bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relative Mass of Brain- and Intestinal Tissue in Juvenile Brown Trout: No Long-Term Effects of Compensatory Growth; with Additional Notes on Emerging Sex-Differences
Authors: Näslund Joacim
Published: October 2018

This study investigated whether compensatory growth causes long-term effects in relative brain- or intestine size in a wild, predominantly anadromous, population of brown trout (Salmo trutta). The subject fish belonged to two treatment groups; one group had undergone starvation and subsequent growth compensation, while the other were unrestricted controls. The main hypothesis that compensatory growth would negatively affect brain and intestinal size, as a consequence of growth trade-offs during the compensatory phase, could not be supported as no significant differences were detected between the treatment groups. Further exploratory analyses suggested that males and females started to diverge in both brain and intestine size at around 130 mm fork length, with females developing relatively smaller brains and larger intestines. The size at which the differences appear is a typical size for smoltification (saltwater preadaptation), and females tend to smoltify to a higher proportion than males. Smoltification is known to cause a more elongated morphology and relatively smaller heads in salmonids, and the marine lifestyle is associated with rapid growth, which could require relatively larger intestines. Hence, these emerging sex differences could be a consequence of sex-biased smoltification rates. An investigation of wild smolts of both sexes indicated no differences in brain or intestine mass between male and female smolts.
Assessing the Viability of Reintroduction of Locally Extinct Migratory Fish Brycon orbignyanus: Successful Growth, Dispersal and Maturation
Authors: Esquivel-Muelbert Juan R. , Fontoura Luisa , Zardo Éverton , Streit Danilo P. , Esquivel-Muelbert Adriane , Garcia Juan R. E.
Published: October 2018

The reintroduction of threatened fish species in areas where wild populations have been depleted due to anthropogenic impacts is an increasingly popular conservation tool and mitigation policy. Despite the importance of fish reintroduction for conservation purposes, little is known about its efficiency. Here, we assessed the viability of reintroduction of the endangered migratory fish, Brycon orbignyanus, in an area of the Upper Uruguay River basin where the species has not been reported for more than 30 years. We released 4000 yearling juveniles in the Pelotas River in 2014 and maintained 400 juveniles in captivity as a control population. After three years, a total of 13 individuals was recaptured, of which, 10 were considered sexually mature with first maturation being recorded in animals larger than 42 cm in total body length. The age–length comparison with a control population growth curve showed that recaptured fish were slightly bigger than those in captivity. Furthermore, important ecological attributes as schooling behavior and dispersal capacity were recorded for all recaptured individuals. Combined, our results suggest that the re-establishment of a self-sustained population of locally extinct species B. orbignyanus in the Pelotas River may be successful if sustained over time and supported by conservation policies.
From Both Sides of the Atlantic: Black German Adoptee Searches in William Gage’s Geborener Deutscher (Born German)
Authors: Peña Rosemarie
Published: October 2018

William Gage’s Geborener Deutscher, a print newsletter distributed by traditional mail from the late 1980s until 2003, and the eponymous Internet forum Gage established in 2000 on Yahoo Groups, provide search resources and community support specifically for German born adoptees. The archived newsletters and conversations offer early insight into the search and reunion activities of many who were transnationally adopted to the United States as infants and small children in the wake of the Second World War. Among Gage’s mailing list and Yahoo Group subscribers are members of the post-war cohort of Black German Americans living in Germany and in the US. Gage’s archive provides a unique opportunity to begin to explore Black German adoptee search, reunion, and community development over nearly a two-decade span.
Evidence of Mercury Methylation and Demethylation by the Estuarine Microbial Communities Obtained in Stable Hg Isotope Studies
Authors: Figueiredo Neusa , Serralheiro Maria Luísa , Canário João , Duarte Aida , Hintelmann Holger , Carvalho Cristina
Published: October 2018

Microbial activity is a critical factor controlling methylmercury formation in aquatic environments. Microbial communities were isolated from sediments of two highly mercury-polluted areas of the Tagus Estuary (Barreiro and Cala do Norte) and differentiated according to their dependence on oxygen into three groups: aerobic, anaerobic, and sulphate-reducing microbial communities. Their potential to methylate mercury and demethylate methylmercury was evaluated through incubation with isotope-enriched Hg species (199HgCl and CH3201HgCl). The results showed that the isolated microbial communities are actively involved in methylation and demethylation processes. The production of CH3199Hg was positively correlated with sulphate-reducing microbial communities, methylating up to 0.07% of the added 199Hg within 48 h of incubation. A high rate of CH3201Hg degradation was observed and >20% of CH3201Hg was transformed. Mercury removal of inorganic forms was also observed. The results prove the simultaneous occurrence of microbial methylation and demethylation processes and indicate that microorganisms are mainly responsible for methylmercury formation and accumulation in the polluted Tagus Estuary.
eB4CAST: An Evidence-Based Tool to Promote Dissemination and Implementation in Community-Based, Public Health Research
Authors: Olfert Melissa D. , Hagedorn Rebecca L. , Barr Makenzie L. , Famodu Oluremi A. , Rubino Jessica M. , White Jade A.
Published: October 2018

