bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF TAXATION BY INCOME TAXES (OUTLINE OF THE PROBLEM)
Authors: Wołowiec Tomasz
Published: July 2019

Public discussions concerning tax system reforms are dominated by the view that lowering taxes is the only panacea for stimulating economic growth. But is this really so? To be able to answer this question we need to examine how the level of fiscal burden and structure of budget tax revenues are correlated with GDP growth rate (27 EU countries, data 2000-2018). A relationship that is particularly examined is the correlation between the level of fiscal burden in personal income tax and economic growth rate. Considerably less attention is paid in various analyses to the influence of the structure of budget tax revenues on economic growth.
HAS FOREIGN AID IMPROVED GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN WEST AFRICA?
Authors: Egenti Stanley , Nevo Chinedu , Onwe Israel , Faith Tobechi , Durodola Oludare
Published: July 2019

This study investigates foreign aid, quality of governance and human development in West Africa, adopting the Random-Effects Model (REM) of the Panel Data Analysis and Estimated Generalized Least Square (EGLS) estimation technique for 15 West African countries from 1990-2015. Governance Composite Index with Goal Post and Geometric Mean approach on six indicators of governance were constructed to treat foreign aid effects on governance collectively. Results showed that most foreign aids improve human development (income, life expectancy, and education). However, some foreign aids weaken the quality of governance. The researchers recommended that government should have little or no role in foreign aid influx into the economy; rather, foreign aid should be channeled through tax effort and private investment. More so, donors should concentrate on poor countries with good institutions if foreign aid must be channeled through government expenditure. Finally, an independent body should ensure mutual accountability between recipients and donors routinely to ensure foreign aid improves human development without weakening governance quality.
Mechanisms of Cyanotoxin Toxicity—Carcinogenicity, Anticancer Potential, and Clinical Toxicology
Authors: Georgieva Vankova Deyana , Gincheva Pasheva Milena , Dimitrova Kiselova-Kaneva Yoana , Lazarov Ivanov Dobri , Georgieva Ivanova Diana
Published: July 2019

Cyanoprokaryotes are distributed worldwide and they produce various bioactive compounds, including cyanotoxins. The major route of human exposure to cyanotoxins is the oral intake by using contaminated drinking water, by incidental intake of contaminated water during recreational and professional activities, and by consuming contaminated food or dietary supplements prepared from cyanobacteria. The prolonged chronic exposure to low concentrations of cyanotoxins provokes cell damage and may increase the risk for cancer development. Due to the variety of cyanotoxin chemical structures, different mechanisms of their toxic effects are known. At the same time, some of the natural compounds produced by cyanoprokaryotes have anticancer potential and are promising sources for the development of novel drugs. This chapter is dedicated to the target mechanisms behind the effects of the widely distributed cyanotoxins with an impact on human health, microcystins, nodularins, and cylindrospermopsin.
Overview of Multi-Objective Optimization Approaches in Construction Project Management
Authors: Alothaimeen Ibraheem , Arditi David
Published: July 2019

The difficulties that are met in construction projects include budget issues, contractual time constraints, complying with sustainability rating systems, meeting local building codes, and achieving the desired quality level, to name but a few. Construction researchers have proposed and construction practitioners have used optimization strategies to meet various objectives over the years. They started out by optimizing one objective at a time (e.g., minimizing construction cost) while disregarding others. Because the objectives of construction projects often conflict with each other, single-objective optimization does not offer practical solutions as optimizing one objective would often adversely affect the other objectives that are not being optimized. They then experimented with multi-objective optimization. The many multi-objective optimization approaches that they used have their own advantages and drawbacks when used in some scenarios with different sets of objectives. In this chapter, a review is presented of 16 multi-objective optimization approaches used in 55 research studies performed in the construction industry and that were published in the period 2012–2016. The discussion highlights the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches when used in different scenarios.
Introducción a la sección especial. El alojamiento universitario en España
Authors: Pié Ninot Ricard , Rubiralta Alcañiz Màrius
Published: July 2019

Introducción a la sección especial dedicada a las residencias universitarias en España.

Introducció a la secció especial dedicada a les residències universitàries a Espanya.

Introduction to the special section dedicated to university residences in Spain.
Petrografia das rochas ácidas da Formação Serra Geral na região do Rio Paranapanema - São Paulo
Authors: Sartori Pedro Luiz Pretz , Maciel Filho Carlos Leite
Published: July 2019

The northernmost occurrences of acid lava flows outpourings of the Serra Geral Formation, described up to the moment, occur in the Paranapanema River region, near the Xavantes and Armando Laydner Dams and were classified as dacite and rhyolite granophyric.
Estudo dos condicionamentos geoquímicos que podem levar a cimentação de filtros de barragens pelo ferro
Authors: Maciel Filho Carlos Leite
Published: July 2019

A theoretical study with observation of geological events justify the dam filter cimentation by iron. Knowledge of limnology, geochemistry and biogeochemistry of iron, occurrence of ferriginous crust, water flow by earth dams, are taked into account.
Inventário da fauna ictiológica do Rio Ibicuí-Mirim, RS
Authors: Weis Maria Lacy C. , Bossemeyer Ilca M. K. , Bier Maria De Lurdes S. , Lippold Horst Oscar
Published: July 2019

