bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling, Analysis, and Interpretation of Photoelectron Energy Spectra at Enceladus Observed by Cassini
Authors: Taylor S. A. , Coates A. J. , Jones G. H. , Wellbrock A. , Fazakerley A. N. , Desai R. T. , Caro‐Carretero R. , Michiko M. W. , Schippers P. , Waite J. H.
Published: January 2018

The Electron Spectrometer (ELS) of the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer has observed photoelectrons produced in the plume of Enceladus. These photoelectrons are observed during Enceladus encounters in the energetic particle shadow where the spacecraft is largely shielded from penetrating radiation by the moon. We present a complex electron spectrum at Enceladus including evidence of two previously unidentified electron populations at 6–10 eV and 10–16 eV. We estimate that the proportion of “hot” (>15 eV) to “cold” (<15 eV) electrons during the Enceladus flybys is ≈ 0.1–0.5%. We have constructed a model of photoelectron production in the plume and compared it with ELS Enceladus flyby data by scaling and energy shifting according to spacecraft potential. We suggest that the complex structure of the electron spectrum observed can be explained entirely by photoelectron production in the plume ionosphere.
Moisture Balance Over the Iberian Peninsula According to a Regional Climate Model: The Impact of 3DVAR Data Assimilation
Authors: González‐Rojí Santos J. , Sáenz Jon , Ibarra‐Berastegi Gabriel , Díaz de Argandoña Javier
Published: January 2018

An analysis of the atmospheric branch of the hydrological cycle by means of a 15 km resolution numerical integration performed using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) nested in ERA Interim is presented. Two WRF experiments covering the period 2010–2014 were prepared. The first one (N) was configured as in standard numerical downscaling experiments. The second one (D), with the same parameterizations, included a step of 3DVAR data assimilation every 6 h. Apart from comparing our results with ERA Interim data, several observational data sets were used to validate the precipitable water (radiosondes and MODIS data), precipitation (EOBS, ECA&D, TRMM, and GPCP), or evaporation (GLEAM). The verification results showed that the D experiment systematically performs better than N and in many instances, too, better than the forcing reanalysis. According to the results, the leading terms of the water balance are the tendency of the precipitable water, the divergence of moisture flux, evaporation, and precipitation. No spatial patterns were recognizable for the annual accumulated evaporation, but the effect of the Atlantic fronts was detected in the precipitation patterns. The transboundary moisture fluxes through the contour of the Iberian Peninsula behave differently depending on the season during 2010–2014. During winter, they show a net moisture import through the boundaries. During spring, summer, or autumn moisture is exported specially through the Mediterranean coast, and only during midday, this feature is reversed due to sea breezes.
Estuarine Channel Evolution in Response to Closure of Secondary Basins: An Observational and Morphodynamic Modeling Study of the Western Scheldt Estuary
Authors: Nnafie A. , Van Oyen T. , De Maerschalck B. , van der Vegt M. , Wegen M. van der
Published: January 2018

The fringes of estuaries are often characterized by the presence of side embayments (secondary basins), with dimensions in the order of hundreds of meters to tens of kilometers. The presence of secondary basins significantly alters the hydrodynamic and sediment characteristics in the main estuary, implying that loss of secondary basin area due to human interventions might affect the estuarine morphodynamics. Analysis of historical bathymetric data of the Western Scheldt Estuary (Netherlands) suggests that closure of its secondary basins has triggered the observed lateral displacement of the nearby channels. This analysis motivated investigation of the impact of secondary basins on decadal evolution of estuarine channels, using the numerical model Delft3D. Model results show that channels that form near a secondary basin are located farther away from the bank of the estuary with respect to their positions in the case without a basin. Overall, results in cases with two or three basins are similar to those in case with one single basin. The wider the basin, the farther away the nearby channel forms. Removing a secondary basin causes a lateral displacement of the nearby channel toward the bank, indicating that the observed lateral displacement of channels in the Western Scheldt is triggered by closure of its secondary basins. The physical explanation is that tidal currents in the main estuary are weaker and more rotary near secondary basins, favoring sediment deposition and shoal development at these locations. Model results are particularly relevant for estuaries with moderate to high friction and converging width.
Nanoarchitectonics for Controlling the Number of Dopant Atoms in Solid Electrolyte Nanodots
Authors: Nayak Alpana , Unayama Satomi , Tai Seishiro , Tsuruoka Tohru , Waser Rainer , Aono Masakazu , Valov Ilia , Hasegawa Tsuyoshi
Published: January 2018

