bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectories of cognitive decline by widowhood status among Korean older adults
Authors: Lyu Jiyoung , Min Joohong , Kim Giyeon
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Given the limited evidence regarding the longitudinal impact of widowhood on cognitive function in later life, the present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal effect of widowhood status on cognitive change among Korean older adults.

Methods

The study sample was drawn from a nationally representative data set, the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA); it consisted of 3,660 Korean adults aged 60 and over who were married at baseline. Our dependent variable, cognitive function, was measured by the Korean version of the Mini‐Mental State Examination (K‐MMSE). Widowhood status was measured with the combination of widowhood status and duration. Growth curve models were constructed using five waves of the KLoSA (2006‐2014) to examine the longitudinal trajectories of cognitive changes.

Results

In the unadjusted model, widowed older adults had significantly lower cognitive function than their nonwidowed counterparts regardless of widowhood duration. Adjusting for covariates, results from the growth curve models showed that widowed older adults with widowhood duration 4 to 6 years had a significantly steeper decline in cognitive function than nonwidowed older adults (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that widowhood is detrimental for late‐life cognitive function. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms underlying this relationship. Policy and practice implications are discussed according to the cultural context.
Exploring the functional connectome in white matter
Authors: Li Jiao , Biswal Bharat B. , Wang Pan , Duan Xujun , Cui Qian , Chen Huafu , Liao Wei
Published: July 2019

A major challenge in neuroscience is understanding how brain function emerges from the connectome. Most current methods have focused on quantifying functional connectomes in gray‐matter (GM) signals obtained from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), while signals from white‐matter (WM) have generally been excluded as noise. In this study, we derived a functional connectome from WM resting‐state blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD)‐fMRI signals from a large cohort (n = 488). The WM functional connectome exhibited weak small‐world topology and nonrandom modularity. We also found a long‐term (i.e., over 10 months) topological reliability, with topological reproducibility within different brain parcellation strategies, spatial distance effect, global and cerebrospinal fluid signals regression or not. Furthermore, the small‐worldness was positively correlated with individuals' intelligence values (r = .17, pcorrected = .0009). The current findings offer initial evidence using WM connectome and present additional measures by which to uncover WM functional information in both healthy individuals and in cases of clinical disease.
The health promotion role of Australian early primary school teachers supporting students with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Marks Anne L. , Wilson Nathan J. , Blythe Stacy , Johnston Christine
Published: July 2019

Issue Addressed

Early primary school children with diabetes require adult support for insulin therapy and primary school teachers often fulfil this health promotion role. Availability of support is inconsistent across Australia and insulin administration at school is avoided for some children. The aims of the study were to explore the experiences of Australian early primary school teachers who were supporting a student using intensive insulin therapy and to identify facilitators and implications of this support.

Method

A qualitative research design using narrative inquiry was utilised. Early primary school teachers (n = 11) from six Australian states/territories and across Government, Catholic and independent schools participated in semi‐structured telephone interviews between August 2015 and May 2016. Narrative analysis was used to interpret the interview data.

Results

Six narrative threads told a collective story of early primary school teachers’ experience of supporting a student using intensive insulin therapy. The factors that facilitated support were: suitable class allocation, a transition process, and diabetes education and diabetes models of care. The implications of providing intensive insulin therapy support were legal considerations and burden of responsibility. The outcome was that all teachers supported intensive insulin therapy.

Conclusion

School teachers in this study had a pivotal role in promoting the health of students with type 1 diabetes. This role was often associated with anxiety and the burden of responsibility. Support strategies for teachers include formal diabetes skills training, ongoing assistance from both teacher's aides and Diabetes Educators, and greater understanding of the legal aspects of intensive insulin therapy support. The development of consistent health promotion policy for students with type 1 diabetes across all Australian schools is required.

So what?

Adopting the supportive strategies for teachers identified in this study will further promote the health of early primary school children with type 1 diabetes.
Comparative analysis of single‐ and dual‐purpose corrugated plate solar collector by force convection
Authors: Pathak Piyush Kumar , Chandra Prakash , Raj Gaurav
Published: July 2019

An experimental analysis of dual‐purpose corrugated plate solar collector (DPCPSC) is used to heat water and air simultaneously. Three types of corrugated plate solar collectors (CPSCs) were presented: namely single purpose corrugated plate solar collector (SPCPSC), only water heating of aluminum absorber plate (SPCPSC 1) and copper absorber plate (SPCPSC 2) and DPCPSC type water‐air compound heating of aluminum based absorber plate. In this experimental investigation, the comparative analysis of SPCPSC 1 and 2 at mass flow rate (MFR) of water was 0.025 kg/s (case 1 and 2) and 0.04167 kg/s (case 3 and 4), DPCPSC at MFR of air was 0.011 kg/s while MFR of water was 0.025 kg/s (case 5) and 0.04167 kg/s (case 6), respectively, and DPCPSC at MFR of water and air were 0.04167 and 0.023 kg/s, respectively (case 7), are analyzed. The results indicate that the efficiency of the DPCPSC, of case 6 is 16.74% higher than single purpose system that of case 3 and 6.65% also that of case 4. Comparing the DPCPSC, the optimum efficiency of case 7 is 8.64% higher than case 5 and 1.87% also higher than case 6.
Base heat flux measurement techniques in impulse hypersonic test facilities
Authors: Irimpan Kiran J. , Menezes Viren , Srinivasan K.
Published: July 2019

