bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mussel‐Inspired Alternating Copolymer as a High‐Performance Adhesive Material Both at Dry and Under‐Seawater Conditions
Authors: Sha Xinyi , Zhang Changxu , Qi Meiwei , Zheng Longhui , Cai Beike , Chen Feng , Wang Yuling , Zhou Yongfeng
Published: April 2020

Marine mussels have the ability to cling to various surfaces at wet or underwater conditions, which inspires the research of catechol‐functionalized polymers (CFPs) to develop high‐performance adhesive materials. However, these polymeric adhesives generally face the problems of complex synthetic route, and it is still high challenging to prepare CFPs with excellent adhesive performance both at dry and underwater conditions. Herein, a mussel‐inspired alternating copolymer, poly(dopamine‐alt‐2,2‐bis(4‐glycidyloxyphenyl)propane) (P(DA‐a‐BGOP)), is synthesized in one step by using commercially available monomers through epoxy‐amino click chemistry. The incorporation of polar groups and rigid bisphenol A structures into the polymer backbone enhances the cohesion energy of polymer matrix. The alternating polymer structure endows the polymers with high catechol content and controlled polymer sequence. As a result, P(DA‐a‐BGOP) exhibits a strong bonding strength as high as 16.39 ± 2.13 MPa on stainless steel substrates after a hot pressing procedure and displays a bonding strength of 1.05 ± 0.05 MPa on glass substrates at an under‐seawater condition, which surpasses most commercial adhesives.
A natural way to construct an almost complex B‐metric structure
Authors: Solgun Mehmet , Karababa Yasemin
Published: April 2020

In this work, we construct an almost complex B‐metric structure on a manifold
, where M is equipped with an almost contact B‐metric manifold. Moreover, we give some relations and conditions for existence of structures between the classes of almost contact B‐metric structures and the obtained almost complex B‐metric structures.
Paravertebral block for radiologically inserted gastrostomy tube placement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Porter Steven B. , McClain Robert L. , Robards Christopher B. , Paz‐Fumagalli Ricardo , Clendenen Steven R. , Logvinov Ilana I. , Hex Karina O. , Palmucci Carla , Oskarsson Björn E.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) placement in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) carries risks related to periprocedural sedation and analgesia. To minimize these risks, we used a paravertebral block (PVB) technique for RIG placement.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with ALS undergoing RIG placement under PVB between 2013 and 2017.

Results

Ninety‐nine patients with ALS underwent RIG placement under PVB. Median (range) age was 66 (28 to 86) years, ALS Functional Rating Scale—Revised score was 27 (6 to 45), and forced vital capacity was 47% (8%–79%) at time of RIG placement. Eighty‐five (85.9%) patients underwent RIG placement as outpatients, with a mean postanesthesia care unit stay of 2.3 hours. The readmission rate was 4% at both 1 and 30 days postprocedure.

Discussion

PVB for RIG placement has a low rate of adverse events and provides effective periprocedural analgesia in patients with ALS, the majority of whom can be treated as outpatients.
Stories of strangers: Writing donor acquisition letters in the human services
Authors: Hansen Ruth K.
Published: April 2020

This study explores the choices fundraisers make in crafting letters to acquire new donors for a human services organization, and whether the type of client served affects those choices. We use an experiment to control for organizational differences, and code the resulting letters written for elements identified in theory and practice, then perform an exploratory factor analysis to find patterns of co‐occurring variables. Writers tended to focus either on the quality of the organization or the unmet need in the community, but not both. Two of the factors, Universalism and Security, describe distinct personal value constructs that may reflect the preferences of the writer or the presumed preferences of the reader. Compared to participants writing for an older adult client base, participants writing for clients with mental illness were less likely to use a negative frame, more likely to use statistical evidence, and used lower expectations in describing successful client outcomes. Within letters, clients were described using three patterns: by describing a stranger who is worth helping because of intrinsic attributes; by describing a stranger who is worth helping because of their relationships within the social order; by describing the client group using facts and statistics, rather than an emotionally compelling story narrative.
Post‐hoc analysis investigating the safety and efficacy of brexpiprazole in Japanese patients with schizophrenia who were switched from other antipsychotics in a long‐term study (Secondary Publication)
Authors: Ishigooka Jun , Usami Tomohiro , Iwashita Shuichi , Kojima Yoshitsugu , Matsuo Satoshi
Published: April 2020

A post hoc analysis was performed using data obtained over eight weeks from 200 Japanese patients with schizophrenia who were switched to brexpiprazole monotherapy in a long‐term treatment study. The 8‐week period comprised of a 4‐week switching phase and a 4‐week post‐switch phase. For the antipsychotic switching schedule, brexpiprazole was first administered at 1 mg/day and increased to 2 mg/day by the end of week 4. Concurrently, the previous antipsychotic(s) was/were tapered gradually from the start of week 3 and discontinued by the end of week 4. Brexpiprazole could then be increased up to 4 mg/day according to the CGI‐I criteria. At week 8, 1.8%, 23.2%, 25.0%, and 50% of patients were administered daily brexpiprazole doses of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg, respectively. The discontinuation rate at week 8 was 17.0%. The major reasons for discontinuation were consent withdrawal (9.5%), occurrence of adverse events (5.5%), and physician's decision (2.0%). Commonly reported adverse events were nasopharyngitis (13.5%), schizophrenia (9.0%), insomnia (6.5%), headache (5.5%), and akathisia (5.5%). The discontinuation rate was 4.9% for patients who were switched from aripiprazole as the primary antipsychotic and 25.4% for those who were switched from other antipsychotics. Owing to the serious adverse events that led to treatment discontinuation, careful switching to brexpiprazole is necessary in patients who previously used olanzapine as their primary antipsychotic.
Design of aluminum trihydroxide and P‐N core‐shell structures and their synergistic effects on halogen‐free flame‐retardant polyethylene composites
Authors: Long Shijun , Qiu Di , Long Ren , Li Xun , Chen Hanyu , Huang Yiwan , Li Xuefeng
Published: April 2020

