bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Exploration of Structurally Controlled Mineralization at Low Latitudes: A Case from the Masara Gold District, Mindanao, Philippines
Authors: Manalo P. C. , Dimalanta C. B. , Villaplaza B. R. B. , Brown W. W. , Yumul G. P.
Published: July 2019

Magnetic data transformations are applied to the high-resolution magnetic data from the Masara gold district in the southern Philippines to enhance features related to a porphyry copper prospect and epithermal gold deposit. Using several filtering methods and structural mapping techniques, we were able to highlight the signal coming from a shallow chlorite-sericite alteration zone. Although the epithermal veins are mainly composed of nonmagnetic minerals, calculation of the tilt derivative of the magnetic grid revealed linear features that are coincident with the surface projection of the gold-bearing veins. Furthermore, dip directions of the magnetic sources were determined using Euler deconvolution, and they were found to coincide with the dip directions of the veins as determined by structural measurements at different underground levels. Aside from showing the utility of the magnetic methods in epithermal gold deposit exploration, this study also demonstrates that challenges of processing and interpreting magnetic anomalies in areas near the equator can be overcome. This research outlines a processing workflow that can be adopted for further investigation of other mineralized areas.
The Changing Role of the Department Chair in the Shifting Landscape of Higher Education
Authors: Weaver Lisa D. , Ely Katherine , Dickson Loretta , DellAntonio Jennifer
Published: July 2019

Historically, empirical research exploring the roles, responsibilities, and challenges of department chairs has been limited and narrow in scope. In addition, these studies have not kept pace with the rapidly changing nature of higher education. The current study consists of data collected from a survey of current and former chairs at a small, rural university in Pennsylvania. Questions in the survey included topics such as dealing with bureaucracy, lack of time for individual research, job-related stress, dealing with noncollegial faculty, excessive workload, and training for department chairs. Findings are in line with previous empirical research and illustrate the need for evidence-based decisions regarding the nature of academic department chair leadership training and support.
Early experience with chemotherapy intensification for poor prognosis metastatic germ cell cancer and unfavorable tumor marker decline
Authors: Batra Anupam , Ernst Scott , Potvin Kylea , Fernandes Ricardo , Power Nicholas , Vanhie James , Winquist Eric
Published: July 2019

Introduction: Intensified chemotherapy improved outcomes for men with poor prognosis metastatic germ cell cancer (GCC) and unfavorable tumor marker decline (UTMD) after one cycle of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy in the GETUG-13 trial. Herein, we report our experience to date using a similar approach.

Methods: Patients were identified from our electronic GCC database. Men with poor prognosis GCC and UTMD were offered intensified chemotherapy consisting of T-BEP (three cycles) plus paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (TIP) (one cycle), along with prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and resection of residual masses. Cisplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide (PEI) replaced last cycle of T-BEP for bleomycin pulmonary concerns. Serious toxicities, progression-free survival, and overall survival were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: Ten patients with poor prognosis GCC were identified May 2012 to April 2016. Eight patients had UTMD. Six were offered and received intensified chemotherapy (two T-BEPx3 + TIP and four T-BEPx2 + PEI + TIP). Serious toxicities included neutropenic sepsis, deep venous thrombosis, and C. difficile colitis, but there were no toxic deaths. One patient died of synchronous metastatic adenocarcinoma ex teratoma. The remaining five patients achieved marker negative partial response, two had residual mature teratoma excised, and four have no evidence of disease after surgery. All are alive at a median of 57.6 months (range 37.2‒65.3 months); one patient has grade 2 peripheral sensory neuropathy, and one patient has grade 2 cognitive disturbance. Of four patients treated with standard BEP, two have died of disease and two are alive at 44.9 and 47.2 months.

Conclusions: Our experience with intensified chemotherapy for men with poor prognosis GCC and UTMD confirms that it is feasible, reasonably safe, and appears to provide results similar to those reported in GETUG-13.
The effect of ethnicity on semen analysis and hormones in the infertile patient
Authors: Punjani Nahid , Nayan Madhur , Jarvi Keith , Lo Kirk , Lau Susan , Grober Ethan
Published: July 2019

Introduction: We aimed to study the association of ethnicity on semen parameters and hormones in patients presenting with infertility.

Methods: Data from men presenting for infertility assessment were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical history was self-reported. Semen analysis included volume, count, motility, morphology, and vitality. The 2010 World Health Organization cutoffs were used. Baseline total testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were recorded. Ethnicity data was classified as Caucasian, African-Canadian, Asian, Indo-Canadian, Native-Canadian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern. All patients with complete data were included and statistical analysis was performed.

Results: A total of 9079 patients were reviewed, of which 3956 patients had complete data. Of these, 839 (21.2%) were azoospermic. After adjusting for age, African-Canadians (odds ratio [OR] 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28‒2.25) and Asians (1.34; 95% CI 1.11‒1.62) were more likely to be azoospermic compared to Caucasians. Similarly, African Canadians (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.33‒2.29) were more likely to be oligospermic and Asians (OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.70‒0.97) less likely to be oligospermic. Low volume was found in African-Canadian (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.05‒1.91), Asians (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.01‒1.51), and Indo-Canadians (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.01‒2.13). Furthermore, Asians (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.57‒0.93) and Hispanics (OR 0.58; 95% CI 034‒0.99) were less likely to have asthenospermia. Asians (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.57‒0.94) and Indo-Canadians (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.35‒0.99) were less likely to have teratozospermia. No differences were seen for vitality. No differences were seen for FSH levels, however, Asians (p<0.01) and Indo-Canadians (p<0.01) were more likely to have lower testosterone.

