bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water quality assessment of lake uhe lajeado in the municipality of Porto Nacional/TO
Authors: Corrêa Gustavo Fernandes , Balduíno Ã‚ngelo Ricardo
Published: July 2020

Water, fundamental for the maintenance of life, is a resource that goes through a constant crisis, especially regarding scarcity, mainly due to the increase in consumption and the uncontrolled pollution of water bodies. In addition to obtaining qualitative and quantitative information on water resources, the monitoring has the purpose of obtaining biological, chemical, physical and ecological information, as well as class classification. The sources of pollution in hydrographic basins are numerous, in this study the main focus found is urban pollution, which generates pollution mainly through the release of sanitary sewage 'in natura' and various solids, becoming sources of contamination quite aggravating when in the absence of riparian forests. In the present study, an analysis was carried out in which water quality was monitored at a point on Lake UHE Lajeado in the municipality of Porto Nacional/TO, its importance is due to the fact that the site serves as a new point of water capture for urban supply, it soon hopes to define whether the water body complies with the water quality standards - IQA NSF. Water quality was assessed by permissible limits established by CONAMA Resolution nº 357/2005 and NSF - National Sanitation Fundation, which was evaluated on 9 parameters that made it possible to calculate the IQA - Water Quality Index.
Produção e avaliação de pellets compostos por diferentes proporções de resíduos sólidos urbanos
Authors: Souza Marina Moura de , Carneiro Angélica de Cássia Oliveira , Vital Bendito Rocha , Barbosa Admilson Clayton
Published: July 2020

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo principal a produção e a avaliação de pellets produzidos com misturas de resíduos sólidos urbanos bem como classificá-los conforme normas europeias de comercialização. Os pellets foram produzidos em uma peletizadora laboratorial com capacidade para produção de 50kg/h. Foram utilizadas misturas de resíduos de poda de árvores, papelão ondulado, embalagens cartonadas e lodo de flotação. Foram feitos três experimentos distintos, sendo: 1) misturas de resíduos de poda com lodo de flotação; 2) misturas de resíduos de poda com papelão ondulado e 3) misturas de resíduos de poda com embalagens cartonadas. Foram avaliados parâmetros físicos e químicos dos pellets e comparados estatisticamente entre si e também com a norma DIN EN 14961-6 (2012) que estabelece parâmetros de comercialização para pellets compostos por misturas. Sendo assim, de acordo com os resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir foi possível a peletização dos diferentes resíduos, entretanto a classificação de acordo com os padrões da norma europeia não se apresentou satisfatória. A peletização de resíduos de poda urbana agregando papelão ondulado ou embalagens cartonadas em diferentes proporções não foi considerada adequada visto a má compactação e agregação dos materiais. Para os pellets produzidos com misturas de resíduos de poda urbana e lodo de flotação, a adição de lodo favoreceu a baixa a umidade, a pouca geração de finos e o aumento da durabilidade e dureza embora tenha ocorrido perdas no poder calorífico.
Análise de focos de queimadas no município de Balsas/MA
Authors: Rodrigues Jeferson Botelho , Silva Débora Danna Soares da , Sales Layse Lorena Neves , Freitas Stephanie Jael Negrão de , Cabral Ana Carla Leite Carvalho
Published: July 2020

As queimadas consistem em uma prática agrícola vastamente usada no Brasil e que causa inúmeros impactos ambientais, tais como o empobrecimento do solo e a perda da biodiversidade, saber quais são as causas e onde as queimadas acontecem com maior intensidade é de extrema importância para a criação de planos de prevenção e combate ao fogo. Diante disso, o presente trabalho objetivou quantificar o número de focos de queimadas no município de Balsas/Maranhão para o período de junho/2017 a junho/2018 (1 ano). A metodologia baseou-se em levantamento de dados de focos de queimadas fornecidos pelo INPE (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais) e no uso de ferramentas de geoprocessamento e de SIG (Sistema de Informações Geográficas). Com a pesquisa notou-se que mais de 800 focos de queimadas foram registrados no período estudado. Portanto, a situação observada de focos de queimadas em Balsas pode ser atribuída à susceptibilidade decorrente clima seco prolongado, mas principalmente devido às ações de queimadas criminosas, principalmente aquelas relacionadas ao desmatamento e ao avanço da fronteira agrícola, visto que é um município que a plantação de soja cresce cada dia mais. Com a pesquisa notou-se que foram registrados no município de Balsas/MA um total de 850 focos de queimadas no período estudado. Os maiores números de focos de queimadas foram registrados nos meses de junho a setembro de 2017 e no mês de junho de 2018.
Taboo. Political correctness. Euphemism. Correlation of concepts
Authors: Zvereva Marianna Ivanovna
Published: July 2020

