bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Derivatization‐free determination of short‐chain volatile amines in human plasma and urine by headspace gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Neyer Peter , Bernasconi Luca , Fuchs Jens A. , Allenspach Martina D. , Steuer Christian
Published: October 2019

Background

Short‐chain volatile amines (SCVA) are an interesting compound class playing crucial roles in physiological and toxicological human settings. Dimethylamine (DMA), trimethylamine (TMA), diethylamine (DEA), and triethylamine (TEA) were investigated in detail.

Methods

Headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HS‐GC‐MS) was used for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative determination of four SCVA in different human body fluids. Four hundred microliters of Li‐heparin plasma and urine were analyzed after liberation of volatile amines under heated conditions in an aqueous alkaline and saline environment. Target analytes were separated on a volatile amine column and detected on a Thermo DSQ II mass spectrometer scheduled in single ion monitoring mode.

Results

Chromatographic separation of selected SCVA was done within 7.5 minutes. The method was developed and validated with respect to accuracy, precision, recovery and stability. Accuracy and precision criteria were below 12% for all target analytes at low and high levels. The selected extraction procedure provided recoveries of more than 92% from both matrices for TMA, DEA and TEA. The recovery of DMA from Li‐heparin plasma was lower but still in the acceptable range (>75%). The newly validated method was successfully applied to plasma and urine samples from healthy volunteers. Detected concentrations of endogenous metabolites DMA and TMA are comparable to already known reference ranges.

Conclusion

Herein, we describe the successful development and validation of a reliable and broadly applicable HS‐GC‐MS procedure for the simultaneous and quantitative determination of SCVA in human plasma and urine without relying on derivatization chemistry.
Elbow Biomechanics, Radiocapitellar Joint Pressure, and Interosseous Membrane Strain Before and After Radial Head Arthroplasty
Authors: Hemmingsen Chalotte K. , Thillemann Theis M. , Elmengaard Brian , de Raedt Sepp , Nielsen Emil T. , Mosegaard Sebastian B. , Stentz‐Olesen Kasper , Stilling Maiken
Published: October 2019

Complex radial head fracture and elbow instability can be treated with radial head arthroplasty. Good clinical results have been described after this surgical treatment. However, the revision and complication rate reported in the literature is concerning. This might be due to altered kinematics after radial head arthroplasty. Eight human native elbows were examined with dynamic radiostereometric analysis and compared with a radial head arthroplasty. Translations of the radial head in the x‐, y‐, and z‐directions relative to the humerus and the ulna were measured. The radiocapitellar joint pressure was measured using a pressure sensor. The tension within the interosseous membrane was measured using a custom‐made strain gauge. After radial head arthroplasty, the radial head was displaced approximately 1.8  mm medially and 1.4  mm distally at the starting point. During unloaded flexion motion the difference in all translations between the native radial head and the radial head arthroplasty was less than 1 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]  ±  0.5 mm) (p = 0.001). With loading the difference was less than 1.5  mm (95% CI  ± 1.5  mm) (p = 0.001). The mean difference in radiocapitellar joint contact pressure was less than 0.30 MPa (95% CI ± 0.40 MPa) (p = 0.001) during unloaded flexion motion. There were only submillimetre kinematic changes and small changes in joint pressure and interosseous membrane tension after the insertion of a radial head arthroplasty in an experimental setting. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:510–522, 2020
Bioactive compounds and total antioxidant capacity of cane residues from different grape varieties
Authors: Ferreyra Susana G , Antoniolli Andrea , Bottini Rubén , Fontana Ariel
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Every year, the viticulture activity generates considerable amounts of underused lignocellulosic residues as grape cane, which are generally composted or burned despite their potential value as a source of bioactive compounds. Determination of their phytochemical composition and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) may be a useful way of exploiting different high‐added value applications.

RESULTS

Twenty‐one phenolic compounds (PC) and two carotenoids (Car) were quantified by high performance‐liquid chromatography‐diode array detection in eight grape varieties from different locations in Mendoza, Argentina. The maximum concentrations corresponded to the stilbene ϵ‐viniferin [10 552 μg g−1 dry weight (DW)], followed by the flavanols (+)‐catechin (3718 μg g−1 DW) and (−)‐epicatechin (2486 μg g−1 DW). In addition, lutein and β‐carotene were quantified at levels ranging between 350 and 2400 ng g−1 DW. The TAC of the extracts was assessed by oxygen radical absorbance capacity, 2,20‐azino‐bis‐3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl assays, with a good correlation between TAC and total PC for each sample (r ≥ 0.82).

