bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymptomatic Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs: How Common Is It and What Should be Done About It?
Authors: Farrukh Affifa , Mayberry John F.
Published: May 2019

The growing international popularity of screening programs for the early detection of pre-cancerous changes or early cancer in the colon has brought to the fore the issue of people with asymptomatic inflammatory bowel disease. What are the legal and clinical responsibilities for endoscopists and managers of screening programs towards such patients? This review assesses the magnitude of the problem and discusses the legal responsibilities, including human rights issues. In addition, it discusses whether such patients who do not have symptoms should be given active treatment.
Managers’ Well-Being in the Digital Era: Is it Associated with Perceived Choice Overload and Pressure from Digitalization? An Exploratory Study
Authors: Zeike Sabrina , Choi Kyung-Eun , Lindert Lara , Pfaff Holger
Published: May 2019

Due to the current digital transition, companies are under pressure to pursue digitalization and often initiate far-reaching transformation processes. As a result, managers must drive change within a company and are involved in important decision-making processes. In the present study, we focused on two cognitive job demands in managers related to change due to digital transformation: perceived choice overload and pressure from digitalization. We assumed that the extent of challenging cognitive demands at work is rising and negatively influencing managers’ psychological well-being. We conducted an online survey with a sample of 368 upper-level managers from a large ICT-company, where, at the time of the study, extensive transformation processes were taking place. Using multivariate regression analysis, potential prognostic effects on well-being were tested. Results showed that lower well-being was significantly associated with higher choice overload, but not with perceived pressure from digitalization. In our explorative study, we investigated two potential job demands in managers that, to our knowledge, have not yet been scientifically tested. Given the unsettled state of the field, it is important to try to further understand when choice overload and pressure from digitalization occur and when these may trigger negative health consequences.
Deterring Drunk Driving: Why Some States Go Further Than Others in Policy Innovation
Authors: Hwang Suk Joon , Berry Frances
Published: May 2019

Policy innovation and diffusion studies have, since 1990, generally focused on a specific policy over time. Yet, few studies have considered if and why states adopt related multiple policies—a package of reforms—in a policy area. Are more innovative states in DUI policy likely to adopt a comprehensive set of policies or use them as substitutes for each other? In this study, we assess how overall state innovativeness relates to the adoption of sixteen DUI (Driving Under the Influence) laws. We find that state innovativeness in traffic safety policies (but not overall policy innovativeness), organizational size, and professionalism of a state highway department increase the likelihood that a state will adopt a more comprehensive bundle of DUI laws. Furthermore, we also test whether institutional or competitive bandwagon effects are found across this policy area and demonstrate that national institutional bandwagon effects are an important factor related to the increased comprehensiveness of state adoption of DUI policies.
Addressing the Licensed Doctor Maldistribution in China: A Demand-And-Supply Perspective
Authors: Zhu Bin , Hsieh Chih-Wei , Mao Ying
Published: May 2019

Background: The maldistribution of licensed doctors is one of the major challenges faced by the Chinese health sector. However, this subject remains underexplored, as the underlying causes of licensed doctor distribution have not been fully mapped out. To fill the research void, this study theoretically modeled and empirically measured various determinants of licensed doctor distribution from both the supply and demand sides while taking the spillover effect between the adjacent geographical units into consideration. Methods: The theory of demand and supply is adopted to construct a research framework so as to explain the imbalance in the licensed doctor distribution. Both direct effects and spillover effects of the supply-side factors and demand-side factors are empirically measured with the spatial panel econometric models. Results: The health service demand was found, as expected, to be the major driving force of the licensed doctor distribution across the nation. That is, the increase in health services demands in a province could significantly help one unit attract licensed doctors from adjacent units. Unexpectedly but intriguingly, the medical education capacity showed a relatively limited effect on increasing the licensed doctor density in local units compared with its spillover effect on neighboring units. In addition, government and social health expenditures played different roles in the health labor market, the former being more effective in increasing the stock of clinicians and public health doctors, the latter doing better in attracting dentists and general practitioners. Conclusions: The results provide directions for Chinese policy makers to formulate more effective policies, including a series of measures to boost the licensed doctor stock in disadvantaged areas, such as the increase of government or social health expenditures, more quotas for medical universities, and the prevention of a brain drain of licensed doctors.
Justice in Dementia Care Resource Allocation: How Should We Plan for Dementia Services?
Authors: Yen Chia-Feng , Lin Shyang-Woei
Published: May 2019

