bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Loss of Genetic Diversity in Eastern Gorillas
Authors: Guschanski Katerina
Published: July 2020

Many primate populations are declining as a result of human activities. Eastern gorillas are the most affected of all great apes. Understanding the genomic consequences of rapid declines is important for assessing conservation needs. Genomic analyses of museum specimens that predate the most recent changes allow for quantification of the genomic effects of population declines and extinctions. Grauer's gorillas, one of the two Eastern gorilla subspecies, have declined by almost 80% in the last two decades. Comparisons of genomic changes over the last 100 years revealed severe reduction in genetic diversity and increase in inbreeding and frequency of deleterious mutations. The other subspecies, the Mountain gorilla, has experienced little genomic change, possibly as a result of both long‐term evolutionary history and recent conservation efforts over the last 60 years. There is thus hope for the critically endangered species if appropriate conservation actions are taken.

Key Concepts

Wild animal populations are declining as a result of human activities.

Eastern gorillas have experienced a drastic decline in population size and are now critically endangered.

Severe declines in population size leave genomic signatures in the affected populations and can lead to population extinctions.

Samples from historical specimens can inform about genomic changes that have happened in the last few centuries.

Temporal comparisons of genome‐wide diversity and functional profiles can be used to direct conservation actions.
Gendered Representation in Postcolonial India
Authors: Das Purba
Published: July 2020

This entry provides an explanation of the relationship between gender and media representation in postcolonial India. The entry begins with describing gender portrayals during the nationalist movement prior to Indian independence. Then the focus shifts to the portrayal of women in television soaps, serials, and advertisements in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The entry delineates how the patriarchal structure and the opening of the Indian consumerist market due to liberalization of the Indian economy defines gender representation in Indian media across several decades.
Gender, Matrimonial Websites, and Islamic Societies
Authors: Bajnaid Ayman , Aljasir Shuaa
Published: July 2020

In Islamic societies, engaging in friendships or romantic relationships with the opposite gender prior to marriage is forbidden according to Islam. As a result, Muslims are increasingly turning to an unconventional medium to find spouses—the matrimonial website. Given that little literature is available on this emerging form of courtship, which differs substantially from Western‐style online dating, this entry focuses on gender and matrimonial websites. In particular, it examines gender differences in terms of the impressions Muslim users intend to form when constructing their profiles on matrimonial websites and the characteristics these male and female users seek in their potential spouses.
Contemporary Feminist Media Cultures
Authors: Cefai Sarah
Published: July 2020

The social and cultural processes of contemporary feminist media cultures are underpinned by historically specific socioeconomic, political, and technological changes. The rise of economic precarity in the Global North, and the spread of social media as a dominant form of media and communications, inform a range of new feminist logics across a range of media sites. The circulation of feminist content in Western, mainstream media, echoes the content that circulates online via social media and other networked communications technologies. Popular feminism has therefore been theorized as mediated and networked, “likeable” and “spreadable.” The popularity of feminist ideas within digital culture points to a globalizing “feminist turn” in digital culture. At the same time, contemporary feminist media cultures are also shaped by the “digital turn” in feminism. The online activities of girls and young women constitute new forms of feminist subjectivity, agency, resistance, and activism, linked to the new mediated and mediatized popularity of feminism.
A Structurally Simple but High‐Performing Donor–Acceptor Polymer for Field‐Effect Transistor Applications
Authors: Aniés Filip , Wang Simeng , Hodsden Thomas , Panidi Julianna , Fei Zhuping , Jiao Xuechen , Wong Yi Hang Cherie , McNeill Christopher R. , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Heeney Martin
Published: July 2020

A straightforward synthesis is reported for four structurally simple donor–acceptor conjugated polymers based on an alkylated difluorobenzotriazole and either unsubstituted bithiophene (T2) or thienylvinylthiophene (TVT) co‐monomers. Two solubilizing sidechains are investigated in which the position of the branching point is moved away from the conjugated backbone. Optoelectronic measurements and density functional theory calculations show very similar energetic properties between the polymers, with a slightly narrower bandgap for the vinylene incorporating TVT polymers as a result of extended conjugation. Transistor measurements demonstrate that the simplest polymer, containing a readily available 2‐decyltetradecyl sidechain with a T2 co‐monomer, exhibits the best device performance, with an average saturated mobility of 0.2 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Monsanto's Roundup verdicts portend liability for some pesticide health damages
Authors: Centner Terence J.
Published: July 2020

Three California juries have found that Monsanto should be liable for millions of dollars in non‐economic losses to pesticide users and punitive damages, although the verdicts are on appeal. The plaintiffs in the lawsuits claimed Monsanto was negligent in failing to provide training on how to use Roundup and for not providing adequate warnings about the product's dangers. The punitive damage awards resulted from jurors finding that the defendant had engaged in malice, oppression, or fraud. In June 2020, Monsanto's owner Bayer reached an agreement to resolve approximately 125,000 Roundup product liability claims for US$10.1 billion. The verdicts and the proffered settlement suggest that pesticide products that unduly impair human health are not acceptable under American liability principles. Manufacturers need to design products that are reasonably safe and convey sufficient warning information to minimize damages to users and property. The placement of damage costs on product manufacturers is intended to encourage the development of safer pesticide products and the development of alternative non‐chemical pest‐control measures.
Stent Deployment Detection Using Radio Frequency‐Based Sensor and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Xu Mengya , Seenivasan Lalithkumar , Yeo Leonard Leong Litt , Ren Hongliang
Published: July 2020

