bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Chemical Structure of Solid Lipid Matrix on Its Melting Behavior and Volumetric Expansion in Pressurized Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Yang Junsi , Ciftci Ozan N.
Published: November 2019

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) technology offers new opportunities for green processing of lipids; however, there is little information of the melting behavior and volumetric expansion of solid lipids in pressurized CO2. In this study, melting behavior and volumetric expansion of two different solid lipid classes and the effect of the structural differences within the same lipid class on the melting behavior in pressurized CO2 were investigated. The melting point of the solid lipids decreased linearly with increasing pressures up to a certain level; then, it stayed constant. The highest melting point depression was observed for soybean oil monoacylglycerol (SO‐MAG) at 51.5 °C/110 bar, whereas the lowest was for fully hydrogenated soybean oil (FHSO) containing 30% SO‐MAG at 55.0 °C/79 bar. Melting point depression depended on lipid class. SO‐MAG exhibited a higher melting point depression than FHSO (triacylglycerol form), and its blends with SO‐MAG. There was no difference in melting point depression between glyceryl 1,2‐distearate and glyceryl 1,3‐distearate up to 200 bar (P > 0.05). A positive correlation between the melting point depression and volumetric expansion of solid lipids was observed. The highest volumetric expansion was for SO‐MAG in the linear region of the melting point depression curve, achieving 14.4% expansion compared to 9.3% for FHSO (P < 0.05). The highest dT/dP value (0.17 °C bar−1) was obtained for SO‐MAG, whereas the FHSO (0.09 °C bar−1) had the lowest one. Findings of this study will help optimize solid lipid‐involving SC‐CO2 processes for better protection of heat‐sensitive compounds while improving energy efficiency.
Cytoreductive Surgery With Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, Part II: Implementation
Authors: Dunn Debra , Ciccarelli Eileen , Moltzen Nina
Published: November 2019

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an extensive procedure used to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis, which is either primary or secondary to other cancers (eg, ovarian, colorectal, appendiceal) that have metastasized to the peritoneum. Morbidity, mortality, and quality of life have improved for patients selecting CRS with HIPEC as a cancer treatment. At Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, an interdisciplinary team was established to plan and coordinate performing this new procedure in the OR. The team created a written protocol for implementing CRS with HIPEC before patients were scheduled for surgery. This article explores the perioperative facets of implementing CRS with HIPEC and discusses care of the patient undergoing CRS with HIPEC, with a focus on perioperative nursing considerations.
Guideline Implementation: Transmission‐Based Precautions
Authors: Link Terri
Published: November 2019

Transmission of an infectious agent requires a source of infection, a mode of transmission, and a vulnerable host. The most important interventions for preventing infection transmission are hand hygiene and use of standard precautions for all patients. Other precautions are based on how an organism is transmitted; these include contact, airborne, and droplet precautions. The cornerstone of transmission‐based precautions is appropriate use of personal protective equipment to protect personnel and patients from infection. This article discusses key takeaways from the “AORN guideline for transmission‐based precautions,” including using standard precautions; wearing personal protective equipment when exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials is anticipated; and using contact precautions during care of patients known or suspected to be infected or colonized with pathogens transmitted by direct or indirect contact. Perioperative RNs should review the complete guideline for additional information and for guidance when writing and updating policies and procedures.
Low‐cost and biodegradable cellulose/PVP/activated carbon composite membrane for brackish water treatment
Authors: Ramadoss Preethi , Regi Thankam , Rahman Mohammed Isfahur , Arivuoli D.
Published: November 2019

A simple fabrication of a biodegradable membrane for use in water purification systems is presented in this work. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and PVP are dissolved in water and crosslinked with citric acid. The presence of glycerol has given immense flexibility and mechanical strength to the membrane. The addition of activated charcoal has enhanced its purification and dye adsorption capabilities at room temperature in dark and light conditions. The polymer semiconductor composites are completely soil degradable within a week and the membrane also exhibits good electrical conductivity when compared to the membrane without charcoal. The addition of glycerol has acted as molecular spacer between polymers composite's monomer backbone that allows good electron mobility of 9.9 cm2 V−1 s−1. The dye adsorption efficiency of the material with two commonly used toxic textile dyes is found to be 100% for methyl orange and up to 57% for Rhodamine B within 3 h. The material shows good dye adsorption efficiency under dark and light conditions with acidic, neutral, and alkaline pH. Salt rejection was also found to increase from 25.3 to 64.4% with applied voltage. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48746.
Synthesis of multifunctional core–shell toughening agent with light stability and its application in polycarbonate
Authors: Wang Lin , He Hui , Li Kunquan , Chen Rui , Chen Pingxu , Cen Yin
Published: November 2019