Dementia care resources in Taiwan have not been allocated taking into account patients’ needs and the distance between service users and providers. The objective of this study was to use two newly developed indicators; profit willing distance (PWD) and tolerance limited distance (TLD), to profile the service availability and accessibility of the 22 administrative areas in Taiwan and facilitate justice-based resource allocation by the central government. The study employed secondary data analysis by using a geographic information system (GIS) and geocoding to identify distances between service users and providers. The study samples were drawn from the databank of the National Disability Eligibility Determination System and grouped by the acuteness of registrants’ needs. Both the PWD and TLD were found in 15 of the administrative areas, and neither was found in three areas (Penghu, Kinmen, and Lienchiang County). Either the PWD or TLD (but not both) were found in four areas (only have PWD: Hsinchu and Chiayi City; only have TLD: Yunlin and Taitung County). How the priorities should be set for dementia service allocation based on these findings was also addressed. We conclude that the indicators of PWD and TLD can add value to the policy decision-making process, help set priorities, and facilitate efficient and fair resource allocation by defining specifics of the resources needed.
Effect of Warming and Elevated O3 Concentration on CO2 Emissions in a Wheat-Soybean Rotation Cropland
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Hu Zhenghua , Islam A. R. M. Towfiqul , Chen Shutao , Shang Dongyao , Xue Ying
Published: May 2019

A deeper understanding of the effects of experimental warming and elevated ozone (O3) concentration on carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes is imperative for reducing potential CO2 emissions in agroecosystems, but are less understood particularly in rotational wheat (Triticum aestivum)—soybean (Glycine max) croplands. In order to understand such effects on CO2 fluxes from winter wheat-soybean rotation, a field experiment was conducted by using the open-top chamber (OTCs) during the growing seasons of 2012 and 2013 at an agro-ecological station in southeast China. The experimental treatments included the control (CK), experimental warming (T, crop canopy temperature increased by ~2 °C), elevated O3 concentration (O, O3 concentration about 100 ppb) along with temperature enhancement (OT, elevated ~2 °C temperature plus 100 ppb O3). The results showed that warming significantly increased the mean CO2 fluxes (MCF) and the cumulative amount of CO2 (CAC) from soil and soil-crop systems, while elevated O3 and warming enhancement (OT) significantly reduced MCF and CAC. Besides, warming significantly reduced the biomass of winter-wheat, but it insignificantly decreased the biomass of soybean in the harvest period. The O and OT treatments significantly reduced the biomass of winter-wheat and soybean cropping systems in the harvest time. Both warming and elevated O3 concentration decreased the temperature sensitivity coefficients (Q10) in soil respiration during the experimental period. Overall, our results indicate that elevated O3 concentration compensates the effect of warming on CO2 emission to some extents, which has a positive feedback impact on the climate system.
Country of Origin Effects on the Average Annual Values of NHL Player Contracts
Authors: Fenn Aju J. , Gerdes Lucas , Rothstein Samuel
Published: May 2019

Using data from 2005 to 2016, this paper examines if players in the National Hockey League (NHL) are being paid a positive differential for their services due to the competition from the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). In order to control for performance, we use two different large datasets, (N = 4046) and (N = 1717). In keeping with the existing literature, we use lagged performance statistics and dummy variables to control for the type of NHL contract. The first dataset contains lagged career performance statistics, while the performance statistics are based on the statistics generated during the years under the player’s previous contract. Fixed effects least squares (FELS) and quantile regression results suggest that player production statistics, contract status, and country of origin are significant determinants of NHL player salaries.
Protein Structure Determination in Living Cells
Authors: Ikeya Teppei , Güntert Peter , Ito Yutaka
Published: May 2019

To date, in-cell NMR has elucidated various aspects of protein behaviour by associating structures in physiological conditions. Meanwhile, current studies of this method mostly have deduced protein states in cells exclusively based on ‘indirect’ structural information from peak patterns and chemical shift changes but not ‘direct’ data explicitly including interatomic distances and angles. To fully understand the functions and physical properties of proteins inside cells, it is indispensable to obtain explicit structural data or determine three-dimensional (3D) structures of proteins in cells. Whilst the short lifetime of cells in a sample tube, low sample concentrations, and massive background signals make it difficult to observe NMR signals from proteins inside cells, several methodological advances help to overcome the problems. Paramagnetic effects have an outstanding potential for in-cell structural analysis. The combination of a limited amount of experimental in-cell data with software for ab initio protein structure prediction opens an avenue to visualise 3D protein structures inside cells. Conventional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY)-based structure determination is advantageous to elucidate the conformations of side-chain atoms of proteins as well as global structures. In this article, we review current progress for the structure analysis of proteins in living systems and discuss the feasibility of its future works.
The Enterochromaffin-like [ECL] Cell—Central in Gastric Physiology and Pathology
Authors: Waldum Helge L. , Sørdal Øystein F. , Mjønes Patricia G.
Published: May 2019

Background: Studies on the regulation of gastric and pancreatic secretion began more than 100 years ago. Secretin was the first hormone postulated to exist, initiating the field of endocrinology. Gastrin produced in the antral mucosa was the second postulated hormone, and together with histamine and acetylcholine, represent the three major gastric acid secretagogues known since 1920. For a long time, the mast cell was the only recognized histamine-producing cell in the oxyntic mucosa and, in the mid-1980s, the ECL cell was recognized as the cell producing histamine, taking part in the regulation of gastric acid secretion. Methods: This review is based upon literature research and personal knowledge. Results: The ECL cell carries the gastrin receptor, and gastrin regulates its function (histamine release) as well as proliferation. Long-term hypergastrinemia results in gastric neoplasia of variable malignancies, implying that gastric hypoacidity resulting in increased gastrin release will induce gastric neoplasia, including gastric cancer. Conclusions: The trophic effect of gastrin on the ECL cell has implications to the treatment with inhibitors of acid secretion.
Fine Mapping of the Wheat Leaf Rust Resistance Gene Lr42
Authors: Gill Harsimardeep S. , Li Chunxin , Sidhu Jagdeep S. , Liu Wenxuan , Wilson Duane , Bai Guihua , Gill Bikram S. , Sehgal Sunish K.
Published: May 2019

