bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrient Recovery From the Liquid Fraction of Digestate by Clinoptilolite
Authors: Kocatürk‐Schumacher Nazlı Pelin , Bruun Sander , Zwart Kor , Jensen Lars Stoumann
Published: April 2017

The direct application of the liquid fraction of biogas digestate to agricultural fields as a fertilizer may result in practical and environmental problems. Concentrating nutrients onto clinoptilolite and subsequently using clinoptilolite as a fertilizer could be an alternative solution for the management of nutrients in the liquid fraction of digestate. In this study, the use of clinoptilolite to recover ammonium, potassium, and orthophosphate from the liquid fraction of digestate was investigated. The optimal preconditioning of clinoptilolite and the optimal initial nutrient‐to‐clinoptilolite loading ratio was determined to achieve the highest nutrient removal efficiency. Preconditioning of clinoptilolite had no significant effect on the total ammonium and potassium removal from the liquid fraction of digestate. An increase in the initial loading ratio significantly increased nutrient concentrations on the clinoptilolite, but decreased nutrient removal efficiencies from the liquid fraction of digestate: removal efficiencies ranged from 40 to 89% for ammonium, 37 to 78% for potassium, and 64 to 80% for orthophosphate at various initial loading ratios. Overall, the increase in the concentration of nutrients on the clinoptilolite was relatively low, however, nutrients could be removed from the liquid fraction of digestate with high removal efficiencies. This indicated that the use of clinoptilolite could be a solution for improved management and utilization of the liquid fractions of digestate.
Probing Mercaptobenzamides as HIV Inactivators via Nucleocapsid Protein 7
Authors: Saha Mrinmoy , Scerba Michael T. , Shank Nathaniel I. , Hartman Tracy L. , Buchholz Caitlin A. , Buckheit Robert W. , Durell Stewart R. , Appella Daniel H.
Published: April 2017

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) nucleocapsid protein 7 (NCp7), a zinc finger protein, plays critical roles in viral replication and maturation and is an attractive target for drug development. However, the development of drug‐like molecules that inhibit NCp7 has been a significant challenge. In this study, a series of novel 2‐mercaptobenzamide prodrugs were investigated for anti‐HIV activity in the context of NCp7 inactivation. The molecules were synthesized from the corresponding thiosalicylic acids, and they are all crystalline solids and stable at room temperature. Derivatives with a range of amide side chains and aromatic substituents were synthesized and screened for anti‐HIV activity. Wide ranges of antiviral activity were observed, with IC50 values ranging from 1 to 100 μm depending on subtle changes to the substituents on the aromatic ring and side chain. Results from these structure–activity relationships were fit to a probable mode of intracellular activation and interaction with NCp7 to explain variations in antiviral activity. Our strategy to make a series of mercaptobenzamide prodrugs represents a general new direction to make libraries that can be screened for anti‐HIV activity.
Perovskite La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 Nanofibers Decorated with RuO2 Nanoparticles as an Efficient Bifunctional Cathode for Rechargeable Li–O2 Batteries
Authors: Gong Yudong , Zhang Xiuling , Li Zhipeng , Wang Zhiwei , Sun Chunwen , Chen Liquan
Published: April 2017

Perovskite La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 nanofibers decorated with RuO2 nanoparticles (RuO2@LSCF‐NFs) are prepared by electrospinning combined with a facile synthesis method. The obtained RuO2@LSCF‐NFs are used as a cathode catalyst for lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries. The RuO2@LSCF‐NFs catalyst exhibits enhanced catalytic performance with a decreasing voltage gap of 283 mV lower than the cell with the LSCF‐NFs catalyst. The improved performance is attributed to the superior catalytic activation of RuO2 nanoparticles toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Time‐Lapse Imaging and Cell Tracking of Migrating Cells in Slices and Flattened Telencephalic Vesicles
Authors: Murcia‐Belmonte Verónica , Expósito Giovanna , Herrera Eloísa
Published: April 2017

Neuronal migration is a vital process needed for subsequent assembly and function of neural circuitry during embryonic development. The vast majority of neural progenitors are generated far from their final destination and need to migrate considerable distances to reach their specific cortical layer. Innovations in cell culture techniques and fluorescence microscopy now facilitate the direct visualization of cell movements during cortical development. Here, a detailed protocol to record and analyze a particular type of early migrating neurons, the Cajal Retzius Cells, during the development of the telencephalic vesicles in mammals is described. This method applied to other reporter mouse lines or to electroporated mouse embryos can be also used to analyze the migration of different types of moving neurons during cortical development. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC)‐Dextran Extravasation as a Measure of Blood‐Brain Barrier Permeability
Authors: Natarajan Reka , Northrop Nicole , Yamamoto Bryan
Published: April 2017

The blood‐brain barrier (BBB) is formed in part by vascular endothelial cells that constitute the capillaries and microvessels of the brain. The function of this barrier is to maintain homeostasis within the brain microenvironment and buffer the brain from changes in the periphery. A dysfunction of the BBB would permit circulating molecules and pathogens typically restricted to the periphery to enter the brain and interfere with normal brain function. As increased permeability of the BBB is associated with several neuropathologies, it is important to have a reliable and sensitive method that determines BBB permeability and the degree of BBB disruption. A detailed protocol is presented for assessing the integrity of the BBB by transcardial perfusion of a 10,000 Da FITC‐labeled dextran molecule and its visualization to determine the degree of extravasation from brain microvessels. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Renewable Wood Pulp Paper Reactor with Hierarchical Micro/Nanopores for Continuous‐Flow Nanocatalysis
Authors: Koga Hirotaka , Namba Naoko , Takahashi Tsukasa , Nogi Masaya , Nishina Yuta
Published: April 2017

