range of vegetarian options and increasing consumers’ knowledge about the dietary recommendations may be ways to promote diets lower in meat.
Cannabis treatment in hospitalized patients using the SYQE inhaler: Results of a pilot open-label study
Authors: Vulfsons Simon , Ognitz Miriam , Bar-Sela Gil , Raz-Pasteur Ayelet , Eisenberg Elon
Published: June 2019

Objective

The objectives were to evaluate the, usability, feasibility of use, satisfaction, and safety of the Syqe Inhaler Exo (Syqe Inhaler), a metered dose, Pharmacokinetics-validated, cannabis inhaler device in a cohort of hospitalized patients that were using medical cannabis under license as a part of their ongoing medical treatment.

Method

Before and after inhaling from the Syqe Inhaler, participants were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding pain reduction on a visual analog scale from 0 to 10 and, if relevant, reduction in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and/or spasticity. A patient satisfaction questionnaire and a usability questionnaire were filled in following the last use. Prescribed treatment included 4 daily doses of 500 μg tetrahydrocannabinol each delivered from 16 mg cannabis flos per inhalation plus up to an additional four SOS (distress code for more doses of cannabis) doses.

Result

Daily cannabis dose consumed during hospitalization with the Syqe Inhaler was 51 mg (20–96) versus 1,000 mg (660-3,300) consumed prehospitalization. Patients were easily trained and continued to use Syqe Inhaler for the duration of their hospitalization (5 [3–7] days). Pain intensity 30–60 minutes following inhalations was reported to be significantly lower than preinhalation 4 [1–5] versus 7 [2–9]). Participants ranked their satisfaction with Syqe Inhaler as 6 (5–7). Three participants reported mild cough, which resolved spontaneously.

Significance of results

Cannabis inhalation by combustion is not feasible for hospitalized patients. The use of Syqe Inhaler during hospitalization yielded high levels of patients and staff satisfaction with no complications.
The reimbursement of new medical technologies in German inpatient care: What factors explain which hospitals receive innovation payments?
Authors: Ex Patricia , Vogt Verena , Busse Reinhard , Henschke Cornelia
Published: June 2019

Most hospital payment systems based on diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) provide payments for newly approved technologies. In Germany, they are negotiated between individual hospitals and health insurances. The aim of our study is to assess the functioning of temporary reimbursement mechanisms. We used multilevel logistic regression to examine factors at the hospital and state levels that are associated with agreeing innovation payments. Dependent variable was whether or not a hospital had successfully negotiated innovation payments in 2013 (n= 1532). Using agreement data of the yearly budget negotiations between each German hospital and representatives of the health insurances, the study comprises all German acute hospitals and innovation payments on all diagnoses. In total, 32.9% of the hospitals successfully negotiated innovation payments in 2013. We found that the chance of receiving innovation payments increased if the hospital was located in areas with a high degree of competition and if they were large, had university status and were private for-profit entities. Our study shows an implicit self-controlled selection of hospitals receiving innovation payments. While implicitly encouraging safety of patient care, policy makers should favour a more direct and transparent process of distributing innovation payments in prospective payment systems.
High tolerance of progressive elastic compression in peripheral	arterial disease
Authors: Couzan Serge , Pouget Jean-François , Le Hello Claire , Chapelle Céline , Laporte Silvy , Mismetti Patrick
Published: June 2019

Summary. Background: Theoretically progressive compression stockings, which produce a higher compression at the calf than at the ankle level, improve venous return flow without exacerbating peripheral arterial insufficiency (PAD). We aimed to evaluate the short-term tolerance of elastic progressive compression stockings on peripheral arterial vascularisation in patients with symptomatic PAD and associated mild venous insufficiency. Patients and methods: Monocentric, prospective, open pilot study of 18 patients (acceptability study, 6 x 6 plan) evaluating the short-term tolerance of progressive compression stockings (18 ± 2 mmHg at calf and 8 ± 2 mmHg at ankle level) in patients with PAD (ankle brachial index ABI > 0.60 < 0.75) and chronic venous insufficiency (C1s–C4 stages of the CEAP classification). Day 15 tolerance was evaluated by a composite primary criteria comprising: no decrease > 15 % of ABI on each side, no decrease > 15 % of toe brachial index (TBI) on each side and no decrease > 25 % of the number of active plantar flexions performed while standing. Results: The proportion of men was 77.8 %, mean age was 77.3 ± 7.5 years and no patient were diabetic. At inclusion, the mean low ABI was 0.60 ± 0.04 and the mean high ABI was 0.77 ± 0.18. The mean low TBI was 0.32 ± 0.09 and the mean high TBI 0.46 ± 0.15. The mean number of active standing plantar flexions was 33.0 ± 5.0. The majority of the patients were classified in CEAP C2s and C3 classes (class 2: 16.7 %, class C2s: 27.8 %, class C3: 44.4 %, class C4: 5.6 % and class C4s: 5.6 %). Poor tolerance occurred in no patient. By day 30, no patient had worsening of their arterial and venous symptoms. No adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusions: These results suggest a high tolerance of progressive elastic stockings (18 ± 2 mmHg at calf and 8 ± 2 mmHg at ankle level) in symptomatic PAD.
Carbon Dioxide in Geochemically Heterogeneous Melt Inclusions From Mount Etna, Italy
Authors: Salem L. C. , Edmonds M. , Corsaro R. A. , Maclennan J.
Published: June 2019