In order to improve the performance of inorganic/organic composites, aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) core composites with a styrene‐ethylene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH‐g‐SEBS) shell phase, and P‐N flame retardant as a synergistic agent, were prepared through an interface design. The effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) content on the interfacial interaction, flame retardancy, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ATH composites were investigated by small angle X‐ray diffraction, rotational rheometer, limiting oxygen index, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile testing. The ATH synergistic effects of P‐N flame‐retardant improved the combustion performance of HDPE/ATH/PEG(3%)/MAH‐g‐SEBS/P‐N (abbreviated as HDPE/MH3/M‐g‐S/P‐N) composite by forming more carbon layer, increased the elongation at break from 21% to 558% compared to HDPE/ATH, and increased the interface thickness from 0.447 to 0.891 nm. SEM results support the compatibility of ATH with HDPE increased and the interfacial effect was enhanced. TGA showed the maximum decomposition temperature of the two stages and the yield of the residue at high temperature increased first and then decreased with the increase of PEG content. Rheological behavior showed the storage modulus, complex viscosity, and the relaxation time initially increased and then decreased with the increase of PEG content indicating PEG, M‐g‐S, and ATH powder gradually formed a partial coating, then a full coating, and finally an over‐coated core‐shell structured model.
Morphology, intrafetal vascular pattern, and umbilical artery Doppler indices of acardiac twins
Authors: Wataganara Tuangsit , Phithakwatchara Nisarat , Pooliam Julaporn , Jaingam Suparat , Thongkloung Piyatida , Mongkolchat Nadda , Viboonchart Sommai , Nawapun Katika
Published: April 2020

Background

Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence consists of acardiac twin (A) paradoxically perfused by pump twin (P) through an umbilical artery (UA). We proposed characterization of acardiac twins with intrafetal vascular pattern (IVP), and assessed its correlation with morphology and UA Doppler indices.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 21 cases of TRAP sequence. Morphology (acardia vs hemicardia) and IVP (simple vs complex) of acardiac twins were characterized with ultrasound and color Doppler. Twins weight ratio (A/P Wt) and UA Doppler indices of acardiac and pump twins including (1) difference of systolic/diastolic ratio (UA ∆S/D), (2) difference of resistance index (UA ∆RI), and (3) ratio of pulsatility index (UA PI A/P) were calculated.

Results

The median (min, max) gestational age at diagnosis was 18 (11, 27) weeks. Acardia (n = 14) were associated with simple IVP (n = 16) (P < .05). After exclusion of acardia with complex IVP (n = 1), the A/P Wt, UA ∆S/D, UA ∆RI, and UA PI A/P of acardia with simple IVP (n = 13), hemicardia with simple IVP (n = 3), and hemicardia with complex IVP (n = 4) were not significantly different (P > .05).

Conclusions

Most of acardiac twins were acardia with simple IVP. Morphology and IVP of acardiac twins were not associated with UA Doppler indices.
Recognizing the unique prenatal phenotype of Prader‐Willi Syndrome (PWS) indicates the need for a diagnostic methylation test
Authors: Srebnik Naama , Gross Even‐Zohar Noa , Salama Abdalla , Sela Hen Y. , Hirsch Harry J. , Gross‐Tsur Varda , Eldar‐Geva Talia
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by mental retardation, morbid obesity, and endocrine and behavior disorders. We previously showed in a small group of patients that PWS may have a unique prenatal phenotype. We aimed to characterize clinical and ultrasonic features in a larger series of pregnancies with a PWS fetus.

Methods

We retrospectively interviewed all mothers of children with PWS followed in the Israel national multidisciplinary PWS clinic. We compared details of the PWS pregnancy with the pregnancies of healthy siblings and with data from the general population. Medical records including ultrasound reports, obstetric records, and genetic results were analyzed.

Results

Distinct prenatal features of PWS pregnancies included abnormal fetal growth [fetal growth restriction (FGR) (37.3%), increased head to abdominal circumference ratio (44.8%), decreased abdominal circumference (49.2%)], markedly decreased fetal movements (DFM) (80.4%), and polyhydramnios (42.0%) (P < 0.001 for all). The combination of abnormal growth accompanied by polyhydramnios or DFM was highly suggestive for PWS.

