bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction of a new branchpoint in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in Escherichia coli by co‐expression of genes encoding the chlorophyll‐specific enzymes magnesium chelatase and magnesium protoporphyrin methyltransferase
Authors: Jensen Poul E. , Gibson Lucien C.D. , Shephard Freya , Smith Vernon , Hunter C.Neil
Published: July 2002

The genes encoding the three Mg chelatase subunits, ChlH, ChlI and ChlD, from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 were all cloned in the same pET9a‐based Escherichia coli expression plasmid, forming an artificial chlH‐I‐D operon under the control of the strong T7 promoter. When a soluble extract from IPTG‐induced E. coli cells containing the pET9a‐ChlHID plasmid was assayed for Mg chelatase activity in vitro, a high activity was obtained, suggesting that all three subunits are present in a soluble and active form. The chlM gene of Synechocystis PCC6803 was also cloned in a pET‐based E. coli expression vector. Soluble extract from an E. coli strain expressing chlM converted Mg‐protoporphyrin IX to Mg‐protoporphyrin monomethyl ester, demonstrating that chlM encodes the Mg‐protoporphyrin methyltransferase of Synechocystis. Co‐expression of the chlM gene together with the chlH‐I‐D construct yielded soluble protein extracts which converted protoporphyrin IX to Mg‐protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester without detectable accumulation of the Mg‐protoporphyrin IX intermediate. Thus, active Mg chelatase and Mg‐protoporphyrin IX methyltransferase can be coupled in E. coli extracts. Purified ChlI, ‐D and ‐H subunits in combination with purified ChlM protein were subsequently used to demonstrate in vitro that a molar ratio of ChlM to ChlH of 1 to 1 results in conversion of protoporphyrin IX to Mg‐protoporphyrin monomethyl ester without significant accumulation of Mg‐protoporphyrin.
International manufacturing networks—to develop global competitive capabilities
Authors: Shi Yongjiang , Gregory Mike
Published: July 2002

This paper seeks to extend existing manufacturing system concepts and develop new structured knowledge about international manufacturing networks by analysing the networks, classifying the configurations and identifying the capabilities. The design and operation of international manufacturing networks is an increasingly important issue for transnational corporations faced with rapid changes in global market opportunity, competition and new managerial mechanisms. Four international manufacturing networks in mechanical and process industries are analysed and a number of conclusions drawn: first, a novel configuration map is proposed; second, key strategic capability parameters are identified; third, networking trends and their implications for configuration are discussed. Finally, the paper explores strengths and weaknesses of the particular methodology adopted in this research.
The TQM Paradox: Relations among TQM practices, plant performance, and customer satisfaction
Authors: Choi Thomas Y , Eboch Karen
Published: July 2002

We empirically examine a mediational model of TQM, in which TQM practices have a direct impact on customer satisfaction and an indirect impact mediated through plant performance. We adopt a survey approach using the data from 339 manufacturing companies. We first establish convergent validity, discriminant validity, and reliability of the constructs. We then examine the model using LISREL 8.10. The results suggest paradoxical relations among TQM practices, plant performance, and customer satisfaction. TQM practices have a stronger impact on customer satisfaction than they do on plant performance. Further, the plant performance, as described in the mediational model, fails to show a significant impact on customer satisfaction. This observation is explained based on an institutional argument that states that loose coupling may occur between TQM practices designed for customer demands and the activities on the plant floor designed for plant performance.
DSM-IH-R Psychotic Disorders: procedural validity of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Concordance and causes for discordance with the CIDI
Authors: Amorim P , Lecrubier Y , Weiller E , Hergueta T , Sheehan D
Published: July 2002

Objectives:

the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) is a short diagnostic structured interview (DSI) designed to generate positive diagnosis for the main Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-III-R/IV Axis I disorders and to explore the symptoms of Criterion A for Schizophrenia (Sc) to rule out the presence of Psychotic Disorders. The procedural validity of the MINI was investigated in psychiatric patients using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) as a gold standard in Europe and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID-P)in the US. This paper presents the concordance and the reasons for discordance between the MINI and the CIDI for DSM-III-R Psychotic and Mood Disorders. No study had systematically analysed the sources of disagreement between DSI based on the same operational criteria in psychotic patients.

Methods:

256 consecutively recruited psychiatric patients and 50 non-psychiatric subjects passed the MINI and the CIDI.

Results:

concordance was good for the presence of Major Depressive Episode (MDE), Manic Episode, Psychotic Disorders, syndromes or symptoms (0.65 to 0.82). Inconsistencies in evaluation of the disorder recency accounted for 25 to 40% of discordance for current diagnoses. Fifty-three percent of discordance for lifetime Manic Episode resulted from inconsistencies in the severity of the index episode. Fifty percent of discordance for the diagnosis of Psychotic Disorders was due to algorithmic differences between the two DSI.