A light stabilizer compound of 2‐(2′‐propionyloxy‐5′‐methylphenyl) benzotriazole (AMB) was synthesized by the esterification of the 2‐(2′‐hydroxy‐5′‐methylphenyl) benzotriazole with acryloyl chloride (AC), and the AMB was then copolymerized with the methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), and silicone monomers (D4) to prepare the silicone light toughener of poly(D4‐MMA‐BA‐AMB). Effects of the AMB monomer on the conversion and polymerization stability and the toughening and photostabilizing effects of the poly(D4‐MMA‐BA‐AMB) on the polycarbonate (PC) were studied. The prepared multifunctional toughening agent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyzer, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering analyzer, and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. Results show that the prepared poly(D4‐MMA‐BA‐AMB) toughening agent possessed core–shell structure and could effectively absorb the ultraviolet rays. Although the addition of the poly(D4‐MMA‐BA‐AMB) toughening agent had a negative effect on the tensile strength of the PC, it could greatly improve the low‐temperature notched impact strength, toughness performance, and yellowness performance of PC products after UV irradiation. Compared with the silicone toughening agent, the toughening agent of the poly(D4‐MMA‐BA‐AMB) had better anti‐ultraviolet property for the PC/poly(D4‐MMA‐BA‐AMB) composite. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48747.
Comprehensive Basicity Scales for N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes in DMSO: Implications on the Stabilities of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene and CO2 Adducts
Authors: Wang Zhen , Xue Xiao‐Song , Fu Yanhua , Ji Pengju
Published: November 2019

A very broad acidity scale (≈40 pK units) for about 400 N‐heterocyclic carbene precursors (NHCPs) with various backbones and electronic features, including imidazolylidenes, 1,2,4‐triazolylidenes, cyclic diaminocarbenes (CDACs), diamidocarbenes (DACs), thiazolylidenes, cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) and mesoionic carbenes (MICs), was established in DMSO by a well examined computational method. Varying the backbone structure or flanking N‐substituents can have different extent of acidifying effects, depending on both the nature and number of substituent(s). The Gibbs energies (ΔGrs) for the reactions between the corresponding NHCs and CO2 were also calculated. There is a good linear correlation between the pKas of most NHCPs and ΔGrs, suggesting that a greater basicity of NHC leads to a more stable NHC‐CO2 adduct. Interestingly, the nearby asymmetric environment has virtually no differential effect on the acidities of the chiral NHCP enantiomers, but has a pronounced effect on the ΔGr values.
Subcellular dynamics of variants of SG2NA in NIH3T3 fibroblasts
Authors: Chauhan Pooja , Gupta Richa , Jain Buddhi P. , Pandey Shweta , Goswami Shyamal K.
Published: November 2019

SG2NA, a WD40 repeat protein of the Striatin subfamily, has four splicing and one messenger RNA edit variants. It is fast emerging as a scaffold for multimeric signaling complexes with roles in tissue development and disease. The green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged variants of SG2NA were ectopically expressed in NIH3T3 cells and their modulation by serum and GSK3β‐ERK signaling were monitored. The 87, 78, and 35 kDa variants showed a biphasic modulation by serum till 24 h but the 52 kDa variant remained largely unresponsive. Inhibition of phosphatases by okadaic acid increased the levels of the endogenous 78 kDa and the ectopically expressed GFP‐tagged 87 and 78 kDa SG2NAs. Contrastingly, okadaic acid treatment reduced the level of GFP‐tagged 35 kDa SG2NA, suggesting differential modes of their stability through phosphorylation‐dephosphorylation. The inhibition of GSK3β by LiCl showed a gradual decrease in the levels of 78 kDa. In the case of the other variants viz, GFP‐tagged 35, 52, and 87 kDa, inhibition of GSK3β caused an initial increase followed by a decrease with a subtle difference in kinetics and intensities. Similar results were also seen upon inhibition of GSK3β by small interfering RNA. All the variants showed an increase followed by a decrease upon inhibition of extracellular‐signal‐regulated‐kinase (ERK). These variants are localized in the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and the nucleus with different propensities and no discernable subcellular distribution was seen upon stimulation by serum and the inhibition of phosphatases, GSK3β, and ERK. Taken together, the variants of SG2NA are modulated by the kinase‐phosphatase network in a similar but characteristic manner.
Repair of iatrogenic pulmonary vein occlusion with a vascularized atrial flap
Authors: Chemtob Raphaelle A. , Smith Michael , Hatipoglu Umur , Hodges Kevin Edward , Gillinov Alan Marc , Phelan Dermot , Pettersson Gösta Bengt , Wierup Per
Published: November 2019

Pulmonary vein obstruction is a rare condition, most commonly reported following pulmonary vein catheter ablation for atrial arrhythmia. This novel technique for treatment of pulmonary venous obstruction has the advantage of utilizing an autologous vascularized flap with intact endothelium for reconstruction of the pulmonary vein and to prevent restenosis.
PARAMO: Enhanced Data Pre‐processing in Batch Multivariate Statistical Process Control
Authors: Fuentes‐García Marta , González‐Martínez José María , Maciá‐Fernández Gabriel , Camacho José
Published: November 2019

