bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fine calculation method for fracture morphology based on microseismic events and its application
Authors: Xiao Yue , Hou Bing , Liu Xing , Cao Bowen , Muhadasi Yeerpulati , Ling Changqing , Xie Lin
Published: November 2019

Microseismic monitoring is an effective method to interpret the morphological parameters of artificial fractures (length, height, and orientation), which is the key to the design of hydraulic fracturing. It is difficult to recognize effective fracture shape after fracturing by using microseismic monitoring data only, which results in a very confusing interpretation of fracture morphology that is quite different from reality. Therefore, in this study, we propose an innovative classification method based on the principal component analysis theory combined with fracturing operation parameters (proppant amount and volume) and derived theoretical formulas for calculating the correction coefficients (volume, length, and height) to optimize and describe fracture patterns finely. By applying 36 wells in Qie‐6 block of the Qinghai Oilfield, the microseismic monitoring events were identified, and the fracture morphology and effective stimulated reservoir volume (ESRV) were corrected. This method is a reliable technology for the interpretation of fracture morphology for field hydraulic fracturing construction.
Strong Adsorption of Dieldrin by Parent and Processed Montmorillonite Clays
Authors: Hearon Sara E. , Wang Meichen , Phillips Timothy D.
Published: November 2019

Widespread use of pesticides has resulted in the accumulation of pesticide residues in the environment due to their persistence and stability. To reduce potential exposures, we have developed broad-acting clay-based sorbents that can be included in the diet as enterosorbents to reduce the bioavailability and toxicity of chemicals. In the present study, parent and acid-processed calcium montmorillonite clays (CM and APM, respectively) were used to determine their potential as sorbents of the organochlorine insecticide dieldrin. We used adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics, and dosimetry studies to determine the capacities and affinities of the clays, the enthalpies of the binding reactions, and potential doses of sorbent that could protect against high exposures. Adsorption isotherms for APM fit a Langmuir model with high enthalpy (suggesting chemisorption) and high capacity (Qmax value = 0.45 mol kg–1), indicating tight binding of dieldrin. Cultures of Hydra vulgaris were used to determine the ability of sorbents to protect a living organism from dieldrin toxicity. The inclusion of acid-processed clays resulted in the highest reduction of dieldrin toxicity (70%) in the hydra. Further work indicated that both CM and APM can significantly reduce the bioavailability of dieldrin from soil (p ≤ 0.01). These results suggest that APM (and similar clays) can be effective sorbents of dieldrin and may be included in the diet and/or soil to protect against environmental exposures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:517–525. © 2019 SETAC
Evolutionary dynamics of health food safety regulatory information disclosure from the perspective of consumer participation
Authors: Luo Jun , Chen Tingqiang , Pan Jinnan
Published: November 2019

The “trust” attribute of health food has intensified the serious information asymmetry problem in the health food market. Moreover, it has strengthened the formation and influence of potential or hidden safety risks of health food, bringing huge impacts on social harmony and stability. Therefore, this study builds a model of health food enterprise production and operation and government regulatory information disclosure from the perspective of consumer participation. The study fully considers the government's policy burdens and the degree of consumer response to food safety regulatory information. Moreover, it aims to explore the evolution mechanism of food enterprise production and operation strategies and government regulatory information disclosure strategies and analyze the evolution process of the government behavior in health food safety regulatory information disclosure. The theoretical derivation and simulation analysis found that the more sensitive consumers are to health food safety regulatory information, the more significant the profitability improvement of enterprises producing quality health food, thus urging the government to make an objective and comprehensive disclosure of health food safety regulatory information.
Genomic coamplification of CDK4/MDM2/FRS2 is associated with very poor prognosis and atypical clinical features in neuroblastoma patients
Authors: Amoroso Loredana , Ognibene Marzia , Morini Martina , Conte Massimo , Di Cataldo Andrea , Tondo Annalisa , D'Angelo Paolo , Castellano Aurora , Garaventa Alberto , Lasorsa Vito A. , Podestà Marina , Capasso Mario , Pezzolo Annalisa
Published: November 2019

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial malignant tumor of childhood and is characterized by a broad heterogeneity in clinical presentation and evolution. Recent advances in pangenomic analysis of NB have revealed different recurrent chromosomal aberrations. Indeed, it is now well established that the overall genomic profile is important for treatment stratification. In previous studies, 11 genes were shown to be recurrently amplified (ODC1, ALK, GREB1, NTSR2, LIN28B, MDM2, CDK4, MYEOV, CCND1, TERT, and MYC) besides MYCN, with poor survival of NB patients harboring these amplifications being suggested. Genomic profiles of 628 NB samples analyzed by array‐comparative genome hybridization (a‐CGH) were re‐examined to identify gene amplifications other them MYCN amplification. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. We additionally evaluated the association of FRS2 gene expression with NB patient outcome using the public R2 Platform. We found eight NB samples with high grade amplification of one or two loci on chromosome arm 12q. The regional amplifications were located on bands 12q13.3‐q14.1 and 12q15‐q21.1 involving the genes CDK4, MDM2, and the potential oncogenic gene FRS2. The CDK4, MDM2, and FRS2 loci were coamplified in 8/8 samples. The 12q amplifications were associated with very poor prognosis and atypical clinical features of NB patients. Further functional and clinical investigations are needed to confirm or refute these associations.
A model for mobile money services adoption by traders in Uganda
Authors: Malinga Ramadhan B. , Maiga Gilbert
Published: November 2019