Safe and efficient hypersonic missions require exhaustive testing to capture the surface heat flux used in optimizing thermal protection systems. Though low, base heat transfer rates are still relevant and their estimation is of the utmost importance. Impulse hypersonic test facilities like the shock tunnel are commonly used for such estimation tests. The present paper compares contemporary heat flux measurement techniques, namely, E‐type coaxial thermocouples, Pt‐thin films, and atomic layer thermopiles in a hypersonic shock tunnel at the base of a scaled‐down re‐entry capsule. Base flow establishment is ensured using pressure measurements. The measurements indicated that the base‐stagnation point heat flux was approximately 2% to 3% of the forebody stagnation heat flux and it stabilized at an approximate nondimensional establishment time of 43.2 ± 2.4.
Nongray inverse boundary design problems in enclosures at radiative equilibrium
Authors: Amiri Hossein , Lari Khosro
Published: July 2019

In this paper, an inverse analysis is used to find an appropriate heat flux distribution over the heater surface of radiant enclosures, filled with nongray media at radiative equilibrium from the knowledge of desired (prespecified) temperature and heat flux distributions over the given design surface. Regular and irregular 2D enclosures filled with nongray combustive gas products are considered. Radiation is considered the dominant mode of heat transfer and the medium temperature is obtained from the energy equation. To evaluate the nongray behavior of the participating gases properly, the spectral‐line weighted‐sum‐of‐gray‐gases (SLW) model with updated correlations is used. The dependence of absorption coefficients and the weights of the SLW model on the temperature of the medium makes the inverse problem nonlinear and difficult to handle. Here, the inverse problem is formulated as an optimization problem and the Levenberg‐Marquardt method has been used to solve it. The finite volume method is exploited for the discretization of the energy equation and the spatial discretization of the radiative transfer equation (RTE). The discrete ordinates method (TN quadrature) is used for the angular discretization of RTE. Five test cases, including homogeneous and inhomogeneous media, are investigated to prove the ability of the present methodology for achieving the desired conditions.
Thermal intensification of heat transfer characteristics on the plate‐fin heat sink with piezoelectric fan
Authors: Gugulothu Santosh K. , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: July 2019

This study applied the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, ANSYS Fluent for simulating the effect a piezoelectric fan installed inside the rectangular channel by numerical simulation method for transient flow field and investigating the influence of each parameter. To remove the disorganized form of energy from the electronic components, the reversible piezoelectric effect is employed to energize the piezoelectric fan. To observe the variation of fan characteristics and to predict the convective heat transfer coefficient, CFD code ANSYS Fluent 15.0 is used. The numerical simulation parameters included are Nusselt number, number of fins (n = 12 and 14), and counter‐shift (inward and outward‐phase), and distance between the upper portion of the fan tip to the front part of the low thermal reservoir. Numerical analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of thermal flow fields on the heat sink and piezoelectric fan employed in a flow domain. the results showed that by varying the height from channel bottom to the center of piezoelectric fan improves the performance of the piezoelectric fan, piezoelectric fan swinging in a transient phenomena and also simultaneously influences fluid flow behavior on the heat source surface, the fan vibration at counter‐phase has a better rate of heat transfer than vibration in in‐phase.
Towards Sustainable Environmental Quality: Priority Research Questions for the Australasian Region of Oceania
Authors: Gaw Sally , Harford Andrew , Pettigrove Vincent , Sevicke-Jones Graham , Manning Therese , Ataria James , Cresswell Tom , Dafforn Katherine A , Leusch Frederic DL , Moggridge Bradley , Cameron Marcus , Chapman John , Coates Gary , Colville Anne , Death Claire , Hageman Kimberly , Hassell Kathryn , Hoak Molly , Gadd Jennifer , Jolley Dianne F , Karami Ali , Kotzakoulakis Konstantinos , Lim Richard , McRae Nicole , Metzeling Leon , Mooney Thomas , Myers Jackie , Pearson Andrew , Saaristo Minna , Sharley Dave , Stuthe Julia , Sutherland Oliver , Thomas Oliver , Tremblay Louis , Wood Waitangi , Boxall Alistair BA , Rudd Murray A , Brooks Bryan W
Published: July 2019

