bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the GDP per Capita for Egypt and Saudi Arabia Using ARIMA Models
Authors: Eissa Noura
Published: March 2020

Annual time series data is used to forecast GDP per capita using the Box-Jenkins Autoregressive-Integrated Moving-Average (ARIMA) model for the Egyptian and Saudi Arabian economies. The fitted ARIMA model is tested for per capita GDP forecasting of Egypt and of Saudi Arabia for the next ten years. Conclusions convey that the most accurate statistical model as in previous literature that forecast GDP per capita for Egypt and for Saudi Arabia is ARIMA (1,1,2) and ARIMA (1,1,1) respectively. The diagnostic tests reveal that the two models presented individually are both stable and reliable.
Brand Tribe Paradoxes: An Overview with Empirical Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Akbar Sher
Published: March 2020

Due to the increased importance of marketing, concepts of marketing are continually evolving in the digital era. Creation of consumer tribe for brand promotion and consumption is one of the widely discussed concepts in marketing. As per literature, a tribe is a heterogeneous group of people presenting common interest and preferences for a brand. The links between consumer tribes are weak. Marketers through a marketing campaign, try to strengthen this relationship. Tribalism and tribe activity in favor of brand can be done through two approaches. The first approach is the postmodern approach which encourages users to get a higher status (Platinum, Gold or Silver) in the community via spending more. In contrasts, the second approach of a marketer is based on stimulating and activating a group of users through an opportunity or threat, i.e. limited time offers. However, the creation of tribes and the implementation of these campaigns are not well explained in the literature. Marketers always make haphazard efforts between these approaches while making campaigns. Gap has motivated the researchers to explore and investigate these paradigms of brand tribalism in detail. The current research paper explains and compares the two tribalism approaches. Through the collection of data from automobiles users across Pakistan, the authors have validated and compared both frameworks i.e. anthropological tribal approach and postmodern tribal approach. It has been concluded that the anthropologist approach is better in the context of car market of Pakistan. The researchers recommend the practitioners to follow one approach while creating brand tribes in relationship marketing. The article in detail has guidelines for the markers in the automobile industry. The paper also shares future research areas in brand tribalism for academicians.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Modern Applied Science, Vol. 14, No. 4, 2020
Authors: Lee Sunny
Published: March 2020

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Modern Applied Science, Vol. 14, No. 4, 2020
Influence of type of dwelling on the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Authors: Tran T. N. , Tran N. B. , Tran H. M. T. , Tang H. K. , Ngo X. M. , Godin I. , Michel O. , Bouland C.
Published: March 2020

SETTING and OBJECTIVE: Exposure to pollutants is related to the type of dwelling inhabited. Besides tobacco smoke, indoor air pollution is a significant risk factor for chronic respiratory disease (CRD). The prevalence of CRD by type of dwelling was studied in Ho Chi Minh City,
Viet Nam.DESIGN: A total of 1561 people living in four type of dwellings were enrolled. Information on respiratory health, lung function, dwelling characteristics and sources of indoor pollution was obtained using a symptom and demographics questionnaire and spirometry. The two
main respiratory health outcomes were clinical chronic CRD (CCRD) and chronic obstructive respiratory disease (CORD) (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity <0.7). We used binary logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, time spent at home, smoking status, certain occupational
exposures, previous tuberculosis, presence of pets, rats or cockroaches at home, wall dampness, biofuel use and use of airconditioning.RESULTS: The prevalence of CCRD (24.3%) and CORD (5.3%) in the type of dwellings studied were not similar (χ2 P < 0.0001).
CCRD and CORD prevalence was similar in tube houses and apartments. Compared to people living in apartments, those living in rental single rooms had a 46% higher risk of developing CCRD. The odds ratio of having CORD in people living in rental single rooms and in rural houses were respectively
4.64 (95%CI 1.97–10.5) and 2.99 (95%CI 1.21–7.37).CONCLUSION: Type of dwelling was associated with CCRD and CORD morbidity.
Symptom and digital chest X-ray TB screening in South African prisons: yield and cost-effectiveness
Authors: Kim H-Y. , Zishiri V. , Page-Shipp L. , Makgopa S. , Churchyard G. J. , Dowdy D. , Charalambous S. , Hoffmann C. J.
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND: Correctional inmates are at a high risk of tuberculosis (TB). The optimal approach to screening this population is unclear.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records from TB screening in 64 correctional facilities in South Africa between January 2015
and July 2016. Inmates received symptom screening (any of cough, fever, weight loss, or night sweats) combined with digital chest X-ray (CXR), when available. CXRs were assessed as ‘abnormal' or with no abnormalities. Inmates with either a symptom or an ‘abnormal' CXR were asked
to provide a single spot sputum for Xpert® MTB/RIF testing. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per additional TB case detected using CXR screening among asymptomatic inmates.RESULTS: Of 61 580 inmates, CXR screening was available for
41 852. Of these, 19 711 (47.1%) had TB symptoms. Among 22 141 inmates without symptoms, 1939/19 783 (9.8%) had an abnormal CXR, and 8 (1.2%) were Xpert-positive among those with Xpert tests done. Of 14 942 who received symptom screening only and had symptoms,
84% (12 616) had an Xpert result, and 105 (0.8%) were positive. The ICER for CXR screening was US$22 278.CONCLUSION: Having CXR in addition to symptom screening increased yield but added considerable cost. A major limitation of screening was the low specificity
of the symptom screen.
Latent tuberculosis in pregnant women: a patient perspective
Authors: Jansson L. , Shedrawy J. , Lönnroth Knut , Bruchfeld J. , Kulane A.
Published: March 2020