eB4CAST, evidence-Based forecast C-capture, A-assemble, S-sustain, T-timelessness (eB4CAST), framework was developed from existing dissemination and implementation (D & I) constructs as a dissemination tool to promote community-based program usability and future application in targeted populations. eB4CAST captures and transforms research findings into a dissemination report that shows program need and impact to endorse program continuation and expansion. This is achieved through direct and indirect data collection of community factors and program impact that can showcase the need for program sustainability and potential for future dissemination sites. Testimonials, individual feedback, and program process and outcomes contribute to the direct data while data collected from census, county, and state databases and reports allow for indirect information to be captured and analyzed. Capturing data in the two levels allow eB4CAST to forecast program need and highlight program impact through a footprint. eB4CAST framework for dissemination tool creation is organized into four sections: Capture, Assemble, Sustainability, and Timelessness. Capture encompasses the collection of indirect and direct data related to intervention goals. Assemble is the compilation of the data into a visually appealing and easily understood media. Sustainability encourages the use of dissemination tools to provide forecast of program need and footprint of program impact back to community participants, program leaders, and key stakeholders to endorse program sustainability. Lastly, timelessness encourages cyclic movement through these constructs to continue program monitoring and data sharing to ensure timeless program evaluation and conformation to change in needs. The eB4CAST framework provides a systematic method to capture justification of program need and impact of community-based research that can be modified to fit diverse public health interventions providing a necessary D & I tool.
School Demands and Coping Resources−Associations with Multiple Measures of Stress in Mid-Adolescent Girls and Boys
Authors: Östberg Viveca , Plenty Stephanie , Låftman Sara B. , Modin Bitte , Lindfors Petra
Published: October 2018

Stress, and stress-related health complaints, are common among young people, especially girls. Since studies have shown that school demands are an important driver of stress in adolescents, identifying if school-based resources can protect against stress is highly relevant. The aim of this study was to analyse task-related demands and task-related coping resources as aspects of the school work environment of potential relevance for stress in mid-adolescent girls and boys. The data came from “The School Stress and Support study” (TriSSS) conducted among students in grades 8 and 9 (aged 14–16 years). Self-reports of demands, coping resources, stress, as well as recurrent pain, were collected through questionnaires (n = 411). A subsample of students (n = 191–198) also provided salivary samples, which were analysed for the stress marker cortisol. Linear (OLS) and binary logistic regression analyses showed that higher demands were associated with more perceived stress, a higher likelihood of recurrent pain, and a lower cortisol awakening response. Greater coping resources were associated with less perceived stress and a lower likelihood of recurrent pain, but there was no association with cortisol. The strength of the associations differed by gender. The findings suggest that schools can promote student wellbeing by providing clear and timely information and teacher support to the students, especially for boys. Identifying specific features of the schoolwork that give rise to stress and to modify these accordingly is also of importance, especially for girls.
Seafarers’ Quality of Life: Organizational Culture, Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Fatigue
Authors: Kim Jae-hee , Jang Soong-nang
Published: October 2018

Using the Culture-Work-Health model, this study investigates the factors influencing the quality of life of seafarers. This study conducted a survey of 320 seafarers who have lived and worked on a ship for more than six months. This self-administered questionnaire included questions on organizational culture and support, self-efficacy, perceived fatigue, as well as the quality of work life. Organizational culture and self-efficacy were identified as factors affecting the quality of work life, while organizational support was found to have an indirect effect through self-efficacy and perceived fatigue. The final model accounts for 63.1% of the variance in seafarers’ quality of life. As such, this study shows that self-efficacy is important for the quality of life of seafarers, having both direct and indirect effects. Moreover, organizational support may prove to be the primary intervention point for relieving perceived fatigue and enhancing self-efficacy, thus improving the quality of work life.
Children’s Blood Lead Concentrations from 1988 to 2015 in Mexico City: The Contribution of Lead in Air and Traditional Lead-Glazed Ceramics
Authors: Pantic Ivan , Tamayo-Ortiz Marcela , Rosa-Parra Antonio , Bautista-Arredondo Luis , Wright Robert O. , Peterson Karen E. , Schnaas Lourdes , Rothenberg Stephen J. , Hu Howard , Téllez-Rojo Martha María
Published: October 2018

