bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Estimates for Diabetes and Hypertension with Different Physical Activity Methods
Authors: STERNFELD BARBARA , GABRIEL KELLEY PETTEE , JIANG SHENG-FANG , WHITAKER KARA M. , JACOBS DAVID R. , QUESENBERRY CHARLES P. , CARNETHON MERCEDES , SIDNEY STEPHEN
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To estimate risks of incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stage 2 and greater hypertension associated with self-reported and accelerometer-determined moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) separately and adjusted for each other.

Methods

The sample included 2291 black and white men and women, ages 38–50 yr, in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) fitness study, conducted during the year 20 core CARDIA examination. Accelerometer-determined (Actigraph, LLC. model 7164) MVPA (MVPA-Acc), assessed at year 20, was defined as minutes per day of counts ≥2020 min−1. Self-reported MVPA (MVPA-SR) was assessed at year 20 using the CARDIA Physical Activity History. Incident T2D was ascertained at years 25 and 30 from fasting glucose, 2 h glucose tolerance test, HbA1c, or diabetes medication; incident hypertension was ascertained at those same times from measured blood pressure or use of antihypertensive medications. Modified Poisson regression models estimated relative risk (RR) of incident (years 25 and 30) T2D or hypertension, associated with middle and high tertiles of year 20 MVPA-Acc alone, year 20 MVPA-SR alone, and both, adjusted for each other, relative to bottom tertile.

Results

In men, MVPA-Acc, but not MVPA-SR, was associated with a 37% to 67% decreased risk of incident T2D in a dose–response relation that persisted with adjustment for BMI, Similar associations were observed in women, although the risk reduction was similar in the second and third tertiles, relative to the bottom tertile. In both men and women, MVPA-Acc was marginally associated with reduced risk of incident stage 2 and greater hypertension, but only after adjustment for BMI, whereas MVPA-SR was not associated in either sex.

Conclusions

Accelerometer-determined MVPA may provide more consistent risk estimates for incident diabetes than self-reported MVPA.
Load Carriage and Physical Exertion Influence Cognitive Control in Military Scenarios
Authors: GILES GRACE E. , HASSELQUIST LEIF , CARUSO CHRISTINA M. , EDDY MARIANNA D.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Physical exertion has both beneficial and detrimental effects on cognitive performance, particularly cognitive control. Research into physical exertion under conditions of load carriage is particularly important given that military personnel and first responders must perform optimally under such combinatorial physical stressors. The present work sought to characterize cognitive control as a function of physical exertion and load carriage in a military operational scenario.

Methods

Thirty-one active-duty soldiers underwent a 4-h operationally relevant and fatiguing scenario that included two 1-h foot marches under load carriage conditions of 8.8, 47.2, 50.7 kg on each of three separate days. During each foot march, they completed five 5-min blocks of an auditory go/no-go task of response inhibition.

Results

Results showed that response inhibition declined with increasing load carriage and physical exertion, as evidenced by lower proportion of correct responses, higher proportion of false alarms, and lower response sensitivity between all three load conditions, particularly upon successive foot marches and time blocks within each foot march.

Conclusions

The results support previous laboratory-based work on load carriage and physical exertion and suggest that deteriorations in cognitive control witnessed in laboratory settings are more pronounced within realistic operational scenarios akin to those encountered by military personnel and first responders.
Βιβλιοπαρουσίαση "Περιβαλλοντική Επιστήμη"
Authors: Π.Ε.Α. ΕΛ.Ε.ΕΤ.
Published: July 2019

Βιβλιοπαρουσίαση
Εισαγωγή στην έκδοση
Authors: Εκδοτική Ομάδα / Editorial Team Εκδοτική
Published: July 2019

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Unraveling neutrophil–Yersinia interactions during tissue infection
Authors: Mecsas Joan
Published: July 2019

The human and animal pathogens Yersinia pestis, which causes bubonic and pneumonic plague, and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica, which cause gastroenteritis, share a type 3 secretion system which injects effector proteins, Yops, into host cells. This system is critical for virulence of all three pathogens in tissue infection. Neutrophils are rapidly recruited to infected sites and all three pathogens frequently interact with and inject Yops into these cells during tissue infection. Host receptors, serum factors, and bacterial adhesins appear to collaborate to promote neutrophil–Yersinia interactions in tissues. The ability of neutrophils to control infection is mixed depending on the stage of infection and points to the efficiency of Yops and other bacterial factors to mitigate bactericidal effects of neutrophils. Yersinia in close proximity to neutrophils has higher levels of expression from yop promoters, and neutrophils in close proximity to Yersinia express higher levels of pro-survival genes than migrating neutrophils. In infected tissues, YopM increases neutrophil survival and YopH targets a SKAP2/SLP-76 signal transduction pathway. Yet the full impact of these and other Yops and other Yersinia factors on neutrophils in infected tissues has yet to be understood.
The World Bank & financing tuberculosis control, 1986-2017
Authors: Rahi Manveer , Fernandes Genevie , Winters Janelle , Sridhar Devi
Published: July 2019

Background: Tuberculosis is among the leading contributors to global mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases and has had a major socioeconomic cost in recent history. The World Bank is a leading institution for global health governance and financing, but little research has concentrated on the role of the World Bank in global tuberculosis control.

