bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High morphological diversity of Amaranthus cruentus (Amaranthaceae) and its putative wild ancestor revealed by pistillate floral characterization in the proposed domestication center of origin

Authors: SOLÍS-FERNÁNDEZ KAREN Z. , AGUILERA-CAUICH ERICK A. , CIFUENTES-VELASQUEZ ROLANDO , FLORES-OLVERA HILDA , ANDUEZA-NOH RUBÉN H. , SÁNCHEZ-DEL PINO IVONNE
Published: April 2020

Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae) is a widespread genus that includes noxious weeds, economically important species for food, forage, medicinals and ornamentals. Three species of Amaranthus have been cultivated for their grain in the world, i.e. A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus, and A. cruentus. It has been postulated that A. cruentus was domesticated from the probable wild progenitor A. hybridus, and that the domestication event occurred between southern Mexico and Guatemala, the region where the Mayan civilization flourished. Morphological variation in this grain amaranth and its putative wild progenitor has been poorly documented, even though this area is a possible center of domestication of A. cruentus. Samples of A. cruentus, A. hybridus, hybrids between these two species and aberrant morphotypes collected were studied morphologically using multivariate statistical methods on pistillate floral characters to (1) assess the diversity of grain amaranth A. cruentus and its postulated wild progenitor A. hybridus in the proposed domestication center of origin, (2) test the hypothesis that some hybrids and aberrant morphotypes found in the region can be morphologically differentiated from A. hybridus and A. cruentus based on statistical analyses, and (3) test and review the diagnostic characters traditionally used for assessing species circumscription. Our results showed high morphological diversity for these two species in the study region, indicating differentiation of both species, apparently based primarily on hybridization. Morphological variants on flower, bract, sepal, seed, and fruit characters were significant for confirming and circumscribing species.
Two new species of Termitomyces (Agaricales, Lyophyllaceae) from China and Thailand
Authors: TANG SONG-MING , HE MAO-QIANG , RASPÉ OLIVIER , LUO XIA , ZHANG XIAO-LEI , LI YONG-JUN , SU KAI-MEI , LI SHU-HONG , THONGKLANG NARITSADA , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: April 2020

Termitomyces floccosus and T. upsilocystidiatus nov., are introduced from China and Thailand based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Termitomyces floccosus is characterized by a squamulose pileus and stipe, and utriform cheilocystidia. Termitomyces upsilocystidiatus is characterized by Y-shaped cheilocystidia. Phylogenetic analyses of combined mrSSU and nrLSU sequence data confirmed that the two taxa are distinct Termitomyces species. Comprehensive descriptions, colour photographs and a phylogenetic tree showing the position of the two new species are provided.
Molecular assessment of flat Cystocloniaceae (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) from Brazil with reinstatement of Calliblepharis jolyi and a new record of C. saidana for the Atlantic Ocean

Authors: SOARES LUANDA PEREIRA , FUJII MUTUE TOYOTA
Published: April 2020

Among the ten species currently accepted in the genus Calliblepharis, the only representative in the Western Atlantic is C. occidentalis. The endemic Brazilian species C. jolyi was merged into Craspedocarpus, but its generic placement is unclear. Because some species superficially resemble flat Hypnea, our knowledge about the diversity and distribution of Calliblepharis could be incomplete. Therefore, to reassess species diversity of Calliblepharis in Brazil, we carried out an rbcL-based molecular survey of specimens collected along the Brazilian coast, including the type locality of C. jolyi (State of Espírito Santo). Molecular analysis of topotypes supported the reinstatement of Calliblepharis jolyi. This species was placed within Calliblepharis sensu lato in a fully supported clade with C. fimbriata, C. occidentalis, C. rammediorum and Calliblepharis sp. Calliblepharis jolyi is easily distinguished from its congeners by the presence of conspicuous lenticular thickenings. A new record of C. saidana, a species so far known only from the Indo-Pacific, was also revealed for the Atlantic Ocean. Samples collected in São Paulo were grouped with C. saidana from Japan (type locality) with rbcL intraspecific divergence of 0.8%. Taken together, our results provide a better understanding of flat Cystocloniaceae, focusing on Brazilian members and their affinities with other species. Our study call attention to the importance of a molecular approach in specimens from type localities, using information of the original descriptions to define their taxonomic status.
Gomphonema frequentiformis (Metzeltin & Krammer) comb. nov. (Bacillariophyta): ecology and taxonomy of a Neotropical diatom

Authors: ALMEIDA FABIANE F. DE , ECTOR LUC , SILVA EDINALDO SANTOS , WETZEL CARLOS E.
Published: April 2020

The transfer of Encyonopsis frequentiformis Metzeltin & Krammer to the genus Gomphonema Ehrenberg is proposed based on observations using light and scanning electron microscopy. The taxon is characterized by lanceolate heteropolar valves, with both apices strongly capitate, two apical pore fields, and elongated areolae slit-like and the internal stigma opens in a slit. Heteropolarity of the specimens measured and other shared similarities with the genus Gomphonema (APF, areolae, external and internal aperture of the isolated pore, pseudosepta at both apices) allows us to classify this species into the genus Gomphonema. Morphological, ecological and distribution data in South America are presented and discussed based on available literature for this Neotropical taxon.
Bucculatricidae associated with Asteraceae in China, with one new species (Lepidoptera: Gracillarioidea)
Authors: WANG ENCUI , LI WEI , LIU TENGTENG
Published: April 2020

