bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface-circulation change in the southwest Pacific Ocean across the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum: inferences from dinoflagellate cysts and biomarker paleothermometry
Authors: Cramwinckel Marlow Julius , Woelders Lineke , Huurdeman Emiel P. , Peterse Francien , Gallagher Stephen J. , Pross Jörg , Burgess Catherine E. , Reichart Gert-Jan , Sluijs Appy , Bijl Peter K.
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Global climate cooled from the early Eocene hothouse (∼52–50 Ma) to the latest Eocene (∼34 Ma). At the same time, the tectonic evolution of the Southern Ocean was characterized by the opening and deepening of circum-Antarctic gateways, which affected both surface- and deep-ocean circulation. The Tasmanian Gateway played a key role in regulating ocean throughflow between Australia and Antarctica. Southern Ocean surface currents through and around the Tasmanian Gateway have left recognizable tracers in the spatiotemporal distribution of plankton fossils, including organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts. This spatiotemporal distribution depends on both the physicochemical properties of the water masses and the path of surface-ocean currents. The extent to which climate and tectonics have influenced the distribution and composition of surface currents and thus fossil assemblages has, however, remained unclear. In particular, the contribution of climate change to oceanographic changes, superimposed on long-term and gradual changes induced by tectonics, is still poorly understood. To disentangle the effects of tectonism and climate in the southwest Pacific Ocean, we target a climatic deviation from the long-term Eocene cooling trend: the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO; ∼40 Ma). This 500 kyr phase of global warming was unrelated to regional tectonism, and thus provides a test case to investigate the ocean's physicochemical response to climate change alone. We reconstruct changes in surface-water circulation and temperature in and around the Tasmanian Gateway during the MECO through new palynological and organic geochemical records from the central Tasmanian Gateway (Ocean Drilling Program Site 1170), the Otway Basin (southeastern Australia), and the Hampden Beach section (New Zealand). Our results confirm that dinocyst communities track specific surface-ocean currents, yet the variability within the communities can be driven by superimposed temperature change. Together with published results from the east of the Tasmanian Gateway, our new results suggest a shift in surface-ocean circulation during the peak of MECO warmth. Simultaneous with high sea-surface temperatures in the Tasmanian Gateway area, pollen assemblages indicate warm temperate rainforests with paratropical elements along the southeastern margin of Australia. Finally, based on new age constraints, we suggest that a regional southeast Australian transgression might have been coincident with the MECO.
Assessing heat exposure to extreme temperatures in urban areas using the Local Climate Zones classification
Authors: Gilabert Joan , Deluca Anna , Lauwaet Dirk , Ballester Joan , Corbera Jordi , Llasat Maria Carmen
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Trends of extreme temperature episodes in cities are increasing (in frequency, magnitude and duration) due to regional climate change in interaction with the urban effects. Urban morphologies and thermal properties of the materials used to build them are factors that influence the spatial and temporal climate variability and becomes one of the main reasons for the climatic singularity of cities. This paper presents a proposal to evaluate the urban and peri-urban effect on extreme temperatures exposure in Barcelona (Spain), using the Local Climate Zone (LCZ) framework as a base statement, that allows the comparison with other cities of the world characterized using this criterion. LCZs were introduced as input of the high resolution UrbClim model (100 m spatial resolution) to create the daily temperatures (median and maximum) series for summer (JJA) during the period 1987 to 2016, pixel by pixel, in order to create a cartography of extremes. Using the relationship between mortality due to high temperatures and the temperature distribution, the heat exposure of each LCZ was obtained. Methodological results of the paper show the improvement obtained when LCZs were mapped through a combination of two techniques (from Land Cover/Land Use maps and from WUDAPT method), as well as proposes a methodology to obtain the exposure to high temperatures of different LCZs on urban and peri-urban areas. In the case of Barcelona, the distribution of temperatures for the 90th percentile (about 3–4 °C compared to average conditions) leads to an increase in the relative risk of mortality of 80 %.
Global concentrations of microplastic in soils, a review
Authors: Büks Frederick , Kaupenjohann Martin
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Worldwide, microplastic (MP) has been commonly recognized as a threat for soil ecosystems. Terrestrial soils are widely contaminated by MP due to the application of sewage sludge and wastewater, plastic mulching, littering, the input of tire wear from roads and atmospheric deposition. Within the last decade, an increasing number of individual studies focused on item counts and masses of MP in different global soil environments. We reviewed these studies to achieve a representative picture of common degrees of contamination. The majority of the prospected agricultural and horticultural sites was exposed to sewage sludge and mulching film application and showed concentrations of
The Nature of Comparison: Macunaíma and Orlando
Authors: Paris Václav
Published: September 2020

Dominant modes for comparing modernist literatures do so by coordinating individual texts against a larger narrative of modernity conceived as economic or political globalization. This article proposes an alternative premise for comparison. Instead of focusing on development, it considers the ways in which different national modernisms registered a changing modernity in terms of nature and natural history. This switch is demanded by two texts that bear a number of thematic and conceptual similarities and were published months apart in 1928: Mário de Andrade's Macunaíma and Virginia Woolf's Orlando. Both works rethink Darwinism's import for national representation by adapting the genre of the national romance or prose epic. They come to offer a sense of nations as living or organic in queer and unexpected ways. Tracing this process in relation also to the context of rising fascism, the article sheds light on modernist views of nature and their heuristic value as a basis for comparison.
Comparative study of glenoid version and inclination using two-dimensional images from computed tomography
and three-dimensional reconstructed bone models
Authors: Choi Chang-Hyuk , Kim Hee-Chan , Kang Daewon , Kim Jun-Young
Published: September 2020

