bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protons and carbon ions acceleration in the target‐normal‐sheath‐acceleration regime using low‐contrast fs laser and metal‐graphene targets
Authors: Torrisi Lorenzo , Cutroneo Mariapompea , Torrisi Alfio
Published: September 2019

fs pulsed lasers at an intensity of the order of 1018 W/cm2, with a contrast of 10−5, were employed to irradiate thin foils to study the target‐normal‐sheath‐acceleration (TNSA) regime. The forward ion acceleration was investigated using 1/11 µm thickness foils composed of a metallic sheet on which a thin reduced graphene oxide film with 10 nm thickness was deposited by single or both faces. The forward‐accelerated ions were detected using SiC semiconductors connected in time‐of‐flight configuration. The use of intense and long pre‐pulse generating the low contrast does not permit to accelerate protons above 1 MeV because it produces a pre‐plasma destroying the foil, and the successive main laser pulse interacts with the expanding plasma and not with the overdense solid surface. Experimental results demonstrated that the maximum proton energies of about 700 keV and of 4.2 MeV carbon ions and higher were obtained under the condition of the optimal acceleration procedure. The measurements of ion energy and charge states confirm that the acceleration per charge state is measurable from the proton energy, confirming the Coulomb–Boltzmann‐shifted theoretical model. However, heavy ions cannot be accelerated due to their mass and low velocity, which does not permit them to be subjected to the fast and high developed electric field driving the light‐ion acceleration. The ion acceleration can be optimized based on the laser focal positioning and on the foil thickness, composition, and structure, as it will be presented and discussed.
Low body mass and ethnic identity exploration exacerbate the association between body image concerns and loss of control eating in Hispanic/Latino men
Authors: Williamson Gina , Guidinger Claire , Kelly Nichole R.
Published: September 2019

Objective

Although Hispanic/Latino populations have some of the highest rates of obesity in the United States, little is known about their loss of control (LOC) eating, a robust predictor of excess weight gain. This study examined the association between body image concerns and LOC eating frequency in a sample of young Hispanic/Latino men. Body mass index (BMI), ethnic identity, and acculturation were examined as potential moderators.

Method

The sample included 271 Hispanic/Latino men between the ages of 18 and 30 years (Mage = 23.89 ± 3.54; MBMI= 26.46 ± 5.82). Participants completed an online survey and reported on height, weight, and demographic characteristics; concerns with muscularity and body fat; LOC eating frequency in the last 28 days; ethnic identity; and perceived acculturation.

Results

Negative binomial regression models were conducted, adjusting for BMI, income, education, and presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. Concerns with muscularity and body fat were positively associated with LOC eating frequency (ps < .001). Low BMI exacerbated the link between concerns with body fat and LOC eating frequency (p = .03). The positive association between concerns with muscularity and LOC eating frequency was exacerbated among those who reported low ethnic identity exploration (p = .01). While acculturation did not function as a moderator (ps = .14–.27), it was inversely associated with LOC eating frequency (p < .001).

Discussion

BMI and ethnic identity are important individual factors to consider in the link between body image concerns and LOC eating among young Hispanic/Latino men.
Analysis of new retrogenes provides insight into dog adaptive evolution
Authors: Gao Xiang , Li Yan , Adetula Adeyinka A. , Wu Yu , Chen Hong
Published: September 2019

The origin and subsequent evolution of new genes have been considered as an important source of genetic and phenotypic diversity in organisms. Dog breeds show great phenotypic diversity for morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits. However, the contributions of newly originated retrogenes, which provide important genetic bases for dog species differentiation and adaptive traits, are largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the dog genome to identify new RNA‐based duplications and comprehensively investigated their origin, evolution, functions in adaptive traits, and gene movement processes. First, we totally identified 3,025 retrocopies including 476 intact retrogenes, 2,518 retropseudogenes, and 31 chimerical retrogenes. Second, selective pressure along with ESTs expression analysis showed that most of the intact retrogenes were significantly under stronger purifying selection and subjected to more functional constraints when compared to retropseudogenes. Furthermore, a large number of retrocopies and chimerical retrogenes that occurred approximately 22 million years ago implied a burst of retrotransposition in the dog genome after the divergence time between dog and its closely related species red fox. Interestingly, GO and pathway analyses showed that new retrogenes had expanded in glutathione biosynthetic/metabolic process which likely provided important genetic basis for dogs' adaptation to scavenge human waste dumps. Finally, consistent with the results in human and mouse, a significant excess of functional retrogenes movement on and off the X chromosome in the dog confirmed a general pattern of gene movement process in mammals which was likely driven by natural selection or sexual antagonism. Together, these results increase our understanding that new retrogenes can reshape the dog genome and provide further exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying the dogs' adaptive evolution.
Role of Human N‐Acetyltransferase 2 Genetic Polymorphism on Aromatic Amine Carcinogen‐Induced DNA Damage and Mutagenicity in a Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Mutation Assay
Authors: Baldauf Kristin J. , Salazar‐González Raúl A. , Doll Mark A. , Pierce William M. , States J. Christopher , Hein David W.
Published: September 2019