Asteraceae comprises one of the major host plant families for Bucculatricidae and Artemisia is the most exploited host genus, however, not a single record of Bucculatrix species feeding on Asteraceae is confirmed in China. One new species, B. duanwuia Liu, sp. nov., feeding on Artemisia princeps Pamp. (Asteraceae), is described from China, supplemented with illustrations of leaf mines and pupa, biology and DNA barcodes. Bucculatrix notella Seksjaeva, 1996 is recorded for the first time in China and DNA barcodes are provided aiding species separation for the first time.
Description of a new species of spider wasp Genus Machaerothrix Haupt
(Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from India with reports on its host ssociation and nesting behaviour
Authors: BINOY C. , ANJU K. , THEJASS P.
Published: April 2020

The little-known spider wasp genus Machaerothrix Haupt, 1938 is recorded for the first time from India with the description and illustrations of both sexes of a seventh species from the World. The biology, habitat, prey preference and transport, nest structure and nesting behaviour of the new species is studied and the association of the wasps with salticid spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) is here validated.
First known occurrence of the alpheid shrimps Leptalpheus forceps Williams, 1965 and L. marginalis Anker, 2011 (Decapoda: Caridea) in the state of Pará, Amazon region, Brazil
Authors: ROSÁRIO TAYSE N. , PIRES MARCUS A.B. , SOUZA ADELSON S. , FERNANDES MARCUS E.B. , ABRUNHOSA FERNANDO A. , SIMITH DARLAN J.B.
Published: April 2020

In the present study, we report for the first time the occurrence of the alpheid shrimps Leptalpheus forceps Williams, 1965 and Leptalpheus marginalis Anker, 2011 in the state of Pará, in northern Brazil. Both Leptalpheus species (males, non-ovigerous females, and females carrying eggs) were collected from the burrows of the callichirid  “ghost” shrimp, Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993, in a muddy-sandy intertidal zone of the Ajuruteua Peninsula, in the Bragança region. These records update the known geographical distribution of the two species, with L. forceps extending its Brazilian occurrence from the state of Bahia to state of Pará, and L. marginalis which was exclusively found on the Caribbean coast of Colombia is now recorded in Brazil.
Description of Pallisentis thapari n. sp. and a re-description of Acanthosentis seenghalae (Acanthocephala, Quadrigyridae, Pallisentinae) using morphological and molecular data, with analysis on the validity of the sub-genera of Pallisentis
Authors: GAUTAM NEELAM KUMARI , MISRA PAWAN KUMAR , SAXENA ANAND MURARI , MONKS SCOTT
Published: April 2020

One new species of Pallisentis Van Cleave, 1928 is described from Channa punctatus (Bloch) from Gomti River (tributary of the Ganga River), in Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow district, India. Pallisentis thapari n. sp. is characterized morphologically by individuals having a globular proboscis armed with rooted hooks in 4 circles of 8–10 hooks each, the first circle more than 100 long and hooks gradually declining in size posteriorly. The trunk is cylindrical, with collar spines comprised of 15–17 complete circles of spines, each ring with 12–22 spines. As common in members of the genus, a narrow spine-free zone lies in between the rings of collar and trunk spines. Field of spines extends posteriorly to half of the body length, ending above the level of testes in males and slightly past mid-body in females; trunk spines have an optically-dense Y-shaped core. The trunk is only slightly wider at the anterior end. The syncytial cement gland of males contained 23–30 nuclei. Individuals of Channa striatus Bloch from the same locality also were infected with the new species. A second species of Acanthocephala, Acanthosentis seenghalae Chowhan, Gupta, Khera, 1988, was found as a parasite of Puntius sophore (Hamilton) from the same locality. The proboscis is short, globular, with 3 circles of hooks each circle bearing 6 hooks. The trunk is broad in the middle and tapered at both ends, with the posterior end narrower than the anterior end. Twelve to 16 circles of spines, each with 21–40 spines, extend from anterior end to just past mid-body in males and only to mid-body in females. The syncytial cement gland of males contains 6–10 nuclei. The analysis of 18s rDNA identified two clades of a monophyletic Pallisentis and placed the isolate of P. thapari n. sp. within that clade; previously established subgenera were not supported by the results of the analysis.
The cumacean genus Iphinoe (Crustacea: Peracarida) from Italian waters and I. daphne n. sp. from the northwestern Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean
Authors: MAZZIOTTI CRISTINA , LEZZI MARCO
Published: April 2020

Records of the cumacean genus Iphinoe from Italian coasts are reported with relevant data on the habitat, morphology and geographical distribution of each species. Seven Iphinoe species from the Italian coasts were recorded and are presented here with their own distributional ranges; the description of a new species, Iphinoe daphne n. sp. is also given.                Our results extend the known distribution of some species to new areas of the Mediterranean Sea and suggest that the species Iphinoe adriatica Bâcescu, 1988 can be considered as a nomen dubium, while the presence of I. trispinosa along the Italian coast is doubtful.Finally, a dichotomous key for all Mediterranean Iphinoe species is provided.
A new genus and two new species of unarmed hymenolepidid cestodes (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) from geomyid rodents in Mexico and Costa Rica
Authors: GARDNER SCOTT L. , DURSAHINHAN ALTANGEREL T. , CAMPBELL MARIEL L. , RÁCZ S. ELIZABETH
Published: April 2020