A lack of sensory feedback often hinders minimally invasive operations. Although endoscopy has addressed this limitation to an extent, endovascular procedures such as angioplasty or stenting still face significant challenges. Sensors that rely on a clear line of sight cannot be used because it is unable to gather feedback in blood environments. During the stent deployment procedure, feedback on the deployed stent's state is critical because a partially open stent can affect the blood flow. Despite this, no robust and noninvasive clinical solutions that allow real‐time monitoring of the stent deployment exists. In recent years, radio frequency (RF)‐based sensors can detect the shape and material of an object that is hidden from the direct line of sight. Herein, the use of a 3D RF‐based imaging sensor and a novel Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) called StentNet is proposed for detecting the stent's state without a need for a clear line of sight. The StentNet achieves an overall accuracy of 90% in detecting the state of an occluded stent in the test dataset. Compared with an existing CNN model, the StentNet significantly outperforms the 3D LeNet in the evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1‐score.
The variability of SMARCA4‐related Coffin–Siris syndrome: Do nonsense candidate variants add to milder phenotypes?
Authors: Li Dong , Ahrens‐Nicklas Rebecca C. , Baker Janice , Bhambhani Vikas , Calhoun Amy , Cohen Julie S. , Deardorff Matthew A. , Fernández‐Jaén Alberto , Kamien Benjamin , Jain Mahim , Mckenzie Fiona , Mintz Mark , Motter Constance , Niles Kirsten , Ritter Alyssa , Rogers Curtis , Roifman Maian , Townshend Sharron , Ward‐Melver Catherine , Schrier Vergano Samantha A.
Published: July 2020

SMARCA4 encodes a central ATPase subunit in the BRG1‐/BRM‐associated factors (BAF) or polybromo‐associated BAF (PBAF) complex in humans, which is responsible in part for chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. Variants in this and other genes encoding BAF/PBAF complexes have been implicated in Coffin–Siris Syndrome, a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome classically characterized by learning and developmental differences, coarse facial features, hypertrichosis, and underdevelopment of the fifth digits/nails of the hands and feet. Individuals with SMARCA4 variants have been previously reported and appear to display a variable phenotype. We describe here a cohort of 15 unrelated individuals with SMARCA4 variants from the Coffin–Siris syndrome/BAF pathway disorders registry who further display variability in severity and degrees of learning impairment and health issues. Within this cohort, we also report two individuals with novel nonsense variants who appear to have a phenotype of milder learning/behavioral differences and no organ‐system involvement.
Memories of the Teratology Society: 1972–2020
Authors: Holmes Lewis B.
Published: July 2020

Background

My career goal in 1971 was to learn about the causes of malformations. Attending the annual meetings of the Teratology Society and reading the articles in Teratology exposed me to the scientists and clinicians involved in this research and the methods being used.

Methods

Over a period of 49 years (1972–2020), I heard many presentations about several exposures in pregnancy that can cause birth defects. Symposia and platform presentations provided unique and stimulating information on the fetal effects of the teratogen thalidomide.

Results

I developed research studies and presented the results from our studies on teratogenic exposures, such as anticonvulsant drugs, the prenatal diagnosis procedure chorionic villus sampling, and the abortifacient misoprostol. The annual Pregnancy Registry Workshop was developed as a forum for discussing issues related to this new method of evaluating potential teratogenic exposures in pregnancy.

Conclusion

Attending the annual meetings and reading the articles in the journal Teratology (now Birth Defects Research) have been an instructive and enjoyable way to learn about the causes of malformations.
Update on the gestational effects of maternal hyperthermia
Authors: Graham John M.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

I plan to review the types of defects caused by gestational hyperthermia. Hyperthermia‐induced malformations in animals and humans involve many organs and structures, particularly the central nervous system, as well as other defects. The type of defect is related to the timing of the hyperthermic insult, and the underlying mechanisms include cell death, membrane disruption, vascular disruption, and placental infarction.

Methods

Review of recent epidemiologic studies (2005–2020) has confirmed an association between gestational hyperthermia and birth defects.

Results

There are strong associations between neural tube defects and maternal fever, and other studies have demonstrated associations between first trimester hyperthermia and an increased risk for cardiovascular defects, oral clefts, isolated congenital ear defects, cataracts, hypospadias, renal anomalies, possibly anorectal malformations, and congenital anomalies in general, suggesting that this association between maternal hyperthermia and birth defects in humans is causal. The first prospective evaluation of maternal fever was reported in 1998, and this study confirmed findings from previous case‐control studies and case series regarding the magnitude and duration of elevated maternal body temperature in relation to an increased risk for neural tube defects as well as a specific pattern of malformation.

