bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scalable One‐Step Gel Conversion Route to High‐Performance CHA Zeolite Hollow Fiber Membranes and Modules for CO2 Separation
Authors: Yang Shaowei , Chiang Yadong , Nair Sankar
Published: June 2019

Efficient separation of CO2 from other molecules such as CH4, N2, and hydrocarbons is a key problem in many energy production and greenhouse gas reduction schemes. Zeolite materials demonstrate attractive gas separation properties, but their industrial application as membranes in gas separation are elusive because of high cost and low reproducibility of conventional fabrication techniques. A facile method is demonstrated for the fabrication of high‐silica CHA zeolite membranes on low‐cost alumina hollow fiber substrates by a one‐step direct gel conversion method, along with a detailed characterization of the CHA hollow fiber membranes. To demonstrate the scalability of the method, 20 hollow fiber (710 μm OD and 390 μm ID) membranes are synthesized in the same batch and assembled into a module. Under dry conditions, the membranes show an excellent CO2 permeance up to 3500 GPU (1 Gas Permeation Unit = 3.348 × 10−10 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1) and an excellent CO2 separation performance (e.g., CO2/CH4 separation factors up to 210 in the 1–7 bar feed pressure range). In addition, the membranes exhibit a considerable increase in CO2 selectivity under humid (saturated water vapor) conditions with moderate permeance drops. This study opens a promising new path for accelerated development of low‐cost zeolitic membranes for gas separation technology.
Climate and relief‐induced controls on the temporal variability of denudation rates in a granitic upland
Authors: Raab Gerald , Egli Markus , Norton Kevin , Dahms Dennis , Brandová Dagmar , Christl Marcus , Scarciglia Fabio
Published: June 2019

How soil erosion rates evolved over the last about 100 ka and how they relate to environmental and climate variability is largely unknown. This is due to a lack of suitable archives that help to trace this evolution. We determined in situ cosmogenic beryllium‐10 (10Be) along vertical landforms (tors, boulders and scarps) on the Sila Massif to unravel their local exhumation patterns to develop a surface denudation model over millennia.

Due to the physical resistance of tors, their rate of exhumation may be used to derive surface and, thus, soil denudation rates over time. We derived soil denudation rates that varied in the range 0–0.40 mm yr‐1. The investigated boulders, however, appear to have experienced repositioning processes about ~20–25 ka bp and were therefore a less reliable archive. The scarps of the Sila upland showed a rapid bedrock exposure within the last 8–15 ka. Overall, the denudation rates increased steadily after 75 ka bp but remained low until about 17 ka bp. The exhumation rates indicate a denudation pulse that occurred about 17–5 ka bp. Since then the rates have continuously decreased.

We identify three key factors for these developments – climate, topography and vegetation. Between 75 and 17 ka bp, climate was colder and drier than today. The rapid changes towards warmer and humid conditions at the Pleistocene–Holocene transition apparently increased denudation rates. A denser vegetation cover with time counteracted denudation.

Topography also determined the extent of denudation rates in the upland regime. On slopes, denudation rates were generally higher than on planar surfaces. By determining the exhumation rates of tors and scarps, soil erosion rates could be determined over long timescales and be related to topography and particularly to climate. This is key for understanding geomorphic dynamics under current environmental settings and future climate change. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of acute modafinil ingestion on cognitive and physical performance following mental exertion
Authors: Rattray Ben , Martin Kristy , Hewitt Alex , Cooper Gabrielle , McDonald Warren
Published: June 2019

Objective

Modafinil is a psychostimulant that has been shown to enhance cognitive and physical performance. Given its long half‐life, it may provide operational advantages if it can improve tolerance to the deleterious effects of prolonged mental exertion.

Methods

Physically active males (n = 13, 23 ± 4 years, peak oxygen consumption 45.3 ± 3.2 ml kg−1 min−1) took part in a placebo controlled, double‐blind randomised crossover study to investigate if modafinil could improve cognitive and physical performance following a prolonged period of mental exertion.

Results

Overall modafinil improved performance on a task of executive function over time (p = .023; η2 = 0.376) but did not improve subsequent physical endurance performance (mean difference 2.3 ± 11.5%, p = .50), despite improvement in 10 out of the 13 participants. Task demand was reported as lower with modafinil, although perceptual measures of fatigue and motivation did not consistently improve. Heart rate during submaximal exercise was higher (134 ± 11 vs. 119 ± 14 bpm, p < .001), and sleep was reduced (5.5 ± 1.4 vs. 7.5 ± 1.4 hr, p < .001) and less efficient (64 ± 13 vs. 83 ± 9%, p < .001) compared with placebo.

