bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retracted: Emodin relieved lipopolysaccharide‐evoked inflammatory damage in WI‐38 cells by up‐regulating taurine up‐regulated gene 1
Authors: Zang Linlin , Song Yongqing , Yu Fengying , Liu Xiuxia
Published: January 2020

Background

Neonatal pneumonia (NP) has a high fatality rate in neonatal illness. This research investigated the functions of emodin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐evoked inflammatory injury in WI‐38 cells.

Methods

Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay and flow cytometry were utilized for examining the impacts of LPS and emodin on viability and apoptosis, respectively. Taurine up‐regulated gene 1 (TUG1) level was altered through cell transfection and investigated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Moreover, RT‐qPCR, western blot and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were utilized for investigating expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and interleukin (IL)‐6. Western blot was carried out for investigating the levels of Bcl‐2, Bax, pro‐Caspase‐3, cleaved‐Caspase‐3 and NF‐κB and p38MAPK pathway‐related proteins.

Results

LPS treatment restrained cell viability, enhanced apoptosis, and expressions of inflammation‐related IL‐6 and MCP‐1. Emodin alleviated LPS‐evoked inflammatory injury and restrained the NF‐κB and p38MAPK pathways. Furthermore, emodin positively regulated TUG1 expression and TUG1 silencing could reverse the efficacy of emodin on IL‐6 and MCP‐1 expressions. Finally, TUG1 regulates the expression of inflammatory factors through NF‐κB and p38MAPK pathways.

Conclusion

Emodin alleviated LPS‐evoked inflammatory injury by raising TUG1 expression via NF‐κB and p38MAPK pathways in WI‐38 cells.
Systematic review of reporting benefits and harms of surgical interventions in randomized clinical trials
Authors: Stubenrouch F E , Cohen E S , Bossuyt P M M , Koelemay M J W , van der Vet P C R , Ubbink D T
Published: January 2020

Background

Standardized reporting methods facilitate comparisons between studies. Reporting of data on benefits and harms of treatments in surgical RCTs should support clinical decision-making. Correct and complete reporting of the outcomes of clinical trials is mandatory to appreciate available evidence and to inform patients properly before asking informed consent.

Methods

RCTs published between January 2005 and January 2017 in 15 leading journals comparing a surgical treatment with any other treatment were reviewed systematically. The CONSORT checklist, including the extension for harms, was used to appraise the publications. Beneficial and harmful treatment outcomes, their definitions and their precision measures were extracted.

Results

Of 1200 RCTs screened, 88 trials were included. For the differences in effect size of beneficial outcomes, 68 per cent of the trials reported a P value only but not a 95 per cent confidence interval. For harmful effects, this was 67 per cent. Only five of the 88 trials (6 per cent) reported a number needed to treat, and no study a number needed to harm. Only 61 per cent of the trials reported on both the beneficial and harmful outcomes of the intervention studied in the same paper.

Conclusion

Despite CONSORT guidelines, current reporting of benefits and harms in surgical trials does not facilitate clear communication of treatment outcomes with patients. Researchers, reviewers and journal editors should ensure proper reporting of treatment benefits and harms in trials.
Business experience or Financial Literacy? Which one is better for opportunity recognition and superior performance?
Authors: Anwar Muhammad , Shuangjie Li , Ullah Rizwan
Published: January 2020

Recognition of useful opportunities is very crucial for small and medium‐sized enterprises' (SMEs') survival and growth in the competitive environment. However, the majority of SMEs cannot easily recognize new opportunities in the turbulent markets due to a lack of managerial competencies and knowledge. Several studies have been carried out to unleash the determinants of opportunity recognition that configure SMEs' success, but the results are disjointed. In particular, the mediating role of opportunity recognition between business experience, financial literacy, and SME performance has been missed. This study aims to test if either financially literate or experienced managers can recognize new opportunities that result in high performance. For testing the hypotheses, we surveyed 232 Pakistani SMEs from the manufacturing, trading, and service sectors. After performing the structural equation modeling, we found that financial literacy and business experience are the substantial prognosticators of opportunity recognition and SMEs' performance. Opportunity recognition shows a partial mediating role between financial literacy and SMEs performance as well as between business experience and SMEs performance. However, this research endorses that business experience is more vital for high performance as compared to financial literacy whereas in terms of opportunity recognition financial literacy is more crucial as compared to experience. This study recommends the enterprises to hire the financially literate and experienced managers as both display a prominent role in the identification of opportunities and high performance. Further implications are discussed.
Driving the electric bandwagon: The dynamics of incumbents' sustainable innovation
Authors: Bohnsack René , Kolk Ans , Pinkse Jonatan , Bidmon Christina M.
Published: January 2020

Given that entire industries face sustainability challenges, it is important to understand the dynamics that lead “firms‐in‐an‐industry” to engage in sustainable product innovation. To provide more insight into the question of how innovation activities spread from individual firm action to an industry‐wide engagement, this paper examines the automobile industry and the development of electric vehicles (EVs). The analysis covers automobile incumbents over a crucial decade for EV development in the industry, focusing on the different strategic motives that especially the so‐called “first movers” used to justify their earlier engagement. We find that EVs became a core pillar of the incumbents' technology strategies through a combination of coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures. Yet, the strategic motives to engage in EVs stayed poles apart between different companies. The insights from our study are relevant for those interested in the diffusion of sustainable product innovation and in incumbent behaviour in sustainability transitions.
Outcomes and risk of subsequent breast events in breast‐conserving surgery patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation
Authors: Ye Fugui , Huang Liang , Lang Guantian , Hu Xin , Di Genhong , Shao Zhimin , Cao Ayong
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Previous studies provide inconsistent interpretations of the effect of inherited genetic factors on the survival and prognosis of patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation on survival and subsequent breast events in Chinese women who underwent breast‐conserving surgery.