Conclusions

The consistency of findings across these different study designs supports the causal nature of the relationship between maternal fever and specific birth defects. This review summarizes the recent human evidence documenting the gestational effects of maternal hyperthermia.
Online‐based software for guiding immediate implantation to replace a tooth with root resorption in the esthetic zone
Authors: Chapanov Krasimir Ivanov , Iliev Georgi Veselinov , Kazakov Stoyan Torezov
Published: July 2020

This case report describes an alternative approach for the planning of immediate implant placement and provisionalization, which uses a new online dental software that predicts the esthetic outcome.
An extremely rare case of giant oncocytic adenolipoma of the parotid gland
Authors: Shakya Dipesh , Nepal Ajit
Published: July 2020

Oncocytic adenolipoma is a rare tumor to occur in the salivary gland, which can present as a giant neck mass. Until now, <20 such cases are reported. We report this rare case for surgeons to consider it as one of the differential diagnoses.
Inhibiting Effect of Ionic Liquids on the Corrosion of Mild Steel in H2S and HCl Solution
Authors: Cui Fusheng , Ni Yuqing , Jiang Juncheng , Ni Lei , Wang Zhirong
Published: July 2020

Four imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (ILs) were selected to investigate the inhibiting effect of ILs with various alkyl chain lengths on the corrosion of mild steel in H2S and HCl solution using electrochemical experiments, weight loss and surface analyses, and quantum chemical study. The results demonstrated that these ILs acted as mixed‐type inhibitors and efficiently inhibited the corrosion of mild steel in H2S and HCl solution. Their excellent corrosion inhibition ability was due to their adsorption process on the metal surface, which followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Furthermore, extending the alkyl chain length in the ILs could improve their inhibition performance.
Sensitive Detection of Motor Neuron Disease Derived Exosomal miRNA Using Electrocatalytic Activity of Gold‐Loaded Superparamagnetic Ferric Oxide Nanocubes
Authors: Masud Mostafa Kamal , Mahmudunnabi Rabbee G. , Aziz Nahian Binte , Stevens Claire H. , Do‐Ha Dzung , Yang Shu , Blair Ian P. , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Shim Yoon‐Bo , Ooi Lezanne , Yamauchi Yusuke , Shiddiky Muhammad J. A.
Published: July 2020

Dysregulated microRNA associated pathways contribute to the pathology of neurological disorders, hence presenting themselves as a potential candidate for motor neuron disease (MND) diagnosis. Herein, we reported an enzymatic amplification‐free approach for the electrochemical detection of exosomal microRNA (miR‐338‐3p) from preconditioned media of motor neurons obtained from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and healthy controls. Our assay utilizes a three‐step strategy that involves i) initial isolation and purification of exosomal miR‐338‐3p from patients and healthy controls using biotinylated complementary capture probe followed by heat‐release of the specific target, ii) direct adsorption of target miR‐338‐3p onto the gold‐loaded ferric oxide nanocatalyst (AuNP‐Fe2O3NC) through affinity interaction between microRNA and exposed gold surfaces within the AuNP‐Fe2O3NC, and iii) gold nanocatalyst‐induced electrocatalytic signal amplification through methylene blue‐ferricyanide redox cycling (MB/[Fe(CN)6]3−). The electrocatalytic signal is monitored by using chronocoulometry at the AuNP–Fe2O3NC‐modified screen‐printed carbon electrode (AuNP‐Fe2O3NC/SPCE). We demonstrated the detection of miR‐338‐3p as low as 100 aM in spiked buffer samples with a relative standard deviation of (%RSD) <5.0 % (n=5). We also demonstrate the successful detection of miR‐338‐3p from a small cohort of preconditioned media of motor neurons obtained from ALS patients and healthy controls. The sensor avoids the use of conventional recognition and transduction layers in hybridization‐based electrochemical miRNA biosensors, polymerase‐based amplifications. It is robust, fast (<2.5 h) and potentially applicable to a wide variety of RNA biomarker detection.
Synthesis of Recombinant Human Hemoglobin With NH2‐Terminal Acetylation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Natarajan Chandrasekhar , Signore Anthony V. , Kumar Vikas , Storz Jay F.
Published: July 2020

The development of new technologies for the efficient expression of recombinant hemoglobin (rHb) is of interest for experimental studies of protein biochemistry and the development of cell‐free blood substitutes in transfusion medicine. Expression of rHb in Escherichia coli host cells has numerous advantages, but one disadvantage of using prokaryotic systems to express eukaryotic proteins is that they are incapable of performing post‐translational modifications such as NH2‐terminal acetylation. One possible solution is to coexpress additional enzymes that can perform the necessary modifications in the host cells. Here, we report a new method for synthesizing human rHb with proper NH2‐terminal acetylation. Mass spectrometry experiments involving native and recombinant human Hb confirmed the efficacy of the new technique in producing correctly acetylated globin chains. Finally, functional experiments provided insights into the effects of NH2‐terminal acetylation on O2 binding properties. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Gene synthesis and cloning the cassette to the expression plasmid

