bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effect of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Leaf Supplemented Feed on the Growth and Carcass Quality of Broilers in Calabar
Authors: Edu N. E. , Ekpo P. B. , Umoyen A. J. , Thomas T. L. , Akpan M. O. , Leo E. A. , Job I. E.
Published: November 2019

Background: Rapid population growth of human and livestock create increasing demands for food, nutrition security in developing countries and therefore alternative feed resources must be identified and evaluated. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on supplemented feed on the growth and carcass quality of broilers in Calabar.

Methodology: Fresh leaves of Moringa oleifera were bought and collected from Calabar, Nigeria. The leaves were dried for four days and milled. A total of 40 broiler chicks that 48 day-olds, unsexed (rose 308) were sourced from a reputable poultry farm in Calabar. The broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four treatment groups (A, B, C and D). 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% of MOLM were incorporated into the broiler feed which constituted the four treatment groups. Each group was replicated ten times at 10 birds per replicate. The following parameters were taken including feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate and carcass quality. Data were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results: The diet supplemented with 5% of MOLM showed significantly high body weight and followed by 10% of MOLM. Feed intake values were significantly (p<0.05) different across the treatment groups. The weight gain (WG) was statistically similar for group B and C but significantly (p<0.05) different in group D; with birds fed with 10% MOLM based diet having the highest WG. The feed conversion ratio of the birds were not significantly (p>0.05) different in group B and C, but differed significantly (P<0.05) in group D when compared with the control in group A. Carcass characteristics showed higher values of dressing percentage in birds fed supplemented with 10% MOLM (group C). The levels of MOLM were not significantly different in terms of liver weight, heart weight, kidney weight and abdominal fat.

Conclusion: Overall, the best significant improvement in the response indices were obtained in birds fed 10% MOLM, while there was a reduced performance of birds feed with 15% MOLM.
Gamification
Authors: Hamari Juho
Published: November 2019

Gamification broadly refers to technological, economic, cultural, and societal developments in which reality is becoming more gameful, and thus to a greater extent can afford the accruing of skills, motivational benefits, creativity, playfulness, engagement, and overall positive growth and happiness. These aspects are all commonly perceived as positive benefits of play and playing games. Gamification can be seen to progress through two primary developments: (1)Intentional gamification: where gamification is defined as an intentional process of transforming practically any activity, system, service, product, or organizational structure into one which affords similar positive experiences, skills, and practices as found in games. This is commonly but optionally done with an intention to facilitate changes in behaviors or cognitive processes. As the main inspirations of gamification are games and play, gamification is commonly pursued by employing game design. (2)Emergent gamification: where gamification can be defined as a gradual and emergent, albeit unintentional, cultural and societal transformation stemming from the increased pervasive engagement with games and gameful interactions. The assumption is that, through the increasingly pervasive role of games in human lives, our cultural and societal practices are gradually transforming into ones which are increasingly reminiscent of games, game communities, and player practices.
Critical Theory/Frankfurt School
Authors: Langman Lauren
Published: November 2019

The Frankfurt School of critical theory, sometimes called “cultural Marxism,” emerged as a number of scholars from different disciplines, philosophy, sociology, economics, and so on, sharing a Marxist perspective that unlike the “official Marxism” of the day attempted to expand and develop Marx's insights by incorporating Weber's theories of rationality and Freudian theories of psychodynamics into a broader perspective incorporating Marx's cultural perspectives. They sought to establish an interdisciplinary approach to understand the society of the 1920s and 1930s from a critical, neo‐Marxist perspective. Among the important issues of that time were the rise of fascism, its underlying psychological basis, authoritarianism, the growing use of the then new forms of mass media/mass culture evident in in politics, advertising, and popular culture. Moreover, they envisioned an alternative society, based on a humanistic rather than authoritarian version of socialism in which individuals could freely realize their unique qualities and potentials. The legacies of early critical theory, as established by luminaries such as Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, and Fromm, continue to have relevance today. At the same time, the scholars of the Institute for Social Research, such as Habermas and Honneth, charted slightly different paths, focusing on communication, recognition, and democratic society
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Lacinutrix venerupis Isolated from Atlantic Horse Mackerel Trachurus trachurus
Authors: Fernández-Álvarez Clara , Santos Ysabel
Published: November 2019

The aim of the present study was to characterize two gram-negative bacterial strains that were isolated from diseased Atlantic Horse Mackerel Trachurus trachurus in 2017. Based on the results obtained from the biochemical and chemotaxonomic characterization, the isolates were identified as Lacinutrix spp. The highest similarity of the 16S rRNA gene sequences was obtained with the strain L. venerupis CECT 8573T (99.1%), while other species showed similarities of 98% (L. jangbogonensis) and 97% (L. algicola and L. mariniflava). Molecular characterization by repetitive element (REP)-PCR and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR, as well as proteomic characterization by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), demonstrated heterogeneity between the strains from the Atlantic Horse Mackerel and the type strain, CECT 8573T. The virulence of one of the isolates for Turbot Scophthalmus maximus, European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax, Senegalese Sole Solea senegalensis, and Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was assessed under experimental conditions. No mortalities were recorded after intraperitoneal injections with high doses of bacteria (1 × 109 CFU/mL). Thus, further studies are necessary to elucidate the impact of this bacterial species as a fish pathogen.
Combined use of CSF NfL and CSF TDP‐43 improves diagnostic performance in ALS
Authors: Kasai Takashi , Kojima Yuta , Ohmichi Takuma , Tatebe Harutsugu , Tsuji Yukiko , Noto Yu‐ichi , Kitani‐Morii Fukiko , Shinomoto Makiko , Allsop David , Mizuno Toshiki , Tokuda Takahiko
Published: November 2019

Objective

To determine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of neurofilament light chain (NfL), TAR DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43), and total tau (t‐tau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to investigate whether the combined use of those biomarker candidates can improve their diagnostic performance.