CONCLUSION

Samples of cv. Malbec, the most representative variety of Argentina's winemaking industry, presented high contents of PC, particularly ϵ‐viniferin, (+)‐catechin and (−)‐epicatechin. Quercetin‐3‐galactoside, OH‐tyrosol and Car were reported for the first time in grape canes of the eight varieties. The results add to the existing knowledge related to this inexpensive source of high‐value bioactive compounds, which could be used as functional ingredients. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of longitudinal data analysis allows to detect differences in pre‐breeding growing curves of 24‐month calving Angus heifers under two pasture‐based systems with differential puberty onset
Authors: Bonamy Martín , de Iraola Julieta J , Prando Alberto J , Baldo Andrés , Giovambattista Guillermo , Rogberg‐Muñoz Andrés
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Longitudinal data analysis contributes to detect differences in the growing curve by exploiting all the information involved in repeated measurements, allowing to distinguish changes over time within individuals, from differences in the baseline levels among groups. In this research, longitudinal and cross‐sectional analysis were compared to evaluate differences in growth in Angus heifers under two different grazing conditions,ad libitum(AG) and controlled (CG) to gain 0.5 kg day−1.

RESULTS

Longitudinal mixed models show differences in growing curve parameters between grazing conditions, that were not detected by cross‐sectional analysis. Differences (P< 0.05) in first derivative of growth curves (daily gain) until 289 days were observed between treatments, AG being higher than CG. Correspondingly, pubertal heifer proportion was also higher in AG at the end of rearing (AG, 0.94; CG, 0.67).

CONCLUSION

In longitudinal studies, the power to detect differences between groups increases by exploiting the whole information of repeated measures, modelling the relation between measurements performed on the same individual. Under a proper analysis, valid conclusion can be drawn with fewer animals in the trial, improving animal welfare and reducing investigation costs. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A Micellar Mitotane Formulation with High Drug‐Loading and Solubility: Physico‐Chemical Characterization and Cytotoxicity Studies in 2D and 3D In Vitro Tumor Models
Authors: Haider Malik Salman , Schreiner Jochen , Kendl Sabine , Kroiss Matthias , Luxenhofer Robert
Published: October 2019

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor and prognosis is overall poor but heterogeneous. Mitotane (MT) has been used for treatment of ACC for decades, either alone or in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Even at doses up to 6 g per day, more than half of the patients do not achieve targeted plasma concentration (14–20 mg L−1) even after many months of treatment due to low water solubility, bioavailability, and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile. Here a novel MT nanoformulation with very high MT concentrations in physiological aqueous media is reported. The MT‐loaded nanoformulations are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X‐ray diffraction which confirms the amorphous nature of the drug. The polymer itself does not show any cytotoxicity in adrenal and liver cell lines. By using the ACC model cell line NCI‐H295 both in monolayers and tumor cell spheroids, micellar MT is demonstrated to exhibit comparable efficacy to its ethanol solution. It is postulated that this formulation will be suitable for i.v. application and rapid attainment of therapeutic plasma concentrations. In conclusion, the micellar formulation is considered a promising tool to alleviate major drawbacks of current MT treatment while retaining bioactivity toward ACC in vitro.
Linking transformational leadership, patient safety culture and work engagement in home care services
Authors: Ree Eline , Wiig Siri
Published: October 2019

Aim

To assess the relationship between transformational leadership, job demands, job resources, patient safety culture and work engagement in home care services.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

Healthcare professionals in Norwegian home care services participated in the study (N = 139). Multiple regression analyses with patient safety culture and work engagement as outcomes and transformational leadership, job demands, job resources as predictors were conducted.

Results

The transformational leadership model explained 35.7% of the variance in patient safety culture. Adding job demands and resources and work engagement to the model increased the explained variance to 53.5%. The job resource “skill utilization” was the strongest predictor of work engagement. The full model with all predictor variables explained 28.2% of work engagement.

Conclusion

Transformational leadership has a significant impact on patient safety culture and work engagement in home care services. Employees' perceptions of job demands, available resources and engagement also affect patient safety culture.
Health status and self‐management in patients with inflammatory arthritis—A five‐year follow‐up study after nurse‐led patient education
Authors: Grønning Kjersti , Lim Siriwan , Bratås Ola
Published: October 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in patients' self‐management and health status five years after nurse‐led patient education.

Design

A longitudinal study.

Methods

We collected self‐reported data on physical function, pain, tiredness, disease activity, psychological status, patient activation and self‐efficacy from a sample of Norwegian‐speaking adults with inflammatory arthritis that had participated in a randomised controlled study investigating the effects of nurse‐led patient education. Changes and associations in patients' health status and self‐management were analysed with paired sample t tests and multivariable linear regression analyses, respectively.

Results

Except from a small deterioration in patients' physical function, there were no changes in patients' health status 5 years after the nurse‐led patient education. Patients' self‐management skills were improved after 5 years. Self‐efficacy was positively associated with female gender, patient activation, less tiredness and less psychological distress.
Factors influencing the uptake of cervical cancer screening services in Tanzania: A health system perspective from national and district levels
Authors: Mugassa Anitha M. , Frumence Gasto
Published: October 2019

Aim

This study aimed at examining factors influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women in Tanzania.

Design

Exploratory qualitative study.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were used to obtain information from 10 key Informants. Of these, three were officials (policy makers) from the Reproductive Health‐Cancer Unit of Ministry of Health and Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC), three were health managers working at Kinondoni Municipal health system reproductive and child health section and four were health workers from the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI). The study participants were purposively selected since they hold the responsibility of planning, coordinating and implementing the Tanzania cervical cancer prevention strategies at different levels of health system. The qualitative data analysis was done manually using thematic analysis.

