bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
India's Export Performance of Animal Products under New Food Safety Law Regime
Authors: Kumar Sarvesh , Gautam Harsh Kumar , Singh Shailendra Vikram
Published: May 2019

The study attempts an appraisal of the effectiveness of India’s new food safety regulation on animal products exported to various countries.  The study is based on data (quantity) of exports of different animal products exported from India collected for period 2005-06 to 2016-17. The mean of and variability in exports (quantity) of animal products were compared for pre and post FSS regime to assess the magnitude and stability in the exports of animal products after implementation of India’s new food safety law. The result shows that most of the animal products, except sheep and goat meat, animal casing and caseins, exported from India were stable as CV values significantly decreased during Post-FSS Regime as compared to Pre-FSS Regime. It indicates that new food safety law (FSS Act) of India addressed the food safety issues in the sequence of the global demand. The country-wise quantity of export of animal products was analyzed and found that natural honey, caseins, buffalo meat and poultry products were main animal products exported to the USA as well as EU except for buffalo meat, as indicated higher mean value.  Similarly, most of the animal products exported to the USA were higher in post-FSS regime in comparison to the pre-FSS regime as a significant increase in the mean value of said products during the post-FSS regime. However, the export quantity of sheep & goat meat, dairy products, caseins exported to USA decrease drastically in the post-FSS regime. Contrary, quantities of all animal products exported from India to EU were decreased in the post-FSS regime. Further, import procedure/ border check in the developed countries have made differences and restricts the import of animal products exported from India in its geographical boundaries. The shipments refusal of most of the agricultural commodities including animal products exported from India were increased in post FSS regime. The study found that imposing new food safety standards by India tend to have a positive impact on the export of animal products but food safety standard still a trade barrier for developing countries like India because of insufficiency of harmonized food safety law at a domestic level across the articles.
Pullback Absorbing Set for the Stochastic Lattice Selkov Equations
Authors: Hongyan Li
Published: May 2019

Aims/ Objectives: To prove the existence of a pullback Absorbing set.Study Design: Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process.Place and Duration of Study: College of Management, Shanghai University of Engineering Science.Methodology: A transformation of addition involved with an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process is used.Results: In this paper, pullback absorbing property for the stochastic reversible Selkov system in an innite lattice with additive noises is proved.
Separation, Analysis and Validation of Metal Ions in Aqueous Samples Using Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Hailemichael Aron , Crouch Andrew Martin , Manohar Arumugam , Afewerki Medhanie
Published: May 2019

Capillary  electrophoresis  (CE)  has been developed  as  one  of  the  powerful  separation  techniques  for  the analysis of inorganic and organic ions in complex matrices in the recent past. In aqueous samples, most of the inorganic ions are having weak absorption profiles in the UV-Vis region of the spectrum. These low absorption profile ionic species are commonly detected by indirect UV absorbance with the addition of an absorbing co-ion (chromophore) into the electrolyte. The inorganic cations oftenly require an additional complexing agent to selectively alter their similar mobilities and proper separation. The indirect detection at 214 nm was performed with α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-HIBA)-4-aminopyridine background electrolyte (BGE) that has a characteristic absorbance at 214 nm. The BGE was applied for the separation, analysis, and validation of metal ions in water samples. The metal ions such as K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ were separated successfully in this study. Also, the effect of electrolyte pH, applied voltage and injection time for the separation of cations was investigated.
Photoreversible Soft Azo Dye Materials: Toward Optical Control of Bio‐Interfaces
Authors: Chang Victoria Y. , Fedele Chiara , Priimagi Arri , Shishido Atsushi , Barrett Christopher J.
Published: May 2019

Photoreversible optically switchable azo dye molecules in polymer‐based materials can be harnessed to control a wide range of physical, chemical, and mechanical material properties in response to light, that can be exploited for optical control over the bio‐interface. As a stimulus for reversibly influencing adjacent biological cells or tissue, light is an ideal triggering mechanism, since it can be highly localized (in time and space) for precise and dynamic control over a biosystem, and low‐power visible light is also an inherently gentle, benign, and nondamaging stimulus in a biological environment. Azobenzene‐based dyes in particular are emerging as especially attractive candidates among photoreversible molecules, and soft azobenzene‐containing materials are promising due to their ease of incorporation, and efficient and robust photochemistry and photophysics. This review provides a current survey of the use of photoreversible azo soft materials in cell biology and tissue engineering bio‐interface applications, to afford light control over molecular motion (orientation, flow), by inscribing surface morphological patterns or macroscopically photoactuating surfaces and structures, via three key photophysical and bioactive effects enabled by the azo groups' light‐induced photo‐orientation, topological optical patterning, and photomechanical actuation.
General Interfacial Self‐Assembly Engineering for Patterning Two‐Dimensional Polymers with Cylindrical Mesopores on Graphene
Authors: Tian Hao , Qin Jieqiong , Hou Dan , Li Qian , Li Chen , Wu Zhong‐Shuai , Mai Yiyong
Published: May 2019