Despite the removal of lead from gasoline in 1997, elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) > 5 µg/dL are still detectable in children living in Mexico City. The use of lead-glazed ceramics may explain these persistent exposure levels. Mexico lacks a national surveillance program for BLL, but temporal trends can be derived from epidemiological studies. With this approach, we leveraged a series of birth cohorts to report BLL trends from 1987 to 2002 and expanded our analysis to 2015. Data were from 1–5-year-old children from five Mexico City cohorts followed between 1988 and 2015. BLLs are reported on 1963 children, who contributed 4975 BLLs. We estimated the trend of mean BLL, which decreased from 15.7 µg/dL in 1988, to 7.8 µg/dL in 1998 (a year after the total ban of lead in gasoline), to 1.96 µg/dL in 2015. The proportion of BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL decreased from 92% (1988–1998) to 8% (2008–2015). The use of lead-glazed ceramics was associated with an 11% increase in BLLs throughout the study period. Replacing lead-based glazes in traditional ceramics may be the key to further reducing exposure, but this presents challenges, as it involves a cultural tradition deeply rooted in Mexico. In addition, the creation of a rigorous, standardized, and on-going surveillance program of BLL is necessary for identifying vulnerable populations.
The Impact of Health Insurance Policy on the Health of the Senior Floating Population—Evidence from China
Authors: Meng Yingying , Han Junqiang , Qin Siqi
Published: October 2018

The impact of health insurance on residents’ health is one of the focal points of academic research. Due to the fact that China’s medical insurance system is composed of a variety of programs and that the pooling districts are at the lower administrative level, enrollment in different medical insurance programs or at different places may have certain influences on the health of residents. This has mostly been neglected by previous studies. This paper uses data from the 2015 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS), focusing on the senior floating population and taking the difference in government subsidy proportions as an instrumental variable in order to identify the effects of health insurance programs and regional differences on the health of the senior floating population. Three effects were observed: First, participation in the health insurance system significantly improves floating seniors’ self-rated health. Second, the health status of floating seniors affects their choice of health insurance program: Less healthy persons tend to choose high-paying, wide-coverage basic medical insurance available for urban employees. Using an instrumental variable to control for the problem of endogeneity, it is discovered that compared with the basic medical insurance system for urban residents, the system for urban employees significantly enhances the health of the senior floating population. Third, “adverse selection” could be observed in the choice between enrolling in health insurance at the place of settlement or another place. Senior migrants with worse self-rated health tend to choose place of settlement in order to enjoy higher compensation and less complex reimbursement procedures. With an instrumental variable to control for the problem of endogeneity, it was found that compared with joining the medical insurance system at other places, joining at a place of settlement could improve the health of the floating senior population.
Soil Contamination by a Lead Smelter in Brazil in the View of the Local Residents
Authors: Carvalho Fernando M. , Tavares Tania M. , Lins Liliane
Published: October 2018

A primary lead smelter operated in Santo Amaro City in Brazil from 1960 to 1993, leaving approximately 500,000 tons of industrial dross containing 2–3% of lead and other toxic elements that contaminated the industry grounds and the urban environment. This study aimed to present the local residents’ perception towards soil contamination by the smelter. In a cross-sectional study, 208 residents from randomly selected households were interviewed about dross hazards and proposals for its management. A city map depicts the distribution and concentration of lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, nickel, and antimony, measured in the soil of the 39 households with visible smelter dross. Only one site complies with the soil quality reference values; 27 (69.2%) call for preventive measures, and 11 (28.2%) require intervention. The smelter dross continues widely spread over the city. Thirty (76.9%) out of the 39 residents were able to recognize the smelter dross on household surroundings. However, this ability was not associated with the concentrations of toxic elements in the soil of their residences and surroundings. The smelter and the local Prefecture were most frequently held liable for taking soil cleanup actions. The most frequently (38.0%) cited solution for managing the dross found in the households was “to provide the residents with information about health risks related to the dross”.
A Population-Based Approach to Mapping Vulnerability to Diabetes
Authors: Linder Stephen , Marko Dritana , Tian Ye , Wisniewski Tami
Published: October 2018

Of the 382 million people worldwide with diabetes, and if current trends continue, nearly half a billion people worldwide will have diabetes by 2035. Two-thirds of current diabetics are living in urban centers and the urban concentration of individuals with diabetes is on the rise. The problem is that in the absence of widespread clinical testing, there is no reliable way to predict which segments of the population are the most vulnerable to the onset of diabetes. Knowing who the most vulnerable are, and where they live, can guide the efficient allocation of prevention resources. Toward this end, we introduce the concept of composite vulnerability, which includes both group and individual-level attributes, and we provide a demonstration of its application to a large urban setting. The components of composite vulnerability are estimated using a novel, population-based, procedure that relies on sample survey data and nonparametric statistical techniques. First, cluster analysis identified three multivariate profiles of adult residents with type 2 diabetes, based on 35 socioeconomic indicators. Second, the undiagnosed population was screened for vulnerability based on their resemblance or fit to these multivariate profiles. Geographic neighborhoods with high concentrations of “vulnerables” could then be identified. In parallel, recursive partitioning found the best predictors of type 2 diabetes in this urban population, combined them with indicators of disadvantage, and applied them to residents in the selected neighborhoods to establish relative levels of composite vulnerability. Neighborhoods with high concentrations of residents manifesting composite vulnerability can be easily identified for targeting community-based prevention measures.
Expression of a Grape VqSTS36-Increased Resistance to Powdery Mildew and Osmotic Stress in Arabidopsis but Enhanced Susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis and Tomato
Authors: Huang Li , Yin Xiangjing , Sun Xiaomeng , Yang Jinhua , Rahman Mohammad Zillur , Chen Zhiping , Wang Xiping
Published: October 2018

