bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear adjustment of exchange rate and exchange rate policy: Lessons from Singapore
Authors: Yan Fangli , Yip Sau Leung
Published: December 2019

This paper uses a smooth transition autoregressive regression to estimate the adjustment speed of exchange rate in Singapore, a well‐managed small open economy in which exchange rate policy plays an important role in facilitating macroeconomic adjustment and controlling inflation. The result of our estimation suggests that the adjustment speed is faster than estimates reported in the literature. In addition, parallel with the long‐run neutrality and short‐run nonneutrality of monetary policy in large economies, we provide a pioneer discussion and empirical evidence of long‐run neutrality and short‐run nonneutrality of exchange rate policy in the small open economy. To our knowledge, we are the first group of researchers conducting rigorous study on this important issue for small open economies. Finally, we found evidence of the Harrold–Balassa–Samuelson (HBS) effect, and our results support Lothian and Taylor's argument that failure to include the effect in the estimation would lead to biased estimate in the adjustment speed. Thus, one should be cautious of the significant portion of past empirical studies that did not incorporate the HBS effect in their estimations. Future empirical studies should include the effect in the estimations and tests, or at least test for the absence of the effect before excluding it from the estimations.
Discrimination and adolescents' academic and socioemotional adjustment: The moderating roles of family and peer cultural socialisation
Authors: Chen Shanting , Benner Aprile , Wang Yijie
Published: December 2019

Racial discrimination has detrimental effects on ethnic minority adolescents' development. Guided by the integrative model of minority children's competencies and the bioecological model, the current study examined how family and peer cultural socialization independently and conjointly buffered the detrimental effects of discrimination on ethnic minority adolescents' academic and socio emotional adjustment. Using short‐term longitudinal data from 245 eighth graders (87% Latinx, 51% female), results suggested that the moderating roles of cultural socialisation operated differently for academic and socioemotional outcomes. Specifically, the three‐way interaction results indicated that family and peer cultural socializations appeared to be protective for adolescents' school engagement in the face of discrimination. The significant two‐way interaction results revealed that both peer and family cultural socialisation tended to be protective‐reactive for socioemotional outcomes, wherein the benefits of cultural socialisation were realised under low‐risk but not high‐risk conditions for depressive symptoms. Our study provides a nuanced understanding of the moderating roles of cultural socialisation in the links between discrimination and adolescents' well‐being, and it highlights the importance of considering cultural socialisation from multiple contexts in examining ethnic minority adolescents' adjustment.
Bioresponsive microspheres for on‐demand delivery of anti‐inflammatory cytokines for articular cartilage repair
Authors: Park Eunjae , Hart Melanie L. , Rolauffs Bernd , Stegemann Jan P. , T. Annamalai Ramkumar
Published: December 2019

Despite innovations in surgical interventions, treatment of cartilage injury in osteoarthritic joints remains a challenge due to concomitant inflammation. Obstructing a single dominant inflammatory cytokine has shown remarkable clinical benefits in rheumatoid arthritis, and similar strategies are being suggested to target inflammatory pathways in osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we describe the utility of gelatin microspheres that are responsive to proteolytic enzymes typically expressed in arthritic flares, resulting in on‐demand and spatiotemporally controlled release of anti‐inflammatory cytokines for cartilage preservation and repair. These microspheres were designed with a net negative charge to sequester cationic anti‐inflammatory cytokines, and the magnitude of the negative charge potential increased with an increase in crosslinking density. Collagenase‐mediated degradation of the microspheres was dependent on the concentration of the enzyme. Release of anti‐inflammatory cytokines from the loaded microspheres directly correlated with the degradation of the gelatin matrix. Exposure of the IL‐4 and IL‐13 loaded microspheres reduced the inflammation of chondrocytes up to 80%. Hence, the delivery of these microspheres in an OA joint can attenuate the stimulation of chondrocytes and the resulting secretion of catabolic factors such as proteinases and nitric oxide. The microsphere format also allows for minimally invasive delivery and is less susceptible to mechanically induced drug release. Consequently, bioresponsive microspheres can be an effective tool for cartilage preservation and arthritis treatment.
Quantification of total and unbound cefuroxime in plasma by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in a cohort of critically ill patients with hypoalbuminemia and renal failure
Authors: van Raaij Joost J. , Mabelis Noortje J. D. , Shudofsky Kimberly N. , Meenks Sjoerd D. , le Noble Jos L. M. L. , Janssen Paddy K. C.
Published: December 2019

Background

Pharmacokinetic studies of cefuroxime by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) have been limited to measurements of total concentrations. Here, we developed a robust method for quantifying total and unbound cefuroxime concentrations using UPLC‐MS/MS and ultrafiltration in critically ill patients with hypoalbuminemia and renal failure.

Methods

Method validation included accuracy, linearity, precision, repeatability, recovery, and limit of quantification (LOQ). Feasibility of the method was performed on samples obtained from randomly selected intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Total and unbound cefuroxime concentrations were quantified using UPLC‐MS/MS. Sampling times were categorized as trough (180‐1 min prior to administration), peak (10‐30 min after administration), mid (30‐360 min after administration), and continuous (sampling during administration). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets were unbound cefuroxime concentrations above 4 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (32 mg/L).