Mt. Etna is among the largest global volcanic outgassers with respect to carbon and sulfur, yet questions remain regarding the source of these volatiles and their systematics in the crust and mantle. The importance of heterogeneous mantle sources, mixing, crustal assimilation, and disequilibrium degassing is investigated using melt inclusions erupted during the CE 1669 eruption of Mt. Etna, Italy. We find that the melt inclusion compositions define a mixing array between two geochemically distinct melts. One end‐member melt is depleted in light rare Earth elements (LREEs) and enriched in strontium (Sr), carbon, and sulfur; the other is enriched in LREE and depleted in Sr, carbon, and sulfur. We infer, through modeling, that the melts may either have been generated by melting a mantle source that includes a recycled oceanic crustal component or they may have assimilated carbonate material in the crust. The resulting LREE‐depleted, Sr‐enriched melts were also alkali‐rich, which enhanced the solubility of carbon and sulfur. The LREE‐depleted, Sr‐ and volatile‐rich melt ascended through the crust and likely became supersaturated with respect to CO2 and sulfur. The melt intruded into a LREE‐enriched, relatively degassed magma body in the shallow crust, cooled rapidly, and vesiculated, likely triggering eruption. The melt inclusion array trapped by growing olivines during this intrusion process records a snapshot of incomplete mixing between the two melts. Mt. Etna is renowned for the large increases in CO2 gas fluxes shortly before and during eruption. The intrusion of supersaturated, CO2‐enhanced magmas into shallow reservoirs may be a common process at Mt. Etna.
The Caribbean and Farallon Plates Connected: Constraints From Stratigraphy and Paleomagnetism of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Authors: Boschman L. M. , van der Wiel E. , Flores K. E. , Langereis C. G. , van Hinsbergen D. J. J.
Published: June 2019

Plate kinematic reconstructions play an essential role in our understanding of global geodynamics, but become increasingly difficult to constrain back in geological time due to the subduction of oceanic lithosphere. Here, we attempt to kinematically reconstruct the Cretaceous and older plate tectonic history of the Caribbean Plate within the Mesozoic Panthalassa (paleo‐Pacific) Ocean. To this end, we present new paleomagnetic data from Jurassic and Cretaceous oceanic sedimentary and volcanic Large Igneous Province‐related rocks of the Nicoya Peninsula and Murciélago Islands of northwestern Costa Rica. We use these data, in combination with constraints from marine magnetic anomalies to infer the age of the lithospheric basement, seismic tomography to locate deep‐mantle plume generation zones, and general kinematic feasibility, to test different reconstruction scenarios connecting the Caribbean Plate to the Farallon Plate as restored from Pacific spreading records. Our resulting reconstruction implies that the western Caribbean subduction zone initiated around 100 Ma, in an intraoceanic setting, breaking up oceanic lithosphere of at least 70 Myr old.
Micromechanics of High‐Pressure Compaction in Granular Quartz Aggregates
Authors: Hangx Suzanne J. T. , Brantut Nicolas
Published: June 2019

The mechanical behavior of porous sandstones is generally modeled using concepts from granular mechanics, often overlooking the effect of cementation. To probe the key differences between sand and sandstone mechanics, we performed triaxial deformation experiments on Ottawa quartz sand at 5‐ to 40 MPa effective confining pressure. At 5 MPa, the samples are able to dilate. At higher confinement, the aggregates show continuous compaction, displaying strain hardening. The stress‐strain behavior is nonlinear, and the exact onset of inelastic compaction could not be determined accurately. Measured P‐wave velocities show the development of anisotropy. With increasing axial strain, the along‐axis velocities tend to increase, while velocities perpendicular to the compression axis tend to decrease (at low pressure) or remain constant (at high pressure). In samples deformed under elevated pressure conditions, acoustic emission event locations are diffuse. Microstructural investigations show an increase in grain chipping and crushing with increasing confining pressure, but no evidence of localized compaction could be observed. The nature of the pore fluid, either decane or water, does not significantly influence the mechanical behavior at strain rates of 10−6 to 10−4 s−1. Grain angularity and grain‐size distribution also did not significantly change the mechanical behavior. We infer that our observations indicate that the lack of cementation introduces additional degrees of freedom for grains to slide, rotate, and reorganize at the sample scale, precluding the existence and sustainability of stress concentrations beyond the grain scale. This results in progressive compaction and hardening, and lack of compaction localization.
Generation of Seed Electrons by Extensive Air Showers, and the Lightning Inception Problem Including Narrow Bipolar Events
Authors: Rutjes Casper , Ebert Ute , Buitink Stijn , Scholten Olaf , Trinh Thi Ngoc Gia
Published: June 2019