Methods

This was a single–center, prospective, longitudinal study. CSF and plasma samples were collected at the time of enrollment from a discovery cohort of 29 patients with ALS and 29 age–matched controls without neurodegenerative disease. In a validation cohort, there were 46 patients with ALS, and 46 control (not age‐matched) patients with motor weakness resulting from neuromuscular diseases. NfL, TDP‐43, and t‐tau levels in CSF and plasma were measured using ultrasensitive single molecule assay (Simoa) technology.

Results

The following findings were reproducibly observed among the discovery and validation cohorts: increased levels of CSF NfL, plasma NfL, and CSF TDP‐43 in ALS compared with control groups; shorter survival associated with higher levels of CSF and plasma NfL. When the CSF NfL and CSF TDP‐43 levels were combined, the areas under the ROC curves (AUC) were slightly improved relative to AUCs for each biomarker alone.

Interpretation

CSF and plasma NfL may not only serve as diagnostic biomarkers but also provide a measure of disease progression. CSF TDP‐43 is also useful as a diagnostic biomarker of ALS, but has no prognostic value. The combined use of CSF NfL and CSF TDP‐43 may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of ALS.
Nano Wave Plates Structuring and Index Matching in Transparent Hydroxyapatite‐YAG: Ce Composite Ceramics for High Luminous Efficiency White Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Huang Ping , Zhou Beiying , Zheng Qi , Tian Yuan , Wang Mengmeng , Wang Lianjun , Li Jianlin , Jiang Wan
Published: November 2019

Replacing traditional luminous silicone or resins with phosphor in ceramics (PiCs) as color converters has been proposed as an efficient way to improve thermal stability of high‐power white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs). However, excessive light scattering in existing PiCs results in enormous phosphor‐converted light losses, which makes the luminosity of current PiCs color converters less efficient and means that they can only be used in devices working in reflective mode. By introducing nano wave plate structuring and Rayleigh scattering, luminous hydroxyapatite (HA)‐YAG: Ce ceramics are prepared from mesoporous HA nanorods and YAG: Ce phosphors at 850 °C, enabling for the first time WLEDs equipped with PiC color converters in transmission mode. With low‐temperature sintering and a highly transparent matrix, the quantum yield of HA‐YAG: Ce retains ≈90% of the raw phosphor, and WLEDs with the color converters exhibit a record luminous efficiency of 170 lm W−1 and a correlated color temperature below 4500 K. A facile and practical strategy of using nano structural modulation to eliminate birefringence‐induced light scattering for fabricating high‐performance ceramic converters suitable for multiple mode luminaires is demonstrated.
Progress in Electrochemical and Electrophoretic Deposition of Nickel with Carbonaceous Allotropes: A Review
Authors: Awasthi Shikha , Pandey Sarvesh Kumar , Pandey Chandra Prabha , Balani Kantesh
Published: November 2019

Ni has applications in batteries, microchips, aerospace, medical equipment, power generation, and automotive industries but corrosion, erosion, and wear can destruct the surface and make it inept for the applications mentioned above. Carbonaceous reinforcements of carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, diamond, diamond‐like carbon, and fullerene have supplemented the performance of Ni coatings. Electrochemical (ED) and electrophoretic deposition (EPD) are widely used techniques to deposit coating. This review encompasses an overview of research progress in the domain of ED and EPD of Ni with carbonaceous reinforcements along with the influencing parameters, mechanism of deposition, description of types, and potential applications of carbonaceous reinforcements. The ample depiction on mechanical, tribological, and electrochemical properties reveals an amended hardness (610 Hv), elastic modulus (240 GPa), wear resistance (wear rate ≈2 × 10−5mm3N m−1) and corrosion resistance (Icorr= 0.398 µA cm−2) of Ni‐carbonaceous deposit coatings. Nonetheless, the interconnection of experimental evaluations along with the theoretical studies using first‐principles density functional theory, ab initio, and computational simulations can also deliver a new insight to structural stability, electronic properties, and interfacial mechanism of Ni‐carbonaceous coatings. Thus, this review in detail presents the correlative narration of experimental and theoretical studies of Ni‐carbonaceous depositions that provide multifunctional and prominent research direction on multifunctional coatings.
Asymmetric 1,4‐Addition of Arylboronic Acids to β,γ‐Unsaturated α‐Ketoesters using Heterogeneous Chiral Metal Nanoparticle Systems
Authors: Miyamura Hiroyuki , Yasukawa Tomohiro , Zhu Zhiyuan , Kobayashi Shū
Published: November 2019

