bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol over Ir/CeO2 photocatalysts under UV irradiation
Authors: Castañeda Claudia , Alvarado Ignacio , Martínez José J , Brijaldo María H , Passos Fabio Barboza , Rojas Hugo
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Photoreduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) photocatalytically to 4‐aminophenol (4‐AP) is considered a promising treatment of this recalcitrant pollutant. 4‐aminophenol is widely applied as an intermediate in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries. In this work, iridium/cerium dioxide (Ir/CeO2) photocatalysts with different Ir contents (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt%) were studied in the photoreduction of 4‐NP using Na2SO3 as hole scavengers under UV irradiation. In order to identify their physicochemical properties, the materials were studied by several techniques and photoactivity was monitored by UV‐visible spectroscopy.

RESULTS

The characterization results provided evidence that the modification of CeO2 by impregnation of Ir causes a decrease in CeO2 textural properties and its band gap energy. The photocatalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol was enhanced by 26.1% using Ir/CeO2 1.0 wt% in comparison with CeO2 support. The phrase is related with the comparison between the photocatalytic behavior of Ir/CeO2 1.0 wt% photocatalyst in regard the results evidenced with CeO2 unmodified. An effect of the metal loading over photoactivity was observed and the optimal Ir content was 1.0 wt%. A reduction of 84% was obtained using 1.0 wt%Ir/CeO2, whereas for higher metal loading (2.0 wt%) 4‐NP reduction decreased by 72%.

CONCLUSION

The enhancement in the photocatalytic behavior of the Ir/CeO2 series could be related to the presence of Irδ+ and Ir0 species evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thus, Irδ+ species could favor the adsorption of the pollutant and Ir0 particles could act as trap of the photogenerated electrons that are responsible for reduction of the nitrocompound. The decrease in photoactivity when 2.0 wt% Ir/CeO2 was used as photocatalyst could be associated with partial blockage of the surface active sites by increasing amounts of metal. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Prenatal sonography of multicentric infantile myofibromatosis: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rekawek Patricia , Coleman Beverly G. , Kamath Amita , Stone Joanne L.
Published: May 2019

Scant literature exists on prenatally diagnosed infantile myofibromatosis (IM). We report a case of multicentric IM, which was first recognized as a soft‐tissue paraspinal mass on prenatal sonography and subsequently characterized by MRI with pathological confirmation.
Clinical advances of siRNA therapeutics
Authors: Hu Bo , Weng Yuhua , Xia Xin‐Hua , Liang Xing‐jie , Huang Yuanyu
Published: May 2019

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) enables efficient target gene silencing by employing a RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism, which can compromise gene expression and regulate gene activity by cleaving mRNA or repressing its translation. Twenty years after the discovery of RNAi in 1998, ONPATTRO™ (patisiran) (Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), a lipid formulated siRNA modality, was approved for the first time by United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission in 2018. With this milestone achievement, siRNA therapeutics will soar in the coming years. Here, we review the discovery and the mechanisms of RNAi, briefly describe the delivery technologies of siRNA, and summarize recent clinical advances of siRNA therapeutics.
Cortical‐Basal Ganglia‐Cerebellar Networks in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Perez Philip L. , Cueva Kristine L. , Rosen Clark A. , Young VyVy N. , Naunheim Molly L. , Yung Katherine C. , Schneider Sarah L. , Mizuiri Danielle , Klein David J. , Houde John F. , Hinkley Leighton B. , Nagarajan Srikantan S. , Cheung Steven W.
Published: May 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate differences in cortical‐basal ganglia‐cerebellar functional connectivity between treated unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) and healthy control cohorts using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS‐fMRI).

Study Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

Ten UVFP study patients treated by type I thyroplasty and 12 control subjects underwent RS‐fMRI on a 3‐Tesla scanner to evaluate differences in functional connectivity of whole‐brain networks. Spontaneous RS‐fMRI data were collected using a gradient echo planar pulse sequence, preprocessed, and analyzed to compare seed‐to‐voxel maps between the two cohorts. Seeds were placed in the caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus divisions of the basal ganglia in both hemispheres. Group contrasts were tested for statistical significance using two‐tailed unpaired t tests corrected for multiple comparisons with a cluster false discovery rate threshold of P < .05.

Results

UVFP patients demonstrated increased connectivity between both caudate nuclei and the precuneus, a node of the default mode network, compared to healthy controls. Both caudate nuclei also showed decreased connectivity with the left cerebellar hemisphere. The putamen and globus pallidus divisions of the basal ganglia were not abnormally connected to other brain structures.

Conclusions

UVFP patients treated by type I thyroplasty exhibited long‐term alterations of cortical‐basal ganglia‐cerebellar networks thought to be important for self‐referential voice quality awareness and learning processes that compensate for changes to the paralyzed hemilarynx. This pilot study on relatively small cohorts adds to growing evidence for persistent central nervous system changes in treated UVFP. Replication studies with larger numbers of subjects will be essential to validate and extend findings.

