bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre‐diagnostic derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites and the occurrence of lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer: An individual participant data meta‐analysis of two large population‐based studies
Authors: Gào Xīn , Wilsgaard Tom , Jansen Eugène HJM , Holleczek Bernd , Zhang Yan , Xuan Yang , Anusruti Ankita , Brenner Hermann , Schöttker Ben
Published: December 2018

Oxidative stress may be involved in carcinogenesis and biomarkers of oxidative stress like derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d‐ROM) may be useful for cancer prediction. However, no previous study assessed the association of pre‐diagnostic d‐ROM measurements with cancer incidence. We measured serum d‐ROM levels in a cohort sample of n = 4,345 participants of the German ESTHER study and in a case‐cohort sample of the Norwegian Tromsø study (cancer cases: n = 941; subcohort: n = 1,000). Moreover, d‐ROM was repeatedly measured at follow‐ups of both studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were derived by (weighted) multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression with time‐dependent modeling of d‐ROM levels for incident lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer. Individual study results were pooled by random effects meta‐analysis. The HRs (95% CI) for comparison of top and bottom d‐ROM tertile were statistically significant for lung (1.90 [1.25–2.89]), colorectal (1.70 [1.15–2.51]) and breast cancer incidence (1.45 [1.01–2.09]) but not for prostate cancer incidence (1.20 [0.84–1.72]). In conclusion, this individual participant data meta‐analysis of two large population‐based cohort studies with repeated d‐ROM measurements yielded evidence for an involvement of high oxidative stress in carcinogenesis. Given the observed associations of pre‐diagnostic d‐ROM measurements with lung, colorectal and breast cancer incidence, subjects with increased serum d‐ROM levels should be recommended to reduce these levels by lifestyle changes including smoking cessation, a healthy diet and an increase in physical activity.
Study on the Dynamics of Algal Bloom and its Influence Factors in Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong
Authors: Li Y. S. , Chen X. , Wai Onyx W. H. , King B.
Published: December 2018

In this paper, the semi‐enclosed bay named Tolo Harbour and Channel in Hong Kong, which was frequently attacked by red tides, was used as a case study. Data sets related to marine water quality, river nutrients, and meteorological conditions recorded between 1988 and 1999 were chosen for statistical analysis. A multivariate analysis showed that algal growth, represented by the chlorophyll a concentration, had obvious spatial and temporal variations in the study area. The chlorophyll a concentration had a consistently decreasing trend from the inner part of the Harbour and surface waters to the outer part and bottom waters. The temporal variations had a markedly seasonal variation with high bioproductivity in spring and winter. There were long‐term fluctuations in the chlorophyll a concentration with a high–low–high pattern in the study period. Nutrients and hydrological and meteorological conditions were important factors of algal bloom. Besides nitrogen, which was the most critical factor of algal bloom for the whole water body, total phosphorus in the surface waters and phosphate (PO4) and silica (SiO2) in the bottom waters also showed strongly positive or negative correlations with the chlorophyll a level. For the meteorological conditions, global solar radiation was the key factor of massive algal bloom in the study period, while rainfall and wind direction were the most important factors of seasonal variation.
A Combination of Ion Exchange and Electrochemical Reduction for Nitrate Removal from Drinking Water Part II: Electrochemical Treatment of a Spent Regenerant Solution
Authors: Paidar Martin , Bouzek Karel , Jelínek Luděk , Matějka Zdeněk
Published: December 2018

The process of electrochemical treatment of a solution after strong basic anion exchanger regeneration was studied. The goal of the study was to reduce the nitrate content in the solution to allow its use in a closed loop. Diaphragmless, flow‐through cells in a recirculation mode with and without a fluidizing bed of inert particles in the interelectrode space equipped with copper (Cu) cathodes and activated titanium anodes were used. The temperature was maintained at 20 ° C. To assess the influence of recirculation of the regenerant solution on the quality of the treated water, the effect of the addition of copper ions to the solution, postelectrolysis cathode treatment, and enhanced mass transfer on the electrolysis results with respect to current efficiency and residual nitrate and nitrite concentration were investigated using an artificial solution. On the basis of the experimental results, a laboratory‐scale unit for selective nitrate removal was designed and constructed that integrated ion exchange and electrochemical cell to one assembly. The process of recirculation of regenerant solution was tested using groundwater.
Physico‐Chemical Processes
Authors: Hua Bin , Xiong Huixin , Wang Zhengyang , Hill Jonathan , Buckler Samuel , Gao Shuang , Yang John , Deng Baolin
Published: December 2018

This review is on the research literature published in 2014 related to the physico‐chemical processes for water and wastewater treatment. The review is divided into six sections, including coagulation/flocculation, filtration, sedimentation, oxidation, flotation, sorption process.
Deza graphs with parameters and
Authors: Goryainov Sergey , Haemers Willem H. , Kabanov Vladislav V. , Shalaginov Leonid
Published: December 2018