Methods

A retrospective review of the clinical and pathological records was performed in patients diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer between 2005 and 2018 in the cancer registry database. Clinicopathological data and data regarding treatment and outcomes, including date and site of disease progression, were collected. The survival outcomes and independent risk factors were conducted using SPSS.

Results

Overall, a total of 501 patients who underwent breast‐conserving surgery were identified and subjected to analyses, of which 63 cases with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. The median age at diagnosis was 41 (range, 24‐74) for carriers and 37 (range, 17‐84) for noncarriers. After a median follow‐up time of 61 months (range, 8‐161) and 70 months (range, 0‐153), respectively, in carriers and noncarriers, the overall survival (P = .173) and disease‐free survival (P = .424) were not significantly different. Analogously, there was no significant difference between the two groups about the outcomes of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (P = .348), yet the contralateral breast cancer (CBC) was overt worse than noncarriers (P < .001). When adjusted to confounding factors, BRCA mutation was the only independent risk factors to CBC (HR = 7.89, P = .01).

Conclusion

In this study, BRCA mutation carriers have higher risk of CBC. And, BRCA mutation is the only independent risk factor to CBC. Therefore, intensive surveillance and follow‐up as well as more effective individual prevention are urgent. Decisions on alternatively effective prevention, especially the prevention of CBC, are urgent and should take into account patient prognosis and preferences.
Repellent, Insecticidal and Antimicrobial Activities of Leaf Essential Oils from Three Eucalyptus Species
Authors: Tian Yuhong , Dong Fei , Zhou Xianchuang , Yang Xu
Published: January 2020

Developing effective and eco‐friendly antimicrobials and pesticides has become a highly important issue. The repellent, insecticidal and antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) isolated by hydrodistillation from dried leaves of the three Eucalyptus species (E. cloeziana, E. umbellata and E. benthamii) were investigated. During GC/MS analysis, α‐pinene (47.36 %), 1,8‐cineol (38.53 %) and α‐pinene (35.31 %) were identified as major components of E. cloeziana, E. umbellata and E. benthamii, respectively. The EOs from E. cloeziana exhibited the longest effective protection time (465 min, at 50.0 % w/w) for humans among the EOs studied. The effective protection time was 30 min and 300 min at concentrations of 12.5 % (w/w) and 25.0 % (w/w), respectively. Fumigating insecticidal activity of EOs from three Eucalyptus species was tested by airtight fumigation in conical flask, which indicated that essential oils had a highly and rapidly insecticidal activity on Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus. The antimicrobial activity of EOs was evaluated by using disc diffusion and agar dilution methods. There was no significant difference in the antibacterial activity of EOs from E. cloeziana and E. umbellate and they had the same MICs (20 mL/L) on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. E. benthamii had the worst microbial inhibitory effect among the three Eucalyptus essential oils and the MIC value for the test species is 40 mL/L except for Rhodotorula Harrison (10 mL/L).
Surgical repair of postcatheterization radial artery pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Mahanta Dibyasundar , Mahapatra Rudraprasad , Barik Ramachandra , Singh Jogendra , Sathia Siddhartha , Mohanty Satyapriya
Published: January 2020

Radial artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) at the site of transradial access (TRA) for coronary angiography is rare. A clean puncture, secure bandage, and watchful follow‐up are must to prevent complete occlusion and aneurysm formation at the access site. This illustration describes surgical repair as one of the successful strategies to repair a postcatheterization RAP after TRA.
Key‐lock Ceria Catalysts for the Control of Diesel Engine Soot Particulate Emissions
Authors: Sorolla‐Rosario Débora , Davó‐Quiñonero Arantxa , Bailón‐García Esther , Lozano‐Castelló Dolores , Bueno‐López Agustín
Published: January 2020