Level of Evidence

3b Laryngoscope, 130:460–464, 2020
Poly(4‐vinyl imidazole): A pH‐Responsive Trigger for Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Multicompartment Micelles Based upon Triblock Terpolymers
Authors: Piloni Alberto , Cao Cheng , Garvey Christopher J. , Walther Andreas , Stenzel Martina H.
Published: May 2019

Poly(vinyl pyridine) has widely been used as a pH‐responsive polymer to trigger changes in self‐assembly of block copolymer micelles. However, the polymer is known to display toxic features, which limits its ultimate applicability for biological applications. Here, poly(4‐vinyl imidazole) (P4VIm), a much more biocompatible polymer, is used as a pH‐responsive block to modulate the self‐assembly of ABC triblock terpolymers. In this article, the synthesis of the poly(1‐acryloyl fructopyranose)‐block‐ poly(n‐butyl acrylate)‐block‐ poly(4‐vinyl imidazole) (PFruA52‐b‐PBuA300‐b‐P4VIm250) triblock terpolymers is first discussed by sequential reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Subsequently, the structure formation of the triblock terpolymer is elucidated by step‐wise solvent exchange. The polymer readily dissolves in methanol, but self‐assembles into micelles with PBuA cores and mixed shell in methanol–water mixtures. Solvent exchange against buffer solutions of pH 6–6.5 leads to collapse of P4VIm due to deprotonation and induces self‐assembly into caterpillar‐like non‐spherical nanoparticles, most likely via the formation of intermediate Janus particles. The rearrangement into larger hierarchical structure, as seen by small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), is found to process within several hours. The article is concluded by demonstrating lower cytotoxicity values for the present polymer in comparison to a structurally analogous triblock terpolymer based on poly(vinyl pyridine).
Reconfigurable Poly(urea‐urethane) Thermoset Based on Hindered Urea Bonds with Triple‐Shape‐Memory Performance
Authors: Jia Yunchao , Ying Hanze , Zhang Yanfeng , He Hui , Cheng Jianjun
Published: May 2019

Thermoset shape memory polymers (SMPs) have a series of advantages in practical applications when compared with thermoplastic SMPs. However, the reprocessing and reshaping of thermosets are difficult due to the covalent crosslinking which severely limits the reconfiguration of polymer networks even under high temperature. Here, hinered urea bond (HUB), a urea bearing a bulky substituent on its nitrogen atom that can reversibly dissociate to the corresponding bulky amine and isocyanate, is integrated into the poly(urea‐urethane) (PUU) crosslinked networks, enabling the networks to topologically reconfigure to other structures. Instead of having to cure the thermoset in a mold, the incorporation of HUBs can decouple the synthesis and shape‐forming steps, which is a huge advantage for the processing of thermoset materials compared to conventional thermosets. This new PUU thermoset shows a broad glass transition behavior and exhibits excellent triple‐shape‐memory performance. With the incorporation of this dynamic urea bonds, permanent shapes can be flexibly tuned via the network reconfiguration, which is often neglected but significant to the practical application of SMPs.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of 1,4‐Naphthoquinone Derivatives as Potential Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Ravichandiran Palanisamy , Masłyk Maciej , Sheet Sunirmal , Janeczko Monika , Premnath Dhanraj , Kim Ae Rhan , Park Byung‐Hyun , Han Myung‐Kwan , Yoo Dong Jin
Published: May 2019

1,4‐Naphthoquinones are an important class of compounds present in a number of natural products. In this study, a new series of 1,4‐naphthoquinone derivatives were synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity. In this present investigation, two Gram‐positive and five Gram‐negative bacterial strains and one pathogenic yeast strain were used to determine the antibacterial activity. Naphthoquinones tested for its antibacterial potencies, among seven of them displayed better antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus; 30–70 μg/mL). Some of the tested compounds showed moderate to low antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Salmonella bongori (S. bongori; 70–150 μg/mL). In addition, most active compounds against S. aureus were evaluated for toxicity to human blood cells using a hemolysis assay. For better understanding, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, time‐kill kinetic study, and apoptosis, necrosis responses were investigated for three representative compounds.
Health‐related Google searches performed by parents of pediatric oncology patients
Authors: Phillips Charles A. , Hunt Alaina , Salvesen‐Quinn Mikaela , Guerra Jorge , Schapira Marilyn M. , Bailey L. Charles , Merchant Raina M.
Published: May 2019

Background

Little is known about the specific information parents of children with cancer search for online. Understanding the content of parents’ searches over time could offer insight into what matters most to parents and identify knowledge gaps that could inform more comprehensive approaches to family education and support.

Methods

We describe parents’ health‐related Google searches starting six months before cancer diagnosis and extending through the date of study enrollment, which was at least one month after initiating cancer treatment. Searches were obtained retrospectively and grouped into health‐related and non‐health‐related categories. The median time to parent enrollment from date of cancer diagnosis was 264 days.

Results

Parents searched for health‐related topics more frequently than the general population (13% vs 5%). Health‐related searches increased in the months preceding the child's cancer diagnosis and most commonly pertained to symptoms and logistics, “directions to hospital.” Health‐related search volume peaked about a month after cancer diagnosis when general health‐related searches were present in addition to cancer‐specific searches. Eighteen percent of health‐related searches were cancer specific, and of these cancer‐specific searches, 54% pertained to support, for example “cancer quote for son.”