Since the pioneering works by Nomikos and MacGregor, the Batch Multivariate Statistical Process Control (BMSPC) methodology has been extensively revised, and a sheer number of alternative monitoring approaches have been suggested. The different approaches vary in the batch data alignment, the pre‐processing approach, the data arrangement, and/or the type of model used, from two‐way to three‐way and from linear to nonlinear. One of the most accepted pre‐processing schemes, referred to as the trajectory centering and scaling (TCS), is based on the normalization to zero mean and unit variance around the average trajectory. However, the main drawback of TCS is the inherent increase of the level of uncertainty in the estimation of model parameters. In this work, we illustrate how to improve parameter estimation while maintaining the good properties of this pre‐processing approach. This enhancement is achieved with the new pre‐processing approach we call PARAMO, which uses more observations than TCS to estimate the pre‐processing parameters. We show that this improvement favorably impacts the performance of the monitoring system. The results of this research work affect a large amount of the monitoring approaches proposed to date, and we advocate that the pre‐processing procedure proposed here should be generally applied in BMSPC.
Study of chemical compound spatial distribution in biodegradable active films using NIR hyperspectral imaging and multivariate curve resolution
Authors: Terra Larissa R. , Roque Jussara V. , Pola Cícero C. , Gonçalves Igor M. , Soares Nilda de Fátima F. , Teófilo Reinaldo F.
Published: November 2019

A study of spatial distribution of the four different plasticizers and sorbic acid incorporated in cellulose acetate biodegradable films using near‐infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR‐HSI) and multivariate curve resolution—alternating least squares (MCR‐ALS) is presented. A NIR‐HSI was acquired for each film. MCR‐ALS was applied to generate pure component distribution maps. A repeatability study was performed. The proposed method was able to recover the pure spectra of each film component accurately. The relative concentration vectors obtained by the MCR‐ALS were rebuilt in matrices, and it was possible to analyze the homogeneity of the film constituents based on macropixel analysis and homogeneity index. The NIR‐HSI imaging showed excellent repeatability. For the first time, a study detailing the distribution of chemical compounds incorporated into entire biodegradable films was possible by using NIR hyperspectral imaging combined with the MCR‐ALS method.
Wer braucht schon Froschschenkel?
Authors: Emden Markus , Hild Pitt , Kallinna Kirsten , Murer Livia
Published: November 2019

Anliegen der in loser Folge erscheinenden Versuche ist es, Impulse für chemische Versuche zu geben, die gefahrlos zu Hause mit haushaltsüblichen Gegenständen durchgeführt werden können. Sie können damit als Quelle für das gemeinsame Ausprobieren mit Kindern zuhause dienen, in Kindergärten oder an Schulen sowie zur Verwendung bei Tagen der offenen Tür. Ein Stückweit sind sie zu verstehen als Antwort auf den oft gehörten Satz: „Ach, Du bist Chemiker/in? Dann mach doch mal eben ein Experiment.“
The impact of care farms on quality of life, depression and anxiety among different population groups: A systematic review
Authors: Murray Jenni , Wickramasekera Nyantara , Elings Marjolein , Bragg Rachel , Brennan Cathy , Richardson Zoe , Wright Judy , Llorente Marina G. , Cade Janet , Shickle Darren , Tubeuf Sandy , Elsey Helen
Published: November 2019

Care farming (also called social farming) is the therapeutic use of agricultural and farming practices. Service users and communities supported through care farming include people with learning disabilities, mental and physical health problems, substance misuse, adult offenders, disaffected youth, socially isolated older people and the long term unemployed. Care farming is growing in popularity, especially around Europe. This review aimed to understand the impact of care farming on quality of life, depression and anxiety, on a range of service user groups. It also aimed to explore and explain the way in which care farming might work for different groups. By reviewing interview studies we found that people valued, among other things, being in contact with each other, and feeling a sense of achievement, fulfilment and belonging. Some groups seemed to appreciate different things indicating that different groups may benefit in different ways but, it is unclear if this is due to a difference in the types of activities or the way in which people take different things from the same activity. We found no evidence that care farms improved people's quality of life and some evidence that they might improve depression and anxiety. Larger studies involving single service user groups and fully validated outcome measures are needed to prove more conclusive evidence about the benefits of care farming.
Split‐sample comparison of urothelial cells in ThinPrep and cytospin preparations in urinary cytology: Do we need to adjust The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology criteria?
Authors: Richardson Christopher J. , Pambuccian Stefan E. , Barkan Güliz A.
Published: November 2019

Background

The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) defines clear morphologic criteria to classify urinary specimens into 7 diagnostic categories. According to TPS, a nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic ratio (N:C ratio) >0.7 and hyperchromasia must be observed to render a diagnosis of high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC). TPS was established using only liquid‐based preparation techniques, and to the authors' knowledge it is unknown whether TPS can be applied using other preparation methods.

Methods

In the current prospective study, voided urine samples from patients with HGUC and negative for HGUC (NHGUC) were prepared using both ThinPrep and cytospin methods. ImageJ image processing software was used to measure the N:C ratio and hyperchromasia. For each patient, the N:C ratio and degree of hyperchromasia of urothelial cells present in both cytopreparations were compared.