Free‐standing 2D porous nanomaterials have attracted considerable interest as ideal candidates of 2D film electrodes for planar energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the construction of well‐defined mesopore arrays parallel to the lateral surface, which facilitate fast in‐plane ionic diffusion, is a challenge. Now, a universal interface self‐assembly strategy is used for patterning 2D porous polymers, for example, polypyrrole, polyaniline, and polydopamine, with cylindrical mesopores on graphene nanosheets. The resultant 2D sandwich‐structured nanohybrids are employed as the interdigital microelectrodes for the assembly of planar micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs), which deliver outstanding volumetric capacitance of 102 F cm−3 and energy density of 2.3 mWh cm−3, outperforming most reported MSCs. The MSCs display remarkable flexibility and superior integration for boosting output voltage and capacitance.
Ovatodiolides: Scalable Protection‐Free Syntheses, Configuration Determination, and Biological Evaluation against Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Xiang Junhong , Ding Yahui , Li Jiaxin , Zhao Xiuhe , Sun Yuanjun , Wang Da , Wang Liang , Chen Yue
Published: May 2019

A concise, scalable, six‐step (longest linear sequence) synthetic route to ovatodiolide scaffolds was developed for the first time. This protecting‐group‐free route features tandem ring‐opening metathesis/ring‐closing metathesis reactions to install the macrocycle‐fused butenolide ring and a tandem allylboration/lactonization to build the α‐methylene‐γ‐lactone. Our syntheses have enabled the determination of the hitherto unknown stereochemical configurations of this family of natural products. Preliminary tests of structure–activity relationships were conducted with four natural ovatodiolides and three analogues. Further assays indicated that the synthetic natural product isoovatodiolide can significantly decrease the population of hepatic cancer stem cells and reduce the tumorsphere‐forming capability of HepG2 cells.
Organoboron Complexes in Edge‐Sharing Macrocycles: The Triphyrin(2.1.1)–Tetraphyrin(1.1.1.1) Hybrid
Authors: Stawski Wojciech , Hurej Karolina , Skonieczny Janusz , Pawlicki Miłosz
Published: May 2019

The formation of a precisely designed environment predefined for stabilizing electron‐deficient atoms, such as boron(III), is an important approach for optimizing the properties of a chromophore. A triphyrin(2.1.1) motif built on the extended π‐system of a tetraphyrin(1.1.1.1) skeleton creates a new coordination environment, with a CNN set of donors confined in a limited space predefined for binding small cations. The entrapment of boron(III) in the triphyrin(2.1.1) sector, with formation of a direct B−C bond, significantly changes the optical response and the global aromatic character of the compound, leading to an extension of the π‐delocalisation.
Kupferkatalysierte regio‐ und enantioselektive Addition von Silicium‐Grignard‐Reagenzien an durch Azaarylgruppen aktivierte Alkene
Authors: Mao Wenbin , Xue Weichao , Irran Elisabeth , Oestreich Martin
Published: May 2019

Es wird über eine neue Anwendung von Silicum‐Grignard‐Reagenzien in der C(sp3)‐Si‐Bindungsknüpfung berichtet. Mit Unterstützung von BF3⋅OEt2 addieren diese Siliciumnukleophile unter Kupferkatalyse an Alkene, die durch verschiedene Azaarylgruppen aktiviert sind. Für Benzoxazol als Heteroarylsubstituent wurde eine enantioselektive Variante unter Verwendung eines CuI‐Josiphos‐Komplexes entwickelt, mit der die C(sp3)‐Si‐Bindung mit guten bis hohen Enantiomerenverhältnissen gebildet wird (bis zu 97:3). Die Methode bereichert das Repertoire für die Knüpfung von C(sp3)‐Si‐Bindungen über eine konjugierte Addition.
Assessing the effect of advertising expenditures upon sales: A Bayesian structural time series model
Authors: Gallego Víctor , Suárez‐García Pablo , Angulo Pablo , Gómez‐Ullate David
Published: May 2019

We propose a robust implementation of the Nerlove‐Arrow model using a Bayesian structural time series model to explain the relationship between advertising expenditures of a countrywide fast‐food franchise network with its weekly sales. Due to the flexibility and modularity of the model, it is well suited to generalization to other markets or situations. Its Bayesian nature facilitates incorporating a priori information reflecting the manager's views, which can be updated with relevant data. This aspect of the model will be used to support the decision of the manager on the budget scheduling of the advertising firm across time and channels.
Scalable Production and Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles: Available Sources and Lessons from Current Industrial Bioprocesses
Authors: Paganini Carolina , Capasso Palmiero Umberto , Pocsfalvi Gabriella , Touzet Nicolas , Bongiovanni Antonella , Arosio Paolo
Published: May 2019

Potential applications of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are attracting increasing interest in the fields of medicine, cosmetics, and nutrition. However, the manufacturing of EVs is currently characterized by low yields. This limitation severely hampers progress in research at the laboratory and clinical scales, as well as the realization of successful and cost‐effective EV‐based products. Moreover, the high level of heterogeneity of EVs further complicates reproducible manufacturing on a large scale. In this review, possible directions toward the scalable production of EVs are discussed. In particular, two strategies are considered: i) the optimization of upstream unit operations and ii) the exploitation of well‐established and mature technologies already in use in other industrial bioprocesses.
PBX3 hypermethylation in peripheral blood leukocytes predicts better prognosis in colorectal cancer: A propensity score analysis
Authors: Sun Hongru , Huang Hao , Li Dapeng , Zhang Lei , Zhang Yuanyuan , Xu Jing , Liu Ying , Liu Yupeng , Zhao Yashuang
Published: May 2019

Objective

The significance of gene methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) for assessing cancer prognosis is poorly understood. Our purpose is to assess the association between PBX3 methylation in PBLs and colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis.