Conclusions

Google search content offers insight into what matters to parents of cancer patients. Understanding search content could inform more comprehensive approaches to family education and support initiatives.
Resistance and clonal selection among Allium sativum L. germplasm resources to Delia antiqua M. and its correlation with allicin content
Authors: Wang Haiping , Wu Yahong , Liu Xiuhui , Du Zhenzhen , Qiu Yang , Song Jiangping , Zhang Xiaohui , Li Xixiang
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Garlic is the second largest allium crop after onion and is grown all over the world. The onion maggot (Delia antiqua M.) is a pest that seriously affects the yield and quality of garlic. Cultural controls and insecticides have several potential problems, including pesticide residue and development of resistance. Screening resistant varieties is an ideal alternative method.

RESULTS

The resistance of 213 accessions of garlic clones against onion maggot was identified. The results showed that the pest index was between 5.56% and 91.11%, with classification into six groups by cluster analysis: HR (highly resistant), R (resistant), MR (moderately resistant), MS (moderately susceptible), S (susceptible) and HS (highly susceptible). Among these accessions, 9 and 30 were HR and R to onion maggot, respectively. Comparing the resistances of seven pairs of accessions between the original accessions and their progenies showed that single bulb clonal selection could be an effective way to improve allicin content, onion maggot resistance and most morphological traits. The relationship between allicin content and resistance was investigated, and a significant positive relationship was found. Accessions with a high content of allicin have great potential as resistant accessions.

CONCLUSION

This study showed significant differences among garlic germplasm in their response to Delia antiqua M. Some accessions were highly resistant and tolerant. Utilization of these accessions will help minimize environmental pollution, preserve agro‐ecosystems and biodiversity, and make management processes more economical. Furthermore, these accessions could be used in breeding programs to develop new maggot‐resistant onion cultivars. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Kinetics of small molecule adsorption studied using precision ellipsometry
Authors: Yakovlev Nikolai L. , Quek Hou Chin , Dąbrowski Karol M. , Birch William R.
Published: May 2019

On the basis of a miniature polarisation modulator, a precision ellipsometry system has been made, enabling real‐time measurement of subnanometre thin layers on reflecting substrates. This system monitored the kinetics of adsorption and desorption of propanol, or ethanol, or methanol on oxidised Si substrates. While adsorption of propanol and ethanol increased the thickness, adsorption of methanol showed surprising kinetics: the thickness first increased, then decreased. To explain this, a model of substitutional (or competitive) adsorption has been used, where the target molecule is adsorbed only when it substitutes another one leaving an adsorption site. The model fits the experimental data quantitatively and can predict processes involving several components on solid surfaces. Precision ellipsometry demonstrated its high analytical potential in investigation of surfaces at molecular level.
A note on sample size calculations for cluster randomised crossover trials with a fixed number of clusters
Authors: Kelly Thu‐Lan , Pratt Nicole
Published: May 2019

Girardeau, Ravaud and Donner in 2008 presented a formula for sample size calculations for cluster randomised crossover trials, when the intracluster correlation coefficient, interperiod correlation coefficient and mean cluster size are specified in advance. However, in many randomised trials, the number of clusters is constrained in some way, but the mean cluster size is not. We present a version of the Girardeau formula for sample size calculations for cluster randomised crossover trials when the number of clusters is fixed. Formulae are given for the minimum number of clusters, the maximum cluster size and the relationship between the correlation coefficients when there are constraints on both the number of clusters and the cluster size. Our version of the formula may aid the efficient planning and design of cluster randomised crossover trials.
Ultrafine Silver Nanoparticles Embedded in Cyclodextrin Metal‐Organic Frameworks with GRGDS Functionalization to Promote Antibacterial and Wound Healing Application
Authors: Shakya Shailendra , He Yaping , Ren Xiaohong , Guo Tao , Maharjan Abi , Luo Ting , Wang Tingting , Dhakhwa Ramesh , Regmi Balmukunda , Li Haiyan , Gref Ruxandra , Zhang Jiwen
Published: May 2019

The challenge of bacterial infection increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in acute and chronic wound healing. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are a promising new version of conventional antibacterial nanosystem to fight against the bacterial resistance in concern of the drug discovery void. However, there are several challenges in controlling the size and colloidal stability of Ag NPs, which readily aggregate or coalesce in both solid and aqueous state. In this study, a template‐guided synthesis of ultrafine Ag NPs of around 2 nm using water‐soluble and biocompatible γ‐cyclodextrin metal‐organic frameworks (CD‐MOFs) is reported. The CD‐MOF based synthetic strategy integrates AgNO3 reduction and Ag NPs immobilization in one pot achieving dual functions of reduced particle size and enhanced stability. Meanwhile, the synthesized Ag NPs are easily dispersible in aqueous media and exhibit effective bacterial inhibition. The surface modification of cross‐linked CD‐MOF particles with GRGDS peptide boosts the hemostatic effect that further enhances wound healing in synergy with the antibacterial effect. Hence, the strategy of ultrafine Ag NPs synthesis and immobilization in CD‐MOFs together with GRGDS modification holds promising potential for the rational design of effective wound healing devices.
Performance and bacterial community composition of volcanic scoria particles (VSP) in a biological aerated filter (BAF) for micro‐polluted source water treatment
Authors: Xie Kang , Wang Bin , Qiu Liping , Zhang Shoubin , Wang Jiabin , Liu Guicai , Sun Shaofang
Published: May 2019