Results

The national health system factors influencing the early uptake of cervical cancer screening services include poor flow of information from national to lower level and inadequate availability of tools and instruments and shortage of skilled and competent staff. The district level health systems factors influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening services include inadequate number of partners, poor flow of information, poor collaboration with the private sector, no adequate provision of cervical cancer screening services due to lack of prioritization, poor creation of awareness and failure to use the health information system effectively.
Elucidating the roles of ASPM isoforms reveals a novel prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Timaner Michael , Shaked Yuval
Published: October 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Late diagnosis, desmoplastic tissue and intrinsic resistance to therapy are among the main reasons for its aggressive phenotype. In addition, it is now appreciated that cancer stem cells – a rare subpopulation of tumor cells highly resistant to therapy – are crucial players in PDAC initiation, progression and resistance to therapy. In a recent article in The Journal of Pathology, Hsu et al elucidated the specific roles of abnormal spindle‐like, microcephaly‐associated protein (ASPM) isoforms in PDAC. The authors reported that ASPM isoform I (ASPM‐iI) is mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of PDAC cells. Its expression is associated with the Wnt signaling pathway, which promotes stemness and maintains the cancer stem cell niche. Clinically, expression of ASPM‐iI correlates with poor survival in PDAC patients. Thus, this study revealed a novel prognostic marker as well as a potential therapeutic target for PDAC. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
USP Lasers: Key to Micromachining Miniaturized Medical Devices
Authors: Haloui Hatim , Wölzlein Roland
Published: October 2019

Turnkey systems incorporating ultrashort pulse (USP) lasers support the fabrication of miniaturized devices with smaller features and superior surface quality. They enable cost‐effective micromachining a wide range of metals, plastics, and brittle materials; some examples include nitinol stents, plastic (e.g., PEEK) catheters, titanium parts for cochlea implants, as well as a variety of components based on platinum and tungsten.
“Invest Time in Learning the Technology of Your Customers and Not Just Your Own”
Authors: Pozo Jose
Published: October 2019

In this interview, Jose Pozo, EPIC's CTO talks to Dr Dirk Schumann, formerly a production manager for BMW and now CTO of Eagleyard Photonics.
Biophotonics, Medicine, and Medical Device Manufacturing
Authors: Merk Thomas
Published: October 2019

The tasks contributing to the growing importance of biophotonics are many and varied. They include maintaining the health of an ageing global community, combating chronic diseases, and fulfilling the health needs of a growing global middle class. Its increasing significance is reflected in the growth rates on the whole biophotonics market. According to a study [1], the mean annual growth will be 7 % until the year 2020. Optical technologies are intended to find new, cost‐efficient, and effective solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and to respond to innovative trends like personalized medicine.
Coating and Thermal Kinetic Studies of PETN Particles with Multi‐Wall Carbon Nano Tube‐Triton X‐114 by the Solvent/Nonsolvent Process via Taguchi Design Optimization
Authors: Lemraski Masoomeh S. , Babaee Saeed
Published: October 2019

One way to reduce sensitivity and also adding special properties to explosives is a coating that depends on either the coating agent type or the usage process. In this work, an insensitive nanocomposite of PETN was prepared with multi‐wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and Triton X‐114 (TX114) by the solvent/nonsolvent method. Taguchi experimental design (orthogonal array, L9) using impact sensitivity (H50) investigation was applied to the process optimization. The variable effects of MWCNT mass fraction, solvent (acetone) flow rate, surfactant type and surfactant concentration were evaluated and then the results were quantified by the analysis of Variance (ANOVA). ANOVA data predicted the best H50 was 84.03±3.43 cm that was obtained for the optimum conditions of 5.0 wt% MWCNT, 1 mL min−1 flow rate, TX114 as surfactant with a concentration of 1.0×10−3 mol Lit−1. Practical results of H50 were obtained 84.0±0.5 cm that were in agreement with the predicted H50. Finally, thermal analysis and vacuum stability test were applied to the synthesized nanocomposite and the obtained results indicate MWCNT and TX114 are thermal adaptable and chemically compatible with PETN.
Homology modeling and docking study of diamondback moth ryanodine receptor reveals the mechanisms for channel activation, insecticide binding and resistance
Authors: Lin Lianyun , Hao Zhiyuan , Cao Peng , Yuchi Zhiguang
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Diamide insecticides, including phthalic and anthranilic diamides, target insect ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and cause misregulation of calcium signaling in insect muscles and neurons. Several resistance mutations have been reported to reduce the efficacy of the diamides, but the exact binding sites and mechanism of resistance mutations are not clear.

