bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Cocrystallization of Ethylene/1‐Octene Copolymer Blends by CRYSTAF and TREF
Authors: Santonja‐Blasco Laura , Monrabal Benjamin
Published: April 2020

The crystallization of blends of ethylene/1–octene copolymers with different comonomer content (0.3, 1.3, and 2.5 mol%) is investigated as a function of the comonomer content of the copolymers and the concentration of the copolymers in the blend (20, 50, and 80 wt%) by using techniques based on separation by crystallizability. Crystallization fractionation and temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) techniques provide the chemical composition distributions of the copolymers in the blend; however, fast cooling rates modify the theoretical distribution because of the cocrystallization of chains with close composition. The copolymer blends analyzed with a difference in comonomer content up to 1.2 mol%, cocrystallize upon rapid cooling rates. The extent of cocrystallization increases when reducing the concentration of the copolymer with less co‐unit content in the blend. Comparing the techniques at identical cooling rates, cocrystallization is reduced by using TREF albeit coelution may appear.
A Feeding-Ecology-Based Approach to Evaluating Nursery Potential of Estuaries for Black Rockfish
Authors: Schwartzkopf Brittany D. , Heppell Scott A.
Published: April 2020

Previous work suggests that Oregon estuaries function as nursery habitat and may play an important role in settlement of Black Rockfish Sebastes melanops. No research, however, has been conducted on juvenile Black Rockfish feeding ecology in estuarine habitats, which is necessary to evaluate habitat use and quality. We examined stomach contents and carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios for juvenile Black Rockfish collected from May to September in 2016 and 2017 at both anthropogenic (dock) and natural (eelgrass Zostera marina) habitats in Yaquina Bay, a marine-dominated estuary on the central Oregon coast. We found consumption of 94 different prey items, the majority of which are estuary derived, and benthic prey were most frequently consumed. In general, it appears that fish are feeding in the habitat in which they are caught, with marine-fouling prey being consumed in greater abundances at the dock habitat, whereas algae- or eelgrass-associated species were consumed in greater abundances at the eelgrass habitat. The increase in both δ15N and δ13C values in muscle tissue seasonally and the positive correlation with upwelling in 2016 suggests that upwelled, oceanic waters were the primary source of nutrients to Yaquina Bay in 2016. The high variability in δ15N and general increase in δ13C seasonally in 2017 suggests that oceanic waters were still present but may not have been the dominant nutrient source. Yaquina Bay appears to be an important foraging ground for juvenile Black Rockfish during summer months, providing a diversity of prey items, with special importance of benthic and eelgrass-associated prey. Our results support the hypothesis that estuaries can function as a nursery habitat for Black Rockfish, although additional data is needed to provide an absolute designation. Changes in benthic communities or available habitat may have negative effects on foraging ability, and thus nursery function, and should be considered during management decisions.
Spinal muscular atrophy caused by a novel Alu‐mediated deletion of exons 2a‐5 in SMN1 undetectable with routine genetic testing
Authors: Jedličková Ivana , Přistoupilová Anna , Nosková Lenka , Majer Filip , Stránecký Viktor , Hartmannová Hana , Hodaňová Kateřina , Trešlová Helena , Hýblová Michaela , Solár Peter , Minárik Gabriel , Giertlová Mária , Kmoch Stanislav
Published: April 2020

Background

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disease affecting 1 in 8,000 newborns. The majority of patients carry bi‐allelic variants in the survival of motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1). SMN1 is located in a duplicated region on chromosome 5q13 that contains Alu elements and is predisposed to genomic rearrangements. Due to the genomic complexity of the SMN region and genetic heterogeneity, approximately 50% of SMA patients remain without genetic diagnosis that is a prerequisite for genetic treatments. In this work we describe the diagnostic odyssey of one SMA patient in whom routine diagnostics identified only a maternal heterozygous SMN1Δ(7–8) deletion.

Methods

We characterized SMN transcripts, assessed SMN protein content in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), estimated SMN genes dosage, and mapped genomic rearrangement in the SMN region.

Results

We identified an Alu‐mediated deletion encompassing exons 2a‐5 of SMN1 on the paternal allele and a complete deletion of SMN1 on the maternal allele as the cause of SMA in this patient.

Conclusion

Alu‐mediated rearrangements in SMN1 can escape routine diagnostic testing. Parallel analysis of SMN gene dosage, SMN transcripts, and total SMN protein levels in PBMC can identify genomic rearrangements and should be considered in genetically undefined SMA cases.
Exponential decay in one‐dimensional Type II/III thermoelasticity with two porosities
Authors: Magaña Antonio , Quintanilla Ramón
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we consider the theory of thermoelasticity with a double porosity structure in the context of the Green–Naghdi Types II and III heat conduction models. For the Type II, the problem is given by four hyperbolic equations, and it is conservative (there is no energy dissipation). We introduce in the system a couple of dissipation mechanisms in order to obtain the exponential decay of the solutions. To be precise, we introduce a pair of the following damping mechanisms: viscoelasticity, viscoporosities, and thermal dissipation. We prove that the system is exponentially stable in three different scenarios: viscoporosity in one structure jointly with thermal dissipation, viscoporosity in each structure, and viscoporosity in one structure jointly with viscoelasticity. However, if viscoelasticity and thermal dissipation are considered together, undamped solutions can be obtained
Motion tracking of low‐activity fiducial markers using adaptive region of interest with list‐mode positron emission tomography
Authors: Chamberland Marc J. P. , deKemp Robert A. , Xu Tong
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Motion compensated positron emission tomography (PET) imaging requires detecting and monitoring of patient body motion. We developed a semiautomatic list‐mode method to track the three‐dimensional (3D) motion of fiducial positron‐emitting markers during PET imaging.

