bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biostimulation Potentials of Cow Dung on a Crude Oil Polluted Soil
Authors: Iris Okunwaye, , Ikponmwosa Ogboghodo, , Sylvester Ewansiha, , Obemeata Oriakpono,
Published: March 2019

This field study was conducted to investigate the biostimulation effect of the application of cow dung to crude oil polluted soils. Four rates of crude oil (0, 100, 200 and 300 mL) and four rates of cow dung (0, 20, 40 and 60 g) were used respectively. It comprised of sixteen (16) treatment combinations replicated thrice, for a total of forty eight (48) plots with each plot measuring 1m x 1m. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. Bacteria, fungi and Physico-chemical properties of the soils were determined before pollution, two weeks after pollution and at the end of the experiment. The results for the physicochemical properties of soil indicate an increase in pH, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N), total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (N) while Phosphorus (P) decreased as the level of crude oil increased despite remediation with cow dung. There was an increase in the bacterial count for both the control and the treatment groups. The result range from 1.3 X104 to 77.2 X104. The genus of bacteria identified were Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Proteus, Clostridium and Nocardia species. Four isolates were gram-positive while 2 were gram negative. Five were rod-shaped while one was coccus in form, while the fungal isolates are Cladosporium, Pichia, Aspergillus, Fusarium species. Soil analysis during the experiment revealed a general negative correlation coefficient implying enhanced remediation during the trial periods.
Are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Migraine Related?
Authors: Esmael Ahmed , Gomaa Mohamed , Hazem Maha
Published: March 2019

Background: Compression neuropathies have previously been associated with one another. Migraine has not been considered a type of compression neuropathy but, some recent studies found that some types of migraines may be treated by targeted peripheral nerve decompression. So, the association between migraines and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), {the most common compression neuropathy} may exists.

Objective: The aims of this study are to found whether there is a relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome and migraine, and if so to determine the factors causing this relationship.

Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional case control study of 120 patients with CTS in addition to age and sex matched 120 healthy controls. It was conducted at Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt in the period from July, 2017 through June, 2018. All subjects underwent neurological examination, nerve conduction study of median nerve bilaterally, and evaluation according to headache by the International Headache Society, 2016 criteria. Also, the clinical severity of CTS was assessed and calculation of body mass index (BMI) was done. Evaluation of patients by Boston questionnaire form (BQF) {composed of two parts, Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Functional Status Scale (FSS)}. Lastly, assessment of patients by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: Patients had significantly higher rates of migraine headache (28.3 %) either alone (17.5 %) or combined with tension headache (10.8 %) when compared to controls. No statistically significant differences were found between the studied groups regarding the frequency of isolated tension headache. However, the total rate of cases with tension headache (n=43) including those in association with migraine is significantly higher in patients when compared to controls. Patients had significantly higher rates of various grades of symptoms severity. All patients but 17 are functionally affected while none of the controls group is affected. Patients had significantly higher rates of borderline and moderate depression when compared to controls. Univariate logistic regression analysis for predictors of migraine headache in the studied patients shows that, older age (P value = 0.0001), female sex (P value = 0.003), being manual worker (P value = 0.005), obesity class 11 (P value = 0.023), very severe functional severity scale (P value = 0.001), borderline and moderate depression (P value = 0.008 and 0.002 respectively) were significant predictors of migraine.

Conclusion: There is a significant association between CTS and migraine headache. This association suggests the possibility of a common risk factors for development of migraine headache include older age, female gender, obesity, low functional and high symptoms scores and depressive symptoms.
Lomax-Gumbel {Fréchet}: A New Distribution
Authors: Mahmoud M. R. , Mandouh R. M. , Abdelatty R. E.
Published: March 2019

In this paper the T-R{Y} framework is used for proposing a new distribution that called The Lomax-Gumbel{Frechet} distribution. We study in details the properties of this distribution including hazard function, quantile Function, the skewness, the kurtosis, transformation, Renyi entropy, and moment generating function. Estimate of the parameters will be obtained using the MLE method. We present a simulation study and t the distribution to two real data sets.
Correlation of GSTP1 Polymorphism with Severity of Prostate Cancer in an Eastern Indian Population
Authors: Roy Suparna , Dasgupta Anindya , Chatterji Subarnarekha , Karmakar Dilip
Published: March 2019

Background: GSTP1 is one of the Glutathione-S-Transferases (GSTs) which suppress tumor genesis by detoxifying toxic carcinogens and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Prostate cancer is related to several mutations affecting the expression of GSTP1. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP: Ile105Val) in the GSTP1 gene results insignificant reduction in its anticancer activity. The current case control study was conducted to ascertain the risk of association of GSTP1polymorphism with risk of cancer prostate in an Eastern Indian population.

Materials and Methods: During a study period of 2 years, DNA was isolated using the phenol chloroform extraction method from the blood of 225 histopathologically diagnosed prostate cancer patients and 120 matched controls. The GSTP1 polymorphism was assessed by PCR amplification of the gene followed by restriction digestion with Alw261 (a restriction enzyme derived from Acinetobactro lwoffi RFL26). Histopathological grading in the case group was performed using Gleason’s scores and International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading.