Methods: We tracked the development of the World Bank’s policies and associated financial flows for tuberculosis control. First, we performed a scoping review of both published and grey literature. Second, we used the World Bank’s Projects & Operations database to construct a dataset of all World Bank projects with funding allocated to the “Tuberculosis” theme from 1986 to 2017.  Finally, we analysed the World Bank’s funding patterns alongside wider funding for tuberculosis using the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Development Assistance for Health database.

Results: We identified four periods in the World Bank’s involvement in global tuberculosis control, from the recognition of tuberculosis as a global health issue to the creation of a global coalition against tuberculosis. Between 1986 and 2017 the World Bank undertook 79 projects with financing from its core lending divisions with a tuberculosis control theme or focus. Within the 79 projects, the World Bank committed 19.6% of funding, or $0.9bn, towards tuberculosis control. The World Bank has invested significantly into Direct Observation of Treatment, Short-course chemotherapy (DOTS). After the formation of private-public partnerships against tuberculosis in 2002 such as the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, the World Bank’s core financing decreased and private-public partnerships provided increasing levels of substitutive financing for tuberculosis control.

Conclusions: The World Bank has been pivotal in leading global financing, garnering advocacy and creating widespread coalition in the battle against tuberculosis control in recent decades.
Luminescent peptide tagging enables efficient screening for CRISPR-mediated knock-in in human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Madsen Ralitsa R. , Semple Robert K.
Published: July 2019

Human pluripotent stem cells are increasingly used for CRISPR-mediated gene targeting in efforts to generate models of human diseases. This is a challenging task because of the high sensitivity of these cells to suboptimal conditions, including CRISPR-associated DNA damage and subsequent rounds of single-cell cloning. We sought to develop a sensitive method that enables rapid screening of CRISPR targeted cells, while preserving cell viability and eliminating the need for expensive sequencing of a large number of clones. A protocol was designed in which the luminescent peptide tag, HiBiT, is appended to the extracellular portion of an inert surface membrane protein (CD46), using synthetic CRISPR reagents and a widely distributed human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line. We find that this approach substantially reduces labour-intensive screening of CRISPR-targeted iPSCs and minimises the number of subcloning steps. Successfully edited iPSCs could be identified within a week of targeting, based only on extracellular luminescence detection in live cells. The total screening time in each round was less than 30 minutes and no sequencing was required. This method can be developed further to serve as a highly sensitive co-selection strategy in CRISPR knock-in experiments, particularly in the context of challenging cell lines.
Lugares sagrados y altares simbólicos en Medellín
Authors: Vargas Zuluaga Nora Margarita , Cardona Rodas Hilderman
Published: July 2019

Se invita a recorrer lugares donde se evidencian procesos interculturales en los cuales se difuminan fronteras del pasado y el presente, lo rural y lo urbano, así como las de lo sagrado y lo profano. Al reconocer la singularidad estética que habita la ciudad de Medellín se pusieron en relación objetos heteróclitos, en lo que puede catalogarse como ritualidades contemporáneas y, en este sentido, relacionar las estéticas que se han denominado chicanas con los escenarios íntimos de significación en la ciudad de Medellín, las cuales se reflejan en cartografías visuales de creencias que evocan íconos religiosos cristianos muy conectados con la cultura campesina antioqueña. Se presenta y analiza una serie de fotografías seleccionadas con el fin de establecer posibles conexiones a nivel de las estructuras simbólicas entre estos altares encontrados en el barrio Bello Oriente y algunas manifestaciones del arte chicano caracterizado por el uso de símbolos religiosos, políticos y culturales que reflejan problemas sociales y de identidad en el espacio urbano.
Determinantes para la migración internacional de colombianos entre 1990-2015 a partir de un modelo gravitacional
Authors: Larotta Silva Sonia Patricia
Published: July 2019

Este artículo se centra en el análisis y comprensión de las principales motivaciones de las corrientes migratorias de salida de la población colombiana entre 1990 y 2015 a través de un modelo gravitacional, abordando factores económicos, sociales, políticos, culturales y geográficos. El documento se divide en cinco apartados además de la introducción: en el primero se define del marco teórico de referencia; en el segundo se realiza un breve recuento histórico de las migraciones internacionales de la población colombiana; en el tercer apartado se detallan las consideraciones metodológicas, así como las variables y las fuentes de datos; en la cuarta sección se ofrecen los resultados de la aplicación del modelo gravitacional; y por último, se presentan unas reflexiones finales a manera de conclusión. Entre los principales hallazgos de este estudio se subraya que las condiciones socioeconómicas favorables del lugar de destino, un alto nivel educativo y un mayor capital humano acumulado potencian las movilidades; la distancia física, las redes de apoyo y las políticas migratorias juegan un papel preponderante en la configuración de patrones de movilidad; la violencia, la desigualdad, el desempleo y la proximidad lingüística no aparecen como factores determinantes para la emigración, mientras que la relación de colonialidad sí aparece como significativa.
La reemigración de los inmigrantes desde España. Más allá de la distancia y de los factores de atracción: el papel de la red migratoria (2007-2014)
Authors: Sierra-Paycha Celio
Published: July 2019