Methods

A total of 369 CRC patients were followed up for up to 10 years in this cohort study. PBL PBX3 methylation levels were determined by methylation‐sensitive high‐resolution melting. Cox regression models and Log‐rank tests were used to analyze the associations between PBX3 methylation status and CRC prognosis with a propensity score (PS) method to control confounding biases.

Results

In this study, we found that CRC patients with PBL PBX3 hypermethylation status had a better overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HRPS‐adjusted], 0.72 [95% CI, 0.52‐1.00]; P = 0.049). Subgroup analyses showed that the beneficial effect of PBX3 hypermethylation status on CRC 10‐years OS remained significant among UICC stage III patients ([HRPS‐adjusted], 0.60 [95% CI, 0.38 to 0.95]; P = 0.029) and colon cancer patients ([HRPS‐adjusted], 0.49 [95% CI, 0.26 to 0.92]; P = 0.027).

Conclusion

PBL PBX3 hypermethylation is positively associated with better prognosis of CRC, especially for the UICC stage III CRC patients and colon cancer patients.
Impact of intensively lowered low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol on deferred lesion prognosis
Authors: Nakamura Shun , Yamamoto Takanobu , Teng Yun , Matsumoto Sawa , Kasano Kensuke , Yoshiwara Hirotaka , Hattori Eijiro , Tokunaga Takeshi , Yonetsu Taishi , Hirao Kenzo
Published: May 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of intensively lowered low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) level on the deferred lesion prognosis after revascularization deferral based on fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Background

Lowering LDL‐C is associated with lower cardiovascular event rate, but its benefit on the deferred lesion prognosis has not been well evaluated.

Methods

This retrospective, single‐center, observational study analyzed 192 deferred lesions with FFR value >0.80 in 192 patients with stable coronary artery disease. According to the first follow‐up LDL‐C level, they were assigned to the LOW group (<70 mg/dL) or the HIGH group (≥70 mg/dL). Deferred lesion failure (DLF) was defined as the composite of deferred lesion revascularization and deferred vessel myocardial infarction.

Results

Of all participants, 61 and 131 patients were assigned to the LOW and the HIGH group, respectively. During the median follow‐up of 2.8 years, DLF occurred in 1 and 14 patients in the LOW group and the HIGH group (1.6% and 10.7%, log‐rank p = .043), respectively. The incidence of any unplanned revascularization was also significantly lower in the LOW group than in the HIGH group (3.3% vs. 14.5%, log‐rank p = .032).

Conclusions

The incidence of DLF was significantly lower in the patients with LDL‐C < 70 mg/dL than in those with LDL‐C ≥ 70 mg/dL at the first follow‐up after FFR‐based deferral of revascularization.
Asymptomatic migration of ventral mesh for incisional hernia into the small intestine: A case report
Authors: Triantafyllou Evangelia , Anastasiadis Iraklis , Konstantinidis Dimitrios , Syllaios Athanasios , Gerovasileiou Efrosyni , Tsiripidis Orestis
Published: May 2019

Even though mesh migration is a rare complication, it must be considered in the differential diagnosis when investigating abdominal pain and digestive complications in patients with history of abdominal operations.
Nanoscopic Porous Iridium/Iridium Dioxide Superstructures (15 nm): Synthesis and Thermal Conversion by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Pappert Kevin , Loza Kateryna , Shviro Meital , Hagemann Ulrich , Heggen Marc , Dunin‐Borkowski Rafal E. , Schierholz Roland , Maeda Takuya , Kaneko Kenji , Epple Matthias
Published: May 2019

Porous particle superstructures of about 15 nm diameter, consisting of ultrasmall nanoparticles of iridium and iridium dioxide, are prepared through the reduction of sodium hexachloridoiridate(+IV) with sodium citrate/sodium borohydride in water. The water‐dispersible porous particles contain about 20 wt % poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), which was added for colloidal stabilization. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the presence of both iridium and iridium dioxide primary particles (1–2 nm) in each porous superstructure. The internal porosity (≈58 vol%) is demonstrated by electron tomography. In situ transmission electron microscopy up to 1000 °C under oxygen, nitrogen, argon/hydrogen (all at 1 bar), and vacuum shows that the porous particles undergo sintering and subsequent compaction upon heating, a process that starts at around 250 °C and is completed at around 800 °C. Finally, well‐crystalline iridium dioxide is obtained under all four environments. The catalytic activity of the as‐prepared porous superstructures in electrochemical water splitting (oxygen evolution reaction; OER) is reduced considerably upon heating owing to sintering of the pores and loss of internal surface area.
Pyrolysis characteristics of low‐rank coals based on double‐gaussian distributed activation energy model
Authors: Liu Jian‐Zhong , Yang Yu‐Meng , Wang Zhihua , Cen Kefa
Published: May 2019