Two new cestodes of the family Hymenolepididae are described from two species of rodents of the family Geomyidae collected in Mexico and Costa Rica. One new species of Hymenolepis is described from Cratogeomys planiceps Merriam 1895 from near Toluca, Mexico and another that we allocate to a new genus is described from Heterogeomys heterodus (Peters, 1865) from near Irazú Volcano, Costa Rica. Hymenolepis s. str. includes those Hymenolepididae with an apical organ, with no hooks on suckers or apical organ, and three testes. Hobergia irazuensis n. gen., n. sp. includes a hymenolepidid with an apical organ, unarmed scolex, small pockets termed foveolae, in which the suckers completely retract, and extremely bi-lobed ovary. Multivariate morphometric analysis showed good separation of these species from all other hymenolepidids possessing an apical organ and lacking a well developed rostellum and rostellar hooks in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
lncRNA F11-AS1 Suppressed Cervical Cancer Biological Activities by Vitro Study
Authors: Xu Caiyan , Zhai Jianjun , Fu Yujing
Published: April 2020

Objection: The purpose of this work was to discuss the effects and relative mechanisms of F11-AS1 in cervical cancer treatment by vitro study. Methods: 20 pairs of cervical carcinoma and adjacent normal tissue were collected and measured pathology and F11-AS1 expression
by HE and HIS staining. Measuring F11-AS1 expression in difference cell lines and cell groups by RT-qPCR assay. Transfection F11-AS1 in Hela cells, evaluating hela cell biological including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration by MTT, flow cytometry, transwell and wound healing
assay. PTEN, p-PI3K and AKT proteins expression were evaluated by WB assay, and p-PI3K nuclear volume were measured by cellular immunofluorescence assay. Results: F11-AS1 level of cancer tissues were significantly down-regulation with state increasing by ISH assay (P < 0.01,
respectively). After transfection with F11-AS1, the Hela cell proliferation rate was significantly down-regulation with apoptosis significantly increasing (P < 0.05); The invasion Hela cell number and wound healing rate were significantly depressed with F11-AS1 transfection (P
< 0.05). By WB assay, PTEN protein expression was significantly increasing, and p-PI3K and AKT proteins expression were significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). By cellular immunofluorescence assay, p-PI3K nuclear volume of pcDNA3.1/F11-AS1 group was significantly depressed (P
< 0.05). Conclusion: lncRNA F11-AS1 suppressed cervical cancer biological activities by regulation PTEN/p-PI3K/AKT pathway in vitro study.
Skin Cancer Classification with Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Mingang , Chen Wenjie , Chen Wei , Cai Lizhi , Chai Gang
Published: April 2020

Skin cancers are one of the most common cancers in the world. Early detections and treatments of skin cancers can greatly improve the survival rates of patients. In this paper, a skin lesions classification system is developed with deep convolutional neural networks of ResNet50, which
may help dermatologists to recognize skin cancers earlier. We utilize the ResNet50 as a pre-trained model. Then, by transfer learning, it is trained on our skin lesions dataset. Image preprocessing and dataset balancing methods are used to increase the accuracy of the classification model.
In classification of skin diseases, our model achieves an overall accuracy of 83.74% on nine-class skin lesions. The experimental results show an impressive effect of the ResNet50 model in finegrained skin lesions classification and skin cancers recognition.
Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography-Based Virtual Modeling and Biomechanical Evaluation of the Mitral Valve
Authors: Jeong Soohwan , Hong Woojae , Ko Minsung , Choi Chang Hyun , McPherson David D. , Kim Hyunggun
Published: April 2020

In this study, we proposed a novel valid computational strategy to simulate mitral valve (MV) function for the entire cardiac cycle using a virtual MV model created from in-vivo 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) data. The geometric parameters of the actual MVs (i.e.,
harvested and photographed) were compared with those of the corresponding virtual MVs (i.e., modeled from 3D TEE data). The difference in five geometric parameters between the actual MVs and virtual MV models ranged between 10.8% and 19.7%. This geometric difference between the harvested MVs
and the virtual in-vivo MVs corresponds to the well-known fact that soft tissue is exposed to a shrinkage of 15–33% after harvesting. Dynamic finite element evaluation of MV function displayed morphologic alteration, stress distribution, and coaptation of the MVs in individual
cases and the outcomes were well corresponded to the echo data. This 3D TEE data-based computational modeling and simulation protocol to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of MV function can be easily transitioned to clinical application. It is anticipated that this computational
MV evaluation strategy can help us better understand, better quantitate, and better visualize the progress of pathophysiologic development in the MV apparatus.
Fabrication of an All-Ceramic Implant by Slip Casting of Nanoscale Zirconia Powder
Authors: Kim Dae Sung , Lee Jong Kook
Published: April 2020