Conclusions

Recognition of the unique PWS phenotype should alert obstetricians to consider the possibility of PWS, perform the diagnostic methylation test, provide appropriate counseling, and plan optimal management of the affected pregnancy.
Heavy crude oil asphaltenes as a nanofiller for epoxy resin
Authors: Ignatenko Viktoria Y. , Kostyuk Anna V. , Kostina Julia V. , Bakhtin Danila S. , Makarova Veronika V. , Antonov Sergey V. , Ilyin Sergey O.
Published: April 2020

Asphaltenes are harmful components of heavy crude oils and require rational utilization after oil refining or deasphalting. Asphaltenes are macromolecules containing various functional groups that self‐assemble to nanoscale aggregates and can be used as nanofillers for polymers. In this research, mixtures of asphaltenes with the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A were considered. The solubility of asphaltenes in this epoxy resin, the rheological properties of the mixtures, and the effect of asphaltenes on the curing with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone were studied. In addition, the glass transition temperature, strength, and adhesion characteristics of the asphaltene‐filled cured composites were evaluated. The dual role of asphaltenes in polymer modification was demonstrated: the asphaltenes simultaneously plasticize and reinforce the polymer matrix, and the transition from predominant plasticization to strengthening occurs with an asphaltene content at 20 wt%. The dual reinforcement/plasticization effect occurs because epoxy composites contain both nanosized and microsized particles of asphaltenes due to the partial dissolution of asphaltenes in the epoxy resin and the decrease in their solubility during high‐temperature curing.
A Green Wave for Electric Cars
Authors: Bisch Stefanie , Zaske Sebastian
Published: April 2020

The automotive industry and suppliers are looking for production standards for the mass manufacture of electric cars. It turns out that green laser light is the ideal welding tool for copper electrical components.
A Ru(II)‐Based Nanoassembly Exhibiting Theranostic PACT Activity in NIR Region
Authors: Wang Youchao , Tian Na , Sun Weize , Rena Boerhan , Guo Xusheng , Feng Yang , Li Chao , Wang Xuesong , Zhou Qianxiong
Published: April 2020

Photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) has appealing merits over traditional chemotherapy as well as photodynamic therapy (PDT) by virtue of its spatial and temporal control on drug activity and oxygen‐independent mechanisms of action. However, the short photoactivation wavelengths, e.g., visible light–activated Ru(II)‐based PACT agents, limit the clinical application severely. In this work, a facile construction of supramolecular nanoparticles from a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐modified [Ru(dip)2(py‐SO3)]+ (abbreviated as Ru‐PEG, dip = 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, py‐SO3 = pyridine‐2‐sulfonate) and 1,3‐phenylenebis(pyren‐1‐ylmethanone) (BP) is shown. While Ru‐PEG may undergo photoinduced ligand dissociation and release anticancer species of [Ru(dip)2(H2O)2]2+, BP has extremely large two‐photon absorption cross sections (δ2) in the NIR region and intense fluorescence over the wavelengths where Ru‐PEG has strong absorption. Thus, two‐photon excitation of BP followed by an efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from BP to Ru‐PEG may lead to a potent inactivation against cisplatin‐resistant cancer cells and 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs). The residue fluorescence of BP also allows the cellular uptake of the particles to be visualized. This work provides a universal and convenient strategy to realize theranostic PACT in the ideal phototherapeutic window of 650–900 nm.
Toward a new picture of the living plasma membrane
Authors: Kalappurakkal Joseph Mathew , Sil Parijat , Mayor Satyajit
Published: April 2020

Our understanding of the plasma membrane structure has undergone a major change since the proposal of the fluid mosaic model of Singer and Nicholson in the 1970s. In this model, the membrane, composed of over thousand lipid and protein species, is organized as a well‐equilibrated two‐dimensional fluid. Here, the distribution of lipids is largely expected to reflect a multicomponent system, and proteins are expected to be surrounded by an annulus of specialized lipid species. With the recognition that a multicomponent lipid membrane is capable of phase segregation, the membrane is expected to appear as patchwork quilt pattern of membrane domains. However, the constituents of a living membrane are far from being well equilibrated. The living cell membrane actively maintains a trans‐bilayer asymmetry of composition, and its constituents are subject to a number of dynamic processes due to synthesis, lipid transfer as well as membrane traffic and turnover. Moreover, membrane constituents engage with the dynamic cytoskeleton of a living cell, and are both passively as well as actively manipulated by this engagement. The extracellular matrix and associated elements also interact with membrane proteins contributing to another layer of interaction. At the nano‐ and mesoscale, the organization of lipids and proteins emerge from these encounters, as well as from protein–protein, protein–lipid, and lipid–lipid interactions in the membrane. New methods to study the organization of membrane components at these scales have also been developed, and provide an opportunity to synthesize a new picture of the living cell surface as an active membrane composite.
Polysaccharide extracted from Potentilla anserina L ameliorate acute hypobaric hypoxia‐induced brain impairment in rats
Authors: Shi Jipeng , Wang Jinhui , Zhang Ji , Li Xiaolin , Tian Xiuyu , Wang Weigang , Wang Peng , Li Maoxing
Published: April 2020