Carcinogenic aromatic amines such as 4‐aminobiphenyl (ABP) and 2‐aminofluorene (AF) require metabolic activation to form electrophilic intermediates that mutate DNA leading to carcinogenesis. Bioactivation of these carcinogens includes N‐hydroxylation catalyzed by CYP1A2 followed by O‐acetylation catalyzed by arylamine N‐acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2). To better understand the role of NAT2 genetic polymorphism in ABP‐ and AF‐induced mutagenesis and DNA damage, nucleotide excision repair‐deficient (UV5) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were stably transfected with human CYP1A2 and either NAT2*4 (rapid acetylator) or NAT2*5B (slow acetylator) alleles. ABP and AF both caused significantly (P < 0.001) greater mutagenesis measured at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) locus in the UV5/CYP1A2/NAT2*4 acetylator cell line compared to the UV5, UV5/CYP1A2, and UV5/CYP1A2/NAT2*5B cell lines. ABP‐ and AF‐induced hprt mutant cDNAs were sequenced and over 80% of the single‐base substitutions were at G:C base pairs. DNA damage also was quantified by γH2AX in‐cell western assays and by identification and quantification of the two predominant DNA adducts, N‐(deoxyguanosin‐8‐yl)‐4‐aminobiphenyl (dG‐C8‐ABP) and N‐(deoxyguanosin‐8‐yl)‐2‐aminofluorene (dG‐C8‐AF) by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. DNA damage and adduct levels were dose‐dependent, correlated highly with levels of hprt mutants, and were significantly (P < 0.0001) greater in the UV5/CYP1A2/NAT2*4 rapid acetylator cell line following treatment with ABP or AF as compared to all other cell lines. Our findings provide further clarity on the importance of O‐acetylation in CHO mutagenesis assays for aromatic amines. They provide evidence that NAT2 genetic polymorphism modifies aromatic amine‐induced DNA damage and mutagenesis that should be considered in human risk assessments following aromatic amine exposures. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:235–245, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polystyrene nanofibers for nonwoven porous building insulation materials
Authors: Datsyuk Vitaliy , Trotsenko Svitlana , Peikert Katharina , Höflich Katja , Wedel Nelli , Allar Christian , Sick Torben , Deinhart Victor , Reich Stephanie , Krcmar Wolfgang
Published: September 2019

The building industry makes a great effort to reduce energy consumption. The use of nanotechnology is one of the approaches to surpassing the properties of conventional insulation materials. In this work, an industrial cost‐effective method to manufacture highly porous materials with excellent thermal insulation properties is described. The materials are prepared from polystyrene recovered from the building sector and electrospun as nanofiber‐based sheets. Varying electrospinning parameters allow controlling the morphology of the produced materials. The materials are obtained with differences in interfiber and inner‐fiber porosity and morphology. The thermal conductivity of the freestanding and compressed materials is evaluated. Those differences affect the insulation performance: the materials with higher interfiber porosity show better thermal insulation in the freestanding state. An increase of the inner‐fiber porosity leads to better insulation in the compressed samples. Insertion of carbon nanomaterials reduces the effects of the infrared Radiation. Nanofiber‐based insulation materials from the recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) show thermal conductivity values of 20 to 25 mW/mK (ie, 20% to 30% below the thermal conductivity of the commercial EPS). The effect of integrating polystyrene nanofiber sheets into conventional wall‐building materials is also investigated in terms of thermal insulation. The nanofiber insulation sheets are sandwiched between two pieces of the building materials resulting in a drastic increase of the insulation effect. The materials have a great potential in using, for example, as thermal insulation for the restoration of historic buildings in the narrow central parts of the old towns.
A fishtail well design for cyclic steam injection—A case study from Yarega heavy oil field in Russia
Authors: Abzaletdinov German A. , Ajayi Temitope , Elnoamany Youssuf A. , Durkin Sergey , Gupta Ipsita
Published: September 2019

Yarega heavy oil field (YHOF) is a naturally fractured heavy oil field where only recently steam‐assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) technology has been introduced. SAGD employed in this field has so far resulted in early steam breakthrough leading to producer well abandonment and recurrent drilling procedures invariably increasing costs. Therefore, as opposed to SAGD, we propose the joint application of cyclic steam injection (CSS) technology with fishtail wells. The advantages of CSS are well documented. The addition of fishtail wells to this strategy assists in reducing the travel time the mobilized oil takes to arrive at a well perforation. Our results demonstrate that the synergy between these two strategies can further improve recoveries in heavy oil reservoirs. A reservoir simulation model of a sector in the YHOF is employed to understand heat/mass transfer mechanisms and for production enhancement recommendations. Different well configuration strategies were tested on this model. Results from the three‐dimensional sector in the YHOF model suggest that in addition to the thermal development technologies employed in this reservoir, CSS coupled with fishtail wells provided favorable steam‐oil ratios, cumulative energy‐oil ratios, and enhanced cumulative oil recovery for a naturally fractured reservoir. Well abandonment issues arising from SAGD approach currently being applied can therefore be eliminated. Based on results from this research, we recommend the testing of a fishtail well development plan with CSS that includes a 10‐day steam injection, 10‐day soaking period, and 10‐day production period. In comparison with continuous steam injection recovery (4.5% over 3 years), our simulation results showed an improved recovery of 7% over the same period with this concept. In addition to the technical advantage of this strategy, favorable steam‐oil and energy‐oil ratios imply that minimal economic costs are achieved and carbon footprints are lessened.
Geomorphic controls on floodplain sediment and soil organic carbon storage in a Scottish mountain river
Authors: Swinnen Ward , Daniëls Teun , Maurer Eline , Broothaerts Nils , Verstraeten Gert
Published: September 2019

