bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of compatibilizers for blends of polypropylene carbonate and polybutylene succinate via free‐radical grafting of maleic anhydride
Authors: Calderón Bárbara A. , Soule James , Sobkowicz Margaret J.
Published: January 2019

This study focuses on creating an optimal grafting compatibilizer for blends of polypropylene carbonate (PPC) and polybutylene succinate (PBS). PPC and PBS were blended separately with different amounts of maleic anhydride (MAH) and with and without dicumyl peroxide (DCP) to aid the free‐radical grafting. Titration analysis evidenced that MAH reacted with the polymers terminal groups and backbones using free‐radical functionalization. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and gas permeation chromatography (GPC) results demonstrated how the thermal stability of PPC improves with the addition of MAH. Proton NMR proved that, in both PPC and PBS formulations, ring‐opening reactions and grafting of the intact MAH ring occur, as well as interchain grafting producing network structures. The rheological analysis showed that small quantities of MAH and DCP increase the viscosity of the resins. The compatibilizer that was determined to be most reactive and stable of all the formulations analyzed was PPC with 2% MAH and DCP and its effect in the morphology of PPC‐PBS blends was proven successful by a reduction of the PPC droplet size. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47553.
Controllable layer‐by‐layer assembly based on brucite and alginates with the assistance of spray drying and flame retardancy influenced by gradients of alginates
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Li Zhipeng , Wang Yiliang , Li Qimin , Chen Lamei , Shi Hui , Hao Jianwei
Published: January 2019

With the aim of tailoring and controlling surface assembly, multifunctional flame retardants (FRs) were obtained based on depositing alginates and silane coupling agents on brucite via the spray‐drying‐assisted layer‐by‐layer assembly technique. The assembly was controllable in both structure and gradient mass. Two series of FRs were named CuFR1‐3 and NiFR1‐3 based on the assembly content of metal alginates. With the assistance of spray drying, good compatibility between FRs and ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) was obtained, resulting in better mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the FRs improved flame retardancy and smoke suppression when used in EVA composites. With 55 wt % loading, composites with CuFR3 and NiFR1 passed UL 94 V‐0 rating, while those with brucite were not rated. The peak of heat release rate decreased by 51.7 and 49.3% while the residue increased by 9.8 and 11.9%, respectively. The FRs also reduced the smoke and CO production rates. For the two series of FRs, the relationship between FR efficiency and alginate contents is different. The CuFRs assembled more copper alginates and exerted better flame retardancy caused by lower catalytic graphitization. NiFRs exerted a higher catalyzing efficiency at low assembly content. However, at high assembly content, the catalytic graphitization effect would decrease by thermally oxidized degradation leading to excess nickel alginates. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 47570.
Interfacial Engineering of Reduced Graphene Oxide for Aramid Nanofiber‐Enabled Structural Supercapacitors
Authors: Flouda Paraskevi , Feng Xueyan , Boyd James G. , Thomas Edwin L. , Lagoudas Dimitris C. , Lutkenhaus Jodie L.
Published: January 2019

Structural energy storage systems can simultaneously store energy and bear mechanical loads and are emerging technologies for electric vehicles, aircrafts, and satellites since they offer significant mass and volume savings. However, many of the materials used in energy storage applications are not mechanically robust or, on the other hand, mechanically stiff materials are not necessarily electrochemically active. One solution is to combine reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets and aramid nanofibers (ANFs). Here we hypothesize that engineering the interfacial interactions between rGO sheets and the ANFs will lead to enhanced mechanical properties, as noncovalent interactions offer multiple sites for load transfer. rGO sheets are functionalized with carboxylic acid (−COOH) and amine (−NH2) groups, and the effect on the mechanical and electrochemical performance of nanocomposite supercapacitor electrodes is investigated. Notably, the −NH2 functionalization and the addition of ANFs leads to a dramatic 200 % improvement of the strength of the electrodes without significantly compromising the electrochemical performance. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that these electrodes’ multifunctionality is superior to other state‐of‐the‐art structural electrodes and may pose possible replacements for steel or epoxy. These findings provide critical knowledge for the design of next‐generation multifunctional electrodes in that we highlight the importance of interfacial engineering.
Structural, photoluminescence and dielectric investigations of phosphatic shale
Authors: Pandit Pragya , Kumar Shailendra , Mohapatra Manoj , Bangotra Pargin , Mehra Rohit , Singh A.K.
Published: January 2019