High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a high altitude malady caused by acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH), in which pathogenesis is associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. Potentilla anserina L is mainly distributed in Tibetan Plateau, and its polysaccharide possesses many physiological and pharmacological properties. In the present study, the protective effect and potential treatment mechanism of Potentilla anserina L polysaccharide (PAP) in HACE were explored. First, we measured the brain water content and observed the pathological changes in brain tissues, furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) were evaluated by kits. Finally, the protein contents and mRNA expressions of pro‐inflammatory (IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, vascular endothelial cell growth factor [VEGF], NF‐κB, and hypoxia inducible factor‐1 α [HIF‐1α]) were detected by ELISA kits, RT‐PCR, and western blotting. The results demonstrated that PAP reduced the brain water content, alleviated brain tissue injury, reduce the levels of MDA and NO, and increased the activity of SOD and GSH level. In addition, PAP blocking the NF‐κB and HIF‐1α signaling pathway activation inhibited the generation of downstream pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and VEGF). Therefore, PAP has a potential to treat and prevent of HACE by suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.
Simplified method for the measurement of plasma alkylresorcinols: Biomarkers of whole‐grain intake
Authors: Rodríguez‐Morató Jose , Jayawardene Sarah , Huang Neil K. , Dolnikowski Gregory G. , Galluccio Jean , Lichtenstein Alice H. , Matthan Nirupa R.
Published: April 2020

Rationale

Consumption of whole grains is negatively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk but quantification of whole‐grain intake is challenging. Alkylresorcinols (ARs) are biomarkers of whole‐grain intake. Current methods for AR quantification involve a time‐consuming multi‐step separation process that hampers applicability in large‐scale studies.

Methods

We developed a streamlined method to quantify ARs in human plasma based on protein precipitation and direct injection into an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer operating in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization negative ion mode.

Results

Separation of five major ARs was achieved, with linearity in the 5 to 550 nmol/L range and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 nmol/L and quantification (LOQ) of 5 nmol/L. The within‐run and between‐run precision and accuracy were below 15%, and recoveries above 90%. Once validated, the method was applied to measure concentrations of plasma ARs in subjects who participated in a randomized, crossover trial evaluating the effect of carbohydrate type on CVD risk factors. The unrefined carbohydrate diet with the highest fiber content resulted in the highest plasma AR concentration (93 ± 78 nmol/L), and was significantly different (p <0.01) from lower fiber diets (18 ± 26 nmol/L and 19 ± 26 nmol/L, simple and unrefined carbohydrate, respectively).

Conclusions

This method offers a simplified approach to measure concentrations of plasma ARs as an objective biomarker of whole‐grain intake that can be applied to large‐scale cohort studies.
The effect of camera orientation on the detectability of wildlife: a case study from north‐western Australia
Authors: Moore Harry A. , Valentine Leonie E. , Dunlop Judy A. , Nimmo Dale G.
Published: April 2020

Camera traps are increasingly used to survey and monitor rare or cryptic species, yet few studies consider how camera orientation influences species detectability, among other metrics such as total independent detections and likelihood of missing detections. We used these measures to compare the performance of vertically and horizontally orientated camera traps at 46 sites spread over 10 000 km2 in north‐west Australia. Data were collected for four taxa, including northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus), Rothschild's rock‐wallabys (Petrogale rothschildi), feral cats (Felis catus) and varanids (Varanus spp.). Metrics compared included probability of species presence/absence, total independent detections recorded and likelihood of cameras missing or recording nightly detections. We found camera orientation did not impact camera performance across any metric for northern quolls. By contrast, we found horizontal cameras were more efficient at detecting feral cats and Rothschild's rock wallabies. They also recorded more detections and were less likely to miss detections than vertical cameras for these species. For varanids, vertical cameras outperformed horizontal cameras across all metrics. Studies that use vertical cameras to collect image data better suited for species or individual identification should consider how target species detectability may be compromised by having a reduced detection zone size. However, horizontally orientated cameras may not always be superior to vertically orientated cameras in terms of species detectability, particularly for laterally compressed species such as lizards.
Development of a voltage‐applicable heating specimen holder for in situ observations of solid oxide fuel cells with an environmental transmission electron microscope
Authors: Ishida Takafumi , Hiroshima Hideto , Higuchi Kimitaka , Tomita Masahiro , Saitoh Koh , Tanji Takayoshi
Published: April 2020

A voltage‐applicable heating specimen holder is developed to observe solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) in an environmental transmission electron microscope. An SOFC specimen can be heated and has a voltage applied in an oxygen gas atmosphere using the holder. Oxygen ion migration and redox reactions in the specimen could also be realized. The heating unit, which consists of nickel–chromium alloy mounted on the tip of the developed specimen holder, can heat the specimen up to 1200 K in an oxygen gas atmosphere. A specimen preparation method for the SOFC structure is also established using a focused ion beam technique. The holder has high stability for high‐resolution imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy under the in situ condition. The mechanical and electrical stabilities are estimated from high‐resolution images and electron energy loss spectra of the heated and voltage‐applied specimen in an oxygen gas atmosphere. The developed holder is a powerful tool to reveal the microstructural and electronic structural changes that occur by electrochemical reactions at the interfaces of an SOFC.
Biodegradable Microalgae‐Based Carriers for Targeted Delivery and Imaging‐Guided Therapy toward Lung Metastasis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Zhong Danni , Zhang Dongxiao , Xie Tingting , Zhou Min
Published: April 2020

