bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The gene distribution in the genomes of pea, tomato and date palm
Authors: Barakat Abdelali , Han David Tran , Benslimane Abdel-Ali , Rode André , Bernardi Giorgio
Published: July 2002

The vast majority of genes of maize, rice, barley and wheat are contained in long gene‐rich regions (collectively called the ‘gene space’) separated by long gene‐empty regions. The gene space covers a narrow, 0.8–1.6%, GC range, possibly because of the presence of abundant transposons. Here we report that the gene space is not an exclusive property of Gramineae, because it also exists in the large genome of pea (5000 Mb). Moreover, the gene space is not just dependent upon genome size, since a gene space is found in rice (415 Mb), but not in Arabidopsis (120 Mb), nor in two other plants investigated in the present work, date palm (250 Mb) and tomato (1000 Mb).
Inhibition of endosome fusion in primary hepatocytes prevents asialoglycoprotein degradation but not uptake of transferrin iron demonstrating that intracellular iron release occurs from early endosomes
Authors: Young Stephen P
Published: July 2002

A comparison of the effects of inhibitors of membrane fusion on the uptake of asialoglycoprotein and transferrin by primary rat hepatocytes was made. This showed that while high potassium medium inhibited the degradation but not the uptake of asialoorosomucoid, both transferrin endocytosis and iron delivery to the cells were unaffected. This difference between the two pathways was also observed with an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, bromophenacyl bromide. With the latter, it was found that the asialoglycoproteins failed to traverse from a low‐density to a high‐density intracellular compartment, implying a role for phospholipase A2 in the trafficking of asialoglycoprotein receptor but not that for transferrin or iron. This demonstrates that, after its release from transferrin, iron is transported to the cytoplasm directly from the early endosome without the need for fusion of the iron‐containing vesicle with a lysosome.
Hepatic epidermal growth factor‐regulated mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase activity in the rat: lack of identity with known forms of Raf and MEKK
Authors: Gruppuso Philip A , Boylan Joan M
Published: July 2002

Mitogenic signaling involves protein kinases that phosphorylate the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activator, MEK. In rats, basal hepatic MEK kinase activity is low in vivo in both adult rats and late gestation fetal rats, and is markedly stimulated by intraperitoneal administration of epidermal growth factor (EGF). The level of stimulated MEK phosphorylating activity is approximately 15 times higher in fetal liver than in adult liver. To identify regulated forms of the two categories of MEK kinase, Raf and MEKK, Western immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation kinase assays and immunodepletion studies were performed. Western immunoblotting confirmed that Raf‐1, A‐Raf, B‐Raf, MEKK1 and MEKK2 were present at similar levels in E19 and adult liver. However, specific immunoprecipitation kinase assays did not detect any kinases that could account for marked EGF sensitivity or the higher level of activity in E19 fetuses. Immunodepletion studies produced a marked reduction in immunoreactive Raf/MEKK content and activity, but a minimal decrease in the ability of chromatography fractions to phosphorylate and activate recombinant MEK‐1. Our results indicate that hepatic, EGF‐sensitive MEK kinase activity may reside with a previously unidentified and physiologically relevant form of Raf and/or MEKK.
Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among pregnant Brazilian women
Authors: Lima M.P.J.S. , Pedro R.J. , Rocha M.D.C.
Published: July 2002

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and the risk factors associated with HCV infection among women at childbirth, and to assess potential for infectivity of anti‐HCV‐positive women. Methods: A total of 6995 women were interviewed and screened for HCV antibodies. Association and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: The anti‐HCV prevalence was 1.5% by EIA‐3 and 0.8% by RIBA‐3; HCV‐RNA (RT‐PCR) was detected in 74% of the RIBA‐positive samples. Blood transfusion, race (blacks), alcohol abuse, a history of STD and anti‐HBc positivity were independent risk factors for HCV positivity. Except for parenteral exposure, independent predictors of anti‐HCV were a history of STD, anti‐HBc positivity, a sex partner with multiple sex partners and a sex partner with a history of hepatitis. Conclusions: The prevalence of anti‐HCV is higher in pregnant women than in blood donors. Sexual exposure may facilitate the spread of HCV and there is a high potential for mother‐to‐infant transmission.
From ‘culture of dehumanization of childbirth’ to ‘childbirth as a transformative experience’: changes in five municipalities in north‐east Brazil
Authors: Misago C , Kendall C , Freitas P , Haneda K , Silveira D , Onuki D , Mori T , Sadamori T , Umenai T
Published: July 2002

Brazil has become a country known as having one of the most extreme examples of the consequences of the hospital‐based medicalization of delivery care, while a model of humanization of birth was developed in the State of Ceará in the 1970s. The Government of Japan, through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Health of Brazil and the Government of the State of Ceará, in implementing the Maternal and Child Health Improvement Project in north‐east Brazil (1996–2001). This project focused on ‘humanization of childbirth’, with training based intervention activities. Behavioral changes among health professionals who received the project's participatory type of training were described using rapid anthropological assessment procedure (RAP) survey results. Changes from ‘a culture of dehumanization of childbirth’ to ‘childbirth as a transformative experience’ were observed.
Complications of cervical cerclage in rural areas
Authors: Jongen V.H.W.M. , Roosmalen J.van
Published: July 2002