Methods

A previously developed motion tracking method using positron‐emitting markers (PeTrack) was enhanced to work with PET imaging. A novel combination of filtering methods was developed to reject physiological tracer background, which would drown out the events from the marker if unfiltered. The most critical filter rejects events whose line‐of‐response (LOR) is outside an adaptive region of interest (ADROI). The size of ROI was optimized by exploiting the distinct differences between the distributions of events from background and marker. The ADROI PeTrack method was evaluated with Monte Carlo and phantom studies. A 92.5‐kBq

Na marker moving sinusoidally in 3D was simulated with Monte Carlo methods. The simulated events were combined with list‐mode data from cardiac PET imaging patients to evaluate the performance of the tracking. In phantom studies, three

Na markers were placed on a dynamic torso phantom with an initial activity of 680 MBq of

Rb in its cardiac insert. The motion of the markers was tracked while the phantom simulated various types of patient motion. Motion correction on an event‐by‐event basis of the list‐mode data was then applied and images were reconstructed.

Results

Simulation results show that the background rejection methods can significantly suppress the tracer background and increase the fraction of marker events by a factor of up to 2500. A 92.5‐kBq marker can be tracked in 3D at a frequency of 2.0 Hz with an accuracy of 0.8 mm and a precision of 0.3 mm. The phantom study experimentally confirms that the algorithm can track various types of motion. The relative accuracy of the experimental tracking is 0.26 ± 0.14 mm. Motion‐corrected images from the phantom study show reduced blurring.

Conclusions

An algorithm and background rejection methods were developed that can track the 3D motion of low‐activity positron‐emitting markers during PET imaging. The motion information may be used for motion‐compensated PET imaging.
Terminology in Neuromuscular Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Ultrasound: Time for an Update
Authors: Simmons Zachary , Ziemann Ulf
Published: April 2020

See article on pages 10–12 in this issue.

See article on pages E1–E43 in this issue.
Effects of White Sucker Removal and Stocking on Growth of Fishes in Northern Lakes
Authors: Zorn Troy G. , Mylchreest Mark S. , Abrahamson Arnold W.
Published: April 2020

Continued management interest in using White Sucker Catostomus commersonii population manipulations to improve the growth of Northern Pike Esox lucius and potentially competing panfish species provided an opportunity to evaluate White Sucker removal and supplementation in Michigan lakes. Overabundant White Suckers from one lake were transferred into two lakes where higher populations were desired, with fish growth responses being evaluated in each lake and in a control lake pretransfer and at 5 years posttransfer. Criteria for project success were (1) continued low abundance of White Suckers in the removal lake and increased abundance in the recipient lakes; (2) positive growth response of panfish species to White Sucker removals; and (3) positive growth response of Northern Pike to White Sucker additions. After 5 years, White Sucker population abundance and recruitment patterns showed continued survival of stocked adults but little recruitment in stocked lakes and the fish species examined showed no clear positive growth responses to White Sucker manipulations. Fishery managers should carefully consider the costs and benefits of using White Sucker manipulations as a management tool.
Optimal echo times for multi‐gradient echo‐based B0 field‐mapping
Authors: Geiger Yasmin , Tal Assaf
Published: April 2020

B0 field maps are used ubiquitously in neuroimaging, in disciplines ranging from magnetic resonance spectroscopy to temperature mapping and susceptibility‐weighted imaging. Most B0 maps are acquired using standard gradient‐echo–based vendor‐provided sequences, often comprised of two echoes spaced a few milliseconds apart. Herein, we analyze the optimal spacing of echo times, defined as those maximizing precision—minimizing the standard deviation—for a fixed total acquisition time. Field estimation is carried out using a weighted least squares estimator. The standard deviation is shown to be approximately inversely proportional to the total acquisition time, suggesting a law of diminishing returns, whereby substantial gains are obtained up to a certain point, with little improvement beyond that point. Validations are provided in a phantom and a group of volunteers. Multi‐gradient echo sequences are readily available on all manufacturer platforms, making our recommendations straightforward to implement on any modern scanner.
Preparation and properties of g‐C3N4 on natural rubber latex films
Authors: Chen Jing , Liao Lusheng , Zhang Fuquan , Gao Tianming , Lin Jiazhao , Wu Jianglun , Zhang Yinhao , He Guoling
Published: April 2020