A survey of the ichthyologic fauna of the Ibicuí Mirim River, RS, Brazil, was carried out at four different spots resulting in the collection of 3.388 fish specimens that were classified in eight orders, twenty four families, fifty nine genera and eighty one species.
Mechanism of pharmacochaperoning in a mammalian KATP channel revealed by cryo-EM
Authors: Martin Gregory M , Sung Min Woo , Yang Zhongying , Innes Laura M , Kandasamy Balamurugan , David Larry L , Yoshioka Craig , Shyng Show-Ling
Published: July 2019

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels composed of a pore-forming Kir6.2 potassium channel and a regulatory ABC transporter sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) regulate insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells to maintain glucose homeostasis. Mutations that impair channel folding or assembly prevent cell surface expression and cause congenital hyperinsulinism. Structurally diverse KATP inhibitors are known to act as pharmacochaperones to correct mutant channel expression, but the mechanism is unknown. Here, we compare cryoEM structures of a mammalian KATP channel bound to pharmacochaperones glibenclamide, repaglinide, and carbamazepine. We found all three drugs bind within a common pocket in SUR1. Further, we found the N-terminus of Kir6.2 inserted within the central cavity of the SUR1 ABC core, adjacent the drug binding pocket. The findings reveal a common mechanism by which diverse compounds stabilize the Kir6.2 N-terminus within SUR1’s ABC core, allowing it to act as a firm ‘handle’ for the assembly of metastable mutant SUR1-Kir6.2 complexes.
A six-microRNA signature can better predict overall survival of patients with esophagus adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lan Tian , Lu Yunyan , Xiao Zunqiang , Xu Haibin , He Junling , Hu Zujian , Mao Weimin
Published: July 2019

Background

The microRNAs (miRNAs) have been validated as prognostic markers in many cancers. Here, we aimed at developing a miRNA-based signature for predicting the prognosis of esophagus adenocarcinoma (EAC).

Methods

The RNA-sequencing data set of EAC was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Eighty-four patients with EAC were classified into a training set and a test set randomly. Using univariate Cox regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), we identified prognostic factors and constructed a prognostic miRNA signature. The accuracy of the signature was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Result

In general, in the training set, six miRNAs (hsa-mir-425, hsa-let-7b, hsa-mir-23a, hsa-mir-3074, hsa-mir-424 and hsa-mir-505) displayed good prognostic power as markers of overall survival for EAC patients. Relative to patients in the low-risk group, those assigned to the high-risk group according to their risk scores of the designed miRNA model displayed reduced overall survival. This 6-miRNA model was validated in test and entire set. The area under curve (AUC) for ROC at 3 years was 0.959, 0.840, and 0.868 in training, test, and entire set, respectively. Molecular functional analysis and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the target messenger RNAs associated with 6-miRNA signature were closely related to several pathways involved in carcinogenesis, especially cell cycle.

Conclusion

In summary, a novel 6-miRNA expression-based prognostic signature derived from the EAC data of TCGA was constructed and validated for predicting the prognosis of EAC.
Determination of Amlodipine Besilate and Azilsartan Medoxomil by UHPLC, HPTLC and Spectrophotometric Techniques
Authors: Soliman Marwa Mohammed , Darwish Manal Kamal , Abdel-Razeq Sawsan Abdel-Moneem
Published: July 2019

Aims: To develop methods with complete validation according to ICH guidelines and to be applied for the determination of both drugs in laboratory prepared mixtures and in synthetic tablets.

Study Design:  Ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and visible spectrophotometric methods are developed for determination of amlodipine besilate and azilsartan medoxomil in laboratory-prepared mixtures and in synthetic tablets.

Methodology: Two techniques have been developed for the simultaneous determination of amlodipine besilate and azilsartan medoxomil in pure form and synthetic tablets. The first was UHPLC in which separation was achieved on a C18 column using 0.1% o-phosphoric acid - acetonitrile - methanol (60:10:30, by volume) as mobile phase with detection at 243nm. The second was HPTLC where separation was performed on silica gel 60 F254 plates using chloroform- tolune-methanol-glacial acetic acid (7: 1.5: 1.5: 0.5 by volume) as a developing system and UV detection at 243nm. In addition, visible- spectrophotometric method was developed for determination of amlodipine besilate in presence of azilsartan medoxomil through formation of yellowish orange colored product after reaction of amlodipine besilate with anisaldehde in acid medium with λmax at 443 nm.

Results: UHPLC method was linear over the concentration ranges of 2-20 μg/ mL and 4-40 μg/ mL while HPTLC method was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.2 -4.0 μg/ spot and 0.5-8.0 μg/ spot for amlodipine besilate and azilsartan medoxomil, respectively. The visible spectrophotometric method was found to be valid over the concentration range of 10–80 μg/mL for amlodipine besilate.