Objective: To determine whether the outcome of pregnancies following cervical cerclage in rural Tanzania justifies its application in remote areas. Method: Retrospective review of 16 singleton pregnancies in 13 women, who underwent cervical cerclage in a rural hospital in Tanzania during 1990–1995. Results: Ten (62.5%) live children were born. Seven women (43.8%) delivered after a gestational age of 37 weeks. Severe maternal complications were encountered 5 times (31.3%): 4 severe cervical lacerations and 1 uterine rupture. Conclusion: One should be reluctant to apply cervical cerclage in remote rural areas due to the high rate of maternal complications, as patients' delay in reaching the hospital may be considerable in cases of preterm birth.
Further evidence on the validity of the theoretical models underlying the Baldrige criteria
Authors: Flynn Barbara B. , Saladin Brooke
Published: July 2002

The Baldrige framework has emerged as both a guide for quality management and the model upon which numerous state and international quality awards are based. It was introduced in 1988 as the foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The framework was significantly revised in 1992 and 1997. In order to test the validity of the theoretical model underlying the Baldrige framework as it has evolved over the years, we take the approach of analyzing the constructs upon which the Baldrige categories are based. Path analysis is used to test the fit of each of the three major frameworks, and the sums of direct effects are used to estimate the category weights implied by each of the path models. We found that all three frameworks were a good fit with the Baldrige frameworks for those years, and that both the 1992 and 1997 frameworks improved upon the foundation established by the 1988 framework. Thus, we conclude that appropriate adaptations to the Baldrige framework have been made over the years. We describe the implications for practitioners, in terms of critical success factors, and make recommendations for further minor modifications to the Baldrige framework.
Autoradiographic studies on the uptake of 3H‐dopamine by neurons and astrocytes in explant and primary cultures of rat CNS: effects of uptake inhibitors
Authors: Hösli Elisabeth , Hösli L.
Published: July 2002

The cellular localization of the uptake of 3H‐dopamine was studied in explant and primary cultures from various regions of rat central nervous system by means of autoradiography. In explant cultures of substantia nigra, 3H‐dopamine was taken up by cell bodies and processes of many neurons. In cultures from striatum, cerebellum and spinal cord, neuronal cell bodies were not labelled, whereas outgrowing nerve fibres revealed intense uptake of the monoamine. Uptake of 3H‐dopamine by neurons was Na+‐ and temperature‐dependent, suggesting an active uptake mechanism. In explant cultures, astrocytes did not accumulate 3H‐dopamine, whereas in primary cultures, which were prepared from the same regions of rat central nervous system as the explant cultures, astrocytes also revealed uptake of this monoamine. The intensity of labelling was dependent on the incubation time. Little uptake of 3H‐dopamine was observed after an incubation time of 5 min and only after 10–15 min did the astrocytes show moderate labelling. Uptake of 3H‐dopamine by astrocytes was not Na+‐ and temperature‐dependent, indicating that glial cells do not possess an active uptake mechanism for this monoamine. This is consistent with biochemical investigations by other laboratories, demonstrating that astrocytes accumulate 3H‐dopamine by a facilitated diffusion system. Addition of the uptake inhibitors nomifensine or GBR 12909 to explant cultures markedly reduced or inhibited uptake of 3H‐dopamine by neurons at a concentration of 10−6 M. In contrast, accumulation of 3H‐dopamine by astrocytes in primary cultures was only slightly affected by nomifensine at 10−6 M. At the highest concentration used (10−5 M), nomifensine also blocked the uptake of 3H‐dopamine by astrocytes. Our finding that GBR 12909 almost completely inhibited the uptake of 3H‐dopamine by astrocytes already at 10−6 M suggests that this compound is a more potent inhibitor of the glial uptake of dopamine than nomifensine.
Quality of life in schizophrenia: Long-term follow-up in 362 chronic Spanish schizophrenic outpatients undergoing risperidone maintenance treatment
Authors: Bobes J , Gutiérrez M , Gibert J , González MP , Herraiz L , Fernández A
Published: July 2002

Our aim was to determine the effect of risperidone monotherapy treatment on disability and on the quality of life of 318 schizophrenic outpatients who had been previously treated with other neuroleptics. Patients were assessed at baseline 2, 4 and 8 months using the BPRS, CGI, WHO/DDS and SF-36. BPRS scores showed a significant decrease at month 2, both in the total score and in each of the three clusters, negative, positive and depression/anxiety. WHO/DDS scores significantly decreased both in the overall score (from 51.8 to 37.4, P < 0.0001) and in the four dimensions. SF-36 scale scores and summary measures showed a significant improvement after 8 months of risperidone treatment. Risperidone long-term treatment (8 months) has a positive effect on clinical and on psychosocial outcomes. Females, paranoids patients and patients without history of use-abuse of substances showed greater improvements in quality of life.
Defect Passivation in Perovskite Solar Cells by Cyano‐Based π‐Conjugated Molecules for Improved Performance and Stability
Authors: Wang Kai , Liu Jiang , Yin Jun , Aydin Erkan , Harrison George T. , Liu Wenzhu , Chen Shanyong , Mohammed Omar F. , De Wolf Stefaan
Published: July 2020