Conclusion:

the MINI yields reliable DSM-III-R diagnoses within a short time frame (22 minutes). Depending on the quantitative and the qualitative analyses of discrepancies between the MINI and the CIDI for Psychotic Disorders and Mood Episodes, we proposed and tested modifications leading to improvements in both interviews. The procedural validity of the modified MINI according to the modified CIDI was found to be very good.
DSM-IV and ICD-10 personality disorders: a comparison of a self-report questionnaire (DIP-Q) with a structured interview
Authors: Ottosson H , Bodlund O , Ekselius L , Grann M , von Knorring L , Kullgren G , Lindström E , Söderberg S
Published: July 2002

Objective

Diagnosing personality disorders according to structured expert interviews is time-consuming and costly. For epidemiological studies, self-report instruments have several advantages. The DSM-IV and ICD-10 personality questionnaire (DIP-Q) is a selfreport questionnaire constructed to identify personality disorder according to DSM-IV and ICD-10.

Methods

The DIP-Q is validated vs a structured expert interview in a clinical sample of 138 individuals. In addition, prevalence rates yielded by DIP-Q among 136 healthy volunteers are assessed and compared to expected prevalence.

Results

For DSM-IV the agreement for any personality disorder as measured by Cohen's Kappa was 0.61 and 0.56 for ICD-10. Overall sensitivity for any personality disorder was for DSM-IV 0.84 and for ICD-10 0.85. However, specificity was lower: 0.77 and 0.70, respectively. When dimensional scores between self-report and interview for each personality disorder were compared, the intraclass correlation for the DSMIV entities was 0.37–0.87 and for the ICD-10 entities 0.33–0.73. Among healthy volunteers the base rate of personality disorders was found to be 14%.

Conclusions

DIP-Q can be used as a screening instrument for personality disorders according to DSM-IV and ICD-10. Self-report questionnaires such as DIP-Q will probably play an increasingly important role in future epidemiological studies.
Panic disorder: History and epidemiology
Authors: Angst J
Published: July 2002

Panic has not always been recognised as an exclusively psychiatric condition. Research in this area continued along separate medical and psychological axes until 1980, when the development of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-III criteria established the overall concept of panic disorder. The lifetime prevalence of DSM-III panic disorder and repeated panic attacks, defined as the average of individual estimates from six studies, are 2.7% and 7.1% of the general population, respectively. Females are almost twice as likely as males to suffer panic disorder, and about seven times as likely to suffer repeated panic attacks. Overall, panic disorder or panic attacks occur in up to one in ten of the general population. The prevalence of panic disorder and panic attacks, their associations with other conditions, and their time courses have been investigated in a prospective epidemiological study in Zurich, Switzerland, in which 591 individuals were followed for 15 years. The validity of panic disorder and panic attacks as genuine psychological phenomena are attested to by their positive associations with a family history of panic disorder, elevated risk of suicide, lifetime treatment for psychiatric disorders, and especially treatment with prescribed medication and substantial work and social impairment. Strong comorbidity exists between panic states and other psychiatric conditions, including depression (major depression, bipolar disorder and recurrent brief depression), agoraphobia, social phobia, specific phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disease. A lower degree of comorbidity is seen with alcohol and tobacco dependence. Comorbid conditions usually precede panic, except for alcohol abuse, which is usually secondary to episodes of panic. The prognosis of panic states is often optimistic, and chronic disease is present in less than half of sufferers. Both panic disorder and repeated panic attacks are common, serious and disabling conditions. Effective diagnosis and treatment of repeated panic attacks and panic disorder are of equal importance.
Accuracy of register-based schizophrenia diagnoses in a genetic study
Authors: Mäkikyrö T , Isohanni M , Moring J , Hakko H , Hovatta I , Lönnqvist J
Published: July 2002

In order to assess the accuracy of schizophrenia diagnoses for genetic studies, we identified all schizophrenia patients (n = 492) in an isolated community with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (HDR) between 1969-1991. For the accuracy study we identified a sample of 73 patients from registers with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-III-R for schizophrenia (codes 295.10, 295.30, 295.60, 295.90) (n = 62) or “schizophrenia spectrum” diagnoses (295.40, 295.70, 297.10, 301.20, 301.22) (n = 11). When the operational criteria (DSM-III-R) were applied by two senior researchers using information from the original mental hospital records, 93% (68/73) of the cases fulfilled criteria for schizophrenia or schizophrenia spectrum. The results demonstrate that the schizophrenia diagnoses of the registers are accurate when a broad concept of schizophrenia is applied. When using operational DSM-III-R schizophrenia criteria, eight false positive cases were found among the 62 mental hospital schizophrenia diagnoses. Consequently, there may be a need to reassess schizophrenia diagnoses depending on the purpose of the study. We also found good agreement between DSM-III-R (kappa 0.93) and operational criteria (OPCRIT) diagnostic system (kappa 0.89) diagnoses, made by one researcher, compared with operational diagnoses. This indicates the possibility for the reliable use of one of these methods alone for diagnostic reassessment. The information in the HDR on primary diagnoses and on the dates of admission and discharge was accurately transferred from the hospital records.
Combined clozapine-lithium treatment for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
Authors: Moldavsky M , Stein D , Benatov R , Sirota P , Elizur A , Matzner Y , Weizman A
Published: July 2002