Este artículo trata de una configuración territorial emergente característica de los flujos migratorios contemporáneos: el redespliegue de los campos migratorios de un país a otro; se apoya en el estudio cuantitativo de la morfología espacial de las reemigraciones de cinco grupos de inmigrantes que abandonaron España entre 2007 y 2014 (marroquíes, rumanos, ecuatorianos, colombianos y bolivianos). El análisis microindividual indaga por el efecto de las variables de la red migratoria en los proyectos de migración de los inmigrantes mientras que el análisis macroscópico moviliza tres variables explicativas: la distancia entre España y el país de destino, el efecto de eventuales factores de atracción y el papel de la red migratoria. Estos dos tipos de análisis ponen en evidencia un fenómeno de anisotropía de la reemigración según la geografía de la red migratoria tanto a nivel grupal como individual.
Percurso metodológico na catalogação, digitalização e preservação dos livros eclesiásticos da Freguesia de Nossa Senhora da Vitória, Termo de Oeiras-Piauí
Authors: Monteiro Francisco Gleison da Costa , Leal Amanda Fernanda Costa
Published: July 2019

A preocupação com o desgaste das fontes documentais produzidas no Piauí entre os séculos XIX nos levou a elaborar um projeto de extensão com o intuito de coletar, mapear e congregar um número de pesquisadores para unirmos esforços no sentido de preservar o acervo através da sua conversão para o formato digital. Para tanto, pretendemos, através deste artigo, expor as atividades realizadas e o processo que culminou com a organização, digitalização e preservação de um conjunto de documentos produzidos pela Igreja católica ao longo dos séculos XIX, especificamente, os manuscritos guardados na Paróquia de Nossa Senhora da Vitória, Diocese de Oeiras, no Piauí.
Escola Agrícola da Bahia de São Bento das Lages: experiências na formação de operários agrícolas na Vila de São Francisco do Conde (1850-1890)
Authors: Freitas Idalina Maria Almeida
Published: July 2019

Esse texto é fruto de uma pesquisa em andamento e tem como objetivo pensar a trajetória da EAB - Escola Agrícola de São Bento das Lages, situada na Vila de São Francisco do Conde, recôncavo baiano, na segunda metade do século XIX. A escola agrícola instituiu-se como espaço de desenvolvimento científico em torno da agricultura, destinou-se a formação de engenheiros agrônomos e de operariado agrícola “mais competente” e modernizado. O artigo pretende discutir a construção da escola, estrutura de funcionamento e ensino, dando destaque para o curso elementar na primeira fase da EAB, entendendo-o como um projeto de instrução pública para o pós-abolição. Evidenciar tal contexto permite a problematização de experiências na Vila de São Francisco do Conde, bem como historicidades de agentes que participaram em diferentes âmbitos desse modelo escolar.
Oposicionistas, vagas do terço e eleições parlamentares no Paraná da Primeira República: o caso das disputas para o cargo de deputado federal (1915-1918)
Authors: Gomes Sandro Aramis Richter
Published: July 2019

O presente artigo comporta uma investigação a respeito das campanhas e do desempenho eleitoral de candidatos de oposição ao cargo de deputado federal pelo Estado do Paraná nos anos de 1915 e 1918. Por meio de um estudo de caso, a presente análise objetiva produzir um conhecimento sobre a natureza e os impactos das estratégias eleitorais de oposicionistas em um contexto marcado pela efêmera duração e baixa institucionalidade de partidos de oposição naquele estado. Nesse quadro, há três argumentos fundamentais sustentados neste artigo. O primeiro argumento afirma que, no Paraná dos anos 1910, a oposição ao partido situacionista era liderada por egressos do núcleo político governista. O segundo argumento ressalta que os êxitos eleitorais da oposição paranaense eram derivados do não preenchimento, pelos governistas, de uma chapa completa de candidatos a deputado federal. O terceiro argumento, por fim, afirma que uma semelhança entre a vida político-eleitoral do Paraná e a dos estados que também possuíam distrito eleitoral único era o fato de que, nos anos 1910, as oposições não possuíam base eleitoral para lançar chapas completas de candidatos a deputado federal.
Entrevista com a professora Fabiane Popinigis (UFRRJ)
Authors: Moraes Renata Figueiredo , Terra Paulo Cruz
Published: July 2019

A entrevistada nesta edição, Fabiane Popinigis, tornou-se, em 2018, a coordenadora do Grupo de Trabalho- Mundos do Trabalho (GT-MT). Este foi criado em 2000, com a oficialização junto à diretoria da Associação Nacional de História (ANPUH), constituindo-se em um espaço, que não existia até então no Brasil, de reunião e troca entre pesquisadores, de diferentes regiões e universidades de país, interessados na história do trabalho. O tema central do presente dossiê, as relações entre trabalho livre e escravo, esteve desde o início presente na definição do escopo e da agenda de pesquisa do GT. A escolha de Popinigs como entrevistada deste número, no entanto, vai muito além do fato de ela ser coordenadora do GT-MT. Com formação pela Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) – desde a graduação até o doutorado –, sua tese, premiada no concurso Várias Histórias do Centro de Pesquisa em História Social da Cultura (CECULT), é um estudo de grande impacto e relevância sobre os trabalhadores no século XIX, o que quebrava uma barreira na historiografia do trabalho, já que as investigações geralmente se resumiam ao período pós-1888 por considerarem incompatível o desenvolvimento da classe operária com a existência da escravidão. Ao investigar as formas de mobilização e organização dos caixeiros no Rio de Janeiro ao longo do Império e da Primeira República, a autora foi pioneira em apontar, por exemplo, a relação dos trabalhadores com os poderes municipais. Professora do Departamento de História e do Programa de Pós-graduação em História da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Popinigis tem realizado recentemente importantes reflexões que envolvem classe, raça e gênero.
Treating skin graft donor sites: a comparative study between remnant skin use and polyurethane foam
Authors: Ki Sae Hwi , Ma Sung Hwan , Choi Jong Hwan , Sim Seung Hyun , Kim Hyung Muk
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Excess remnant skin is retained for use in additional grafting in case of split-thickness skin graft (STSG) failure. We hypothesise that regrafting with remnant skin offers greater efficacy and advantages in wound healing and donor site appearance.