A Deza graph with parameters is a ‐regular graph with vertices, in which any two vertices have or () common neighbours. A Deza graph is strictly Deza if it has diameter , and is not strongly regular. In an earlier paper, the two last authors et al characterised the strictly Deza graphs with and , where is the number of vertices with common neighbours with a given vertex. Here, we start with a characterisation of Deza graphs (not necessarily strictly Deza graphs) with parameters . Then, we deal with the case and , and thus complete the characterisation of Deza graphs with . It follows that all Deza graphs with , and can be made from special strongly regular graphs, and in fact are strictly Deza except for . We present several examples of such strongly regular graphs. A divisible design graph (DDG) is a special Deza graph, and a Deza graph with is a DDG. The present characterisation reveals an error in a paper on DDGs by the second author et al. We discuss the cause and the consequences of this mistake and give the required errata.
Isolation of the Hg(II)‐volatilizing Bacillus sp. strain DC‐B2 and its potential to remediate Hg(II)‐contaminated soils
Authors: Chen Jinquan , Dong Jia , Shen Shili , Mei Jian , Chang Junjun
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Mercury (Hg) contamination is a major global environmental problem, and its remediation using environmentally friendly biotechnologies has attracted increasing attention. In this study, an Hg(II)‐resistant bacterial strain, Bacillus sp. DC‐B2, was isolated from a metal‐contaminated site, and its ability to remediate five types of Hg‐contaminated soils was investigated.

RESULTS

The isolate DC‐B2 showed strong resistance to multiple metals and volatilized 91.6% of the Hg(II) in a culture with an initial Hg(II) concentration of 10 mg L−1 within 8 h. Microcosm experiments showed that the addition of DC‐B2 culture improved Hg(II) removal by 11.7–17.2% from four artificially Hg(II)‐spiked soil samples with initial Hg contents of approximately 100 mg kg−1 after incubating for 30 days under flooded conditions compared to the control treatment. For the field‐contaminated farmland soil containing 2.50 mg Hg kg−1, an Hg(II) elimination rate of 82.1% was achieved within 30 days with the DC‐B2 inoculation, relative to the 34.1% elimination rate observed for the uninoculated control. The amendment of peptone broth slightly inhibited Hg removal (2.2–8.7%). The remediation effectiveness was verified by observations of longer root and shoot lengths of lettuce plants grown in treated soils compared to those grown in the control soil.

CONCLUSION

The isolate Bacillus sp. DC‐B2 shows great potential to be developed as a bioagent for effective bioremediation of Hg‐contaminated soils. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of Psyllium Fiber Supplementation on Diarrhea Incidence in Enteral Tube‐Fed Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, and Controlled Trial
Authors: Lertpipopmetha Korn , Kongkamol Chanon , Sripongpun Pimsiri
Published: December 2018

Background

Diarrhea in enteral tube‐fed patients is not uncommon and can lead to unfavorable outcomes. Fiber in enteral nutrition (EN) formula might play a role in postfeeding diarrhea. Theoretically, soluble fiber is beneficial for both prevention and treatment of postfeeding diarrhea, but different types of soluble fiber may not provide the same effect. This study aims to determine whether supplementation with psyllium in standard EN reduces the incidence of diarrhea in tube‐fed patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, controlled study in general medical wards patients who were expected to receive EN for ≥5 days. Exclusion criteria were hemodynamic instability, known significant gastrointestinal problems, and recent pancreatitis. Eligible patients were randomized to receive either Mucilin SF (15.2 g/L)‐added Blendera (psyllium‐added formula: Psyllium group [PG]) or Blendera (fiber‐free formula: Control group [CG]). All patients were given EN for 10 days or until discharge/oral intake/death. Bowel movements (BMs) were monitored using King's Stool Chart.

Results

Eighty‐three patients were enrolled, 42 in the PG and 41 in the CG. Baseline characteristics were similar. The proportion of patients with ≥1 day of diarrhea (King's stool score ≥15) was comparable (42.9% vs 31.7%; P = 0.41, in PG and CG, respectively). There were no significant differences in the frequency of daily BMs and the median diarrhea score between PG and CG (3 vs 2, P = 0.06 and 3.8 vs 2.4, P = 0.42, respectively).

Conclusion

Supplementation with psyllium showed no beneficial effect on reducing incidence of diarrhea in general medical patients receiving EN.

This study was registered on Thai Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th: TCTR identification number TCTR20170821004).
Gene Silencing With siRNA (RNA Interference): A New Therapeutic Option During Ex Vivo Machine Liver Perfusion Preservation
Authors: Thijssen Max F. , Brüggenwirth Isabel M. A. , Gillooly Andrew , Khvorova Anastasia , Kowalik Timothy F. , Martins Paulo N.
Published: December 2018

RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural process of posttranscriptional gene regulation that has raised a lot of attention culminating with the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2006. RNAi‐based therapeutics have been tested in experimental transplantation to reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) with success. Modulation of genes of the innate immune system, as well as apoptotic genes, and those involved in the nuclear factor kappa B pathways can reduce liver injury in rodent liver pedicle clamping and transplantation models of IRI. However, in vivo use of RNAi faces limitations regarding the method of administration, uptake, selectivity, and stability. Machine perfusion preservation, a more recent alternative approach for liver preservation showing superior results to static cold preservation, could be used as a platform for gene interference therapeutics. Our group was the first to demonstrate uptake of small interfering RNA (siRNA) during liver machine preservation under both normothermic and hypothermic perfusion. Administering siRNA in the perfusion solution during ex vivo machine preservation has several advantages, including more efficient delivery, lower doses and cost‐saving, and none/fewer side effects to other organs. Recently, the first RNAi drug was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for clinical use, opening a new avenue for new drugs with different clinical applications. RNAi has the potential to have transformational therapeutic applications in several areas of medicine including transplantation. We believe that machine preservation offers great potential to be the ideal delivery method of siRNA to the liver graft, and future studies should be initiated to improve the clinical applicability of RNAi in solid organ transplantation.
Enhancing the Stability of Hydrogels by Doubling the Schiff Base Linkages
Authors: Ding Xiaoya , Li Gao , Xiao Chunsheng , Chen Xuesi
Published: December 2018