Basic Protocol 2: Selection of E. coli expression strains for coexpression

Basic Protocol 3: Large‐scale recombinant hemoglobin expression and purification

Support Protocol 1: Measuring O2 equilibration curves

Support Protocol 2: Mass spectrometry to confirm NH2‐terminal acetylation
Amelioration of ocean acidification and warming effects through physiological buffering of a macroalgae
Authors: Doo Steve S. , Leplastrier Aero , Graba‐Landry Alexia , Harianto Januar , Coleman Ross A. , Byrne Maria
Published: July 2020

Concurrent anthropogenic global climate change and ocean acidification are expected to have a negative impact on calcifying marine organisms. While knowledge of biological responses of organisms to oceanic stress has emerged from single‐species experiments, these do not capture ecologically relevant scenarios where the potential for multi‐organism physiological interactions is assessed. Marine algae provide an interesting case study, as their photosynthetic activity elevates pH in the surrounding microenvironment, potentially buffering more acidic conditions for associated epiphytes. We present findings that indicate increased tolerance of an important epiphytic foraminifera, Marginopora vertebralis, to the effects of increased temperature (±3°C) and pCO2 (~1,000 µatm) when associated with its common algal host, Laurencia intricata. Specimens of M. vertebralis were incubated for 15 days in flow‐through aquaria simulating current and end‐of‐century temperature and pH conditions. Physiological measures of growth (change in wet weight), calcification (measured change in total alkalinity in closed bottles), photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), total chlorophyll, photosynthesis (oxygen flux), and respiration were determined. When incubated in isolation, M. vertebralis exhibited reduced growth in end‐of‐century projections of ocean acidification conditions, while calcification rates were lowest in the high‐temperature, low‐pH treatment. Interestingly, association with L. intricata ameliorated these stress effects with the growth and calcification rates of M. vertebralis being similar to those observed in ambient conditions. Total chlorophyll levels in M. vertebralis decreased when in association with L. intricata, while maximum photochemical efficiency increased in ambient conditions. Net production estimates remained similar between M. vertebralis in isolation and in association with L. intricata, although both production and respiration rates of M. vertebralis were significantly higher when associated with L. intricata. These results indicate that the association with L. intricata increases the resilience of M. vertebralis to climate change stress, providing one of the first examples of physiological buffering by a marine alga that can ameliorate the negative effects of changing ocean conditions.
Study on crack propagation of the CO2 presplitting blasting empty hole effect in coal seam
Authors: Pan Hongyu , Li Jingwen , Zhang Tianjun , Li Shugang , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2020

CO2 presplitting blasting is an effective method to increase coal seams permeability and improve gas drainage efficiency. During the blasting process, the empty holes in the coal and rock mass have a significant effect on crack growth. In the experiment, a sample containing empty holes was used for CO2 presplitting blasting. The VIC‐3D was used to observe the change in the surface displacement of the sample; and the amplitude of the wave during the blasting process was collected using ultrasonic waves. Here, we calculated the attenuation coefficient α, analyzed the internal crack damage of the coal and rock mass, and compared the LS‐DYNA simulation results to analyze the empty hole effect on the crack growth of the coal and rock mass. The results show that: (a) radial tensile stress is generated due to the superposition of compression waves and reflected waves during blasting, resulting in an approximately straight main crack channel between the blast hole and the empty hole; (b) When both the stress and the attenuation coefficient reach their peaks, a main crack is formed and the most severe damage occurs inside the coal and rock mass; (c) the main crack channel was formed at 0.13 seconds, and the energy consumption reached the peak at 0.18 seconds, the negative linear correlation between energy and stress was obtained. Therefore, the empty hole effect provides a good guide for the crack propagation of the coal and rock mass and provides a new experimental scheme for increasing the permeability of coal seams.
Disrupted function of lactate transporter MCT1, but not MCT4, in Schwann cells affects the maintenance of motor end‐plate innervation
Authors: Bouçanova Filipa , Pollmeier Gill , Sandor Katalin , Morado Urbina Carlos , Nijssen Jik , Médard Jean‐Jacques , Bartesaghi Luca , Pellerin Luc , Svensson Camilla I , Hedlund Eva , Chrast Roman
Published: July 2020

Recent studies in neuron‐glial metabolic coupling have shown that, in the CNS, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes support neurons with energy‐rich lactate/pyruvate via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). The presence of such transporters in the PNS, in both Schwann cells and neurons, has prompted us to question if a similar interaction may be present. Here we describe the generation and characterization of conditional knockout mouse models where MCT1 or MCT4 is specifically deleted in Schwann cells (named MCT1 and MCT4 cKO). We show that MCT1 cKO and MCT4 cKO mice develop normally and that myelin in the PNS is preserved. However, MCT1 expressed by Schwann cells is necessary for long‐term maintenance of motor end‐plate integrity as revealed by disrupted neuromuscular innervation in mutant mice, while MCT4 appears largely dispensable for the support of motor neurons. Concomitant to detected structural alterations, lumbar motor neurons from MCT1 cKO mice show transcriptional changes affecting cytoskeletal components, transcriptional regulators, and mitochondria related transcripts, among others. Together, our data indicate that MCT1 plays a role in Schwann cell‐mediated maintenance of motor end‐plate innervation thus providing further insight into the emerging picture of the biology of the axon‐glia metabolic crosstalk.
Cannabis use in patients with early psychosis is associated with alterations in putamen and thalamic shape
Authors: Sami Musa , Cole James H. , Kempton Matthew J. , Annibale Luciano , Das Debasis , Kelbrick Marlene , Eranti Savitha , Collier Tracy , Onyejiaka Chidimma , O'Neill Aisling , Lythgoe David J. , McGuire Philip , Williams Steve C. R. , Bhattacharyya Sagnik
Published: July 2020