Defects at the surface and grain boundaries of metal–halide perovskite films lead to performance losses of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, organic cyano‐based π‐conjugated molecules composed of indacenodithieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (IDTT) are reported and it is found that their cyano group can effectively passivate such defects. To achieve a homogeneous distribution, these molecules are dissolved in the antisolvent, used to initiate the perovskite crystallization. It is found that these molecules are self‐anchored at the grain boundaries due to their strong binding to undercoordinated Pb2+. On a device level, this passivation scheme enhances the charge separation and transport at the grain boundaries due to the well‐matched energetic levels between the passivant and the perovskite. Consequently, these benefits contribute directly to the achievement of power conversion efficiencies as high as 21.2%, as well as the improved environmental and thermal stability of the PSCs. The surface treatment provides a new strategy to simultaneously passivate defects and enhance charge extraction/transport at the device interface by manipulating the anchoring groups of the molecules.
Radiative and Nonradiative Recombinations in Organic Radical Emitters: The Effect of Guest–Host Interactions
Authors: Abroshan Hadi , Coropceanu Veaceslav , Brédas Jean‐Luc
Published: July 2020

Radical‐carrying organic molecules have received significant attention to bypass the issue related to harvesting triplet excitons in current light‐emitting materials. While the computational efforts conducted so far have treated these radical emitters as isolated entities, in actual devices, they are embedded in a host matrix and subject to emitter–host interactions. Here, by combining molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations, the impact of the host matrix on the optoelectronic performance of radical emitters is evaluated, taking as a representative example the (4‐ncarbazolyl‐2,6‐dichlorophenyl)bis(2,4,6‐trichlorophenyl)‐methyl (TTM‐3NCz) radical emitter dispersed in a 4,4‐bis(carbazol‐9‐yl)biphenyl (CBP) host. A morphological analysis shows that steric effects around the radical centers, carried by the TTM electron‐poor moieties of the emitters, disfavor π–π interactions with the host molecules, which leads to random intermolecular orientations around the TTM moieties. The 3NCz electron‐rich moieties of the emitters, however, have much lesser spatial hindrance for intermolecular π–π stacking, which modulates the structural and electronic properties of the emitters in the host matrix. The influence of dynamic and static disorders on the radiative and nonradiative recombination processes is also investigated and it is found that the rates of nonradiative recombination are small, which opens the way to 100% internal quantum efficiency for the doublet‐based emission process.
Transition Metal‐Free Aroylation of Diarylmethanes with N‐Bn‐N‐Boc Arylamides and N‐Acylpyrroles
Authors: Yang Fan , Zou Dong , Chen Shuguang , Wang Huan , Zhao Yichen , Zhao Liyi , Li Linlin , Li Jie , Walsh Patrick J.
Published: July 2020

In the last 20 years, efficient transition metal catalysts for the α‐arylation of enolates have been introduced. Despite the popularity and utility of these reactions, there remains room for improvement (reduced costs, elimination of transition metals and specialized ligands). Herein is reported a general, scalable and green method for aroylation of simple diarylmethane pronucleophiles through direct acyl C−N cleavage of N‐Bn−N‐Boc arylamides and N‐acylpyrroles under transition metal‐free conditions. Importantly, a 1 : 1 ratio of the amide to the pronucleophile is employed. Unlike use of Weinreb amides, this method avoids preformed organometallics (organolithium and Grignard reagents) and does not employ cryogenic temperatures, which are difficult and costly to achieve on scale. The operationally simple protocol provides straightforward access to a variety of sterically and electronically diverse 1,2,2‐triarylethanones, a group of compounds with high‐value in medicinal chemistry.

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Historical biogeography of Vochysiaceae reveals an unexpected perspective of plant evolution in the Neotropics
Authors: Gonçalves Deise J. P. , Shimizu Gustavo H. , Ortiz Edgardo M. , Jansen Robert K. , Simpson Beryl B.
Published: July 2020

Premise

Despite the fast pace of exploration of the patterns and processes influencing Neotropical plant hyperdiversity, the taxa explored are mostly from large groups that are widely distributed, morphologically diverse, or economically important. Vochysiaceae is an example of an undersampled taxon, providing an excellent system for investigating Neotropical biogeography. We present a phylogenomics‐based hypothesis of species relationships in Vochysiaceae to investigate its evolutionary history through space and time.

Methods

We inferred a phylogeny for 122 species from Vochysiaceae and seven other families of Myrtales. Fossils from four myrtalean families were used to estimate the divergence times within Vochysiaceae. Historical biogeography was estimated using ancestral range probabilities and stochastic mapping.

Results

Monophyly of all genera was supported except for Qualea, which was split by Ruizterania into two clades. Vochysiaceae originated ~100 mya, splitting into an Afrotropical and a Neotropical lineage ~50 mya, and its ancestral range is in the area currently occupied by the Cerrado.

