bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information sharing and innovative work behavior: The role of work‐based learning, challenging tasks, and organizational commitment
Authors: Battistelli Adalgisa , Odoardi C. , Vandenberghe C. , Di Napoli G. , Piccione L.
Published: March 2019

The present study examines a model linking perceived information sharing as a Human Resource Management practice to employee innovative work behavior, using survey data collected from 756 employees of a military organization. Work‐based learning, challenging tasks, and organizational commitment were used as factors that could account for the relationship between information sharing and innovative behavior. Using structural equation modeling, findings indicated that information sharing had a positive relationship with task‐related and interactional dimensions of work‐based learning. Task‐related learning had a positive relationship with innovative behavior through challenging tasks while interactional learning had an indirect, positive relationship to innovative behavior via organizational commitment and challenging tasks. This article contributes to extend knowledge about the role of information sharing and work‐based learning in innovative work behavior. It also breaks new ground by uncovering potential antecedents of innovative behavior in military organizations.
Reduction of active Fel d1 from cats using an antiFel d1 egg IgY antibody
Authors: Satyaraj Ebenezer , Gardner Cari , Filipi Ivan , Cramer Kerry , Sherrill Scott
Published: March 2019

Background

Fel d1 is the most important allergen from cats. Fel d1 is produced primarily in saliva and spread to the haircoat during grooming and then transferred to the environment via hair and dander.

Objectives

A novel approach to reducing allergenic Fel d1 exposure was evaluated, involving binding the Fel d1 with an anti‐Fel d1 polyclonal egg IgY antibody. The hypothesis was that hair from cats who had been fed foods containing anti‐Fel d1 IgY would show a significant reduction in active Fel d1 (aFel d1).

Methods

Hair collected from 105 cats completing a 12‐week study was evaluated for aFel d1 via ELISA. Hair was collected four times over a 2‐week baseline period, then weekly during the 10 week treatment period during which cats consumed a food containing the anti‐Fel d1 IgY.

Results

Baseline aFel d1 (μg/g hair) varied greatly among the cats in this study. From week 3, there was a significant reduction in mean aFel d1 with an overall average decrease of 47% by week 10, ranging from a 33–71% decrease vs baseline. Cats with the highest baseline aFel d1 showed the greatest decrease in aFel d1.

Conclusions & Clinical Implications

Feeding anti‐Fel d1 IgY to cats successfully reduced aFel d1 on their haircoat with the greatest decreases observed in cats with initially high levels. Feeding a diet with anti Fel d1 IgY significantly reduced the active Fel d1 on the hair of cats.
Long noncoding RNA LINC00961 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion through regulating the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Lixia , Shao Linqin , Hu Ying
Published: March 2019

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most frequent style of oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the molecular mechanisms and function of LINC00961 in the TSCC progression remain unknown. In this study, we proved that LINC00961 expression was downregulated in TSCC cells (Tca8113, SCC1, SCC‐4, and SCC‐15) compared with normal tissue. In addition, we showed that LINC00961 expression was downregulated in TSCC samples compared with matched normal tissues. Moreover, ectopic expression of LINC00961 decreased TSCC cell growth and invasion and suppressed epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in TSCC cell. Furthermore, we indicated that overexpression of LINC00961 decreased β‐catenin expression. Knockdown of LINC00961 promoted cell proliferation and invasion partly via promoting the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. These results suggested that LINC00961 was downregulated in TSCC tissues and acted as a tumor suppressor gene in the development of TSCC.
Secreting oviduct epithelial cells of Coturnix coturnix japonica (QOEC) and changes to their proteome after nonviral transfection
Authors: Stadnicka Katarzyna , Dębowska Michalina , Dębski Janusz , Bajek Anna
Published: March 2019

The quail oviduct (Coturnix c. japonica) is a natural candidate avian bioreactor, while the secretive quail oviduct epithelial cells (QOECs) are potential in vitro producers of recombinant proteins and vaccines. In view of the need for highly performing and transformable cell lines, QOEC may potentially act as an alternative bioreactor platform to the existing ones, for example, to the Chinese hamster ovary. The aim of this work was to characterize QOECs and their response to nucleofection with a nonviral plasmid DNA carrying the human interferon‐α 2a gene (hIFNλ2a), in vitro. Primary QOEC cultures from laying quails (10‐15 weeks old) were characterized by their proliferation rate, doubling time, and multilineage differentiation. Electroporation to cell nuclei (nucleofection) was used to deliver nonviral plasmid DNA containing a reporter GFP and hIFN under the ovalbumin promoter. The posttransfection analysis included polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. QOEC showed a typical epithelial characteristic in a primary 2D monolayer culture system and retained secretive potential up to the first passage. QOEC showed differentiation into osteoblastic lineage after stimulation. The nucleofection mean efficiency was low (2.3%). Differences of up to 10% in the proteomic profiles between nontransfected and transfected QOEC were found, the most important of these were related to the absence of keratins and cell‐adhesion proteins in the transfected QOEC. Concluding, with the practical information provided here, QOEC have the potential to serve as an avian secreting cellular platform. QOEC may be further transformed to cell lineage to meet the requirement for a stable, electrocompetent, and transfectable model. The first proteomic comparison of QOEC delivered in this study showed, in the majority, a stable proteome of the nontransfected vs transfected QOEC.
Comparison of osteogenic differentiation potential of induced pluripotent stem cells on 2D and 3D polyvinylidene fluoride scaffolds
Authors: Mirzaei Ali , Moghadam Abbas Shapouri , Abazari Mohamad Foad , Nejati Fatemeh , Torabinejad Sepehr , Kaabi Mohamad , Enderami Seyed Ehsan , Ardeshirylajimi Abdolreza , Darvish Maryam , Soleimanifar Fatemeh , Saburi Ehsan
Published: March 2019