Around half of patients with early psychosis have a history of cannabis use. We aimed to determine if there are neurobiological differences in these the subgroups of persons with psychosis with and without a history of cannabis use. We expected to see regional deflations in hippocampus as a neurotoxic effect and regional inflations in striatal regions implicated in addictive processes. Volumetric, T1w MRIs were acquired from people with a diagnosis psychosis with (PwP + C = 28) or without (PwP − C = 26) a history of cannabis use; and Controls with (C + C = 16) or without (C − C = 22) cannabis use. We undertook vertex‐based shape analysis of the brainstem, amygdala, hippocampus, globus pallidus, nucleus accumbens, caudate, putamen, thalamus using FSL FIRST. Clusters were defined through Threshold Free Cluster Enhancement and Family Wise Error was set at p < .05. We adjusted analyses for age, sex, tobacco and alcohol use. The putamen (bilaterally) and the right thalamus showed regional enlargement in PwP + C versus PwP − C. There were no areas of regional deflation. There were no significant differences between C + C and C − C. Cannabis use in participants with psychosis is associated with morphological alterations in subcortical structures. Putamen and thalamic enlargement may be related to compulsivity in patients with a history of cannabis use.
Comparing cognitive assessment service provision between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non‐Indigenous Australians at a metropolitan health service
Authors: Stolwyk Renerus J. , Evans Loretta , O’Halloran Catherine , Evans Julie , Gooden James R.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations are at a significantly higher risk of neurological and cognitive impairment from a range of aetiologies. In order to better identify and support Indigenous Australians with cognitive impairment, culturally appropriate screening, management and referral processes are critical. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of presentations and type of cognitive screening conducted with Indigenous Australians presenting to health services.

Methods

Hospital data for 30 Indigenous Australians presenting with neurological symptoms to Emergency Departments within a large metropolitan health service were compared with a group of 30 non‐Indigenous, Australian‐born, English‐speaking, age‐, gender‐ and diagnosis‐matched individuals.

Results

Only two individuals, one from each group, received cognitive screening. This was likely related to a surprisingly large proportion of Indigenous Australians presenting to hospital with headache and migraine. Significantly more Indigenous Australians (36.7%) were consulted by a member of the multidisciplinary team compared to 10% of the non‐Indigenous group. No differences in follow‐up referrals were observed.

Conclusions

Results indicated a lack of cognitive screening practices being undertaken in both groups. It was encouraging to see Indigenous Australians receiving consultations from multidisciplinary team members at a higher rate, with a similar follow‐up pathway being observed. This study further highlights the need for adoption of screening practices in primary health care settings and the development and use of culturally appropriate cognitive screening measures.

So what?

This study investigates the cognitive screening practices of a metropolitan health service and highlights the need for culturally appropriate cognitive screening methods to be developed and implemented to facilitate the identification of cognitive impairment in Indigenous Australians presenting for treatment.
Markup cyclicality, competition and liquidity constraints: Evidence from a panel VAR analysis
Authors: Amountzias Chrysovalantis
Published: July 2020

The main scope of this study is to investigate the effects of competition and liquidity constraints on the cyclical behaviour of the markup ratio. In particular, 79 2‐digit NACE Rev.2 sectors across the UK manufacturing and services industry over 2008–2017 are taken into account in order to observe markup cyclicality and whether pricing decisions are significantly influenced by the degree of competition and liquidity restrictions. A panel VAR framework is used to take into account the presence of cross‐section dependence and heterogeneity amongst the regressors of the model. The empirical results provide the following significant insights: (a) the markup ratio across the UK sectors follows a countercyclical pattern, (b) concentrated sectors tend to charge countercyclical price–cost margins as they attempt to increase their market share in normal periods and (c) sectors with liquidity constrained firms charge countercyclical markups in order to substitute lack of funding with additional revenue. Complementary findings also suggest that more profitable firms charge procyclical markup ratios, thus validating predatory pricing strategies in more concentrated sectors.
Gliclazide attenuates cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity through inhibiting NF‐κB and caspase‐3 activity
Authors: Taghizadeh Fatemeh , Hosseinimehr Seyed Jalal , Zargari Mehryar , Karimpour Malekshah Abbasali , Talebpour Amiri Fereshteh Beigom
Published: July 2020