Pyrolysis is an important technology in the utilization of low‐rank coals (LRCs) and is a prerequisite stage for other conversion methods. This study aimed to develop an understanding of the pyrolysis process of LRCs, especially the relationship between the pyrolysis kinetics and the internal chemical structure. The chemical structure parameters of all of the samples were obtained using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method. Thermogravimetric (TG) experiments were conducted at different heating rates (5, 10, and 20 K/min), and the experimental results were fitted using the distributed activation energy model (DAEM). DAEM based on double‐Gaussian distribution (2G‐DAEM) exhibited an acceptable fit to the experimental data in this study. An analysis of the chemical structure parameters of the four types of coals and the kinetic model obtained by fitting indicated that the difference in the chemical structure parameters among the coal samples could effectively explain the difference in the pyrolysis process and the activation energy distribution. The primary pyrolysis stage of the coal samples, including the thermal hysteresis effect caused by the increase in the heating rate, was accurately described by the 2G‐DAEM in this study.
Chromatic adaptation transform by spectral reconstruction
Authors: Burns Scott A.
Published: May 2019

A color appearance model (CAM) is an advanced colorimetric tool used to predict color appearance under a wide variety of viewing conditions. A chromatic adaptation transform (CAT) is an integral part of a CAM. Its role is to predict “corresponding colors,” that is, a pair of colors that have the same color appearance when viewed under different illuminants, after partial or full adaptation to each illuminant. Modern CATs can sometimes generate colors with negative tristimulus values. For some imaging applications, it is important to maintain positive tristimulus values when applying a CAT. This article proposes a new CAT that does not operate on the standard von Kries model of adaptation. Instead, it uses a spectral reconstruction technique as an intermediate stage in the process, while still requiring only tristimulus values as inputs. It is demonstrated that the proposed CAT will not generate colors outside the spectral locus or colors with negative tristimulus values. The proposed CAT does not use established empirical corresponding‐colors data sets to optimize performance, as most modern CATs do, yet it performs as well as or better than the most recent CATs when tested against the data sets of corresponding colors.
Constraint projections for semi‐supervised spectral clustering ensemble
Authors: Yang Jingya , Sun Linfu , Wu Qishi
Published: May 2019

Cluster ensemble combines multiple base clustering results in a suitable way to improve the accuracy of the clustering result. In the conventional cluster ensemble frameworks, pairwise constraints and constraint projections have not been used together, and spectral clustering algorithm is rarely adopted to serve as the consensus function. In this paper, we design a constraint projections for semi‐supervised spectral clustering ensemble (CPSSSCE) model. It takes advantages of spectral clustering algorithm and executes semi‐supervised learning twice. Compared to traditional cluster ensemble approaches, CPSSSCE is characterized by several properties. First, the original data are transformed to lower‐dimensional representations by constraint projection before base clustering. Second, a similarity matrix is constructed using the base clustering results and modified using pairwise constraints. Third, the spectral clustering algorithm is applied to process the similarity matrix to obtain a consensus cluster result. Extensive experiments on standard University of California Irvine Machine Learning Repository (UCI) and Microsoft datasets demonstrated that the CPSSSCE is superior to other cluster ensemble algorithms including a semi‐supervised spectral clustering ensemble.
Graph encryption for all‐path queries
Authors: Xu Zifeng , Zhou Fucai , Li Jin , Li Yuxi , Wang Qiang
Published: May 2019

Since cloud computing and cloud storage have become a common practice in our daily life, people are paying more attention on protecting the privacy of their sensitive data. In this paper, we consider the problem of graph encryption in such a way that one can perform all‐path queries over an encrypted graph in a privacy‐preserving manner. A solution for such problem has many potential applications in network virtualization since graph data structures are commonly used to represent the topology of substrate and virtual networks. We propose a searchable symmetric encryption scheme for graph data that support all‐path queries. The scheme allows a client to encrypt a sensitive graph and outsource it to an untrusted server for storage. After that, the client can perform arbitrary all‐path queries between a source and a destination. For each query, the server computes and returns all the paths that satisfied the query. We prove that our scheme is secure against adaptive chosen‐query attacks in the semi‐honest setting.
The Effects of Ultrasound on the Electro‐Oxidation of Sulfate Solutions at Low pH
Authors: Wallace Alexander G. , McHugh Patrick J. , Symes Mark D.
Published: May 2019

The electro‐oxidation of sulfate solutions is a well‐established route for the generation of powerful oxidants such as persulfate. Despite this, the effects of simultaneous ultrasound irradiation during this process has attracted little attention. Herein, we investigate the effects of a low‐intensity ultrasonic field on the generation of solution‐phase oxidants during the electro‐oxidation of sulfate solutions. Our results show that at high current densities and high sulfate concentrations, ultrasound has little effect on the Faradaic and absolute yields of solution‐phase oxidants. However, at lower current densities and sulfate concentrations, the amount of these oxidants in solution appears to decrease under ultrasonic irradiation. A mechanism explaining these results is proposed (and validated), whereby anodically‐generated sulfate and hydroxyl radicals are more effectively transported into bulk solution (where they are quenched) during sonication, whereas in the absence of an ultrasonic field these radicals combine with one another to form more persistent species (such as persulfate) that can be detected by iodometry.
A Zeta‐based switched‐capacitor DC‐DC converter topology
Authors: Vosoughi Naser , Abbasi Maysam , Abbasi Ehsan , Sabahi Mehran
Published: May 2019