Methods:

Skin graft donor sites were assessed by comparing those regrafted with remnant skin with those treated with polyurethane foam dressing. Healing time, pain, patient satisfaction, itching sensation, skin stiffness and irregularity between regrafting and foam dressing were compared. The aesthetic satisfaction of donor site was evaluated by four board-certified plastic surgeons. The differences were tested statistically.

Results:

A total of 39 patients received a STSG due to skin or soft tissue wounds caused by burn, trauma and cancer reconstruction. The donor site healing time was shorter with remnant skin regrafting compared with foam dressing. There was no difference with respect to donor site pain between the two treatment groups. At two weeks after skin graft, patient satisfaction was higher in those treated with remnant skin than in those treated with foam dressing. Aesthetic assessment was improved after 12 weeks.

Conclusion:

Donor site dressing using remnant skin appears to improve wound healing and enhance the aesthetic outcome of donor sites.
An approach to neonatal lamb post-mortem examinations
Authors: Gascoigne Emily , Davies Peers
Published: July 2019

Neonatal lamb mortality is a significant threat to welfare and production in commercial sheep flocks and is defined as the death of lambs during the first week of life with the predominant risk period being the first 48 hours. Lamb mortality between scanning and sale ranges from 10 to 25%, with examples of losses between 0 to 48 hours old ranging from 5.9% to 12.5%. Lamb post-mortem examinations are a tool which can facilitate achieving further understanding of the scale and cause of losses for flocks. We discuss an approach to postmortem examinations on neonatal lambs, the common differentials affecting lambs between 0 and 48 hours old, and discuss the role of farmers in surveillance.
Cuba as a Hemispheric Petropower: Prospects and Consequences
Authors: Erisman H. Michael
Published: July 2019

This article provides an overview of the evolving situation with regard to Cuba's oil prospects and explores the implications, especially with regard to Havana's foreign relations, of Cuba's potential emergence as a hemispheric petropower. It begins with an assessment of the size of the reserves and the problems of exploiting them. It then analyses the impact of the discovery of sizeable reserves on the Cuban economy and the concerns that this may raise with the US. There follows a discussion of the possible implications of Cuba becoming a petropower on international relations within the Caribbean and with Washington in particular. The article concludes that overall, the exploitation of large quantities of oil in Cuban waters of the Caribbean will be a positive development both for the Cuban economy and the relationship with the US.
Government Debts and Fiscal Deficits in the United Kingdom: A Critical Review
Authors: Siddiqui Kalim
Published: July 2019

This article intends to examine the issues of public debt and austerity policy in the United Kingdom. It attempts to provide an evaluation of fiscal policy under neoliberalism and to consider the relationship between this policy and the macroeconomic performance of the United Kingdom economy. There also seem to be ambiguities among the policy makers about austerity. Therefore, it seems important to examine the issue of government-imposed austerity policies and fiscal deficits. There is a need to borrow to cover the deficits as there is no inflationary pressure in the United Kingdom. Most democratic solutions against any inflationary pressures are to reduce the money in circulation through higher taxes. This study concludes that increased state intervention, as a means to enhance long-term growth, is crucial for achieving economic stability and greater equality.
Correlation of Breath and Blood Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Concentrations and Release Kinetics Following Controlled Administration of Smoked Cannabis
Authors: Lynch Kara L , Luo Y Ruben , Hooshfar Shirin , Yun Cassandra
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Cannabis use results in impaired driving and an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes. Cannabinoid concentrations in blood and other matrices can remain high long after use, prohibiting the differentiation between acute and chronic exposure. Exhaled breath has been proposed as an alternative matrix in which concentrations may more closely correspond to the window of impairment; however, efficient capture and analytically sensitive detection methods are required for measurement.

METHODS

Timed blood and breath samples were collected from 20 volunteers before and after controlled administration of smoked cannabis. Cannabinoid concentrations were measured using LC-MS/MS to determine release kinetics and correlation between the 2 matrices.

RESULTS

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was detected in exhaled breath for all individuals at baseline through 3 h after cannabis use. THC concentrations in breath were highest at the 15-min timepoint (median = 17.8 pg/L) and declined to <5% of this concentration in all participants 3 h after smoking. The decay curve kinetics observed for blood and breath were highly correlated within individuals and across the population.