In recent decades, tissue engineering has been the most contributor for introducing 2D and 3D biocompatible osteoinductive scaffolds as bone implants. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), due to the unique mechanical strength and piezoelectric properties, can be a good choice for making a bone bioimplant. In the present study, PVDF nanofibers and film were fabricated as 3D and 2D scaffolds, and then, osteogenic differentiation potential of the human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was investigated when grown on the scaffolds by evaluating the common osteogenic markers in comparison with tissue culture plate. Biocompatibility of the fabricated scaffolds was confirmed qualitatively and quantitatively by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and scanning electron microscopy assays. Human iPSCs cultured on PVDF nanofibers showed a significantly higher alkaline phosphate activity and calcium content compared with the iPSCs cultured on PVDF film. Osteogenic‐related genes and proteins were also expressed in the iPSCs seeded on PVDF nanofibers significantly higher than iPSCs seeded on PVDF film, when investigated by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. According to the results, the PVDF nanofibrous scaffold showed a greater osteoinductive property compared with the PVDF film and due to the material similarity of the scaffolds, it could be concluded that the 3D structure could lead to better bone differentiation. Taken together, the obtained results demonstrated that human iPSC‐seeded PVDF nanofibrous scaffold could be considered as a promising candidate for use in bone tissue engineering applications.
Conditioned media from adipocytes promote proliferation, migration, and invasion in melanoma and colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Ko Jeong‐Hyeon , Um Jae‐Young , Lee Seok‐Geun , Yang Woong Mo , Sethi Gautam , Ahn Kwang Seok
Published: March 2019

Epidemiological evidence suggests that obesity can significantly increase the risk of various cancers, although the mechanisms underlying this link are completely unknown. Here, we analyzed the effect of adipocytes on melanoma and colon cancer cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. The potential effects of conditioned media (CM) obtained from differentiated mouse 3T3‐L1 cells and human adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC) on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of B16BL6 melanoma and colon 26‐L5 cancer cells were investigated. The 3T3‐L1 and hAMSC CM increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in both the cell lines. In addition, adipocytes CM increased matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) and MMP‐2 activity in both B16BL6 and colon 26‐L5 cells. These effects were found to be associated with an increased expression of various oncogenic proteins in B16BL6 and colon 26‐L5 cells. Also, adipocyte CM induced Akt and mTOR activation in both tumor cell lines, and the pharmacological inhibition of Akt and mTOR blocked the CM induced Akt as well as mTOR activation and CM‐stimulated melanoma and colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These data suggest that adipocyte promotes melanoma and colon cancer progression through modulating the expression of diverse proteins associated with cancer growth and metastasis as well as modulation of the Akt/mTOR signaling.
Efficiency of two constructed wetland systems for wastewater treatment: removal of bacterial indicators and enteric viruses
Authors: Kaliakatsos Andreas , Kalogerakis Nicolas , Manios Thrassyvoulos , Venieri Danae
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Pathogenic microorganisms at the effluents of treatment plants entail a potential risk to public health. Enteric viruses such as adenoviruses (AdVs) and enteroviruses (EVs) are responsible for many waterborne diseases. Wastewater treatment methods eliminate successfully the load of indicators but other pathogens such as viruses have been detected in high concentrations at the effluents of wastewater plants. In this perspective, two constructed wetlands (CWs) systems (S1 and S2) were employed and fed with primary wastewater. S1 consists of a free water surface (FWS) wetland and a horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) wetland working in series, while S2 consists only of the HSSF. Also, both systems included a sand filter (SF) after the HSSF.

RESULTS

Results showed that these low‐cost systems are capable of eliminating effectively the bacterial indictors (total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococci) achieving removal rates of almost 99% for S1 (3.2–4 Log units) and 89–98% for S2 (1.9–2.7 Log units). Regarding viruses, AdVs, EVs and phages were detected at all sampling points and during all seasons, and they were only partly removed in S1 and/or S2. For example, the virus load was decreased by 2.5 Log units for AdVs and 3.4 Log units for EVs in the case of S1, while the respective values were 4.3 and 1.9 Log units for S2.