Mobile money services provide benefits for trade such as payment of bills, reduced cost and time for transactions, increased savings options, sales, and convenience. Despite the benefits, adoption and use of mobile money services by traders in Uganda remain low. This paper reports on the results of a study that explore the challenges traders face in using and adopting mobile money services in Uganda. Self‐administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 394 respondents in a survey. A model to support mobile money service adoption by traders is proposed. The proposed model extends the Unified Theory for the Acceptance and Use of Technology. Regression analysis indicated that performance expectancy, social influences, and sensitization constructs significantly influence the behavioural intention of mobile money services adoption for trade. On the other hand, security, effort expectancy did not significantly influence the behavioural intention to adopt mobile money services by traders. The findings further reveal that facilitating conditions influenced use behaviour of mobile money services for trade transactions. The proposed model is flexible and generic and can be utilized in other developing countries with similar contexts as Uganda.
A new synthesis of biologically active pyrroles: Formal synthesis of pentabromopseudilin, bimetopyrol, and several antitubercular agents
Authors: Karimi Sasan , Ma Shuai , Qu Michelle , Chen Biling , Ramig Keith , Greer Edyta M. , Szalda David J. , Neary Michelle C. , Berkowitz William F. , Subramaniam Gopal
Published: November 2019

Although pyrroles have been synthesized from azido dienes, the corresponding reactions of structurally similar nitrodienes had not been investigated until it became the main focus of this study. This article describes the synthesis of several biologically active pyrroles and mechanistically intriguing results in connection with our new approach using nitrodienes in the presence of Ph3P and a Mo catalyst, bis (acetylaceto)dioxomolybdenum (VI). The final precursor of pentabromopseudilin (PBP), pseudilin, was synthesized in four steps from o‐hydroxycinnamaldehyde. An alternate pathway to PBP proceeded through o‐methylpseudilin, prepared in two steps from o‐methoxycinnamaldehyde. Both starting materials are commercially available. Similarly, bimetopyrol (2‐methyl‐4,5‐bis(p‐methoxyphenyl)pyrrole), a potent anti‐inflammatory, was prepared using the new methodology. The remarkable conversion of nitrodienes 14 and 15 to bimetopyrol highlights the formation of a nitroso or nitrene intermediate. We also established that 14 and 15 interconvert in the presence of ambient light and each converts to bimetopyrol when reacted separately. The wide application of our synthetic methodology includes preparation of several antitubercular and Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV2) agents.
Dysfunctional RNA‐binding protein biology and neurodegeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in female mice
Authors: Salapa Hannah E. , Libner Cole D. , Levin Michael C.
Published: November 2019

Altered stress granule (SG) and RNA‐binding protein (RBP) biology have been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, yet little is known about their role in multiple sclerosis (MS). Pathological features associated with dysfunctional RBPs include RBP mislocalization from its normal nuclear location to the cytoplasm and the formation of chronic SGs. We tested the hypothesis that altered SG and RBP biology might contribute to the neurodegeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). C57BL/6 female mice were actively immunized with MOG35‐55 to induce EAE. Spinal cords were examined for mislocalization of the RBPs, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) and TAR‐DNA binding protein‐43 (TDP‐43), SGs, neurodegeneration (SMI‐32), T cells (CD3), and macrophages (CD68). In contrast to naive mice, mice with EAE showed SG formation (p < 0.0001) and mislocalization of hnRNP A1 (p < 0.05) in neurons of the ventral spinal cord gray matter, which correlated with clinical score (R = 0.8104, p = 0.0253). In these same areas, there was a neuronal loss (p < 0.0001) and increased SMI‐32 immunoreactivity (both markers of neurodegeneration) and increased staining for CD3+ T cells and IFN‐gamma. These findings recapitulate the SG and RBP biology and markers of neurodegeneration in MS tissues and suggest that altered SG and RBP biology contribute to the neurodegeneration in EAE, which might also apply to the pathogenesis of MS.
Association of insurance type with time course of care in head and neck cancer management
Authors: Itamura Kyohei , Kokot Niels , Sinha Uttam , Swanson Mark
Published: November 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine differences in time course of care based on major insurance types for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Retrospective study of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and Medicare patients with biopsy‐proven diagnosis of HNSCC referred to an academic tertiary center for tumor resection and adjuvant therapy. In addition to patient demographic information and tumor characteristics, duration of chief complaint and the following time points were collected: biopsy by referring physician, first specialty surgeon clinic appointment, surgery, and adjuvant radiation start and stop dates.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in time interval for HMO (n = 32) patients from chief complaint to biopsy (P = .003), biopsy to first specialty surgeon clinic appointment (P < .001), and surgery to start of adjuvant radiation (P < .001) compared to that of Medicare (n = 31) and PPO (n = 41) patients. Adjuvant radiation was initiated ≤6 weeks after surgery in 22% of HMO (mean duration of 59 ± 17 days), 48% of Medicare (44 ± 13 days), and 61% of PPO (41 ± 12 days) patients.