Conclusions

The most recent common ancestor of Vochysiaceae + Myrtaceae had a West Gondwanan distribution, supporting a South American + African ancestral range of Vochysiaceae. On a global scale, geographic range reduction was the principal biogeographic event. At a finer scale, initial range reduction was also important and the Cerrado region was the most ancestral area with multiple colonization events to the Amazon, Central America, and the Atlantic Forest. Colonization events occurred from open areas to forest vegetation, an unusual finding regarding the evolution of plants in the Neotropics.
Polymers for dye transfer inhibition in laundry applications
Authors: Boardman Saskia J. , Hayward Adam S. , Lant Neil J. , Fossum Renae D. , Thornton Paul D.
Published: July 2020

The deposition of dyes onto lightly colored garments, or onto lighter sections of multicolored garments, during laundry results in fabric discoloration. In particular, there is a requirement to restrict indigo dye transfer between garments. Polymers may be added to detergent formulations as dye transfer inhibitors to prevent dye transfer by blocking the deposition of fugitive dyes in aqueous solution. This article reports the generation of a range of dye transfer inhibitors produced by condensation reactions that are effective in preventing the transfer of unbound indigo dye to a variety of fiber types. Key design rules relating to polymer hydrophilicity and pendant polymer functionality were established for the creation of effective dye transfer inhibitors. Remarkably, polymers at concentrations as low as 0.1 mg/ml were found to be effective in inhibiting indigo deposition on a variety of fiber types, offering great promise for their inclusion within laundry detergent formulations as dye transfer inhibitors.
A Wired Laccase Oxygen Cathode with Carboxylated Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Incorporated
Authors: Kim Sujeong , Shin Hyosul , Kang Chan
Published: July 2020

The wired laccase cathode with the incorporation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) functionalized with carboxyl groups was constructed. As the wiring redox polymer, the copolymer of polyacrylamide and poly(N‐vinylimidazole) complexed with [Os(2,2′;6′2″‐terpyridine)(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)]2+/3+ (PAA‐PVI‐[Os(tpy)(dme‐bpy)2]2+/3+) was used. The prepared laccase cathode was applied for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen. With the addition of the carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT‐COOHs), in comparison to the result with no CNT‐COOHs included, the catalytic O2 reduction current density increased from 0.35 mA/cm2 to 0.59 mA/cm2 at the cathode under the condition of a 500 rpm electrode rotation speed in an air‐saturated pH 5.0 2.0 M citrate buffer at 37°C. Other effects showing less current decreases with halide ion additions and enhanced stability, when CNT‐COOHs were included, were also observed.
Analysis of the positional relationship of the long thoracic nerve considering clinical treatment
Authors: O Jehoon , Kwon Hyun‐Jin , Cho Tae‐Hyeon , Won Sung‐Yoon , Yang Hun‐Mu
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The long thoracic nerve (LTN) has a risk of being damaged during chest surgery and should be considered when performing anesthesia such as a serratus anterior plane block (SAPB). We analyzed the relationship between landmarks—the fourth to ninth intercostal space (ICS) at the midaxillary line (MAL), through which the distal part of the LTN passes—and the LTN.

Materials and methods

We used 25 specimens from 17 embalmed Korean cadavers. The MAL, level of rib and ICS, and regions 5 cm anteroposterior to the MAL (aMAL/pMAL) were established to measure the position of the LTN crossing the MAL, pathway of the LTN, and entering points of the LTN to the SA.

Results

The LTN crossed the MAL in 76% of the specimens. The LTN crossed the MAL within the fifth to sixth rib level in 70.8%. Seventy‐six percent of the branches entered the SA within the fourth to sixth ICS. The fifth rib and ICS were the most frequent regions aMAL; however, several branches were found pMAL. The LTN entered the SA in 92.6% of the specimens within 3 cm anterior and 1 cm posterior to the MAL.

Conclusions

We set the danger zone as 4 cm near the MAL at the fourth to sixth ICS for thoracotomy. In addition, we proposed the fifth ICS in aMAL at the superficial plane as the alternative injection point for SAPB when blocking the LTN, and the fifth ICS in pMAL at the deep plane to prevent blocking the LTN.
Living in Paradox: Midlevel Leadership in Administrative Affairs
Authors: Baber Lorenzo DuBois
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the contemporary leadership issues and opportunities among those who lead administrative affairs functions from the middle of the organization. Included is a summary of the general challenges of administrative leadership, followed by specific considerations of the paradoxical environment at community colleges, and an examination of Janusian‐thinking as a path forward.
When Ladders Disappear
Authors: Reed Matt
Published: July 2020

Staff positions are often the first to go when colleges cut budgets. Over time, position elimination can destroy the career ladders on which employees based their plans. This chapter outlines how that dynamic emerged, and how the “guided pathways” movement may push against it.
Ghost chest tube after talc pleurodesis
Authors: Matsumoto Takeshi , Kusakabe Yusuke , Yamamoto Naoki , Aihara Kensaku
Published: July 2020

After the talc pleurodesis, CT showed the tract made from the chest tube even after its removal. The unexpanded thoracic space might also contribute to it; thus, gathering specific medical history is important to understand this rare phenomenon.
Role of CD68 immunohistochemistry in categorizing benign nonmesothelial cell population and refining “atypical” category in serous fluid cytology
Authors: Savari Omid , Jassim Sarmad , Ferrer Hector , Ganocy Stephen J. , Ganesan Santhi
Published: July 2020

Background

Body fluids are rich in histiocytes and may mimic atypical epithelial cells morphologically. Histiocytes can pose a significant challenge in serous fluid cytology as they tend to appear atypical due to prolonged accumulation in serous fluids in vivo and processing by liquid‐based cytology in vitro. Not many studies have documented the utilization of histiocytic marker such as CD68 in serous fluid cytology, which can subsequently reduce the “atypical” diagnostic category.