Conclusions

Operationally, modafinil may offer advantages given the established longer half‐life than other psychostimulants, despite the variable response. The impact of higher heart rates and disrupted sleep on performance must also be considered.
Retracted: The protective effects of TGR5 against ultraviolet B irradiation in epidermal stem cells
Authors: Chang Yuan , Yu Jianbin
Published: June 2019

Repetitive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) results in continuous insults to the skin, including continuous loss of the capacities of epidermal stem cells (ESCs). Takeda G‐protein‐coupled receptor‐5 (TGR5) participates in a variety of physiological activities, but its biological function in skin has not been reported. In this study, we report that TGR5 could be detected in ESCs and its expression was reduced after ultraviolet B (UV‐B) irradiation. Treatment with the specific TGR5 agonist 3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐N,5‐dimethylisoxazole‐4‐carboxamide (GPBARA) prevented UV‐B‐induced oxidative stress by reducing 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal and increasing the level of glutathione. We also found that the presence of GPBARA improved UV‐B irradiation‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction by elevating mitochondrial membrane potential. Interestingly, our results indicate that GPBARA pretreatment suppressed UV‐B irradiation‐induced reduced cell viability, release of lactic dehydrogenase, and secretion of high mobility group box 1. Notably, GPBARA pretreatment inhibited UV‐B irradiation‐induced decrease in integrin β1 and Krt19, dependent on TGR5. Mechanistically, we found that the activation of TGR5 by GPBARA increased Wnt1, Wnt3a, Myc, and cyclin D1 in ESCs. Our data suggest a new function of TGR5 in regulating ESCs.
The effects of melatonin on neurohormonal regulation in cardiac cachexia: A mechanistic review
Authors: Jafari‐Vayghan Hamed , Saleh‐Ghadimi Sevda , Maleki Vahid , Moludi Jalal , Alizadeh Mohammad
Published: June 2019

Heart failure (HF) is one of the prominent health concerns and its morbidity is comparable to many malignancies. Cardiac cachexia (CC), characterized by significant weight loss and muscle wasting, frequently occurs in progressive stage of HF. The pathophysiology of CC is multifactorial including nutritional and gastrointestinal alterations, immunological and neurohormonal activation, and anabolic/catabolic imbalance. Neurohormones are critically involved in the development of both HF and CC. Melatonin is known as an anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant hormone. It seems that melatonin possibly regulates the neurohormonal signaling pathway related to muscle wasting in CC, but limited comprehensive data is available on the mechanistic aspects of its activity. In this, we reviewed the reports regarding the role of neurohormones in CC occurrence and possible activity of melatonin in modulation of HF and subsequently CC via neurohormonal regulation. In addition, we have discussed proposed mechanisms of action for melatonin considering its possible interactions with neurohormones. In conclusion, melatonin likely regulates the signaling pathways related to muscle wasting in CC by reducing tumor necrosis factor α levels and activating the gene expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐1. Also, this hormone inhibits the proteolytic pathway by inhibiting nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), renin‐angiotensin system and forkhead box protein O1 pathways and could increase protein synthesis by activating Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin. To elucidate the positive role of melatonin in CC and exact mechanisms related to muscle wasting more cellular and clinical trial studies are needed.
Upregulation of microRNA‐9‐5p inhibits apoptosis of chondrocytes through downregulating Tnc in mice with osteoarthritis following tibial plateau fracture
Authors: Chen Hongwei , Yang Jun , Tan Zhihong
Published: June 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease which is typically progressed with age, affecting smaller joints of hands, lower limbs, and the vertebral column. It has been reported that microRNAs could regulate the biological processes of OA. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate miR‐9‐5p's role in regulating cartilage remodeling of OA mice following tibial plateau fracture (TPF) through regulation of tenascin C (Tnc). Initially, we determined the expression of miR‐9‐5p and Tnc in mice with OA and then testified their relationship. The results displayed a high expression of Tnc, but a poor expression of miR‐9‐5p with high methylation in OA. Tnc was confirmed to be a target gene of miR‐9‐5p. Moreover, based on gain‐ and loss‐function experiments, an increase of miR‐9‐5p and loss of Tnc had the potential to inhibit cell apoptosis, while facilitating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cartilage remodeling of mice with OA following TPF. This was further demonstrated by a higher expression of type II collagen, lower type X collagen, and protogenin expression. Subsequently, downregulation of miR‐9‐5p aggravated the pathological changes of mice, illustrated by an increase in the Mankin score. In conclusion, the present study proved that overexpression of miR‐9‐5p suppressed chondrocytes apoptosis and promoted cartilage remodeling through downregulating of Tnc in mice with OA.
RETRACTED: Long noncoding RNA LINC00958 regulates cell sensitivity to radiotherapy through RRM2 by binding to microRNA‐5095 in cervical cancer
Authors: Zhao Hui , Zheng Guang‐Hong , Li Guang‐Cai , Xin Li , Wang Yong‐Sheng , Chen Ying , Zheng Xue‐Mei
Published: June 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the regulation of resistance to radiotherapy in cervical cancer, which is a type of gynecological disease with high mortality in women around the world. Hence, our purpose is to delineate the involvement of LINC00958 in regulating cell sensitivity to radiotherapy in cervical cancer. LINC00958 expression in cervical cancer was assayed, followed by verification of the relationship among LINC00958, microRNA‐5095 (miR‐5095) and ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2 (RRM2). Hela cells were transduced with up‐/downregulation of miR‐5095 or RRM2, or LINC00958 silencing, respectively, and then treated with or without a 6 Gy dose of X‐ray irradiation. Then the cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival fraction rate, as well as sensitivity to radiotherapy, were assessed. Finally, xenograft tumor in nude mice was established by transplanting Hela cells transfected with sh‐LINC00958 and irradiated with 6 Gy of X‐ray. High expression of LINC00958 was revealed in The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, as well as in radiation‐resistant patients, which was associated with lower sensitivity to radiotherapy in cervical cancer. Moreover, cervical cancer patients with higher LINC00958 expression exhibited a shorter overall survival according to Kaplan–Meier analysis. In addition, LINC00958 could regulate the expression of RRM2 by competing for miR‐5095. A combination of radiotherapy with LINC00958 silencing, RRM2 downregulation or miR‐5095 overexpression was found to inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth, while promoting cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that LINC00958 could regulate RRM2 by competing to miR‐5095, which regulates cell sensitivity to radiotherapy in cervical cancer.
Epigenetic changes in gastric cancer induction by Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Yousefi Bahman , Mohammadlou Maryam , Abdollahi Maryam , Salek Farrokhi Amir , Karbalaei Mohsen , Keikha Masoud , Kokhaei Parviz , Valizadeh Saeid , Rezaiemanesh Alireza , Arabkari Vahid , Eslami Majid
Published: June 2019