Background: This study was performed to compare glenoid version and inclination measured using two-dimensional (2D) images from computed tomography (CT) scans or three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed bone models.Methods: Thirty patients who had undergone conventional CT scans were included. Two orthopedic surgeons measured glenoid version and inclination three times on 2D images from CT scans (2D measurement), and two other orthopedic surgeons performed the same measurements using 3D reconstructed bone models (3D measurement). The 3D-reconstructed bone models were acquired and measured with Mimics and 3-Matics (Materialise).Results: Mean glenoid version and inclination in 2D measurements were –1.705º and 9.08º, respectively, while those in 3D measurements were 2.635º and 7.23º. The intra-observer reliability in 2D measurements was 0.605 and 0.698, respectively, while that in 3D measurements was 0.883 and 0.892. The inter-observer reliability in 2D measurements was 0.456 and 0.374, respectively, while those in 3D measurements was 0.853 and 0.845.Conclusions: The difference between 2D and 3D measurements is not due to differences in image data but to the use of different tools. However, more consistent results were obtained in 3D measurement. Therefore, 3D measurement can be a good alternative for measuring glenoid version and inclination.
The Impact of Renewable Energy Generation on the Spot Market Price in Germany: Ex-Post Analysis using Boosting Method
Authors: Keeley Alexander Ryota , Matsumoto Ken’ichi , Tanaka Kenta , Sugiawan Yogi , Managi Shunsuke
Published: September 2020

This study combines regression analysis with machine learning analysis to study the merit order effect of renewable energy focusing on German market, the largest market in Europe with high renewable energy penetration. The results show that electricity from wind and solar sources reduced the spot market price by 9.64 €/MWh on average during the period from 2010 to 2017. Wind had a relatively stable impact across the day, ranging from 5.88 €/MWh to 8.04 €/MWh, while the solar energy impact varied greatly across different hours, ranging from 0.24 €/MWh to 11.78 €/MWh and having a stronger impact than wind during peak hours. The results also show characteristics of the interactions between renewable energy and spot market prices, including the slightly diminishing merit order effect of renewable energy at high generation volumes. Finally, a scenario-based analysis illustrates how different proportions of wind and solar energies affect the spot market price
Effect of L-carnitine on the expression of the apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bax
Authors: Vardiyan Reyhane , Ezati Daniyal , Anvari Morteza , Ghasemi Nasrin , Talebi Alireza
Published: September 2020

Objective: The genes Bcl-2 and Bax play important roles in apoptosis. Many studies have shown that formalin has a strong deleterious effect on male fertility and can induce apoptosis. L-carnitine has been reported to potentially reverse the negative effects of formalin, leading to improved spermatogenesis. In this study, we examined the levels of expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in mice treated with formalin and L-carnitine.Methods: Thirty adult BALB/c mice were categorized into three groups. The mice in the control group (n=10) were not injected with any substance. The mice in the second group (n=10) received 10 mg/kg of formalin daily via an intraperitoneal injection, while those in the final group (n=10) were intraperitoneally injected daily with a dose of 10 mg/kg of formalin and 100 mg/kg of L-carnitine. All mice were kept in isolated cages for 31 days.Results: The expression of Bax was significantly higher in the formalin-treated mice than in the mice of the control group, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly lower in the formalin-treated mice than in the control mice. Additionally, relative to control mice, Bcl-2 expression increased and Bax expression decreased in the mice administered both formalin and L-carnitine.Conclusion: In this study, L-carnitine was shown to augment Bcl-2 expression and to reduce Bax expression, indicating that this compound may inhibit apoptosis. Due to its positive effects, L-carnitine can be used as a prophylactic treatment for people who routinely come into direct contact with formalin as an occupational hazard.
Review of the scorpionfly genus Dicerapanorpa Zhong & Hua (Mecoptera: Panorpidae), with descriptions of two new species
Authors: Hu Gui-Lin , Hua Bao-Zhen
Published: September 2020

The current knowledge of the scorpionfly genus Dicerapanorpa Zhong & Hua, 2013 is taxonomically reviewed. Two new species of Dicerapanorpa are described and illustrated, increasing the species number of this genus to 20. Dicerapanorpa bifurcata sp. nov. from the Minshan Mountains, Sichuan Province, is characterized by the absence of the paramere basal branch and the elongated mesal branch in males, and the medigynium having a short basal stalk in females. Dicerapanorpa zhengkuni sp. nov. from the Wuling and Miaoling Mountains, Guizhou Province, is distinguishable by the greatly elongated hypovalves, the very short basal branch of the paramere, and the dorsomedially curved lateral branch in males, and the rounded main plate of the medigynium in females. An updated key to species of Dicerapanorpa is presented.
Anatomia e fisiologia de sementes de Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. submetidas ao armazenamento
Authors: Müller Evelin Maria , Ribeiro Maiara Iadwizak , Fortes Andréa Maria Teixeira , Corsato Jaqueline Malagutti , Silva Shirley Martins
Published: September 2020