Stilbene synthase genes make a contribution to improving the tolerances of biotic and abiotic stress in plants. However, the mechanisms mediated by these STS genes remain unclear. To provide insight into the role of STS genes defense against biotic and abiotic stress, we overexpressed VqSTS36 in Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato (Micro-Tom) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. VqSTS36-transformed Arabidopsis lines displayed an increased resistance to powdery mildew, but both VqSTS36-transformed Arabidopsis and tomato lines showed the increased susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea. Besides, transgenic Arabidopsis lines were found to confer tolerance to salt and drought stress in seed and seedlings. When transgenic plants were treated with a different stress, qPCR assays of defense-related genes in transgenic Arabidopsis and tomato suggested that VqSTS36 played a specific role in different phytohormone-related pathways, including salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid signaling pathways. All of these results provided a better understanding of the mechanism behind the role of VqSTS36 in biotic and abiotic stress.
Neuronal Activity-Dependent Activation of Astroglial Calcineurin in Mouse Primary Hippocampal Cultures
Authors: Lim Dmitry , Mapelli Lisa , Canonico Pier Luigi , Moccia Francesco , Genazzani Armando A.
Published: October 2018

Astrocytes respond to neuronal activity by generating calcium signals which are implicated in the regulation of astroglial housekeeping functions and/or in modulation of synaptic transmission. We hypothesized that activity-induced calcium signals in astrocytes may activate calcineurin (CaN), a calcium/calmodulin-regulated protein phosphatase, implicated in neuropathology, but whose role in astroglial physiology remains unclear. We used a lentiviral vector expressing NFAT-EYFP (NY) fluorescent calcineurin sensor and a chemical protocol of LTP induction (cLTP) to show that, in mixed neuron-astrocytic hippocampal cultures, cLTP induced robust NY translocation into astrocyte nuclei and, hence, CaN activation. NY translocation was abolished by the CaN inhibitor FK506, and was not observed in pure astroglial cultures. Using Fura-2 single cell calcium imaging, we found sustained Ca2+ elevations in juxtaneuronal, but not distal, astrocytes. Pharmacological analysis revealed that both the Ca2+ signals and the nuclear NY translocation in astrocytes required NMDA and mGluR5 receptors and depended on extracellular Ca2+ entry via a store-operated mechanism. Our results provide a proof of principle that calcineurin in astrocytes may be activated in response to neuronal activity, thereby delineating a framework for investigating the role of astroglial CaN in the physiology of central nervous system.
Inflammation and the Gut-Liver Axis in the Pathophysiology of Cholangiopathies
Authors: Giordano Debora Maria , Pinto Claudio , Maroni Luca , Benedetti Antonio , Marzioni Marco
Published: October 2018

Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the bile ducts, represent the unique target of a group of progressive diseases known as cholangiopathies whose pathogenesis remain largely unknown. In normal conditions, cholangiocytes are quiescent and participate to the final bile volume and composition. Following exogenous or endogenous stimuli, cholangiocytes undergo extensive modifications of their phenotype. Reactive cholangiocytes actively proliferate and release a set of proinflammatory molecules, which act in autocrine/paracrine manner mediating the cross-talk with other liver cell types and innate and adaptive immune cells. Cholangiocytes themselves activate innate immune responses against gut-derived microorganisms or bacterial products that reach the liver via enterohepatic circulation. Gut microbiota has been implicated in the development and progression of the two most common cholangiopathies, i.e., primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), which have distinctive microbiota composition compared to healthy individuals. The impairment of intestinal barrier functions or gut dysbiosis expose cholangiocytes to an increasing amount of microorganisms and may exacerbate inflammatory responses thus leading to fibrotic remodeling of the organ. The present review focuses on the complex interactions between the activation of innate immune responses in reactive cholangiocytes, dysbiosis, and gut permeability to bacterial products in the pathogenesis of PSC and PBC.
Roles of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in Osteoclast Biology
Authors: Lee Kyunghee , Seo Incheol , Choi Mun Hwan , Jeong Daewon
Published: October 2018