In the current study, the structural and spectroscopic properties of phosphatic shale samples obtained from the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research were probed for potential use as a phosphor material. X‐ray diffraction and Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the beneficiated phosphatic shale samples were primarily monophasic consisting of fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F, (FAP)] with minor traces of haematite (α‐Fe2O3) and calcite (CaCO3). Energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence revealed the presence of U, Eu, Dy and Tb in the FAP matrix substituted at Ca(I) and Ca(II) sites of FAP. A reduced optical direct band gap of 4.46 eV was calculated from the Tauc plot. Photoluminescence spectral studies revealed multicolour emissions (red, yellow, green and blue) on ultraviolet light excitation that were attributed to luminescence spectra from rare earth ions Eu3+, Tb3+, U4+ and U6+ in the FAP matrix. The overall emissions for the rare earth and actinide‐doped FAP were obtained in the cool white region and the corresponding Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage chromaticity coordinates were calculated to be (0.274, 0.317). The corresponding colour correlated temperature obtained was 9342 K. Furthermore, phosphatic shale had a high room temperature dielectric constant of 11 at a frequency of 1 kHz that demonstrated its suitability for use in biological sensors. The study showed that natural phosphatic shale could be a potential material for optical, biological and dielectric applications.
Metagenomic analysis of DNA viruses from posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders
Authors: Dharnidharka Vikas R. , Ruzinova Marianna B. , Chen Chun‐Cheng , Parameswaran Priyanka , O'Gorman Harry , Goss Charles W. , Gu Hongjie , Storch Gregory A. , Wylie Kristine
Published: January 2019

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs), 50%‐80% of which are strongly associated with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), carry a high morbidity and mortality. Most clinical/epidemiological/tumor characteristics do not consistently associate with worse patient survival, so our aim was to identify if other viral genomic characteristics associated better with survival. We extracted DNA from stored paraffin‐embedded PTLD tissues at our center, identified viral sequences by metagenomic shotgun sequencing (MSS), and analyzed the data in relation to clinical outcomes. Our study population comprised 69 PTLD tissue samples collected between 1991 and 2015 from 60 subjects. Nucleotide sequences from at least one virus were detected by MSS in 86% (59/69) of the tissues (EBV in 61%, anelloviruses 52%, gammapapillomaviruses 14%, CMV 7%, and HSV in 3%). No viruses were present in higher proportion in EBV‐negative PTLD (compared to EBV‐positive PTLD). In univariable analysis, death within 5 years of PTLD diagnosis was associated with anellovirus (P = 0.037) and gammapapillomavirus (P = 0.036) detection by MSS, higher tissue qPCR levels of the predominant human anellovirus species torque teno virus (TTV; P = 0.016), T cell type PTLD, liver, brain or bone marrow location. In multivariable analyses, T cell PTLD (P = 0.006) and TTV PCR level (P = 0.012) remained significant. In EBV‐positive PTLD, EBNA‐LP, EBNA1 and EBNA3C had significantly higher levels of nonsynonymous gene variants compared to the other EBV genes. Multiple viruses are detectable in PTLD tissues by MSS. Anellovirus positivity, not EBV positivity,was associated with worse patient survival in our series. Confirmation and extension of this work in larger multicenter studies is desirable.
Emergency health service contact and reincarceration after release from prison: A prospective cohort study
Authors: de Andrade Dominique F. , Spittal Matthew J. , Snow Kathryn J. , Taxman Faye S. , Crilly Julia L. , Kinner Stuart A.
Published: January 2019

Background

Adults released from prison often have complex health needs. They are at high risk of poor health outcomes and reincarceration, with health service use unlikely to be planned.

Aims/hypotheses

To determine the incidence of emergency health service (EHS) use, ambulance attendance and/or emergency department presentation, among 1,181 adults released from Australian prisons. We hypothesised that EHS contact would be associated with increased reincarceration risk.

Methods

Baseline surveys were conducted within 6 weeks before release. Postrelease EHS contacts and reincarceration were identified through prospective data linkage. For each participant, EHS contacts within a 24‐hour period were combined to make an episode. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to examine the relationship between EHS episodes and reincarceration, controlling for covariates.

Results

More than half (53.3%) of participants had at least one EHS contact over a median of 25.6‐month follow‐up. In adjusted analyses, compared to those with no EHS contacts, the hazard of reincarceration was greater for participants who had one to three EHS episodes (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.48, 2.29]) or four or more (HR = 2.35; 95% CI [1.67, 3.29]).

Conclusions/implications for practice

Emergency department attendance by people with a history of imprisonment may be indicative of wider decompensation. Improved management of such patients may improve health outcomes and have collateral benefits for reducing reincarceration.
A rare presentation of benign acute childhood myositis
Authors: Chu Eric Chun‐Pu , Yip Andrew Siu‐Leung
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

Benign acute childhood myositis is a self‐limiting muscle disorder characterized by calf pain with an isolated finding of elevated serum creatine kinase, being preceded by an influenza‐like illness. The classic clinical and laboratory features may allow for a correct diagnosis. This report describes some accompanying symptoms which are not usually perceived. An incorrect diagnosis could lead to unnecessary treatments.
Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma presenting with masses in the pineal and adrenal glands
Authors: Bilgin Cem , Korkmaz Baris , Soylu Esra , Ozturk Hulya , Ozturk Kerem
Published: January 2019

Key Clinical Message

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may offer several potential advantages in the evaluation of lymphoma with the additive value of H1‐MRS for differential diagnosis. Even though lymphoma has unique imaging findings on CT and multiparametric MRI, definite diagnosis must be thoroughly established by histopathological examination.
Growth differentiation factor‐15 and the risk of cardiovascular diseases and all‐cause mortality: A meta‐analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Xie Shanhui , Lu Liping , Liu Liwei
Published: January 2019

Background and Aim

Previous studies have documented that the association between growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15) the risk of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this meta‐analysis, our main objective is to explore the associations between GDF‐15 and the risk of CVD or all‐cause mortality.

