bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Work of The Graduate of Riga Polytechnic Institute Augusts Baumanis (1883–1966) In Engineering Science and Pedagogy
Authors: Zigmunde Alīda
Published: October 2019

Engineer, entrepreneur and teacher Augusts Baumanis (1883–1966) is one of the graduates of Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) who were renown in the 1920s and 1930s. Latvia’s growth without his activities is unthinkable. After graduating from the Department of Chemistry (1913) of RPI, he worked in Russia. In 1919, after returning to Latvia, A. Baumanis became involved in oil production and in export of wooden boards. From 1928 to 1931, he travelled around South Africa with his family and worked in gold mines. After returning to Latvia, he started to work as a teacher. The aim of the article is to reveal the life of engineer A. Baumanis, to introduce readers to the Latvian entrepreneur and to analyse the problems he had to face in business and pedagogy during the interwar period.
Rīgas Politehniskā institūta absolvents, inženieris, izgudrotājs un sportists Arno Līcis
Authors: Lanka Ērika , Zigmunde Alīda
Published: October 2019

Rakstā apkopots Rīgas Politehniskā institūta (RPI) Mehānikas fakultātes 1964. gada absolventa Arno Līča veikums inženiera profesijā Rīgas elektromašīnbūves rūpnīcā (RER), Latvijas Traumatoloģijas un ortopēdijas zinātniskās pētniecības institūtā (LTOZPI) un tipogrāfijā «Jāņa sēta», kā arī raksturota viņa izgudrotājdarbība, atklāti nopelni orientēšanās sporta popularizēšanā un sasniegumi dažāda mēroga sacensībās, tostarp viņa izveidotajās masu sacensībās «Magnēts», kas notiek kopš 1969. gada. Šis ir pirmais pētījums par inženiera A. Līča darbību un dzīvi, kas tapis, sagaidot viņa 80. dzimšanas dienu 2019. gada jūlijā. Tajā izmantots A. Līča personīgais arhīvs, Latvijas Valsts vēstures arhīva dokumenti un Latvijas Nacionālās bibliotēkas krājums.The article summarizes the career of a graduate of the Faculty of Mechanics (1964) of Riga Polytechnic Institute Arno Līcis. The article reveals and describes his work while being an engineer at the Riga Electromachine Building Factory (RER), at the Latvian Scientific Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics (LSRITO) and in the printing house «Jāņa sēta», as well as being an inventor. It has been discovered that he had promoted orienteering sports and had significant achievements in competitions of various scale, including mass competition named «Magnēts» managed by him, which had been taking place since 1969. This is the first research on the life and professional activities of engineer A. Līcis, which is dedicated to his 80th birthday to be celebrated in July 2019. Data from the personal archive of A. Līcis, documents of the Latvian State Archives and the collection of the National Library of Latvia are collected in this article.
Periodika Aeronautikā (1783–1945)
Authors: Zolingers Ginters
Published: October 2019

Aeronautikas attīstībā nozīmīga loma ir arī publikācijām periodikā, nodrošinot zinātniskās apmaiņas platformu un informējot sabiedrību par progresu konkrētajā jomā. Raksta autors analizē pasaulē izdotos aeronautikas periodiskos izdevumus no 1783. līdz 1945. gadam, pieņemot, ka attiecīgajā valstī publicēto aeronautikai nozīmīgo periodisko izdevumu skaits un dažādība ir atkarīga no gaisa spēku attīstības līmeņa tajā. Pētījuma rezultāti liecina, ka dominē četru valstu – Francijas, Vācijas, Lielbritānijas un Amerikas Savienoto Valstu – periodiskie izdevumi, un tas ir trīs ceturtdaļas no visiem aeronautikai veltītajiem izdevumiem pasaulē. 1945. gadā, pētāmā perioda beigās, šīs četras valstis kopā ar Padomju Savienību un Japānu bija dominējošās valstis pasaulē gan civilajā, gan militārajā gaisa spēku jomā. Pētījumā analizēti ne tikai periodiskie izdevumi dažādos laika periodos, bet arī to iedalījums pa galvenajām tēmām.Periodical publications have played an important role in the development of aeronautics, providing a platform for scientific exchange and informing the public about the ongoing progress. This study analyzes periodicals covering the issues related to aeronautics from 1783 to 1945 on a worldwide scale. It assumes that the number and diversification of periodicals dedicated to  aeronautics published in a given country depend directly on the level of development of air power in that country. The result shows that periodicals from only four countries dominated, three fourths of all titles published coming from France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States. In 1945, by the end of the period under study, these four countries, together with the Soviet Union and Japan, were also the world’s dominant air powers in terms of both civil and military air activities. The study also analyzes the development of periodicals over time, the diversification of periodicals by major subject areas and the interdependence of information flows between the four major air powers.
Rīgas Tehniskās universitātes svarīgāko notikumu hronoloģija
Authors: Zigmunde Alīda
Published: October 2019

2018./2019. studiju gads
Genome-wide identification of ZmHMAs and association of natural variation in ZmHMA2 and ZmHMA3 with leaf cadmium accumulation in maize
Authors: Cao Yanhua , Zhao Xiongwei , Liu Yajuan , Wang Yalong , Wu Wenmei , Jiang Yiwei , Liao Changjian , Xu Xiaoxun , Gao Shibin , Shen Yaou , Lan Hai , Zou Chaoying , Pan Guangtang , Lin Haijian
Published: October 2019