A new concept, referred to as key‐lock catalyst, is presented in this article. Soot combustion ceria catalysts were prepared combining hard (polymethylmethacrylate colloidal crystals) and soft (Pluronic F127) templates, tuning the porosity of ceria in different size ranges to match the morphology of soot aggregates. The catalysts porosity was characterized in detail by N2 adsorption‐desorption isotherms and Hg‐porosimetry. XRD and H2‐TPR characterization ruled out that differences in activity are related neither with crystallographic nor with redox properties. As a proof of key‐lock catalyst concept, an optimum key‐lock ceria catalyst was synthesized by combining large macropores (100–300 nm) with mesopores (10–30 nm), because they fit to the large soot aggregates and to primary soot particles sizes, respectively. The best soot combustion activity of the optimum key‐lock catalyst is attributed to the optimum transfer of ceria active oxygen from catalyst to soot. The catalytic results confirmed that all ceria catalysts prepared with different porosity oxidize NO to NO2 at the same rate, and the NO2‐assisted soot combustion pathway is not affected by tuning ceria porosity. This double‐templated synthesis and the key‐lock concept opens a new synthesis approach to design noble‐metal free soot combustion catalysts based on the highly effective active oxygen mechanism.
Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics Validation of Correlations for Dry Pressure Drop in Trays without Downcomer
Authors: Brondani Michel , Schlemmer Diego Felipe , Cabral Wancura João Henrique , Dias Mayer Flávio , Hoffmann Ronaldo , da Graça Rasteiro Maria , Oliveira Nuno M. , Gameiro Lopes António M.
Published: January 2020

The dry tray pressure drop (ΔPd) is a design parameter that provides preliminary information about the total pressure drop. This work aimed to assess correlations for ΔPd prediction for different types of trays without downcomer and to evaluate the effects of the free area ratio (φ) and the hole diameter (d) on ΔPd. Assessment was performed by comparing results of several correlations with those from an experimentally validated computational fluid dynamics simulation. The study shows that the correlations of Červenka and Kolář, Bennett, Agrawal and Cook, and Stichlmair and Mersmann predicted the dry pressure drop satisfactorily. The correlation of Bennett, Agrawal and Cook can be recommended for the prediction of ΔPd for a wide range of geometries and operation conditions. Also, φ has a higher influence on ΔPd than d.
Divergent 2‐Chloroquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one Rearrangement: Twisted‐Cyclic Guanidine Formation or Ring‐Fused N‐Acylguanidines via a Domino Process
Authors: Yan Gang , Zekarias Bereket L. , Li Xiaoyu , Jaffett Victor A. , Guzei Ilia A. , Golden Jennifer E.
Published: January 2020

A highly efficient 2‐chloroquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one rearrangement was developed that predictably generates either twisted‐cyclic or ring‐fused guanidines in a single operation, depending on the presence of a primary versus secondary amine in the accompanying diamine reagent. Exclusive formation of twisted‐cyclic guanidines results from pairing 2‐chloroquinazolinones with secondary diamines. Use of primary amine‐containing diamines permits a domino quinazolinone rearrangement/intramolecular cyclization, gated through (E)‐twisted‐cyclic guanidines, to afford ring‐fused N‐acylguanidines. This scalable, structurally tolerant transformation generated 55 guanidines and delivered twisted‐cyclic guanidines with robust plasma stability and an abbreviated total synthesis of an antitumor ring‐fused guanidine (4 steps, 55 % yield).
Screening young adult cancer survivors with the PROMIS Depression Short Form (PROMIS‐D‐SF): Comparison with a structured clinical diagnostic interview
Authors: Recklitis Christopher J. , Blackmon Jaime E. , Chang Grace
Published: January 2020

Background

The current study was conducted to evaluate the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression Short Form (PROMIS‐D‐SF) as a screening measure for young adult cancer survivors (YACS) compared with a structured diagnostic interview.

Methods

A total of 249 YACS (aged 18‐40 years) completed the PROMIS‐D‐SF and Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (SCID). Based on the SCID, participants were classified as having: 1) an SCID depression diagnosis; 2) depression symptoms without an SCID diagnosis; or 3) no depression symptoms. Receiver operating characteristic analyses evaluated PROMIS‐D‐SF and SCID concordance and the sensitivity and specificity of PROMIS‐D‐SF cutoff t ‐scores.

Results

The PROMIS‐D‐SF had overall good agreement with the SCID for both depression diagnosis (area under the curve, 0.89) and the presence of depressive symptoms (area under the curve, 0.83). A PROMIS‐D‐SF cutoff t‐score of ≥53.2 came closest to meeting study criteria for detecting a SCID depression diagnosis (sensitivity ≥0.85 and specificity ≥0.75), with a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.74. For identifying survivors with depression symptoms, a t‐score cutoff value of 49.4 was found to have slightly superior sensitivity (0.84) and inferior specificity (0.64). In hypothetical screening examples, these cutoff scores led to moderate levels of missed cases (15%‐19%) and a high percentage of clinical referrals that were unnecessary by SCID criteria (56%‐70%).

Conclusions

The PROMIS‐D‐SF demonstrated moderately strong concordance with depressive diagnoses and symptoms measured by the SCID, but cutoff t‐scores did not meet study criteria for clinical screening. The PROMIS‐D‐SF may be useful for assessing depression in YACS, but the limitations in its sensitivity and specificity identified in the current study are likely to limit its usefulness as a stand‐alone screening instrument in this population.
Development of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Immune Checkpoint Modulator (FACT‐ICM): A toxicity subscale to measure quality of life in patients with cancer who are treated with ICMs
Authors: Hansen Aaron R. , Ala‐Leppilampi Kari , McKillop Chris , Siu Lillian L. , Bedard Philippe L. , Abdul Razak Albiruni R. , Spreafico Anna , Sridhar Srikala S. , Leighl Natasha , Butler Marcus O. , Hogg David , Sacher Adrian , Oza Amit M. , Al‐Agha Rany , Maurice Catherine , Chan Christopher T. , Shapera Shane , Feld Jordan J. , Nisenbaum Rosane , Webster Kimberly , Cella David , Parsons Janet
Published: January 2020

Background

Patients with cancer who are treated with immune checkpoint modulators (ICMs) have their health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) measured using general patient‐reported outcome (PRO) tools. To the authors' knowledge, no instrument has been developed to date specifically for patients treated with ICMs. The objective of the current study was to develop a toxicity subscale PRO instrument for patients treated with ICMs to assess HRQOL.