Natural rubber (NR) latex was used as template, melamine as precursors, g‐C3N4 (CN) were synthesized by thermal polymerization. The results of structure and morphology show that CNs have obvious two‐dimensional laminar structure and improved specific surface area, the specific surface area attend to 40.26 m2/g and 2.4 times to no NR latex added CN (0%‐CN) when 4 wt% NR latex added (4%‐CN). The CN (4%‐CN) particles were then compounded with NR latex to prepare NR/CN composites. The results of mechanical properties show that the tensile modulus, tear strength and the cross‐link density of NR/CN films increase with increment of CN loading, the mechanical properties improved obviously even just 1phr CN added. The SEM of tensile fracture surface show that CNs and NR combined firmly and the section is very rough. DMA results show that the addition of CNs increase glass transition temperature (T
g) and decrease the peak values of tan δ. The mechanical properties of the NR/CN films were fitted by Guth‐Smallwood and Halpin‐Tsai models to understand the CN's reinforcing behavior. The dramatically improved mechanical properties and thermal stability are caused by good interfacial interactions between CN and rubber molecular chains.
Discrimination of common Iris species from Egypt based on their genetic and metabolic profiling
Authors: Okba Mona M. , Abdel Baki Passent M. , Khaleel Amal E. , El‐Sherei Moshera M. , Salem Mohamed A.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Irises have been medicinally used in Ancient Egyptians, Anatolian, Chinese, British and Irish folk medicine. They are also well‐known ornamental plants that have economic value in the perfume industry. The main obvious diagnostic difference between the different species is based on the morphology of the flowers. The flowering cycle is very short as well as the persistence of the fully opened flowers extends for a few days only. Moreover, the climatic conditions significantly causes fluctuation in their blooming time from year to year. This makes the morphological discrimination very difficult. The discrimination of different iris species is of a great importance, as each species is reported to possess different folk medicinal activities.

Objectives

Finding genetic and metabolic markers for differentiation between Iris confusa Sealy (Subgen. Limniris Sect. Lophiris), I. pseudacorus L. (Subgen. Limniris Sect. Limniris) and I. germanica L. (Subgen. Iris Sect. Iris) on levels other than traditional taxonomic features.

Material and Methods

Inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses were performed.

Results

The highest similarity was found between I. pseudacorus L. and I. germanica L. and the least similarity was between I. confusa Sealy and I. pseudacorus L. The metabolic profiling of the leaves confirmed genetic profiling discriminating I. confusa from the other two species. The primary metabolites of the underground parts showed clear discrimination between the three species.

Conclusions

This study represents the sole complete map for distinguishing the three Iris species on genetic and metabolic bases.
Compiling Measurement Invariant Short Scales in Cross–Cultural Personality Assessment Using Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Jankowsky Kristin , Olaru Gabriel , Schroeders Ulrich
Published: April 2020

Examining the influence of culture on personality and its unbiased assessment is the main subject of cross–cultural personality research. Recent large–scale studies exploring personality differences across cultures share substantial methodological and psychometric shortcomings that render it difficult to differentiate between method and trait variance. One prominent example is the implicit assumption of cross–cultural measurement invariance in personality questionnaires. In the rare instances where measurement invariance across cultures was tested, scalar measurement invariance—which is required for unbiased mean–level comparisons of personality traits—did not hold. In this article, we present an item sampling procedure, ant colony optimization, which can be used to select item sets that satisfy multiple psychometric requirements including model fit, reliability, and measurement invariance. We constructed short scales of the IPIP–NEO–300 for a group of countries that are culturally similar (USA, Australia, Canada, and UK) as well as a group of countries with distinct cultures (USA, India, Singapore, and Sweden). In addition to examining factor mean differences across countries, we provide recommendations for cross–cultural research in general. From a methodological perspective, we demonstrate ant colony optimization's versatility and flexibility as an item sampling procedure to derive measurement invariant scales for cross–cultural research. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology
Plasma‐activated water from a dielectric barrier discharge plasma source for the selective treatment of cancer cells
Authors: Subramanian P. S. Ganesh , Jain Aditi , Shivapuji Anand M. , Sundaresan Nagalingam R. , Dasappa Srinivasaiah , Rao Lakshminarayana
Published: April 2020

In this study, cold plasma was used to prepare plasma‐activated water (PAW) from a dielectric barrier discharge plasma source, with ambient air as the plasma‐forming gas. The PAW prepared was characterized for its physicochemical parameters, some of which followed a strong linear correlation with activation time (ta). The effects of PAW addition on the cell viability of human breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231) and healthy murine muscle‐derived fibroblast cells were investigated using the MTT assay. The volume of PAW added and ta of PAW showed a significant impact. The PAW prepared was selective toward killing cancer cells at specific ta. PAW retains its potency against cancer cells after 14 days of refrigerated storage.
Crystal structure of a novel fold protein Gp72 from the freshwater cyanophage Mic1
Authors: Wang Ying , Jin Hua , Yang Feng , Jiang Yong‐Liang , Zhao Yan‐Yan , Chen Zhi‐Peng , Li Wei‐Fang , Chen Yuxing , Zhou Cong‐Zhao , Li Qiong
Published: April 2020