Asymmetric 1,4‐addition reactions with β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters are valuable because the resulting chiral ketoester compounds can be converted into various useful species that are often used as chiral building blocks in drug and natural product synthesis. However, β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters have two reactive points in terms of nucleophilic additions, which will lead to the 1,4‐adduct, the 1,2‐adduct and to the combined 1,4‐ and 1,2‐adduct. Therefore, controlling this chemoselectivity is an important factor for the development of these transformations. Here, we developed an asymmetric 1,4‐addition of aryl boronic acids to β,γ‐unsaturated α‐ketoesters by using heterogeneous chiral rhodium nanoparticle systems with a chiral diene ligand bearing a secondary amide moiety. The newly developed polydimethylsilane‐immobilized rhodium nanoparticle catalysts showed high activity, high chemoselectivity, and excellent enantioselectivity, and this is the first heterogeneous catalytic system for this asymmetric reaction. Metal nanoparticle catalysts were recovered and reused without loss of activity or leaching of metal.

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Self‐assembled nanoporphyrins in the presence of gold bio‐nanoparticles as heterogeneous nano‐biocatalyst for green production of aldehydes and ketones
Authors: Taheri Bazmi Mahmoud , Naeimi Atena , Saeednia Samira , Hatefi Ardakani Mehdi
Published: November 2019

We report a simple and facile self‐assembly method for the successful fabrication of a biological macromolecule, MnTPPCl (manganese(III) chloride 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin), intercalated into gold nanoparticles using the cooperative effects of Sesbania sesban plant. This biohybrid was characterized using various techniques for further investigation. The catalytic activity of this biological hybrid was considered in the production of aldehydes and ketones from primary and secondary alcohols, respectively. Excellent conversions and selectivties were obtained applying Au@MnTPPCl colloidal nanocomposite and NaIO4 as an oxygen donor in ethanol.
Rare‐earth metal derivatives supported by aminophenoxy ligand: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance in lactide polymerization
Authors: Li Min , Zhang Jie , Chen Jue , Yao Yingming , Luo Yunjie
Published: November 2019

A library of rare‐earth metal derivatives supported by an aminophenoxy ligand was prepared and their catalytic performance in lactide polymerization was investigated. It was found that the synthetic strategy had a profound effect on the formation of aminophenoxy rare‐earth metal complexes. Amine elimination between Ln[N(SiMe3)2]3(μ‐Cl)Li(THF)3 (Ln = Yb, Y) and 1 equiv. of the aminophenol [HONH] ([HONH] = ο‐OCH3‐C6H4NHCH2(3,5‐tBu2‐C6H2‐2‐OH)) in toluene gave the unexpected heterobimetallic bis(aminophenoxy) rare‐earth metal complexes [ON]2LnLi(THF)2 (Ln = Yb (1), Y (2)). When the reactions were carried out in THF and TMEDA, amine elimination produced the aminophenoxy rare‐earth metal amide complexes {[ON]LnN(SiMe3)2}2 (Ln = Yb (5), Y (6)) in ca 85% isolated yields. Complexes 5 and 6 could also be obtained from salt metathesis reaction of {[ON]LnCl(THF)}2 (Ln = Yb (3), Y (4)) with NaN(SiMe3)2 in a 1:2 molar ratio. In addition, treatment of complexes 3 and 4 with NaOAr (Ar = &bond;C6H4‐4‐tBu) and (SiMe3)2NC(NPri)2Na in 1:4 and 1:2 molar ratios provided the corresponding aminophenoxy rare‐earth metal derivatives {[ON](μ‐OAr)Ln(μ‐OAr)Na(THF)2}2 (Ln = Yb (7), Y (8)) and {[ON]Ln[(iPrN)2CN(SiMe3)2]}2 (Ln = Yb (9), Y (10)), respectively. These complexes were fully characterized, and their molecular structures were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Polymerization experiments showed that complexes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 and 10 were highly active for the ring‐opening polymerization of l‐lactide in toluene, and complex 1 promoted l‐lactide polymerization in a controlled fashion. The polymerization of rac‐lactide initiated by the neutral aminophenoxy rare‐earth metal complexes 5, 6, 9 and 10 in THF afforded heterotactic polymers.
Dense georadar survey for a large‐scale reconstruction of the archaeological site of Pyrgi (Santa Severa, Rome)
Authors: Orlando Luciana , Michetti Laura M. , Belelli Marchesini Barbara , Papeschi Paolo , Giannino Fabio
Published: November 2019

