bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc Content in Breast Milk and Its Association with Maternal Diet
Authors: Aumeistere Līva , Ciproviča Inga , Zavadska Dace , Bavrins Konstantīns , Borisova Anastasija
Published: October 2018

Background: Zinc is an indispensable element, being involved in many biological processes. Correspondingly, insufficient zinc intake in early youth can detrimentally affect the function of a growing body. The aim of this study was to determine zinc content in breast milk among lactating women in Latvia and factors (maternal diet; mother’s and baby’s characteristics; breastfeeding pattern) affecting it. Methods: In total, 62 mature milk (at least one month postpartum) samples were collected and pooled within 24 h. Zinc content (mg 100 mL−1) was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS; Agilent 7700×, Agilent Technologies, Tokyo, Japan). Results: Zinc content in mature breast milk ranged from 0.01 to 0.34 mg 100 mL−1 with a median (interquartile range) content of 0.10 (0.05–0.15) mg 100 mL−1. Time postpartum was a significant negative predictor for zinc content in breast milk (r = −0.500; p = 0.000). Median maternal zinc intake was 10.70 (7.24–15.27) mg. Yet, zinc content in breast milk was unaffected by maternal dietary zinc intake (r = 0.155; p = 0.221). Conclusions: Maternal dietary zinc intake was nearly the recommended intake for lactating women (11 mg), but due to low zinc content in breast milk, babies in Latvia might not receive sufficient zinc intake. Future research should aim for the assessment of zinc status by evaluating plasma or serum levels of both mothers and babies.
Effect of an Education Program on Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes toward Nutrition, Diet Quality, Lifestyle, and Body Composition in Polish Teenagers. The ABC of Healthy Eating Project: Design, Protocol, and Methodology
Authors: Hamulka Jadwiga , Wadolowska Lidia , Hoffmann Monika , Kowalkowska Joanna , Gutkowska Krystyna
Published: October 2018

To increase teenagers’ nutrition knowledge is an important target and has the potential to improve their dietary habits and lifestyle while reducing incidences of obesity-related non-communicable diseases throughout the whole lifespan. This study protocol presents the general approach and details of an assessment of nutritional knowledge, attitudes toward nutrition, diet quality, lifestyle and body composition that have been used to comprehensively evaluate the cross-behavioral patterns covering dietary and lifestyle behaviors in Polish teenagers. The study was designed in two paths as: a cross-sectional study (covering 1569 students) and an education-based intervention study (464 students) with a 9-month follow-up. We describe a short form of the food frequency questionnaire (SF-FFQ4PolishChildren) used to collect data and details of diet-related and lifestyle-related education program, which was developed and implemented by academic researchers involved in the study. We also describe details of the data development and statistical analysis, including multidimensional methods of clustering variables to identify cross-behavioral patterns covering diet and lifestyle. The results of the study will provide evidence-based support for preventive health care to promote normal growth and development of young population and reduce the risk of diet-related diseases in adulthood, by early shaping of adequate dietary and lifestyle behaviors. In the future, well-tailored education programs addressed to teenagers can be created as an important public health action, based on our results.
Nanostructured TiO2 Carbon Paste Based Sensor for Determination of Methyldopa
Authors: Garcia Luane Ferreira , Cunha Carlos Eduardo Peixoto da , Moreno Emily Kussmaul Gonçalves , Thomaz Douglas Vieira , Sanz Lobón Germán , Luque Rafael , Somerset Vernon , De Souza Gil Eric
Published: October 2018

Methyldopa is a catecholamine widely used in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension whose determination in pharmaceutical formulae is of upmost importance for dose precision. Henceforth, a low-cost carbon paste electrode (CPE) consisting of graphite powder obtained from a crushed pencil stick was herein modified with nanostructured TiO2 (TiO2@CPE) aiming for the detection of methyldopa in pharmaceutical samples. The TiO2-modified graphite powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, which demonstrated the oxide nanostructured morphology. Results evidenced that sensitivity was nonetheless increased due to electro-catalytic effects promoted by metal modification, and linear response obtained by differential pulse voltammetry for the determination of methyldopa (pH = 5.0) was between 10–180 μmol/L (Limit of Detection = 1 μmol/L) with the TiO2@CPE sensor. Furthermore, the constructed sensor was successfully applied in the detection of methyldopa in pharmaceutical formulations and excipients promoted no interference, that indicates that the sensor herein developed is a cheap, reliable, and useful strategy to detect methyldopa in pharmaceutical samples, and may also be applicable in determinations of similar compounds.
Oral Modified Release Multiple-Unit Particulate Systems: Compressed Pellets, Microparticles and Nanoparticles
Authors: Al-Hashimi Nihad , Begg Nazish , Alany Raid G. , Hassanin Hany , Elshaer Amr
Published: October 2018