CONCLUSIONS

Generally, CWs eliminated successfully the bacterial load, while the remaining virus load was significant, thus strengthening the argument that viruses could be a reliable indicator for fecal contamination. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Organic/inorganic nanohybrids as multifunctional gene delivery systems
Authors: Guo Kangli , Zhao Xiaoyi , Dai Xiaoguang , Zhao Nana , Xu Fu‐Jian
Published: March 2019

In this review, we summarize the rational design and versatile application of organic/inorganic hybrid gene carriers as multifunctional delivery systems. Organic/inorganic nanohybrids with both organic and inorganic components in one nanoparticle have attracted intense attention because of their favorable properties. Particularly, nanohybrids comprising cationic polymers and inorganic nanoparticles are considered to be promising candidates as multifunctional gene delivery systems. In this review, we begin with an introduction of gene delivery and gene carriers to demonstrate the incentive for fabricating nanohybrids as multifunctional carriers. Next, the construction strategies and morphology effects of organic/inorganic hybrid gene carriers are summarized and discussed. Both sections provide valuable information for the design and synthesis of hybrid gene carriers with superior properties. Finally, an overview is provided of the application of nanohybrids as multifunctional gene carriers. Diverse therapies and versatile imaging‐guided therapies have been achieved via the rational design of nanohybrids. In addition to a simple combination of the functions of organic and inorganic components, the performances arising from the synergistic effects of both components are considered to be more intriguing. In summary, this review might offer guidance for the understanding of organic/inorganic nanohybrids as multifunctional gene delivery systems.
Novel insights into the clinical and molecular spectrum of congenital disorders of autophagy
Authors: Teinert Julian , Behne Robert , Wimmer Miriam , Ebrahimi‐Fakhari Darius
Published: March 2019

Autophagy is a fundamental and conserved catabolic pathway that mediates the degradation of macromolecules and organelles in lysosomes. Autophagy is particularly important to postmitotic and metabolically active cells such as neurons. The complex architecture of neurons and their long axons pose additional challenges for efficient recycling of cargo. Not surprisingly autophagy is required for normal central nervous system development and function. Several single‐gene disorders of the autophagy pathway have been discovered in recent years giving rise to a novel group of inborn errors of metabolism referred to as congenital disorders of autophagy. While these disorders are heterogeneous, they share several clinical and molecular characteristics including a prominent and progressive involvement of the central nervous system leading to brain malformations, developmental delay, intellectual disability, epilepsy, movement disorders, and cognitive decline. On brain magnetic resonance imaging a predominant involvement of the corpus callosum, the corticospinal tracts and the cerebellum are noted. A storage disease phenotype is present in some diseases, underscoring both clinical and molecular overlaps to lysosomal storage diseases. This review provides an update on the clinical, imaging, and genetic spectrum of congenital disorders of autophagy and highlights the importance of this pathway for neurometabolism and childhood‐onset neurological diseases.
A signal amplification system on a lateral flow immunoassay detecting for hepatitis e‐antigen in human blood samples
Authors: Si Jinhong , Li Jinfeng , Zhang Ling , Zhang Weiyun , Yao Jinxiu , Li Tingting , Wang Wenjing , Zhu Weihang , Allain Jean‐Pierre , Fu Yongshui , Li Chengyao
Published: March 2019

Hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) is the secretory form of the nucleocapsid of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is a marker of viral replication. In this study, a novel signal amplification system (SAS) based on the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) was used for rapid detection of HBeAg in blood samples from patients or blood donors. In this assay, the detection antibody was conjugated with gold nanoparticles (GNPs), and the capture antibody was labeled with biotin. The presence of targeting antigen HBeAg in blood sample would act as a bridge with biotinylated captured antibody and GNP‐conjugated detection antibody to form the dendritic nanoparticle complex. The dendritic complexes in the sample solution were migrated and immobilized on the testing line of strip coated with antibiotin antibodies. Signal intensity was massively amplified by the SAS, which was positively correlated with the concentration of targeting antigen in the blood sample and was assessed by eyes or strip scanner. The SAS worked only when targeting antigens were present in the sample. By using this SAS‐LFIA, we were able to detect a very low concentration of HBeAg (9 ng/mL), which was 27‐fold sensitive than that by conventional LFIA (cLFIA). A number of 420 blood samples were detested by this novel SAS‐LFIA, the results were in accordance with those of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) completely, while the cLFIA missed an HBeAg‐positive sample. In conclusion, the novel SAS has high specificity and sensitivity, which can be used to replace the conventional rapid test and ELISA in clinical diagnosis.
Spillover and crossover of work resources: A test of the positive flow of resources through work–family enrichment
Authors: Carlson Dawn S. , Thompson Merideth J. , Crawford Wayne S. , Kacmar K. Michele
Published: March 2019