Schiff base bonds formed by primary amines and aldehydes are attractive for the construction of self‐healing and injectable hydrogels. However, biomedical applications of the Schiff base–based (SB) hydrogels are usually limited by their inherent low stability due to the rapid exchange dynamic of the Schiff base bond under physiological condition. Herein, a general method to improve the stability of SB hydrogels by simply doubling the Schiff base linkages at the cross‐linking points is proposed. The hydrogels formed by single Schiff base linkage (hydrogel I) disorganize into nano‐aggregates due to the rapid exchange dynamic of Schiff base bond, while the hydrogels formed by double Schiff base linkage (hydrogel II) maintain the gel network for longer times due to the improved stability of the double Schiff base linkage at cross‐linking points. Moreover, the hydrogel II displays excellent self‐healing and injectable properties due to the rapid dynamic nature of Schiff base bonds.
Silver Metallic Cyclodextrin‐Core Star mPEG
Authors: Liang Jianghu , Liu Yuyang , Zhang Xiaoyu
Published: December 2018

A novel silver metallic β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐core star methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) (SM‐CD‐SPEG) is presented. For this, a well‐defined water‐soluble β‐CD‐core star mPEG with aldehyde groups (CD‐star(ald)PEG, III) is first designed and synthesized via the copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne click reaction. Then, silver nanoparticles are formed within III through the oxidation–reduction reaction between the aldehyde groups and silver ions. The oxidation–reduction reaction is characterized by means of 1H NMR spectra. And the preparation conditions of SM‐CD‐SPEG are optimized. The resulting SM‐CD‐SPEG aqueous solutions exhibit good stability and a unimolecular micelle morphology. Significantly, it is able to obtain solid SM‐CD‐SPEG samples with molecular water‐solubility. This is convenient for storage and further application of SM‐CD‐SPEG. The SM‐CD‐SPEG samples also show good catalytic performance toward the reduction reaction of methylene blue (MB) by sodium borohydride (NaBH4).
Exponential stability of a mildly dissipative viscoelastic plate equation with variable density
Authors: Yang Xin‐Guang , Araujo Rawlilson de Oliveira , Teles Ricardo de Sá
Published: December 2018

This paper is concerned with a viscoelastic Kirchhoff plate featuring variable material density. It is modeled by the equation

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5377:mma5377-math-0001
defined in a bounded domain of
, where ϱ = |ut|ρ accounts for a velocity‐dependent material density. It is known that its analogue second‐order wave equation can be exponentially stabilized with the sole dissipation given by the memory term. However, for the plate equation, exponential stability was only shown with an additional strong damping −Δut. Our objective is to show the exponential stability of the present system by exploring only the memory term.
Regularizing properties of a class of matrices including the optimal and the superoptimal preconditioners
Authors: Cipolla Stefano , Di Fiore Carmine , Durastante Fabio , Zellini Paolo
Published: December 2018

In this work, given a positive definite matrix A, we introduce a class of matrices related to A, which is obtained by suitably combining projections of its powers onto algebras of matrices simultaneously diagonalized by a unitary transform. After a detailed theoretical study of some spectral properties of the matrices of this class, which suggests their use as regularizing preconditioners, we prove that such matrices can be cheaply computed when the matrix A has a Toeplitz structure. We provide numerical evidence of the advantages coming from the employment of the proposed preconditioners when used in regularizing procedures.
Multiobjective optimization with an adaptive weight determination scheme using the concept of hyperplane
Authors: Ryu Namhee , Min Seungjae
Published: December 2018

Finding an optimum design that satisfies all performances in a design problem is very challenging. To overcome this problem, multiobjective optimization methods have been researched to obtain Pareto optimum solutions. Among the different methods, the weighted sum method is widely used for its convenience. However, since the different weights do not always guarantee evenly distributed solutions on the Pareto front, the weights need to be determined systematically. Therefore, this paper presents a multiobjective optimization using a new adaptive weight determination scheme. Solutions on the Pareto front are gradually found with different weights, and the values of these weights are adaptively determined by using information from the previously obtained solutions' positions. For an n‐objective problem, a hyperplane is constructed in n ‐dimensional space, and new weights are calculated to find the next solutions. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method, benchmarking problems that have different types of Pareto front are tested, and a topology optimization problem is performed as an engineering problem. A hypervolume indicator is used to quantitatively evaluate the proposed method, and it is confirmed that optimized solutions that are evenly distributed on the Pareto front can be obtained by using the proposed method.
Biological clocks, some clock‐related diseases, and medicinal plants
Authors: Deng Tzu‐Shing
Published: December 2018