The inspiration source for writing this article became the detected in scientific literature fusion of terms and concepts denoted by them. The object of this research is the concepts of “taboo”, “political correctness” and “euphemism”. The subjects is the key characteristics: functional and semantic peculiarities that allow correlating these concepts. The analysis captures the contamination of dictionary definitions, as well as examples from the texts of modern media. The author examines such aspects of the topic, as the general characteristics of taboo, political correctness and euphemism, their semantic structure and function. Special attention is given to interpretation, search of the  meeting points, and demarcation of the notions. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that for the first time these concepts are being analyzed “in tandem”, and that taboo is viewed in relation to euphemism and political correctness as a linguistic phenomenon (word-taboo) and non-linguistic phenomenon (rule-taboo). The main conclusions consist in the following: firstly, reasoned confirmation of the diversity of the concepts of taboo, political correctness and euphemism; secondly, correlation between the word-taboo and euphemism as the “replaced” and “replacing”; and thirdly, the determination that rule-taboo and political correctness are two powerful boosts for creation and utilization of euphemisms.
Emergence and diversification of a host-parasite RNA ecosystem through Darwinian evolution
Authors: Furubayashi Taro , Ueda Kensuke , Bansho Yohsuke , Motooka Daisuke , Nakamura Shota , Mizuuchi Ryo , Ichihashi Norikazu
Published: July 2020

In prebiotic evolution, molecular self-replicators are considered to develop into diverse, complex living organisms. The appearance of parasitic replicators is believed inevitable in this process. However, the role of parasitic replicators in prebiotic evolution remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated experimental coevolution of RNA self-replicators (host RNAs) and emerging parasitic replicators (parasitic RNAs) using an RNA-protein replication system we developed. During a long-term replication experiment, a clonal population of the host RNA turned into an evolving host-parasite ecosystem through the continuous emergence of new types of host and parasitic RNAs produced by replication errors. The host and parasitic RNAs diversified into at least two and three different lineages, respectively, and they exhibited evolutionary arms-race dynamics. The parasitic RNA accumulated unique mutations, thus adding a new genetic variation to the whole replicator ensemble. These results provide the first experimental evidence that the coevolutionary interplay between host-parasite molecules plays a key role in generating diversity and complexity in prebiotic molecular evolution.
Stem cell niche exit in C. elegans via orientation and segregation of daughter cells by a cryptic cell outside the niche
Authors: Gordon Kacy L , Zussman Jay W , Li Xin , Miller Camille , Sherwood David R
Published: July 2020

Stem cells reside in and rely upon their niche to maintain stemness but must balance self-renewal with the production of daughters that leave the niche to differentiate. We discovered a mechanism of stem cell niche exit in the canonicalC. elegansdistal tip cell (DTC) germ stem cell niche mediated by previously unobserved, thin, membranous protrusions of the adjacent somatic gonad cell pair (Sh1). A disproportionate number of germ cell divisions were observed at the DTC-Sh1 interface. Stem-like and differentiating cell fates segregated across this boundary. Spindles polarized, pairs of daughter cells oriented between the DTC and Sh1, and Sh1 grew over the Sh1-facing daughter. Impeding Sh1 growth by RNAi to cofilin and Arp2/3 perturbed the DTC-Sh1 interface, reduced germ cell proliferation, and shifted a differentiation marker. Because Sh1 membrane protrusions eluded detection for decades, it is possible that similar structures actively regulate niche exit in other systems.
RETRACTED: Alcohol drinking alters stress response to predator odor via BNST kappa opioid receptor signaling in male mice
Authors: Hwa Lara S , Neira Sofia , Flanigan Meghan E , Stanhope Christina M , Pina Melanie M , Pati Dipanwita , Hon Olivia J , Yu Waylin , Kokush Emily , Calloway Rachel , Boyt Kristen , Kash Thomas L
Published: July 2020

Maladaptive responses to stress are a hallmark of alcohol use disorder, but the mechanisms that underlie this are not well characterized. Here, we show that kappa opioid receptor signaling in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a critical molecular substrate underlying abnormal stress responses to predator odor following heavy alcohol drinking. Exposure to predator odor during protracted withdrawal from intermittent alcohol drinking resulted in enhanced prefrontal cortex (PFC)-driven excitation of prodynorphin-containing neurons in the BNST. Furthermore, deletion of prodynorphin in the BNST and chemogenetic inhibition of the PFC-BNST pathway restored abnormal responses to predator odor in alcohol-exposed mice. These findings suggest that increased corticolimbic drive may promote abnormal stress behavioral responses to predator odor during protracted withdrawal. Various nodes of this PFC-BNST dynorphin-related circuit may serve as potential targets for potential therapeutic mediation as well as biomarkers of negative responses to stress following heavy alcohol drinking.
Pedagogic prestidigitation: using magic tricks to enhance educational videos
Authors: Wiseman Richard , Houstoun William , Watt Caroline
Published: July 2020

Previous research suggests that magic tricks can be employed within an educational context to enhance attention, engagement, critical thinking and recall. This study builds on this work by examining the impact of incorporating magic tricks into an online educational video. Adult participants (N = 198) completed a need for cognition scale and then watched a video containing either several bespoke card tricks that had been specially devised to help tell the story of the Apollo Moon landings (Magic Video), or an almost identical video that did not contain any magic tricks (Control Video). All participants rated their levels of engagement, absorption and recall. Compared to the Control Video, the Magic Video was rated as significantly more interesting, informative and absorbing. There was no difference between the groups for recall. There was a positive correlation between participants’ need for cognition scores, and the degree to which they found the Magic Video interesting, and were willing to share it with others. The theoretical, methodological and practical implications of these results are discussed, along with recommendations for future work.
Diversity of Heavy Metals Tolerant and Antifungal Sensitive Fungal Community of River Ganga
Authors: Sharma Vani , Singh Padma
Published: July 2020