The Etruscan site of Pyrgi extended over 10 ha along the Tyrrhenian coastline. Fieldwork has so far brought to light the sanctuary and a ceremonial complex at the southern edge of the settlement, whereas additional evidence is provided by a section cut by sea erosion across the site. The archaeological layer is about 2 m thick and includes dry masonry buildings arranged into lots; the most superficial features are disturbed by deep agricultural activities and the top layer includes scattered building material (limestone and tuff blocks). At this site, the efficacy of geophysical prospections are generally affected by the nearby presence of the beach's magnetic sand and the railway line. The use of dense ground penetrating radar (GPR) data proved to be the most suitable method in the mapping of buried archeological structures and made it possible to map out the topographic layout of the area which is currently under excavation. The dense three‐dimensional georadar (GPR) data highlight the presence of structures implanted at different topographic levels and provide preliminary information about the main building interventions and planimetric modifications inside the urban lots. The work was extremely useful for the future planning of the archaeological excavation as it makes it possible to reduce the costs and environmental impact of the archaeological activity. The georadar anomalies were confirmed by an archaeological test‐trench conducted in the surveyed area.
Promoting colonoscopy screening among low‐income Latinos at average risk of colorectal cancer: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: DuHamel Katherine N. , Schofield Elizabeth A. , Villagra Cristina , Sriphanlop Pathu , Itzkowitz Steven H. , Cotter Gina , Cohen Noah , Erwin Deborah O. , Winkel Gary , Thompson Hayley S. , Zauber Ann G. , Jandorf Lina H.
Published: November 2019

Background

Screening colonoscopy (SC) for colorectal cancer (CRC) is underused by Latino individuals. The current randomized clinical trial examined the impact of 3 interventions: 1) patient navigation; 2) patient navigation plus standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention print materials; and 3) patient navigation plus culturally targeted print materials for Latinos referred for SC. Demographic, personal and health history, and psychometric factors associated with SC also were examined.

Methods

A total of 344 urban Latino individuals aged 50 to 85 years with no personal and/or immediate family history of CRC diagnosed before age 60 years, no personal history of a gastrointestinal disorder, no colonoscopy within the past 5 years, with insurance coverage, and with a referral for SC were consented. Participants were randomized to patient navigation (20%), patient navigation plus standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention print materials (40%), and patient navigation plus culturally targeted print materials (40%). The completion of SC was assessed at 12 months.

Results

The interventions had an overall SC rate of 82%. Counterintuitively, patients with an average income of <$10,000 were found to have higher SC rates (87%) than those with a greater income (75%).

Conclusions

The addition of standard or culturally targeted print materials did not appear to increase SC rates above those for patient navigation. Indeed, after controlling for other variables, culturally targeted print materials were found to be associated with lower SC rates among Puerto Rican individuals.
Exosome/microvesicle content is altered in leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 mutant induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived neural cells
Authors: Candelario Kate M. , Balaj Leonora , Zheng Tong , Skog Johan , Scheffler Bjorn , Breakefield Xandra , Schüle Birgitt , Steindler Dennis A.
Published: November 2019

Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes/microvesicles (EMVs), have been described as sensitive biomarkers that represent disease states and response to therapies. In light of recent reports of disease‐mirroring EMV molecular signatures, the present study profiled two EMVs from different Parkinson's disease (PD) tissue sources: (a) neural progenitor cells derived from an endogenous adult stem/progenitor cell, called adult human neural progenitor (AHNP) cells, that we found to be pathological when isolated from postmortem PD patients' substantia nigra; and (b) leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene identified patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which were used to isolate EMVs and begin to characterize their cargoes. Initial characterization of EMVs derived from idiopathic patients (AHNPs) and mutant LRRK2 patients showed differences between both phenotypes and when compared with a sibling control in EMV size and release based on Nanosight analysis. Furthermore, molecular profiling disclosed that neurodegenerative‐related gene pathways altered in PD can be reversed using gene‐editing approaches. In fact, the EMV cargo genes exhibited normal expression patterns after gene editing. This study shows that EMVs have the potential to serve as sensitive biomarkers of disease state in both idiopathic and gene‐identified PD patients and that following gene‐editing, EMVs reflect a corrected state. This is relevant for both prodromal and symptomatic patient populations where potential responses to therapies can be monitored via non‐invasive liquid biopsies and EMV characterizations.
The Effect of Boron Forms on the Crystallization Process of Lithium Carbonate
Authors: Lu Pengcheng , Song Xingfu , Chen Hang , Sun Yuzhu , Yu Jianguo
Published: November 2019

The present study investigates the effect of low concentrations of boron on the crystallization of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). Experimental results indicate that the boron in brine mainly exists in the forms of boric acid (B(OH)3) and borate anion (B(OH)4−). Temperature and pH are critical factors to adjust the ratio of B(OH)3 and B(OH)4−. Meanwhile, the density functional theory calculation results suggest that the interaction of B(OH)4− with Li+ is stronger than that of B(OH)3 with Li+. Based on this result, the effect of boron on the crystallization of Li2CO3 is investigated and discussed at different added forms of boron, added amount of sodium hydroxide, temperatures, and concentrations of boron. B(OH)4− is proved to be the form of boron that has significant influence. Temperature and amount of sodium hydroxide have significant influence on the balance of B(OH)3 and B(OH)4−. The boron content of Li2CO3 significantly decreases as the temperature increases, and that at 80 °C is 133 ppm while that at 25 °C is 397 ppm. And that increases as nNaOH/nB increases. Finally, effect of addition of polyhydric alcohols on reducing boron entrainment is investigated.
Efficient coordination of almost blank subframes with coupling macro cells in heterogeneous networks
Authors: Wang You‐Chiun , Huang Bo‐Jyun
Published: November 2019