This article proposes a new Zeta‐based switched‐capacitor (SC) dc‐dc converter, which has many advantages such as increased voltage gain, decreased duty‐cycle, lower voltage stress on components such as its capacitors and input switch, and increased output power over traditional dc‐dc converter structures. In traditional converters such as Zeta converter, there is only one coupling capacitor, which works as a medium for transferring the power between input and the output. However, in the proposed Zeta‐based converter, there are multiple coupling capacitors, which are used based on dc‐dc SC converter principles. By using these switched coupling capacitors, the mentioned advantages are obtained for the proposed structure, which in turn make this converter more applicable for industrial applications. The analysis has been validated by comprehensive and precise comparisons and experimental results.
A lifetime enhancement protocol in cluster‐based wireless sensor networks with guaranteed delay
Authors: Jothiprakasam Sundaravanan , Muthial Chandrasekaran
Published: May 2019

Wireless sensor networks nowadays find application in all the fields of the world. Rare event detection is an important application in which the wireless sensor network is used. In the case of rare event detection, event of interest or the important event occurs very rarely. Battery‐powered sensor nodes are deployed to detect the event and report to the base station. Sensing and communicating the low priority events happen in major portion of the lifetime for the sensor nodes. However, if the event occurs, then it should be detected and communicated at the earliest to the base station or to the sink node. To reduce the network traffic due to low priority data, we propose a cross layered algorithm to improve the lifetime of the sensor nodes in the case of clustered architecture. In spite of the increase in the network lifetime, the time to detect and communicate to the base station is maintained as that of the traditional clustering approach. The proposed algorithm is simulated, and results show significant improvement in the lifetime of the sensor nodes with guaranteed latency. In this paper, we also suggest methods to support the latency to sensor nodes on priority basis for continuous reporting.
On the analysis of achievable rate for NOMA networks with cooperative users over κ‐μ shadowed fading channels
Authors: Bilim Mehmet , Kapucu Nuri
Published: May 2019

Cooperative nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system is an effective solution for the fifth generation (5G) wireless mobile communications systems. In this work, the achievable rate analysis of a NOMA communication network with decode‐and‐forward (DF) relaying under κ‐μ shadowed fading conditions is investigated. First, we develop an analytical framework for cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the considered system model. Then, the average achievable rate expressions for two different information bits namely s1 and s2 are derived based on the derived CDF for NOMA with DF relaying over κ‐μ shadowed fading channels. Furthermore, we also propose simplified average achievable rate expressions for the special cases of κ‐μ shadowed fading channels in order to facilitate the evaluation of the derived expressions. Some numerical examples on the achievable rate of the considered system are shown for different scenarios. Moreover, our derived analytical average achievable rate expressions are confirmed by the simulations results.
The use of GLP‐1 receptor agonists in hospitalised patients: An untapped potential
Authors: Mustafa Omar G. , Whyte Martin B.
Published: May 2019

In the outpatient setting, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists have proved to be highly efficacious drugs that provide glycaemic control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia. These characteristics make GLP‐1 receptor agonists attractive agents to treat dysglycaemia in perioperative or high‐dependency hospital settings, where glycaemic variability and hyperglycaemia are associated with poor prognosis. GLP‐1 also has a direct action on the myocardium and vasculature—which may be advantageous in the immediate aftermath of a vascular insult. This is a narrative review of the work in this area. The aim was to determine the populations of hospitalised patients being evaluated and the clinical and mechanistic end‐points tested, with the institution of GLP‐1 therapy in hospital. We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Google scholar databases, combining the term “glucagon‐like peptide 1” OR “GLP‐1” OR “incretin” OR “liraglutide” OR “exenatide” OR “lixisenatide” OR “dulaglutide” OR “albiglutide” AND “inpatient” OR “hospital” OR “perioperative” OR “postoperative” OR “surgery” OR “myocardial infarction” OR “stroke” OR “cerebrovascular disease” OR “transient ischaemic attack” OR “ICU” OR “critical care” OR “critical illness” OR “CCU” OR “coronary care unit.” Pilot studies were reported in the fields of acute stroke, cardiac resuscitation, coronary care, and perioperative care that showed advantages for GLP‐1 therapy, with normalisation of glucose, lower glucose variability, and lower risk of hypoglycaemia. Animal and human studies have reported improvements in myocardial performance when given acutely after vascular insult or surgery, but these have yet to be translated into randomised clinical trials.
Spatially explicit network analysis reveals multi‐species annual cycle movement patterns of sea ducks
Authors: Lamb Juliet S. , Paton Peter W. C. , Osenkowski Jason E. , Badzinski Shannon S. , Berlin Alicia M. , Bowman Tim , Dwyer Chris , Fara Luke J. , Gilliland Scott G. , Kenow Kevin , Lepage Christine , Mallory Mark L. , Olsen Glenn H. , Perry Matthew C. , Petrie Scott A. , Savard Jean‐Pierre L. , Savoy Lucas , Schummer Michael , Spiegel Caleb S. , McWilliams Scott R.
Published: May 2019