SETTING: Screening and treatment for latent tuberculosis (LTBI) in pregnant women remains controversial, although studies suggest there is a significantly increased risk of progression to active disease in the postpartum period. Studies have also shown that adherence to postpartum
follow-up and treatment of LTBI is poor. To our knowledge, the reasons for this have not been investigated. We therefore identified pregnant women originating from high-burden tuberculosis (TB) countries now living in the Stockholm region, and screened and treated them for LTBI.OBJECTIVE:
To explore how women diagnosed with LTBI during pregnancy understood and experienced their diagnosis and treatment.DESIGN: Sixteen semi-structured interviews with women on treatment for LTBI were analysed using content analysis with an inductive approach.RESULTS: None
of the women were familiar with LTBI and assumed they had active TB, causing anxiety about who they might have infected and how it would affect the baby, as well as the fear of being stigmatised. They showed great ability to search for and understand information regarding their condition.
Once treatment was initiated, they were motivated to complete it.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the key factors was to provide treatment along with reliable information about LTBI to help patients overcome their concerns and misconceptions.
Vitamin D status and latent tuberculosis infection: conversion in nursing homes, Spain
Authors: Arnedo-Pena A. , Juan-Cerdán J. V. , Romeu-Garcia M. , Sorribes-Segura S. , Tirado-Balaguer M. , Gil-Fortuño M. , Garcia-Ferrer D. , Sabater-Vidal S. , Iborra-Millet J. , Vizcaino-Batllés A. , Meseguer-Ferrer N. , Vivas-Fornas I. , Moreno-Muñoz R. , Bellido-Blasco J. B.
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential association between vitamin D (VitD) deficiency and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and its effect on TB infection conversion (TBIC) incidence.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional and prospective cohort study
of nine pulmonary TB cases that occurred in 2015–2016 in five nursing homes and one mental disability institution in Castellon, Spain. QuantiFERON®-TB Gold and the tuberculin skin test were used to detect LTBI and TBIC, respectively. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured
using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Poisson regression and inverse probability weighting were used for statistical analyses.RESULTS: The study included 448 residents, 341 staff members with 48 relatives of TB cases (participation rate 82%): of these, respectively 122 (27.2%), 37
(10.9%) and 7 (14.6%) were LTBI-positive; and respectively 22 (7.7%), 10 (3.8%) and 1 (3.7%) were TBIC-positive. LTBI was not associated with VitD status. Severe VitD deficiency (SVDD; defined as VitD level < 10 ng/ml), found in 45.1% of residents, as well as VitD levels of <30 ng/ml
(aRR 10.41 95% CI 1.48–73.26), were associated with increased TBIC risk (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 12.1, 95% CI 1.51–97.10), suggesting SVDD as a threshold effect. CONCLUSION: Severe VitD deficiency is a TBIC risk factor.
Comparison of Rapid Hydration and Standard Hydration Prior to Ifosfamide Administration in Pediatric Patients: A Safety and Efficacy Study
Authors: Eaton Aubrie , Egelund Tosha , Ng John
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES Adequate hydration status prior to chemotherapy initiation prevents nephrotoxicity in patients receiving potentially nephrotoxic regimens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time to initiation of ifosfamide administration between patients receiving standard 6-hour pre-hydration versus 1-hour rapid pre-hydration.

METHODS A retrospective study was conducted to determine the primary endpoint of time to ifosfamide administration. Patients 1 to 21 years of age who received ifosfamide with standard 6-hour pre-hydration (125 mL/m2/hr for 6 hours) between September 2017 and January 2018 or 1-hour rapid pre-hydration (750 mL/m2/hr for 1 hour) between September 2018 and March 2019 were included. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis, incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), urine specific gravity, amount of time that ifosfamide was delayed from the originally scheduled administration time, the number of times ifosfamide was delayed greater than 4 hours from the originally scheduled administration time, and length of stay.

RESULTS A total of 128 patients were included; 68 patients received standard 6-hour pre-hydration and 60 patients received 1-hour rapid pre-hydration prior to ifosfamide administration. Time to ifosfamide administration was reduced from an average of 9.3 hours to 2.4 hours (p < 0.0001). There was no incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis or AKI in either group.

CONCLUSIONS The 1-hour rapid pre-hydration protocol significantly reduced the time to ifosfamide administration without an increase in adverse effects.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin Infusion Reactions in Kawasaki Disease Patients Who Undergo Sedation
Authors: Nguyen Elizabeth , Hershey Daniel , Romanowski Gale , Tremoulet Adriana
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES Although IVIG infusions are usually well tolerated, reactions can include hypotension, chills, and, rarely, anaphylactic reactions. Risk of adverse reactions correlates with dose and rate of IVIG infusion. An echocardiogram is the preferred imaging modality to detect coronary artery changes in acute Kawasaki disease (KD), but the quality of the study can be compromised if a child moves much during the imaging procedure. Thus, sedation is often required for children younger than 3 years of age. There is concern regarding coadministration of IVIG and sedatives. Therefore, the purpose of this analysis is to determine when the majority of IVIG infusion reactions occur to help find the optimal time to safely perform a sedated echocardiogram in patients with KD.