Results: Comparison of the distribution of different GSTP1 alleles between the case and control groups was performed by chi square test and odds ratio analysis. A χ2 value of 18.56 suggested significantly higher number of G alleles in the case group. An odds ratio of 2.25 with a confidence interval of 1.52 to 3.34 for 95% CI showed that the G allele in GSTP1 gene were linked with greater risk of prostate cancer. Post hoc ANOVA and logistic regression suggested that cases having G alleles had more progressive form of diseases as evident from ISUP grades.

Conclusion: From our study we can conclude that GSTP1 polymorphism is not only significantly associated with risk of prostate cancer but also with its severity in our Eastern Indian population. GSTP1 polymorphism should be considered as a prognostic indicator for prostate cancer patients along with planning for more aggressive management of the disease.
Effect of Indolebutyric Acid Immersion Period on the Rhizogenic Process of Guava Cuttings (Psidium guajava L.) Cultivar Século XXI
Authors: Da Costa Jussara Cristina Firmino , Mendonça Rejane Maria Nunes , Da Silva Gerciane Cabral , Melo Silva Silvanda De , Pereira Walter Esfrain , Dos Santos Carlos Eduardo Magalhães
Published: March 2019

In the rhizogenic process, the immersion time of the base of the cuttings to be propagated in plant regulators depends on the concentration of the solutions, the cultivar to be used and the type of cutting required. Therefore, this research work has as objective to investigate which immersion time, in solution with indolebutyric acid promotes a greater rooting in herbaceous cuttings of guava cultivar Século XXI. The experiment was distributed in the completely randomized design, being defined as treatments the immersion times (5, 10, 15 and 20 seconds) of the base of the cuttings in the solution of indolebutyric acid - IBA at the concentration of 2000 mg L-1, with three replicates and 10 cuttings per plot. In relation the variable dry mass of the aerial part, this presents a favorable response to the different immersion times in indolebutyric acid. Diverging of the variables cuttings rooted, live without root, number of roots, root length, callus, sprout, leaf retention and mortality which were not influenced by the different immersion times of the base of the cuttings in the plant regulator. Concluding that the different times of immersion of the base of the cuttings do not influence in the rhizogenic process of herbaceous cuttings of guava cultivar Século XXI. For the variable dry mass of aerial part, the immersion time of 5 seconds in the concentration of 2000 mg L-1 in AIB, present the better results when compared to the other concentrations.
Study of Interaction between Tigecycline and Sulbactam
Authors: Sayiner Hakan Sezgin , Genç Fatma , Kandemirli Fatma
Published: March 2019

Drug interactions can have desired, reduced or unwanted effects. The probability of interactions increases with the number of drugs taken. Side effects or therapeutic drug interactions can increase or decrease the effects of one or two drugs. Failure may result from clinically meaningful interactions. Clinicians rarely use foreseeable drug-drug interactions to produce the desired therapeutic effect. For example, when we consider two drugs each causing, peripheral neuropathy increases the likelihood of neuropathy occurrence. In this study geometry optimizations of tigecycline and sulbactam drugs and their combination have been carried out with the evaluation of B3LYP/6-311G (d, p), B3LYP/6-311G (2d, 2p) levels, and the reaction mechanism at semi empirical PM6, which was parameterized for biochemical systems and B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) levels. The main objective of the study is to understand the interaction ofsulbactam with tigecycline, to describe energetic condition of bond formation and electronic structure (orders of the broken and formed bonds). The reaction mechanisms of sulbactam with tigecycline have been studied as stepwise and concerted mechanisms using semi-empircal PM6 and B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) levels.
Spatio–Temporal Characterization of Land Surface Air Temperature Anomaly over Nigeria
Authors: Ajileye O. O. , Aladodo S. S. , Rabiu A. B.
Published: March 2019

In this study, seventeen gridded stations across the latitude over Nigeria were selected with a view to determine and characterize land surface air temperature anomaly for both minimum and maximum values. The study intends to present graphic illustrations of spatial and temporal variations of land surface air temperature anomaly within a period 2008 – 2013.

Long-term averages of minimum and maximum land surface air temperatures were obtained from National Aeronautic and Space Administration satellite meteorological dataset (1983 – 2007). Also, monthly and annual averages of land surface air temperatures were obtained from tutiempo.net to compute monthly anomaly, annual anomaly and percentage departure of minimum and maximum land surface air temperatures within a period of 2008 – 2013.

The results showed that Jos had consistently experienced -10.8 and -4 percent decrease in minimum and maximum LSAT anomaly for the period under review. The implication is that Jos is getting colder than usual. The minimum LSAT anomaly declined by -2.8 percent in Lagos. Other stations across Nigeria showed a considerable percentage increase in minimum LSAT anomaly led by Yola (19.5%), Sokoto (18%) and Katsina (15.5%). Inland stations had percentage increase of minimum LSAT anomaly ranging between 5.8% and 10% except in Osogbo where the percentage increase was 1.8%. Osogbo is a less populated capital city of Osun state with active agricultural activities as heat sink. Percentage increase of minimum LSAT anomaly was not significant in Nigerian coastal areas most especially at Port Harcourt (0.5%).