Conservation of long‐distance migratory species poses unique challenges. Migratory connectivity, that is, the extent to which groupings of individuals at breeding sites are maintained in wintering areas, is frequently used to evaluate population structure and assess use of key habitat areas. However, for species with complex or variable annual cycle movements, this traditional bimodal framework of migratory connectivity may be overly simplistic. Like many other waterfowl, sea ducks often travel to specific pre‐ and post‐breeding sites outside their nesting and wintering areas to prepare for migration by feeding extensively and, in some cases, molting their flight feathers. These additional migrations may play a key role in population structure, but are not included in traditional models of migratory connectivity. Network analysis, which applies graph theory to assess linkages between discrete locations or entities, offers a powerful tool for quantitatively assessing the contributions of different sites used throughout the annual cycle to complex spatial networks. We collected satellite telemetry data on annual cycle movements of 672 individual sea ducks of five species from throughout eastern North America and the Great Lakes. From these data, we constructed a multi‐species network model of migratory patterns and site use over the course of breeding, molting, wintering, and migratory staging. Our results highlight inter‐ and intra‐specific differences in the patterns and complexity of annual cycle movement patterns, including the central importance of staging and molting sites in James Bay, the St. Lawrence River, and southern New England to multi‐species annual cycle habitat linkages, and highlight the value of Long‐tailed Ducks (Calengula haemalis) as an umbrella species to represent the movement patterns of multiple sea duck species. We also discuss potential applications of network migration models to conservation prioritization, identification of population units, and integrating different data streams.
Senescence and costs of reproduction in the life history of a small precocial species
Authors: Trillmich Fritz , Geißler Edda , Guenther Anja
Published: May 2019

Species following a fast life history are expected to express fitness costs mainly as increased mortality, while slow‐lived species should suffer fertility costs. Because observational studies have limited power to disentangle intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing senescence, we manipulated reproductive effort experimentally in the cavy (Cavia aperea) which produces extremely precocial young. We created two experimental groups: One was allowed continuous reproduction (CR) and the other intermittent reproduction (IR) by removing males at regular intervals. We predicted that the CR females should senesce (and die) earlier and produce either fewer and/or smaller, slower growing offspring per litter than those of the IR group. CR females had 16% more litters during three years than IR females. CR females increased mass and body condition more steeply and both remained higher until the experiment ended. Female survival showed no group difference. Reproductive senescence in litter size, litter mass, and reproductive effort (litter mass/maternal mass) began after about 600 days and was slightly stronger in CR than IR females. Litter size, litter mass, and offspring survival declined with maternal age and were influenced by seasonality. IR females decreased reproductive effort less during cold seasons and only at higher age than CR females. Nevertheless, offspring winter mortality was higher in IR females. Our results show small costs of reproduction despite high reproductive effort, suggesting that under ad libitum food conditions costs depend largely on internal regulation of allocation decisions.
An Energetic (Nitro‐NNO‐azoxy)triazolo‐1,2,4‐triazine
Authors: Anikin Oleg V. , Leonov Nikita E. , Klenov Michael S. , Churakov Aleksandr M. , Voronin Alexey A. , Muravyev Nikita V. , Strelenko Yurii A. , Fedyanin Ivan V. , Tartakovsky Vladimir A.
Published: May 2019

7‐Nitro‐3‐(nitro‐NNO‐azoxy)[1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]‐triazin‐4‐amine (4) is the first high‐melting compound bearing adjacent nitro‐NNO‐azoxy and amino groups. It was synthesized by nitration of 7‐nitro‐3‐(tert‐butyl‐NNO‐azoxy)[1,2,4]triazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazin‐4‐amine (3) with NO2BF4. Compound 4 is a rather thermally stable (decomposition onset temperature 154 °C), highly energetic (calculated heat of formation 580 kcal·kg–1), and highly dense (1.875 g cm–3) material with a CO‐level oxygen balance.
Synthesis of Porphyrinoids, BODIPYs, and (Dipyrrinato)ruthenium(II) Complexes from Prefunctionalized Dipyrromethanes
Authors: Hohlfeld Benjamin F. , Flanagan Keith J. , Kulak Nora , Senge Mathias O. , Christmann Mathias , Wiehe Arno
Published: May 2019

The introduction of functional groups into the meso‐position of dipyrromethanes, boron‐dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) and porphyrinoids, is of fundamental importance in designing such dye systems for material sciences or photomedicine. One route that has proven to be particularly useful in this respect is the nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) on porphyrinoids and their precursors carrying electron‐withdrawing substituents. To further expand this methodology, the potential of the 4‐fluoro‐3‐nitrophenyl and the 3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl moieties for the synthesis of functionalized dipyrromethanes, BODIPYs, and porphyrinoids has been evaluated. The 3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl moiety proved not to be applicable in the SNAr with nucleophiles. The introduction of the 4‐fluoro‐3‐nitrophenyl group, however, allowed fast and efficient SNAr with various amine nucleophiles. The synthesized 4‐amino‐3‐nitrophenyl‐substituted dipyrromethanes were successfully applied in the synthesis BODIPYs and were tested in the synthesis of “trans”‐A2B2 porphyrins and A2B corroles. Furthermore, the dipyrromethanes – after oxidation to the dipyrromethenes – were found to be suitable ligands for metal ions giving access to functionalized ruthenium(II) metal complexes.
Advances in Electrochemical (Bio)Sensing Targeting Epigenetic Modifications of Nucleic Acids
Authors: Campuzano Susana , Pedrero María , Yánez‐Sedeño Paloma , Pingarrón José M.
Published: May 2019