O estudo objetivou avaliar os aspectos anatômicos e o comportamento fisiológico de sementes de Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. durante o armazenamento, submetidas à ação de tratamentos para superação da dormência. Os frutos maduros foram beneficiados e as sementes armazenadas à temperatura de 5ºC por um período de 360 dias e, posteriormente, submetidas a tratamentos para superação da dormência: (T1 - sem escarificação, T2 - escarificação mecânica e T3 - escarificação química com ácido sulfúrico por 10 minutos). Em intervalos pré-estabelecidos, as sementes foram avaliadas por meio da análise anatômica do tegumento e pelo teste de germinação. As variáveis analisadas foram anatomia do tegumento, porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação e correlação de Pearson entre a espessura do tegumento e as variáveis fisiológicas. Para as análises anatômicas, as sementes foram fixadas, inclusas e seccionadas em micrótomo. A espessura do tegumento das sementes foi mensurada por meio de imagens das secções transversais. O teste de germinação foi conduzido com quatro repetições de 25 sementes, realizado em papel germitest à temperatura constante de 25ºC com fotoperíodo de 12 horas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5x3 (lotes armazenamento e tratamentos para superação da dormência) e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Skott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. As análises anatômicas demonstraram perda de resistência física das estruturas do tegumento ao longo do armazenamento. A porcentagem de germinação durante o armazenamento não diferiu significativamente entre os tratamentos, entretanto o índice de velocidade de germinação aumentou e forma significativa quando associado a tratamentos de superação da dormência (T2. 7,08 - sementes não armazenadas e 9,29-armazenadas 360 dias; T3. 6,01-sementes não armazenadas e 9,42-armazenadas 360 dias). Foram obtidas correlações significativas entre a espessura do tegumento e as variáveis fisiológicas analisadas. O armazenamento, por até 360 dias, promoveu modificações anatômicas tegumentares, manteve o alto percentual germinativo das sementes de Peltophorum dubium e, quando associado aos tratamentos de superação da dormência, facilitou a ação destes a partir de 180 dias de armazenagem, aumentando o índice de velocidade de germinação.
Qualidade do carvão vegetal submetido a diferentes taxas de resfriamento com trocador de calor
Authors: Gomes Arthur Freitas , Prereira Emanuele Graciosa , Santos Ivanildo Da Silva dos , Carneiro Angélica De Cássia Oliveira , Martins Marcio Arêdes
Published: September 2020

O carvão vegetal é um importante insumo na siderurgia nacional e seu uso tem muitas vantagens sobre o carvão mineral e o coque, uma vez que é renovável, menos poluente e com baixos teores de enxofre e fósforo. A partir disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho do resfriamento artificial do carvão vegetal em forno retangular.  Para isso, foi avaliada a influência da variação da velocidade do escoamento de gás pelo leito poroso de carvão na qualidade final do produto. Foram utilizadas quatro velocidades de escoamento, em 3 repetições, totalizando 12 ensaios de carbonizações da madeira em um forno retangular. O uso do trocador de calor proporcionou redução no tempo de resfriamento de 76 para 28 horas. A maior redução no tempo de resfriamento foi obtida com a menor velocidade de escoamento. Nas maiores velocidades ocorreu queima de uma parte do carvão na seção de saída dos gases do forno, o que provocou aumento no tempo de resfriamento. No entanto, verificou-se que essas queimas parciais não causaram diferença significativa no rendimento gravimétrico em relação à testemunha. Para as velocidades adotadas, verificou-se que não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos e a testemunha nos parâmetros de qualidade do carvão. Portanto, no dimensionamento de trocadores de calor, deve-se considerar a diferença de pressão entre as aberturas de sucção e injeção dos gases no forno para minimizar a infiltração de ar no forno.
Otimização da extração e amplificação de DNA de dendezeiro: folhas em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento
Authors: Bomfim João Pedro de Andrade , Lima Laiana Pinheiro de , Melo Claúsio Antônio Ferreira de , Côrrea Ronan Xavier , Gaiotto Fernanda Amato , Barbosa Antônia Marlene Magalhães
Published: September 2020

O objetivo deste estudo foi otimizar e estabelecer um protocolo visando elevar a qualidade e quantidade do ácido desoxirribonucleico (DNA) extraído de folhas, em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento e conservação, coletadas em plantas adultas e plantas jovens. Além disso, almejou-se padronizar a amplificação via reação de polimerase em cadeia (PCR) e selecionar os marcadores de inter sequência simples repetida (ISSR) de Elaeis guineensis (dendezeiro). O protocolo brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB) modificado, devido à suplementação com betamercapto etanol (0,3%) e polivinilpirrolidone (PVP) (3%) no tampão de extração e CTAB 10% com 1,4 M de NaCl a 20 min de incubação, a 650C, resultou em melhorias qualitativas e quantitativas na extração do DNA, mas com variações entre amostras, provavelmente, devido às variações na degradação e estágio de desenvolvimento das folhas. Foram utilizados dois protocolos de PCR (I e II) para a amplificação do DNA, os quais diferiram principalmente com relação à presença de albumina de soro bovino (BSA) e concentração de primer. Não foi realizada a correlação entre amplificação via PCR e qualidade de DNA, obtidos de folhas danificadas ou sadias, mas se observou que a adição de BSA (0,075 mg/mL) e o aumento na concentração de primer (0,5 pcmol) (protocolo II) resultou em bandas mais intensas e distinguíveis, porém se ressalta que a qualidade do DNA foi essencial para uma boa amplificação, considerando-se todas as amostras. A amplificação do DNA com o protocolo II possibilitou a seleção de cinco primers: UBC 807, 810, 812, 834 e 848; os quais foram utilizados para a amplificação de13 famílias, compostas de uma planta parental e oito progênies cada.
Potencial energético do carvão do Ziziphus joazeiro (Martius) e da Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.
Authors: Fonseca Clécio Maynard Batista da , Oliveira Elisabeth , Calegari Leandro , Pimenta Alexandre Santos , Souza Pierre Farias de , Costa Júnior Djailson Silva da
Published: September 2020