Ganga is the largest river in India and has both religious and economical importance to our country. Ganga water has very important reverence in various religious ceremonies as holy water along it had been used for drinking and irrigation purpose. In developing cites such as Haridwar Ganga start facing water pollution problems but still its water quality was maintain, it was may be due to its microbial community which may have an adorable capability to clean the Ganga river, so in present study we had focused on the isolation of river Ganga Fungal community during different season at four different sites, Haridwar, India. The isolated strains were morphological identified as Aspergillus, Talaromyces, Fusarium, Curvularia, etc. All these strains had showed highest heavy metal tolerance against As, Cu, Fe (200- 1000 mg/L) followed by Cr, Ni, Cd (200-800 mg/L) and least against Hg (200-400 mg/L), along with this these strains are mostly sensitive to different antifungal such as Nystatin, Amphotherecin, Fluconazole and Ketomycin.
Antioxidant, Mineral and Microbiological Properties of Wine from Blends of Roselle Calyces Extract and Pineapple Juice
Authors: Ukeyima M. T. , Idoko B. O. , Moghalu L. O.
Published: July 2020

Wine was produced from must formulated by mixing roselle calyces hot water extract with pineapple juice at ratios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50 for A, B, C, D, E and F respectively. Must were pitched with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, fermented at room temperature for 8 days followed by racking, pasteurization and ageing at room temperature for 31 days. The antioxidant capacity, mineral content and microbiological analyses were carried out on the musts and wine samples using standard procedures. There was a significant (p<0.05) difference between must and wines as fermentation was observed to increase its antioxidant capacity (2, 2-diphenyl -1- picrylhydrazylradical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant properties, trolox equivalent antioxidant properties and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity). Fermentation decreased the mineral contents (manganese, zinc and magnesium) of wines except for sodium that increased significantly. Values ranged from 3.81 – 7.77 mg/L for Manganese, 162.38 – 166.66 mg/L for sodium, 2.71 – 4.71 mg/L for zinc and 35.45 – 40.67 mg/L for magnesium. Microbial count was done at different stages of production and there was no detectable growth on cultured wine samples. The result of this study showed that wines of nutritionally high quality can be produced from blends of roselle hot water extract and pineapple juice.
Bacteria Associated with Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil from NNPC Depot
Authors: Bankole S. O. , Oyedeji M. B. , Akanni F. O. , Chukwudebe E. P. , Olatunji A. O. , Ariwoola O. S.
Published: July 2020

The microorganisms associated with soil polluted with petroleum hydrocarbon were isolated at NNPC depot Ibadan, in Ido Local Government Areas of Oyo State. Soil samples were taken from three different points along the point of discharge. The spread plate method was used to isolate the microorganisms found in these rivers and were later identified. From the research, seven different species of microorganism were isolated, which are Pseudomonas sp, Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp. Staphylococcus aureaus sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp. and Escherichia coli. Pseudomonas species were found to be more prominent in the samples collected in a research work. This suggested that the isolates are resistant to the petroleum hydrocarbon and can be recommended as candidates for the clean-up of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
The Environmental Benefits of Trees in a Changing Climate: A Nigerian Experience
Authors: Ojeh V. N. , Humshie A. Philip- , Garba H. A. , Naabil E. , Obiano E. C. , Boyitie O. P. , Boyiga K. K.
Published: July 2020

The paper presents a micrometeorological study on the environmental benefits of trees in the Taraba State University, Jalingo in Nigeria. Temperatures under three different surfaces (under trees and among different tree species, bare-ground and asphalted surfaces) within the campus were measured. The temperature under trees such as Mahogany (Khaya senegalenses), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.), Gmalaina (Gmalaina aborea), Mango (Mangifera indica) found on the University campus alongside bare-ground (no vegetal coverage) and asphalted road surfaces were measured in degree Celsius for a period of three weeks. Additionally, 113 copies of some self-structured questionnaires were administered to the students of the University from the departments of Geography, Agricultural Science, Biological Science, Medical Laboratory Technology as well as the Male and Female hostels on campus. Data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, line graph and pie chart. The study showed that there is a temperature variation under different surfaces. Under the trees recorded lowest mean temperature of 29.5°C followed by bare-ground with 32.5°C whereas asphalt surface recorded the highest mean temperature of 37.5°C. The temperature under different tree species shows that trees with bigger crown and broad leaves had lower temperatures. Mean temperature under the Mango tree was 28°C while under the Neem tree, mean temperature was 32°C. On the benefits of trees to the University campus, trees as a wind breaker constituted the highest benefit as expressed by the respondents (how many in %). The following recommendations were made among others; Students should be encouraged to plant trees by giving those who are willing the seedlings of trees as incentives and water should also be made available and accessible in different in locations order to maintain the planting and maintenance of trees. Cutting down of trees should be discouraged and environmental education on the benefits of trees should be a routine activity. There should be a follow-up study on carbon sequestration in Nigeria based on solid data on benefits.
Patient‐specific dose quality assurance of single‐isocenter multiple brain metastasis stereotactic radiosurgery using PTW Octavius 4D
Authors: McCulloch James , Pawlowski Jamie , Kirby Neil , Rasmussen Karl , Shi Zheng , Myers Pamela , Stathakis Sotirios , Papanikolaou Niko , Saenz Daniel L.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Single‐isocenter multiple brain metastasis stereotactic radiosurgery is an efficient treatment modality increasing in clinical practice. The need to provide accurate, patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) for these plans is met by several options. This study reviews some of these options and explores the use of the Octavius 4D as a solution for patient‐specific plan quality assurance.