Continuous‐flow nanocatalysis based on metal nanoparticle catalyst‐anchored flow reactors has recently provided an excellent platform for effective chemical manufacturing. However, there has been limited progress in porous structure design and recycling systems for metal nanoparticle‐anchored flow reactors to create more efficient and sustainable catalytic processes. In this study, traditional paper is used for a highly efficient, recyclable, and even renewable flow reactor by tailoring the ultrastructures of wood pulp. The “paper reactor” offers hierarchically interconnected micro‐ and nanoscale pores, which can act as convective‐flow and rapid‐diffusion channels, respectively, for efficient access of reactants to metal nanoparticle catalysts. In continuous‐flow, aqueous, room‐temperature catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol, a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)‐anchored paper reactor with hierarchical micro/nanopores provided higher reaction efficiency than state‐of‐the‐art AuNP‐anchored flow reactors. Inspired by traditional paper materials, successful recycling and renewal of AuNP‐anchored paper reactors were also demonstrated while high reaction efficiency was maintained.
Stories Matter: Narrative Themes of Counselor Educators' Religious and Spiritual Competency
Authors: Johns R. David
Published: April 2017

Using narrative inquiry, the author explored the multicultural aspects of religious and spiritual experiences, assumptions, and patterns of 9 counselor educators to understand the impact that experiences and beliefs have when supervising and teaching counseling students. A gap exists between counselor standards, ethics, competencies, and practice, because counseling students receive mixed messages about addressing spiritual and religious concerns. Through hermeneutic analysis, 6 themes emerged: (a) religious and spiritual journeys, (b) religious and spiritual practices, (c) relationships, (d) marginalization, (e) modeling, and (f) risk and taboo. Trustworthiness strategies, implications for counselor education, limitations, and directions for future research are described.
Student Counselors' Moral, Intellectual, and Professional Ethical Identity Development
Authors: Lloyd‐Hazlett Jessica , Foster Victoria A.
Published: April 2017

Professional identity is characterized by the integration of individuals' professional and personal selves. The authors used a multiple regression design to examine counselor professional ethical identity development, with specific attention to moral and intellectual development. Student counselors (N = 59) completed the Modified Subject‐Object Interview (Monson & Hamilton, ), Defining Issues Test–2 (Rest, Narvaez, Bebeau, & Thoma, ), and Learning Environment Preferences scale (Moore, ). Moral development was the most significant predictor of professional ethical identity development. Preparatory and research strategies to enhance professional ethical identity formation are discussed.
Gender‐adjusted and age‐adjusted economic inpatient burden of congestive heart failure: cost and disability‐adjusted life‐year analysis
Authors: Salem Khal , ElKhateeb Osama
Published: April 2017

Aims

The two components of disability‐adjusted life year (DALY), years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD), are underutilized in evaluating heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and in assessing the global burden of disease. We aim to describe both the direct (medical) and the indirect (morbidity and mortality) inpatient cost of congestive heart failure in a high‐income non‐Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Middle Eastern country in relation to YLL and YLD.

Methods and results

We used the World Health Organization's global burden of disease methodology to calculate DALY, YLL, and YLD in 174 consecutive prospectively enrolled New York Heart Association Classes II–IV patients in a single‐centre heart failure registry using a 0.4 disability weight and a 3% future age discount. We reported the cost of hospitalization, re‐hospitalization, and non‐invasive and invasive procedures per 1000 HFrEF patients in US dollars (USD). Expressing results as per 1000 HFrEF capita revealed a DALY of 1480 ± 1909 vs. 2177 ± 2547 in women and men, respectively. The costs per HFrEF capita in USD were $909.00 ± 676.1 for a single‐day hospital stay, $7999 per single hospitalization, $12 311 ± 13 840 for annual hospitalizations, $20 486 ± 22 068 for all‐cause hospitalizations, and $37 355 ± 49 336 from the time of diagnosis until death or recovery.

Conclusions

In this study, HFrEF imposed a substantial economic and disability burden on one non‐Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Middle Eastern country. However, men represented a higher economic burden than women.
Crystal Structure and Luminescence Investigations of the Nitridomagnesoaluminates Mg3AlnNn+2 with n = 1, 2, 3
Authors: Schmidt Robert , Ströbele Markus , Eichele Klaus , Meyer Hans‐Jürgen
Published: April 2017

