bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and tolerability of the ketogenic diet versus high‐dose adrenocorticotropic hormone for infantile spasms: A single‐center parallel‐cohort randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dressler Anastasia , Benninger Franz , Trimmel‐Schwahofer Petra , Gröppel Gudrun , Porsche Barbara , Abraham Klaus , Mühlebner Angelika , Samueli Sharon , Male Christoph , Feucht Martha 
Published: February 2019

SummaryObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of the ketogenic diet (KD) with standard adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) treatment in infants with West syndrome.MethodsIn this parallel‐cohort (PC) randomized controlled trial (RCT), infants were randomly allocated to KD or high‐dose ACTH. Those who could not be randomized were followed in a PC. Primary end point was electroclinical remission at day 28. Secondary end points were time to electroclinical remission, relapse after initial response, seizure freedom at last follow‐up, adverse effects, and developmental progress.ResultsOne hundred one infants were included: 32 in the RCT (16 KD; 16 ACTH) and 69 in the PC (37 KD; 32 ACTH). Electroclinical remission at day 28 was similar between KD and ACTH (RCT: 62% vs 69%; PC: 41% vs 38%; combined cohort: 47% vs 48%; KD vs ACTH, respectively). In the combined cohort, time to electroclinical remission was similar between both treatments (14 days for KD, 16 days for ACTH). However, relapse rates were 16% (KD) and 43% (ACTH, P = 0.09), and seizure freedom at last follow‐up was 40% (KD) and 27% (ACTH, P = 0.18). Adverse effects needing acute medical intervention occurred more often with ACTH (30% with KD, 94% with ACTH, P < 0.001). Age‐appropriate psychomotor development and adaptive behavior were similar.Without prior vigabatrin (VGB) treatment, remission at day 28 was 47% (KD) and 80% (ACTH, P = 0.02); relapse rates were 29% (KD) and 56% (ACTH, P = 0.13). Consequently, seizure freedom at last follow‐up was similar. In infants with prior VGB, seizure freedom at last follow‐up was 48% (KD) and 21% (ACTH, P = 0.05).SignificanceThe study is underpowered; therefore, its results should be interpreted with caution. KD is as effective as ACTH in the long term but is better tolerated. Without prior VGB treatment, ACTH remains the first choice to achieve short‐term remission. However, with prior VGB, KD was at least as effective as ACTH in the short term and was associated with lower relapse rates in the long term; therefore, it represents an appropriate second‐line treatment after VGB.
Mechanism of Suspended Kaolinite Particle Clogging in Porous Media During Managed Aquifer Recharge
Authors: Ye Xueyan , Cui Ruijuan , Du Xinqiang , Ma Sijia , Zhao Jingtong , Lu Ying , Wan Yuyu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractManaged aquifer recharge is an effective strategy for urban stormwater management. Chemical ions are normally retained in stormwater and groundwater and may accelerate clogging during the recharge process. However, the effect of water chemistry on physical clogging has not previously been investigated. In this study, we investigated the hydrogeochemical mechanism of saturated porous media clogging in a series of column experiments. The column was packed with river sand and added suspensions of kaolinite particles. Calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used as representative ions to study chemical effects. We found that an increase in ionic strength resulted in retention of kaolinite solids in the column, with a breakthrough peak of C/C0 value of 1 to 0.2. The corresponding hydraulic conductivity decreased with increased solids clogging. Divalent cations were also found to have a greater influence on kaolinite particle clogging than monovalent cations. The enhanced hydrochemical‐related clogging was caused by kaolinite solids flocculating and increasing the deposition rate coefficient by 1 to 2 times in high ionic strength conditions. Three clogging mechanisms of kaolinite solids are proposed: surface filtration, inner blocking, and attachment. This study further deepens the understanding of the mechanisms of solids clogging during aquifer recharge and demonstrates the significance of ionic strength on recharge clogging risk assessments.