Cyanophages, widespread in aquatic systems, are a class of viruses that specifically infect cyanobacteria. Though they play important roles in modulating the homeostasis of cyanobacterial populations, little is known about the freshwater cyanophages, especially those hypothetical proteins of unknown function. Mic1 is a freshwater siphocyanophage isolated from the Lake Chaohu. It encodes three hypothetical proteins Gp65, Gp66, and Gp72, which share an identity of 61.6% to 83%. However, we find these three homologous proteins differ from each other in oligomeric state. Moreover, we solve the crystal structure of Gp72 at 2.3 Å, which represents a novel fold in the α + β class. Structural analyses combined with redox assays enable us to propose a model of disulfide bond mediated oligomerization for Gp72. Altogether, these findings provide structural and biochemical basis for further investigations on the freshwater cyanophage Mic1.
Structurally unique PARP‐1 inhibitors for the treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Divan Ali , Sibi Mukund P. , Tulin Alexei
Published: April 2020

The prognosis for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer is unfavorable, and although Poly(ADP)‐ribose polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) inhibitors have shown efficacy in the treatment of androgen‐receptor dependent malignancies, the limited number of options present obstacles for patients that are not responsive to these treatments. Here we utilize an integrated screening strategy that combines cellular screening assays, informatics, in silico computational approaches, and dose‐response testing for reducing a compound library of confirmed PARP‐1 inhibitors. Six hundred and sixty‐four validated PARP‐1 inhibitors were reduced to 9 small molecules with favorable physicochemical/ADME properties, unique chemical fingerprints, high dissimilarity to existing drugs, few off‐target effects, and dose‐responsivity in the 1 µmol/L ‐ 20 µmol/L range. The top 9 unique molecules identified by our integrated screening strategy will be selected for further preclinical development including cytotoxicity testing, effects on mitosis, structure‐activity relationship, physicochemical/ADME studies, and in vivo testing.
Methods for clarifying criteria for study continuation at interim analysis
Authors: Wiener Laura E. , Ivanova Anastasia , Koch Gary G.
Published: April 2020

In monitoring clinical trials, the question of futility, or whether the data thus far suggest that the results at the final analysis are unlikely to be statistically successful, is regularly of interest over the course of a study. However, the opposite viewpoint of whether the study is sufficiently demonstrating proof of concept (POC) and should continue is a valuable consideration and ultimately should be addressed with high POC power so that a promising study is not prematurely terminated. Conditional power is often used to assess futility, and this article interconnects the ideas of assessing POC for the purpose of study continuation with conditional power, while highlighting the importance of the POC type I error and the POC type II error for study continuation or not at the interim analysis. Methods for analyzing subgroups motivate the interim analyses to maintain high POC power via an adjusted interim POC significance level criterion for study continuation or testing against an inferiority margin. Furthermore, two versions of conditional power based on the assumed effect size or the observed interim effect size are considered. Graphical displays illustrate the relationship of the POC type II error for premature study termination to the POC type I error for study continuation and the associated conditional power criteria.
Know what next steps to take after conducting campus threat assessments
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: April 2020

ARLINGTON, Va. — Campus threat assessment teams often do a great job at assessing potential threats but struggle with knowing what next steps to take to successfully manage the situation. Beth Devonshire, J.D., Consultant; and Cathy Cocks, Associate, both with D. Stafford & Associates, explained how student affairs professionals can develop logical next steps to follow after conducting threat assessments. During a presentation at the Association for Student Conduct Administration's annual conference, they offered guidance for applying investigative themes and questions and developing a mitigation plan.
Working from home? Follow these tips for successful remote work
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2020

So you're asked to work from home as COVID‐19 cases spread.
Take holistic approach to supporting students through graduation
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2020

Officials at the University of Florida are proud of the institution's 97% retention rate, said Tammy Aagard, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management. But do all students get the support they need all the way through completion? Enrollment management efforts at the institution include initiatives to propel the neediest students to graduation. There tends to be a gap between students who receive Pell grants and those who don't in graduation rates and time to graduation, Aagard said, so officials have looked closely at that.
“Still good life”: On the value of reuse and distributive labor in “depleted” rural Maine
Authors: Isenhour Cindy , Berry Brieanne
Published: April 2020

This article explores the production of wealth through distributive labor in Maine's secondhand economy. While reuse is often associated with economic disadvantage, our research complicates that perspective. The labor required to reclaim, repair, redistribute, and reuse secondhand goods provides much more than a means of living in places left behind by international capitalism, but the value generated by this work is persistently discounted by dominant economic logics. On the basis of semistructured interviews, participant observation, and statewide surveys with reuse market participants in Maine, we find that the relational value of reuse, produced through caring, flexible, distributive labor, is especially significant. We argue that paying attention to the practices, politics, and value of distribution is critical for understanding wealth in communities perceived to have been left behind by global capitalist systems, particularly as wage labor opportunities and natural resources grow increasingly scarce.
Influence of roughness and capillary size on the zeta potential values obtained by streaming potential measurements
Authors: Drechsler Astrid , Caspari Anja , Synytska Alla
Published: April 2020