Methods

PubMed and ISI Web of Science (up to January 2018) electronic databases were browsed for eligible studies. The studies provided relevant data depicted as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), with regard to the association between GDF‐15 levels and subsequent risk of CVDs or all‐cause mortality. A random‐effect model was applied to pool the HR and 95% CI.

Results

Thirty‐one prospective studies met the eligibility criteria involving 53 706 subjects with 7020 adverse outcome events. It was concluded that GDF‐15 levels were associated with an incremental risk of CVDs or all‐cause mortality. Highest GDF‐15 category was associated with greater risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.69‐3.63), all‐cause mortality (HR, 2.52; 95% CI, 2.06‐2.97), and complex adverse outcome (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.42‐2.21). As each log‐unit increment in GDF‐15 concentration, the corresponding risk of adverse events also escalated, cardiovascular mortality (HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.57‐2.66), all‐cause mortality (HR, 2.70; 95% CI, 2.29‐3.12), and complex adverse outcome (HR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.64‐2.29).

Conclusions

Judging from the results of the data analysis, GDF‐15 levels may increase the risk of CVDs or all‐cause mortality.
Cardiovascular events and death after myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke in an older Medicare population
Authors: Li Suying , Peng Yi , Wang Xinyue , Qian Yi , Xiang Pin , Wade Sally W. , Guo Haifeng , Lopez J. Antonio G. , Herzog Charles A. , Handelsman Yehuda
Published: January 2019

Background

Survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) or ischemic stroke (IS) are at high risk for subsequent cardiovascular events.

Hypothesis

Older patients with prior MI or IS are at risk for recurrent cardiovascular events, and comorbidities such as diabetes may increase this risk.

Methods

Two cohorts were studied in a retrospective Medicare 20% random sample—a 2008 cohort with up to 6 years of follow‐up (MI, N = 26 460; IS, N = 17 566) and a 2012 cohort with 1 year of follow‐up (MI, N = 26 548; IS, N = 17 728).

Results

In older patients who survived an event of MI or IS (2012 cohort), 7.2% had a recurrent MI and 6.7% had a recurrent IS in the first year; 32% died. Accounting for multiple recurrent events (2012 cohort), the event rates per 100 patient‐years were 11.6 and 10.2 for the MI and IS cohorts, respectively. Cumulative incidence of recurrence (2008 cohort) increased from 7.7% at 1 year to 14.3% at 6 years for recurrent MI and from 6.7% at 1 year to 13.4% at 6 years for recurrent IS. Comorbid diabetes (2012 cohort) was significantly associated (adjusted risk ratio) with MI recurrence (1.44) and risk of coronary revascularization (1.23) in the MI cohort and with IS recurrence (1.26) in the IS cohort.

Conclusion

In this older population with prior MI or IS, high rates of recurrent cardiovascular events and multiple recurrent events were observed. These findings highlight the need for aggressive intervention for secondary prevention and management of comorbidities in high‐risk patients, particularly those with diabetes.
Use of the ERD for administrative monitoring of Theta
Authors: Kristiansen Alex
Published: January 2019

Monitoring the state of an HPC cluster in a timely and accurate fashion is critical to most system administration functions. For many Cray users, the first step in monitoring is ingestion of log files. Unfortunately, log parsing is an inherently inefficient process, requiring multiple software components to read and write from files on disk. Cray's own utilities use a message bus, the Event Router Daemon (ERD), for a wide variety of purposes. At the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF), we have begun to use this message bus for monitoring via a client library written in Go, allowing us to read in structured data directly from Cray's services and, in many instances, bypass log files entirely. In this paper, we will examine the implementation and utilization of this approach on our 4392 node XC40, Theta, as well as the overall benefits and drawbacks to using the ERD for real‐time monitoring.
Infrared Spectra of Deprotonated Dicarboxylic Acids: IRMPD Spectroscopy and Empirical Valence‐Bond Modeling
Authors: Thaunay Florian , Calvo Florent , Nicol Edith , Ohanessian Gilles , Clavaguéra Carine
Published: January 2019

Experimental infrared multiple‐photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectra recorded for a series of deprotonated dicarboxylic acids, HO2(CH2)n
(n=2–4), are interpreted using a variety of computational methods. The broad bands centered near 1600 cm−1 can be reproduced neither by static vibrational calculations based on quantum chemistry nor by a dynamical description of individual structures using the many‐body polarizable AMOEBA force field, strongly suggesting that these molecules experience dynamical proton sharing between the two carboxylic ends. To confirm this assumption, AMOEBA was combined with a two‐state empirical valence‐bond (EVB) model to allow for proton transfer in classical molecular dynamics simulations. Upon suitable parametrization based on ab initio reference data, the EVB‐AMOEBA model satisfactorily reproduces the experimental infrared spectra, and the finite temperature dynamics reveals a significant amount of proton sharing in such systems.
Network level perspective in web sessions troubleshooting
Authors: Milanesio Marco , Callegari Christian , Michiardi Pietro
Published: January 2019

In the last years, the quantity of data and the number of applications carried over web traffic have been continuously increasing and nowadays web browsing accounts for most of the Internet traffic. In such a scenario, a poor browsing experience can result very annoying to the end user, and the effective identification of the root cause of such bad performance is of primary interest to both the users and the network operators.