Mg3Al3N5, Mg3Al2N4, and Mg3AlN3 were synthesized at 1100 °C in a closed system by utilizing weld‐shut niobium ampoules. Their crystal structures were solved and refined on the basis of powder XRD data in space group P63/mmc [a = b = 3.2422(1), c = 26.340(1) Å, Z = 2] for Mg3Al3N5, P3m1 [a = b = 3.2860(1), c = 10.7461(1) Å, Z = 1] for Mg3Al2N4, and R3m [a = b = 3.3683(0), c = 25.4835(1) Å, Z = 3] for Mg3AlN3. Their crystal structures are characterized by wurtzite‐type [AlN] and [MgN] block layers alternating with octahedral [MgN] layers along the c‐axis direction. Europium(III)‐doped samples of Mg3Al3N5 show characteristic emission in the visible region of the spectrum on excitation with UV radiation at λex = 370 nm. Mg3AlN3 doped with europium(II) shows yellow luminescence on excitation with UV radiation at λex = 365 nm.
Uranyl Complexes as Scaffolding or Spacers for Cucurbit[6]uril Molecules in Homo‐ and Heterometallic Species, Including a Uranyl–Lanthanide Complex
Authors: Thuéry Pierre
Published: April 2017

The reaction of uranyl nitrate with cucurbit[6]uril (CB6) and carboxylic or sulfonic ligands under hydrothermal conditions and in the presence of additional metal cations (KI or CeIII) or cosolvents provided four complexes, which were crystallographically characterized. The compound [(UO2)2K2(CB6)(adc)2(NO3)2(H2O)2]·5H2O (1), where H2adc is 1,3‐adamantanedicarboxylic acid, crystallizes in the form of a central K2(CB6)2+ column surrounded by two one‐dimensional (1D) polymeric UO2(adc)(NO3)– chains attached to the column by nitrate bridges, with a perfect match of the repeat lengths in the two subunits. The longer 1,3‐adamantanediacetic acid (H2adac) gives the complex [(UO2)2(adac)2(HCOOH)2]·CB6·6H2O (2), in which the 1D uranyl‐containing polymer and columns of CB6 molecules form a layered arrangement held by weak CH···O hydrogen bonds. The complex formed with the dipotassium salt of methanedisulfonic acid (K2mds), [(UO2)2K2(CB6)(mds)2(OH)2(H2O)8]·4H2O (3), is a 1D polymer, in which K2(CB6)2+ units are connected to one another by doubly hydroxide‐bridged uranyl dimers in which the disulfonates are terminal, chelating ligands; connection between the two subunits is solely through potassium oxo‐bonding to uranyl. The complex [(UO2)2Ce2(CB6)(C2O4)3(NO3)4(H2O)6]·2H2O (4) is a 1D polymer containing bridging oxalate ligands formed in situ, in which CB6 is coordinated to the lanthanide cations only; one nitrate ligand and one water ligand, hydrogen‐bonded to each other, are included in the CB6 cavity, with the possible occurrence of interactions between nitrate oxygen atoms and ureido carbon atoms.
Chemoselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct C–H Arylation of 5‐Carboxyimidazoles: Unparalleled Access to Fused Imidazole‐Based Tricycles Containing Six‐, Seven‐ or Eight‐Membered Rings
Authors: Thireau Jérémy , Schneider Cédric , Baudequin Christine , Gaurrand Sandrine , Angibaud Patrick , Meerpoel Lieven , Levacher Vincent , Querolle Olivier , Hoarau Christophe
Published: April 2017

An extensive study of the chemoselective Pd‐catalyzed inter‐ and intramolecular direct C–H arylation of N‐benzylated 5‐carboxyimidazoles with halides with and without CuI assistance in 1,4‐dioxane as a low‐polarity solvent was explored. The method was suitable for the synthesis of fused imidazole‐based tricyclic systems incorporating medium‐sized rings, including, for the first time, eight‐membered rings, which are valuable in modern drug design.
Status and future strategies for Concentrating Solar Power in China
Authors: Wang Jun , Yang Song , Jiang Chuan , Zhang Yaoming , Lund Peter D.
Published: April 2017

China is the world leader in several areas of clean energy, but not in Concentrating Solar Power (CSP). Our analysis provides an interesting viewpoint to China's possible role in helping with the market breakthrough of CSP. We present a short overview of the state‐of‐the‐art of CSP including the status in China. A blueprint for China's CSP development is elaborated based on China's 13th 5‐year program, but also on China's previous success factors in PV and wind power. The results of this study suggest that China could play a more prominent global role in CSP, but this would require stronger efforts in several areas ranging from innovation to policies.
Observations on sandbar behaviour along a man‐made curved coast
Authors: Rutten J. , Ruessink B. G. , Price T. D.
Published: April 2017

Sandbars, submerged ridges of sand parallel to the shoreline, affect surfzone circulation, beach topography and beach width. Under time‐varying wave forcing, sandbars may migrate onshore and offshore, referred to as two‐dimensional (2D) behaviour, and vary in planshape from alongshore uniform ridges to alongshore non‐uniform ridges through the growth and decay of three‐dimensional (3D) patterns, referred to as 3D behaviour. Although 2D and 3D sandbar behaviour is reasonably well understood along straight coasts, this is not the case for curved coasts, where the curvature can invoke spatial variability in wave forcing. Here, we analyse sandbar behaviour along the ∼3000 m man‐made curved coastline of the Sand Engine, Netherlands, and determine the wave conditions governing this behaviour. 2D and 3D behaviour was quantified within a box north and west of the Sand Engine's tip, respectively, using a 2.4‐year dataset of daily low‐tide video images and a sparser bathymetric dataset. The northern and western sides behaved similarly in terms of 2D behaviour, with seasonal onshore and offshore migration, resulting in a stable position on inter‐annual timescales. However, both sandbar geometry and 3D behaviour differed substantially between both sides. The geometric differences (bar shape, bar crest depth and wavelength of 3D patterns) are consistent with computed alongshore differences in breaker height due to refraction. The differences in the timing in growth, decay and morphological coupling of 3D patterns in the sandbar and shoreline are likely related to differences in the local wave angle, imposed by the curved coast. Similar dependency of bar behaviour on local wave height and angle may be expected elsewhere along curved coasts, e.g. shoreline sandwaves, cuspate forelands or embayed beaches. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The jumbo carbon footprint of a shrimp: carbon losses from mangrove deforestation
Authors: Boone Kauffman J , Arifanti Virni B , Hernández Trejo Humberto , del Carmen Jesús García Maria , Norfolk Jennifer , Cifuentes Miguel , Hadriyanto Deddy , Murdiyarso Daniel
Published: April 2017