The spatial distribution of maximum LSAT anomaly across Nigerian latitudinal belt, unlike minimum LSAT anomaly, reduced in trend except in Lagos, Makurdi, Abuja, Bida, Minna and Kano. The minimum and maximum anomaly for maximum LSAT was observed at Jos and Makurdi respectively. There are 2 stations to be watched in terms of getting colder in the years to ahead namely Jos and Osogbo while Makurdi and Yola are gradually becoming hotspots.
ANALISIS UNSAFE ACT DAN UNSAFE CONDITION PADA PROYEK PEMBANGUNAN GEDUNG X
Authors: Gondosiswanto Filbert Chance
Published: March 2019

Kecelakaan kerja sangatlah rawan terjadi pada sebuah proyek konstruksi dan dapat mengakibatkan kerugian berupa kerusakan pada material maupun peralatan. Kecelakaan kerja yang timbul biasanya disebabkan oleh dua hal yaitu tindakan tidak aman yang dilakukan oleh pekerja (unsafe act) dan kondisi fisik atau lokasi proyek yang tidak aman (unsafe condition). Pada penelitian ini akan dilakukan analisis dan evaluasi tentang tindakan tidak aman (unsafe act) dan kondisi tidak aman (unsafe condition) pada proyek pembangunan gedung X.Faktor perlengkapan pelindung tubuh dan penggunaan peralatan kerja mendapatkan nilai rata-rata terburuk yaitu -1. Setelah didapatkan hasil tersebut, dilakukan penekanan akan pentingnya pelatihan keselamatan. Penekanan pada pelatihan pekerja menghasilan peningkatan yang cukup baik dari nilai -1 pada proyek hotel maupun soho untuk faktor perlengkapan pelindung tubuh meningkat menjadi 0.69 untuk hotel dan 0.68 untuk soho, untuk faktor penggunaan perlengkapan kerja dari rating -1 untuk hotel dan soho meningkat menjadi 0.56 untuk hotel dan 0.64 untuk soho.
MANFAAT PENGGUNAAN SOFTWARE TEKLA BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BIM) PADA PROYEK DESIGN-BUILD
Authors: Minawati Retno
Published: March 2019

BIM dapat membuat desain struktur, memvisualisasi, mensimulasi, menganalisis, mendokumentasi, dan membangun proyek lebih efisien, akurat, dan kompetitif. Dengan adanya penggunaan software Tekla BIM maka diharapkan dapat mencapai keberhasilan dari proyek design-build. Dalam software Tekla Structures terdapat data-data yang akurat, detail, dan 3D yang dapat digunakan bersama oleh kontraktor, konsultan, fabrikator, dan sub-kontraktor. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui manfaat penggunaan software Tekla BIM pada proyek design-build. Penelitian ini dilakukan di wilayah Surabaya dengan cara penyebaran kuisioner yang ditujukan kepada perusahaan kontraktor yang terdapat proyek design-build dan menggunakan software Tekla BIM. Selanjutnya semua kuisioner yang berhasil terkumpul dianalisis secara statistik, dengan menggunakan program SPSS. Dari hasil analisis didapatkan bahwa manfaat penggunaan software Tekla BIM pada proyek design-build adalah otomatisasi terhadap output.
DELLA
Proteins in Signalling
Authors: Blázquez Miguel A
Published: March 2019

DELLA proteins have emerged as important modulators of prewired transcriptional circuits in response to the environment. In vascular plants, proteasome‐dependent degradation of DELLAs is induced by gibberellins, whose levels are strongly regulated by environmental signals such as light, temperature and nutrient availability. Transcriptional regulation is exerted by DELLAs through physical interaction with DNA‐binding transcription factors and other transcriptional regulators. The key biological role of DELLAs has been proposed to regulate the balance between growth and stress responses, which justifies the inadvertent selection of hyperstable DELLA alleles during the breeding programs that lead to the Green Revolution. DELLA proteins are also present in nonvascular plants which do not synthesise active gibberellins, suggesting that the origin of DELLAs predates the emergence of gibberellin biosynthesis.

Key Concepts

DELLAs are nuclear proteins that modulate the activity of a large set of transcription factors through protein–protein interaction.

DELLA protein degradation is regulated by environmental signals mostly through gibberellin signalling.

DELLA proteins are ‘hubs’ that control the balance between growth and stress responses.

The origin of DELLA proteins predates the appearance of bioactive gibberellins.

Manipulation of DELLA proteins has contributed to the ‘Green Revolution’.
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Challenges and Opportunities in Developing New Therapies for Muscular Dystrophies
Authors: Paredes‐Redondo Amaia , Lin Yung‐Yao
Published: March 2019

The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has offered unparalleled opportunities for modelling human diseases and drug discovery. Muscular dystrophies are devastating inherited skeletal muscle disorders, for which there is no effective treatment. Recent breakthroughs in myogenic differentiation of iPSCs and other key technologies, including genome editing, smart biomaterials and tissue engineering, have opened new avenues to overcome the hurdles of developing therapies for previously incurable muscle diseases. The synergy between these novel technologies is increasingly transforming the fields of disease modelling, drug screening and regenerative medicine.

Key Concepts

Traditionally, muscular dystrophy research relies on primary human cells that have a limited expansion potential, and on animal models that do not fully recapitulate human pathophysiology.

