bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hyaluronic Acid/Trehalose in Two Different Formulations on Signs and Symptoms in Patients with Moderate to Severe Dry Eye Disease
Authors: Fondi Klemens , Wozniak Piotr A. , Schmidl Doreen , Bata Ahmed M. , Witkowska Katarzyna J. , Popa-Cherecheanu Alina , Schmetterer Leopold , Garhöfer Gerhard
Published: August 2018

Purpose. This randomized, observer-masked, crossover study investigated the effect of two hyaluronic acid/trehalose-based containing formulations, with different physical properties, on the signs and symptoms in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED). Methods. In one group, patients received a mixture of sodium hyaluronate and trehalose (HT, Thealoz Duo®) for use during the day. In the other group, patients received a more viscous formulation consisting of hyaluronic acid, trehalose, and carbomer (HTC-gel, Thealoz Duo Gel) to use pro re nata. Both groups used HTC-gel before going to bed. Clinical standard tests for DED were performed at the beginning and end of each one-week period. Further, patient satisfaction including quality of sleep was assessed using a visual analogue scale. Results. Corneal fluorescein and conjunctival lissamine green staining scores decreased, and tear breakup time (BUT) increased for both groups (p<0.001 each). Mean instillation frequency was 3.1 ± 2.6 drops/day when using HT and 1.9 ± 2.2 drops/day when using HTC-gel (p=0.02). A significant improvement in the quality of sleep was observed with both treatments (p=0.01). Conclusions. Our results show improvement in signs and symptoms of DED in both groups. While instillation of HTC-gel resulted in a lower instillation frequency, both formulations of trehalose showed good clinical efficacy. This trial is registered with NCT02980913.
Computational Prediction of Electronic and Photovoltaic Properties of Anthracene-Based Organic Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Liu Qian , Liu Dejiang , Su Runzhou , Liu Jinglin , Li Yuanzuo
Published: August 2018

Three kinds of anthracene-based organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were studied, and their structures are based on a push–pull framework with anthracenyl diphenylamine as the donor connected to a carboxyphenyl or carboxyphenyl-bromothiazole (BTZ) as the acceptor via an acetylene bridge. The photoelectric properties of the three dyes were investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The simulations indicate that the improvement of anthracene-based dyes (the addition of BTZ and the change of alkyl groups to alkoxy chains) can reduce the energy gap and produce a red shift. This structural modification also improves the light capturing and the electron injection capability, making it excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). In addition, twelve molecules have been designed to regulate photovoltaic performance.
Identification of Risk Factors Affecting PPP Waste‐to‐Energy Incineration Projects in China: A Multiple Case Study
Authors: Liu Yong , Sun Chenjunyan , Xia Bo , Liu Sai , Skitmore Martin
Published: August 2018

Waste‐to‐energy (WTE) incineration technologies are considered an effective solution for sustainable and efficient municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in China, and the public‐private partnership (PPP) arrangement has been widely used to construct and operate WTE incineration projects. However, PPP WTE incineration projects in China are affected by numerous risks due to the long concession period, various participants, and other factors commonly involved in PPPs, resulting in a number of failures. In light of the pivotal role that risk identification, analysis, and response play in the successful development of PPP WTE incineration projects, this paper presents a multiple case study to identify the risk factors involved in China by drawing on experience from the real‐life risk events of 35 PPP WTE incineration plants. 18 risk factors are identified; the most critical of which being public opposition risk, environmental pollution risk, government decision‐making risk, a defective legal and regulatory system, and MSW supply risk. The results of the study provide a solid foundation for the future risk analysis, risk allocation, and risk response of PPP WTE incineration projects, and shed light on performance improvement of the PPP WTE incineration projects as well as the development of the PPP WTE industry in China.
Global Sensitivity Analysis of Large Reaction Mechanisms Using Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test
Authors: Lin Shengqiang , Xie Ming , Wu Meng , Zhou Weixing
Published: August 2018

Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) of large chemical reaction mechanisms remains a challenge since the model with uncertainties in the large number of input parameters provides large dimension of input parameter space and tends to be difficult to evaluate the effect of input parameters on model outputs. In this paper, a criterion for frequency selection to input parameter is proposed so that Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (FAST) method can evaluate the complex model with a low sample size. This developed FAST method can establish the relationship between the number of input parameters and sample size needed to measure sensitivity indices with high accuracy. The performance of this FAST method which can allow both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex systems is validated by a H2/air combustion model and a CH4/air combustion model. This FAST method is also compared with other GSA methods to illustrate the features of this FAST method. The results show that FAST method can evaluate the reaction systems with low sample size, and the sensitivity indices obtained from the FAST method can provide more important information which the variance-based GSA methods cannot obtain. FAST method can be a remarkably effective tool for the modelling and diagnosis of large chemical reaction.
Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in a Diabetic Monkey Model and Therapeutic Testing of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Lee Kyo Won , Kim Tae Min , Kim Kyeong Sik , Lee Seunghwan , Cho Junhun , Park Jae Berm , Kwon Ghee Young , Kim Sung Joo
Published: August 2018