P1B-type ATPases, known as heavy metal ATPases (HMAs), play an important role in the control of cadmium (Cd) accumulation in plants. In this study, a total of 12 ZmHMA genes were identified in the maize genome and particularly classified into six clusters based on their phylogenetic relationship and motif compositions. Furthermore, the expression patterns of different ZmHMA genes varied with developmental stages, and were tissue specific under normal conditions. ZmHMA2 and ZmHMA3 genes exhibited significant up-regulation under Cd treatment. Eventually, the association analysis between 103 inbred lines and alleles in ZmHMA2 and ZmHMA3 revealed that one insertion–deletion (InDel) in the intron from ZmHMA2 was associated with leaf Cd concentration under low Cd condition at the seedling stage. Twenty polymorphisms in ZmHMA3 were significantly associated with leaf Cd concentration under various Cd levels at seedling and maturing stages. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two InDels of these significantly associated polymorphic loci from ZmHMA3 caused the amino acid substitutions and insertion or deletion events. Importantly, the proteins encoded by ZmHMA2 and ZmHMA3 genes were located in the plasma membrane. This comprehensive analysis will provide an important theoretical basis for future functional verification of ZmHMA genes to unravel the mechanisms of Cd accumulation in leaves of maize. Additionally, the favorable alleles in ZmHMA3 will lay a foundation for the marker-assisted selection of low Cd accumulation in maize.
Osteogenic cells form mineralized particles, a few μm in size, in a 3D collagen gel culture
Authors: Kihara Takanori , Umezu Chiya , Sawada Karin , Furutani Yukari
Published: October 2019

Osteogenic cells form mineralized matrices in vitro, as well as in vivo. The formation and shape of the mineralized matrices are highly regulated by the cells. In vitro formation of mineralized matrices by osteogenic cells can be a model for in vivo osteogenesis. In this study, using a three-dimensional (3D) collagen gel culture system, we developed a new in vitro model for the formation of mineralized particles, a few µm in size, by the osteogenic cells. Human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells formed spherical mineralized matrices (about 12 µm) at approximately 7 days when cultured with β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-containing culture media on 2D tissue culture plates. Alternately, when they were cultured in a 3D collagen gel containing β-GP, they formed mineralized particles with about 1.7 µm in the gel at approximately 3 days. Calcium precipitation in the gel was evaluated by measuring the gel turbidity. This type of mineralization of HOS cells, which formed mineralized particles inside the gel, was also observed in a peptide-based hydrogel culture. The mineralized particles were completely diminished by inhibiting the activity of Pit-1, phosphate cotransporter, of the HOS cells. When mouse osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, which form large and flat mineralized matrices in 2D osteogenic conditions at approximately 3 weeks of culture, were cultured in a 3D collagen gel, they also formed mineralized particles in the gel, similar to those in HOS cells, at approximately 18 days. Thus, osteogenic cells cultured in the 3D collagen gel form mineralized particles over a shorter period, and the mineralization could be easily determined by gel turbidity. This 3D gel culture system of osteogenic cells acts as a useful model for cells forming particle-type mineralized matrices, and we assume that the mineralized particles in the 3D hydrogel are calcospherulites, which are derived from matrix vesicles secreted by osteogenic cells.
Manure application increased denitrifying gene abundance in a drip-irrigated cotton field
Authors: Yin Mingyuan , Gao Xiaopeng , Tenuta Mario , Kuang Wennong , Gui Dongwei , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: October 2019

Application of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer and manure can increase nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. We tested the hypothesis that increased N2O flux from soils amended with manure reflects a change in bacterial community structure and, specifically, an increase in the number of denitrifiers. To test this hypothesis, a field experiment was conducted in a drip-irrigated cotton field in an arid region of northwestern China. Treatments included plots that were not amended (Control), and plots amended with urea (Urea), animal manure (Manure) and a 50/50 mix of urea and manure (U+M). Manure was broadcast-incorporated into the soil before seeding while urea was split-applied with drip irrigation (fertigation) over the growing season. The addition treatments did not, as assessed by nextgen sequencing of PCR-amplicons generated from rRNA genes in soil, affect the alpha diversity of bacterial communities but did change the beta diversity. Compared to the Control, the addition of manure (U+M and Manure) significantly increased the abundance of genes associated with nitrate reduction (narG) and denitrfication (nirKandnosZ). Manure addition (U+M and Manure) did not affect the nitrifying enzyme activity (NEA) of soil but resulted in 39–59 times greater denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA). In contrast, urea application had no impact on the abundances of nitrifier and denitrifier genes, DEA and NEA; likely due to a limitation of C availability. DEA was highly correlated (r= 0.70–0.84,P< 0.01) with the abundance of genesnarG,nirKandnosZ. An increase in the abundance of these functional genes was further correlated with soil NO3−, dissolved organic carbon, total C, and total N concentrations, and soil C:N ratio. These results demonstrated a positive relationship between the abundances of denitrifying functional genes (narG,nirKandnosZ) and denitrification potential, suggesting that manure application increased N2O emission by increasing denitrification and the population of bacteria that mediated that process.
Effects on developmental outcomes after cesarean birth versus vaginal birth in Chinese children aged 1–59 months: a cross-sectional community-based survey
Authors: Zhou Hong , Ding Yuan , Yang Yuning , Zou Siyu , Qu Xueqi , Wang Anqi , Wang Xi , Huang Yue , Li Xintong , Huang Xiaona , Wang Yan
Published: October 2019

Objective

It is controversial whether the mode of delivery is associated with developmental outcome, and little was known about growth and development of cesarean children in poor rural areas in China. We aim to measure the development of both cesarean and vaginal-delivered children by Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and explore the association between mode of delivery and developmental outcome in poor rural areas in China.