The self‐renewal and differentiation properties of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) make them an important resource for generating a large quantity of physiology‐relevant cell types to model human diseases
in vitro
.

In combination with genome editing and transgene‐free myogenic differentiation, human iPSCs can provide an unlimited supply of genetically corrected myogenic progenitor cells for autologous cell therapy and lay the basis for large‐scale drug screening.

Safety concerns regarding iPSCs and myogenic differentiation can be addressed by integration‐free reprogramming methods and transgene‐free differentiation protocols.

Recent breakthroughs in smart biomaterials and tissue engineering facilitate the transition from 2D monotypic to 3D multilineage cell cultures that resemble human tissue architecture.

The synergy between human iPSCs, genome editing, transgene‐free myogenic differentiation, advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering can exploit the full potential of human iPSCs and facilitate drug discovery and cell therapies, leading towards translation of biomedical research from bench to bedside.
Multimode Absorption Spectroscopy for Multispecies Trace Gas Sensing
Authors: Ewart Paul
Published: March 2019

The technique of multimode absorption spectroscopy (MUMAS) is reviewed in the context of laser‐based methods for gas sensing of multiple species. The principles and practical implementation of the method are outlined with examples of applications using lasers with outputs in spectral ranges from the visible to the mid‐infrared, including interband cascade lasers (ICLs) and quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). The advantages and limitations of MUMAS are considered relative to other laser‐based methods, and potential future developments and applications are suggested.
Analysis of Plant Oligo‐ and Polysaccharides
Authors: Blaschek Wolfgang
Published: March 2019

Basic methods for the isolation and the determination of the composition and structure of plant oligo‐ and polysaccharides are described. They of course can be characterized best after isolation in high purity. Therefore, the extraction of oligo‐ or polysaccharides from plant material and the separation of mixtures of them are described before presenting the most important methods for their analytical characterization. For experimental details the extensive literature needs to be consulted.
A Review on Biomedical Titanium Alloys: Recent Progress and Prospect
Authors: Zhang Lai‐Chang , Chen Liang‐Yu
Published: March 2019

Compared with stainless steel and Co–Cr‐based alloys, Ti and its alloys are widely used as biomedical implants due to many fascinating properties, such as superior mechanical properties, strong corrosion resistance, and excellent biocompatibility. After briefly introducing several most commonly used biomedical materials, this article reviews the recent development in Ti alloys and their biomedical applications, especially the low‐modulus β‐type Ti alloys and their design methods. This review also systemically investigates the recently attractive progress in preparation of biomedical Ti alloys, including additive manufacturing, porous powder metallurgy, and severe plastic deformation, applied in the manufacturing and the influenced microstructures and properties. Nevertheless, there are still some problems with the long‐term performance of Ti alloys, and therefore several surface modification methods are reviewed to further improve their biological activity, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Finally, the biocompatibility of Ti and its alloys is concluded. Summarizing the findings from literature, future prediction is also conducted.
Modeling and Application of Planar‐to‐3D Structures via Optically Programmed Frontal Photopolymerization
Authors: Wang Jinqiang , Mu Xiaoming , Li Dawei , Yu Changjiang , Cheng Xiaosheng , Dai Ning
Published: March 2019

Self‐folding of flat sheets into desired 3D structures gain great attention for fabrication of functional structures with complex geometries. Here, the authors present a photomechanical model to capture the bending and buckling behaviors for a recently developed fabrication method of frontal photopolymerization, which overcomes the limitations of high cost and tedious procedures existing among other approaches. This theoretical model consists of composite beam theory and NEP elastic function to comprehend the relationship between photopolymerization and mechanical deformation. Simulations of bending curvature with varying irradiation time and photo pattern are compared with experimental results to optimize the design space, and enable tunable and programmable planar‐to‐3D structures. Self‐folding structures such as flower, claw, soccer, pyramid, and saddle are fabricated by using the model as guidelines, indicating the potential applications in bionics, soft robotics, optics, and biomedicine. Shape‐morphing with the assistance of optically punched holes is also demonstrated to further improve the bending curvature.
The massive assimilation of indigenous East Asian populations in the origin of Muslim Hui people inferred from paternal Y chromosome
Authors: Wang Chuan‐Chao , Lu Yan , Kang Longli , Ding Huiqian , Yan Shi , Guo Jianxin , Zhang Qun , Wen Shao‐Qing , Wang Ling‐Xiang , Zhang Manfei , Tong Xinzhu , Huang Xiufeng , Nie Shengjie , Deng Qiongying , Zhu Bofeng , Jin Li , Li Hui
Published: March 2019

Objectives

The Hui people are the adherents of Muslim faith and distributing throughout China. There are two contrasting hypotheses about the origin and diversification of the Hui people, namely, the demic diffusion involving the mass movement of people or simple cultural diffusion.

Materials and methods

We collected 621 unrelated male individuals from 23 Hui populations all over China. We comprehensively genotyped more than 100 informative Y‐chromosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms and 17 Y‐chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) on those samples.

Results

Co‐analyzed with published worldwide populations, our results suggest the origin of Hui people has involved massive assimilation of indigenous East Asians with about 70% in total of the paternal ancestry could be traced back to East Asia and the left 30% to various regions in West Eurasia.