Visando determinar o potencial energético do carvão da Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. e do Ziziphus joazeiro (Martius), o presente trabalho vem incrementar as informações sobre as espécies de ocorrência no semiárido brasileiro. Foram avaliados os parâmetros dendrométricos, tais como: altura total e comercial da árvore, diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP), o volume com casca e sem casca. Após as carbonizações da madeira, foram determinadas as características energéticas do carvão oriundo das espécies estudadas, tais como: poder calorífico superior, rendimento gravimétrico, densidade verdadeira e aparente, porosidade, rendimento em produto condensado, análise de química imediata (teor de materiais voláteis, cinzas e carbono fixo) e umidade, dos quais a Prosopis juliflora possui maiores valores, superando os do Ziziphus joazeiro e os das demais espécies arbóreas correlacionadas, tais como: Mimosa tenuiflora, Aspidosperma pyrifolium, Croton sonderianus, Piptadenia stipulacea, Amburana cearensis, Cemostigma bracteosum e Handroanthus impetiginosus. Ambas possuem um grande potencial para a produção de carvão vegetal, considerando os seus excelentes níveis de rendimento gravimétrico, carbono fixo e do poder calorífico.
Estrategias comunicativas de social media influencers para creación de marca: el caso de Carlos Ríos y Café Secreto
Authors: Sánchez-Amboage Eva , Membiela-Pollán Matías , Rodríguez-Vázquez Clide
Published: September 2020

Hiperconectados en un mundo personalizado. Esta podría ser una de las definiciones del contexto social contemporáneo que la tecnología y sus diferentes usos han ido dibujando de la mano de la sociedad actual. Todos los sectores sociales y económicos, de forma estructural, y los agentes que participan en ellos, de forma particular, viven un desafío constante donde los cambios se suceden a gran velocidad. Catalizadores de esta dinámica son, sin duda, los medios sociales que han contribuido a crear y fomentar un mundo tecnológicamente hiperconectado, y han permitido el desarrollo de la figura del social media influencer, una de las mayores tendencias del marketing digital en la actualidad. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo general determinar las claves de éxito de comunicación del social media influencer Carlos Ríos (creador del movimiento de vida saludable realfooding) en Instagram, a través del análisis de su perfil @carlosriosq y de su producto «Café Secreto». Para ello se realiza un análisis documental con los datos recabados de las herramientas: Keyhole e InstaBro. Los resultados obtenidos permiten aclarar las pautas de comunicación para construir una marca en Instagram, entre las que destaca, tras el estudio de «Café Secreto», la redefinición de la comunicación en las fases de lanzamiento de productos.
DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF A PULSATILE VALVE FOR GENERATING VARIABLE FLOWS IN REVERSE OSMOSIS DESALINATION MODULES
Authors: MURILLO VERDUZCO ISMAEL , HERRERA SARELLANO MANUEL , FIGUEROA DIAZ RAFAEL ALFONSO , FIMBRES WEIHS GUSTAVO ADOLFO , CASTRO QUINTERO ROEL ANTONIO
Published: September 2020

It has been reported that pulsatile flow promotes greater permeate in reverse osmosis (RO) operations through the generation and shedding of vortices, increasing mass transfer and hindering the onset of fouling through the effect of higher shear rate. In this project, a valve has been manufactured that generates pressure variations in water flow as determined by simulation studies at pressures between 4826 and 6205 kPa, flow rates in the range of 0.6 to 1.2 L/min, and a range of frequencies from 10 to 45 Hz, in order to increase the permeate flow in RO desalination modules. In addition, its performance is experimentally tested. For its development, the engineering design method is employed using Newton´s second law, the conservation law -applying Bernoulli´s principles, as well as the angular momentum equation. The best result using RO membranes is under pulsatile flow induced in the feed flow at Q = 0.6 L/min, p = 6205 kPa and f = 40 Hz when the flow is not turbulent. The generated pulsatile flow increases the quantity of permeated water, reduces the formation of fouling layers on the membrane and consequently reduces the frequency of membrane replacement. The pulsatile valve has the necessary requirements in order to be part of any RO system.
Resource plasticity-driven carbon-nitrogen budgeting enables specialization and division of labor in a clonal community
Authors: Varahan Sriram , Sinha Vaibhhav , Walvekar Adhish , Krishna Sandeep , Laxman Sunil
Published: September 2020