Methods

Data were collected from a cross-sectional community-based survey, which recruited 1,755 vaginal delivered and cesarean children ages 1 to 59 months in eight counties of China. Caregivers of those children completed the Chinese version of ASQ-3 (ASQ-C) while physical examination andquestionnaires on socio-demographic and neonatal characteristics were conducted. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to measure the association between developmental delay and mode of delivery as well as each socio-demographic factor, respectively, after adjusting other socio-demographic characteristics.

Results

The prevalence of suspected overall developmental delay was 23.4% in the cesarean group, compared with 21.3% in the vaginal delivered group, yet without statistical difference (p < 0.05). Developmental delay was also not significantly different between cesarean and vaginal delivered group in five ASQ domains of communication (7.7% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.949), fine motor (7.0% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.538), gross motor (8.5% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.154), problem solving (7.2% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.722) and personal social (8.0% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.960).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that cesarean delivery does not increase or decrease the risk of suspected developmental in children delay as compared with vaginal delivery.
Screening of Fieldpea (Pisum sativum L.) Genotype against Pod Borer Complex
Authors: . Manisha , Verma Tarun , Lal Roshan , Kumar Gulshan
Published: October 2019

Eighteen field pea genotypes were evaluated to know their reaction to pod borer complex (Helicoverpa armigera, Etiella zinckenella and Polyommatus boeticus). Sixteen genotypes (HFP-1140, HFP-914, HFP-1120 and HFP-530B, HFP-1129, HFP-1010, HFP-1125, HFP-715, HFP-4, HFP-9907B, HFP-1132, HFP-1107, HFP-1137, HFP-8712, HFP-8909 and HFP-529) were categorized as moderately resistant to E. zinckenella. However, Three genotypes (HFP-1137, HFP-530B and HFP-529) were examined as resistant (PSR 2), thirteen genotypes as moderately resistant (PSR 3-5) and one genotype (HFP-8712) as highly susceptible (PSR-8) against H. armigera. On the consequences of Pest Susceptibility Rating (PSR) six genotypes (HFP-1132, HFP-1129, HFP-1010, HFP-914, HFP-1125 and HFP-8712) were observed as highly susceptible (PSR: 8-9) P. boeticus.
Variation of Macronutrients in the Stover of Maize Varieties Grown in Western Kenya
Authors: A. C. Peter Echessa
Published: October 2019

Large scale agricultural activities in Kenya include maize growing. Farmers plant different varieties of the species Zea mays.  Though seed companies provide seeds based on altitudes, maturing periods and yield predictability, it remains the prerogative of the farmer to make choice. Yields from small scale farms are declining at every harvest despite Governments efforts to provide fertilizers at subsidized prices. Though soil acidity levels could be an accounting factor, the maize varieties planted differ in the amounts of macronutrients they remove from soils and yet next seasons’ fertilizer application is uniform. The study sought to determine and compare levels nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and calcium in stover of maize varieties grown in Lugari, western Kenya. This was with view to inform on macronutrient removal by the different maize varieties. It too was to enable farmers speculate on the possible methods of biomass disposal for some of the methods like burning the stover either as fuel or clearance ignores the need to have an approach that would enable recycling and certainly depletes the soil. Stratified random sampling of both cobs and stalks from farmers in Lugari, western Kenya was done. The samples were dried, milled before wet digestion. The digests were subjected to laboratory analysis using standard AOAC procedures viz avis nitrogen (Kjeldahl’s method), phosphorous (Ascorbic acid method) and both potassium and calcium (Flame photometry) to establish levels of macronutrients.  It was established that maize stalks of any given variety had higher levels macronutrients compared to cobs of the same variety. It was too observed that for both stalks and cobs there was significant differences (p< 0.05) between varieties in all macronutrients except phosphorous. The stover from varieties DK, H6213, H614 and pioneer had significantly higher levels than varieties H500, H505, H513 and oduma. It is hoped that the results of this study not only informs of levels of macronutrients retained by the maize stover but also provides basis for sensitization on method of biomass disposal to minimize soil degradation.
Comparing the Efficacy of Topical Metformin and Placebo in the Treatment of Melasma: A Randomized, Double-blind, Clinical Trial
Authors: Ali Mapar Mohammad , Hemmati Ali Asghar , Namdari Ghazal
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Generally affecting women, melasma is the acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation, and researches are still ongoing to find an effective, fast, and low-side-effect drug treating this disease. The present study is aimed at comparing the efficacy of topical metformin and placebo in the treatment of melasma.

Methods: Sixty patients with melasma were treated in placebo and topical metformin recipient groups in a double-blind clinical trial. In addition to the demographic and laboratory findings of patients before and after the intervention, the MASI Score of patients in weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 of the study and then one month after the study were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software.