Conclusion: The proposed three techniques are rapid, accurate and precise, thus can be effectively applied for the routine estimation of both drugs in bulk and in their combined formulations.
Cerebral Hemodynamics in Chronic Disorders of Cerebral Circulation
Authors: Nazarova Janna A.
Published: July 2019

The experience of using different methods of magnetic resonance study of the arterial and venous parts of the vascular bed of the head and neck is analyzed, and the feasibility and possibility of simultaneous assessment of the state of the brain and the study of the anatomy of the cerebral bed are shown. 87 patients with chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) on the background of hypertension (GB) were examined, of the 36 women and 51 men aged from 46 to 72 years. All patients underwent standard neurological examination, MRI of the brain with venography (MRV) of the brachiocephalic veins and venous sinuses of the brain, duplex scanning (DS) in the modes of color Doppler mapping and pulsed Doppler of extra- and intracranial vessels. Comparative assessment of brain MRI results in patients with CCI revealed diffuse changes in the signal intensity from the white matter of the brain (periventricular, subcortical leucoarea, LA), single or multiple ischemic foci of 115 mm, external and internal cerebral atrophy (CA). the feasibility and the possibility of a one-stage assessment of the state of the brain and the study of the anatomy of the cerebral bed are substantiated. The need for an extended magnetic resonance study of the vascular system in the defeat of the arterial bed of the brain is due to certain anatomical and functional relationships between the arterial and venous sections.
Predictors and Protectors of Pathological Menopause
Authors: Kayumova Dilrabo T.
Published: July 2019

A prospective study of 1484 women aged 35-70 years was conducted, which were divided into 3 groups - late reproductive, perimenopausal and postmenopausal. Menopausal syndrome (MS) was detected in 1369 (93.3%) women. Every third woman in peri- and postmenopause had a moderately severe MS. The metabolic imbalance worsened more as the severity of the MS increased, rather than with increasing age. Predictors of pathological menopause are identified - these are the main components of the metabolic syndrome (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity); uterine fibroids, as well as urbanization and higher education. The protective factors for the development of the MS was the absence of the fact of marriage (single), medical education and waist circumference of 80 cm or less.Late reproductive stage
Comparative Studies on Production of Bioethanol from Rice Straw Using Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride as Hydrolyzing Agents
Authors: Christopher O. Osazuwa, , Felix A. Akinyosoye,
Published: July 2019

Ethanol production by S. cerevisiae was carried out using rice straw as substrate and B. subtilis and T. viride as hydrolyzing agents. The aim of this research is to compare the potential of rice straw (non-edible waste material) for bioethanol production using Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride as cellulose hydrolyzing agents. The sample was dried and ground; and was subjected to chemical pretreatment and microbial hydrolysis to maximize sugar production. Standard methods were used to carry out isolation, identification and analysis of sample which includes proximate, mineral and physicochemical analysis. The sample was fermented for seven days during which ethanol yield was determined. Cellulose hydrolysis screening carried out on each of the two organisms revealed T. viride having the higher clearance zone of 1.8 cm, while B. subtilis had 1.5 cm. Proximate analysis obtained from the samples showed that the pretreatment method was relatively effective giving an increase in the cellulose and decrease in the hemicellulose and lignin contents of the samples. This showed rice straw having a cellulose content of 51.33 ± 0.17% after pretreatment. Potassium content was relatively high (17.96 mg/g), Hydrolysis using T. viride gave higher reducing sugar yield than that obtained using B. subtilis with 26.6 g and 12.21 g respectively. The pH was observed to decrease during fermentation while total titratable acidity observed showed an increase. Highest ethanol yield of 16.21 g/100 g was obtained using T. viride as hydrolyzing agent.
Addendum zu 1,1,1‐Trichlorethan [BAT value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Bolt H.M. , Drexler H. , Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: July 2019

In 2018, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the Biological Tolerance Value (BAT) of 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) after the MAK value for 1,1,1‐trichloroethane has been lowered from 200 ml/m
3
to 100 ml/m
3
. In consequence, the previous BAT value of 550 µg 1,1,1‐trichloroethane per L blood was adjusted to 275 µg 1,1,1‐trichloroethane per L blood. The sampling conditions (at the beginning of the next shift, after several shifts) remain unchanged.
Couch modeling optimization for tomotherapy planning and delivery
Authors: Okada Wataru , Tanooka Masao , Sano Keisuke , Shibata Mayuri , Doi Hiroshi , Miyazaki Masayoshi , Nakahara Ryuta , Sueoka Masaki , Suzuki Hitomi , Fujiwara Masayuki , Inomata Taisuke , Yamakado Koichiro
Published: July 2019

We sought to validate new couch modeling optimization for tomotherapy planning and delivery. We constructed simplified virtual structures just above a default setting couch through a planning support system (MIM Maestro, version 8.2, MIM Software Inc, Cleveland, OH, USA). Based on ionization chamber measurements, we performed interactive optimization and determined the most appropriate physical density of these virtual structures in a treatment planning system (TPS). To validate this couch optimization, Gamma analysis and these statistical analyses between a three‐dimensional diode array QA system (ArcCHECK, Sun Nuclear, Melbourne, FL, USA) results and calculations from ionization chamber measurements were performed at 3%/2 mm criteria with a threshold of 10% in clinical QA plans. Using a virtual model consisting of a center slab density of 4.2 g/cm3 and both side slabs density of 1.9 g/cm3, we demonstrated close agreement between measured dose and the TPS calculated dose. Agreement was within 1% for all gantry angles at the isocenter and within 2% in off‐axis plans. In validation of the couch modeling in a clinical QA plan, the average gamma passing rate improved approximately 0.6%–5.1%. It was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for all treatment sites. We successfully generated an accurate couch model for a TomoTherapy TPS by interactively optimizing the physical density of the couch using a planning support system. This modeling proved to be an efficient way of correcting the dosimetric effects of the treatment couch in tomotherapy planning and delivery.
A Theoretical Study on Rib‐Type Photonic Wires Based on LiNbO3 Thin Film on Insulator
Authors: Xu Qing , Shao Yan‐Xue , Piao Rui‐Qi , Chen Feng , Wang Xiao , Yang Xiao‐Fei , Wong Wing‐Han , Pun Edwin Yue‐Bun , Zhang De‐Long
Published: July 2019