Discussion

The genetic structure of the extant Hui populations was primarily shaped by the indigenous East Asian populations as they contribute the majority part of the paternal lineages of Hui people. The West Eurasian admixture was probably a sex‐biased male‐driven process since we have not found such a high proportion of West Eurasian gene flow on autosomal STRs and maternal mtDNA.
Fungal extracts stimulate solitary chemosensory cell expansion in noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis
Authors: Patel Neil N. , Triantafillou Vasiliki , Maina Ivy W. , Workman Alan D. , Tong Charles C. L. , Kuan Edward C. , Papagiannopoulos Peter , Bosso John V. , Adappa Nithin D. , Palmer James N. , Kohanski Michael A. , Herbert De'Broski R. , Cohen Noam A.
Published: March 2019

Background

Solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) are rare epithelial cells enriched in nasal polyps and are the primary source of interleukin‐25 (IL‐25), an innate cytokine eliciting T‐helper 2 (Th2) immune response. Although it is proposed that SCCs are stimulated by antigens released by upper airway pathogens, the exogenous triggers of human SCCs remain elusive. We studied patients with noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis to determine whether extracts of Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria alternata stimulate SCC proliferation as an early event in type 2 inflammation.

Methods

Multicolor flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and enzyme‐linked immunoassay were used to interrogate mucosa from patients with mycetomas and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) for SCCs and IL‐25. Primary sinonasal epithelial cells from AFRS patients and noninflamed inferior turbinates were stimulated with fungal extracts for 72 hours, and SCC population frequency as well as mitotic activity were quantified using flow cytometry.

Results

SCCs producing IL‐25 are enriched in inflamed mucosa compared with intrapatient noninflamed control tissue (38.6% vs 6.5%, p = 0.029). In cultured sinonasal epithelial cells from AFRS nasal polyps, Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria alternata stimulated higher SCC frequency compared with controls (27.4% vs 10.6%, p = 0.002; 18.1% vs 10.6%, p = 0.046), which led to increased IL‐25 secretion in culture media (75.5 vs 3.3 pg/mL, p < 0.001; 32.3 vs 3.3 pg/mL, p = 0.007). Ki‐67 expression was higher in SCCs grown in fungal stimulation conditions compared with controls.

Conclusion

Although fungal antigens are known to potentiate immune response through innate cytokines, including IL‐25, the early expansion of SCCs in the presence of fungus has not been described. This early event in the pathogenesis of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis may represent a target for intervention.
H3PMo12O40‐immobilized chitosan/Co3O4: A novel and recyclable nanocomposite for the synthesis of pyrimidinedione derivatives
Authors: Safari Javad , Tavakoli Mona , Ghasemzadeh Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2019

An efficient three‐component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, 6‐aminouracil/6‐amino‐1,3‐dimethyluracil and 4‐hydroxycoumarin in the presence of a novel heterogeneous catalyst H3PMo12O40‐immobilized Co3O4/chitosan led to a synthesis of a new class of pyrimidinedione derivatives under reflux conditions. The magnetically recoverable nanocomposite of Co3O4/chitosan/H3PMo12O40 was fully characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, vibrating‐sample magnetometry and N2 adsorption–desorption by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. Results show that Keggin‐type 12‐molybdophosphoric acid immobilized into the network of the cross‐linked chitosan with super‐paramagnetic Co3O4 nanoparticles. The present method offers several advantages, such as simple procedure, short reaction times and excellent yields of products. The novelty of the catalyst, high catalytic activity, easy separation from the reaction with an external magnetic field and reusability of the catalyst in six consecutive runs are additional eco‐friendly attributes of this catalytic system.
Effect of ethanol on the color transition of the polydiacetylene vesicle of 10,12‐pentacosadiynoic acid for butylamine detection
Authors: Shin Min Jae , Shin Jae Sup
Published: March 2019

In this study, we estimated the color‐transition behavior of a polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicle system for butylamine detection in an EtOH–water mixed solvent. The effect of the EtOH concentration in the vesicle system on the color transition of PDA was measured. 10,12‐Pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) was used to form the PDA vesicle by sonication and photopolymerization. The results show that the vesicle formation of PCDA was accomplished with up to 13 wt % EtOH. As the concentration of EtOH increased from pure water (0 wt %) to 13 wt %, a larger size vesicle was formed, with the color transition occurring at a lower temperature and with a lower amount of butylamine. The color of the PDA vesicle solution started to change at 3 mMbutylamine with pure water as the solvent and at 2.5 mMbutylamine with 10 wt % EtOH. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47688.
Sustainability of a tropical, multispecies, multigear, coral‐reef‐associated fishery system is efficiently inferred with the direct use of long‐term port biosampling length records and life‐history traits, US Virgin Islands
Authors: Dikou Angela , Corneille Tasha , Carmody Kelly
Published: March 2019

The fisheries system of the US Virgin Islands (USVI) provided the opportunity to examine decision‐making and to advise comparable fisheries throughout the tropics; it is well studied, thoroughly managed, and small in economic impact.

To assess (multilevel modelling), evaluate (historical baselines and comparison of size frequency distributions), and explain (regression) the fisheries status synoptically, indicators of life history, ecological, and fishery traits were applied to a 26 year long and 104 species large port biosampling database.