Oral modified-release multiparticulate dosage forms, which are also referred to as oral multiple-unit particulate systems, are becoming increasingly popular for oral drug delivery applications. The compaction of polymer-coated multiparticulates into tablets to produce a sustained-release dosage form is preferred over hard gelatin capsules. Moreover, multiparticulate tablets are a promising solution to chronic conditions, patients’ adherence, and swallowing difficulties if incorporated into orodispersible matrices. Nonetheless, the compaction of multiparticulates often damages the functional polymer coat, which results in a rapid release of the drug substance and the subsequent loss of sustained-release properties. This review brings to the forefront key formulation variables that are likely to influence the compaction of coated multiparticulates into sustained-release tablets. It focusses on the tabletting of coated drug-loaded pellets, microparticles, and nanoparticles with a designated section on each. Furthermore, it explores the various approaches that are used to evaluate the compaction behaviour of particulate systems.
Recent Advances of the Polymer Micro/Nanofiber Fluorescence Waveguide
Authors: Xia Hongyan , Chen Tingkuo , Hu Chang , Xie Kang
Published: October 2018

Subwavelength optical micro/nanofibers have several advantages, such as compact optical wave field and large specific surface area, which make them widely used as basic building blocks in the field of micro-nano optical waveguide and photonic devices. Among them, polymer micro/nanofibers are among the first choices for constructing micro-nano photonic components and miniaturized integrated optical paths, as they have good mechanical properties and tunable photonic properties. At the same time, the structures of polymer chains, aggregated structures, and artificial microstructures all have unique effects on photons. These waveguided micro/nanofibers can be made up of not only luminescent conjugated polymers, but also nonluminous matrix polymers doped with luminescent dyes (organic and inorganic luminescent particles, etc.) due to the outstanding compatibility of polymers. This paper summarizes the recent progress of the light-propagated mechanism, novel design, controllable fabrication, optical modulation, high performance, and wide applications of the polymer micro/nanofiber fluorescence waveguide. The focus is on the methods for simplifying the preparation process and modulating the waveguided photon parameters. In addition, developing new polymer materials for optical transmission and improving transmission efficiency is discussed in detail. It is proposed that the multifunctional heterojunctions based on the arrangement and combination of polymer-waveguided micro/nanofibers would be an important trend toward the construction of more novel and complex photonic devices. It is of great significance to study and optimize the optical waveguide and photonic components of polymer micro/nanofibers for the development of intelligent optical chips and miniaturized integrated optical circuits.
Sustainable, Low Flammability, Mechanically-Strong Poly(vinyl alcohol) Aerogels
Authors: Cheng Zhihan , DeGracia Kimberly , Schiraldi David A.
Published: October 2018

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), tannic acid (TA) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used to prepare low-flammability, mechanically-strong aerogels via an environmentally-friendly freeze-drying method. Because of the strong interaction between TA and PVA through hydrogen bonds, PVA/TA/NaOH aerogels exhibited compressive moduli as high as 12.7 MPa, 20 times that of the control PVA aerogel. The microstructure of the aerogels in this study showed that the addition of NaOH disrupted the typical “card of house” aerogel structure, while the samples with TA showed a stereoscopic uniform structure. The thermal stabilities of aerogels were tested by thermogravimetric analysis, showing both a decrease on the onset of decomposition temperature, and a reduction in decomposition rate after initial char formation. The peak heat release rate and total heat release, as measured by cone calorimetry, dropped by 69% and 54%, respectively, after adding TA and NaOH.
Systematic and Model-Assisted Process Design for the Extraction and Purification of Artemisinin from Artemisia annua L.—Part IV: Crystallization
Authors: Huter Maximilian Johannes , Schmidt Axel , Mestmäcker Fabian , Sixt Maximilian , Strube Jochen
Published: October 2018

In this study, process integration for crystallization of a priori purified Artemisia annua L. is investigated. For this total process, the integration operation boundaries and behavior of the crystals are studied. This is performed focusing on a conceptual process design study for artemisinin, aiming towards the development of a crystallization step under given parameters by process integration. At first, different crystallization systems consisting of ethanol-water or acetone-water mixtures are compared. In subsequent steps, the metastable zone width and the behavior of the crystals regarding agglomeration and breakage are checked. Furthermore, the sensitivities of process variables based on several process parameters are investigated. Additionally, the final process integration of crystallization as a combined purification and isolation step is studied.
Height of Successional Vegetation Indicates Moment of Agricultural Land Abandonment
Authors: Kolecka Natalia
Published: October 2018

One of the major land use and land cover changes in Europe is agricultural land abandonment (ALA) that particularly affects marginal mountain areas. Accurate mapping of ALA patterns and timing is important for understanding its determinants and the environmental and socio-economic consequences. In highly fragmented agricultural landscapes with small-scale farming, subtle land use changes following ALA can be detected with high resolution remotely sensed data, and successional vegetation height is a possible indicator of ALA timing. The main aim of this study was to determine the relationship between successional vegetation height and the timing of agricultural land abandonment in the Budzów community in the Polish Carpathians. Areas of vegetation succession were vectorized on 1977, 1997, and 2009 orthophotomaps, enabling the distinguishing of vegetation encroaching on abandoned fields before and after 1997. Vegetation height in 2012–2014 was determined from digital surface and terrain models that were derived from airborne laser scanning data. The median heights of successional vegetation that started development before and after 1997 were different (6.9 m and 3.2 m, respectively). No significant correlations between successional vegetation height and elevation, slope, aspect, and proximity to forest were found. Thus, the timing of agricultural land abandonment is the most important factor influencing vegetation height, whereas environmental characteristics on this scale of investigation may be neglected.
Intercomparison of In-Situ and Remote Sensing Salinity Products in the Gulf of Mexico, a River-Influenced System
Authors: Vazquez-Cuervo Jorge , Fournier Severine , Dzwonkowski Brian , Reager John
Published: October 2018