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks is one of the most problematic diseases of wheat throughout the world. The gene Lr42 confers effective resistance against leaf rust at both seedling and adult plant stages. Previous studies had reported Lr42 to be both recessive and dominant in hexaploid wheat; however, in diploid Aegilops tauschii (TA2450), we found Lr42 to be dominant by studying segregation in two independent F2 and their F2:3 populations. We further fine-mapped Lr42 in hexaploid wheat using a KS93U50/Morocco F5 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population to a 3.7 cM genetic interval flanked by markers TC387992 and WMC432. The 3.7 cM Lr42 region physically corresponds to a 3.16 Mb genomic region on chromosome 1DS based on the Chinese Spring reference genome (RefSeq v.1.1) and a 3.5 Mb genomic interval on chromosome 1 in the Ae. tauschii reference genome. This region includes nine nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes in wheat and seven in Ae. tauschii, respectively, and these are the likely candidates for Lr42. Furthermore, we developed two kompetitive allele-specific polymorphism (KASP) markers (SNP113325 and TC387992) flanking Lr42 to facilitate marker-assisted selection for rust resistance in wheat breeding programs.
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Rectal Cancer—Novel Biomarker of Tumor Immunogenicity During Radiotherapy or Confounding Variable?
Authors: Braun Lore Helene , Baumann David , Zwirner Kerstin , Eipper Ewald , Hauth Franziska , Peter Andreas , Zips Daniel , Gani Cihan
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of blood-derived makers of local and systemic inflammatory responses on early and long-term oncological outcomes. A retrospective analysis of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative long-course 5-fluorouracil-based radiochemotherapy was performed. Differential blood counts before neoadjuvant treatment were extracted from the patients’ electronic charts. Optimal cut-off values for neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were determined. Potential clinical and hematological prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) were studied using uni- and multivariate analysis. A total of 220 patients were included in the analysis. Median follow-up was 67 months. Five-year DFS and overall survival (OS) were 70% and 85%, respectively. NLR with a cut-off value of 4.06 was identified as optimal to predict DFS events. In multivariate analysis, only tumor volume (HR 0.33, 95% CI (0.14–0.83), p = 0.017) and NLR (HR 0.3, 95% CI (0.11–0.81), p = 0.017) remained significant predictors of DFS. Patients with a good histological response (Dworak 3 and 4) to radiotherapy also had a lower NLR than patients with less pronounced tumor regression (3.0 vs. 4.2, p = 0.015). A strong correlation between primary tumor volume and NLR was seen (Pearson’s r = 0.64, p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with T4 tumors had a significantly higher NLR than patients with T1–T3 tumors (6.6 vs. 3.3, p < 0.001). An elevated pretherapeutic NLR was associated with higher T stage, inferior DFS, and poor pathological response to neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. A strong correlation between NLR and primary tumor volume was seen. This association is important for the interpretation of study results and for the design of translational studies which are warranted.
Melt Electrospinning Designs for Nanofiber Fabrication for Different Applications
Authors: Ibrahim Yasseen , Hussein Essraa , Zagho Moustafa , Abdo Ghada , Elzatahry Ahmed
Published: May 2019

Nanofibers have been attracting growing attention owing to their outstanding physicochemical and structural properties as well as diverse and intriguing applications. Electrospinning has been known as a simple, flexible, and multipurpose technique for the fabrication of submicro scale fibers. Throughout the last two decades, numerous investigations have focused on the employment of electrospinning techniques to improve the characteristics of fabricated fibers. This review highlights the state of the art of melt electrospinning and clarifies the major categories based on multitemperature control, gas assist, laser melt, coaxial, and needleless designs. In addition, we represent the effect of melt electrospinning process parameters on the properties of produced fibers. Finally, this review summarizes the challenges and obstacles connected to the melt electrospinning technique.
A2A-D2 Heteromers on Striatal Astrocytes: Biochemical and Biophysical Evidence
Authors: Pelassa Simone , Guidolin Diego , Venturini Arianna , Averna Monica , Frumento Giulia , Campanini Letizia , Bernardi Rosa , Cortelli Pietro , Calandra Buonaura Giovanna , Maura Guido , Agnati Luigi F. , Cervetto Chiara , Marcoli Manuela
Published: May 2019