Results

Intra‐assay and inter‐assay precision was <3%. Recovery was 99.7%‐100.3%, and LOQ was 0.1 mg/L. We included 11 patients (median age 72 years (range 54‐77). Median albumin serum concentrations and eGFR were 19 g/L (range 11‐40 g/L) and 48 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range 7‐115 mL/min/1.73 m2), respectively. Median trough and mid concentrations of total cefuroxime were 22.27 mg/L (range 5.42‐54.03 mg/L) and 71.49 mg/L (range 53.87‐73.86 mg/L), and median unbound fraction was 75.42% (range 27.36%‐99.75%). Median unbound cefuroxime concentrations were 11.94 mg/L (range 3.85‐32.39 mg/L) (trough) and 55.62 mg/L (range 10.03‐62.62 mg/L) (mid).

Conclusion

The method is precise and accurate according to ISO 15189 and within the clinical range of cefuroxime (0.5‐100 mg/L). The method was applied in ICU patients and is suitable for TDM on unbound cefuroxime concentrations.
Molecular immune mechanisms of HPV‐infected HaCaT cells in vitro based on toll‐like receptors signaling pathway
Authors: Ying Zuolin , Li Xiaojie , Dang Hong , Yin Na , Gao Chuang
Published: December 2019

Objective

To explore the molecular immune mechanism of HPV‐infected HaCaT cells in vitro based on TLRs signaling pathway by analyzing the effects of interfering TLRs on inflammatory and immune factors in the signaling pathway.

Methods

FCM was used to analyze the proportion of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells in blood samples. HPV‐infected HaCaT cells were divided into five groups: A, B, C, D, and E. Group A added TLR3 antagonist, group B added TLR9 antagonist, group C added equivalent saline, group D added IRF3 agonist, and group E added IRF3 inhibitor. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the expression of TLR3 and TLR9 in HaCaT cell model; ELISA was used to analyze the expression of inflammatory factors IL‐2, TNF‐a, and IFN‐beta; WB was used to analyze the expression of TRAF3, IKK epsilon, and TBK1; RT‐PCR was used to analyze the expression of IRF3 and IRF7 in each cell model.

Results

The proportion of blood immune cells in patients with HPV infection was Th1, Th17, Th2, and Treg, with statistical significance (P < .05); the expression of TLR3 and TLR9 in HPV‐infected cells was higher than that in negative control group, with statistical significance (P < .05); TLR3 was higher than TLR9, with no significant difference (P > .05); the expression of IL‐2, TNF‐alpha, IFN‐beta in each group, TLR3, and TLR9 was higher than that in negative control group (P < .05). The expression of TRAF3, IKK epsilon, and TBK1 in the control group was higher than that in the TLR3 and TLR9 inhibitor groups, and the expression of IRF3 and IRF7 in the TLR9 inhibitor group was higher than that in the TLR3 inhibitor group (P < .05); the expression of IRF3 and IRF7 in the TLR3i and TLR9i inhibitor groups was lower than that in the TLR3 inhibitor group (P < .05). Compared with the control group, IRF3a group was higher than the control group, IRF3i group was lower than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < .05).

Conclusion

TLR3 and TLR9, the key factors of TLRs, are highly expressed in HaCaT cells infected with HPV. Through TLRs‐IKK‐e‐IRFs‐IFN signaling pathway, they can induce high expression of inflammatory factors, IKK‐e, IRFs, and IFN, and improve immunity.
Association between the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism and Kawasaki disease susceptibility in a southern Chinese population
Authors: Li Jiawen , Wang Jinxin , Su Xiaoping , Jiang Zhiyong , Rong Xing , Gu Xueping , Jia Chang , Zeng Lanlan , Zheng Hao , Gu Xiaoqiong , Chu Maoping
Published: December 2019

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD), which is characterized by vasculitis, is prone to occur in patients under 5 years of age, has an ambiguous etiology, and displays coronary artery lesions as the chief complication. Previous studies have linked miRNA‐149 to cancers, and rs2292832 T>C is related to allergic diseases and inflammatory bowel disease, which both show immune system disorders and coronary artery disease. Therefore, we performed a study concentrating on the association between the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism and KD susceptibility.

Methods

The subjects enrolled were 532 children with KD and 623 controls. We used TaqMan real‐time PCR to obtain the genotypes of the rs2292832 T>C polymorphism.