Controlling movements of electrons and holes is the key task in developing today's highly sophisticated information society. As transistors reach their physical limits, the semiconductor industry is seeking the next alternative to sustain its economy and to unfold a new era of human civilization. In this context, a completely new information token, i.e., ions instead of electrons, is promising. The current trend in solid‐state nanoionics for applications in energy storage, sensing, and brain‐type information processing, requires the ability to control the properties of matter at the ultimate atomic scale. Here, a conceptually novel nanoarchitectonic strategy is proposed for controlling the number of dopant atoms in a solid electrolyte to obtain discrete electrical properties. Using α‐Ag2+δS nanodots with a finite number of nonstoichiometry excess dopants as a model system, a theory matched with experiments is presented that reveals the role of physical parameters, namely, the separation between electrochemical energy levels and the cohesive energy, underlying atomic‐scale manipulation of dopants in nanodots. This strategy can be applied to different nanoscale materials as their properties strongly depend on the number of doping atoms/ions, and has the potential to create a new paradigm based on controlled single atom/ion transfer.
Boosting Sodium Storage in TiO2 Nanotube Arrays through Surface Phosphorylation
Authors: Ni Jiangfeng , Fu Shidong , Yuan Yifei , Ma Lu , Jiang Yu , Li Liang , Lu Jun
Published: January 2018

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) offer a promise of a scalable, low‐cost, and environmentally benign means of renewable energy storage. However, the low capacity and poor rate capability of anode materials present an unavoidable challenge. In this work, it is demonstrated that surface phosphorylated TiO2 nanotube arrays grown on Ti substrate can be efficient anode materials for SIBs. Fabrication of the phosphorylated nanoarray film is based on the electrochemical anodization of Ti metal in NH4F solution and subsequent phosphorylation using sodium hypophosphite. The phosphorylated TiO2 nanotube arrays afford a reversible capacity of 334 mA h g−1 at 67 mA g−1, a superior rate capability of 147 mA h g−1 at 3350 mA g−1, and a stable cycle performance up to 1000 cycles. In situ X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy reveal the near‐zero strain response and robust mechanical behavior of the TiO2 host upon (de)sodiation, suggesting its excellent structural stability in the Na+ storage application.
Hierarchically Nanostructured Transition Metal Oxides for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zheng Mingbo , Tang Hao , Li Lulu , Hu Qin , Zhang Li , Xue Huaiguo , Pang Huan
Published: January 2018

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in the field of portable electric devices because of their high energy density and long cycling life. To further improve the performance of LIBs, it is of great importance to develop new electrode materials. Various transition metal oxides (TMOs) have been extensively investigated as electrode materials for LIBs. According to the reaction mechanism, there are mainly two kinds of TMOs, one is based on conversion reaction and the other is based on intercalation/deintercalation reaction. Recently, hierarchically nanostructured TMOs have become a hot research area in the field of LIBs. Hierarchical architecture can provide numerous accessible electroactive sites for redox reactions, shorten the diffusion distance of Li‐ion during the reaction, and accommodate volume expansion during cycling. With rapid research progress in this field, a timely account of this advanced technology is highly necessary. Here, the research progress on the synthesis methods, morphological characteristics, and electrochemical performances of hierarchically nanostructured TMOs for LIBs is summarized and discussed. Some relevant prospects are also proposed.
Tunable Free‐Standing Ultrathin Porous Nickel Film for High Performance Flexible Nickel–Metal Hydride Batteries
Authors: Ren Zhonghua , Yu Jie , Li Yuanji , Zhi Chunyi
Published: January 2018

The nickel matrix has a significant impact on the structure and performance of a nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) battery. However, few studies have focused on the nickel matrix thus far due to the difficulty of fabricating controllable porous nickel materials. In addition, conventional nickel matrices show poor flexibility, making it difficult to fabricate flexible NiMH batteries. To achieve a high performance flexible NiMH battery, the fabrication of a thin, free‐standing, and flexible nickel matrix with an optimized pore structure is a key prerequisite. Here, a novel flexible porous nickel matrix with a controllable pore size, density, and distribution of pore position is developed by nickel electrodeposition on templates that are produced by silkscreen printing different insulating ink microarrays on stainless steel sheets. Benefitting from the excellent structure of the porous nickel matrix, flexible NiMH batteries are fabricated, which show excellent flexibility and very high energy densities of 151.8 W h kg−1 and 508.5 W h L−1 as well as high energy efficiencies of 87.9–98.5%. These batteries outperform conventional NiMH batteries and many other commercial batteries, holding great promise for their future practical application. The present strategy provides a new route to promote the development of nickel‐based alkaline rechargeable batteries.
On the construction of binary mixture p‐x and T‐x diagrams from isochoric thermodynamics
Authors: Bell Ian H. , Deiters Ulrich K.
Published: January 2018

In this work, we describe how to efficiently and reliably calculate p‐x and T‐x diagrams for binary mixtures of fluids. The method is based on the use of the Helmholtz energy density as the fundamental thermodynamic potential. Through the use of temperature and molar concentrations of the components as the independent variables, differential relationships can be constructed along the phase envelope surface, and this system of differential equations is then integrated to construct isotherms and isobars cutting through the phase envelope. The use of the Helmholtz energy density as the fundamental potential allows several models to be considered in this formalism, including cubic equations of state (Peng‐Robinson, GC‐VTPR, etc.) as well as high‐accuracy multifluid equations of state (the so‐called GERG mixture model). Examples of each class are presented, demonstrating the flexibility of this method. Source code, examples, and comprehensive analytic derivatives are provided in the Supporting Information. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2745–2757, 2018
Heat transfer intensification for retrofitting heat exchanger networks with considering exchanger detailed performances
Authors: Pan Ming , Bulatov Igor , Smith Robin
Published: January 2018