In their seminal model of work–family enrichment, Greenhaus and Powell (2006) theorized five categories of work resources to have an impact on work–family enrichment. Using a matched set of 351 dual‐career spouses, we explored how these unique work resources contribute to work–family enrichment and how they spill over to shape job incumbents' family outcomes and cross over to spouse outcomes. Results support indirect effects for the work resources of developmental experiences, supervisor support, schedule control, and self‐efficacy, but not salary, on marital satisfaction and family functioning through the job incumbent's work–family enrichment. In addition, we found support for the crossover of these indirect effects to the spouse through the spouse's positive crossover transmission, which facilitated the spouse's marital satisfaction and commitment to the job incumbent's organization. Our results suggest that multiple work resources have an impact on work–family enrichment and that the flow of positive work resources through work–family enrichment spills over to impact outcomes for the job incumbent and crosses over to the spouse.
Non‐stationary modelling of extreme precipitation by climate indices during rainy season in Hanjiang River Basin, China
Authors: Hao Wenlong , Shao Quanxi , Hao Zhenchun , Ju Qin , Baima Wangdui , Zhang Dawei
Published: March 2019

The extreme precipitation regimes have been changing as the climate system has warmed. Investigating the non‐stationarity and better estimating the changes of the extreme precipitation are valuable for informing policy decisions. In this study, two precipitation indices are employed to describe the extreme events, including maximum 5‐day precipitation amount (RX5day) and the number of very heavy precipitation days (R20). The generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) is employed to characterize non‐stationarities in extreme precipitation events and related climate indices in 13 stations in the Hanjiang River basin (HJRB). Three models including stationary model without change (M0), non‐stationary models over time (M1) and non‐stationarity models with large‐scale climate indices (M2) as predictors, respectively, are considered to analyse occurrence rates of extreme precipitation. The optimal model and the significant predictors were selected by the Akaike information criterion (AIC). To investigate the main predictors at regional scale, the homogeneous subregions for precipitation extremes are identified by clustering analysis. Results indicate that: (a) the non‐stationarities of RX5day series and R20 series at all stations are identified in the HJRB; (b) extreme precipitation behaviour is significantly influenced by climate indices and non‐stationary model 2 to describe the changes of extreme precipitation is better than non‐stationary model 1, indicating the impact of large‐scale climate forcing on the changes of extreme precipitation regimes; (c) the HJRB can be categorized into three homogenous regions. The optimal distributions and the main predictors of extreme precipitation events in most stations of each subregion are basically the same; (d) the dominated climate indices influencing the extreme precipitation events are different in different regions and have regional patterns. The results highlight the modelling of extreme precipitation events under non‐stationarity conditions and provide information for developing strategies of mitigation and adaptation to climate change impacts on extreme precipitation.
Correlation between MTHFR polymorphisms and glaucoma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Ling , Chen Bin
Published: March 2019

Background

Whether methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms are implicated in glaucoma remains controversial. Therefore, we performed this study to better assess the relationship between MTHFR polymorphisms and the likelihood of glaucoma.

Methods

A systematic research of PubMed, Medline, and Embase was performed to retrieve relevant articles. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

A total of 18 studies with 7,168 participants were analyzed. In overall analyses, a significant association with the likelihood of glaucoma was detected for the rs1801133 polymorphism in dominant (p = 0.04, OR = 0.90, 95%CI 0.81–1.00) and allele (p = 0.02, OR = 0.91, 95%CI 0.84–0.98) comparisons. Further, subgroup analyses by ethnicity revealed that both rs1801131 and rs1801133 polymorphisms were significantly associated with the likelihood of glaucoma in West Asians. However, no positive results were detected for two investigated polymorphisms in East Asians and Caucasians.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that rs1801131 and rs1801133 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of glaucoma in West Asians.
Preparation of magnetite and silver poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid‐co‐acrylamide) nanocomposites for adsorption and catalytic degradation of methylene blue water pollutant
Authors: Atta Ayman M , Gafer Amany K , Al‐Lohedan Hamad A , Abdullah Mahmood MS , Ezzat Abdelrahman O
Published: March 2019

The aim of the present work was to prepare microgel nanocomposites based on silver and magnetite to apply as adsorbents and heterogeneous catalysts for removal of methylene blue (MB) cationic dye from aqueous solution. For this, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and acrylamide (AAm) monomers were used to prepare AMPS/AAm microgel based on the emulsion technique. Ag and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were embedded into the AMPS/AAm microgel using the in situ technique. Their particle sizes, surface charges, crystalline lattice structure, morphology, magnetic properties and thermal stability were investigated. The AMPS/AAm hydrogel nanocomposites were used as an adsorbent to remove MB dye. The AMPS/AAm microgel nanocomposites were tested as catalysts to reduce MB and degrade its chemical structure with heterogeneous Fenton oxidation using Ag and Fe3O4 nanocomposites, respectively. This study presents promising data as the prepared materials used as adsorbents and catalysts show competitive features compared with the data presented in the literature. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel porous organic triazine‐based polyimide with high nitrogen levels for highly efficient removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution
Authors: Mokhtari Nazanin , Dinari Mohammad , Rahmanian Omid
Published: March 2019