Results

Ultimately, no significant association was found between the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism and KD susceptibility, even in stratification analysis.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that in southern Chinese patients, the miRNA‐149 rs2292832 T>C polymorphism did not affect KD susceptibility, which needs to be further confirmed.
2D Electrophoretic pattern of bovine placental proteins during early‐mid pregnancy
Authors: Wawrzykowski Jacek , Franczyk Monika , Ner‐Kluza Joanna , Silberring Jerzy , Kankofer Marta
Published: December 2019

The Placenta, like every tissue, possesses its own characteristic protein profile, which may change within the course of pregnancy. These changes can be used for the elucidation of the mechanisms related to both physiology of pregnancy and pathological events. The aim of the study was to describe proteinergic profiles of maternal and fetal parts of bovine placenta during early‐mid pregnancy by the use of 2D electrophoresis and MALDI TOF/TOF MS identification to evaluate dynamics of the possible changes necessary for placentation. Placental samples were collected from six pregnant cows (3‐5 months) in the local abattoir. Placentomes were separated, and proteins were extracted and subjected to 2D electrophoresis and MALDI TOF/TOF identification. Out of 907 spots identified by the statistical analysis of gels, 54 were identified. Out of this number, 36 spots were significantly different between examined samples. Moreover, the obtained patterns differed between maternal and fetal parts of the placenta with regard to the intensity of staining, suggesting quantitative differences in protein content. These preliminary results are unique for this period of pregnancy. Such data are important for further experiments to obtain full protein profiles necessary to understand biochemical mechanisms underlying the attachment between fetal and maternal parts of the placenta during placentation. Moreover, the outcomes may help in elucidating pregnancy biomarkers in the future.
Transient electrocardiographic changes following smoking cannabis
Authors: Mugnai Giacomo , Longo Cristina , Zaltron Chiara , Prevedello Francesca , Segalina Paolo , Bilato Claudio
Published: December 2019

We report a case of transient ECG abnormalities (negative T waves in the inferior leads) associated with presyncope related to acute cannabis consumption; after a few hours the ECG returned normal. Although pathophysiological mechanisms are not clear, it might be hypothesize a mismatch between increased oxygen demand and decreased oxygen supply or a marked hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system.
Effects of Perceived Organizational Support on Objective and Subjective Career Success via Need Satisfaction: A Study Among French Psychologists
Authors: Dose Eric , Desrumaux Pascale , Bernaud Jean‐Luc
Published: December 2019

The authors examined potential links between perceived organizational support (POS) and objective and subjective career success through the satisfaction of the 3 basic psychological needs (BPNs) posited in self‐determination theory. The inclusion of BPN satisfaction as a mediator provides an interesting route, suggesting it is a condition for POS to lead to career success. The authors submitted an online questionnaire to 379 French counseling psychologists and examined the responses using a cross‐sectional design with only 1 measurement. The results indicated the indirect effects of POS on objective career success via the satisfaction of the 3 BPNs and on subjective career success via satisfaction of the needs for autonomy and competence.
Evaluation of Femoral Head Perfusion by Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Steroid‐Induced Osteonecrosis
Authors: Chen Yu‐Yi , Wu Xian‐Sheng , Tian Yuan‐Yuan , Zhao Ping , Sun Shu‐Wei , Yang Cheng‐Bin
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To study the technical feasibility of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating femoral head perfusion in a rabbit model of steroid‐induced femoral head osteonecrosis.

Methods

Twenty rabbits were divided randomly into a control group (n = 8) and an experimental group (n = 12). Rabbits in the experimental group were induced by lipopolysaccharide and methylprednisolone to build a model of steroid‐induced femoral head osteonecrosis. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examinations were performed at 3 and 5 weeks after induction. Then, pathologic examinations and microvessel density (MVD) calculations were performed on the excised rabbit femoral heads.

Results

The MVD of the experimental group decreased significantly 3 and 5 weeks after induction compared with that of the control group. According to the CEUS examination results, significant differences existed in the ascending slope, descending slope, mean transit time, and time to peak between the groups at 5 weeks (P < .05). A correlation analysis showed that the descending slope had a certain correlation with the MVD (correlation coefficient, 0.376). A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the capacity of the CEUS parameters to predict the occurrence of osteonecrosis. The areas under the curve for the ascending slope and descending slope were 0.758 and 0.760, respectively (P < .05).

Conclusions

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound can visualize the microcirculation in steroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rabbits and may be a useful imaging method for the early monitoring and prediction of femoral head osteonecrosis.
A Newtonian thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication model for ferrofluid‐lubricated involute spur gear pair
Authors: Zhao Jing‐jing , Wang You‐qiang , Zhang Ping , Jian Guang‐xiao
Published: December 2019

An elastohydrodynamic model of ferrofluid‐lubricated involute spur gears was established, and transient thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) analysis was conducted using multigrid method and multigrid integral method. The transient lubricant film thickness, pressure, and friction coefficient characteristics of the spur gears were compared under different carrier fluid ferrofluids. Ester‐based H01 ferrofluid was selected to further examine the lubricant film elastohydrodynamic characteristics of the involute spur gears under different loads and speeds. The results indicated that the film thickness and the inlet area pressure were the largest when hydrocarbon‐based E02 ferrofluid was used for lubrication and were the smallest when ester‐based ferrofluid H01 was used for lubrication. When ester‐based H01 ferrofluid was used, the film thickness, the inlet area pressure, and the second pressure peak increased with the increase of speed, and the second pressure peak shifted toward the inlet area. The friction coefficient and the maximum temperature gradually decreased with the increase of speed, and the second pressure peak, the friction coefficient, and the maximum temperature gradually increased with the increase of load, while the film thickness gradually decreased.
Fluid wetting infiltration characteristics and mechanical driving mechanism in rough rubber‐glass contact interface
Authors: Pang Minghua , Ma Lijie , Nie Yongfang , Wang Zhankui
Published: December 2019