The challenging of this work is to present a thorough study of implementing heat transfer intensification in heat exchanger network (HEN) retrofitting, including all details of exchanger geometry, stream bypassing and splitting, temperature‐variation of properties, LMTD and its correction, and pressure drops. This leads to very complex mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problems rarely reported before. By adopting the MILP‐based iterative approach proposed in the earlier work (Pan et al., Chem Eng Sci. 2013;104:498–524.), temperature‐variation of properties, LMTD and its correction are initialized to parameters at first, and the rest nonlinear terms are then linearized and expressed as first‐order Taylor series expansions. Finally, two iteration loops are executed to find optimal solutions. A small‐scale motivating problem and an industrial scale problem are presented to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed methods. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2052–2077, 2018
Effect of interface on the mechanical behavior of polybutadiene–silica composites: An experimental and simulation study
Authors: Ji Tuo , Ma Chi , Brisbin Logan , Dong Yalin , Zhu Jiahua
Published: January 2018

The effect of interface property on the mechanical behavior of silica–polybutadiene composites is systematically investigated via combined experimental and dynamics simulation. In experiment, the interface property is controlled by SiO2 particle size, silane coupling agents, and silane grafting density. The effects of these control parameters on the vulcanization kinetics, tensile strength, and dynamic mechanic properties are investigated and discussed. Both the experimental and simulation studies reveal the pivot role of filler–polymer interface on the mechanical reinforcement. Simulation study reveals that the constrained polymer layer (∼12 nm) surrounding the silica particles shows increased stress from 30 to 230 MPa, which is identified as the major reason for the overall enhancement of 100% modulus from 0.8 to 1.6 MPa. The molecular mechanics of interface from simulation is well correlated to the experimental results in this study, which provides a molecular level understanding of the relationship between interfacial interaction and mechanical reinforcement. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46089.
Impact of sleep deprivation on the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Iverson Ann , Stanberry Larissa , Garberich Ross , Antos Amber , Sandoval Yader , Burke M. Nicholas , Chavez Ivan , Gössl Mario , Henry Timothy D. , Lips Daniel , Mooney Michael , Poulose Anil , Sorajja Paul , Traverse Jay , Wang Yale , Bradley Steven , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

This study sought to compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed by sleep deprived and non‐sleep deprived operators.

Background

Interventional cardiologists are at risk for sleep deprivation as they often have to perform emergent procedures at night, but the effects of sleep deprivation on clinical outcomes have received limited study.

Methods

We examined the frequency, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of daytime PCIs performed by sleep deprived and non‐sleep deprived operators at a tertiary medical center. Operators were considered sleep deprived when performing a daytime (7 am–11:59 pm) procedure preceded by a nighttime (12 am–6:59 am) procedure on the same date.

Results

Of the 12,680 daytime PCIs performed from 6/29/09 to 12/30/2016, 367 (2.9%) were performed by sleep deprived operators. Patients undergoing PCI performed by a sleep deprived operator were more likely to be younger, white, and to present with ST‐elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). The incidence of in‐hospital death (1.1% vs. 1.3%, P = 1.0) and bleeding within 72 hr (3.9% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.29) were similar for procedures performed by sleep‐deprived and non‐sleep deprived operators. When the sleep deprived group was further stratified based on degree of sleep deprivation or length of sleep interruption, differences in mortality and total bleeding remained non‐significant.

Conclusions

In this large single center study, operator sleep deprivation did not appear to adversely impact PCI outcomes.
Monochorionic diamniotic twins with centrally located and closely spaced umbilical cord insertions in the placenta
Authors: Imamura Takashi , Maeda Hajime , Kinoshita Hidetoshi , Kin Shogo
Published: January 2018

Key Clinical Message

When to deliver the monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins with specific cord patterns? Although there is no clear evidence supporting an earlier delivery (before 36 weeks of gestation) in MCDA twins, an earlier delivery might prevent intrauterine death or neuromorbidity in MCDA twins with specific cord patterns.
Phase 1/2 trial of temsirolimus and sorafenib in the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma: North Central Cancer Treatment Group Study/Alliance N0572
Authors: Schiff David , Jaeckle Kurt A. , Anderson S. Keith , Galanis Evanthia , Giannini Caterina , Buckner Jan C. , Stella Phillip , Flynn Patrick J. , Erickson Bradley J. , Schwerkoske John F. , Kaluza Vesna , Twohy Erin , Dancey Janet , Wright John , Sarkaria Jann N.
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐dependent signaling are hallmarks of glioblastoma. In the current study, the authors conducted a phase 1/2 study of sorafenib (an inhibitor of Raf kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 [VEGFR‐2]) and the mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

METHODS

Patients with recurrent glioblastoma who developed disease progression after surgery or radiotherapy plus temozolomide and with ≤2 prior chemotherapy regimens were eligible. The phase 1 endpoint was the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), using a cohorts‐of‐3 design. The 2‐stage phase 2 study included separate arms for VEGF inhibitor (VEGFi)–naive patients and patients who progressed after prior VEGFi.