METHODS This is a retrospective, single-center analysis of patients with KD administered IVIG at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego from November 1, 2013, to October 31, 2016.

RESULTS Of the 260 subjects in this study, 34 (13%) had an IVIG infusion reaction consisting of either chills or hypotension. There were no anaphylactic reactions. All infusion reactions occurred within 4 hours of starting IVIG. No hypotension reactions occurred after 4 hours. All subjects were able to complete their IVIG infusion without any further complications.

CONCLUSIONS Given that the maximum IVIG infusion rate is reached at 1.5 hours per our hospital's policy and that the overwhelming majority of infusion reactions occurred within the first 4 hours, we found it is safe to coadminister IVIG with sedation 4 hours after initiation of IVIG infusion.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Levoffoxacin in an Obese Adolescent: A Case Report
Authors: Hanretty Alexandra M. , Moore Wayne S. , Chopra Arun , Cies Jeffrey J.
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES To describe the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in an obese adolescent patient in the pediatric intensive care unit.

METHODS A single-patient medical record review was conducted.

RESULTS A 168-kg, 15-year-old female with past medical history of Prader-Willi syndrome and asthma initially presented with respiratory distress secondary to asthma exacerbation. She failed non-invasive ventilation and was subsequently intubated for respiratory failure and progressed to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. On hospital day 1 (HD 1) an infectious workup was begun because of a fever, worsening clinical status, and initiation of vasopressors and an empiric antimicrobial regimen of cefepime and clindamycin. The urine culture subsequently grew Escherichia coli and the respiratory culture grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa. She continued to be febrile, which was thought to be due to an intra-abdominal abscess. On HD 14, the antimicrobial regimen was changed to levofloxacin because of continued fevers and no significant clinical improvement. Levofloxacin was initiated at 1000 mg IV every 24 hours. Levofloxacin serum levels were obtained at 0.5, 3.5, and 11.5 hours after infusion, which were 8.61, 5.76, and 2.7 mg/L, respectively. These concentrations translated into a peak level of 8.79 mg/L, a half-life of 6.4 hours, and an AUC of 80 mg·hr/L, which are discordant from the expected peak of 16 mg/L, a half-life of 8 hours, and an AUC of 120 mg·hr/L. Based on these values, the levofloxacin regimen was adjusted to 1000 mg IV every 12 hours, and repeat levels 0.5, 3.5, and 11.5 hours after infusion were 9.91, 6.56, and 3.27 mg/L, respectively, corresponding to a peak of 10.5 mg/L, a half-life of 5.18 hours, and an AUC of 200 mg·hr/L. After the adjustment in levofloxacin regimen, she became afebrile, WBC resolution and improvement in her overall clinical status, and she received a total duration for levofloxacin of 21 days.

CONCLUSION A levofloxacin regimen of 1000 mg IV every 12 hours was successful in providing for an appropriate AUC exposure and was associated with a successful clinical outcome in this morbidly obese adolescent.
Criação de um modelo de indicador de salubridade ambiental (ISA) adaptado ao contexto de municípios de pequeno porte (ISA/MPP)
Authors: Barreto Jhersyka Barros , Feitosa Patrícia Hermínio Cunha , Anjos Kainara Lira dos , Teixeira Ruan Otávio
Published: March 2020

O saneamento ambiental não deve ser entendido meramente como prestação de serviços de abastecimento de água potável, coleta e tratamento de esgoto, manejo de águas pluviais e manejo de resíduos sólidos. No Brasil, a Política Nacional de Saneamento Básico - PNSB, que regulamenta normas sobre o exercício da regulação, planejamento e gestão do setor, foi instituída por meio da Lei nº 11.445/07. O Plano Nacional de Saneamento Básico – PLANSAB, publicado em 2013, prevê o monitoramento de indicadores sobre a execução e gestão dos serviços de saneamento. Acerca do monitoramento, destaca-se como ferramenta de avaliação o Indicador de Salubridade Ambiental - (ISA), desenvolvido pela Câmara Técnica de Planejamento do Conselho Estadual de Saneamento no Estado de São Paulo (CONESAN), em 1999. O ISA permite verificar as condições de salubridade em âmbito municipal, identificar e avaliar as condições de saneamento de cada município de maneira uniforme. Diante da necessidade de conhecer melhor a realidade dos municípios de pequeno porte quanto aos serviços de saneamento e a salubridade ambiental, esse artigo visou discutir e propor um modelo de ISA que possa servir de base para a elaboração de Planos Municipais de Saneamento Básico - PMSBs e políticas públicas específicas voltadas a estes municípios A metodologia aplicada envolveu revisão bibliográfica; coleta de dados; adaptação do ISA CONESAN para criar o modelo do Indicador de Salubridade Ambiental para municípios de pequeno porte - ISA/MPP, estruturação dos indicadores e planilhas de cálculo; e teste de aplicação do modelo criado em municípios paraibanos. O ISA/MPP mostrou-se viável tanto ao contexto dos municípios de pequeno porte como ao dos municípios de grande porte. As adaptações propostas conseguiram atender a necessidade de incluir dados acessíveis e indicadores que considerassem peculiaridades dos municípios de pequeno porte.
Esforços da pesquisa brasileira sobre mineração e impactos ambientais: uma visão geral de cinco décadas (1967-2017)
Authors: Costa Sabrina Santos da , Descovi Filho Leônidas Luiz Volcato , Oliveira Junior José Max Barbosa de
Published: March 2020