Lightning streamers and leaders need thermal electrons to initiate, but free electrons are extremely rare in the wet air of a thundercloud. Here we analyze the probabilities that high electron densities occur in extensive air showers. We argue that relevant air showers are created by cosmic particles with energies between 1015 and 1017 eV impinging onto our atmosphere. We simulate a large number of air showers and perform a stochastic analysis of their results. We present the available densities of thermal electrons as a function of altitude, time interval, and considered area, while neglecting effects of local electric fields. We find that free electron densities at altitudes between 5 and 13 km can reach values of order 103 cm−3, but only in shower cores with a radius on a centimeter scale. Above 6 km, the availability of extreme free electron densities decreases significantly with increasing altitude. Recent measurements by Rison et al. (2016, https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10721) indicate that several streamers must have been triggered simultaneously during discharge inception, and we suggest that an extensive air shower could have been the trigger. Rison's measurements show further that the streamers are laterally separated by several tens of meters, so they must have been triggered by electron densities as low as 1 cm−3. Such low electron densities demand a stochastic approach to streamer initiation near hydrometeors.
Spatial Modeling of Local‐Scale Biogenic and Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Helsinki
Authors: Järvi Leena , Havu Minttu , Ward Helen C. , Bellucco Veronica , McFadden Joseph P. , Toivonen Tuuli , Heikinheimo Vuokko , Kolari Pasi , Riikonen Anu , Grimmond C. Sue B.
Published: June 2019

There is a growing need to simulate the effect of urban planning on both local climate and greenhouse gas emissions. Here, a new urban surface carbon dioxide (CO2) flux module for the Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme is described and evaluated using eddy covariance observations at two sites in Helsinki in 2012. The spatial variability and magnitude of local‐scale anthropogenic and biogenic CO2 flux components at high spatial (250 m × 250 m) and temporal (hourly) resolution are examined by combining high‐resolution (down to 2 m) airborne lidar‐derived land use data and mobility data to account for people's movement. Urban effects are included in the biogenic components parameterized using urban eddy covariance and chamber observations. Surface Urban Energy and Water Balance Scheme reproduces the seasonal and diurnal variability of the CO2 flux well. Annual totals deviate 3% from observations in the city center and 2% in a suburban location. In the latter, traffic is the dominant CO2 source but summertime vegetation partly offsets traffic‐related emissions. In the city center, emissions from traffic and human metabolism dominate and the vegetation effect is minor due to the low proportion of vegetation surface cover (22%). Within central Helsinki, human metabolism accounts for 39% of the net local‐scale emissions and together with road traffic is to a large extent responsible for the spatial variability of the emissions. Annually, the biogenic emissions and sinks are in near balance and thus the effect of vegetation on the carbon balance is small in this high‐latitude city.
Integrating Species‐Specific Information in Models Improves Regional Projections Under Climate Change
Authors: Remy Cécile C. , Krofcheck Dan J. , Keyser Alisa R. , Litvak Marcy E. , Collins Scott L. , Hurteau Matthew D.
Published: June 2019

Models commonly used to project forest carbon response to climate change reduce biodiversity to a small number of plant functional types or plant functional traits for the sake of computational efficiency at large spatial scales. We simulated the climate sensitivity of the dominant woody vegetation types in New Mexico using both a generalized functional type and a species‐specific model parameterization. Both parameterizations achieve reasonable current carbon uptake rates and aboveground biomass amount at the ecosystem scale. When vegetation types are subjected to increasing temperature and decreasing precipitation, the generalized parameterization differs substantially from the species‐specific parameterization by homogenizing the diversity of adaptations for dealing with higher temperature and drought, leading to divergent responses under changing climate. We recommend integrating species‐specific information, when available, to improve projections of climate change impacts on forested ecosystems to develop robust ecosystem management strategies at regional scales.
The Energy Side of Budyko: Surface‐Energy Partitioning From Hydrological Observations
Authors: Yin Jun , Calabrese Salvatore , Daly Edoardo , Porporato Amilcare
Published: June 2019

Land‐surface partitioning of net radiation into sensible and latent heat fluxes is critical for hydroclimatic processes but remains highly uncertain due to limited observations. We show that a suitable extension of the Budyko's curve, a well‐known framework in hydrology for water balance estimation, can be utilized effectively to partition the surface energy fluxes by expressing the long‐term evaporative fraction (EF) as a function of the dryness index only. The combination of this energy partitioning method with hydrological observations allows us to estimate the surface energy components at watershed and continental scales. Using this new framework, we show that North American Regional Reanalysis data overestimate surface evaporation, likely influencing the modeling of atmospheric convection. The obtained hydrologic constrains on energy partitioning can be used to provide more accurate estimations of surface energy fluxes for hydroclimatic predictions.
Dissolution Dominates Silica Cycling in a Shelf Sea Autumn Bloom
Authors: Poulton Alex J. , Mayers Kyle M.J. , Daniels Christopher J. , Stinchcombe Mark C. , Woodward E. Malcolm S. , Hopkins Joanne , Wihsgott Julianne U. , Widdicombe Claire E.
Published: June 2019