In this paper, we present a unified framework, based on a novel lightweight open‐source publicly available probe and on an original statistical diagnosis algorithm, to correctly and effectively point out the segment of a web connection (eg, local client, backbone network, and DNS server) responsible for a poor web browsing experience. The extensive experimental evaluation carried out in the paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach to diagnose poor quality of experience at a large scale.
A putative antimicrobial peptide from Hymenoptera in the megaplasmid pSCL4 of Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC 27064 reveals a singular case of horizontal gene transfer with potential applications
Authors: Ayala‐Ruano Sebastián , Santander‐Gordón Daniela , Tejera Eduardo , Perez‐Castillo Yunierkis , Armijos-Jaramillo Vinicio
Published: January 2019

Streptomyces clavuligerus is a Gram‐positive bacterium that is a high producer of secondary metabolites with industrial applications. The production of antibiotics such as clavulanic acid or cephamycin has been extensively studied in this species; nevertheless, other aspects, such as evolution or ecology, have received less attention. Furthermore, genes that arise from ancient events of lateral transfer have been demonstrated to be implicated in important functions of host species. This approximation discovered relevant genes that genomic analyses overlooked. Thus, we studied the impact of horizontal gene transfer in the S. clavuligerus genome. To perform this task, we applied whole‐genome analysis to identify a laterally transferred sequence from different domains. The most relevant result was a putative antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with a clear origin in the Hymenoptera order of insects. Next, we determined that two copies of these genes were present in the megaplasmid pSCL4 but absent in the S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064 chromosome. Additionally, we found that these sequences were exclusive to the ATCC 27064 strain (and so were not present in any other bacteria) and we also verified the expression of the genes using RNAseq data. Next, we used several AMP predictors to validate the original annotation extracted from Hymenoptera sequences and explored the possibility that these proteins had post‐translational modifications using peptidase cleavage prediction. We suggest that Hymenoptera AMP‐like proteins of S. clavuligerus ATCC 27064 may be useful for both species adaptation and as an antimicrobial molecule with industrial applications.
Development of full color LED display with color sensor function
Authors: Hasegawa Tatsuo , Maeda Tomoya
Published: January 2019

We developed full color LED display with color sensor function by using LED to an optical sensor. This display has a new function that you can draw pictures and letters by an irradiating light. The drawn color is selected in three patterns by a color of the light irradiation. If red light is irradiated, red LED in the display turns on; if blue light is irradiated, green LED turns on; and if UV light is irradiated, blue LED turns on. In this paper, a measurement method and its results of wavelength sensitivity characteristics for a full color dot matrix LED, an operation principle and a structure of the circuit in the display are discussed.
IR absorption spectroscopy of deposition process of amorphous carbon film due to ethylene plasma
Authors: Shinohara Masanori , Tominaga Taisuke , Shimomura Hayato , Ihara Takeshi , Yagyu Yoshihito , Ohshima Tamiko , Kawasaki Hiroharu
Published: January 2019

Changes in chemical states of amorphous carbon film during ethylene (C2H4) plasma in the floating potential were investigated with multiple‐internal‐reflection infrared absorption spectroscopy (MIR‐IRAS) and deposition rates. IRAS spectra showed that the peaks due to the sp3‐CHX were observed, but no peaks due to sp2‐CHX were observed. The deposition rate due to ethylene plasma was nearly twice that due to methane plasma, in the same way that the number of carbons in an ethylene molecule is twice as that in a methane molecule. It is suggested that the film growth due to ethylene plasma is the same manner of that due to methane plasma; the plasma‐generated hydrocarbon species such as C2H3 and C2H5, which are generated in ethylene plasma, are adsorbed on dangling bonds that are generated by hydrogen abstraction from the deposited film surface. As a result, the deposited film is composed of sp3‐hydrocarbon components.
Solvent extraction of molybdenum (VI) from spent hydroprocessing catalyst
Authors: Sun Xiaoxue , Liu Zhongneng , Yang Weimin , Gu Songyuan , Yu Jianguo
Published: January 2019

This article investigated extraction process of molybdenum (VI) from acid leaching solution to explore the basic data for the recovery of Mo resources from spent hydroprocessing catalyst. The extractant 2‐ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono‐2‐ethylhexyl ester (P507) was adopted as the extractant, and the effects of specific operating parameters on Mo extraction and stripping were systematically investigated. The Mo extraction was greater than 99.5%, and the co‐extraction of Al and Co were less than 0.2% under optimal conditions. The corresponding stripping processes were also performed focusing on reducing phase‐separation time and preventing third‐phase generation. Almost 100% (>99%) Mo was easily stripped using 0.9 mol/L NH3·H2O with the addition of NH4NO3 ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 mol/L. Saturation extraction capacity method was applied to explore extraction mechanism. Results indicated that the molar ratio of Mo to P507 in the saturated organic phase was approximately 1:1, so the extraction reaction can be expressed as follows:
urn:x-wiley:19447442:media:ep13169:ep13169-math-0001

urn:x-wiley:19447442:media:ep13169:ep13169-math-0002
© 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13146, 2019
Agrochemical Mixtures and Amphibians: The Combined Effects of Pesticides and Fertilizer on Stress, Acetylcholinesterase Activity, and Bioaccumulation in a Terrestrial Environment
Authors: Van Meter Robin J. , Adelizzi Rose , Glinski Donna A. , Henderson W. Matthew
Published: January 2019