Epigenetic disorder mechanisms are one of the causes of cancer. The most important of these changes is the DNA methylation, which leads to the spread of Helicobacter pylori and inflammatory processes followed by induction of DNA methylation disorder. Mutations and epigenetic changes are the two main agents of neoplasia.

Epithelial cells infection by H. pylori associated with activating several intracellular pathways including: MAPK, NF‐κB, Wnt/β‐catenin, and PI3K are affects a variety of cells and caused to an increase in the production of inflammatory cytokines, changes in apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and ultimately leads to the transformation of epithelial cells into oncogenic. The arose of free radicals impose the DNA cytosine methylation, and NO can increase the activity of DNA methyltransferase.

H. pylori infection causes an environment that mediates inflammation and signaling pathways that probably caused to stomach tumorigenicity. The main processes that change by decreasing or increasing the expression of various microRNAs expressions include immune responses, apoptosis, cell cycle, and autophagy. In this review will be describe a probably H. pylori roles in infection and mechanisms that have contribution in epigenetic changes in the promoter of genes.
An Efficient and Easy Method for the One‐pot Synthesis of Spirooxindoles in the Presence of Na2CO3
Authors: Umar Basha Khadhar Navaz , Gnanamani Shanthi
Published: June 2019

An efficient and easy procedure for the one‐pot synthesis of spirooxindoles in the presence of Na2CO3 in water : methanol (1:1) is described. The salient features of this method are simple methodology, shorter reaction time, easy product isolation, and no chromatographic purification.
Some Musings About Differential Energy Metabolism With Ketogenic Diets
Authors: Bistrian Bruce R.
Published: June 2019

Ketogenic states are of 3 major types: total starvation and those resulting from the consumption of semistarvation, ketogenic diets, and eucaloric ketogenic diets. All are characterized by little or no dietary carbohydrate, resulting in a fat‐based metabolism with sustained ketonemia of varying degrees in each state. The latter 2 diets are clinically useful with important impacts on both aspects of the energy balance equation with increased satiety and less hunger on the intake side and probably increased energy expenditure on the output side; both may have important implications for the successful long‐term management of obesity. Consideration of older research regarding the hormonal response to carbohydrate‐free dieting and recent findings on hepatic glycogen status that occurs with sustained ketonemia support the likelihood that there are profound differences in 24‐hour gluconeogenesis rates between ketogenic diets and balanced diets containing substantial carbohydrate. This metabolic distinction could have a meaningful impact to increase the thermic effect of feeding and daily energy expenditure amounting to 100 kcal/d or more with each of the ketogenic diets.
Thermodynamic study of new antiepileptic compounds by combining chromatography on the phosphatidylcholine biomimetic stationary phase and differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Flieger Jolanta , Trębacz Hanna , Pizoń Magdalena , Plazińska Anita , Plaziński Wojciech , Kowalska Anna , Szczęsna Agnieszka , Plech Tomasz
Published: June 2019

Liquid chromatography coupled to spectrophotometric detection of new antiepileptic compounds, 1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione derivatives, on immobilized artificial membrane phosphatidylcholine is reported. The curves representing the relationship between ln k versus 1/T generated under isocratic conditions by the use of methanol and acetonitrile‐containing eluent systems have been constructed in order to determine the thermodynamic parameters: the enthalpies, entropies and the relative free energies. The hydrocarbon chains of analytes significantly influenced the membrane behavior of the whole molecules. Excellent correlations of the theoretical lipophilicity with the experimental thermodynamic descriptors, have confirmed contribution of the hydrophobic interactions in the retention process. However, presence of sulfur or oxygen as heteroatoms at R1 substituents in the 1,2,4‐triazole ring appears to be responsible for more pronounced selectivity of these compounds on the phosphatidylcholine stationary phase. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the selective preferences of the phosphatidylcholine with respect to the compounds with either ether of sulfide moieties. Experimental and theoretical set‐ups resulted in corresponding outcomes.
MiR‐27 alleviates myocardial cell damage induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation via targeting TGFBR1 and inhibiting NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Lian , An Bai‐Fu , Zhang Guang‐Cheng
Published: June 2019