Conclusions: Our study illustrates that variations in semen analyses and hormones exist in men with infertility. This may provide insight into the workup and management for infertile men from different ethnicities.
Review: Transplanting kidneys from donors with small renal masses — a strategy to expand the donor pool
Authors: Cristea Octav , Warren Jeff , Blew Brian , Rowe Neal
Published: July 2019

Introduction: Renal transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage renal disease, but organ demand continues to outstrip supply. The transplantation of kidneys from donors with small renal masses (SRMs) represents a potential avenue to expand the donor pool. We reviewed all published cases of transplants from donors with SRMs and we present followup data, best practices, and outline an actionable series of steps to guide the implementation of such transplants at individual centres.

Methods: A detailed literature search of the MEDLINE/PubMed and SCOPUS databases was performed. Thirty unique data sets met inclusion criteria and described the transplantation of tumorectomized kidneys; nine data sets described the transplantation of contralateral kidneys from donors with SRMs.

Results: A total of 147 tumorectomized kidneys have been transplanted. Pathology revealed 120 to be renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), of which 116 were stage T1a (0.3–4 cm). The mean followup time was 44.2 months (1‒200 months). A single suspected tumor recurrence occurred in one patient nine years post-transplantation and it was managed with active surveillance. Twenty-seven kidneys have been transplanted from deceased donors with contralateral renal masses. Pathology revealed 25 to be RCCs, of which 19 were confirmed to be stage T1 (<7 cm). The mean followup time was 46.7 months (0.5‒155 months). One recipient developed an RCC and underwent curative allograft nephrectomy.

Conclusions: Careful use of kidneys from donors with SRMs is feasible and safe, with an overall recurrence rate of less than 1.5%. The utilization of such kidneys could help alleviate the organ shortage crisis.
IT Professionals’ Personality, Personal Characteristics, and Commitment: Evidence from a National Survey
Authors: Syed Javaid , Tappin Ruth M.
Published: July 2019

Drawing on personality traits theory (Costa & McCrae, 1985) and organizational commitment theory (Mowday, Steers & Porter, 1979), the purpose of the present study was to investigate, through four separate hierarchical regression procedures, the effect of a set of independent variables (neuroticism, gender, and generational age) on four separate dependent variables (DV): overall organizational commitment (OC), affective commitment (AC), continuance commitment (CC), and normative commitment (NC). The sample consisted of responses from 279 IT professionals in the United States, drawn from a national sample from the merged cross-sectional GSS 1972-2014 Cross-Sectional Cumulative Data, Release 5, March 24, 2016. Results of multiple regressions analyses revealed that, among IT professionals, neuroticism did not predict overall OC, AC, CC, or NC. Generational age predicted OC, AC, and CC with statistical significance. Gender predicted CC; none of the independent variables (IVs) predicted NC. Directions for future research are offered.
Using Word Study Approach to Improve Omani EFL Students’ Spelling Performance
Authors: Al-Yahmedi Zainab , Al-Busaidi Saleh , Al-Seyabi Fawzia
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Word Study approach on the development of spelling performance of Grade Five female students in the Sultanate of Oman. The sample of the study consisted of 66 grade five female students from a Governmental Basic Education school in South Al Batinah Governorate. They were divided into two groups: an experimental group who studied spelling using Word Study approach and a control group who studied spelling using the traditional basal approach. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in favor of the experimental group. The study puts forward some recommendations for future research and for teaching.
Employer Branding: Creating a Sustainable Recruitment Plan in Large Corporates
Authors: A.M. Abu Daqar Mohannad , K.A. Smoudy Ahmad , Constantinovits Milan
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study is to attract talented employees by using non-traditional recruitment methods, such as online professional business networks. These methods should encourage potential employees to apply and join these companies. It also allows the company to position its image in its potential customers’ minds. Hence, this research contributes to how to position an image in potential employee’s minds and motivate them to be part of the company. The main objective of this study is to investigate how to maintain a continuous demand from potential employees; accomplished by providing an outline of a sustainable recruitment plan to be applied in the larger Palestinian corporates.

A questionnaire was distributed at employees and their HR managers at four large-scale corporations in West Bank, Palestine. The proposed models were analyzed on the basis of 100 responses related to four well-known large Palestinian corporates. The results indicate that 78.3% of the sample have a recruitment plan in their corporations. Moreover, most of the sample, over 50%, have job satisfaction. which can enhance and help corporations in building a good reputation. It also exploits its internal employees as a strategic marketing tool to build their real, good, and attractive employer branding. The study recommends that companies seriously consider their employees in their marketing strategy, similar to how they market their products and services. To accomplish this, they need to build a long-term relationship with employees in a way that affects the general profit of the corporate and assists the corporate to create and maintain the employer branding.
Herijking horizontaal toezicht: noodzakelijk kwaad of logisch gevolg?
Authors: van der Hel Lisette , Siglé Maarten
Published: July 2019

Herijking horizontaal toezicht: noodzakelijk kwaad of logisch gevolg?