Environmental challenges persist across the world, including the Australasian region of Oceania, where biodiversity hotspots and unique ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef are common. These systems are routinely affected by multiple stressors from anthropogenic activities, and increasingly influenced by global megatrends (e.g., the food–energy–water nexus, demographic transitions to cities) and climate change. Here we report priority research questions from the Global Horizon Scanning Project, which aimed to identify, prioritize, and advance environmental quality research needs from an Australasian perspective, within a global context. We employed a transparent and inclusive process of soliciting key questions from Australasian members of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Following submission of 78 questions, 20 priority research questions were identified during an expert workshop in Nelson, New Zealand. These research questions covered a range of issues of global relevance, including research needed to more closely integrate ecotoxicology and ecology for the protection of ecosystems, increase flexibility for prioritizing chemical substances currently in commerce, understand the impacts of complex mixtures and multiple stressors, and define environmental quality and ecosystem integrity of temporary waters. Some questions have specific relevance to Australasia, particularly the uncertainties associated with using toxicity data from exotic species to protect unique indigenous species. Several related priority questions deal with the theme of how widely international ecotoxicological data and databases can be applied to regional ecosystems. Other timely questions, which focus on improving predictive chemistry and toxicology tools and techniques, will be important to answer several of the priority questions identified here. Another important question raised was how to protect local cultural and social values and maintain indigenous engagement during problem formulation and identification of ecosystem protection goals. Addressing these questions will be challenging, but doing so promises to advance environmental sustainability in Oceania and globally.
Copolymerization of carbon dioxide and propylene oxide catalyzed by two kinds of bifunctional salen‐cobalt(III) complexes bearing four quaternary ammonium salts
Authors: Du Longchao , Wang Chengze , Zhu Weiju , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2019

Two new bifunctional salen‐cobalt(III) complexes were synthesized, which consist of salicylaldehyde bearing four quaternary ammonium salts and two different diamines. The copolymerization results indicated that decreasing temperature is advantageous for both the complexes. Of both the diamines, the complex 9 with o‐diaminobenzene has a higher catalytic effect compared to complex 6 with 1,2‐diaminocyclohexane. The catalytic effect of complex 9 is over 3.5 times than that of complex 6 at a temperature of 30°C. The research of PCO2 on the copolymerization revealed that the first‐rank pressure was at 2 MPa for the two complexes. The highest turnover number are under conditions of T = 30°C, PCO2 = 2 MPa, and t = 24 hr. Differential scanning calorimeter curves indicated that poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) by complex 9 has the highest Tg of 54.2°C. DTGA curves showed that there were two thermal degradation peaks, the first is for the ester bond, and the second is for the C–C bond.
MFN2 silencing promotes neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells via the Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Yi Siqi , Cui Chenghao , Huang Xiaotian , Yin Xiaohui , Li Yang , Wen Jinhua , Luan Qingxian
Published: July 2019

Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is a regulatory protein participating in mitochondria dynamics, cell proliferation, death, differentiation, and so on. This study aims at revealing the functional role of MFN2 in the pluripotency maintenance and primitive differetiation of embryonic stem cell (ESCs). A dox inducible silencing and routine overexpressing approach was used to downregulate and upregulate MFN2 expression, respectively. We have compared the morphology, cell proliferation, and expression level of pluripotent genes in various groups. We also used directed differentiation methods to test the differentiation capacity of various groups. The Akt signaling pathway was explored by the western blot assay. MFN2 upregulation in ESCs exhibited a typical cell morphology and similar cell proliferation, but decreased pluripotent gene markers. In addition, MFN2 overexpression inhibited ESCs differentiation into the mesendoderm, while MFN2 silencing ESCs exhibited a normal cell morphology, slower cell proliferation and elevated pluripotency markers. For differentiation, MFN2 silencing ESCs exhibited enhanced three germs' differentiation ability. Moreover, the protein levels of phosphorylated Akt308 and Akt473 decreased in MFN2 silenced ESCs, and recovered in the neural differentiation process. When treated with the Akt inhibitor, the neural differentiation capacity of the MFN2 silenced ESCs can reverse to a normal level. Taken together, the data indicated that the appropriate level of MFN2 expression is essential for pluripotency and differentiation capacity in ESCs. The increased neural differentiation ability by MFN2 silencing is strongly related to the Akt signaling pathway.
Tumour‐derived transforming growth factor‐β signalling contributes to fibrosis in patients with cancer cachexia
Authors: Lima Joanna D.C.C. , Simoes Estefania , de Castro Gabriela , Morais Mychel Raony P.T. , de Matos‐Neto Emidio M. , Alves Michele J. , Pinto Nelson I. , Figueredo Raquel G. , Zorn Telma M.T. , Felipe‐Silva Aloísio S. , Tokeshi Flavio , Otoch José P. , Alcantara Paulo , Cabral Fernanda J. , Ferro Emer S. , Laviano Alessandro , Seelaender Marilia
Published: July 2019

Background

Cachexia is a paraneoplastic syndrome related with poor prognosis. The tumour micro‐environment contributes to systemic inflammation and increased oxidative stress as well as to fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to characterise the inflammatory circulating factors and tumour micro‐environment profile, as potentially contributing to tumour fibrosis in cachectic cancer patients.