Bone undergoes continuous remodeling, which is homeostatically regulated by concerted communication between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-degrading osteoclasts. Multinucleated giant osteoclasts are the only specialized cells that degrade or resorb the organic and inorganic bone components. They secrete proteases (e.g., cathepsin K) that degrade the organic collagenous matrix and establish localized acidosis at the bone-resorbing site through proton-pumping to facilitate the dissolution of inorganic mineral. Osteoporosis, the most common bone disease, is caused by excessive bone resorption, highlighting the crucial role of osteoclasts in intact bone remodeling. Signaling mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38, has been recognized to be critical for normal osteoclast differentiation and activation. Various exogenous (e.g., toll-like receptor agonists) and endogenous (e.g., growth factors and inflammatory cytokines) stimuli contribute to determining whether MAPKs positively or negatively regulate osteoclast adhesion, migration, fusion and survival, and osteoclastic bone resorption. In this review, we delineate the unique roles of MAPKs in osteoclast metabolism and provide an overview of the upstream regulators that activate or inhibit MAPKs and their downstream targets. Furthermore, we discuss the current knowledge about the differential kinetics of ERK, JNK, and p38, and the crosstalk between MAPKs in osteoclast metabolism.
Hepatoprotective Effect of Loquat Leaf Flavonoids in PM2.5-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Regulation of IRs-1/Akt and CYP2E1/JNK Pathways
Authors: Jian Tunyu , Ding Xiaoqin , Wu Yuexian , Ren Bingru , Li Weilin , Lv Han , Chen Jian
Published: October 2018

Ambient air particulate matter (PM) represents a class of heterogeneous substances present in polluted air, which contains many harmful components. Exposure to ambient particulate matter in fine rages (PM2.5) is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Loquat Leaf possesses pharmacological actions on NAFLD. As the main biological active ingredients, the potential therapeutic role of total flavonoids (TF) isolated from Loquat Leaf in PM2.5-induced NAFLD model remains unclear. The present study was designed to explore the hepatoprotective effect of TF in PM2.5-induced NAFLD mice with its related mechanisms of action. Mice were exposed to PM2.5 to induce NAFLD, and body weight, the ratio of liver to body weight, and blood lipids increased significantly compared with the control group. It was found that TF significantly reduced the above parameters in PM2.5-induced NAFLD mice. TF treatment alleviated oxidative stress by preventing the accumulation of oxidative product malondialdehyde (MDA) and by strengthening the anti-oxidative capacity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). TF was also found to reduce the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in the PM2.5 group. In addition, TF repaired the PM2.5-induced decline of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRs-1) and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation. Meanwhile, the data showed TF suppressed the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) and the phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in PM2.5-induced NAFLD. Taken together, these findings show that TF alleviate PM2.5-induced NAFLD via regulation of IRs-1/Akt and CYP2E1/JNK pathways, which may have potential for further development as novel therapeutic agents for NAFLD.
SRSF3, a Splicer of the PKM Gene, Regulates Cell Growth and Maintenance of Cancer-Specific Energy Metabolism in Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Kuranaga Yuki , Sugito Nobuhiko , Shinohara Haruka , Tsujino Takuya , Taniguchi Kohei , Komura Kazumasa , Ito Yuko , Soga Tomoyoshi , Akao Yukihiro
Published: October 2018

Serine and arginine rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3), an SR-rich family protein, has an oncogenic function in various kinds of cancer. However, the detailed mechanism of the function had not been previously clarified. Here, we showed that the SRSF3 splicer regulated the expression profile of the pyruvate kinase, which is one of the rate-limiting enzymes in glycolysis. Most cancer cells express pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (PKM2) dominantly to maintain a glycolysis-dominant energy metabolism. Overexpression of SRSF3, as well as that of another splicer, polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1), in clinical cancer samples supported the notion that these proteins decreased the Pyruvate kinase muscle 1 (PKM1)/PKM2 ratio, which positively contributed to a glycolysis-dominant metabolism. The silencing of SRSF3 in human colon cancer cells induced a marked growth inhibition in both in vitro and in vivo experiments and caused an increase in the PKM1/PKM2 ratio, thus resulting in a metabolic shift from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. At the same time, the silenced cells were induced to undergo autophagy. SRSF3 contributed to PKM mRNA splicing by co-operating with PTBP1 and hnRNPA1, which was validated by the results of RNP immunoprecipitation (RIP) and immunoprecipitation (IP) experiments. These findings altogether indicated that SRSF3 as a PKM splicer played a positive role in cancer-specific energy metabolism.
Smart Libraries
Authors: Schöpfel Joachim
Published: October 2018

Can the smart city provide a new perspective for public and academic libraries? How does the smart city impact the libraries as cultural and scientific assets? And how can libraries contribute to the development of the smart city? An overview of recent library models, like the learning center or the green library, reveals affinities with the concept of the smart city, especially regarding the central role of information and the integration of technology, people, and institutions. From this observation, the paper develops the outline of a new concept of the smart library, which can be described in four dimensions, i.e., smart services, smart people, smart place, and smart governance. However, the smart library concept does not constitute a unique model or project, but a process, a way of how to get things done, that is less linear, less structured, and more creative and innovative. Also, smartness may not be a solution for all library problems.
40 Years of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: History and Future Directions
Authors: Canfield John , Totary-Jain Hana
Published: October 2018