Streaming potential measurements are performed to determine the zeta potential of flat surfaces, particles, or fibers. Although the zeta potential is a well‐defined property of solid surfaces in a liquid, there are indications that the absolute values of the zeta potential calculated using the Helmholtz‐Smoluchowski equation are affected by surface roughness and—in case of particle or fiber assemblies—their packing density. The study at hand investigates these influences using flat polymer surfaces with different roughness and topography and assemblies of basalt spheres. It was found that increasing roughness of the flat surface and larger size or smaller number of particles in particle assemblies result in flatter slopes of the streaming potential versus pressure and thus lower apparent absolute values of the zeta potential. The interpretation of streaming potential measurements should therefore not focus on absolute zeta potential values but on trends in pH‐ and concentration‐dependent measurements.
P(GMA‐HEMA)/SiO2 Nanofilm Constructed Macroporous Monolith for Immobilization of Pseudomonas Fluorescens Lipase
Authors: Zhang Hui , Li Xiaoying , Bai Wenjing , Liang Yunxiao
Published: April 2020

Monolithic macroporous composites constructed by poly(glycidyl methacrylate‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/SiO2 nanofilm (P(GMA‐HEMA)/SiO2) were prepared and then used as the supports for immobilization of Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (PFL). The as‐prepared macroporous materials were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), N2 adsorption‐desorption experiments, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The immobilization conditions and the properties of the immobilized PFL were investigated. The characterization results revealed that the macroporous SiO2 has a 3D continuous pass‐through macropore structure, large pore volume and high specific surface area. After modification with P(GMA‐HEMA) and the subsequent immobilization of PFL, the structural characteristics were preserved. Under the optimum conditions, the activity of the immobilized PFL reached to 3773 U g−1 and enzyme activity recovery achieved to 232 %. Compared with free lipase, the thermal and pH stabilities of the immobilized lipase were significantly enhanced, and it also exhibited an outstanding reusability.
Synthesis of Biologically Relevant β‐N‐Glycosides by Biphasic Epoxidation‐Aminolysis of D‐Glycals
Authors: Santiago Cintia C. , Lafuente Leticia , Ponzinibbio Agustín
Published: April 2020

Several β‐N‐glycosides were obtained upon a simple and efficient two‐step methodology. First, α‐1,2‐anhydrosugars were prepared diastereoselectively by the oxidation of 3,4,6‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐D‐glucal under biphasic conditions (CH2Cl2/water) using dimetyldioxirane (DMDO) generated in situ from oxone/acetone mixture and amphiphilic imidazolium ionic liquid (DodMImBF4) as phase transfer catalyst. Immediately, β‐N‐glycosides were synthesized in good yields by aminolysis of these α‐1,2‐anhydrosugars using CH3CN as solvent. The overall process allows stereoselective generation of biologically relevant carbohydrate derivatives.
Organic Additive Assisted Ordered Mesoporous Ni/Al2O3 Catalyst for CO2 Methanation
Authors: Zhang Yang , Yang Hongyuan , Bian Bing , Guo Qingbin , Liu Qing
Published: April 2020

A trimethylbenzene (TMB) assisted ordered mesoporous Ni/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by a one‐pot evaporation‐induced self‐assembly (EISA) method for CO2 methanation to solve the problems of high‐temperature sintering of Ni particle and poor low‐temperature activity of Ni‐based catalysts. For comparison, we also prepared the catalysts without TMB or with different amount of NiO loadings. These samples were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, X‐ray diffraction, H2 temperature programmed reduction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The structure of the ordered mesoporous Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was modified by TMB to obtain a high specific surface area and a smaller pore size, resulting in the smaller Ni particles size and the higher metal dispersion. These changes could increase the interaction between the Ni species and the support, which effectively solved the problem of high temperature Ni sintering and low temperature activity. The mesoporous TMB‐assisted ordered mesoporous Ni/Al2O3 catalysts catalyst reached the maximum CO2 conversion and CH4 yield of 74.61 and 88.27 %, respectively at 425 °C, 0.1 MPa and a weight hourly space velocity of 60,000 mL g−1 h−1. In addition, the catalyst showed excellent stability in 100 h‐lifetime test at high space velocity owing to the confinement of the ordered mesoporous structure as well as the modification of catalyst structure by TMB.
Eosin Y‐Catalyzed Visible‐Light‐Mediated Synthesis of 2‐Mercaptobenzothiazoles from 2‐Azidoarenediazonium Tetrafluoroborates and Carbon Disulfide
Authors: Natarajan Palani , Kumar Naveen , Priya
Published: April 2020

A visible‐light photocatalyzed process for the synthesis of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazoles from 2‐azidoarenediazonium tetrafluoroborates and carbon disulfide has been discovered. The reaction proceeded via single electron transfer reduction of azidoarenediazonium ion to corresponding azidoarene radical followed by carbon disulfide addition and intramolecular cyclization (with azide moiety) reactions. This method is very practical owing to the use of inexpensive eosin Y, mild reaction conditions and easy purification step thus delivering the target compounds in high yields.
Multifunctional Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Supported Benzotriazolium Ionic Liquid as an Efficient Nanocatalyst for Synergistic Transformation of CO2 to Cyclic Carbonates
Authors: Tan Jin , Wang Long , Hu Yu Lin
Published: April 2020