River floodplains constitute an important element in the terrestrial sediment and organic carbon cycle and store variable amounts of carbon and sediment depending on a complex interplay of internal and external driving forces. Quantifying the storage in floodplains is crucial to understand their role in the sediment and carbon cascades. Unfortunately, quantitative data on floodplain storage are limited, especially at larger spatial scales. Rivers in the Scottish Highlands can provide a special case to study alluvial sediment and carbon dynamics because of the dominance of peatlands throughout the landscape, but the alluvial history of the region remains poorly understood. In this study, the floodplain sediment and soil organic carbon storage is quantified for the mountainous headwaters of the River Dee in eastern Scotland (663 km2), based on a coring dataset of 78 floodplain cross‐sections. Whereas the mineral sediment storage is dominated by wandering gravel‐bed river sections, most of the soil organic carbon storage can be found in anastomosing and meandering sections. The total storage for the Upper Dee catchment can be estimated at 5.2 Mt or 2306.5 Mg ha‐1 of mineral sediment and 0.7 Mt or 323.3 Mg C ha‐1 of soil organic carbon, which is in line with other studies on temperate river systems. Statistical analysis indicates that the storage is mostly related to the floodplain slope and the geomorphic floodplain type, which incorporates the characteristic stream power, channel morphology and the deposit type. Mapping of the geomorphic floodplain type using a simple classification scheme shows to be a powerful tool in studying the total storage and local variability of mineral sediment and soil organic carbon in floodplains. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blockchain‐based security aspects in heterogeneous Internet‐of‐Things networks: A survey
Authors: Pohrmen Fabiola Hazel , Das Rohit Kumar , Saha Goutam
Published: September 2019

Blockchain is a key technology that enables cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, etc. In recent years, researchers have ventured into tapping the potential of blockchain‐based ecosystems beyond cryptocurrencies. This paper explores the convergence of blockchain with the Internet of things (IoT) and its improved versions like software‐defined network (SDN)–based IoT, which are upcoming technologies in the area. This paper gives a brief description of the IoT and its challenges, especially the security aspects. It also discusses how blockchain concept can further resolve these challenges on the SDN‐based IoT platform. This paper first discussed the evolution of conventional IoT to the SDN‐based IoT, which can resolve many drawbacks of a conventional IoT system. Also, it is focused on how the concept of blockchain can be converged with SDN‐based IoT system to further improve its security aspects. Although the convergence of these different technologies has resulted into many advantages, many associated challenges still remain. This paper highlighted these challenges and opportunities to discover many other research issues that need to be resolved. The details of current literature on the same issue has also been highlighted in this paper.
Concentration of aroma compounds by pervaporation process using polyvinyl chloride membrane
Authors: Unlu Derya
Published: September 2019

The organoleptic properties of beverage products have an important role in consumption and commercial success. Nowadays aroma recovery with high efficiency is an important process. Hydrophobic pervaporation is an alternative process for the recovery of aroma compounds in the food industry. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of operation temperature, feed concentration, and driving force on the recovery of different aroma compounds such as propyl acetate, pentyl acetate, and octyl acetate by pervaporation. Pervaporation was operated using a Polyvinyl Chloride hydrophobic membrane. As the process temperature and the feed concentration increased, the flux increased, but separation factor values of binary aqueous solutions of the aroma components propyl acetate, pentyl acetate, and octyl acetate decreased. Polyvinyl Chloride possessed a higher separation factor value for propyl acetate than octyl acetate and pentyl acetate. This situation was also confirmed with swelling tests and solubility parameters. Low‐swelling degree results in a high separation factor. The highest separation success was observed for propyl acetate. The flux and separation factor of propyl acetate were obtained as 1.57 kg m−2 h−1 and 158, respectively. It has been found that the pervaporation is an efficient process for aroma recovery from water and that the polyvinyl chloride membrane exhibits good separation performance from the removal of propyl acetate, pentyl acetate, and octyl acetate from the water.
Effects of supplying additional information: Experimental evidence on the behavior of capital market experts
Authors: Hommel Ulrich , Prokesch Tobias , Wohlenberg Holger , von der Gracht Heiko A.
Published: September 2019