Dental implants are typically composed of 3Y-TZP (3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals). Most dental zirconia implants are currently fabricated via mechanical machining. However, during the machining of zirconia green bodies, many cracks form on the surface. To
prevent surface crack formation on the implants, shape forming of the zirconia is necessary using methods such as slip casting. Herein, we fabricated green compacts using slip casting, candidate forming process to reduce surface cracking. To fabricate an optimal 3Y-TZP implant by slip casting
and sintering, we prepared a suitable 3Y-TZP slurry for slip casting by adjusting the viscosity via pH, dispersant agent content, and solid loading refinement. Green compacts were prepared by the slip casting of all-ceramic zirconia implants fabricated using optimal slurry conditions, for
example, 60 wt% solid content, 1 wt% dispersant, pH 12 and post-sintering at 1450 °C for 2 h. All sintered bodies contained a tetragonal phase with a high sintered density of approximately 6.07 g/cm3, good mechanical hardness of approximately 1367 Hv, grain size of 220 nm, and
high surface roughness without cracks.
Application of Silver Nanofluids on Kinetics of Sulfur Hexafluoride Gas Hydrate Formation
Authors: Kim Dong Hyun , Kang Kyung Chan , Seo Seong Deok , Lee Seung Min , Jeong Ji Won , Lee Ju Dong
Published: April 2020

Gas hydrates are nonstoichiometric nano-structured crystalline compounds which are stabilized by gas molecules incorporated in the cages made of hydrogen bonding of water molecules at suitable thermodynamic conditions. The gas hydrate as a technology has been successful for several
potential applications in various engineering fields, such as, gas separation, carbon dioxide sequestration, gas storage and transportation, desalination of salt water and wastewater treatment. Recently, metal-based nanofluids are considered as interesting kinetic promoter candidates for accelerating
formation of gas hydrates. Although organic-based kinetic promoters are widely studied for the rapid formation of gas hydrates, research of a new material system is still a challenge. In this study, Silver (Ag) nanofluids as kinetic promoter of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) hydrate
were prepared by electrical explosion of pure metal wire in deionized water. The kinetics of SF6 gas hydrates were evaluated with different concentration of Ag nanofluids at condition of 276 K and 0.7 MPa, respectively. The Ag nanofluids, as kinetic nano-prompter, showed excellent
effect on the formation of SF6 hydrates.
Yellow Poplar Gasification Over Ni Silicate and Ni/Silica
Authors: Farooq Abid , Lee Heejin , Rhee Gwang Hoon , Cho Eun-Bum , Park Young-Kwon
Published: April 2020

The activity of Ni silicates having different Ni/Si molar ratio (0.5 and 1) and Ni/silica were tested on biomass gasification. Ni silicate (Ni/Si= 0.5) and Ni/silica produced the higher gas yield than Ni silicate (Ni/Si = 1.0). The larger amount of H2 and CO were produced
over Ni silicate (Ni/Si = 0.5) and Ni/silica compared those over Ni silicate (Ni/Si = 1.0). The catalysts were characterized using BET and XRD analysis. Ni silicate (Ni/Si = 0.5) showed promising activity for the production of syngas at higher temperature and can be employed in gasification.
Preparation and Characterization of Tenofovir Disoproxil-Loaded Enteric Microparticle
Authors: Kim Young Hoon , Kim Yu-Chul , Kim Jae Yeol , Byeon Jimi , Maeng Han-Joo , Kim Sung Tae , Min Kyoung Ah , Jang Dong-Jin , Cho Kwan Hyung
Published: April 2020

Tenofovir disoproxil (TD) has narrow absorption site mostly in upper intestinal tract where tenofovir rapidly decomposes. The aim of this work was to prepare and evaluate tenofovir disoproxil-loaded enteric microparticles (TDEMs) for the enhanced duodenal delivery. TDEMs were composed
of TD, eudragit L-100 (EL) and ethyl cellulose (EC) as release-controlling polymers. For the physicochemical characterization, TDEMs were evaluated in terms of encapsulation efficiency (EE%), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The dissolution
test was also performed while continuously changing the medium pH. The EE% of TD in TDEMs was good and more than 90%. The EC and EL formed a physically mixed structure and maintained their respective properties in TDEMs as confirmed by SEM image and FT-IR analysis. Combination of EL and EC
gave higher enteric properties to TDEMs than the single use of EL or EC. The optimized TDEM (TD/EL/EC = 0.2/1/1, w/w/w ratio) yielded mean dissolution rate less than 10% in 1 h at pH 1.2, but completed dissolution with a dissolution more than 85% within 1 h at pH 6.5. Thus, the suggested TDEM
would be promising enteric microparticles for the intensive delivery of TD to the duodenum.
Wear Behavior of the Human Enamel Antagonist to Different Glazed Zirconia
Authors: Ryu Su-Kyoung , Oh Gye-Jeong , Kang Jin-Ho , Jang Jae-Gon , Sakthiabirami Kumaresan , Moon Byung-Kwon , Lee Kyung-Ku , Yun Kwi-Dug , Lim Hyun-Pil , Park Chan , Park Sang-Won
Published: April 2020