Cisplatin (CP), as a chemotherapeutic drug, causes nephrotoxicity that has limited the clinical utility of CP. Gliclazide (GLZ), as an antihyperglycemic drug, at low dose has antioxidant property. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of GLZ against CP‐induced acute renal injury. Sixty‐four BALB/c mice were randomly divided into eight groups. The groups were included as control, GLZ (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg), CP, and GLZ (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg) + CP. Renal function markers (serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione), apoptotic marker (caspase‐3), and NF‐κB were histopathologically evaluated. The results of our study showed that increased urea and creatinine were evidence of CP‐induced nephrotoxicity. Histopathological examination revealed tubular epithelial and Bowman degeneration, edema, and cytoplasmic vacuolation in renal tissue structure. Administration of GLZ reduced oxidative stress, caspase‐3, and NF‐κB activity, and improved kidney function markers in CP‐treated mice compared with CP alone group. Also, we observed that the histological tissue structure of the kidney was maintained. GLZ at dose of 25 mg/kg had higher protective effect as compared with other doses. Overall, our study suggests that GLZ with antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti‐inflammatory properties may be a promising new therapeutic agent to prevent CP‐induced nephrotoxicity.
Challenges posed by COVID‐19 to people who inject drugs and lessons from other outbreaks
Authors: Vasylyeva Tetyana I , Smyrnov Pavlo , Strathdee Steffanie , Friedman Samuel R
Published: July 2020

Introduction

In light of the COVID‐19 pandemic, considerable effort is going into identifying and protecting those at risk. Criminalization, stigmatization and the psychological, physical, behavioural and economic consequences of substance use make people who inject drugs (PWID) extremely vulnerable to many infectious diseases. While relationships between drug use and blood‐borne and sexually transmitted infections are well studied, less attention has been paid to other infectious disease outbreaks among PWID.

Discussion

COVID‐19 is likely to disproportionally affect PWID due to a high prevalence of comorbidities that make the disease more severe, unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions, stigmatization, common incarceration, homelessness and difficulties in adhering to quarantine, social distancing or self‐isolation mandates. The COVID‐19 pandemic also jeopardizes essential for PWID services, such as needle exchange or substitution therapy programmes, which can be affected both in a short‐ and a long‐term perspective. Importantly, there is substantial evidence of other infectious disease outbreaks in PWID that were associated with factors that enable COVID‐19 transmission, such as poor hygiene, overcrowded living conditions and communal ways of using drugs.

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 crisis might increase risks of homelessnes, overdoses and unsafe injecting and sexual practices for PWID. In order to address existing inequalities, consultations with PWID advocacy groups are vital when designing inclusive health response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.
What motivates people to visit an unknown tourist destination? Applying an extended model of goal‐directed behavior
Authors: Kim Jinok S. , Lee Timothy J. , Kim Nam‐Jo
Published: July 2020

This study aims to identify the motivations of people travelling to North Korea, and to determine the effects these have on the travel decision‐making process. An on‐site survey was conducted with Chinese tourists in Dandong, China. The results of an exploratory factor analysis identified four motivation factors: red (communist identity), uniqueness, convenience, and escape. The results suggest that motivations for tourism to North Korea have at least a partial influence on attitudes. “Uniqueness” has the greatest impact on tourist attitudes, implying that the most powerful motive stimulating Chinese tourists to North Korea is their “curiosity” about that isolated society.
Doppler Indices of the Ophthalmic Artery in Pregnant Women With Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus With and Without Retinopathy
Authors: de Fátima Ribeiro dos Anjos Gizeli , de Freitas Márcia Aires Rodrigues , dos Santos Maria Célia Alves , Diniz Angélica Lemos Debs
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To evaluate ophthalmic Doppler velocimetry patterns in pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus with and without retinopathy in comparison to pregnant women without gestational intercurrences.

Methods

This cross‐sectional observational study analyzed Doppler indices of the ophthalmic arteries, including the resistive index (RI), pulsatility index, peak systolic velocity, second peak systolic velocity, peak ratio, and end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), in 3 groups of pregnant women: diabetic with retinopathy (n = 12); diabetic without retinopathy (n = 85); and nondiabetic controls (n = 122). The Kruskal‐Wallis test was used for the statistical analysis with a probability of 95%.

Results

The mean gestational ages ± SDs of pregnant women with and without retinopathy and nondiabetic controls were 29.1 ± 2.2, 29.7 ± 2.7, and 31 ± 1.0 weeks, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups (P > .099). The mean RI in the group with retinopathy was significantly higher (P = .030) than in the control group, but it did not significantly differ compared to the group without retinopathy (P = .204). The RI in the control group did not differ from that in the group without retinopathy (P = .079). The EDV was significantly lower in the group with retinopathy (P = .015) in relation to the control group, but there were no differences compared to the group without retinopathy (P = .217).