RESULTS

The MTD was sorafenib at a dose of 200 mg twice daily and temsirolimus at a dose of 20 mg weekly. In the first 41 evaluable patients who were treated at the phase 2 dose, there were 7 who were free of disease progression at 6 months (progression‐free survival at 6 months [PFS6]) in the VEGFi‐naive group (17.1%); this finding met the prestudy threshold of success. In the prior VEGFi group, only 4 of the first 41 evaluable patients treated at the phase 2 dose achieved PFS6 (9.8%), and this did not meet the prestudy threshold for success. The median PFS for the 2 groups was 2.6 months and 1.9 months, respectively. The median overall survival for the 2 groups was 6.3 months and 3.9 months, respectively. At least 1 adverse event of grade ≥3 was observed in 75.5% of the VEGFi‐naive patients and in 73.9% of the prior VEGFi patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The limited activity of sorafenib and temsirolimus at the dose and schedule used in the current study was observed with considerable toxicity of grade ≥3. Significant dose reductions that were required in this treatment combination compared with tolerated single‐agent doses may have contributed to the lack of efficacy. Cancer 2018;124:1455‐63. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Elevated CO2 induces substantial and persistent declines in forage quality irrespective of warming in mixedgrass prairie
Authors: Augustine David J. , Blumenthal Dana M. , Springer Tim L. , LeCain Daniel R. , Gunter Stacey A. , Derner Justin D.
Published: January 2018

Increasing atmospheric [CO2] and temperature are expected to affect the productivity, species composition, biogeochemistry, and therefore the quantity and quality of forage available to herbivores in rangeland ecosystems. Both elevated CO2 (eCO2) and warming affect plant tissue chemistry through multiple direct and indirect pathways, such that the cumulative outcomes of these effects are difficult to predict. Here, we report on a 7‐yr study examining effects of CO2 enrichment (to 600 ppm) and infrared warming (+1.5°C day/3°C night) under realistic field conditions on forage quality and quantity in a semiarid, mixedgrass prairie. For the three dominant forage grasses, warming effects on in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and tissue [N] were detected only in certain years, varied from negative to positive, and were relatively minor. In contrast, eCO2 substantially reduced IVDMD (two most abundant grasses) and [N] (all three dominant grass species) in most years, except the two wettest years. Furthermore, eCO2 reduced IVDMD and [N] independent of warming effects. Reduced IVDMD with eCO2 was related both to reduced [N] and increased acid detergent fiber (ADF) content of grass tissues. For the six most abundant forage species (representing 96% of total forage production), combined warming and eCO2 increased forage production by 38% and reduced forage [N] by 13% relative to ambient climate. Although the absolute magnitude of the decline in IVDMD and [N] due to combined warming and eCO2 may seem small (e.g., from 63.3 to 61.1% IVDMD and 1.25 to 1.04% [N] for Pascopyrum smithii), such shifts could have substantial consequences for the rate at which ruminants gain weight during the primary growing season in the largest remaining rangeland ecosystem in North America. With forage production increases, declining forage quality could potentially be mitigated by adaptively increasing stocking rates, and through management such as prescribed burning, fertilization at low rates, and legume interseeding to enhance forage quality.
High Energy Density Dielectrics Based on PVDF‐Based Polymers
Authors: Hu Xinping , Yi Kewang , Liu Jie , Chu Baojin
Published: January 2018

Many applications, such as hybrid vehicles, pulsed power generators, and power factor correction, require capacitors with high energy density to reduce the size or weight of the related systems. For these applications, dielectric film capacitors are often used because of their fast discharge speed and high power density. The energy density of commercial available film capacitors is relatively low and cannot meet the demands for those applications. In the past decade, different polymer‐based dielectric materials have been intensively investigated to improve the energy density of the materials. Here, the progress in developing high energy density polymer‐based dielectric materials is reviewed, and strategies to improve the energy density of dielectric polymers are summarized and discussed. Because polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)‐based polymers have relatively high dielectric properties and have been intensively studied for the energy storage applications, the discussion focuses mainly on PVDF‐based polymers and composites. An outlook for the future directions and problems that will be tackled to further improve the energy density of dielectrics is also provided.
Climate controls on coupled processes of chemical weathering, bioturbation, and sediment transport across hillslopes
Authors: Wackett A.A. , Yoo K. , Amundson R. , Heimsath A.M. , Jelinski N.A.
Published: January 2018