The recent emergence of satellite-based sea surface salinity (SSS) measurements provides new opportunities for oceanographic research on freshwater influence in coastal environments. Several products currently exist from multiple observing platforms and processing centers, making product selection for different uses challenging. Here we evaluate four popular SSS datasets in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) to characterize the error in each product versus in-situ observations: Two products from NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, processed by Remote Sensing Systems (REMSS) (40 km and 70 km); one SMAP 60 km product from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); and one 60 km product from ESA’s Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. Overall, the four products are remarkably consistent on seasonal time scales, reproducing dominant salinity features. Towards the coast, 3 of the 4 products (JPL SMAP, REMSS 40 km SMAP, and SMOS) show increasing salty biases (reaching 0.7–1 pss) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSD) (reaching 1.5–2.5 pss), and a decreasing signal to noise ratio from 3 to 1. REMSS 40 km generally shows a lower RMSD than other products (~0.5 vs. ~1.1 pss) in the nearshore region. However, at some buoy locations, SMOS shows the lowest RMSD values, but has a higher bias overall (>0.2 vs. <0.1 pss). The REMSS 70km product is not consistent in terms of data availability in the nearshore region and performs poorly within 100 km of the coast, relative to other products. Additional analysis of the temporal structure of the errors over a range of scales (8/9-day to seasonal) shows significantly decreasing RMSD with increasing timescales across products.
Superpixel Segmentation of Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Images Based on Generalized Mean Shift
Authors: Lang Fengkai , Yang Jie , Yan Shiyong , Qin Fachao
Published: October 2018

The mean shift algorithm has been shown to perform well in optical image segmentation. However, the conventional mean shift algorithm performs poorly if it is directly used with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images due to the large dynamic range and strong speckle noise. Recently, the Generalized Mean Shift (GMS) algorithm with an adaptive variable asymmetric bandwidth has been proposed for Polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) image filtering. In this paper, the GMS algorithm is further developed for PolSAR image segmentation. A new merging predicate that is defined in the joint spatial-range domain is derived based on the GMS algorithm. A pre-sorting strategy and a post-processing step are also introduced into the GMS segmentation algorithm. The proposed algorithm can be directly used for PolSAR image superpixel segmentation without any pre-processing steps. Experiments using Airborne SAR (AirSAR) and Experimental SAR (ESAR) L-band PolSAR data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed superpixel segmentation algorithm. The parameter settings, stability, quality, and efficiency of the GMS algorithm are also discussed at the end of this paper.
Towards an Automated Unsupervised Mobility Assessment for Older People Based on Inertial TUG Measurements
Authors: Hellmers Sandra , Izadpanah Babak , Dasenbrock Lena , Diekmann Rebecca , Bauer Jürgen M. , Hein Andreas , Fudickar Sebastian
Published: October 2018

One of the most common assessments for the mobility of older people is the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Due to its sensitivity regarding the indication of Parkinson’s disease (PD) or increased fall risk in elderly people, this assessment test becomes increasingly relevant, should be automated and should become applicable for unsupervised self-assessments to enable regular examinations of the functional status. With Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) being well suited for automated analyses, we evaluate an IMU-based analysis-system, which automatically detects the TUG execution via machine learning and calculates the test duration. as well as the duration of its single components. The complete TUG was classified with an accuracy of 96% via a rule-based model in a study with 157 participants aged over 70 years. A comparison between the TUG durations determined by IMU and criterion standard measurements (stopwatch and automated/ambient TUG (aTUG) system) showed significant correlations of 0.97 and 0.99, respectively. The classification of the instrumented TUG (iTUG)-components achieved accuracies over 96%, as well. Additionally, the system’s suitability for self-assessments was investigated within a semi-unsupervised situation where a similar movement sequence to the TUG was executed. This preliminary analysis confirmed that the self-selected speed correlates moderately with the speed in the test situation, but differed significantly from each other.
Potential Role of Microfibrillar-Associated Protein 4, Fibrotic Indices and Oxidative Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Salama Mohamed M. , Nomir Manal M. , Fahmi Maryan W. , El-Gayar Amal M. , El-Shishtawy Mamdouh M.
Published: October 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In an attempt to understand some potential mechanisms of persistence and oncogenicity of Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC, microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4), fibrotic indices and oxidative status biomarkers were assessed in the sera of 50 patients with HCV-associated HCC, 25 patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis and 15 healthy individuals. Serum oxidized Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and malondialdehyde showed significant elevation in HCC patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001), as well as cirrhotic patients (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively), while serum glutathione content and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly decreased in HCC patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Serum MFAP4, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on the 4 factors (FIB-4) and Forns index showed significant increase in HCC patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001), while only APRI and FIB-4 were significantly different between HCC and cirrhotic patients (p < 0.05), with a sensitivity of 86% and 92%, respectively, at cut off ≥0.7 for APRI and ≥1.57 for FIB-4. Therefore, increasing oxidative stress and fibrosis might mediate HCV induced cirrhosis and HCC. APRI and FIB-4 may be used as a simple non-expensive formula for the screening of HCC rather than MFAP4.
Monolithic Silica Capillary Columns with Improved Retention and Selectivity for Amino Acids
Authors: Moravcová Dana , Planeta Josef
Published: October 2018