Methods

Input was collected from a systematic review as well as patients and physicians experienced with ICM treatment. Descriptive thematic analysis was used to evaluate the qualitative data obtained from patient focus groups and interviews, which informed an initial list of items that described ICM side effects and their impact on HRQOL. These inputs informed item generation and/or reduction to develop a toxicity subscale.

Results

Focus groups and individual interviews with 37 ICM‐treated patients generated an initial list of 176 items. After a first round of item reduction that produced a shortened list of 76 items, 16 physicians who care for patients who are treated with ICMs were surveyed with a list of 49 patient‐reported side effects and 11 physicians participated in follow‐up interviews. A second round of item reduction was informed by the physician responses to produce a list of 25 items.

Conclusions

To the authors' knowledge, this 25‐item list is the first HRQOL‐focused toxicity subscale for patients treated with ICMs and was developed in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration guidelines, which prioritize patient input in developing PRO tools. The subscale will be combined with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT‐G) to form the FACT‐ICM. Prior to recommending the formal use of this PRO instrument, the authors will evaluate its validity and reliability in longitudinal studies involving substantially more patients.
Efficient Plastic Waste Recycling to Value‐Added Products by Integrated Biomass Processing
Authors: Beydoun Kassem , Klankermayer Jürgen
Published: January 2020

The industrial production of polymeric materials is continuously increasing, but sustainable concepts directing towards a circular economy remain rather elusive. The present investigation focuses on the recycling of polyoxymethylene polymers, facilitated through combined catalytic processing of polymer waste and biomass‐derived diols. The integrated concept enables the production of value‐added cyclic acetals, which can flexibly function as solvents, fuel additives, pharmaceutical intermediates, and even monomeric materials for polymerization reactions. Based on this approach, an open‐loop recycling of these waste materials can be envisaged in which the carbon content of the polymer waste is efficiently utilized as a C1 building block, paving the way to unprecedented possibilities within a circular economy of polyoxymethylene polymers.
Top‐Down Synthesis of Silicon/Carbon Composite Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Mechanical Milling and Etching
Authors: Nzabahimana Joseph , Liu Zhifang , Guo Songtao , Wang Libin , Hu Xianluo
Published: January 2020

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) providing high energy and power densities as well as long cycle life are in high demand for various applications. Benefitting from its high theoretical specific charge capacity of ≈4200 mAh g−1 and natural abundance, Si is nowadays considered as one of the most promising anode candidates for high‐energy‐density LIBs. However, its huge volume change during cycling prevents its widespread commercialization. Si/C‐based electrodes, fabricated through top‐down mechanical‐milling technique and etching, could be particularly promising since they can adequately accommodate the Si volume expansion, buffer the mechanical stress, and ameliorate the interface/surface stability. In this Review, the current progresses in the top‐down synthesis of Si/C anode materials for LIBs from inexpensive Si sources via the combination of low‐cost, simple, scalable, and efficient ball‐milling and etching processes are summarized. Various Si precursors as well as etching routes are highlighted in this Review. This review would be a guide for fabricating high‐performance Si‐based anodes.
An assessment of chamber 14C methodologies for sampling aquatic CO2 evasion
Authors: Billett Michael F. , Garnett Mark H. , Leith Fraser I.
Published: January 2020

The development of new methods to directly measure the radiocarbon age of dissolved and evaded aquatic carbon dioxide has enhanced our ability to understand carbon transport and cycling in the soil–water–atmosphere system. One of the methods involves collecting enough carbon dioxide for radiocarbon dating by allowing carbon dioxide to outgas from the water surface into an enclosed floating chamber, with the gas subsequently trapped onto a zeolite molecular sieve cartridge. There are, however, several different methodological approaches that can be used for the collection of floating chamber samples, and it is currently unknown whether these different approaches influence the isotopic (stable carbon and radiocarbon) composition of the measured sample. Here, we evaluate four different floating chamber approaches and compare the stable and radiocarbon composition of the evaded carbon dioxide. Chamber conditions varied considerably with the different methodologies, with for example, maximum chamber CO2 concentration ranging from approximately 400–6,300 ppm during sampling. Despite the varying chamber conditions, our results indicate no significant differences in the 14C age of evasion (range: 1,276–1,364 years before present) with any of the methodological approaches (in chambers where atmospheric carbon dioxide had been excluded). This confirms the methodologies are both robust and widely applicable.
Dinitrogen Activation by a Titanium/Ruthenium Heteromultimetallic Hydride Complex
Authors: Shima Takanori , Hou Zhaomin
Published: January 2020