Previously, we found that in glucose-limited Saccharomyces cerevisiae colonies, metabolic constraints drive cells into groups exhibiting gluconeogenic or glycolytic states. In that study, threshold amounts of trehalose - a limiting, produced carbon-resource, controls the emergence and self-organization of cells exhibiting the glycolytic state, serving as a carbon source that fuels glycolysis (Varahan et al., 2019). We now discover that the plasticity of use of a non-limiting resource, aspartate, controls both resource production and the emergence of heterogeneous cell states, based on differential metabolic budgeting. In gluconeogenic cells, aspartate is a carbon source for trehalose production, while in glycolytic cells using trehalose for carbon, aspartate is predominantly a nitrogen source for nucleotide synthesis. This metabolic plasticity of aspartate enables carbon-nitrogen budgeting, thereby driving the biochemical self-organization of distinct cell states. Through this organization, cells in each state exhibit true division of labor, providing growth/survival advantages for the whole community.
Structural basis for histone variant H3tK27me3 recognition by PHF1 and PHF19
Authors: Dong Cheng , Nakagawa Reiko , Oyama Kyohei , Yamamoto Yusuke , Zhang Weilian , Dong Aiping , Li Yanjun , Yoshimura Yuriko , Kamiya Hiroyuki , Nakayama Jun-ichi , Ueda Jun , Min Jinrong
Published: September 2020

The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a multicomponent histone H3K27 methyltransferase complex, best known for silencing theHoxgenes during embryonic development. The Polycomb-like proteins PHF1, MTF2, and PHF19 are critical components of PRC2 by stimulating its catalytic activity in embryonic stem cells. The Tudor domains of PHF1/19 have been previously shown to be readers of H3K36me3 in vitro. However, some other studies suggest that PHF1 and PHF19 co-localize with the H3K27me3 mark but not H3K36me3 in cells. Here, we provide further evidence that PHF1 co-localizes with H3t in testis and its Tudor domain preferentially binds to H3tK27me3 over canonical H3K27me3 in vitro. Our complex structures of the Tudor domains of PHF1 and PHF19 with H3tK27me3 shed light on the molecular basis for preferential recognition of H3tK27me3 by PHF1 and PHF19 over canonical H3K27me3, implicating that H3tK27me3 might be a physiological ligand of PHF1/19.
Behavioural diversity of bonobo prey preference as a potential cultural trait
Authors: Samuni Liran , Wegdell Franziska , Surbeck Martin
Published: September 2020

The importance of cultural processes to behavioural diversity in our closest living relatives is central to revealing the evolutionary origins of human culture. However, the bonobo is often overlooked as a candidate model. Further, a prominent critique to many examples of proposed animal cultures is premature exclusion of environmental confounds known to shape behavioural phenotypes. We addressed these gaps by investigating variation in prey preference between neighbouring bonobo groups that associate and overlap space use. We find group preference for duiker or anomalure hunting otherwise unexplained by variation in spatial usage, seasonality, or hunting party size, composition, and cohesion. Our findings demonstrate that group-specific behaviours emerge independently of the local ecology, indicating that hunting techniques in bonobos may be culturally transmitted. The tolerant intergroup relations of bonobos offer an ideal context to explore drivers of behavioural phenotypes, the essential investigations for phylogenetic constructs of the evolutionary origins of culture.
Factors Affecting Preventive Behavior related to Tuberculosis among University Students in Korea: Focused on Knowledge, Attitude and Optimistic Bias related to Tuberculosis
Authors: Kwon Myung Soon , Choi Yun
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting preventive behavior related to tuberculosis (TB). The focus was on knowledge, attitude and optimistic bias related to tuberculosis among university students in Korea.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 255 students from 6 universities in 6 regions in Korea. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire online. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression.Results: The level for scores on preventive behavior for TB was slightly good, knowledge related to TB was moderate, and attitude was good. There was a slight optimistic bias. Knowledge and attitude related to TB were positively correlated with preventive behavior for TB. The factors affecting preventive behavior for TB were attitude (β=.36, p<.001), knowledge related to TB (β=.13, p=.025). The explanatory power of these variables was 26.1% (F=10.98, p<.001).Conclusion: Findings suggest that knowledge and attitude related to TB are major factors influencing preventive behavior for TB. In order to improve preventive behavior for TB, it is necessary to establish effective educational strategies and TB information media utilization that firmly enhance attitude and improve knowledge related to TB in university students in Korea.
Effects of Pandemic on Economy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Authors: David Ogunjemilua Oluwafemi , Iretiayo Akinjo Rebecca , Abiodun Olofinsao Oluwatosin , Aborode Abdullahi Tunde , Ayodele Tolorunju Ifeoluwapo
Published: September 2020

The Outbreak of the COVID-19 had presented an unprecedented threat to the global economy. The contemporary disease is spreading exponentially across the continent of Africa and the pandemic has been felt in all the countries of Africa. In this study we examined the effects of the pandemic on economy in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) using the COVID-19 as a case study, we adopted the envisage model in explaining the interaction between economic agents and how the outbreak of the COVID-19 has affected the relationships between them. We used probit regression model to analysis the effects of COVID-19 on the economic measures, we found unemployment rate and oil prices statistically significant at 5% and 10% respectively. All the price value are measured in US$. The study concluded that COVID-19 has affected the SSA economy negatively and we proffer that government should cut down their expenditure especially the salaries of political officers and appointees, however we accounted for the shortcomings of this paper which lies in the erratic and the unstable nature of COVID-19 data.
Knowledge and Awareness on Personalized Medicine amongst Health Care Specialists and University Students in Health Colleges in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J. , Alrawili Abdulrahman S. , Alkhawaja Faisal Z.
Published: September 2020

Aim: There are a few studies about the populations' knowledge and perceptions on personalized medicine in Saudi Arabia until now. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness on personalized medicine amongst health care specialists and university students in health colleges in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study that include a survey targeting health care specialists. The survey translated to Arabic and after validation, it was converted to an online survey using google forms.