The field of interventional cardiology has evolved significantly since the first percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed 40 years ago. This evolution began with a balloon catheter mounted on a fixed wire and has progressed into bare-metal stents (BMS), first-generation drug-eluting stents (DES), second- and third-generation biodegradable polymer-based DES, and culminates with the advent of bioabsorbable stents, which are currently under development. Each step in technological advancement has improved outcomes, while new persisting challenges arise, caused by the stent scaffolds, the polymers employed, and the non-selective cytostatic and cytotoxic drugs eluted from the stents. Despite the promising technological advances made in stent technology, managing the balance between reductions in target lesion revascularization, stent thrombosis, and bleeding remain highly complex issues. This review summarizes the evolution of percutaneous coronary intervention with a focus on vascular dysfunction triggered by the non-selective drugs eluted from various stents. It also provides an overview of the mechanism of action of the drugs currently used in DES. We also discuss the efforts made in developing novel cell-selective drugs capable of inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, migration, and infiltration of inflammatory cells while allowing for complete reendothelialization. Lastly, in the era of precision medicine, considerations of patients’ genetic variance associated with myocardial infarction and in-stent restenosis are discussed. The combination of personalized medicine and improved stent platform with cell-selective drugs has the potential to solve the remaining challenges and improve the care of coronary artery disease patients.
Modeling the Dependence Structure of Share Prices among Three Chinese City Banks
Authors: Liu Guizhou , Cai Xiao-Jing , Hamori Shigeyuki
Published: October 2018

We study the dependence structure of share price returns among the Beijing Bank, Ningbo Bank, and Nanjing Bank using copula models. We use the normal, Student’s t, rotated Gumbel, and symmetrized Joe-Clayton (SJC) copula models to estimate the underlying dependence structure in two periods: one covering the global financial crisis and the other covering the domestic share market crash in China. We show that Beijing Bank is less dependent on the other two city banks than Nanjing Bank, which is dependent on the other two in share price extreme returns. We also observe a major decrease of dependency from 2007 to 2018 in three one-to-one dependence structures. Interestingly, contrary to recent literatures, Ningbo Bank and Nanjing Bank tend to be more dependent on each other in positive returns than in negative returns during the past decade. We also show the dynamic dependence structures among three city banks using time-varying copula.
Connecting VIX and Stock Index ETF with VAR and Diagonal BEKK
Authors: Chang Chia-Lin , Hsieh Tai-Lin , McAleer Michael
Published: October 2018

As stock market indexes are not tradeable, the importance and trading volume of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) cannot be understated. ETFs track and attempt to replicate the performance of a specific index. Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the S&P500 Composite Index and the Volatility Index (VIX), but few empirical studies have focused on the relationship between VIX and ETF returns. The purpose of the paper is to investigate whether VIX returns affect ETF returns by using vector autoregressive (VAR) models to determine whether daily VIX returns with different moving average processes affect ETF returns. The ARCH-LM test shows conditional heteroskedasticity in the estimation of ETF returns, so that the Diagonal BEKK (named after Baba, Engle, Kraft and Kroner) model is used to accommodate multivariate conditional heteroskedasticity in the VAR estimates of ETF returns. Daily data on ETF returns that follow different stock indexes in the USA and Europe are used in the empirical analysis, which is presented for the full data set, as well as for the three sub-periods Before, During, and After the Global Financial Crisis. The estimates show that daily VIX returns have: (1) significant negative effects on European ETF returns in the short run; (2) stronger significant effects on single-market ETF returns than on European ETF returns; and (3) lower impacts on the European ETF returns than on S&P500 returns. For the European markets, the estimates of the mean equations tend to differ between the whole sample period and the sub-periods, but the estimates of the matrices A and B in the Diagonal BEKK model are quite similar for the whole sample period and at least two of the three sub-periods. For the US Markets, the estimates of the mean equations also tend to differ between the whole sample period and the sub-periods, but the estimates of the matrices A and B in the Diagonal BEKK model are very similar for the whole sample period and the three sub-periods.
Modeling Urban Encroachment on the Agricultural Land of the Eastern Nile Delta Using Remote Sensing and a GIS-Based Markov Chain Model
Authors: Bratley Kelsee , Ghoneim Eman
Published: October 2018

Historically, the Nile Delta has played an integral part in Egyptian civilization, as its fertile soils have been cultivated for centuries. The region offers a lush oasis among the expansive arid climate of Northern Africa; however, in recent decades, many anthropogenic changes to the environment have jeopardized Egypt’s agricultural productivity. Political instability and lack of sufficient regulations regarding urban growth and encroachment have put agricultural land in the area at risk. Advanced geospatial techniques were used to assess the rate at which urban areas are increasing within the region. A hybrid classification of Landsat satellite imagery for the eastern sector of the Nile Delta, between the years 1988 and 2017, was conducted to map major land-use and land-cover (LULC) classes. The statistical change analysis revealed that urban areas increased by 222.5% over the study period (29 years). Results indicated that urban areas are encroaching mainly on established agricultural lands within the Nile Delta. Most of the change has occurred within the past nine years, where approximately 235.60 km2 of the cultivated lands were transitioned to urban. Nonetheless, at the eastern delta flank, which is bordered by desert, analysis indicated that agricultural lands have experienced a considerable growth throughout the study period due to a major desert reclamation effort. Areas most at risk from future urban expansion were identified. A simulation of future urban expansion, using a Markov Chain algorithm, indicated that the extent to which urban area is simulated to grow in the region is 16.67% (277.3 km2) and 37.82% (843 km2) by the year 2026, and 2050, respectively. The methods used in this study are useful in assessing the rate of urban encroachment on agricultural lands and can be applied to similar at-risk areas in the regions if appropriate site-specific modifications are considered.
The Effects of Carbon Content on the Anisotropic Deformation Mechanism of Boron Carbide
Authors: Li Jun , Liu Lisheng , Xu Shuang , Zhang Jinyong , Wu Yuanli
Published: October 2018