A theoretical study on rib‐type photonic wires (PW) based on lithium niobate (LiNbO3)‐on‐insulator (LNOI) using finite element method is performed. Aiming at 1.55 µm wavelength, effective refractive indices of several lower‐order transverse‐electric/magnetic (TE/TM) modes in the central rib region and the fundamental mode in the slab waveguide in the side region are calculated as a function of geometric parameters of the PW. By comparing effective refractive index of the first‐order mode in the central rib region with that of the fundamental mode in the slab waveguide, single‐mode condition in the central rib region is determined in terms of geometric parameters of the PW. Electric field distributions of fundamental TE and TM modes are also simulated and discussed. In addition, dispersion relation of effective group refractive index of the fundamental mode in the central rib region is calculated and discussed in comparison with those of ridge‐type LNOI PW, traditional Ti‐diffused LiNbO3 strip waveguide, and bulk LiNbO3 single‐crystal. For a fundamental TE mode in a rib‐type LNOI PW with a LiNbO3 film thickness 700 nm, a rib width 1 µm and an etching depth 100–200 nm, nearly zero group index dispersion in the wavelength range 1.31.7 µm can be realized.
Breaking the Limit of Micro‐Ductility in Oxide Glasses
Authors: Januchta Kacper , Stepniewska Malwina , Jensen Lars R. , Zhang Yang , Somers Marcel A. J. , Bauchy Mathieu , Yue Yuanzheng , Smedskjaer Morten M.
Published: July 2019

Oxide glasses are one of the most important engineering and functional material families owing to their unique features, such as tailorable physical properties. However, at the same time intrinsic brittleness has been their main drawback, which severely restricts many applications. Despite much progress, a breakthrough in developing ultra‐damage‐resistant and ductile oxide glasses still needs to be made. Here, a critical advancement toward such oxide glasses is presented. In detail, a bulk oxide glass with a record‐high crack resistance is obtained by subjecting a caesium aluminoborate glass to surface aging under humid conditions, enabling it to sustain sharp contact deformations under loads of ≈500 N without forming any strength‐limiting cracks. This ultra‐high crack resistance exceeds that of the annealed oxide glasses by more than one order of magnitude, making this glass micro‐ductile. In addition, a remarkable indentation behavior, i.e., a time‐dependent shrinkage of the indent cavity, is demonstrated. Based on structural analyses, a molecular‐scale deformation model to account for both the ultra‐high crack resistance and the time‐dependent shrinkage in the studied glass is proposed.
Survival outcomes after sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer
Authors: Isozaki Hiroshi , Matsumoto Sasau , Murakami Shigeki
Published: July 2019

Aim

This study evaluated the prognosis after sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) for early gastric cancer.

Methods

For 100 patients who underwent SNNS (between August 13, 2003 and December 17, 2018) at our hospital, the survival outcomes were investigated.

Results

(a) SN were detected with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.98. (b) Of seven patients who had positive SN metastasis, three underwent standard gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. Among them, one patient died of recurrence (bone) and the other two patients were alive 4.5 and 14.7 years after surgery. The remaining four patients with positive SN who underwent diminished gastrectomy with lymphatic basin dissection at their request are alive 2.8, 6.0, 6.9 and 10.8 years after surgery without recurrence. (c) No patients who underwent diminished gastrectomy died of gastric cancer after surgery. (d) In the period following diminished gastrectomy, one patient underwent total gastrectomy and five patients underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection, and they survived for longer than 5 years. (e) As a result of SNNS, the gastric cancer‐specific cumulative 5‐year survival rate was 98.5%.

Conclusions

Diminished gastrectomy during SNNS resulted in a satisfactory prognosis. However, regular follow‐up after surgery is needed to detect secondary cancer of the remaining stomach.
Comparison of Eulerian QBMM and classical Eulerian–Eulerian method for the simulation of polydisperse bubbly flows
Authors: Li Dongyue , Marchisio Daniele , Hasse Christian , Lucas Dirk
Published: July 2019

The spatial gas distribution of poly‐disperse bubbly flows depends greatly on the bubble size. To reflect the resulting polycelerity, more than two momentum balance equations (typically for the gas and liquid phases) have to be considered, as done in the multifluid approach. The inhomogeneous multiple‐size group model follows this approach, also combined with a population balance model. As an alternative, in a previous work, an Eulerian quadrature‐based moments method (E‐QBMM) was implemented in OpenFOAM; however, only the drag force was included. In this work, different nondrag forces (lift, wall lubrication, and turbulent dispersion) are added to enable more complex test cases to be simulated. Simulation results obtained using E‐QBMM are compared with the classical E–E method and validated against experimental data for different test cases. The results show that there is good agreement between E‐QBMM and E–E methods for mono‐disperse cases, but E‐QBMM can better simulate the separation and segregation of small and large bubbles.
Light pollution and insufficient sleep: Evidence from the United States
Authors: Patel Pankaj C.
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The objective of this study was to test whether light pollution is associated with lower or insufficient sleep. The American Medical Association recently issued a public notice cautioning against the effects of nighttime light on sleep quality and quantity. Light pollution, through the suprachiasmatic nucleus, disrupts circadian rhythm by reducing the secretion of melatonin, a sleep‐inducing hormone.