Methods

The Octavius 4D Modular Phantom (O4D) with the 1000 SRS array was evaluated in this study. The array consists of 977 liquid‐filled ion chambers. The center 5.5 cm × 5.5 cm area has a detector spacing of 2.5 mm. The ability of the O4D to reconstruct three‐dimensional (3D) dose was validated against a 3D gel dosimeter, ion chamber, and film measurements. After validation, 15 patients with 2–11 targets had their plans delivered to the phantom. The criteria used for the gamma calculation was 3%/1 mm. The portion of targets which were measurable by the phantom was countable. The accompanying software compiled the measured doses allowing each target to be counted from the measured dose distribution.

Results

Spatial resolution was sufficient to verify the high dose distributions characteristic of SRS. Amongst the 15 patients there were 74 targets. Of the 74 targets, 61 (82%) of them were visible on the measured dose distribution. The average gamma passing rate was 99.3% (with sample standard deviation of 0.68%).

Conclusions

The high resolution provided by the O4D with 1000 SRS board insert allows for very high‐resolution measurement. This high resolution in turn can allow for high gamma passing rates. The O4D with the 1000 SRS array is an acceptable method of performing quality assurance for single‐isocenter multiple brain metastasis SRS.
Signs of progress emerge in quest to introduce safe consumption sites
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: July 2020

“One step forward, two steps back” has defined the effort to gain the go‐ahead to establish a safe consumption site for injection drug users in the United States. But developments in the courts and the research community in recent weeks have reinforced a sense of cautious optimism among those who see safe consumption spaces as a sound and essential public health response to the opioid overdose crisis.
Recovery Month will take place: Faces & Voices of Recovery will run it
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: July 2020

Last week, we reported that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is walking away from its sponsorship of Recovery Month (see “After 30 years, SAMHSA walks away from Recovery Month,” ADAW, July 8, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adaw.32770). This is correct. However, what needs clarification is this: Recovery Month will still take place, hosted by Faces & Voices of Recovery. Philip Rutherford, director of operations of Faces & Voices of Recovery, told ADAW in an email last week that the organization “is excited to host the Recovery Month website, previously found at recoverymonth.gov.” The new site “will contain a repository for the 2020 Recovery Month digital assets, like graphics and display banners for anyone to download and use, and more. Equally as important, organizations will be able to post information about their events on the Recovery Month calendar.” These materials have “been a staple of the event for years, and Faces & Voices is pleased to be able to keep it going.”
NY: OASAS holding back payments to counties by 31%
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: July 2020

You may have read the story in the Buffalo News about there being a 31% cut to treatment in New York state (https://buffalonews.com/news/state‐and‐regional/govt‐and‐politics/substance‐abuse‐treatment‐programs‐warn‐of‐dire‐consequences‐from‐cuts/article_634322da‐c2bc‐11ea‐9ffb‐bb3c0962ace6.html). It's a good story, but misleading in terms of facts.
Controller parameter tuning of a single machine infinite bus system with static synchronous compensator using antlion optimization algorithm for the power system stability improvement
Authors: Devarapalli Ramesh , Bhattacharyya Biplab , Saw Jitendra Kumar
Published: July 2020

The improvement of power system stability by damping oscillations in the system states is presented in this paper. An antlion optimization (ALO) algorithm is adopted to tune the damping device controller parameters. The ALO algorithm performance is investigated on the benchmark functions, and the same has been compared with the traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. The statistical analysis on the fitness achieved with the considered algorithms has been demonstrated using best, worst, mean, and SD values on the benchmark functions over 30 individual runs. Here power system stabilizer (PSS) and static synchronous compensator are considered as oscillation damping devices in the test power network. The analysis has been carried out in a sample power system network, and the proposed technique is compared with the conventional PSS and PSO. The results obtained from the designed test system recommends the superior performance characteristics of ALO in applying to the practical power system.
Textile‐Integrated ZnO‐Based Thermoelectric Device Using Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Marin Giovanni , Funahashi Ryoji , Karppinen Maarit
Published: July 2020