Clinically, acute kidney injury (AKI) episodes in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients are associated with a cumulative risk of developing end-stage renal disease. In this study, we asked whether the severity of AKI induced by renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is more prominent in DM than in non-DM control using a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) model. We also investigated whether human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) infused via the renal artery could ameliorate renal IRI in DM monkeys. The experimental data, including mortality rate, histologic findings, and urinary albumin secretion indicate that the severity of AKI was greater in DM monkeys than in control animals. Moreover, histological findings and qRT-PCR analysis of Ngal mRNA in renal biopsy tissue showed that hBM-MSC promoted the recovery of tubular damage caused by AKI. Serum analysis also revealed that the level of albumin and ALT was increased 24 and 48 hours after AKI, respectively, suggesting that AKI induced acute liver injury. We suggest that this nonhuman primate model could provide essential information about the renal and nonrenal impairment related to DM and help determine the clinical usefulness of MSCs in AKI.
L-Proline-Catalyzed Synthesis of Phthalimide Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Lipoxygenase Inhibition Activities
Authors: Perveen Shagufta , Orfali Raha
Published: August 2018

A study was planned to synthesize the phthalimide derivatives as phthalimides have versatile biological activities. To synthesize the phthalimide derivatives, initially the reaction was optimized with various catalysts, and L-proline was found to be the best catalyst as it provided excellent yield. A series of phthalimide derivatives was synthesized by facile one-top reaction of phthalic acid with aryl amines under mild reaction conditions in the presence of L-proline as catalyst. Products were obtained in excellent yields and structurally characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, and mass spectral data. Products 1–7 were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipoxygenase enzyme inhibition activities. Compounds 1 and 4 showed potent antioxidant activity under DPPH with IC50 values 27.3 and 25.0 μM when compared with the standard BHA (IC50 = 44.2 μM), respectively. Compounds 1 and 4 further showed strong lipoxygenase inhibition activity with IC50 values 21.34 and 20.45 μM when compared with standard baicalein (IC50 = 22.60 μM), respectively. Compound 2 was found to be promising and about equal to the used standard aspirin in the inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation, while other compounds showed weak-to-moderate % inhibition.
Optical Modeling Analysis of Red, Green, and Yellow Phosphors with a Blue LED
Authors: Sun Wen-Shing , Tien Chuen-Lin
Published: August 2018

The luminous properties of red, green, and yellow phosphors with a blue LED are evaluated and a corresponding optical model is constructed using the optical simulation software LightTools®. According to the phosphor particle model, the desired chromaticity coordinate of the multicomponent light which is excited by a blue LED can be achieved by modifying the weight concentration of the phosphors. A comparison of the four types of LED package modules tested shows that the yellow phosphor encapsulated with a semispherical module takes up a lesser percentage of the total weight percentage of a constructed white light with a correlated color temperature of around 4000 K. The simulation and experimental results provide a cross-reference for better packaging and encapsulating designs for lumen improvement.
A Rare Case of Severe Congenital RYR1-Associated Myopathy
Authors: Laforgia Nicola , Capozza Manuela , De Cosmo Lucrezia , Di Mauro Antonio , Baldassarre Maria Elisabetta , Mercadante Francesca , Torella Anna Laura , Nigro Vincenzo , Resta Nicoletta
Published: August 2018

Congenital myopathies are a group of rare inherited diseases, defined by hypotonia and muscle weakness. We report clinical and genetic characteristics of a male preterm newborn, whose phenotype was characterized by severe hypotonia and hyporeactivity, serious respiratory distress syndrome that required mechanical ventilation, clubfoot, and other dysmorphic features. The diagnostic procedure was completed with the complete exome sequencing of the proband and of his parents and his sister, which showed new mutations in the ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1), which maps to chromosome 19q13.2 and encodes the skeletal muscle isoform of a calcium-release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (RyR1). This report confirms that early diagnosis and accurate study of genomic disorders are very important, enabling proper genetic counselling of the reproductive risk, as well as disease prognosis and patient management.
Development of a More Effective Mosquito Trapping Box for Vector Control
Authors: Chaiphongpachara Tanawat , Bunyuen Ploypailin , Khlaeo Chansukh Kitthisak
Published: August 2018

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health issue in nearly all tropical and subtropical countries, making vector control imperative. The mosquito trapping box is one type of mosquito traps that is popular in some areas because it is affordable, environmentally friendly, and easy to produce. This research investigated whether the effectiveness of the mosquito trapping box could be increased through the addition of various physical factors, including a wooden frame, black cotton cloth, a fan, carbon dioxide (CO2), and heat, by testing a range of box designs in the Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand, between December 2016 and January 2017. We found that trapping boxes constructed with Pinus kesiya wood caught more mosquitoes than those constructed with two other types of wood or aluminum. We also found that mosquito trapping boxes were more effective when more factors were added, although these differences were only significant for black cotton cloth and CO2. These findings will guide the future development of mosquito trapping boxes for effective mosquito control in other areas, helping to reduce the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases.
Cryptococcal Meningitis: A Retrospective Cohort of a Brazilian Reference Hospital in the Post-HAART Era of Universal Access
Authors: Azambuja Aline Z. de , Wissmann Neto Gustavo , Watte Guilherme , Antoniolli Luciana , Goldani Luciano Z.
Published: August 2018