Three adolescent and two adult patients suffering from chronic excited psychoses (either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder) resistant to traditional neuroleptics and clozapine were treated with combined clozapine-lithium. Improvement was assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions, administered before and during combined clozapine-lithium treatment. All patients demonstrated a significant improvement with this combination. There was no occurrence of agranulocytosis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome or other clinically significant adverse effects.
Family history and obstetric complications in deficit and non-deficit schizophrenia: preliminary results
Authors: Dollfus S , Germain-Robin S , Chabot B , Brazo P , Delamillieure P , Langlois S , van der Elst A , Campion D , Petit M
Published: July 2002

The aim of this study was to test that deficit (D) schizophrenic patients as defined by Carpenter et al had a higher prevalence of family history of schizophrenia but less obstetric complications than non-deficit (ND) patients. A lower rate of obstetric complications but an excess of schizophrenic and a higher rate of alcoholism family antecedents in 18 D patients compared to 23 ND patients were found. These results could suggest that there is a different weight of genetic and early environmental factors in D and ND patients.
Zuclopenthixol, D1/D2 antagonist, for treatment of chronic aggressive schizophrenia and psychotic oligophrenic patients
Authors: Grinshpoon A , Moskowitz M , Valevski A , Kreizman A , Palei L , Mar M , Weizman A
Published: July 2002

An open label trial was conducted to study the efficacy of zuclopenthixol decanoate, a D1/D2 antagonist, in the treatment of chronic (> 10 years) neuroleptic-resistant aggressive schizophrenia (n = 10) and psychotic oligophrenic patients (n = 6). A significant reduction was noted in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score, especially in the clusters of hostility-suspiciousness and excitement. After many years of seclusion, ten of the 16 patients were transferred to an open psychiatric department and were allowed to visit their families.
P300 event-related potential and serotonin-1A activity in depression
Authors: Hansenne M , Ansseau M
Published: July 2002

The identification of the brain structures and neurotransmitters responsible for the generation and/or modulation of P300 could lead to important clinical implications. Since serotonin disturbances seem to play a critical role in depression, the aim of the study was to assess the possible relationships between the P300 event-related brain potential and serotonergic activity in depression. The study was conducted among 45 major depressive inpatients, and serotonergic activity was assessed by prolactin (PRL) response to flesinoxan (a 5-HT1A agonist). Results showed a significant negative correlation between P300 amplitude and PRL response to flesinoxan (r = –0.40, P = 0.007 at Cz; r = –0.47, P = 0.001 at Pz). In contrast, both P300 latency and reaction time were not related to endocrine response. This study supports a role for serotonin-1A in the neurobiological modulation of P300 amplitude.
Junior‐for‐senior announcements
Authors: Hull Robert M , Mazachek JuliAnn
Published: July 2002

In this paper, we investigate the role of inside ownership in explaining announcement period stock returns for 455 junior‐for‐senior transactions. We find that returns are more negative for firms with higher inside ownership percentages. Returns become even more negative for firms in which insiders are expected to be decreasing their ownership percentages.
Seasonal variations in photoperiod affect hepatic metabolism of medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Fujisawa Koichi , Takami Taro , Shintani Haruko , Sasai Nanami , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Yamamoto Naoki , Sakaida Isao
Published: January 2021

Organisms living in temperate regions are sensitive to seasonal variations in the environment; they are known to accumulate energy as fat in their livers during the winter when days are shorter, temperatures are lower, and food is scarce. However, the effect of variations in photoperiod alone on hepatic lipid metabolism has not been well studied. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed lipid metabolism in the liver of medaka, Oryzias latipes, while varying the length of days at constant temperature. Larger amounts of fatty acids accumulated in the liver after 14 days under short‐day conditions than under long‐day conditions. Metabolome analysis showed no accumulation of long‐chain unsaturated fatty acids, but showed a significant accumulation of long‐chain saturated fatty acids. Short‐day conditions induced a reduction in the levels of succinate, fumarate, and malate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, decreased expression of PPARα, and decreased accumulation of acylcarnitine, which suggested inhibition of lipolysis. In addition, transparent medaka fed on a high‐fat diet under short‐day conditions exhibited greater amounts of fat accumulation and developed fatty liver. The findings of our study will be useful for creating a medaka hepatic steatosis model for future studies of hepatic steatosis‐related diseases.
Ant‐hill heterogeneity and grassland management
Authors: King Timothy J.
Published: January 2021

1. In many grasslands, some ants act as ecological engineers to produce long‐lasting soil structures which have a considerable influence on the patterns and dynamics of plant, vertebrate and invertebrate species. They promote species richness and diversity.