RESULTS

The recent breakthrough in structural studies of mammalian RyRs has deepened our understanding of these giant calcium‐release channels, but structural information about insect RyRs is still scarce. The only reported high‐resolution structure is from the N‐terminal domain of diamondback moth (DBM) RyR determined by our group. Here, we generate several homology models of full‐length DBM RyR representing different functional states and dock the diamide insecticides into the structural models using Schrodinger software. These models reveal the specific structural features, activation mechanism, structural difference between functional states, ligand‐binding sites and insecticide‐binding sites of DBM RyR. By comparing the structures of wild‐type and insecticide‐resistant mutants, we propose a model depicting how the mutations affect the insecticide binding. We also identify the key difference between mammalian and insect RyRs that may explain the species‐specific binding properties of diamides.

CONCLUSION

The binding sites for three activators Ca2+, ATP and caffeine, and regulator ryanodine are conserved in insect and mammalian RyRs, but the binding site for diamide insecticides is species‐specific. The phthalic and anthranilic diamides have distinct binding properties in DBM, which can be interfered by resistance mutations located in the transmembrane region. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
On the maximal multiplicity of block sizes in a random set partition
Authors: Mutafchiev Ljuben R. , Savov Mladen
Published: October 2019

We study the asymptotic behavior of the maximal multiplicity Mn = Mn(σ) of the block sizes in a set partition σ of [n] = {1,2,…,n}, assuming that σ is chosen uniformly at random from the set of all such partitions. It is known that, for large n, the blocks of a random set partition are typically of size W = W(n), with WeW = n. We show that, over subsequences {nk}k ≥ 1 of the sequence of the natural numbers, , appropriately normalized, converges weakly, as k→∞, to , where Z1 and Z2 are independent copies of a standard normal random variable. The subsequences {nk}k ≥ 1, where the weak convergence is observed, and the quantity u depend on the fractional part fn of the function W(n). In particular, we establish that . The behavior of the largest multiplicity Mn is in a striking contrast to the similar statistic of integer partitions of n. A heuristic explanation of this phenomenon is also given.
Cold‐Responsive Nanocapsules Enable the Sole‐Cryoprotectant‐Trehalose Cryopreservation of β Cell–Laden Hydrogels for Diabetes Treatment
Authors: Cheng Yue , Yu Yunru , Zhang Yuntian , Zhao Gang , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: October 2019

Islet transplantation has been one promising strategy in diabetes treatment, which can maintain patient's insulin level long‐term and avoid periodical insulin injections. However, donor shortage and temporal mismatch between donors and recipients has limited its widespread use. Therefore, searching for islet substitutes and developing efficient cryopreservation technology (providing potential islet bank for transplantation on demand) is in great need. Herein, a novel cryopreservation method is developed for islet β cells by combining microfluidic encapsulation and cold‐responsive nanocapsules (CR‐NCs). The cryopreserved cell‐laden hydrogels (calcium alginate hydrogel, CAH) can be transplanted for diabetes treatment. During the freezing process, trehalose is released inside β cells through the CR‐NCs and serves as the sole cryoprotectant (CPA). Additionally, CAH helps cells to survive the freeze–thaw process and provide cells with a natural immune barrier in vivo. Different from traditional cryopreservation methods, this method combining the CR‐NCs and hydrogel encapsulation replaces the toxic CPAs with natural trehalose. Great preservation results are obtained and transplantation experiments of diabetic rats further prove the excellent glucose regulation ability of such β cell–laden hydrogels post cryopreservation. This novel cryopreservation method helps to establish a reliable and ready‐to‐use bank of biological samples for transplantation therapy and other biomedical applications.
Intercritical Annealing Processing and a New Type of Quenching and Partitioning Processing, Actualized by Combining Intercritical Quenching and Tempering, for Medium Manganese Lightweight Steel
Authors: Cao Ronghua , Liang Juhua , Li Feng , Li Cheng , Zhao Zhengzhi
Published: October 2019

The microstructure and its effects on mechanical properties of medium manganese lightweight steel are investigated under both intercritical annealing (IA) and a new type of quenching and partitioning processing, actualized by combining intercritical quenching and tempering (IQ‐TP). The result shows that the steel intercritically annealed at 800 °C exhibits a superior tensile ductility, which is related to long‐term continued transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) effect of austenite. Tempering has different effects on steels quenched at various temperatures. For the sample quenched at 800 °C, tempering has a negative effect on its mechanical properties due to a decrease in both volume fraction of austenite and carbon content in austenite. However, for the samples quenched at the range of 850–900 °C, the tempering heat treatment can remarkably improve mechanical properties, which is related to the improvement of austenite stability due to the partitioning of carbon from the carbon‐supersaturated primary martensite into the austenite through the simple quenching and tempering treatment. Meanwhile, the tempering treatment can dramatically promote the yield strength. One of the important reasons is carbon in the primary martensite precipitation as carbides within tempered martensite.
Supporting newly arrived Latinx students in upper elementary mathematics through one‐way dual‐language approaches
Authors: Cardoza José A. , Brown Kathleen M.
Published: October 2019