Conclusions

Pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus and retinopathy had increased vascular impedance in the ophthalmic artery together with a reduction in the EDV, which was probably related to ischemia, thrombosis, and neovascularization of retinal vessels.
David among Goliaths: Open access publishing in scientific (semi‐)periphery
Authors: Macan Bojan , Škorić Lea , Petrak Jelka
Published: July 2020

This case study analyses data on papers of Croatian authors published in 2017 from four Web of Science Core Collection citation indexes (SCI‐EXP, SSCI, AHCI, and ESCI). The primary dataset (5,176 articles and reviews) was divided into two subsets, the open access (OA) subset (2,964 papers) and non‐OA subset (2,212 papers). We also used the primary dataset to create a subset of papers published in Croatian journals (1,588) as opposed to foreign ones. All were screened for full‐text OA status, journal JCR quartile ranking, journal dominant discipline, and language of publication. OA papers prevailed with 74.4%. Most were available at publisher websites. The percentage of OA papers in Croatian journals was 99.8%. The share of OA papers was the highest in the humanities and social sciences, which also saw the highest share of papers in the Croatian language.

Key points

Three quarters of papers published by Croatian authors are available in open access (OA).

Most papers are in English, even in Croatian journals; Croatian prevailed only in the humanities.

Croatian journals are mostly non‐commercial, and many receive government subsidies, provided they are OA; they generally do not charge for article processing.

The prevalence of OA over non‐OA papers is the highest in the humanities, followed by the social sciences.

Open access publishing might increase international visibility of journals from periphery or semi‐periphery countries.
Weaving Off‐The‐Shelf Yarns into Textile Micro Total Analysis Systems (μTAS)
Authors: Öberg Månsson Ingrid , Piper Andrew , Hamedi Mahiar Max
Published: July 2020

Textile based biosensors have garnered much interest in recent years. Devices woven out of yarns have the ability to be incorporated into clothing and bandages. Most woven devices reported in the literature require yarns that are not available on an industrial scale or that require modifications which are not possible in large scale manufacturing. In this work, commercially produced yarns are taken without any modification or cleaning, and developed woven textile diagnostic devices out of them. The yarn properties that are important to their function within the device have been characterised and discussed. The wicking ability and analyte retention of Coolmax yarns, developed to wick sweat in mass produced sportswear, are determined. The electrochemistry and functionalizability of Au coated multifilament yarns are investigated with no cleaning or treatment and are found to have as good a thiolate self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) coverage as cleaned Au disk electrodes. The feasibility of using these yarns is established off the shelf, with no cleaning, to make woven capillary force driven microfluidic devices and three electrode sensing devices. A proof of principle three electrode system capable of detecting clinically relevant concentrations of glucose in human sweat is reported.
Effects of Psoralen on Histone‐DNA Interactions Studied by Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Zhang Yingqi , Zhang Xiaonong , Zhang Wei , Zhang Wenke
Published: July 2020

The investigation of the DNA‐histone interactions and factors that affect such interactions in the nucleosome is essential for understanding the role of chromatin organization in all cellular processes involved in the repair, transcription, and replication of the eukaryotic genome. As a kind of photosensitive molecule, psoralen (PSO) is used in the treatment of skin disease with ultraviolet light (PSO and ultra violet light, type A). The effect of treatment is remarkable, but the side effect is also obvious. PSO can be embedded in a 5′ TA sequence in double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA), and dsDNA is mainly wrapped around a histone octamer to form a nucleosome structure in human cells. Therefore, it is very necessary to explore the influence of PSO on DNA‐histone interactions. To this end, the binding specificity and mode of DNA and histone in the presence or absence of PSO are investigated systematically. The results show that the presence of PSO (no matter if there is ultra violet light treatment) can increase the overall probability of histone binding to dsDNA while lowering the selectivity of histone binding to the specific DNA sequence in vitro. In addition, the increase of solution ionic strength can lower the ratio of histone binding to nonspecific DNA.
Surface Engineering with Polymer Brush Photolithography
Authors: Fromel Michele , Li Mingxiao , Pester Christian W.
Published: July 2020

Surface‐tethered macromolecules, or polymer brushes, offer a unique platform for coating surfaces for a wide variety of applications. Surface‐initiated polymerization (SI‐P), through which polymer brushes can be grown directly from an initiator‐functionalized surface, offers a facile, highly customizable approach that is synergistic with photolithography. Using a variety of photolithography devices and SI‐Ps, complex polymer brush architectures can be fabricated with great spatial and temporal control. This article not only addresses techniques, advancements, applications, and possible future directions within the field of polymer brush photolithography, but it also provides resources to assist the reader in selecting the polymerization technique and photolithography device most conducive to a given endeavor.
Optimization and sensitivity study of biodiesel synthesis from Jojoba oil using mixed‐integer programming
Authors: Ali A. , Abdulrahman A.
Published: July 2020

Jojoba oil‐based biodiesel is promising alternative fuel due to its versatile properties. Renewable transportation fuels are considered as promising alternatives to conventional fuels. The physical and chemical properties of these fuels enabled them to be used in modern internal combustion engines; this makes them attractive for use as direct replacements or as additives of fossil fuels. Jojoba oil is extracted from Jojoba seeds, and it is an excellent feedstock for biodiesel after the transesterification process. The plant is highly adaptable to harsh weather including salty water, desert, and hot temperatures; thus, it can be grown in Saudi Arabia. This research work comprises a detailed optimization study of biodiesel production from Jojoba oil using mixed‐integer programming. golden section search method was used for the optimization and sensitivity study was conducted for reaction time and temperature. The result shows that 54.1 minutes and 47.5 °C are the optimized reaction time and temperature to produce biodiesel which is considerably low as compared to previous studies.
Adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics of CO2 and CH4 on activated carbon modified by acetic acid
Authors: Song X. , Wang L. , Gong J. , Zeng Y. , Zhan X. , Ni Z.
Published: July 2020