Progress in chronobiology thus far has been built on botanical field investigation records, experiments on the development of biological clocks, open questions, established rules, and molecular mechanisms. In this review, three clock‐related diseases, namely cancer, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and depression, are discussed. Evidence‐based mechanisms of action of active compounds, namely epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), curcumin, and melatonin, from three medicinal plants, Camellia sinensis K., Curcuma longa L., and Hypericum perforatum L., respectively, as potential therapies against cancer, AD, and depression, respectively, have been explained. Feedback loops of basic inputs and application outputs of various studies will lead to the development of chronobiology for applications in time‐keeping, disease prevention, and control, and future agricultural practices.
Oncogenic Regulation of Extracellular Vesicle Proteome and Heterogeneity
Authors: Choi Dongsic , Spinelli Cristiana , Montermini Laura , Rak Janusz
Published: December 2018

Mutational and epigenetic driver events profoundly alter intercellular communication pathways in cancer. This effect includes deregulated release, molecular composition, and biological activity of extracellular vesicles (EVs), membranous cellular fragments ranging from a few microns to less than 100 nm in diameter and filled with bioactive molecular cargo (proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids). While EVs are usually classified on the basis of their physical properties and biogenetic mechanisms, recent analyses of their proteome suggest a larger than expected molecular diversity, a notion that is also supported by multicolour nano‐flow cytometry and other emerging technology platforms designed to analyze single EVs. Both protein composition and EV diversity are markedly altered by oncogenic transformation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and differentiation of cancer stem cells. Interestingly, only a subset of EVs released from mutant cells may carry oncogenic proteins (e.g., EGFRvIII), hence, these EVs are often referred to as “oncosomes”. Indeed, oncogenic transformation alters the repertoire of EV‐associated proteins, increases the presence of pro‐invasive cargo, and alters the composition of distinct EV populations. Molecular profiling of single EVs may reveal a more intricate effect of transforming events on the architecture of EV populations in cancer and shed new light on their biological role and diagnostic utility.
Phosphonium‐based polyelectrolyte networks with high thermal stability, high alkaline stability, and high surface areas
Authors: Yang Xiaoyan , Smith Rhett C.
Published: December 2018

Phosphonium‐containing polyelectrolyte networks (PENs) (P1–P4) were prepared by cyclotrimerization of bis(4‐acetylphenyl)diphenylphosphonium bromide (M1) and 1,4‐diacetylbenzene (M2) with p‐toluene sulfonic acid in various M1:M2 ratios (1,0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4). The relative abundance of the PAr4+ units in each PEN was demonstrated to influence thermal stability, alkaline stability, water uptake, surface area, and CO2 uptake in predictable ways. Impressively, PENs with NTf2− counterions (Tf = CF3SO3) did not exhibit 5% mass loss until heating above 400 °C. Alkaline stability, tested by challenging a PEN with 6 M NaOH(aq) at 65 °C for 120 h, increased with increasing PAr4+ content, which reflected the enhanced reactivity of the HO− anion in more hydrophobic materials (i.e., PENs with lower M1:M2 ratios). The specific surface areas estimated by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) analysis for these PENs were above 60 m2/g under N2 and nearly 90 m2/g under CO2. Notably, P3 (in which 33% of monomers comprise a phosphonium moiety) exhibited a CO2 uptake affinity of one CO2 molecule adsorbed for every phosphonium site. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 598–604
Reactivity of urethanes at high temperature: Transurethanization and side reactions
Authors: Prenveille Thomas , Garreau Cyrielle , Matner Mathias , Dijkstra Dirk , Oppermann Wilhelm , Johannsmann Diethelm
Published: December 2018

The reactivity of urethanes based on 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and 4,4′‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) was investigated at temperatures between 190 °C and 235 °C. Diurethane model compounds end‐capped with either 1‐dodecanol (D‐core‐D) or 1‐hexadecanol (H‐core‐H) were mixed and annealed at high temperature. The core was either MDI or HDI. The transurethanization reaction was followed based on the formation of the compounds (H‐core‐D). The amount of H‐core‐D and of side products, which had formed after variable annealing times, were identified with 1H NMR, FTIR, SEC, and MALDI‐TOF. Transurethanization was considerably faster for MDI‐based urethanes than for HDI‐based urethanes. Only traces of side products were formed during annealing of MDI‐based urethanes, whereas a significant amount of allophanates was formed from HDI‐based urethanes under the same conditions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 621–629
Magnesium Particles Coated with Mesoporous Nanoshells as Sustainable Therapeutic‐Hydrogen Suppliers to Scavenge Continuously Generated Hydroxyl Radicals in Long Term
Authors: Kong Lei , Chen Chuanrui , Mou Fangzhi , Feng Yizheng , You Ming , Yin Yixia , Guan Jianguo
Published: December 2018