In this study, a porous organic triazine‐based polyimide (PPI network) was prepared from 2,4,6‐tris(hydrazino)‐s‐triazine and 3,4,9,10‐perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride. TGA, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission SEM, XRD and a nitrogen sorption study confirmed the PPI network structure. Then, the synthesized PPI network was used to evaluate Ni2+ ion removal from aqueous solution and the effective parameters on adsorption functions of Ni2+ ions such as initial concentration, contact time and pH of the solution in batch adsorption experiments was studied. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of Ni2+ ions was 36.1 mg g−1 in only 30 min with a pH of 7. The kinetics and adsorption isotherm were identified to be better fitted by the pseudo‐second‐order model and the Langmuir model, respectively. Based on the results, the proposed adsorbent has good potential for removing Ni2+ ions from aqueous solutions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimized peptide functionalization of thiol‐acrylate emulsion‐templated porous polymers leads to expansion of human pluripotent stem cells in 3D culture
Authors: Ratcliffe Jessie L. , Walker Marc , Eissa Ahmed M. , Du Shengrong , Przyborski Stefan A. , Laslett Andrew L. , Cameron Neil R.
Published: March 2019

Highly porous polymers produced by polymerization of the continuous phase of a high internal phase emulsion have been developed as scaffolds for 3D culture of human pluripotent stem cells. These emulsion‐templated polymerized high internal phase emulsion (polyHIPE) materials have an interconnected network of pores that provide support for the cells, while also allowing both cell ingress and nutrient diffusion. Thiol‐acrylate polyHIPE materials were prepared by photopolymerization, which, due to a competing acrylate homopolymerization process, leads to a material with residual surface thiols. These thiols were then used as a handle to allow postpolymerization functionalization with both maleimide and a maleimide‐derivatized cyclo‐RGDfK peptide, via Michael addition under benign conditions. Functionalization was evaluated using an Ellman's colorimetric assay, to monitor the residual thiol concentration, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Maleimide was used as a model molecule to optimize conditions prior to peptide‐functionalization. The use of triethylamine as a catalyst and a mixed ethanol‐aqueous solvent system led to optimized reaction between surface‐bound thiols and maleimide. Peptide‐functionalized materials showed improved attachment and infiltration of human pluripotent stem cells over 7 days, demonstrating their promise as a scaffold for 3D stem cell culture and expansion. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1974–1981
General lack of structural characterization of chemically synthesized long peptides
Authors: Boutin Jean A. , Tartar André L. , van Dorsselaer Alain , Vaudry Hubert
Published: March 2019

Many peptide chemistry scientists have been reporting extremely interesting work on the basis of chemical peptides for which the only characterization was their purity, mass, and biological activity. It seems slightly overenthusiastic, as many of these structures should be thoroughly characterized first to demonstrate the uniqueness of the structure, as opposed to the uniqueness of the sequence. Among the peptides of identical sequences in the final chemical preparation, what amount of well‐folded peptide supports the measured activity? The activity of a peptide preparation cannot prove the purity of the desired peptide. Therefore, greater care should be taken in characterizing peptides, particularly those coming from chemical synthesis. At a time when the pharmaceutical industry is changing its paradigm by moving substantially from small molecules to biologics to better serve patients' needs, it is important to understand the limitations of the descriptions of these products and to start to apply the same “good laboratory practices” to our peptide research. Here, we attempt to delineate how synthetic peptides are described and characterized and what will be needed to describe them in regards to how they are well‐folded and homogeneous in their tertiary structure. Older studies were done when the tools were not yet discovered, but more recent publications are still lacking proper descriptions of these peptides. Modern tools of analysis are capable of segregating folded and unfolded peptides, even if the preparation is biologically active.
Uniform random colored complexes
Authors: Carrance Ariane
Published: March 2019

We present here random distributions on (D + 1)‐edge‐colored, bipartite graphs with a fixed number of vertices 2p. These graphs encode D‐dimensional orientable colored complexes. We investigate the behavior of those graphs as p→∞. The techniques involved in this study also yield a Central Limit Theorem for the genus of a uniform map of order p, as p→∞.
Go your own way: Exploring the causes of top executive turnover
Authors: Andrus Joel L. , Withers Michael C. , Courtright Stephen H. , Boivie Steven
Published: March 2019

Research Summary

Why do top executives leave their firms? Research on executive turnover has either focused on CEO dismissal or on group‐level top management team (TMT) departure rates, mostly ignoring individual‐level factors that would predict why non‐CEO executives exit. Here, we extend the shock perspective of the unfolding model of turnover used in organizational behavior research to show how relational and reputational shocks influence turnover at the executive level. Our sample includes over 4,000 executives from S&P 1500 firms over 11 years. We hypothesize and find that relational and reputational shocks increase the likelihood of top executive exit. We also consider the moderating influence of pay disparity on these relationships, which impacts how each type of shock influences executive turnover.