Conclusions

Compared to PPO and Medicare patients, HMO patients begin adjuvant radiation after surgery later and experience treatment delays in transitions of care between provider types and with referrals to specialists. Delaying radiation after 6 weeks of surgery is a known prognostic factor, with insurance type playing a possible role. Further investigation is required to identify insurance type as an independent risk factor of delayed access to care for HNSCC.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:E587–E592, 2020
Long‐term fertilization alters microbial community but fails to reclaim soil organic carbon stocks in a land‐use changed soil of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Meng , Wang Guoxi , Kang Xiaoming , Hu Hualing , Wang Yan , Zhang Xiangru , Sun Xiaolei , Zhang Hui , Hu Zhengyi , Xi Beidou
Published: November 2019

The microbial community and soil organic carbon (SOC), which play vital roles in soil fertility and the global C cycle, have been heavily altered due to land‐use changes and long‐term fertilization. However, the effect of long‐term fertilization on the microbial community and SOC in land‐use changed soil is still unclear. In this study, a 26‐year field experiment is conducted to detect the bacterial community and SOC stocks in the soils from meadow grasslands (M), croplands without fertilization (NF), and croplands with fertilization for 13 (F13a) and 26 years (F26a) in the Tibetan Plateau. The results show that land‐use change from meadow grassland to cropland induced a decrease in the SOC stocks of total (TOC), free (FOC) and permanganate‐oxidizable OC (POxC) by 61.8–85.0, 51.1–82.8, and 78.4–95.8%, respectively. Long‐term fertilization increased the SOC stocks by 124.4–419.0%, which was still lower than those in the M soils. In addition, macroaggregates (MAA) and bacterial diversity displayed reductions when the land‐use was changed from grassland to cropland, but they were enhanced after long‐term fertilization. Land‐use change and long‐term fertilization both altered the microbial community. MAA served as a habitat for the microbial community and physical protection for SOC. This may be a key driver of changes in the bacterial community and SOC. This study demonstrates that long‐term fertilization alters the microbial community but fails to restore SOC stocks to the level of uncropped meadow soils. Long‐term fertilization integrated with macroaggregates are required to improve OC sequestration for developing sustainable agriculture and mitigating global climate change.
Effectiveness of native wood strand mulches for land rehabilitation in Iran under experimental conditions
Authors: Kavian Ataollah , Allahi Elham , Ziegler Alan D. , Mohamadi Mohamad Ayob , Zabihzadeh Seyed Majid , Hazbavi Zeinab
Published: November 2019

Wood‐based mulches are a preferred erosion control material for rehabilitation of degraded lands because they can be made from native wood materials; however, research is needed to verify the effectiveness of new products prior to application. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of two types of native wood strand mulches from Iran (waste byproducts of Alnus glutinosa and Fagus orientalis working) in reducing runoff, soil loss, and sediment concentration under laboratory conditions. Toward this goal, rainfall simulations were conducted 27 times using a 50 mm hr−1 rainfall during 20‐min experiments on erosion plots with treatments of different cover percentages (bare, 30 and 70%) and strand dimensions (16 and 4 cm in length; 1.5 cm wide). The results showed that all strand applications reduced runoff (>12%), soil loss (>47%), and sediment concentration (>44%) compared to the bare plots. The most effective application treatment was a 70% coverage of the 4‐cm strands of either material (p value < .002). The shorter strands were most effective for all hydrological and erosion variables reductions because they maintained more contact with the soil surface during simulated rainfall and then increased the soil retention potential, whereas the longer strands realigned in the direction of flow, thereby limiting their ability to retard flowing water. The small strands also facilitated the creation of microdams that blocked flow and promoted infiltration. Both materials were deemed effective native erosion control products in degraded sites in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran, particularly when small strands were applied at high cover rates.
Method for solidifying desert sands with enzyme‐catalysed mineralization
Authors: Miao Linchang , Wu Linyu , Sun Xiaohao , Li Xia , Zhang Jizhou
Published: November 2019

Sandstorms have been recognized as severe natural disasters worldwide and are currently occurring with increasing frequently due to global warming and land desertification. This study aims to mitigate their development and combat erosion caused by sandstorms and wind by improving sand‐surface stability via enzyme‐catalysed mineralization. It is an environment‐friendly method. The novelty of the reported enzymatically induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) lies in the usage of an enzyme catalyst extracted from soybeans. In contrast to the commonly used method of microbial‐induced carbonate precipitation, which is active at room temperatures between 20 and 30°C, EICP achieves high production efficiency at broader temperatures (ranging from 10 to 70°C). Four methods in appendix to EICP were chosen to solidify desert sands at the test site. Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a harmless and nonionic macromolecular flocculating agent, which forms a hydrogel network in desert sands and has a synergistic effect with EICP. An innovative method combined EICP and PAM and was used to solidify desert sand at a field trial site, realizing high‐performance. Solidifying desert sand field tests demonstrated that the solidification strength of EICP+PAM is 6.0–7.0% higher compared with the EICP method alone under identical conditions. This method could obtain higher resistance for strong wind erosion.
Is limnology becoming increasingly abiotic, riverine, and global?
Authors: Lapierre Jean‐François , Heathcote Adam J. , Maisonneuve Philippe , Filstrup Christopher T.
Published: November 2019