Sustainable supplementation of massive molecular‐H2 is considered to be the most effective therapy for long‐term elimination of excessive hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in vivo, but has not been achieved so far. In this work, it is demonstrated that magnesium microparticles (Mg MPs) coated with mesoporous nanoshells can achieve the long‐term and high‐efficient generation of therapeutic hydrogen in physiological condition for ·OH scavenging. The as‐proposed magnesium@mesoporous SiO2 core–shell microparticles (Mg@p‐SiO2 MPs) are synthesized by developing a modified Stöber method using acetone as the solvent, and they exhibit shell thickness (d)‐dependent H2 release behavior due to the barrier effect of nanoshells on both the occurrence of Mg–water reaction and H2 diffusion. Consequently, they are able to provide vast quantities of H2 molecules dissolved in body fluid with a rate controlled by d over a long period. A simulation model is established which well explains and further predicts the dependence of H2 release behavior on d, and the long‐term protection of cells from oxidative damage by Mg@p‐SiO2 MPs is also experimentally validated. As the H2 concentration and effective duration in medium can be adjusted by dosage and d, Mg@p‐SiO2 MPs are promising for accurate H2 drug delivery in vivo.
Opportunities on the road to value‐based payment for children with chronic respiratory disease
Authors: Kevill Katharine A. , Bazzy‐Asaad Alia , Pati Susmita
Published: December 2018

The transition from a fee‐for‐service payment system to value‐based payment system gained momentum in the US in 2010 with the passage of the Affordable Care Act and continues to progress rapidly. Market research estimates that value‐based payment models will surpass fee‐for‐service by 2020. This change offers both great opportunity and great risk to the medical care of the heterogeneous populations of children with chronic respiratory disease. The fee‐for‐service model has driven the emergence of a healthcare delivery infrastructure markedly misaligned with the medical needs of children with chronic respiratory disease. A change to value‐based payment models offers the opportunity to create systems better aligned with the complex and varied care needs of these children. However, rapid change without input from the relevant stakeholders could yield an infrastructure even more misaligned with the needs of children with chronic respiratory disease than the current one and threaten access to high quality medical care for these populations. Through the lens offered by three fictional case studies, this review: (1) illustrates current and evolving payment models; (2) describes limitations of these payment models; and (3) suggests a novel way to envision and evaluate value‐based payment models for children with chronic respiratory disease.
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations leading to hypoxemia in child with primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Aregullin E. Oliver , Kaley Vishal R. , Vettukattil Joseph J.
Published: December 2018

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic condition characterized by respiratory tract infections, situs inversus or heterotaxy, and male infertility. Chronic respiratory infections begin in childhood and result in complications such as bronchiectasis. As hypoxemia is often attributed to bronchiectasis, other etiologies for desaturation in this setting are not routinely evaluated. The development of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in PCD is not an established association. PAVMs as the etiology for hypoxemia may have been overlooked due to the lack of awareness of this rare association. We present a child with diagnosis of PCD with significant hypoxemia in the absence of bronchiectasis, found to have diffuse bilateral PAVMs and discuss possible physiopathologic mechanisms.
Element‐ and Site‐Specific Many‐Body Interactions in Few‐Layer MoS2 During X‐Ray Absorption Processes
Authors: Kamada Gen , Venugopal Gunasekaran , Kotsugi Masato , Ohkochi Takuo , Suemitsu Maki , Fukidome Hirokazu
Published: December 2018

Few‐layer MoS2 is a promising 2D material for nano‐electronic device applications. However, the performance of these devices is often deteriorated. One of the reasons is that the electronic properties are influential to the many‐body effects such as excitonic effects and Anderson orthogonality catastrophe (AOC) which could renormalize the band‐dispersion and density‐of‐states(DOS). Hence, the authors investigate the effect of many‐body interactions on MoS2 device performance by using X‐ray absorption spectro‐microscopy (µ‐XAS) on a few‐layer MoS2 transistor in operation, through the application of gate‐bias or contact with a metal. The results show a significant peak shift in µ‐XAS spectra while varying the gate‐bias. The applied negative gate‐bias induces more holes which attracts excited electrons resulting strong many‐body interactions followed by Fermi level shift. This effect is discussed with the aid of XAS‐Auger electron phenomena. However, the AOC contribution in XAS peak‐intensity is ignored since the bands around the energy‐gap in MoS2 are relatively flat and the DOS is empty above Fermi level (unlike graphene). The authors observe a redshift in photon energy near the MoS2/metal‐electrode interface due to charge transfer ensuring carrier‐doping induced through metal‐contact. These observations provide significant insight into element‐ and site‐specific many‐body interactions in MoS2 tunable by gate‐bias or contact with a metal.
Improved isotopic model based on 15N tracing and Rayleigh‐type isotope fractionation for simulating differential sources of N2O emissions in a clay grassland soil
Authors: Castellano‐Hinojosa Antonio , Loick Nadine , Dixon Elizabeth , Matthews G. Peter , Lewicka‐Szczebak Dominika , Well Reinhard , Bol Roland , Charteris Alice , Cardenas Laura
Published: December 2018

Rationale

Isotopic signatures of N2O can help distinguish between two sources (fertiliser N or endogenous soil N) of N2O emissions. The contribution of each source to N2O emissions after N‐application is difficult to determine. Here, isotopologue signatures of emitted N2O are used in an improved isotopic model based on Rayleigh‐type equations.