A laboratory‐scale biological aerated filter (BAF), using volcanic scoria particles (VSP), was used for treating micro‐polluted source water. The system reached a steady‐state stage and performed better at removing pollutants. In steady‐state stage, the effluent ammonia () and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were consistently maintained below 0.3 and 3 mg/L, respectively. Both the and COD removal efficiencies decreased with shorter hydraulic retention time (HRT). The effluent and COD exceeded health standards at 15 min of HRT. Although performance was relatively poor for VSP‐BAF at low temperature, the removal still achieved the drinking water quality standard. The influences of influent and COD concentration changes were similar to that of temperature. A better performance was observed in removal under higher influent concentrations. In contrast, the effluent COD was more than 3 mg/L when the influent COD concentrations increased to about 9 mg/L. The phylogenetic and cluster analyses indicated that the effect of HRT on bacteria community structure was higher than that of temperature, while the ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are sensitive to temperature. The main phyla identified in total bacteria communities were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Nitrospirae. The main AOB were Nitrosomonadales and an uncultured ammonia‐oxidizing bacterium.

Practitioner points

The BAF using VSP obtained a good performance for treating micro‐polluted source water.

The influence of HRT on the system was more significant than that of temperature.

The system is resistant to concentration shocks while is unable to withstand the COD increasing.

The effect of HRT on bacteria community structure was significantly higher than that of temperature.
Calcium Hydroxide Chlorides: The Ternary System Ca(OH)2‐CaCl2‐H2O at 25, 40, and 60 °C, Phase Stoichiometry and Crystal Structure
Authors: Häusler Felix , Schmidt Horst , Freyer Daniela
Published: May 2019

The formation of calcium hydroxide chlorides is an important issue in processes of the chemical raw materials industry, in terms of purification of flue gases, and concrete/cement corrosion. Current information on phase compositions given in the literature are contradictory. In this work systematic solubility studies were carried out at 25, 40, and 60 °C in the system Ca(OH)2‐CaCl2‐H2O and the compositions of the ternary solid phases were precisely determined using the Schreinemakers' method. Two ternary phases were identified, the hydrate 3Ca(OH)2·CaCl2·12H2O and the anhydrous calcium hydroxide chloride Ca(OH)2·CaCl2. The crystal structure of 3Ca(OH)2·CaCl2·12H2O was solved by means of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction at –123 °C (150 K).
The Effect of Electronic Word of Mouth Communications on Intention to Buy: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ismagilova Elvira , Slade Emma L. , Rana Nripendra P. , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: May 2019

The aim of this research is to synthesise findings from previous studies by employing weight and meta-analysis to reconcile conflicting evidence and draw a “big picture” of eWOM factors influencing consumers’ intention to buy. By using the findings from 69 studies, this research identified best (e.g. argument quality, valence, eWOM usefulness, trust in message), promising (e.g. eWOM credibility, emotional trust, attitude towards website) and least effective (e.g. volume, existing eWOM, source credibility) predictors of intention to buy in eWOM research. Additionally, the effect size of each predictor was calculated by performing meta-analysis. For academics, understanding what influences consumers’ intention to buy will help set the agenda for future research directions; for practitioners, it will provide benefit in terms of practical guidance based on detailed analysis of specific factors influencing consumers’ intention to buy, which could enhance their marketing activities.
Does exposure to alternative decision rules change gaze patterns and behavioral strategies in games?
Authors: Zonca Joshua , Coricelli Giorgio , Polonio Luca
Published: May 2019

We run an eye-tracking experiment to investigate whether players change their gaze patterns and choices after they experience alternative models of choice in one-shot games. In phase 1 and 3, participants play 2 × 2 matrix games with a human counterpart; in phase 2, they apply specific decision rules while playing with a computer with known behavior. We classify participants in types based on their gaze patterns in phase 1 and explore attentional shifts in phase 3, after players were exposed to the alternative decision rules. Results show that less sophisticated players, who focus mainly on their own payoffs, change their gaze patterns towards the evaluation of others’ incentives in phase 3. This attentional shift predicts an increase in equilibrium responses in relevant classes of games. Conversely, cooperative players do not change their visual analysis. Our results shed new light on theories of bounded rationality and on theories of social preferences.
A century of sensory processing dysfunction in schizophrenia
Authors: Dondé Clément , Avissar Michael , Weber Matthias M. , Javitt Daniel C.
Published: May 2019

Approximately 100 years ago, Bleuler famously declared that “Sensory response to external stimulus is quite normal” in schizophrenia, followed however by the cryptic statement: “Busch and Kraepelin have found in perception experiment (using the shutter and revolving drum apparatus) that schizophrenics show many more errors and particularly omissions than do the healthy … Using accurate apparatus, we were unable to substantiate these findings”.
Testosterone Deficiency: A Review and Comparison of Current Guidelines
Authors: Kwong Jethro C.C. , Krakowsky Yonah , Grober Ethan
Published: May 2019

Background

There is much controversy regarding the appropriate evaluation and management of testosterone deficiency (TD).

Aim

To compare current guidelines on the evaluation and management of TD to provide clarity for patients and clinicians, as well as to highlight areas of controversy.