In order to improve the properties of activated carbons in the separation of carbon dioxide/methane mixture, organic acid, namely acetic acid, is used to modify the commercial coconut shell activated carbons. The modified sample 15H‐AC shows greater adsorption capacity than the raw material. To further explore the adsorption mechanism of carbon dioxide and methane on 15H‐AC, adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics are studied and compared with that on R‐AC. According to the results of adsorption kinetic study, it can be observed that the diffusion of both carbon dioxide and methane on 15H‐AC is faster than that on the raw material. The findings obtained in the adsorption thermodynamics indicate that the interaction of both carbon dioxide and methane with the modified sample is stronger and the spontaneity degree is higher. The physical adsorption of carbon dioxide on 15H‐AC indicates that the regeneration of the adsorbents is easy. The modified activated carbon, which possesses higher adsorption capacity, faster adsorption rate and good reproducing property, is promising in the separation of carbon dioxide / methane gas mixtures industrially.
Mitochondria as a promising target for developing novel agents for treating Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Shevtsova Elena F. , Maltsev Andrey V. , Vinogradova Darya V. , Shevtsov Pavel N. , Bachurin Sergey O.
Published: July 2020

The mitochondria‐targeting drugs can be conventionally divided into the following groups: those compensating for the energy deficit involved in neurodegeneration, including stimulants of mitochondrial bioenergetics and activators of mitochondrial biogenesis; and neuroprotectors, that are compounds increasing the resistance of mitochondria to opening of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores. Although compensating for the energy deficit and inhibition of MPT are obvious targets for drugs used in the very early stages of Alzheimer‐like pathology, but their use as the monotherapy for patients with severe symptoms is unlikely to be sufficiently effective. It would be optimal to combine targets that would provide the cognitive‐stimulating, the neuroprotective effects and the ability to affect specific disease‐forming mechanisms. In the design of such drugs, assessment of their potential mitochondrial‐targeted effects is of particular importance. The possibility of targeted drug design for simultaneous action on mitochondrial and neurotransmitter's receptors targets is, in particularly, based on the known interplay of various cellular pathways and the presence of common structural components. Of particular interest is directed search for multitarget drugs that would act simultaneously on mitochondrial calcium‐dependent functions, the targets (receptors, enzymes, etc.) facilitating neurotransmission, and the molecular targets related to the action of so‐called disease‐modifying factors, in particular, the formation and overcoming of the toxicity of β‐amyloid or hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The examples of such approaches realized on the level of preclinical and clinical trials are presented below.
The evolution dam problem for a compressible fluid with nonlinear Darcy's law and Dirichlet boundary condition
Authors: Bousselsal Mahmoud , Zaouche Elmehdi
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we consider the evolution dam problem (P) related to a compressible fluid flow governed by a generalized nonlinear Darcy's law with Dirichlet boundary conditions on some part of the boundary. We establish existence of a solution for this problem. We choose a convenient regularized problem (Pϵ) for which we prove the existence and uniqueness of solution using the comparison Lemma 2.1 and the Schauder fixed‐point theorem. Then, we pass to the limit, when ϵ goes to 0, to get a solution for our problem. Moreover, we will see another approach for the incompressible case where we pass to the limit in (P), when α goes to 0, to get a solution.
Artificial neural network for multi‐echo gradient echo–based myelin water fraction estimation
Authors: Jung Soozy , Lee Hongpyo , Ryu Kanghyun , Song Jae Eun , Park Mina , Moon Won‐Jin , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To demonstrate robust myelin water fraction (MWF) mapping using an artificial neural network (ANN) with multi‐echo gradient‐echo (GRE) signal.

Methods

Multi‐echo gradient‐echo signals simulated with a three‐pool exponential model were used to generate the training data set for the ANN, which was designed to yield the MWF. We investigated the performance of our proposed ANN for various conditions using both numerical simulations and in vivo data. Simulations were conducted with various SNRs to investigate the performance of the ANN. In vivo data with high spatial resolutions were applied in the analyses, and results were compared with MWFs derived by the nonlinear least‐squares algorithm using a complex three‐pool exponential model.

Results

The network results for the simulations show high accuracies against noise compared with nonlinear least‐squares MWFs: RMS‐error value of 5.46 for the nonlinear least‐squares MWF and 3.56 for the ANN MWF at an SNR of 150 (relative gain = 34.80%). These effects were also found in the in vivo data, with reduced SDs in the region‐of‐interest analyses. These effects of the ANN demonstrate the feasibility of acquiring high‐resolution myelin water images.

Conclusion

The simulation results and in vivo data suggest that the ANN facilitates more robust MWF mapping in multi‐echo gradient‐echo sequences compared with the conventional nonlinear least‐squares method.