Methods

I used 282 403 individual self‐reports of sleep hours and insufficient sleep from the 2014 and 2016 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area (MMSA) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the prevalence of insufficient sleep during 2014 in 2823 US counties from the County Health Rankings. The nighttime artificial light data are from the cloud‐free Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the US.

Results

At the MMSA level, for a 10‐unit increase in nighttime light (nW/[cm2 sr]) the estimated decline in sleep was about 5.59 minutes per day and the odds of reporting insufficient sleep (<7 hours) increased by 13.77%. At the county‐level, for a 10‐unit increase in nighttime light, the prevalence of insufficient sleep increased by 2.19%.

Conclusions

Although light pollution was negatively associated with sleep outcomes, the practical effect sizes were small. The small effects suggest that the effects at the population level are negligible, and the effect of nighttime light pollution is more idiosyncratic.
Cysteine SH and Glutamate COOH Contributions to [NiFe] Hydrogenase Proton Transfer Revealed by Highly Sensitive FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Tai Hulin , Nishikawa Koji , Higuchi Yoshiki , Mao Zong‐wan , Hirota Shun
Published: July 2019

A [NiFe] hydrogenase (H2ase) is a proton‐coupled electron transfer enzyme that catalyses reversible H2 oxidation; however, its fundamental proton transfer pathway remains unknown. Herein, we observed the protonation of Cys546‐SH and Glu34‐COOH near the Ni–Fe site with high‐sensitivity infrared difference spectra by utilizing Ni‐C‐to‐Ni‐L and Ni‐C‐to‐Ni‐SIa photoconversions. Protonated Cys546‐SH in the Ni‐L state was verified by the observed SH stretching frequency (2505 cm−1), whereas Cys546 was deprotonated in the Ni‐C and Ni‐SIa states. Glu34‐COOH was double H‐bonded in the Ni‐L state, as determined by the COOH stretching frequency (1700 cm−1), and single H‐bonded in the Ni‐C and Ni‐SIa states. Additionally, a stretching mode of an ordered water molecule was observed in the Ni‐L and Ni‐C states. These results elucidate the organized proton transfer pathway during the catalytic reaction of a [NiFe] H2ase, which is regulated by the H‐bond network of Cys546, Glu34, and an ordered water molecule.
Dirac Nodal Arc Semimetal PtSn4: An Ideal Platform for Understanding Surface Properties and Catalysis for Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Li Guowei , Fu Chenguang , Shi Wujun , Jiao Lin , Wu Jiquan , Yang Qun , Saha Rana , Kamminga Machteld E. , Srivastava Abhay K. , Liu Enke , Yazdani Aliza N. , Kumar Nitesh , Zhang Jian , Blake Graeme R. , Liu Xianjie , Fahlman Mats , Wirth Steffen , Auffermann Gudrun , Gooth Johannes , Parkin Stuart , Madhavan Vidya , Feng Xinliang , Sun Yan , Felser Claudia
Published: July 2019

Conductivity, carrier mobility, and a suitable Gibbs free energy are important criteria that determine the performance of catalysts for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, it is a challenge to combine these factors into a single compound. Herein, we discover a superior electrocatalyst for a HER in the recently identified Dirac nodal arc semimetal PtSn4. The determined turnover frequency (TOF) for each active site of PtSn4 is 1.54 H2 s−1 at 100 mV. This sets a benchmark for HER catalysis on Pt‐based noble metals and earth‐abundant metal catalysts. We make use of the robust surface states of PtSn4 as their electrons can be transferred to the adsorbed hydrogen atoms in the catalytic process more efficiently. In addition, PtSn4 displays excellent chemical and electrochemical stabilities after long‐term exposure in air and long‐time HER stability tests.
Diketopiperazine Formation in Fungi Requires Dedicated Cyclization and Thiolation Domains
Authors: Baccile Joshua A. , Le Henry H. , Pfannenstiel Brandon T. , Bok Jin Woo , Gomez Christian , Brandenburger Eileen , Hoffmeister Dirk , Keller Nancy P. , Schroeder Frank C.
Published: July 2019

Cyclization of linear dipeptidyl precursors derived from nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) into 2,5‐diketopiperazines (DKPs) is a crucial step in the biosynthesis of a large number of bioactive natural products. However, the mechanism of DKP formation in fungi has remained unclear, despite extensive studies of their biosyntheses. Here we show that DKP formation en route to the fungal virulence factor gliotoxin requires a seemingly extraneous couplet of condensation (C) and thiolation (T) domains in the NRPS GliP. In vivo truncation of GliP to remove the CT couplet or just the T domain abrogated production of gliotoxin and all other gli pathway metabolites. Point mutation of conserved active sites in the C and T domains diminished cyclization activity of GliP in vitro and abolished gliotoxin biosynthesis in vivo. Verified NRPSs of other fungal DKPs terminate with similar CT domain couplets, suggesting a conserved strategy for DKP biosynthesis by fungal NRPSs.
Oganesson Is a Semiconductor: On the Relativistic Band‐Gap Narrowing in the Heaviest Noble‐Gas Solids
Authors: Mewes Jan‐Michael , Jerabek Paul , Smits Odile R. , Schwerdtfeger Peter
Published: July 2019