A strategy for the preparation of silica-based monolithic capillary columns (150 × 0.1 mm) with high selectivity to amino acids is presented. The zwitterionic columns were prepared by coating the silica monolith with [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium hydroxide via 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate. The columns were evaluated under isocratic conditions in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography. The best separation of amino acids was obtained on the monolithic column prepared by a stepwise modification procedure where the modification step was repeated four times. The mixture of fifteen amino acids was separated within 13 min using the mobile phase consisting of 75% acetonitrile and 25% 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate at pH 4.5.
Feminists against Sexual Violence in War: The Question of Perpetrators and Victims Revisited
Authors: Korac Maja
Published: October 2018

This article reflects upon feminist activism and analyses of sexual victimisation of women in war during the 1990s. It critically examines the reasons for the continuation of this type of violence against women, despite its recognition as a war crime; the recognition that marked one of the significant achievements of feminist activism during the last decade of the 20th century. The discussion points to the centrality of sexual violence in war for the system of gender based violence (GBV) against both women and men in war. It argues that a relational understanding of the gendered processes of victimisation in war is critical. This approach enables an acknowledgement that sexual violence in war and rape, as one of its expressions, is a violent political act that is highly gendered both in its causes and consequences, and, as such, it affects both women and men. This article provides an overall argument for the need of feminist scholarship and activism to engage with these differently situated experiences and practices of victimisation in war, to ‘unmake’ it.
Does Early Recruitment Predict Greater Physical Performance in Academy Soccer Players?
Authors: Hertzog Maxime , Paul Darren J. , Nassis George P. , Silva Joao R.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether recruitment status influences neuromuscular and endurance performances in academy soccer players over a 2-year training period (from Under-16 to Under-18). Thirty-seven male soccer players from an elite academy were selected and divided in two cohorts according to their recruitment status: Early Recruitment group (ER; n = 16), training and competing for the academy since Under-14 and Under-15 age groups, and; Late Recruitment group (LR; n = 21) included in the academy training process at Under-16. Squat (SJ) and countermovement jump with (CMJwA) and without arms swing (CMJ), 10-m sprint time, and Vam-Eval test (MAV) were performed in three successive occasions always pre-season (Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 age groups, T1, T2, and T3 respectively). A two-way (recruitment status × time) analysis of variance with repeated measurements was performed as well as the magnitude of difference using both effect size and magnitude-based inferences. There was no difference between ER and LR for MAV, 10 m-sprint, and SJ from T1 to T3. However, LR players presented non-significant small and possibly greater improvement in CMJ (ES = 0.4) and CMJwA (ES = 0.4) than ER players at T2. These data indicate that early recruitment is not likely to result in greater physical performance improvement at the age of 18.
Building W Matrices Using Selected Geostatistical Tools: Empirical Examination and Application
Authors: Antczak Elżbieta
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates how to determine the values (elements) of spatial weights in a spatial matrix (W) endogenously from the data. To achieve this goal, geostatistical tools (standard deviation ellipsis, semivariograms, semivariogram clouds, and surface trend models) were used. Then, in the econometric part of the analysis, the effect of applying different variants of matrices was examined. The study was conducted on a sample of 279 Polish towns from 2005–2015. Variables were related to the quantity of produced waste and economic development. Both exploratory spatial data analysis and estimations of spatial panel and seemingly unrelated regression models were performed by including particular W matrices in the study (exogenous-random as well as distance and directional matrices constructed based on data). The results indicated that (1) geostatistical tools can be effectively used to build Ws; (2) outcomes of applying different matrices did not exclude but supplemented one another, although the differences were significant; (3) the most precise picture of spatial dependence was achieved by including distance matrices; and (4) the values of the assessed parameter at the regressors did not significantly change, although there was a change in the strength of the spatial dependency.
Soft Drink Supply Chain Sustainability: A Case Based Approach to Identify and Explain Best Practices and Key Performance Indicators
Authors: Demartini Melissa , Pinna Claudia , Aliakbarian Bahar , Tonelli Flavio , Terzi Sergio
Published: October 2018