Managerial Summary

Replacing top executives can be extremely costly for firms. Consequently, understanding the reasons behind top executive exit are important. We examine the effect of different types of shock on the likelihood a top executive will exit their firm. We find that both relational shocks (e.g., other members of the TMT leaving), as well as reputational shocks (e.g., litigation or shareholder activism against the firm), increase turnover. However, we find that higher status executives experience these shocks differently than lower status executives.
LASP: Fast global potential energy surface exploration
Authors: Huang Si‐Da , Shang Cheng , Kang Pei‐Lin , Zhang Xiao‐Jie , Liu Zhi‐Pan
Published: March 2019

Here we introduce the LASP code, which is designed for large‐scale atomistic simulation of complex materials with neural network (NN) potential. The software architecture and functionalities of LASP will be overviewed. LASP features with the global neural network (G‐NN) potential that is generated by learning the first principles dataset of global PES from stochastic surface walking (SSW) global optimization. The combination of the SSW method with global NN potential facilitates greatly the PES exploration for a wide range of complex materials. Not limited to SSW‐NN global optimization, the software implements standard interfaces to dock with other energy/force evaluation packages and can also perform common tasks for computing PES properties, such as single‐ended and double‐ended transition state search, the molecular dynamics simulation with and without restraints. A few examples are given to illustrate the efficiency and capabilities of LASP code. Our ongoing efforts for code developing and G‐NN potential library building are also presented.

This article is categorized under:

Software > Simulation Methods
Analytic result for the nonplanar hexa-box integrals
Authors: Chicherin D. , Gehrmann T. , Henn J. M. , Lo Presti N. A. , Mitev V. , Wasser P.
Published: March 2019

Abstract

In this paper, we analytically compute all master integrals for one of the two non-planar integral families for five-particle massless scattering at two loops. We first derive an integral basis of 73 integrals with constant leading singularities. We then construct the system of differential equations satisfied by them, and find that it is in canonical form. The solution space is in agreement with a recent conjecture for the non-planar pentagon alphabet. We fix the boundary constants of the differential equations by exploiting constraints from the absence of unphysical singularities. The solution of the differential equations in the Euclidean region is expressed in terms of iterated integrals. We cross-check the latter against previously known results in the literature, as well as with independent Mellin-Barnes calculations.
Jet suppression in non-conformal plasma using AdS/CFT
Authors: Heshmatian S. , Morad R.
Published: March 2019

Abstract

In this paper, suppression of light quark in strongly coupled non-conformal plasmas is studied by using the AdS/CFT correspondence. According to the duality, the well-known falling string profile in the bulk is considered as a light quark moving through the plasma. The maximum distance traversed by an energetic string before falling through the horizon is interpreted as the thermalization distance of light quark in the hot, and strongly coupled plasma. Our numerical results show that the thermalization distance of light quark increases by increasing the deviation from conformal invariance. The relation between this distance and the energy of quark and the temperature of the plasma is analyzed numerically. Moreover, jet quenching parameter is calculated in this non-conformal background and it is found that the jet quenching parameter is decreased by increasing the non-conformality. Our results are compared with the results of

$$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$

N
=
4

SYM theory and also some available experimental data.
Self-organized Higgs criticality
Authors: Eröncel Cem , Hubisz Jay , Rigo Gabriele
Published: March 2019

Abstract

The critical point for a Higgs sector can be a point of interest in the potential for a modulus field such as the radion of an extra dimensional construction, or the dilaton of spontaneously broken approximate conformal invariance. In part motivated by conjectures about the self-organized critical state in statistical physics, we construct a 5D model in which there is an infrared emergent Higgs instability due to violation of the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound deep in the interior of a near AdS geometry. This is holographically dual to a “running” scaling dimension transitioning from real to complex with decreasing scale. The complex scaling indicates an instability to be resolved by condensates which modify the interior geometry and backreact on the 5D radion potential. Studying the model at small gravitational backreaction, we find a rich possible vacuum structure and uncover evidence that resolution of the instability requires a non-trivial cosmology.
Small and Laterally Placed Incisional Hernias Can be Safely Managed with an Onlay Repair
Authors: Schrittwieser Rudolf , Köckerling Ferdinand , Adolf Daniela , Hukauf Martin , Gruber‐Blum Simone , Fortelny René H. , Petter‐Puchner Alexander H.
Published: March 2019

Introduction

In meta‐analyses and systematic reviews, clear advantages have been identified for the sublay versus onlay technique for treatment of incisional hernias. Nonetheless, an expert panel has noted that the onlay mesh location may be useful in certain settings.

Materials and methods

First, unadjusted analysis of data from the Herniamed Registry was performed to compare 6797 sublay operations with 1024 onlay operations for repair of incisional hernias. Then, using propensity score matching to account for the influence of variables age, gender, ASA score, BMI, risk factors, preoperative pain, defect size, and defect localization, 1016 pairs were formed and compared with each other.

Results

Unadjusted analysis revealed that the onlay operation was used significantly more often for small defects, lateral defect localization, and in women. After comparing the propensity score‐matched pairs, no significant difference was found between the sublay and onlay technique in the outcome criteria intra‐ and postoperative complications, general complications, complication‐related reoperations, pain at rest, pain on exertion, chronic pain requiring treatment, and recurrence on 1‐year follow‐up. But that was true only for this carefully selected patient collective.