Scientists often debate on the evolving state of their fields and future research directions, but empirical studies on research trends are rare and this limits our capacity to disentangle perceptions from facts within the mass of available data. We used ecological and paleolimnological approaches to assess how the “community” of words most commonly used in limnological studies presented at the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) meetings and published in Web of Science have evolved over the last decades. We found that the field of limnology has become increasingly focused on global abiotic research themes, especially in rivers, while there was a decrease in the proportion of organismal studies. We hypothesize that this results from both major influential publications highlighting the importance of framing limnology in a global context and the methodological limitations of organismal studies that prevent data from scaling up as quickly as their abiotic counterparts.
Photo‐Tunable Supramolecular Ultrathin Surfaces for Simultaneous Homeotropic Anchoring and Superfast Switching of Liquid Crystals
Authors: Son Intae , Kim Chunho , Moon Gitae , Lee Jun Hyup
Published: November 2019

Photo‐tunable supramolecular ultrathin surfaces functionalized with a soft ultraviolet (UV) treatment of star‐shaped reactive amphiphiles are fabricated to simultaneously afford homeotropic anchoring of liquid crystals (LCs) and improve the LC switching performance. Photochemically functionalized ultrathin surfaces are generated by cross‐linking star‐shaped amphiphilic monomers in the self‐assembled monolayers with retention of cluster structure under electric field. Since these star‐shaped amphiphiles can construct the close‐packed self‐organized molecular layer with an alkyl brush at the interface between indium tin oxide and LCs through intermolecular hydrogen bonding, they might make elegant alignment surfaces for the homeotropic anchoring of LCs to provide a new type of vertical alignment layer. It is experimentally revealed that supramolecular ultrathin layers with vertical nanopillars form hydrophobic surface, and afford a stable and uniform homeotropic alignment of LCs even in high‐temperature environment. Furthermore, a soft UV irradiation on the self‐assembled ultrathin surfaces under electric field yields superfast responsive cross‐linked ultrathin surfaces with low power consumption compared to conventional polyimide layer. Notably, this controlled methodology offers advantages of simplicity, low‐cost, and scalability in the fabrication of functional alignment surfaces without the need of complex manufacturing steps.
Anticanonical system of Fano fivefolds
Authors: Höring Andreas , Śmiech Robert
Published: November 2019

We show that any Fano fivefold with canonical Gorenstein singularities has an effective anticanonical divisor. Moreover, if a general element of the anticanonical system is reduced, then it has canonical singularities.
Retrospective Analyses of Commercial Trip Limit Efficacy in the Southeastern USA
Authors: Pulver Jeffrey R. , Stephen Jessica A. , Larkin Michael F. , Gray DiLeone Alisha M.
Published: November 2019

Trip limits are frequently used as a management measure to control or reduce harvest by restricting harvest to a maximum amount. The goal of trip limits is often to lengthen the fishing season relative to the annual catch limit by slowing the landings rate or incentivizing fishers to target another species. Two recent commercial trip limits implemented in the southeastern USA were examined to determine the accuracy of the predicted changes in harvest. For South Atlantic Snowy Grouper Hyporthodus niveatus, analysts accurately predicted the change in landings (weight) that could be expected per trip in response to a trip limit increase but did not account for an increased number of trips early in the fishing season. An increased number of trips resulted in higher landings causing Snowy Grouper to reach the quota and close earlier than desired. For Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish Balistes capriscus, analysts underestimated the predicted change in landings per trip that could be realized from implementing a trip limit (numbers of fish). The Gray Triggerfish analysis failed to account for fishers retaining larger individual fish on average after the trip limit was implemented, resulting in higher landings than predicted. When examining per-fish trip limits, it is recommended that other potential changes in fishing behavior, such as changes in the mean weight of fish being retained or increased effort, be considered. The results of this study could be used to improve the effectiveness of trip limits as a management tool.
The largest caucasian kindred with dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy: A founder mutation in italy
Authors: Grimaldi Silvia , Cupidi Chiara , Smirne Nicoletta , Bernardi Livia , Giacalone Fabio , Piccione Giuseppina , Basiricò Salvatore , Mangano Giuseppe Donato , Nardello Rosaria , Orsi Laura , Grosso Enrico , Laganà Valentina , Mitolo Micaela , Maletta Raffaele Giovanni , Bruni Amalia Cecilia
Published: November 2019

Background

Dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease prevalently reported in Japan but rare in Caucasians. The objective of this study was to reconstruct the pedigree of Italian dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy familial cases describing their clinical features.