Our previous findings indicate that A2A and D2 receptors are co-expressed on adult rat striatal astrocytes and on the astrocyte processes, and that A2A-D2 receptor–receptor interaction can control the release of glutamate from the processes. Functional evidence suggests that the receptor–receptor interaction was based on heteromerization of native A2A and D2 receptors at the plasma membrane of striatal astrocyte processes. We here provide biochemical and biophysical evidence confirming that receptor–receptor interaction between A2A and D2 receptors at the astrocyte plasma membrane is based on A2A-D2 heteromerization. To our knowledge, this is the first direct demonstration of the ability of native A2A and D2 receptors to heteromerize on glial cells. As striatal astrocytes are recognized to be involved in Parkinson’s pathophysiology, the findings that adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors can form A2A-D2 heteromers on the astrocytes in the striatum (and that these heteromers can play roles in the control of the striatal glutamatergic transmission) may shed light on the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Evaluation of Residual Efficacy of Pyrethrin + Methoprene Aerosol on Two Dermestids: Impact of Particle Size, Species, and Temperature
Authors: Lanka Srinivas K. , Arthur Frank H. , Campbell James F. , Zhu Kun Yan
Published: May 2019

Residual effects of pyrethrin + methoprene aerosol dispensed at 4 and 16-µm particle sizes and an untreated control, was assessed against late-stage larvae of Trogoderma inclusum (LeConte), the larger cabinet beetle, and T. variabile (Ballion), the warehouse beetle. Treated arenas were stored at 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C and bioassays were conducted at 1, 3, or 6 weeks post-treatment. Larval development was monitored through adult emergence to compare the efficacy of treatments by using both the percentage of normal adult emergence and a developmental index as dependent variables. There was no overall effect of temperature on residual activity as measured using either adult emergence or developmental index values. Both the 4 and 16-µm particle sizes resulted in reduced adult emergence and low developmental index values compared to untreated controls. The insecticide was more effective on T. variabile than on T. inclusum. The impact of particle size varied between species, both particle sizes reduced adult emergence and developmental index in T. variabile, but only the 16-µm particle size resulted in reduction of adult emergence of T. inclusum. Furthermore, there was a reduction in activity of methoprene with residual exposure time. The variations in susceptibility of species to methoprene, differences in efficacy of particle sizes, and decrease in residual persistence at smaller particle sizes highlight the need for attaining optimal particle size to improve overall efficacy of aerosol mixtures containing methoprene.
When a Slice Is Not Enough! Comparison of Whole-Brain versus Standard Limited-Slice Perfusion Computed Tomography in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Cooper Shannon , Bendinelli Cino , Bivard Andrew , Parsons Mark , Balogh Zsolt J.
Published: May 2019

Introduction: Cerebral perfusion computed tomography (PCT) provides crucial information in acute stroke and has an increasing role in traumatic brain injury (TBI) management. Most studies on TBI patients utilize 64-slice scanners, which are limited to four brain slices (limited-brain PCT, LBPCT). Newer 320-slice scanners depict the whole brain perfusion status (WBPCT). We aimed to identify the additional information gained with WBPCT when compared to LBPCT. Patients and methods: Forty-nine patients with severe TBI were investigated within 48 h from admission with WBPCT. Findings from LBPCT were compared with findings from WBPCT. Results: A perfusion abnormality was identified in 39 (80%) and 37 (76%) patients by WBPCT and LBPCT, respectively (p = 0.8). There were 90 and 68 perfusion abnormalities identified by WBPCT and LBPCT, respectively (p < 0.001). In the 39 patients with a perfusion abnormality detected by WBPCT, 15 (38%) had further perfusion abnormalities outside the LBPCT area of coverage. Thirty-six (92%) patients had a larger perfusion abnormality upon WBPCT compared with LBPCT. Additional information gained showed some statistically significant correlation with clinical outcome. Conclusions: In severe TBI patients, WBPCT provides extra information compared to LBPC. The limitations of LBPCT should be considered when evaluating studies reporting on PCT findings and their association with outcomes.
Macular Hole Surgery Using Gas Tamponade—An Outcome from the Oslo Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Stene-Johansen Ingar , Bragadóttir Ragnheiður , Petrovski Beáta Éva , Petrovski Goran
Published: May 2019

Purpose: The study aims to determine the anatomical success and functional outcome of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for macular holes (MH) performed at a single study center using a consistent procedure of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, SF6 tamponade and 3 days face-down positioning. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study involving eyes with MHs which underwent 23- or 25-gauge PPV with or without phacoemulsification and all undergoing a 20% SF6 gas tamponade, follow-up to 6 months postoperatively were included at the Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (12-month study period between 1 January and 31 December 2015) Pre- and post-operative Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) assessment, comprehensive eye examination and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement. as well as Optical Coherence Tomography to determine the diameter of the MH and its closure were all carried out. Results: 198 consecutive eyes operated for MH (age: 69.4 ± 7.6 years; 1.6:1 female:male ratio) were included; 35.7%/48.6% had symptoms from 3–6/6–48 months; 5.1% had high-grade myopia, 21.5% focal VMT <1500 µm with or without epiretinal membrane (ERM), and 74.0%/26.0% had phakic/pseudophakic status. Primary closure of the MH occurred in 93.3% of the patients. Lens status and length of symptoms showed no significant correlation with closure of the MH. The pre-operative logMAR visual acuity: 0.8 ± 0.3 (median: 0.7; interquartile range (IQR): 0.5–0.8; range: 0.3–1.7), improved significantly post-operatively: 0.4 ± 0.3 (median: 0.3; interquartile range (IQR): 0.1–0.5; range: −0.02–1.2). BCVA improvement of <0.2, 0.2–0.4 and >0.4 was present in 28.3%, 27.3% and 44.4% of the treated patients. No significant median differences could be detected between the duration of the pre-operative symptoms and the pre-/post-operative visual acuity. Increased IOP was measured in 2.6% of the cases day after surgery. Conclusions: Our study found visual outcome not to be dependent upon the length of symptoms in MH patients treated by PPV all undergoing ILM peeling, SF6 tamponade and face-down positioning. The large diameter MH was not a limiting factor to achieve improved post-operative BCVA.
Sexual Satisfaction and Mental Health in Prison Inmates
Authors: Carcedo Rodrigo J. , Perlman Daniel , Fernández-Rouco Noelia , Pérez Fernando , Hervalejo Diego
Published: May 2019