An immobilized benzotriazolium ionic liquid system has been developed for the efficient catalytic transformation of CO2 to cyclic carbonates without using any co‐catalyst or solvent. Two novel multifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilica supported benzotriazolium ionic liquids PMO‐ILTiCl5 and PMO‐ILSnCl5 were prepared, characterized and demonstrated excellent catalytic activity in the cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides. The superior catalytic performance was observed for PMO‐ILTiCl5 in the synthesis of cyclic carbonates with high yields and selectivities. Furthermore, the catalyst PMO‐ILTiCl5 could be separated readily and reuse for at least five successful times without obvious losses in its catalytic activity, owing to the presence of intramolecular synergistic effect between active hydroxyl sites and TiCl5 nucleophile and thus provide sufficiently stable catalytic sites. Therefore, this work provided a novel strategy for highly efficient and environmentally benign catalytic conversion of CO2 to cyclic carbonates.
Efficient Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation over Isolated Pt Sites
Authors: Hao Ran , Sun Wenming , Liu Qian , Liu Xiaolu , Chen Jialiang , Lv Xianwei , Li Wei , Liu Yu‐ping , Shen Zhurui
Published: April 2020

Recently, ambient electrochemical N2 fixation has gained great attention. However, the commercial Pt‐based electrocatalyst hardly shows its potential in this field. Herein, it is found that the isolated Pt sites anchored on WO3 nanoplates exhibit the optimum electrochemical NH3 yield rate (342.4 µg h−1 mg−1Pt) and Faradaic efficiency (31.1%) in 0.1 m K2SO4 at −0.2 V versus RHE, which are about 11 and 15 times higher than their nanoparticle counterparts, respectively. The mechanistic analysis indicates that N2 conversion to NH3 follows an alternating hydrogenation pathway, and positively charged isolated Pt sites with special Pt−3O structure can favorably chemisorb and activate the N2. Furthermore, the hydrogen evolution reaction can be greatly suppressed on isolated Pt sites decorated WO3 nanoplates, which guarantees the efficient going‐on of nitrogen reduction reaction.
Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots Cause Nephrotoxicity in Organoids, Mice, and Human Cells
Authors: He Chengyong , Ruan Fengkai , Jiang Shengwei , Zeng Jie , Yin Hanying , Liu Rong , Zhang Yongxing , Huang Laiqiang , Wang Chonggang , Ma Shaohua , Zuo Zhenghong
Published: April 2020

Quantum dots (QDs) have numerous potential applications in lighting, engineering, and biomedicine. QDs are mainly excreted through the kidney due to their ultrasmall sizes; thus, the kidneys are target organs of QD toxicity. Here, an organoid screening platform is established and used to study the nephrotoxicity of QDs. Organoids are templated from monodisperse microfluidic Matrigel droplets and found to be homogeneous in both tissue structure and functional recapitulation within a population and suitable for the quantitative screening of toxic doses. Kidney organoids are proved displaying higher sensitivity than 2D‐cultured cell lines. Similar to metal‐containing QDs, black phosphorus (BP)‐QDs are found to have moderate toxicity in the kidney organoids. The nephrotoxicity of BP‐QDs are validated in both mice and human renal tubular epithelial cells. BP‐QDs are also found to cause insulin insensitivity and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the kidney. Furthermore, ER stress‐related IRE1α signaling is shown to mediate renal toxicity and insulin insensitivity caused by BP‐QDs. In summary, this work demonstrates the use of constructed kidney organoids as 3D high‐throughput screening tools to assess nanosafety and further illuminates the effects and molecular mechanisms of BP‐QD nephrotoxicity. The findings will hopefully enable improvement of the safety of BP‐QD applications.
DNA methylation in APOE: The relationship with Alzheimer's and with cardiovascular health
Authors: Mur Jure , McCartney Daniel L. , Walker Rosie M. , Campbell Archie , Bermingham Mairead L. , Morris Stewart W. , Porteous David J. , McIntosh Andrew M. , Deary Ian J. , Evans Kathryn L. , Marioni Riccardo E.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Genetic variation in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). DNA methylationat APOE has been associated with altered cognition and AD. It is unclear if epigenetic marks could be used for predicting future disease.

Methods

We assessed blood‐based DNA methylation at 13 CpGs in the APOE gene in 5828 participants from the Generation Scotland (GS) cohort. Using linear mixed models regression, we examined the relationships among APOE methylation, cognition, cholesterol, the family history of AD and the risk for CVD.

Results

DNA methylation at two CpGs was associated with the ratio of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, but not with cognition, family history of AD, or the risk of CVD.