Nederland was een van de eerste landen die het zogenoemde horizontaal toezicht (HT) introduceerde. Sindsdien hebben belastingdiensten over de gehele wereld dat voorbeeld gevolgd en is HT ingevoerd in andere toezichtdomeinen zoals de zorg en de voedselveiligheid. In Nederland is het HT in tegenstelling tot andere landen sinds de introductie niet wezenlijk veranderd, terwijl HT al sinds het begin vragen oproept en er regelmatig kritiek doorklinkt. In dit artikel inventariseren en analyseren we de (wetenschappelijke) onderzoeken die inmiddels op het gebied van HT zijn gedaan en concluderen we dat een herijking van HT, zoals de Nederlandse Belastingdienst momenteel uitvoert, niet alleen logisch is, gezien het feit dat Nederland een voorloper op dit terrein was, maar ook noodzakelijk is gezien de vragen en kritiek die er zijn. We concluderen ook dat het lastig is om tegemoet te komen aan een modernisering in lijn met internationale ontwikkelingen omdat landen binnen het concept van HT ieder een eigen weg lijken te kiezen en van een gezamenlijke ontwikkeling geen sprake lijkt te zijn.
Charakter prewencyjno-sankcyjny art. 108 ustawy o VAT oraz art. 203 dyrektywy 2006/112/WE Rady UE a konstrukcja tych przepisów
Authors: Kaniecka Klaudia
Published: July 2019

Niniejszy referat dotyczy analizy i oceny opartej na wykładni językowej, systemowej oraz celowościowej art. 108 ustawy o podatku od towarów i usług oraz art. 203 dyrektywy 2006/112/WE Rady Unii Europejskiej, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem prewencyjno-sankcyjnego charakteru tych przepisów.
Automatic Stowage of Bulk Carrier Based on Ship Floating-State Control
Authors: Shen Helong , Liu Chunlei , Yin Yong , Sun Xiaofeng
Published: July 2019

The quality of stowage plan affects several aspects of ship security, including intact stability and structural strength. This study focuses on optimization of the stowage plan under a given floating state (i.e., the final heel and trim angle). The mathematical model for automatic stowage plan is built by using the following objectives: minimizing the total ballast water, maximum shear force (SF), and bending moment (BM), and maximizing the total cargo. The related safety assessment criteria, the final heel and trim angle, maximum tank capacity, and amount of cargo are considered as constraints. A two-layer optimization method based on differential evolution algorithm is proposed to solve the constrained optimization problem. According to the characteristics of bulk carriers, a simplified matrix method for engineering applications is discussed based on Newton’s iteration method to calculate ship floatation. To improve the calculation accuracy of SF and BM, a method based on the stereolithography model is proposed. Finally, an actual case of a 38,500-dead weight tonnage (DWT) bulk carrier is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Dispersal of mahogany seeds and seedlings (Swietenia macrophylla) in open ombrophilous forest with palm trees from southeastern Pará, Brazil
Authors: Sousa Diego Guimarães de , Cunha Hélida Ferreira da
Published: July 2019

We performed a study of dispersal of mahogany seeds and seedlings (Swietenia macrophylla King, Meliaceae) in open ombrophilous forest with palm trees from southeastern Pará. For this study, we placed four transects of 2x50m, each subdivided in 25 blocs of 2x2m, in the directions N, S, E, W of four mahogany matrices. We found that: seeds dispersed according to the direction of prevailing winds that favored higher density and dispersal distance in the W - N direction; the intact seeds have reached greater dispersal distances than the aborted ones and can be dispersed beyond the matrix tree 50 m distance in the west direction; the greatest abundance of seeds and seedlings was found between 10 and 20 m distance from the matrices; seedling density was considered low, however, it increases from the east to west direction of the matrices, and can be found beyond the 50m distance in the N and W directions; the size of mahogany seeds is more important in determining the weight than width, which is a more conservative variable; the recruitment and growth of seedlings seem to be associated with clearings - where the highest heights were observed - which are quite disturbed sites with a higher incidence of light and other environmental seasonality. The information provide here may contribute to enhance the management actions for the use of the species included in the Appendix II of CITES.
Recomposição de mata ciliar: uma proposta de educação ambiental
Authors: Aires Eduardo Santana , Santos Emanuel Ernesto Fernandes , Santos Maria Herbênia Lima Cruz , Souza Jessica Bezerra de , Santos Lucas Pinto dos
Published: July 2019