Methods

74 patients (weight stable cancer n = 31; cachectic cancer n = 43) diagnosed with colorectal cancer were recruited, and tumour biopsies were collected during surgery. Multiplex assay was performed to study inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Immunohistochemistry analysis was carried out to study extracellular matrix components.

Results

Higher protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, interferon‐α, and interleukin (IL)‐8 was observed in the tumour and serum of cachectic cancer patients in comparison with weight‐stable counterparts. Also, IL‐8 was positively correlated with weight loss in cachectic patients (P = 0.04; r = 0.627). Immunohistochemistry staining showed intense collagen deposition (P = 0.0006) and increased presence of α‐smooth muscle actin (P < 0.0001) in tumours of cachectic cancer patients, characterizing fibrosis. In addition, higher transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, TGF‐β2, and TGF‐β3 expression (P = 0.003, P = 0.05, and P = 0.047, respectively) was found in the tumour of cachectic patients, parallel to p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase alteration. Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α mRNA content was significantly increased in the tumour of cachectic patients, when compared with weight‐stable group (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate TGF‐β pathway activation in the tumour in cachexia, through the (non‐canonical) mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. The results show that during cachexia, intratumoural inflammatory response contributes to the onset of fibrosis. Tumour remodelling, probably by TGF‐β‐induced transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, induces unbalanced inflammatory cytokine profile, angiogenesis, and elevation of extracellular matrix components (EMC). We speculate that these changes may affect tumour aggressiveness and present consequences in peripheral organs.
Preparation of magnetic conjugated microporous polymers for highly efficient removal of dye from water
Authors: Wang Wenlong , Yu Jinfeng , Yang Xiaoxin , Yu Binglong , Cai Xiulan
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

A magnetic conjugated microporous polymer (MCMP) composite was designed with bromo groups of CMP and amino groups on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles that acted as promising adsorbents for wastewater treatment. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully bonded on the predesigned CMP material to form the MCMP by means of a new and simple nucleophilic substitution reaction in organic media.

RESULTS

The MCMP could be separated by applying an external magnetic field because of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. It exhibited sufficient dye adsorption for methylene blue (MB) with a high sorption capability of 869.43 mg g−1 in aqueous solutions. The recovery and reusability of MCMP were >70% after six cycles of desorption and regeneration, indicating that the MCMP had excellent cycle stability. The magnetization saturation strength of MCMP was 13.5 emu g−1 which was sufficient to be magnetically separated from wastewater using artificial magnetic fields.

CONCLUSION

The MCMP possessed excellent adsorption capacity and dispersibility, and good recyclability after banded with functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The excellent properties of MCMP indicated that it could be used as an adsorbent with great application potential for quick separation of water pollutants such as dyes in wastewater treatment. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Atrial peak longitudinal strain may be predictive of pancolitis in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Kahyaoglu Muzaffer , Gunay Nuran , Bayam Emrah , Yilmaz Yusuf , Gecmen Cetin , Ozdil Kamil , Uyan Cihangir
Published: July 2019

Background

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon that is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. Previous studies have shown that arterial stiffness, carotid intima media thickness, atrial electromechanical delay, and global longitudinal strain suggested subclinical cardiovascular disorders in ulcerative colitis patients. The aims of our study was to evaluate the left atrial function of patients with ulcerative colitis by using speckle tracking echocardiography, and to assess the relationship between echocardiographic variables and the extent of the disease.

Methods

We recruited 51 outpatients with ulcerative colitis in remission phase and 52 healthy volunteers. The ulcerative colitis patients were evaluated by for the extent of the disease by endoscopy at the initial diagnosis.

Results

E/Em, left atrial volume, and left atrial stiffness index were higher, and peak atrial longitudinal strain was lower in pancolitis than in non‐pancolitis patients. In the multivariate logistic regression test, peak atrial longitudinal strain and E/Em were found to be independent predictors for pancolitis.

Conclusion

Early detection of myocardial abnormalities by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography, which is a simple and non‐invasive technique, may be useful for giving insights to the extent of the disease in ulcerative colitis patients.
In defense of proteins: Chaperones respond to freezing, anoxia, or dehydration stress in tissues of freeze tolerant wood frogs
Authors: Storey Janet M. , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: July 2019