In this study, the wear behavior of glazed zirconia was investigated to the antagonist with human enamel after simulated mastication. Twenty Y-TZP specimens were divided into 4 groups: untreated zirconia (Z), glazed zirconia with IPS e.max Ceram (GZE), glazed zirconia with VITA AKZENT®
Plus (GZV), and glazed zirconia with glass (GZG). Glazing glass was mainly composed of SiO2, B2O3, Al2O3, Na2O and K2O (nearly 91 wt%). The surface roughness of the specimens was evaluated using roughness profiler.
The maxillary premolar teeth were selected as the antagonist. The wear of human enamel against human enamel was used as a control. Five-disc specimens per group were subjected to chewing stimulation CS-4 (SD Mechatronic GmbH, Germany) for 240,000 cycles against human enamel. The wear loss
of antagonistic teeth was calculated using a three-dimensional profiling system and the volume loss of the tooth was scanned using a 3D scanner. 3D data obtained before and after testing were overlapped using 3D software (Dentacian Software, EZplant, Korea). The wear loss of glazed zirconia
GZE, GZV and GZG groups showed significantly lower than that of human enamel. Whereas, the zirconia (Z) group exhibits significantly lower volume loss than glazed zirconia and enamel. These results show that the wear of the glazing glass is comparable to other commercial glazing materials.
Glazing materials are both more susceptible to wear the antagonist relative to zirconia.
Effect of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment on Shear Bond Strength Between Zirconia and Dental Porcelain Veneer
Authors: Ji Min-Kyung , Lee Jong-Tak , Yim Eun-Kyung , Park Chan , Moon Byung-Kwon , Lim Hyun-Pil
Published: April 2020

Various surface treatments on zirconia have been reported for dental porcelain veneer. However, it has not been determined which of these treatments provide the highest bond strength. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of airborne particle abrasion and atmospheric pressure
plasma treatment on the shear bond strength between zirconia and dental porcelain veneer. The groups were divided into four groups according to the surface treatment method: the control group, the atmospheric pressure plasma treated group (group P), the airborne particle abrasion group (group
A), the atmospheric pressure plasma treated group after the airborne particle abrasion (group AP). Atmospheric pressure plasma was applied on the specimens using a plasma generator (Plasma JET, POLYBIOTECH Co. Ltd., Gwangju, Korea) and airborne-particle abraded with 110 µm. The
characteristics of surface treated zirconia were analyzed by 3D-OP, XRD, XPS and contact angle. The shear bond strength was tested using a universal testing machine. The shear bond strength of group P was significantly increased compared to that of the control group (P < 0.05).
The shear bond strength of group AP was significantly increased as compared to group A (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the group P and group A (P > 0.05). As a result of this study, the atmospheric pressure plasma treatment showed significantly higher
shear bond strength than control group, but similar to the airborne particle abrasion, and the atmospheric pressure plasma treatment after the airborne particle abrasion provided the highest shear bond strength. This study demonstrated that application atmospheric pressure plasma treatment
on zirconia may be useful for increasing bond strength between zirconia and dental porcelain veneer.
Fabrication and Characterization of 45S5 Bioactive Glass/Thermoplastic Composite Scaffold by Ceramic Injection Printer
Authors: Kang Jin-Ho , Jang Kyoung-Jun , Sakthiabirami Kumaresan , Oh Gye-Jeong , Jang Jae-Gon , Park Chan , Lim Hyun-Pil , Yun Kwi-Dug , Park Sang-Won
Published: April 2020

45S5 bioactive glass (45S5) scaffolds were fabricated using a novel additive-manufacturing (AM) technology. A ceramic injection printer (CIP) was designed by combining injection molding and fused deposition modeling, for the fabrication of three-dimensional constructs of ceramic materials.
A high fraction (50 vol%) of 45S5 powder was mixed with the thermoplastic polymer. The synthesized 45S5 composites were subjected to Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The BET results
of prepared 45S5 powder were confirmed to have a mean pore diameter of 11.402 nm, and specific surface area is 0.966 m2/g. The prepared 45S5/thermoplastic composite powder was subjected to Thermogravimetric/Differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The debinding process of polymer
occurred at 192.5, 360.8, and 393 °C. The elastic modulus and ultimate stress of these scaffolds were measured to be 312.49±87.36 MPa and 21.83±6.67 MPa, respectively. The XRD results revealed the presence of Na6Ca3Si6O18 phases.
The presence of Si, Ca, P, and Na was confirmed via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The printed scaffold exhibited amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) expression after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) and also it was observed that the intensity of the crystalline phase of
45S5 was decreased, as the immersion time increases. Bioactive glass composites with the high volume fraction can be able to construct 3D complex porous scaffolds using CIP.
Cellulose-Derived Carbon Microfiber Mesh for Binder-Free Lithium—Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Li Shiqi , Cheng Zhiqun , Xie Tian , Dong Zhihua , Liu Guohua
Published: April 2020