Results

A total of 10 HGUC cases and 9 NHGUC cases, represented by a total of 688 cells (mean, 36.7 cells in HGUC cases; and mean, 35.8 cells in NHGUC cases), were evaluated in the current study. An overall comparison of HGUC cells with NHGUC cells demonstrated that HGUC cells had a higher average N:C ratio (0.5465 vs 0.2846) and greater hyperchromasia as measured by the average nuclear pixel gray value (100.8 vs 120.7). The N:C ratio was statistically different in 4 NHGUC cases, demonstrating higher N:C ratios in the ThinPrep preparations. Hyperchromasia was found to be statistically different in 6 cases, 5 of which demonstrated increased hyperchromasia in the ThinPrep specimens.

Conclusions

The morphologic features of HGUC cells appear to be similar in samples prepared using the ThinPrep and cytospin methods, and therefore TPS criteria may be applied successfully in laboratories that use these methods.
Image‐Based Analysis of Protein Stability
Authors: Hickman K. Ashley , Hariharan Santosh , De Melo Jason , Ylanko Jarkko , Lustig Lindsay C. , Penn Linda Z. , Andrews David W.
Published: November 2019

Short half‐life proteins regulate many essential processes, including cell cycle, transcription, and apoptosis. However, few well‐characterized protein‐turnover pathways have been identified because traditional methods to measure protein half‐life are time and labor intensive. To overcome this barrier, we developed a protein stability probe and high‐content screening pipeline for novel regulators of short half‐life proteins using automated image analysis. Our pilot probe consists of the short half‐life protein c‐MYC (MYC) fused to Venus fluorescent protein (MYC‐Venus). This probe enables protein half‐life to be scored as a function of fluorescence intensity and distribution. Rapid turnover prevents maximal fluorescence of the probe due to the relatively longer maturation time of the fluorescent protein. Cells expressing the MYC‐Venus probe were analyzed using a pipeline in which automated confocal microscopy and image analyses were used to score MYC‐Venus stability by two strategies: assaying the percentage of cells with Venus fluorescence above background, and phenotypic comparative analysis. To evaluate this high‐content screening pipeline and our probe, a kinase inhibitor library was screened by confocal microscopy to identify known and novel kinases that regulate MYC stability. Compounds identified were shown to increase the half‐life of both MYC‐Venus and endogenous MYC, validating the probe and pipeline. Fusion of another short half‐life protein, myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1), with Venus also demonstrated an increase in percent Venus‐positive cells after treatment with inhibitors known to stabilize MCL1. Together, the results validate the use of our automated microscopy and image analysis pipeline of stability probe‐expressing cells to rapidly and quantitatively identify regulators of short half‐life proteins. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
An improvement mechanism for heartbeat‐driven MAC synchronization in wireless body sensor network
Authors: Wu Tin‐Yu , Wang Wei
Published: November 2019

This paper aims to improve the TDMA‐based Heartbeat‐Driven MAC (H‐MAC) protocol for WBAN. H‐MAC is designed to be used in star‐topology WBAN for time synchronization realization by using heartbeat rhythm information, instead of periodic synchronization beacons. H‐MAC therefore saves power of WBAN sensor nodes and reduces the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health during the packet delivery process. To embed heartbeat rhythm information into different bio‐signals and check the peak values of wave forms can contribute to time synchronization for BSN. As the heart contracts via systole and relaxes via diastole, pulse is the number of times one's heart beats every minute and the number of pulses measured at different body parts is the same. However, blood vessels run over the whole human body and their distances away from the heart greatly vary in the same systole, leading to an imperceptible time difference and the synchronization problem. We propose to include the presently most mature method for time synchronization, Flooding Time Synchronization Protocol (FTSP), to deal with time differences.
Regulation of auxin transcriptional responses
Authors: Powers Samantha K. , Strader Lucia C.
Published: November 2019

The plant hormone auxin acts as a signaling molecule to regulate a vast number of developmental responses throughout all stages of plant growth. Tight control and coordination of auxin signaling is required for the generation of specific auxin‐response outputs. The nuclear auxin signaling pathway controls auxin‐responsive gene transcription through the TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESPONSE1/AUXIN SIGNALING F‐BOX pathway. Recent work has uncovered important details into how regulation of auxin signaling components can generate unique and specific responses to determine auxin outputs. In this review, we discuss what is known about the core auxin signaling components and explore mechanisms important for regulating auxin response specificity.
Chemical‐Free Approach for Z‐Isomerization of Lycopene in Tomato Powder: Hot Air and Superheated Steam Heating above the Melting Point of Lycopene
Authors: Honda Masaki , Kageyama Hakuto , Hibino Takashi , Waditee‐Sirisattha Rungaroon , Fukaya Tetsuya , Hayashi Yoshiaki , Goto Motonobu
Published: November 2019

Z‐isomers of lycopene exhibit higher bioavailability and antioxidant capacity than those of the all‐E‐isomer. Therefore, it is important to develop an efficient and environmentally friendly procedure for Z‐isomerization. The current methods for Z‐isomerization of (all‐E)‐lycopene use toxic chemicals such as organic solvents and catalysts. This study is aimed to develop a chemical‐free method for Z‐isomerization of (all‐E)‐lycopene in tomato powder by hot air and superheated steam heating. The Z‐isomerization reaction is promoted by heating above the melting point of lycopene. When heated with superheated steam, the thermal decomposition of lycopene is suppressed compared to that when heated with hot air. When tomato powder is heated at 240 °C for 5 min by superheated steam, the total Z‐isomer content and remaining lycopene are 69.0% and 90.7%, respectively, while with hot air heating, the total Z‐isomer content and remaining lycopene are 69.9% and 68.0%, respectively. These results indicate that the thermal Z‐isomerization of lycopene occurs in the molten state and heating in a low oxygen atmosphere suppresses the thermal decomposition of lycopene.