Wood frogs (Rana sylvatica LeConte) are the major model for studies of natural freeze tolerance by ectothermic vertebrates. Multiple biochemical adaptations support winter freezing survival but, to date, the protective role of chaperone proteins has received little attention. The present study analyzes responses to freezing, anoxia or dehydration exposures and recovery from these stresses by chaperone proteins in six wood frog organs: Five heat shock proteins (Hsc70, Hsp110, Hsp60, Hsp40, and Hsp10) and two glucose‐regulated proteins (Grp78 and Grp94) were assessed. Hsc70 was upregulated in liver, muscle, heart and kidney (1.5–2.0 fold) during freezing and levels of its partner proteins also rose (Hsp110 in three tissues and Hsp40 in four tissues), these responses aligning most closely with comparable responses to anoxia rather than to dehydration. The resident chaperones of the endoplasmic reticulum (Grp78 and Grp94) also rose during freezing in liver and muscle (1.4–1.8 fold) but were suppressed in heart and skin, patterns that generally differed from responses to anoxia or dehydration. Elevated GRPs in liver may support the production and secretion of novel freeze responsive proteins. Increased levels of mitochondrial Hsp60 and Hsp10 (1.5–2.2 fold) occurred in most tissues during freezing and generally mimicked responses to anoxia. Overall, this study indicates that increased levels of chaperone proteins resident in multiple subcellular compartments contribute to stabilizing the cellular proteome during whole body freezing of wood frogs. These responses are probably derived from pre‐existing amphibian defenses for stabilizing the proteome under environmental low oxygen or dehydration stresses.
1784: The Marquis de Puységur and the psychological turn in the west
Authors: Crabtree Adam
Published: July 2019

In 1970 Henri Ellenberger called attention to the previously unrecognized importance of Franz Anton Mesmer's “animal magnetism” in the rise of psychodynamic psychology in the West. This article takes the next step of tracing the course of events that led to Puységur's discovery of magnetic somnambulism and describing the tumultuous social and political climate into which it was introduced in 1784. Beginning from the secret and private publication of his first Mémoires, only a few copies of which remain today, the original core of his discovery is identified and the subsequent development of its implications are examined. Puysègur was initiated into his investigations by Mesmer's system of physical healing, which bears some resemblance to the traditional healing approaches of the East. But Puységur took Mesmer's ideas in an unexpected direction. In doing so, he accomplished a turn toward the psychological that remains one of the distinguishing features of Western culture.
Machine learning in breast MRI
Authors: Reig Beatriu , Heacock Laura , Geras Krzysztof J. , Moy Linda
Published: July 2019

Machine‐learning techniques have led to remarkable advances in data extraction and analysis of medical imaging. Applications of machine learning to breast MRI continue to expand rapidly as increasingly accurate 3D breast and lesion segmentation allows the combination of radiologist‐level interpretation (eg, BI‐RADS lexicon), data from advanced multiparametric imaging techniques, and patient‐level data such as genetic risk markers. Advances in breast MRI feature extraction have led to rapid dataset analysis, which offers promise in large pooled multiinstitutional data analysis. The object of this review is to provide an overview of machine‐learning and deep‐learning techniques for breast MRI, including supervised and unsupervised methods, anatomic breast segmentation, and lesion segmentation. Finally, it explores the role of machine learning, current limitations, and future applications to texture analysis, radiomics, and radiogenomics.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy Stage: 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:998–1018.
Hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection: Prevalence of NS5A and NS5B resistance‐associated substitutions in naïve patients from Argentina
Authors: Martínez Alfredo P. , García Gabriel , Ridruejo Ezequiel , Culasso Andrés CA , Pérez Paula S. , Pereson Matías J , Neukam Karin , Flichman Diego , Di Lello Federico A.
Published: July 2019

Direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases sustained virologic response rates. Nevertheless, drug resistance has occasionally been associated with failure to DAA. However, the information about the prevalence of NS5A and NS5B resistance‐associated substitutions (RASs) in Argentina is very scarce. In this study, we determine the prevalence of NS5A and NS5B resistances to treatment in Argentinean DAA treatment‐naïve patients chronically infected with genotype 1 (HCV‐1). In this retrospective cross‐sectional study, 108 HCV‐1‐infected patients were studied. RASs in NS5A and NS5B were analyzed by Sanger at baseline and phylogenetic analysis was performed. NS5A and NS5B RASs were detected in 25.8% and 6.3% of the analyzed sequences, respectively. The most frequent primary RASs for NS5A were L31M (7.5%) and Y93H (3.2%) and for NS5B was L159F (3.8%). No association between the presence of RASs and the outcome of DAA treatment was found in this study. Additionally, most of the Argentinean samples were randomly distributed among sequences around the world in the phylogenetic analysis. Only one significant Argentinean cluster was observed in both regions but without any particular RASs pattern. Baseline RASs in NS5A and NS5B were frequently observed in HCV‐1‐infected patients from Buenos Aires, Argentina but not related to treatment outcome. No clusters related to RASs transmission were observed in the phylogenetic analysis. The frequency of RASs detected in this study supports the need for more molecular epidemiology studies on RASs to adjust local treatment guidelines with the incorporation of autochthonous data.
Reduced extremes of sub‐daily temperature swings during the boreal summer in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Zhang Wei , Villarini Gabriele , Scoccimarro Enrico
Published: July 2019