Heterogeneous networking is an inevitable trend in mobile communication systems, where macrocells and small cells coexist to provide the service of wireless access. The technique of enhanced inter‐cell interference coordination (eICIC) is popularly used to mitigate signal interference among cells. A number of subframes are picked as almost blank subframes (ABSs), during which a macro‐cell base station suspends data transmissions to improve signal quality of small cells that it covers. Since the throughput of macro cells drops to zero in an ABS, how to decide the number of ABSs (ie, the ABS ratio) and their positions (ie, the ABS placement) is critical. Many studies implicitly consider that every small cell resides in only one macro cell and they manage ABSs for each individual macro cell accordingly. In practice, some macro cells may cover the same small cells (called coupling macrocells) which makes the management of their ABSs depend on each other. To address this issue, the paper proposes an efficient coordination of ABS with coupling macro cells (ECO) algorithm. It divides the network into component subnetworks depending on whether macro cells are coupling or not. Then, ECO computes the ABS ratios for the macro cells in each component subnetwork based on multiple factors, including data rate, traffic demand, and quality of service (QoS) support. Moreover, ECO jointly places the ABSs of coupling macro cells to shorten packet latency. Experimental results show that the ECO algorithm not only increases the network throughput but also reduces the loss rate of real‐time data.
Prevalence, correlates and comorbidities of feeding and eating disorders in a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad Reza , Mostafavi Seyed‐Ali , Hooshyari Zahra , Khaleghi Ali , Ahmadi Nastaran , Molavi Parviz , Armani Kian Alireza , Safavi Parvin , Delpisheh Ali , Talepasand Siavash , Hojjat Seyed Kaveh , Pourdehghan Parandis , Ostovar Rahim , Hosseini Seyed Hamzeh , Mohammadzadeh Soleiman , Salmanian Maryam , Alavi Seyyed Salman , Ahmadi Ameneh , Zarafshan Hadi
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study investigated the prevalence of feeding and eating disorders, and identified their correlates and comorbidities among children and adolescents.

Method

We used the nationally representative sample of the Iranian Children and Adolescents' Psychiatric disorders (IRCAP) survey, with 30,532 participants randomly selected by a multistage cluster sampling method. We employed the kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia‐present and lifetime version (K‐SADS‐PL) semi‐structured face‐to‐face interview to screen for any psychiatric disorders, including feeding and eating disorders, and associated factors. We used multivariate binary logistic regression to analyze the data.

Results

Valid data from 27,111 participants were analyzed. The total prevalence of feeding and eating disorders among children and adolescents was 0.89 (0.81–1.10). In all types of feeding and eating disorders, the adjusted odds ratio was higher among girls (except binge‐eating disorder) and older adolescents but was lower among rural residents. The most common psychiatric comorbidities observed in children and adolescents with feeding and eating disorders were obsessive–compulsive disorder (20.2%), agoraphobia (20.2%), depressive disorder (16.4%), social phobia (10.1%), oppositional defiant disorder (10.1%), generalized anxiety disorder (9.4%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (7.5%), and conduct disorder (5.7%), which were significantly more common compared to their peers without feeding and eating disorders.

Discussion

Older age, female gender and living in an urban area are predisposing factors in feeding and eating disorders (in binge‐eating disorder, the male gender is a positive correlate). We suggest that future works pay attention to the role of gender, comorbidities and predisposing factors.
Silhouette width using generalized mean—A flexible method for assessing clustering efficiency
Authors: Lengyel Attila , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán
Published: November 2019

Cluster analysis plays vital role in pattern recognition in several fields of science. Silhouette width is a widely used index for assessing the fit of individual objects in the classification, as well as the quality of clusters and the entire classification. Silhouette combines two clustering criteria, compactness and separation, which imply that spherical cluster shapes are preferred over others—a property that can be seen as a disadvantage in the presence of complex, nonspherical clusters, which is common in real situations. We suggest a generalization of the silhouette width using the generalized mean. By changing the p parameter of the generalized mean between −∞ and +∞, several specific summary statistics, including the minimum, maximum, the arithmetic, harmonic, and geometric means, can be reproduced. Implementing the generalized mean in the calculation of silhouette width allows for changing the sensitivity of the index to compactness versus connectedness. With higher sensitivity to connectedness, the preference of silhouette width toward spherical clusters should reduce. We test the performance of the generalized silhouette width on artificial data sets and on the Iris data set. We examine how classifications with different numbers of clusters prepared by different algorithms are evaluated, if p is set to different values. When p was negative, well‐separated clusters achieved high silhouette widths despite their elongated or circular shapes. Positive values of p increased the importance of compactness; hence, the preference toward spherical clusters became even more detectable. With low p, single linkage clustering was deemed the most efficient clustering method, while with higher parameter values the performance of group average, complete linkage, and beta flexible with beta = −0.25 seemed better. The generalized silhouette allows for adjusting the contribution of compactness and connectedness criteria, thus avoiding underestimation of clustering efficiency in the presence of clusters with high internal heterogeneity.
Intercontinental trends in functional and phylogenetic structure of stream fish assemblages
Authors: Bower Luke M. , Winemiller Kirk O.
Published: November 2019