Objective.Cryptococcus neoformansis a common opportunistic infection in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome worldwide. However, limited data exist for HIV-infected patients in the post-HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) era in Brazil. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cryptococcosis in a cohort of patients attending a teaching tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil after the introduction of HAART in Brazil.Patients and Methods. A retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil. Detailed data on risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis methods, treatment, and prognosis of patients with meningeal cryptococcosis were evaluated from January 2009 to December 2016.Results. Seventy-nine cases of cryptococcal meningitis were identified. Most of the patients presented positive CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) cultures forCryptococcus neoformans(96%). The prevalence of males and females with meningeal cryptococcosis was similar. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 67 years. The median time of hospitalization was 28 days. The most common underlying disease was HIV (82%), followed by solid transplant (10%). Fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, and altered mental status were the most common clinical manifestations. Initial opening intracranial pressures varied from 30 to 130 cm H2O. CNS imaging abnormalities include hydrocephalus and hypodensities. Widened Virchow–Robin spaces were described in only 2 patients (2.5%). Induction treatment of the majority of the patients consisted of amphotericin B and flucytosine (67%) followed by amphotericin B and fluconazole (19%). Multivariate analysis of Cox regression identified headache at presentation, mechanical ventilation, CSF glucose <20 mg/dL, and CSF cryptococcal antigen ≥1 : 1000 for independent risk factors for death. All-cause 30-day and 60-day mortalities were 19% and 24%, respectively.Conclusions. Meningeal cryptococcosis mostly caused byC. neoformanscontinues to occur predominantly in HIV-infected adults despite HAART being widely distributed in Brazil. Cryptococcosis remains a significant opportunistic infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Despite adequate antifungal treatment and management of intracranial hypertension in a reference tertiary care hospital, mortality was high. Identification of risk factors and additional treatment modalities, especially for intracranial hypertension, are necessary to improve care for patients with cryptococcal meningitis.
An Orthopaedic Robotic-Assisted Rehabilitation Method of the Forearm in Virtual Reality Physiotherapy
Authors: Padilla-Castañeda Miguel A. , Sotgiu Edoardo , Barsotti Michele , Frisoli Antonio , Orsini Piero , Martiradonna Alessandro , Laddaga Cristina , Bergamasco Massimo
Published: August 2018

The use of robotic rehabilitation in orthopaedics has been briefly explored. Despite its possible advantages, the use of computer-assisted physiotherapy of patients with musculoskeletal injuries has received little attention. In this paper, we detailed the development and evaluation of a robotic-assisted rehabilitation system as a new methodology of assisted physiotherapy in orthopaedics. The proposal consists of an enhanced end-effector haptic interface mounted in a passive mechanism for allowing patients to perform upper-limb exercising and integrates virtual reality games conceived explicitly for assisting the treatment of the forearm after injuries at the wrist or elbow joints. The present methodology represents a new approach to assisted physiotherapy for strength and motion recovery of wrist pronation/supination and elbow flexion-extension movements. We design specific game scenarios enriched by proprioceptive and haptic force feedback in three training modes: passive, active, and assisted exercising. The system allows the therapist to tailor the difficulty level on the observed motion capacity of the patients and the kinesiology measurements provided by the system itself. We evaluated the system through the analysis of the muscular activity of two healthy subjects, showing that the system can assign significant working loads during typical physiotherapy treatment profiles. Subsequently, a group of ten patients undergoing manual orthopaedic rehabilitation of the forearm tested the system, under similar conditions at variable intensities. Patients tolerated changes in difficulty through the tests, and they expressed a favourable opinion of the system through the administered questionnaires, which indicates that the system was well accepted and that the proposed methodology was feasible for the case study for subsequently controlled trials. Finally, a predictive model of the performance score in the form of a linear combination of kinesiology observations was implemented in function of difficult training parameters, as a way of systematically individualising the training during the therapy, for subsequent studies.
Visual Tracking Based on Discriminative Compressed Features
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Hui
Published: August 2018

Visual tracking is a challenging research topic in the field of computer vision with many potential applications. A large number of tracking methods have been proposed and achieved designed tracking performance. However, the current state-of-the-art tracking methods still can not meet the requirements of real-world applications. One of the main challenges is to design a good appearance model to describe the target’s appearance. In this paper, we propose a novel visual tracking method, which uses compressed features to model target’s appearances and then uses SVM to distinguish the target from its background. The compressed features were obtained by the zero-tree coding on multiscale wavelet coefficients extracted from an image, which have both the low dimensionality and discriminate ability and therefore ensure to achieve better tracking results. The experimental comparisons with several state-of-the-art methods demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method.
Potential Crosstalk between Fructose and Melatonin: A New Role of Melatonin—Inhibiting the Metabolic Effects of Fructose
Authors: Valenzuela-Melgarejo Francisco J. , Caro-Díaz Claudia , Cabello-Guzmán Gerardo
Published: August 2018