Practical Applications: Tomato powder rich in lycopene Z‐isomers is an important ingredient for the food and animal feed industries. Since Z‐isomers of lycopene are more soluble in solvents including ethanol which is a low‐toxicity and environmentally friendly solvent, the efficiency of lycopene extraction with ethanol can be improved by using the Z‐isomer‐rich tomato powder as a raw material. The obtained Z‐isomer‐rich extract has a high added value because the Z‐isomers have higher bioavailability and antioxidant capacity than those of the all‐E‐isomer. In addition, since lycopene Z‐isomers exhibit higher accumulation efficiency and better color improvement in hen egg yolks than those of the all‐E‐isomer, Z‐isomer‐rich tomato powder is an effective animal feed.
Application of flotation column for Cl‐ and N, N′‐bis (2‐hydroxyethyl) piperazine separation in gas sweetening unit
Authors: Haddad Javid , Manteghian Mehrdad
Published: November 2019

The degradation of amine solvents leads to increasing costs and deterioration in long term performance. Therefore, the purification of the solvents is needed to guarantee smoother operations. In this research, the flotation setup was investigated by means of laboratory and pilot‐scale experiments in the amine reclamation for chloride and N, N′‐bis (2‐hydroxyethyl) piperazine (BHEP) separation. The maximum removal efficiency recorded was 51% for the largest chloride concentration of 7091 mg/l and 37% for the lowest chloride concentration of 1536 mg/l. The mass transfer coefficient was hence correlated with the hydrodynamic parameters, including chloride reduction rate, bubble surface area, and gas and liquid phase concentration. The average chloride removal efficiency for the monoethanolamine (MEA) was more than 61% due to a better dispersion of pure nitrogen gas bubbles and formation of the tiny bubbles provided in the column. The results indicated that a higher chloride initial concentration corresponded to better performance of the setup. Under the typical column operating conditions, it was concluded that a collection zone H:D of 10:1 was a reasonable compromise. The flotation setup results in BHEP separation, known as amine degradation product showed about 24% average amine recovery.
Effect of shearing on hydraulic properties of rough‐walled fractures under different boundary conditions
Authors: Wang Changsheng , Jiang Yujing , Luan Hengjie , Sugimoto Satoshi
Published: November 2019

This study experimentally investigated nonlinear flow characteristics of rough‐walled fractures during shear process under different boundary conditions, using the servo‐controlled shear‐flow apparatus. A series of shear‐flow tests were conducted on two types of rough fractures with different shear displacements under various boundary conditions. The effects of shear process, fracture surface roughness, boundary normal stiffness, and initial normal stress on nonlinear flow behaviors are analyzed. The results show that Forchheimer equation provides a good description of the nonlinear relationship between flow rate and pressure gradient in rough‐walled fractures. The linear and nonlinear coefficients decrease by 1‐2 and 2‐3 orders of magnitude during shear, respectively. Both the mechanical aperture and the hydraulic aperture increase with increasing shear displacement. The mechanical aperture is always larger than the hydraulic aperture, and their difference gradually increases with the increment of shear displacement. The contact area ratio exhibits a fast decrease as shear displacement ranges between 1 and 3 mm and then decreases gradually with the decreasing rate generally diminishes. With the increase in shear displacement, the critical Reynolds number shows an increasing trend. The critical Reynolds number is in range 3.22‐35.41 for fracture G1 and 1.23‐12.35 for fracture G3. As the boundary normal stiffness and initial normal stress increase, the critical Reynolds number decreases.
The youngest Permian Ocean in Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Evidence from Geochronology and Geochemistry of Bingdaban Ophiolitic Mélange in Central Tianshan, northwestern China
Authors: Liu Xi‐Jun , Zhang Zhi‐Guo , Xu Ji‐Feng , Xiao Wen‐Jiao , Shi Yu , Gong Xiao‐Han , Tan Zhen‐Jiang , Li Rui
Published: November 2019