Autumn phytoplankton blooms represent key periods of production in temperate and high‐latitude seas. Biogenic silica (bSiO2) production, dissolution, and standing stocks were determined in the Celtic Sea (United Kingdom) during November 2014. Dissolution rates were in excess of bSiO2production, indicating a net loss of bSiO2. Estimated diatom bSiO2contributed ≤10% to total bSiO2, with detrital bSiO2supporting rapid Si cycling. Based on the average biomass‐specific dissolution rate (0.2 day−1), 3 weeks would be needed to dissolve 99% of the bSiO2present. Negative net bSiO2production was associated with low‐light conditions (<4 E·m−2·day−1). Our observations imply that dissolution dominates Si cycling during autumn, with low‐light conditions also likely to influence Si cycling during winter and early spring.
STYK1 promotes tumor growth and metastasis by reducing SPINT2/HAI-2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ma Zhiqiang , Liu Dong , Li Weimiao , Di Shouyin , Zhang Zhipei , Zhang Jiao , Xu Liqun , Guo Kai , Zhu Yifang , Han Jing , Li Xiaofei , Yan Xiaolong
Published: June 2019

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying NSCLC progression remains not fully understood. In this study, 347 patients with complete clinicopathologic characteristics who underwent NSCLC surgery were recruited for the investigation. We verified that elevated serine threonine tyrosine kinase 1 (STYK1) or decreased serine peptidase inhibitor Kunitz type 2 (SPINT2/HAI-2) expression significantly correlated with poor prognosis, tumor invasion, and metastasis of NSCLC patients. STYK1 overexpression promoted NSCLC cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. STYK1 also induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition by E-cadherin downregulation and Snail upregulation. Moreover, RNA-seq, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and western blot analyses confirmed that STYK1 overexpression significantly decreased the SPINT2 level in NSCLC cells, and SPINT2 overexpression obviously reversed STYK1-mediated NSCLC progression both in vitro and in vivo. Further survival analyses showed that NSCLC patients with high STYK1 level and low SPINT2 level had the worst prognosis and survival. These results indicated that STYK1 facilitated NSCLC progression via reducing SPINT2 expression. Therefore, targeting STYK1 and SPINT2 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.
Is the population of Sado Island genetically close to the population of western Japan?
Authors: Misawa Kazuharu , Watanabe Hiroshi , Yokoseki Akio , Wakasugi Minako , Onodera Osamu , Narita Ichiei , Momotsu Takeshi , Sato Kenji , Endo Naoto
Published: June 2019

To explore the effect of aging, a cohort study is being performed on Sado Island, which is located in the Sea of Japan. Sado Island is close to the eastern coast of Japan, yet its population speaks the western Japanese dialect. Consequently, the genetic background of the population of Sado Island is of interest. Based on Nei’s genetic distance, we compared the allele frequencies of people from Sado Island to those of people from Nagahama and Miyagi, which are located in the western and northeastern parts of Honshu, respectively. The results showed that the populations of Miyagi and Nagahama are genetically closer to each other than to the population of Sado Island. Because the Sado and Honshu Islands are isolated by a channel, it is possible that genetic drift occurred within Sado Island, which would explain the uniqueness of the people of this region.
Strain-tunable van der Waals interactions in few-layer black phosphorus
Authors: Huang Shenyang , Zhang Guowei , Fan Fengren , Song Chaoyu , Wang Fanjie , Xing Qiaoxia , Wang Chong , Wu Hua , Yan Hugen
Published: June 2019

Interlayer interactions in 2D materials, also known as van der Waals (vdWs) interactions, play a critical role in the physical properties of layered materials. It is fascinating to manipulate the vdWs interaction, and hence to “redefine” the material properties. Here, we demonstrate that in-plane biaxial strain can effectively tune the vdWs interaction of few-layer black phosphorus with thickness of 2-10 layers, using infrared spectroscopy. Surprisingly, our results reveal that in-plane tensile strain efficiently weakens the interlayer coupling, even though the sample shrinks in the vertical direction due to the Poisson effect, in sharp contrast to one’s intuition. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirm our observations and indicate a dominant role of the puckered lattice structure. Our study highlights the important role played by vdWs interactions in 2D materials during external physical perturbations.
Author Correction: Evasion of immunosurveillance by genomic alterations of PPARγ/RXRα in bladder cancer
Authors: Korpal Manav , Puyang Xiaoling , Wu Zhenhua Jeremy , Seiler Roland , Furman Craig , Oo Htoo Zarni , Seiler Michael , Irwin Sean , Subramanian Vanitha , Joshi Jaya Julie , Wang Chris K. , Rimkunas Victoria , Tortora Davide , Yang Hua , Kumar Namita , Kuznetsov Galina , Matijevic Mark , Chow Jesse , Kumar Pavan , Zou Jian , Feala Jacob , Corson Laura , Henry Ryan , Selvaraj Anand , Davis Allison , Bloudoff Kristjan , Douglas James , Kiss Bernhard , Roberts Morgan , Fazli Ladan , Black Peter C. , Fekkes Peter , Smith Peter G. , Warmuth Markus , Yu Lihua , Hao Ming-Hong , Larsen Nicholas , Daugaard Mads , Zhu Ping
Published: June 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper
Tri-phasic engineered wetland system for effective treatment of azo dye-based wastewater
Authors: Kumar Yeruva Dileep , Ranadheer Palle , Kiran Kumar A. , Venkata Mohan S.
Published: June 2019