Methods

A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and various association websites was performed to identify guidelines for TD.

Outcomes

Key aspects in the approach were compared, with a focus on the biochemical definition (cutoff) for low testosterone (T), principles of management, and recommendations for testosterone therapy (TTh) in special patient populations.

Results

Guidelines from the Canadian Medical Association Journal, American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, Endocrine Society, International Society for Sexual Medicine, and British Society for Sexual Medicine were included for review. Recommendations were generally consistent across guidelines. Key differences include the biochemical cutoff for low T, and recommendations for patients with low to normal T, prostate cancer, or cardiovascular disease. We highlight several case scenarios in which management differs depending on the guideline adopted.

Clinical Implications

Although general diagnostic and management principles are in agreement across the guidelines, notable differences may impact patient diagnosis and eligibility for TTh.

Strengths & Limitations

Only guidelines written in English were included. The quality of the included guidelines was not evaluated, but this was beyond the scope of this review.

Conclusion

We highlight the limitations of relying exclusively on guidelines in managing patients with TD.
Characterization of plasma rotating electrode atomized Nb-Ti based alloy powder
Authors: Li Qijun , Zhang Lin , Chen Xiaowei , Wei Dongbin , Zhang Peng , Chen Yan , Qu Xuanhui
Published: May 2019

Nb-Ti based alloy powder was prepared by plasma rotating electrode process. The relationship between microstructure, particle size and cooling rate was investigated. Phase constituents and surface state of the powder were characterized. The results indicated that particle size of the Nb-Ti based alloy powder ranged from 30 to 165 μm. Most of the atomized Nb-Ti based alloy powder particles had a smooth surface and near-perfect spherical shape. The atomized powder was found to be single β phase with dendritic, cellular or microcrystalline structure. The reduction in powder size and the increase in cooling rate had transformed the solidification morphologies of the PREP powder from dendrite in major to a cellular structure. The secondary dendritic spacing was measured to be 1.32 ∼ 2.71 μm, and the corresponding cooling rates were estimated to be in the range of 4.50 × 104 ∼ 3.75 × 105 K·s−1. Oxygen contamination on the surface of the powder existed in the form of Nb2O5 and TiO2, and the thickness of the oxide layer was about 8 nm.
A dam break driven by a moving source: a simple model for a powder snow avalanche
Authors: Billingham John
Published: May 2019

We study the two-dimensional, irrotational flow of an inviscid, incompressible fluid injected from a line source moving at constant speed along a horizontal boundary, into a second, immiscible, inviscid fluid of lower density. A semi-infinite, horizontal layer sustained by the moving source has previously been studied as a simple model for a powder snow avalanche, an example of an eruption current, Carroll et al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 24, 2012, 066603). We show that with fluids of unequal densities, in a frame of reference moving with the source, no steady solution exists, and formulate an initial/boundary value problem that allows us to study the evolution of the flow. After considering the limit of small density difference, we study the fully nonlinear initial/boundary value problem and find that the flow at the head of the layer is effectively a dam break for the initial conditions that we have used. We study the dynamics of this in detail for small times using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. Finally, we solve the fully nonlinear free boundary problem numerically using an adaptive vortex blob method, after regularising the flow by modifying the initial interface to include a thin layer of the denser fluid that extends to infinity ahead of the source. We find that the disturbance of the interface in the linear theory develops into a dispersive shock in the fully nonlinear initial/boundary value problem, which then overturns. For sufficiently large Richardson number, overturning can also occur at the head of the layer.
Introduction
Authors: Aldrich George H. , Chinkin Christine M.
Published: May 2019

On May 18, 1899, die first Hague Peace Conference was convened in the House in the Woods provided by the Dutch royal family. It was attended by invitation by representatives of twenty-six of the fifty-nine governments that then claimed sovereignty. The hundred delegates included diplomats, statesmen (no stateswomen!), publicists, lawyers, and technical and scientific experts. Unlike earlier peace conferences, which were convened to terminate ongoing armed conflicts, the Hague Conference met in peacetime for the purpose of making law. The conference was called at the initiative of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia with the intentions principally to seek agreements to limit armaments and their consequent financial burdens, and secondarily to improve the prospects for the peaceful setdement of international disputes and to codify the laws of war. Doubtiess, the tsar’s initiative was inspired in part by his grandfather’s earlier success in obtaining the St. Petersburg Declaration of 1868, which prohibited, for humanitarian reasons, the use of explosive projectiles weighing less than four hundred grams. In any event, the Hague Peace Conference pursued a much broader agenda than the meetings at St. Petersburg and was able to draw upon certain preparatory work on the laws of war, including the Geneva Convention on the Amelioration of the Conditions of the Wounded in Armies in the Field of 1864, the draft Project of an International Declaration concerning the Laws and Customs of War produced by the Brussels Conference of 1874, and the Oxford Manual on the laws of war of 1880, which had been adopted unanimously by the Institute of International Law.
The effect of rumen adaptation to oxalic acid on selection of oxalic–acid–rich plants by goats
Authors: Duncan Alan J. , y Pilar , Young Sheila A.
Published: May 2019