Tank mixtures are popular within the agricultural community because they are time- and cost-effective, but field applications leave nontarget organisms at risk of exposure. We explored the effects of a common herbicide (atrazine and alachlor) and fertilizer (urea) tank mixture on juvenile frog corticosterone stress levels, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and pesticide bioaccumulation. Single agrochemical or tank mixtures were applied to terrestrial microcosms, and then individual Southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephala) juveniles were added to microcosms for an 8-h exposure. Afterward, frogs were transferred to aquatic microcosms for 1 h to monitor corticosterone prior to euthanasia, brain tissues were excised to evaluate AChE, and tissue homogenates were analyzed for pesticide bioconcentation with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Atrazine significantly increased corticosterone in frogs, particularly when combined with alachlor and urea. Atrazine increased AChE and urea decreased AChE, although no interactive effects of chemical combinations were discernible. Relative to their individual treatments, the complete tank mixture with all 3 agrochemicals resulted in 64% greater bioconcentration of atrazine and 54% greater bioconcentration of alachlor in frog tissues. Our results suggest that agrochemical mixtures as well as their active ingredients can lead to altered stress levels and impaired physiological responses in amphibians. An improved understanding of the effects of co-exposure to environmental contaminants in amphibians is important in assessing the ecological risks these compounds pose. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;9999:1–10. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase activity and corticosterone stress response in Lithobates sphenocephala after exposure to mixtures of atrazine (Z), alachlor (L), and urea (N).
Differences in Engineered Nanoparticle Surface Physicochemistry Revealed by Investigation of Changes in Copper Bioavailability During Sorption to Nanoparticles in the Aqueous Phase
Authors: Patsiou Danae , Kalman Judit , Fernandes Teresa F. , Henry Theodore B.
Published: January 2019

Sorption of chemical substances to nanoparticles (NPs) in the aqueous phase strongly influences NP physicochemisty, and investigations of these complex interactions can provide important insights into the environmental fate of NPs. The objective of the present study was to use differences in copper (Cu) bioavailability to investigate aqueous-phase sorption with NPs that had different physicochemical characteristics (silicon [Si], perovskite, and titanium dioxide NPs [TiO2 NPs]). Sorption of Cu with NPs was assessed by the presence of adsorbent in water and onto the NP surface after ultracentrifugation, and by changes in Cu bioavailability under static conditions during exposure of larval zebrafish, as well as under conditions of continuous agitation during exposure of the alga Chlorella vulgaris. The presence of TiO2 NPs reduced total Cu in the water column and Cu bioavailability (measured by growth inhibition, mortality, and metallothionein 2 gene expression), confirming Cu sorption to TiO2 NPs. Nanoparticle surface area was the most important factor that affected Cu sorption, as indicated by less bioavailable Cu in the presence of smaller TiO2 NPs. The surface area effect was consistent regardless of exposure conditions (alga, continuous agitation; zebrafish, static water) and was further supported by the fact that the lowest total Cu concentration in the water column was found in the presence of the smallest NP. The results differed with other NP types, for example, silicon NPs, in which Cu sorption was indicated by analytical chemistry, but sorption was not sufficient to significantly alter Cu bioavailability. The bioavailability tests did not indicate Cu sorption with perovskite NPs. The results demonstrate that surface area critically influences sorption, that Cu sorption as measured by bioavailability is not affected by agitation or static conditions, and that Cu sorption differs among types of NPs, indicating differences in their surface physicochemistry. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;9999:1–11. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

Copper sorption (%) as indicated by 4 independent analyses, conducted in the present study, show a positive correlation with the surface area (calculated by the reported manufactured particle diameter) of the nanoparticles (NPs) used in the present study (cm2). The analyses were as follows: the differences in the 72-h median effect concentration (EC50; Δ 72-h EC50) in the presence of NPs of different surface area generated by Chlorella vulgaris tests, the Δ 96-h median lethal concentration (LC50) of the zebrafish larvae tests, the differences in mt2 gene expression, and the curves generated by analytical chemistry (inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry [ICP-MS]), with R2 values of 0.90, 0.88, 0.81, and 0.99, respectively.
Applying Multiphase Sampling to Selecting Testlets With Constraints on Item Blocks
Authors: Qian Jiahe , Gu Lixiong , Li Shuhong
Published: January 2019