A titanium/ruthenium heteromultimetallic polyhydride complex [(Cp'Ti)2(Cp*Ru)2(µ‐H)6] (3) (Cp' = C5Me4SiMe3, Cp* = C5Me5) was obtained from the reaction of [Cp'Ti(CH2SiMe3)3] (1) with [Cp*Ru(µ‐H)4RuCp*] (2) under H2. Complex 3 can readily react with N2 to give an imido/nitrido complex [(Cp'Ti)2(Cp*Ru)2(µ‐NH)(µ‐N)(µ‐H)3] (4) via N–N bond cleavage and N–H bond formation. The result demonstrates that the heteromultimetallic hydride complexes can serve as a platform for dinitrogen activation.
Water Phase, Room Temperature, Ligand‐Free Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling: A Green Gateway to Aryl Ketones by C–N Bond Cleavage
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Wang Zijia , Tang Zhao , Luo Zhongfeng , Wu Hongxiang , Liu Tingting , Zhu Yulin , Zeng Zhuo
Published: January 2020

We report herein a green strategy for synthesis of aryl ketones from twisted amides by using Pd(OAc)2 as catalysts. This method shows high functional group tolerance to offer a variety of ketones in good yields under mild conditions (up to 94 %). Notably, this methodology demonstrates the first water phase, room temperature, ligand‐free Suzuki–Miyaura coupling through C–N bond cleavage, which is environmentally friendly and might facilitate the development of amide based green chemistry.
Aspects of bridge‐ground seismic response and liquefaction‐induced deformations
Authors: Qiu Zhijian , Ebeido Ahmed , Almutairi Abdullah , Lu Jinchi , Elgamal Ahmed , Shing P. Benson , Martin Geoffrey
Published: January 2020

Considerable bridge‐ground interaction effects are involved in evaluating the consequences of liquefaction‐induced deformations. Due to seismic excitation, liquefied soil layers may result in substantial accumulated permanent deformation of sloping ground near the abutments. Ultimately, global response is dictated by the bridge‐ground interaction as an integral system. However, a holistic assessment of such response generally requires a highly demanding full three‐dimensional (3D) model of the bridge and surrounding ground. As such, in order to capture a number of the salient involved mechanisms, this study focuses on the longitudinal seismic performance of a simpler idealized configuration, motivated by details of an existing bridge‐ground configuration. In this model, a realistic multilayer soil profile is considered with interbedded liquefiable/nonliquefiable strata. The effect of the resulting liquefaction‐induced ground deformation is explored. Attention is given to overall deformation of the bridge structure due to lateral spreading in the vicinity of the abutments. The derived insights indicate a need for such global analysis techniques, when addressing the potential hazard of liquefaction and its consequences.
Assessment of CO2‐enhanced oil recovery and associated geologic storage potential in the Michigan Northern Pinnacle Reef Trend
Authors: Mishra Srikanta , Haagsma Autumn , Valluri Manoj , Gupta Neeraj
Published: January 2020

This paper provides an improved estimate of CO2‐EOR (where CO2 is carbon dioxide and EOR is enhanced oil recovery) and CO2 storage potential for depleted oil fields in Michigan's northern pinnacle reef trend (NPRT). Our methodology is based on capturing data on reservoir performance from reefs currently undergoing CO2‐EOR operations in the NPRT (referred to as ‘monitored reefs’), and then applying them to other reefs within the NPRT (referred to as ‘catalog reefs’). For each monitored reef, we calculate fractional primary recovery, fractional incremental EOR recovery, net utilization ratio, and storage efficiency factor. The corresponding incremental oil recovery from EOR, storage capacity until end of EOR, and total CO2 injection needs are then estimated for each catalog reef and combined (over all monitored reefs) using a weighted averaging procedure. These weights are related to a statistical similarity measure that is calculated between each monitored reef and each catalog reef based on a number of variables related to production data, formation type, or descriptive geologic attributes. For the entire NPRT catalog of 383 reefs as used in this study, our results indicate 118 million (MM) stock tank barrels (STB) (1.88 × 107 Sm3) of incremental oil from EOR operations, corresponding to 49 MM metric tons (MT) of CO2 storage and 266 MM MT of total CO2 injection. However, approximately one‐third of the reefs provide two‐thirds of the potential for CO2‐EOR and geologic storage, assuming an economic threshold of 0.5 MM STB (80 000 Sm3) of incremental oil from EOR. © 2020 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of methane emissions based on crop yield and remote sensing data in a paddy field
Authors: Shi Yifan , Lou Yunsheng , Zhang Zhen , Ma Li , Ojara Moses A
Published: January 2020