MiR‐27 prevents atherosclerosis by inhibiting inflammatory responses induced by lipoprotein lipase. Overexpression of miR‐27b attenuates angiotensin‐induced atrial fibrosis. Nevertheless, studies have rarely investigated on the effect of miR‐27 in cardiomyocyte injury. H9c2 cells were transfected with miR‐27 mimic/inhibitor. Then the cell proliferation was tested by MTT assay and the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The luciferase activity assay was utilized to analyze the relationship between miR‐27 and TGFBR1. Quantificational real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were utilized to detect the cardiomyocyte differentiation marker and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway. Our outcomes demonstrated that miR‐27 expression was downregulated cardiomyocyte injury subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Additionally, overexpression of miR‐27 could significantly alleviate cardiomyocyte injury by regulating cell activity and apoptosis. The luciferase activity assay confirmed that transforming growth factor ß receptor 1 (TGFBR1) is a direct hallmark of miR‐27. Besides, overexpression of miR‐27 promoted the expression of TGFBR1 in H/R model. After transfection with miR‐27 mimic/inhibitor, the expression of NF‐κB pathway‐related proteins was decreased/increased. Taken together, our data manifested that miR‐27 repressed cardiomyocyte injury induced by H/R via mediating TGFBR1 and inhibiting NF‐κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, miR‐27/ TGFBR1 might be utilized as hopeful biomarkers for myocardial ischemia diagnosis and treatment.
Myricetin Ameliorates Ethanol‐Induced Lipid Accumulation in Liver Cells by Reducing Fatty Acid Biosynthesis
Authors: Guo Chang , Xue Guoqing , Pan Bei , Zhao Mengjie , Chen Si , Gao Jing , Chen Tong , Qiu Longxin
Published: June 2019

Scope

Alcoholic liver disease is a serious threat to human health. The development of drug candidates from complementary and alternative medicines is an attractive approach. Myricetin can be found in fruit, vegetables, and herbs. This study investigates the protective effect of myricetin on ethanol‐induced injury in mouse liver cells.

Methods and results

Oil‐red O staining, assays of oxidative stress and measurements of inflammatory markers in mouse AML12 liver cells collectively demonstrate that myricetin elicits a curative effect on ethanol‐induced injury. Next, the role of myricetin in the metabolic regulation of ethanol pathology in liver cells is assessed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Myricetin inhibits ethanol‐stimulated fatty acid biosynthesis. Additionally, dodecanoic acid may be proposed as a potential biomarker related to ethanol pathology or myricetin therapy. It is also observed that myricetin enhances ethanol‐induced inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Moreover, fumaric acid is found to be a candidate biomarker related to ethanol toxicity or myricetin therapy. Quantitative reverse‐transcription‐PCR shows that ethanol‐induced fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c mRNA levels are alleviated by myricetin. Finally, myricetin increases ethanol‐induced inhibition of phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase.

Conclusion

These results elucidate the pharmacological mechanism of myricetin on ethanol‐induced lipid accumulation.
Potential for Improving Among-Reader Precision and Accuracy of Walleye Age Estimates with Minimal Training
Authors: Dembkowski Daniel J. , Isermann Daniel A. , Koenigs Ryan P.
Published: June 2019

Within most resource management agencies, fish ages assigned by multiple readers are used to estimate age-based population metrics and to develop state or regional growth standards under the assumption that among-reader precision and accuracy are high. A cursory evaluation suggested that precision of age estimates among seven individuals who routinely estimate Walleye Sander vitreus age for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was remarkably low (otolith mean coefficient of variation [CV] = 37%; dorsal spine mean CV = 35%), which prompted concern and interest in whether among-reader precision could be improved with a minimal level of training. Consequently, we compared among-reader precision and accuracy before and after a 1-d training exercise. We distributed images of sectioned otoliths and sectioned dorsal spines from a random sample of 50 Walleye, along with images of structures from 25 known-age Walleye, to 21 readers grouped into beginner, intermediate, and advanced experience levels based on responses to a pretraining survey. Among-reader precision was substantially higher after training (otolith mean CV = 16%; dorsal spine mean CV = 15%) than before (otolith mean CV = 27%; dorsal spine mean CV = 26%). Accuracy of age estimates also improved after training, but greater improvements were observed for otoliths (mean difference between estimated and known ages before training = 0.80 year; after training = 0.15 year) than for dorsal spines (mean difference between estimated and known ages before training = 0.38 year; after training = 0.22 year). Similar improvements in precision and accuracy were evident for all experience levels. Our results suggest that a simple, low-cost age estimation training can substantially increase precision and accuracy of age estimates among a large group of readers. However, additional training and quality control measures may be required to achieve higher levels of precision and accuracy.
Measurement Equivalence of E‐Scale and In‐Person Clinic Weights
Authors: Pebley Kinsey , Klesges Robert C. , Talcott G. Wayne , Kocak Mehmet , Krukowski Rebecca A.
Published: June 2019

Objective

The current study aimed to determine whether electronic scale (e‐scale) weight measurements are concordant with in‐person clinic weights.