Increased consumption of energy-dense foods such as fructose-rich syrups represents one of the significant, growing concerns related to the alarming trend of overweight, obesity, and metabolic disorders worldwide. Metabolic pathways affected by fructose involve genes related to lipogenesis/lipolysis, beta-oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis, gluconeogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation pathways, or altering of circadian production of insulin and leptin. Moreover, fructose can be a risk factor during pregnancy elevating the risk of preterm delivery, hypertension, and metabolic impairment of the mother and fetus. Melatonin is a chronobiotic and homeostatic hormone that can modulate the harmful effects of fructose via clock gene expression and metabolic pathways, modulating the expression of PPARγ, SREBF-1 (SREBP-1), hormone-sensitive lipase, C/EBP-αgenes, NRF-1, PGC1α, and uncoupling protein-1. Moreover, this hormone has the capacity in the rat of reverting the harmful effects of fructose, increasing the body weight and weight ratio of the liver, and increasing the body weight and restoring the glycemia from mothers exposed to fructose. The aim of this review is to show the potential crosstalk between fructose and melatonin and their potential role during pregnancy.
Existence of Asymptotically Almost Automorphic Mild Solutions of Semilinear Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Cao Junfei , Huang Zaitang , N’Guérékata Gaston M.
Published: August 2018

This paper is concerned with the existence of asymptotically almost automorphic mild solutions to a class of abstract semilinear fractional differential equations Dtαxt=Axt+Dtα-1Ft,xt,Bxt,  t∈R, where 1<α<2, A is a linear densely defined operator of sectorial type on a complex Banach space X and B is a bounded linear operator defined on X, F is an appropriate function defined on phase space, and the fractional derivative is understood in the Riemann-Liouville sense. Combining the fixed point theorem due to Krasnoselskii and a decomposition technique, we prove the existence of asymptotically almost automorphic mild solutions to such problems. Our results generalize and improve some previous results since the (locally) Lipschitz continuity on the nonlinearity F is not required. The results obtained are utilized to study the existence of asymptotically almost automorphic mild solutions to a fractional relaxation-oscillation equation.
Knowledge and Attitude on Obstetric Effects of Female Genital Mutilation among Maasai Women in Maternity Ward at Loitokitok Sub-County Hospital, Kenya
Authors: Muchene Keddy Wanjiru , Mageto Irene Gacheri , Cheptum Joyce Jebet
Published: August 2018

Background. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the most harmful traditions still practiced in many parts of the developing world, including Kenya. The practice leads to permanent and irreversible health damages; however, knowledge and attitude of women towards its obstetric effects is scarce. Aim. The objective of this study was to determine knowledge and attitude of women towards obstetric effects of FGM among Maasai women. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Loitokitok Sub-County Hospital among 64 Maasai women who had undergone FGM. Systematic sampling was employed to identify the respondents. Data were collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire and analyzed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 based on frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were coded and categorized and thematic analysis was done. Results. Half of the women were knowledgeable on obstetric effects of FGM. Majority of them, 81% (n=52), sustained perineal tears during childbirth while 53% (n=34) had postpartum hemorrhage. Majority of the respondents, 81% (n=51), had negative attitude towards FGM and 87% (n=31) would not encourage their daughters to be circumcised. Most of them, 64% (n=23), disagreed that circumcision made one a respectable woman. Conclusion. Obstetric effects of FGM were fairly known and there was negative attitude towards FGM practice.
Monte Carlo Simulation to Evaluate Mould Growth in Walls: The Effect of Insulation, Orientation, and Finishing Coating
Authors: Almeida Ricardo M. S. F. , Barreira Eva
Published: August 2018

Mould growth can have severe consequences both on the health of occupants and on constructions’ durability. Mould growth is a very complex process that depends on many factors such as temperature and relative humidity, presence of nutrients, and exposure time. Several mould prediction models, which allow estimating mould growth in building components and performing risk analysis, are available in the literature, such as the updated VTT model or the Biohygrothermal model. A Portuguese typical wall configuration was used for a sensitivity analysis. The importance of insulation (with and without insulation), orientation (north and south), and finishing coating (gypsum‐based rendering, medium density fibreboard (mdf), and untreated wood) for the mould growth phenomenon was tested using both the updated VTT model and the Biohygrothermal model. A total of 12 case studies were investigated. The influence of indoor climate was evaluated by simulating 200 scenarios previously generated using the Monte Carlo method. Each of the scenarios has been applied to the 12 case studies, and 2400 hygrothermal simulations were carried out. Initially, the case studies were simulated using WUFI 1D since both mould growth models require the superficial temperature and relative humidity as input. Simulations were carried out for a one‐year period. The updated VTT model produced results (mould index—M) ranging between 0.4 (gypsum‐based rendering, insulated, and south oriented wall) and 5.9 (untreated wood, noninsulated, and north oriented wall) and the Biohygrothermal model (mould growth) between 10.1 and 406.4 mm for the same case studies. Despite that the effect of the orientation of the wall could be identified, the importance of insulation and nature of substrate was more evident. Although the two models produced overall comparable results, some differences could be found, creating the opportunity to discuss their strengths and weaknesses as well as their sensitivity to the input parameters.
Assessment of Sodium and Potassium Intakes in Children Aged 6 to 18 Years by 24 h Urinary Excretion in City of Rabat, Morocco
Authors: Saeid Naima , Elmzibri Mohammed , Hamrani Abdeslam , Latifa Qandoussi , Belghiti Hakim , El Berri Hicham , Benjeddou Kaoutar , Bouziani Amina , Benkirane Hasnae , Taboz Youness , Elhamdouchi Asmae , El Kari Khalid , Aguenaou Hassan
Published: August 2018