Environmental regulations and sustainable developments are forcing industries to assess, optimize and improve their processes to minimize costs and increase the efficiency of industrial sustainability dimension. This effect is more evident in the food industries due to the high impact that this sector has on environmental and economical sustainability, considering the primary role of packaging systems, the huge water consumption both for the production and the cleaning processes or the energy utilization related to the treatment plant or to the raw material production. Thus, the aim of this study was to review the current state of soft drink supply chains with respect to industrial sustainability issues. For this reason, a comprehensive literature review was performed to understand what sustainable best practices and key performance indicators are largely applied to soft drink supply chains and then a comparison with two soft drink case studies was proposed to identify if there is a positive correlation between the literature and practical activities. The proposed case studies were thoroughly analyzed highlighting how the production process impacts on sustainability and pointing out potential best practices and key performance indicators. The key conclusion of this study is, on the one hand, to depict the current set of sustainable best practices and key performance indicators which companies performed according to the literature review and, therefore, revise the actual body of the literature, and, on the other hand, to figure out which of these best (or proper) practices and key performance indicators are also implemented in the real world, helping companies to make decisions.
A New Study on Air Quality Standards: Air Quality Measurement and Evaluation for Jiangsu Province Based on Six Major Air Pollutants
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Gao Xiaolong
Published: October 2018

China’s current Air Quality Index (AQI) system only considers one air pollutant which has the highest concentration value. In order to comprehensively evaluate the urban air quality of Jiangsu Province, this paper has studied the air quality of 13 cities in that province from April 2015 to March 2018 based on an expanded AQI system that includes six major air pollutants. After expanding the existing air quality evaluation standards of China, this paper has calculated the air quality evaluation scores of cities in Jiangsu Province based on the six major air pollutants by using the improved Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Model. This paper has further analyzed the effectiveness of air pollution control policies in Jiangsu Province and its different cities during the study period. The findings are as follows: there are distinct differences in air quality for different cities in Jiangsu Province; except for coastal cities such as Nantong, Yancheng and Lianyungang, the southern cities of Jiangsu generally have better air quality than the northern cities. The causes of these differences include not only natural factors such as geographical location and wind direction, but also economic factors and energy structure. In addition, air pollution control policies have achieved significant results in Nantong, Changzhou, Wuxi, Yangzhou, Suzhou, Yancheng, Zhenjiang, Tai’an and Lianyungang. Among them, Nantong has seen the biggest improvement, 20.28%; Changzhou and Wuxi have improved their air quality by more than 10%, while Yangzhou, Suzhou, and Yancheng have improved their air quality by more than 5%. However, the air quality of Nanjing, Huai’an, Xuzhou, and Suqian has worsened by different degrees compared that of the last period within the beginning period, during which Suqian’s air quality has declined by 20.07% and Xuzhou’s by 16.32%.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a Potential Point of Care Laboratory Test for Leprosy Diagnosis—A Systematic Review
Authors: Tatipally Sushma , Srikantam Aparna , Kasetty Sanjay
Published: October 2018

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and mainly affects skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes. Suitable tools for providing bacteriological evidence of leprosy are needed for early case detection and appropriate therapeutic management. Ideally these tools are applicable at all health care levels for the effective control of leprosy. This paper presents a systematic review analysis in order to investigate the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) vis-à-vis slit skin smears (SSS) in various clinical settings and its potential usefulness as a routine lab test for leprosy diagnosis. Records of published journal articles were identified through PubMed database search. Twenty-seven articles were included for the analysis. The evidence from this review analysis suggests that PCR on skin biopsy is the ideal diagnostic test. Nevertheless, PCR on SSS samples also seems to be useful with its practical value for application, even at primary care levels. The review findings also indicated the necessity for improving the sensitivity of PCR and further research on specificity in ruling out other clinical conditions that may mimic leprosy. The M. leprae-specific repetitive element (RLEP) was the most frequently-used marker although its variable performance across the clinical sites and samples are a matter of concern. Undertaking further research studies with large sample numbers and uniform protocols studied simultaneously across multiple clinical sites is recommended to address these issues.
A Luminous Transient Event in a Sample of WISE-selected Variable AGNs
Authors: Assef R. J. , Prieto J. L. , Stern D. , Cutri R. M. , Eisenhardt P. R. M. , Graham M. J. , Jun H. D. , Rest A. , Flewelling H. A. , Kaiser N. , Kudritzki R.-P. , Waters C.
Published: October 2018