Fluid wetting infiltration in rough rubber contact interface has a directly effect on mechanical lubrication and seal. To clarify its mechanism, contact property and fluid wetting infiltration process with time in rough rubber‐glass contact interface were obtained with an in situ observation instrument. The effect of wetting on the fluid infiltration area ratio at interface was analysed. Experimental results indicated that fluid wetting infiltration at interface was more tended to occur in high‐contact area ratio zone, and empty contact area was more likely to occur in low‐contact area ratio zone. Meanwhile, wetting had an obviously affected on fluid infiltration area ratio at interface. When contact angle of rubber‐liquid interface was 20°, the fluid could almost infiltrate the whole empty contact area of the interface. With the increase of contact angle of rubber‐liquid interface, the area of fluid infiltration was decreased. At last, liquid was completely excluded from the rough rubber‐glass contact interface as contact angle was bigger than 75°. Detailed research indicated that the fluid infiltration in the rough contact interface was the flowing of fluid in microchannels. The comparison of the capillary pressure with viscous drag force was the fundamental evaluation index for fluid infiltration at interface. In high‐contact area ratio zone, the size of microchannels was small, and the capillary pressure was more likely to overcome the viscous drag force of solid‐liquid interface. But in low‐contact area ratio zone, the situation was just the opposite. The microchannel size and surface tension of fluid were the effect factors of capillary pressure.
AB‐ Versus AA+BB‐Suzuki Polycondensation: A Palladium/Tris(tert‐butyl)phosphine Catalyst Can Outperform Conventional Catalysts
Authors: Zhang Kenan , Tkachov Roman , Ditte Kristina , Kiriy Nataliya , Kiriy Anton , Voit Brigitte
Published: December 2019

A Pd/Pt‐Bu3 catalyst having bulky, electron‐rich ligands significantly outperforms conventional “step‐growth catalysts” Pd(PPh3)4 and Pd(Po‐Tol3)3 in the Suzuki polycondensation of the AB‐type arylene‐based monomers, such as some of the substituted fluorenes, carbazoles, and phenylenes. In the AA+BB polycondensation, Pd/Pt‐Bu3 also performs better under homogeneous reaction conditions, in combination with the organic base Et4NOH. The superior performance of Pd/Pt‐Bu3 is discussed in terms of its higher reactivity in the oxidative addition step and inherent advantages of the intramolecular catalyst transfer, which is a key step joining catalytic cycles of the AB‐polycondensation. These findings are applied to the synthesis of a carbazole‐based copolymer designed for the use as a hole conductor in solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes.
Nontrivial solutions for the fractional Schrödinger‐Poisson system with subcritical or critical nonlinearities
Authors: Fan Zi‐an
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we are concerned with a class of fractional Schrödinger‐Poisson system involving subcritical or critical nonlinearities. By using the Nehari manifold and variational methods, we obtain the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial solutions.
Riesz basis generation and boundary stabilization of two strings connected by a point mass with variable coefficients
Authors: Ben Amara Jamel , Boughamda Walid
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we study the Riesz basis property and the problem of stabilization of two vibrating strings connected by a point mass with variable physical coefficients under a boundary feedback control acts at one extreme point and Dirichlet boundary condition on the other end. It is shown that the system has a sequence of generalized eigenfunctions which forms a Riesz basis for the state Hilbert space. By a detailed spectral analysis, it is proved that this hybrid system is asymptotically stable but not exponentially stable.
Apigenin Reverses Interleukin‐1β‐Induced Suppression of Adipocyte Browning via COX2/PGE2 Signaling Pathway in Human Adipocytes
Authors: Okla Meshail , Al Madani Jamal Omran , Chung Soonkyu , Alfayez Musaad
Published: December 2019

Scope

Inflammatory responses to obesity, including interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) activation, downregulate mitochondrial function and interfere with adipocyte browning, an important component of energy expenditure. This study investigates the impact of apigenin (Apg), a natural flavonoid with anti‐inflammatory properties, on adipocyte browning in the presence of IL‐1β.

Methods and results

Apg protects dibutyryl‐cAMP‐induced browning from IL‐1β in primary human adipocytes, as evidenced by increased brown‐specific markers, mitochondrial content, and oxygen consumption. Apg significantly represses inflammatory markers and NF‐κB activation induced by IL‐1β in these adipocytes. Intriguingly, Apg profoundly induces cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) expression in response to IL‐1β treatment. Conversely, COX2 pharmacological inhibition or RNA silencing attenuates the positive effect of Apg on adipocyte browning in IL‐1β‐treated cells. Additionally, blockage of PGE2 receptor 4 (EP4) attenuates Apg‐mediated adipocyte browning. The effect of Apg on adipocyte browning in IL‐1β‐treated adipocytes is accompanied by an elevation in intracellular Ca2+, partly due to TRPV1/4 receptor activation.