Most hillslope studies examining the interplay between climate and earth surface processes tend to be biased towards eroding parts of landscapes. This limitation makes it difficult to assess how entire upland landscapes, which are mosaics of eroding and depositional areas, evolve physio‐chemically as a function of climate. Here we combine new soil geochemical data and published 10Be‐derived soil production rates to estimate variations in chemical weathering across two eroding‐to‐depositional hillslopes spanning a climate gradient in southeastern Australia. At the warmer and wetter Nunnock River (NR) site, rates of total soil (–3 to –14 g m‐2 yr‐1; negative sign indicates mass loss) and saprolite (–18 to –32 g m‐2 yr‐1) chemical weathering are uniform across the hillslope transect. Alternatively, the drier hillslope at Frog's Hollow (FH) is characterized by contrasting weathering patterns in eroding soils (–30 to –53 g m‐2 yr‐1) vs. depositional soils (+91 g m‐2 yr‐1; positive sign indicates mass addition). This difference partly reflects mineral grain size sorting as a result of upslope bioturbation coupled with water‐driven soil erosion, as well as greater vegetative productivity in moister depositional soils. Both of these processes are magnified in the drier climate. The data reveal the importance of linking the erosion–deposition continuum in hillslope weathering studies in order to fully capture the coupled roles of biota and erosion in driving the physical and chemical evolution of hillslopes. Our findings also highlight the potential limitations of applying current weathering models to landscapes where particle‐sorting erosion processes are active. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of the dorsal anterior insula in sexual risk: Evidence from an erotic Go/NoGo task and real‐world risk‐taking
Authors: Xue Feng , Droutman Vita , Barkley‐Levenson Emily E. , Smith Benjamin J. , Xue Gui , Miller Lynn C. , Bechara Antoine , Lu Zhong‐Lin , Read Stephen J.
Published: January 2018

The insula plays an important role in response inhibition. Most relevant here, it has been proposed that the dorsal anterior insular cortex (dAIC) plays a central role in a salience network that is responsible for switching between the default mode network and the executive control network. However, the insula's role in sexually motivated response inhibition has not yet been studied. In this study, eighty‐five 18‐ to 30‐year‐old sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) performed an erotic Go/NoGo task while in an MRI scanner. Participants' real‐world sexual risk‐taking (frequency of condomless anal intercourse over the past 90 days) was then correlated with their neural activity during the task. We found greater activity in bilateral anterior insular cortex (both dorsal and ventral) on contrasts with stronger motivational information (attractive naked male pictures versus pictures of clothed, middle‐aged females) and on contrasts requiring greater response inhibition (NoGo versus Go). We also found that activity in the right dAIC was negatively correlated with participants' real‐world sexual risk‐taking. Our results confirmed the involvement of the insular cortex in motivated response inhibition. Especially, the decreased right dAIC activity may reduce the likelihood that the executive control network will come online when individuals are faced with situations requiring inhibitory control and thus lead them to make more risky choices.
Preventing river drowning deaths: Lessons from coronial recommendations
Authors: Peden Amy E. , Franklin Richard C. , Leggat Peter
Published: January 2018

Issue addressed

Coronial data provide rich information on drowning causal factors. Coroners may make recommendations to prevent future drowning events. Rivers are the leading drowning location in Australia. This study examines coronial recommendations associated with unintentional fatal drowning in Australian rivers from an injury prevention perspective.

Methods

All river drowning cases in Australia between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2012 were extracted from the National Coronial Information System (NCIS). Recommendations were thematically analysed. Using a deductive process, each unique recommendation was coded to a category aligned to the Hierarchy of Control's 6 levels. An inductive process was used for those not categorised. Recommendations were also coded against a modified SMART principle.

Results

Of the 730 river drownings, 58 cases (7.9%) resulted in 71 unique recommendations. Victorian cases (X2 = 32.1; P < 0.01) and multiple fatality events (X2 = 41.9; P < 0.01) were more likely to have recommendations. Common categories of recommendations were administrative (39.4%) and signage‐related (18.3%). Recommendations were often low on the Hierarchy; namely administrative (67.6%) and behaviour (19.1%). Half (50.7%) satisfied four of six modified SMART principle components.

Conclusion

Coronial recommendations associated with river drowning in Australia are reasonably rare. Recommendations provide opportunities for organisations to enact change, however, they could be strengthened with a specified time period and higher order control strategies recommended.

So what?

SMART coronial recommendations may be more successful in achieving the behavioural, social and societal change required to prevent future river drownings. The recommendations examined in this study can be used as a benchmark for what could be considered appropriate safety actions.
Nutrition “fat facts” are not common knowledge
Authors: Harbury Cathy M. , Callister Robin , Collins Clare E.
Published: January 2018

Issue addressed

Individuals who are knowledgeable about nutrition are more likely to eat healthily. Yet, few studies have investigated levels of nutrition knowledge using a validated tool. The present study measured nutrition knowledge using the Re‐examined General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (R‐GNKQ) to confirm influencing demographic characteristics.

Methods

Adults aged 18‐60 years were recruited. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using the R‐GNKQ, examining four domains (dietary guidelines, sources of nutrients, choosing everyday foods, and diet‐disease relationships) with 96 questions.

Results

Of 606 respondents (mean age 38.8 ± 11.8 years), 506 completed all questions. R‐GNKQ score was positively associated with education (p<0.001) and age (p<0.001). Those with the highest education levels scored higher across 89% of the R‐GNKQ and the oldest (≥50 years) respondents scored higher than younger respondents. Other characteristics that were associated with higher levels of knowledge were being female, and having a healthy BMI. Lowest knowledge pertained to questions about diet‐disease relationships and fatty acids in foods.