Quantifying agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is important for addressing global warming. In this regard, empirical models were constructed to evaluate the feasibility of using rice yield and canopy spectral properties for estimating paddy cumulative methane (CH4) emissions (CCE). A field experiment with shading treatments was conducted in 2017. A static chamber‐gas chromatography was used to measure CH4 fluxes during the growing season. Canopy hyperspectral reflectance was measured and then used to calculate the multispectral normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the ratio vegetation index (RVI), and the enhanced vegetation index (EVI). The results show that CH4 emissions were positively correlated to rice yield and biomass, indicating that higher biomass provided more substrates for CH4 generation. O2 availability maybe a main factor in the CCE differences under shading treatments. RVI and EVI showed a stronger positive relationship to CH4 emissions than NDVI. The empirical model including yield and EVI‐JS (EVI of jointing‐booting stage) as input variables performed better (adj‐R2 = 0.85, root mean square error [RMSE] = 12.26 kg ha−1) than the model that included only yield (adj‐R2 = 0.5, RMSE = 22.5 kg ha−1). This study suggests that it is feasible to apply remote sensing in paddy CH4 estimation, providing a referable attempt for future regional agricultural GHG emissions quantification. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequence architecture and depositional evolution of Dongying Formation in steep slope zone of northern Liaodong Bay and its responses to tectonism
Authors: Deng Jimei , Xia Shiqiang , Liu Jingyan , Wu Peng , Du Xiaofeng , Chang Yanyan , Gao Lianfeng , Zheng Xiaoxue , Ma Jianbo
Published: January 2020

The sequence architecture and depositional evolution of Dongying Formation in the steep slope zone are mainly developed in response to tectonism. The comprehensive analysis of cores, wireline logs, and seismic volumes is employed to reveal the relationship among sequence architecture, depositional evolution, and tectonism. The results indicate that the whole Dongying Formation can be divided into three third‐order sequences based on regional unconformity along the basin margin and slope and its correlative conformity in the basin centre. In addition, seven fourth‐order sequences are further divided based on regression surfaces within third‐order sequences. The sequence architecture of different‐order sequences is discussed and revealed in terms of systems tracts, stratal thickness and distribution, and seismic reflections. Four genetic types of sedimentary facies including fan delta, sublacustrine fan, near‐shore subaqueous fan, and braided delta are identified according to core observations, stacking patterns of wireline logs, internal configuration, and external geometry of seismic reflections. The depositional evolution in Dongying Formation is related to tectonic intensity and tectonic evolution stage in the steep slope. The whole Dongying Formation is in the midst of a strike‐slip and rifting stage during its depositional period. When tectonic movements are intensively active, it is mainly characterized by fan delta and near‐shore subaqueous fan along the steep slopes and sublacustrine fan in the basin centre. However, the opposite case is dominated by fan delta and braided delta around and along the uplifts. In addition, the palaeogeomorphology and sediment supply also play an important role in controlling facies distributions in the steep slope zone. The subsidence rate resulted from tectonism controls the sequence architecture and depositional filling in terms of fault activities and accommodation space in the steep slope.
Geochemical signatures of surface sediments from the Mahanadi river basin (India): Chemical weathering, provenance, and tectonic settings
Authors: Bastia Fakira , Equeenuddin Sk Md. , Roy Priyadarsi D. , Hernández‐Mendiola Ernesto
Published: January 2020

The Mahanadi river basin (MRB) is one of the eight major fluvial basins of India. This paper presents a very first systematic study of geochemical characteristics, including rare earth elements of surface sediments collected from the riverbed at different parts of this basin to infer the chemical weathering, provenance, and tectonic settings. Lower mean values of major elements (except for SiO2 and K2O) are observed compared with that of the upper continental crust (UCC). It is attributed to the dominance of quartz and orthoclase in sediments and removal of mobile elements from the sediment during the transportation. The concentrations of Rb, Ba, Cu, Th, and Pb are elevated with respect to the UCC. The higher concentration of K2O and Rb, the ratio of Al2O3 to TiO2, and other bivariant plots indicate that the sediments are derived mostly from acidic to intermediate igneous rock. Majority of the sediments have geochemical similarity with the arkose and litharenite sandstones. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of the MRB sediments varies between 52 and 69 with most of the samples having CIA < 60 suggesting the lower degree of weathering which is further supported by the mineralogy. The eroded sediments have compositional maturity comparable to sediments deposited under semi‐arid climatic conditions. Sediments show both positive and negative Eu anomalies based on the source rock. Based on the commonly used discrimination diagrams, it is concluded that the MRB has a tectonic setting similar to the passive continental margin.
The value of dementia care towards the end of life—A contingent valuation study
Authors: Bhattarai Nawaraj , Mason Helen , Kernohan Ashleigh , Poole Marie , Bamford Claire , Robinson Louise , Vale Luke
Published: January 2020

Objectives

A dementia nurse specialist (DNS) is expected to improve the quality of care and support to people with dementia nearing, and at, the end of life (EoL) by facilitating some key features of care. The aim of this study was to estimate willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) values from the general public perspective, for the different levels of support that the DNS can provide.

Methods

Contingent valuation methods were used to elicit the maximum WTP for scenarios describing different types of support provided by the DNS for EoL care in dementia. In a general population online survey, 1002 participants aged 18 years or more sampled from the United Kingdom provided valuations. Five scenarios were valued with mean WTP value calculated for each scenario along with the relationship between mean WTP and participant characteristics.

Results

The mean WTP varied across scenarios with higher values for the scenarios offering more features. Participants with some experience of dementia were willing to pay more compared with those with no experience. WTP values were higher for high‐income groups compared with the lowest income level (P < .05). There was no evidence to suggest that respondent characteristics such as age, gender, family size, health utility or education status influenced the WTP values.