Synthetic dyes are a major class of compounds used in the textile industry. The effluents released from these industries are carcinogenic and mutagenic in nature and pose potential threat to all life forms. Here, we designed a novel tri-phasic engineered flow through wetland system (TEWS) with three specific microenvironments (tri-phasic aquatic systems) integrated in a defined sequence to effectively treat azo dye-based textile wastewater. Tank 1 with free-floating and emergent aquatic macrophytes create anaerobic/anoxic microenvironments and facilitate reduction of the azo dye molecules. Tank 2 consists of submerged macrophytes which create an aerophilic microenvironment that direct the oxidation of carbon compounds along with nitrification. Tank 3 with free-floating plants and aquatic animals acts as filter feeder intended to remove suspended solids and colour, as well as residual carbon. The strategically designed TEWS attributes to 76%/87% of dye/chemical oxygen demand removal. The morphological toxicity test of plants and fishes illustrate the nontoxic nature of treated effluents. Thus, TEWS not only decolorizes the azo dye but also removes its toxic and mutagenic components.
Author Correction: A Survival Metadata Analysis Responsive Tool (SMART) for web-based analysis of patient survival and risk
Authors: Chu Yuan-Chia , Kuo Wen-Tsung , Cheng Yuan-Ren , Lee Chung-Yuan , Shiau Cheng-Ying , Tarng Der-Cherng , Lai Feipei
Published: June 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Geographical origin traceability of Cabernet Sauvignon wines based on Infrared fingerprint technology combined with chemometrics
Authors: Hu Xiao-Zhen , Liu Si-Qi , Li Xiao-Hong , Wang Chuan-Xian , Ni Xin-Lu , Liu Xia , Wang Yang , Liu Yuan , Xu Chang-Hua
Published: June 2019

Mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics were explored to classify Cabernet Sauvignon wines from different countries (Australia, Chile and China). Commercial wines (n = 540) were scanned in transmission mode using MIR and NIR, and their characteristic fingerprint bands were extracted at 1750-1000 cm−1 and 4555-4353 cm−1. Through the identification system of Tri-step infrared spectroscopy, the correlation between macroscopic chemical fingerprints and geographical regions was explored more deeply. Furthermore, Principal component analysis (PCA), soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) based on MIR and NIR spectra were used to visualize or discriminate differences between samples and to realize geographical origin traceability of Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Through “external test set (n = 157)” validation, SIMCA models correctly classified 97%, 97% and 92% of Australian, Chilean and Chinese Cabernet Sauvignon wines, while the DA models correctly classified 86%, 85% and 77%, respectively. Based on unique digital fingerprints of spectroscopy (FT-MIR and FT-NIR) associated with chemometrics, geographical origin traceability was achieved in a more comprehensive, effective and rapid manner. The developed database models based on IR fingerprint spectroscopy with chemometrics could provide scientific basis and reference for geographical origin traceability of Cabernet Sauvignon wines (Australia, Chile and China).
A comparative characterization of the circulating miRNome in whole blood and serum of HCC patients
Authors: Pascut Devis , Krmac Helena , Gilardi Francesca , Patti Riccardo , Calligaris Raffaella , Crocè Lory Saveria , Tiribelli Claudio
Published: June 2019

miRNAs are considered promising non-invasive biomarkers. Serum represents the major source of biomarkers, being readily accessible for many analytical tests. Recently, whole blood has drawn increasing interest in biomarker studies due to the presence of cancer-interacting cells and circulating cancer cells. Although Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the seventh most frequent cancer worldwide, fragmented information exists regarding the miRNome characterization in blood and serum. We profiled the circulatory miRNome of paired serum and blood samples from 20 HCC patients, identifying 274 miRNA expressed in serum and 670 in blood, most of them still uncharacterized. 157 miRNA significantly differ between the two biofluids with 28 exclusively expressed in serum. Six miRNA clusters significantly characterize the two compartments, with the cluster containing miR-4484, miR-1281, miR-3178, miR-3613-3p, miR-4532, miR-4668-5p, miR-1825, miR-4487, miR-455-3p, miR-940 having the highest average expression in serum compared to blood. The ontological analysis revealed a role of these miRNAs in cancer progression, vascular invasion and cancer immune surveillance thought the regulation of DUSP1, PD-L1 and MUC1. Taken together, these results provide the most comprehensive contribution to date towards a complete miRNome profile of blood and serum for HCC patients. We show a consistent portion of circulatory miRNAs being still unknown.
Author Correction: Infectious DNAs derived from insect-specific flavivirus genomes enable identification of pre- and post-entry host restrictions in vertebrate cells
Authors: Piyasena Thisun B. H. , Setoh Yin X. , Hobson-Peters Jody , Newton Natalee D. , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle , McLean Breeanna J. , Vet Laura J. , Khromykh Alexander A. , Hall Roy A.
Published: June 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Mutual interaction of red blood cells influenced by nanoparticles
Authors: Avsievich Tatiana , Popov Alexey , Bykov Alexander , Meglinski Igor
Published: June 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Znf703 is a novel RA target in the neural plate border
Authors: Janesick Amanda , Tang Weiyi , Ampig Kristen , Blumberg Bruce
Published: June 2019