Methods

One thousand one hundred and twenty‐nine cases of serous fluid cytology from 2016 to 2019 were reviewed and reclassified based on proposed classification of the international system for reporting serous fluid cytology. There were 133 cases with atypical diagnoses, out of which 51 cases had cellblocks. An immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel, including two mesothelial markers, two epithelial markers, and one histiocytic marker was applied to the atypical samples. Same IHC panel was utilized to evaluate 15 cases each from negative for malignancy (NFM), suspicious for malignancy (SFM), and malignant (MAL) categories for further comparison.

Results

After reevaluation of the cytology material with IHC stains, 924 (82%), 133 (12%), 23 (2%), and 49 (4%) of the cases were reclassified as NFM, atypia of uncertain significance, SFM, and MAL, respectively. Twenty‐five out of 51 atypical cases (49%) were downgraded to “benign” after reevaluation with CD68 IHC.

Conclusion

Histiocytes can mimic atypical epithelial cells in body fluids. Effective utilization of CD68 IHC will be beneficial in further refining the “atypical” diagnostic category in serous fluid cytology.
The role of papillary skin glands in guiding mouse pups to the nipple
Authors: Klaey‐Tassone Magali , Schaal Benoist , Durand Karine , Patris Bruno ,   MILKODOR Consortium
Published: July 2020

The nipple odor of lactating mice (Mus musculus) plays a crucial role in attracting newborn pups and motivating them to suck milk. The characteristic odor of a lactating murine nipple is assumed to be a mixture of multiple odorous substrates, that is, milk, dam's and pups’ saliva, skin glands’ secretions, and amniotic fluid. The present study aimed to characterize the behavioral activity of the original odor mixture that develops over the nipples in the first 2 days postpartum. We extracted this odor mixture in water and evaluated its attractive and appetitive potencies using two behavioral assays (viz., relative attraction and oral activation assays). It resulted that the so‐called nipple wash was as appetitive as fresh milk, and even more attractive than it. The behavioral potency of the nipples was shown to be specific to lactating nipples (relative to nulliparous nipples) and to be preserved for 2 weeks when stored at −80°C. Finally, we perfected a nipple deodorization procedure by inactivating the nipples’ behavioral potency. We observed that such altered appetitive potency was fully restored 30 min after its washing, but without any maternal self‐licking and pups’ sucking, indicating that the secretions of the nipple skin glands’ were sufficient to explain the success of neonatal guidance to the nipple.
A transgene targeted to the zebrafish nkx2.4b locus drives specific green fluorescent protein expression and disrupts thyroid development
Authors: Hutcheson David A. , Xie Yuanyuan , Figueroa Priscilla , Dorsky Richard I.
Published: July 2020

Background

With the goal of labeling and manipulating the zebrafish hypothalamus, we sought to target a green fluorescent protein (gfp) transgene to the expression domains of nkx2.4b, a gene expressed during hypothalamic and thyroid development. We combined transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs)‐mediated mutagenesis with a targeting construct to enable insertion of a gfp transgene into the endogenous nkx2.4b genomic locus.

Results

Injection of TALENs targeted to the first exon of nkx2.4b created a predicted null allele, and homozygous mutant embryos displayed loss of thyroid markers. From embryos injected with both TALENs and a targeting construct carrying a gfp transgene, we recovered a line in which GFP was expressed specifically in the hypothalamus and thyroid. Fish homozygous for this allele lacked exon 1 of nkx2.4b and exhibited hypothyroid phenotypes.

Conclusions

By combining TALENs injections with a targeting construct that contained a gfp transgene, we were able to recover an allele in which GFP is expressed in the nkx2.4b expression domains, with homozygous phenotypes suggesting the creation of a loss‐of‐function transgenic line. These results demonstrate the creation of a useful tool for studying hypothalamus and thyroid development.
Influence of Methanol on Prion Reduction during High Temperature and High Pressure Oleochemical Processes
Authors: Mohammadi Behnam , Raudner Robert , Shafiq Mohsin , Ahn Edgar , Altmeppen Hermann C. , Glatzel Markus
Published: July 2020

Prion‐reduction in standard biodiesel processes is caused by acidic and alkaline conditions. In the alternative RepCat biodiesel process, efficient prion‐reduction can be achieved by high‐temperature/pressure. However, a possible increase in thermostability of prions in the presence of methanol during these conditions has not previously been investigated, and is verified in this work. Samples are spiked with prions, treated with methanol, and incubated at 220 °C at 80 bar for 30 min. No traces of protease‐resistant prion protein (as proxy for prions) are detected in tallow or glycerine (as the final by‐product) after treatment. Serial dilutions of spiked prions show at least 6 log10 prion reduction. More importantly, similar effects are detected using milder conditions of 200 °C at 70 bar for 15 min, representing the worst‐case conditions of the process. In conclusion, this study shows that methanol does not increase the thermostability of prions and the RepCat process can efficiently eliminate prions and is therefore safe for the usage of category 1 tallow.