Methods

E‐scale and in‐person clinic weight measurements from 248 active duty military personnel enrolled in a weight‐loss intervention study were used. E‐scale and clinic measurements were matched and tested to determine whether measurements were significantly different from each other. Equivalence between the two measurements was tested among the cohort and when stratifying by gender, BMI, race, and age. The study also examined whether matching the times of clinic and e‐scale measurements or averaging multiple measurements was optimal, and whether using e‐scale and clinic measurements from the same day or across a specified amount of time was acceptable.

Results

Overall, e‐scale and clinic measurements were significantly different from each other but did not differ from equality. Additionally, using e‐scale and clinic weight measurements that were taken on the same day may be a preferable method compared with using measurements within a week of each other, which leads to weight underprediction among e‐scale measurements.

Conclusions

E‐scales display good measurement concordance. E‐scales may be helpful when studying highly mobile populations, such as military personnel, and could potentially eliminate the need for in‐person visits.
Seeking a Common Framework for Research on Narcissism: An Attempt to Integrate the Different Faces of Narcissism within the Circumplex of Personality Metatraits
Authors: Rogoza Radosław , Cieciuch Jan , Strus Włodzimierz , Baran Tomasz
Published: June 2019

The current paper presents a proposal for integrating different narcissism constructs (grandiose, vulnerable, communal, and collective) within the Circumplex of Personality Metatraits (CPM), an integrative model of personality structure that could also be used to accommodate the narcissism spectrum model. The study was conducted on a community sample ( N = 781 adults). The theoretically predicted locations of the different narcissism constructs within the CPM space were empirically verified using the structural summary method. We found that grandiose, vulnerable, and communal narcissism can be meaningfully located within the CPM, while the status of collective narcissism remains unclear. Thus, the CPM can serve as a personality matrix explaining the differences and similarities between the various faces of narcissism. © 2019 European Association of Personality Psychology
Enhancement in Photocatalytic Activity of SrTiO3 by Tailoring Particle Size and Defects
Authors: Kumar Vishnu , Choudhary Siddharth , Malik Vidhu , Nagarajan Rajamani , Kandasami Asokan , Subramanian Annapoorni
Published: June 2019

The photocatalytic activity of polycrystalline strontium titanate (SrTiO3) powder having different particle sizes is investigated. The powders of SrTiO3 are ball‐milled for different time durations and characterized by x‐ray diffractometer (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), x‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), UV–visible, photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectroscopy. The crystallite size, particle size, and crystallinity of SrTiO3 decrease with an increase in ball milling time duration. While the HRTEM images show a significant reduction in the particle sizes and lattice dislocation after ball milling, the PL spectra indicate a significant enhancement of defects and vacancies in the ball‐milled SrTiO3. The XAS measurements confirm the reduction in the valency of Ti ions due to oxygen vacancies. The photocatalytic activity of SrTiO3 is investigated using methylene blue dye under the UV‐Visible light illumination. A rapid degradation is observed for the highest time ball‐milled SrTiO3. Small particles provide shorter path and thus decrease the probability of recombination of the photogenerated electron–hole pairs when compared with large ones.
Fractalkine Induces Hepcidin Expression of BV-2 Microglia and Causes Iron Accumulation in SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Pandur Edina , Tamási Kitti , Pap Ramóna , Varga Edit , Miseta Attila , Sipos Katalin
Published: June 2019

Fractalkine (CX3CL1) is a potent inflammatory mediator of the central nervous system, which is expressed by neurons and regulates microglial functions by binding to fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1). It has been demonstrated that neuroinflammation plays an important role in iron accumulation of the brain leading to neuronal cell death. The major regulator of iron homeostasis is the peptide hormone hepcidin. Hepcidin expression is triggered by inflammatory conditions, which may contribute to the neuronal iron accumulation. In the present study, we established a bilaminar co-culture system of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells and BV-2 microglia as a neuronal model to examine the effect of soluble fractalkine on iron homeostasis of microglia and SH-SY5Y cells. We determined the hepcidin expression of fractalkine-treated microglia which showed significant elevation. We examined the relation between increased hepcidin secretion, the known hepcidin regulators and the signalling pathways controlled by fractalkine receptor. Our data revealed that TMPRSS6 and alpha 1-antitrypsin levels decreased due to fractalkine treatment, as well as the activity of NFκB pathway and the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5 factor. Moreover, fractalkine-induced hepcidin production of microglia initiated ferroportin internalisation of SH-SY5Y cells, which contributed to iron accumulation of neurons. Our results demonstrate that soluble form of fractalkine regulates hepcidin expression of BV-2 cells through fractalkine-mediated CX3CR1 internalisation. Moreover, fractalkine indirectly contributes to the iron accumulation of SH-SY5Y cells by activating ferroportin internalisation and by triggering the expressions of divalent metal transporter-1, ferritin heavy chain and mitochondrial ferritin.
QTL mapping in salad tomatoes
Authors: Brekke Thomas D. , Stroud James A. , Shaw David S. , Crawford Simon , Steele Katherine A.
Published: June 2019