Methods

We investigated 6 apparently unrelated dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy families comprising a total of 51 affected individuals: 13 patients were clinically examined, and for 38 patients clinical data were collected from clinical sources. The dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy diagnosis was genetically confirmed in 18 patients. Genealogical data from historical archives were analyzed.

Results

All 6 families were unified in a large pedigree deriving from a founder couple originating from Monte San Giuliano (Italy) in the late 1500s, with 51 affected subjects over the last 4 generations. Wide phenotypical variability in age at onset and clinical features was confirmed. Epilepsy was more frequent in juvenile cases than in late adults, with cognitive/psychiatric and motor disorders observed regardless of age at onset.

Conclusions

We have described the largest Caucasian dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy pedigree from a single founder couple. The introduction of the dentatorubral‐pallidoluysian atrophy gene in Italy could have arisen as a result of trade relationships between the Spanish or Portuguese and the Japanese in the 1500s. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Habitual Nut Exposure, Assessed by Dietary and Multiple Urinary Metabolomic Markers, and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults: The InCHIANTI Study
Authors: Rabassa Montserrat , Zamora‐Ros Raul , Palau‐Rodriguez Magalí , Tulipani Sara , Miñarro Antonio , Bandinelli Stefania , Ferrucci Luigi , Cherubini Antonio , Andres‐Lacueva Cristina
Published: November 2019

Scope

The association between self‐reported dietary intake and urinary metabolomic markers of habitual nut exposure with cognitive decline over a 3‐year follow‐up in an older Italian population is prospectively evaluated.

Methods and results

A total of 119 older participants are selected, based on self‐referred nut intake: the non‐nut consumer (n = 72) and the regular consumer (≥2.9 g d−1, n = 47). Nut exposure is measured at baseline either with the use of a validated food frequency questionnaire or with an HPLC‐Q‐ToF‐MS metabolomic approach. Three years after, 28 from the nonconsumers and 10 from the consumers experienced cognitive decline. Dietary nut exposure is characterized by urinary metabolites of polyphenols and fatty acids pathways. Nut consumption estimated either by the dietary marker or by the urinary marker model is in both cases associated with less cognitive decline (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61,0.99; p = 0.043 and OR: 0.995, 95% CI: 0.991,0.999; p = 0.016, respectively) with AUCs 73.2 (95% CI: 62.9, 83.6) and 73.1 (62.5, 83.7), respectively.

Conclusions

A high intake of nuts may protect older adults from cognitive decline. Metabolomics provides accurate and complementary information of the nut exposure and reinforces the results obtained using dietary information.
CYP26B1 declines postnatally in Sertoli cells independently of androgen action in the mouse testis
Authors: Edelsztein Nadia Y. , Kashimada Kenichi , Schteingart Helena F. , Rey Rodolfo A.
Published: November 2019

Meiosis begins at puberty and relies on several factors, including androgens and retinoic acid in the mouse testis. CYP26B1 degrades retinoic acid in the testis during prenatal development preventing meiosis initiation. Given the concurrence of meiotic entry and completion of Sertoli cell maturation in response to androgens at puberty in the mouse, we proposed that CYP26B1 is downregulated by androgens in the Sertoli cell during this period. By immunohistochemistry, we showed that CYP26B1 declines in Sertoli cells after birth. However, luciferase reporter assays and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction performed in the prepubertal mouse Sertoli cell line SMAT1 revealed no changes in Cyp26b1 expression in response to androgen treatment. Furthermore, studies carried out using primary Sertoli cells of 10‐day‐old mice showed no changes in either Cyp26b1 or CYP26B1 expression in response to androgen treatment. In summary, the hereby reported decline in CYP26B1 expression in Sertoli cells towards pubertal onset does not appear to be caused by a direct inhibitory effect of androgens on Sertoli cells in the mouse.
Polymerization Kinetics and Microstructure of Ethylene/1‐Hexene Copolymers Made with Dual Metallocenes
Authors: Saadat Sahar , Soares João B. P. , DesLauriers Paul J. , Fodor Jeff S.
Published: November 2019

Mathematical models are developed to describe the polymerization of ethylene and 1‐hexene with a constrained geometry catalyst (CGC‐Ti) and with bis(cyclopentadienyl)‐zirconium (IV) dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2). Particle swarm optimization is used to fit these models to homo‐ and copolymerization data. The models are also used to describe copolymerizations with mixtures of CGC‐Ti and Cp2ZrCl2 to make copolymers with inverse short chain branching distribution. Copolymer molecular weight and short chain branch distributions, as well as polymerization rates with the dual metallocene system, are measured to test whether they agreed with model predictions. The results show that the two metallocenes do not interact strongly when used as a mixture to make ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers.
Analytical modeling on consolidation of stiffened deep mixed column‐reinforced soft soil under embankment
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Rao Fengrui , Ye Guanbao
Published: November 2019