Understanding of community assembly has been improved by phylogenetic and trait‐based approaches, yet there is little consensus regarding the relative importance of alternative mechanisms and few studies have been done at large geographic and phylogenetic scales. Here, we use phylogenetic and trait dispersion approaches to determine the relative contribution of limiting similarity and environmental filtering to community assembly of stream fishes at an intercontinental scale. We sampled stream fishes from five zoogeographic regions. Analysis of traits associated with habitat use, feeding, or both resulted in more occurrences of trait underdispersion than overdispersion regardless of spatial scale or species pool. Our results suggest that environmental filtering and, to a lesser extent, species interactions were important mechanisms of community assembly for fishes inhabiting small, low‐gradient streams in all five regions. However, a large proportion of the trait dispersion values were no different from random. This suggests that stochastic factors or opposing assembly mechanisms also influenced stream fish assemblages and their trait dispersion patterns. Local assemblages tended to have lower functional diversity in microhabitats with high water velocity, shallow water depth, and homogeneous substrates lacking structural complexity, lending support for the stress‐dominance hypothesis. A high prevalence of functional underdispersion coupled with phylogenetic underdispersion could reflect phylogenetic niche conservatism and/or stabilizing selection. These findings imply that environmental filtering of stream fish assemblages is not only deterministic, but also influences assemblage structure in a fairly consistent manner worldwide.
Capillary electrophoresis‐integrated immobilized enzyme microreactor with graphene oxide as support: Immobilization of negatively charged L‐lactate dehydrogenase via hydrophobic interactions
Authors: Li Xiaojuan , Yin Zhengri , Cui Xiujun , Yang Li
Published: November 2019

We report the first application of hydrophobic interaction between graphene oxide (GO) and negatively charged enzymes to fabricate CE‐integrated immobilized enzyme microreactors (IMERs) by a simple and reliable immobilization procedure based on layer by layer assembly. L‐lactate dehydrogenase (L‐LDH), which is negatively charged during the enzymatic reaction, is selected as the model enzyme. Various spectroscopic techniques, including SEM, FTIR, and UV‐vis are used to characterize the fabricated CE‐IMERs, demonstrating the successful immobilization of enzymes on the negatively charged GO layer in the capillary surface. The IMER exhibits excellent repeatability with RSDs of inter‐day and batch‐to‐batch less than 3.49 and 6.37%, respectively, and the activity of immobilized enzymes remains about 90% after five‐day usage. The measured Km values of pyruvate and NADH of the immobilized L‐LDH are in good agreement with those obtained by free enzymes. The results demonstrate that the hydrophobic interactions and/or π‐π stacking is significant between the GO backbone and the aromatic residues of L‐LDH and favorable to fabrication of CE‐integrated IMERs. Finally, the method is successfully applied to the determination of pyruvate in beer samples.
In utero Exposure to Genotoxicants Leading to Genetic Mosaicism: An Overlooked Window of Susceptibility in Genetic Toxicology Testing?
Authors: Godschalk Roger W. L. , Yauk Carole L. , van Benthem Jan , Douglas George R. , Marchetti Francesco
Published: November 2019

In utero development represents a sensitive window for the induction of mutations. These mutations may subsequently expand clonally to populate entire organs or anatomical structures. Although not all adverse mutations will affect tissue structure or function, there is growing evidence that clonally expanded genetic mosaics contribute to various monogenic and complex diseases, including cancer. We posit that genetic mosaicism is an underestimated potential health problem that is not fully addressed in the current regulatory genotoxicity testing paradigm. Genotoxicity testing focuses exclusively on adult exposures and thus may not capture the complexity of genetic mosaicisms that contribute to human disease. Numerous studies have shown that conversion of genetic damage into mutations during early developmental exposures can result in much higher mutation burdens than equivalent exposures in adults in certain tissues. Therefore, we assert that analysis of genetic effects caused by in utero exposures should be considered in the current regulatory testing paradigm, which is possible by harmonization with current reproductive/developmental toxicology testing strategies. This is particularly important given the recent proposed paradigm change from simple hazard identification to quantitative mutagenicity assessment. Recent developments in sequencing technologies offer practical tools to detect mutations in any tissue or species. In addition to mutation frequency and spectrum, these technologies offer the opportunity to characterize the extent of genetic mosaicism following exposure to mutagens. Such integration of new methods with existing toxicology guideline studies offers the genetic toxicology community a way to modernize their testing paradigm and to improve risk assessment for vulnerable populations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:55–65, 2020. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Environmental Mutagen Society.
A new theoretical method for calculating front abutment stress during coal mining
Authors: Liu Hao , Wang Pu , Liu Yuting , Dai Jin , Yang Jiqiang
Published: November 2019