Results: The mean age of the studied patients was 35.25 ± 7.11 years. No significant difference was observed between the phenotypes (P= .49) and the type of melasma (P= .63) in the two groups. The mean MASI score of patients at the time of being included in the study in the placebo group was 10.47 ± 3.08; and in the metformin group, it was 11.93 ± 4.64 (P = .16). Compared to the beginning of the study, the MASI scores were significantly decreased in both groups of placebo (P = .00) and metformin (P = .00) one month after the end of the study; nevertheless, no statistically significant difference was observed between the MASI Scores of two groups in any of the study periods (P > .05).

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that metformin cream significantly declines the patients’ MASI score and does not have any effect on patients’ laboratory markers. Of course, no significant difference was observed between the MASI scores of the patients receiving metformin and the placebo group; however, the MASI score decrease trend continued until the 12th week; while in the placebo group, no significant decrease was seen after eight weeks.
Prevalence Study of Femoral Head Avascular Necrosis and Evaluating Mutual Connection between Injury and Viral Infections: Clinical Analysis and Brief Review
Authors: Yeghaneh Ali , Moghtadaei Mehdi , Eraghi Amir Sobhani , Mahdavi Mani , Otoukesh Babak
Published: October 2019

Avascular necrosis (AVN) could remain with negligible clinical symptoms, but it would get worsen over the time if it’s left untreated and at the most cases will require surgical treatment. Prevalence of femoral head AVN is almost 0.45% among HIV patients which is approximately 45 times more than the rest of Society. AVN occurs 0.088%-1.33% annually among HIV victims. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a bone deteriorating plight. At this study, the clinical prevalence of it has been analyzed among a group of 180 patients at Rasool-e-Akram Hospital (Iran, between 2008 and 2016). Patients were including 121 men and 59 women. Analysis results showed that the prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HIV was 1.7%, 1.1%, and 1.1% respectively. It was found that 63% of patients was currently using immunosuppressive drugs. 17% had a history of drug abuse among which 3.3% were using IV drugs. It was concluded that femoral head AVN is more common among hepatitis and HIV patients.
Growth‐stage‐dependent regulation of conjugation
Authors: Sysoeva Tatyana A. , Kim Youlim , Rodriguez Jonathan , Lopatkin Allison J. , You Lingchong
Published: October 2019

Plasmid conjugation is a driving force behind the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. While problematic for medical purposes, conjugation can be used for delivery of target genes in microbial communities, for example, for bioremediation. Physiological state of the host bacterial cell strongly affects the transfer of the prototypic F‐plasmid of Escherichia coli, but it remains unclear whether such modulation is wide‐spread. We tested a broad range of Enterobacteriaceae conjugative plasmids for their sensitivity to the growth stage of the donors and identified three distinct regulation types. As many of the “domesticated” conjugative plasmids have been considered de‐regulated, we tested transfer of conjugative plasmids from clinical E. coli strains and found that they undergo growth‐stage regulation, similar to the F plasmid. We identified that transcription regulation is behind the transfer modulation. The observed diversity of conjugation regulation can be used in engineering bacterial communities to spread and maintain genes of interest.
Old friends and friendly fire: Pregnancy, hookworm infection, and anemia among tropical horticulturalists
Authors: Anderson Amy S. , Trumble Benjamin C. , Hové Carmen , Kraft Thomas S. , Kaplan Hillard , Gurven Michael , Blackwell Aaron D.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Despite public health concerns about hookworm infection in pregnancy, little is known about immune profiles associated with hookworm (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale) infection during pregnancy. Fetal tolerance requirements may constrain maternal immune response to hookworm, thereby increasing susceptibility to new infections or increasing hemoglobin loss. To explore this possibility, we study systemic immune response and hemoglobin levels in a natural fertility population with endemic helminthic infection.

Methods

We used Bayesian multilevel models to analyze mixed longitudinal data on hemoglobin, hookworm infection, reproductive state, eosinophils, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to examine the effects of pregnancy and hookworm infection on nonspecific inflammation, cellular parasite response, and hemoglobin among 612 Tsimane women aged 15‐45 (1016 observations).

Results

Pregnancy is associated with lower eosinophil counts and lower eosinophil response to hookworm, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Both hookworm and pregnancy are associated with higher ESR, with evidence for an interaction between the two causing further increases in the first trimester. Pregnancy is moderately associated with higher odds of hookworm infection (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.83). Pregnancy and hookworm both decrease hemoglobin and may interact to accentuate this effect in the first‐trimester of pregnancy (Interaction: β: −0.30 g/dL; CI: −0.870 to 0.24).

Conclusions

Our findings are consistent with a possible trade‐off between hookworm immunity and successful pregnancy, and with the suggestion that hookworm and pregnancy may have synergistic effects, particularly in the first trimester.
Baseline mucus cytokines predict 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test results after endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Chowdhury Naweed I. , Li Ping , Chandra Rakesh K. , Turner Justin H.
Published: October 2019

Background

Mucus cytokines have been linked to baseline metrics of quality of life and olfactory function in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, their potential utility in predicting postoperative outcomes has not been assessed. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the role of mucus cytokines in predicting 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcomes Test (SNOT‐22) scores after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in a prospective cohort of CRS patients.