Herding is extensively discussed in the literature, yet the results are so far inconclusive. The question of how additional information is processed remains unclear. This article presents the outcome of a novel two‐stage forecasting experiment that examines how capital market experts process ‘additional’ information. In the first stage, we test whether experts are engaging in herding or anti‐herding. In the second stage, we analyze how additional information is reflected in the experts' forecasting behavior in terms of hit rate, miscalibration, width of forecasting interval and confidence level. The paper delivers evidence on the presence of anti‐herding, which also tends to impact forecasting accuracy negatively. Moreover, additional information decreases the width of the forecast interval, leading to a lower hit rate. As a consequence, the level of overconfidence increases, while the level of forecasting confidence remains stable.
Biochemical composition and antioxidant activity of three extra virgin olive oils from the Irpinia Province, Southern Italy
Authors: Fratianni Florinda , Cozzolino Rosaria , Martignetti Antonella , Malorni Livia , d’Acierno Antonio , De Feo Vincenzo , da Cruz Adriano G. , Nazzaro Filomena
Published: September 2019

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), appraised for its healthy properties, represents an important element for the economy of several countries of the Mediterranean area, including Italy. Our study aimed to evaluate some biochemical characteristics (polyphenols and volatile compounds) as well as the antioxidant activity of three EVOOs obtained from the varieties Ravece, Ogliarola, and Ruvea antica, grown in the same field of an Irpinian village, Montella, in the Campania region, Southern Italy. Extra virgin olive oil Ruvea antica contained the greatest amount of total polyphenols and showed the highest antioxidant activity. Principal component analysis of the aromatic profiles indicated that the three EVOOs could be easily discriminated according to the cultivar. 1‐Hexanol, 2‐hexen‐1‐ol, 3‐pentanone, representing the most abundant volatiles of the EVOO Ruvea antica, and 2‐hexenal, which resulted the main component in EVOOs Ogliarola and Ravece, could be considered as markers to discriminate these three EVOOs, according to the ReliefF feature selection algorithm.
Measurement of sexual disinhibition in dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Chapman Kimberly R. , Spitznagel Mary Beth
Published: September 2019

Sexual disinhibition in dementia is correlated with multiple negative care recipient and caregiver outcomes but remains largely overlooked in the literature. Its prevalence is not well understood, with studies reporting between 1.8% and 25% presence of sexual disinhibition in dementia samples. One reason for the variability in the reported presence of sexual disinhibition may be lack of standardized methods for assessment. Several widely used measures for neuropsychiatric symptoms do not include items to assess sexual disinhibition. When measures do include sexual disinhibition, it is not addressed in a consistent manner. Inconsistency in how questions about sexual disinhibition are phrased is problematic, given that recent work shows it can differentially influence endorsement. Working toward a gold standard of sexual disinhibition measurement in dementia is needed. To this end, a systematic review of the literature to identify potentially appropriate instruments for measurement of sexual disinhibition in this population was conducted through the Web of Science and PubMed databases between January 2019 and February 2019. An overview of the 20 measures identified in this search is provided. Each measure is evaluated for appropriateness of use in dementia samples through broad examination of psychometric properties, structure, and format and the extent to which measure content overlaps with current conceptualizations of sexual disinhibition in dementia. Five common content domains were identified: hypersexuality, lewd/aberrant sexual behavior, inappropriate sexual advances, inappropriate sexual comments, and socially disruptive sexual behavior. No single measure addressed all content domains. Directions for future research are identified and discussed.
Association between brain amyloid accumulation and neuropsychological characteristics in elders with depression and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Youn HyunChul , Lee Suji , Han Changsu , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Jeong Hyun‐Ghang
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To investigate the presence of cerebral amyloidopathy and its associations with performances on neurocognitive tests and clinical features in depressed elders with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods/design

In total, 94 older adults with concomitant MCI and some depressive symptoms were included in this study. Cerebral amyloidopathy was evaluated using 18F‐florbetaben‐positron emission tomography. A standardized neurocognitive test battery and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were administered to all subjects. We examined the Apolipoprotein E genotype using a polymerase chain reaction‐based method.

Results

Among the 94 initial participants, seven participants were excluded because of failure to undergo MRI or complete the neuropsychological battery. Among 87 subjects, 45 elders (51.7%) had cerebral amyloidopathy and were classified as the concomitant depression and MCI with cerebral amyloid‐accumulation‐positive (CDAP) group; others were classified as the concomitant depression and MCI with cerebral amyloid‐accumulation‐negative (CDAN) group. Poorer performances on word list recall and constructional recall were observed in the CDAP group than in the CDAN group.

Conclusions

The results indicate that around half of older adults with concomitant MCI and some depressive symptoms might be prone to have Alzheimer dementia. Results of neurocognitive tests possibly aid in discerning the presence of cerebral amyloidopathy.
Wnt/β‐Catenin Signaling Plays a Protective Role in the Mdr2 Knockout Murine Model of Cholestatic Liver Disease
Authors: Pradhan‐Sundd Tirthadipa , Kosar Karis , Saggi Harvinder , Zhang Rong , Vats Ravi , Cornuet Pamela , Green Sydney , Singh Sucha , Zeng Gang , Sundd Prithu , Nejak‐Bowen Kari
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims

The Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway has a well‐described role in liver pathobiology. Its suppression was recently shown to decrease bile acid (BA) synthesis, thus preventing the development of cholestatic liver injury and fibrosis after bile duct ligation (BDL).