Objetivou nesse trabalho analisar as tendências e lacunas dos estudos sobre mineração e impactos ambientais no Brasil nas últimas cinco décadas (1967 - 2017) através de análise cienciométrica. A pesquisa ocorreu através de busca de trabalhos com combinações de palavras, nas bases de dados ISI Web of Knowledge (Thomson Reuters), Scopus Database (Elsevier) e Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online). Foram tabulados 550 trabalhos. Existe uma correlação forte positiva entre o número de trabalhos e ano de publicação (r= 0,827; p < 0,001), há um crescimento significativo de publicações ao longo dos anos. A maior parte dos estudos foram realizados em ambiente terrestre (solo) (32,99%). As principais abordagens dos estudos são análise físico/química (34,91%). Foi encontrado uma alta diversidade de periódicos que publicam trabalhos sobre mineração no Brasil (H’= 4.653), sendo Revista Escola de Minas (6,36%) o periódico com maior número de publicações. O estado com maior número de publicações foi Minas Gerais (16,43%). Os minérios mais relacionados aos estudos foram ouro (26,19%). Alteração da qualidade do solo (26,35%) têm sido o impacto mais estudado em trabalhos sobre mineração. A área de atuação dos pesquisadores com maior frequência de ocorrência foi Ciências Biológicas (43,27%). Avaliar as métricas de produção científica da área de mineração no Brasil, permitiu identificar as lacunas, fator que contribui para que possíveis novos pesquisadores possam vir a realizar estudos que contemplem essa temática, salientando a necessidade de se descentralizar as pesquisas dos maiores centros urbanos do país e expandi-las as demais localidades.
Application of optogenetic Amyloid-β distinguishes between metabolic and physical damages in neurodegeneration
Authors: Lim Chu Hsien , Kaur Prameet , Teo Emelyne , Lam Vanessa Yuk Man , Zhu Fangchen , Kibat Caroline , Gruber Jan , Mathuru Ajay S , Tolwinski Nicholas S
Published: March 2020

The brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients show a decrease in brain mass and a preponderance of extracellular Amyloid-β plaques. These plaques are formed by aggregation of polypeptides that are derived from the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP). Amyloid-β plaques are thought to play either a direct or an indirect role in disease progression, however the exact role of aggregation and plaque formation in the aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is subject to debate as the biological effects of soluble and aggregated Amyloid-β peptides are difficult to separate in vivo. To investigate the consequences of formation of Amyloid-β oligomers in living tissues, we developed a fluorescently tagged, optogenetic Amyloid-β peptide that oligomerizes rapidly in the presence of blue light. We applied this system to the crucial question of how intracellular Amyloid-β oligomers underlie the pathologies of A. We use Drosophila, C. elegans and D. rerio to show that, although both expression and induced oligomerization of Amyloid-β were detrimental to lifespan and healthspan, we were able to separate the metabolic and physical damage caused by light-induced Amyloid-β oligomerization from Amyloid-β expression alone. The physical damage caused by Amyloid-β oligomers also recapitulated the catastrophic tissue loss that is a hallmark of late AD. We show that the lifespan deficit induced by Amyloid-β oligomers was reduced with Li+ treatment. Our results present the first model to separate different aspects of disease progression.
A new plesiosaurian from the Jurassic–Cretaceous transitional interval of the Slottsmøya Member (Volgian), with insights into the cranial anatomy of cryptoclidids using computed tomography
Authors: Roberts Aubrey Jane , Druckenmiller Patrick S. , Cordonnier Benoit , Delsett Lene L. , Hurum Jørn H.
Published: March 2020

Cryptoclidids are a major clade of plesiosauromorph plesiosaurians best known from the Middle—Late Jurassic, but little is known regarding their turnover into the Early Cretaceous. Of the known cryptoclidid genera, most preserve only a limited amount of cranial material and of theseCryptoclidus eurymerus, displays the most complete, but compressed cranium. Thus, the lack of knowledge of the cranial anatomy of this group may hinder the understanding of phylogenetic interrelationships, which are currently predominantly based on postcranial data. Here we present a nearly complete adult cryptoclidid specimen (PMO 224.248) representing a new genus and speciesOphthalmothule cryosteagen et sp. nov., from the latest Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous part of the Slottsmøya Member, of central Spitsbergen. The holotype material preserves a complete cranium, partial mandible, complete and articulated cervical, pectoral and anterior to middle dorsal series, along with the pectoral girdle and anterior humeri. High resolution microcomputed tomography reveals new data on the cranial anatomy of this cryptoclidid, including new internal features of the braincase and palate that are observed in other cryptoclidids. A phylogenetic analysis incorporating new characters reveals a novel tree topology for Cryptoclididae and particularly within the subfamily Colymbosaurinae. These results show that at least two cryptoclidid lineages were present in the Boreal Region during the latest Jurassic at middle to high latitudes.
Artisanal elasmobranch fisheries of northwestern Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Santana-Morales Omar , Cartamil Daniel , Sosa-Nishizaki Oscar , Zertuche-Chanes Rebeca , Hernández-Gutiérrez Enrique , Graham Jeffrey
Published: March 2020