High delivery efficiency, prolonged drug release, and low systemic toxicity are effective weapons for drug delivery systems to win the battle against metastatic breast cancer. Herein, it is shown that Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) can be used as natural carriers to construct a drug‐loaded system for targeted delivery and fluorescence imaging‐guided chemotherapy on lung metastasis of breast cancer. The chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) is loaded into S. platensis (SP) via only one facile step to fabricate the DOX‐loaded SP (SP@DOX), which exhibits ultrahigh drug loading efficiency and PH‐responsive drug sustained release. The rich chlorophyll endows SP@DOX excellent fluorescence imaging capability for noninvasive tracking and real‐time monitoring in vivo. Moreover, the micrometer‐sized and spiral‐shaped SP carriers enable the as‐prepared SP@DOX to passively target the lungs and result in a significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy on lung metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer. Finally, the undelivered carriers can be biodegraded through renal clearance without notable toxicity. The SP@DOX described here presents a novel biohybrid strategy for targeted drug delivery and effective treatment on cancer metastasis.
Delivering unexpected news via obstetric ultrasound: A systematic review and meta‐ethnographic synthesis of expectant parent and staff experiences
Authors: Johnson Judith , Dunning Alice , Sattar Raabia , Arezina Jane , Karkowsky Eve C. , Thomas Samantha , Panagioti Maria
Published: April 2020

Expectant parents report negative experiences of receiving unexpected news via ultrasound. There is a need to improve communication in this setting, but a lack of understanding on how to achieve this. This systematic review aimed to synthesise findings from qualitative studies exploring experiences of expectant parents or healthcare professionals when a fetal abnormality or unexpected finding was identified via ultrasound. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched using three blocks of terms (fetal abnormalities; ultrasound; experiences). Qualitative studies exploring the disclosure of pregnancy complications during ultrasound examinations were included and analysed using meta‐ethnographic synthesis. The review was conducted according to PRISMA and eMERGe guidelines. The review identified 28 studies. News delivered via ultrasound can be viewed as a journey involving five phases (expectations of ultrasound scans; discovery; shock; decisions and planning; adaptation). How well this is navigated depends upon the extent to which information needs and support needs are met. Ultrasound is a uniquely challenging situation to communicate difficult news as there is the potential for news to be communicated immediately. Care quality could be improved by the provision of written information and the use of correct terminology to describe abnormalities.
Structural member stability verification in the new Part 1‐1 of the second generation of Eurocode 3
Authors: Knobloch Markus , Bureau Alain , Kuhlmann Ulrike , da Silva Luís Simões , Snijder Hubertus. H. , Taras Andreas , Bours Anna‐Lena , Jörg Fabian
Published: April 2020

This two‐part article gives an overview of the developments of the structural member verification in prEN 1993‐1‐1:2020 “Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures – part 1‐1: General rules and rules for buildings”, one of the second generation of Eurocodes. These developments were undertaken by Working Group 1 (WG1) of Subcommittee CEN/TC250/SC3 and by Project Team 1 (SC3.PT1) responsible for drafting the new version of EN 1993‐1‐1. In the past, WG1 collected many topics needing improvement, and the systematic review conducted every five years also yielded topics needing further development. Based on this, the current version of EN 1993‐1‐1 has been developed into a new draft version prEN 1993‐1‐1:2020 enhancing “ease of use”. The technical content of this new draft was laid down at the end of 2019. Many improvements to design rules have been established with respect to structural analysis, resistance of cross‐sections and stability of members. This two‐part article focuses on member stability design rules and deals with the basis for the calibration of partial factors, the introduction of more economic design rules for semi‐compact sections, methods for structural analysis in relation to the appropriate member stability design rules, new design rules for lateral torsional buckling plus other developments and innovations. This first part of the article primarily serves to explain the general background to the European Commission Mandate M/515 that led to the further evolution of the Eurocodes and to illustrate the developments in prEN1993‐1‐1:2020 that pertain to new material grades, partial factors, cross‐sectional classification and structural analysis. These form the necessary background to the changes to member buckling design rules, which are treated more specifically in the second part.
Temperature‐Responsive Low Molecular Weight Ionic Liquid Based Gelator: An Approach to Fabricate an Anti‐Cancer Drug‐Loaded Hybrid Ionogel
Authors: Kuddushi Muzammil , Patel Nehal K. , Rajput Sargam , El Seoud Omar A. , Mata Jitendra P. , Malek Naved I.
Published: April 2020

Conceptualising gelators with stimuli responsiveness is advantageous to design smart materials for emerging technologies. These gelators, if are surface active and made up of active pharmaceutical ingredients, can (i) exhibit an interesting pharmaceutical profile, (ii) be useful in drug formulations and (iii) exert direct effects on cell membranes. Herein, cetylpyridinium salicylate (CetPySal) that offers higher surface activity than its precursor surfactant, cetpylpyridinium chloride (CPCl), was synthesised. CetPySal forms a temperature‐responsive ionogel at a critical gelation concentration that changes its physical appearance with temperature, i. e. opaque to transparent, owing to its structural arrangement within its supramolecular framework, that are characterized through spectrometric, calorimetric, scattering and microscopic techniques. The viscoelastic nature of the ionogels was studied through dynamic rheological measurements and the interactions that governs the phase transition were studied through FTIR spectroscopy. The hybrid pharmaceutical ionogels was successfully constructed through encapsulation of the chemotherapeutic drug imatinib mesylate within the ionogel matrix. The sustained release of the drug was investigated from this hybrid ionogel matrix. These results suggest that this new thermo‐responsive ionogel may be used to improve sustained release of drugs and open up new avenues as low‐cost gelators for biomedical applications.
Seismic design of outrigger systems using equivalent energy design procedure
Authors: Yang T.Y. , Atkinson Jeremy , Tobber Lisa , Tung Dorian P. , Neville Bob
Published: April 2020