CONCLUSIONS

THC can be reliably detected throughout the presumed 3-h impairment window following controlled administration of smoked cannabis. The findings support breath THC concentrations as representing a physiological process and are correlated to blood concentrations, albeit with a shorter window of detection.
Variabilities of hydatidosis in domestic animals slaughtered at Cairo and Giza abattoirs, Egypt
Authors: Abo-Aziza Faten A. M. , Oda Samah S. , Aboelsoued Dina , Farag T. K. , Almuzaini Abdulaziz M.
Published: July 2019

Aim: The effect of some variables on hydatidosis in animals slaughtered at Cairo and Giza abattoirs was investigated and the influence on serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and histopathological lesions caused by these parasites as a consequence was estimated.

Materials and Methods: The effect of some variables on hydatidosis in 397 sheep, 401 cattle, 435 buffaloes, and 341 camels slaughtered at Cairo and Giza abattoirs was investigated, and the influence on serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity and histopathological lesions caused by these parasites as a consequence was estimated.

Results: The results revealed that 39 sheep (9.8%), 74 cattle (18.4%), 95 buffaloes (21.8%), and 79 camels (23.25%) were infected. Concerning age variations, 165 young and 232 adult sheep, 215 young and 186 adult cattle, 194 young and 241 adult buffaloes, and 112 young and 229 adult camels were examined. The prevalence of hydatidosis was higher in adult sheep, cattle, and camel; 32 (13.8%), 49 (26.3%), and 56 (24.5%) than the younger ones 7 (4.2%), 25 (11.6%), and 23 (20.5%), respectively. Two hundred and eighty-eight sheep, 171 cattle were examined during winter. However, 109 sheep, 230 cattle were examined during summer. Hydatidosis infection in sheep and cattle was higher in winter 26 (9.01%) and 47 (27.5%) than in summer 13 (11.9%) and 27 (11.7%), respectively. Out of 133 sheep and 128 camels slaughtered in El-Basatin abattoirs, 36 (15.3) and 38 (29.7%) showed higher prevalence than that from El-Warak and El-Moneib abattoirs. Comparing with the non-infected groups, alkaline phosphatase activity decreased in hydatid-infected animals, while cholesterol and liver enzymes activities increased. Total lipid and triglyceride levels decreased in infected camels. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase decreased in hydatid-infected animals.

Conclusion: The disturbance in the biochemical parameters, liver enzymes, and the antioxidant activities was consistent with the pathological findings that indicated the risk of hydatidosis infection. Finally, this study clarified the variabilities of hydatidosis in Cairo and Giza abattoirs as a starting point for future studies in different regions in Egypt.
The Effect of Acid Hydrolysis Treatment on the Production of Nanocellulose Based on Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches
Authors: Septevani Athanasia Amanda , Burhani Dian , Sampora Yulianti , Devy Yenni Apriliany , Ariani Gita Novi , Sudirman Sudirman , Sondari Dewi , Mohd Amin Khairatun Najwa
Published: July 2019

Nanocellulose has been known as promising reinforcing material in various polymer based product resulted to remarkable improvement in mechanical and thermal properties. Hence, studies to date have developed and explored various sources of biomass to produce nanocellulose. The aims of this study are to synthesize and fully characterize nanocellulose obtained from abundantly available oil palm empty fruit bunches via two different methods which are strong (H2SO4) and mild acid (H3PO4) hydrolysis at 50 °C for 3.5 hours. Based on the morphological study using Transmission Electron Microscopy, rod like nanocellulose was obtained using strong acid hydrolysis while mild acid hydrolysis produced long filament shape. X-Ray diffraction analysis showed that the degree crystallinity of nanocellulose produced from strong acid hydrolysis was higher which is 96% than that of mild acid hydrolysis recorded with 86%. While the sulphuric acid hydrolysis usually produces lower thermal stability than that of other types acid hydrolysis, surprisingly, in this study, the thermal stability of nanocellulose from strong acid hydrolysis was relatively similar to mild acid hydrolysis due to the formation of single crystal structure affording unique characteristic of the obtained nanocellulose.
Immunologic Features of Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Before and During Sorafenib or Anti-programmed Death-1/Programmed Death-L1 Treatment
Authors: Macek Jilkova Zuzana , Aspord Caroline , Kurma Keerthi , Granon Anouck , Sengel Christian , Sturm Nathalie , Marche Patrice N. , Decaens Thomas
Published: July 2019

INTRODUCTION:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Today, a promising treatment strategy is focused on the enhancement of antitumor immune responses by immune checkpoint modification. However, as only 20% of patients with HCC are responders, identification of predictive factors is urgently required. Therefore, for the first time, the features of the intrahepatic and circulating immune system in patients with advanced-stage HCC, before and during the treatment, were analyzed.

METHODS:

We collected fresh HCC biopsies, along with adjacent tumor-free liver tissues and peripheral blood samples, from 21 patients with advanced HCC. Furthermore, we performed an extensive immunomonitoring of patients with HCC treated with sorafenib or programmed death (PD)-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade using multiparametric flow cytometry.

RESULTS:

We observed that regardless of the treatment, low baseline intratumoral CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio was associated with better overall survival (P = 0.0002). The baseline frequency of intratumoral PD-1high CD8+ T cells was significantly lower in patients responding to sorafenib treatment than in the nonresponders (P = 0.0117), and the frequency of circulating PD-1high T cells increased with tumor progression (P = 0.0329). By contrast, responders to PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade showed a trend of high baseline frequency of intratumoral PD-1high CD8+ T cells. Moreover, we observed a trend of LAG3 and TIM3 upregulation on circulating T cells in nonresponding patients to PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade.