This article discusses findings of a study conducted in an urban Title 1 elementary school in the United States. The study examined mathematics quarterly test data from Hispanic newcomer English language learners (ELLs) enrolled in Grades 4 and 5 at the same school, some of whom received mathematics instruction almost entirely in Spanish (treatment group) and some in English (comparison group). The treatment group (n = 15) and the comparison group (n = 48) were not randomly selected. A selection criterion was used instead. As predicted, and consistent with research on language transfer theories (Cummins, 1981), empirical data revealed that Hispanic ELLs receiving mathematics instruction in Spanish exhibited higher gains (7%) when compared to those receiving that instruction in English (<3%). As the ELL population continues to grow (Chishti & Hipsman, 2016), these findings may offer an alternative to those interested in closing academic opportunity/achievement gaps.
Cost–benefit analysis of flood‐zoning policies: A review of current practice
Authors: Hudson Paul , Botzen W. J. Wouter
Published: October 2019

One commonly proposed method to limit flood risk is land‐use or zoning policies which regulates construction in high‐risk areas, in order to reduce economic exposure and its vulnerability to flood events. Although such zoning regulations can be effective in limiting trends in flood risk, they also have adverse impacts on society, for instance by limiting local development of areas near the water. In order to judge whether proposed land‐use or zoning policies are a net benefit to society, they should be accepted or rejected based on a societal cost–benefit analysis (CBA). However, conducting a CBA of zoning regulation is complex and comprehensive guidelines of how to do such an analysis are lacking. We offer guidelines for good practice. In order to assess the costs and benefits of zoning as a climate change adaption strategy, they should be assessed at a societal level in order to account for public good features of flood risk reduction strategies, and because costs in one area can be benefits in another region. We propose a multistep process: first, determine the spatial extent of the zoning policy and how interconnected the zoned area is to other locations; second, conduct a CBA using monetary costs and benefits estimated from an integrated hydro‐economic model to investigate if total benefits exceed total costs; third, conduct a sensitivity analysis regarding the main assumptions; fourth, conduct a multicriteria analysis (MCA) of the normative outcomes of a zoning policy. A desirable policy is preferred in both the CBA and MCA.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water

Human Water > Value of Water

Science of Water > Water Extremes

Human Water > Methods
Non-abelian Quantum Statistics on Graphs
Authors: Maciążek Tomasz , Sawicki Adam
Published: October 2019

We show that non-abelian quantum statistics can be studied using certain topological invariants which are the homology groups of configuration spaces. In particular, we formulate a general framework for describing quantum statistics of particles constrained to move in a topological spaceX. The framework involves a study of isomorphism classes of flat complex vector bundles over the configuration space ofXwhich can be achieved by determining its homology groups. We apply this methodology for configuration spaces of graphs. As a conclusion, we provide families of graphs which are good candidates for studying simple effective models of anyon dynamics as well as models of non-abelian anyons on networks that are used in quantum computing. These conclusions are based on our solution of the so-called universal presentation problem for homology groups of graph configuration spaces for certain families of graphs.
Dietary Estimated Intake of Trace Elements: Risk Assessment in an Italian Population
Authors: Filippini Tommaso , Tancredi Stefano , Malagoli Carlotta , Malavolti Marcella , Bargellini Annalisa , Vescovi Luciano , Nicolini Fausto , Vinceti Marco
Published: October 2019

Dietary intake to trace elements may represent the most relevant source of exposure for the general, non-occupationally population, but some of them have been rarely evaluated. We measured content of fifteen trace elements (antimony, barium, beryllium, boron, cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, nickel, silver, strontium, tellurium, thallium, titanium, uranium, and vanadium) in 908 food and beverage samples through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We estimated their dietary intake using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire collected from a population of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Northern Italy. We compared our estimates with tolerable upper intake levels reported by international agencies and we assessed the non-carcinogenic risk through calculation of total hazard quotient for each trace element according to the US-EPA approach. Overall, estimates of their dietary intake were substantially similar to those reported from other countries, and they fell below the tolerable upper intake levels provided by international agencies. The total hazard quotient for each trace element was below 1. Our findings provide updated estimates of food levels and dietary intake of trace elements far frequently evaluated in a sample of Italian adult consumers. They also suggest that any non-carcinogenic risk associated with intake of investigated trace elements may be ruled out in our population.
Effect of compost formulation and postharvest management on quality parameters of button mushroom
Authors: Ranjbar Mohammad Ebrahim , Ghahremani Zahra , Carrasco Jaime
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of compost formulation made from agricultural by-products and thermal treatment of fresh mushrooms on the postharvest quality parameters.

Methods

Quail manure was evaluated as an alternative ingredient to the broadly used chicken manure for compost preparation. In addition, the treatment of fresh mushrooms by hot water to extend shelf-life was tested. Quality parameters including color (browning due to microbial activity), cap opening and the weight loss (senescence) were evaluated.

Results

The nature of the manure employed as base material in the substrate can affect the postharvest browning ratio of mushroom. However, no significant differences in Δb value, weight loss or cap opening were noticed between two different substrates during storage of harvested mushrooms. The cap opening ratio was further retarded while applying thermal treatment to the mushrooms at 55 °C.