The calculation of abutment stress has always been the most important topic in safe underground mining and design. In this paper, based on the formation mechanism of abutment stress, combined with the mechanical properties of actual strata and the theory of elastic foundation beams, a structure model of overlying strata with an elastic foundation is established, and a new theoretical calculation method of abutment stress is proposed. The new calculation method takes into account the interaction of the overlying key strata and the effect on the transmission of the front abutment stress and then analyzes the stress patterns of multilayered key strata under the combined action of the bending moment, shear force, and nonuniform load and its transmission to the underlying strata. In addition, based on field observations of panel 10 305 in the Xinglongzhuang coalmine, the influence range, peak position, and variation trend of the front abutment stress before and after breaking of the overlying key strata are studied and verified. The results show that the influence range of the abutment stress remains unchanged after KS1 breaks (eg, from 0 to 180 m), and its peak position shifts forward from 8 to 19 m, while the influence range (0‐180 m) and its peak position (6‐8 m in front of coal wall) remain unchanged after KS2 breaks; the abutment stress decreases, and the maximum decrease is 3.9 MPa in the range of 0‐22 m ahead of the coal wall after KS1 breaks, while the maximum decrease in the abutment stress is 2.1 MPa in the range of 0‐71 m ahead of the coal wall after KS2 breaks. The results of the new calculation method are basically consistent with the field observations and the existing theoretical results, showing that the method has good adaptability and reliability and can provide a new theoretical basis for on‐site design and construction practices.
Effect of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide on the gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat starch
Authors: Li Xiaowen , Li Junjun , Yin Xiuxiu , Wang Xiaolong , Ren Tian , Ma Zhen , Li Xiaoping , Hu Xinzhong
Published: November 2019

The effect of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide (ASKP) on the gelatinization and retrogradation of wheat starch (WS) was studied. RVA results displayed that ASKP addition increased the setback values of WS, which indicated that ASKP might promote the short‐term retrogradation of WS. DSC and XRD results demonstrated that the retrogradation percentage of WS during long‐time storage significantly decreased with the addition of ASKP, suggesting the inhibition effect of ASKP on the long‐term retrogradation of WS. As shown in TPA test, ASKP addition increased the hardness of starch gel at the beginning but decreased it after 14 days’ storage. Results of FT‐IR revealed that ASKP could promote the water retention and intermolecular hydrogen bonding formation. With the addition of ASKP, the spin–spin relaxation time measured by LF‐NMR decreased from 358.47 ms to 274.15 ms, illustrating that the WS paste containing ASKP had higher water retention ability. Leached amylose content results manifested the interaction between WS and ASKP. In summary, ASKP has potential to be a modifier on the retrogradation of starch in food processing.
The modification of gelatin films: Based on various cross‐linking mechanism of glutaraldehyde at acidic and alkaline conditions
Authors: Lin Junjie , Pan Daodong , Sun Yangying , Ou Changrong , Wang Ying , Cao Jinxuan
Published: November 2019

In order to investigate the effect of glutaraldehyde (GTA) on the structure, mechanical properties and thermal stability of gelatin films, gelatin films modified by GTA at various pH (4.5, 6.5, and 11), were prepared. According to FTIR analysis, the reaction mechanism between GTA and gelatin was different at various pH. With the addition of GTA, the intermolecular forces (hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds) and triple helix structure of gelatin film were significantly disrupted. At pH 4.5, gelatin films modified by GTA showed the highest mechanical properties and thermal stability among all films, which tensile strength and residues in TGA up to 16.13 MPa and 15.05%, respectively. Therefore, an optimum pH was around 4.5 in gelatin films cross‐linked by GTA.
Intraoperative monitoring of placental blood flow after cesarean birth to diagnose placenta accreta spectrum disorder: A preliminary study
Authors: Ryo Eiji , Namai Shigenari , Seto Michiharu , Shiba Masahiro , Kido Koichiro , Ayabe Takuya
Published: November 2019

The risk of placenta accreta spectrum disorder was high when intraplacental blood flow continued 15 minutes after childbirth following a cesarean delivery.
Exploring effects of the trifluoromethyl substituent on the chemoselectivity and regioselectivity of [3+2] cycloadditions of thiocarbonyl S‐methanides with α, β‐unsaturated ketones
Authors: Hosseini Seyed J.
Published: November 2019

A [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction between a thiocarbonyl ylide (TCY 2) and an electron‐deficient enone (TFB 3) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was studied in the light of molecular electron density theory at the DFT‐B3LYP/6‐31G(d) computational level to probe energetics and selectivities. The reaction was investigated in four competitive reaction paths associated with the CC and CO chemoselectivities inTFB 3. An analysis of the density functional theory‐based reactivity indices shows thatTCY 2is a strong nucleophile, andTFB 3is also a strong electrophile. Although both C4─C5 and C6─O7 double bonds ofTFB 3can potentially be involved in 32CA reaction towardTCY 2, computed relative Gibbs free energies obviously demonstrate that C6─O7 involvement in a quite regioselective manner is entirely preferred over the C4─C5 one in an excellent agreement with the chemoselectivity and regioselectivity observed experimentally. Interestingly, such a chemoselectivity could not be rationalized through assessment of the electrophilic Parr functions calculated at the C4, C5, C6, and O7 centers ofTFB 3. The global electron density transfer value, 0.31e, calculated at the most energetically preferred transition state structureTS 1involved within the C6─O7 chemoselective reaction channel demonstrates that thispseudodiradicaltype (pdr‐type) 32CA reaction has a notable polar character.
A novel mutation Gly222Arg in PROS1 causing protein S deficiency in a patient with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Xu Jingqing , Peng Gehong , Ouyang Yao
Published: November 2019

Background

Thrombophilia is becoming a more frequently reported disorder these years. Hereditary protein S deficiency is one of the anticoagulant deficiencies that eventually results in thrombophilia.