Conclusion

In a selected patient collective with small and lateral incisional hernias and with a large proportion of women, outcomes obtained for the onlay and sublay techniques do not differ significantly.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Silica-Based Drug Delivery System for Spinal Cord Injury Therapy
Authors: Sun Guodong , Zeng Shenghui , Liu Xu , Shi Haishan , Zhang Renwen , Wang Baocheng , Zhou Changren , Yu Tao
Published: March 2019

Acute inflammation is a central component in the progression of spinal cord injury (SCI). Anti-inflammatory drugs used in the clinic are often administered systemically at high doses, which can paradoxically increase inflammation and result in drug toxicity. A cluster-like mesoporous silica/arctigenin/CAQK composite (MSN-FC@ARC-G) drug delivery system was designed to avoid systemic side effects of high-dose therapy by enabling site-specific drug delivery to the spinal cord. In this nanosystem, mesoporous silica was modified with the FITC fluorescent molecule and CAQK peptides that target brain injury and SCI sites. The size of the nanocarrier was kept at approximately 100 nm to enable penetration of the blood–brain barrier. Arctigenin, a Chinese herbal medicine, was loaded into the nanosystem to reduce inflammation. The in vivo results showed that MSN-FC@ARC-G could attenuate inflammation at the injury site. Behavior and morphology experiments suggested that MSN-FC@ARC-G could diminish local microenvironment damage, especially reducing the expression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-17-related inflammatory factors, inhibiting the activation of astrocytes, thus protecting neurons and accelerating the recovery of SCI. Our study demonstrated that this novel, silica-based drug delivery system has promising potential for clinical application in SCI therapy.
Immediate and delayed decrease of long term potentiation and memory deficits after neonatal intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Goussakov Ivan , Synowiec Sylvia , Yarnykh Vasily , Drobyshevsky Alexander
Published: March 2019

Apnea of prematurity is a common clinical condition that occurs in premature infants and results in intermittent hypoxia (IH) to brain and other organs. While short episodes of apnea are considered of no clinical significance, prolonged apnea with bradycardia and large oxygen desaturation is associated with adverse neurological and cognitive outcome. The mechanisms of cognitive deficits in IH are poorly understood. We hypothesized that brief but multiple episodes of severe oxygen desaturation accompanied by bradycardia may affect early and late synaptic plasticity and produce long‐term cognitive deficits.

C57BL/6 mouse pups were exposed to IH paradigm consisting of alternating cycles of 5% oxygen for 2.5 min and room air for 5–10 min, 2 h a day from P3 to P7. Long term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength in response to high frequency stimulation in hippocampal slices were examined 3 days and 6 weeks after IH. LTP was decreased in IH group relative to controls at both time points. That decrease was associated with deficits in spatial memory on Morris water maze and context fear conditioning test. Hypomyelination was observed in multiple gray and white matter areas on in vivo MRI using micromolecule proton fraction and ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging. No difference in caspase labeling was found between control and IH groups.

We conclude that early changes in synaptic plasticity occurring during severe episodes of neonatal IH and persisting to adulthood may represent functional and structural substrate for long term cognitive deficits.
Metal additive manufacturing – An interview with Sigma Labs CEO John Rice
Authors: McGuire Callum , Rice John
Published: March 2019

Metal Powder Report sat down with John Rice, CEO of Sigma labs, to discuss his company’s role in the rapidly growing industry of metal 3D printing.
The Novus Bike
Authors: Mathijsen Django
Published: March 2019

State of the art composites technology and electric propulsion are enabling designers to rethink the fundamental concept of motorcycles.
Opportunity discovery in initiated and emergent change requests
Authors: Sjögren Peter , Fagerström Björn , Kurdve Martin , Lechler Thomas
Published: March 2019

When a change request is raised in an engineering project anad hocteam often forms to manage the request. Prior research shows that practitioners often view engineering changes in a risk-averse manner. As a project progresses the cost of changes increases. Therefore, avoiding changes is reasonable. However, a risk-averse perspective fails to recognize that changes might harbor discoverable and exploitable opportunities. In this research, we investigated how practitioners ofad hocteams used practices and praxes aimed at discovering and exploiting opportunities in engineering change requests. A single case study design was employed using change request records and practitioner interviews from an engineering project. 87 engineering change requests were analyzed with regards to change triggers, time-to-decision and rejection rate. In total, 25 opportunities were discovered and then 17 exploited. Three practices and six praxes were identified, used by practitioners to discover and exploit opportunities. Our findings emphasize the importance of the informal structure ofad hocteams, to aid in opportunity discovery. The informal structure enables cross-hierarchal discussions and draws on the proven experience of the team members. Thus, this research guides project managers and presumptivead hocteams in turning engineering changes into successful opportunities.
Enforcing Sympathy: Animal Cruelty Doctrine after the Civil War
Authors: Priest Claire
Published: March 2019