The main goal of this study was to investigate the association between sexual satisfaction and mental health, and the combined effect of two previously found, statistically significant moderators: partner status and sexual abstinence. In-person interviews were conducted with 223 participants (49.327% males and 50.673% females). The effect of sexual satisfaction on mental health and the interactions of sexual satisfaction × partner status, sexual satisfaction × sexual abstinence, and sexual satisfaction × partner status × sexual abstinence were examined using simple moderation and moderated moderation tests after controlling for a set of sociodemographic, penitentiary, and interpersonal variables. Results revealed a direct relationship between sexual satisfaction and mental health only for the sexually abstinent group. Partner status was not significant as a moderator. It seems that the lack of sexual relationships is more powerful as a moderator than the lack of a romantic relationship. Additionally, the sexually abstinent group showed lower levels of sexual satisfaction in those with a partner outside or inside prison, and lower mental health independently of the current romantic status, than sexually active inmates. These findings point to the importance of sexual satisfaction to mental health in sexual situations of extreme disadvantage.
Credit Scoring in SME Asset-Backed Securities: An Italian Case Study
Authors: Bedin Andrea , Billio Monica , Costola Michele , Pelizzon Loriana
Published: May 2019

We investigate the default probability, recovery rates and loss distribution of a portfolio of securitised loans granted to Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To this end, we use loan level data information provided by the European DataWarehouse platform and employ a logistic regression to estimate the company default probability. We include loan-level default probabilities and recovery rates to estimate the loss distribution of the underlying assets. We find that bank securitised loans are less risky, compared to the average bank lending to small and medium enterprises.
Effect of Nanobainite Content on the Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of an Al-Alloyed High Carbon Steel with Nanobainitic Microstructure
Authors: Song Zhaohuan , Zhao Songhao , Jiang Tao , Sun Junjie , Wang Yingjun , Zhang Xiliang , Liu Hongji , Liu Yongning
Published: May 2019

In this work, a multiphase microstructure consisting of nanobainte, martensite, undissolved spherical carbide, and retained blocky austenite has been prepared in an Al-alloyed high carbon steel. The effect of the amount of nanobainite on the dry sliding wear behavior of the steel is studied using a pin-on-disc tester with loads ranging from 25–75 N. The results show that, there is no significant differences in specific wear rate (SWR) for samples with various amounts of nanobainite when the normal load is 25 N. While, the SWR firstly decreases and then increases with increasing the amount of nanobainite, and the optimum wear resistance is obtained for samples with 60 vol.% nanobainite, when the applied load increases to 50 and 75 N. The improved wear resistance is attributed to the peak hardness increment resulted from the transformation of retained austenite to martensite, work hardening, along with amorphization and nanocrystallization of the worn surface. In addition, the highest toughness of the samples with 60 vol.% nanobainite is also proven to play a positive role in resisting sliding wear. EDS (energy dispersion spectrum) and XRD (X-ray diffraction) examinations reveal that the predominant failure mechanism is oxidative wear.
Performances of Cement Mortar Incorporating Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) Using Different Dosing Methods
Authors: Tan Yawen , Chen Huaxin , Wang Zhendi , Xue Cheng , He Rui
Published: May 2019

Modified cement mortar was prepared by incorporating a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) with two kinds of dosing state, dry powdery SAP and swelled SAP (where the SAP has been pre-wetted in tap water), respectively. The mechanical properties, drying shrinkage and freeze–thaw resistance of the mortars were compared and analyzed with the variation of SAP content and entrained water-to-cement ratios. Additionally, the effect of SAP on the microstructure of mortar was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that agglomerative accumulation is formed in the voids of mortar after water desorption from SAP and there are abundant hydration products, most of which are C-S-H gels, around the SAP voids. The incorporation of the powdery SAP increases the 28 d compressive strength of the mortars by about 10% to 50%, while for the incorporation of swelled SAP, the 28 d compressive strength of the mortar can be increased by about −26% to 6%. At a dosage of 0.1% SAP and an entrained water–cement ratio of 0.06, the powdery SAP and the swelled SAP can reduce the mortar shrinkage rate by about 32.2% and 14.5%, respectively. Both the incorporation of powdery and swelled SAP has a positive effect on the freeze–thaw resistance of cement mortar. In particular, for powdery SAP with an entrained water-to-cement ratio of 0.06, the mass loss rate after 300 cycles is still lower than 5%.
Fabrication of Diamond Submicron Lenses and Cylinders by ICP Etching Technique with SiO2 Balls Mask
Authors: Liu Zongchen , Zhu Tian-Fei , Wang Yan-Feng , Ahmed Irfan , Liu Zhangcheng , Wen Feng , Zhang Xiaofan , Wang Wei , Fan Shuwei , Wang Kaiyue , Wang Hong-Xing
Published: May 2019