Using qPCR Assays to Predict Rates of Cometabolism of TCE in Aerobic Groundwater
Authors: Wilson John T. , Mills James C. , Wilson Barbara H. , Ferrey Mark L. , Freedman David L. , Taggart Dora 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMonitored natural attenuation (MNA) is commonly used as a remedy for trichloroethene (TCE) in anaerobic groundwater; however, MNA has not been applied to TCE contamination in aerobic groundwater. Under aerobic conditions, bacteria initiate the degradation of many organic substances with oxygenase enzymes. Several of these enzymes are known to degrade TCE through a fortuitous reaction known as cometabolism. There are commercially available qPCR assays that can determine the number of gene copies of these enzymes. If the qPCR assay could be used to predict the first‐order rate constant for cometabolism of TCE, the qPCR assay could be used to screen sites to determine whether MNA was a plausible remedy for TCE contamination. This study reevaluated data from water samples that were collected from 19 wells on five sites in Minnesota, New York, and Utah. Data had previously been published on the rate constant for cometabolism of TCE in the water samples as determined by a 14C‐assay and the abundance of gene copies for five enzymes that cometabolize TCE as determined using a qPCR assay. The Michaelis‐Menten (Haldane) kinetic parameters for cometabolism of TCE and the abundance of DNA for the five oxygenase enzymes were used to predict the rate constant for cometabolism of TCE. The predicted rate constants were evaluated and validated by comparing them to the rate constants derived from the 14C‐assay. For predicted rate constants greater than 0.003 per year, the predicted rate constants agreed with the measured rate constants within a factor of three. The qPCR assay serves as a convenient screening tool to determine whether MNA is a plausible remedy for an aerobic plume of TCE.
First evidence of Middle to Late Triassic radiolarians in the Garba mountains, South Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Munasri  , Putra Akbar Maharsha 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA Middle to Late Triassic (Ladinian–Carnian) radiolarian fauna was discovered in cherts of the Situlanglang Member of the Garba Formation, South Sumatra, which is generally regarded as of Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous age. This fauna is characterized by the presence of Annulotriassocampe sulovensis, Triassocampe postdeweveri, Spongotortilispinus tortilis, Poulpus piabyx, Canoptum levis and others. This evidence possibly indicates that the deposition of the Situlanglang cherts took place after the collision of the Sibumasu and East Malaya blocks recorded in the Bentong–Raub Suture in Peninsular Malaysia in Late Permian–Early Triassic times. During the Middle–Late Triassic Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia consisted of submarine horst and graben structures. It is possible that a submarine graben, the Tuhur basin, whose southern boundary was formerly undefined, extends into South Sumatra, to the area in which the Situlanglang cherts were deposited. The Situlanglang Member is proposed to be a rock unit stratigraphically contemporaneous with those of the Middle–Upper Triassic Kualu and Tuhur Formations in North and Central Sumatra.
Nicotinamide riboside has protective effects in a rat model of mesenteric ischaemia‐reperfusion
Authors: Toropova Yana G. , Pechnikova Nadezdha A. , Zelinskaya Irina A. , Zhuravsky Sergey G. , Kornyushin Oleg V. , Gonchar Alina I. , Ivkin Dmitry Y. , Leonova Yulia V. , Karev Vadim E. , Karabak Irina A. 
Published: February 2019

SummaryAcute mesenteric ischaemia is a syndrome caused by inadequate blood flow through the mesenteric vessels, resulting in ischaemia and eventual gangrene of the bowel wall. Although relatively rare, it is a potentially life‐threatening condition. The maintenance of haemodynamic stability, along with adequate oxygen saturation, and the correction of any electrolyte imbalance, are of the utmost importance. However, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis modulation by precursor introduction can also be a powerful tool for preventing injury. Nicotinamide riboside is a pyridine‐nucleoside form of vitamin B3 that functions as a precursor to NAD+. The present study investigated nicotinamide riboside's effect on endothelium functional state, microcirculation and intestinal morphology in acute mesenteric ischaemia and reperfusion. Mesenteric ischaemia was simulated after the adaptation period (15 minutes) by occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 60 minutes, followed by a reperfusion period of 30 minutes. The functional state of intestinal microcirculation was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry. Endothelial functional activity was studied by using wire myography. Intestinal samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histological analysis. The results revealed that nicotinamide riboside protects the intestinal wall from ischaemia‐reperfusion injury, as well as improving the relaxation function of mesenteric vessels. Nicotinamide riboside's protective effect in small intestine ischaemia‐reperfusion can be used to reduce ischaemia‐reperfusion injury, as well as to preserve intestinal grafts until transplant.