Methods

The effects of a partial (33% of surface area, treatment 1c) or total (100% of surface area, treatment 3c) dispersal of N and C on gaseous emissions from denitrification were measured in a laboratory incubation system (DENIS) allowing simultaneous measurements of NO, N2O, N2 and CO2 over a 12‐day incubation period. To determine the source of N2O emissions those results were combined with both the isotope ratio mass spectrometry analysis of the isotopocules of emitted N2O and those from the 15N‐tracing technique.

Results

The spatial dispersal of N and C significantly affected the quantity, but not the timing, of gas fluxes. Cumulative emissions are larger for treatment 3c than treatment 1c. The 15N‐enrichment analysis shows that initially ~70% of the emitted N2O derived from the applied amendment followed by a constant decrease. The decrease in contribution of the fertiliser N‐pool after an initial increase is sooner and larger for treatment 1c. The Rayleigh‐type model applied to N2O isotopocules data (δ15Nbulk‐N2O values) shows poor agreement with the measurements for the original one‐pool model for treatment 1c; the two‐pool models gives better results when using a third‐order polynomial equation. In contrast, in treatment 3c little difference is observed between the two modelling approaches.

Conclusions

The importance of N2O emissions from different N‐pools in soil for the interpretation of N2O isotopocules data was demonstrated using a Rayleigh‐type model. Earlier statements concerning exponential increase in native soil nitrate pool activity highlighted in previous studies should be replaced with a polynomial increase with dependency on both N‐pool sizes.
Employer‐Sponsored Health Insurance and the Gender Wage Gap: Evidence from the Employer Mandate
Authors: Lennon Conor
Published: December 2018

In the United States, female workers tend to have higher medical expenditures than male workers. Due to experience rated premiums, the cost of providing employer‐sponsored health insurance (ESI) therefore differs by gender. This article examines if that cost difference contributes to the gender wage gap. Identification comes from the exogenous variation provided by the Affordable Care Act's employer mandate. Estimation uses a difference‐in‐difference framework with data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Findings suggest the portion of the gender wage gap attributable to ESI is smaller than existing estimates in the literature and is statistically no different to zero once individual medical expenses are included as a control. In addition, the article's empirical approach highlights that existing work on the role of ESI in the gender wage gap does not separately identify the effect of ESI from plausible alternatives.
Examining the role of resilience and perceived health status on environmental quality of life: An oil community experience
Authors: Ilevbare Femi Monday , Idemudia Erhabor Sunday
Published: December 2018

Research evidence on how resilience and perceived health status contributes to environmental quality of life (EQoL) in oil‐producing communities is limited. The activities of oil exploration are more likely to have an environmental impact on residents’ habitation, resulting in a lack of access to quality air, to adverse noise levels, and to poor‐quality water in households. However, evidence abounds in the literature that resilience is an important factor in sustainable development, while EQoL is significantly related to health status. This study is an attempt to identify the predictive roles of resilience and perceived health status on self‐reported EQoL among residents in the Badagry oil‐producing community, Lagos State, South‐western Nigeria. To perform this study, descriptive survey design was used. The participants were 169 residents selected randomly from the Badagry oil‐producing community. Their ages ranged from 14 to 58 years (M = 34 years, SD = 12.42). The Environmental Quality of Life Scale, Resilience Scale, and the Perceived Health Status Scale were used to collect responses from respondents. The results revealed that there is significant prediction of resilience when considering EQoL (F1,167 = 6.85, P < 0.05, R2 = 0.04), while perceived health status is not significantly predicted when considering EQoL (F1,167 = 0.68, P > 0.05, R2 = 0.01). However, findings suggest that resilience and perceived health status jointly predict EQoL (F = 4.24, P < 0.05, R2 = 0.05). The study concludes that psychosocial attributes of resilience and perceived health status should be taken into consideration by policymakers when formulating policies that are inclusive of EQoL indicators in oil‐producing communities in Nigeria.
Optimal location of a rigid inclusion in equilibrium problems for inhomogeneous two‐dimensional bodies with a crack
Authors: Lazarev Nyurgun , Everstov Vladimir
Published: December 2018

A two‐dimensional model describing equilibrium of a cracked inhomogeneous body with a rigid inclusion is studied. We assume that the Signorini condition, ensuring non‐penetration of the crack faces, is satisfied. For a family of corresponding variational problems, we analyze the dependence of their solutions on the location of the rigid inclusion. The existence of a solution of the optimal control problem is proven. For this problem, a cost functional is defined by an arbitrary continuous functional on a suitable Sobolev space, with the location parameter of the inclusion is chosen as a control parameter.
Tensor bounds on the hidden universe
Authors: del Rio Adrián , Durrer Ruth , Patil Subodh P.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