Conclusion

Apg plays a protective role against inflammation‐induced suppression of adipocyte browning by dampening inflammation and activating the COX2/PGE2 axis for uncoupling protein 1 induction via EP4 activation. These data unravel the novel therapeutic values of Apg for treating obesity via adipocyte browning stimulation.
Improved pulmonary 129Xe ventilation imaging via 3D‐spiral UTE MRI
Authors: Willmering Matthew M. , Niedbalski Peter J. , Wang Hui , Walkup Laura L. , Robison Ryan K. , Pipe James G. , Cleveland Zackary I. , Woods Jason C.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI characterizes regional lung ventilation in a variety of disease populations, with high sensitivity to airway obstruction in early disease. However, ventilation images are usually limited to a single breath‐hold and most‐often acquired using gradient‐recalled echo sequences with thick slices (~10‐15 mm), which increases partial‐volume effects, limits ability to observe small defects, and suffers from imperfect slice selection. We demonstrate higher‐resolution ventilation images, in shorter breath‐holds, using FLORET (Fermat Looped ORthogonally Encoded Trajectories), a center‐out 3D‐spiral UTE sequence.

Methods

In vivo human adult (N = 4; 2 healthy, 2 with cystic fibrosis) 129Xe images were acquired using 2D gradient‐recalled echo, 3D radial, and FLORET. Each sequence was acquired at its highest possible resolution within a 16‐second breath‐hold with a minimum voxel dimension of 3 mm. Images were compared using 129Xe ventilation defect percentage, SNR, similarity coefficients, and vasculature cross‐sections.

Results

The FLORET sequence obtained relative normalized SNR, 40% greater than 2D gradient‐recalled echo (P = .012) and 26% greater than 3D radial (P = .067). Moreover, the FLORET images were acquired with 3‐fold‐higher nominal resolution in a 15% shorter breath‐hold. Finally, vasculature was less prominent in FLORET, likely due to diminished susceptibility‐induced dephasing at shorter TEs afforded by UTE sequences.

Conclusion

The FLORET sequence yields higher SNR for a given resolution with a shorter breath‐hold than traditional ventilation imaging techniques. This sequence more accurately measures ventilation abnormalities and enables reduced scan times in patients with poor compliance and severe lung disease.
Messgeräte zum Mitnehmen
Authors: Ehrensberger Christian
Published: December 2019

Hinhalten, messen, und das Ergebnis ist sofort da – das wünscht sich die Industrie für die Qualitätskontrolle, die Polizei bei der Spurensicherung oder auch die Feuerwehr bei Einsätzen nach Explosionen. Dafür eignen sich Analysensysteme, die in eine Hand passen.
Unter Wasser rauchen – oder nicht
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: December 2019

Hydrothermale Quellen auf dem Meeresboden speien heißes Wasser, das Substanzen wie Kupfer‐, Eisen‐ oder Mangansalze enthält. Wo diese auf kaltes Seewasser treffen, türmen sich meterhohe Mineralienberge auf – ein Paradies für Geochemiker und Kristallographen.
Trendbericht Chemiedidaktik
Authors: Becker Hans‐Jürgen , Kemper Anne‐Kathrin
Published: December 2019

Die chemiedidaktische Forschung befasst sich verstärkt mit sprachlichem Geschehen im Chemieunterricht. Inzwischen gehört an einigen Universitäten und Hochschulen auch bilinguales Sachfachlernen zu den Studieninhalten eines Lehramtsstudiums. Die mehrsprachigen Studienangebote im Fach Chemie entstehen in der Regel in Kooperation mit der schulischen Unterrichtspraxis.
Unser Lieblingselement: Phosphor
Authors: Grell Toni , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: December 2019

Das Element zwischen Fluch und Segen feiert dieses Jahr den 350. Jahrestag seiner Entdeckung. Es entfacht nicht nur Streichhölzer, sondern war auch Bestandteil von Kampfstoffen. Ebenso vielseitig ist seine Chemie.
Kohlendioxid und Kunststoffe
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: December 2019

Die Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt hat zwei Projekte ausgezeichnet: zur CO2‐Speicherung von Böden und zur Recyclingförderung.
17. Europäische Festkörpertagung in Lille
Authors: Wolf Silke
Published: December 2019

Anfang September fand in Lille zum 17. Mal die European Conference on Solid State Chemistry (ECSSC) statt. Seit 1978 widmet sich diese Konferenzreihe allen Aspekten der Synthese und Eigenschaften funktioneller Festkörper. Tagungsort war diesmal der Campus der Universität Lille in Villeneuve d’Ascq. Insgesamt 200 Teilnehmer aus Forschung und Industrie haben über vier Tage über aktuelle Erkenntnisse der Festkörperchemie diskutiert. In Summe gab es 65 Vorträge mit 16 eingeladenen Rednern und 49 individuellen Beiträgen. Erstmals liefen zwei Vortragsreihen parallel, um der Vielzahl an Beiträgen gerecht zu werden. In drei Sitzungen präsentierten Wissenschaftler 126 Poster.
POPs 2019: Internationales Symposium für poröse organische Polymere
Authors: Schaub Tobias
Published: December 2019