An outrigger system is an effective structural scheme that is commonly used in high‐rise construction to increase the stiffness of concrete core walls and to reduce the moment demand within the walls. Despite the on‐going use of outrigger systems around the world, a formal seismic design procedure is yet available. This paper presents an equivalent energy design procedure (EEDP) to design outrigger systems for seismic applications. Three prototype outrigger‐wall buildings of various heights are designed for Vancouver, Canada. Detailed finite element models are developed to assess the seismic performance of the prototype buildings and to assess the safety using the FEMA P695 methodology. The result shows that EEDP is an efficient method to design outrigger systems which results in structures that can achieve sufficient margin of safety against collapse and satisfy multiple performance objectives at different seismic hazard levels.
Optimal design of real‐size building structures using quantum‐behaved developed swarm optimizer
Authors: Talatahari Siamak , Azizi Mahdi
Published: April 2020

In this paper, the quantum‐behaved developed swarm optimizer is proposed for optimal design of real‐size building structures in which the quantum computing is introduced into the standard developed swarm optimizer. In this method, the position‐updating process for the search agents is conducted by simultaneous utilization of the so far best position of all particles, center of mass of all particles, so far best position of each particle, and the mean best position of all particles in which the first two of these aspects satisfy the exploration phase of the algorithm, whereas the other two are utilized for improving the exploitation phase of the proposed method. In order to evaluate the capability of the proposed method in dealing with difficult optimization problems, three real‐size building structures are considered, namely, a 10‐story building with 1,026 structural members, a 20‐story building with 3,860 members, and a 60‐story building with 8,272 members. The overall performance of the proposed quantum‐behaved developed swarm optimizer is compared with that of the standard developed swarm optimizer and other approaches. The obtained results proved that the proposed method is capable of providing better results for the considered examples than are the other algorithms.
Advances and perspectives in near‐infrared fluorescent organic probes for surgical oncology
Authors: Xu Dazhuang , Li Lei , Chu Chengchao , Zhang Xiaoyong , Liu Gang
Published: April 2020

Surgical resection of solid tumors is currently the most efficient and preferred therapeutic strategy for treating cancer. Despite significant medical, technical, and scientific advances, the complete treatment of this lethal disease is still a challenging task. New imaging techniques and contrast agents are urgently needed to improve cytoreductive surgery and patient outcomes. Tumor‐targeted probes are valuable for guiding a surgical resection of tumor from subjective judgments to visual inspection. Near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging is a promising technology in preclinical and clinical tumor diagnosis and therapy. The rapid development in NIR fluorophores with improved optical properties, targeting strategies, and imaging devices has brought about prospective study of novel NIR nanomaterials for intraoperative tumor detection. In this review, we summarize the recent development in NIR‐emitting organic fluorophores and cancer‐targeting strategies that specifically target and accumulate in tumors for the molecular imaging of cancerous cells. We believe this technique utilizing new fluorescent probes with an intraoperative optical imaging capacity could provide a more sensitive and accurate method for cancer resection guidance, thereby resulting in better surgical outcomes.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Rb2[U(NH2)6], a Rubidium Hexaamidouranate(IV) obtained from the Reaction of UI3 with RbNH2 in Anhydrous Ammonia
Authors: Rudel Stefan S. , Karttunen Antti J. , Kraus Florian
Published: April 2020

The pyrophoric compound Rb2[U(NH2)6] was obtained as a grey to black powder from the reaction of more than three equivalents of RbNH2 with UI3 in anhydrous liquid ammonia. During the process, UIII is oxidized to UIV and ammonia is reduced under evolution of H2. Rb2[U(NH2)6] crystallizes in the cubic crystal system, space group Fm3m, with the lattice parameter a = 9.7870(12) Å, V = 937.4(2) Å3, Z = 4 at T = 293 K. It is isotypic to K2PtCl6. The compound contains the unprecedented hexaamidouranate(IV) anion [U(NH2)6]2–.
Transaminases for industrial biocatalysis: novel enzyme discovery
Authors: Kelly Stephen A. , Mix Stefan , Moody Thomas S. , Gilmore Brendan F.
Published: April 2020

Transaminases (TAms) are important enzymes for the production of chiral amines for the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. Novel TAms for use in these industries have been discovered using a range of approaches, including activity-guided methods and homologous sequence searches from cultured microorganisms to searches using key motifs and metagenomic mining of environmental DNA libraries. This mini-review focuses on the methods used for TAm discovery over the past two decades, analyzing the changing trends in the field and highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of the respective approaches used. This review will also discuss the role of protein engineering in the development of novel TAms and explore possible directions for future TAm discovery for application in industrial biocatalysis.

Key Points

• The past two decades of TAm enzyme discovery approaches are explored.

• TAm sequences are phylogenetically analyzed and compared to other discovery methods.

• Benefits and drawbacks of discovery approaches for novel biocatalysts are discussed.