How does perception on green environment across generations affect consumer behaviour? A neural network process
Authors: Deliana Yosini , Rum Irlan Adiyatma 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis paper examines how the perception on green environment can affect consumer behaviour. It tests whether consumer behaviour responds to environmental change. This study captures the interaction between green environment perception and behaviour. A neural network analysis is used to address this challenge to model such a behaviour. A total of 462 interviews were conducted and analysed using neural network process. A Scaled Conjugate Gradient with random data division was used in training and the performance was calculated using mean square error. The result reveals that perception–behaviour gap exists across generations on green environment. It indicates that perception on green producing, green living, green transport and green product is an important factor in determining the behaviour on green consumption. The neural network accurately recognized green behaviour up to nearly 82% with MSE = 0.09 at epoch 31, which is a high level of recognition accuracy. This study underlines the existence of perception–behaviour gap on green environment. However, these are only identified to people with low‐to‐medium level of green behaviours (level of correct only 44.5% and 30%). People with high level of green behaviour in fact show consistency between their perceptions and behaviours (level of correct 96.4%). This result shows that people tend to have higher perceptions on green environment, but their behaviour reflects otherwise.
Insulin‐like growth factor 1 sustained‐release collagen on urethral catheter prevents stricture after urethral injury in a rabbit model
Authors: Shinchi Masayuki , Kushibiki Toshihiro , Mayumi Yoshine , Ito Keiichi , Asano Tomohiko , Ishihara Miya , Horiguchi Akio 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesTo evaluate the preventive effect of an insulin‐like growth factor 1 sustained‐release collagen urethral catheter on urethral stricture after urethral injury in a rabbit model.MethodsWe made urethral catheters coated either with insulin‐like growth factor 1 impregnated collagen or with only collagen, and we divided 19 male Japanese white rabbits into three groups according to the kind of catheter inserted immediately after the rabbit's urethra was injured by electrocoagulation. Group 1 (n = 7) had a catheter coated with insulin‐like growth factor 1 impregnated collagen inserted; group 2 (n = 7) had a catheter coated with only collagen inserted; and group 3 (n = 5) had an uncoated catheter inserted. A total of 14 days later, the injured urethras were evaluated by urethrography and urethroscopy, and were also histologically examined.ResultsUrethrography showed that the ratio of the urethral lumen diameter in injured urethra to that in normal urethra was the largest in group 1 (P < 0.0001). In addition, five of the seven rabbits in group 1 (71.4%) had a urethral lumen large enough for passage of a urethroscope, a fraction larger than the corresponding fractions in groups 2 (57.1%) and 3 (20%). On histological analysis, the injured area not covered with regenerated urethral epithelium tended to be smaller in group 1 than the other two groups, but the mean difference was not significant (P = 0.19).ConclusionsAn insulin‐like growth factor 1 sustained‐release collagen urethral catheter significantly improves wound healing and prevents urethral stricture after urethral injury.