Conclusions

The majority of individuals had a good understanding about the Australian Dietary Guidelines, however the health benefits of adhering to the dietary guidelines was less well understood. Gaps in knowledge pertained to the specific details of how to adhere to the guidelines, particularly knowledge about the types of beneficial fats and their everyday food sources.

So what?

Those with lower educational attainment, younger, males and those with higher BMI's would benefit from nutrition communications that identify foods with beneficial fatty acids to assist with adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
Correlation of APRIL with production of inflammatory cytokines during acute malaria in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Pinna Raquel A. , dos Santos Adriana C. , Perce‐da‐Silva Daiana S. , da Silva Luciene A. , da Silva Rodrigo N. Rodrigues , Alves Marcelo R. , Santos Fátima , de Oliveira Ferreira Joseli , Lima‐Junior Josué C. , Villa‐Verde Déa M. , De Luca Paula M. , Carvalho‐Pinto Carla E. , Banic Dalma M.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

A proliferation‐inducing ligand (APRIL) and B cell activation factor (BAFF) are known to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including BAFF in malaria. The aim of this study was to investigate whether APRIL and BAFF plasma concentrations could be part of inflammatory responses associated with P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria in patients from the Brazilian Amazon.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria patients (n = 52) resident in Porto Velho before and 15 days after the beginning of treatment and from uninfected individuals (n = 12). We investigated APRIL and BAFF circulating levels and their association with parasitaemia, WBC counts, and cytokine/chemokine plasma levels. The expression levels of transmembrane activator and calcium‐modulating cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) on PBMC from a subset of 5 P. vivax‐infected patients were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

APRIL plasma levels were transiently increased during acute P. vivax and P. falciparum infections whereas BAFF levels were only increased during acute P. falciparum malaria. Although P. vivax and P. falciparum malaria patients have similar cytokine profiles during infection, in P. vivax acute phase malaria, APRIL but not BAFF levels correlated positively with IL‐1, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, and IL‐13 levels. We did not find any association between P. vivax parasitaemia and APRIL levels, while an inverse correlation was found between P. falciparum parasitaemia and APRIL levels. The percentage of TACI positive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were increased in the acute phase P. vivax malaria.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the APRIL and BAFF inductions reflect different host strategies for controlling infection with each malaria species.
Smart textile for respiratory monitoring and thoraco‐abdominal motion pattern evaluation
Authors: Massaroni Carlo , Venanzi Cecilia , Silvatti Amanda P. , Lo Presti Daniela , Saccomandi Paola , Formica Domenico , Giurazza Francesco , Caponero Michele A. , Schena Emiliano
Published: January 2018

The use of wearable systems for monitoring vital parameters has gained wide popularity in several medical fields. The focus of the present study is the experimental assessment of a smart textile based on 12 fiber Bragg grating sensors for breathing monitoring and thoraco‐abdominal motion pattern analysis. The feasibility of the smart textile for monitoring several temporal respiratory parameters (ie, breath‐by‐breath respiratory period, breathing frequency, duration of inspiratory and expiratory phases), volume variations of the whole chest wall and of its compartments is performed on 8 healthy male volunteers. Values gathered by the textile are compared to the data obtained by a motion analysis system, used as the reference instrument. Good agreement between the 2 systems on both respiratory period (bias of 0.01 seconds), breathing frequency (bias of −0.02 breaths/min) and tidal volume (bias of 0.09 L) values is demonstrated. Smart textile shows good performance in the monitoring of thoraco‐abdominal pattern and its variation, as well.
In vivo immuno‐reactivity analysis of the porous three‐dimensional chitosan/SiO2 and chitosan/SiO2/hydroxyapatite hybrids
Authors: Guo Mengxia , Dong Yifan , Xiao Jiangwei , Gu Ruicai , Ding Maochao , Huang Tao , Li Junhua , Zhao Naru , Liao Hua
Published: January 2018

Inorganic/organic hybrid silica‐chitosan (CS) scaffolds have promising potential for bone defect repair, due to the controllable mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and scaffold morphology. However, the precise in vivo immuno‐reactivity of silica‐CS hybrids with various compositions is still poorly defined. In this study, we fabricated the three‐dimensional (3D) interconnected porous chitosan‐silica (CS/SiO2) and chitosan‐silica‐hydroxyapatite (CS/SiO2/HA) hybrids, through sol–gel process and 3D plotting skill, followed by the naturally or freeze drying separately. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the hybrids possessed the uniform geometric structure, while, transmission electron microscopy displayed nanoscale silica, or HA nanoparticles dispersed homogeneously in the CS matrix, or CS/silica hybrids. After intramuscular implantation, CS/SiO2 and CS/SiO2/HA hybrids triggered a local and limited monocyte/macrophage infiltration and myofiber degeneration. Naturally dried CS/SiO2 hybrid provoked a more severe inflammation than the freeze‐dried ones. Dendritic cells were attracted to invade into the implants embedded‐muscle, but not be activated to prime the adaptive immunity, because the absence of cytotoxic T cells and B cells in muscle received the implants. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis indicated the implanted hybrids were incapable to initiate splenocytes activation. Plasma complement C3 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay showed the hybrids induced C3 levels increase in early implanting phase, and the subsequent striking decrease. Thus, the present results suggest that, in vivo, 3D plotted porous CS/SiO2 and CS/SiO2/HA hybrids are relatively biocompatible in vivo, which initiate a localized inflammatory procedure, instead of a systematic immune response. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1223–1235, 2018.
Decontamination of Cr(VI) by graphene oxide@TiO2 in an aerobic atmosphere: effects of pH, ferric ions, inorganic anions, and formate
Authors: Hu Xinjiang , Zhao Yunlin , Wang Hui , Cai Xiaoxi , Hu Xi , Tang Chunfang , Liu Yunguo , Yang Yuanxiu
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