Znf703 is an RAR- and Wnt-inducible transcription factor that exhibits a complex expression pattern in the developing embryo: Znf703 mRNA is found in the early circumblastoporal ring, then later throughout the neural plate and its border, and subsequently in the mid/hindbrain and somites. We show that Znf703 has a different and separable function in early mesoderm versus neural crest and placode development. Independent of its early knockdown phenotype on Gdf3 and Wnt8, Znf703 disrupts patterning of distinct neural crest migratory streams normally delineated by Sox10, Twist, and Foxd3 and inhibits otocyst formation and otic expression of Sox10 and Eya1. Furthermore, Znf703 promotes massive overgrowth of SOX2+ cells, disrupting the SoxB1 balance at the neural plate border. Despite prominent expression in other neural plate border-derived cranial and sensory domains, Znf703 is selectively absent from the otocyst, suggesting that Znf703 must be specifically cleared or down-regulated for proper otic development. We show that mutation of the putative Groucho-repression domain does not ameliorate Znf703 effects on mesoderm, neural crest, and placodes. We instead provide evidence that Znf703 requires the Buttonhead domain for transcriptional repression.
The relationship between the structural characteristics of lactobacilli-EPS and its ability to induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells in vitro
Authors: Tukenmez Ummugulsum , Aktas Busra , Aslim Belma , Yavuz Serkan
Published: June 2019

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancer around the world. Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by lactobacilli as potential prebiotics have been found to have an anti-tumor effect. In this study, lyophilized EPSs of four Lactobacillus spp. for their impact on apoptosis in colon cancer cells (HT-29) was evaluated using flow cytometry. The relationship between capability of a lactobacilli-EPS to induce apoptosis and their monosaccharide composition, molecular weight (MW), and linkage type was investigated by HPLC, SEC, and NMR, respectively. Changes in apoptotic-markers were examined by qPCR and Western Blotting. EPSs were capable of inhibiting proliferation in a time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis via increasing the expression of Bax, Caspase 3 and 9 while decreasing Bcl-2 and Survivin. All EPSs contained mannose, glucose, and N-acetylglucosamine with different relative proportions. Some contained arabinose or fructose. MW ranged from 102–104Da with two or three fractions. EPS of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus B3 having the highest amount of mannose and the lowest amount of glucose, showed the highest apoptosis induction. In conclusion, lactobacilli-EPSs inhibit cell proliferation in HT-29 via apoptosis. Results suggest that a relationship exists between the ability of EPS to induce apoptosis and its mannose and glucose composition.
Smartphone-based migraine behavioral therapy: a single-arm study with assessment of mental health predictors
Authors: T. Minen Mia , Adhikari Samrachana , K. Seng Elizabeth , Berk Thomas , Jinich Sarah , W. Powers Scott , B. Lipton Richard
Published: June 2019

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is an under-utilized Level A evidence-based treatment for migraine prevention. We studied the feasibility and acceptability of smartphone application (app)-based PMR for migraine in a neurology setting, explored whether app-based PMR might reduce headache (HA) days, and examined potential predictors of app and/or PMR use. In this single-arm pilot study, adults with ICHD3 migraine, 4+ HA days/month, a smartphone, and no prior behavioral migraine therapy in the past year were asked to complete a daily HA diary and do PMR for 20 min/day for 90 days. Outcomes were: adherence to PMR (no. and duration of audio plays) and frequency of diary use. Predictors in the models were baseline demographics, HA-specific variables, baseline PROMIS (patient-reported outcomes measurement information system) depression and anxiety scores, presence of overlapping pain conditions studied and app satisfaction scores at time of enrollment. Fifty-one patients enrolled (94% female). Mean age was 39 ± 13 years. The majority (63%) had severe migraine disability at baseline (MIDAS). PMR was played 22 ± 21 days on average. Mean/session duration was 11 ± 7 min. About half (47%) of uses were 1+ time/week and 35% of uses were 2+ times/week. There was a decline in use/week. On average, high users (PMR 2+ days/week in the first month) had 4 fewer days of reported HAs in month 2 vs. month 1, whereas low PMR users (PMR < 2 days/week in the first month) had only 2 fewer HA days in month 2. PROMIS depression score was negatively associated with the log odds of using the diary at least once (vs. no activity) in a week (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = [0.55, 0.85]) and of doing the PMR at least once in a week (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = [0.68, 0.91]). PROMIS anxiety was positively associated with using the diary at least once every week (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = [1.09, 1.73]) and with doing the PMR at least once every week (OR = 1.14 [95% CI = [1.02, 1.31]). In conclusion, about half of participants used smartphone-based PMR intervention based upon a brief, initial introduction to the app. App use was associated with reduction in HA days. Higher depression scores were negatively associated with diary and PMR use, whereas higher anxiety scores were positively associated.
The hydrogen abstraction reaction H + C2H6 → H2(v,j) + C2H5. Part II. Theoretical kinetics and dynamics study
Authors: Espinosa-Garcia Joaquin , Corchado Jose C.
Published: June 2019