Elasmobranch species composition and spatiotemporal variability can often be characterized from landing surveys of local fisheries, with important management implications. In the present study, we describe the elasmobranch landing composition of 4 major artisanal fishing ports in northwestern Baja California, Mexico. Sampling was conducted opportunistically between 1995 and 2010 and included an effort of 684 fishing days. Species composition was gear-dependent and varied with the fishing area, with thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus) and spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi) dominating the catches landed by coastal gill net fisheries, and blue sharks (Prionace glauca) and shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrhinchus) dominating the catches landed by the offshore longline fishery. Size-structure analysis indicated that catches were composed primarily of juveniles for most species, although the catch of mature soupfin sharks (Galeorhinus galeus) increased in longline fisheries during the winter. The results indicate that minor regional differences in elasmobranch species composition occur along the Pacific coast of Baja California and are most likely related to regional oceanographic or habitat differences. The results of this study may form the basis for future efforts to monitor species composition changes over time, to more completely assess elasmobranch populations.
Response of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) to Time of Application and Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Degraded Soil of Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria
Authors: Ndor E. , Faringoro U. D.
Published: March 2020

Field trials were conducted during 2017 and 2018 rainy season, to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and time of application on the growth and yield of cowpea. The treatment consisted of three levels of urea: 0, 40, 80 kg N ha-1 and the times of fertilizer application: during planting of cowpea, 2 weeks after planting, 4 weeks after planting and 6 weeks after planting; which were factorially combined to form twelve treatments and laid in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results showed that, Nitrogen fertilizer rates and time of application had a significant increased on all the growth and yield parameters of cowpea in both years of trials. Application of 80 kg N ha-1 produced the highest number of cowpea leaves (134.45 and 139.23), number of branches (9.45 and 10.54), vine length (78.23cm and 80.12cm) and highest seed weight of 0.52 t ha-1 in both 2017 and 2018 trials. However, the control plots produced plants with the highest number of root nodules (14.78 and 12.49) in both years of cropping. Also, application of nitrogen fertilizer at two weeks after planting of cowpea produced the highest growth and seed weight of 0.68 t ha-1 in 2017 cropping; while in 2018 trial, application of nitrogen fertilizer at two weeks after cowpea planting produced seed yield of 0.69tha-1 which is statistically similar with application of nitrogen fertilizer on the fourth week after planting which produced 0.55 t ha-1 of cowpea seeds. The interaction between nitrogen fertilizer application rates and time of application did not showed any significant difference in cowpea yield and yield components in both years of cropping.
The default cyanobacterial linked genome: an interactive platform based on cyanobacterial linkage networks to assist functional genomics
Authors: Labella Jose I. , Llop Antonio , Contreras Asuncion
Published: March 2020

A database of cyanobacterial linked genomes that can be accessed through an interactive platform (https://dfgm.ua.es/genetica/investigacion/cyanobacterial_genetics/Resources.html) was generated on the bases of conservation of gene neighborhood across 124 cyanobacterial species. It allows flexible generation of gene networks at different threshold values. The default cyanobacterial linked genome, whose global properties are analyzed here, connects most of the cyanobacterial core genes. The potential of the web tool is discussed in relation to other bioinformatics approaches based on guilty‐by‐association principles, with selected examples of networks illustrating its usefulness for genes found exclusively in cyanobacteria or in cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. We believe that this tool will provide useful predictions that are readily testable in Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 and other model organisms performing oxygenic photosynthesis.
What stops revenge taking? Effects of observed emotional reactions on revenge seeking
Authors: Eder Andreas B. , Mitschke Vanessa , Gollwitzer Mario
Published: March 2020

What reaction stops revenge taking? Four experiments (total N = 191) examined this question where the victim of an interpersonal transgression could observe the offender's reaction (anger, sadness, pain, or calm) to a retributive noise punishment. We compared the punishment intensity selected by the participant before and after seeing the offender's reaction. Seeing the opponent in pain reduced subsequent punishment most strongly, while displays of sadness and verbal indications of suffering had no appeasing effect. Expression of anger about a retributive punishment did not increase revenge seeking relative to a calm reaction, even when the anger response was disambiguated as being angry with the punisher. It is concluded that the expression of pain is the most effective emotional display for the reduction of retaliatory aggression. The findings are discussed in light of recent research on reactive aggression and retributive justice.
Data‐Driven Urbanism: The Balance Between Spatial Intelligence and Design Craftsmanship
Authors: He Shan
Published: March 2020

The sheer quantity of data about how people interact – spatially and digitally – and travel through cities requires a range of computerised geospatial visualisation tools. Shan He is a coder, designer, architect and data artist. She is also founder of Uber's data visualisation team and inventor of Uber's kepler.gl software. Here she draws our attention to the varying ways such data can be presented to facilitate quick and easy human understanding.
Smart Who? Collective Intelligence Urban Design Models
Authors: Markopoulou Areti
Published: March 2020

Whilst big data accumulates at exponential rates, its analysis is currently linear. As architect, urban technologist and Academic Director at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Barcelona Areti Markopoulou points out, at the moment inhabitants of cities are data‐captured, yet no circular feedback occurs to make them aware of their actions at the personal and immediate level. She evokes ideas developed by cyberneticians decades ago as the basis for co‐created urban design models produced by merging artificial with crowd intelligence.
Catalyst‐Free Electrosynthesis of Benzimidazolones through Intramolecular Oxidative C−N Coupling
Authors: Li Jiang‐Sheng , Yang Pan‐Pan , Xie Xin‐Yun , Jiang Si , Tao Li , Li Zhi‐Wei , Lu Cui‐Hong , Liu Wei‐Dong
Published: March 2020

The electrochemical synthesis of N, N’‐disubstituted benzimidazolones from ureas through an intramolecular anodic dehydrogenative N−H/C−H coupling has been developed. The reaction undergoes under the undivided electrolysis conditions and obviates the need for any catalysts and chemical oxidants.