Rumen microbial degradation is an important route for detoxification of secondary plant compounds encountered in the diets of free-grazing ruminants. Exposure to diets containing particular secondary plant compounds can lead to increased rates of secondary compound degradation in the rumen. An experiment was conducted to determine whether rumen adaptation to oxalic acid would influence the diet selection of goats offered choices between plant species differing in their oxalic acid content. Twelve adult female goats were divided into two groups of six animals each. One group received a daily oral dose, in gelatin capsules, of 0·6 mmol oxalic acid/kg live weight per d throughout the experiment while the other group received placebos consisting of empty gelatin capsules. After an adaptation period of 8 d, the animals were allowed to graze a mixture of spinach (rich in oxalic acid) and cabbage (low in oxalic acid) for 7 h/d on two consecutive days per week during four consecutive 1-week periods. Intervening days were spent on grass pasture. Diet composition and intake were measured using cuticular wax n−alkanes as internal markers. Results showed that adapted goats included a higher proportion of spinach in their diet (P < 0·05) although absolute intakes of spinach were the same for the two groups. Goats in the oxalic-acid-adapted group consumed less cabbage than control animals (P < 0·05) suggesting that adaptation to oxalic acid at the rumen level may have interfered with detoxification of cabbage-derived secondary plant compounds. Voluntary intake increased progressively through the four experimental periods (P < 0·001) with a tendency for higher intakes among control than among adapted animals (P < 0·1). The experiment demonstrates how differences in the rate of degradation of secondary plant compounds may influence diet selection in ruminants.
Determination of reticulo-rumen and whole-stomach digestion in lactating cows by omasal canal or duodenal sampling
Authors: Ahvenjärvi Seppo , Vanhatalo Aila , Huhtanen Pekka , Varvikko Tuomo
Published: May 2019

Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated multiparous Finnish Ayrshire cows were fed on diets consisting of grass silage (0·6 kg/kg DM) and one of four concentrates: barley, barley + urea, barley + rapeseed meal and barley + rapeseed cake. The objective of the present study was to compare omasal canal and duodenal digesta flows. Values for digesta flow into the omasal canal and duodenum were determined using a triple-marker method based on Co-EDTA, Yb-acetate and indigestible neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) markers. Microbial non-NH3N (NAN) flow was assessed by purine flow. Microbial samples to determine the bacterial purine: N ratio were harvested from the rumen, omasum and duodenum. Organic matter flow was significantly lower into the omasum than the duodenum, indicating an endogenous organic matter secretion into the abomasum. In contrast, NDF and acid-detergent fibre flows were significantly higher into the omasum indicating digestion of fibre in the omasum. Microbial NAN flows were significantly different (P< 0·001) when estimates were based on bacterial samples harvested from different sites. Differences in total NAN, microbial NAN and dietary NAN flows entering the omasal canal and duodenum were non-significant. The results indicated that the omasal sampling technique provides a promising alternative to the duodenal sampling technique to investigate forestomach digestion in dairy cows and offers an alternative means to study rumen N metabolism.
Dietary L-carnitine supplementation increases antigen-specific immunoglobulin G production in broiler chickens
Authors: Mast Jan , Buyse Johan , Goddeeris Bruno M.
Published: May 2019

The usefulness of supplementary dietary L-CARNITINE AS AN IMMUNOMODULATOR TO INCREASE ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC ANTIBODY LEVELS WAS ANALYSED IN 2–6-WEEK-OLD BROILERS. THE CHICKENS RECEIVED COMMERCIAL FEEDS EITHER UNSUPPLEMENTED (STARTER FEED 17·8 MG CARNITINE/KG, FINISHER DIET 22·9 MG CARNITINE/KG) OR SUPPLEMENTED WITH l-carnitine (100 mg carnitine/kg added to feed). At 14 d of age, both groups were distributed in equal numbers and sex ratios over two environmentally controlled chambers where temperature (28°) was either reduced immediately to 20°, or gradually to 22° at 36 d of age. Antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG, IgA and total Ig responses were measured following two immunizations with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The typical BSA-specific IgM responses followed by IgG responses to the primary immunization were boosted by the secondary immunization. The kinetics of these responses were not altered by l-carnitine treatment. However, BSA-specific total Ig and IgG, but not IgM, responses were significantly increased by dietary l-carnitine supplementation, after both the primary and the secondary immunization. No significant influence of the sex of the chicks or the imposed environmental temperature on Ig responses was found. Temperature treatment and sex, but not l-carnitine supplementation, did significantly influence body-weight gain: cockerels were heavier than females and this became most evident in the second half of the rearing period. Further, lowering the temperature increased body weight. In conclusion, dietary l-carnitine supplementation appeared to be beneficial in enhancing specific humoral responses on vaccination.
Inhibition of non-haem iron absorption in man by polyphenolic-containing beverages
Authors: Hurrell Richard F. , Reddy Manju , Cook James D.
Published: May 2019