The practical application of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) has been impeded by several chronic problems related to the insulating nature of sulfur and lithium sulfide, in addition to the dissolution and diffusion of lithium polysulfides. In view of these problems, a large variety
of carbonaceous materials have been employed to enhance the electronic conductivity of the cathode and/or sequester lithium polysulfides within conductive matrixes. Although they may exhibit impressive electrochemical performance, the fabrication of most carbon materials involves costly precursors
and complicated procedures. Waste paper—the main constituent of municipal waste—is composed of carbohydrates, and can be an ideal precursor for carbon materials. Herein, carbon microfiber meshes (CMFMs) obtained by the pyrolysis of common filter paper in argon (A-CMFM) or ammonia
(N-CMFM) were used to form sulfur cathodes. Compared with LSBs based on A-CMFM, those based on N-CMFM demonstrated higher specific capacity and better rate capability, with a capacity of 650 mA h g−1 at 0.2 C and 550 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C. This was owing to the
strong immobilization of lithium polysulfides resulting from the heteroatom doping and hydrophilicity of N-CMFM. The results indicate that cellulose paper-derived carbon is a promising candidate for application in high-performance LSBs.
Biochemical Effects of Silver Nanomaterials in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells
Authors: Kitchin Kirk T. , Richards Judy A. , Robinette Brian L. , Wallace Kathleen A. , Coates Najwa H. , Castellon Benjamin T. , Grulke Eric A. , Kou Jiahui , Varma Rajender S.
Published: April 2020

In dose–response and structure–activity studies, human hepatic HepG2 cells were exposed to between 0.01 and 300 ug/ml of different silver nanomaterials and AgNO3 for 3 days. Treatment chemicals included a custom synthesized rod shaped nano Ag, a glutathione capped
nano Ag, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) capped nano Ag (75 nm) from Nanocomposix and AgNO3. Various biochemical parameters were then evaluated to study cytotoxicity, cell growth, hepatic function and oxidative stress. Few indications of cytotoxicity were observed between 0.1 ug/ml and
6 ug/ml of any nano Ag. At 10 ug/ml and above, Ag containing nanomaterials caused a moderate to severe degree of cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate transaminase activity alterations were the most sensitive cytotoxicity parameters. Some biochemical parameters were
altered by exposures to both nano Ag and AgNO3 (statistically significant increases in alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, glutathione peroxidase and triglycerides; in contrast both glutathione reductase and HepG2 protein concentration were both decreased). Three
parameters were significantly altered by nano Ag but not by AgNO3 (decreases in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and thioredoxin reductase and increases in catalase). Cytotoxicity per se did not appear to fully explain the patterns of biological responses observed. Some of the
observations with the three nano Ag (increases in alkaline phosphatase, catalase, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, as well as decreases in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase) are in the same direction as HepG2 responses to other nanomaterials composed of TiO2,
CeO2, SiO2, CuO and Cu. Therefore, these biochemical responses may be due to micropinocytosis of nanomaterials, membrane damage, oxidative stress and/or cytotoxicity. Decreased G6PDH (by all three nano Ag forms) and GRD activity (only nano Ag R did not cause decreases)
support and are consistent with the oxidative stress theory of Ag nanomaterial action.
Fe3O4/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites as a Reusable Catalyst for the Synthesis of 5-Arylidenepyrimidine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-Trione and Pyrano-Pyrimidinone Derivatives in Aqueous Media
Authors: Shirini Farhad , Kamali Fatemeh
Published: April 2020

A green magnetic nanocatalyst is developed by immobilization of Fe3O4 on Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) support for the efficacious synthesis of 5-arylidenepyrimidine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-trione and pyrano-pyrimidinone derivatives in aqueous
media. The most momentous features of the present protocol are the simple preparation of the catalyst, mild reaction conditions, short reaction times and high yields of the products. Moreover, the magnetic nanocatalyst Fe3O4/g-C3N4 can be recycled
effectively and reused several times, without a significant loss in reactivity.
Glycerol Waste Valorization to Mesoxalic Acid Over a Bimetallic Pt-Pd/CNT Catalyst in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Sheraz , Cheng Chin Kui , Singh Sharanjit , Ong Huei Ruey , Abdullah Hamidah , Hong Chi Shein , Chua Gek Kee , Khan Maksudur Rahman
Published: April 2020

Glycerol electro-oxidation offers a green route to produce the high value added chemicals. Here in, we report the glycerol electro-oxidation over a series of multi walled carbon nano tubes supported monometallic (Pt/CNT and Pd/CNT) and bimetallic (Pt-Pd/CNT) catalysts in alkaline medium.
The cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements were used to evaluate the activity and stability of the catalysts. The Pt-Pd/CNT electrocatalyst exhibited the highest activity in terms of higher current density (129.25 A/m2) and electrochemical
surface area (382 m2/g). The glycerol electro-oxidation products formed at a potential of 0.013 V were analyzed systematically by high performance liquid chromatography. Overall, six compounds were found including mesoxalic acid, 1,3-dihydroxyacetone, glyceraldehyde, glyceric acid,
tartronic acid and oxalic acid. A highest mesoxalic acid selectivity of 86.42% was obtained for Pt-Pd/CNT catalyst while a maximum tartronic acid selectivity of 50.17% and 46.02% was achieved for Pd/CNT and Pt/CNT respectively. It was found that the introduction of Pd into Pt/CNT lattice facilitated
the formation of C3 products in terms of maximum selectivity achieved (86.42%) while the monometallic catalysts (Pd/CNT and Pt/CNT) showed a poor performance in comparison to their counterpart.
Determination and Correlation of Refractive Index of Amino Acids Ionic Liquids-Water-Ethanol Binary and Ternary System
Authors: Tian Gang , Yang Cong , Wang Li , Han Yongjun , Wu Lijuan , Peng Xiaoming , Ju Ruijun , Chen Liang
Published: April 2020