Anfang September fand in Heidelberg das Internationale Symposium für poröse organische Polymere (POPs 2019) statt. Das wissenschaftliche Programm der viertägigen Veranstaltung bestand aus 30 Vorträgen und 52 Posterpräsentationen. Über 120 Wissenschaftler aus mehr als zehn Ländern tauschten sich über Ergebnisse und Erkenntnisse zu porösen Materialien aus. Organisiert hatte die Tagung Michael Mastalerz, Professor für organische Chemie an der Universität Heidelberg.
The simulation of transport processes in cementitious materials with embedded healing systems
Authors: Freeman Brubeck Lee , Jefferson Tony
Published: December 2019

A new model for simulating the transport of healing agents in self‐healing (SH) cementitious materials is presented. The model is applicable to autonomic SH material systems in which embedded channels, or vascular networks, are used to supply healing agents to damaged zones. The essential numerical components of the model are a crack flow model, based on the Navier‐Stokes equations, which is coupled to the mass balance equation for simulating unsaturated matrix flow. The driving forces for the crack flow are the capillary meniscus force and the force derived from an external (or internal) pressure applied to the liquid healing agent. The crack flow model component applies to non‐uniform cracks and allows for the dynamic variation of the meniscus contact angle, as well as accounting for inertial terms. Particular attention is paid to the effects of curing on the flow characteristics. In this regard, a kinetic reaction model is presented for simulating the curing of the healing agent and a set of relationships established for representing the variation of rheological properties with the degree of cure. Data obtained in a linked experimental programme of work are employed to justify the choice and form of the constitutive relationships, as well as to calibrate the model's evolution functions. Finally, a series of validation examples are presented that include the analysis of a series of concrete beam specimens with an embedded vascular network. These examples demonstrate the ability of the model to capture the transport behaviour of this type of SH cementitious material system.
Sound frequency dependence of duration mismatch negativity recorded from awake rats
Authors: Inaba Hiroyoshi , Namba Hisaaki , Sotoyama Hidekazu , Narihara Itaru , Jodo Eiichi , Yabe Hirooki , Eifuku Satoshi , Nawa Hiroyuki
Published: December 2019

Aims

The brain function that detects deviations in the acoustic environment can be evaluated with mismatch negativity (MMN). MMN to sound duration deviance has recently drawn attention as a biomarker for schizophrenia. Nonhuman animals, including rats, also exhibit MMN‐like potentials. Therefore, MMN research in nonhuman animals can help to clarify the neural mechanisms underlying MMN production. However, results from preclinical MMN studies on duration deviance have been conflicting. We investigated the effect of sound frequency on MMN‐like potentials to duration deviance in rats.

Methods

Event‐related potentials were recorded from an electrode placed on the primary auditory cortex of free‐moving rats using an oddball paradigm consisting of 50‐ms duration tones (standards) and 150‐ms duration tones (deviants) at a 500‐ms stimulus onset asynchrony. The sound frequency was set to three conditions: 3, 12, and 50 kHz.

Results

MMN‐like potentials that depended on the short‐term stimulus history of background regularity were only observed in the 12‐kHz tone frequency condition.

Conclusions

MMN‐like potentials to duration deviance are subject to tone frequency of the oddball paradigm in rats, suggesting that rats have distinct sound duration recognition ability.
Stock prices, inflation, and output in India: An empirical analysis
Authors: Raghutla Chandrashekar , Sampath Thokala , Vadivel Arjun
Published: December 2019

This study focusses on the negative relationship between inflation and stock returns (the puzzle of fisher hypothesis). Fama hypothesis examined the relationship between macroeconomic variable and stock return and found the strong relationship between the real output and stock prices. This study revisits Fama's hypothesis from the period 1990M1 to 2016M6 for emerging country perspective. The results documented that there is a significant negative relationship between inflation and output whereas positive between stock price and output.
Dual‐Credit Courses and the Road to College: Experimental Evidence from Tennessee
Authors: Hemelt Steven W. , Schwartz Nathaniel L. , Dynarski Susan M.
Published: December 2019

Dual‐credit courses expose high school students to college‐level content and provide the opportunity to earn college credits, in part to smooth the transition to college. With the Tennessee Department of Education, we conduct the first randomized controlled trial of the effects of dual‐credit math coursework on a range of high school and college outcomes. We find that the dual‐credit advanced algebra course alters students’ subsequent high school math course‐taking, reducing enrollment in remedial math and boosting enrollment in precalculus and Advanced Placement math courses. We fail to detect an effect of the dual‐credit math course on overall rates of college enrollment. However, the course induces some students to choose four‐year universities instead of two‐year colleges, particularly for those in the middle of the math achievement distribution and those first exposed to the opportunity to take the course in eleventh rather than twelfth grade. We see limited evidence of improvements in early math performance during college.
Leaving home, moving to college, and returning home: Economic outcomes in the United States
Authors: Sironi Maria , Billari Francesco C.
Published: December 2019