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo demonstrar a utilização do plantio de mudas e utilização de medidas mitigadoras em uma área degradada de mata ciliar, ao longo do trecho da margem esquerda do Rio São Francisco, em Petrolina (PE). A área foi dividida em três ambientes tipográficos: margem, dique e terraço. Essas foram revegetadas com espécies nativas da caatinga, através de uma metodologia simples que consiste no plantio de mudas distribuídas a cada 3m, formando um mix de espécies, totalizando 650 mudas de 19 espécies diferentes. As medidas mitigadoras propostas foram a educação ambiental para os usuários do clube onde a área é localizada e a segregação do lixo. As espécies selecionadas para a recomposição apresentam potencialidades e resistência às adversidades do meio, e embora área do presente estudo seja considerada um fragmento de mata ciliar, as ações desenvolvidas podem ser extrapoladas para outras áreas na margem do rio, contribuindo assim com o programa de recomposição da mata ciliar do São Francisco.
Identification of an emphysema-associated genetic variant near TGFB2 with regulatory effects in lung fibroblasts
Authors: Parker Margaret M , Hao Yuan , Guo Feng , Pham Betty , Chase Robert , Platig John , Cho Michael H , Hersh Craig P , Thannickal Victor J , Crapo James , Washko George , Randell Scott H , Silverman Edwin K , San José Estépar Raúl , Zhou Xiaobo , Castaldi Peter J
Published: July 2019

Murine studies have linked TGF-β signaling to emphysema, and human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) studies of lung function and COPD have identified associated regions near genes in the TGF-β superfamily. However, the functional regulatory mechanisms at these loci have not been identified. We performed the largest GWAS of emphysema patterns to date, identifying 10 GWAS loci including an association peak spanning a 200 kb region downstream from TGFB2. Integrative analysis of publicly available eQTL, DNaseI, and chromatin conformation data identified a putative functional variant, rs1690789, that may regulate TGFB2 expression in human fibroblasts. Using chromatin conformation capture, we confirmed that the region containing rs1690789 contacts the TGFB2 promoter in fibroblasts, and CRISPR/Cas-9 targeted deletion of a ~ 100 bp region containing rs1690789 resulted in decreased TGFB2 expression in primary human lung fibroblasts. These data provide novel mechanistic evidence linking genetic variation affecting the TGF-β pathway to emphysema in humans.
PUMILIO, but not RBMX, binding is required for regulation of genomic stability by noncoding RNA NORAD
Authors: Elguindy Mahmoud M , Kopp Florian , Goodarzi Mohammad , Rehfeld Frederick , Thomas Anu , Chang Tsung-Cheng , Mendell Joshua T
Published: July 2019

NORAD is a conserved long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that is required for genome stability in mammals. NORAD acts as a negative regulator of PUMILIO (PUM) proteins in the cytoplasm, and we previously showed that loss of NORAD or PUM hyperactivity results in genome instability and premature aging in mice (Kopp et al., 2019). Recently, however, it was reported that NORAD regulates genome stability through an interaction with the RNA binding protein RBMX in the nucleus. Here, we addressed the contributions of NORAD:PUM and NORAD:RBMX interactions to genome maintenance by this lncRNA in human cells. Extensive RNA FISH and fractionation experiments established that NORAD localizes predominantly to the cytoplasm with or without DNA damage. Moreover, genetic rescue experiments demonstrated that PUM binding is required for maintenance of genomic stability by NORAD whereas binding of RBMX is dispensable for this function. These data provide an important foundation for further mechanistic dissection of the NORAD-PUMILIO axis in genome maintenance.
Proximity gettering technique using CH3O multielement molecular ion implantation for the reduction of the white spot defect density in CMOS image sensor
Authors: Hirose Ryo , Kadono Takeshi , Okuyama Ryosuke , Onaka-Masada Ayumi , Shigematsu Satoshi , Kobayashi Koji , Koga Yoshihiro , Kurita Kazunari
Published: July 2019

We have characterized CH3O ion-implanted epitaxial wafers in device fabrication processes. We confirmed that the CH3O ion-implanted wafers can reduce the density of white spot defects in CMOS image sensors. Evaluation of the CH3O ion-implanted region before and after device fabrication processes which included heat treatment and ion implantation, showed that two types of defects, namely stacking faults and carbon-related defects, exist in the CH3O ion implantation region getter the metallic impurities during device fabrication processes. In particular, it was clarified that stacking fault defects existing in the CH3O ion-implanted region are powerful gettering sinks for oxygen. Thus, it was considered that two types of gettering sink formed by CH3O ion implantation contribute to the reduction in the density of white spot defects. We believe that these characteristics can contribute to the improvement of fabrication processes for advanced CMOS image sensors.
TiO2 nanoparticles affect the bacterial community structure and Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) in an arable soil
Authors: Sánchez-López Katia Berenice , De los Santos-Ramos Francisco J. , Gómez-Acata Elizabeth Selene , Luna-Guido Marco , Navarro-Noya Yendi E. , Fernández-Luqueño Fabián , Dendooven Luc
Published: July 2019