In this study, a graphene oxide@TiO2 composite (GO/TiO2) was prepared and characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm, and XPS. Photocatalytic reduction and removal of Cr(VI) using this composite in an aerobic atmosphere were studied under UV irradiation. The effects of pH, ferric ions, inorganic anions, and formate were investigated systematically.

RESULTS

The Cr(VI) reduction rate decreased with increasing solution pH. The presence of ferric ions in the system improved the photocatalytic reduction process. The effects of SO42− and PO43− on the process were higher than those of Cl− and NO3−. Formate slightly inhibited adsorption of Cr(VI), while it improved Cr(VI) reduction. GO/TiO2 has good stability and it maintained full photoreduction activity for at least three cycles.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that GO/TiO2 can thermodynamically reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) under UV light. Environmental conditions and wastewater characteristics (e.g. pH, ferric ions, inorganic anions, and formate) can influence the decontamination process because they affect the interactions between chromium ions and GO/TiO2 and alter the electron‐transfer pathways. The results suggest that the GO/TiO2 is an attractive material for removing hexavalent chromium from water using a photocatalytic process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Synergistic effects of acclimated bacterial community and zero valent iron for removing 1,1,1‐trichloroethane and 1,4‐dioxane co‐contaminants in groundwater
Authors: Yang Jie , Zhou Li Yang , Li Hui
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Ttrichloroethane acid (TCA) and 1,4‐dioxane have caused significantly combined pollution in soil and groundwater. By establishing the zero valent iron (ZVI) and the acclimated bacterial community coupled system, this study aimed to improve the treatment of 1,1,1‐trichloroethane (TCA) and 1,4‐dioxaneco‐contamination in groundwater and to investigate the synergistic mechanism of ZVI and the acclimated bacterial community coupled system for transformation of TCA and 1,4‐dioxane.

RESULTS

The results showed that the ZVI effectively strengthened the acclimated bacterial community to degrade 70 mg L‐1 TCA and 1,4‐dioxane with enhancement factors (Q) of 1.20 and 2.20. The removal percentages reached 97.8% and 92.5%, respectively. The degradation rate was consistent with the first‐order reaction kinetics. The reductive dechlorination byproducts of TCA were 1,1‐dichloroethane (DCA) and chloroethane (CA), while 1,4‐dioxane was mainly converted to CO2 in the system. The corrosion products on the ZVI surface were mainly FeCO3 and FeS. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the dominant bacteria were dechlorinating bacteria (DhB), sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and iron‐reducing bacteria (IRB) in the microbial community.

CONCLUSION

ZVI coupled with an acclimated bacterial community is a potential technique to apply to deal with TCA and 1,4‐dioxane co‐contaminants in groundwater. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of surfactants on the treatment of radioactive laundry wastewater by direct contact membrane distillation
Authors: Wen Xia , Li Fuzhi , Jiang Bei , Zhang Xue , Zhao Xuan
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) was applied to treat the radioactive laundry wastewater produced from nuclear power plants (NPPs), with surfactants.

RESULTS

The experimental results show that when 0.08 mmol L‐1 surfactants was added into feed solution, the permeate flux reduced sharply by 3–30% in 1 h, and the largest reduction was found in the case with non‐ionic surfactant. The decontamination factors (DF) of Sr(II), Co(II), and Cs(I) were correspondingly decreased 10–100 times within 4–8 h. Compared with the no salt‐added case, the addition of high concentration salt (100–300 g L‐1) slowed down the reduction rate of the permeate flux caused by sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The wetting of membranes by surfactants mainly results from the spontaneous adsorption of surfactant molecules onto the membrane surface and the reduction of solution surface tension. However, the high concentration of NaNO3 in SDBS solution decreases the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDBS to less than 0.06 mmol L‐1, and thus SDBS micelles formed, which were hard for the membrane surface to absorb.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that surfactants could cause serious reduction in permeate flux and rejection of nuclides, and thus they should be removed from the feed solution of DCMD process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Both the Kind and Magnitude of Stimulus Are Important in Overcoming the Negative Regulation of Macrophage Activation by PGE2
Authors: Russell Stephen W , Pace Judith L
Published: January 2018