Approach and Results

To generalize these observations, we suppressed β‐catenin in Mdr2 knockout (KO) mice, which develop sclerosing cholangitis due to regurgitation of BA from leaky ducts. When β‐catenin was knocked down (KD) in KO for 2 weeks, hepatic and biliary injury were exacerbated in comparison to KO given placebo, as shown by serum biochemistry, ductular reaction, inflammation, and fibrosis. Simultaneously, KO/KD livers displayed increased oxidative stress and senescence and an impaired regenerative response. Although the total liver BA levels were similar between KO/KD and KO, there was significant dysregulation of BA transporters and BA detoxification/synthesis enzymes in KO/KD compared with KO alone. Multiphoton intravital microscopy revealed a mixing of blood and bile in the sinusoids, and validated the presence of increased serum BA in KO/KD mice. Although hepatocyte junctions were intact, KO/KD livers had significant canalicular defects, which resulted from loss of hepatocyte polarity. Thus, in contrast to the protective effect of β‐catenin KD in BDL model, β‐catenin KD in Mdr2 KO aggravated rather than alleviated injury by interfering with expression of BA transporters, hepatocyte polarity, canalicular structure, and the regenerative response.

Conclusions

The resulting imbalance between ongoing injury and restitution led to worsening of the Mdr2 KO phenotype, suggesting caution in targeting β‐catenin globally for all cholestatic conditions.
Stereospecific Cross‐Coupling Reactions Provide Conformationally‐Biased Arylalkanes with Anti‐Leukemia Activity
Authors: Sanford Amberly B. , Tollefson Emily J. , Jarvo Elizabeth R.
Published: September 2019

A focused small library of carbamates and alcohols was prepared employing stereospecific Kumada‐ring opening reactions of tetrahydropyrans. The core framework of the library members is acyclic and incorporates 1,3‐substituents, to provide a conformational bias in avoiding syn‐pentane interactions. A new compound with micromolar activity against MOLT‐4, CCRF‐CEM, and HL‐60(TB) leukemia cell lines was identified from this series.
China's new normal and the implications to domestic and global business
Authors: Abdul‐Rahaman Abdul‐Rashid , Hongxing Yao
Published: September 2019

We use a VEC model to analyse China's “new normal” and how they affect aggregate components of China's balance of payment account, which represents China and the rest of the world. We assessed whether the tightening financial conditions impact China's long‐run growth. We also assessed the reduction in savings and its effect on growth. We further assess the claim of increasing net capital flows through a stable currency. We also compute China's currency gains and losses in CFET countries using the approach in and analysed how reducing national savings will impact on currency gains in the FX market. Analysing the fluctuations in capital flows, and its determinants, are significant for the restructuring since the government has undertaken to reduce his participation in direct financing. The research found that the gradual tightening of monetary policy if core inflation continues to pick up will not affect the long run current account growth, whereas reduced savings will have a short‐run adverse effect on growth. These conclusions support the assertion in. Furthermore, the liberalization of the financial systems reduces growth in the short run, whereas the fluctuations in renminbi have no impact on the capital account. We, therefore, do not find evidence of currency stability, aiding and facilitating net capital flows. Also, the decision to tighten policy rates and the effects on the capital account depends on the margin of the change. Lastly, the liberalization reforms will increase currency gains and also trigger currency appreciations.
The influence of the levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system position on bleeding patterns in reproductive age women
Authors: Alves Renata D.M.S. , Rabelo Maiara M. , Andrade Venandra R. , Cabral Renata C.S. , Merriman Joely W. , Brito Milena B.
Published: September 2019

Objective

To determine whether users of the non‐fundal levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) present with unfavorable bleeding patterns more frequently than fundal LNG‐IUS users.

Methods

A prospective cohort was conducted from June, 2016 to January, 2018 involving women aged 18–45 years who wished to use the LNG‐IUS as contraception and had no contraindications, endometrial polyps, submucosal myomas, irregular menstrual cycle, or anticoagulant use. Two study groups comprised women using fundal insertion and non‐fundal insertion LNG‐IUS. Bleeding was evaluated using a diary and pictogram chart.

Results

Of the 92 women who participated in the study, those with non‐fundal LNG‐IUS insertion sustained bleeding at rates greater than 83% (31) in the first 3 months of use, and 58% (14) at 6 months, versus 51% (22) at 3 months and 33% (19) at 6 months in those with fundal insertion (P=0.002 at 3 months; P=0.037 at 6 months). Blood loss in the non‐fundal LNG‐IUS group was higher than in the fundal LNG‐IUS group according to pictograms drawn by participants.

Conclusion

Women with non‐fundal LNG‐IUS placement had a higher frequency of sustained bleeding and blood loss volume according to self‐reported charts than those with fundal LNG‐IUS placement.
Guanylate‐binding protein‐2 inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth and increases the sensitivity to paclitaxel of paclitaxel‐resistant colorectal cancer cells by interfering Wnt signaling
Authors: Wang Jing , Min Hui , Hu Bin , Xue Xiaorong , Liu Yufan
Published: September 2019