Stiffened deep mixed (SDM) column is a new ground improvement technique to improve soft soil, which can be used to increase bearing capacity, reduce deformation, and enhance stability of soft soil. This technique has been successfully adopted to support the highway and railway embankments over soft soils in China and other countries. However, there have been limited investigations on its consolidation under embankment loading. This paper developed an analytical solution for the consolidation of embankment over soft soil with SDM column in which core pile is equal to or shorter than outer DM column. The consolidation problem was simplified as a consolidation of composite soil considering the load shear effect of core pile. The developed solution was verified by a comparison with the results computed by three‐dimensional (3‐D) finite element analysis. A parametric study based on the derived solution was conducted to investigate influence factors—length of core pile, diameter of core pile, diameter of SDM column, modulus of DM column, and permeability coefficient of DM column—on the consolidation behavior of SDM column‐supported embankment over soft soil. The developed solution was applied to a case history of SDM column‐supported embankment, and a good agreement was found between the predictions and the field measurements.
Order@Cloud: An agnostic meta‐heuristic for VM provisioning, adaptation, and organisation
Authors: Geronimo Guilherme , Uriarte Rafael , Westphall Carlos
Published: November 2019

We propose a flexible meta‐heuristic framework for virtual machine (VM) organisation, provisioning, and adaptation in the cloud domain, based on migration costs and environment constraints. Order@Cloud improves VM placements according to multiple objectives represented by rules, qualifiers, and improvement cost, which can be easily modified and extended. Order@Cloud theoretically guarantees the adoption of a better set of placements, after considering their costs and benefits, by prioritising the worst VM placements. While existing solutions address only specific objectives, our framework is objective‐agnostic and extensible, which enables the adoption and implementation of new policies and priorities. We conduct experiments using a real cloud environment data and discuss the framework's performance, flexibility, and optimality and provide insights on the challenges and benefits of deploying this framework.
Metal Nano Networks by Potential‐Controlled In Situ Assembling of Gold/Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Köhler J. Michael , Kluitmann Jonas , Knauer Andrea
Published: November 2019

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Professors Michael Köhler at the Technische Universität Ilmenau. The cover picture shows an overlay of an image of a metal nanoparticle network (blue) and sets of non‐spherical metal nanoparticles of different shapes (yellow). The particles can be used in plasmonic labelling, nanoparticle‐based SERS‐sensing and heterogeneous catalysis. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.201900231.
Outdoor physical activity, compliance with the physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration recommendations, and excess weight among adolescents
Authors: Sampasa‐Kanyinga Hugues , Colman Ian , Hamilton Hayley A. , Chaput Jean‐Philippe
Published: November 2019

Background

Spending time outdoor has been identified as an important way to achieve the physical activity required for maintaining and improving health and to lower sedentary time among young children. However, evidence of such relationships in adolescents is particularly limited. This study investigated the relationships between frequency of outdoor physical activity after school, compliance with the physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration recommendations, and overweight/obesity among adolescents.

Methods

A total of 10 028 middle and high school students (mean age of 15.2 y) self‐reported the number of weekdays they spent physically active outdoors after school. Physical activity, screen time, sleep duration, height, and weight were self‐reported. Logistic regression models for the total sample and stratified by sex were adjusted for important covariates.

Results

Overall, there was a positive gradient between the number of weekdays spent physically active outdoor after school and compliance with the physical activity (more than or equal to 60 min/day at moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity) and screen time (less than or equal to 2 h/day) recommendations while a negative gradient with overweight/obesity was observed. Significant sex differences were observed in the associations of outdoor physical activity after school with adherence to the sleep duration and physical activity recommendations. For example, outdoor physical activity after school on all 5 days was associated with greater odds of compliance with the sleep duration recommendation among males (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01‐2.31), but not females (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.65‐1.30).

Conclusions

Results suggest that outdoor physical activity after school could be a behavioural target to increase compliance with the physical activity and screen time recommendations and to possibly tackle excess weight among adolescents.
Qualitative investigation of the impact of internationalization of education on host community's eating habit
Authors: Eluwole Kayode Kolawole , Lasisi Taiwo Temitope , Elidemir Servet Nasifoglu , Guzel Elif
Published: November 2019

Although education tourism has over the years enjoyed great attention by scholars largely because of its impact in shaping both the economic and political landscape of nations, an ample number of such studies have focused on the impact of the host community on the adaptation and survival of the sojourning foreign students or education tourists. There has been significant research into student's acculturation, mobility, and the likes, but research on the reverse impact of sociocultural interaction of these education tourists on their host communities is scarce. North Cyprus, a small island state with economic dependence on education, is a thriving host community for a substantial number of an education tourist. This study explores the influence of internationalization of education on the food consumption habit of indigenes of their host community. Data generated from a focus group of North Cyprus indigenes were used to examine how the influx of educational tourists have altered and shaped their eating behavior and culture. Current study contributes to both literature and tourism sectors by showcasing the importance of cultural transfer of education tourism.
The Unexpected Effects of No Pass, No Drive Policies on High School Education
Authors: Kennedy Kendall J.
Published: November 2019