DISCUSSION:

Immunosuppressive state, characterized by an enhanced intratumoral CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio, was associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, our results suggest that the frequency of intratumoral PD-1high CD8+ T cells may serve as a biomarker to identify which individuals will benefit from which treatment and support the use of combination strategies.
PENGEMBANGAN MODEL EPIDEMIK SIRA UNTUK PENYEBARAN VIRUS PADA JARINGAN KOMPUTER
Authors: Pemungkas Panca Putra , Sutrisno Sutrisno , Sunarsih Sunarsih
Published: July 2019

This paper is addressed to discuss the development of epidemic model of SIRA (Susceptible-Infected-Removed-Antidotal) for virus spread analysis purposes on a computer network. We have developed the existing model by adding a possibility of antidotal computer returned to susceptible computer. Based on the results, there are two virus-free equilibrium points and one endemic equilibrium point. These equilibrium points were analyzed for stability issues using basic reproduction number and Routh-Hurwitz Method.
Gerakan penegakan Syariat Islam di Kota Tasikmalaya
Authors: Nurohman Taufik
Published: July 2019

Studi ini membahas gerakan Islam yang mengupayakan pelibatan negara untuk menjamin pelaksanaan Syariat Islam melalui kebijakan formal. Mekanisme gerakan sosial dipilih sebagai langkah untuk mencapai tujuannya bukan karena terputusnya relasi antara masyarakat dengan negara, namun karena pola relasi tersebut tidak berhasil menjadi saluran formal yang efektif untuk masuknya aspirasi Syariat Islam kedalam institusi negara. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dan dilakukan di Kota Tasikmalaya dengan alasan kondisi masyarakat yang tengah mengalami perubahan dari kondisi masyarakat namun disisi lain terjadi penguatan kekuatan Islam Simbolik berasal dari pesantren yang biasanya substantif dan kultural. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ada pergulatan Islam Simbolik. Pada level masyarakat, kelompok Islam simbolik ini berhasil melakukan mobilisasi belief atau sistem keyakinan masyarakat untuk menguatkan pemahaman keislaman yang holistik. Pada level intermediary, kelompok Islam Simbolik ini berhasil melakukan kesepakatan dengan partai politik dengan menawarkan dukungan suara, untuk memastikan bahwa partai politik dapat mengakomodasi kepentingan mereka di lingkup legislasi dan penganggaran. Selain itu, dalam mencapai tujuannya, Islam simbolik melakukan strategi dengan mencitrakan diri mereka bukan seperti kelompok simbolik tetapi dengan melakukan menggunakan metode substantif bahkan mereka berkonsensus dengan berbagai pihak yang berpotensi menghambat gerakannya.
Perform or perish: laboratory optimization to avoid false negative blood cultures in pneumococcal bacteremia
Authors: Eshwara Vandana Kalwaje , Shaw Tushar , Mukim Yasha , Kumar Gauri , Kamath Asha , Mukhopadhyay Chiranjay
Published: July 2019

We present the laboratory operations influencing the culture yield of pneumococci and suggest an alternate solution to the problem. Blood cultures of 136 adults and 19 pediatric patients were analyzed in two phases. In phase I, the laboratory operated only during weekdays but in phase II the laboratory provided 24-h services on all days. In phase I, successful bacterial isolation leading to testing of antimicrobial susceptibility was possible only in 51% of cases, while a significant 49% had failed to grow in subcultures due to autolysis resulting from delayed processing time. These false negative blood cultures were further confirmed as Streptococcus pneumoniae by commercial antigen tests. In phase II, we did not observe any false-negative results due to prompt subculturing protocols (p < 0.001). We also found that taking blood cultures on two occasions increases the yield by 46% among adults.
Rayleigh-Ritz Majorization Error Bounds for the Linear Response Eigenvalue Problem
Authors: Teng Zhongming , Zhong Hong-Xiu
Published: July 2019

In the linear response eigenvalue problem arising from computational quantum chemistry and physics, one needs to compute a few of smallest positive eigenvalues together with the corresponding eigenvectors. For such a task, most of efficient algorithms are based on an important notion that is the so-called pair of deflating subspaces. If a pair of deflating subspaces is at hand, the computed approximated eigenvalues are partial eigenvalues of the linear response eigenvalue problem. In the case the pair of deflating subspaces is not available, only approximate one, in a recent paper [SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl., 35(2), pp.765-782, 2014], Zhang, Xue and Li obtained the relationships between the accuracy in eigenvalue approximations and the distances from the exact deflating subspaces to their approximate ones. In this paper, we establish majorization type results for these relationships. From our majorization results, various bounds are readily available to estimate how accurate the approximate eigenvalues based on information on the approximate accuracy of a pair of approximate deflating subspaces. These results will provide theoretical foundations for assessing the relative performance of certain iterative methods in the linear response eigenvalue problem.
Light-emitting metasurfaces
Authors: Vaskin Aleksandr , Kolkowski Radoslaw , Koenderink A. Femius , Staude Isabelle
Published: July 2019