The effects of carbon content on the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of boron carbides were investigated by first-principles calculations, based on the density functional theory. The B12–CBC (13.33 at % C) and B10 C 2 P –CC (28.75 at % C) were studied and then compared with the deformation of regular B11CP–CBC (20.0 at % C). The results show the B10 C 2 P –CC, which has the lowest carbon content, has the highest strength and hardness as well as the lowest toughness. With the increase of carbon content, the rhombohedral symmetry will be broken and the three-atoms chains will be replaced by diatomic carbon chains. These changes may have an influence on their anisotropic deformation mechanisms. For the B12–CBC, the destruction of icosahedra without bending three-atom chains causes structural failure for compression along the c axis; while for compression along the a axis, new B–B bonds are formed, causing an unrecoverable deformation; then it is gradually destroyed until full destruction. For the B10 C 2 P –CC, the anisotropic deformation mechanism is not obvious. For both loading directions, the breakage of B–CP bonds causes the stress to drop, suggesting that the structure is beginning to be destroyed. Finally, the icosahedra are fully destroyed, resulting in structural failure.
High Temperature Deformation Behavior of In-Situ Synthesized Titanium-Based Composite Reinforced with Ultra-Fine TiB Whiskers
Authors: Xu Rongjun , Liu Bin , Liu Yong , Cao Yuankui , Guo Wenmin , Nie Yan , Liu Shifeng
Published: October 2018

A TiB/Ti-6Al-4V composite reinforced with ultra-fine TiB whiskers (UF-TiB) was prepared by the powder metallurgy method. High temperature compression tests were carried out to study the hot deformation behavior of the UF-TiB/Ti-6Al-4V composite. The compressive deformation was performed in the temperature range of 900–1200 °C and the strain rate range of 0.001–10 s−1. The results showed that stable flow occurred at the condition of 900–1200 °C/0.001–0.01 s−1. The optimum working condition was 900 °C/0.001 s−1, with the deformation mechanism of dynamic recrystallization (DRX). Instable flow occurred when the strain rate was higher than 0.01 s−1, where the failure modes included adiabatic shear deformation, whisker breakage and whisker/matrix debonding. The deformability of the UF-TiB/Ti-6Al-4V composite was much better than the traditional casted and the pressed + sintered TiB/Ti-6Al-4V composites, which are typically reinforced with coarse-grained TiB whiskers. The high deformability was primarily attributed to the ultra-fine reinforcements, which could coordinate the deformation more effectively. In addition, a fine matrix microstructure also had a positive effect on deformability because the fine matrix microstructure could improve the grain boundary sliding.
Detailed Modeling of the Direct Reduction of Iron Ore in a Shaft Furnace
Authors: Hamadeh Hamzeh , Mirgaux Olivier , Patisson Fabrice
Published: October 2018

This paper addresses the modeling of the iron ore direct reduction process, a process likely to reduce CO2 emissions from the steel industry. The shaft furnace is divided into three sections (reduction, transition, and cooling), and the model is two-dimensional (cylindrical geometry for the upper sections and conical geometry for the lower one), to correctly describe the lateral gas feed and cooling gas outlet. This model relies on a detailed description of the main physical–chemical and thermal phenomena, using a multi-scale approach. The moving bed is assumed to be comprised of pellets of grains and crystallites. We also take into account eight heterogeneous and two homogeneous chemical reactions. The local mass, energy, and momentum balances are numerically solved, using the finite volume method. This model was successfully validated by simulating the shaft furnaces of two direct reduction plants of different capacities. The calculated results reveal the detailed interior behavior of the shaft furnace operation. Eight different zones can be distinguished, according to their predominant thermal and reaction characteristics. An important finding is the presence of a central zone of lesser temperature and conversion.
Highly Integrated All-Fiber FP/FBG Sensor for Accurate Measurement of Strain under High Temperature
Authors: Yang Tingting , He Xiu , Ran Zengling , Xie Zhendong , Rao Yunjiang , Qiao Xueguang , He Zhengxi , He Peng
Published: October 2018