Methods

One hundred forty‐seven patients with CRS electing surgical therapy were enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study. Mucus was collected intraoperatively from the middle meatus and tested for interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐2, ‐4, ‐5, ‐6, ‐7,‐ 8, ‐9, ‐10, ‐12, ‐13, ‐17A, and ‐21; tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α; interferon‐γ; eotaxin; and RANTES (regulated‐on‐activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted) expression using a multiplex flow‐cytometric bead assay. Sixty‐two patients were followed postoperatively (average, 10.2 months) with baseline and follow‐up SNOT‐22 surveys. Stepwise multivariate linear regression was used to model relationships between baseline cytokines, phenotype, and average postoperative SNOT‐22 total and domain scores. A machine learning approach using a random forest algorithm was also used to investigate potential nonlinear relationships.

Results

IL‐5 was an independent predictor of postoperative total SNOT‐22 improvement (β = −8.8, p < 0.0001), whereas IL‐2 levels predicted postoperative worsening (β = 6.97, p = 0.0015). Similar relationships were also seen for postoperative SNOT‐22 domain scores. The overall model was also noted to be significant fit for the data (adjusted R2 = 0.398, p < 0.0001). The random forest model similarly identified IL‐5, TNF‐α, IL‐13, and IL‐2 as major predictors of postoperative SNOT‐22 scores.

Conclusion

Mucus cytokine profiles may help identify CRS patients who are likely to obtain postoperative improvement after ESS.
Electric Black Holes in a Model of Nonlinear Electrodynamics
Authors: Mazharimousavi S. Habib , Halilsoy Mustafa
Published: October 2019

The electric counterpart of the magnetic black hole solution found in nonlinear electrodynamics (NED) is presented. The electric field emerges regular and confined whereas the spacetime which satisfies all the energy conditions is singular. Our result is in conformation with a theorem proved before about the existence of regular electric black holes. The thermal properties of the black hole including the first law, Smarr's formula, and the thermal stability are investigated. This provides a chance to compare the electric and magnetic types of black holes in a particular model of NED.
Irinotecan‐induced gastrointestinal damage impairs the absorption of dabigatran etexilate
Authors: Hattori Tomoki , Imaoka Ayuko , Akiyoshi Takeshi , Ohtani Hisakazu
Published: October 2019

Irinotecan causes serious gastrointestinal damage. Dabigatran etexilate (DABE), an oral anticoagulant and substrate of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), is poorly absorbed and exhibits low bioavailability in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irinotecan‐induced gastrointestinal damage on the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of DABE. Irinotecan was administered intravenously to rats for 4 days to induce gastrointestinal damage. To investigate the PK profile of dabigatran (DAB), an active moiety of DABE, DABE was administered orally on day 5, and then DAB was administered intravenously on day 6. To evaluate the PD profile of DAB, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was measured. The protein expression level of intestinal P‐gp was evaluated. In the irinotecan‐treated rats, the area under the concentration–time curve of DAB after the oral administration of DABE and the bioavailability of DABE were decreased significantly. The APTT ratio also decreased, suggesting that the impaired efficacy of DABE was attributable to a reduction in its bioavailability. The expression of intestinal P‐gp was higher in the irinotecan‐treated rats. Taking into consideration the histological damage caused to the intestinal epithelium, both the increased P‐gp expression and the reduced passive diffusion were considered to be responsible for the reduction in the bioavailability of DABE.
Multiple dose treatment reduces cyclophosphamide‐induced ovarian follicular loss in mice
Authors: Athira Vadakkepurath Raj , Saranya Madathiparambil Karthikeyan , Shivanandappa Thimmappa , Yajurvedi Hanumant Narasinhacharya
Published: October 2019

This study compares the effects of single dose and multiple dose treatment of cyclophosphamide (CP) on oxidative stress‐mediated follicular damage in mouse ovary. In the first experiment, adult female mice were administered with a single dose of CP (100 mg/kg body weight/mouse) and autopsied 72 hr after treatment. In the second experiment, adult female mice were injected with multiple doses of CP (40 mg/kg body weight/day/mouse for 10 consecutive days) and sacrificed on Day 11. There was a 58, 48, 53, and 51% loss of primordial, primary, preantral, and antral follicles, respectively, following the administration of a single dose of CP, whereas, multiple dose of CP caused only 35% reduction in primordial follicles coupled with 28, 23, and 38%, loss of primary, preantral, and antral follicles, respectively. There was a decrease in activities of the ovarian antioxidant enzymes and increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations following single dose CP, whereas multiple dose treatment caused an increase in activities of these enzymes and decrease in ROS and MDA concentrations. The serum concentration of estradiol was significantly decreased following single or multiple dose treatment. The ovarian damage caused by a single high dose of CP administration is higher than that by multiple doses of smaller amount, though the total amount of CP administered was higher with multiple treatment. The results of the current study reveal the benefit of metronomic chemotherapy in cancer treatment, for its effectiveness in reducing ovarian toxicity, a major side effect in young female patients.
Cryptococcosis with ocular and central nervous system involvement in a 3‐year‐old dog
Authors: Barbry Jean‐Baptiste , Poinsard Anne Sophie , Gomes Eymeric , Durand Alexane , Balland Olivier
Published: October 2019

To date, cryptococcosis remains sporadic in Europe, and this is a case of canine cryptococcosis with ocular and CNS involvement in continental Europe with identification of the organism on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) cytology and description of the clinical and MRI features, and outcome.
Vom Einzeltropfen zur Extraktionskolonne
Authors: Kraume Matthias
Published: October 2019