The fishery consists of stable, truncated, and overfished populations of exclusively K‐selected fish species. In particular, 45 (46.9%) of 96 species show significant but not biologically meaningful trends in mean standardized length of fish caught during a period of 30 years. Yet, 93 (90.2%) of 103 species are subject to persistent growth and/or recruitment overfishing. Also, both biological and economic overfishing are positively, significantly, and largely related with the K‐selected nature of these species.

The results are corroborated by available contextual studies that demonstrate in synthesis the buffering effect of fisheries management. This employs various monitoring, regulatory, and enhancement tools to face its major challenges of data collection and quality improvement, local and regional environmental degradation from multiple anthropogenic and natural stressors, and non‐compliance. Yet, there have been increasing trends in human population size, fishing effort, and total commercial landings, decreasing trends in the catch per unit of effort, changes in the relative composition of the catch during the last 40 years, and collapsed or on the verge of collapse fished species since the 1970s have not yet recovered.

The USVI fisheries system would benefit from redesigning regulation of input and output controls and upgrading the environmental baseline using the ecosystem‐based management approach.
Revisiting ancient DNA insights into the human history of the Pacific Islands
Authors: SPRIGGS MATTHEW , VALENTIN FREDERIQUE , BEDFORD STUART , PINHASI RON , SKOGLUND PONTUS , REICH DAVID , LIPSON MARK
Published: March 2019

We respond to issues raised in the recent Forum on “Ancient DNA and its contribution to understanding the human history of the Pacific Islands” in Archaeology in Oceania by Bedford et al. We first present an emerging model for the early peopling of Vanuatu combining the genetic and archaeological evidence. Second, we respond specifically to the criticisms of two contributors: Matisoo‐Smith and Sand. We discuss various misconceptions about the Teouma Lapita cemetery and about sampling issues in DNA research.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 4‐phenoxypyridine derivatives as potential antitumor agents
Authors: Liu Ju , Liu Yutong , Hao Xuechen , Wang Yang , Ji Jingchao , Liu Yajing , Ding Shi , Chen Ye
Published: March 2019

A series of novel 4‐phenoxypyridine derivatives containing the 4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydropyridazine‐3‐carboxamide moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against the A549 cancer cell line, and some compounds were further examined for their cytotoxic activity against the H460, BGC823, MKN45, and HT‐29 cancer cell lines. Most of the compounds exhibited moderate to significant cytotoxicity. The most promising compound 15b (with VEGFR2 inhibitory concentration [IC50] value of 0.23 μM) showed remarkable cytotoxicity against A549, BGC‐823, MKN45, H460, and HT‐29 cells, with IC50 values of 0.75, 1.68, 2.63, 5.08 and 7.22 μM, respectively. Their preliminary structure‐activity relationship studies indicate that electron‐withdrawing groups on the terminal phenyl rings are beneficial for improving the antitumor activity. Moreover, treatment of A549 cells with compound 15b resulted in cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in a dose‐dependent manner. Further apoptotic studies and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining were also performed on A549 cells, which showed that compound 15b could induce apoptosis. Wound‐healing assay results indicated that compound 15b strongly inhibited A549 cell motility.
Tendency towards a more extreme precipitation climate in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models
Authors: Lehtonen Ilari , Jylhä Kirsti
Published: March 2019

Extremity of precipitation climate can be evaluated by the intensity of both wet and dry extremes. Here we illustrate the tendency towards more extreme precipitation climate during the 21st century in a multi‐model ensemble of 32 climate model simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. We compare the projected changes in two climatic indices describing the extremity of precipitation climate. One index, the maximum 1‐d precipitation (R1d) represents the wet and another, the maximum number of consecutive dry days (CDD), represents the dry extremes. Averaged over the globe, both indices are projected to increase, implying an overall tendency towards more extreme precipitation climate. The projected increase, in relative terms, is approximately twice as large in R1d as in CDD. Also on a regional scale, in almost all global land areas the precipitation climate is rather projected to become more than less extreme. Two thirds of these areas exhibit a more pronounced change in wet than dry extremes and slightly less than one third of the areas showing a more pronounced change in dry than wet extremes. Only over limited areas the precipitation climate shows a tendency towards less extreme conditions. In reproducing the observed mean precipitation in 1971–2000, the models tend to be too wet in dry regions and too dry in wet regions. There are not any consistent differences in the tendency towards more extreme precipitation climate among the models depending on their horizontal or vertical resolution.
Evaluation of food effect on the oral absorption of clarithromycin from immediate release tablet using physiological modelling
Authors: Radwan Asma , Jayyousi Rand , Shraim Nasr , Zaid Abdel Naser
Published: March 2019