2. The yellow meadow ant, Lasius flavus, is the most abundant allogenic ecological engineer in grazed European grasslands, producing vegetated long‐lasting mounds. It is so frequent and abundant that it must be regarded as a keystone species. Grassland restoration projects frequently attempt to re‐introduce grasslands on abandoned arable fields. When this ant does not colonize naturally it should be introduced. It probably limits the abundance of grasses in a similar manner to hemi‐parasitic plant species.

3. Ant‐hills make a distinctive contribution to grassland heterogeneity. Measurements on mounds in a single grassland over 45 years document the dynamics of the same 200+ ant‐hills in volume, surface area and basal area. As the mounds aged, they increased in size and took over a higher proportion of the grassland surface. Occupied mounds continued to grow, abandoned mounds decreased in volume and some disappeared entirely.

4. Four plant species favoured by the soil heaped by the ants were also monitored. Two woody perennials grew up through heaped soil and two short‐lived species colonized its surface. As the mounds became occupied, some of these species significantly increased, and when they were abandoned some decreased.

5. In a grassland, the ant‐hill population provides a fluctuating subset of plant and animal species which are characteristic of temporary habitats. This seems likely to reduce the rate of local extinctions which might otherwise result from fluctuations in grazing pressure. In conservation settings, ant‐hills should be introduced or maintained where possible, and considered in planning grassland maintenance and management.
Luwian language
Authors: Yakubovich Ilya
Published: January 2021

Luwian belongs to the Anatolian group of the Indo‐European language family. It is the main language of the Anatolian hieroglyphic inscriptions, and it is also attested in the cuneiform archives of Hattuša, usually through passages or isolated words embedded in Hittite texts.
Covalent Organic Frameworks for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Esrafili Arezoo , Wagner Avery , Inamdar Sahil , Acharya Abhinav P.
Published: January 2021

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous organic polymeric materials that are composed of organic elements and linked together by the thermodynamically stable covalent bonds. The applications of COFs in energy sector and drug delivery are afforded because of the desirable properties of COFs, such as high stability, low density, large surface area, multidimensionality, porosity, and high‐ordered crystalline structure expanded. In this review COFs are reviewed, from the perspective of different types of reported COFs, different methods for their synthesis, and their potential applications in the biomedical field. The main goal of this review is to introduce COFs as a biomaterial and to identify specific advantages of different types of COFs that can be exploited for specialized biomedical applications, such as immune engineering.
Formation of Novel Octuplex DNA Molecules from Guanine Quadruplexes
Authors: Katrivas Liat , Fardian‐Melamed Natalie , Rotem Dvir , Porath Danny , Kotlyar Alexander
Published: January 2021

Guanine quadruplex (G4)‐DNA structures have sparked the interest of many scientists due to their important biological roles and their potential use in molecular nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. The high guanine content in G4‐DNA endows it with mechanical stability, robustness, and improved charge transport properties—attractive attributes for a molecular nanowire. The self‐driven formation of a novel G4‐DNA‐based nanostructure, coined guanine octuplex (G8)‐DNA, is reported herein. Atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy characterization of this molecule reveal its organized coiled‐coil structure, which is found to be stable under different temperatures and surrounding conditions. G8‐DNA exhibits enhanced stiffness, mechanical and thermodynamic stability when compared to its parent G4‐DNA. These, along with its high guanine content, make G8‐DNA a compelling new molecule, and a highly prospective candidate for molecular nanoelectronics.
Visible‐Light‐Induced Controlled Oxidation ofN‐Substituted 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydroisoquinolines for the Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydroisoquinolin‐1(2H)‐ones and Isoquinolin‐1(2H)‐ones
Authors: Bansode Ajay H. , Suryavanshi Gurunath
Published: January 2021

A visible light‐rose bengal‐TBHP mediated, controlled oxidation ofN‐substituted 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines is developed for the synthesis of 3,4‐dihydroisoquinolin‐1(2H)‐ones and isoquinolin‐1(2H)‐ones. The present method feature's a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerances, and the products were prepared in good to excellent yields. The developed methodology further demonstrated in the synthesis of isoindolo[2,1‐b] isoquinolin‐5(7H)‐one (topoisomerase‐I inhibitor).

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Myotonic dystrophy kinase‐related CDC42‐binding kinase α, a new transferrin receptor type 2‐binding partner, is a regulator of erythropoiesis
Authors: Richard Cyrielle , Viret Sophie , Cantero Aguilar Lilia , Lefevre Carine , Leduc Marjorie , Faouzi El Hassan , Azar Nabih , Lavazec Catherine , Mayeux Patrick , Verdier Frédérique
Published: January 2021