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Evaluation of serum neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin in older patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Guo Lulu , Zhu Bei , Yuan Haichuan , Zhao Weihong
Published: March 2020

Objective

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health‐care burden all over the world, and aging is an important risk factor for end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been confirmed as a novel marker for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury. Other studies have found that NGAL takes part in the mechanisms of CKD progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of serum NGAL in CKD, particularly in elderly patients who rapidly progressed to end‐stage renal failure.

Methods

Serum NGAL, cystatin C, creatinine, urea, and other factors were evaluated in a cohort of 160 CKD patients (mean age 75.29 ± 12.08 years) with various etiologies.

Results

Serum NGAL was closely related to cystatin C, creatinine, urea, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Special correlations between NGAL and, respectively, anemia and hypoalbuminemia were also found. The cutoff value of NGAL was calculated from Stage 2 to Stage 5. Receiver–operator curve analysis showed good area under the curve (>0.8) and high sensitivity (> 70%) on the cutoff value of NGAL. The NGAL levels increased progressively with the increasing of 2‐ and 5‐year risk of ESRD using the Kidney Failure Risk Equations (KFRE).

Conclusion

In elderly patients with CKD, serum NGAL reflects renal impairment and presents a strong and independent risk marker for progression of ESRD.
Characteristics of early‐onset pancreatic cancer and its association with familial pancreatic cancer and hereditary pancreatic cancer syndromes
Authors: Eguchi Hidetoshi , Kobayashi Shogo , Gotoh Kunihito , Noda Takehiro , Doki Yuichiro
Published: March 2020

The incidence of pancreatic cancer is high among those in their sixties to seventies but low in those in their fifties or younger. Although there is no unified definition regarding the age of early‐onset pancreatic cancer, previously published reports suggest that, compared to later‐onset pancreatic cancer patients, early‐onset pancreatic cancer patients tend to be detected at advanced stages and thus have poor prognoses, but they do not show significantly higher rates of patients with genetic factors. On the other hand, it has been reported that patients with familial pancreatic cancer and hereditary pancreatic cancer syndromes often develop pancreatic cancer at a young age. The broad definition of familial pancreatic cancer is pancreatic cancer in patients who have two or more first‐degree relatives with pancreatic cancer; whereas the narrow definition of familial pancreatic cancer is the broad definition of familial pancreatic cancer, while excluding those with inherited tumor syndromes. Hereditary tumors developing pancreatic cancer include hereditary pancreatitis, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome, familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, and hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer, all of which are autosomal dominant hereditary diseases. This study reviews the clinical characteristics of early‐onset pancreatic cancer and its association with familial pancreatic cancer and hereditary pancreatic cancer syndromes.
Temperature‐dependent vapor–liquid equilibria and solvation free energy estimation from minimal data
Authors: Chung Yunsie , Gillis Ryan J. , Green William H.
Published: March 2020

We present a new strategy to estimate the temperature‐dependent vapor–liquid equilibria and solvation free energies of dilute neutral molecules based on only their estimated solvation energy and enthalpy at 298 K. These two pieces of information coupled with matching conditions between the functional forms developed by Japas and Levelt Sengers for near critical conditions and by Harvey for low and moderate temperature conditions allow the fitting of a piecewise function that predicts the temperature‐dependent solvation energy for dilute solutes up to the critical temperature of the solvent. If the Abraham and Mintz parameters for the solvent and solute are available or can be estimated from group contributions, this method requires no experimental data and can still provide accurate estimates with an error of about 1.6 kJ/mol. This strategy, which requires minimal computational resources, is shown to compare well with other methods of temperature‐dependent solvation free energy prediction.
Synthesis of Bio‐Based Cyclic Carbonates Using a Bio‐Based Hydrogen Bond Donor: Application of Ascorbic Acid to the Cycloaddition of CO2 to Oleochemicals
Authors: Natongchai Wuttichai , Pornpraprom Suriyaporn , D' Elia Valerio
Published: March 2020