Two important issues motivated the present study: the role of the tunnelling contribution at low temperatures and the role of the alkyl fragment in the dynamics.
Ligand-directed assembly engineering of trapezoidal {Ti5} building blocks stabilized by dimethylglyoxime
Authors: Ding Qing-Rong , Xu Gui-Lan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Jian
Published: June 2019

A facile approach of ligand-directed assembly of trapezoidal {Ti5} building blocks was successfully established, which gave rise to interesting hybrid clusters including the first molecular assembly of porphyrin photosensitizer and titanium-oxo cluster.
Alkaline-earth metallacyclic complexes bearing a diborane-bridged tetraamide ligand: synthesis, structure and fluorescence property
Authors: Li Nan , Zhao Zifeng , Yu Chao , Wu Botao , Bian Zuqiang , Zhang Wen-Xiong , Xi Zhenfeng
Published: June 2019

Alkaline–earth metallacycles bearing a diborane-bridged tetraamide ligand are synthesized for the first time and they exhibit deep blue fluorescence.
Understanding the impacts of sodium silicate on water quality and iron oxide particles
Authors: Li Bofu , Trueman Benjamin F. , Rahman Mohammad Shahedur , Gao Yaohuan , Park Yuri , Gagnon Graham A.
Published: June 2019

Silicates represent an alternative drinking water treatment for colour and turbidity due to iron. They may avoid the drawbacks of polyphosphates: increased lead solubility, the potential for increased bacterial growth, and phosphorus in wastewater.
Synergistic effect of sea cucumber saponins and EPA-enriched phospholipids on insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Han Xiu-Qing , Zhang Ling-Yu , Ding Lin , Shi Hao-Hao , Xue Chang-Hu , Zhang Tian-Tian , Wang Yu-Ming
Published: June 2019

The combination of sea cucumber saponins (SCS) and EPA-PL contributed to a synergistic effect on alleviating the obesity-related insulin resistance due to the amelioration of an inflammation centric peripheral insulin response.
Stimuli-responsive polymers for sensing and actuation
Authors: Hu Liang , Zhang Qiang , Li Xue , Serpe Michael J.
Published: June 2019

Stimuli-responsive polymers uniquely undergo physical/chemical changes in response to changes in their environment. Here, there use for sensing and actuation is reviewed.
Pressure-triggered aggregation-induced emission enhancement in red emissive amorphous carbon dots
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhang Shijie , Wang Boyang , Yang Xinyi , Zou Bo , Yang Bai , Lu Siyu
Published: June 2019

Red emissive carbon dots’ pressure-triggered aggregation-induced emission enhancement.
Facile citrate gel synthesis of an antimony–carbon nanosponge with enhanced lithium storage
Authors: Le Hang T. T. , Pham Xuan-Manh , Park Chan-Jin
Published: June 2019

A unique three-dimensional antimony–carbon nanosponge was synthesized by a facile citrate gel method for enhanced lithium storage.
Correction: Single phase of spinel Co2RhO4 nanotubes with remarkably enhanced catalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Kim So Yeon , Yu Areum , Lee Yejung , Kim Ha Yeon , Kim Yeon Jae , Lee Nam-Suk , Lee Chongmok , Lee Youngmi , Kim Myung Hwa
Published: June 2019

Correction for ‘Single phase of spinel Co2RhO4 nanotubes with remarkably enhanced catalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction’ by So Yeon Kim et al., Nanoscale, 2019, 11, 9287–9295.
Mechanistic knowledge and noncovalent interactions as the key features for enantioselective catalysed multicomponent reactions: a critical review
Authors: Ramos Luciana M. , Rodrigues Marcelo O. , Neto Brenno A. D.
Published: June 2019

This critical short review focuses on some key features which determine successful enantioselective catalysed multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and are typically underappreciated in the literature.
Retracted Article: A layered double hydroxide assembled on a g-C3N4-modified hollow carbon sphere as an adsorbent for the removal of uranium(vi)
Authors: Yuan Xiaoyu , Jing Xiaoyan , Yu Jing , Zhang Hongsen , Chen Rongrong , Su Shouzheng , Liu Qi , Zhang Milin , Wang Jun
Published: June 2019