Photonic metasurfaces, that is, two-dimensional arrangements of designed plasmonic or dielectric resonant scatterers, have been established as a successful concept for controlling light fields at the nanoscale. While the majority of research so far has concentrated on passive metasurfaces, the direct integration of nanoscale emitters into the metasurface architecture offers unique opportunities ranging from fundamental investigations of complex light-matter interactions to the creation of flat sources of tailored light fields. While the integration of emitters in metasurfaces as well as many fundamental effects occurring in such structures were initially studied in the realm of nanoplasmonics, the field has recently gained significant momentum following the development of Mie-resonant dielectric metasurfaces. Because of their low absorption losses, additional possibilities for emitter integration, and compatibility with semiconductor-based light-emitting devices, all-dielectric systems are promising for highly efficient metasurface light sources. Furthermore, a flurry of new emission phenomena are expected based on their multipolar resonant response. This review reports on the state of the art of light-emitting metasurfaces, covering both plasmonic and all-dielectric systems.
New insights into nonclassical light emission from defects in multi-layer hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Bommer Alexander , Becher Christoph
Published: July 2019

In recent years, mono-layers and multi-layers of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) have been demonstrated as host materials for localized atomic defects that can be used as emitters for ultra-bright, non-classical light. The origin of the emission, however, is still subject to debate. Based on measurements of photon statistics, lifetime and polarization on selected emitters, we find that these atomic defects do not act as pure single photon emitters. Our results strongly and consistently indicate that each zero phonon line of individual emitters comprises two independent electronic transitions. These results give new insights into the nature of the observed emission and hint at a double defect nature of emitters in multi-layer hBN.
Mechanical and wear properties of polyetheretherketone composites filled with basalt fibres
Authors: Zhang Tao , Liu Hongtao , Zhang Dekun , Chen Kai
Published: July 2019

Polymers are widely used as replacements for machined metal components in engineering applications. To withstand extreme contact conditions, reinforcing materials are often introduced into polymers to improve their mechanical and wear properties. This paper investigates the applicability of basalt fibres as reinforcing materials to enhance the mechanical and wear properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The weight percentage of short basalt fibres in PEEK composites was 0-10% based on the injection moulding method. The mechanical properties and tribological behaviours of the resulting composites were investigated. The results showed that the composites filled with basalt fibres exhibit significant improvements in strength, anti-indentation creep and hardness. Meanwhile, the friction coefficient and wear rate of the composites decreased obviously due to basalt fibres on the top of the worn surface bearing the dynamic load under sliding. The morphology of the worn surface indicates that fibre pull-out and fibre breakage both contribute to energy dissipation. However, the mechanical properties of the composites did not increase linearly with increasing fibre content because of the decreasing bonding force between the fibres and the matrix. These results are significant for the application of PEEK in engineering.
Crystal structure of a new silver(I) coordination polymer assembled from imidazolidine-2-thione (Imt), {[Ag2(Imt)3](NO3)2}
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Authors: Ahmad Saeed , Seerat-ur-Rehman  , Arshad Muhammad Nadeem , Asiri Abdullah M. , Rüffer Tobias , Choudhary Muhammad Aziz , Isab Anvarhusein A.
Published: July 2019

A new polymeric silver(I) complex of imidazolidine-2-thione (Imt), {[Ag2(Imt)3](NO3)2}
n
(1) was prepared and its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The silver atoms form infinite chains with two Ag − S(Imt) − Ag strands linked to each other by sulfur atoms of μ
4-Imt ligands. Each silver(I) ion is bound to four sulfur atoms of bridging Imt ligands in a distorted tetrahedral environment. The crystal structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonding and weak argentophilic interactions. The hydrogen bonded nitrate ions connect the 1D chains to generate a 2D layer structure.
The Effect of Nano-SiO2, Nano-Al2O3, and Nano-Fe2O3 on the Compressive Strength and Workability of Magnesium Phosphate Cement-Based Mortar
Authors: Feng Hu , Wang Zhenyu , Sheikh M. Neaz , Zhao Xiaocong , Gao Danying , Hadi Muhammad N. S.
Published: July 2019

Magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) possesses many excellent engineering properties. The applications of MPC as a repair and quick-construction material have received significant research attention in recent years. The effects of nano-silicon dioxide, nano-aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and nano-iron oxide (Fe2O3) on the compressive strength and the fluidity of the MPC-based mortar are experimentally investigated in this study. The micromorphology and composition of the MPC-based mortar with nanoparticles were captured using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. It was found that the addition of the nanoparticles significantly shortened the setting time of MPC and decreased the fluidity of the MPC-based mortar. The addition of the appropriate amount of nano-Fe2O3 and nano-Al2O3 improved the compressive strength of the MPC-based mortar. The optimal replacement ratios of the nano-Fe2O3 and nano-Al2O3 were 2 % and 4 %, respectively. The reaction product of aluminum phosphate x-hydrate (AlPO4 xH2O) was found in the MPC matrix with the addition of nano-Al2O3, which improved the compressive strength of the MPC-based mortar.
Portable WIM Systems: Comparison of Sensor Installation Methods for Site-Specific Traffic Data Measurements
Authors: Walubita Lubinda F. , Mahmoud Enad , Fuentes Luis , Komba Julius J. , Teshale Eyoab Zegeye , Faruk Abu N. M.
Published: July 2019