Case presentation

A 24‐year‐old male patient was suffering from unexplained thrombosis for the second time with a family history of deep venous thrombosis. Screening tests for anticoagulant proteins found the activity of protein S markedly lowered (5.0%). The patient was discharged after anticoagulation treatment. Four years later, the review still showed the activity of protein S in his plasma decreased (16.0%). Molecular genetic analysis revealed him homozygous for a missense mutation, c.664G>A, in the exon7 of PROS1. The mutation discovered here is the first mutation affecting the codon 222 of PROS1. This mutation results in the replacement of the glycine at the codon 222 of protein S with arginine, leading to a reduction of protein S function.

Conclusions

The finding of this mutation may help with the understanding of the mechanism of protein S deficiency, especially in the Chinese population.
Trends in downward surface shortwave radiation from multi‐source data over China during 1984–2015
Authors: Zhou Zhigao , Lin Aiwen , Wang Lunche , Qin Wenmin , zhong Yang , He Lijie
Published: November 2019

The clear knowledge of decadal variability of surface solar radiation (SSR) is of vitally significant for understanding hydrological and biological processes and climate prediction. However, existing studies have shown observed SSR over China may have large discrepancies and inhomogeneity in decadal variability due to sensitivity drift, inaccurate calibrations and instrument replacement. Therefore, a new procedure of station selection was proposed to eliminate errors and to derive “true” SSR values in this study. Afterward, two satellite retrieves of SSR, including Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System‐energy balanced and filled product (CERES‐EBAF) (edition 4) and Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment‐Surface Radiation Budget (GEWEX‐SRB) (Version 3.0), and three reanalysis products, including National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP‐NCAR), national centers for environmental prediction‐/department of energy (NCEP‐DOE) and Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA‐2) were evaluated using “true” SSR values at 39 homogeneous stations from the China Meteorological Administration and it was found that although all five products overestimated SSR, two satellite retrieves showed better accuracy with an overall R of 0.95, an root mean squared error (RMSE) of 20.4 W m−2 and mean absolute bias error (MAE) of 14.9 W m−2 for CERES‐EBAF and an overall R of 0.92, an RMSE of 27.7 W m−2 and MAE of 21.2 W m−2 for GEWEX‐SRB across China. Meanwhile, inter‐comparisons between trends of observations and trends of two satellite retrieves in this study showed that the new trends derived from two satellite retrieves (+0.78 W m−2 decade−1) were good agreement with trends of observation (+0.92 W m−2 decade−1) from 1994 to 2015. However, trends of SSR (+5.8 W m−2 decade−1) in situ measurements were still in disagreement with the trends of SSR (−3.7 W m−2 decade−1) derived from two satellite retrieves from 1984 to 1993 because of the sensitivity drift and instrument replacement in this period. The possible reasons for decadal variability of SSR in China were detected and it was found that variations in aerosol optical depth (AOD) and aerosol‐cloud interaction, rather than cloud, were suggested to be likely the main influencing factor of decadal variability of SSR across China from 1984 to 2015.
Factors affecting the choice of interaction after the international joint venture termination in Africa: Total interpretive structural modeling
Authors: Parameswar Nakul , Dhir Sanjay
Published: November 2019

The choice of interaction after the international joint venture (IJV) termination is influenced by different factors in varying levels that can be hierarchically depicted. On IJV termination, parent firms are deprived of value created during IJV. Parent firms can attempt to create a whole or part of the value created during IJV through an interaction post IJV termination. This study attempts to identify factors that influence the choice of interaction post IJV termination and categorize them hierarchically based on their magnitude of influence. This study examines the factors that influence the decision to interact post IJV termination by developing a total interpretive structural model (TISM) using data collected from managers of terminated IJV in Africa.
Polyethyleneimine‐modified porous aromatic framework and silane coupling agent grafted graphene oxide composite materials for determination of phenolic acids in Chinese Wolfberry drink by HPLC
Authors: Lv Yaying , Zhu Tao
Published: November 2019

A simple method for the determination of phenolic acids in Chinese Wolfberry drink based on polyethyleneimine modified porous aromatic framework and graphene oxide composite sorbent for pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction was developed. Porous aromatic framework and raphene oxide composite materials were grafted by silane coupling agent (3‐Chloropropyl)‐trimethoxysilane. The modified materials were characterized by five kinds of characterization. Experimental results showed that the prepared p‐phenylenediamine, cyanuric chloride, and graphene oxide composite material had a loose structure combined with the framework which improved hydrophobicity, and polyethyleneimine to increase the selectivity with the targets. The parameters of the pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction procedure including the amount of sorbents, volumes and types of washing solvents and elution solvents were optimized to achieve optimal extraction efficiency. Good linearity of best material was achieved in the range of 0.1–400 µg/mL with correlation coefficient of chlorogenic acid (0.9994), caffeic acid (0.9997), and ferulic acid (0.9998). Recoveries between 93.5 and 102.3% were obtained at three spiked levels with relative standard deviation ≤3.1%. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of phenolic acids in Chinese Wolfberry drink sample.