Tadalafil improves bladder dysfunction and object recognition in rats with pelvic venous congestion
Authors: Nishijima Saori , Sugaya Kimio , Kadekawa Katsumi , Ashitomi Katsuhiro , Ueda Tomoyuki , Yamamoto Hideyuki 
Published: February 2019

ObjectivesTo examine the effects of tadalafil on bladder function and object recognition ability in rats with alterations in urinary frequency and locomotor activity as a result of pelvic venous congestion.MethodsA total of 48 female rats were divided into three groups (sham, pelvic venous congestion and pelvic venous congestion/tadalafil groups). In the pelvic venous congestion and pelvic venous congestion/tadalafil groups, the bilateral common iliac veins and uterine veins were ligated under anesthesia. Rats in the pelvic venous congestion/tadalafil group received a diet containing tadalafil, and the other rats were fed a normal diet. After 4 weeks, rats underwent analysis of voiding behavior, locomotor activity, a novel object recognition test, continuous cystometry, measurement of plasma monoamines, and measurement of plasma and urinary nitric oxide metabolites. Expression of nitric oxide synthase messenger ribonucleic acid in the bladder wall was also assessed, along with histological examination of the bladder.ResultsRats with pelvic venous congestion showed a higher urinary frequency, lower locomotor activity, and lower plasma and urinary nitric oxide levels than sham rats. The bladder wall endothelial nitric oxide synthase messenger ribonucleic acid level was low and object recognition was impaired. Pelvic venous congestion/tadalafil rats showed improvement in locomotor activity, bladder function and object recognition compared with pelvic venous congestion rats, as well as elevation of plasma and urinary nitric oxide, plasma monoamines, and bladder neuronal nitric oxide synthase messenger ribonucleic acid expression. Bladder wall vascularity was greater in pelvic venous congestion/tadalafil rats compared with sham rats.ConclusionsIn rats with pelvic venous congestion, tadalafil might improve bladder function and the general condition by increasing blood flow to the bladder and brain, and by increasing dopamine levels.
Oral health in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children: An age, period, and cohort analysis
Authors: Stormon Nicole , Ford Pauline J. , Lalloo Ratilal 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundOral health policy and funding must be informed by well‐designed studies which monitor oral health and the factors which influence it.AimThis study aimed to analyse the oral health of the Longitudinal Study of Australia Children (LSAC).DesignThe LSAC is a dual‐cohort cross‐sequential study run biennially since 2004. Carer‐report measures for oral health were measured across six biennial waves and included frequency of tooth brushing, dental service use, and dental problems since the previous wave.ResultsA total of 10 090 Australian children participated at baseline (birth [B] n = 5017 and kindergarten [K] n = 4983). Most carers reported that children brushed daily and had regular access to dental care. Increasing age was a significant predictor of dental caries, whereas no differences were observed between time periods and cohorts. Dental caries was more frequently reported than dental injuries. Caries was highest at age eight for the B (n = 1234, 30.5%) and K (n = 1355, 31.5%) cohorts.ConclusionsBy the age of six, caries prevalence had already begun to climb despite the majority of carers reporting good oral health behaviours for their children. Early intervention in the prevention of dental caries is essential, as children appear to attend dental services when caries is already occurring.
Law and lawlessness in industrial fishing: frontiers in regulating labour relations in Asia
Authors: Vandergeest Peter 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe paper examines the extension of state regulation of industrial fisheries to include labour relations in the wake of scandals concerning unfree and abusive working conditions in the fishing industry. The focus is on fisheries operated out of Thailand, supplemented by information about working conditions in fisheries based in Myanmar and Taiwan. A concept of frontier that pays attention to patterns in labour relations prior to intensification of state regulation enables consideration of how non‐state agents including vessel owners and captains, fishing technologies, marine ecologies, vessel mobilities, borders, and workers contribute to shaping working conditions in industrial fishing. This approach reframes current efforts to regulate industrial fisheries as acting not on an unregulated or lawless fisheries, but on a series of dynamic existing practices of involving multiple agents who regulate fisheries work in the relative absence of state regulation. Using this concept of the frontier also helps explain how and why labour relations in fisheries are positioned as exceptional in relation to terrestrial work, and draws attention to the way that state regulation works through owners and captains, often neglecting the agency of workers, or undermining worker agency through migration policies.