Leaving the parental home is a milestone in the transition to adulthood. Historical changes in leaving home have been well documented in the literature. However, research investigating the consequences associated with the timing and pathway of leaving (and returning) home is still scant. Building mainly on capital accumulation and life course theories, we analyse data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 on young Americans born between 1980 and 1984, who are 27–31 years old in 2011. We find an M‐shaped relationship between age at leaving home and working and economic conditions later on: Leaving “too early,” “too late,” or at nonnormative ages is negatively associated with labour market outcomes. Also, among those who have been enrolled in college, leaving home to go to college, during college, or after college is positively associated with subsequent income, compared with leaving before college. Moving back in with parents is negatively associated with economic outcomes.
Beneficial effects of nano‐curcumin supplement on depression and anxiety in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Asadi Sara , Gholami Mohammad Saeed , Siassi Fereydoun , Qorbani Mostafa , Sotoudeh Gity
Published: December 2019

Depression in patients with diabetes is associated with poor glycemic control and linked to an increased risk for diabetes complications such as neuropathy. Curcumin has shown potential antidepressant‐like activities in some studies. The present study is the first randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of nano‐curcumin supplementation on depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Eighty patients with diabetes were enrolled in this parallel, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. The participants were allocated randomly to the intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. They received 80 mg of nano‐curcumin or placebo capsules daily for 8 weeks. At baseline and end of study, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, physical activity, glycemic indices, and severity of neuropathy were assessed. The depression, anxiety, and stress level were measured by Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS‐21‐items) questionnaire before and after the intervention. After intervention, there was a significant reduction in the mean score of depression in the nano‐curcumin group (from 16.7 [3.1] to 15.3 [2.6]) compared with placebo group (17.5 [3.2] to 17.3 [3.1]; p = .02). In addition, a significant fall was found in the mean score of anxiety in the nano‐curcumin group (from 22.4 [4.03] to 20.6 [3.4]) compared with the placebo group (21.9 [3.5] to 21.2 [3.5]; p = .009). Changes in stress score were not statistically significant between the two groups. These findings suggested that nano‐curcumin supplementation for 8 weeks was effective in reducing depression and anxiety scores in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.
Prespecifiable fixed‐time control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems in strict‐feedback form
Authors: Cao Ye , Wen Changyun , Tan Shilei , Song Yongduan
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we investigate the prespecifiable fixed‐time control problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems in strict‐feedback form, where the settling (convergence) time is not only bounded but also user‐assignable in advance. One of the salient features of the proposed method lies in the fact that it makes it possible to achieve any practically allowable settling time by using a simple and effective control parameter selection recipe. Both fixed‐time stabilization and fixed‐time tracking are considered for uncertain strict‐feedback systems. Firstly, by adding exponential state feedback and using fractional power integration as Lyapunov function candidate, a global stabilizing control strategy is developed. It is proved that all the system states converge to zero within prespecified fixed‐time with continuous and bounded control action. Secondly, under more general uncertain nonlinearities and external disturbances, an adaptive fixed‐time controller is derived such that the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of zero within preassigned time. Theoretical results are also illustrated and supported by simulation studies.
Progressing sustainable development of “the Belt and Road countries”: Estimating environmental efficiency based on the Super‐slack‐based measure model
Authors: Wei Yigang , Li Yan , Wu Meiyu , Li Yingbo
Published: December 2019

The “Belt and Road” (B&R) initiative not only promotes international economic prosperity but also inflicts enormous pressure on natural resources and create severe environmental problems. Therefore, to achieve a sustainable development, B&R countries should analyse their environmental efficiency and improve such efficiency by adopting effective measures. This study estimates and compares the environmental efficiency of B&R and non‐B&R countries from 1990 to 2014, analyses their environmental efficiency based on their income levels and geographical locations, and identifies some paths that these countries should take to achieve an optimal environmental efficiency. This paper applies the Super‐slack‐based measure model that considers undesirable outputs. The empirical results reveal that the current performance and future prospects of these B&R countries in terms of environmental efficiency are generally poor, with only 30% of these countries exceeding the optimal efficiency. Some significant differences have also been reported amongst these countries in terms of their industrial development at the geographical and income levels. These findings provide a valuable reference for B&R countries to identify unique strategies that can promote their environmental efficiency.
Interactions among energy consumption, CO2, and economic development in European Union countries
Authors: Gardiner Richard , Hajek Petr
Published: December 2019

Sustainable development has become a major problem in European Union (EU) countries. This has prompted many researchers to examine a broad range of interactions among sustainable development indicators. This study uses the variance decomposition and cointegration approach to assess the causal relationship among energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and economic development (gross domestic product [GDP], foreign direct investment [FDI], net exports, and employment in industry) in the eight new and 15 old EU countries. The results confirm the existence of at least long‐run equilibrium relationships among economic growth and energy consumption, CO2, FDI, and net exports. In addition, short‐run bidirectional causality among GDP, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions is found for the old EU countries, whereas unidirectional causalities run from GDP to energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the new EU countries. Evidence from the variance decomposition analysis shows that 22% of the future shock in GDP is due to fluctuations in energy consumption, CO2, and employment in the old EU countries, whereas 53.1% emanates from CO2, employment, and FDI in the new EU countries. These findings have potentially important implications for sustainable development and environmental policy in both old and new EU countries.
Estimating cumulative incidence functions in competing risks data with dependent left‐truncation
Authors: Stegherr Regina , Allignol Arthur , Meister Reinhard , Schaefer Christof , Beyersmann Jan
Published: December 2019