Accurate measurement of strain is one of the most important issues for high temperature environments. We present a highly integrated all-fiber sensor to achieve precise measurements of strain/high-pressure, which consists of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) inscribed by an 800 nm femtosecond laser cascaded with a micro extrinsic Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity fabricated by the 157 nm laser micromachining technique. FBG is sensitive to temperature, but insensitive to strain/pressure, whereas the FP is sensitive to strain/pressure, but has a small dependence on temperature. Therefore, such a cascaded sensor could be used for dual-parameter measurement and can work well at high temperatures. Experimental results indicate that this device exhibits a good strain characteristic at high temperatures and excellent high-pressure performance at room temperature. Due to its highly sensitive wavelength response, the proposed sensor will have remarkable potential applications in dual parameter sensing in harsh environments.
Reinforcement of Stearic Acid Treated Egg Shell Particles in Epoxy Thermosets: Structural, Thermal, and Mechanical Characterization
Authors: Shah Ahmer Hussain , Zhang Yuqi , Xu Xiaodong , Dayo Abdul Qadeer , Li Xiao , Wang Shuo , Liu Wenbin
Published: October 2018

This work reports the modification of egg shell (ES) particles by using stearic acid (SA) and their reinforcement in the epoxy matrix. The ES treatment via SA was optimized, the optimum conditions for concentration, temperature, and time were found to be 2.5%, 85 °C, and 50 min, respectively. The untreated ES (UES) and treated ES (TES) particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size distribution, and contact angle. FTIR confirmed the chemical modification of SA on ES surface and DSC reflects an endothermic peak at 240 °C. XRD reveal a decrease in crystal size and crystallinity, while contact angle increases to 169° from 42°. The SEM observations clearly reflect a distinct decrease and separation of small domains of ES particles thus improving an increased surface area. Afterwards, the UES and TES particles were reinforced in epoxy at 15 and 20 weight (wt.) % loading. The tensile tests confirmed a 22% increase in elongation as compared to pure epoxy due to the hydrogen bonding between TES particles and matrix. The lowest brittleness was recorded for TES/epoxy composites on 20 wt % loading. The TGA confirmed the improved thermal stabilities at 20 wt % loading of TES particles in matrix, the improvements in T5%, T10%, and T20% values were recorded as 33, 26, and 21 °C higher than the corresponding values for neat matrix. The TES/epoxy composites on 20 wt % showed 41% increase in storage modulus as compared to the pristine epoxy, and cross-link density reaches to 2.71 × 10−3 from 1.29 × 10−3 mol/cm3 for neat matrix. The decline in tan δ height and improvement in Tg were also observed. The best adhesion effectiveness was recorded for TES/epoxy composites. This simple and economical modification technique can enhance the application of ES particles in various polymeric coating and composites applications.
Interlaminar Shear Properties of Z-Pinned Carbon Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites by Short-Beam Shear Test
Authors: Wang Sian , Zhang Yunhe , Wu Gaohui
Published: October 2018

This paper presents the effect of through-thickness reinforcement by steel z-pins on the interlaminar shear properties and strengthening mechanisms of carbon fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composites (Cf/Al) with a short beam shear test method. Microstructural analysis reveals that z-pins cause minor microstructural damage including to fiber waviness and aluminum-rich regions, and interface reaction causes a strong interface between the stainless steel pin and the aluminum matrix. Z-pinned Cf/Al composites show reduced apparent interlaminar shear strength due to a change in the failure mode compared to unpinned specimens. The changed failure mode could result from decreased flexural strength due to microstructural damage as well as increased actual interlaminar shear strength. Fracture work is improved significantly with a z-pin diameter. The strong interface allows the deformation resistance of the steel pin to contribute to the crack bridging forces, which greatly enhances the interlaminar shear properties.
Influence of Roughness on Shear Bonding Performance of CFRP-Concrete Interface
Authors: Yin Yushi , Fan Yingfang
Published: October 2018

The potential of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) in the reinforcement of concrete structures has been shown in many studies and practical applications. However, few works have focused systematically on the development of quantitative criteria to measure surface roughness and relate this parameter to the bonding mechanical property. Moreover, some researchers have declared that, if the concrete interface is rougher, the bond performance between FRP and concrete will be increase, However, there is no answer to how rough the surface is. There are limited application standards for engineers to conduct in FRP reinforcement projects. This work evaluated several concrete specimens with three different strengths and six types of interface roughness. A single shear test was conducted to study the influence of surface roughness on the interfacial bonding performance of a carbon fiber-reinforced composite (CFRP)-concrete beam. The results show that, among the six interfaces, a concrete interface with the roughness of 0.44 has the best interfacial bonding performance. An interfacial appearance with the cement mortar almost cleaned away, and almost one fifth of the single coarse aggregate bared will get the best bond performance. Roughness parameters significantly influenced the effective bond length. The effective bond length of the six interfaces experienced an overall decreasing trend as the roughness increased. The bond–slip curves of concrete interfaces with roughness of 0.25–0.44 did not significantly change the rigidity within the brittle region. The rougher the interface was, the shorter the brittle region was. After entering a plasticity stage, the bond–slip curves for the six types of interfaces all declined with different slopes, and the max slip values were 0.04–0.35 mm when debonding failure occurred.