No abstract.
Comparison of Ethylation at External Surface and Internal Cavity of H‐MCM‐22 Zeolite from Theoretical Calculations
Authors: Du Yu‐Jue , Wang Chuan‐Ming , Yang Guang , Yang Wei‐Min
Published: October 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Understanding and optimizing structure of active sites is of significance in zeolite catalysis. Benzene ethylation is an industrially important process catalyzed by H‐MCM‐22 zeolite; while the active sites still remain elusive. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the benzene ethylation at two different types of Brønsted acid sites (BAS) in H‐MCM‐22 zeolite, namely the internal cavity (IC) acid site and the external surface (ES) acid site. Both the stepwise and concerted pathways were addressed. The comparison of the calculated energetics of two pathways indicates that the benzene ethylation reaction primarily proceeds via the concerted pathway at both the IC and ES acid sites of H‐MCM‐22. The calculated overall Gibbs free energies at reaction condition (473 K and 3.5 MPa) on the IC and ES acid sites are 90 and 86 kJ/mol, with the rate constants of 1.20 × 103 and 2.92 × 103 s–1, respectively. It indicates that benzene ethylation could occur both on the IC and ES acid sites, with the catalytic activity of IC acid site being slightly lower than that of ES acid site. Furthermore, we theoretically reveal that the acid strength at the ES site is slightly weaker than that at the IC site via the frequency shift after the adsorption of CO. The differences in dispersion interaction between ES and IC sites are also quantified by the adsorption of base molecules with different sizes. The calculated results in this work demonstrate that the acid sites at the external surface of H‐MCM‐22 zeolites are suitable for benzene ethylation to produce ethylbenzene, providing theoretical implications for tailoring the distribution of active sites in H‐MCM‐22 zeolite.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated C(sp3)–H Thiocarbonylation for Thiolactam Preparation with Potassium Sulfide
Authors: Tan Wei , Wang Cuihong , Jiang Xuefeng
Published: October 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

We report herein a protocol for thiolactam preparation with potassium sulfide via visible‐light‐mediated C(sp3)–H thiocarbonylation, in which polysulfide dianions and radical anions generated from potassium sulfide were the key active species. A variety of thiolactams were straightforward established under mild conditions. Moreover, it was successfully applied to structural modification of tetrahydroberberine.
Subregional differences in GABAA receptor subunit expression in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of sedentary versus physically active rats
Authors: Mueller Patrick J. , Fyk‐Kolodziej Bozena E. , Azar Toni A. , Llewellyn‐Smith Ida J.
Published: October 2019

Neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) regulate blood pressure through direct projections to spinal sympathetic preganglionic neurons. Only some RVLM neurons are active under resting conditions due to significant, tonic inhibition by gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Withdrawal of GABAA receptor‐mediated inhibition of the RVLM increases sympathetic outflow and blood pressure substantially, providing a mechanism by which the RVLM could contribute chronically to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we tested the hypothesis that sedentary conditions, a major risk factor for CVD, increase GABAA receptors in RVLM, including its rostral extension (RVLMRE), both of which contain bulbospinal catecholamine (C1) and non‐C1 neurons. We examined GABAA receptor subunits GABAAα1 and GABAAα2 in the RVLM/RVLMRE of sedentary or physically active (10–12 weeks of wheel running) rats. Western blot analyses indicated that sedentary rats had lower expression of GABAAα1 and GABAAα2 subunits in RVLM but only GABAAα2 was lower in the RVLMRE of sedentary rats. Sedentary rats had significantly reduced expression of the chloride transporter, KCC2, suggesting less effective GABA‐mediated inhibition compared to active rats. Retrograde tracing plus triple‐label immunofluorescence identified fewer bulbospinal non‐C1 neurons immunoreactive for GABAAα1 but a higher percentage of bulbospinal C1 neurons immunoreactive for GABAAα1 in sedentary animals. Sedentary conditions did not significantly affect the number of bulbospinal C1 or non‐C1 neurons immunoreactive for GABAAα2. These results suggest a complex interplay between GABAA receptor expression by spinally projecting C1 and non‐C1 neurons and sedentary versus physically active conditions. They also provide plausible mechanisms for both enhanced sympathoexcitatory and sympathoinhibitory responses following sedentary conditions.
Augmented reality for botulinum toxin injection
Authors: Kim HyoJoon , Jeong SangHui , Seo JiHyeon , Park InSeok , Ko Hoon , Moon Seong Yong
Published: October 2019

Augmented‐reality (AR) devices allow physicians to incorporate data visualization into diagnostic and treatment procedures to improve work efficiency and safety and reduce cost. They are also used to enhance surgical training. In this study, we implemented an AR application for Botox injections using a face recognition algorithm based on deep learning, and we evaluated the recognition accuracy of this application using 27 participants. The accuracy was around 3 mm for all parts of the facial region. The method of increasing surgical efficiency with AR is accurate enough to be used for surgery and provides great potential for further development.
Boosting Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalysis over Metallic Nickel Sites through Synergistic Coupling with Vanadium Sesquioxide
Authors: Zhang Xin Yu , Yuan Haiyang , Mao Fangxin , Wen Chun Fang , Zheng Li Rong , Liu Peng Fei , Yang Hua Gui
Published: October 2019