The amount of nanoparticles (NP), such as TiO2, has increased substantially in the environment. It is still largely unknown, however, how NP might interact with earthworms and organic material and how this might affect the bacterial community structure and their functionality. Therefore, an arable soil was amended with TiO2 NP at 0, 150 or 300 mg kg−1 and subjected to different treatments. Treatments were soil amended with ten earthworms (Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826)) with fully developed clitellum and an average fresh mass of 0.5 to 500 g dry soil, 1.75 g tyndallized Quaker® oat seeds Avena sativa (L.) kg−1, or earthworms plus oat seeds, or left unamended. The bacterial community structure was monitored throughout the incubation period. The bacterial community in the unamended soil changed over time and application of oats, earthworm and a combination of both even further, with the largest change found in the latter. Application of NP to the unamended soil and the earthworm-amended soil altered the bacterial community, but combining it by adding oats negated that effect. It was found that the application of organic material, that is, oats, reduced the effect of the NP applied to soil. However, as the organic material applied was mineralized by the soil microorganisms, the effect of NP increased again over time.
The Munduruku marmoset: a new monkey species from southern Amazonia
Authors: Costa-Araújo Rodrigo , de Melo Fabiano R. , Canale Gustavo Rodrigues , Hernández-Rangel Sandra M. , Messias Mariluce Rezende , Rossi Rogério Vieira , Silva Felipe E. , da Silva Maria Nazareth Ferreira , Nash Stephen D. , Boubli Jean P. , Farias Izeni Pires , Hrbek Tomas
Published: July 2019

Although the Atlantic Forest marmosets (Callithrixspp.) are among the best studied Neotropical primates, the Amazonian marmosets (Callibella humilis, Cebuellaspp. andMicospp.) are much less well-known. Even species diversity and distributions are yet to be properly determined because field data and materials currently available in scientific collections do not allow comprehensive taxonomic studies of Amazonian marmosets. From 2015 to 2018, we conducted 10 expeditions in key-areas within southern Amazonia where little or no information on marmosets was available. In one such region—the Tapajós–Jamanxim interfluve—we recorded marmosets with a distinctive pelage pigmentation pattern suggesting they could represent a new species. We tested this hypothesis using an integrative taxonomic framework that included phylogenomic data (ddRAD sequences), pelage pigmentation characters, and distribution records. We found that the marmosets of the northern Tapajós–Jamanxim interfluve have unique states in pelage pigmentation characters, form a clade (100% support) in our Bayesian and Maximum-Likelihood phylogenies, and occur in an area isolated from other taxa by rivers. The integration of these lines of evidence leads us to describe a new marmoset species in the genusMico, named after the Munduruku Amerindians of the Tapajós–Jamanxim interfluve, southwest of Pará State, Brazil.
Comprehensive map and functional annotation of the mouse white adipose tissue proteome
Authors: Tang Xiaoyue , Li Juan , Zhao Wei-gang , Sun Haidan , Guo Zhengguang , Jing Li , She Zhufang , Yuan Tao , Liu Shuai-nan , Liu Quan , Fu Yong , Sun Wei
Published: July 2019

White adipose tissue (WAT) plays a significant role in energy metabolism and the obesity epidemic. In this study, we sought to (1) profile the mouse WAT proteome with advanced 2DLC/MS/MS approach, (2) provide insight into WAT function based on protein functional annotation, and (3) predict potentially secreted proteins. A label-free 2DLC/MS/MS proteomic approach was used to identify the WAT proteome from female mouse WAT. A total of 6,039 proteins in WAT were identified, among which 5,160 were quantified (spanning a magnitude of 106) using an intensity-based absolute quantification algorithm, and 3,117 proteins were reported by proteomics technology for the first time in WAT. To comprehensively analyze the function of WAT, the proteins were divided into three quantiles based on abundance and we found that proteins of different abundance performed different functions. High-abundance proteins (the top 90%, 1,219 proteins) were involved in energy metabolism; middle-abundance proteins (90–99%, 2,273 proteins) were involved in the regulation of protein synthesis; and low-abundance proteins (99–100%, 1,668 proteins) were associated with lipid metabolism and WAT beiging. Furthermore, 800 proteins were predicted by SignalP4.0 to have signal peptides, 265 proteins had never been reported, and five have been reported as adipokines. The above results provide a large dataset of the normal mouse WAT proteome, which might be useful for WAT function research.
DeepBindRG: a deep learning based method for estimating effective protein–ligand affinity
Authors: Zhang Haiping , Liao Linbu , Saravanan Konda Mani , Yin Peng , Wei Yanjie
Published: July 2019

Proteins interact with small molecules to modulate several important cellular functions. Many acute diseases were cured by small molecule binding in the active site of protein either by inhibition or activation. Currently, there are several docking programs to estimate the binding position and the binding orientation of protein–ligand complex. Many scoring functions were developed to estimate the binding strength and predict the effective protein–ligand binding. While the accuracy of current scoring function is limited by several aspects, the solvent effect, entropy effect, and multibody effect are largely ignored in traditional machine learning methods. In this paper, we proposed a new deep neural network-based model named DeepBindRG to predict the binding affinity of protein–ligand complex, which learns all the effects, binding mode, and specificity implicitly by learning protein–ligand interface contact information from a large protein–ligand dataset. During the initial data processing step, the critical interface information was preserved to make sure the input is suitable for the proposed deep learning model. While validating our model on three independent datasets, DeepBindRG achieves root mean squared error (RMSE) value of pKa (−logKd or −logKi) about 1.6–1.8 and R value around 0.5–0.6, which is better than the autodock vina whose RMSE value is about 2.2–2.4 and R value is 0.42–0.57. We also explored the detailed reasons for the performance of DeepBindRG, especially for several failed cases by vina. Furthermore, DeepBindRG performed better for four challenging datasets from DUD.E database with no experimental protein–ligand complexes. The better performance of DeepBindRG than autodock vina in predicting protein–ligand binding affinity indicates that deep learning approach can greatly help with the drug discovery process. We also compare the performance of DeepBindRG with a 4D based deep learning method “pafnucy”, the advantage and limitation of both methods have provided clues for improving the deep learning based protein–ligand prediction model in the future.
Studying the impact of young age on prognosis and treatment in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas using the SEER database
Authors: Li Ruichen , Yu Shitong , Zhu Wenjia , Wang Shengzi , Yan Li
Published: July 2019