The effects of different polyphenol-containing beverages on Fe absorption from a bread meal were estimated in adult human subjects from the erythrocyte incorporation of radio-Fe. The test beverages contained different polyphenol structures and were rich in either phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid in coffee), monomeric flavonoids (herb teas, camomile (Matricaria recutita L.)), vervain (Verbena officinalis L.), lime flower (Tilia cordata Mill.), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), or complex polyphenol polymerization products (black tea and cocoa). All beverages were potent inhibitors of Fe absorption and reduced absorption in a dose-dependent fashion depending on the content of total polyphenols. Compared with a water control meal, beverages containing 20–50 mg total polyphenols/serving reduced Fe absorption from the bread meal by 50–70 %, whereas beverages containing 100–400 mg total polyphenols/serving reduced Fe absorption by 60–90 %. Inhibition by black tea was 79–94 %, peppermint tea 84 %, pennyroyal 73 %, cocoa 71 %, vervain 59 %, lime flower 52 % and camomile 47 %. At an identical concentration of total polyphenols, black tea was more inhibitory than cocoa, and more inhibitory than herb teas camomile, vervain, lime flower and pennyroyal, but was of equal inhibition to peppermint tea. Adding milk to coffee and tea had little or no influence on their inhibitory nature. Our findings demonstrate that herb teas, as well as black tea, coffee and cocoa can be potent inhibitors of Fe absorption. This property should be considered when giving dietary advice in relation to Fe nutrition.
Iron overload in Sub-Saharan Africa: to what extent is it a public health problem?
Authors: Walker Alexander R. P. , Segal Isidor
Published: May 2019

Excessive deposition of Fe in the organs and tissues of Sub-Saharan Africans was first described in South Africa in 1929. Fe overload, or siderosis, was initially attributed to infections and to metallic poisoning (Cu, Sn, Zn), and then to malnutrition. In 1953 it was hypothesized that it was due primarily to excessive Fe intake derived from foods and drinks prepared in Fe vessels. Recently, in 1992 it was advanced that a gene distinct from any HLA-linked locus may also play a role. As to sequelae, in early research on series of hospital patients, the condition was linked to scurvy, osteoporosis, diabetes, cirrhosis, and latterly, to hepatocellular cancer and tuberculosis. Accordingly, many have concluded that Fe overload is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality, that adventitious Fe intake should be reduced, and that phlebotomy be recommended for those severely affected. However, there are numerous limitations in the evidence. There are also problems in interpretation, since levels of Fe in the serum are affected additionally by a variety of factors: infection, inflammation, certain cancers and alcohol intake. These considerations complicate attempts to assess to what extent the associations described denote causation, and whether Fe overload has significant ramifications for ill in the general African population. While the adverse sequelae of overload may be less of significance than many believe, the precise pathogenicity of the phenomenon will remain uncertain until further investigations, including prospective studies, are undertaken.
Restoration of the glycogen-forming function of hepatocytes in rats with liver cirrhosis is facilitated by a high-carbohydrate diet
Authors: Kudryavtseva Margarita V. , Besborodkina Natalia N. , Kudryavtsev Boris N.
Published: May 2019

Using cytofluorimetric and biochemical methods, the content of glycogen and its labile and stable fractions, as well as activities of glucose-6-phosphatase (EC3.1.3.9), glycogen phosphorylase (EC2.4.1.1) and glycogen synthase (EC2.4.1.11) were determined in the rat liver for 6 months after chronic poisoning of the animals with CCl4and then at 1, 3, and 6 months after the end of the poisoning. One group of rats was given a standard diet, the other, a high-carbohydrate diet. The 6-month long chronic intoxication with CCl4was shown to produce development of typical liver cirrhosis characterized by a 2·8-fold increase in the total glycogen content in hepatocytes as compared with normal cells, by a fall in the glycogen labile fraction (from 85 to 53 % of the total glycogen) as well as by decreases in the activities of glycogen phosphorylase and glucose-6-phosphatase by 25 and 82% respectively. The structural rehabilitation occurred faster and more completely at the cellular level than at the tissue level. Functional variables of the cirrhotic liver tissue also recovered, after cessation of poisoning, faster and more completely than the liver structure at the tissue level: glycogen levels in hepatocytes fell dramatically, the labile: stable glycogen fraction ratio recovered completely, and the activity of glycogen phosphorylase rose to the level characteristic of the normal liver. Use of the high-carbohydrate diet promoted a somewhat faster and more complete recovery of hepatic structure and function.
Effects of dietary fats (fish, olive and high-oleic-acid sunflower oils) on lipid composition and antioxidant enzymes in rat liver
Authors: Ruiz-Gutiérrez Valentina , Pérez-Espinosa Alonso , Vázquez Carmen María , Santa-María Consuelo
Published: May 2019

The effects of two oleic-acid-rich diets (containing olive oil, OO, and high-oleic-acid sunflower oil, HOSO) on plasma and liver lipid composition detoxification enzyme activities, were compared with those of a fish-oil (FO) diet and a control diet. Compared with the control diet, plasma and hepatic total triacylglycerol concentrations were increased in the animals fed on the HOSO and OO diets and decreased in those fed on the FO diet. The animals fed on FO showed the highest level of cholesterol in the liver and had lower plasma cholesterol concentrations when compared with those fed on the two oleic-acid-rich diets. In comparison with the animals fed on the diets enriched in oleic acid, the FO group showed higher hepatic levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids of then-3 series and lower levels of fatty acids of then-6 series. Livers of FO-fed rats, compared with those of OO- and HOSO-fed rats showed: (1) significantly higher activities of catalase (EC1.11.1.6) glutathione peroxidase (EC1.11.1.9) and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (EC1.15.1.1); (2) no differences in the NADPH-cytochromecreductase (EC1.6.99.3) activity. The HOSO diet had a similar effect on liver antioxidant enzyme activities as the OO diet. In conclusion, it appears that changes in the liver fatty acid composition due mainly ton-3 lipids may enhance the efficiency of the antioxidant defence system. The two monounsaturated fatty acids oils studied (OO and HOSO), with the same high content of oleic acid but different contents of natural antioxidants, had similar effects on the antioxidant enzyme activities measured.
The effects of sucrose and maize oil on subsequent food intake and mood
Authors: Reid Marie , Hammersley Richard
Published: May 2019