Conclusions

The use of chicken manure as base material to prepare mushroom substrate reduces mushroom browning during storage compared to quail manure, although mushrooms from quail compost are whiter at picking. Postharvest treatment at 45 °C for 4 min was the best to minimize the weight loss.
Synthesis of thermoelectric magnesium-silicide pastes for 3D printing, electrospinning and low-pressure spray
Authors: Marques A. C. , Miglietta Davide , Gaspar G. , Baptista A. C. , Gaspar A. , Perdigão P. , Soares I. , Bianchi C. , Sousa D. , Faustino B. M. Morais , Amaral V. S. , Santos T. , Gonçalves A. P. , da Silva R. C. , Giorgis Fabrizio , Ferreira I.
Published: October 2019

In this work, eco-friendly magnesium-silicide (Mg2Si) semiconducting (n-type) thermoelectric pastes for building components concerning energy-harvesting devices through 3D printing, spray and electrospinning were synthetized and tested for the first time. The Mg2Si fine powders were obtained through the combination of ball milling and thermal annealing under Ar atmosphere. While the latter process was crucial for obtaining the desired Mg2Si phase, the ball milling was indispensable for homogenizing and reducing the grain size of the powders. The synthetized Mg2Si powders exhibited a large Seebeck coefficient of ~ 487 µV/K and were blended with a polymeric solution in different mass ratios to adjust the paste viscosity to the different requirements of 3D printing, electrospinning and low-pressure spray. The materials produced in every single stage of the paste synthesis were characterized by a variety of techniques that unequivocally prove their viability for producing thermoelectric parts and components. These can certainly trigger further research and development in green thermoelectric generators (TEGs) capable of adopting any form or shape with enhanced thermoelectric properties. These green TEGs are meant to compete with common toxic materials such as Bi2Te3, PbTe and CoSb that have Seebeck coefficients in the range of ~ 290–700 μV/K, similar to that of the produced Mg2Si powders and lower than that of 3D printed bulk Mg2Si pieces, measured to be ~ 4866 μV/K. Also, their measured thermal conductivities proved to be significantly lower (~ 0.2 W/mK) than that reported for Mg2Si (≥ 4 W/mK). However, it is herein demonstrated that such thermoelectric properties are not stable over time. Pressureless sintering proved to be indispensable, but difficultly achievable by long thermal annealing (even above 32 h) in inert atmosphere at 400 °C, at least for bulk Mg2Si pieces constituted by a mean grain size of 2–3 μm. Hence, for overcoming this sintering challenge and become the silicide’s extrusion viable in the production of bulk thermoelectric parts, alternative pressureless sintering methods will have to be further explored.
Overactive Bladder Syndrome Treatments and Their Effect on Female Sexual Function: A Review
Authors: Levy Gali , Lowenstein Lior
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Overactive bladder (OAB), the most common subtype of urinary incontinence, has a heavy price on quality of life, especially on sexual life. Unfortunately, most women rarely voice the worsening of sexual function, especially those who already suffer from OAB symptoms. It has been demonstrated that patients who suffer from OAB score lower on Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index scores, meaning that their sexual function is debilitated. Therapies for OAB begin with traditional pelvic floor physiotherapy, advance to anticholinergic drugs, and become more invasive with intravesical injections of onabotulinumtoxinA (commonly known as Botox). Last, for patients resistant to conservative therapies, sacral neuromodulation is the treatment of choice.

Methods

This article reviews the current literature that sheds light on the above 4 treatments and their effect on sexual function. This topic is of great importance because of the under-reporting of sexual dysfunction in women who suffer from OAB, in hopes of raising awareness of sexual function for clinicians treating patients with OAB.

Results

This review found that the aforementioned 4 treatments for OAB (physiotherapy, anticholinergic drugs, intravesical injections of onabotulinumtoxinA, and sacral neuromodulation) do not have a detrimental affect on sexual function. On the contrary, the little data that do exist show that sexual function increases after these therapies are completed in women with OAB.

Conclusion

This review concludes with a positive outlook: physicians are helping women with OAB syndrome to improve their sexual function. However, not enough data exist, partially due to under-reporting of diminished sexual function.
Sleep and neurocognitive decline in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos
Authors: Ramos Alberto R. , Tarraf Wassim , Wu Benson , Redline Susan , Cai Jianwen , Daviglus Martha L. , Gallo Linda , Mossavar‐Rahmani Yasmin , Perreira Krista M. , Zee Phyllis , Zeng Donglin , Gonzalez Hector M.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

To determine if sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB), daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and sleep duration predict seven‐year neurocognitive decline in US Hispanics/Latinos (N = 5247).

Methods

The exposures were baseline SDB, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and sleep duration. The outcomes were change in episodic learning and memory (B‐SEVLT‐Sum and SEVLT‐Recall), language (word fluency [WF]), processing speed (Digit Symbol Substitution), and a cognitive impairment screener (Six‐item Screener [SIS]).