Background

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) in young patients was reported to be more aggressive and associated with poorer survival than in older patients. However, very few studies contained sufficient cases to permit meaningful statistical analysis. It is still unknown whether less aggressive method like radical radiotherapy (RT) is comparable to total laryngectomy (TL) in survival rate among young patients.

Methods

This study extracted patient data from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database from 2004 to 2015. The findings for 304 patients (1.2%) below the age of 40 were compared with those for 24,827 patients (98.8%) aged 40 or older.

Results

The younger cohorts contained a higher proportion of female patients (33.6% vs. 19.1%, respectively), had more cases of glottic involvement (64.5% vs. 53.1%), and were less likely to have distant metastasis (0.7% vs.3.2%). A total of 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival rates (CSS) in the younger patients were 86.3% and 88.8%, respectively, significantly better than for older patients (53.8% and 67.6%). Significant differences were still observed when stratified for tumor stage (stage I–IV). The negative independent prognostic factors in younger patients were advanced tumor stage, degree of nodal involvement, and status of distant metastasis. Treatment with surgery and/or RT all produced excellent outcomes in stage I–IV diseases, and radical RT resulted in survival rates equal to those for TL in locally advanced LSCC among young patients (5-year CSS: 90% vs. 91.5%, p = 0.99).

Conclusion

LSCC is less aggressive and has significantly better survival in younger patients. For younger patients, advanced nodal involvement is the most important independent prognostic factor, and larynx preservation is comparable to TL in survival rate.
Career Guidance in Career Planning among Secondary School Students
Authors: Zafar Mubashir
Published: July 2019

Career choice is one of the key decisions among student's life. Correct decision will give success in their professional life. The study objective is to determine role of career guidance in professional career choice among secondary school students in Karachi, Pakistan. It’s a Cross sectional study and 489 participants were selected through simple random sampling. Structured and Validated questionnaire were used. Chi square test and logistic regression were used to determine the association of career guidance in career planning. Mean age and standard deviation of participants were 17.13 ±1.29. Most of males (46% and 27%) seeking assistant for education related and career counseling respectively and after adjusting covariates revealed that male’s gender, students scored high grades and high education level of parents were more likely OR 2.33 OR 2.05 and OR 1.99 respectively) to seeking assistance from counselors in career guidance, while students with lower educational aspirations were least likely (OR 0.78) to seek counselors for career planning. Study found that male students and parent’s education level were important role in career guidance seeking. There is need for awareness of career guidance through workshops, seminars and media for promoting career guidance among students.
Combine Use of Dry Cocoa Bean Testa Ash and Wood Ash for Soil Fertility Improvement and Maize Yield on Degraded Tropical Humid Alfisol, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Olojugba Michael Rotimi , Oguntoyinbo David Boluwaji
Published: July 2019

Combine use of dry cocoa bean testa ash (DCBTA) and wood ash (WA) for the improvement of soil fertility and yield of maize (Zea mays, L.) was studied on an Alfisol South Western Nigeria, located at Joseph Ayo Babalola University Ikeji-Arakeji, Ilesa Osun State, Nigeria Teaching and  Research Farm from April to July 2017 and from August to November 2017. Four treatments of dry cocoa bean testa ash (DCBTA) at 5 tons/ha, wood ash (WA) at 5 tones/ hectare, dry cocoa bean testa ash (DCBTA) at 2.5 tons/ha, mixed with wood ash (WA) at 2.5 tons/ha and control (C) were used in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by the use of Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) at 5% significance level. The study showed that dry cocoa bean testa ash (DCBTA) either used alone or in combination with wood ash (WA) is a valuable fertilizer and can serve as a suitable alternative to inorganic fertilizer in the south western Nigeria especially, DCBTA has higher concentration of potassium (K) and organic carbon than wood ash. Wood ash (WA) 2.5 tones/ha) treatment plus dry cocoa bean testa ash (DCBTA 2.5 tones/ha) produced higher values for plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll, plant diameter, cob length, cob diameter and grain yield against the control that recorded the lowest value. Also, DCBTA improves soil pH as well as increases minerals such as Ca, Mg, Na and in particular, made available phosphorous due to its increment on soil pH. pH increased from 5.4 to 7.4 (DCBTA), 6.9 (WA) and 7.42 (DCBTA + WA). N levels in the soil increased from 0.05% to 2.61% (DCBTA) and 1.95% (DCBTA + WA). Organic carbon (OC) increased from 0.08% to 2.31% (DCBTA) and 3.11% (DCBTA + WA). P level decreased from 3.5 mg/kg to 2.49 mg/kg (DCBTA) and 2.50 mg/kg (DCBTA + WA) which was an indication of P availability to crop during growing season.  Maize grain yield increased from 0.74 ton/ha in the control plot to 1.82 tons/ha in DCBTA and 1.89tons/ha in (DCBTA + WA). The study recommends an application rate of 5 tons/ha of dry cocoa testa ash (DCBTA) alone or 2.5 tons/ha combination each of (DCBTA) and WA for maize yield and soil fertility improvement on this type of soil in this agro-ecology.
Addendum to Toluene [BAT value documentation, 2018]
Authors: Jäger T. , Drexler H. , Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: July 2019

In 2017, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area derived a BAT value (biological tolerance value) for toluene [CAS NO.
108‐88‐3
] in urine to characterize the internal exposure at the workplace. Available publications are described in detail.