Background. The incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has greatly increased, mainly due to high level of dietary sodium. Thus, reduction of sodium intake in population has been recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce NCDs. The aim of this study was to estimate sodium and potassium consumption in a sample of Moroccan children as a baseline study to implement national strategy for salt intake reduction.Methods. The study was conducted on 131 children aged 6–18 years recruited from Rabat and its region. Sodium excretion and potassium excretion were measured on 24 h urinary collection, and the creatinine excretion was used to validate completeness of urine collections.Results. The average of urinary sodium was 2235.3 ± 823.2 mg/day, and 50% of children consume more than 2 g/d of sodium (equivalent to 5 g/day of salt), recommended by the WHO. However, daily urinary excretion of potassium was 1431 ± 636.5 mg/day, and 75% of children consume less than adequate intake. Sodium consumption increased significantly with age. Of particular interest, 46.7% of children aged 6–8 years and 49.3% of children aged 9–13 years consume more than the corresponding upper limits.Conclusions. Children have high sodium and low potassium status. There is evidence of the urgent need to implement a strategy for reduction of dietary sodium intake in Morocco.
Phytochemical Study and Evaluation of the Cytotoxic Properties of Methanolic Extract from Baccharis obtusifolia
Authors: Romero-Benavides Juan Carlos , Ortega-Torres Gina C. , Villacis Javier , Vivanco-Jaramillo Sara L. , Galarza-Urgilés Karla I. , Bailon-Moscoso Natalia
Published: August 2018

Some species of the Baccharis genus have been shown to possess important biomedical properties, including cytotoxic activity. In this study, we examined the cytotoxic effect of methanol extract from Baccharis obtusifolia (Asteraceae) in cancer cell lines of prostate (PC-3), colon (RKO), astrocytoma (D-384), and breast (MCF-7). The methanolic extract displayed the largest substantial cytotoxic effect in lines of colon cancer (RKO) and cerebral astrocytoma (D-384). Chromatographic purification of the B. obtusifolia methanolic extract led to the isolation and identification of 5,4′-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (1) and 5-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone (2) compounds of the flavonoid type.
A Method to Determination of Lead Ions in Aqueous Samples: Ultrasound-Assisted Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Method Based on Solidification of Floating Organic Drop and Back-Extraction Followed by FAAS
Authors: Arpa Çiğdem , Aridaşir Itır
Published: August 2018

Ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method based on solidification of floating organic drop and back-extraction (UA-DLLME-SFO-BE) technique was proposed for preconcentration of lead ions. In this technique, two SFODME steps are applied in sequence. The classical SFODME was applied as the first step and then the second (back-extraction) step was applied. For the classical SFODME, Pb ions were complexed with Congo red at pH 10.0 and then extracted into 1-dodecanol. After this stage, a second extraction step was performed instead of direct determination of the analyte ion in the classical method. For this purpose, the organic phase containing the extracted analyte ions is treated with 1.0 mol·L−1HNO3solution and then exposed to ultrasonication. So, the analyte ions were back-extracted into the aqueous phase. Finally, the analyte ions in the aqueous phase were determined by FAAS directly. Owing to the second extraction step, a clogging problem caused by 1-dodecanol during FAAS determination was avoided. Some parameters which affect the extraction efficiency such as pH, volume of extraction solvent, concentration of complexing agent, type, volume, and concentration of back-extraction solvent, effect of cationic surfactant addition, effect of temperature, and so on were examined. Performed experiments showed that optimum pH was 10.0, 1-dodecanol extraction solvent volume was 75 μL, back-extraction solvent was 500 μL, 1.0 mol·L−1HNO3, extraction time was 4 min, and extraction temperature was 40°C. Under optimum conditions, the enhancement factor, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and relative standard deviation were calculated as 81, 1.9 μg·L−1, 6.4 μg·L−1, and 3.4% (for 25 μg·L−1Pb2+), respectively.
Dermatopathology of Orf Virus (Malaysian Isolates) in Mice Experimentally Inoculated at Different Sites with and without Dexamethasone Administration
Authors: Bala Jamilu Abubakar , Balakrishnan Krishnan Nair , Abdullah Ashwaq Ahmed , Kimmy Tay , Abba Yusuf , Bin Mohamed Ramlan , Jesse Faez Firdaus Abdullah , Haron Abd Wahid , Noordin Mustapha Mohamed , Bitrus Asinamai Athliamai , Hambali Idris Umar , Mohd Lila Mohd Azmi
Published: August 2018