Nucleic acids epigenetic modifications including DNA and RNA methylation and post transcriptional gene regulation by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as microRNAs and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), are of great relevance due to their role in mammalian development and the initiation and progression of various diseases like cancer. Over the past decades, a great research effort was made for determining nucleic acid methylation, electrochemical biosensors rapidly developing as efficient analytical tools for the determination of epigenetic modification of nucleic acids. In this review article, a critical overview of recently reported advances in their development and use for the determination of epigenetic modifications of nucleic acids, including the presence of methylated bases in DNA and RNA and the aberrant expression of microRNAs and lncRNAs, is provided. Special emphasis is made on methodologies successfully applied to real clinical samples, unmet challenges or key points toward future research.
2D MXenes as Perspective Immobilization Platforms for Design of Electrochemical Nanobiosensors
Authors: Lorencova Lenka , Gajdosova Veronika , Hroncekova Stefania , Bertok Tomas , Blahutova Jana , Vikartovska Alica , Parrakova Lucia , Gemeiner Pavol , Kasak Peter , Tkac Jan
Published: May 2019

MXenes are a new group of 2D nanomaterials with fascinating properties including high electrical conductivity, hydrophilic nature, easily tunable structure and high surface area. This is why MXene modified interfaces are extremely promising for the preparation of sensitive electrochemical biosensors. While there are numerous reports on MXene‐based enzymatic biosensors for detection of a wide range of analytes, application of MXene for construction of affinity biosensors is in its infancy. The review article summarizes current state‐of the‐art in the field with a focus on MXene modifications needed for construction of robust and high performance MXene electrochemical biosensors.
Geothermal power generation in China: Status and prospects
Authors: Zhang Lei , Chen Shuai , Zhang Cun
Published: May 2019

Geothermal resources provide green, low‐carbon, and renewable clean energy, with abundant reserves and massive potential for application. The in‐depth analysis of geothermal resources in China, including their distribution and breakdown by shallow, hydrothermal, and hot dry rock (HDR) resources, is made in this study. Using the recent economic reports and state‐of‐the‐art technological solutions, this survey outlines the latest trends in the geothermal power generation in China. The application of geothermal power generation in China is still at an early stage, with the total installed capacity of 27.78 MW. The geothermal power generation technologies, such as dry steam technology, flash technology, binary cycle technology, and enhanced geothermal system (EGS), are briefly discussed and linked to their lucrative implementation sites. In particular, Tibet's Yangbajing is considered to be the most lucrative site for the EGS pilot project. The comparative analysis of low‐cost/large‐scale geothermal power generation technologies, such as low‐ to medium‐temperature one, solar‐geothermal hybrid one, and geothermal power generation in mines, was made, whose results strongly indicated the EGS technical and economical advantages. The concentration of 96% of China's population in the area to the east of Hu line affects the perspectives of high‐cost geothermal projects and has to be accounted in the comprehensive analysis of available data. Based on the revealed trends of geothermal resources’ development in China, the following guidelines are strongly recommended: comprehensive incorporation of geothermal energy generation into China's national energy and climate improvement plans, the rapid implementation of HDR technology, as well as comprehensive adaptation of the geothermal‐related projects to the local conditions/biased distribution of power consumers and state‐of‐the‐art challenges of power consumption.
Corporate risk exposures, disclosure, and derivatives use: A longitudinal study
Authors: Emm Ekaterina E. , Gay Gerald D. , Ren Honglin
Published: May 2019

We conduct firm and industry‐level examinations of key market risk exposures deemed material by managers over the period 2002–2016. We find that risk exposures have expanded in line with firms’ growth and globalization and that managers strategically select disclosure formats in recognition of firms’ demand for capital market access and need to protect proprietary information. Currency derivatives use has surpassed that of interest rate derivatives and, conditioned on a firm having the associated risk exposure, commodity derivatives use is the highest. Finally, we find large increases in risk exposures concurrent with the initiation of derivatives use.
A comprehensive review on miR‐451: A promising cancer biomarker with therapeutic potential
Authors: Khordadmehr Monireh , Jigari‐Asl Farinaz , Ezzati Hamed , Shahbazi Roya , Sadreddini Sanam , Safaei Sahar , Baradaran Behzad
Published: May 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are proposed as a family of short noncoding molecules able to manage and control the expression of the gene targets at the posttranscriptional level. They contribute in several fundamental physiological mechanisms as well as a verity of human and animal diseases such as cancer progression. Among these tiny RNAs, miR‐451 placed on chromosome 17 at 17q11.2 presents an essential role in many biological processes in health condition and also in pathogenesis of different diseases. Besides, it has been recently considered as a valuable biomarker for cancer detection, prognosis and treatment. Therefore, this review will provide the critical functions of miR‐451 on biological mechanisms including cell cycle and proliferation, cell survival and apoptosis, differentiation and development as well as disease initiation and progression such as tumor formation, migration, invasion, and metastasis.
Evaluation of glycaemic control comparing originator versus generic fixed‐dose glibenclamide/metformin tablet among diabetes mellitus patients in an outpatient clinic
Authors: Lim Phei Ching , Lim Shueh Lin , Khaw Chong Hui , Lim Yen Li , Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Chong Chee Ping
Published: May 2019

Background

Currently, comparison studies on glycaemic control by originator versus generic fixed‐dose antidiabetic drugs are limited.