Submicron lenses and cylinders exhibiting excellent properties in photodetector and quantum applications have been fabricated on a diamond surface by an inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) etching technique. During ICP etching, a layer containing 500 nm diameter balls of SiO2 was employed as mask. By changing the mixing ratio of O2, Ar and CF4 during ICP etching, several submicron structures were fabricated, such as cylinders and lenses. The simulation results demonstrated that such submicron structures on a diamond’s surface can greatly enhance the photon out-coupling efficiency of embedded nitrogen-vacancy center.
Fracture Resistance of Monolithic Zirconia Crowns in Implant Prostheses in Patients with Bruxism
Authors: Lan Ting-Hsun , Pan Chin-Yun , Liu Pao-Hsin , Chou Mitch M. C.
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study is to determine the minimum required thickness of a monolithic zirconia crown in the mandibular posterior area for patients with bruxism. Forty-nine full zirconia crowns, with seven different occlusal thicknesses of 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 mm, were made by using a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing system (CAD/CAM). Seven crowns in each group were subjected to cyclic loading at 800 N and 5 Hz in a servohydraulic testing machine until fracture or completion of 100,000 cycles. Seven finite element models comprising seven different occlusal thicknesses of 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 mm were simulated using three different loads of vertical 800 N, oblique 10 degrees 800 N, and vertical 800 N + x N torque (x = 10, 50, and 100). The results of cyclic loading tests showed that the fracture resistance of the crown was positively associated with thickness. Specimen breakage differed significantly according to the different thicknesses of the prostheses (p < 0.01). Lowest von Mises stress values were determined for prostheses with a minimal thickness of 1.0 mm in different loading directions and with different forces. Zirconia specimens of 1.0 mm thickness had the lowest stress values and high fracture resistance and under 800 N of loading.
Dual Oxygen Defects in Layered La1.2Sr0.8−xBaxInO4+δ (x = 0.2, 0.3) Oxide-Ion Conductors: A Neutron Diffraction Study
Authors: Troncoso Loreto , Mariño Carlos , Arce Mauricio D. , Alonso José Antonio
Published: May 2019

The title compounds exhibit a K2NiF4-type layered perovskite structure; they are based on the La1.2Sr0.8InO4+δ oxide, which was found to exhibit excellent features as fast oxide-ion conductor via an interstitial oxygen mechanism. These new Ba-containing materials were designed to present a more open framework to enhance oxygen conduction. The citrate-nitrate soft-chemistry technique was used to synthesize such structural perovskite-type materials, followed by annealing in air at moderate temperatures (1150 °C). The subtleties of their crystal structures were investigated from neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. They crystallize in the orthorhombic Pbca space group. Interstitial O3 oxygen atoms were identified by difference Fourier maps in the NaCl layer of the K2NiF4 structure. At variance with the parent compound, conspicuous oxygen vacancies were found at the O2-type oxygen atoms for x = 0.2, corresponding to the axial positions of the InO6 octahedra. The short O2–O3 distances and the absence of steric impediments suggest a dual oxygen-interstitial mechanism for oxide-ion conduction in these materials. Conductivity measurements show that the activation energy values are comparable to those typical of ionic conductors working by simple vacancy mechanisms (~1 eV). The increment of the total conductivity for x = 0.2 can be due to the mixed mechanism driving both oxygen vacancies and interstitials, which is original for these potential electrolytes for solid-oxide fuel cells.
Highly Stable and Efficient Performance of Binder-Free Symmetric Supercapacitor Fabricated with Electroactive Polymer Synthesized via Interfacial Polymerization
Authors: Fahim Muhammad , Shah Anwar ul Haq Ali , Bilal Salma
Published: May 2019

The use of electroactive polyaniline (PANI) as an electrode material for a symmetric supercapacitor has been reported. The material was synthesized via interfacial polymerization, using ammonium per sulfate, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), and gasoline, respectively, in the oxidant, dopant, and novel organic phase, and was subsequently employed as an electrode material to design a binder-free symmetric capacitor. As properties of PANI rely on the method of synthesis as well as reaction parameters, the present combination of reactants, at pre-optimized conditions, in the interfacial polymerization, led to the formation of PANI exhibiting a high specific capacitance (712 Fg−1 at 0.5 Ag−1), a good rate capability (86% capacitance retention at 10 Ag−1), a very low solution resistance (Rs = 0.61 Ω), and a potential drop (IR = 0.01917 V). The device exhibited a high energy density of 28 Whkg−1, at a power density of 0.28 kWkg−1, and retained as high as 15.1 Whkg−1, at a high power density of 4.5 kWkg−1. Moreover, it showed an excellent cycling stability and retained 98.5% of coulombic efficiency after 5000 charge discharge cycles, without showing any signs of degradation of polymer.
Temperature Effects during Impact Testing of a Two-Phase Metal-Ceramic Composite Material
Authors: Postek Eligiusz , Sadowski Tomasz
Published: May 2019