Recently Assef et al. presented two catalogs of active galactic nucleus (AGN) candidates over 30,093 deg2 selected from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) observations. From their most reliable sample, Assef et al. identified 45 AGN candidates with the highest variability levels in the AllWISE catalog but that are not blazars. Here we present new spectroscopic observations of some of these targets to further constrain their nature. We also study their optical light curves using observations from the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey (CRTS) and find that only seven show significant optical variability, and that five of those seven are spectroscopically classified as AGNs. In one of them, WISEA J094806.56+031801.7 (W0948+0318), we identify a transient event in the CRTS light curve. We present a detailed analysis of this transient and characterize it through its CRTS light curve and its multiwavelength spectral energy distribution obtained from GALEX, Pan-STARRS, and WISE observations. We find that the most likely source of the transient is a superluminous supernova (SLSN) in W0948+0318. We estimate the total radiated energy to be E = (1.6 ± 0.3) × 1052 erg, making it one of the most energetic SLSNe observed. Based on the lack of change in mid-IR color throughout and after the transient event, we speculate that the location of the SLSN is within the torus of the AGN. We identify nine possible analogs to W0948+0318 based on their WISE light curves. None show optically detected transients and hence suggest significant dust obscuration. Finally, we estimate a rate of >2 × 10−7 yr−1 per AGN for these transients under the conservative assumption that none of the identified analogs have a common origin with the transient in W0948+0318.
The Role of Flux Cancellation in Eruptions from Bipolar ARs
Authors: Yardley S. L. , Green L. M. , Driel-Gesztelyi L. van , Williams D. R. , Mackay D. H.
Published: October 2018

The physical processes or trigger mechanisms that lead to the eruption of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), the largest eruptive phenomenon in the heliosphere, are still undetermined. Low-altitude magnetic reconnection associated with flux cancellation appears to play an important role in CME occurrence as it can form an eruptive configuration and reduce the magnetic flux that contributes to the overlying, stabilizing field. We conduct the first comprehensive study of 20 small bipolar ARs (ARs) in order to probe the role of flux cancellation as an eruption trigger mechanism. We categorize eruptions from the bipolar regions into three types related to location, and find that the type of eruption produced depends on the evolutionary stage of the AR. In addition, we find that ARs that form eruptive structures by flux cancellation (low-altitude reconnection) had, on average, lower flux cancellation rates than the AR sample as a whole. Therefore, while flux cancellation plays a key role, by itself it is insufficient for the production of an eruption. The results provide supporting evidence that although flux cancellation in a sheared arcade may be able to build an eruptive configuration, a successful eruption depends upon the removal of sufficient overlying and stabilizing field. Convergence of the bipole polarities also appears to be present in regions that produce an eruption. These findings have important implications for understanding the physical processes that occur on our Sun in relation to CMEs and for space weather forecasting.
Simultaneous Spectral Energy Distribution and Near-infrared Interferometry Modeling of HD 142666
Authors: Davies Claire L. , Kraus Stefan , Harries Tim J. , Kreplin Alexander , Monnier John D. , Labdon Aaron , Kloppenborg Brian , Acreman David M. , Baron Fabien , Millan-Gabet Rafael , Sturmann Judit , Sturmann Laszlo , Ten Brummelaar Theo A.
Published: October 2018

We present comprehensive models of the Herbig Ae star, HD 142666, which aim to simultaneously explain its spectral energy distribution (SED) and near-infrared (NIR) interferometry. Our new submilliarcsecond resolution CHARA (CLASSIC and CLIMB) interferometric observations, supplemented with archival shorter baseline data from VLTI/PIONIER and the Keck Interferometer, are modeled using centrosymmetric geometric models and an axisymmetric radiative transfer code. CHARA’s 330 m baselines enable us to place strong constraints on the viewing geometry, revealing a disk inclined at 58° from face-on with a 160° major axis position angle. Disk models imposing vertical hydrostatic equilibrium provide poor fits to the SED. Models accounting for disk scale height inflation, possibly induced by turbulence associated with magnetorotational instabilities, and invoking grain growth to ≳1 μm size in the disk rim are required to simultaneously reproduce the SED and measured visibility profile. However, visibility residuals for our best model fits to the SED indicate the presence of unexplained NIR emission, particularly along the apparent disk minor axis, while closure phase residuals indicate a more centrosymmetric emitting region. In addition, our inferred 58° disk inclination is inconsistent with a disk-based origin for the UX Ori-type variability exhibited by HD 142666. Additional complexity, unaccounted for in our models, is clearly present in the NIR-emitting region. We propose that the disk is likely inclined toward a more edge-on orientation and/or an optically thick outflow component also contributes to the NIR circumstellar flux.
Investigation of the High-energy Emission from the Magnetar-like Pulsar PSR J1119–6127 after the 2016 Outburst
Authors: Lin Lupin Chun-Che , Wang Hui-Hui , Li Kwan-Lok , Takata Jumpei , Hu Chin-Ping , Ng C.-Y. , Hui C. Y. , Kong A. K. H. , Tam Pak-Hin T. , Yeung Paul K. H.
Published: October 2018