Among the GTPase family members, guanylate‐binding protein‐1 (GBP‐1) is the most thoroughly studied member in a plethora of human cancers. GBP‐2, on the other hand, remains limitedly studied. We wonder how GBP‐2 participates in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) as well as the paclitaxel (PTX)‐resistance of CRC. In this study, the authors are determined to dig into the role that GBP‐2 plays in the sensitivity of CRC to PTX, therefore, possibly indicating a promising gene therapy target for CRC. Forced expression of GBP‐2 gene was done by plasmid transfection. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot were conducted to detect the expression of GBP‐2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein, respectively. Colony foci formation assay, transwell invasion assay, and flow cytofluorometry were done to determine the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of PTX‐resistant and PTX‐sensitive CRC cell lines, respectively. The level of GBP‐2 mRNA and protein in PTX‐resistant CRC cell lines was significantly lower than in nonresistant cell lines. Forced exogenous expression of GBP‐2 in PTX‐resistant CRC cell lines resulted in more sensitivity to PTX because of the demonstration of less cell proliferation, invasion, and more apoptosis. Wnt signaling was suppressed when GBP‐2 was upregulated by transfection of GBP‐2 overexpression plasmids, and Wnt signaling did not affect GBP‐2 expression. GBP‐2 upregulation could enhance the killing effect of PTX in both PTX‐sensitive CRC cells and PTX‐resistant CRC cells by suppressing Wnt signaling.
Decreasing New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 expression inhibits multiple myeloma growth and osteolytic lesions
Authors: Li Fei , Zhao Fengshu , Li Miao , Pan Meng , Shi Fangfang , Xu Hui , Zheng Danfeng , Wang Ling , Dou Jun
Published: September 2019

New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY‐ESO‐1) is aberrantly expressed in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, however, its role remains largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of NY‐ESO‐1 knockdown on MM impact and provide evidence for targeting treatment of MM. Human MM U266 cells were infected with lentivirus‐based small hairpin RNA‐targeting NY‐ESO‐1 (LV‐shNY‐ESO‐1). Cellular proliferation, colony‐forming, migration, and invasion assays were employed. The expressions of cell cycle and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related molecules, MM growth, and mouse osteolytic lesions were evaluated. The results showed that the LV‐shNY‐ESO‐1‐U266 cells had a lower expression of NY‐ESO‐1 and a higher expressions of p21 and E‐cadherin, and a weaker abilities of colony formation, drug‐resistant to adriamycin, migration, and invasion than those of the control cells. Importantly, the knockdown of NY‐ESO‐1 inhibited significantly the U266 cell‐induced MM growth and osteolytic lesions along with increasing the expressions of E‐cadherin, p21, and p53 in mice challenged with LV‐shNY‐ESO‐1‐U266 cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that knockdown of NY‐ESO‐1 suppressed the U266 cell‐induced MM growth and osteolytic lesions by inhibition of the MMs cell cycle and EMT. The NY‐ESO‐1 knockdown may be considered for future clinical trials in MM.
Osteonectin regulates the extracellular matrix mineralization of osteoblasts through P38 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhu Yun‐Sen , Gu Yong , Jiang Chang , Chen Liang
Published: September 2019

Osteonectin binds strongly to type I collagen and hydroxyapatite and plays a crucial role in extracellular matrix mineralization. Previous studies have also shown that p38 signaling pathway is an important regulator for osteoblast mineralization. This study focused on the role of osteonectin in regulating extracellular matrix mineralization via the p38 signaling pathway. Osteoblasts were isolated and cultured from parietal bones of neonatal Sprague‐Dawley rats. The gene and protein expressions of noncollagen proteins (BSP, bone sialoprotein; OCN, osteocalcin; OPN, osteopontin), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and SIBLINGs (Small Integrin‐Binding LIgand N‐linked Glycoproteins) members (DMP1, dentine matrix protein 1, DSPP, dentin sialophosphoprotein, and MEPE, matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein) were detected by reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Alizarin red staining, intracellular calcium assay, and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect mineralization. Initially, by adding osteonectin at different concentrations in osteoblasts and detecting the above mineralization indexes, 1 µg/ml was determined to be the optima osteonectin concentration, which significantly increased gene expressions of BSP, OPN, OCN, DMP1, MEPE, DSPP, and p38 in osteoblasts, p38 and p‐p38 protein expressions were also significantly increased, mineralized nodules were significantly enhanced; when added with SB203580 (a specific inhibitor for p38) these effects were inhibited. Furthermore, osteoblasts transfected with Ad‐p38 also significantly upregulated the protein and gene expressions of noncollagens and SIBLINGs members, whereas transfection of p38‐rhRNA showed the opposite effect. Our data suggest that osteonectin regulates the extracellular matrix mineralization of osteoblasts through the P38 signaling pathway.
S1PR3 deficiency alleviates radiation‐induced pulmonary fibrosis through the regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition by targeting miR‐495‐3p
Authors: Gong Linjing , Wu Xu , Li Xinyi , Ni Xiaoying , Gu Wenyu , Wang Xinyuan , Ji Haiying , Hu Lijuan , Zhu Lei
Published: September 2019