Scientists have the difficult task of clearly conveying the ecological consequences of forest and wetland loss to the public. To address this challenge, we scaled the atmospheric carbon emissions arising from mangrove deforestation down to the level of an individual consumer. This type of quantification represents the “land‐use carbon footprint”, or the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) generated when natural ecosystems are converted to produce commodities. On the basis of measurements of ecosystem carbon stocks from 30 relatively undisturbed mangrove forests and 21 adjacent shrimp ponds or cattle pastures, we determined that mangrove conversion results in GHG emissions ranging between 1067 and 3003 megagrams of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per hectare. There is a land‐use carbon footprint of 1440 kg CO2e for every kilogram of beef and 1603 kg CO2e for every kilogram of shrimp produced on lands formerly occupied by mangroves. A typical steak and shrimp cocktail dinner would burden the atmosphere with 816 kg CO2e. This is approximately the same quantity of GHGs produced by driving a fuel‐efficient automobile from Los Angeles to New York City. Failure to include deforestation in life‐cycle assessments greatly underestimates the GHG emissions from food production.
Crossing the Death Valley to Transfer Environmental Decision Support Systems to the Water Market
Authors: Poch Manel , Comas Joaquim , Cortés Ulises , Sànchez‐Marrè Miquel , Rodríguez‐Roda Ignasi
Published: April 2017

Environmental decision support systems (EDSSs) are attractive tools to cope with the complexity of environmental global challenges. Several thoughtful reviews have analyzed EDSSs to identify the key challenges and best practices for their development. One of the major criticisms is that a wide and generalized use of deployed EDSSs has not been observed. The paper briefly describes and compares four case studies of EDSSs applied to the water domain, where the key aspects involved in the initial conception and the use and transfer evolution that determine the final success or failure of these tools (i.e., market uptake) are identified. Those aspects that contribute to bridging the gap between the EDSS science and the EDSS market are highlighted in the manuscript. Experience suggests that the construction of a successful EDSS should focus significant efforts on crossing the death‐valley toward a general use implementation by society (the market) rather than on development.
Inclusion of biological knowledge in a Bayesian shrinkage model for joint estimation of SNP effects
Authors: Pereira Miguel , Thompson John R. , Weichenberger Christian X. , Thomas Duncan C. , Minelli Cosetta
Published: April 2017

With the aim of improving detection of novel single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genetic association studies, we propose a method of including prior biological information in a Bayesian shrinkage model that jointly estimates SNP effects. We assume that the SNP effects follow a normal distribution centered at zero with variance controlled by a shrinkage hyperparameter. We use biological information to define the amount of shrinkage applied on the SNP effects distribution, so that the effects of SNPs with more biological support are less shrunk toward zero, thus being more likely detected. The performance of the method was tested in a simulation study (1,000 datasets, 500 subjects with ∼200 SNPs in 10 linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks) using a continuous and a binary outcome. It was further tested in an empirical example on body mass index (continuous) and overweight (binary) in a dataset of 1,829 subjects and 2,614 SNPs from 30 blocks. Biological knowledge was retrieved using the bioinformatics tool Dintor, which queried various databases. The joint Bayesian model with inclusion of prior information outperformed the standard analysis: in the simulation study, the mean ranking of the true LD block was 2.8 for the Bayesian model versus 3.6 for the standard analysis of individual SNPs; in the empirical example, the mean ranking of the six true blocks was 8.5 versus 9.3 in the standard analysis. These results suggest that our method is more powerful than the standard analysis. We expect its performance to improve further as more biological information about SNPs becomes available.
On the evaluation of a finned annular tube in convective heat transfer performance in the presence of Ag/oil nanofluid for a constant thermal flux rate boundary condition
Authors: Jafarimoghaddam A. , Aberoumand S.
Published: April 2017