The refractive indexes of three ionic liquids, glutamic acid tetrafluoroborate ([GA]BF4), glutamic acid double trifluoromethyl sulfonyl amine salts ([GA]TF2N), glutamic acid hexafluorophosphate ([GA]PF6), with ethanol and/or water systems under 10~35
°C were studied. The excessive refractive index of the systems and the relationship between the refractive index and the constituent molar fraction at 20 °C, and the empirical relationship between the excess refractive rate and the constituent mole fraction were established. The experimental
results show that the excess refractive index is positive in the measured concentration range, and the refractive index of ethanol+water with the increase in the composition appears maximum and the refractive index of ethanol/water+ [GA]BF4, ethanol/water+[GA]PF6, ethanol/water+[GA]TF2N
system is increased with the increase in composition. By using the Redlich-Kister equation to correlate the binary system and the excess refractive index of ternary system, the fitting results show that the refractive index of ternary system can be estimated using the refractive index of the
polynomial equation of binary system.
Navigating an Uncertain Labor Market in the UK: The Role of Structure and Agency in the Transition from School to Work
Authors: Schoon Ingrid
Published: April 2020

This article reviews the evidence on young people in the UK making the transition from school to work in a changing socioeconomic climate. The review draws largely on evidence from national representative panels and follows the lives of different age cohorts. I show that there has been a trend toward increasingly uncertain and precarious employment opportunities for young people since the 1970s, as well as persisting inequalities in educational and occupational attainment. The joint role of social structure and human agency in shaping youth transitions is discussed. I argue that current UK policies have forgotten about half of the population of young people who do not go to university, by not providing viable pathways and leaving more and more young people excluded from good jobs and employment prospects. Recommendations are made for policies aimed at supporting the vulnerable and at provision of career options for those not engaged in higher education.
Youth Education and Employment in Mexico City: A Mixed-Methods Analysis
Authors: Sánchez-Soto Gabriela , Bautista León Andrea
Published: April 2020

Research on young Mexicans tends to focus on their limited educational and occupational opportunities and the increasing extent to which they are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). In this article, we describe the prevalence and determinants of being NEET in Mexico City using data from the National Survey of Occupation and Employment and from forty in-depth interviews. Quantitative findings on the determinants of education and employment in this study are consistent with previous research. Barriers to education for those in NEET include low rates of admission to public universities, economic difficulties, family obligations, and difficulties connecting schooling and future employment. Barriers to employment include a lack of job opportunities, discrimination against inexperienced workers, and the undesirability of low-wage employment. Despite setbacks, respondents expressed a desire to attain education and gainful employment in the future, but many, especially the most educated, were willing to wait for the right university or job.
Iconicity in Word Learning and Beyond: A Critical Review
Authors: Nielsen Alan KS , Dingemanse Mark
Published: April 2020

Interest in iconicity (the resemblance-based mapping between aspects of form and meaning ) is in the midst of a resurgence, and a prominent focus in the field has been the possible role of iconicity in language learning. Here we critically review theory and empirical findings in this domain. We distinguish local learning enhancement (where the iconicity of certain lexical items influences the learning of those items) and general learning enhancement (where the iconicity of certain lexical items influences the later learning of non-iconic items or systems). We find that evidence for local learning enhancement is quite strong, though not as clear cut as it is often described and based on a limited sample of languages. Despite common claims about broader facilitatory effects of iconicity on learning, we find that current evidence for general learning enhancement is lacking. We suggest a number of productive avenues for future research and specify what types of evidence would be required to show a role for iconicity in general learning enhancement. We also review evidence for functions of iconicity beyond word learning: iconicity enhances comprehension by providing complementary representations, supports communication about sensory imagery, and expresses affective meanings. Even if learning benefits may be modest or cross-linguistically varied, on balance, iconicity emerges as a vital aspect of language.
Impact of Digital Technology Training on English for Science and Technology Teachers in India
Authors: Mahapatra Santosh Kumar
Published: April 2020

With digital literacies becoming an essential competency for teachers across the world, recent educational policies in India emphasize teachers’ ability to use digital technologies for pedagogic purposes and the use of digital technologies by teachers as one of the evaluation criteria for ranking institutions. In the absence of any properly established policy on in-service training in digital technologies for teachers, such policies cannot be expected to promote effective learning. Moreover, little effort is being made to keep track of the impact of training in digital technologies on teachers’ pedagogic practices. In light of the above background, the proposed multiple-case study aims to explore changes in the practices of three English for Science and Technology (EST) teachers in India. The main objective of the study is to compare the teachers’ technology integration practices before and after they participated in a 12-hour need-based training programme in digital technologies. Data for the study were collected through questionnaires, interviews, classroom observations, field notes and e-portfolios. Results suggest that the programme had a positive impact on their practices and there was difference in the way the three teachers selected, used and thought about digital technologies. Factors such as motivation, administrative support, students’ response to the use of technologies, and awareness about students’ language needs shaped their practices.
Intersectional Inequalities and Intimate Relationships: Dating, Class and ‘Race/Ethnicity’ among Divorced Women in the ‘Second Phase’ of Life
Authors: Milton Sarah , Qureshi Kaveri
Published: April 2020