• The role of protein engineering and future discovery directions is highlighted.
Abbauplanung der Schwebenrückgewinnung im Gipsbergbau Preinsfeld
Authors: Fischer Angelika , Hartlieb Philipp , Daul Johannes
Published: April 2020

Im Gipsbergbau Preinsfeld in Niederösterreich wurde bis 2001 untertägig Gips gewonnen. Durch die Abbaumethode des Örter-Festenbaus auf Teilsohlen sind Schweben mit einer Mächtigkeit von circa 4 m zurückgeblieben. Im Rahmen einer Diplomarbeit wurde die noch vorhandene Menge Gips analysiert und eine geeignete Abbaumethode für die Schwebenrückgewinnung ausgewählt. Die Vortriebsmethode Bohren und Sprengen wurde dem maschinellen Vortrieb mittels Teilschnittmaschine gegenübergestellt. Aufgrund technischer und wirtschaftlicher Aspekte wurde die Teilschnittmaschine als geeigneter angesehen und die Materialförderung darauf abgestimmt. Mit Hilfe der Geologie- und Bergbauplanungssoftware Geovia Surpac™ wurde ein dreidimensionales Bergbaumodell für unterschiedliche Abbaumethoden erstellt. Die Abbaumethode des klassischen Örter-Festenbaus wurde mit verschiedenen Streckenprofilen geplant und einem Kammerbau mit Vollversatz gegenübergestellt. Die Entscheidung der Abbaumethode fiel unter Berücksichtigung von wirtschaftlichen, technischen und sicherheitsrelevanten Aspekten zugunsten des Kammerbaus aus. Dieser wurde in Folge im Detail unter anderem hinsichtlich Sequenzierung, Bewetterung, Kosten und jährlicher Produktion geplant.
Genderaspekte im Gesundheitsverhalten, bei Krankheitsbewältigung und sozialer Unterstützung
Authors: Hoffer-Pober Angelika , Strametz-Juranek Jeanette
Published: April 2020

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden soziale Unterstützung bei Krankheit, Gesundheitsverhalten und Krankheitsbewältigung im Hinblick auf ihre Zusammenhänge und Genderunterschiede untersucht. Ziel der Arbeit war zum einen herauszufinden, ob sich in Bezug auf soziale Unterstützung bei Krankheit ein Genderunterschied zeigt. Zum anderen sollten die Zusammenhänge zwischen sozialer Unterstützung, Gesundheitsverhalten und Krankheitsbewältigung unter dem Genderaspekt sichtbar gemacht werden. Der Aspekt der sozialen Unterstützung wurde aus PatientInnen- und ExpertInnensicht erhoben. Frauen erlebten signifikant weniger positive Unterstützung als Männer. Auch die ExpertInnensicht wies darauf hin, dass Männer mehr soziale Unterstützung durch ihr Umfeld erfahren als Frauen. Sowohl in der Literatur als auch in den Interviews fanden sich sehr ähnliche Hinweise auf Genderunterschiede in gesundheitsrelevantem Verhalten und bei Krankheitsbewältigung, bedingt durch sozialisationsbedingte Einflussfaktoren. Dies findet sich wiederum im Unterstützungsverhalten und in den Unterstützungserwartungen von Frauen und Männern wieder. Schlussfolgernd kann festgestellt werden, dass die Reflexion dieser genderspezifischen Einflussgrößen wesentlich für die Behandlung und Begleitung von PatientInnen und deren Angehörigen ist.
Creating value of the past through negotiations in the present: balancing professional authority with influence of participants
Authors: Jansson Ina-Maria
Published: April 2020

This article investigates how an online forum for a participatory archive project can offer a platform for controlled power-sharing between archivists and participants. Additionally, it explains how participants affect the processes, structures, and end usability of the information resource they are invited to create, with a focus on representability and the ethical responsibility of archivists. This study takes its point of departure in a participatory online transcription project: Begravelser 1861–1912. The influence of participants is studied through observation of the communication between archivists and transcribers in an online discussion forum. Theoretical concepts of maximalist and minimalist participation are used to contextualize levels of user influence. The study uses a framework inspired by Community-based participatory research (CBPR) to analyze the communication. The results show how participants used the forum to gain influence in the project, and how several elements of CBPR—shared influence, mutual development, and mutual use—were manifested in the forum. The conclusion is that using a CBPR approach in participatory projects can produce synergetic effects of increased knowledge and enhanced archival responsibility in conjunction with sustainable participatory engagement.
Atherosclerotic plaque detected by transesophageal echocardiography is an independent predictor for all-cause mortality
Authors: Heidari Houtan , Ran Hong , Spinka Georg , Hengstenberg Christian , Binder Thomas , Goliasch Georg , Schneider Matthias
Published: April 2020