The Tianshan Belt, which lies in the southwest part of Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is characterized by abundant ophiolites or ophiolitic mélanges, which are indicators of the existence of oceanic basin can be used for tracking the tectonic evolutionary history of the orogen. The Bindaban (BD) ophiolitic mélange is located in the Central Tianshan Belt, northwest China, which comprises mainly gabbros, diabases, basalts, basaltic lavas (greenschist), and cherts. This paper presents new zircon geochronology, whole‐rock major and trace elements, and Sr, Nd isotope data for mafic rocks in the BD ophiolitic mélanges. In the eastern part of BD ophiolitic mélanges, one normal (N)‐MORB‐type basalt has a U–Pb zircon age of 265.2 ± 1.8 Ma, and one enriched‐MORB‐type dolorite in the western part of BD ophiolitic mélanges has an age of 425.4 ± 3.9 Ma, respectively, indicating either an existing ocean basin from continental rifting to normal oceanic spreading with a long time span from late Silurian to Permain, or two separate ocean basins that formed in late Permian and late Silurian during the Paleo‐Tianshan Ocean evolution. In particular, the 265.2 ± 1.8 Ma age of N‐MORB‐type basalt from BD ophiolitic mélange suggests the youngest oceanic basin (late Permian) existed in southwest CAOB, which reveals that Paleo‐Asian Ocean might last to late Permian, therefore finally closed in or after the late Permian in the North Tianshan area.
Maximizing dissimilarity in resting state detects heterogeneous subtypes in healthy population associated with high substance use and problems in antisocial personality
Authors: Kashyap Rajan , Bhattacharjee Sagarika , Yeo B. T. Thomas , Chen S. H. Annabel
Published: November 2019

Patterns in resting‐state fMRI (rs‐fMRI) are widely used to characterize the trait effects of brain function. In this aspect, multiple rs‐fMRI scans from single subjects can provide interesting clues about the rs‐fMRI patterns, though scan‐to‐scan variability pose challenges. Therefore, rs‐fMRI's are either concatenated or the functional connectivity is averaged. This leads to loss of information. Here, we use an alternative way to extract the rs‐fMRI features that are common across all the scans by applying common‐and‐orthogonal‐basis‐extraction (COBE) technique. To address this, we employed rs‐fMRI of 788 subjects from the human connectome project and estimated the common‐COBE‐component of each subject from the four rs‐fMRI runs. Since the common‐COBE‐component is specific to a subject, the pattern was used to classify the subjects based on the similarity/dissimilarity of the features. The subset of subjects (n = 107) with maximal‐COBE‐dissimilarity (MCD) was extracted and the remaining subjects (n = 681) formed the COBE‐similarity (CS) group. The distribution of weights of the common‐COBE‐component for the two groups across rs‐fMRI networks and subcortical regions was evaluated. We found the weights in the default mode network to be lower in the MCD compared to the CS. We compared the scores of 69 behavioral measures and found six behaviors related to the use of marijuana, illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco; and including a measure of antisocial personality to differentiate the two groups. Gender differences were also significant. Altogether the findings suggested that subtypes exist even in healthy control population, and comparison studies (case vs. control) need to be mindful of it.
Replicable brain signatures of emotional bias and memory based on diffusion kurtosis imaging of white matter tracts
Authors: Welton Thomas , Indja Ben E. , Maller Jerome J. , Fanning Jonathon P. , Vallely Michael P. , Grieve Stuart M.
Published: November 2019

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) is sensitive to anisotropic diffusion within bundles of nerve axons and can be used to make objective measurements of brain networks. Many brain disorders are now recognised as being caused by network dysfunction or are secondarily associated with changes in networks. There is therefore great potential in using dMRI measures that reflect network integrity as a future clinical tool to help manage these conditions. Here, we used dMRI to identify replicable, robust and objective markers that meaningfully reflect cognitive and emotional performance. Using diffusion kurtosis analysis and a battery of cognitive and emotional tests, we demonstrated strong relationships between white matter structure across networks of anatomically and functionally specific brain regions with both emotional bias and emotional memory performance in a large healthy cohort. When the connectivity of these regions was examined using diffusion tractography, the terminations of the identified tracts overlapped precisely with cortical loci relating to these domains, drawn from an independent spatial meta‐analysis of available functional neuroimaging literature. The association with emotional bias was then replicated using an independently acquired healthy cohort drawn from the Human Connectome Project. These results demonstrate that, even in healthy individuals, white matter dMRI structural features underpin important cognitive and emotional functions. Our robust cross‐correlation and replication supports the potential of structural brain biomarkers from diffusion kurtosis MRI to characterise early neurological changes and risk in individuals with a reduced threshold for cognitive dysfunction, with further testing required to demonstrate clinical utility.
The impact of medical insurance programmes on the health of the insured: Evidence from China
Authors: Meng Yingying , Zhang Xiaodong , Han Junqiang
Published: November 2019

The impact of medical insurance on the health of the insured has long been an issue of major concern within academia. From the beginning of the 21st century, the Chinese government has invested a large amount of money in national medical insurance programmes. China's current national medical insurance system consists of three types of programmes: basic medical insurance for urban employees (BMIUE), basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents (BMIURR), and public medical insurance (PMI). These three types of medical insurance have significant differences in terms of premiums, policy deductibles, and levels of coinsurance, thus providing us with the opportunity to study the different impacts these programmes have on their covered members. Based on the 2016 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) conducted by the China Social Science Research Centre in Peking University, this paper applies the ordered probit model to study the various impacts of these three programmes on the insured under each plan. The study found that compared with citizens who are not enrolled in any insurance programme, citizens who are covered by one of the three programmes report better health; compared with those covered by the BMIUE and BMIURR plans, members covered under the PMI programme report significantly better health; and after controlling for the adverse selection of participants in either the BMIUE or BMIURR plan, citizens who are enrolled in the BMIUE programme have a higher utilization rate of medical resources and report better health than those enrolled in the BMIURR plan.
Risk contagion in the cross‐border banking network: Some new evidence
Authors: Chen Bing , Li Li , Peng Fei , Salim Ruhul
Published: November 2019