Practical Applications: The study further supports the applicability of RepCat process in reducing prion‐contamination in the presence of methanol. Furthermore, the conditions leads to a considerable reduction of prions in glycerine obtained as by‐product.
Preparation, thermal properties and permeabilities of aluminum‐coated fabrics destined for thermal radiation protective clothing
Authors: Zhu FL , Feng QQ
Published: July 2020

In this study, radiant reflective, flame retardant and water vapor permeable coatings were fabricated on aramid fabric (AF) for thermal radiation protective clothing by using a simple cost‐effective coating method, which included an aluminum paste, APP‐PER‐MEL and a silk fibroin powder in the TPU solution system. The permeability, flame retardancy, thermal stability, radiative spectral reflectance, as well as RPP of these prepared fabrics were characterized and compared with the pure AF and aluminum‐foiled AF (AF‐AF). Results show that the newly developed aluminized AF had rather high permeability, and the permeable capability would be further enhanced with the additive of silk fibroin powder. The flame retardancy (FR) of the coated fabric sample was also achieved by introducing an intumescent FR system. In contrast to the pure AF, the aluminum‐coated AF provided higher levels of radiation protection in RPP testing. This was further confirmed by the fact that aluminum‐coated AF exhibited comparative high average reflectivities (more than 0.7) in the radiant spectral range of 1547 nm to 2500 nm. Thus, the aluminum‐coated AF prepared by functional coating method exhibit great and competitive practicability in thermal protective clothing due to their excellent moisture comfort and radiant thermal protection.
Preventive effect of small‐leaved Kuding tea (Ligustrum robustum) on high‐diet‐induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Wu Ya , Yang Jun , Liu Xiaojing , Zhang Ying , Lei Ailing , Yi Ruokun , Tan Fang , Zhao Xin
Published: July 2020

Small‐leaved Kuding tea (SLKDT; Ligustrum robustum) is a traditional Chinese tea. We systematically investigated the effect of SLKDT extract on obesity. SLKDT‐controlled weight gain in mice fed a high‐fat diet. Tissue specimen results showed that the SLKDT extract alleviated liver damage and fat accumulation. Meanwhile, SLKDT extract improved dyslipidemia by decreasing total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and increasing high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Furthermore, SLKDT extract reduced alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate transaminase levels in the serum and liver tissues; decreased inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interferon‐γ, and IL‐6; and increased the anti‐inflammatory cytokines, IL‐4 and IL‐10. The quantitative PCR results showed that SLKDT extract upregulated the mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐α, lipoprotein lipase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, and cholesterol 7 alpha hydroxylase and downregulated PPAR‐γ and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein‐alpha mRNA expressions in the obese mouse livers to reduce adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation, promote fat oxidation, and improve dyslipidemia, thereby inhibiting the immune response and alleviating liver injury. SLKDT shows a potential for preventing obesity and regulating obesity‐related syndrome, so it is possible to be further developed as a novel treatment for fighting obesity.
Assessing inflow variability at rim stations of the Indus Basin Irrigation System*
Authors: Abbas Yasir , Khan Noor Muhammad , Mughal Habib‐Ur‐Rehman , Mahmood Khalid
Published: July 2020

Having one of the largest interconnected irrigation systems in the world, the distribution of irrigation water in Pakistan is largely dependent on river supplies. Seasonal planning of water distribution in the country ignores day‐to‐day inflow variability which impacts water distribution operations. This study has been carried out to assess the inflow variability at four rim stations of the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) in Pakistan, namely: Kabul River at Noshera, Indus River at Tarbela, Jhelum River at Mangla, and Chenab River at Marala. Nine vital hydrological parameters, depicting various aspects of variability, were computed using 24 years of daily inflow time series. Analysis indicated that Mangla and Marala stations depicted more instances of high flow pulses, which highlighted their flashy nature compared to Noshera and Tarbela whose contributions were mainly from snowmelt. Mangla and Marala stations also depicted higher variations in terms of number and duration of low flow pulses, whereas least low flow variations were observed at Tarbela. Assessment of variability indicated that Tarbela exhibited minimum variations in inflows in the months of October to January, while Marala showed highest inflow variations among all stations in the same months. This study identified successfully the critical months of high flow variability, in addition to identification of the climate shift in the region—two aspects that need attention in future planning and operations.
Factors of relevance for improving the uniformity of oxygen distribution in drip irrigation water*
Authors: Lei Hongjun , Liu Huan , Balsys Ron , Midmore David J. , Zang Min , Bhattarai Surya
Published: July 2020

Aerating water using microbubbles in irrigation for drip and subsurface drip irrigation systems has been reported to produce positive effects on plant growth and yield. However, maintaining the uniformity of bubble distribution in irrigation lines across long‐row configuration is a challenge.

Air injection of microbubbles in irrigation water using a gas diffuser (Seair Diffusion System, Model SA75) has a significant gain in dissolved oxygen (DO) distribution over 850 m length of drip tape. Furthermore, with oxygen injection with a Venturi, DO in irrigation water reached as high as 44 ppm and was maintained well above 35 ppm up to a distance of 700 m and did not drop below 20 ppm, even at a distance of 850 m. Pressure compensated emitters recorded significantly higher DO concentrations compared to non‐pressure compensated emitters along the entire length of the irrigation line.