Radiation‐induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) is a life‐threatening complication of thoracic radiotherapy, which contributes to continued deterioration in pulmonary function. Sphingosine‐1 phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3) has been identified as a crucial molecule in fibrosis. Accumulating evidence indicated that the inhibition of the S1PRs ameliorates fibrogenesis. Thus, this study aims to explore whether S1PR3 participates in RIPF and elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying S1PR3‐modulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in transforming growth factor‐β1‐induced pulmonary epithelia. A recombinant adeno‐associated viral‐mediated S1PR3 (AAV‐S1PR3) gene therapy analyzed the effect of S1PR3 gene deficiency on the altered histology structure and molecular mechanisms in the lung of mice with whole‐lung irradiation. Compared with the AAV‐negative control mice, AAV‐mediated S1PR3 knockdown in the lung of mice attenuated pulmonary fibrosis induced by the radiation, as indicated by the alleviation of collagen accumulation, lessened histopathological alterations, and the suppression of inflammatory cells infiltration. S1PR3 deficiency reversed the RIPF concomitantly with abrogated EMT‐related protein (α‐smooth muscle actin). Consistently, S1PR3‐deficient pulmonary epithelia inhibited the EMT process changes and fibrosis formation. Furthermore, S1PR3 was designated as one of the target genes for microRNA‐495‐3p (miR‐495‐3p). The inhibition of miR‐495‐3p promoted the expression of S1PR3 in pulmonary epithelia, whereas the overexpression of miR‐495‐3p inhibited the S1PR3/SMAD2/3 pathway and suppressed the EMT process. Collectively, miR‐495‐3p might be a negative regulator of the EMT process in fibrosis formation by inhibiting the targeted S1PR3 gene. These results established a link between the S1PR3 gene, the EMT process, and the fibrosis, suggesting the pharmacological blockage of S1PR3 as a potential therapeutic strategy for RIPF.
Malate–aspartate shuttle promotes l‐lactate oxidation in mitochondria
Authors: Altinok Oya , Poggio Juan L. , Stein David E. , Bowne Wilbur B. , Shieh Adrian C. , Snyder Nathaniel W. , Orynbayeva Zulfiya
Published: September 2019

Metabolism in cancer cells is rewired to generate sufficient energy equivalents and anabolic precursors to support high proliferative activity. Within the context of these competing drives aerobic glycolysis is inefficient for the cancer cellular energy economy. Therefore, many cancer types, including colon cancer, reprogram mitochondria‐dependent processes to fulfill their elevated energy demands. Elevated glycolysis underlying the Warburg effect is an established signature of cancer metabolism. However, there are a growing number of studies that show that mitochondria remain highly oxidative under glycolytic conditions. We hypothesized that activities of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation are coordinated to maintain redox compartmentalization. We investigated the role of mitochondria‐associated malate–aspartate and lactate shuttles in colon cancer cells as potential regulators that couple aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. We demonstrated that the malate–aspartate shuttle exerts control over NAD+/NADH homeostasis to maintain activity of mitochondrial lactate dehydrogenase and to enable aerobic oxidation of glycolytic l‐lactate in mitochondria. The elevated glycolysis in cancer cells is proposed to be one of the mechanisms acquired to accelerate oxidative phosphorylation.
Evaluation of oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients over 80 years of age with nonsevere frailty
Authors: Shinohara Masaya , Wada Ryou , Yao Shintaro , Yano Kensuke , Akitsu Katsuya , Koike Hideki , Kinoshita Toshio , Yuzawa Hitomi , Suzuki Takeya , Fujino Tadashi , Ikeda Takanori
Published: September 2019

Background

The safety and efficacy of an oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment and the difference between direct OACs (DOACs) and warfarin in nonsevere frail elderly patients with AF are unclear.

Methods

This was a retrospective and observational study of 354 patients over 80 years of age with nonsevere frailty who were diagnosed with AF and treated with OACs. Nonsevere frailty was defined as a clinical frailty scale score of <7. Bleeding and thromboembolic events during the OAC treatment were followed up.

Results

Of 354 patients enrolled, 273 (77.1%) received DOACs and 81 (22.9%) received warfarin. Of 273 patients receiving DOACs, there were 210 (76.9%) prescribed with appropriate doses of DOACs. Of 81 warfarin‐treated patients, 53 (65.4%) were prescribed an appropriate dose of warfarin. During a follow‐up of 33.1 (14.0‐51.0) months, 15 patients (1.5/100 person‐years) had bleeding events and 10 (1.0/100 person‐years) had thromboembolic events while on an OAC treatment. The incidence ratio of bleeding events in patients receiving DOACs was lower than that in those receiving warfarin (1.0/100 person‐years vs 2.9/100 person‐years, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07‐0.91, P = .036). There was no significant difference in the incidence of thromboembolic events between the DOAC and warfarin treatment groups (0.88/100 person‐years vs 1.4/100 person‐years, HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.16‐2.57, P = .52).