The evaluation of the BAT value was based on the relationship between toluene uptake by inhalation at the level of the MAK value and the corresponding urinary excretion rate of unmetabolized toluene. An eight‐hour exposure to the present MAK value of 190 mg toluene/m
3
correlated with a mean urinary toluene concentration of approximately 75 µg/L. Therefore, a BAT value of 75 µg toluene/L urine was evaluated. Sampling time is at the end of exposure or the end of the working shift.
Addendum zu Chlorbenzol [BAT value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Nasterlack M. , Drexler H. , Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: July 2019

In 2018, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated chlorobenzene after the MAK value for this substance had been lowered from 10 to 5 mL/m
3
. Therefore, the BAT value has to be re‐evaluated. Urinary excretion of 4‐chlorocatechol, the main metabolite of chlorobenzene, is considered to be the most appropriate biomarker after inhalation exposure. Available publications are described in detail. The regression equations derived from these studies agree well with each other. After an 8‐hour exposure to chlorobenzene a mean urinary excretion of 80 mg 4‐chlorocatechol per g creatinine can be expected. This value is set as BAT value. Sampling time is at the end of exposure or end of shift.
Addendum zu N,N‐Dimethylformamid [BAT value documentation in German language, 2019]
Authors: Göen T. , Drexler H. , Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: July 2019

In 2018, the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and has derived a biological tolerance value at the workplace (BAT) for different biomarkers. Available new publications regarding the relationship between external and internal exposure are described in detail.

The determination of the sum of N‐methylformamide and N‐hydroxymethyl‐N‐methylformamide in urine at the end of the working shift reflects the exposure of the last hours of a working day. On the contrary, the concentration of the mercapturic acid AMCC (N‐acetyl‐S‐(N‐methylcarbamoyl) cysteine) in urine reflects the cumulative DMF exposure of the last working days. The DMF haemoglobin adduct MCVal can be used as long term parameter and sampling should be carried out at the earliest after several weeks of exposure. Since significant correlations where observed between the DMF concentration in the air and the biomarkers’ concentration in urine and blood for workers not using breathing masks, these data were used to evaluate BAT values in correlation to the present MAK value of 15 mg/m
3
. In consequence, BAT values of 20 mg NMF (N‐methylformamide plus N‐hydroxymethyl‐N‐methylformamid)/l urine (sampling time: end of exposure or end of shift) and 25 mg N‐acetyl‐S‐(N‐methylcarbamoyl) cysteine/g creatinine (sampling time: end of exposure or end of shift, for long‐term exposures: at the end of the shift after several shifts) were evaluated.

According to currently available information damage to the embryo or foetus cannot be excluded after exposure to concentrations at the level of the MAK and BAT values (pregnancy risk group B). The MAK value documentation indicates that a concentration of 1 ml/m
3
(3 mg/m
3
) would correspond to the classification in Pregnancy Risk Group C. Considering the described correlations between DMF in the air and the biomarkers, this assumption applies for 4.75 mg NMF/l urine, 7.22 mg AMCC/g creatinine as well as 51.4 nmol MCVal/g Globin, considering the corresponding sampling times, respectively.
Naled [MAK value documentation, 2018]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: July 2019

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the work place (MAK value) and the Pregnancy Risk Group of naled [
300‐76‐5
].

Naled is a cholinesterase inhibitor. In an 13‐week study in rats at 1 mg/m3 there was a 18% inhibition of the cholinesterase activity in erythrocytes. The calculated lower 95% confidence limit of the benchmark dose (BMDL) for a 30% inhibition, which is regarded as not adverse, was 2 mg/m
3
. A MAK value of 1 mg/m3 was established for the inhalable fraction. It is now lowered to 0.5 mg/m
3
taking into account the increased respiratory volume at the workplace (see List of MAK and BAT Values, Sections I b and I c). Since a systemic effect is the critical effect, Peak Limitation Category II is retained and the default excursion factor of 2 confirmed.