This paper applies consolidated banking statistics data from the Bank for International Settlement to simulate risk contagion in a cross‐border banking system with shocks of credit and liquidity. Simulation results from balance sheet network analysis show that the banking systems of the United States and United Kingdom are the most systemically important systems under the credit shocks in June 2008. Moreover, banking system's counter‐shocks ability is directly related to its size and concentration of foreign claims. The banking systems of German and French are the most systemically important systems under the liquidity shocks. Some banking systems depend heavily on German and French banking systems for financing and are vulnerable to liquidity shocks. Risk transfer has influence on risk contagion in the cross‐border banking system. After the subprime crisis, cross‐border risk contagion has declined because of deleveraging foreign claims. Raising the capital level of the banking system or intervention in the interbank market to enhance the liquidity of the market under pressure scenarios can reduce the contagion effect of credit or liquidity shocks.
Early detection of cancerous tissues in human breast utilizing near field microwave holography
Authors: Kumari Vineeta , Ahmed Aijaz , Kanumuri Tirupathiraju , Shakher Chandra , Sheoran Gyanendra
Published: November 2019

This work demonstrates an application of near field indirect microwave holography for the detection of malignant tissues in human breast in an effective way. The holograms are recorded by two directive antennas aligned along each other's boresight while performing a raster scan over a 2D plane utilizing XY‐linear motorized translation stage and a uniform reference wave. The whole information that is, amplitude and phase of an object has been provided by indirect holography at microwave frequencies. The extracted phase values are used to determine the dielectric permittivity values which are further utilized for the identification and validating the positions of malignant tissues in the breast phantom. The experimental evaluations performed on the in‐house designed and developed tissue mimicking 3D printed breast phantoms. The experimental results demonstrate the ability of microwave holography using directive antennas in detecting and identifying the tumors upto the minimum size of 4 mm and maximum depth of 25 mm in fabricated phantom. The quantitative results present the potential of the Near Field Indirect Holographic Imaging (NFIHI) in order to develop an efficient and economical tool for breast cancer detection.
MALT BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE L.) WATER USE AND GRAIN YIELD RESPONSE TO SALINE IRRIGATION UNDER SHALLOW GROUNDWATER TABLE CONDITIONS
Authors: Mathinya V.N. , van Rensburg L.D. , Mavimbela S.S.W. , Barnard J.H.
Published: November 2019

Global water scarcity and salinity of irrigated lands remain a concern. Shallow groundwater tables, often present in irrigation areas, may serve as energy‐efficient water sources, but they may also restrict leaching. This study quantified the salinity effects on water use and grain yield of irrigated malt barley in the presence of a shallow groundwater table. A lysimeter experiment was conducted over two seasons on sandy and sandy loam soils in Bloemfontein, South Africa. A Cocktail barley cultivar was irrigated with five irrigation water quality levels (ECi), i.e. control (1.5), 4.5, 6, 9 and 12 dS m−1. Salinity of the constant (1.2 m) groundwater table corresponded to ECi.

Saline irrigation water had cumulative depressive effect on evapotranspiration, groundwater table depletion and grain yield as well as water productivity. Increasing ECi from the control to 12 dS m−1 reduced grain yield by 91 and 89% for the sandy and sandy loam soil, respectively, in the second season. The relationship between grain yield and salinity was dynamic (R2 = 0.8) and more sigmoidal than linear. Given the fluctuating nature of shallow groundwater and its close association with periodic waterlogging, revision of salinity threshold values and yield–salinity relationships for major cash crops remains critical. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The variation degree of coagulation function is not responsible for extra risk of hemorrhage in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dong Chang , Gu Xiaoqiong , Chen Fei , Long Yanlan , Zhu Dan , Yang Xia , Qiu Xiu , Gao Guoquan , Qi WeiWei
Published: November 2019

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized as glucose intolerance of any degree that begins or first diagnosed during pregnancy. It possesses a higher risk of haemorrhage, which may be caused by the coagulation dysfunction. However, there has been no study focus on how coagulation state changes in the progress of GDM pregnancy. Our study is aimed to assess the association of coagulation function and haemorrhage in GDM.

Methods

A total of 662 subjects (273 from a population‐based study and 389 from a prospective cohort study) were selected to measure mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), platelet (PLT), thrombocytocrit (PCT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen (FIB). All pregnant individuals were divided into normal glucose tolerance (NGT) controls and GDM patients diagnosed between the 24th and 28th weeks of gestation.

Results

Compared with NGT controls, GDM females showed shortened PT, shortened APTT, and increased blood FIB levels, while the platelet parameters MPV, PDW, PLT, and PCT remained unchanged in mid‐pregnancy. By late pregnancy, the platelet parameters MPV, PDW, and PCT were increased in the GDM group compared with the NGT group, while PT and APTT were unchanged.