Herein, a full thermoelectric (TE) device fabricated on textile using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) thin‐film techniques is demonstrated. The device consists of n‐type ALD‐grown ZnO or ALD/MLD‐grown ZnO‐organic components and p‐type spray/immersion‐coated PEDOT:PSS components. Different fabrication strategies and device designs (vertical and longitudinal) are investigated. The performance is evaluated by measuring the open‐circuit voltage generated by the device over a range of temperature differences (between the hot and cold sides) up to 60 °C. At a fixed ΔT, the voltage generated is found to increase with increasing ZnO or ZnO‐organic film thickness. An attractive feature with both ALD and MLD is that the film grows in a conformal manner on the textile fibers so that the entire textile piece becomes an active part of the device, corresponding to a remarkable coating‐thickness increase. The voltage generated can also be increased by combining more TE pairs (even by just increasing the number of pairs by cutting the TE pads into smaller pieces). This research has thus proven the feasibility of ALD and MLD techniques in combination with a textile substrate in reinforcing the prospects of wearable thermoelectrics.
Current status and trend of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer
Authors: Matsuda Takeru , Yamashita Kimihiro , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Utsumi Masako , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: July 2020

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRH) is utilized worldwide as one of the standard surgical treatments for right‐sided colon cancer. However, there have been issues concerning its applicability, techniques, and trend. The present study aimed to elucidate the current status and trend of LRH by reviewing literature focusing on important issues associated with this surgery. Based on previous studies, LRH most likely provides better short‐term outcomes and similar oncological outcomes compared to open surgery. Despite the increasing use of robotic approach in this surgery, it seems to have always been associated with longer operative times and greater hospital cost with limited advantage. Intracorporeal anastomosis seems to improve short‐term outcomes, such as quicker recovery of bowel function, compared to extracorporeal anastomosis. However, it does not contribute to shorter hospital stay. With regard to dissection technique, various approaches, and landmarks have been advocated to overcome the technical difficulty in LRH. This difficulty is likely to be caused by anatomical variation, especially in venous structures. The superiority of one approach or landmark over another is still argued about due to the lack of large‐scale prospective studies. However, deep understanding both of anatomical variation and characteristics of each approach would be of extreme importance to minimize adverse effects and maximize patient benefit after LRH.
An approach for predicting intracrystalline diffusivities and adsorption entropies in nanoporous crystalline materials
Authors: Gao Mingbin , Li Hua , Ye Mao , Liu Zhongmin
Published: July 2020

Confinement of molecules in nanoporous crystalline materials results in the unique and diverse characteristics of intracrystalline diffusion and adsorption, which can significantly affect the efficiency of gas separation and/or catalysis. However, understanding the interplay between confinement and intracrystalline diffusion and adsorption remains elusive at the quantitative level. In this work, it is found that the intracrystalline diffusion could be related to the hopping rate, which might be further connected to the translational and rotational motion of molecules and quantified by corresponding partition functions. Based on this analysis, the correlations capable of predicting the intracrystalline diffusivity and the adsorption entropy are developed. It is shown that the correlations can well capture the experimental and simulation results of more than 20 frameworks, including zeolites and MOFs, for a wide range of guest molecules. This approach can potentially serve as rapid screening tool for nanoporous crystalline materials in gas separation and catalysis.
Muscle structural, energetic and functional benefits of endurance exercise training in sickle cell disease
Authors: Merlet Angèle N. , Féasson Léonard , Bartolucci Pablo , Hourdé Christophe , Schwalm Céline , Gellen Barnabas , Galactéros Frédéric , Deldicque Louise , Francaux Marc , Messonnier Laurent A. ,   EXDRE Collaborative Study Group
Published: July 2020

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients display skeletal muscle hypotrophy, altered oxidative capacity, exercise intolerance and poor quality of life. We previously demonstrated that moderate‐intensity endurance training is beneficial for improving muscle function and quality of life of patients. The present study evaluated the effects of this moderate‐intensity endurance training program on skeletal muscle structural and metabolic properties. Of the 40 randomized SCD patients, complete data sets were obtained from 33. The training group (n = 15) followed a personalized moderate‐intensity endurance training program, while the non‐training (n = 18) group maintained a normal lifestyle. Biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle and submaximal incremental cycling tests were performed before and after the training program. Endurance training increased type I muscle fiber surface area (P = .038), oxidative enzyme activity [citrate synthase, P < .001; β‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, P = .009; type‐I fiber cytochrome c oxidase, P = .042; respiratory chain complex IV, P = .017] and contents of respiratory chain complexes I (P = .049), III (P = .005), IV (P = .003) and V (P = .002). Respiratory frequency, respiratory exchange ratio, blood lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion were all lower at a given submaximal power output after training vs non‐training group (all P < .05). The muscle content of proteins involved in glucose transport and pH regulation were unchanged in the training group relative to the non‐training group. The moderate‐intensity endurance exercise program improved exercise capacity and muscle structural and oxidative properties. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02571088.
Individual red blood cell fetal hemoglobin quantification allows to determine protective thresholds in sickle cell disease
Authors: Hebert Nicolas , Rakotoson Marie Georgine , Bodivit Gwellaouen , Audureau Etienne , Bencheikh Laura , Kiger Laurent , Oubaya Nadia , Pakdaman Sadaf , Sakka Mehdi , Di Liberto Gaetana , Chadebech Philippe , Vingert Benoit , Pirenne France , Galactéros Frédéric , Cambot Marie , Bartolucci Pablo
Published: July 2020