Atherosclerotic lesions in the great arteries are frequent findings in the elderly. Numerous studies have shown their strong predictive value for cardiovascular disease, embolic events, and mortality. We sought to determine the risk of all-cause mortality depending on the localization of plaques in the thoracic aorta evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). A total of 2,054 patients (median age 65 years, interquartile range 52–73; 58% men) who underwent a TEE examination between 01/2007 and 03/2015 were retrospectively analyzed. For each patient, the presence of atherosclerotic lesions in the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and in the descending aorta, as well as cardiovascular risk factors and survival were documented. Median follow-up period was 48 months (interquartile range 38–58). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated plaque in the ascending aorta (HR of 1.36, 95% CI 1.01–1.83, P = 0.046), the aortic arch (HR of 1.78, 95% CI 1.29–2.45, P < 0.001), the descending aorta (HR of 2.01, 95% CI 1.54–2.77, P < 0.001), and plaque in any part of the thoracic aorta (HR of 1.84, 95% CI 1.42–2.4, P < 0.001), as independent predictors for all-cause mortality after adjusting for age, sex, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and diabetes. In this study, we could demonstrate that more than mild plaque at any site of the thoracic aorta predicts all-cause mortality. Assessment of atherosclerotic lesions in all segments of the thoracic aorta should be part of every routine TEE examination.
Beliefs, social identity, and the view of opponents in Swedish carnivore management policy
Authors: Nilsson Jens , Sandström Annica , Nohrstedt Daniel
Published: April 2020

In the policy sciences, the intractability of disputes in natural resource governance is commonly explained in terms of a “devil shift” between rival policy coalitions. In a devil shift, policy actors overestimate the power of their opponents and exaggerate the differences between their own and their opponents’ policy beliefs. While the devil shift is widely recognized in policy research, knowledge of its causes and solutions remains limited. Drawing insights from the advocacy coalition framework and social identity theory, we empirically explore beliefs and social identity as two potential drivers of the devil shift. Next, we investigate the potential of collaborative venues to decrease the devil shift over time. These assumptions are tested through statistical analyses of longitudinal survey data targeting actors involved in three policy subsystems within Swedish large carnivore management. Our evidence shows, first, that the devil shift is more pronounced if coalitions are defined by shared beliefs rather than by shared identity. Second, our study shows that participation in collaborative venues does not reduce the devil shift over time. We end by proposing methodological and theoretical steps to advance knowledge of the devil shift in contested policy subsystems.
On asymptotic periodicity of kernel double Markovian operators
Authors: Bartoszek Wojciech , Krzemiński Michał
Published: April 2020

It is proved that a kernel, doubly Markovian operator T is asymptotically periodic if and only if its deterministic $$\sigma $$
σ
-field $$\varSigma _d(T)$$

Σ
d

(
T
)

(equivalently $$\varSigma _d(T^*)$$

Σ
d

(

T
∗

)

) is finite. It follows that kernel doubly Markovian operator T is asymptotically periodic if and only if $$T^*$$

T
∗

is asymptotically periodic.
Modifiable Factors Associated with Non-adherence to Antihypertensive or Antihyperlipidemic Drugs Are Dissimilar: a Multicenter Study Among Patients with Diabetes in Indonesia
Authors: Alfian Sofa D. , Annisa Nurul , Fajriansyah Fajriansyah , Perwitasari Dyah A. , Abdulah Rizky , Hak Eelko , Denig Petra
Published: April 2020

Background

To develop targeted and tailored interventions for addressing medication non-adherence, it is important to identify underlying factors.

Objective

To identify factors associated with non-adherence as well as subtypes of non-adherence to antihypertensive or antihyperlipidemic drugs among patients with type 2 diabetes in Indonesia.

Design

An observational multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Participants

Patients with type 2 diabetes using either antihypertensive or antihyperlipidemic drugs in four regions in Indonesia.

Main Measures

Non-adherence and its subtypes of intentional and unintentional non-adherence were assessed using the Medication Adherence Report Scale. Necessity and concern beliefs were assessed with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. We applied binary and multinomial logistic regression to assess associations of medication beliefs, sociodemographic factors, and clinical-related factors to non-adherence and report odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Key Results

Of 571 participating patients (response rate 97%), 45.5% and 52.7% were non-adherent to antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic drugs, respectively. Older age was associated with non-adherence to antihypertensive drugs (60–69 years) (OR, 5.65; 95% CI, 2.68–11.92), while higher necessity beliefs (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88–0.95) were associated with less non-adherence. Factors associated with non-adherence to antihyperlipidemic drugs were female gender (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.03–3.27) and higher concern beliefs (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.18), while higher necessity beliefs (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83–0.96) were associated with less non-adherence.

Conclusions

The main factors associated with non-adherence to antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic drugs are modifiable. In general, beliefs about the necessity of the drug are important but for antihyperlipidemic drugs concerns are important as well. Healthcare providers should pay attention to identify and address medication beliefs during patient counselling.
Was passiert im Gründercoaching?
Authors: Diermann Isabell , Meyer zu Riemsloh Isabel
Published: April 2020

Die vorliegende Studie exploriert die Rolle von Prozess- und Expertenberatung im Gründercoaching. Die Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Interviewstudie mit 44 Coaches zeigen, dass beide Modelle im Gründercoaching von Bedeutung sind, wobei deren Gewichtung sehr unterschiedlich ausfallen kann. Innerhalb des Prozessberatungsanteils gehen Coaches auf 17 verschiedene Themen ein, im Expertenberatungsanteil sind vier Themenbereiche relevant. Coaches setzen das jeweilige Beratungsmodell bewusst im Coachingprozess ein und reagieren damit auch auf bestimmte Anlässe, wahrgenommene Emotionen oder Reaktionen der Gründer. Die Ergebnisse lassen Implikationen für Praxis und Forschung zu.