For renewable and sustainable energy, developing cut‐price and high‐efficiency electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by alkaline water electrolysis is of paramount importance. In this study, a compound electrocatalyst composed of nickel–vanadium sesquioxide nanoparticles supported on porous nickel foam (Ni‐V2O3/NF) is found to exhibit electrocatalytic performance towards HER that is superior to that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst, with nearly zero onset overpotential, an extremely low overpotential of 25 mV to obtain a current density of −10 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 58 mV dec−1, and a good durability for 24 h in 1.0 mKOH. Theoretical calculations reveal that the presence of V2O3optimizes the electronic structure of active Ni components and continuously accelerates the dissociation of water molecules, which in turn improves the HER kinetics. The present work will advance the development of highly efficient nanocomposite electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrocatalysis.
Symmetric All‐Organic Battery Containing a Dual Redox‐Active Polymer as Cathode and Anode Material
Authors: Casado Nerea , Mantione Daniele , Shanmukaraj Devaraj , Mecerreyes David
Published: October 2019

All‐organic batteries are a promising sustainable energy storage technology owing to the wide availability, flexibility, and recyclability of organic/polymeric compounds. The development of all‐organic or polymer batteries is still a challenge, as both electrode materials need to be carefully optimized to have a wide difference of redox potential and compatibility with the electrolyte. Herein, dual redox‐active polyimides based on phenothiazine and naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride units are presented. After only one optimization step, the electrodes based on these dual redox polymers can be applied simultaneously as anode and cathode in a symmetric all‐organic battery. The phenothiazine functional polyimide shows two redox active voltages at around 2.5 and 3.7 V (vs. Li/Li+) with high discharge capacities of 160 mAh g−1. Moreover, the symmetric full battery delivers high power density up to 1542 W kg−1 with stable cyclability for 1000 cycles. This work demonstrates an efficient strategy to develop dual redox active polymer electrodes for next generation all‐polymer batteries.
A consistent QoS routing strategy for video streaming services in SDN networks
Authors: Henni Djamel Eddine , Ghomari Abdelghani , Hadjadj‐Aoul Yassine
Published: October 2019

The software‐defined networking (SDN) paradigm proposes to decouple the control plane (decision‐making process) and the data plane (packet forwarding) to overcome the limitations of traditional network infrastructures, which are known to be difficult to manage, especially at scale. Although there are previous works focusing on the problem of quality of service (QoS) routing in SDN networks, only few solutions have taken into consideration the network consistency, which reflects the adequacy between the decisions made and the decisions that should be taken. Therefore, we propose a network architecture that guarantees the consistency of the decisions to be taken in an SDN network. A consistent QoS routing strategy is then introduced in a way that avoids any quality degradation of prioritized traffic while optimizing resources usage. Thus, we proposed a traffic dispersion heuristic in order to achieve this goal. We compared our approach with several existing framework in terms of best‐effort flows average throughput, average video bitrate, and video quality of experience (QoE). The emulation results, which are performed using the Mininet environment, clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach that outperforms existing frameworks.
Remote estimation of overwintering home ranges in an elusive, migratory nocturnal bird
Authors: Tonra Christopher M. , Wright James R. , Matthews Stephen N.
Published: October 2019

Due to a long running research bias toward the breeding season, there are major gaps in knowledge on the basic nonbreeding ecology of many species, preventing a full‐annual cycle focus in ecology and conservation. Exacerbating this problem is the fact that many species are extremely difficult to detect outside of breeding. Here, we demonstrate a partial solution to this problem by using archival GPS tags to examine the overwintering ecology of a migratory nocturnal bird, the eastern whip‐poor‐will (Antrostomus vociferous). We deployed tags on 21 individuals and were able to recover 11 (52%) one year later. Tags collected high precision (approx. 10 m) points throughout the nonbreeding period. With continuous time movement models, we used these data to estimate overwintering home ranges. All individuals exhibited at least one bounded home range during this phase of the annual cycle, three of eleven had two wintering locations, and home range area ranged from 0.50 to 10.85 ha. All overwintering home ranges contained closed‐canopy forest land cover (42%–100%), and no other land cover type represented >40% of any home range. We found some evidence, with caveats, that total edge within the landscape surrounding the home range was negatively related to home range area. The prevalence of contiguous closed‐canopy forest cover in overwintering home ranges contrasts with apparent breeding habitat preferences, which includes clear‐cuts and other, more open, habitats. This study is the first to reveal key aspects of overwintering space use in this species by using archival GPS to overcome both logistical and methodological limitations. Expanded use of such technology is critical to gathering basic ecological and distributional data, necessary for achieving a more complete understanding of full‐annual cycles of animal populations.
A Conceptual Framework for Authentic Writing Assignments: Academic and Everyday Meet
Authors: Wargo Katalin
Published: October 2019

The author provides a conceptual framework that illustrates the spectrum of authentic writing assignments and operationalizes authenticity, in an effort to guide practitioners toward crafting writing assignments that are meaningful for students by reflecting and replicating the kinds of writing that occur outside of the academic context. The author outlines the research on authentic writing assignments and examines latent authenticity and functional authenticity while providing examples to illustrate differences between the two. The author also discusses the mixing of different elements to create both latent and functional authentic writing assignments.
“To Be, or Not to Be”: Modernizing Shakespeare With Multimodal Learning Stations
Authors: Harvey Miles , Deuel Adrianna , Marlatt Rick
Published: October 2019