Polymerization of the sickle hemoglobin (HbS) is a key determinant of sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a major modulator of the disease severity by both decreasing HbS intracellular concentration and inhibiting its polymerization. However, heterocellular distribution of HbF is common in SCD. For HbS polymerization inhibition, the hypothesis of an “HbF per red blood cell (HbF/RBC) threshold” requires accurate measurement of HbF in individual RBC. To date, HbF detection methods are limited to a qualitative measurement of RBC populations containing HbF ‐ the F cells, which are variable. We developed an accurate method for HbF quantification in individual RBC. A linear association between mean HbF content and mean RBC fluorescence by flow cytometry, using an anti‐Human‐HbF antibody, was obtained from non‐SCD subjects presenting homogeneous HbF distribution. This correlation was then used to measure HbF/RBC. Hydroxyurea (HU) improves SCD clinical manifestations, mainly through its ability to induce HbF synthesis. The HbF distribution was analyzed in 14 SCD patients before and during HU treatment. A significant decrease in RBC population containing less than 2 pg of HbF/RBC was observed. Therefore, we tested associations for %RBC above different HbF/RBC thresholds and showed a decrease in the pathognomonic vaso‐occlusive crisis incidence from the threshold of 4 pg. This quantity was also correlated with the level of sickle RBC after in vitro deoxygenation. This new method allows the comparison of HbF/RBC distributions and could be a useful tool to characterize baseline patients HbF distribution and therapeutic response to HbF inducers.
Doing biocultural anthropology: Continuity and change
Authors: Hoke Morgan K. , Schell Lawrence M.
Published: July 2020

Biocultural anthropology has long represented an important approach in the study of human biology. However, despite demonstrated utility, its somewhat amorphous identity leaves some scholars questioning just what it means to be biocultural. In this article, rather than providing proscriptive doctrine, we contribute to these conversations about the nature of biocultural anthropology by considering what biocultural research does. We begin with a consideration of some of the foundational themes of biocultural work including recognition of the dialectical nature of sociocultural and biological forces, interest in inequality, and incorporation of both evolutionary and political economic perspectives. To emphasize the consistency of biocultural work over time, we also trace these themes from originating work to their appearance in current research. We then identify some of the key actions of the biocultural approach, noting that biocultural work can execute any number though rarely all of these actions simultaneously. We then offer brief introductions to the articles that make up this special issue, highlighting the ways in which each piece undertakes key biocultural actions. Following these introductions, we provide a discussion of some of the types of biocultural work that are not present in this special issue, recognizing the breadth of biocultural research across multiple subfields of anthropology. Finally, we point to some potentially fruitful directions for future biocultural research. In the end, we conclude that while biocultural anthropology may not have a cohesive or set agenda, it does have a clear and recognizable form of content and methodology illuminated by its actions.
Skeletal muscle size distribution in large‐sized male and female athletes
Authors: Abe Takashi , Bell Zachary W. , Wong Vickie , Spitz Robert W. , Yamada Yujiro , Song Jun Seob , Loenneke Jeremy P.
Published: July 2020

Objective

In healthy adults, it is generally accepted that women have less upper body muscle mass compared to men. However, it is unknown whether there are sex differences in skeletal muscle distribution in highly trained large‐sized athletes. Our aim was to compare the skeletal muscle size distribution between large‐sized male and female athletes.

Methods

Ten female athletes (>80 kg body mass) and twenty‐one male athletes (>100 kg body mass) had muscle thickness (MT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness measured by ultrasound at nine sites on the anterior and posterior aspects of the body. Total muscle mass (SM) was estimated from an ultrasound‐derived prediction equation. Body fat percentage and fat‐free mass were calculated from ultrasound measured subcutaneous fat thickness.

Results

The average SM in female athletes (30.0 kg) was approximately 70% of the mean value of the male athletes (45.3 kg).With respect to MT, the relative values of femaleto male athletes were 68% to 78% in the upper body and 85% to 92% in the lower body. Similar results were observed when analyzing data for male and female athletes (n = 5 each) who were pair matched for height.

Conclusion

The relative values of MT for female/male athletes were higher in the lower body compared to the upper body. This is similar to that observed in healthy non‐athletes indicating that this difference is not due to resistance training. The lower muscle mass in the arms and trunk of females appears to be a true sex difference but the cause of this difference is unknown.
Complete blood count differences in a cohort of Down syndrome neonates with transient abnormal myelopoiesis screened for GATA1 pathogenic variants
Authors: Orozco‐Vela Mireya , Corona‐Rivera Alfredo , Cruz‐Osorio Rosa Margarita , Mendoza‐Maldonado Lucero , Márquez‐Mora Aurea , Barba‐Barba César Cenobio , Peña‐Padilla Christian , Baldomero‐López Alejandra , Bobadilla‐Morales Lucina , Corona‐Rivera Jorge Román
Published: July 2020

Transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) raises the risk for acute myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome (DS) (ML‐DS), and both are related to GATA1 pathogenic variants. Here, we analyzed which findings on complete blood count (CBC) are associated with TAM in a cohort of neonates with DS screened for GATA1 pathogenic variants. The CBCs were compared among 70 newborns with DS, including 16 patients (22.9%) with TAM (cases), and 54 patients (77.1%) without TAM (controls). TAM was defined as peripheral circulating blasts (PCBs) ≥ 1%. PCR and direct sequencing were used to screen DNA samples from peripheral blood for GATA1 exon 2 mutations. Multivariate logistic regression analyses determined that the mean count of lymphocytes was significantly higher in DS infants with TAM (p = .035) and that lymphocytosis confers a risk for TAM (adjusted odds ratio = 7.23, 95% confidence intervals: 2.02–25.92). Pathogenic variants of GATA1 were identified in 2 of 70 analyzed DS neonates (2.9%), of which one had ML‐DS and another had an asymptomatic TAM. Among those DS infants with TAM, the GATA1 pathogenic variant detection was 12.5%. Our results indicated that lymphocytosis is associated with TAM in neonates with DS. However, since not all infants with an abnormal CBC had TAM, and not all infants with TAM had GATA1 pathogenic variants, we emphasize that only the search for GATA1 pathogenic variants allows the proper identification of the subgroup of DS infants with a real increasing in risk for ML‐DS.
A Direct Mapping Approach to Understand Carrier Relaxation Dynamics in Varied Regions of a Polycrystalline Perovskite Film
Authors: Fathi Amir , Jokar Efat , Lee Yuan‐Pern , Diau Eric Wei‐Guang
Published: July 2020

We developed a direct mapping approach to overlay the image of a polycrystalline perovskite film obtained from the transient absorption microscope (TAM) with that from the scanning electron microscope (SEM). By mapping these imaging data pixel by pixel, we are able to observe the relaxation dynamics of the photo‐generated charge carriers on varied regions of the film. The carrier relaxation dynamics contain a dominated single‐exponential decay component owing to the recombination of charge carriers. The lifetime distribution of charge recombination shows a bimodal feature, for which the rapid and slow distributions are assigned as free and trapped carriers, respectively. The charge recombination was slower in the grain boundary (GB) region than in the grain interior (GI) region. The small grains have longer lifetimes than the large grains for the crystal size smaller than 500 nm. Therefore, GB with retarded charge recombination might play a positive role in a perovskite solar cell.
Applying Cu(II) complexes assisted by water‐soluble porphyrin to DNA binding and selective anticancer activities
Authors: Zhang Qian , Li Zhenzhen , Liu Jiacheng
Published: July 2020

Cancer is one of the killers endangering human health and its treatment has always been a focus of the medical community. For anticancer drugs, water‐soluble porphyrin and Schiff bases have always been of interest. We report here three Cu(II)‐based complexes functionalized by water‐soluble cationic porphyrin and hydrazine Schiff base, which were prepared and evaluated for their biological activity. The three Cu(II) complexes all exhibited potent binding affinity to calf thymus DNA, the strongest interaction being between CuP2 and DNA. We studied the cytotoxicity of the complexes and ligands against different types of cancer cells (A549, H‐1975, HepG2 and T47D), results showing the ligands are less cytotoxic; therefore, the anticancer activity of the complexes is improved by complexation. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of ligands and complexes was also evaluated against the normal cell line Hs 578Bst, complexes showing more negligible cytotoxicity than ligand. Moreover, the cellular uptake of these Cu(II) complexes was investigated using the extraction method and results suggested that CuP2 exhibits the best cellular uptake towards H‐1975 cells. Interestingly, fluorescence microscopy experiments and flow cytometric analysis (cell cycle) were used to further investigate the potent anticancer activities.
Experimental investigation and optimization of printing parameters of3Dprinted polyphenylene sulfide through response surface methodology
Authors: El Magri Anouar , El Mabrouk Khalil , Vaudreuil Sébastien , Ebn Touhami Mohamed
Published: July 2020

Today fused filament fabrication is one of the most widely used additive manufacturing techniques to manufacture high performance materials. This method entails a complexity associated with the selection of their appropriate manufacturing parameters. Due to the potential to replace poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone in many engineering components, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) was selected in this study as a base material for 3D printing. Using central composite design and response surface methodology (RSM), nozzle temperature (T), printing speed (S), and layer thickness (L) were systematically studied to optimize the output responses namely Young's modulus, tensile strength, and degree of crystallinity. The results showed that the layer thickness was the most influential printing parameter on Young's modulus and degree of crystallinity. According to RSM, the optimum factor levels were achieved at 338°C nozzle temperature, 30 mm/s printing speed, and 0.17 mm layer thickness. The optimized post printed PPS parts were then annealed at various temperatures to erase thermal residual stress generated during the printing process and to improve the degree of crystallinity of printed PPS's parts. Results showed that annealing parts at 200°C for 1 hr improved significantly the thermal, structural, and tensile properties of printed PPS's parts.
Magnetic foams from polyurethane and magnetite applied as attenuators of electromagnetic radiation in X band
Authors: Silva Ana Maria G. , Pereira Iaci M , Silva Tamara I. , da Silva Manoel R. , Rocha Renata A. , Silva Mercês C.
Published: July 2020