Abrupt swings in temperature can exert negative impacts, ranging from human health to agricultural production. Here, we focus on a global assessment of the extremes in the temperature swings at sub‐daily scales using Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA‐2) data. Overall, the regions with extremely large swings in hourly temperature (i.e., 99th percentile) are located in desert or arid regions, and the land masses exhibit larger temperature swings than the oceans. In contrast, the first percentile of the hourly temperature swings exhibits a different spatial pattern, with the lowest values (i.e., largest negative swings) located in the Rocky Mountain, South Australia, South and North Africa and some regions in Northwestern China. We identify a significant downward/upward trend in the 99th/1st percentile of sub‐daily (i.e., hourly and 12 hr) temperature changes in the midlatitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly during boreal summer. Overall, the regions with significant trends in the Northern Hemisphere are collocated with the paths of the jet streams and storm tracks. The significant downward/upward trends in the 99th/1st percentile of the sub‐daily temperature swings over the Northern Hemisphere can be explained by a weakening in the Northern Hemisphere's summer circulation, as suggested by the downward trend in the eddy kinetic energy. These results indicate that a weak/strong persistence in the circulation may lead to less/more abrupt temperature swings (i.e., increase or decrease) caused by horizontal temperature advection.
Propagation of Surfactant‐Dispersed Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Porous Media
Authors: Chen Changlong , Wang Shengbo , Wang Shuoshi , Yuan Na , Li Keren , Shiau Bor‐Jier , Harwell Jeffrey H.
Published: July 2019

Understanding the transport of carbon nanotubes in porous media is essential to their applications in subsurface reservoirs, e.g., delivering catalysts or chemicals to targeted formations. In this study, a series of laboratory experiments are conducted to explore the transport of surfactant‐dispersed multiwalled nanotubes (MWNT) in different porous media in flow‐through columns at elevated electrolyte levels. Noncovalent bonding of ethoxylated alcohols adsorbed on the MWNT surface provides them with outstanding dispersion stability and excellent transport properties in a crushed‐limestone sand pack. Superior transport performance in silica sand is obtained with binary nonionic–anionic surfactant formulations, which provide both steric repulsion and electrostatic repulsion between nanoparticle–nanoparticle and nanoparticle–sand surface. The mobility of MWNT suspensions are further investigated in the exposure to multiphase flow, e.g., with residual oil present, or coinjected with air into the sand pack. Coinjecting surfactant‐dispersed MWNT suspensions with air (i.e., MWNT‐stabilized foams) has hardly any impact on their propagation; retention in the sand pack remains quite low. With the presence of oil in the sand pack, the transport of MWNT suspensions is highly dependent on the type of surfactants used as the dispersant. For surfactants that achieved modest interfacial tension (IFT) reduction, the injected MWNT suspension bypasses the oil phase, and little impact on retention is observed. When the dispersant surfactant is also adjusted for an ultralow IFT condition, greater MWNT retention in the porous medium is observed because surfactants detach from the MWNT surface and aggressively partition to the oil/water interface, allowing the MWNT to flocculate and become deposited in the porous medium.
A review on blockchain applications in the agri‐food sector
Authors: Antonucci Francesca , Figorilli Simone , Costa Corrado , Pallottino Federico , Raso Luciano , Menesatti Paolo
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Food security can benefit from the technology's transparency, relatively low transaction costs and instantaneous applications. A blockchain is a distributed database of records in the form of encrypted blocks, or a public ledger of all transactions or digital events that have been executed and shared among participating parties and can be verified at any time in the future. Generally, the robust and decentralized functionality of the blockchain is used for global financial systems, but it can easily be expanded to contracts and operations such as tracking of the global supply chain. In the precision agriculture context, Information and Communications Technology can be further implemented with a blockchain infrastructure to enable new farm systems and e‐agriculture schemes.

RESULTS

The purpose of this review is to show a panorama of the scientific studies (enriched by a terms mapping analysis) on the use of blockchain in the agri‐food sector, from both an entirely computational and an applicative point of view. As evidenced by the network analysis, the reviewed studies mainly focused on software aspects (e.g. the architecture and smart contracts). However, some aspects regarding the different blockchain knots (computers always connected to the blockchain network) having the role to store and distribute an updated copy of each block in a food supply‐chain, result of crucial importance.

CONCLUSION

These technologies appear very promising and rich of great potential showing a good flexibility for applications in several sectors but still immature and hard to apply due to their complexity. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Citric‐acid modified banana starch nanoparticles as a novel vehicle for β‐carotene delivery
Authors: Santoyo‐Aleman Daniela , Sanchez Leidy T , Villa Cristian C
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Starch nanoparticles have become among the most interesting nanovehicles for drug delivery because of their relatively easy synthesis, biocompatibility, and numerous botanical sources. Starch nanoparticles obtained from green bananas were cross‐linked with citric acid and loaded with β‐carotene.