Responding to increasing discomfort with the lack of diversity in studies of intimacy in later life, this article explores the making of couple relationships among White British middle-class women and British Asian working-class women in their ‘second phase of life’. We consider what intimacy means for women at this juncture in mid-life and how they traverse the socio-sexual spaces of dating post-divorce. We examine how women’s navigation of dating reproduces wider structures of inequality in intimate life. Talk of compatibility is examined as a veil for the classed and racialised habitus, and deeply implicated in the reproduction of social structures. ‘Racial-ethnic’ and class inequalities are co-constitutive of the gender and age inequalities stacked against older women’s efforts at repartnering. We therefore contend that repartnering is a matter of concern for intersectional feminism.
Trends and Variations in Concurrent Dispensing of Prescription Opioids and Benzodiazepines in Australia: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Islam M. Mofizul , Wollersheim Dennis
Published: April 2020

Objective:

Concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines may cause a range of adverse health outcomes including fatal overdose. However, little is known about levels of concurrent use and its variation across jurisdictions. This study examined the population-level prevalence of concurrent use in Australia.

Methods:

We analyzed a 10% sample of unit record data of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines dispensed between January 2013 and December 2016. Using dispensing dates and days of supply in terms of defined daily dose (DDD), the concurrent users were identified as those for whom the supply in DDD quantity for one medicine overlapped with the supply day of the other. Multivariable and multilevel regression models were developed.

Results:

During the 4 years, almost a million (12.41% of 7.96 million) individuals were identified as concurrent users. Significantly more women were concurrent users than men across all age groups. On average, 1,750 per 100,000 people were concurrent users per year. There was substantial variation in the yearly average of concurrent users across jurisdictions, ranging from less than 1 to 5,400 per 100,000 people (standardized). Much of this variation was attributed to individual-level circumstances rather than structural factors.

Conclusion:

Concurrent use of opioid and benzodiazepine was common in Australia. There was considerable variation across jurisdictions in terms of the number of concurrent users. Women, older people, or those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas were dominant groups of concurrent users. Further research is needed to examine the precise reasons for concurrent use.
What Were World’s Fairs for? Catalysts for Trade-Based Urban Development in the Second Industrial Revolution
Authors: Levin Miriam R.
Published: April 2020

This essay proposes a new approach to world’s fairs. Local elites, representing manufacturing, banking, transportation, merchandizing, and commercial interests, organized pre–World War I expositions to create urban settings supporting trade and cultivating innovation on a long-term basis. These stimuli came in the form of systematized infrastructure and environmental improvements, resources for training technical workforce, educating public taste, and reputation building. Most historically important, the result was to constitute the public facet of the second industrial revolution, identified on the business side with new energy sources, integration of industrial production and consumption, transportation, and institutionalization of research allied with industry based on official reports and documents.
Academic emotions of Chinese students during education reform: A cross-temporal meta-analysis
Authors: Lei Hao , Chiu Ming Ming
Published: April 2020

China’s education reforms might affect students’ academic emotions (and hence their motivation and learning outcomes). This study examines Chinese adolescents’ academic emotions across time via a cross-temporal meta-analysis of 96 studies published between 2004 and 2017. Our results indicate that in later years, adolescents’ positive high-arousal and positive low-arousal emotions were higher, while negative low-arousal emotions were lower. Compared to 2004, positive high-arousal and positive low-arousal emotions in 2017 were both over half a standard deviation higher, while negative low-arousal emotions were over half a standard deviation lower. Positive high-arousal and positive low-arousal emotions were higher in later years in Eastern China but not in Central China and Western China. In later years, negative low-arousal emotions were lower in Eastern and Western China than in Central China. Gender differences were not significant. These results are consistent with both control-value theory and the claim that curriculum and instruction reform helped improve students’ academic emotions in China.
More than words can say: Why health and social care policy makers should reconsider their position on informal interpreters
Authors: Pollock Sarah
Published: April 2020

In the UK, individuals with limited English-language proficiency (LEP) self-report poorer health and face challenges accessing health and social care support. Health and social care policies in English speaking countries provide practitioners with guidance that ensures access to public service interpreters for individuals who require them. The guidance simultaneously discourages the use of informal language brokers, including family and friends, suggesting that they are not educated or objective enough to conduct this role, and that they present unmanageable risks. This poses a challenge, as research exploring patient and service user choices, finds that individuals consistently prefer an informal language broker. The paper explores the contradiction between a legislative shift towards empowerment and choice within social work and the policies that restrict these rights in relation to interpretation. Exploring these challenges with a focus on policy and practice, leads to the suggestion that individuals should be empowered to choose who provides their language support. In contrast, existing policies increase the power imbalance between professionals and users of services, significantly affecting the life chances of those with LEP.