Since 1988, 27 states have introduced No Pass, No Drive laws, which tie a teenager's ability to receive and maintain a driver's license to various school‐related outcomes—most commonly, enrollment and attendance. Enrollment‐Based No Pass, No Drive policies, in 21 states, target both enrollment and attendance, and have negligible effects on dropout rates. However, these policies decrease the Averaged Freshman Graduation Rate (AFGR) by between 1 and 1.7 percentage points. This lower graduation rate stems from students delaying their dropout decision by up to two years. As a result, these students are retained in the ninth and tenth grades, increasing 9th‐grade enrollment by 3.6 percent relative to 8th‐grade enrollment the year prior; this causes an artificial reduction in the graduation rate, rather than a reduction in the true likelihood that a student will graduate. Truancy‐Based No Pass, No Drive policies, in five states, target only attendance—teens that fail to meet a minimum attendance requirement lose their driver's license. However, these policies allow students to drop out of school without facing this penalty. These policies increase the annual dropout rate by between 23 and 34 percent (1 to 1.6 percentage points).
Use of Adipose‐Derived Orthobiologics for Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Narrative Review
Authors: Schroeder Allison , Rubin J. Peter , Kokai Lauren , Sowa Gwendolyn , Chen Joseph , Onishi Kentaro
Published: November 2019

Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most prevalent, disabling, and costly conditions that Americans face, affecting over half of those over 18 and nearly 75% of those over 65 years old. Current treatments are largely palliative for many of these conditions and unmet needs have warranted the emergence of alternative treatments. Orthobiologics, such as adipose tissue derivatives (ATDs), are of high interest because they can be obtained in the office setting and their cellular components, including adipose stem cells and stromal cells, are thought to be beneficial in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) are two ATD injectates that are used in the clinical setting to treat musculoskeletal conditions. Our review aimed to clarify the terminology describing the various ATDs used for orthopedic indications while discussing the promising but low‐quality evidence, heterogeneity in MFAT and SVF processing methods, and inconsistencies in reported information such as injectate characterization with cell counts, injection technique, and postprocedural rehabilitation.
Widening participation and a student “success” assemblage: The materialities and mobilities of university
Authors: Wainwright Emma , Chappell Anne , McHugh Ellen
Published: November 2019

This paper takes an assemblage approach to extend knowledge and understanding of widening participation (WP) in the United Kingdom. We reflect on the identification and experiences of a WP student population—how this population has been marked out, labelled, and considered through policy and intervention, alongside the materialities and mobilities that shape the lived experiences of these students. Using questionnaire findings, narrative interviews, and photo diaries, it draws on a 12‐month study at a London university to explore the factors that have enabled final‐year undergraduate students from a WP background to stay the course and complete their programme of studies. Our arguments are shaped by the geographical and educational literatures on materialities and mobilities. We bring these together to sketch out a student success assemblage comprising wide‐ranging elements that we frame around identity, support, and resources. Assemblage draws attention to the multiplicity of human/non‐human relations that shape student experience and students' capacities for success. Assemblage intersects with university precisely through a focus on experience and, as we suggest, takes on a particular inflexion for students from a WP background. This underpinning ontological basis to studying WP enables us to view the university, student experience, and success as being continually produced and reproduced, and coconstituted between the human and non‐human. Universities should attend to student assemblages to better understand the experiences of and support needed by underrepresented groups in higher education.
Anti‐inflammatory effect of isopimarane diterpenoids from Kaempferia galanga
Authors: Tungcharoen Pattreeya , Wattanapiromsakul Chatchai , Tansakul Pimpimon , Nakamura Seikou , Matsuda Hisashi , Tewtrakul Supinya
Published: November 2019

Two new isopimarane diterpenes, 1α‐hydroxy‐14α‐methoxyisopimara‐8(9),15‐diene (7) and 1α,14α‐dihydroxyisopimara‐8(9),15‐diene (9) and eight known isopimarane diterpenes including (‐)‐sandaracopimaradiene (1), 6β‐acetoxysandaracopimaradiene‐9α‐ol (2), sandaracopimaradiene‐7β,9α‐diol (3), sandaracopimaradiene‐1α,9α‐diol (4), 6β‐acetoxysandaracopimaradiene‐9α‐ol‐1‐one (5), 6β‐acetoxysandaracopimaradiene‐1α,9α‐diol (6), 6β,14α‐dihydroxyisopimara‐8(9),15‐diene (8), and 6β,14β‐dihydroxyisopimara‐8(9),15‐diene (10) were isolated from hexane fraction of Kaempferia galanga ethanol extract. Compounds 5, 6, 8, and 9 exerted the good anti‐inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated nitric oxide production from RAW264.7 cells with IC50 of 11.2, 7.7, 14.3, and 12.1 μM, respectively. These four compounds inhibited nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression. Compounds 5 and 6 also suppressed cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) mRNA expression; in addition, compound 6 had mild inhibitory effect on TNF‐α mRNA. Among these compounds, 5 dramatically inhibited iNOS and COX‐2 mRNA expression. The influential structures were proposed to be oxygen substitute at C‐1, C‐6, and α‐OH at C‐14.
Study on properties of wooden capillary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Lin Jiadi , Yan Jing , Xu Qingxuan , Wang Xiwei
Published: November 2019

Rationale

In view of the unique properties of wooden materials as electrospray emitters, a novel wooden capillary electrospray ionization (WC‐ESI) device was fabricated. The performance of a wooden capillary as an electrospray emitter was investigated by using a wooden capillary instead of the metal emitter of commercial ESI sources.