Results: About 52.34% of the participants have heard about different terms regarding personalized medicine (personalized medicine, healthcare reform, individualized care and pharmacogenomics). Most of the health care specialists in the present study said that they have poor knowledge about personalized medicine (68.75%). Most of the participants in the present study were interested to learn about personalized medicine and showed a positive attitude about it.

Conclusion: The present study found that health care specialists had a poor knowledge about personalized medicine but they are interested to learn more about this field.  Therefore, more training and awareness programs about personalized medicine are needed to facilitate its introduction in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, more focus on this field should be introduced into the health colleges’ curricula.
Internalisation and toxicity of amyloid‐β 1‐42 are influenced by its conformation and assembly state rather than size
Authors: Vadukul Devkee M. , Maina Mahmoud , Franklin Hannah , Nardecchia Astrid , Serpell Louise C. , Marshall Karen E.
Published: September 2020

Amyloid fibrils found in plaques in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains are composed of amyloid‐β peptides. Oligomeric amyloid‐β 1‐42 (Aβ42) is thought to play a critical role in neurodegeneration in AD. Here, we determine how size and conformation affect neurotoxicity and internalisation of Aβ42 assemblies using biophysical methods, immunoblotting, toxicity assays and live‐cell imaging. We report significant cytotoxicity of Aβ42 oligomers and their internalisation into neurons. In contrast, Aβ42 fibrils show reduced internalisation and no toxicity. Sonicating Aβ42 fibrils generates species similar in size to oligomers but remains nontoxic. The results suggest that Aβ42 oligomers have unique properties that underlie their neurotoxic potential. Furthermore, we show that incubating cells with Aβ42 oligomers for 24 h is sufficient to trigger irreversible neurotoxicity.
Compression Fatigue Testing Setups for Composites—A Review
Authors: Baumann Andreas , Hausmann Joachim
Published: September 2020

The positive combination of lightweight design and high fatigue resistance of fiber reinforced materials has led to their broad application in many different structural applications. During the design phase, it is often only considered that these materials are subjected to tensile loading conditions to make use of their excellent strength and fatigue resistance properties. However, in the current challenge to reduce weight of transportation vehicles, a broadening range of loading conditions for composites may arise, whereby it is not always possible to restrict loading to pure tensile conditions. In contrast to metals, compressive loading is a challenging load case for composites. Much research is undertaken to understand the compressive behavior of composites and to develop valid methods for their characterization. Especially for compressive fatigue testing (load ratio R < 0 and R > 1), the generally accepted methods are rare, and not much is reported in the literature on how characterization should be done. This review provides an overview of existing methods, i.e., setups for testing fiber reinforced polymer composites under compression and discusses their applicability to fatigue testing.
Lattice‐Strain Engineering of Homogeneous NiS0.5Se0.5 Core–Shell Nanostructure as a Highly Efficient and Robust Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Yang , Li Xiaopeng , Zhang Mengmeng , Zhou Yuanguang , Rao Dewei , Zhong Cheng , Zhang Jinfeng , Han Xiaopeng , Hu Wenbin , Zhang Yucang , Zaghib Karim , Wang Yuesheng , Deng Yida
Published: September 2020

Developing highly‐efficient non‐noble‐metal electrocatalysts for water splitting is crucial for the development of clean and reversible hydrogen energy. Introducing lattice strain is an effective strategy to develop efficient electrocatalysts. However, lattice strain is typically co‐created with heterostructure, vacancy, or substrate effects, which complicate the identification of the strain‐activity correlation. Herein, a series of lattice‐strained homogeneous NiSxSe1−x nanosheets@nanorods hybrids are designed and synthesized by a facile strategy. The NiS0.5Se0.5 with ≈2.7% lattice strain exhibits outstanding activity for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER), affording low overpotentials of 70 and 257 mV at 10 mA cm−2, respectively, as well as excellent long‐term durability even at a large current density of 100 mA cm−2 (300 h), significantly superior to other benchmarks and the precious metal catalysts. Experimental and theoretical calculation results reveal that the generated lattice strain decreases the metal d‐orbital overlap, leading to a narrower bandwidth and a closer d‐band center toward the Fermi level. Thus, NiS0.5Se0.5 possesses favorable H* adsorption kinetics for HER and lower energy barriers for OER. This work provides a new insight to regulate the lattice strain of advanced catalyst materials and further improve the performance of energy conversion technologies.
High‐dose dexamethasone plus recombinant human thrombopoietin vs high‐dose dexamethasone alone as frontline treatment for newly diagnosed adult primary immune thrombocytopenia: A prospective, multicenter, randomized trial
Authors: Yu Yafei , Wang Miaomiao , Hou Yu , Qin Ping , Zeng Qingshu , Yu Wenzheng , Guo Xinhong , Wang Jingxia , Wang Xiaomin , Liu Guoqiang , Chu Xiaoxia , Yang Lan , Feng Ying , Zhou Fang , Sun Zhaogang , Zhang Mei , Wang Xin , Wang Zhencheng , Ran Xuehong , Zhao Hongguo , Wang Lei , Zhang Haiyan , Bi Kehong , Li Daqi , Yuan Chenglu , Xu Ruirong , Wang Yili , Zhou Yuhong , Peng Jun , Liu Xin‐guang , Hou Ming
Published: September 2020

We conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare the efficacy and safety of high‐dose dexamethasone (HD‐DXM) plus recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO), vs HD‐DXM alone in newly diagnosed adult immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned to receive DXM plus rhTPO or DXM monotherapy. Another 4‐day course of DXM was repeated if response was not achieved by day 10 in both arms. One hundred patients in the HD‐DXM plus rhTPO arm and 96 patients in the HD‐DXM monotherapy arm were included in the full analysis set. So, HD‐DXM plus rhTPO resulted in a higher incidence of initial response (89.0% vs 66.7%, P < .001) and complete response (CR, 75.0% vs 42.7%, P < .001) compared with HD‐DXM monotherapy. Response rate at 6 months was also higher in the HD‐DXM plus rhTPO arm than that in the HD‐DXM monotherapy arm (51.0% vs 36.5%, P = .02; sustained CR: 46.0% vs 32.3%, P = .043). Throughout the follow‐up period, the overall duration of response was greater in the HD‐DXM plus rhTPO arm compared to the HD‐DXM monotherapy arm (P = .04), as estimated by the Kaplan‐Meier analysis. The study drugs were generally well tolerated. In conclusion, the combination of HD‐DXM with rhTPO significantly improved the initial response and yielded favorable SR in newly diagnosed ITP patients, thus could be further validated as a frontline treatment for ITP. This study is registered as clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01734044.
Cribra orbitalia and porotic hyperostosis are associated with respiratory infections in a contemporary mortality sample from New Mexico
Authors: O'Donnell Lexi , Hill Ethan C. , Anderson Amy S. Anderson , Edgar Heather J. H.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Cribra orbitalia (CO) and porotic hyperostosis (PH) are porous cranial lesions (PCLs) classically associated with iron‐deficiency anemia in bioarchaeological contexts. However, recent studies indicate a need to reassess the interpretation of PCLs. This study addresses the potential health correlates of PCLs in a contemporary sample by examining relationships between the known cause of death (COD) and PCL presence/absence.

Methods

This study includes a sample of 461 juvenile individuals (6 months to 15 years of age) who underwent examination at the University of New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator between 2011 and 2019. The information available for each individual includes their sex, age at death, and their COD and manner of death.

Results

Odds ratio of having CO (OR = 3.92,p< .01) or PH (OR = 2.86,p= .02) lesions are increased in individuals with respiratory infections. Individuals with heart conditions have increased odds of having CO (OR = 3.52,p= .03) lesions, but not PH.

Conclusion

Individuals with respiratory infection are more likely to have CO and/or PH. CO appears to have a greater range of health correlates than PH does, as indicated by the heart condition results. However, individuals with congenital heart defects are at higher risk for respiratory infections, so bony alterations in cases of heart conditions may be due to respiratory illness. Since respiratory infection remains a leading cause of mortality today, CO and PH in bioarchaeological contexts should be considered as potential indicators of respiratory infections in the past.
Single‐Carbon‐Fiber‐Powered Microsensor for In Vivo Neurochemical Sensing with High Neuronal Compatibility
Authors: Yu Ping , Wei Huan , Zhong Peipei , Xue Yifei , Wu Fei , Liu Yang , Fei Junjie , Mao Lanqun
Published: September 2020

The development of new principles and techniques with high neuronal compatibility for quantitatively monitoring the dynamics of neurochemicals is essential for deciphering brain chemistry and function but remains a great challenge. We herein report a neuron‐compatible method for in vivo neurochemical sensing by powering a single carbon fiber through spontaneous bipolar electrochemistry as a new sensing platform. By using ascorbic acid as a model target to prove the concept, we found that the single‐carbon‐fiber‐powered microsensor exhibited a good response, high stability and, more importantly, excellent neuronal compatibility. The microsensor was also highly compatible with electrophysiological recording, thus enabling the synchronous recording of both chemical and electrical signals. The sensing principle could be developed for in vivo monitoring of various neurochemicals in the future by rationally designing and tuning the electrochemical reactions at the two poles of the carbon fiber.
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of the anti‐COVID‐19 Drug Remdesivir
Authors: Wang Mo , Zhang Lu , Huo Xiaohong , Zhang Zhenfeng , Yuan Qianjia , Li Panpan , Chen Jianzhong , Zou Yashi , Wu Zhengxing , Zhang Wanbin
Published: September 2020