Tomatoes are a major global food staple but Phytophthora infestans (an Oomycete) causes late-blight, a devastating disease that precludes commercial tomato production from moist temperate areas such as the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. We dissected the genetic architecture of resistance to late-blight as well as traits that improve yield and fruit quality in a tomato cross between a popular breeding, line NC 2 CELBR, which produces large fruits, and an heirloom cultivar called ‘Koralik’ which produces small, sweet fruits. We used an F2 mapping population to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for phenotypes including number of fruits, size of fruits, total crop yield, and soluble solids content in two different environments. Surprisingly, we found very few QTLs shared between the two environments, underscoring the importance of the local environment and genotype-by-environment interactions. We also assayed the virulence of three different isolates of P. infestans to identify QTLs that confer some resistance to the pathogen. We found nine crop-related QTLs and two QTLs for late-blight resistance-related phenotypes. One late-blight resistance QTL was inherited from Koralik (Chromosome 11, 70.2–83.5 cM) and it probably represents an undiscovered source of late-blight resistance. Yield QTLs were also located on chromosome 11 where Koralik alleles increase fruit number and yield, and adjacent regions decrease fruit size. On Chromosome 9, Koralik alleles increase fruit sweetness (Brix) by 25%. These results indicate that Koralik is a valuable donor parent that can be used by tomato breeders in targeted breeding strategies for fresh market tomatoes.
The adverse cyclic and collective pitch effect in a rotor
Authors: Kim Hak Yoon
Published: June 2019

Numerical simulations have been carried out for a 32.16-ft-diameter rotor in autorotational forward flight. Coupled flapping and rotational equations were solved using the transient simulation method (TSM) to ascertain the quasistatic torque equilibrium conditions. The Pitt/Peters inflow theory was adopted in the simulations, and an airfoil look-up table made by a compressible Navier-Stokes solver was used. The adverse cyclic and collective pitch inputs were introduced in a similar fashion to helicopter control in that the cyclic lever is pulled back and the collective lever is pushed down for increasing airspeeds. The simulation results showed that the longitudinal cyclic pitch input combined with a lowered collective pitch increases the rotating torque for a low shaft angle and an advance ratio greater than one, producing both high lift and a high lift-to-drag ratio. Upon introducing the adverse cyclic and collective pitch inputs, the control range broadened, and a torque equilibrium condition was detected at 414.7kt (700ft/s) of airspeed in the simulation.
When Activists Meet Controlling Shareholders in the Shadow of the Law: A Case Study of Hong Kong
Authors: LIN Yu-Hsin
Published: June 2019

Shareholder activism has changed corporate governance around the world in the past decade. Conventional wisdom holds that shareholder activism is only effective in firms with dispersed ownership; there has been much less discussion on whether and how activism would work in firms with controlling shareholders. This article fills this gap by investigating whether and how legal mechanisms influence strategy planning and activism outcomes based on hand-collected data regarding activists’ initiatives against firms with concentrated ownership in Hong Kong from 2003 to 2017. This article finds that cases using formal legal mechanisms appear to have had a higher success rate. Among the legal tools available, minority veto rights are the most popular mechanism used by activists in Hong Kong, and are quite effective in leveraging their position in controlled firms. Furthermore, the availability of legal remedies and the ownership level of controlling shareholders are factors that influence activists’ strategies. Most activist initiatives against controlled firms involve corporate governance disputes where activists can rely on legal protection to enhance their bargaining position. On the other hand, activists tend not to make their demands public, and they also avoid exercising legal rights when controlling shareholders control the majority of the shares.
Valuing Children’s Fatality Risk Reductions
Authors: Robinson Lisa A. , Raich William J. , Hammitt James K. , O’Keeffe Lucy
Published: June 2019

In benefit-cost analysis, fatality risk reductions are usually valued based on estimates of adults’ willingness to pay for changes in their own risks, regardless of whether the risk reduction accrues to adults or children. This approach reflects the relatively large number of valuation studies that address adults; however, the literature on children is growing. We review these studies, focusing on those that estimate values for both adults and children using a consistent approach to limit the effects of between-study variability. We rely on explicit selection criteria to identify studies that measure reasonably comparable outcomes and are candidates for application to analyses of U.S. policies. The ratio of values for children to values for adults ranges from 0.6 to 2.9; however, most estimates are greater than 1.5. Although some studies suggest that the divergence between child and adult values decreases as the child ages, this finding is not universal. We conclude that analysts should test the sensitivity of their results to the use of higher values for children than adults. Additional empirical research is needed to support more precise estimates of the variation in values by age that can be featured in the primary analysis.
Riots in Beirut: Description of the Impact of a New Type of Mass Casualty Event on the Emergency System in Lebanon
Authors: El Warea Mohamad , Sasso Roula , Bachir Rana , El Sayed Mazen
Published: June 2019

Introduction:

In the summer of 2015, Beirut experienced a garbage crisis that led to rioting. Riot control measures resulted in multiple casualties. This study examines injury patterns of riot victims presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in a developing country.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted in the emergency department of the American University of Beirut Medical Center between August 22 and August 30, 2015. Patients seen in the emergency department with riot injuries were included. Patient characteristics, injuries, and resources utilized in the emergency department were analyzed.