Macrophages activated for tumor cell killing by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were shown to lose their cytolytic activity if exposed to physiological levels of prostagalandin E2 (PGE2). Increasing the LPS stimulus more than 100-fold over the amount needed to activate the cells did not substantially increase their resistance to the negative regulatory effect of PGE2. By contrast, killing mediated by macrophages activated by a mixture of LPS and gamma interferon was maintained. The degree of resistance conferred was directly related to the magnitude of the stimulus employed, reaching the point where not even 10–5 M PGE2 would diminish killing. Killing by both activated resident and inflammatory peritoneal macrophages could be maintained, but it was easier to do so if the cells had been elicited by an inflammatory stimulus. A preparation of type I interferons produced by cells of the macrophage cell line J774A.1 behaved similarly, but was over 500 times less efficient at helping to maintain killing than gamma (type II) interferon was. Alpha interferon alone, i.e., without LPS, was capable both of activating macrophages and of maintaining the activated state in the presence of PGE2. The capacity for both activation and maintenance could be strikingly enhanced, however, by mixing alpha and gamma interferons together under conditions that were free of detectable LPS. The data reported here collectively suggest that induction and maintenance of macrophage activation may be separable mechanistically, and that the interferons are important to host defense not only because they participate in the induction of macrophage activation for tumor cell killing but also because they help to maintain the activated state once it has been induced.
Immunotoxic Effects of Diethylstilbestrol on Host Resistance: Comparison with Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Morahan Page S , Bradley S Gaylen , Munson Albert E , Duke Scherer , Fromtling R A , Marciano-Cabral F
Published: January 2018

To evaluate the usefulness of host resistance assays for measurement of immunotoxicologic effects of chemicals, the immunosuppressive effects of exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) were compared with the effects of treatment with the known immunosuppressive drug cyclophosphamide (CPS). A panel of six host resistance models was evaluated, including infection with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC), the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, the parasite Naegleria fowleri, and transplantation of the B16F10 melanoma tumor. The results demonstrate a general correlation between the effects of CPS and DES on host resistance. Acute treatment with CPS (200 mg/kg) markedly depressed resistance to the microbial infections with L. monocytogenes and HSV, and exposure to DES usually also decreased resistance in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, CPS had no marked effect on resistance to N. fowleri and EMC virus, and exposure to DES also had a neglible or slight effect. There were, however, two model systems in which the effects of CPS and DES diverged. Whereas treatment with DES produced no significant effect on resistance to C. neoformans, acute treatment with CPS prior to the fungal infection produced a marked increase in resistance. Also, while treatment with CPS markedly increased B16F10 lung metastases, treatment with DES significantly decreased the incidence and number of lung metastases. The data support the general validity of host resistance assays, particularly with models of short disease course, for measuring immunosuppression. However, the results also emphasize the complexity of interpreting effects of environmental chemicals on host resistance, because of the interplay of such factors as relative times of exposure to the chemical in relation to pathogenesis of infection, the length of the disease course, the nature of the operative host defense mechanisms, and the compensatory recovery of these mechanisms.
Effect of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) Infection on the Kinetics of the Mononuclear Cell Response Within the Lung
Authors: Collins Frank M , Auclair Linda K
Published: January 2018

Specific pathogen-free LBN rats were parabiotically linked and the monocyte donor animal was labeled with multiple pulses of tritiated thymidine (1 µCi/g body weight). The right-hand (recipient) rat lungs were infected with 105 viable Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) Pasteur by the intravenous, aerogenic, or intratracheal routes. Control animals received heat-killed BCG or saline only, given intratracheally. The BCG infection resulted in a ten-fold increase in the number of heavily labeled, blood-derived monocytes recovered 24 hr later in the lung lavage fluid. The percentage of labeled cells peaked on day 3 and then declined slowly. Introduction of heat-killed BCG into the lung produced a smaller mononuclear cell influx but a marked polymorphonuclear phagocyte response that persisted for several days. The labeled monocyte counts for the infected recipient rat lung washouts were five to ten times those for the uninfected donor parabiont, except when the aerogenic infection route was used, when both donor and recipient rats were equally infected and both showed substantial increases in labeled monocytes in the lung washouts.
Modulation of Rabbit Neutrophil Aggregation and Degranulation by Free Fatty Acids
Authors: Naccache P H , Molski T F P , Volpi M , Sha'afi R I
Published: January 2018

We have examined the effects of free fatty acids on the unstimulated and N- formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-Met-Leu-Phe) stimulated rabbit neutrophil aggregation and degranulation. As previously reported, arachidonic acid was found to induce by itself an aggregatory response, and in the presence of cytochalasin B, a degranulation response from the neutrophils. The aggregatory property, but not the secretory activity of arachidonic acid, was shared by oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, linoelaidic acid, and lauric acid but not by elaidic acid, caproic acid, stearic acid, and arachidic acid. In addition, several free fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, and linoelaidic acid) were found to inhibit the aggregatory and secretory responses of the neutrophils to the addition of f-Met-Leu-Phe. Caproic acid and lauric acid were found to stimulate to a small extent the aggregatory response of the neutrophils to f-Met-Leu-Phe and to leave unaffected their secretory response. Elaidic acid, stearic acid, and arachidic acid, on the other hand, left both stimulated responses unaffected. These results demonstrate that at least two neutrophil functions can be modulated (both positively and negatively) by free fatty acids.