Orf is a clinical manifestation of parapoxvirus infection often fatal in goats and sheep especially when they are under stress or influenced by unfavorable environment. This study investigated the pathogenicity of two Orf virus isolates (ORFV UPM1/14 and UPM2/14) and host response in mouse model by using different inoculation sites with/without prior exposure to dexamethasone. Treatments with dexamethasone served as an immunosuppressant that may mimic stress situation in affected animals. Groups of five mice were given intradermal injection of 0.2 mL of tissue culture infective dose 50 (TCID50) of UPM1/14 (Group 1) and UPM2/14 (Group 2) at the dorsum (Group 1A; Group 2A), ear pinna (Group 1B; Group 2B), and labial commissure (Group 1C; Group 2C). An inoculum 0.2 mL of UPM1/14 was administered to animals treated with dexamethasone (n=5; 5 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally) and nondexamethasone (n=5) groups at the dorsum, ear pinna, and labial commissure. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the mean lesion scores among the groups of different inoculation sites or between dexamethasone-treated and nontreated groups. However, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean stratum thickness of affected skin following inoculation with UPM2/14 isolate at the ear pinna and labial commissure. Histopathology examination revealed keratosis, acanthosis, and ballooning degeneration in the skin of affected mice. Orf virus DNA was detected in the skin samples by targeting F1L and B2L virus-specific genes in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Intradermal inoculation with UPM1/14 or UPM2/14 isolate produced a mild skin lesion in mice, and there was no significant difference in orf disease manifestation despite variation of inoculation sites. Similarly, short-term dexamethasone administration gave no adverse effects on pathogenicity of orf virus isolates.
In Vivo Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity and Protective Action of the Seaweed Gracilaria birdiae
Authors: Barros-Gomes Joanna Angelis Costa , Nascimento Daiany Laise Araújo , Silveira Ana Cristina Rodrigues , Silva Rayanne Kelly , Gomes Dayane Lopes , Melo Karoline Rachel Teodosio , Almeida-Lima Jailma , Camara Rafael Barros Gomes , Silva Naisandra Bezerra , Rocha Hugo Alexandre Oliveira
Published: August 2018

The red seaweed Gracilaria birdiae (GB) is farmed and used as food in northeast Brazil. However, the economic potential of this seaweed has been explored little. To enable direct consumption and/or product diversification from GB, it is necessary to evaluate its effect in vivo. In this study, the food of mice was improved with the addition of GB. After 21 days, the consumption of seaweed reduced the weight gain and blood glucose levels in mice. In addition, it increased the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and glutathione reductase and catalase levels compared to those of the control group. In addition, some mice also received carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In this case, histological, enzymatic, and antioxidant tests showed that the seaweed could protect animals from damage caused by this toxic agent. In addition, GB aqueous extract (AE) inhibited 50% of 3T3‐L1 cell differentiation into adipocytes, whereas GB ethanolic extract was not effective. AE is composed mainly of sulfated polysaccharides. The results of the present study indicate that the alga GB protected the mice from CCl4‐induced damage, indicating that the seaweed exhibits protective action in vivo. In addition, GB decreased the animal weight gain, which was mainly due to the action of the sulfated polysaccharides synthesized by this seaweed.
Investigation of the Sedimentation Property of Backfill Material on the Basis of Rheological Test: A Case Study of Iron Tailings
Authors: Wang Yong , Wu Aixiang , Zhang Lianfu , Wang Hongjiang , Jin Fei
Published: August 2018

Sedimentation of filling materials could cause pipe blocking accident in mines. However, few quantitative characterization studies have investigated the sedimentation characteristics of filling materials. In this study, the sedimentation property of iron tailings with a cement-sand ratio of 1 : 4 and mass concentration of 73%∼82% was investigated based on rheology measurements. Results showed that shear stress increased as shear rate rose from 0 s−1to 120 s−1. The shear stress increased as the filling material concentration increased as well. However, when the shear rate was reversed from 120 s−1to 0 s−1, the shear stress presented an increase-constant-decrease change pattern as the mass concentration increases in the rheological curve. Accordingly, the sedimentation performance of iron tailings filling material was divided into three types: intense sedimentation (the ascending rheological curve) in the mass concentration range of 73%∼76%, slight sedimentation (the constant rheological curve) in the mass concentration range of 77%∼79%, and almost no sedimentation (the descending rheological curve) in the mass concentration range of 80%∼82%. The associated mechanism involving slurry mass concentration-rheological curves-sedimentation performance was illustrated. A correlation between the pipeline rheology and filling material sedimentation performance was established, which provides a practical guide to avoid pipeline blocking while transporting the filling material.
Curing Reaction and Dielectric Properties of Rigid and Elastic Liquid Crystal Epoxy Networks Modified with Nanofillers
Authors: Włodarska Magdalena
Published: August 2018