Conclusion

The general population values the anticipated improvement in dementia care provided by a DNS. This study will help inform judgements on interventions to improve the quality of EoL care.
Prediction of flow and heat transfer through a microtube filled with bidisperse porous medium under local thermal nonequilibrium condition
Authors: Fazli Mohammad , Bahrami Ali , Ghanavati Ali , Rahimian Mohammad Hassan
Published: January 2020

In this paper, the thermal and hydrodynamic solutions of a microtube filled with bidisperse porous medium (BDPM) under the local thermal nonequilibrium (LTNE) condition are presented. Considering the LTNE condition, the energy equations have been numerically solved. The rarefaction effects are considered for Knudsen numbers ranging from 0 to 0.1; therefore, first‐order boundary condition is applied on the wall. The temperature distribution of each phase is examined with respect to the involved parameters in the BDPM system. For the first time, the Nusselt number ratio (NRDP) is introduced to study the influence of Darcy number on the Nusselt number more precisely. Also, the effect of different thermophysical parameters on the Nusselt number is studied. The advantage of BDPM system over monodisperse porous medium (MDPM) structure is examined through the heat transfer performance parameter. The findings exhibit a good agreement with the literature. Also, the LTNE condition produces more realistic results in comparison to local thermal equilibrium assumption. On the whole, although implementing the BDPM enhances the heat transfer rate compared with the MDPM, it does not improve the thermal hydrodynamic performance significantly.
Heat transport on steady MHD flow of copper and alumina nanofluids past a stretching porous surface
Authors: Veera Krishna M.
Published: January 2020

An attempt is made to investigate the steady magnetohydrodynamic convective flow of the viscous nanofluid due to a permeable exponentially stretching porous surface. Water is used as a traditional fluid while nanoparticles include copper and alumina. The fluid is electrically conducting, subject to an applied magnetic field with a constant strength. Convective type boundary conditions are employed in modeling the heat transfer process. The nonlinear partial differential equations governing the flow are reduced to an ordinary differential equation by similarity transformations and then solved using the Runge‐Kutta fourth‐order method. A parametric study of the physical parameters is made, and a representative set of numerical results for the velocity and temperature, as well as local shear stress and local Nusselt number, is presented graphically. Hartman number increase diminishes the velocity and has the contrary result in the subjective sense for the mass transfer parameter. An increase in the Prandtl number Pr lessens the temperature and thickness of the thermal boundary layer. The main conclusions have been indicated.
Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, a human skin colonizer, induces the canonical nuclear factor‐κB inflammatory signaling pathway in human skin cells
Authors: Altonsy Mohammed O. , Kurwa Habib A. , Lauzon Gilles J. , Amrein Matthias , Gerber Anthony N. , Almishri Wagdi , Mydlarski Paule Régine
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum (C. t.) is a ubiquitous bacterium that colonizes human skin. In contrast to other members of the genus Corynebacterium, such as toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae or the opportunistic pathogen Corynebacterium jeikeium, several studies suggest that C. t. may play a role in skin health and disease. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood.

Methods

To investigate whether C. t. induces inflammatory pathways in primary human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) and human cutaneous squamous carcinoma cells (SCCs), cell culture, reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence microscopy, Western blot, chromatin immunoprecipitation‐PCR, small interfering RNA knockdown and luciferase reporter expression system were used.

Results

Herein, we demonstrate that C. t. upregulates the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of inflammatory mediators in two human skin cell lines, HEKs and SCCs. We further show activation of the canonical nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway in response to C. t. infection, including phosphorylation of the inhibitor of κB (IκB), the nuclear translocation of NF‐κB subunit (NF‐κB‐P65) and the recruitment of NF‐κB‐P65 and RNA polymerase to the NF‐κB response elements at the promoter region of the inflammatory genes. Lastly, the data confirm that C. t.‐induced tumor necrosis factor mRNA expression in HEKs is toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) dependent.

Conclusion

Our results offer a mechanistic model for C. t.‐induced inflammation in human keratinocytes via TLR2 and activation of IκB kinase and downstream signaling through the canonical NF‐κB pathway. Relevance to chronic inflammatory diseases of the skin and cutaneous oncology is discussed.
Overcoming multidrug resistance in cancer: Recent progress in nanotechnology and new horizons
Authors: Majidinia Maryam , Mirza‐Aghazadeh‐Attari Mohammad , Rahimi Mahdi , Mihanfar Ainaz , Karimian Ansar , Safa Amin , Yousefi Bahman
Published: January 2020