A layered double hydroxide assembled on a g-C3N4-modified hollow carbon sphere with unique flower-like morphology was prepared to capture U(vi).
Microfluidic gradient device for simultaneously preparing four distinct types of microparticles
Authors: Liu Yuanyue
Published: June 2019

Preparing monodisperse, reproducible and functionally sophisticated microparticles is challenging but important for biomedical applications.
Shape-controllable nanofibrous membranes with well-aligned fibers and robust mechanical properties for PM2.5 capture
Authors: Chen Jian , Cheng Zhiqiang , Yuan Yafeng , Zhang Jingjing , Cao Jinshan
Published: June 2019

A schematic of the preparation of PA66/PVB composite nanofibrous membranes by a facile method of electrospinning and heat-induced alignment.
A structure–property study of fluoranthene-cored hole-transporting materials enables 19.3% efficiency in dopant-free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Sun Xianglang , Wu Fei , Zhong Cheng , Zhu Linna , Li Zhong'an
Published: June 2019

A systematic structure–property correlation study was conducted to preliminarily elucidate an inherent regularity governing the structure of dopant-free HTMs.
Polymer nanocomposite capsules formed by droplet extraction: spontaneous stratification and tailored dissolution
Authors: Udoh Christiana E. , Garbin Valeria , Cabral João T.
Published: June 2019

We report the formation of polymeric and nanocomposite capsulesviadroplet solvent extraction, elucidating the interplay between solvent exchange and removal, demixing and directional solidification kinetics.
Additive induced crystallization of a twisted perylene diimide dimer within a polymer matrix
Authors: Tintori Francesco , Laventure Audrey , Welch Gregory C.
Published: June 2019

The crystallization of a twisted perylene diimide dimer in a polymer matrix can be controlled via processing with solvent additives.
Solvent-resistant and fully recyclable perfluoropolyether-based elastomer for microfluidic chip fabrication
Authors: Liao Shenglong , He Yonglin , Chu Yanji , Liao Hongguang , Wang Yapei
Published: June 2019

A solvent-resistant and fully recyclable perfluoropolyether-based elastomer was designed and prepared for serving as an ideal alternative to polydimethylsiloxane for solvent-compatible and sustainable microfluidic chips.
The comprehensive utilization of the synergistic effect of fullerene and non-fullerene acceptors to achieve highly efficient polymer solar cells
Authors: Liang Zezhou , Tong Junfeng , Li Hongdong , Wang Yufei , Wang Ningning , Li Jianfeng , Yang Chunming , Xia Yangjun
Published: June 2019

A ternary strategy could combine the advantages of incorporated materials as an encouraging approach to achieve high power conversion efficiency (PCE) polymer solar cells (PSCs).
3D hierarchical porous Co1−xS@C derived from a ZIF-67 single crystals self-assembling superstructure with superior pseudocapacitance
Authors: Sun Shixiong , Sun Xueping , Liu Yi , Peng Jian , Qiu Yuegang , Xu Yue , Zhang Jinxu , Li Qing , Fang Chun , Han Jiantao , Huang Yunhui
Published: June 2019

We explored a reliable strategy to rationally assemble 3D MOF superstructures and to provide a feasible method for fabricating sophisticated functional MOF derivatives with superior pseudocapacitance.
The ChlD subunit links the motor and porphyrin binding subunits of magnesium chelatase
Authors: Farmer David A. , Brindley Amanda A. , Hitchcock Andrew , Jackson Philip J. , Johnson Bethany , Dickman Mark J. , Hunter C. Neil , Reid James D. , Adams Nathan B. P.
Published: June 2019

Magnesium chelatase initiates chlorophyll biosynthesis, catalysing the MgATP2−-dependent insertion of a Mg2+ ion into protoporphyrin IX. The catalytic core of this large enzyme complex consists of three subunits: Bch/ChlI, Bch/ChlD and Bch/ChlH (in bacteriochlorophyll and chlorophyll producing species, respectively). The D and I subunits are members of the AAA+ (ATPases associated with various cellular activities) superfamily of enzymes, and they form a complex that binds to H, the site of metal ion insertion. In order to investigate the physical coupling between ChlID and ChlH in vivo and in vitro, ChlD was FLAG-tagged in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed interactions with both ChlI and ChlH. Co-production of recombinant ChlD and ChlH in Escherichia coli yielded a ChlDH complex. Quantitative analysis using microscale thermophoresis showed magnesium-dependent binding (Kd 331 ± 58 nM) between ChlD and H. The physical basis for a ChlD–H interaction was investigated using chemical cross-linking coupled with mass spectrometry (XL–MS), together with modifications that either truncate ChlD or modify single residues. We found that the C-terminal integrin I domain of ChlD governs association with ChlH, the Mg2+ dependence of which also mediates the cooperative response of the Synechocystis chelatase to magnesium. The interaction site between the AAA+ motor and the chelatase domain of magnesium chelatase will be essential for understanding how free energy from the hydrolysis of ATP on the AAA+ ChlI subunit is transmitted via the bridging subunit ChlD to the active site on ChlH.