Discussion

APOE methylation is associated with the levels of blood cholesterol, but there is no evidence for the utility of APOE methylation as a biomarker for predicting AD or CVD.
Centering Culture Through Writing and the Arts: Lessons Learned in New Zealand
Authors: Kelly Katie , Becker Whitney , Lipscomb George , Robards Addie
Published: April 2020

Culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogy is an asset‐based approach to teaching and learning. In this way, students’ identities, languages, and cultures are centered in the learning experience, creating a sense of belonging. The authors observed culturally relevant and sustaining approaches to teaching and learning while visiting schools in New Zealand as part of a three‐week study abroad program. Specifically, the authors observed how teachers in New Zealand centered Maori and Pasifika cultures into daily instruction and learning. Together as teacher educators, an inservice teacher, and a preservice teacher, the authors examine the importance of culturally relevant and sustaining teaching and share their observations of how students’ cultures are honored through writing and arts integration in the classrooms visited in New Zealand. The authors describe how a fifth‐grade teacher applied lessons learned from her visit to New Zealand in her own classroom context in the United States.
Culturally Sustaining Instruction for Arabic‐Speaking English Learners
Authors: Louie Belinda , Sierschynski Jarek
Published: April 2020

Arabic is the second most common home language of English learners in the United States. Educators seek to design culturally sustaining pedagogy to develop Arabic‐speaking English learners’ English skills while nourishing their heritage language and affirming their culture's values. The authors report on a series of interviews with three Arabic mothers on their perceptions of North American and Arabic award‐winning picture books and their experience of reading with their children. Based on the analysis of the interviews, the authors put forward five culturally sustaining pedagogical possibilities.
Clinical role of lung ultrasound for diagnosis and monitoring of COVID‐19 pneumonia in pregnant women
Authors: Buonsenso D. , Raffaelli F. , Tamburrini E. , Biasucci D. G. , Salvi S. , Smargiassi A. , Inchingolo R. , Scambia G. , Lanzone A. , Testa A. C. , Moro F.
Published: April 2020

Lung ultrasound has been suggested recently by the Chinese Critical Care Ultrasound Study Group and Italian Academy of Thoracic Ultrasound as an accurate tool to detect lung involvement in COVID‐19. Although chest computed tomography (CT) represents the gold standard to assess lung involvement, with a specificity superior even to that of the nasopharyngeal swab for diagnosis, lung ultrasound examination can be a valid alternative to CT scan, with certain advantages, particularly for pregnant women. Ultrasound can be performed directly at the bed‐side by a single operator, reducing the risk of spreading the disease among health professionals. Furthermore, it is a radiation‐free exam, making it safer and easier to monitor those patients who require a series of exams. We report on four cases of pregnant women affected by COVID‐19 who were monitored with lung ultrasound examination. All patients showed sonographic features indicative of COVID‐19 pneumonia at admission: irregular pleural lines and vertical artifacts (B‐lines) were observed in all four cases, and patchy areas of white lung were observed in two. Lung ultrasound was more sensitive than was chest X‐ray in detecting COVID‐19. In three patients, we observed almost complete resolution of lung pathology on ultrasound within 96 h of admission. Two pregnancies were ongoing at the time of writing, and two had undergone Cesarean delivery with no fetal complications. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of cord blood and newborn swabs was negative in both of these cases. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Comparison of immunity against canine distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus after vaccination with two multivalent canine vaccines
Authors: Cunha Rafes D. S. , da Silva Junior Camilo L. , Costa Camilla A. , de Aguiar Hulliana M. , Junqueira Júnior Danilo G.
Published: April 2020

Background

Viral diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in puppies. There is a belief among veterinary practitioners and even educational institutions that the vaccines made in Brazil against canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus (CAV) are ineffective or only partially effective.

Objectives

This study aimed at comparing the immunity of two multivalent vaccines in adult dogs in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

Methods

The study was carried out at the Animal Protection Association and a total of 60 adult mongrel dogs were selected and divided into two groups. Group A was immunized with two doses of Elevencell® vaccine and Group B received two doses of imported vaccine from the United States; each group was made up of 14 females and 14 males.

Results

In group A, the Elevencell vaccine generated a protective antibody titre against CDV in 26 out of 28 subjects (92.85%), CPV in 24 out of 28 subjects (85.71%) and CAV in 26 out of 28 subjects (92.85%). In group B, the imported US vaccine generated a protective antibody titre against CDV in 22 out of 28 subjects (78.57), CPV in 21 out of 28 subjects (75%) and CAV in 25 out of 28 subjects (89.28%). There was no statistical difference between titres generated between vaccine types for any of the three diseases tested.