The effects of sucrose and oil preloads were explicitly compared in a single-blind controlled trial using a between-subjects design. Eighty adult subjects (forty-three male, thirty-seven female) aged 18–50 years received at 11.00 hours one of four yoghurt preloads. All were 80 g low-fat, unsweetened yoghurt (188 kJ), containing additionally (1) saccharin (control, 23 kJ), or (2) 40 g sucrose (859 kJ), (3) 40 g maize oil (1569 kJ), (4) 20 g sucrose, 20 g maize oil (1213 kJ). Subjects were normal eaters and of normal weight (male mean weight: 68·8 (sd 3·2) kg, BMI 21·8 (sd 1·6) kg/m2; female mean weight: 53·7 (sd 5·1) kg, BMI 20·4 (sd 1·2) kg/m2). Food intake was measured with a food diary and mood with ten single Likert scales. ANOVA was conducted using preload type (saccharin, sucrose, oil, sucrose + oil), sex (male, female) and earlyv.late breakfast times as factors. Mood was analysed using the same design, with time of rating (immediate, 60 min, 120 min) as an additional factor. Men ate more after the saccharin preload than after the other preloads, but did not vary the time of their next solid food. Women increased the intermeal interval only after the oil preload, which also had the highest energy content value, but did not vary the energy content of their next solid food. The saccharin preload decreased rated tiredness at 2 h compared with the sucrose preload, possibly due to its lower energy content. The preloads containing sucrose or sucrose + oil increased calmness between 1 and 2 h afterwards, compared with the saccharin preload. It is concluded that both sucrose and oil increase the intermeal interval in men, but that women are less sensitive to preloading. The mood effects suggest that tiredness after carbohydrate at 2 h may in part be a decrease in rated energy compared with the increased rated energy found after a preload with low energy content. Carbohydrate may genuinely increase calmness. These effects apply to non-restrained eaters of normal weight.
Whey protein concentrate improves antioxidant capacity, faecal microbiota and fatty acid profile of growing piglets
Authors: Kafantaris I. , Stagos D. , Kotsampasi B. , Kantas D. , Koukoumis V. , Moschonas N. D. , Skaperda Z. , Gerasopoulos K. , Makri S. , Goutzourelas N. , Mitsagga C. , Giavasis I. , Petrotos K. , Kokkas S. , Kouretas D.
Published: May 2019

A feeding trial involving growing piglets was undertaken to establish whether feed supplemented with whey protein concentrate (WPC), exhibiting antioxidant properties, had any effects on welfare and meat quality. For that purpose, 48 weaned piglets (20-days-old) were assigned to two experimental groups receiving standard or experimental diet for 30 days. Blood and tissue collection were performed at various time-points. The following oxidative stress markers were assessed: reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (CARB) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposition activity. The effects on bacterial growth and the fatty acid profile of meat were also assessed. Results showed that piglets fed with the WPC-supplemented diet had significantly increased antioxidant mechanisms in almost all tissues tested, as indicated by increases in GSH, H2O2 decomposition activity and TAC compared with the control group. Piglets fed with the experimental diet exhibited decreased oxidative stress-induced damage to lipids and proteins, as shown by decreases in TBARS and CARB in the WPC group compared with the control group. In addition, the experimental diet enhanced growth of facultative probiotic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria and inhibited growth of pathogen populations. In addition, WPC inclusion in piglets' diet increased n-3 fatty acids significantly and decreased n-6/n-3 ratio significantly compared with the control group. The current study showed that WPC inclusion in the diet had a significant effect on welfare and meat quality of growing piglets.
Posterior nasoseptal flap in the reconstruction of skull base defects following endonasal surgery
Authors: Singh C , Shah N
Published: May 2019

Objective

To study the clinical outcomes of a posterior nasoseptal flap used in the endonasal reconstruction of anterior skull base defects.

Methods

The early harvested flap was used to reconstruct anterior skull base defects in patients with high-flow on-table cerebrospinal fluid leak. Post-operatively, the patients were analysed for cerebrospinal fluid leak and bleeding.

Results

Of the 100 patients, 87 had macro defects while 13 had micro defects. Non-secretary lesions were present in 60 patients, while secretary lesions were present in 40 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid leak was present in all the patients undergoing surgery, and the majority of them had a lumbar drain fitted. Post-operatively, two patients experienced bleeding and only two patients had a cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Conclusion

The use of a posterior nasoseptal flap for reconstruction of the anterior skull base amongst patients with a high-flow intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak can help prevent post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak. Its applicability to wide patient profiles, with respect to age, size of defect and diagnosis, make it a versatile choice for reconstruction after endonasal anterior skull base surgical procedures.