In this work, electromagnetic radiation absorbent materials (ERAM) were prepared from expanded polyurethane and nano‐Fe3O4. The effect of porosity and charge content on the attenuation of incident radiation was investigated using helium gas pycnometry and the waveguide technique in the frequency range of 8 to 12 GHz (X‐band). ERAM were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM). Pure polyurethane absorbed 93.6% of the incident radiation at 11.8GHz. This result was attributed to its porous structure and low porosity. Although the content of open cells increases in ERAM with the increase in nanomagnetic content, materials containing 1% and 5% w/w absorbed more than 99% of the incident radiation. This behavior suggests that magnetic property of the charge is compensated for its action as a cell opener in these materials.
Effect of different zeolitic imidazolate frameworks nanoparticle‐modified β‐FeOOH rods on flame retardancy and smoke suppression of epoxy resin
Authors: Liu Yucheng , Xu Wenzong , Chen Rui , Cheng Chuanming , Hu Yuzhao
Published: July 2020

A simple method was used to load zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) onto β‐FeOOH nanorods to ameliorate the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of epoxy resin (EP). The morphology and structure of ZIF‐8‐β‐FeOOH (Z8Fe) and ZIF‐67‐β‐FeOOH (Z67Fe) nano hybrids were systematically characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, which proved the successful preparation of the hybrids. 3 wt% of Z8Fe and Z67Fe were added to the EP matrix, and their combustion properties were studied, respectively. The results showed that the composites' limiting oxygen index values were ameliorated to 27.3% and 28.1%, respectively. Their UL94 flame retardant rating was improved, their peak heat release rate and total heat release were reduced, their flame retardant performance was considerably improved, and their generation of toxic smoke was significantly suppressed. Further, through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XRD and laser Raman spectroscopy analysis of the char residue, their potential mechanism of flame retardancy and smoke suppression were studied.
Water vapor permeability and self‐cleaning properties of solvent‐free polyurethane improved by hollow nano‐TiO2 spheres
Authors: Guo Xu , Lyu Bin , Gao Dangge , Cheng Kun , Ma Jianzhong , Yang Na , Yu Yajin , Zhao Shunhua , Shi Lei , Kou Mengnan
Published: July 2020

In the synthetic leather industry, solvent‐free polyurethane film (SFPU) was poor in water vapor permeability (WVP) and washability. In this study, we introduced the hollow nano‐TiO2 spheres (HNTSs) with high photocatalytic performance and permeability performance as well as large surface area into the SFPU film to endued its superior water vapor permeability property, self‐cleaning performance and water resistance. First of all, HNTSs were prepared via the controllable chemical route using HF for internal corrosion of solid nano‐TiO2 spheres, and then introduced into hydroxyl prepolymer to prepare solvent‐free polyurethane/HNTSs composite film. The results of SEM, FT‐IR and UV analyses indicated HNTSs were successfully dispersed evenly into SFPU. Application experiment results showed that the addition of HNTSs with hollow structure had an important effect on the WVP, photocatalytic performance, mechanical property, the water vapor transmission rate, self‐cleaning performance as well as tensile strength were increased by 111.98%, more than 100%, and 36.368%, respectively.
Self‐healing interfaces of poly(methyl methacrylate) reinforced with carbon fibers decorated with carbon quantum dots
Authors: Duarte Érica Correia , Oréfice Rodrigo Lambert
Published: July 2020

Fiber‐polymer matrix interfacial debonding is often observed when mechanical loads are applied to fiber reinforced polymer composites. These defects usually end‐up leading to a catastrophic fracture of the composites. In this work, carbon quantum dots (CDs) were incorporated on the surface of carbon fibers (CF), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites with these modified fibers were able to restore their original properties after been previously damaged. To this end, CDs were synthesized and used to decorate the surface of CF. These decorated CF were then incorporated into PMMA by using a high intensity mixer. The prepared composites were submitted to dynamic mechanical, three‐point bending and self‐healing tests. Fluorescent CDs with diameters of 10 nm and functional groups, such as amine and carboxylic groups were successfully synthesized by the microwave pyrolysis method. The deposition of CDs on the surface of CF was evaluated and quantified by UV–vis spectroscopy and 1.2 wt.% of CDs on CF was determined. Composites with different surface treatments (including the presence of CD) did not show significant differences in strength, stiffness and damping, suggesting that the surface treatments on CF did not lead to major changes in the degree of interfacial interaction. Self‐healing tests showed that damaged composites with CD decorated CF were able to restore their original properties, while no self‐healing effect was noted in composites with no CD on CF. The observed self‐healing behavior between PMMA and CF decorated with CD is due to the interactions between chemical groups on the surface of the CD and PMMA. Thus, damages related to fiber‐matrix interfacial detachments can be repaired through reversible interactions based on CD.