Metal-ceramic composite (MCC) materials can be used for manufacturing high-responsibility structures such as jet engines or cutting tools. One example of these materials is a two-phase wolfram carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co) composite. This MCC is a combination of hard WC grains with a Co metallic ductile binder. The resulting microstructure is a combination of two phases with significantly different mechanical behaviors. In this study, we investigate impact conditions, starting with an illustrative example of the Taylor impact bar where—although the process is very rapid—the equivalent plastic strain and temperature are higher in the adiabatic solution than those in the coupled solution. On exposing the WC/Co composite with a metallic binder to impact loading, heat is generated by plastic deformation. If the process is fast enough, the problem can be treated as adiabatic. However, a more common situation is that the process is slower, and the heat is generated in the ductile metallic binders. As a result, the associated grains are heated due to the conduction effect. Consequently, the process should be treated as coupled. When the impact is applied over a short time period, maximum temperatures are significantly lower if the process is analyzed as coupled rather than as adiabatic. The grains are immediately affected by temperature increase in the binders. Therefore, the heat conduction effect should not be omitted.
Existence and Nonexistence of Solutions to p-Laplacian Problems on Unbounded Domains
Authors: Jeong Jeongmi , Kim Chan-Gyun , Lee Eun Kyoung
Published: May 2019

In this article, using a fixed point index theorem on a cone, we prove the existence and multiplicity results of positive solutions to a one-dimensional p-Laplacian problem defined on infinite intervals. We also establish the nonexistence results of nontrivial solutions to the problem.
Construction of Fair Dice Pairs
Authors: Huang Yong , Zeng Zhenbing , Rao Yongsheng , Zou Yu , Wang Ying , Huang Xing
Published: May 2019

An interesting and challenging problem in mathematics is how to construct fair dice pairs. In this paper, by means of decomposing polynomials in a residue class ring and applying the Discrete Fourier Transformation, we present all the 2000 fair dice pairs and their 8 equivalence classes in a four-person game, identifying what we call the mandarin duck property of fair dice pairs.
Models for MADM with Single-Valued Neutrosophic 2-Tuple Linguistic Muirhead Mean Operators
Authors: Wang Jie , Lu Jianping , Wei Guiwu , Lin Rui , Wei Cun
Published: May 2019

In this article, we expand the Muirhead mean (MM) operator and dual Muirhead mean (DMM) operator with single-valued neutrosophic 2-tuple linguistic numbers (SVN2TLNs) to propose the single-valued neutrosophic 2-tuple linguistic Muirhead mean (SVN2TLMM) operator, the single-valued neutrosophic 2-tuple linguistic weighted Muirhead mean (SVN2TLWMM) operator, the single-valued neutrosophic 2-tuple linguistic dual Muirhead mean (SVN2TLDMM) operator, and the single-valued neutrosophic 2-tuple linguistic weighted dual Muirhead mean (SVN2TLWDMM) operator. Multiple attribute decision making (MADM) methods are then proposed using these operators. Finally, we utilize an applicable example for green supplier selection in green supply chain management to prove the proposed methods.
The Efficacy of Cocoa Polyphenols in the Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Calabrò Rocco Salvatore , De Cola Maria Cristina , Gervasi Giuseppe , Portaro Simona , Naro Antonino , Accorinti Maria , Manuli Alfredo , Marra Angela , De Luca Rosaria , Bramanti Placido
Published: May 2019

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by cognition impairment that does not interfere with the usual activities of daily living. It is considered to be a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia. No treatment is available for MCI. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 55 patients (29 males and 26 females, aged 56–75 years) with a diagnosis of amnestic MCI who attended the Center for Cognitive Disorder and Dementia of the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo (Messina, Italy) between January and December of 2017. As we aimed to evaluate the effect of cocoa polyphenols on cognition, the study population was separated into two groups depending on the change in their Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at a one-year follow-up. Results: Compared to G2 (i.e., patients with a worsening in cognitive functions), the rate of polyphenol intake was significantly higher in patients without a worsening in cognition (i.e., G1) (χ2 = 13.79, df = 1, p-value < 0.001). By subdividing G1 patients based on whether they improved or were stable at follow-up, we found that 46.2% of those who had improved were treated with polyphenols. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation of cocoa flavonoids seems to reduce the progression of MCI to dementia. Further prospective studies with larger sample volumes are required to confirm these promising findings.
Parachlamydia acanthamoebae Detected during a Pneumonia Outbreak in Southeastern Finland, in 2017–2018
Authors: Hokynar Kati , Kurkela Satu , Nieminen Tea , Saxen Harri , Vesterinen Eero J. , Mannonen Laura , Pietikäinen Risto , Puolakkainen Mirja
Published: May 2019