Multidrug resistance (MDR), defined as the ability of cancer cells to gain resistance to both conventional and novel chemotherapy agents, is an important barrier in treating malignancies. Initially, it was discovered that cellular pumps dependent on ATP were the cause of resistance to chemotherapy, and further studies have found that other mechanisms such as increased metabolism of drugs, decreased drug entry, and defective apoptotic pathways are involved in this process. MDR has been the focus of numerous initiatives and countless studies have been undertaken to better understand MDR and formulate strategies to overcome its effects. The current review highlights various nano‐drug delivery systems including polymeric/solid lipid/mesoporous silica/metal nanoparticles, dendrimers, liposomes, micelles, and nanostructured lipid carriers to overcome the mechanism of MDR. Nanoparticles are novel gateways to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer agents at the target site of action due to their tumor‐targeting abilities, which can limit the unwanted systemic effects of chemotherapy agents and also reduce drug resistance. Additionally, other innovative strategies including RNA interference as a biological process used to inhibit or silence specific gene expression, natural products as MDR modulators with little systemic toxic effects, which interfere with the functions of proteins involved in drug efflux, and physical approaches such as combination of conventional drug administration with thermal/ultrasound/photodynamic strategies are also highlighted.
Targeting cervical cancer: Is there a role for poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibition?
Authors: Tomao Federica , Santangelo Giusi , Musacchio Lucia , Di Donato Violante , Fischetti Margherita , Giancotti Antonella , Perniola Giorgia , Petrella Maria Cristina , Monti Marco , Palaia Innocenza , Muzii Ludovico , Benedetti Panici Pierluigi
Published: January 2020

Patients with metastatic and recurrent cervical cancer (CC) have a poor prognosis with limited palliative treatment options. Increasing understanding of the cellular aberrations inherent to cancer cells has allowed the development of therapies to target biological pathways, an important step toward the individualization of cancer therapy. The poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) family of enzymes is important in several DNA repair pathways. Drugs that inhibit these PARP enzymes have been investigated in many types of cancer and their application in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies has rapidly evolved. Although the majority of data for PARPi in gynecologic malignancies has been specifically regarding ovarian cancer, their role in the treatment of uterine and CC is currently being investigated. This review will examine PARP inhibitors in CC, summarizes the critical clinical trials of PARP inhibitors that have been completed, provides an overview of the on‐going trials, presents the confirmed conclusions and notes the issues that need to be addressed in future studies.
Reduced social investigation and increased injurious behavior in transgenic 5xFAD mice
Authors: Kosel Filip , Hamilton Jacob S. , Harrison Sarah L. , Godin Victoria , Franklin Tamara B.
Published: January 2020

Social withdrawal and agitation/aggression are common behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia presented by Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, with males exhibiting more aggressive behaviors than females. Some transgenic mouse models of AD also exhibit social withdrawal and aggression, but many of these models only recapitulate the early stages of the disease. By comparison, the 5xFAD mouse model of AD exhibits rapid, progressive neurodegeneration, and is suitable for modeling cognitive and behavioral deficits at early, mid‐, and late‐stage disease progression. Anecdotal reports suggest that transgenic 5xFAD males exhibit high levels of aggression compared to wild‐type controls, but to date, indirect genetic effects in this strain have not been studied. We measured home‐cage behaviors in 5xFAD males housed in three different group‐housing conditions (transgenic‐only, wild‐type only, and mixed‐genotype) and social approach behaviors when exposed to a novel free‐roaming or restrained, wild‐type or transgenic conspecific. Transgenic‐only home cages required earlier separation due to injuries arising from aggression compared to wild‐type‐only or mixed‐genotype cages, despite no obvious increase in the frequency of aggressive behaviors. Transgenic 5xFAD males and females also spent less time investigating free‐roaming conspecifics compared to wild‐type controls, but they showed normal investigation of restrained conspecifics; the genotype of the conspecific did not affect approach behavior, and there was no aggression observed in transgenic males. These findings provide evidence in an animal model that amyloid pathology ultimately leads to avoidance of novel social stimuli, and that frequent interactions between individuals exhibiting an AD phenotype further exacerbates aggressive behaviors.
Fingerprinting the Late Pleistocene tephras of Ciomadul volcano, eastern–central Europe
Authors: Harangi Szabolcs , Molnár Kata , Schmitt Axel K. , Dunkl István , Seghedi Ioan , Novothny Ágnes , Molnár Mihály , Kiss Balázs , Ntaflos Theodoros , Mason Paul R. D. , Lukács Réka
Published: January 2020

Late Pleistocene tephras derived by large explosive volcanic eruptions are widespread in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas. They are important isochronous markers in stratigraphic sections and therefore it is important to constrain their sources. We report here tephrochronology results using multiple criteria to characterize the volcanic products of the Late Pleistocene Ciomadul volcano in eastern–central Europe. This dacitic volcano had an explosive eruption stage between 57 and 30 ka. The specific petrological character (ash texture, occurrence of plagioclase and amphibole phenocrysts and their compositions), the high‐K calc‐alkaline major element composition and particularly the distinct trace element characteristics provide a strong fingerprint of the Ciomadul volcano. This can be used for correlating tephra and cryptotephra occurrences within this timeframe. Remarkably, during this period several volcanic eruptions produced tephras with similar glass major element composition. However, they differ from Ciomadul tephras by glass trace element abundances, ratios of strongly incompatible trace elements and their mineral cargo that serve as discrimination tools. We used (U‐Th)/He zircon dates combined with U‐Th in situ rim dates along with luminescence and radiocarbon dating to constrain the age of the explosive eruptions of Ciomadul that yielded distal tephra layers but lack of identified proximal deposits.