Additionally, use of surfactant in irrigation water, up to 4 ppm, resulted in increased gas void fraction and DO concentration compared to the control for both air and oxygen injection irrigation. Highest oxygen saturation was recorded with 4 ppm surfactant, both for air injections (165%) and oxygen injection (438%) treatment along 200 m of non‐pressure compensated drip tape.
Morphological and chemical analysis of surface interaction of irrigant‐endosequence root repair material
Authors: Abu Zeid Sawsan T. , Alamoudi Ruaa A. , Merdad Khalid
Published: July 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the characterization of chemical interaction of root canal irrigants on the surface of EndoSequence root repair materials using spectroscopy analysis. Round discs of putty and paste were obtained and immersed in saline, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), or chlorhexidine. On the surface of chlorhexidine treated putty, diffuse red pigmentation was detected by Raman analysis and diffuse black pigmentation having unusual needle‐like shaped crystals was detected by scanning electron microscopy. This pigmentation formed from nitrogen‐rich compounds detected by Raman, infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Mineral/amide ratios were increased by NaOCl and significantly decreased by chlorhexidine. Carbonate/phosphate ratios showed no significant changes by NaOCl, while a significant decrease by chlorhexidine. A full half of maximum widthRaman of the phosphate band was significantly increased by NaOCl, while decreased by chlorhexidine. In conclusion; nitrogen‐rich compounds produced by chlorhexidine altered the surface morphology of the putty without crystallinity reduction. However, NaOCl reduced the organic fillers that affected its binding to phosphate ions. This reaction affects the chemical properties and perfection of root repair material. The clinicians should be aware of different irrigants to be used after repairing the perforation.
Diagnostic value of point‐of‐care ultrasound in deep vein thrombosis in the emergency department
Authors: Canakci Mustafa Emin , Acar Nurdan , Bilgin Muzaffer , Kuas Caglar
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) has been demonstrated as one of the primary diagnostic tools for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) screening in the emergency department, but there are quite different results in the literature regarding its diagnostic value. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of POCUS in DVT diagnosis.

Methods

Patients with a clinical suspicion of DVT who underwent POCUS and were monitored by the radiology department via ultrasonography (US) or venography for DVT were retrospectively examined. POCUS examination for DVT was performed in the femoral and popliteal regions by a two‐point compression technique. The inclusion criteria were age >18 years and patients with both a POCUS report and venography or US examinations performed by the radiology department (RUS) and reported by the radiology clinic. RUS and venography were considered as the gold standards.

Results

The study included 266 patients. POCUS had a sensitivity of 93% (95% CI: 84‐98) and specificity of 93% (95% CI: 89‐96). Its positive likelihood ratio (LR+) was 14 (95% CI: 8‐24), and its negative likelihood ratio (LR−) was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.03‐0.19). POCUS also had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 83% (95% CI: 74‐89) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 97% (95% CI: 94‐99).

Conclusions

Our study verifies that POCUS has high specificity and sensitivity for the examination of the popliteal and femoral veins by an emergency physician to evaluate patients with a preliminary diagnosis of DVT.
High‐contrast optical microscopy of graphene sheets
Authors: Rashidian Vaziri Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2020

In the way of making graphene an industry‐friendly material, it must be mass‐produced with high‐quality and reduced cost over large areas. Assisted by machine‐learning techniques, rapid, nondestructive and accurate determination of large graphene sheets on SiO2/Si substrates has been made possible in recent years by the optical microscopy method. Optimization of the substrate to achieve the maximum contrast can further extend the application of the optical microscopy method for quality control of the mass‐produced graphene. Graphene/n2/n3three‐layer structures, where n2 and n3 are refractive indices, are routinely used for identifying the number of graphene layers by optical reflection microscopy. In this paper, two analytical equations are derived that can be easily used for high‐contrast optical imaging of graphene sheets without any need to resort to the cumbersome numerical methods. One of the equations is derived for choosing the best material with refractive index n2 that when coated on a substrate with refractive index n3, maximizes the optical contrast. The other equation is derived for finding the best thickness of the SiO2 layer in graphene/SiO2/Si structures, which are in common use for fabrication of graphene‐based devices. The results are implemented in a MATLAB GUI, see Supporting Information, to assist the users in using the equations.
Investigating the phonon line shapes of TMDs: An analytical approach
Authors: Zhou Chenzhang , Adu Kofi W.
Published: July 2020

Several phenomena can affect the phonon bands of low‐dimensional systems, and their proper assignment and interpretation are essential in elucidating their effect on electronic, optical, and optoelectronic properties. Using an analytical approach, we investigate the similarities and differences of the layered effect, the phonon confinement effect, the Breit–Wigner–Fano effect, the inhomogeneous heating effect, and disorder‐induced effects in the phonon line shapes of WS2 and MoS2. The subtle differences and similarities are critical in making proper assignments and interpretations of the phonon line shapes and are useful as guidance in the behavior of phonon bands, particularly in TMDs, and more generally in low‐dimensional systems.
Evolution of social microenterprises from rural to the urban area: A study on income‐generating micro‐entrepreneurs in an urban context
Authors: Mohiuddin Muhammad , Mazumder Mohammad Nurul Huda , Al Mamun Abdullah , Su Zhan
Published: July 2020