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. However, the definite etiology of CAP often remains unresolved, suggesting that unknown agents of pneumonia remain to be identified. The recently discovered members of the order Chlamydiales, Chlamydia-related bacteria (CRB), are considered as possible emerging agents of CAP. Parachlamydia acanthamoebae is the most studied candidate. It survives and replicates inside free-living amoeba, which it might potentially use as a vehicle to infect animals and humans. A Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak was observed in Kymenlaakso region in Southeastern Finland during August 2017–January 2018. We determined the occurrence of Chlamydiales bacteria and their natural host, free-living amoeba in respiratory specimens collected during this outbreak with molecular methods. Altogether, 22/278 (7.9%) of the samples contained Chlamydiales DNA. By sequence analysis, majority of the CRBs detected were members of the Parachlamydiaceae family. Amoebal DNA was not detected within the sample material. Our study further proposes that Parachlamydiaceae could be a potential agent causing atypical CAP in children and adolescents.
Oriented Immobilization and Quantitative Analysis Simultaneously Realized in Sandwich Immunoassay via His-Tagged Nanobody
Authors: Xu Li , Cao Hanyu , Huang Chundong , Jia Lingyun
Published: May 2019

Despite the advantages of the nanobody, the unique structure limits its use in sandwich immunoassay. In this study, a facile protocol of sandwich immunoassay using the nanobody was established. In brief, β amyloid and SH2, an anti-β amyloid nanobody, were used as capture antibody and antigen, respectively. The SH2 fused with His-tag was first purified and absorbed on Co2+-NTA functional matrix and then immobilized through H2O2 oxidation of Co2+ to Co3+ under the optimized conditions. Then, 150 mM imidazole and 20 mM EDTA were introduced to remove the unbound SH2. The immobilized SH2 showed highly-sensitive detection of β amyloid. It is interesting that the quantification of the sandwich immunoassay was carried out by determining the His-tag of the detection nanobody, without interference from the His-tag of the capture nanobody. The immobilized SH2 detached exhibited outstanding stability during 30 days of storage. Taken together, His6-tag facilitated both the oriented immobilization of capture antibody and quantitative assay of detection antibody in sandwich immunoassay. We propose a facile and efficient sandwich immunoassay method that opens new avenue to the study of His-tagged protein interactions.
Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Essential Oil Extracted by Carbon Dioxide Expanded Ethanol
Authors: David Andreea , Wang Fang , Sun Xiaoming , Li Hongna , Lin Jieru , Li Peilei , Deng Gang
Published: May 2019

In the present study, the composition of essential oil isolated from the roots of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, harvested in China, was studied, along with the bioactivities. A green novel method using an eco-friendly solvent, CO2-pressurized ethanol, or carbon dioxide expanded ethanol (CXE) was employed to isolate the essential oil from the root of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash with the purpose of replacing the traditional method and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). After investigating the major operating factors of CXE, the optimal conditions were obtained as follows: 8.4 MPa, 50 °C, 5 mL/min ethanol, and 0.22 mole fraction of CO2, presenting an extraction oil that ranged from 5.12% to 7.42%, higher than that of hydrodistillation (HD) or indirect vapor distillation (IVD). The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that three major components, including valerenol (18.48%), valerenal (10.21%), and β-Cadinene (6.23%), are found in CXE oil, while a total of 23 components were identified, 48 components less than using conventional hydrodistillation. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activities of root oils were evaluated by the microdilution method, which showed that CXE oil exhibited an ability against Gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus, approximately equivalent to traditional samples. Additionally, the DPPH free radical scavenging assay demonstrated that the antioxidant abilities of root oils were sorted in the descending order: IVD > HD > CXE > SFE. In conclusion, after a comprehensive comparison with the conventional methods, the CXE-related technique might be a promising green manufacturing pattern for the production of quality vetiver oil, due to the modification of ethanol by the variable addition of non-polar compressible CO2, ultimately resulting in a prominent dissolving capability for the extraction of vetiver solutes.
Determination of Kanamycin by High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Zhang Xingping , Wang Jiujun , Wu Qinghua , Li Li , Wang Yun , Yang Hualin
Published: May 2019

Kanamycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic widely used in treating animal diseases caused by Gram-negative and Gram-positive infections. Kanamycin has a relatively narrow therapeutic index, and can accumulate in the human body through the food chain. The abuse of kanamycin can have serious side-effects. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a sensitive and selective analysis method to detect kanamycin residue in food to ensure public health. There are many analytical methods to determine kanamycin concentration, among which high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a common and practical tool. This paper presents a review of the application of HPLC analysis of kanamycin in different sample matrices. The different detectors coupled with HPLC, including Ultraviolet (UV)/Fluorescence, Evaporative Light Scattering Detector (ELSD)/Pulsed Electrochemical Detection (PED), and Mass Spectrometry, are discussed. Meanwhile, the strengths and weaknesses of each method are compared. The pre-treatment methods of food samples, including protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and solid-phase extraction (SPE) are also summarized in this paper.