In an eighth‐grade English language arts class, 100 students used virtual reality headsets, augmented reality–capable smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, online scavenger hunts, and print‐based texts as an introduction to William Shakespeare's life and works. The authors highlight the need for educators to offer multimodal instruction that responds to literary appetites of adolescent readers. A preservice teaching candidate and two teacher educators experimented with multimodal instruction to support introductory activities that helped adolescent readers develop meaningful relationships with challenging texts. Findings showcase literacy engagement characterized by immersion, collaboration, and modernization of content. Recommendations are made for future research in the area of multimodal literacy learning.
The development and validation of the laryngopharyngeal measure of perceived sensation
Authors: Melancon C. Claire , Russell Gregory B. , Ruckart Kathryn , Persia Sarah , Peterson Margarita , Carter Wright S. , Madden Lyndsay L.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Globus pharyngeus (GP) is described as the subjective sensation of having a “lump” in the throat in the absence of correlating physical findings or dysphagia. Historically, despite the frequency of patient complaints, GP has been difficult to quantify with current outcome measures. This is in large part due to lack of a user‐friendly, modernized, objective patient‐reported outcome measure (PROM) of symptom severity. The aim of this study is to develop a modernized, practical, validated PROM for evaluating GP symptom severity.

Methods

The Laryngopharyngeal Measure of Perceived Sensation (LUMP questionnaire) was created in three phases: 1) item generation by an expert panel involving two laryngologists and two speech language pathologists developed from common patient‐reported GP symptoms, with patient confirmation; 2) line‐item reduction based on internal consistency and reliability; 3) and instrument validity, which was assessed by administering the questionnaire to patients complaining of GP as well as patients without GP.

Results

A 19‐item questionnaire was developed from an expert panel, which was then administered to 110 patients, 100 of whom met inclusion criteria. After statistical analysis, less internally consistent or relevant questions were removed, leaving eight items with an internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) of 0.892. When administered to 54 patients with GP versus 31 normal patients, the mean score was found to be higher in those with GP versus normal patients (Pvalue <0.0001).

Conclusion

Preliminary results suggest the eight‐item LUMP questionnaire is a valuable PROM for evaluating GP symptom severity.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 2019
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 Deficiency Disrupts the Hepatocyte E‐Cadherin/β‐Catenin Complex and Induces Cell Death in Liver Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Fujii Takehiro , Duarte Sergio , Lee Eudora , Ke Bibo , Busuttil Ronald W. , Coito Ana J.
Published: October 2019

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 3 is a naturally occurring inhibitor of a broad range of proteases, with key roles in extracellular matrix turnover and in the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this study, we investigated the response of mice lacking TIMP3 (TIMP3−/−) to hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). We report here that TIMP3−/− mice showed an enhanced inflammatory response, exacerbated organ damage, and further impaired liver function after IRI when compared with their wild‐type littermates. Loss of TIMP3 led to the cleavage and shedding of E‐cadherin during hepatic IRI; the full‐length 120‐kDa E‐cadherin and the ratio of 38‐kDa C‐terminal fragment/120‐kDa E‐cadherin were decreased and increased, respectively, in TIMP3−/− livers after IRI. Moreover, GI254023X, a potent inhibitor of a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) 10, was capable of partially rescuing the expression of E‐cadherin in the TIMP3‐null hepatocytes. The proteolysis of E‐cadherin in the TIMP3−/− livers was also linked to the loss of β‐catenin from the hepatocyte membranes and to an increased susceptibility to apoptosis after liver IRI. In a similar fashion, depression of the E‐cadherin/β‐catenin complex mediated by TIMP3 deletion and knockdown of β‐catenin by small interfering RNA were both capable of inducing caspase activation in isolated hepatocytes subjected to H2O2 oxidative stress. Hence, these results support a protective role for TIMP3 expression in sheltering the hepatocyte E‐cadherin/β‐catenin complex from proteolytic processing and inhibiting apoptosis after hepatic IRI.
Covalent Chitosan‐Cellulose Hydrogels via Schiff‐Base Reaction Containing Macromolecular Microgels for pH‐Sensitive Drug Delivery and Wound Dressing
Authors: Du Shoukang , Chen Xiaojin , Chen Xiaofei , Li Shengke , Yuan Guoliang , Zhou Tianle , Li Jianliang , Jia Yang , Xiong Dangsheng , Tan Huaping
Published: October 2019

Wound dressings with pH‐sensitive properties, stable mechanical performance, and antibacterial properties have great potential for clinical applications. Herein, drug‐loaded microgels via Schiff‐base reaction between carboxymethyl chitosan and oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose are fabricated. Then they are embedded in hydrogels to form a hydrogel‐microgels composite (Gel/MGs). The gelation time, morphologies, swelling ratio, weight loss ratio, mechanical properties, pH‐sensitive drug release profiles, and antibacterial activities are examined. Adding microgels endows the hydrogels with more stable properties, enhanced mechanical performance, and drug release sensitivity to both acid and alkali in vitro. Gel/MGs dressings show a steady mass after 6 h and even maintain its 95.4% initial mass after 14 days in pH 7.4. In pH 9.5, Gel/MGs dressings also show a higher cumulative release of silver sulfadiazine than that in pH 7.4 and pH 5.5. Gel/MGs/AgSD dressings demonstrate desirable antibacterial properties, which may ensure their potential application in wound dressing.