Conclusions

OACs are substantially safe and effective for preventing thromboembolic events in nonsevere frail patients over 80 years of age. Particularly, DOACs can be used more safely than warfarin.
A case of accessory pathway between the coronary sinus musculature and the left ventricle
Authors: Takenaka Sou , Suzuki Jun , Ueno Akihiko , Uchiyama Takashi
Published: September 2019

A 64‐year‐old female underwent catheter ablation of long R‐P' tachycardia. Ventricular pacing exhibited retrograde conduction with an identical atrial activation sequence as during tachycardia because of an accessory pathway (AP) with a long VA conduction. A radiofrequency application within the posterior coronary sinus (CS) could achieve a change of activation pattern from distal‐to‐proximal to proximal‐to‐distal within CS proximal to the ablation site, caused by conduction block of CS musculature (CSM) at the proximal site. This phenomenon could explain that this AP was connected between the CSM and the left ventricle, in site far away from the discrete connection between the left atrium and CSM.
Effects of different statistical distribution and threshold criteria in extreme precipitation modelling over global land areas
Authors: Wang Zhenni , Wen Xin , Lei Xiaohui , Tan Qiaofeng , Fang Guohua , Zhang Xinyi
Published: September 2019

In statistical modelling of extreme precipitation, most of previous studies were proposed for some certain regions, the effects of diverse extreme distribution and threshold remain unclear on a global scale. In this study, we evaluated the performance of different extreme distribution and threshold across the global land areas, and proposed the optimal criteria in distribution and threshold determination for monthly extreme precipitation modelling. The performance of the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution and generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) models were compared and the applicability of GPD models with thresholds determined by different percentiles in each grid was analysed. The results show that the GPD model is more suitable than the GEV model for monthly extreme precipitation, and the threshold over global land areas is likely to be associated with the spatial distribution of annual precipitation magnitude. The 97–99th percentile is most applicable to arid regions (e.g., the northern edge of North America, central Asia, North Africa, southwest Asia, central South America). The 93–96th percentile is most applicable to semi‐arid and semi‐humid regions (e.g., eastern North America, a strip region in northern Eurasia, and inland semi‐arid areas in Asia). The 90–92 percentile is most applicable to humid regions (e.g., central and southern North America, most areas in South America, Eurasia [except central Eurasia], southern and central Africa).
How has the presence of an increasingly more global labor market softened the impact of the financial crisis 2008 for the U.K. economy?
Authors: Floyd David
Published: September 2019

The changing labor market and a global labor force have helped keep costs down. This has helped reduce the impact of the recent financial crisis. Technological development has also contributed to this process. Policies have been adopted to open up global labor markets. Reforms have been made to make labor markets more flexible. This article considers the main factors that have motivated workers to go abroad. It also looks at the impact of a more diverse workforce on the economy since the financial crisis. The article draws on theories of mobility, employment, and global migration reports. Evidence would suggest that providing flexibility in the labor market is one of the keys to recovery from the financial crisis.
Exploring consumer mobile payment adoption in the bottom‐of‐the‐pyramid context: A qualitative study
Authors: Hasan Rajibul , Liu Yinggang , Kitchen Philip J. , Rahman Mizan
Published: September 2019

This article investigates the factors influencing mobile payment in China's bottom‐of‐the‐pyramid (BOP) market via in‐depth interviews with mobile payment users in several geographic regions in China. This article investigates factors influencing mobile payment adoption in the BOP context. The results show that product bundling, after‐sale services, interference from other institutions, perceived corporate integrity, and monopoly and information opaqueness can influence mobile payment adoption in the BOP context. The findings will help practitioners understand and improve mobile payment adoption in the BOP context.
The use of information by financial analysts during a financial crisis
Authors: Tan Kheng Lee , Imam Shahed , Babu Mujahid Mohiuddin
Published: September 2019

This study examines the relevance of information set in sell‐side analysts' publicly available reports during the recent financial crisis. Prior studies suggest that analysts use more nonfinancial than financial information to support stock recommendations but there is little academic research on what information is relevant to them during periods of serious economic stress. We analyzed 90 analysts' reports from three subperiods (a) precrisis (2006–2007), (b) crisis (2007–2009), and (c) postcrisis (2009–2010). Our findings suggest that during the crisis period, analysts focus more on specific sets of information such as cost control and strength of management whereas in the noncrisis period they focus more on information related to earnings and market outlook. The importance of the interdependency of financial and nonfinancial information is evident in their recommendation especially in crisis and postcrisis period as we find joint use of both set of information to support their recommendations. We conclude that although nonfinancial information may have been used more frequently and jointly to support recommendations, it is financial information which ultimately guides analysts' recommendations both in good times and in bad.
Simultaneous separation and determination of thallium in water samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhao Yuexin , Cheng Fang , Men Bin , He Yi , Xu Hui , Yang Xiaofang , Wang Dongsheng
Published: September 2019

An analytical method for separation and determination of thallium species in water using high‐performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed. The composition and concentration of mobile phase, injection volume, and pH value were optimized respectively with an anion or cation exchange column. The results showed that Tl(I) and Tl(III) were effectively separated using anion exchange column Hamilton PRP‐X100, with the mobile phase consisting of 200 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 10 mmol/L diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (pH = 4.2). When using a Dionex cation exchange guard column, CS12A, 15 mmol/L HNO3, and 3 mmol/L diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid as the mobile phase, Tl(I) and Tl(III) could be effectively separated. The detection limits of the methods were 3–6 and 9–12 ng/L, respectively. In a solution containing Fe ions and oxalic acid, a significant quantity of Tl(I) was oxidized. Fe ions and oxalic acid in the water samples did not interfere with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement results.