Oleochemicals such as functionalized fatty acid esters and vegetable oils are classes of renewably sourced compounds that are increasingly attracting attention in sustainable chemistry as replacement for fossil‐fuel based chemicals. The possibility of coupling CO2 with epoxidized fatty acids esters (EFAEs) and epoxidized vegetable oils (EVOs) to afford compounds that are attractive as additives or chemical intermediates in the synthesis of non‐isocyanate polyhydroxyurethanes (NIPU) can conjugate highly sought‐after CO2 valorization with the exploitation of bio‐based substrates. In this context, there have been very few attempts to employ organocatalytic hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) in the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 to EFAEs and EVOs and no studies focusing on bio‐based and readily available HBDs. In this work we show that ascorbic acid is an efficient HBD for the cycloaddition of CO2 to EFAEs and EVOs under mild reaction conditions of temperature (80–100 °C) and pressure (5–10 bar) that could be applied to several kinds of substrates (monounsaturated EFAEs, polyunsaturated EFAEs and EVOs). In all cases, the formed by‐products (ketones, allylic alcohols, cyclic ethers etc.) were identified and the reaction conditions were tuned in order to obtain the target carbonates, generally, in high yields and selectivity.
Ethynylation of Cysteine Residues: From Peptides to Proteins in Vitro and in Living Cells
Authors: Tessier Romain , Nandi Raj Kumar , Dwyer Brendan G. , Abegg Daniel , Sornay Charlotte , Ceballos Javier , Erb Stéphane , Cianférani Sarah , Wagner Alain , Chaubet Guilhem , Adibekian Alexander , Waser Jerome
Published: March 2020

Current approaches to introduce terminal alkynes for bioorthogonal reactions into biomolecules still present limitations in terms of either reactivity, selectivity, or adduct stability. We present a method for the ethynylation of cysteine residues based on the use of ethynylbenziodoxolone (EBX) reagents. The acetylene group is directly introduced onto the thiol group of cysteine and can be used for copper‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) without further processing. Labeling proceeded with reaction rates comparable to or higher than the most often used iodoacetamide on peptides or maleimide on the antibody trastuzumab, and high cysteine selectivity was observed. The reagents were also used in living cells for cysteine proteomic profiling and displayed improved coverage of the cysteinome compared to previously reported iodoacetamide or hypervalent iodine reagents. Fine‐tuning of the EBX reagents allows optimization of their reactivity and physical properties.
Submicron laser‐textured vents for self‐cleaning injection molds
Authors: Sorgato Marco , Zanini Filippo , Masato Davide , Lucchetta Giovanni
Published: March 2020

Clogging of venting slots in injection molds is a common maintenance problem caused by the degradation and the accumulation of gaseous and volatiles by‐products of polymer melting. In this work, the effect of laser‐induced periodic surface structures on the self‐cleaning properties of venting slots is investigated. The degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) over different surfaces is characterized by reproducing the mechanisms that occurs in mold cavities when the air is pushed through the venting channel. An imaging technique is developed for the quantification of the sediment that deposits on sample surfaces due to condensation of by‐products of PET melting. The experimental results indicate that the use of a multiscale texture minimizes the deposition of residues on the vent surface reducing it from 17.2 to 3.1%. A linear dependency between contact angle and clogging ratio indicates the efficacy of the model that explains vent self‐cleaning properties considering their wetting properties.
Nano ZrO2 reinforced cellulose incorporated polyethylmethacrylate/polyvinyl alcohol composite films as semiconducting packaging materials
Authors: Prusty Kalyani , Swain Sarat K.
Published: March 2020

A simple in situ polymerization process is used to synthesize nanocomposite films with incorporation of cellulose and nano ZrO2 (PEMA/PVA‐C@ZrO2). The change in structural, morphological, and functional properties are noticed due to combine effect of cellulose and zirconia which is studied by FTIR, XRD, XPS, FESEM, HRTEM, DLS, and AFM. The distribution of particle in the film is determined from dynamic light scattering (DLS). It is found that, dielectric permittivity is increased with percolation at 3 wt% of the nano ZrO2. Further, the dielectric permittivity (ε') value is found to be 110 at 1 Hz with a low dielectric loss (Tan δ = 1.74) and an optimum dielectric permittivity is 172 at 1 Hz for 4 wt% loading of nano ZrO2. Mechanical and thermal characteristics of the as‐synthesized films are improved due to interfacial adhesion between zirconia and polymeric matrix. The chemical resistance, biodegradable characteristics, and refractive index of the nanocomposite films are also measured. It is noticed that, the barrier properties are increased by 20‐folds due to the synergistic combination of nano ZrO2 and cellulose with polymeric matrix. The enhancement in barrier properties with improved dielectric permittivity can enable the as‐synthesized films for semiconducting packaging applications.
Proteome analysis of male accessory gland secretions in Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a Solanum melongena L. pest
Authors: Saraswathi Saraswathi , Chaitra B. S. , Tannavi Kiran , Mamtha R. , Sowrabha R. , Rao Karthik V. , Doddamane Manjulakumari
Published: March 2020

Male accessory gland (MAG) proteins are transferred along with the sperm to females at the time of mating and have diverse effects on female reproductive physiology in a wide range of insects. In this study, we sought to identify the MAG proteins in Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee, a Solanum melongena L. pest, by analyzing the MAG proteins of virgin and mated male moths by nano‐LC‐ESI‐MS/MS techniques. A total of 142 and 131 proteins in virgin and mated males were identified, respectively, among which 17 (12.0%) and 10 (7.6%) proteins were found to show secretory signals in virgin and mated males, respectively. These secretory proteins were shown to be involved in several biological processes in insects, including egg development, sperm‐related functions/capacitation, defense, metabolism, and protein chaperoning. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to perform a proteome analysis of the MAG proteins of L. orbonalis, and offers an opportunity for further investigation of the functions of these proteins. In insects, certain MAG proteins are known to inhibit mating whereas others accelerate egg‐laying. Therefore, the identification of these proteins in L. orbonalis may be useful for pest control.
Anthraquinones: Versatile Organic Photocatalysts
Authors: Cervantes‐González Javier , Vosburg David A. , Mora‐Rodriguez Salma E. , Vázquez Miguel A. , Zepeda L. Gerardo , Villegas Gómez Clarisa , Lagunas‐Rivera Selene
Published: March 2020