As an alternative to costly permanent weigh-in-motion (WIM) stations that are mostly limited to major interstate highways, portable WIM systems are often used as a substitute or supplement to routinely collect site-specific traffic data (both volume and weight) for pavement design and analysis applications. By comparison, portable WIM systems are cost effective and much easier to install at any desired highway site/location. However, accuracy, reliability, and data quality have been some of the key challenges of portable WIM systems. As a means of addressing these challenges, this field pilot study was undertaken to comparatively evaluate two different sensor installation methods for routine traffic data measurements: the pocket tape and metal plate methods. The two methods were comparatively evaluated in terms of their practicality, simplicity of installation, cost effectiveness, resource/manpower needs, environmental sensitivity and endurance, consistency, data accuracy, and statistical reliability of the traffic data measurements. Along with a side-by-side field validation using permanent WIM data, the findings from the study indicated that the metal plate sensor installation method is superior to the pocket tape method, particularly in terms of data accuracy, data quality, statistical reliability, and endurance. Its traffic data accuracy rate was found to be 87∼91 % compared with 79 % for the pocket tape method, which exhibited a significant loss of sensitivity and data accuracy after 7 d of traffic measurements. Overall, the conclusions of this study provide technical merit and preference to the metal plate method over the pocket tape sensor installation method, particularly for traffic data measurements exceeding 7 d.
Utilization of Organic Waste and Inorganic Waste in Development of Green Hybrid Composite Material
Authors: Dwivedi Shashi Prakash , Dwivedi Garima
Published: July 2019

Air pollution and soil pollution from organic and inorganic wastes are one of the major problems all over the world. Furthermore, disposal of these organic and inorganic wastes is very costly. In the present investigation, the organic waste considered is rice husk ash (RHA). Rice husk was collected from rice mill industries. The inorganic waste considered is fly ash. Fly ash was collected from thermal power plant industries. By utilizing these wastes in the development of composite materials, some environmental problems can be reduced. In this study, an attempt was made to develop AA6061 base composite material reinforced with different weight percentages of RHA and fly ash. Microstructure of RHA- and fly ash–reinforced composite shows proper distribution of reinforcements. Maximum tensile strength was found to be 145.5 MPa for AA6061 + 5 % RHA + 10 % fly ash composite. Minimum porosity and maximum hardness was found to be 0.80 % and 88 HRB, respectively, for AA6061 +7.5 wt% RHA + 7.5 wt% fly ash hybrid metal matrix composite. In the same way, minimum corrosion loss and minimum thermal expansion were 0.12 mg and 20 mm3 for AA6061 +7.5 wt% RHA + 7.5 wt% fly ash hybrid metal matrix composite, respectively. Minimum water absorption and minimum soil degradation was also found for AA6061 + 7.5 wt% RHA +7.5 wt% fly ash hybrid metal matrix composite. However, density of composites continuously decreases by increasing the percentage of RHA and fly ash in the development of composites.
AMOUNTS OF VITAMIN A, VITAMIN E, VITAMIN C, Β-CAROTENE, LYCOPENE, GHRELIN, GLUTATHIONE, AND MDA IN FRUITS OF DIOSPYROS KAKI L
Authors: KARATAŞ Fikret , MUKHTAR Zulaiha Gidado , IBRAHIM Muhammad Salihu , IBRAHIM Yusuf İbrahim
Published: July 2019

In this study,
the amounts of vitamins A, E, C, β-carotene, lycopene, ghrelin, reduced and
oxidized form of glutathione (GSH, GSSG) with malondialdehyde (MDA) in ripe
fruits of Diospyros kaki L. plant were determined by using HPLC. The
amount of vitamins A, E, C, β-carotene, lycopene, ghrelin, GSH, GSSG and MDA in
Diospyros kaki L. plant were found to be 0.40±0.06 – 0.92±0.08;
0.63±0.09 - 1.34±0.14; 47.00±0.80 - 65.61±1.56; 2.08±0.18 - 3.36±0.30;
0.69±0.08 - 1.42±0.13; 2.14±0.65 - 7.98±1.06; 398.25±34.23 - 527.90±23.36;
23.67±8.89 - 42.43±4.81 and 5.63±0.35 - 7.28±0.42 µg/g, respectively. It can be
said that Diospyros kaki L. plant fruits are a good source of vitamin C,
lycopene, ghrelin and glutathione. Findings suggest that the fruit of this
plant may be a useful source of antioxidants. Differences in the amount of
parameters in the Diospyros kaki L. fruit are thought to be due to the
growth medium, climate, and environmental conditions.
Repairing the Broken Earth: N.K. Jemisin on race and environment in transitions
Authors: Iles Alastair
Published: July 2019

Sustainability transitions tend to be seen as technical, not social, affairs. Mainstream scholars and practitioners do not very often acknowledge environmental and social justice in their transitions work. They seldom recognize rights for racially marginalized people, or the possible existence of rights of Earth. Nor do they query whether they are exaggerating the reach of scientific and technological solutions. By contrast, some recent ecological science fiction writing has begun to place these issues at the center of transitions. In the Broken Earth series, N.K. Jemisin explores Earth through the lens of racial and ecological injustice. She interrogates four themes relevant to transitions. How should we live in a climate-changed world? What role does racial and social subordination play in destroying the environment? What are the dangers of hubris in seeking out a fundamental change through science and technology that cannot be readily controlled after all? How should we think about Earth itself? I conclude with some thoughts on how Earth could be made ‘unbroken’ again through integrating recognition, humility, renewal, and redistribution into transitions.