During single clock inflation, hidden fields (i.e. fields coupled to the inflaton only gravitationally) in their adiabatic vacua can ordinarily only affect observables through virtual effects. After renormalizing background quantities (fixed by observations at some pivot scale), all that remains are logarithmic runnings in correlation functions that are both Planck and slow roll suppressed. In this paper we show how a large number of hidden fields can partially compensate this suppression and generate a potentially observable running in the tensor two point function, consistently inferable courtesy of a large N resummation. We detour to address certain subtleties regarding loop corrections during inflation, extending the analysis of [1]. Our main result is that one can extract bounds on the hidden field content of the universe from bounds on violations of the consistency relation between the tensor spectral index and the tensor to scalar ratio, were primordial tensors ever detected. Such bounds are more competitive than the naive bound inferred from requiring inflation to occur below the strong coupling scale of gravity if deviations from the consistency relation can be bounded to within the sub-percent level. We discuss how one can meaningfully constrain the parameter space of various phenomenological scenarios and constructions that address naturalness with a large number of species (such as ‘N-naturalness’) with CMB observations up to cosmic variance limits, and possibly future 21cm and gravitational wave observations.
Dyson equations for correlators of Wilson loops
Authors: Correa Diego , Pisani Pablo , Fukelman Alan Rios , Zarembo Konstantin
Published: December 2018

Abstract

By considering a Gaussian truncation of

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 super Yang-Mills, we derive a set of Dyson equations that account for the ladder diagram contribution to connected correlators of circular Wilson loops. We consider different numbers of loops, with different relative orientations. We show that the Dyson equations admit a spectral representation in terms of eigenfunctions of a Schrödinger problem, whose classical limit describes the strong coupling limit of the ladder resummation. We also verify that in supersymmetric cases the exact solution to the Dyson equations reproduces known matrix model results.
Tomato lycopene prevention of alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma development
Authors: Stice Camilla P. , Xia Hui , Wang Xiang‐Dong
Published: December 2018

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in the United States, and chronic, excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for 32%–45% of all the liver cancer cases in the United States. Avoidance of chronic or excessive alcohol intake is the best protection against alcohol‐related liver injury; however, the social presence and addictive power of alcohol are strong. Induction of the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) enzyme by chronic and excessive alcohol intake is known to play a role in the pathogenesis of ALD. High intake of tomatoes, rich in the carotenoid lycopene, is associated with a decreased risk of chronic disease. The review will overview the prevention of ALD and HCC through dietary tomato rich in lycopene as an effective intervention strategy and the crucial role of CYP2E1 induction as a molecular target. The review also indicates a need for caution among individuals consuming both alcohol and high dose lycopene as a dietary supplement.
Elevation-dependent behavior of hoar-prominent snowpack on forest slopes in the Japanese Central Alps based on a decade of observations
Authors: Harada Yusuke , Wakabayashi Ryuzo , Inoue Yoshikage
Published: December 2018

Full snow-pit observations were performed on a monthly basis over ten winter seasons from 1995 to 2004, at 15 study plots spaced at 100 m elevation intervals (1300–2700 m a.s.l.) in the mountainous forest of the Japanese Central Alps. We observed 514 pits with an average depth of 1.12 m. Density measurements were taken in 2610 snow layers in total. Monthly trends indicate that snow depth has a strong linear correlation with elevation and that the mean density of snow cover has a moderate linear correlation with elevation in midwinter. Snow water equivalent can increase as a quadratic function of elevation in January and February. For this reason, the influence of overburden load and wind packing is elevation-dependent from January to February, a period when a facet-prominent snowpack existed on account of low snow and air temperatures. The density of depth hoar is greater at higher elevations than it is for rounded grains in midwinter due to densification. On forested slopes, with increasing elevation, snowfall frequency and the impact of wind upon snow increases while air temperature decreases, causing elevational variance in grain shapes.
The weak Bernoulli property for matrix Gibbs states
Authors: PIRAINO MARK
Published: December 2018

We study the ergodic properties of a class of measures on$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}^{\mathbb{Z}}$for which$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{{\mathcal{A}},t}[x_{0}\cdots x_{n-1}]\approx e^{-nP}\Vert A_{x_{0}}\cdots A_{x_{n-1}}\Vert ^{t}$, where${\mathcal{A}}=(A_{0},\ldots ,A_{M-1})$is a collection of matrices. The measure$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{{\mathcal{A}},t}$is called a matrix Gibbs state. In particular, we give a sufficient condition for a matrix Gibbs state to have the weak Bernoulli property. We employ a number of techniques to understand these measures, including a novel approach based on Perron–Frobenius theory. We find that when$t$is an even integer the ergodic properties of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}_{{\mathcal{A}},t}$are readily deduced from finite-dimensional Perron–Frobenius theory. We then consider an extension of this method to$t>0$using operators on an infinite- dimensional space. Finally, we use a general result of Bradley to prove the main theorem.
Effectiveness of antimicrobial hospital curtains on reducing bacterial contamination—A multicenter study
Authors: Luk Shik , Chow Viola Chi Ying , Yu Kelvin Chung Ho , Hsu Enoch Know , Tsang Ngai Chong , Chuang Vivien Wai Man , Lai Christopher Koon Chi , Hui Mamie , Lee Rodney Allan , Lai Wai Man , Que Tak Lun , Fung Sau Chun , To Wing Kin , Cheng Vincent Chi Chung , Wong Andrew Tin Yau
Published: December 2018

Objective

To determine the efficacy of 2 types of antimicrobial privacy curtains in clinical settings and the costs involved in replacing standard curtains with antimicrobial curtains.

Design

A prospective, open-labeled, multicenter study with a follow-up duration of 6 months.

Setting

This study included 12 rooms of patients with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) (668 patient bed days) and 10 cubicles (8,839 patient bed days) in the medical, surgical, neurosurgical, orthopedics, and rehabilitation units of 10 hospitals.