Results

Mean age was 63 ± 8 years, with 55% of the population being female with 7.0% Central American, 24.5% Cuban, 9.3% Dominican, 35.9% Mexican, 14.4% Puerto Rican, and 5.1% South American background. Long sleep (>9 hours), but not short sleep (<6 hours), was associated with decline (standard deviation units) in episodic learning and memory (βSEVLT‐Sum = −0.22 [se = 0.06]; P < .001; βSEVLT‐Recall = −0.13 [se = 0.06]; P < .05), WF (Pwf = −0.20 [se 5 0.06]; P < .01), and SIS (βSIS = −0.16 [se = 0.06]; P < .01), but not processing speed, after adjusting for covariates. SDB, sleepiness, and insomnia were not associated with neurocognitive decline.

Conclusion

Long sleep duration predicted seven‐year cognitive decline.
INTERTEXTUALITY AND MEMORY IN EARLY CHINESE WRITINGS: A CASE STUDY FROMHUAINANZI
Authors: Weingarten Oliver
Published: October 2019

This article aims to illustrate the usefulness of analytical approaches to early Chinese writings which center on effects of textual memory. Due to a dearth of contemporaneous descriptions, concrete practices of oral transmission, dictation, performance, and interpretation in Early China largely lie beyond the ken of present-day scholarship. But recurrence of linguistic-stylistic elements testifies to the presence of these elements in an author's memory. Memory should thus, in principle, provide a comparatively accessible perspective on textual production. To demonstrate this point, the article investigates verbal parallels to a passage fromHuainanzi淮南子 15, “Bing lüe” 兵略 (An Overview of the Military). The internal and distributional patterns as well as the qualitative properties of textual overlaps with other extant writings suggest a composition process that involved a particular type of textual memory. Parallels are fuzzy and patchy; they rarely exceed one or two clauses; they display an irregular distribution across intertexts; the similarities between them cut across linguistic and stylistic categories and recombine in unpredictable constellations. This bundle of characteristics suggests not so much systematic exploitation of trained mnemonic capacities to reproduce long stretches of text verbatim, but instead, a reliance on the aptness of linguistic-stylistic elements of various kinds to spring to mind piecemeal in particular thematic contexts. These specificities are captured well by Boris Gasparov's notion of “communicative fragments.” To invoke an Aristotelian distinction, the resulting effects are close to those of unsupervised remembering rather than the deliberate, goal-directed cognitive activity of recollecting. Looking beyond the present study, it is hoped that future investigations of intertextuality will combine aspects of close reading—as in this article—and methods of digitally enhanced distant reading. This will likely help to elucidate distinct habits of text production and to devise more refined textual typologies, which might eventually feed into more nuanced literary, historical, and philosophical interpretations.
WRITING BEFORE INSCRIBING: ON THE USE OF MANUSCRIPTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF WESTERN ZHOU BRONZE INSCRIPTIONS
Authors: Škrabal Ondřej
Published: October 2019

While research on Warring States, Qin, and Han manuscripts is flourishing, much less is known about the use of manuscripts during the earlier stages of Chinese history, for which material evidence has not been preserved. Based on the layout features and textual anomalies in the Western Zhou bronze inscriptions, this article explores the traces of use of perishable writing supports in the process of the production of bronze inscriptions in this period and reconstructs their functions and physical qualities. Based on the surveyed evidence, the article posits that two distinct exemplar manuscripts were used in the inscription-making process: an original “master copy” that was kept aside for proofreading purposes and a secondary “blueprint” that was employed directly in the technical process of inscription-making. A single blueprint would be used consecutively by several craftsmen to produce a set of inscriptions on different types of vessels. The word count and layout of many inscriptions were already carefully planned during the process of their composition, and any study of a bronze text should therefore begin with the evaluation of its visual qualities. Moreover, this probe provides unambiguous evidence for the use of tube-lining in the inscription-making process and reconstructs the completechaîne opératoireof bronze inscription production in the Late Western Zhou period. The article also offers insights into the level of literacy and the division of labor in bronze workshops, and touches upon the display function of bronze epigraphy during the Western Zhou period.
The evolution of a front in turbulent thermal wind balance. Part 2. Numerical simulations
Authors: Crowe Matthew N. , Taylor John R.
Published: October 2019

In Crowe & Taylor (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 850, 2018, pp. 179–211) we described a theory for the evolution of density fronts in a rotating reference frame subject to strong vertical mixing using an asymptotic expansion in small Rossby number, $Ro$. We found that the front reaches a balanced state where vertical diffusion is balanced by horizontal advection in the buoyancy equation. The depth-averaged buoyancy obeys a nonlinear diffusion equation which admits a similarity solution corresponding to horizontal spreading of the front. Here we use numerical simulations of the full momentum and buoyancy equations to investigate this problem for a wide range of Rossby and Ekman numbers. We examine the accuracy of our asymptotic solution and find that many aspects of the solution are valid for $Ro=O(1)$. However, the asymptotic solution departs from the numerical simulations for small Ekman numbers where the dominant balance in the momentum equation changes. We trace the source of this discrepancy to a depth-independent geostrophic flow that develops on both sides of the front and we develop a modification to the theory described in Crowe & Taylor (2018) to account for this geostrophic flow. The refined theory closely matches the numerical simulations, even for $Ro=O(1)$. Finally, we develop a new scaling for the intense vertical velocity that can develop in thin bands at the edges of the front.
Endogenous Parliaments: The Domestic and International Roots of Long-Term Economic Growth and Executive Constraints in Europe
Authors: Abramson Scott F , Boix Carles
Published: October 2019