The aim of the paper is to compare the progress of the curing reaction and the dielectric properties of liquid crystalline epoxy networks of different elasticity and to investigate how modification with nanofillers influences their properties. The study focuses on a liquid crystalline epoxy monomer with four aromatic rings in the mesogen, cross-linked with 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and pimelic acid (PA) to produce rigid and elastic polymer networks. The obtained results are compared to networks modified with nanofillers (diphenyl aluminum phosphate nanorods). The curing process is monitored in situ with broadband dielectric spectroscopy, which is a good tool to view the progress of the reaction. Two stages with different reaction dynamics are observed in the studied cases. Dielectric properties of the products cured with two chosen agents show significant differences in the obtained parameters (activation energy, glass transition, and fragility index) as well as in the dynamics of the α and β relaxations. Although the curing agent is the main factor determining the properties of the product, the nanofiller additive also modifies the values of specific parameters that characterize both the process of the reaction and the properties of the final composites. Particularly, adding the nanofiller raises the glass transition temperature in both the cases. The obtained results are in good agreement with the earlier calorimetric study.
Proportion of U.S. Trends in Breast Cancer Incidence Attributable to Long-term Changes in Risk Factor Distributions
Authors: Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Webb-Vargas Yenny , Wheeler William , Gail Mitchell H.
Published: August 2018

Background: U.S. breast cancer incidence has been changing, as have distributions of risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), age at menarche, age at first live birth, and number of live births.

Methods: Using data for U.S. women from large nationally representative surveys, we estimated risk factor distributions from 1980 to 2008. To estimate ecologic associations with breast cancer incidence, we fitted Poisson models to age- and calendar year–specific incidence data from the NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registries from 1980 to 2011. We then assessed the proportion of incidence attributable to specific risk factors by comparing incidence from models that only included age and calendar period as predictors with models that additionally included age- and cohort-specific categorized mean risk factors. Analyses were stratified by age and race.

Results: Ecologic associations usually agreed with previous findings from analytic epidemiology. From 1980 to 2011, compared with the risk factor reference level, increased BMI was associated with 7.6% decreased incidence in women ages 40 to 44 and 2.6% increased incidence for women ages 55 to 59. Fewer births were associated with 22.2% and 3.99% increased incidence in women ages 40 to 44 and 55 to 59 years, respectively. Changes in age at menarche and age at first live birth in parous women did not significantly impact population incidence from 1980 to 2011.

Conclusions: Changes in BMI and number of births since 1980 significantly impacted U.S. breast cancer incidence.

Impact: Quantifying long-term impact of risk factor trends on incidence is important to understand the future breast cancer burden and inform prevention efforts. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(10); 1214–22. ©2018 AACR.
Clinical Utility of Prospective Molecular Characterization in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Soumerai Tara E. , Donoghue Mark T.A. , Bandlamudi Chaitanya , Srinivasan Preethi , Chang Matthew T. , Zamarin Dmitriy , Cadoo Karen A. , Grisham Rachel N. , O'Cearbhaill Roisin E. , Tew William P. , Konner Jason A. , Hensley Martee L. , Makker Vicky , Sabbatini Paul , Spriggs David R. , Troso-Sandoval Tiffany A. , Charen Alexandra Snyder , Friedman Claire , Gorsky Mila , Schweber Sarah J. , Middha Sumit , Murali Rajmohan , Chiang Sarah , Park Kay J. , Soslow Robert A. , Ladanyi Marc , Li Bob T. , Mueller Jennifer , Weigelt Britta , Zehir Ahmet , Berger Michael F. , Abu-Rustum Nadeem R. , Aghajanian Carol , DeLair Deborah F. , Solit David B. , Taylor Barry S. , Hyman David M.
Published: August 2018

Purpose:

Advanced-stage endometrial cancers have limited treatment options and poor prognosis, highlighting the need to understand genetic drivers of therapeutic vulnerabilities and/or prognostic predictors. We examined whether prospective molecular characterization of recurrent and metastatic disease can reveal grade and histology-specific differences, facilitating enrollment onto clinical trials.

Experimental Design:

We integrated prospective clinical sequencing and IHC data with detailed clinical and treatment histories for 197 tumors, profiled by MSK-IMPACT from 189 patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Results:

Patients had advanced disease and high-grade histologies, with poor progression-free survival on first-line therapy (PFS1). When matched for histology and grade, the genomic landscape was similar to that of primary untreated disease profiled by TCGA. Using multiple complementary genomic and mutational signature-based methods, we identified patients with microsatellite instability (MSI), even when standard MMR protein IHC staining failed. Tumor and matched normal DNA sequencing identified rare pathogenic germline mutations in BRCA2 and MLH1. Clustering the pattern of DNA copy-number alterations revealed a novel subset characterized by heterozygous losses across the genome and significantly worse outcomes compared with other clusters (median PFS1 9.6 months vs. 17.0 and 17.4 months; P = 0.006). Of the 68% of patients harboring potentially actionable mutations, 27% were enrolled to matched clinical trials, of which 47% of these achieved clinical benefit.