Methods

The mass spectrometric measurement of baicalein, emodin and myoglobin was carried out by using wooden capillary (WC) and metal capillary (MC) ESI sources. Contrasting analysis of signal intensity between WC and MC electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) was implemented at different sample flow rates. The effect of WC‐ESI‐MS and MC‐ESI‐MS was evaluated experimentally with electrospray solutions in different solvent ratios.

Results

Generally, the signal generated by WC‐ESI‐MS was much stronger than that obtained by MC‐ESI‐MS. In particular, the MS signal in negative ion mode was very strong, which may solve the long‐standing problem of low MS signals in negative ion mode, and fully improve the detection efficiency of ESI‐MS.

Conclusions

The signal intensity produced by WC‐ESI‐MS is significantly higher than that from MC‐ESI‐MS, and polymerization and electrolysis are reduced; therefore, the spectra become simpler. In addition, it is also tolerant to high flow rates and high aqueous phase samples.
Volatile compounds released by Nalophan; implications for selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry and other chemical ionisation mass spectrometry analytical methods
Authors: Brůhová Michalčíková Regina , Dryahina Kseniya , Smith David , Španěl Patrik
Published: November 2019

Rationale

Nalophan bags are commonly used to collect breath samples for volatile metabolite analysis. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the polymer can, however, be mistaken as breath metabolites when analyses are performed by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry, SIFT‐MS, or techniques that depend on a proper understanding of ion chemistry.

Methods

Three analytical techniques were used to analyse the VOCs released into the nitrogen used to expand Nalophan bags, viz. gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SESI‐MS) and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS). The most significant VOCs were identified and quantified by SIFT‐MS as a function of storage time, temperature and humidity.

Results

The consistent results obtained by these three analytical methods identify 1,2‐ethanediol (ethylene glycol) and 2‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane as the major VOCs released by the Nalophan. Their concentrations are enhanced by increasing the bag storage temperature and time, reaching 170 parts‐per‐billion by volume (ppbv) for ethylene glycol and 34 ppbv for 2‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane in humid nitrogen (absolute humidity of 5%) contained in an 8‐L Nalophan bag stored at 37°C for 160 min.

Conclusions

Using H3O+ reagent ions for SIFT‐MS and SESI‐MS analyses, the following analyte ions (m/z values) are affected by the Nalophan impurities: 45, 63, 81, 89 and 99, which can compromise analyses of acetaldehyde, ethylene glycol, monoterpenes, acetoin, butyric acid, hexanal and heptane.
A new method of ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for determination of chlorogenic acid in human plasma and urine
Authors: Han Xiaohong , Li Ning , Liu Shuxia , Yang Sheng , Song Yuanyuan , Shi Yuankai
Published: November 2019

Rationale

Chlorogenic acid (CA) is well known for its various biological activities. Here, a clinical study was performed in patients with advanced malignant cancer to explore its therapeutic effects. We aimed to develop a method to quantify CA in human plasma and urine to assist the clinical pharmacokinetic study.

Methods

Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with a triple quadruple mass spectrometry was used to separate and detect CA, with puerarin serving as the internal standard.

Results

The method presents an excellent linearity ranging from 5 to 2000 ng/mL for plasma analysis and 50 to 20 000 ng/mL for urine analysis. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy were both less than 15% for plasma and urine.

Conclusions

These results showed that the novel UPLC method was robust and sensitive, and fulfilled the requirements for a clinical pharmacokinetic study of CA in patients with advanced cancer.
Analytical effects on clumped isotope thermometry: Comparison of a common sample set analyzed using multiple instruments, types of standards, and standardization windows
Authors: Defliese William F. , Tripati Aradhna
Published: November 2019

Rationale

Carbonate clumped isotope geothermometry is being increasingly used in multiple disciplines in the geosciences. However, potential interlaboratory issues are arising from different standardization procedures that may contribute to the multiple Δ47‐temperature calibrations reported in the literature. We investigate this issue by comparing a common temperature calibration sample set across three different mass spectrometers, using multiple standardization methods.

Methods

The same temperature calibration sample set was analyzed on three different mass spectrometers. Several standardization methods were utilized, including the use of carbonate versus gas standards, and different types of background correction were applied to the raw data.

Results

All standardization types applied resulted in statistically indistinguishable Δ47‐temperature slopes, with the exception of standardization calculations that did not correct for background effects. Some instruments and standardizations showed different intercepts relative to each other. The use of carbonate standards improved comparability between different instruments relative to gas standards.

Conclusions

Our results show that background effects are the largest factor potentially affecting Δ47 results, and there may be an improvement in interlaboratory precision using carbonate standards. Critically, all techniques used for standardizing Δ47 results converge on a common slope as long as background effects are properly corrected. The use of carbonate standards is recommended as a component of standardization procedures.