Results:

Ninety-five patients were identified. Most patients presented to the emergency department within a short time period. The mean age of the patients was 28.0 ± 8.7 years. Most (90.5%) of the patients were males and 92.6% were protestors. Emergency medical services were utilized by 41.0% of patients. Laceration was the most common presenting complaint (28.5%), and blunt trauma was the most common type of injury (50.5%). The head/face/neck was the most common injured body region (55.8%). Most patients did not require blood tests or procedures (91.6% and 61.0%, respectively), and 91.2% of patients were treated in the emergency department and discharged. One patient required intensive care unit admission and another was dead on arrival.

Conclusions:

Most patients had mild injuries on presentation. The emergency department experienced a high influx of patients. Complications and deaths can occur from seemingly nonlethal weapons used during riots and warrant effective prehospital and hospital disaster planning.
The Enchantment of the Archaeological Record
Authors: Perry Sara
Published: June 2019

Empirical studies increasingly testify to the capacity for archaeological and cultural heritage sites to engender wonder, transformation, attachment, and community bonding amongst diverse individuals. Following political theorist Jane Bennett, these sites have the power to ‘enchant’ and, in so doing, they are seedbeds of human generosity, ethical mindfulness, and care for the world at large. However, the means by which such enchantment is created, and the extent to which these intimate encounters with the prehistoric or historic record can be deliberately crafted, are little understood. Worsening the predicament, professional practices commonly thwart the potential for archaeology to provoke ethical action amongst humans. Here, I propose a multi-stranded conceptual model for generating enchantment with the archaeological record across both professional audiences and broader publics. With reference to the European Commission-funded EMOTIVE Project, I articulate one particular strand of this model: facilitated dialogue. Alongside exploring the role of digital culture in its advancement, I argue that an enchantment-led approach is imperative for achieving a truly socially-beneficial archaeological discipline.
On simplicity of intermediate -algebras
Authors: AMRUTAM TATTWAMASI , KALANTAR MEHRDAD
Published: June 2019

We prove simplicity of all intermediate$C^{\ast }$-algebras$C_{r}^{\ast }(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4})\subseteq {\mathcal{B}}\subseteq \unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\ltimes _{r}C(X)$in the case of minimal actions of$C^{\ast }$-simple groups$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$on compact spaces$X$. For this, we use the notion of stationary states, recently introduced by Hartman and Kalantar [Stationary$C^{\ast }$-dynamical systems.Preprint, 2017,arXiv:1712.10133]. We show that the Powers’ averaging property holds for the reduced crossed product$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\ltimes _{r}{\mathcal{A}}$for any action$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\curvearrowright {\mathcal{A}}$of a$C^{\ast }$-simple group$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$on a unital$C^{\ast }$-algebra${\mathcal{A}}$, and use it to prove a one-to-one correspondence between stationary states on${\mathcal{A}}$and those on$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\ltimes _{r}{\mathcal{A}}$.
-openness of non-uniform hyperbolic diffeomorphisms with bounded -norm
Authors: LIANG CHAO , MARIN KARINA , YANG JIAGANG
Published: June 2019

We study the $C^{1}$-topological properties of the subset of non-uniform hyperbolic diffeomorphisms in a certain class of $C^{2}$ partially hyperbolic symplectic systems which have bounded $C^{2}$ distance to the identity. In this set, we prove the stability of non-uniform hyperbolicity as a function of the diffeomorphism and the measure, and the existence of an open and dense subset of continuity points for the center Lyapunov exponents. These results are generalized to the volume-preserving context.
Propagation of tides along a river with a sloping bed
Authors: Kästner K. , Hoitink A. J. F. , Torfs P. J. J. F. , Deleersnijder E. , Ningsih N. S.
Published: June 2019

Conceptually, tidal rivers are seen as narrow channels along which the cross-section geometry remains constant and the bed is horizontal. As tidal waves propagate along such a channel, they decrease exponentially in height. The more rapid the decrease, the stronger the river flow. Near the coast, the tidally averaged width and depth change little throughout the year, even if the river discharge varies strongly between the seasons. However, further upstream, the water depth varies considerably with the river discharge. Recent observations from the Kapuas River, Indonesia, show that the water surface forms a backwater profile when the river flow is low. In this case, the depth converges, i.e. it gradually decreases between the river mouth and the point where the bed reaches sea level. This effect distinctly influences how tidal waves propagate up river so that their wave height does not decrease exponentially any more. We present a theoretical analysis of this phenomenon, which reveals several so far overlooked aspects of river tides. These aspects are particularly relevant to low river flow. Along the downstream part of the tidal river, depth convergence counteracts frictional damping so that the tidal range is higher than expected. Along the upstream parts of the tidal river, the low depth increases the damping so that the tide more rapidly attenuates. The point where the bed reaches sea level effectively limits the tidal intrusion, which carries over to the overtide and the subtidal water level set-up.
A GAME CHARACTERIZING BAIRE CLASS 1 FUNCTIONS
Authors: KISS VIKTOR
Published: June 2019

Duparc introduced a two-player game for a function f between zero-dimensional Polish spaces in which Player II has a winning strategy iff f is of Baire class 1. We generalize this result by defining a game for an arbitrary function f : X → Y between arbitrary Polish spaces such that Player II has a winning strategy in this game iff f is of Baire class 1. Using the strategy of Player II, we reprove a result concerning first return recoverable functions.
Quitting globalization: trade-related job losses, nationalism, and resistance to FDI in the United States
Authors: Feng Yilang , Kerner Andrew , Sumner Jane L.
Published: June 2019