In the present empirical work, the effectiveness of a finned annular tube in the presence of Ag/oil nanofluid is investigated. An annular tube with axial fins was considered as the test case. Suspended Ag nanoparticles in different volume concentrations of 0.011%, 0.044%, and 0.176% were examined in this work. The setup was designed in a way to be sure that the flow is hydrodynamically fully developed along the tube. This experiment has been done in a laminar flow regime in which Reynolds number was less than 160 for all the studied cases. The finned annular tube was wrapped with a coil that satisfied the condition of a constant thermal flux rate of 204 W on the outer boundary. Based on the acquired data, the convective heat transfer coefficient was obtained for all the nanofluid cases and compared to the base fluid. It was observed that the convective heat transfer coefficient substantially rises by increasing the nanoparticles. Which for the best case (volume concentration of 0.171% and Reynolds number of about 160), this factor was about a 33% enhancement compared to the base fluid.
Association of serum uric acid with increased risk of cancer among hypertensive Chinese
Authors: Yang Juan , Wang Yupeng , Zhao Qianqian , Zhang Xianglin , Wang Xiaobin , Qin Xianhui , Zhang Rong , Shen Lin , Jiang Xiaodong , Jiang Hua , Lei Yu , Wang Binyan , Gu Jin , Hou Fan Fan , Huo Yong , Gao Wei , Xu Xiping
Published: April 2017

Several large prospective studies show an association between serum uric acid (SUA) and cancer, however there is a lack of evidence in China. We aimed to investigate the effects of SUA levels on cancer incidence and mortality in China. This study included 20,577 adult hypertensive patients with valid SUA measurements who participated in the China Stroke Primary Prevention Trial where subjects were randomly assigned to receive a double‐blind treatment of either 10 mg enalapril (n = 10,286) or 10.8 mg enalapril‐folic acid (n = 10,291). Subjects were prospectively followed for a median of 4.5 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazards ratios (HR) of cancer risk associated with SUA. A total of 232 participants developed cancer. SUA was independently associated with increased cancer risk in the enalapril group [HR: 1.12, (95% CI: 1.03–1.22)]. Compared to the lowest tertile, combined subjects with SUA levels from the upper two tertiles had a higher risk of cancer in the enalapril group [T2 + T3: HR: 1.58, (95% CI: 1.02–2.47)]. In cancer site‐specific analyses, a positive association of SUA levels with digestive cancer and all fatal cancer was also observed [HR: 1.18, (95% CI: 1.09–1.27); HR: 1.15, (95% CI: 1.03–1.28), respectively] in the enalapril group. Interestingly, SUA levels were not associated with the risk of cancer or related mortality in the enalapril folic acid group. Our results suggest that elevated SUA is independently and positively associated with the risk of total cancer incidence, digestive cancer incidence and cancer mortality among hypertensive Chinese.
On reverse Monte Carlo constraints and model reproduction
Authors: Opletal George , Petersen Timothy C. , Barnard Amanda S. , Russo Salvy P.
Published: April 2017

Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) simulations were performed to investigate the effectiveness of any combination of five experimentally motivated constraints on the reproduction of a test case, a ternary ab initio model. It was found that low energy structures fitting a variety of constraints commonly used in the RMC methodology could still provide an incorrect description of the chemical structural unit populations in multi‐elemental systems. It is shown that the use of an elemental bond type constraint is an effective way to avoid this. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A New Entry of Practical and Chemoselective Iodocarbenoids for Carbonyl Iodomethylenation
Authors: Yan Tu‐Hsin , Chen Mei‐Yuan
Published: April 2017

Direct oxidative addition of CHI3 to the Mg‐TiCl4 bimetallic species resulted in the generation of a highly chemoselective and practically convenient iodomethylenetitanium complex, which efficiently effected condensation even with enolizable or inert carbonyl compounds, such as sterically congested ketones, to provide vinyl iodide compounds
Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia during routine physical examination in Guangxi Province, China and related risk factors
Authors: Qin Yuan‐Yuan , Wang Peng , Qin Jin‐Qiu , Wei Ai‐Qiu , Huang Ping , Lai Zhan‐Feng , Lin Fa‐Quan
Published: April 2017

Background

Studies on homocysteine (Hcy) have mainly focused on the correlation between the homocysteine concentration and disease development. Few epidemiological investigations have been performed. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) during routine physical examination in Guangxi Province, China and the correlation of serum Hcy with gender, age, serum uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and blood glucose (GLU) to provide evidence for preventing and treating HHcy.

Methods

Data of 8043 patients who underwent physical examinations at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, China from 2015 to 2016 were collected. These data included gender, age, and the serum Hcy, UA, GLU, TC, TG, HDL‐C, and LDL‐C concentrations.

Results

The overall prevalence of HHcy was 50.8% (52.3% in males, 48.1% in females). Age, UA, TC, TG, and LDL‐C were significantly higher and HDL‐C was significantly lower in patients with than without HHcy, regardless of gender (all P<.05). The Hcy level was positively correlated with UA, TC, TG, and LDL‐C but negatively correlated with HDL‐C. Gender, age, UA, TC, and TG were independent risk factors for HHcy.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HHcy was very high during routine physical examination in Guangxi Province, China. HHcy was related to gender, age, high concentrations of UA, TC, TG, and LDL‐C; and low concentrations of HDL‐C. Strengthening early intervention of HHcy can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Effective catalytic ozonation for oxalic acid degradation with bimetallic Fe‐Cu‐MCM‐41: operation parameters and mechanism
Authors: Chen Weirui , Li Xukai , Liu Meiqi , Li Laisheng
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

The formation of carboxylic acid, especially oxalic acid (OA), limits the complete mineralization of organic pollutant in both ozonation and catalytic ozonation. Bimetallic catalyst is well known for its catalytic activity. In this study, bimetallic Fe‐Cu‐MCM‐41 is synthesized to accelerate ozone decomposition to ·OH and enhance OA degradation.