RESULTS

Mean particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and β‐carotene release in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids and food simulants were studied. Cross‐linked nanoparticles showed higher loading efficiency and encapsulation capacity, indicating that they can accommodate more molecules than their unmodified counterparts, while mathematical models showed a diffusion of released β‐carotene into food simulant media.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross‐linked nanoparticles showed more controlled release under gastric conditions, mainly in the simulated intestinal fluid, indicating that they are suitable as vehicles for intestine‐specific targeting. This controlled released was also observed in food simulants, with lower release values in the more aqueous simulants. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicines based on fingerprinting
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Jiang Wenwen , Su Mei , Sun Yue , Liu Hongming , Nie Lei , Zang Hengchang
Published: July 2019

The usage of traditional Chinese medicines has expanded globally, but the data about authentication, efficacy, and safety is far from sufficient to meet the criteria supporting their use worldwide due to complexity in the composition. Fingerprinting describes integral characterization and reflects interactive aspects of complex components; therefore, it can offer the possibility of evaluating quality of traditional Chinese medicines following the overall principle. Chemometric techniques introduce multivariate analytical methods into fingerprinting to obtain more information that is useful, which is consistent with the holistic thought and plays an important role in research on the substantial basis. In this review, we will start with three aspects to expound the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicines based on fingerprints. The analytical techniques used in developing fingerprints including chromatographic methods, spectroscopic methods, and capillary electrophoresis are introduced. Strategies for fingerprints analysis usually based on chemometric methods including unsupervised and supervised pattern recognition are described. Applications of fingerprints for multi‐component quantification, quality control, screening of bioactive components, and fingerprint‐efficacy relationship study are also outlined. Finally, we propose challenges and future perspectives of fingerprints in quality evaluation to promote the development of modernization and internationalization of traditional Chinese medicines.
Comparison of three‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction based on reverse micelle with conventional two‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction and their applications for analysis of cinnamic acids in traditional Chinese medicines
Authors: Liu Zhao‐chan , Zhang Shu‐mei , Wang Run‐qin , Chen Xuan , Hu Shuang , Bai Xiao‐hong
Published: July 2019

A novel three‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction was developed based on reverse micelle as extraction solvent and acceptor phase, and compared with conventional two‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction. Both procedures were used in the extraction and concentration of four cinnamic acids (caffeic acid, p‐hydroxycinnamic acid, ferulic acid, and cinnamic acid) in traditional Chinese medicines prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. Parameters affecting the two procedures were investigated and optimized to obtain the optimum enrichment factors. The mechanism of the developed procedure was explored and elucidated by comparison with conventional two‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction. Under the optimized conditions, the analytes’ enrichment factors were between 50 and 118 for the proposed procedure, and 31–96 for conventional two‐phase mode. Satisfactory linear ranges (r2 ≥ 0.99), detection limits (0.1–0.6 ng/mL), precisions (<9.2%), and accuracies (recoveries: 80–123.1%) were observed for the two procedures. The results showed that the enrichment capacity of the proposed procedure for the cinnamic acids is better than that of conventional two‐phase procedure, and both are eco‐friendly, simple, and effective for the enrichment and detection of cinnamic acids in traditional Chinese medicines.
Exploring the scholarly communication styles of Arab social science and humanities scholars
Authors: Shehata Ahmed Maher Khafaga
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study of scholarly communication behaviour among Arab scholars. The main objective of this study is to determine how Egyptian and Saudi Arabian social sciences and humanities scholars engage in scholarly communication practices. The study used a mixed‐methods approach. A questionnaire was answered by a sample of 104 participants, followed by interviews with 36 participants to gain insight into the scholarly communication behaviour of the Arab scholars. The analysis demonstrated that participants use different styles of scholarly communication approaches. Most of the participants do use informal (social media) channels to communicate their research findings (particularly ResearchGate and Facebook), although priority is given to formal over informal publication in peer reviewed journals. Responses showed that the promotional systems of both countries dictate publication choices of scholars, reducing the amount of collaboration by ranking co‐publications lower than sole publications and favouring printed journals over online‐only journals.
Impact of Temporary Portocaval Shunting and Initial Arterial Reperfusion in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
Authors: Pietersen Lars Cornelis , Sarton Elise , Alwayn Ian , Lam Hwai‐Ding , Putter Hein , van Hoek Bart , Braat Andries Erik
Published: July 2019