Efficient erythropoiesis relies on the expression of the transferrin receptor type 2 (TFR2). In erythroid precursors, TFR2 facilitates the export of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) to cell surface, which ensures the survival and proliferation of erythroblasts. Although TFR2 has a crucial role in erythropoiesis regulation, its mechanism of action remains to be clarified. To understand its role better, we aimed at identifying its protein partners by mass‐spectrometry after immunoprecipitation in erythroid cells. Here we report the kinase MRCKα (myotonic dystrophy kinase‐related CDC42‐binding kinase α) as a new partner of both TFR2 and EPOR in erythroblasts. We show that MRCKα is co‐expressed with TFR2, and TFR1 during terminal differentiation and regulates the internalization of the two types of transferrin receptors. The knockdown of MRCKα by shRNA in human primary erythroblasts leads to a decreased cell surface expression of both TFR1 and TFR2, an increased cell‐surface expression of EPOR, and a delayed differentiation. Additionally, knockout of Mrckα in the murine MEDEP cells also leads to a striking delay in erythropoiesis, showcasing the importance of this kinase in both species. Our data highlight the importance of MRCKα in the regulation of erythropoiesis.
Numerical analysis of the magnetogenesis from early universe phase transitions
Authors: Garrison David
Published: January 2021

We present the results of General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamic simulations utilizing initial conditions from both the Electroweak and Quantum Chromodynamic (QCD) phase transitions in order to determine if seed magnetic fields may be generated via the Biermann Battery Mechanism of Magnetogenesis. These simulations occur in a simulated early universe between 10−11 s and 103 s after the Big Bang. We find that magnetic fields greater than 10−20 G may be generated on the Mpc scale. This is believed to be strong enough to generate the large intergalactic magnetic fields seen today. Further work is needed to understand how these fields may have impacted the large‐scale structures we currently observe.
Carbonbeton – Eine neue Verstärkungsmethode für Massivbrücken
Authors: Steinbock Oliver , Teworte Frederik , Neis Bastian
Published: January 2021

Im Rahmen von Ertüchtigungsmaßnahmen eines Brückenzugs über die Nidda wurden im Jahr 2020 erstmals zwei Spannbetonbrücken mit Carbonbeton verstärkt. Bei den im Jahr 1971 errichteten Teilbauwerken wurde sogenannter Sigma‐Oval Spannstahl verbaut, der als spannungsrisskorrosionsgefährdet gilt. Die Straßenbrücken zeigten rechnerisch kein ausreichendes Ankündigungsverhalten im Sinne der Handlungsanweisung Spannungsrisskorrosion, sodass ein plötzliches Versagen den Verkehrsteilnehmer gefährdete. Um dieses Defizit zu beheben, wurde eine Verstärkung notwendig. In Hinblick auf die exponierte Lage im Verkehrsnetz am Westkreuz Frankfurt a. M. stellte sich die Verstärkung mit Carbonbeton als die wirtschaftlichste und minimalinvasivste Verstärkungsmöglichkeit heraus. Nachfolgender Beitrag ist Bestandteil eines dreiteiligen Aufsatzes, der die notwendigen Planungsschritte und erste Erfahrungen aus der Ausführung zusammenträgt. In Teil 1 wurden neben den Grundlagen zur Spannungsrisskorrosion das Konzept und die Planungsschritte erläutert. Der zweite Teil stellte die Besonderheiten des Carbonbetons im Brückenbau heraus und stellte einen Vergleich mit gängigen Verstärkungsmethoden dar. Abschließender Teil 3 umfasst detaillierte Angaben zur Verstärkungsmaßnahme und erste Erfahrungen aus der baulichen Umsetzung.
Facile Atmospheric Generation of Water Radical Cations via TiO2‐Nanoneedle Arrays for Aromatic Hydrocarbon Detection Based on Corona Discharge
Authors: Mi Dongbo , Cui Jinhaojie , Kuang Siliang , Dong Xiaofeng , Lu Haiyan
Published: January 2021

Water radical cations, (H2O)n+•, have attracted considerable attention owing to their potential practical applications in analytical chemistry, structural chemistry, radiotherapy, and radiochemistry. Recently, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization has emerged as a versatile method for direct mass spectrometric analysis. Usually, H3O+ is the major proton donor during ionization and only the pseudo molecular ion peaks, instead of molecular ions are detected. In this work, (H2O)2+• ions with high oxidizability and reactivity were generated using hydrothermally grown TiO2 nanoneedle arrays in combination with a linear ion trap mass spectrometer under low operating voltage and applied to the direct mass spectrometric analysis of a mixture of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons. (H2O)2+• ions were generated with a high absolute ion current of up to 1.07 × 105 counts/s at atmospheric pressure. Using the generated (H2O)2+• as the primary ion permitted the tandem mass spectrometric analysis of a mixed vapor sample of aromatic hydrocarbons.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Homodimerization of Propiolic Acids: Synthesis of 1,3‐Enynes
Authors: Seo Eunkyeong , Oh Jonghoon , Lee Sunwoo
Published: January 2021

The 1,3‐enyne product was obtained as a result of a decarboxylative homodimerization reaction when a variety aryl propiolic acids were reacted in the presence of Pd(TFA)2/i‐PrPPh2 and K2CO3. It was found that aryl propiolic acids bearing an electrondonating substituent provided the desired product; however, aryl propiolic acids an bearing electron‐withdrawing substituent did not give the desired product.
How does a firm's life cycle influence the relationship between carbon performance and financial debt?
Authors: Tascón María T. , Castro Paula , Ferreras Adrián
Published: January 2021