Existing research has found that American politicians benefit from trying to attract investment and creates jobs. In this paper, we build on this work by describing the drivers of Americans' attitudes toward inward foreign investment (FDI). We posit that foreign and Chinese investment are different than domestic investment in the public imagination and that nationalism and proximity to deindustrialization interact to shape public opinion about them. We propose and test two theories of this interaction using a survey experiment that randomizes whether a respondent is responding to a statement about “business investment,” “foreign business investment,” or “Chinese business investment”. We find that (1) Americans are skeptical of business investments by Chinese, and, to lesser degree, “foreign” firms; (2) the gap in enthusiasm for generic business investment and foreign/Chinese business investment rises with local trade-related job losses; and (3) the distinction between nationalists' and non-nationalists' attitudes toward FDI declines in local job losses.
Fundamental Principles and Theorems of Thermo-Elasticity
Authors: Hemp W. S.
Published: June 2019

Kinetic heating associated with supersonic flight presents new problems to the aircraft structural engineer. Some of these can be resolved by the use of the theorems of thermo-elasticity. This paper outlines the foundations of this subject and derives generalisations of the usual variational theorems, which are so often used in structural analysis.
Hydrodynamics of Relativistic Pulsar Wind
Authors: Lominadze J. G. , Javakhishvili J. I. , Tsikarishvili E. G.
Published: June 2019

Pulsar pair-production theories imply that the plasma leaves the source already flowing relativistically. Such winds might also have relativistic injection temperatures. MHD models of relativistic pulsar winds were considered, and it was shown that in this case cold wind theories can be misleading.

On the other hand, due to synchrotron radiation losses, the temperature of collisionless, strongly magnetized, relativistic plasma quickly becomes anisotropic. In this case the plasma pressure is no longer a scalar and to describe the properties of stellar wind a hydrodynamical model of relativistic plasma with the anisotropic temperature distribution should be developed.
The Axisymmetric Pulsar Magnetosphere: A Classical Model
Authors: Fitzpatrick R. , Mestel L.
Published: June 2019

The aim of this work (Fitzpatrick and Mestel 1988a, Fitzpatrick and Mestel 1988b) is to elucidate how a neutron star with a dipolar magnetic field of axis k and an instantaneous angular velocity αk would spin down, within the framework of classical physics. The rotation of the highly conducting stellar crust generates differences of electric potential between field lines. An electron current flows from points of lower to higher potential via a dissipation domain located largely beyond the light-cylinder. Electrons leave the star's polar regions as a subrelativistic stream, flowing nearly along the lines of the poloidal field Bp, picking up energy from the electric force and angular momentum from the moment about k of the magnetic force.
A Brief Note on PSR 1848+04
Authors: Boriakoff Valentín , Buccheri Rossolino , Fauci Francisco
Published: June 2019

Average pulse profiles at three frequencies are presented for PSR 1848+04. A highly structured pulse profile is seen (three-component main pulse, complex interpulse), with the longitudinal position of the pulse components invariant with frequency.
Pulsar Emission Beams and Profiles in an Inverse-Compton Scattering Model
Authors: Qiao G. J.
Published: June 2019

The vast majority of pulsar profiles at meter wavelengths are dominated by core components (Rankin 1983, 1990; Lyne and Manchester 1988), but in the usual polar cap models of pulsar emission, it is difficult to get central beam or “core” radiation. In this paper, we present a calculation for both the “core” and hollow “cone” emission beams, as well as model pulse profiles in an inverse-Compton scattering (ICS) model. Both “core” and hollow “cone” emission beams axe obtained naturally in the calculations. Examples of pulse profiles of pulsars at different radio frequencies are presented.

The theoretical shapes of the pulse profiles agree very satisfactorily with actual observations, which means that the mechanism suggested here may be the actual one.
Main Pulse-Interpulse Correlation and Mode Changing in PSR 1055-52
Authors: Biggs James D.
Published: June 2019

We have studied the individual pulses from PSR 1055–52, a pulsar which has a strong interpulse. Their properties, and those of the average pulse profile are consistent with an emission geometry in which the magnetic and rotation axes are nearly perpendicular. That is, we are observing both magnetic poles of this pulsar. A correlation between the emission from the two magnetic poles was found wherein a strong interpulse is followed by a strong main pulse. Also, the main pulse appears to undergo mode changes that are primarily characterized by a change in the peak flux density of component I.
Dual-Frequency Observations of Pulsar Microstructure from PSR 1133+16
Authors: Stinebring D. R. , Thorsett S. E. , Kaspi V. M.
Published: June 2019

We have made pulsar microstructure observations of PSR 1133+16 at the Arecibo Observatory. Cross-correlation of linearly polarized microstructure between 111 MHz and 318 MHz results in a value of the dispersion measure of DM = 4.8462 ± 0.0004 pc cm–3 at epoch 1989.9. This value is consistent with the average profile determination of Phillips and Wolszczan (1990) obtained at epoch 1989.2, but not with the microstructure value found by Popov et al. (1987) in early 1980. Time variation of the integrated electron content over this ten-year span is a plausible explanation for the discrepancy.