Oganesson (Og) is the most recent addition to Group 18. Investigations of its atomic electronic structure have unraveled a tremendous impact of relativistic effects, raising the question whether the heaviest noble gas lives up to its position in the periodic table. To address the issue, we explore the electronic structure of bulk Og by means of relativistic Kohn–Sham density functional theory and many‐body perturbation theory in the form of the GW method. Calculating the band structure of the noble‐gas solids from Ne to Og, we demonstrate excellent agreement for the band gaps of the experimentally known solids from Ne to Xe and provide values of 7.1 eV and 1.5 eV for the unknown solids of Rn and Og. While this is in line with periodic trends for Rn, the band gap of Og completely breaks with these trends. The surprisingly small band gap of Og moreover means that, in stark contrast to all other noble‐gas solids, the solid form of Og is a semiconductor.
Semiparametric modeling of the spatiotemporal trends in natural gas consumption: Methodology, results, and consequences
Authors: Brabec Marek , Konár Ondřej , Kasanický Ivan , Malý Marek , Pelikán Emil
Published: July 2019

Household consumption of natural gas is usually considered to be quite stable as cooking, space, and water heating belong to basic needs. The improvement of technologies together with possibilities of switching to alternative sources can, however, lead to a decreasing consumption trend. Knowing more about such trend, especially of its spatial distribution, can be useful for strategic planning. In this paper, we describe a general statistical methodology allowing to study the spatiotemporal behavior of consumption. It is based on semiparametric modeling. Formalized error and sensitivity analyses are part of the methodology. Presented methods are illustrated on large‐scale data from the Czech Republic.
Disentangling the influence of internationalization on sustainability development: Evidence from the energy sector
Authors: Gómez‐Bolaños Efrén , Hurtado‐Torres Nuria Esther , Delgado‐Márquez Blanca Luisa
Published: July 2019

This paper aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between firms' internationalization and their sustainability development. We expected firms with a higher level of internationalization to exhibit better environmental management and performance. A sample of 287 publicly traded firms in the energy and energy‐related utilities sector was used to test these relationships. We focused on the energy sector, as energy production and supply have historically accounted for the lion's share of global greenhouse gas emissions. We found that firms' level of internationalization had a positive effect on their environmental management, whereas its effect on environmental performance was not found to be significant. We also tested whether these relationships change when firms' internationalization is oriented towards developing countries. Upon a closer look, the relationship was found to be significant between internationalization towards developing countries and better environmental management, thus contributing to the line of literature that does not support the pollution haven hypothesis.
Second generation, sirolimus‐eluting, bioresorbable Tyrocore scaffold implantation in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction: Baseline OCT and 30‐day clinical outcomes – A FANTOM STEMI pilot study
Authors: Koltowski Lukasz , Tomaniak Mariusz , Ochijewicz Dorota , Maksym Jakub , Roleder Tomasz , Zaleska Martyna , Proniewska Klaudia , Opolski Grzegorz , Kochman Janusz
Published: July 2019

Background

There is paucity of data on acute performance of Fantom (REVA Medical, CA), a second generation sirolimus‐eluting bioresorbable scaffold (BRS), in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of the Fantom BRS in the acute setting of STEMI characterized by thrombogenic milieu.

Methodology

Ten STEMI patients treated with a sirolimus‐eluting Fantom BRS were enrolled into prospective, observational study. The scaffold sizing, positioning, and optimization were optical coherence tomography (OCT) guided. The primary end‐point was the device‐oriented composite endpoint (DOCE), additionally angiographic and OCT analysis were performed.

Results

The primary‐end point, defined as DOCE, did not occur in any patient within the 30‐day follow‐up. The procedural and angiographic success rates were both 100%, there was no case of scaffold thrombosis, target lesion revascularization nor death. In QCA, an in‐device minimum lumen diameter was 2.89 ± 0.24 mm and the residual diameter stenosis was 3.56 ± 3.17%. OCT revealed an incomplete scaffold apposition in five patients with an average of seven malapposed struts per scaffold and mean distance of 120 ± 30 μm. There was no proximal edge dissection, the distal edge dissection was recorded in one patient.

Conclusions

This is the first pilot study evaluating safety and efficacy of the Fantom BRS, a second generation fully bioresorbable coronary scaffold, in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI with OCT guidance. Fantom BRS showed adequate safety and efficacy in the acute 30‐day angiographic, OCT, and clinical follow‐up.
Divergent Synthesis and Evaluation of the in vitro Cytotoxicity Profiles of 3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐one Analogues
Authors: Karunakaran Jayachandran , Dhatchana Moorthy Nachiappan , Chowdhury Somenath Roy , Iqbal Saleem , Majumder Hemanta K. , Gunasekaran Krishnasamy , Vellaichamy Elangovan , Mohanakrishnan Arasambattu K.
Published: July 2019

A new series of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT)‐appended propenones were prepared by condensation reaction and their in vitro cytotoxicity effects were evaluated against five human cancer cell lines. Preliminary structure–activity relationships of EDOT‐incorporated 2‐propenone derivatives were also established. The EDOT‐appended enones demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines. The most active analogue, (E)‐3‐(2,3‐dihydrothieno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxin‐5‐yl)‐1‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (3 p, GI50=110 nm), severely inhibited the clonogenic potential of cancer cells, and induced cell‐cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and caused an accumulation of HCT116 colon cancer cells with >4 N DNA content. Also, 3 p exhibited weak inhibition of the enzymatic activity of human topoisomerase I. Molecular docking studies indicated preferential binding of the compounds to the ATP‐binding pocket of the human checkpoint 2 kinase (Chk2) catalytic domain, thus, identifying a novel diaryl 2‐propenone chemotype for the development of potent inhibitors of Chk2.
Can cognitive analytic therapy treat hoarding disorder? An adjudicated hermeneutic single‐case efficacy design evaluation
Authors: Spence Claire , Kellett Stephen , Totterdell Peter , Parry Glenys
Published: July 2019