Conclusions

The GDM group was hypercoagulable compared with the NGT group rather than hypocoagulable as predicted, but still within the normal range. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that the variation degree of coagulation function is not responsible for extra risk of hemorrhage in GDM, and prevention of hemorrhage should focus on other causes.
The application of polyethylenimine grafting reverse osmosis membrane in treating boron‐containing low‐level radioactive wastewaters
Authors: Chen Boxian , Chen Ding , Zhao Xuan
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Reverse osmosis (RO), which is widely utilized in wastewater treatment, has been proven to be an effective tool for ion separation with high salts rejection. However, owing to the extremely low concentration of nuclides in boron‐containing low‐level radioactive wastewaters (LRWs), there is a significant reduction in rejection of nuclides by using commercial RO membranes. In this study, in order to obtain higher nuclides rejection under trace‐level condition, novel polyamide RO membranes were fabricated by grafting polyethylenimine (PEI) with different molecular weights on commercial RO membrane surfaces.

RESULTS

The properties of PEI‐modified membranes were analyzed, such as surface charge, morphology and hydrophilicity. The results showed that zeta potential at pH 7 increased from −22.89 mV to 20.19 mV, which indicated that surface charge altered from negative to positive. Meanwhile, hydrophilicity of membranes was improved since the contact angle decreased from 65° to 36°. The decontamination factor (DF) of cesium(I) increased from 11.69 to 114.23 and the DF of cobalt(II) increased from 28.62 to 3306.88.

CONCLUSION

The laboratory‐scale experiments with cross‐flow demonstrated the effective rejection of nuclides without obvious membrane flux loss of PEI‐modified membranes. In addition, PEI‐modified membranes offered a stable nuclides removal under high‐level background boron and various pH conditions, which demonstrated a possible application in boron‐containing LRW treatment. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Galactose 1‐phosphate accumulates to high levels in galactose‐treated cells due to low GALT activity and absence of product inhibition of GALK
Authors: Oh Sher Li , Cheng Li Yi , J Zhou Jie Fu , Henke Wolfgang , Hagen Thilo
Published: November 2019

Classic Galactosaemia is a genetic disorder, characterised by galactose intolerance in newborns. It occurs due to recessive mutations in the galactose‐1‐phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT) gene. One of the main alterations caused by GALT deficiency is the accumulation of galactose 1‐phosphate (Gal‐1P) in cells. Studies have suggested that Gal‐1P exerts cellular toxicity, possibly by inhibiting cellular metabolism. However, the exact significance of Gal‐1P in disease pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Gal‐1P inhibits cellular glucose utilisation by competing with substrates in the glycolytic pathway. We also investigated the metabolism of both galactose and glucose in GALT‐expressing HEK293T and 143B cells to identify critical reactions steps contributing to the metabolic toxicity of galactose. Notably, we found that galactose‐treated HEK293T and 143B cells, which express endogenous GALT, accumulate markedly high intracellular Gal‐1P concentrations. Despite very high intracellular Gal‐1P concentrations, no inhibition of cellular glucose uptake and no significant changes in the intracellular concentrations of glycolytic metabolites were observed. This indicates that Gal‐1P does not exert an inhibitory effect on glycolysis in cells and rules out one potential hypothesis for cellular Gal‐1P toxicity. We also investigated the mechanism responsible for the observed Gal‐1P accumulation. Our results suggest that Gal‐1P accumulation is a result of both low GALT activity and the absence of product inhibition by Gal‐1P on galactokinase (GALK1), the enzyme responsible for phosphorylating galactose to Gal‐1P. These findings provide a better understanding of the disease mechanisms underlying Classic Galactoaemia.
Effect of Nanoparticles on Viscosity and Interfacial Tension of Aqueous Surfactant Solutions at High Salinity and High Temperature
Authors: Ivanova Anastasia A. , Phan Chi , Barifcani Ahmed , Iglauer Stefan , Cheremisin Alexey N.
Published: November 2019

Surfactant flooding has widely been used as one of the chemically enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. Surfactants majorly influence the interfacial tension, γ, between oil and brine phase and control capillary number and relative permeability behavior and, thus, influence ultimate recovery. Additives, such as nanoparticles, are known to affect surfactant properties and are regarded as promising EOR agents. However, their detailed interactions with surfactants are not well understood. Thus, in this work, we examined the influence of silica nanoparticles on the ability of surfactants to lower γ and to increase viscosity at various temperatures and salinities. Results show that the presence of nanoparticles decreased γ between n‐decane and various surfactant formulations by up to 20%. It was found that γ of nanoparticles–surfactant solutions passed through a minimum at 35 °C when salt was added. Furthermore, the viscosity of cationic surfactant solutions increased at specific salt (1.5 wt.%) and nanoparticle (0.05 wt.%) concentrations. Results illustrate that selected nanoparticles–surfactant formulations appear very promising for EOR as they can lower brine/n‐decane interfacial tension and act as viscosity modifiers of the injected fluids.