RESULTS

After the employment of Fe‐Cu‐MCM‐41/O3, 95% OA was removed at 60 min, which was much higher than that in Fe‐MCM‐41/O3 (23.4%), Cu‐MCM‐41/O3 (69.7%) and a single ozonation process (16.5%). Using pyridine adsorption–IR, ESR and XPS, a relationship was found between catalytic activity of catalysts, Lewis acid sites and electron transfer effect. OA degradations were found to follow a hydroxyl radical mechanism. The Fe‐Cu‐MCM‐41/O3 process was sensitive to pH value; a higher removal efficiency was achieved under alkaline conditions. Fe‐Cu‐MCM‐41 significantly accelerated ozone decomposition, hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide generation.

CONCLUSIONS

Co‐incorporating Fe and Cu successfully increased the number of Lewis acid sites on MCM‐41. Electron transfers between Fe(II/III), Cu(I/II) and O3 were also found. The joint function of Lewis sites and the electron transfer effect enhanced ·OH generation and OA degradation. Fe‐Cu‐MCM‐41 showed bright prospects for use in water treatment processes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
The Journal of College Counseling Turns 20: Celebrating Two Decades of Advancing College Counseling Theory, Research, and Practice
Authors: Watson Joshua C.
Published: April 2017

This issue marks the beginning of the Journal of College Counseling's 20th volume. For 2 decades, the journal has served as a trusted resource for college counseling researchers and practitioners working with a diverse mix of college and university students at 2‐ and 4‐year institutions worldwide. Reaching this milestone is a significant accomplishment. The author looks back at the history and evolution of the journal throughout the years as a way to celebrate.
Psychological Suffering as Message or Malady: Ideological and Cultural Contributions of Humanism
Authors: HANSEN JAMES T.
Published: April 2017

The author argues that message and malady perspectives have been vital underlying forces in counseling theories and mental health culture. Counselors may be unaware of these forces, a situation that may cause them to react reflexively rather than intentionally. The article also reveals substantial ideological and cultural benefits of humanism.
Multi‐view reconstruction of dynamic real‐world objects and their integration in augmented and virtual reality applications
Authors: Ebner Thomas , Feldmann Ingo , Renault Sylvain , Schreer Oliver , Eisert Peter
Published: April 2017

We present a flexible system for high‐quality three‐dimensional reconstruction of dynamic real‐world objects based on a modular multi‐camera capture setup. The proposed algorithmic pipeline aims at the acquisition and digitization of natural and realistic representations of real people that can be easily integrated into augmented and virtual reality applications. In this context, we discuss the reduction of mesh complexity as one of the key challenges for visualizing reconstructed three‐dimensional content with augmented and virtual reality glasses and demonstrate different fields of application.
Study of the Interaction of Some Potential Anticancer Gold(III) Complexes with Biologically Important Thiols Using NMR, UV–Vis, and Electrochemistry
Authors: Omer Khalid H. , Seliman Adam A. A. , Al‐Mohsin Hassan A. , Kawde Abdel‐Nasser , Altaf Muhammad , Wazeer Mohammed I. M. , Ahmad Saeed , Musa Musa M. , Isab Anvarhusein A.
Published: April 2017

The interaction of gold(III) complexes [Au(en)Cl2]Cl, [Au(en)2]Cl3, [Au(cis‐DACH)Cl2]Cl, and [Au(cis‐DACH)2]Cl3 (en = ethylenediamine, DACH = cis‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane) with biologically important thiols, such as glutathione (GSH), dl‐penicillamine (PSH), mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), and N‐(2‐mercaptopropionyl)glycine (MPG), has been studied using 1H, 13C NMR, UV–vis spectroscopy and electrochemistry in aqueous solution. Kinetic data revealed that the reactivity of their substitution reaction followed the order: [Au(en)Cl2]+ > [Au(en)2]3+ > [Au(cis‐DACH)Cl2]+ > [Au(cis‐DACH)2]3+. The thiol reactivity increased with decreasing its size, viz. MAA ≫ MPG > PSH > GSH. Square wave stripping voltammetry displayed peaks for Au(III) and Au(I) at +0.875 V and +1.4 V respectively. The interaction of the complexes with thiols resulted in reduction of gold(III) to gold(I) and thiol ligands (RSH) were oxidized to disulfide (RSSR).
To What Extent Can Hyperelastic Models Make Sense the Effect of Clay Surface Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Elastomeric Nanocomposites?
Authors: Paran Seyed Mohammad Reza , Saeb Mohammad Reza , Formela Krzysztof , Goodarzi Vahabodin , Vijayan P Poornima , Puglia Debora , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Thomas Sabu
Published: April 2017

The poor knowledge about nonlinear mechanical behavior of elastomer nanocomposites arises from the incomplete information on the interface. Application of hyperelastic models provides more insights into the nature and the situation of interaction between the elastomeric matrix and nanofillers. The current work seeks to address the effect of interphase strength on tensile properties of the elastomer nanocomposites under large deformations. Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/clay nanocomposite is selected for modeling on account of complexities associated with exfoliation/intercalation of clay platelets. In particular, it is aimed to specify to what extent hyperelastic models can capture the effect of clay surface functionalization on the mechanical behavior of nanocomposites. Attachment of silane functional groups to the clay surface is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyses. Different hyperelastic models are examined to detect the characteristic of NBR/clay nanocomposites. The powerfulness/weakness of the used models are featured by calculating the strain energy functions and material parameters, meanwhile, by comparing model outputs with experimental data of tensile tests.