Background: Food may affect the oral absorption of drugs. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of food on the oral absorption of clarithromycin by evaluating the effect of media parameters, such as pH, bile secretions and food composition, on the release of the drug from immediate release tablets, using in vitro and in silico assessments. Method: The solubility, disintegration and dissolution profiles of clarithromycin 500 mg immediate release tablets in compendial media with/without the addition of a homogenized FDA meal as well as in biorelevant simulated intestinal media mimicking fasting and fed conditions were determined. These in vitro data were input to GastroPlus™, which was used for developing a physiological absorption model capable of anticipating the effect of food on clarithromycin absorption. Level A in vitro–in vivo linear correlations were established using a mechanistic absorption modelling based deconvolution approach. Results: The pH of the media has a profound effect on clarithromycin solubility, tablet disintegration and drug release. Clarithromycin has lower solubility in biorelevant media compared with other media, due to complex formation with bile salts. Clarithromycin tablets exhibited prolonged disintegration times and reduced dissolution rates in the presence of the standard FDA meal. The simulation model predicted no significant food effect on the oral bioavailability of clarithromycin. The developed IVIVC model considered SIF, acetate buffer and FaSSIF media to be the most relevant from the physiological standpoint. Conclusion: The intake of a standard FDA meal may have no significant effect on the oral bioavailability of clarithromycin immediate release tablet.
Use of benzodiazepine medications during pregnancy and potential risk for birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011
Authors: Tinker Sarah C. , Reefhuis Jennita , Bitsko Rebecca H. , Gilboa Suzanne M. , Mitchell Allen A. , Tran Emmy L. , Werler Martha M. , Broussard Cheryl S. ,   the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: March 2019

Background

Benzodiazepine medications can be used to treat anxiety, a condition affecting 15% of women of childbearing age in the United States. Studies have shown conflicting results for the association between benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and birth defects.

Methods

We analyzed 1997–2011 data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a multisite, population‐based case–control study. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with benzodiazepine use in pregnancy among mothers of live‐born infants without a birth defect (control mothers). We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between specific birth defects and benzodiazepine use; we estimated crude odds ratios (cORs) for defect categories with 3–4 exposed cases.

Results

Exposure to benzodiazepines during pregnancy was rare (N = 93/11,614; 0.8%). Benzodiazepine use was more common among control mothers who were ≥30 years, non‐Hispanic white, had more education, smoked, and took antidepressant medication. We observed significantly elevated ORs for any benzodiazepine and Dandy–Walker malformation (cOR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.1, 8.6); for alprazolam and anophthalmia or microphthalmia (cOR: 4.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 13.1) and esophageal atresia or stenosis (aOR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 5.9); and lorazepam and pulmonary valve stenosis (cOR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 14.2), but sample sizes were limited and therefore CIs were wide.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that benzodiazepines use is rare and may be associated with risk for certain birth defects. However, these results need replication and should be interpreted with caution.
Determination of Water Content in Bioethanol Using the 1H NMR Chemical Shift Change
Authors: Yoon Jeongbin , Yun Suyeon , Kim Byungjoo , Ahn Sangdoo , Choi Kihwan
Published: March 2019

Chemical shift change in 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to determine water content in bioethanol. As water content in ethanol is increased, the proton peaks shifted to down‐field due to the change in the microstructure of the water‐ethanol mixture. The linear correlation between water content and chemical shift change enables the evaluation of water content in bioethanol. Because the same relationship between chemical shift change and the water content is obtained for both ethanol and bioethanol, water content in bioethanol can be determined using the calibration curve obtained with anhydrous ethanol. The developed method was validated by comparison to the results of Karl Fischer titration and was applied to commercially available bioethanols.
Organizational Governance for the 21st Century: Arriving at a Global View
Authors: Hurth Victoria , Kravatzky Axel
Published: March 2019

The world needs excellent standards of organizational governance. Here Dr. Victoria Hurth and Dr. Axel Kravatzky, conveners of the first global standard in governance of organizations (ISO 37000), discuss why the time is right for asking the world what it thinks good governance means and how it can be achieved.
Explicit and implicit corporate social responsibility: Differences in the approach to stakeholder engagement activities of U.S. and Japanese companies
Authors: Kumar Kamalesh , Boesso Giacomo , Batra Rishtee , Yao Jun
Published: March 2019

This study uses the theoretical frameworks of institutional theory and comparative capitalism to demonstrate how cross‐cultural differences in national institutional frameworks are related to differences in the meaning and the nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and, as a result, how they create different incentives and opportunities for companies to engage in stakeholder management activities. More specifically, we draw upon the framework of “explicit” and “implicit” CSRs to investigate whether and how stakeholder management practices and programs differ between the United States and Japan. We first develop and validate a Stakeholder Engagement Activities (SEAs) scale, designed assess differences in the approach (explicit or implicit) that companies use to address a variety of common SEAs. Then we analyze data and present the results of surveys collected from 227 companies in the United States and Japan. We find that although the SEAs of American companies are characterized by strong “explicit CSR,” in contrast, the SEAs of Japanese companies exhibit strong “implicit CSR.” In the discussion that follows, we attribute these distinctions in the SEAs to differences in the configuration of political, economic, and market mechanisms in each country. The findings of this study contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the differences in prevailing CSR practices of American and Japanese companies than noted by previous researchers. From a practitioner's perspective, the findings of this study reveal that despite the global nature of CSR, stakeholder management practices are both interpreted and operationalized differently due to differences in national institutional frameworks.
Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of New Norcantharidin Analogs
Authors: Pachuta‐Stec Anna , Nowak Renata , Pietrzak Wioleta , Pitucha Monika
Published: March 2019