Micro‐entrepreneurial activities in small‐scale trading in an urban context generate incomes and reduce poverty of marginal city dwellers. They are viable but need to adapt to the socio‐economic system where they operate. The types of micro‐entrepreneurial activities vary between rural and urban contexts. The delivery cost of microfinance services in urban areas is cheaper than in rural areas.
Sustainability management in Russia: Values, motives, and assessment
Authors: Fomina Yulia , Apenko Svetlana
Published: July 2020

The assessment of social enterprises and business organizations shows an “average” maturity level of sustainability management in Russia. The assessment methodology is defined along four dimensions of sustainability, including the three basic dimensions (economic, ecological, and social), plus the institutional dimension. The maturity level of sustainability management depends on the size of the organization and the level of project implementation, but not on the type of enterprise (social or business). The motives of sustainability management hardly depend at all on the type of enterprise in Russia.
Quantitative determination of aloin, antioxidant activity, and toxicity of Aloe vera leaf gel products from Greece
Authors: Kaparakou Eleftheria H , Kanakis Charalabos D , Gerogianni Maria , Maniati Matina , Vekrellis Kostas , Skotti Efstathia , Tarantilis Petros A
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Aloe vera is a popular medicinal plant used widely by the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The A. vera leaf gel, which is used mostly for its positive effects on human health, contains over 75 different bioactive compounds, including aloin. Aloin is a toxic compound, and its content in A. vera leaf gel products depends on the different cultivation conditions and especially on leaf processing.

RESULTS

In this study, A. vera leaf gel products, varied in terms of leaf processing, were analyzed using liquid chromatography for their aloin content, their antioxidant activity by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) radical cation (ABTS·+) and the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·) antioxidant activity assays and their toxicity against Aliivibrio fisheri and SH‐SY5Y cells. In the samples processed with industrial methods and in those filtered in the lab, the content of aloin was found below the limit (0.1 mg L−1) of the EU legislation however, the unprocessed and unfiltered samples were found to contain more than 10 mg L−1. Antioxidant activity was estimated to vary from 1.64 to 9.21 μmol Trolox mL−1 for DPPH· and from 0.73 to 5.14 μmol Trolox mL−1 for ABTS·+. Toxicity values on A. fisheri, expressed as the concentration at 50% loss of initial luminescence, ranged from 0.03 to 0.09 mg mL−1. The cytotoxic study indicated that aloin A at low concentrations (1 and 10 μg mL−1) protects SH‐SY5Y cells from toxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide.

CONCLUSIONS

Consequently, the filtration process of A. vera leaf gels, either laboratory or industrial, resulted in aloin A content below the EU legislation detection limits. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Infrared thermography as evaluation method of a faulty status of a LED LCD TV
Authors: Glavaš Hrvoje , Barić Tomislav , Jukić Dina , Desnica Eleonora
Published: July 2020

The paper presents the application of infrared thermography in the detection of anomalies (hotspots) that may lead to defects of the backlight unit, which are not yet noticeable in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is shown on a practical example of an LED LCD TV how hotspots at the maximum level of brightness led to the failure of one element of the LED backlight segments in 2 years time. Once the faulty element was detected, brightness was reduced in order to preserve the remaining LED elements. Infrared thermographic analysis of the faulty state was repeated and compared with measurements of photometric values. The thermal analysis results, before and after failure, are displayed in line at the area of the LED elements and in 3D on the screen surface. The photometric analysis was done on the full‐screen area in each of the RGB channels and then followed with in‐detail measurements on 200 points. As most photons emitted from the diode are dispersed to the sides of the display due to the lens mounted on top of each LED and other optical elements, data obtained by photometric means are not as precise in the positioning of faulty LEDs, as ones obtained by thermal inspection.
Estimation of Ionic Liquids Toxicity against Leukemia Rat Cell Line IPC‐81 based on the Empirical‐like Models using Intuitive and Explainable Fingerprint Descriptors
Authors: Wu Ting , Li Wanli , Chen Mengyao , Zhou Yanmei , Zhang Qingyou
Published: July 2020

Ionic liquids as green solvents have been paid extensive attention in recent years. However, mostly it is cost and time‐consuming to measure their properties. Thus, theorical methods, especially ultrafast chemoinformatics methods were introduced into these studies. Instead of abstract and complex models in some QSPR studies, in this study, the 2D structural features related to the toxicity of ionic liquids were discussed at first, and then the corresponding intuitive and meaningful descriptors were suggested to construct quantitative chemoinformatics models, finally a multiple linear regression (MLR) based on the empirical‐like models were applied to the estimation of toxicities of 304 ionic liquids. For the test sets, the relationship coefficients reached up to R=0.90. An external test set of 11 ionic liquids collected from other literatures was submitted to the achieved MLR equations, and the satisfactory result (R=0.94) was obtained.
Well‐posedness for the massive nonlinear wave equation on asymptotically AdS spacetimes
Authors: Guo Boling , Liu Fengxia
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we prove some well‐posedness theorems for the nonlinear massive wave equation (with the mass satisfying the Breitenlohner‐Freedman bound) on asymptotically anti‐de Sitter spaces. The solution is constructed by contraction mapping method and also as a limit of solutions to an initial boundary value problem with boundary at a finite location in spacetime by finally pushing the boundary out to infinity. The solution obtained is unique within the energy class.