Reproductive cycle of the commercially harvested sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) along the western coast of Portugal
Authors: Machado Inês , Moura Paula , Pereira Fábio , Vasconcelos Paulo , Gaspar Miguel B. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHarvested populations of the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) from the northwestern (Carreço) and southwestern (Aljezur) coasts of Portugal were surveyed to describe the species reproductive cycle and assess possible relationships with geographical location and seawater temperature. Individuals were sampled monthly to analyze gonad histology, mean gonadal index (GI), and gonadosomatic index (GSI) during 2 consecutive years (November 2010–November 2012). Both populations presented an annual reproductive cycle, with synchronous gonad maturation and gamete release between sexes. Gonad maturation occurred throughout autumn–winter, followed by a single but prolonged spawning season during spring–summer. The duration of the spawning season displayed a latitudinal gradient likely related to the north–south increasing trend in seawater temperature, with the northwestern population (Carreço) exhibiting a shorter spawning period compared to the southwestern population (Aljezur). The timing and duration of the spawning season was compared with several populations throughout the distributional range of P. lividus in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. In the population from Carreço, the size at first sexual maturity (test diameter = 35.9 mm) was considerably smaller than the minimum conservation reference size (MCRS) of 50 mm test diameter legally established for P. lividus. This study confirms that sustainable exploitation depends on harvesters’ awareness of and compliance with the MCRS and provides useful information for the eventual establishment of a closed season in the harvesting of P. lividus.
Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) on silver nanoparticles modified mesoporous silicon under visible light
Authors: Faisal Mohd , Harraz Farid A. , Al‐Salami Ali E. , El‐Toni Ahmed Mohamed , Almadiy Abdulrhman A. , Khan Aslam , Labis Joselito P. , Al‐Sayari Saleh A. , Al‐Assiri Mohammad S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe development of visible‐light photocatalysts with desirable material characteristics and efficient performance is an existing challenge for photocatalysis community. Herein, we report on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) modified porous silicon (PSi) nanopowder and its effective use in the photo‐reduction of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) to trivalent Cr(III) under direct visible light irradiation in the presence of citric acid. The PSi was prepared via simple stain etching of Si microparticles in HF/HNO3 aqueous solution, followed by the deposition of AgNPs onto PSi by the immersion plating technique. The developed photocatalyst composed of PSi with <20 nm mesoporous structure, decorated with crystalline 15‐50 nm AgNPs. Photocatalytic experiments using unmodified Si microparticles, either PSi or sonicated one, indicated inactive catalytic behavior toward the photo‐reduction of Cr(VI). Remarkable photo‐reduction efficiency (97.4%) was achieved after 180 minutes irradiation using the AgNPs/PSi sample. The efficient photo‐reduction capability of AgNPs/PSi photocatalyst is attributed to the enhanced separation between photo‐generated electrons and holes (e−‐h+) enabling better utilization of light, as revealed from the photoluminescence measurement. Additionally, the presence of citric acid in solution promoted greatly the photo‐reduction reaction as it acted as a hole scavenger, suppressing further the rate of e−‐h+ recombination through rapid consumption of photo‐generated holes. Excellent reusability of the current photocatalyst was evidenced by performing cyclic five runs with minimal reactivity loss. Results of synthesis, characterization, photocatalytic activity and reaction mechanism are thoroughly addressed and discussed.
Understanding the atomic and electronic structures origin of defect luminescence of CdSe quantum dots in glass matrix
Authors: Li Wenke , Li Neng , Liu Chao , Greaves George Neville , Ong Wee‐Jun , Zhao Xiujian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWell‐defined density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed as the first exploratory study for the atomic and electronic mechanism of defect mediated morphology and optical properties of CdnSen (n = 3, 10, 13, and 33) quantum dots (QDs) in inorganic amorphous matrix. The intrinsic defects of pristine CdSe QDs, and the interfacial defects between the QDs and surrounding amorphous matrix, were systematically studied. The calculated electronic structure suggested that the pristine CdSe QDs capped by the structural modifiers or non‐bridging oxygen in the amorphous matrix gave rise to the structure reconstruction and paired defect states at the edge of the valence and conduction bands. The orbital analysis elucidated that the redistribution of the majority of HOMO and LUMO electron density was localized over the bonds formed by capping atoms and QDs. These changes in the electronic structures were further demonstrated by CdSe QDs embedded sodium silicate glasses. It turned out that Se atoms at QDs/glass interface were much more active than those found on the surface of organically passivated CdSe QDs. The results serve as a new paradigm in materials research to explore structural origins of defect emission from QDs and a new strategy to develop glasses containing QDs with high photoluminescence quantum efficiency.