The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of the anti‐COVID‐19 drug Remdesivir has been realized by the coupling of the P‐racemic phosphoryl chloride with protected nucleoside GS441524. The chiral bicyclic imidazole catalyst used is crucial for the dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DyKAT) to proceed smoothly with high reactivity and excellent stereoselectivity (96 % conv., 22:1 SP:RP). Mechanistic studies showed that this DyKAT is a first‐order visual kinetic reaction dependent on the catalyst concentration. The unique chiral bicyclic imidazole skeleton and carbamate substituent of the catalyst are both required for the racemization process, involving the phosphoryl chloride, and subsequent stereodiscriminating step. A 10 gram scale reaction was also conducted with comparably excellent results, showing its potential for industrial application.
Recent developments in the metal catalysed cross‐coupling reactions for the synthesis of the enone system of chalcones
Authors: Diana Elizabeth J. , Kanchana U.S. , Mathew Thomas V. , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: September 2020

For the last two decades, chalcones and their derivatives have attracted special interest among researchers due to their pharmaceutical properties. Numerous research works have been still going on to improve the methodologies of chalcone synthesis. Chalcone has displayed a remarkable curative efficiency to cure numerous diseases and it continues to show promise for new drug investigations. This review highlights the metal catalysed cross‐coupling reactions for the synthesis of chalcone and its derivatives from 2009 to 2020.
Effect of Reaction Conditions on the Volatile Pyrazines Components of Defatted Flaxseed Meal in the Maillard Reaction System
Authors: Li Lin , Wang Lin , Liu Jiang , Yang Jiawei , Wu Wenxia , Zhang Bo , Liu Wenyu , Wei Changqing
Published: September 2020

Defatted flaxseed meal, as a high‐protein by‐product can be used as a good raw material for the Maillard reaction (MR). A MR model system was established using glucose, fructose, and glucose/fructose (1:1) to produce volatile compounds typically obtained from defatted flaxseed meal protein hydrolysate; these compounds were analyzed using head‐space solid phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) coupled with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC–MS). From the 12 MR model reaction groups, the production of pyrazines was between 12.76% and 26.56%. In the 1G group (the group prepared using DH1 = 7.87% with a glucose concentration of 10%), the amount of pyrazines generated reached 26.56%, and this was higher than that of the other 11 model reaction groups. The effect of reaction temperature (100–150 °C), reaction time (10–60 min), and sugar concentration (5–30%) on pyrazine content was determined using the 1G group. The results of this study indicated that the effect of temperature on pyrazine production was higher than that exerted by reaction time and glucose addition. The pyrazine content reached the maximum at a reaction temperature of 140 °C. The degree of reaction and pH value were also determined; the results demonstrated that accumulation of pyrazines was suboptimal when the pH of the system was dramatically decreased. For the overall reaction, the pyrazine content remained similar to that of the final products; however, the pyrazine content exhibited little correlation with the intermediate products in the MR.
Microwave‐Assisted Solvothermal Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) with Stable Superhydrophobicity for Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Chen Li , Du Jingcheng , Zhou Wei , Shen Huizhen , Tan Luxi , Zhou Cailong , Dong Lichun
Published: September 2020

COFs were synthesized by a microwave‐assisted solvothermal route, with the building blocks containing 1,3,5‐tris(4‐aminophenyl) benzene and 2,3,5,6‐tetra‐fluoroterephthalaldehyde (or 1,4‐phthalaldehyde). The −F groups introduced into the benzene ring promoted hydrophobicity and stability of the COFs. The universality and long effectiveness of oil adsorption can be realized when applying COFs as adsorbent. The powder also exhibited excellent water‐in‐oil emulsions separation performance, with the separation efficiency no lower than 99.5%. In this work, the use of microwave solvothermal synthesis of superhydrophobic COFs is potential to replace the conventional synthesis process and more suitable for industrial scale‐up production. Furthermore, the findings provide a new strategy for solving the problem of oil spill treatment and industrial water‐in‐oil emulsions separation by using the emerging 2D COFs.
Dyadic Synchrony and Responsiveness in the First Year: Associations with Autism Risk
Authors: Kellerman Ashleigh M. , Schwichtenberg A. J. , Abu‐Zhaya Rana , Miller Meghan , Young Gregory S. , Ozonoff Sally
Published: September 2020

In the first year of life, the ability to engage in sustained synchronous interactions develops as infants learn to match social partner behaviors and sequentially regulate their behaviors in response to others. Difficulties developing competence in these early social building blocks can impact later language skills, joint attention, and emotion regulation. For children at elevated risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), early dyadic synchrony and responsiveness difficulties may be indicative of emerging ASD and/or developmental concerns. As part of a prospective developmental monitoring study, infant siblings of children with ASD (high‐risk group n = 104) or typical development (low‐risk group n = 71), and their mothers completed a standardized play task when infants were 6, 9, and/or 12 months of age. These interactions were coded for the frequency and duration of infant and mother gaze, positive affect, and vocalizations, respectively. Using these codes, theory‐driven composites were created to index dyadic synchrony and infant/maternal responsiveness. Multilevel models revealed significant risk group differences in dyadic synchrony and infant responsiveness by 12 months of age. In addition, high‐risk infants with higher dyadic synchrony and infant responsiveness at 12 months received significantly higher receptive and expressive language scores at 36 months. The findings of the present study highlight that promoting dyadic synchrony and responsiveness may aid in advancing optimal development in children at elevated risk for autism.

Lay Summary

In families raising children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), younger siblings are at elevated risks for social communication difficulties. The present study explored whether social‐communication differences were evident during a parent–child play task at 6, 9, and 12 months of age. For infant siblings of children with ASD, social differences during play were observed by 12 months of age and may inform ongoing monitoring and intervention efforts.