This paper sought to assess whether cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) was effective with a male patient meeting diagnostic criteria for hoarding disorder (HD) who had been nonresponsive to two previous courses of cognitive behaviour therapy. An adjudicated hermeneutic single‐case efficacy design (HSCED) evaluation was undertaken. A rich case record (i.e., a summary document containing the case details, formulations, and detailed qualitative and quantitative outcomes) was created. The rich case record was then debated by affirmative (N = 3) and sceptic (N = 3) research teams. Expert judges (N = 3) reviewed the debate and then delivered a final verdict as to whether treatment had worked. Judges unanimously returned a verdict in favour of the sceptic position, concluding that CAT had not enabled change. Lack of change on the primary nomothetic hoarding outcome measure was particularly influential in the final judgement. In this case of HD, CAT was therefore not effective as an intervention. More research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn however as to the wider utility of CAT with HD. Methodological limitations are outlined, alongside considerations for future research.
Antidiarrheal, vasorelaxant, and neuropharmacological actions of the diterpene tilifodiolide
Authors: Alba‐Betancourt Clara , Sánchez‐Recillas Amanda , Alonso‐Castro Angel J. , Esquivel‐Juárez David , Zapata‐Morales Juan R. , Yáñez‐Pérez Víctor , Álvarez‐Camacho Daniel , Medina‐Rivera Yessica E. , González‐Chávez Marco M. , Gasca‐Martínez Deisy , Ortiz‐Andrade Rolffy
Published: July 2019

Salvia tiliifolia is used in folk medicine as a relaxant agent and for the treatment of diarrhea and neurodegenerative diseases. Tilifodiolide (TFD) is a diterpene obtained from this plant. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the antidiarrheal, vasorelaxant, and neuropharmacological actions of TFD. These effects were selected based on the folk medicinal use of S. tiliifolia. The antidiarrheal activity of 1–50 mg/kg p.o. TFD was assessed with the castor oil related tests. The vasorelaxant effect of TFD (0.9–298 μM) was performed with smooth muscle tissues from rats, and its mechanism of action was evaluated using different inhibitors. The sedative, anxiolytic, and antidepressant effects of 1–100 mg/kg TFD were assessed. The possible mechanisms of action of the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of TFD were evaluated using inhibitors. TFD exhibited antidiarrheal (ED50 = 10.62 mg/kg) and vasorelaxant (EC50 = 48 ± 3.51 μM) effects. The coadministration of TFD with N(ω)‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) or 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ), reverted the vasorelaxant action showed by TFD alone. TFD exerted anxiolytic actions (ED50 = 20 mg/kg) in the cylinder exploratory test, whereas TFD (50 mg/kg) showed antidepressant actions in the tail suspension test by 44%. The pretreatment with 2 mg/kg flumazenil partially reverted the anxiolytic actions of TFD, whereas the pretreatment with 1 mg/kg yohimbine abolished the antidepressant effects of TFD. In summary, TFD exerted antidiarrheal activity by decreasing the intestinal fluid accumulation and vasorelaxant effects mediated by nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. TFD showed anxiolytic and antidepressant effects by the partial involvement of gamma‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and the possible participation of α2‐adrenoreceptors, respectively.
Using high‐resolution XRF analyses as a sequence stratigraphic tool in a mudstone‐dominated succession (Early Cretaceous, Lower Saxony Basin, Northern Germany)
Authors: Thöle Hauke , Bornemann André , Heimhofer Ulrich , Luppold Friedrich Wilhelm , Blumenberg Martin , Dohrmann Reiner , Erbacher Jochen
Published: July 2019

Delineation of stratigraphic sequences and their component systems tracts in mudstone‐dominated successions is challenging due to the relatively homogenous, fine‐grained nature of the strata. High‐resolution elemental intensity data from X‐ray fluorescence core scanning is used in order to develop a sequence stratigraphic framework for the Lower Cretaceous monotonous mudstone succession in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin. The study is based on four drill cores covering the Berriasian to Aptian interval. In addition, carbon isotope (δ13Corg), grain size and CaCO3 analyses were carried out on discrete samples. The studied cores represent both proximal and distal basinal environments of the eastern Lower Saxony Basin and can be reliably correlated by utilizing variations in selected X‐ray flourescence elemental ratios, K/Ti data have proven to be particularly suitable in this regard. The core correlation shows that chemostratigraphic variability within the studied succession is laterally reproducible in the eastern Lower Saxony Basin, and can be used to establish a sequence stratigraphic framework. Further, Si/Al and Ca/Ti ratios have been applied to characterize the cores in terms of variation in grain size and CaCO3 content, respectively. Vertical grading trends inferred from Si/Al changes were used to identify transgressive and regressive systems tracts within the studied succession. An important regression in the uppermost lower Valanginian coincides with the onset of the Valanginian Weissert Event, as indicated by the well‐known positive δ13C shift, and, thus, supports the idea that the initial interval of this event corresponds to enhanced supply of terrigenous material. The results of this study are also in agreement with previously recognized transgressive–regressive trends in the Lower Saxony Basin and adjacent areas. This clearly shows that systematic geochemical variations recorded in mudstone‐dominated basinal settings are suitable to establish sequence stratigraphic frameworks.
Maternal hair cortisol levels as a novel predictor of neonatal abstinence syndrome severity: A pilot feasibility study
Authors: Wachman Elisha M. , Hunter Richard G. , Shrestha Hira , Lapp Hannah E. , Meyer Jerrold , Alvarez Crystal D. , Tronick Edward
Published: July 2019