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Intermittent theta‐burst stimulation rescues dopamine‐dependent corticostriatal synaptic plasticity and motor behavior in experimental parkinsonism: Possible role of glial activity
Authors: Cacace Fabrizio , Mineo Desirèe , Viscomi Maria Teresa , Latagliata Emanuele Claudio , Mancini Maria , Sasso Valeria , Vannelli Anna , Pascucci Tiziana , Pendolino Valentina , Marcello Elena , Pelucchi Silvia , Puglisi‐Allegra Stefano , Molinari Marco , Picconi Barbara , Calabresi Paolo , Ghiglieri Veronica
Published: April 2017

Background: Recent studies support the therapeutic utility of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Parkinson's disease (PD), whose progression is correlated with loss of corticostriatal long‐term potentiation and long‐term depression. Glial cell activation is also a feature of PD that is gaining increasing attention in the field because astrocytes play a role in chronic neuroinflammatory responses but are also able to manage dopamine (DA) levels.

Methods: Intermittent theta‐burst stimulation protocol was applied to study the effect of therapeutic neuromodulation on striatal DA levels measured by means of in vivo microdialysis in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐hemilesioned rats. Effects on corticostriatal synaptic plasticity were studied through in vitro intracellular and whole‐cell patch clamp recordings while stepping test and CatWalk were used to test motor behavior. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to analyze morphological changes in neurons and glial cells.

Results: Acute theta‐burst stimulation induced an increase in striatal DA levels in hemiparkinsonian rats, 80 minutes post‐treatment, correlated with full recovery of plasticity and amelioration of motor performances. With the same timing, immediate early gene activation was restricted to striatal spiny neurons. Intense astrocytic and microglial responses were also significantly reduced 80 minutes following theta‐burst stimulation.

Conclusion: Taken together, these results provide a first glimpse on physiological adaptations that occur in the parkinsonian striatum following intermittent theta‐burst stimulation and may help to disclose the real potential of this technique in treating PD and preventing DA replacement therapy‐associated disturbances. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Slowly oscillating periodic solutions for the Nicholson's blowflies equation with state‐dependent delay
Authors: Zhang Ling , Guo Shangjiang
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we study the dynamics of a Nicholson's blowflies equation with state‐dependent delay. For the constant delay, it is known that a sequence of Hopf bifurcation occurs at the positive equilibrium as the delay increases and global existence of periodic solutions has been established. Here, we consider the state‐dependent delay instead of the constant delay and generalize the results on the existence of slowly oscillating periodic solutions under a set of mild conditions on the parameters and the delay function. In particular, when the positive equilibrium gets unstable, a global unstable manifold connects the positive equilibrium to a slowly oscillating periodic orbit. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regularity of solutions to a reaction–diffusion equation on the sphere: the Legendre series approach
Authors: Bialecki Slawomir , Kaźmierczak Bogdan , Nowicka Dominika , Tsai Je‐Chiang
Published: April 2017

In the paper, we study some ‘a priori’ properties of mild solutions to a single reaction–diffusion equation with discontinuous nonlinear reaction term on the two‐dimensional sphere close to its poles. This equation is the counterpart of the well‐studied bistable reaction–diffusion equation on the Euclidean plane. The investigation of this equation on the sphere is mainly motivated by the phenomenon of the fertilization of oocytes or recent studies of wave propagation in a model of immune cells activation, in which the cell is modeled by a ball. Because of the discontinuous nature of reaction kinetics, the standard theory cannot guarantee the solution existence and its smoothness properties. Moreover, the singular nature of the diffusion operator near the north/south poles makes the analysis more involved. Unlike the case in the Euclidean plane, the (axially symmetric) Green's function for the heat operator on the sphere can only be represented by an infinite series of the Legendre polynomials. Our approach is to consider a formal series in Legendre polynomials obtained by assuming that the mild solution exists. We show that the solution to the equation subject to the Neumann boundary condition is C1 smooth in the spatial variable up to the north/south poles and Hölder continuous with respect to the time variable. Our results provide also a sort of ‘a priori’ estimates, which can be used in the existence proofs of mild solutions, for example, by means of the iterative methods. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global stability of a discrete multigroup SIR model with nonlinear incidence rate
Authors: Zhou Jinling , Yang Yu , Zhang Tonghua
Published: April 2017

In this paper, by applying nonstandard finite difference scheme, we propose a discrete multigroup Susceptible‐Infective‐Removed (SIR) model with nonlinear incidence rate. Using Lyapunov functions, it is shown that the global dynamics of this model are completely determined by the basic reproduction number
. If
, then the disease‐free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable; if
, then there exists a unique endemic equilibrium and it is globally asymptotically stable. Example and numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bifurcation analysis and chaos control in a host‐parasitoid model
Authors: Din Qamar , Saeed Umer
Published: April 2017

We investigate the qualitative behavior of a host‐parasitoid model with a strong Allee effect on the host. More precisely, we discuss the boundedness, existence and uniqueness of positive equilibrium, local asymptotic stability of positive equilibrium and existence of Neimark–Sacker bifurcation for the given system by using bifurcation theory. In order to control Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, we apply pole‐placement technique that is a modification of OGY method. Moreover, the hybrid control methodology is implemented in order to control Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate theoretical discussion. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in disability in older adults with generalized radiographic osteoarthritis: A complex relationship with physical activity
Authors: Tak E.C.P.M. , van Meurs J.B. , Bierma‐Zeinstra S.M.A. , Hofman A. , Hopman‐Rock M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

The aim of the present study was to report on factors associated with changes in disability after 5 years, with a focus on physical activity (PA) in community‐dwelling older adults with generalized radiographic osteoarthritis (GROA).