After the United States Civil War, many states enacted laws expanding protections for animals against cruelty. This article examines the case law relating to animal cruelty in the nineteenth century, and traces how judges interpreted the animal cruelty statutes enacted after the Civil War. It provides a lens on a transformative moment when legislatures and courts recognized the suffering of animals as a distinct harm and criminalized the infliction of pain. A powerful apparatus of policing emerged to enforce this modern sensibility of sympathy. As observed in judicial decisions, the statutes repudiated earlier intent requirements, reached animal owners and conduct on private property, and in several states expanded police powers to allow warrantless arrests to protect suffering animals. The question of whether animals needlessly suffered took precedence over the earlier focus on suppressing public nuisances and common law doctrines of privacy. The animal cruelty movement provides an essential window into humanitarianism of the late nineteenth century.
MUTILATING DEMIPHO IN PLAUTUS’MERCATOR
Authors: O'bryhim Shawn
Published: March 2019

In Plautus’Mercator, thesenex amatorDemipho lusts after the slave girl Pasicompsa, who is the lover of his son Charinus. Demipho knows nothing about their relationship. He believes that Charinus bought Pasicompsa as a present for his mother while he was trading on Rhodes. In an attempt to gain access to her, Demipho enlists the aid of his elderly neighbour, Lysimachus, who taunts him for his infatuation with such a young woman. Eager to persuade Lysimachus that he is truly in love, Demipho offers to let him cut off his head, finger, ear, nose or lip, or even kill him with love if he is lying about his feelings (308–10):decide collum stanti si falsum loquor;uel, ut scias me amare, cape cultrum, [ac] secadigitum uel aurem uel tu nasum uel labrum:si mouero me seu secari sensero,Lysimache, auctor sum ut me amando enices.This hitherto unrecognized list of penalties for adultery not only sheds light on the nature of Charinus’ relationship with Pasicompsa, but also emphasizes the inappropriateness of Demipho's desire for her.
Using life history calendars to improve measurement of lifetime experience with mental disorders
Authors: Axinn William G. , Chardoul Stephanie , Gatny Heather , Ghimire Dirgha J. , Smoller Jordan W. , Zhang Yang , Scott Kate M.
Published: March 2019

Background

Retrospective reports of lifetime experience with mental disorders greatly underestimate the actual experiences of disorder because recall error biases reporting of earlier life symptoms downward. This fundamental obstacle to accurate reporting has many adverse consequences for the study and treatment of mental disorders. Better tools for accurate retrospective reporting of mental disorder symptoms have the potential for broad scientific benefits.

Methods

We designed a life history calendar (LHC) to support this task, and randomized more than 1000 individuals to each arm of a retrospective diagnostic interview with and without the LHC. We also conducted a careful validation with the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition.

Results

Results demonstrate that—just as with frequent measurement longitudinal studies—use of an LHC in retrospective measurement can more than double reports of lifetime experience of some mental disorders.

Conclusions

The LHC significantly improves retrospective reporting of mental disorders. This tool is practical for application in both large cross-sectional surveys of the general population and clinical intake of new patients.
Sexual violence and mental health services: a call to action
Authors: Hughes Elizabeth , Lucock Michael , Brooker Charlie
Published: March 2019

People who experience sexual violence are highly likely to experience psychological and/or mental health (MH) problems as a result. People who use MH services often have a history of sexual assault and are also likely to be revictimised as an adult. Yet despite there being a very clear association, MH services are not yet performing routine enquiry, and even if they do, are not confident about how to record and manage disclosures. There is some emerging evidence that people with MH problems are exposed to sexual violence in inpatient MH settings, perpetrated by both other patients or members of staff. In this editorial, we explore the evidence to support a wider focus on sexual violence as a part of routine care, as well as some recommendations about how staff can more effectively discuss sexual issues including that of sexual victimisation.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid associated megaloblastic anemia: Could it mislead the diagnosis of breast cancer?
Authors: Karakoyun Inanc , Duman Can , Demet Arslan Fatma , Baysoy Anil , Isbilen Basok Banu
Published: March 2019

Abstract. CA 15-3 is a tumor-associated antigen and is overexpressed in breast tumors, and may also be high in some other non-cancerous conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency on the levels of tumor markers. Five-year patient data were retrospectively analyzed. The associations between megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency and CA 15-3, CA 125, CA 19-9, CEA, and AFP levels were analyzed. Furthermore, association between CA 15-3 level and megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency was evaluated. Median CA 15-3 level was 38.1 U/mL in the group with megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency(n = 15), 46.7 U/mL in the group with megaloblastic anemia related to folic acid deficiency (n = 3), and 17.8 U/mL in the normal group(n = 1724). CA 15-3 levels were significantly higher among patients with vitamin B12- and folic acid-associated megaloblastic anemia compared to the normal group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency was not associated with any significant differences in CA 125, CA 19-9, CEA, or AFP levels compared to the normal group (p = 0.777, p = 0.327, p = 0.577, and p = 0.197, respectively). The numbers of anemic and normal subjects compared in these tests were 12 vs. 1501, 17 vs. 1827, 4 vs. 897, and 8 vs. 1041, respectively. In conclusion, megaloblastic anemia results in ineffective erythropoiesis, and increased levels of CA 15-3 may be associated with this issue. Clinicians should take this into account when evaluating for a pre-diagnosis of breast cancer.