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after in‐utero opioid exposure remains a poorly understood condition with multiple factors contributing to severity. Exposure to maternal stress may be one contributing factor. Hair cortisol measurement represents a novel technique for assessing prenatal stress. In this pilot study, the association between maternal hair cortisol levels and NAS severity was examined in 70 postpartum women with opioid use disorder within 72 hr of delivery. Infants were monitored for NAS and treated according to institutional protocol. Forty‐four (63%) of the infants were pharmacologically treated for NAS, with a mean length of hospital stay (LOS) for all infants of 14.2 (SD 9.0) days. The mean cortisol level in the mothers was 131.8 pg/mg (SD 124.7). In bivariate analysis, higher maternal hair cortisol levels were associated with shorter infant LOS (R = −.26, p = .03) and fewer infant opioid treatment days (R = −.28, p = .02). Results were no longer statistically significant in regression models after adjusting for maternal opioid and smoking. In conclusion, we demonstrated the feasibility of hair cortisol assaying within the first few days after delivery in mothers with opioid use disorder as a novel marker for NAS. The findings suggest that maternal stress may impact the severity of infant opioid withdrawal.
Delayed effects of attention on pain sensitivity and conditioned pain modulation
Authors: Hoegh Morten , Seminowicz David A. , Graven‐Nielsen Thomas
Published: July 2019

Background

Efficacy of pain modulation is assessed as the difference in pain sensitivity during a painful conditioning, compared to before (conditioning pain modulation, CPM). Attention can be assessed with the Stroop task, in which participants report the number of words on a screen; either congruent or incongruent with the value of the words. Attention away from painful stimuli during CPM enhances the CPM effect. However, it is unknown if attention influences CPM effects when the two are done in sequence.

Methods

Healthy men (n = 25) underwent cuff algometry CPM‐assessment where the pressure‐pain detection and tolerance thresholds (PTT) were recorded on one leg with and without contralateral conditioning. Two identical sessions of four test stimuli equal to PTT (5 s, 1‐min interval, scored on a visual analogue scale, VAS) with a painful conditioning from the second to the last test‐stimulus were performed. Stroop sessions were followed by test stimuli with or without painful conditioning.

Results

The VAS scores in the first two sessions showed excellent reliability (ICC = 0.92). VAS scores were lower in sessions with Stroop compared to sessions without Stroop (p = .05) indicating an analgesic effect of Stroop. Participants were subgrouped into CPM responders and CPM non‐responders according to CPM effects in the first two sessions. CPM non‐responders (n = 13) showed facilitation to repeated noxious stimuli in all sessions with no effect of conditioning or Stroop (p = .02).

Conclusion

Attention and CPM both modulate pain in healthy men. Attention‐induced analgesia works in CPM non‐responders. Results indicate that attention and CPM are not the same and that they do not demonstrate additive effects when applied in sequence.

Significance

Pain sensitivity is reduced after an attention task in healthy men. The delayed effects from attention only have minor effects on Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM), and results support that attention‐driven analgesia works independently of CPM. Results indicate that individual strategies for pain inhibition exist and that an overlap between the mechanisms of CPM and selective attention is limited. Moreover, painful phasic stimuli may increase the number of healthy volunteers with negative CPM effects.
Silver Nanoparticles‐Silsesquioxane Nanomaterial Applied to the Determination of 4‐Nitrophenol as a Biomarker
Authors: Crocomo Paola Zimmermann , Winiarski João Paulo , de Barros Marília Reginato , Latocheski Eloah , Nagurniak Glaucio Régis , Parreira Renato Luis Tame , Siebert Diogo Alexandre , Micke Gustavo Amadeu , Magosso Hérica Aparecida , Jost Cristiane Luisa
Published: July 2019

A novel silsesquioxane material was synthetized and used as a stabilizing agent for silver nanoparticles. This hybrid material was characterized by FTIR, 29Si CP‐MAS NMR, 13C DEPT 135° NMR and TGA techniques and the silver nanoparticles were characterized from DLS, UV‐Vis spectroscopy, zeta‐potential, TEM and SAXS results. The silver nanoparticles obtained were spherical in shape with a diameter of 3.74 nm. The nanomaterial was successfully applied in the modification of a glassy carbon electrode and a pronounced current response was obtained in the determination of the biomarker 4‐nitrophenol. Quantum chemical calculations, using density functional theory, were also performed in order to evaluate the redox properties of the analyte. Two different linear ranges were obtained applying optimal square wave voltammetry conditions. The reduction peak currents obtained were linear for 4‐NP concentrations in the ranges of 0.29 to 1.50 μmol L−1 (Ed=−0.6 V and td=20 s) and 2.75 to 31.5 μmol L−1, with a theoretical (signal to noise=3) limit of detection of 0.05 μmol L−1 (td=20 s). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of 4‐NP in synthetic serum samples at different levels of 4‐NP with a recovery range of 94–101 %. Validation was performed using a comparative method through the capillary electrophoresis (CE) technique.