New norcantharidin analogs were designed and obtained as compounds with biological activity. As a starting material, exo‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid anhydride was used. Three groups of compounds: dicarboximides, triazoles and thiazolidines were obtained in multistep reactions. The 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectra were used to confirm the structures of all obtained products and they were in agreement with the proposed structure of substances. All derivatives were screened for their antioxidant activity. The most promising group was dicarboximides (1–4, 6). Derivatives 2–4 displayed antioxidant activity with EC50=7.75–10.89 μg/ml, which may be comparable to strong antioxidant Trolox (EC50=6.13 μg/ml). Excellent activity with EC50=10.75 μg/ml also presented norcantharidin analog with 1,2,4‐triazole system (12).
Profiling Auspicious Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Two Herbal Molecules: Hyperforin and Hyuganin C
Authors: Orhan Ilkay Erdogan , Senol Deniz F. Sezer , Trædal‐Henden Steinar , Cerón‐Carrasco José P. , den Haan Helena , Peña‐García Jorge , Pérez‐Sánchez Horacio , Emerce Esra , Skalicka‐Wozniak Krystyna
Published: March 2019

Cholinergic therapy based on cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory drugs is the mainstay for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, an extensive research has been continuing for the discovery of drug candidates as inhibitors of acetyl‐ and butyrylcholinesterase. In this study, two natural molecules, e. g. hyperforin and hyuganin C were tested in vitro for their AChE and BChE inhibitory activity. Both of the compounds were ineffective against AChE, whereas hyperforin (IC50=141.60±3.39 μm) and hyuganin C (IC50=38.86±1.69 μm) were found to be the highly active inhibitors of BChE as compared to galantamine (IC50=46.58±0.91 μm) which was used as the reference. Then, these molecules were further proceeded to molecular docking experiments in order to establish their interactions at the active site of BChE. The molecular docking results indicated that both of them are able to block the access to key residues in the catalytic triad of the enzyme, while they complement some of the hydrophobic residues of the cavity, what is consistent with our in vitro data. While both compounds were predicted as mutagenic, only hyuganin C showed hepatotoxicity in in silico analysis. According to whole outcomes that we obtained, particularly hyuganin C besides hyperforin are the promising BChE inhibitors, which can be the promising compounds for AD therapy.
Effect of Different Functional Groups on Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution in Covalent‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Sheng Jing‐Li , Dong Hong , Meng Xiang‐Bin , Tang Hong‐Liang , Yao Yu‐Hao , Liu Dan‐Qing , Bai Lin‐Lu , Zhang Feng‐Ming , Wei Jin‐Zhi , Sun Xiao‐Jun
Published: March 2019

Covalent‐organic frameworks (COFs) have been recognized as a new type of promising photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution. To investigate how different functional groups attached in the backbone of COFs affect the overall photocatalytic H2 evolution, for the first time, we selected and synthesized a series of ketoenamine‐based COFs with the same host framework as model system. It includes TpPa−COF−X (X=−H, −(CH3)2, and −NO2) with three different groups attached in the backbone of TpPa−COF. We systematically investigated the differences in morphology, light‐absorption intensity and band gap of these 2D COFs. The results of photocatalytic H2 evolution measurements indicate that the TpPa−COF−(CH3)2 shows the best activity, while the activity of TpPa−COF−NO2 is relatively low compared to that of other two COFs in the system. Moreover, the separation ability of photogenerated charge was also followed the order of TpPa−COF−(CH3)2>TpPa−COF>TpPa−COF−NO2. The best photocatalytic H2 production performance of TpPa−COF−(CH3)2 in these systems should be mainly attributed to the better electron‐donating ability of −CH3 groups compared to −H or −NO2 group, which result in more efficient charge transferring in the inner of the material. This work demonstrates that reasonably adding electron‐donating group in TpPa−COFs can lead to a better photocatalytic H2 evolution activity, and which is meaningful for further design of efficient COF‐based photocatalysts for H2 evolution.
Controlled Formation of Defective Shell on TiO2 (001) Facets for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Shi Rui , Chen Yong
Published: March 2019

Defective black TiO2 has attracted considerable attention as photocatalyst for highly efficient solar energy conversion. However, it still remains a challenge to understand the basic role of defective shell on the basis of crystal facet engineering, due to the difficulty in generating defects merely on a specific facet. Herein, we develop a novel strategy to precisely control the formation of defective shell only on {001} facets of TiO2 nanocrystals due to the anisotropic effect of the crystal facets, which enables the investigation of defective shell on a specific facet to be achieved. It is found that the defective shell, middle interface layer and crystalline core together constitute a homojunction (TiO2‐homojunction). The defective shell of TiO2‐homojunction realizes the effective spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Moreover, the presence of Ti3+ ion and oxygen vacancies in defective shell can induce high free electron concentration and serve as active sites to promote the adsorption and activation of CO2 molecules. As a result, the TiO2‐homojunction exhibits significant photocatalytic behavior for CO2 reduction in a gas‐solid system. More interestingly, the position of redox reaction is reversed due to the controlled formation of defective shell, where {001} facets act as reduction sites and {101} facets as oxidation sites during photocatalytic process.