For rats, the NOAEL for developmental toxicity was 8 mg/kg body weight and day. Naled was assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group C because the difference between the MAK value and the NOAEL scaled to a concentration in the workplace air was sufficient. There are no new data on developmental toxicity. This classification is retained since now the difference to the MAK value is twice as high.
Anesthetic Efficiency of Three Medicinal Plant Oils for Aquatic Species: Coriander Coriandrum sativum, Linaloe Tree Bursera delpechiana, and Lavender Lavandula hybrida
Authors: Can Erkan , Kızak Volkan , Can Şafak Seyhaneyıldız , Özçiçek Esin
Published: July 2019

This study evaluated the potential of three essential oils (EOs) that were obtained from coriander Coriandrum sativum (CEO), linaloe tree Bursera delpechiana (BEO), and lavender Lavandula hybrida (LEO) as anesthetic agents. Convict Cichlids Amatitlania nigrofasciata (Günther 1867) were exposed to eight concentrations of anesthetic (50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, and 300 μL/L). After exposure to the anesthetic, the fish were transferred to clean water to recover. All of the EOs produced an anesthetic effect after exposure to the compounds for 30 min at the minimal effective concentration (MEC), which was identified according to deep anesthesia (A5 < 3 min) and full recovery (R3 < 5 min) times. At 50 and 75 μL/L, the total loss of equilibrium was not observed for all tested EOs. The total loss of reflex was induced at a faster rate with higher concentrations of anesthetic in all groups. The recovery time generally increased as the concentration of the anesthetic increased. These findings suggest that CEO, BEO, and LEO are all novel potential anesthetics for aquaculture, and the optimal concentrations were identified as 150 μL/L (A5; 156 ± 1.7 s and R3; 165 ± 2.9 s), 125 μL/L (A5; 176 ± 3.5 s; R3; 125 ± 2.0 s), and 200 μL/L (A5; 20.1 ± 2.4 s and R3; 162 ± 3.4 s), respectively. When considering the active ingredients of EOs, this study also demonstrated that future studies should be focused on the major components such as linalyl acetate, 1.8-cineole, α-pinene, geraniol, and linalool. Their synergistic effects should be examined in herbal anesthetic treatments, since new commercial anesthetics will likely contain them.
Synthesis of Iron–Nickel Sulfide Porous Nanosheets via a Chemical Etching/Anion Exchange Method for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Wu Fang , Guo Xiaoxue , Hao Gazi , Hu Yubing , Jiang Wei
Published: July 2019

The development of high‐efficient and cost‐effective catalytic electrodes for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is highly desirable. Herein, interpenetrated porous 3D‐networked iron–nickel sulfide nanosheets are synthesized on nickel foam (NF) (donated as FeS–Ni3S2/NF) via partial chemical etching of Ni(OH)2/NF precursor with Fe(CN)63−, followed by chemical etching/anion exchanging of Fe(CN)63− and OH− with S2−. The resulting FeS–Ni3S2/NF nanosheets possess a remarkable catalytic activity for the OER with overpotentials of only 238 and 290 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, much lower than Ni3S2/NF. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibits the low Tafel slope (44 mV dec−1) and outstanding OER stability. This work provides a simple way for fabricating highly efficient electrocatalysts toward OER.
Large‐Area, Broadband, Wide‐Angle Plasmonic Metasurface Absorber for Midwavelength Infrared Atmospheric Transparency Window
Authors: Yu Weiwei , Lu Yue , Chen Xiren , Xu Hao , Shao Jun , Chen Xin , Sun Yan , Hao Jiaming , Dai Ning
Published: July 2019

High performance broadband absorbers in the midinfrared atmospheric transparency windows are of great importance in various applications, such as energy harvesting, photodetection, radiative cooling, and stray light elimination. In recent years, great efforts have been made to develop absorbers using plasmonic nanostructured resonators in the infrared regime. Although these approaches promise distinct advantages in performance enhancement, they still suffer several obstacles, e.g., limitations on sample size, bandwidth, and fabrication throughput. Here, a large‐area broadband wide‐angle plasmonic metasurface absorber with nearly perfect absorption over the range of midwavelength infrared atmospheric transparent window (3–6 µm) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The metasurface absorber is basically comprised of a monolayer of sub‐micrometer‐sized polystyrene spheres self‐assembled on an opaque metallic substrate and coated with metal–insulator–metal three‐layer thin film, and fabricated by using simple, low‐cost self‐assembly techniques. Numerical simulation analyses not only corroborate the experimental observations, but also discover that such broadband absorption effect is attributed to hybrid plasmonic multiple resonances. The combination of the significant light absorption effect, compact design, and high‐yield self‐assembly fabrication process suggests that the proposed absorber has wide prospect application in integrated optical and optoelectronic systems.
Synthetic Applications of Oxidative Aromatic Coupling—From Biphenols to Nanographenes
Authors: Grzybowski Marek , Sadowski Bartłomiej , Butenschön Holger , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: July 2019

Oxidative aromatic coupling occupies a fundamental place in the modern chemistry of aromatic compounds. It is a method of choice for the assembly of large and bewildering architectures. Considerable effort was also devoted to applications of the Scholl reaction for the synthesis of chiral biphenols and natural products. The ability to form biaryl linkages without any prefunctionalization provides an efficient pathway to many complex structures. Although the chemistry of this process is only now becoming fully understood, this reaction continues to both fascinate and challenge researchers. This is especially true for heterocoupling, that is, oxidative aromatic coupling with the chemoselective formation of a C−C bond between two different arenes. Analysis of the progress achieved in this field since 2013 reveals that many groups have contributed by pushing the boundary of structural possibilities, expanding into surface‐assisted (cyclo)dehydrogenation, and developing new reagents.