In a progressively more stringent regulatory context concerning greenhouse gas emissions derived from a growing awareness of how economic activity affects our environment, this study analyzes how the firm's life cycle affects the relationship between carbon performance and financial debt. Using panel data on a sample of European listed firms during the 2005–2018 period, we find evidence suggesting that firms with better carbon performance have greater access to external financing during their growth stages and lesser access during maturity, although it has no effect during the shake‐out stage. Furthermore, carbon performance has a strong positive effect during growth, maturity, and shake‐out when firms need to finance additional tangible investments. We also find that the negative relationship between liquidity and debt is reversed during innovative stages for firms with better carbon performance. Our results are robust to the use of alternative measures of life cycle stages and to the consideration of industrial, legal, and cultural contexts.
Small agricultural businesses' performance—What is the role of dynamic capabilities, entrepreneurial orientation, and environmental sustainability commitment?
Authors: Dias Claudia , Gouveia Rodrigues Ricardo , Ferreira João J.
Published: January 2021

The role that the resources and capabilities of agricultural entrepreneurs play on both environmental performance (EP) and financial performance (FP) is still unclear. This study analyzes how small farms enhance EP and FP in an inland Portuguese region through the relationship between dynamic capabilities (DCs), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and environmental sustainability commitment (ESC). Based on a sample of 160 fresh fruit farms and applying a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM), our study concludes that EO and ESC influence EP and FP positively. Hence, farms can achieve competitive advantage through mitigating their profound impacts on the environment as proposed by the natural resource‐based view (NRBV). Farms are also improving DCs, but farmers respond to the higher environmental requirements of agricultural markets primarily through research and development (R&D) capabilities and not through marketing capabilities. Having as theoretical supports the NRBV and the DCs, our study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms through which entrepreneurs enhance EP and FP in sectors with high environmental impacts such as agriculture. The findings suggest that entrepreneurship training projects may enable farmers to approach food security as a market opportunity and not only as rules they must follow.
Characterizing the mission statements of benefit corporations: Empirical evidence from Italy
Authors: Mion Giorgio , Loza Adaui Cristian Rolando , Bonfanti Angelo
Published: January 2021

In 2015, Italy introduced a new legal form—“benefit corporation” (società benefit)—that provides legal status to companies that have one or more common benefit objectives in addition to the profit‐seeking goal. Italian benefit corporations are obligated by law to operate in a responsible, sustainable, and transparent way and to include the interests of different stakeholders in their corporate strategy. This study examines the Italian case by applying textual statistical analysis on benefit corporations' public mission statements using the IRaMuTeQ software. Performing hierarchical cluster analysis and correspondence factor analysis identifies the “benefit” concept emerging from the mission statements in terms of promotion of individual skills, development of a new business model, and service to society. This study contributes to the debate on the content of mission statements by giving empirical evidence about this new form of business, and it provides some practical implications for managers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
Identification and characterization of a residual host cell protein hexosaminidase B associated with N‐glycan degradation during the stability study of a therapeutic recombinant monoclonal antibody product
Authors: Li Xuanwen , An Yan , Liao Jing , Xiao Li , Swanson Michael , Martinez‐Fonts Kirby , Pavon Jorge Alexander , Sherer Edward C. , Jawa Vibha , Wang Fengqiang , Gao Xinliu , Letarte Simon , Richardson Douglas D.
Published: January 2021

Host cell proteins (HCPs) are process‐related impurities derived from host organisms, which need to be controlled to ensure adequate product quality and safety. In this study, product quality attributes were tracked for several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) under the intended storage and accelerated stability conditions. One product quality attribute not expected to be stability indicating is the N‐glycan heterogeneity profile. However, significant N‐glycan degradation was observed for one mAb under accelerated and stressed stability conditions. The root cause for this instability was attributed to hexosaminidase B (HEXB), an enzyme known to remove terminal N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). HEXB was identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)‐based proteomics approach to be enriched in the impacted stability batches from mAb‐1. Subsequently, enzymatic and targeted multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) MS assays were developed to support process and product characterization. A potential interaction between HEXB and mAb‐1 was initially observed from the analysis of process intermediates by proteomics among several mAbs and later supported by computational modeling. An improved bioprocess was developed to significantly reduce HEXB levels in the final drug substance. A risk assessment was conducted by evaluating the in silico immunogenicity risk and the impact on product quality. To the best of our knowledge, HEXB is the first residual HCP reported to have impact on the glycan profile of a formulated drug product. The combination of different analytical tools, mass spectrometry, and computational modeling provides a general strategy on how to study residual HCP for biotherapeutics development.
High‐capacity multimodal anion‐exchange membranes for polishing of therapeutic proteins
Authors: Osuofa Joshua , Henn Daniel , Zhou Jinxiang , Forsyth Anna , Husson Scott M.
Published: January 2021