PSR J1119−6127 is a radio pulsar that behaved with magnetar-like bursts, and we performed a comprehensive investigation of this pulsar using the archival high-energy observations obtained after its outburst in 2016 July. After the 2016 outburst, specific regions on the neutron star (NS) surface were heated up to >0.3 and >1 keV from ∼0.2 keV. A hard nonthermal spectral component with a photon index <0.5 related to the magnetospheric emission can be resolved from the NuSTAR spectra above 10 keV. We find that the thermal emitting regions did not cool down and gradually shrank by about 20%–35% 4 months after the outburst. Hard X-ray pulsations were detected with NuSTAR immediately after the outburst at a 5σ confidence level and with a background-subtracted pulsed fraction of 40% ± 10%. However, the signal became undetectable after a few days. Using Fermi data, we found that the gamma-ray emission in 0.5–300 GeV was suppressed along with the disappearance of the radio pulsations. This is likely caused by a reconfiguration of the magnetic field. We also discovered that the timing noise evolved dramatically, and the spin-down rate significantly increased after the 2016 glitch. We proposed that postoutburst temporal and spectral behaviors from radio to gamma-ray bands were caused by changes of the magnetosphere structure, pair plasma injection, and the shrinking emission sites on the NS.
The First Tidally Disrupted Ultra-faint Dwarf Galaxy?: A Spectroscopic Analysis of the Tucana III Stream∗

†
Authors: Li T. S. , Simon J. D. , Kuehn K. , Pace A. B. , Erkal D. , Bechtol K. , Yanny B. , Drlica-Wagner A. , Marshall J. L. , Lidman C. , Balbinot E. , Carollo D. , Jenkins S. , Martínez-Vázquez C. E. , Shipp N. , Stringer K. M. , Vivas A. K. , Walker A. R. , Wechsler R. H. , Abdalla F. B. , Allam S. , Annis J. , Avila S. , Bertin E. , Brooks D. , Buckley-Geer E. , Burke D. L. , Rosell A. Carnero , Kind M. Carrasco , Carretero J. , Cunha C. E. , D’Andrea C. B. , Costa L. N. da , Davis C. , Vicente J. De , Doel P. , Eifler T. F. , Evrard A. E. , Flaugher B. , Frieman J. , García-Bellido J. , Gaztanaga E. , Gerdes D. W. , Gruen D. , Gruendl R. A. , Gschwend J. , Gutierrez G. , Hartley W. G. , Hollowood D. L. , Honscheid K. , James D. J. , Krause E. , Maia M. A. G. , March M. , Menanteau F. , Miquel R. , Plazas A. A. , Sanchez E. , Santiago B. , Scarpine V. , Schindler R. , Schubnell M. , Sevilla-Noarbe I. , Smith M. , Smith R. C. , Soares-Santos M. , Sobreira F. , Suchyta E. , Swanson M. E. C. , Tarle G. , Tucker D. L. ,   (DES Collaboration)
Published: October 2018

We present a spectroscopic study of the tidal tails and core of the Milky Way satellite Tucana III, collectively referred to as the Tucana III stream, using the 2dF+AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope and the IMACS spectrograph on the Magellan Baade Telescope. In addition to recovering the brightest nine previously known member stars in the Tucana III core, we identify 22 members in the tidal tails. We observe strong evidence for a velocity gradient of

over at least 3° on the sky. Based on the continuity in velocity, we confirm that the Tucana III tails are real tidal extensions of Tucana III. The large velocity gradient of the stream implies that Tucana III is likely on a radial orbit. We successfully obtain metallicities for four members in the core and 12 members in the tails. We find that members close to the ends of the stream tend to be more metal-poor than members in the core, indicating a possible metallicity gradient between the center of the progenitor halo and its edge. The spread in metallicity suggests that the progenitor of the Tucana III stream is likely a dwarf galaxy rather than a star cluster. Furthermore, we find that with the precise photometry of the Dark Energy Survey data, there is a discernible color offset between metal-rich disk stars and metal-poor stream members. This metallicity-dependent color offers a more efficient method to recognize metal-poor targets and will increase the selection efficiency of stream members for future spectroscopic follow-up programs on stellar streams.
MIRIS Paα Galactic Plane Survey. I. Comparison with IPHAS Hα in ℓ = 96°–116°
Authors: Kim Il-Joong , Pyo Jeonghyun , Jeong Woong-Seob , Seon Kwang-Il , Nakagawa Takao , Kim Min Gyu , Park Won-Kee , Lee Dae-Hee , Lee Dukhang , Moon Bongkon , Park Sung-Joon , Park Youngsik , Matsumoto Toshio , Han Wonyong
Published: October 2018

The Multipurpose InfraRed Imaging System (MIRIS) performed the MIRIS Paα Galactic Plane Survey (MIPAPS), which covers the entire Galactic plane within the latitude range of

at Paα (1.87 μm). We present the first result of the MIPAPS data extracted from the longitude range of