Aim

This study assessed the efficacy, adherence and adverse effects between originator and generic fixed‐dose glibenclamide/metformin after switching from gliclazide coadministered with metformin, and after interchanging the originator and generic fixed‐dose tablets between the study groups.

Methods

A prospective randomised cross‐over study was conducted among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with stable doses of at least 240 mg gliclazide plus 1000 mg metformin in the Out‐Patient Clinic, Penang Hospital. Patients were randomised to receive either originator (Group A) or generic (Group B) glibenclamide/metformin 2.5/500 mg, two tablets twice daily for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, Group A and Group B were switched to generic and originator, respectively, for another 12 weeks. HbA1c, pill count and hypoglycaemic episodes were measured at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks.

Results

The mean (±SD) age of the 84 patients in the study was 58.01 ± 7.87 years, and the median duration of diabetes was 10.00 years (interquartile range 7.00–16.75 years). Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. Mean HbA1c decreased significantly from 0 to 12 weeks in Groups A and B (−0.76% and −0.56%, respectively), but increased significantly from 12 to 24 weeks (+0.39% and +0.33%, respectively). There was no significant difference in the mean change in HbA1c between the two groups. Adherence improved significantly by 11% when patients were switched to fixed‐dose glibenclamide/metformin regardless of whether it was originator or generic. There was no significant difference between originator and generic in the number of hypoglycaemic episodes (11 vs 32; p = 0.825) after switching to fixed‐dose glibenclamide/metformin.

Conclusion

Generic glibenclamide/metformin was therapeutically equivalent to its originator.
Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2: The story continues
Authors: Huang Fubao , Wang Kai , Shen Jianhua
Published: May 2019

Inflammation is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) mediates vascular inflammation through the regulation of lipid metabolism in blood, thus, it has been extensively investigated to identify its role in vascular inflammation‐related diseases, mainly atherosclerosis. Although darapladib, the most advanced Lp‐PLA2 inhibitor, failed to meet the primary endpoints of two large phase III trials in atherosclerosis patients cotreated with standard medical care, the research on Lp‐PLA2 has not been terminated. Novel pathogenic, epidemiologic, genetic, and crystallographic studies regarding Lp‐PLA2 have been reported recently, while novel inhibitors were identified through a fragment‐based lead discovery strategy. More strikingly, recent clinical and preclinical studies revealed that Lp‐PLA2 inhibition showed promising therapeutic effects in diabetic macular edema and Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we not only summarized the knowledge of Lp‐PLA2 established in the past decades but also emphasized new findings in recent years. We hope this review could be valuable for helping researchers acquire a much deeper insight into the nature of Lp‐PLA2, identify more potent and selective Lp‐PLA2 inhibitors, and discover the potential indications of Lp‐PLA2 inhibitors.
Management of urethrocutaneous fistulae complicating sacral and perineal pressure ulcer in neurourological patients: A national multicenter study from the French‐speaking Neuro‐urology Study Group and the Neuro‐urology committee of the French Association of Urology
Authors: Gambachidze Dimitri , Lefèvre Chloë , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel , Perrouin Verbe Marie‐Aimée , Kerdraon Jacques , Egon Guy , Even Alexia , Denys Pierre , Castel‐Lacanal Evelyne , Gamé Xavier , Ruffion Alain , Hascoet Juliette , Peyronnet Benoit , Chaussard Haude , Verde Kévin Lo , Karsenty Gilles , Phé Véronique
Published: May 2019

Purpose

To describe the epidemiologic characteristics of urethrocutaneous fistulae (UCF) in sacro‐perineal pressure ulcer (SPPU) in neurourological patients and to assess outcomes after surgical urinary diversion.

Materials and Methods

Through the French‐speaking Neurourology Study Group and Association of Urology network, a retrospective multicenter study in nine major urology and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) units was conducted. All patients with SPPU associated with UCF between 2000 and 2016 were included. Data concerning: sociodemography, clinical, medical and biological comorbidities, neurological and urological history, pressure ulcer characteristics, and finally urinary diversion surgery were collected. Complications and SPPU healing/relapse were assessed.

Results

In all, 74 patients were included. The median age on diagnosis: 45.9 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38.7‐53.4) and median follow‐up: 15.1 months (IQR, 5.7‐48.8). A psychiatric disorder was the most frequent comorbidity (44.6%). Only 59.5% and 50% had regular PMR and urologic follow‐up, respectively. Seventy‐one patients (95.9%) underwent urinary diversion surgery. Among those, relapse occurred in 15 (21.1%) at the end of the follow‐up. The diversion was noncontinent in 85.9%. The major complications rate was 26.8%. A total of 30 late complications in 21 patients were reported. The most frequent was obstructive pyelonephritis (n = 9). All of the patients who underwent surgical diversion without cystectomy (n = 5) developed a pyocyst. Finally, the pressure ulcer healing rate when patients underwent both urinary diversion and pressure ulcer surgery was 74.4%.

Conclusions

Our retrospective data suggest that UCF complicating SPPU is a rare and severe pathology. The combination of radical urinary diversion with cystectomy and pressure ulcer surgery should be performed as often as possible.