Conclusions:

Prospective clinical sequencing of advanced endometrial cancer can help refine prognosis and aid treatment decision making by simultaneously detecting microsatellite status, germline predisposition syndromes, and potentially actionable mutations. A small overall proportion of all patients tested received investigational, genomically matched therapy as part of clinical trials.
Topic Strategies and the Internal Structure of Nominal Arguments in Greek and Italian
Authors: Alexopoulou Theodora , Folli Raffaella
Published: August 2018

In this article, we argue that a set of unexpected contrasts in the interpretation of clitic-left-dislocated indefinites in Greek and Italian derive from structural variation in the nominal syntax of the two languages. Greek resists nonreferential indefinites in clitic left-dislocation, resorting to the topicalization of an often bare noun for nonreferential topics. By contrast, clitic left-dislocation is employed in Italian for topics regardless of their definite/indefinite interpretation. We argue that this contrast is directly linked to the wide availability of bare nouns in Greek, which stems from a structural difference in the nominal syntax of the two languages. In particular, we hypothesize that Greek nominal arguments lack a D layer. Rather, they are Number Phrases. We situate this analysis in the context of Chierchia’s (1998) typology of nominals. We argue that, on a par with Italian nouns, Greek nouns are [−arg, +pred]. However, they do not employ a syntactic head (D) for type-shifting to e . Rather, they resort to covert type-shifting, a hypothesis that is necessary to account for the distribution and interpretations of bare nouns in Greek, vis-à-vis other [−arg, +pred] languages like Italian and French.
‘Returning to our Spiritual Roots’: African Hindus in Ghana Negotiating Religious Space and Identity
Authors: Ofori Atiemo Abamfo
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the phenomenon of the ‘African Hindu’ in the context of the discussions on ‘transnational Hinduism’. I also report on how these African Hindus resort to a reinterpretation of the history of their Ghanaian indigenous (traditional) religion and culture in their attempt to find religious space in the almost-choked religious environment of Ghana, and also how they attempt to negotiate their new religious identity in relation to their identity as Africans (Ghanaians). I conclude with a prognosis of the form that Hinduism is likely to assume in the near future on Ghanaian soil as its African converts try to live their faith in the context of their local culture.
Coding the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Roorda Dirk
Published: August 2018

The text of the Hebrew Bible is a subject of ongoing study in disciplines ranging from theology to linguistics to history to computing science. In order to study the text digitally, one has to represent it in bits and bytes, together with related materials. The author has compiled a dataset, called bhsa (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Amstelodamensis)), consisting of the textual source of the Hebrew Bible according to the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (bhs), and annotations by the Eep Talstra Centre for Bible and Computer. This dataset powers the website shebanq and others, and is being used in education and research. The author has developed a Python package, Text-Fabric, to process ancient texts together with annotations. He shows how Text-Fabric can be used to process the bhsa. This includes creating new research data alongside it, and sharing it. Text-Fabric also supports versioning: as versions of the bhsa change over time, and people invest a lot in applications based on the data, measures are needed to prevent the loss of earlier results.
Six new species of Macellicephala (Annelida: Polynoidae) from the Southern Ocean and south Atlantic with re-description of type species
Authors: NEAL LENKA , BRASIER MADELEINE J. , WIKLUND HELENA
Published: August 2018

Increased sampling efforts in unexplored regions of the Southern Ocean (including depths >500 m) combined with the use of an epibenthic sledge resulted in a large collection of mobile, scale-bearing worms from the family Polynoidae Kinberg, 1856. The greatest taxonomic novelty was found in the genus Macellicephala McIntosh, 1885, the type genus of the exclusively deep-sea polynoid sub-family Macellicephalinae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971. Recently collected material from the Amundsen Sea led to discovery of four new species based on morphology and COI, 16S and 18S genes—Macellicephala gloveri sp. nov., M. linseae sp. nov., M. patersoni sp. nov. and M. brenesorum sp. nov. The holotype of type taxon Macellicephala mirabilis McIntosh, 1885 as well as historic material of Macellicephala collected from the Southern Ocean enabled comparison with the modern material. As a result, Macellicephala mirabilis is re-defined, and two new species, M. monroi sp. nov. and M. macintoshi sp. nov., are erected from the historic material previously ascribed to M. mirabilis. Additionally, DNA-suitable specimens assigned to M. monroi sp. nov. were collected from the Scotia Sea. Genetic data enabled the first test of the monophyly of Macellicephala. Based on current taxa coverage, these taxa form a well-supported monophyletic group as recovered by Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of our combined genetic dataset. In addition, the analysis shows strong support of a clade comprising Macellicephala and other exclusively deep-sea groups (including cave-dwelling taxa).
Getting More out of Storm Surge Forecasts: Emergency Support Personnel Needs in North Carolina
Authors: Munroe Robert , Montz Burrell , Curtis Scott
Published: August 2018

Storm surge has been identified as a dangerous and damaging coastal hazard that is expected to be exacerbated by rising sea levels. However, storm surge research and applications are relatively new and poorly understood compared to other storm-related hazards. This survey-based research of emergency support personnel across eastern North Carolina aims to connect ongoing research with the needs of storm surge users. Results indicate that emergency managers and other emergency support functions depend on storm surge information to assess and communicate risk, to educate the public, to evacuate the public, or for long-term resilience and recovery planning. They were generally satisfied with the type and timing of currently available surge information, but desired additional types of surge information (i.e., timing) and longer lead times.