Anthraquinones (AQs) constitute the largest group of natural pigments, are commonly found in dyes, and are widely used in the textile industry due their photostability. They combine high absorptivity in the visible region with high excited‐state reduction potentials, making them effective acceptors of electrons and hydrogen atoms. AQs can be employed as organic catalysts in photooxidation reactions as well to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). All these methods feature green chemistry aspects such as avoiding heavy metals, reducing waste, using inexpensive reagents, employing environmentally low‐impact solvents, and oxidizing with O2. This review covers the application of AQs in photoredox catalysis.
Shaping Electroluminescence with a Large, Printed Bipolar Electrode Array: Solid Polymer Electrochemical Cells with Over a Thousand Light‐Emitting p–n Junctions
Authors: Hu Shiyu , Gao Jun
Published: March 2020

The electroluminescence from a solid polymer light‐emitting electrochemical cell typically originates from a single, narrow p‐n or p‐i‐n junction. The bulk of the active material is non‐emitting and must be doped before an emitting junction is formed. Here, we show that the doping and emission profiles of a planar cell can be drastically altered with the introduction of a large printed array of ink‐jet‐printed bipolar electrodes. Redox doping reactions induced at the wireless bipolar electrodes led to the simultaneous formation of over a thousand highly emissive p‐n junctions uniformly distributed throughout the active layer of the large planar cell. The multi‐junction cell achieved an eightfold increase in light‐emitting area, a 14‐fold increase in peak current and ten times faster response speed compared to a single‐junction cell. Moreover, a giant open‐circuit voltage of approximately 35 V was observed when the doped cell was allowed to discharge. Here, bipolar electrochemistry offers a simple and yet elegant solution to engineer a better light‐emitting electrochemical cell.
Electrochemical C−H Functionalization of (Hetero)Arenes—Optimized by DoE
Authors: Dörr Maurice , Röckl Johannes L. , Rein Jonas , Schollmeyer Dieter , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: March 2020

A novel approach towards the activation of different arenes and purines including caffeine and theophylline is presented. The simple, safe and scalable electrochemical synthesis of 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) aryl ethers was conducted using an easy electrolysis setup with boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Good yields up to 59 % were achieved. Triethylamine was used as a base as it forms a highly conductive media with HFIP, making additional supporting electrolytes superfluous. The synthesis was optimized using Design of Experiment (DoE) techniques giving a detailed insight to the significance of the reaction parameters. The mechanism was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Subsequent transition metal‐catalyzed as well as metal‐free functionalization led to interesting motifs in excellent yields up to 94 %.
Reactivity of Cobalt‐Fullerene Complexes towards Deuterium
Authors: Vanbuel Jan , Germán Estefanía , Libeert Guillaume , Veys Koen , Moens Janni , Alonso Julio A. , López María J. , Janssens Ewald
Published: March 2020

The adsorption of molecular deuterium (D2) onto charged cobalt‐fullerene‐complexes ConC60+ (n=1–8) is measured experimentally in a few‐collision reaction cell. The reactivity is strongly size‐dependent, hinting at clustering of the transition metal atoms on the fullerenes. Formation and desorption rate constants are obtained from the pressure‐dependent deuterogenation curves. DFT calculations indeed find that this transition metal clustering is energetically more favorable than decorating the fullerene. For n=1, D2 is predicted to bind molecularly and for n=2 dissociative and molecular configurations are quasi‐isoenergetic. For n=3–8, dissociation of D2 is thermodynamically preferred. However, reaching the ground state configuration with dissociated deuterium on the timescale of the experiment may be hindered by dissociation barriers.
Retracted publications and their citation in dental literature: A systematic review
Authors: Rapani Antonio , Lombardi Teresa , Berton Federico , Del Lupo Veronica , Di Lenarda Roberto , Stacchi Claudio
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The present systematic review aimed to perform an in‐depth analysis of the different features of retracted publications in the dental field.

Material and methods

This review has been recorded in the PROSPERO database (CRD42017075634). Two independent reviewers performed an electronic search (Pubmed, Retraction Watch) for retracted articles in dental literature up to December 31, 2018.

Results

180 retracted papers were identified, the first published in 2001. Retractions increased by 47% in the last four‐year period (2014–2018), when compared with 2009–2013 (94 and 64 retracted publications, respectively). Author misconduct was the most common reason for retraction (65.0%), followed by honest scientific errors (12.2%) and publisher‐related issues (10.6%). The majority of retracted research was conducted in Asia (55.6%), with 49 papers written in India (27.2%). 552 researchers (89%) are listed as authors in only one retracted article, while 10 researchers (1.6%) are present in five or more retracted publications. Retracted articles were cited 530 times after retraction: the great majority of these citations (89.6%) did not consider the existence of the retraction notice and treated data from retracted articles as reliable.

Conclusions

Retractions in dental literature have constantly increased in recent years, with the majority of them due to misconduct and fraud. The publication of unreliable research has many negative consequences. Studies derived from such material are designed on potentially incorrect bases, waste funds and resources, and most importantly, increase risk of incorrect treatment for patients. Citation of retracted papers represents a major issue for the scientific community.