In assembling testlets (i.e., test forms) with a pool of new and used item blocks, test security is one of the main issues of concern. Strict constraints are often imposed on repeated usage of the same item blocks. Nevertheless, for an assessment administering multiple testlets, a goal is to select as large a sample of testlets as possible. In this study, the algorithm of multiphase sampling was applied to selecting and augmenting the sample of testlets to be administered. Several topics related to the algorithm are discussed, such as the termination of the algorithm, the dynamics of sample size, and the effectiveness of the algorithm. A real database of testlets was used in the study.
7–0? That is awful! Should I trust my national team again?: The role of mindsets in team trust
Authors: Puente‐Diaz Rogelio , Cavazos‐Arroyo Judith
Published: January 2019

This investigation examined the role of mindsets in team trust after a major loss. It is proposed that individuals can believe that personal characteristics are fixed and that there is not much one can do about it (a fixed mindset) or that personal characteristics are malleable and that one can improve (a growth mindset). The participants, self‐identified football fans, were shown a picture of a major loss experienced by the Mexican national team and then answered questions that assessed the participants' team trust, intention to provide future support, and mindsets. We conceptualised mindsets as latent variables and classes to test our hypotheses. The results from the latent variable model showed a significant, positive influence of a growth mindset on team trust. Similarly, the results from the latent class model showed that the class characterised by high levels of a growth mindset was more likely to trust the national team. Regarding intentions to provide future support to the national team, a growth mindset had an indirect, positive effect through its influence on team trust. Similarly, the class with high levels of a growth mindset was more likely to support the national team in the future. The implications for social psychology and consumer behaviour are discussed.
Using Artificial Neural Networks to forecast Exchange Rate, including VAR‐VECM residual analysis and prediction linear combination
Authors: Parot Alejandro , Michell Kevin , Kristjanpoller Werner D.
Published: January 2019

The Euro US Dollar rate is one of the most important exchange rates in the world, making the analysis of its behavior fundamental for the global economy and for different decision‐makers at both the public and private level. Furthermore, given the market efficiency of the EUR/USD exchange rate, being able to predict the rate's future short‐term variation represents a great challenge. This study proposes a new framework to improve the forecasting accuracy of EUR/USD exchange rate returns through the use of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) together with a Vector Auto Regressive (VAR) model, Vector Error Corrective model (VECM), and post‐processing. The motivation lies in the integration of different approaches, which should improve the ability to forecast regarding each separate model. This is especially true given that Artificial Neural Networks are capable of capturing the short and long‐term non‐linear components of a time series, which VECM and VAR models are unable to do. Post‐processing seeks to combine the best forecasts to make one that is better than its components. Model predictive capacity is compared according to the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) as a loss function and its significance is analyzed using the Model Confidence Set. The results obtained show that the proposed framework outperforms the benchmark models, decreasing the RMSE of the best econometric model by 32.5% and by 19.3% the best hybrid. Thus, it is determined that forecast post‐processing increases forecasting accuracy.
The bring‐your‐own‐device unintended administrator: A perspective from Zimbabwe
Authors: Musarurwa Alfred , Flowerday Stephen , Cilliers Liezel
Published: January 2019

As bring your own device (BYOD) becomes part of workplace tools for employees in Zimbabwe, the responsibility to implement information security management methods, which was traditionally confined to the information technology (IT) employees, has extended to all the employees, who now become unintended administrators because of the usage of their devices. The purpose of this paper is to show how banks can mitigate the information security risks caused by the unintended administrator using the BYOD information security behavioural (BISB) model. A literature review of the BYOD information security and organisational information security culture was conducted. A questionnaire was developed from the literature and sent to 270 bank employees in Zimbabwe. A total of 205 employees participated, and 179 completed the questionnaire. An expert review consisting of chief information officers (CIOs) at banks in Zimbabwe was conducted to evaluate the proposed model. From the literature review, individual traits of attitude, knowledge, and habit, as well as organisational traits of the environment, governance, and training, were identified as key traits that constituted the constructs of the BISB model. The overall theme of this paper is that banks can mitigate the BYOD information security challenges by using of the BISB model.
The evaluation of the anti‐cancer drug elesclomol that forms a redox‐active copper chelate as a potential anti‐tubercular drug
Authors: Ngwane Andile H. , Petersen Ray‐Dean , Baker Bienyameen , Wiid Ian , Wong Ho Ning , Haynes Richard K.
Published: January 2019

The observations that the innate immune system employs copper to eliminate bacterial infection and that resistance to copper enhances virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) prompted us to examine the effects the anti‐cancer agent elesclomol on Mtb. As a bis‐thionohydrazide, elesclomol chelates with copper to form a copper complex in situ that via redox cycling of the metal ion greatly enhances oxidative stress in tumour cells. Here, we demonstrate that elesclomol is relatively potent against Mtb H37Rv with minimum inhibitory concentration of 10 μM (4 mg/L) and against multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Mtb, displays additive interactions with known tuberculosis drugs such as isoniazid and ethambutol, and a synergistic interaction with rifampicin. Controlled supplementation of elesclomol with copper in culture medium increased Mtb sensitivity by >65 fold. Overall, the activities of elesclomol in principle indicate the possibility of repurposing elesclomol or designing new thionohydrazides as potential drugs for use against Mtb. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(5):532–538, 2019
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 3,5‐Disubstituted 2‐Pyrazineamide Derivatives as Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Gangarapu Nagaraja Reddy , Ranganatham A. , Reddy Eeda Koti , Surendra H. D. , Sajith Ayyiliath M. , Yellappa Shivaraj , Chandrasekhar Kothapalli Bannoth
Published: January 2019