–116.°3 and demonstrate the quality and scientific potential of the data by comparing them with Hα maps obtained from the INT Photometric Hα Survey (IPHAS) data. We newly identify 90 H ii region candidates in the WISE H ii region catalog as definite H ii regions by detecting the Paα and/or Hα recombination lines, out of which 53 H ii regions are detected at Paα. We also report the detection of an additional 29 extended and 18 point-like sources at Paα. We estimate the E(B−V) color excesses and total Lyman continuum luminosities for H ii regions by combining the MIPAPS Paα and IPHAS Hα fluxes. The E(B−V) values are found to be systematically lower than those estimated from point stars associated with H ii regions. Utilizing the MIPAPS Paα and IPHAS Hα images, we obtain an E(B−V) map for the entire region of the H ii region Sh2-131 with an angular size of ∼2.°5. The E(B−V) map shows not only numerous high-extinction filamentary features but also negative E(B−V) regions, indicating Hα excess. The Hα excess and systematic underestimation of E(B−V) are attributed to light scattered by dust.
A Comparison between two Dolutegravir-Based two-drug Regimens as Switch Strategies in a Multicentre Cohort of HIV-1-Infected Patients
Authors: Ciccullo Arturo , Baldin Gianmaria , Capetti Amedeo , Rusconi Stefano , Sterrantino Gaetana , d'Ettorre Gabriella , Colafigli Manuela , Modica Sara , Lagi Filippo , Giacomelli Andrea , Cossu Maria Vittoria , Restelli Sibilla , De Luca Andrea , Di Giambenedetto Simona
Published: October 2018

Background

Two-drug regimens are increasingly used in clinical practice as switch strategies. We compared the efficacy and safety of two dolutegravir (DTG)-based dual therapies: DTG plus lamivudine (3TC group) versus DTG plus rilpivirine (RPV group).

Methods

In a multicentre cohort of virologically suppressed (HIV RNA <50 copies/ml) HIV+ patients switching to DTG+3TC or DTG+RPV we analysed the incidence of virological failures (VF) and treatment discontinuations (TD), as well as their predictors.

Results

We analysed 416 patients, 229 in the 3TC group and 187 in the RPV group. The 3TC group, during 344.4 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), had 10 VF without the emergence of resistance mutations, while 30 patients discontinued the regimen. In the RPV group, during 371.0 PYFU, there were 5 VF (1 developed non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutations Y181C and E138Q) and 13 TD. The estimated probability of remaining free from VF at 48 weeks showed no significant difference between groups (log-rank 0.172). We found a higher risk of VF in patients with peak viral load >500,000 copies/ml in both treatment groups (log-rank P=0.004 in each group). The estimated probability of remaining in the study regimen at week 48 was 89.0% with DTG+3TC and 96.1% with DTG+RPV (log-rank 0.015). After adjusting for potential confounders, treatment group was not associated with TD. A significant decrease in total cholesterol was observed at week 48 in both groups while renal function remained unchanged.

Conclusions

DTG+RPV and DTG+3TC were compared in populations with different characteristics in clinical practice: both regimens showed good effectiveness and improved lipid profile.
Predictive ecological risk assessment of pesticide mixtures in Mediterranean porous aquifers
Authors: Di Lorenzo Tiziana , Cifoni Marco , Fiasca Barbara , Di Cioccio Alessia , Galassi Diana
Published: October 2018

The ecological risk assessment (ERA) of chemical substances is based on the premise that the protection of the most sensitive taxon safeguards the overall community. Given the severe scarcity of ecotoxicological data concerning groundwater species, we felt urged to consider epigean model species’ sensitivity data to determine the safe pesticide concentrations for obligate groundwater dwelling species. To this end, we performed the ERA of pesticide mixtures occurring in eleven Mediterranean porous aquifers (Abruzzo region; central Italy). The evaluation was based on data collected between 2010 and 2015 by the environmental protection agency of Abruzzo region (ARTA Abruzzo) and included 42 pesticides and 1953 samples. We applied a step-wise procedure:

we used the Measured Environmental Concentration (MEC);

we estimated the Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) and

we established the ecological risk as Risk Quotient (RQ) based on the ∑MECi/PNECi ratio following a concentration addition model for mixtures’ toxicity.

we used the Measured Environmental Concentration (MEC);

we estimated the Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) and

we established the ecological risk as Risk Quotient (RQ) based on the ∑MECi/PNECi ratio following a concentration addition model for mixtures’ toxicity.

The PNEC was regarded as the concentration below which a harmful effect will most likely not occur to the groundwater dwelling fauna. The toxicity data used to compute the PNEC values were obtained from the US. EPA ECOTOX database confining the search to epigean crustaceans. Missing toxicity data were estimated by ECOSAR v.1.11. PNEC values were calculated by dividing the lowest short-term L(E)C50 value (that refers to the concentration at which 50% of its maximal effect was observed in test species) by appropriate assessment factors (AF). The AF values were selected according to the difference in the sensitivities of groundwater and epigean crustaceans derived from the available studies. Groundwater crustacean species were generally less sensitive to acute exposure to chemicals than the model species Daphnia magna. However, they were more sensitive than their epigean relatives when the comparisons were made among organisms sharing the same family/order. This result suggests caution when inferring the sensitivity of groundwater species from that of epigean taxa. The ecological risk was scored using a binary ecological classification suggesting that appreciable risk is likely when RQ≥1. Pesticide mixture risks were often driven by a minimum of 2 to 11 compounds in the eleven aquifers of Abruzzo region. However, the risk-drivers (i.e., individual pesticides explaining the largest share of potential effects) differed substantially among the aquifers. The results of this study have been published by Di Lorenzo et al. (2018).