Both delayed study entry (left‐truncation) and competing risks are common phenomena in observational time‐to‐event studies. For example, in studies conducted by Teratology Information Services (TIS) on adverse drug reactions during pregnancy, the natural time scale is gestational age, but women enter the study after time origin and upon contact with the service. Competing risks are present, because an elective termination may be precluded by a spontaneous abortion. If left‐truncation is entirely random, the Aalen‐Johansen estimator is the canonical estimator of the cumulative incidence functions of the competing events. If the assumption of random left‐truncation is in doubt, we propose a new semiparametric estimator of the cumulative incidence function. The dependence between entry time and time‐to‐event is modeled using a cause‐specific Cox proportional hazards model and the marginal (unconditional) estimates are derived via inverse probability weighting arguments. We apply the new estimator to data about coumarin usage during pregnancy. Here, the concern is that the cause‐specific hazard of experiencing an induced abortion may depend on the time when seeking advice by a TIS, which also is the time of left‐truncation or study entry. While the aims of counseling by a TIS are to reduce the rate of elective terminations based on irrational overestimation of drug risks and to lead to better and safer medical treatment of maternal disease, it is conceivable that women considering an induced abortion are more likely to seek counseling. The new estimator is also evaluated in extensive simulation studies and found preferable compared to the Aalen‐Johansen estimator in non–misspecified scenarios and to at least provide for a sensitivity analysis otherwise.
Defective Porous Carbon Polyhedra Decorated with Copper Nanoparticles for Enhanced NIR‐Driven Photothermal Cancer Therapy
Authors: Weng Yangziwan , Guan Shanyue , Wang Li , Lu Heng , Meng Xiangmin , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Zhou Shuyun
Published: December 2019

Currently, there is tremendous interest in the discovery of new and improved photothermal agents for near‐infrared (NIR)‐driven cancer therapy. Herein, a series of novel photothermal agents, comprising copper nanoparticles supported on defective porous carbon polyhedra are successfully prepared by heating a Cu‐BTC metal–organic framework (MOF) precursor at different temperatures (t) in the range 400–900 °C under an argon atmosphere. The copper nanoparticle size and carbon defect concentration in the obtained products (denoted herein as Cu@CPP‐t) increase with synthesis temperature, thus imparting the Cu@CPP‐t samples with distinct NIR absorption properties and photothermal heating responses. The Cu@CPP‐800 sample shows a remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency of 48.5% under 808 nm laser irradiation, representing one of the highest photothermal efficiencies yet reported for a carbon‐based photothermal agent. In vivo experiments conducted with tumor bearing nude Balb/c mice confirm the efficacy of Cu@CPP‐800 as a very promising NIR‐driven phototherapy agent for cancer treatment. Results encourage the wider use of MOFs as low cost precursors for the synthesis of carbon‐supported metal nanoparticle composites for photothermal therapy.
Target Date Defaults in a Public Sector Retirement Saving Plan
Authors: Clark Robert L. , Mitchell Olivia S.
Published: December 2019

Little is known about whether employee retirement saving patterns change when public sector employers implement Target Date Funds (TDFs) as the default plan investment. We use administrative and survey data from a large government entity to track participation, contributions, and asset allocation impacts of TDF introduction. We show that those mapped into TDFs did not alter their holdings so that the reform resulted in higher equity shares, especially for women, younger workers, and low‐seniority employees. The least risk‐tolerant and financially literate employees held 12 percentage points more equity than previously. Moreover, defaulting public employees into TDF had a profoundly sticky effect on their subsequent investment behavior.
Modernization and the noble/common distinction: Reading modern literature through Luhmannian and Foucauldian lenses
Authors: Clark Carlton L.
Published: December 2019

This article draws on Luhmannian and Foucauldian social theories to analyse the decline of the “nobility/commoner” distinction. Evidence from 17th‐ and 18th‐century tracts, treatises, letters, novels, and other sources suggests that the distinction between the nobility and the commoner lost currency as functional differentiation overruled social stratification in the second half of the eighteenth century. But to preserve a sense of difference, defenders of the nobility/commoner distinction adopted a “true nobility/pretended nobility” distinction, according to which the hereditary nobility possessed noble qualities by nature, whereas the rising commoners could acquire only false nobility. Functional differentiation was met with a countermovement that attempted to establish a tighter, grid‐like social order in place of the looser medieval social order. Finally, the complexity–sustainability trade‐off principle helps to explain why the hereditary nobility might have ignored the seemingly clear evidence of an impending threat to their privileged status.