A novel series of 3,5‐disubstituted‐2‐pyrazineamide derivatives (5a–5o) were synthesized and studied for their potential as antitubercular agents. Among them, the compounds 5a, 5g, and 5m showed the good minimal inhibitory concentration of 20, 25, and 25 μg/mL, respectively. The compound 5a displayed excellent minimum inhibitory concentration of 10 μg/mL and is four times more potent compared with the standard drug, rifampicin concentration. In silico docking studies revealed that the compounds 5a and 5c can bind strongly in the active site of 2FUM enzyme and prevent enzyme–substrate interactions. In addition, in silico docking studies were calculated, and based on the data obtained, compound 5a displayed excellent drug‐like properties.
Synthesis and Characterization of 2‐(2‐Pyridinyl)pyrazine and 2,2′‐Bipyrazine Derivatives
Authors: KomReddy Venugopal , Rillema D. Paul , Nguyen Huy , Kadel Lava
Published: January 2019

A convenient and high yield preparation of derivatives of 2‐(2‐pyridinyl)pyrazine and derivatives of 2,2′‐bipyrazine compounds from their derivatives of bromopyrazine using Stille coupling is reported. X‐ray structures, elemental analyses, 1H, 13C‐NMR, and mass spectral data of the compounds are given.
“Is it making any difference?” A qualitative study examining the treatment‐taking experiences of asymptomatic people living with HIV in the context of Treat‐all in Eswatini
Authors: Horter Shona , Wringe Alison , Thabede Zanele , Dlamini Velibanti , Kerschberger Bernhard , Pasipamire Munyaradzi , Lukhele Nomthandazo , Rusch Barbara , Seeley Janet
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Treat‐all is being implemented in several African settings, in accordance with 2015 World Health Organisation guidelines. The factors known to undermine adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) may change in the context of Treat‐all, where people living with HIV (PLHIV) increasingly initiate ART at earlier, asymptomatic stages of disease, soon after diagnosis. This paper aimed to examine the asymptomatic PLHIV's experiences engaging with early ART initiation under the Treat‐all policy, including how they navigate treatment‐taking over the longer term.

Methods

A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted within a Médecins Sans Frontières/Ministry of Health Treat‐all pilot in Shiselweni, southern Eswatini. The Treat‐all pilot began in October 2014, adopted into national policy in October 2016. Participants were recruited purposively to include newly diagnosed, clinically asymptomatic PLHIV with a range of treatment‐taking experiences, and healthcare workers (HCW) with various roles. This analysis drew upon a sub‐sample of 17 PLHIV who had been on ART for at least 12 months, with mean 20 months on ART at first interview, and who undertook three interviews each. Additionally, 20 HCWs were interviewed once. Interviews were conducted from August 2016 to September 2017. Data were analysed thematically using coding, drawing upon principles of grounded theory, and aided by Nvivo 11.

Results

It was important for PLHIV to perceive the need for treatment, and to have evidence of its effectiveness to motivate their treatment‐taking, thereby supporting engagement with care. For some, coming to terms with a HIV diagnosis or re‐interpreting past illnesses as signs of HIV could point to the need for ART to prevent health deterioration and prolong life. However, others doubted the accuracy of an HIV diagnosis and the need for treatment in the absence of symptoms or signs of ill health, with some experimenting with treatment‐taking as a means of seeking evidence of their need for treatment and its effect. Viral load monitoring appeared important in offering a view of the effect of treatment on the level of the virus, thereby motivating continued treatment‐taking.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of PLHIV perceiving need for treatment and having evidence of the difference that ART is making to them for motivating treatment‐taking. Patient support should be adapted to address these concerns, and viral load monitoring made routinely available within Treat‐all care, with communication of suppressed results emphasized to patients.
Bilateral cardiac sympathetic denervation of a recurrent refractory ventricular tachycardia occurring after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and outflow tract premature ventricular contractions
Authors: Yagishita Atsuhiko , Goya Masahiko , Takahashi Yoshihide , Ishibashi Hironori , Akiyoshi Kikou , Sekigawa Masahiro , Maeda Shingo , Kawabata Mihoko , Okubo Kenichi , Hirao Kenzo
Published: January 2019

Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) in patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter or surgical ablation. We present our experience with bilateral CSD in a patient with a recurrent VT despite attempts at treatment with catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs, and this is the first description of the successful management of an idiopathic refractory VT with a bilateral CSD and concomitant oral amiodarone, occurring after catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation and idiopathic outflow tract premature ventricular contractions.
Addressing Disaster Exposure Measurement Issues With Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Felix Erika D. , Binmoeller Cecile , Nylund‐Gibson Karen , Benight Charles C. , Benner Aprile D. , Terzieva Antoniya
Published: January 2019