Institutional constraints on executive behavior are commonly understood to be crucial constitutional features that limit state expropriation, protect property rights, and promote economic development. Combining new data describing the presence of parliamentary constraints for the entire European continent with data on city sizes, we build upon theories of endogenous economic growth to demonstrate that paths of both economic and political development over the long span of European history from 1200 to 1900 are the consequence of a common process of urban agglomeration. In doing so, we provide evidence that both outcomes—the existence of constraining institutions and growth—are driven by initial conditions that fostered technical know-how embodied in urban-dwelling artisans who, in turn, were able to force institutional limits on rulers’ actions. Hence, instead of reflecting a true underlying cause of development, parliamentary constraints are themselves outcomes determined by an endogenous process of growth.
Incidental capture of elasmobranchs in the bottom-set gill-net fishery off the south coast of Ireland
Authors: Berrow S.D.
Published: October 2019

The incidental capture of sharks in the bottom-set gill-net fishery off the south coast of Ireland was quantified by placing observers on commercial gill-netters for the duration of a fishing trip. Forty fishing trips were sampled resulting in 1,167 km and 19,760 km h of observed fishing effort. Sixty individual sharks of seven species were reported entangled in the fishing gear. Tope, porbeagle and six-gilled sharks were the most frequently caught species, with black-mouthed dogfish, blue shark, basking shark and starry smooth hound also recorded. Total fishing effort along the south coast was calculated and total capture extrapolated from observed catch rates. An estimated 6,000 sharks were caught in this fishery during the study period.
Observations on the life cycle of Abra ovata on an intertidal mud flat in portugal
Authors: Sprung Martin
Published: October 2019

On an intertidal mud flat in the Ria Formosa (southern Portugal) Abra ovata (Mollusca: Bivalvia) showed effective meiobenthic and macrobenthic dispersal (i.e. of individuals smaller and larger than 1 mm). This was important to compensate for mortality caused by shore crabs during summer. It was observed in the laboratory that A. ovata deposited eggs in capsules on the sediment surface; after 11–15 d at 20°C benthic juveniles of 210–220 (im shell length hatched from these capsules. A pelagic larval stage was missing. Large numbers of specimens of about 1 mm shell length colonized protected buckets between February and June.
Size-related variation in the sensitivity of the mussel, Mytilus edulis, to copper
Authors: Hoare K. , Davenport J.
Published: October 2019

Juvenile mussels (Mytilus edulis, Mollusca: Bivalvia) were subjected to a simple assay to investigate the pattern and timing of the shift from high copper resistance of the veliger larva to the lower resistance of the adult. The level of resistance found in veligers persists in mussels of 1 mm shell length (400 ppb Cu; LT50, 12.5 d) while the lower adult level of resistance is reached at a shell length of 5 mm (400 ppb Cu; LT50 2.8–5.3 d). Resistance declines gradually, being significantly correlated with shell length (P<0.02) such that size differences explain 88% of the variation in copper resistance among juvenile mussels.
Variation of antibacterial activity in the haemocytes of the shore crab,Carcinus maenas, with temperature
Authors: Chisholm June R.S. , Smith Valerie J.
Published: October 2019

The effects of environmental temperature on haemocyte antibacterial activity were investigated for the shore crab,Carcinus maenas.Haemocyte lysate supernatants (HLS), prepared from groups of five animals (sampled at monthly intervals over one year and covering a range of temperatures) were assayed for their ability to reduce viable counts of the marine bacteriumPsychrobacter immobilisNQMB 308 during 4 h incubation. Parallel measurements were made of HLS protein concentration, total haemocyte count and ambient aquarium sea-water temperature. Despite wide variation in the values derived for each parameter, the results show that powerful antibacterial activity was present in HLS for all months except February and August, when respective aquarium water temperatures were at their lowest and highest for the year. This emphasizes the importance of environmental factors in immune capability: a phenomenon of significance not only to commercial shellfish culture but also for the use of immune parameters as biomarkers of environmental disturbance.
Infinitesimals, Nations, and Persons
Authors: Rumfitt Ian
Published: October 2019

I compare three sorts of case in which philosophers have argued that we cannot assert the Law of Excluded Middle for statements of identity. Adherents of Smooth Infinitesimal Analysis deny that Excluded Middle holds for statements saying that an infinitesimal is identical with zero. Derek Parfit contended that, in certain sci-fi scenarios, the Law does not hold for some statements of personal identity. He also claimed that it fails for the statement ‘England in 1065 was the same nation as England in 1067’. I argue that none of these cases poses a serious threat to Excluded Middle. My analysis of the last example casts doubt on the principle of the Determinacy of Distinctness. While David Wiggins's ‘conceptualist realism’ provides a metaphysics which can dispense with that principle, it leaves no house-room for infinitesimals.