The use of a temporary portocaval shunt (TPCS) as well as the order of reperfusion (initial arterial reperfusion [IAR] versus initial portal reperfusion) in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is controversial and, therefore, still under debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome for the 4 possible combinations (temporary portocaval shunt with initial arterial reperfusion [A+S+], temporary portocaval shunt with initial portal reperfusion, no temporary portocaval shunt with initial arterial reperfusion, and no temporary portocaval shunt with initial portal reperfusion) in a center‐based cohort study, including liver transplantations (LTs) from both donation after brain death and donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors. The primary outcome was the perioperative transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs), and the secondary outcomes were operative time and patient and graft survival. Between January 2005 and May 2017, all first OLTs performed in our institution were included in the 4 groups mentioned. With IAR and TPCS, a significantly lower perioperative transfusion of RBCs was seen (P < 0.001) as well as a higher number of recipients without any transfusion of RBCs (P < 0.001). A multivariate analysis showed laboratory Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (P < 0.001) and IAR (P = 0.01) to be independent determinants of the transfusion of RBCs. When comparing all groups, no statistical difference was seen in operative time or in 1‐year patient and graft survival rates despite more LTs with a liver from a DCD donor in the A+S+ group (P = 0.005). In conclusion, next to a lower laboratory MELD score, the use of IAR leads to a significantly lower need for perioperative blood transfusion. There was no significant interaction between IAR and TPCS. Furthermore, the use of a TPCS and/or IAR does not lead to increased operative time and is therefore a reasonable alternative surgical strategy.
An examination of the congruence and incongruence between employee actual and customer perceived emotional labor
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Yu , Wang Jing , Zhao Chen
Published: July 2019

This study examines the effects of the congruence and incongruence between employee actual and customer perceived emotional labor on customer trust. Based on data collected from 510 service employee and customer dyads in restaurants, the results of response surface modeling indicate that customer trust is higher when employee deep acting and customer perceived deep acting are both high rather than both low. Customer trust is also higher when customer perceived deep acting is higher than employee actual deep acting rather than vice versa. The effects are different in surface acting: as employee surface acting and customer perceived surface acting increase, customer trust initially decreases, then increases, exhibiting a U‐shaped effect. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed.
When individuals behave as marketing firms: Probability discounting and reputation in peer‐to‐peer markets
Authors: Bonafé‐Pontes Andressa A. , Oliveira‐Castro Jorge M. , Foxall Gordon R.
Published: July 2019

Reputation systems in peer‐to‐peer markets can shed light on how individuals who operate in such markets manage both the consumer behavior setting scope and reinforcers, thus behaving similarly to marketing firms. Based upon the probability discounting framework, this paper investigated the influence of reputation on subjective values and willingness to pay. Renting prices of 386 properties listed on Airbnb in two cities in Brazil were analyzed. Results indicated that reputation alone does not generate significant differences in average prices per guest, although it has an indirect effect that enhances the influence of other variables on prices, particularly the number of amenities.
The theory of the marketing firm
Authors: Foxall Gordon R.
Published: July 2019

The theory of the marketing firm locates the rationale of the modern business enterprise that lies in its responding profitably to the imperatives of marketing orientation. Economic theories of the firm generally fail to recognize these imperatives, enhanced consumer choice and sophistication, which entail marketing orientation as the rationale of the firm. The paper propose a competence theory of the firm as a metacontingency and examines the bilateral contingencies by which firms link to their consumerates, which indicate their capacities for customer orientation. The marketing firm emerges as a means of encapsulating entrepreneurship, economizing on transaction costs, and enabling the management of marketing specialization.
rs12416605:C>T in MIR938 associates with gastric cancer through affecting the regulation of the CXCL12 chemokine gene
Authors: Torruella‐Loran Ignasi , Ramirez Viña María Karla , Zapata‐Contreras Daniela , Muñoz Xavier , Garcia‐Ramallo Eva , Bonet Catalina , Gonzalez Carlos A. , Sala Núria , Espinosa‐Parrilla Yolanda ,   on behalf of the EPIC gastric cancer working group
Published: July 2019

Background

MicroRNAs are small regulatory RNAs with important roles in carcinogenesis. Genetic variants in these regulatory molecules may contribute to disease. We aim to identify allelic variants in microRNAs as susceptibility factors to gastric cancer using association studies and functional approaches.

Methods

Twenty‐one single nucleotide variants potentially functional, because of their location in either the seed, mature or precursor region of 22 microRNAs, were selected for association studies. Genetic association with gastric cancer in 365 cases and 1,284 matched controls (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Cohort) was analysed using logistic regression. MicroRNA overexpression, transcriptome analysis, and target gene validation experiments were performed for functional studies.

Results

rs3746444:T>C, in the seed of MIR499A and mature MIR499B, associated with the cardia adenocarcinoma location; rs12416605:C>T, in the seed of MIR938, associated with the diffuse subtype; and rs2114358:T>C, in the precursor MIR1206, associated with the noncardia phenotype. In all cases, the association was inverse, indicating a protective affect against gastric cancer of the three minor allelic variants. MIR499 rs3746444:T>C and MIR1206 rs2114358:T>C are reported to affect the expression of these miRNAs, but the effect of MIR938 rs12416605:C>T is unknown yet. Functional approaches showed that the expression of MIR938 is affected by rs12416605:C>T and revealed that MIR938 could regulate a subset of cancer‐related genes in an allele‐specific fashion. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CXCL12, a chemokine participating in gastric cancer metastasis, is specifically regulated by only one of the rs12416605:C>T alleles.

Conclusion

rs12416605 appears to be involved in gastric cancer by affecting the regulatory function of MIR938 on genes related to this cancer type, particularly on CXCL12 posttranscriptional regulation.