This contribution reports on a study using Purexa™‐MQ multimodal anion‐exchange (AEX) membranes for protein polishing at elevated solution conductivities. Dynamic binding capacities (DBC10) of bovine serum albumin (BSA), human immunoglobulins, and salmon sperm DNA (ss‐DNA) are reported for various salt types, salt concentrations, flowrates, and pH. Using 1 mg/ml BSA, DBC10 values for Purexa™‐MQ were >90 mg/ml at conductivities up to 15 mS/cm. The membranes maintained a high, salt‐tolerant BSA DBC10 of 89.8 ± 2.7 (SD) over the course of 100 bind‐elute cycles. Polishing studies with acidic and basic monoclonal antibodies at >2 kg/L loads showed that Purexa™‐MQ had higher clearance of host cell proteins and aggregate species at high conductivity (13 mS/cm) and in the presence of phosphate than other commercial AEX media. Purexa™‐MQ also had a high ss‐DNA DBC10 of 50 mg/ml at conductivities up to 15 mS/cm, markedly outperforming other commercial products. In addition to the effectiveness of Purexa™‐MQ for protein polishing at elevated solution conductivities, its unusually high binding capacity for ss‐DNA indicates potential applications for plasmid DNA purification.
Leveraging Exchange Kinetics for the Synthesis of Atomically Precise Porous Catalysts
Authors: Ezazi Andrew A. , Gao Wen‐Yang , Powers David C.
Published: January 2021

Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted significant attention as porous catalyst platforms due to the synthetic modularity of these materials and the diversity of lattice‐confined catalytic active sites that are readily embedded within periodic crystalline frameworks. MOFs offer platforms to heterogenize molecular catalysts, stabilize novel coordination motifs, and leverage confinement effects in catalysis. Crystallinity allows diffraction‐based methods to be employed in the characterization of these catalysts. Access to crystalline MOFs typically requires reversible construction of the metal−ligand (M−L) bonds that connect the SBUs, which provides a mechanism to anneal defects during crystallization. While the required M−L bond reversibility is often promoted by synthesis at elevated temperature, access to crystalline materials based on either transition metals with characteristic slow exchange kinetics or highly basic donor ligands remains a synthetic challenge. Here, we highlight synthetic strategies that leverage M−L exchange kinetics to access MOFs based on kinetically inert ions and extensions of these strategies to the assembly of atomically precise multimetallic materials.
Regular maintenance appointments after non‐surgical scaling and root planing support periodontal health in patients with or without dry mouth: A retrospective study
Authors: Sparrow Taylor V. , Fritz Peter C. , Sullivan Philip J. , Ward Wendy E.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Non‐surgical scaling and root planing (SRP), as an initial form of periodontal treatment, followed by ongoing periodontal maintenance appointments is necessary to manage periodontal disease and prevent tooth loss. Saliva also has an essential role in oral health though the relationship between low salivary flow and periodontal outcomes has not been extensively investigated. This study determined if patients with dry mouth have similar clinical outcomes as patients without dry mouth when receiving regular periodontal maintenance after SRP.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective study that investigated clinical periodontal outcomes in patients with (n = 34) or without (n = 85) dry mouth who had undergone SRP 1 to 5 years prior and had routine periodontal maintenance. The presence of dry mouth was established based on a patient's unstimulated salivary flow rate.

Results

Probing depth for both patients with or without dry mouth was similar between groups and maintained 1 to 5 years following initial SRP. Improved probing depth achieved post‐SRP was sustained regardless of dry mouth status.

Conclusion

Patients with or without dry mouth did not exhibit different probing depths.
Multi‐input transformer‐less four‐wire microinverter with distributed MPPT for PV systems
Authors: Gaafar Mahmoud A. , Ibrahim Eltaib Abdeen , Orabi Mohamed
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes three‐phase microinverter able to process the power of three PV modules simultaneously and independently; thus, efficient utilization of PV modules through distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) is realized. The proposed microinverter employs switched capacitors (SCs) networks combined with three‐phase voltage source inverter; it is named switched capacitor buck‐boost voltage source inverter and abbreviated as SC‐BBVSI. The connections of SCs networks are determined to fulfill the high boosting gain along with minimized leakage currents. In addition, low capacitances values can be employed for power decoupling purpose. Thus, in addition to DMPPT feature, three features of high boosting gain, high‐reliable product, and minimized leakage current are realized without using the bulky and costly isolation transformer. In this paper, the operation modes of SC‐BBVSI for single and multi‐input scenarios are explained. The modulation strategy to realize these modes along with the control system design is presented as well. The relations required to design the passive elements and identify the device's stresses are derived. The features of the proposed microinverter are confirmed through detailed comparison with other recently reported topologies. Both simulation and experimental results are provided to verify the features of the proposed topology.
Alternative methods of viability determination in single cell mass cytometry
Authors: Devine Raymond D. , Alkhalaileh Hussam S. , Lyberger Justin M. , Behbehani Gregory K.
Published: January 2021