Disaster exposure can put survivors at greater risk for subsequent mental health (MH) problems. Within the field of disaster MH research, it is important to understand how the choice of analytic approaches and their implicit assumptions may affect results when using a disaster exposure measure. We compared different analytic strategies for quantifying disaster exposure and included a new analytic approach, latent class analysis (LCA), in a sample of parents and youth. Following exposure to multiple floods in Texas, a sample of 555 parents and 486 youth were recruited. Parents were predominantly female (70.9%) and White (60.8%). Parents were asked to have their oldest child between the ages of 10 and 19 years old participate (M = 13.74 years, SD = 2.57; 52.9% male). Participants completed measures on disaster exposure, posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety. The LCA revealed four patterns of exposure in both parents and youth: high exposure (15.5% parent, 9.5% child), moderate exposure (19.8% parent, 28.2% child), community exposure (45.9% parent, 34.4% child), and low exposure (18.8% parent, 27.8% child). In terms of MH, there were similarities across analytic approaches, but the LCA highlighted a threshold effect, with the high exposure class doing worse than all others, d = 1.12. These results have important implications in understanding the different exposure experiences of survivors and the linkage to MH outcomes. The findings are also informative in the development and use of screening tools used in postdisaster contexts in determining who may or may not need MH services.
The energy based devices for vaginal “rejuvenation,” urinary incontinence, vaginal cosmetic procedures, and other vulvo‐vaginal disorders: An international multidisciplinary expert panel opinion
Authors: Digesu Giuseppe Alessandro , Tailor Visha , Preti Mario , Vieira‐Baptista Pedro , Tarcan Tufan , Stockdale Colleen , Mourad Sherif
Published: January 2019

Aims

Energy‐based devices using radiofrequency and laser technologies have gained popularity as therapies for vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, and vaginal prolapse. They have been promoted by cosmetic and aesthetic industries for vaginal “laxity” and vaginal “rejuvenation,” both of which are undefined conditions and terms. This article aims to review the current available literature and its quality on this emerging technology.

Methods

An international panel of gynaecologists, urogynaecologists, and urologists undertook a review of the available published literature, identifying articles, guidance, and society statements on the use vaginal energy‐based devices.

Results

There is currently no formal guidance for the use of vaginal energy based therapies. No randomized controlled trials have been published. No comparative studies to existing treatment has been carried out. Studies suggest that vaginal laser can be used in the treatment of vaginal prolapse or “vaginal laxity” and stress urinary incontinence with no quality evidence supporting the use of the therapy for vaginal atrophy or lichen sclerosis.

Conclusions

This international group propose that whilst there remains a paucity of good quality data describing the safety, benefits, and appropriate use of vaginal radiofrequency or laser treatments in gynaecology and urogynaecology, a consensus best practice document by an established scientific community needs to be developed.
Amino Acid Functionalized Single−Wall Carbon Nanotubes in Thermoresponsive Drug Delivery Systems: A Computational Study
Authors: Ghadari Rahim , Kashefi Ashkan
Published: January 2019

In this research, a computational study was conducted to evaluate the usability of amino acid functionalized single−walled carbon nanotubes (AA−SWCNTs) in the thermoresponsive drug delivery systems. The Taxol (TXL) was used as a model lipophilic drug and temperatures of 300, 310, and 315 K were selected. At first, docking studies were carried out to find the binding mode of the TXL to the surface of AA−SWCNTs. Then, molecular dynamic studies were performed. The molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) approach was used to evaluate the binding energies of AA−SWCNT/TXL systems. Based on the calculated binding energies in the three mentioned temperatures, Gln−, Gly−, Pro−, and Ser−SWCNT have the ability to release the TXL by increase of temperature; the weaker van der Waals interactions at higher temperature can be regarded as the origin of such observation. From another point of view, Gln− and Ser−SWCNT showed improved solubility in the aqueous media by considering the calculated logP values. These two systems are good candidates to be used in the thermoresponsive drug delivery systems.
Chromophore Arrays Constructed in the Major Groove of DNA Duplexes Using a Post‐Synthetic Strategy
Authors: Nakamura Mitsunobu , Matsui Yuki , Takada Tadao , Yamana Kazushige
Published: January 2019

The construction of zipper‐like chromophore‐arrays in the major groove of duplex DNA remains a challenge because only a few chromophores for this application have been discovered. To address the challenge, dual‐chromophore labeled DNAs having a self‐complementary sequence were prepared using a solid‐phase, post‐synthetic, copper‐catalyzed, alkyne‐azide cycloaddition. The resulting chromophore‐arrays on the labeled DNA duplexes were characterized. The dual‐tetraphenylethene (TPE) or dual‐pyrene (Py) labeled DNA formed self‐complementary B‐form duplexes and resulted in the construction of chromophore‐arrays in the major groove. The TPE‐arrays, in which TPEs were arranged in a zipper‐like fashion, slightly destabilized the duplex because of their bulkiness and exhibited aggregation‐induced‐emission. The Py‐arrays, in which Pys were not arranged in a zipper‐like fashion, had no effect on duplex stability and exhibited weak excimer emission because Py was sufficiently small for free rotation in the major groove.