Methods

Assessment of GROA (hand, knee, hip) and disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire) in the Rotterdam Study (cohort RS‐1, N = 7,983; with GROA, n = 821). A good outcome at follow‐up was defined as improved or mild disability, and a poor outcome as worsened or severe disability. Factors potentially associated with outcome were demographics, joint complaints, other chronic health problems or limitations (body mass index, number of chronic conditions, cognition), and level of different types of PA. Some of these assessments were repeated in between 1997 and 1999 (RS‐3), and between 2002 and 2004 (RS‐4).

Results

A total of 309 older adults with GROA and valid measures on RS‐3 and RS‐4 showed mild to moderate disability, with minor increases over 5 years (follow‐up N = 287 RS‐3 to RS‐4). PA levels decreased with increasing disability, especially in sport and walking. PA was univariately associated with a better outcome at follow‐up but when adjusted for other factors (higher age, having knee pain and stiffness, and having more than two other chronic conditions) was associated with negative changes in general and lower limb disability, although not with upper limb disability.

Conclusions

This was the first study to report that community‐dwelling older adults with GROA show moderate levels of disability, and that reduced levels of disability are associated with higher levels of PA, but when adjusted for other confounders this association is lost. Further research is needed to study the complex relationships between PA and other determinants of disability.
Nanocomposites of HDPE/LDPE/Nylon 6 reinforced with MWCNT, Kenaf fiber, nano Mg(OH)2, and PEPA with enhanced mechanical, thermal, and flammability characteristics
Authors: Ameen Khan M. , Sailaja R.R.N.
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of combination of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) on the thermal, flammable, and mechanical properties of ternary blends (High density polyethylene/Low density polyethylene/Nylon). Kenaf fiber has also been added for reinforcement. For ternary blend it is found that the tensile strength value was increased by 50% at 0.5/0.5 wt% loading of Mg(OH)2/MWCNT as compared to composite without filler. The improvement in tensile strength was also significant from scanning electron microscope micrographs and also assessed using predictive theories. The cone calorimeter studies showed lowered peak heat release rate with addition of MWCNT/Mg(OH)2. It also promoted char formation and thus improved flame retardancy of the nanocomposites. These composites have a potential for application as high performance fire retardant composites by recycling mixed plastic waste. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1474–E1486, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
In‐situ modification of nanodiamonds by mercapto‐terminated silane agent for enhancing the mechanical interfacial properties of nitrile butadiene rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Yinhang , Park Soo‐Jin
Published: April 2017

(3‐Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS)‐ethanol‐solution‐treated nitrile butadiene rubber/nanodiamond (NBR/ND) polymer‐matrix nanocomposites were prefabricated in situ using a facile environmentally friendly one‐pot design. The MPTMS‐modified ND (MND) and pristine ND were characterized using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The pristine ND exhibited a high specific surface area and abundant active organic groups, especially hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, thus confirming its hydrophilic properties. The successful fabrication of surface‐modified MND was also verified. The fracture surface morphologies of the NBR/MND nanocomposites were analyzed using high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy and field‐emission transmission electron microscopy, and the dynamic rheological properties of the NBR/MND nanocomposites were characterized using a rubber processing analyzer. The NBR/MND composites exhibited superior mechanical properties, which were attributed to the strong interfacial interaction of the MND particles with the NBR matrix via MPTMS linking. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3472–3481, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Negotiating Neoliberalism: Informalisation and Reformalisation of Industrial Relations in Norway's Agricultural Industry in the 21st Century
Authors: Rye Johan Fredrik
Published: April 2017

The flow of flexible and inexpensive low‐skilled manual labour across national borders has become a defining feature of the contemporary global political economy, often accompanied by neoliberalist labour market reforms and growth in the informalisation of labour relations in receiving economies. As a result, immigrant workers experience precarious and deteriorating wage and work arrangements. I discuss whether these are inevitable processes by analysing one particular case, that of the Norwegian agricultural industry since the turn of the century. In the first years after 2000, a growing number of low‐skilled Eastern European immigrants in Norway's agricultural industry faced precarious work arrangements as the industry drifted toward informalisation. Yet labour relations in Norwegian agriculture have since seen signs of reformalisation, resulting in higher wages and improved working conditions. I examine the characteristics of Norwegian society and its agricultural industry that have facilitated the reformalisation process. Important is the presence of strong and long‐lasting institutionalised structures of cooperation and negotiation between state agents and representatives of labour and capital, which promote more than economic rationalities among the industry's employers. The analysis builds on a mixed methods approach that addresses both macro and micro levels, as well as both institutionalised ‘objective facts’ and actors' subjective interpretations, by use of various quantitative and qualitative materials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.