The identification and discrimination of viable cells is important to understand how experimental variables may influence biochemical processes such as cell metabolism, cell cycle, and signaling pathways. Cisplatin is commonly used as a viability stain in mass cytometry studies, however, recent work by Mei et al. has demonstrated that cisplatin can also be used to label antibodies, complicating the simultaneous use of the platinum measurement channels for both antibody and viability staining. This study demonstrates that other metal salts (hafnium chloride, niobium chloride, and zirconium chloride) can serve as substitutes for cisplatin in viability staining. These stains yield similar fractions of live and dead cells and stain the same dead cells in parallel high parameter analyses. In addition, this study demonstrates how a variety of protein antigen viability markers (pRb, Ki‐67, Histone H1, cleaved PARP, and GAPDH) can be used to discriminate live and dead cell populations, without the need for a separate viability staining step. As few as two of these protein antigen viability markers can help identify live and dead cell populations in fixed samples and can identify the same viable cells in high dimensional analyses with or without use of viability stain information. This study demonstrates several alternative approaches to mass cytometry viability assessment that can facilitate use of platinum isotopes for antibody staining and enables identification of live and dead cell populations in samples for which a separate viability stain is not practical.
Induced resistance mitigates the effect of plant neighbors on susceptibility to herbivores
Authors: Holmes Katherine D. , Agrawal Anurag A.
Published: January 2021

At small spatial scales, attraction or deterrence of herbivores by plant neighbors can alter the susceptibility of plants to damage (i.e., associational effects). Given the patchy nature of plants and insect herbivory, we hypothesized that induced resistance may play an important role in mitigating such spatial variability. To test this notion, we first documented neighbor effects between two closely related and co‐occurring plant species in natural populations, and second, we measured how these effects changed after inducing plant resistance in a common garden. In wet fields and marshes of Northeastern North America, boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is the primary host for the herbivorous beetle Ophraella notata. Across two years of surveys at multiple sites, we found that Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum) was a secondary host to O. notata and was more likely to receive beetle eggs when it grew near boneset, constituting a negative neighbor effect (associational susceptibility) for Joe Pye weed. Reciprocally, there were trends of reduced susceptibility for boneset when it grew near Joe Pye weed (a positive neighbor effect), but this pattern was less consistent over space and time. In the common garden, we manipulated patches, each with a center (focal) and surrounding (neighbor) plants, with focal plants of each species either induced by the plant hormone jasmonic acid or left as controls. While neighbor effects prior to induction mirrored the pattern in surveys, induction was most effective in reducing beetle oviposition on focal plants in heterospecific groups. This effectively eliminated negative neighbor effects (susceptibility) for Joe Pye weed, the less preferred plant species. However, in conspecific patches, induction had minimal effect on either species' susceptibility to beetles. Given the importance of spatial variation generally and the ubiquity of neighbor effects in plant communities, we suggest that inducible resistance may be an important mechanism to cope with spatial heterogeneity in susceptibility to herbivores.
Pregnant adolescents admitted to the intensive care unit have better outcomes than pregnant adult women: A retrospective cohort study in Brazil
Authors: Pinheiro Alves Pietro , Costa Volpon Leila , Carmona Fabio
Published: January 2021

Objective

To compare the outcomes of adolescent versus adult women during pregnancy and puerperium admitted to a dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, we retrieved data from the medical charts of 557 adolescent (<20 years) and adult (≥20 years) women. The association between demographic and clinical variables and the outcomes were compared in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The maternal severity index (MSI) of adult women was significantly higher than in adolescents. In univariate log‐binomial regression analysis, pneumothorax and circulatory dysfunction were positively associated with the composite primary outcome of death or transfer (for more complex care), whereas eclampsia was negatively associated. Being an adolescent was not associated with this outcome, not even when adjusting for potential confounders. Conversely, being an adolescent was associated with fewer complications (secondary outcome) even after adjusting for potential confounders (type of admission, eclampsia, pre‐eclampsia, surgical site infection, abdominal hemorrhage, drug abuse, metabolic syndrome, malnutrition, pneumothorax, or circulatory dysfunction).

Conclusion

In Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, adult women admitted to the ICU because of gestational or birth complications had worse outcomes compared with adolescents.
Edge computing based ice‐snow data analysis with NDN paradigm support
Authors: Liu Peng
Published: January 2021

In the era of big data, different data types have emerged as the introduction of new applications. Under this context, the data analysis becomes more and more significant, especially in the field of uncertain trajectory prediction. On the occasion of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, this paper pays attention to the ice‐snow data analysis so as to provide the support for the uncertain trajectory prediction. In terms of the enormous and redundant ice‐snow data, the edge computing framework is exploited to offload such data into the edge computing server for computing. Meanwhile, in order to satisfy the fast and efficient computing, the ice‐snow data is classified into different application types according to the named feature. For such purpose, this paper uses the inherent name space of Named Data Networking to differentiate different application types. Furthermore, regarding edge computing, this paper adopts Particle Swarm Optimization to perform the tasks offloading. For the proposed ice‐snow data analysis scheme, this paper carries out the real experiment environment deployment, and the results show that it can be used to provide the reference for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.