Method

Culture samples were collected from curtain surfaces twice a week for 2 weeks, followed by weekly intervals.

Results

With a median hanging time of 173 days, antimicrobial curtain B (quaternary ammonium chlorides [QAC] plus polyorganosiloxane) was highly effective in reducing the bioburden (colony-forming units/100 cm2, 1 vs 57; P < .001) compared with the standard curtain. The percentages of MDRO contamination were also significantly lower on antimicrobial curtain B than the standard curtain: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 0.5% vs 24% (P < .001); carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp, 0.2% vs 22.1% (P < .001); multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter spp, 0% vs 13.2% (P < .001). Notably, the median time to first contamination by MDROs was 27.6 times longer for antimicrobial curtain B than for the standard curtain (138 days vs 5 days; P = .001).

Conclusions

Antimicrobial curtain B (QAC plus polyorganosiloxane) but not antimicrobial curtain A (built-in silver) effectively reduced the microbial burden and MDRO contamination compared with the standard curtain, even after extended use in an active clinical setting. The antimicrobial curtain provided an opportunity to avert indirect costs related to curtain changing and laundering in addition to improving patient safety.
How well do N95 respirators protect healthcare providers against aerosolized influenza virus?
Authors: Bischoff Werner E. , Turner JoLyn , Russell Gregory , Blevins Maria , Missaiel Engy , Stehle John
Published: December 2018

N95 respirator masks are recommended for protection against respiratory viruses. Despite passing fit-testing 10% of N95 respirator users encountered breakthroughs with exposure to influenza virus compared to full protection provided by a powered air purifying respirator. The current recommendation of N95 respirators should be evaluated for endemic and emerging scenarios.
Comparing measurements of snow mechanical properties relevant for slab avalanche release
Authors: REUTER BENJAMIN , PROKSCH MARTIN , LÖWE HENNING , VAN HERWIJNEN ALEC , SCHWEIZER JÜRG
Published: December 2018

Snow properties relevant to the fracture processes involved in dry-snow slab avalanche release include weak layer specific fracture energy, slab elastic modulus and density. Various techniques exist to determine these snow mechanical properties, but it is presently unclear how values determined with different methods compare. In the laboratory, the 3-D microstructure of cm-sized snow samples is reconstructed by micro-computed tomography (μCT) so that density and elastic modulus can be computed. In the field, fracture energy and modulus are estimated based on particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) of the displacement field observed during propagation saw tests. Snow stratigraphy is measured with the snow micro-penetrometer (SMP) in either, field or laboratory. We compared SMP-derived properties to correspondingμCT- and PTV-derived values. Values of snow density related well toμCT results and so were SMP-derived elastic moduli related to PTV-derived values. By taking into account snow anisotropy a good relation between SMP- andμCT-derived moduli resulted suggesting the SMP-derived modulus characterizes the components of the modulus perpendicular to the axis of penetration. SMP- and PTV-derived values of fracture energy were correlated. The SMP can provide a bridge between scales and techniques, yet further improvements in signal interpretation are still needed.
Reliable and efficient recording of the error-related negativity with a speeded Eriksen Flanker Task
Authors: Suchan Franziska , Kopf Juliane , Althen Heike , Reif Andreas , Plichta Michael M.
Published: December 2018

Objective

There is accumulating evidence that the error-related negativity (ERN), an event-related potential elicited after erroneous actions, is altered in different psychiatric disorders and may help to guide treatment options. Thus, the ERN is a promising candidate as a psychiatric biomarker. Basic methodological requirements for a biomarker are that their measurements are standardised and reliable. The aim of the present study was to establish ERN acquisition in a reliable, time-efficient and patient-friendly way for use in clinical practice.

Methods

Healthy subjects performed a speeded Eriksen Flanker Task that increases the number of errors. In a test–retest design (N = 14) with two sessions separated by 28 days we assessed the reliability of the ERN. To ensure external validity, we aimed to replicate previously reported correlation patterns of ERN amplitude with (A) number of errors and (B) negative affect. In order to optimise the clinical use of the task, we determined to which extent the task can be shortened while keeping reliability >0.80.

Results

We found excellent reliability of the ERN (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.806–0.947) and replicated ERN correlation patterns. The task can be halved to a patient-friendly length of 200 trials (recorded in 8 min) keeping reliability >0.80.

Conclusions

The modified task provides reliable and efficient recording of the ERN, facilitating its use as a psychiatric biomarker.
The 50 American States in Space and Time: Applying Conditionally Autoregressive Models
Authors: Jackson Joshua L. , Monogan James E.
Published: December 2018

Spatial conditionally autoregressive (CAR) models in a hierarchical Bayesian framework can be informative for understanding state politics, or any similar population of border-defined observations. This article explains how a hierarchical CAR model is specified and estimated and then uses Monte Carlo analyses to show when the CAR model offers efficiency gains. We apply this model to data structures common to state politics: A cross-sectional example replicates Erikson, Wright and McIver’s (1993) Statehouse Democracy model and a multilevel panel model example replicates Margalit’s (2013) study of social welfare policy preferences. The CAR model fits better in each case and some inferences differ from models that ignore geographic correlation.