Conclusion

Elevencell vaccine titres were not inferior to the imported US vaccine in conferring protective titres against CDV, CPV and CAH, which confirms the efficacy of this product.
Books or babies? The incapacitation effect of schooling on minority women
Authors: Adamecz-Völgyi Anna , Scharle Ágota
Published: April 2020

This paper examines the effects of an increase in the compulsory school leaving age on the teenage fertility of Roma women, a disadvantaged ethnic minority in Hungary. We use a regression discontinuity design identification strategy and show that the reform decreased the probability of teenage motherhood among Roma women by 13.4–26.0% and delayed motherhood by 2 years. We separate the incapacitation and human capital effects of education on fertility by exploiting a database that covers live births, miscarriages, abortions, and still births and contains information on the time of conception. We find that longer schooling decreases the probability of getting pregnant during the school year but not during summer and Christmas breaks, which suggests that the estimated effects are generated mostly through the incapacitation channel.
Musculoskeletal pain among offshore wind industry workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Velasco Garrido Marcial , Mette Janika , Mache Stefanie , Harth Volker , Preisser Alexandra M.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To assess whether there are differences in musculoskeletal pain among different types of occupations offshore and their relationship to ergonomic demands.

Methods

We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey among workers from offshore wind energy companies operating within the German exclusive economic zone. We selected workers with regular offshore commitments and at least 28 days spent offshore in the past year (n = 268). Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the Subjective Health Complaints inventory (SHC), which considers the past month.

Results

Of the 268 male participants eligible for analysis, 54% reported back pain 50.4% neck pain, 40.3% lower back pain, 35.5% shoulder, 23.3% arm and 22.1% leg pain, all of them during the past month. Compared to other offshore occupations, technicians reported more frequently arm (OR 3.13; 95% CI 1.58–6.19), back (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.15–3.39), shoulder (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.11–3.40) and neck pain (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.11–3.22). After adjusting for age and nationality, lifting and carrying heavy loads were associated with all types of pain except leg pain. Overhead work, work in awkward postures, and the use of personal protection equipment and heavy tools was associated with shoulder, back and arm pain.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that occupational health counselling, health promotion and preventive interventions of offshore wind energy workers needs to consider the specific tasks of the employee and be particularly tailored to the ergonomic needs of technicians.
The impact of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy on sudomotor function in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis
Authors: Hirakawa Naomi , Higashimoto Ikuyo , Takamori Ayako , Tsukamoto Eri , Uemura Yuhei
Published: April 2020

Purpose

When performing endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) in palmar hyperhidrosis patients, a device can be used to measure sweat volume pre- and postoperatively in order to assess indications and treatment effects. In this study, we measured changes in the dynamics of sweating in hyperhidrosis patients pre- and postoperatively and compared the values with those in healthy subjects without hyperhidrosis.

Methods

The patient group comprised 25 persons with palmar hyperhidrosis who were scheduled for ETS. The dynamics of sweating was measured at 1 day prior to surgery and at 2 days postoperatively, in 18 patients at > 1 year postoperatively in another palmar hyperhidrosis group, and in 20 healthy subjects without hyperhidrosis. A device for measuring local sweat volume was applied at the thenar eminence of both palms. Indicators established were basal sweat rate (BSR; mg/min/cm2), peak sweat rate (PSR; mg/min/cm2) during mental stress (sympathetic sweating response), sweat volume (SV), and sweat time (ST; s).

Results

After surgery, all of the indicators were significantly reduced in hyperhidrosis patients and there was very little response to mental stress. The subgroup of these patients assessed at > 1 year after ETS showed a trend of increased BSR similar to that of healthy subjects. These changes did not correlate with the extent of the removal surgery. Preoperatively, hyperhidrosis patients had significantly greater BSR, PSR, and SV and longer ST than healthy subjects.

Conclusion

All of the sweating parameters were increased in palmar hyperhidrosis patients prior to surgery. Immediately after ETS, all these parameters were significantly reduced. At > 1 year after ETS, the BSR had increased to a level similar to that of the healthy volunteers, although PSR did not respond to mental stress.
The role of non-invasive devices for the telemonitoring of heart failure patients
Authors: Faragli A. , Abawi D. , Quinn C. , Cvetkovic M. , Schlabs T. , Tahirovic E. , Düngen H.-D. , Pieske B. , Kelle S. , Edelmann F. , Alogna Alessio
Published: April 2020

Heart failure (HF) patients represent one of the most prevalent as well as one of the most fragile population encountered in the cardiology and internal medicine departments nowadays. Estimated to account for around 26 million people worldwide, diagnosed patients present a poor prognosis and quality of life with a clinical history accompanied by repeated hospital admissions caused by an exacerbation of their chronic condition. The frequent hospitalizations and the extended hospital stays mean an extremely high economic burden for healthcare institutions. Meanwhile, the number of chronically diseased and elderly patients is continuously rising, and a lack of specialized physicians is evident. To cope with this health emergency, more efficient strategies for patient management, more accurate diagnostic tools, and more efficient preventive plans are needed. In recent years, telemonitoring has been introduced as the potential answer to solve such needs. Different methodologies and devices have been progressively investigated for effective home monitoring of cardiologic patients. Invasive hemodynamic devices, such as CardioMEMS™, have been demonstrated to be reducing hospitalizations and mortality, but their use is however restricted to limited cases. The role of external non-invasive devices for remote patient monitoring, instead, is yet to be clarified. In this review, we summarized the most relevant studies and devices that, by utilizing non-invasive telemonitoring, demonstrated whether beneficial effects in the management of HF patients were effective.